scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms of Antiproliferative Effects of Natural Chalcones

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2730
Author(s):  
Radka Michalkova ◽  
Ladislav Mirossay ◽  
Maria Gazdova ◽  
Martin Kello ◽  
Jan Mojzis
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Proteasome Inhibition ◽  
Antiproliferative Effects ◽  
Flavonoid Synthesis ◽  
Great Progress ◽  
Induction Of Apoptosis ◽  
Made In

Although great progress has been made in the treatment of cancer, the search for new promising molecules with antitumor activity is still one of the greatest challenges in the fight against cancer due to the increasing number of new cases each year. Chalcones (1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one), the precursors of flavonoid synthesis in higher plants, possess a wide spectrum of biological activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer. A plethora of molecular mechanisms of action have been documented, including induction of apoptosis, autophagy, or other types of cell death, cell cycle changes, and modulation of several signaling pathways associated with cell survival or death. In addition, blockade of several steps of angiogenesis and proteasome inhibition has also been documented. This review summarizes the basic molecular mechanisms related to the antiproliferative effects of chalcones, focusing on research articles from the years January 2015–February 2021.

scholarly journals A Morphological and Histological Investigation of Imperfect Lungfish Fin Regeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivien Bothe ◽  
Igor Schneider ◽  
Nadia B. Fröbisch
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Regeneration ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Limb Regeneration ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Serial Sections ◽  
Fin Regeneration ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The Past ◽  
Great Progress ◽  
Made In

Regeneration, the replacement of body parts in a living animal, has excited scientists for centuries and our knowledge of vertebrate appendage regeneration has increased significantly over the past decades. While the ability of amniotes to regenerate body parts is very limited, members of other vertebrate clades have been shown to have rather high regenerative capacities. Among tetrapods (four-limbed vertebrates), only salamanders show unparalleled capacities of epimorphic tissue regeneration including replacement of organ and body parts in an apparently perfect fashion. The closest living relatives of Tetrapoda, the lungfish, show regenerative abilities that are comparable to those of salamanders and recent studies suggest that these high regenerative capacities may indeed be ancestral for bony fish (osteichthyans) including tetrapods. While great progress has been made in recent years in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms deployed during appendage regeneration, comparatively few studies have investigated gross morphological and histological features of regenerated fins and limbs. Likewise, rather little is known about how fin regeneration compares morphologically to salamander limb regeneration. In this study, we investigated the morphology and histology of regenerated fins in all three modern lungfish families. Data from histological serial sections, 3D reconstructions, and x-ray microtomography scans were analyzed to assess morphological features, quality and pathologies in lungfish fin regenerates. We found several anomalies resulting from imperfect regeneration in regenerated fins in all investigated lungfish species, including fusion of skeletal elements, additional or fewer elements, and distal branching. The similarity of patterns in regeneration abnormalities compared to salamander limb regeneration lends further support to the hypothesis that high regenerative capacities are plesiomorphic for sarcopterygians.

Clinical Applications of Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs): Where do we Stand Now?

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mithoor Divyashree ◽  
Madhu K. Mani ◽  
Dhanasekhar Reddy ◽  
Ranjith Kumavath ◽  
Preetam Ghosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Multi Drug Resistance ◽  
Food Preservatives ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industries

: In this era of multi-drug resistance (MDR), antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are one of the most promising classes of potential drug candidates to combat communicable as well as noncommunicable diseases such as cancers and diabetes. AMPs show a wide spectrum of biological activities which include antiviral, antifungal, anti-mitogenic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Apart from these prospective therapeutic potentials, the AMPs can act as food preservatives and immune modulators. Therefore, AMPs have the potential to replace conventional drugs and may gain a significant global drug market share. Although several AMPs have shown therapeutic potential in vitro or in vivo, in most cases they have failed the clinical trial owing to various issues. In this review, we discuss in brief (i) molecular mechanisms of AMPs in various diseases, (ii) importance of AMPs in pharmaceutical industries, (iii) the challenges in using AMPs as therapeutics and how to overcome, (iv) available AMP therapeutics in market, and (v) AMPs under clinical trials. Here, we specifically focus on the therapeutic AMPs in the areas of dermatology, surgery, oncology and metabolic diseases.

scholarly journals The Role of the Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21cip1/waf1 in Targeting Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Novel Therapeutics

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Al Bitar ◽  
Gali-Muhtasib
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Cyclin Dependent Kinase ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Multiple Signaling ◽  
Made In

p21cip1/waf1 mediates various biological activities by sensing and responding to multiple stimuli, via p53-dependent and independent pathways. p21 is known to act as a tumor suppressor mainly by inhibiting cell cycle progression and allowing DNA repair. Significant advances have been made in elucidating the potential role of p21 in promoting tumorigenesis. Here, we discuss the involvement of p21 in multiple signaling pathways, its dual role in cancer, and the importance of understanding its paradoxical functions for effectively designing therapeutic strategies that could selectively inhibit its oncogenic activities, override resistance to therapy and yet preserve its tumor suppressive functions.

