Effect of Three Centaurea Species Collected from Central Anatolia Region of Turkey on Human Melanoma Cells

Centaurea is the largest genus within the Asteraceae family. Many members of this genus are used in traditional folk medicine, such as Centaurea pulchella used to treat skin problems such as to resolve the abscess. Although biological activities of many Centaurea species have been investigated in different countries and Turkey, cytotoxic effect of C. patula, C. pulchella and C. tchihatcheffii has not been studied yet. Melanoma is one of the most invasive and deadly forms of skin cancer. Therefore, in an ongoing effort to identify new natural anticancer products for the treatment and/or prevention of melanoma cancer, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of these Centaurea species, collected from Central Anatolia region of Turkey on cell growth and death in human melanoma cell line, A375. The results revealed that all extracts were able to inhibit, after 48 h of treatment, the growth of cancer cells, that could be related to an overall action of the phenolic compounds present. In fact, C. pulchella, with the highest level of phenolics, showed a major activity followed by C. patula and C. tchihatcheffii. Our data also demonstrate that these natural products induce apoptotic cell death. In conclusion, the study of plant extracts for their cytotoxic and apoptotic properties has shown that medicinal herbs from Centaurea species might have also importance in the prevention and treatment of melanoma.

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Anti-Cancer Effects of Asiatic Acid, a Triterpene from Centilla asiatica L: A Review

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1871520619666191211103006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (5) ◽

pp. 536-547

Author(s):

Muhammad T. Islam ◽

Eunus S. Ali ◽

Shaikh J. Uddin ◽

Ishaq N. Khan ◽

Manik C. Shill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Apoptotic Cell ◽

Human Cancer ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Asiatic Acid ◽

Inhibition Of Proliferation ◽

Anti Cancer ◽

Cancer Tumor ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Anti Tumor Activity

Background: Centilla asiatica L is a medicinal herb that has been widely used in folk medicine to treat various diseases. Asiatic Acid (AA), a triterpene and a known component of this herb, has been shown to display important biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic, neuroprotective, anxiolytic and antidepressant, hepatoprotective, pancreas protective, and cardio- protective. Objective: This review focuses on AA’s anti-cancer effects on the basis of published literature found in a number of databases such as PubMed and Science Direct. Emphasis has been given to the mechanisms of action of its anti-cancer effect. Methods: A literature survey was conducted using known databases such as PubMed and Science Direct using the keywords ‘Asiatic acid’, pairing with ‘cancer’, ‘tumor’, ‘anti-cancer effect’, ‘cytotoxic effect’, ‘anti-tumor activity’, ‘cell line’, ‘animal cancer’, and ‘human cancer’. Results: Findings suggest that AA exerts anti-cancer effects in several test systems through various pathways, including oxidative/antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity, apoptotic cell death, necrosis, anti-angiogenesis, inhibition of proliferation and cell migration, and chemoprevention. Conclusions: AA may be an effective plant-based cancer chemotherapeutic agent and a promising lead for the development of potent anticancer drugs.

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An overview on therapeutic potential of Iris Persica

Current Traditional Medicine ◽

10.2174/2215083806666200117111320 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 06 ◽

Author(s):

Faiq H. S. Hussain ◽

Hawraz Ibrahim M. Amin ◽

Dinesh kumar Patel ◽

Omji Porwal

Keyword(s):

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Underground Storage ◽

Kurdistan Region ◽

Traditional Medicines ◽

The Family ◽

Storage Organs ◽

Radical Generation ◽

Perennial Herbs

: The family Iridaceae contains 92 genera and more than 1800 species, mostly perennial herbs with underground storage organs called rhizomes (bulbs). Some genera are important in traditional medicines, especially Iris and Gladiolus. The genus Iris belongs to this family and comprises about hundreds species among them, 12 species are found in Iraq. It has been widely used various medicines worldwide especially Iris persica is used in folk medicine in the Kurdistan region of Iraq as an effective treatment against tumours, antibacterial, antifungal and treating inflammation. Earlier finding confirmed that Iris persica and its constituents play role in the scavenging of free radical generation and prevention of disease pathogenesis. Each part of the Iris persica herb has some medicinal property. This review gives a eagle eye view mainly on the biological activities of the Iris persica and some of their compounds isolated, pharmacological actions of the Iris persica extracts and products, and plausible medicinal and therapeutically applications.

