Human Alveolar Basal Epithelial Cells Research Articles

An electrochemical study of the binding interaction between chitosan and MPA-CdSe QDs for the development of biocompatible theranostic nanoprobe

The strength and stability of biopolymer-modified quantum dots (QDs) for designing biocompatible nanoprobes depends on the interaction between QDs and coating of interest. Hence, the quantitative determination of interaction parameters has a crucial role in their development. This paper focuses on an electrochemical approach to determine interaction and binding parameters between the chitosan and hydrophilic Mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) - CdSe QDs. MPA- CdSe QDs were synthesized by the hot injection method and characterized by several techniques. The cyclic voltammetry study revealed the reduction in oxidation peak current of redox solution with the addition of MPA- CdSe QDs (50 × 10−12 M to 350 × 10−12 M); however, the peak current was increased with the addition of chitosan (1 × 10−13 M to 50 × 10−13 M), without any change in the oxidation potential. This may be due to the interaction of the amino group of chitosan with the carboxylate group of MPA-CdSe QDs. The interaction was analyzed in terms of binding constant and no. of binding sites, which was 7.3 × 1015 L Mol−1and 1.3, respectively. Effect of scan rate on oxidation and reduction peak current confirms an irreversible electrode reaction. The interaction was further characterized with UV–Vis/Fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Biocompatibility of developed nano-biocomposite further evaluated by standard cell viability assay using Adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cell line (A549) and Chinese hamster cell line (V79). Confocal microscopic studies and Z stacking were also performed to explore the efficacy of chitosan-coated MPA-CdSe QDs as a fluorescent agent for cell imaging.

Synthesis of Inherently Fluorescent Core–Shell Nanoparticles for Cell Imaging and Targeting Therapy: An In Vitro Evaluation

AbstractFluorescent polymer nanoparticles (NPs) have great potential as bioimaging and therapeutic agents in the biomedical field. Here, a subtle method is developed to synthesize inherently fluorescent core–shell NPs with diameters less than 100 nm. The permanent fluorescence comes from the rigid conjugated structure between benzene and chloromethyl groups in the crosslinked poly(chloromethylstyrene) (PCMSt) core, which is able to be applied for the determination of Fe3+ with a detection limit of 1.39 × 10−6 m. It is further demonstrated that the galactose modification (poly (6‐O‐acryloyl‐d‐galactose), PADGal) shell can efficiently· facilitate the selective internalization of NPs by human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2), and the cells are more prone to uptake the NPs with medium crosslinking degree. The hydrophobic anticancer drug 10‐hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) is then loaded onto PADGal@PCMSt NPs. Benefiting from the specific interactions between asialoglycoprotein (ASGP) receptors and the galactose moiety, the PADGal@PCMSt NPs can deliver HCPT with the highest efficiency to HepG2 cells in comparison with the human cervical cancer cells (HeLa), the human alveolar adenocarcinoma basal epithelial cells (A549), the mouse breast cancer cells (4T1), and the mouse fibroblast cells (NIH3T3). The present study provides a new strategy to build small‐size fluorescent polymer NPs with both bioimaging and therapeutic functions.

Isolation and Identification of Bioactive Compounds from Bidens spp. Using HPLC-DAD and GC-MS Analysis and Their Biological Activity as Anticancer Molecules

The genus Bidens a member of family Compositae, is widely documented as an ethno-medicinally important genus of plants. In the present study, anticancer potential of three ethno-medicinally important species i.e., B. bipinnata, B. biternata and B. pilosa were tested. For in-vitro evaluation, an MTT (Thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide) assay was performed against cervical cancer cells (HeLa), hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG), and adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549). For in vivo evaluation, Artemia salina, Danio rerio, and Caenorhabditis elegans were used. Among all the tested extracts, the ethanol extract of B. biternata appeared to have highest anticancer activity, and the compounds responsible for this activity were identified to be Tris (2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl), 4-hydroxy-2,4′-dimethoxychalcone, and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol. This is the first report of the isolation of Tris (2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate from the genus Bidens and the first report of 4-hydroxy-2,4′-dimethoxychalcone and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol from B. biternata. Among the isolated compounds, 4-hydroxy-2,4′-dimethoxychalcone showed the highest anticancer activity with an LD50 value of 236.7 µg/mL. Therefore, this compound carries promising potential for being established as a pharmaceutical for chemoprevention and chemotherapy.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of vancomycin–conjugated zinc coordination polymer nanoparticles against methicillin-resistant staphylococcusaureus