A Comprehensive Review on Therapeutic Potentials of Natural Cyclic Peptides

2022 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renu Saharan ◽  
Suresh Kumar ◽  
Sukhbir Lal Khokra ◽  
Sunil Singh ◽  
Abhishek Tiwari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Cyclic Peptides ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Ring Structure ◽  
Amide Bond ◽  
Microtubule Inhibitor ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
Marine Habitats

Abstract: Cyclic peptides have emerged as a promising class of organic compounds that possess polypeptide chains with a cyclic ring structure. There is a circular sequence of bonds in which the ring structure is formed via linkage between one end of the peptide bond and the other end with an amide bond or any other chemically stable bonds like ether, thioether, lactone, and disulfide. Generally, the cyclic peptides are isolated from natural resources like invertebrate animals, micro-organisms of marine habitats, and higher plants. These cyclic peptides possess unique structures with diverse pharmacological activities. Now a day, cyclic peptides possess superior therapeutic value due to several reasons such as greater resistance to enzymatic degradation (in vivo) and higher bio-availability. Some of these cyclic peptides are rich in leucine, proline while some have other amino acids as their major constituents. Numerous novel cyclic peptides isolated from natural sources are successfully developed as bioactive products. Recently, cyclic peptides derived from natural resources have attracted attention for exploring their numerous beneficial effects. Moreover, it is reported that natural cyclic peptides exhibit various therapeutic activities like an anthelmintic, ACE inhibitor, anti-tumor, microtubule inhibitor, anti-fungal, anti-malarial, and platelet aggregation inhibiting activity. In this review, various cyclic peptides are reported with structures and biological activities that are isolated from various natural sources. The natural cyclic peptides possess a wide spectrum of biological activities and can become a drug of the future for replacing the existing drugs which develop resistance

scholarly journals Preclinical Activities of Epigallocatechin Gallate in Signaling Pathways in Cancer

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Sharifi-Rad ◽  
Raffaele Pezzani ◽  
Marco Redaelli ◽  
Maira Zorzan ◽  
Muhammad Imran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Epigallocatechin Gallate ◽  
Proteasome Inhibition ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Bioactive Component ◽  
Cell Death Mechanisms ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the main bioactive component of catechins predominantly present in various types of tea. EGCG is well known for a wide spectrum of biological activities as an anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor agent. The effect of EGCG on cell death mechanisms via the induction of apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy has been documented. Moreover, its anti-proliferative action has been demonstrated in many cancer cell lines. It was also involved in the modulation of cyclooxygenase-2, oxidative stress and inflammation of different cellular processes. EGCG has been reported as a promising agent target for plasma membrane proteins, such as epidermal growth factor receptor. In addition, it has been demonstrated a mechanism of action relying on the inhibition of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, NF-κB, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Furthermore, EGCG and its derivatives were used in proteasome inhibition and they were involved in epigenetic mechanisms. In summary, EGCG is the most predominant and bioactive constituent of tea and may play a role in cancer prevention.

scholarly journals Natural Coumarins: Exploring the Pharmacological Complexity and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Javad Sharifi-Rad ◽  
Natália Cruz-Martins ◽  
Pía López-Jornet ◽  
Eduardo Pons-Fuster Lopez ◽  
Nidaa Harun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Pharmacological Properties ◽  
Pharmacological Activities ◽  
Synthetic Accessibility ◽  
Natural Coumarins ◽  
Valuable Function

Coumarins belong to the benzopyrone family commonly found in many medicinal plants. Natural coumarins demonstrated a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, anticancer, antibacterial, antimalarial, casein kinase-2 (CK2) inhibitory, antifungal, antiviral, Alzheimer’s disease inhibition, neuroprotective, anticonvulsant, phytoalexins, ulcerogenic, and antihypertensive. There are very few studies on the bioavailability of coumarins; therefore, further investigations are necessitated to study the bioavailability of different coumarins which already showed good biological activities in previous studies. On the evidence of varied pharmacological properties, the present work presents an overall review of the derivation, availability, and biological capacities of coumarins with further consideration of the essential mode of their therapeutic actions. In conclusion, a wide variety of coumarins are available, and their pharmacological activities are of current interest thanks to their synthetic accessibility and riches in medicinal plants. Coumarins perform the valuable function as therapeutic agents in a range of medical fields.