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Transcriptional network constituted of CBP, Ku70, NOX2, and BAX prevents the cell death of necrosis, paraptosis, and apoptosis in human melanoma

Cell Death Discovery ◽

10.1038/s41420-021-00417-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Liang Ding ◽

Yalei Wen ◽

Xin Zhang ◽

Fang Zhao ◽

Kenao Lv ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Cell Death ◽

Apoptotic Cell ◽

Human Melanoma ◽

Transcriptional Network ◽

Multiple Roles ◽

Creb Binding Protein ◽

Cycle Arrest ◽

Intracellular Ros ◽

High Level

AbstractCREB-binding protein (CBP) is an acetyltransferase known to play multiple roles in the transcriptions of genes involving oxidative metabolism, cell cycle, DNA damage checkpoints, and cell death. In this study, CBP was found to positively regulate the expression of Ku70, and both CBP and Ku70 were found to negatively regulate the expression of NOX2, therefore, mitigating the intracellular ROS in human melanoma. Knocking down CBP or Ku70 induced necrotic and paraptotic cell death as indicated by high-level intracellular ROS, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and cell cycle arrest in the S phase. In addition, chromosomal condensations were also observed in the cells proceeding necrotic and paraptotic cell death, which was found to be related to the BAX-associated intrinsic pathway of apoptotic cell death, when Ku70 was decreased either by CBP depletion or by Ku70 depletion directly. Our results, therefore, supported the idea that CBP, Ku70, BAX, and NOX2 have formed a transcriptional network in the prevention of cell death of necrosis, paraptosis, and apoptosis in human melanoma.

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Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Scorzonera Species

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22105128 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (10) ◽

pp. 5128

Author(s):

Karolina Lendzion ◽

Agnieszka Gornowicz ◽

Krzysztof Bielawski ◽

Anna Bielawska

Keyword(s):

Biological Activities ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Quinic Acid ◽

Hepatoprotective Activity ◽

Phytochemical Composition ◽

Starting Point ◽

Microbial Infections ◽

Bacteria And Fungi ◽

Bioactive Potential

The genus Scorzonera comprises nearly 200 species, naturally occurring in Europe, Asia, and northern parts of Africa. Plants belonging to the Scorzonera genus have been a significant part of folk medicine in Asia, especially China, Mongolia, and Turkey for centuries. Therefore, they have become the subject of research regarding their phytochemical composition and biological activity. The aim of this review is to present and assess the phytochemical composition, and bioactive potential of species within the genus Scorzonera. Studies have shown the presence of many bioactive compounds like triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, or caffeic acid and quinic acid derivatives in extracts obtained from aerial and subaerial parts of the plants. The antioxidant and cytotoxic properties have been evaluated, together with the mechanism of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hepatoprotective activity. Scorzonera species have also been investigated for their activity against several bacteria and fungi strains. Despite mild cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines in vitro, the bioactive properties in wound healing therapy and the treatment of microbial infections might, in perspective, be the starting point for the research on Scorzonera species as active agents in medical products designed for miscellaneous skin conditions.

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Ethno-medicinal, phytochemistry, and pharmacological importance of Hunteria umbellate (K. Schum.) Hallier f. (Apocynaceae): a useful medicinal plant of sub-Saharan Africa

Clinical Phytoscience ◽

10.1186/s40816-021-00287-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Olumide Samuel Fadahunsi ◽

Peter Ifeoluwa Adegbola ◽

Olubukola Sinbad Olorunnisola ◽

Temitayo Idris Subair ◽

David Oluwasegun Adepoju ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tropical Rainforest ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Phytochemical Analysis ◽

Menstrual Pain ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

Medicinal Uses ◽

Intestinal Worms ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Hunteria umbellate (K. Schum.) Hallier f. (Apocynaceae) is a tropical rainforest tree commonly found in sub-Saharan region of Africa. It is a useful and very popular plant among the locals due to the outstanding anti-diabetic activity of the seeds. Methods A comprehensive literature search on articles published on phytochemical analysis and various pharmacological activities of Hunteria umbellate was carried out using search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct. Results In this review, it was deduced that H. umbellate is employed in folk medicine as an elixir for obesity, fever, leprosy sores, menstrual pain, infertility, yaws, intestinal worms, abdominal discomfort and stomach ache. Due to their durability and immunity against termites, the stems are coveted and desired as timbers in the construction of houses, while the bark has been reportedly exported to Europe for medicinal uses. Pharmacological activities such as fertility enhancing, aphrodisiac, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, has been ascribed to the different morphological organs of H. umbellate. Moreover, compounds belonging to important classes of secondary metabolites with biological activities such as triterpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, quinic acids have been identified and characterized from the plant. Conclusion From this review, it can be inferred that, numerous and bioactive principles with known biological usefulness are present in the extracts of H. umbellate and might be responsible for the observed biological and pharmacological activities.