Due to the overuse of antimicrobial drugs, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has caused a serious burden worldwide. Herein, we report a novel one-pot hydrothermal route to synthesize a vancomycin-encapsulated Zn-BTC-coordination polymer. FTIR and PXRD confirmed the composites and crystal structure of coordination polymer. The VAC-Zn-BTC-coordination polymer had a mean diameter, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency of 59.6 ± 2.98 nm, 0.295 ± 0.0147, −11 ±-0.55 mV and 68.24 ± 3.412%, respectively at physiological pH. The safety of MTT in vitro in Human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK-293), adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A-549), and Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cell lines and the hemolytic assay of VAC-Zn-BTC-coordination polymer was evaluated. The in vitro results of the MTT assay were revealed to be safe in all three cell lines and non-hemolytic, thus indicating their biosafety. Molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) showed that higher binding and interaction energies were seen. The VAC release from the VAC-Zn-BTC-coordination polymer was slower than the powder VAC after 48 h. The VAC-Zn-BTC-coordination polymer revealed a lower MIC value of 1.02 μg/mL against MRSA with a 10-fold antimicrobial enhancement. The bactericidal time-kill kinetics assay showed that VAC-Zn-BTC-coordination polymer combinations showed good bactericidal effects over 24 h compared to bare VAC powder. These findings suggest that VAC-Zn-BTC-coordination polymer could be used as excellent potential for the improvement and management of bacterial contagions instigated by MRSA.

The holy basil administration diminishes the NF-kB expression and protects alveolar epithelial cells from pneumonia infection through interferon gamma.

Bacterial pneumonia is one of the most important causes of mortality in the United States. The bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) accounts for a significant proportion of community and hospital-acquired infections. Here, we determine that the holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) extract improves cell viability and dampens the proinflammatory cytokine response in an in vitro model of pneumonia. For this, A549, a human alveolar basal epithelial cell line, was subjected to a lethal KP model following a 24-hr pretreatment with basil extract. Bacteremia, cell viability, apoptosis, MTT assay, phagocytic capacity, cytokines, and Khe gene expression were assessed in these cells following pneumonia. Cell morphology analysis showed that holy basil protected A549 cells from KP infection-mediated effects by inhibiting cell death due to apoptosis. Additionally, in the presence of basil, A549 cells demonstrated significantly higher bactericidal capacity and phagocytosis. Administration of holy basil led to reduced expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1/2a, nuclear factor kappa B, and Khe in the KP-infected cells while increasing interferon (IFN)-γ expression. Our results suggest that basil significantly reduced cell death in the setting of KP infection, likely via attenuation of cytokine and IFN-γ mediated signaling pathways. Holy basil is a promising therapeutic agent for managing and treating bacterial pneumonia based on its potency.

Toxicological assessment of nanocrystalline metal alloys with potential applications in the aeronautical field

The development of new candidate alloys with outstanding characteristics for their use in the aeronautical field is one of the main priorities for the sector. In this context, nanocrystaline (nc) alloys are considered relevant materials due to their special features, such as their exceptional physical and mechanical properties. However, another important point that needs to be considered with newly developed alloys is the potential toxicological impact that these materials may have in humans and other living organisms. The aim of this work was to perform a preliminary toxicological evaluation of three nc metal alloys (WCu, WAl and TiAl) in powder form produced by mechanical alloying, applying different in vitro assays, including a mix of W-Cu powders with standard grain size in the experiments to stablish comparisons. The effects of the direct exposure to powder suspensions and/or to their derived leachates were analysed in three model organisms representative of human and environmental exposures (the adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cell line A549, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the Gram negative bacterium Vibrio fischeri). Altogether, the results obtained provide new insights about the potential harmful effects of the selected nc alloys, showing that, from a toxicological perspective, nc TiAl is the safest candidate in the model organisms and conditions tested.

Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities and Protein Interaction of the Oxidovanadium(IV) Naringin Complex

The complex of oxidovanadium(IV) with naringin (Narg) [VO(Narg)2] 8H2O (VONarg) was prepared according to the literature improving the synthetic procedure and physicochemical characterization. In addition, biological activities (cytotoxic, antioxidant, and BSA interaction) were determined. The metal coordinated through the 5-hydroxy and 4-carbonyl groups of rings A and C of naringin, respectively. The antioxidant activity of VONarg, determined in vitro, was higher than those of the flavonoid against superoxide and peroxyl reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DPPH radical. The cytotoxic properties were determined by a MTT assay on adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549). VONarg exerted a 20% decrease in cancer cells viability at 24 h incubation, while naringin and oxidovanadium(IV) cation did not show cytotoxicity. Measurements with the normal HEK293 cell line showed that the inhibitory action of the complex is selective. VONarg generated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), depletion of reduced glutathione and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, typical for apoptotic pathway, producing cell death by oxidative stress mechanism. Moreover, naringin interacted with bovine serum albumin (BSA) through hydrophobic interactions in a spontaneous process, and VONarg showed greater affinity for the protein but can still be transported and delivered by it (Ka 104 L·mol−1 order).

