Anticancer Effects of New Ceramides Isolated from the Red Sea Red Algae Hypnea musciformis in a Model of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma: LC-HRMS Analysis Profile and Molecular Modeling

Different classes of phytochemicals were previously isolated from the Red Sea algae Hypnea musciformis as sterols, ketosteroids, fatty acids, and terpenoids. Herein, we report the isolation of three fatty acids—docosanoic acid 4, hexadecenoic acid 5, and alpha hydroxy octadecanoic acid 6—as well as three ceramides—A (1), B (2), and C (3)—with 9-methyl-sphinga-4,8-dienes and phytosphingosine bases. Additionally, different phytochemicals were determined using the liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-HRMS) technique. Ceramides A (1) and B (2) exhibited promising in vitro cytotoxic activity against the human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell line when compared with doxorubicin as a positive control. Further in vivo study and biochemical estimation in a mouse model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) revealed that both ceramides A (1) and B (2) at doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg, respectively, significantly decreased the tumor size in mice inoculated with EAC cells. The higher dose (2 mg/kg) of ceramide B (2) particularly expressed the most pronounced decrease in serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor -B (VEGF-B) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) markers, as well as the expression levels of the growth factor midkine in tumor tissue relative to the EAC control group. The highest expression of apoptotic factors, p53, Bax, and caspase 3 was observed in the same group that received 2 mg/kg of ceramide B (2). Molecular docking simulations suggested that ceramides A (1) and B (2) could bind in the deep grove between the H2 helix and the Ser240-P250 loop of p53, preventing its interaction with MDM2 and leading to its accumulation. In conclusion, this study reports the cytotoxic, apoptotic, and antiangiogenic effects of ceramides isolated from the Red Sea algae Hypnea musciformis in an experimental model of EAC.

Potential Inhibition of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma by Naja Nubiae Crude Venom in Swiss Albino Mice

Cancer, the uncontrolled growth of cells, is a noteworthy cause of death globally. The present investigation attempted to study the potential efficacy of the Naja nubiae snake venom (NNSV) against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice. The LD50 was determined using twenty female mice (5 per group). The groups were given saline (Control) or venom (0.2, 0.46, 0.6 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal route. For the main experiment, fifty female mice were divided into five groups (n = 10): all groups except groups I and II received EAC cells intraperitoneal. All EAC bearing mice received intraperitoneal saline (EAC control), 0.034 mg/kg NNSV, 0.017 mg/kg NNSV, and reference drug (5- fluorouracil, 20 mg/kg body weight i.p.), respectively. In NNSV-treated mice, there were significant reductions in tumor volume, tumor cell counts, tumor cell viability, total WBC count, MDA, urea, uric acid, AST, ALT, and ALP levels. Red blood cell count, hemoglobin content, platelets, glutathione, and catalase levels increased significantly in NNSV-treated mice. The architecture of the hepatic and renal architecture in mice treated with NNSV was improved histopathologically. The effect of NNSV against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma was inversely dose-dependent.

Ethoxyquin Inhibits the Progression of Murine Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma through the Inhibition of Autophagy and LDH

Cancer cells exhibit an increased glycolysis rate for ATP generation (the Warburg effect) to sustain an increased proliferation rate. In tumor cells, the oxidation of pyruvate in the Krebs cycle is substituted by lactate production, catalyzed by LDH. In this study, we use ethoxyquin (EQ) as a novel inhibitor to target LDH in murine Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and as a combination therapy to improve the therapeutic efficacy of the conventional chemotherapy drug, cisplatin (CIS). We investigated the anti-tumor effect of EQ on EAC-bearing mice and checked whether EQ can sustain the anti-tumor potential of CIS and whether it influences LDH activity. Treatment with EQ had evident anti-tumor effects on EAC as revealed by the remarkable decrease in the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and by a significant increase in the expression of apoptotic genes (BAX and caspase-3). EQ also caused a significant decrease in the autophagic activity of EAC cells, as shown by a reduction in the fluorescence intensity of the autophagosome marker. Additionally, EQ restored the altered hematological and biochemical parameters and improved the disrupted hepatic tissues of EAC-bearing mice. Co-administration of EQ and CIS showed the highest anti-tumor effect against EAC. Collectively, our findings propose EQ as a novel inhibitor of LDH in cancer cells and as a combinatory drug to increase the efficacy of cisplatin. Further studies are required to validate this therapeutic strategy in different cancer models and preclinical trials.

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, TOXICITY EVALUATION OF POLYCARPAEA CORYMBOSA LAMK AND ITS EFFECT ON CANCER BIOMARKERS OF EHRLICH ASCITES CARCINOMA-INDUCED MICE COMPARED WITH THE REFERENCE STANDARD DRUG 5- FLUOROURACIL

Objective: The current investigation focuses on the study of efficacy of whole plant of Polycarpaea corymbosa Lamk in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) inoculated Swiss albino mice. Methods: The whole plant of P. corymbosa Lamk (WPC) was extracted with solvents of increasing polarity and their percentage yields were calculated. The major phytoconstituents present in the plant extracts were determined by standard chemical tests. Tumor was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of EAC cells (1×106 cells/mouse). The in vivo antitumor effect of extracts was assessed by monitoring the mean survival time, tumor volume, effect on hematological parameters, determination of lysosome specific cancer markers (cathepsin-D), β-D glucuronidase and acid phosphatase, liver marker enzymes (5’-nuclotidase and lactate dehydrogenase), membrane bound ATPase (Na+/K+ ATPase and Mg2+ ATPase), DNA, and RNA content. Results: The percentage yield obtained were 9.87%w/w, 7.88%w/w, and 16.56% w/w for petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extract, respectively. The phytochemical screenings of those extracts were performed. The order of activity of extracts was ethanol extract > ethyl acetate > petroleum ether. Among the extracts, Ethanol extract of P. corymbosa Lamk. showed a significant increase in life span and decrease in viable cancer cell number and tumor volume. The protective effect of the extract on the hemopoietic system at the dose 200mg∕kg was noted. The alterations in the hematological profile, lysosome-specific cancer markers, liver-specific cancer markers, and membrane-bound ATPases DNA and RNA were restored. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of P. corymbosa Lamk. possesses in vivo anticancer activity when compared to the tumor control group.