Toxicology studies were conducted to evaluate the safety of chondroitin sulfate oligosaccharide (CSO) produced by the enzymatic hydrolysis of shark cartilage by a bacterial lyase. Although the safety of chondroitin sulfate, which is used as a dietary supplement, has been investigated, no safety studies have been conducted on CSO. CSO was evaluated in bacterial reverse mutagenesis, mammalian cell gene mutation using mouse lymphoma cells, in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus assays, and a ninety-day repeated dose oral toxicity study in rats. The study showed that CSO was not genotoxic. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) was determined to be 4,000 mg/kg bw/day, the highest dose tested.

Frankincense oil is widely used across the globe for various therapeutic implications. However, the potential toxicity profile of Frankincense oil has not been well explored. The present study is a debut attempt to study the organ-specific (cardiac, hepatic, and neuromuscular) toxicity profile of Frankincense essential oil from Boswellia sacra using the zebrafish embryo model. The results revealed a “no observed effect concentration” (NOEC) dose of Frankincense oil of 300 µg/ml. Signs of cardiac toxicity were not observed if the zebrafish embryos were incubated with Frankincense oil (100 µg/ml). In addition, signs of genotoxicity were also not observed at the same concentration. Similarly, neuromuscular toxicity evaluated by the locomotor activity in the presence of light and hepatic toxicity measured by liver size, yolk retention, and steatosis were not found. Despite the absence of toxic effects of Frankincense oil on zebrafish embryo survival, it should be further investigated to assess if the prolonged administration of Frankincense oil in higher vertebrates might induce potential toxic effects.

Cancer is one of the major public health problems globally which arises due to uncontrolled cellular proliferation. Tumor necrosis factor alpha is a member of the TNF/TNFR cytokine superfamily. Currently, the venom from various sources have been widely used in the treatment of cancer. The bioactive present in bee venom has been reported to have potential antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity which has drawn the attention to identify the novel inhibitor against TNF-α. Bee venom has been reported to target ovarian, breast, prostate and malignant hepatocellular carcinoma. TNF-α is involved in the maintenance and homeostasis of the immune system, inflammation, and host defense. The oncogenic protein TNF-α plays a critical role in the development of various cancers including renal, lung, liver, prostate, bladder, and breast cancer. TNF-α enhances cancer cell growth, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, as well as tumor angiogenesis. Due to the high prevalence and mortality, TNF-α associated cancers have remained a significant health problem globally. TNF acts biologically by activating certain signaling pathways such as nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Various toxins are being studied as alternatives for cancer treatments, and bee venom and its active components are drawing attention as potential anticancer agents. The present study identifies novel anticancer peptides that target the oncoprotein against life-threatening cancer. Docking calculations indicate that anticancer peptides, namely Melittin, Phospholipase A2, Tertiapin, and Hyaluronidase bind TNF-α respectively with the lowest binding affinity. Interestingly, Mast cell degranulating (MCD) and Apamin have the highest binding affinity with TNF-α in comparison with the above four peptides. The two lead compounds namely MCD and Apamin have the highest docking score -1253.4 and -1067.8 respectively. The present study reveals that the bee venom peptides namely MCD and Apamin interact with TNF-α associated cancer for targeted therapy of cancer. These predicted anticancer peptides are valuable candidates for in vitro or in vivo peptide therapeutic drug studies against the TNF-α associated cancers.

Degradation of Caffeine, artificially impregnated in sterile and unsterile soil, studied under ambient conditions using the Himalayan psychrotolerant Pseudomonas sp. (GBPI_Hb5). The caffeine degradation was found increased significantly in presence of GBPI_Hb5. The t1/2 value was estimated during kinetic study of caffeine degradation both in the presence and absence of bacteria in sterilized and unsterilized soil samples, which was also found reduced significantly.

Cancer is one of the world’s most serious non-communicable diseases, and it has become one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. According to the American Cancer Society’s projections (2022), approximately 28.0 million new cancer cases and 16.2 million cancer-related deaths are expected to be reported by 2040. It is imperative to focus more on developing new technologies and pharmacological compounds to treat these cancers. Despite tremendous improvements in cancer prevention and treatment over the past few years, the mortality rate is still too high. Current chemotherapy treatments are frequently constrained by unforeseen adverse effects or developed resistance.