Effect and Mechanism of Fuzheng Oral Liquid on Anlotinib Resistance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

To explore the reversal effect of Fuzheng oral liquid on anlotinib resistance in non-small cell lung cancer cells and its mechanism is the objective of the study. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and flow cytometric assay were performed to evaluate the effects of anlotinib on the proliferation and apoptotic cycles of adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cell line A549 cells, respectively. Western blot was performed to detect the expression levels of unfolded protein response, endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation, E-cadherin, vimentin, beta-catenin, transcription factor 4 and Axin in anlotinib-resistant cell line A549/AL3818 cells. Anlotinib-resistant A549 cells were successfully constructed and named as A549/AL3818. Fuzheng oral solution had proliferation inhibition, apoptosis induction and cycle blocking effects on A549/AL3818 cells. High dose of Fuzheng oral liquid was able to inhibit unfolded protein response and endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation, expression in A549/ AL3818 cells and suppress wingless-related integration signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression in A549/AL3818 cells. The inhibitory effect of Fuzheng oral liquid on winglessrelated integration signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression was the same as that of paired box protein 6. Fuzheng oral liquid inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression through regulating unfolded protein response-endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation signaling pathway, thereby reversing the resistance of non-small cell lung cancer cells to anlotinib.

Characterization and phytoconstituents of Petroselinum crispum (Mill) and Coriandrum sativum (Linn) and their impacts on inflammation—An in vitro analysis against human adenocarcinoma cells with molecular docking

Petroselinum crispum (Mill) and Coriandrum sativum (Linn) are common culinary herbs enriched with a wide range of nutrients and minerals. The phytochemicals found in these plants as secondary metabolites are useful against a variety of clinical diseases such as inflammation, diabetes, and cancer. The current study used in vitro studies on adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial (A549) cells to identify the phytochemical compounds present in the petroleum ether, methanol, and aqueous extracts of P. crispum and C. sativum leaves, as well as to depict the influence of these herbs in wound healing and inflammation. In all, 1761 compounds have been found in the leaf extracts of P. crispum and C. sativum, and the identified compounds have been tested in silico against binding receptors such as CD36 and antitrypsin receptors to determine their binding affinity. The extracts had lower IC50 values on A549 cells, suggesting lower toxicity, as well as substantially faster cell migration after treatment with P. crispum and C. sativum extracts, compared to untreated cells, implying that the extracts have high anti-inflammatory activity. Among P. crispum and C. sativum extracts, the healing of the wound was faster when treated with the extracts of P. crispum.

L-Cysteine capped zinc oxide nanoparticles induced cellular response on adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells using a conventional and organ-on-a-chip approach

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are among the well-characterized nanomaterials with multifaceted biomedical applications, including biomedical imaging, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical preparations. The high surface charge of ZnO NPs leads to the agglomeration of the particles. Therefore, surface coating with a suitable ligand can increase colloidal stability. In this present study, in-vitro responses of ZnO NPs capped with a sulfur-containing amino acid, L-cysteine (Cys-ZnO NPs), on A549 cells was investigated. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) studies were carried out to confirm the capping of ZnO NPs with L-cysteine. Cytotoxic studies using A549 cells demonstrated reduced cytotoxicity in comparison with already reported pristine Zinc Oxide nanoparticles. The cellular uptake is confirmed by fluorescent cytometry. However, a higher concentration (160 µg/mL) of Cys-ZnO NPs led to apoptotic cell death marked by nuclear condensation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, actin filament condensation, lysosomal damage LDH leakage, intracellular ROS production, blebbing, upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl-2 gene expression. Cys-ZnO NPs treatment was also carried out in cells cultured in a microfluidic lung-on-a-chip device under a physiologically relevant flow rate. The study concluded that the microfluidic-based lung-on-a-chip culture resulted in reduced cell death compared to the conventional condition.

Trachyspermum ammi Seed Ethanolic Extract Inhibits Cell Proliferation on A549 Lung Cancer Cell: An In-vitro Analysis