Crocetin and Crocin from Saffron in Cancer Chemotherapy and Chemoprevention

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Colapietro ◽  
Andrea Mancini ◽  
Anna Maria D'Alessandro ◽  
Claudio Festuccia
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Tumor Growth Inhibition ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Growth Modulation ◽  
Quality Life

Introduction: Cancer is a disorder which has a powerful impact on the quality life and life expectancy despite the increase in drugs and treatments available for cancer patients. Moreover, many new therapeutic options are known to have adverse reactions without any improvement in outcome than before. Nowadays, natural products or plant derivatives are used as chemoprevention drugs and chemotherapy is the new approach that uses specific cell premalignant transformation in the malignant form. Natural substances derived from plants, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids and others, can be biologically active and have a wide spectrum of effects. The protective effects of Saffron carotenoids (crocin and crocetin) have been extensively studied mainly for their antioxidant properties, however, they have various other biological activities including tumor growth inhibition with the induction of cell death. Methods: The relevant information on Saffron and its carotenoids was collected from scientific databases (such as PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct). To identify all published articles in relation to saffron, crocin and crocetin, in different types of cancer, no language restriction has been used. Results: To date, crossing the words saffron and cancer, approximately 150 articles can be found. If crossing is made between crocin and cancer, approximately 60 articles can be found. With the crossing between crocetin and cancer, the number is approximately 55, while between carotenoids and cancer, the number exceeds 16.000 reports. In all the papers published to date, there are evidences that saffron and its carotenoids exert chemopreventive activity through anti-oxidant activity, cancer cells apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, enhancement of cell differentiation, modulation of cell cycle progression and cell growth, modulation of tumor metabolism, stimulation of cell-to-cell communication and immune modulation. Conclusion: Here, we have tried to offer an up-to-date overview of pre-clinical experimental investigations on the potential use of the main carotenoids of saffron in tumor models and focus the attention on the molecular mechanisms involved.

scholarly journals Polyphenols in Colorectal Cancer: Current State of Knowledge including Clinical Trials and Molecular Mechanism of Action

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Nur Alam ◽  
Muhammad Almoyad ◽  
Fazlul Huq
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Current State ◽  
Molecular Mechanism Of Action

Polyphenols have been reported to have wide spectrum of biological activities including major impact on initiation, promotion, and progression of cancer by modulating different signalling pathways. Colorectal cancer is the second most major cause of mortality and morbidity among females and the third among males. The objective of this review is to describe the activity of a variety of polyphenols in colorectal cancer in clinical trials, preclinical studies, and primary research. The molecular mechanisms of major polyphenols related to their beneficial effects on colorectal cancer are also addressed. Synthetic modifications and other future directions towards exploiting of natural polyphenols against colorectal cancer are discussed in the last section.

Diverse chemical and biological potentials of various pyridazine and pyridazinone derivatives

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chem Int
Keyword(s):  
Heterocyclic Compounds ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Industrial Chemical ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Pyridazinone Derivatives

A series of heterocyclic compounds incorporating pyridazine moiety were for diverse biological activities. Pyridazines and pyridazinones derivatives showed wide spectrum of biological activities such as vasodialator, cardiotonic, anticonvulsant, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-feedant, herbicidal, and various other biological, agrochemical and industrial chemical activities. The results illustrated that the synthesized pyridazine/pyridazine compounds have diverse and significant biological activities. Mechanistic insights into the biological properties of pyridazinone derivatives and various synthetic techniques used for their synthesis are also described.

Anthocyanins As Modulators of Cell Redox-Dependent Pathways in Non-Communicable Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 1955-1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Speciale ◽  
Antonella Saija ◽  
Romina Bashllari ◽  
Maria Sofia Molonia ◽  
Claudia Muscarà ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Antioxidant Defenses ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Chronic Pulmonary Diseases ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

: Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), mostly represented by cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic pulmonary diseases, cancers, and several chronic pathologies, are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality, and are mainly related to the occurrence of metabolic risk factors. Anthocyanins (ACNs) possess a wide spectrum of biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardioprotective and chemopreventive properties, which are able to promote human health. Although ACNs present an apparent low bioavailability, their metabolites may play an important role in the in vivo protective effects observed. : This article directly addresses the scientific evidences supporting that ACNs could be useful to protect human population against several NCDs not only acting as antioxidant but through their capability to modulate cell redox-dependent signaling. In particular, ACNs interact with the NF-κB and AP-1 signal transduction pathways, which respond to oxidative signals and mediate a proinflammatory effect, and the Nrf2/ARE pathway and its regulated cytoprotective proteins (GST, NQO, HO-1, etc.), involved in both cellular antioxidant defenses and elimination/inactivation of toxic compounds, so countering the alterations caused by conditions of chemical/oxidative stress. In addition, supposed crosstalks could contribute to explain the protective effects of ACNs in different pathological conditions characterized by an altered balance among these pathways. Thus, this review underlines the importance of specific nutritional molecules for human health and focuses on the molecular targets and the underlying mechanisms of ACNs against various diseases.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document