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CD36 promotes vasculogenic mimicry in melanoma by mediating adhesion to the extracellular matrix

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-021-08482-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Carmela Martini ◽

Mark DeNichilo ◽

Danielle P. King ◽

Michaelia P. Cockshell ◽

Brenton Ebert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Matrix ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Vasculogenic Mimicry ◽

Tumor Vasculature ◽

Melanoma Cells ◽

Human Melanoma ◽

Cell Surface Glycoprotein ◽

Melanoma Cancer ◽

In Vitro Angiogenesis

Abstract Background The formation of blood vessels within solid tumors directly contributes to cancer growth and metastasis. Until recently, tumor vasculature was thought to occur exclusively via endothelial cell (EC) lined structures (i.e. angiogenesis), but a second source of tumor vasculature arises from the cancer cells themselves, a process known as vasculogenic mimicry (VM). While it is generally understood that the function of VM vessels is the same as that of EC-lined vessels (i.e. to supply oxygen and nutrients to the proliferating cancer cells), the molecular mechanisms underpinning VM are yet to be fully elucidated. Methods Human VM-competent melanoma cell lines were examined for their VM potential using the in vitro angiogenesis assays (Matrigel), together with inhibition studies using small interfering RNA and blocking monoclonal antibodies. Invasion assays and adhesion assays were used to examine cancer cell function. Results Herein we demonstrate that CD36, a cell surface glycoprotein known to promote angiogenesis by ECs, also supports VM formation by human melanoma cancer cells. In silico analysis of CD36 expression within the melanoma cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas suggests that melanoma patients with high expression of CD36 have a poorer clinical outcome. Using in vitro ‘angiogenesis’ assays and CD36-knockdown approaches, we reveal that CD36 supports VM formation by human melanoma cells as well as adhesion to, and invasion through, a cancer derived extracellular matrix substrate. Interestingly, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a ligand for CD36 on ECs that inhibits angiogenesis, has no effect on VM formation. Further investigation revealed a role for laminin, but not collagen or fibronectin, as ligands for CD36 expressing melanoma cells. Conclusions Taken together, this study suggests that CD36 is a novel regulator of VM by melanoma cancer cells that is facilitated, at least in part, via integrin-α3 and laminin. Unlike angiogenesis, VM is not perturbed by the presence of TSP-1, thus providing new information on differences between these two processes of tumor vascularization which may be exploited to combat cancer progression.

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Combined p14ARF and Interferon-β Gene Transfer to the Human Melanoma Cell Line SK-MEL-147 Promotes Oncolysis and Immune Activation

Frontiers in Immunology ◽

10.3389/fimmu.2020.576658 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Otto Luiz Dutra Cerqueira ◽

Maria Alejandra Clavijo-Salomon ◽

Elaine Cristina Cardoso ◽

Tharcisio Citrangulo Tortelli Junior ◽

Samir Andrade Mendonça ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Transfer ◽

Cell Line ◽

Melanoma Cell ◽

Immune Activation ◽

Melanoma Cell Line ◽

Human Melanoma ◽

Human Melanoma Cell Line ◽

Human Melanoma Cell ◽

Interferon Β

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Effect of guaianolides in the meiosis reinitiation of amphibian oocytes

Zygote ◽

10.1017/s0967199416000265 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 10-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. Zapata-Martínez ◽

G. Sánchez-Toranzo ◽

F. Chaín ◽

C.A.N. Catalán ◽

M.I. Bühler

Keyword(s):

Biological Activities ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Sesquiterpene Lactones ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Biological Molecules ◽

Plant Metabolites ◽

Major Mechanism ◽

Bufo Arenarum ◽

Asteraceae Family

SummarySesquiterpene lactones (STLs) are a large and structurally diverse group of plant metabolites generally found in the Asteraceae family. STLs exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities and it is generally accepted that their major mechanism of action is the alkylation of the thiol groups of biological molecules. The guaianolides is one of various groups of STLs. Anti-tumour and anti-migraine effects, an allergenic agent, an inhibitor of smooth muscle cells and of meristematic cell proliferation are only a few of the most commonly reported activities of STLs. In amphibians, fully grown ovarian oocytes are arrested at the beginning of meiosis I. Under stimulus with progesterone, this meiotic arrest is released and meiosis progresses to metaphase II, a process known as oocyte maturation. There are previous records of the inhibitory effect of dehydroleucodin (DhL), a guaianolide lactone, on the progression of meiosis. It has been also shown that DhL and its 11,13-dihydroderivative (2H-DhL; a mixture of epimers at C-11) act as blockers of the resumption of meiosis in fully grown ovarian oocytes from the amphibian Rhinella arenarum (formerly classified as Bufo arenarum). The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of four closely related guaianolides, i.e., DhL, achillin, desacetoxymatricarin and estafietin as possible inhibitors of meiosis in oocytes of amphibians in vitro and discuss some structure–activity relationships. It was found that the inhibitory effect on meiosis resumption is greater when the lactone has two potentially reactive centres, either a α,β–α′,β′-diunsaturated cyclopentanone moiety or an epoxide group plus an exo-methylene-γ-lactone function.

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