Introduction: Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer, accounting for one in every five male cancers and one in every nine female cancers. Lung cancer treatment is dictated by the cell type of the illness, the amount to which it has spread, and the patient's general condition. It is well understood that tumours confer resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs or radiation in part due to apoptotic pathway malfunction in cancer cells.
 Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro anti proliferative activity of the ethanolic extract of Trachyspermum ammi (T.ammi) seeds against A549 adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells.
 Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity and anti-cancer effects of ethanolic extract of Trachyspermum ammi (T.ammi) seeds against A549 cells were analyzed using MTT assay and morphological analysis by inverted phase contrast microscopy.
 Results: The MTT assay results showed that 50% of the cell proliferation (IC50) has been inhibited upon T.ammi seed extract treatment for 24hrs incubation. The Dose-dependent studies revealed cytotoxic dose level IC50 of 50μg/ml for T.ammi seed extract on lung cancer cells. It clearly showed that the dose dependent treatments significantly (p<0.001) reduces the cell viability thereby inhibiting the cancer cell proliferation when compared and it was further confirmed with morphological evaluation with microscopic study.
 Conclusion: From this study we concluded that the ethanol extract of T.ammi significantly inhibits cancer cell proliferation against A549 cells and it might be a potent anti-proliferative value for further evaluation to determine the therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.

Phyto-Phospholipid Conjugated Scorpion Venom Nanovesicles as Promising Carrier That Improves Efficacy of Thymoquinone against Adenocarcinoma Human Alveolar Basal Epithelial Cells

Lung cancer is a dangerous type of cancer in men and the third leading cause of cancer-related death in women, behind breast and colorectal cancers. Thymoquinone (THQ), a main compound in black seed essential oils, has a variety of beneficial effects, including antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. On the other hand, scorpion venom peptides (SV) induce apoptosis in the cancer cells, making it a promising anticancer agent. THQ, SV, and Phospholipon® 90H (PL) were incorporated in a nano-based delivery platform to assess THQ’s cellular uptake and antiproliferative efficacy against a lung cancer cell line derived from human alveolar epithelial cells (A549). Several nanovesicles were prepared and optimized using factorial experimental design. The optimized phytosome formulation contained 79.0 mg of PL and 170.0 mg of SV, with vesicle size and zeta potential of 209.9 nm and 21.1 mV, respectively. The IC50 values revealed that A549 cells were significantly more sensitive to the THQ formula than the plain formula and THQ. Cell cycle analysis revealed that THQ formula treatment resulted in significant cell cycle arrest at the S phase, increasing cell population in this phase by 22.1%. Furthermore, the THQ formula greatly increased cell apoptosis (25.17%) when compared to the untreated control (1.76%), plain formula (11.96%), or THQ alone (13.18%). The results also indicated that treatment with THQ formula significantly increased caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, and p53 mRNA expression compared to plain formula and THQ. In terms of the inflammatory markers, THQ formula significantly reduced the activity of TNF-α and NF-κB in comparison with the plain formula and THQ only. Overall, the findings from the study proved that a phytosome formulation of THQ could be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

The liver X receptor agonist T0901317 reduces the inflammation of alveolar epithelial cells induced by polyhexamethylene guanidine through inhibition of the NFκB signaling pathway

BackgroundAs a kind of disinfectant, polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) can cause pulmonary inflammation. In addition to liver X receptors (LXRs) playing an important role in cholesterol and lipid metabolism, it has also been found to be involved in inflammation in recent years. This article explores the role of LXRs agonist T0901317 in the inflammation of alveolar epithelial cells induced by PHMG.MethodsThe A549 human alveolar basal epithelial cell line was exposed to PHMG, T0901317, or the nuclear factor (NF)κB inhibitor BAY11-7082. The cell survival rate was used to determine the cytotoxicity of PHMG and T0901317 to A549 cells. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression of proteins related to the LXRs and the NFκB signaling pathway. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to examine the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-8 and interleukin (IL)-6.ResultsIncubation of A549 cells with PHMG decreased the expression of LXRs-related proteins, reduced the expression of cellular IκB, increased the expression of nuclear NFκB, and increased the levels of the inflammatory cytokineIL-8 and IL-6. However, pretreatment with the LXR agonist T0901317 partially reversed the effects of PHMG. The effects of T0901317on NFκB signaling pathway was similar to that observed with the NFκB inhibitor BAY11-7082.ConclusionsThe LXRs agonist T0901317 may reduce the inflammation of alveolar epithelial cells induced by PHMG by inhibiting the NFκB signaling pathway.

Fluorophore Tagged Mixed Ligand Copper(II) Complexes: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Protein Binding, DNA Cleavage and Anticancer Activity

AbstractTwo fluorophore tagged copper(II) complexes [Cu(phen)(L)(ClO4)2] (1) and [Cu(bpy)(L)(H2O)(ClO4)](ClO4) (2), (where L=2‐amino‐1H‐benzo[de]isoquinoline‐1,3‐(2H)dione (L), phen=1,10‐phenanthroline and bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Structures of the copper complexes 1 and 2 were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination. The coordination geometry around the copper center of complexes 1 and 2 is distorted octahedral. The plasmid DNA cleavage activity of the complexes has been investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis and the study reveals that both the complexes have high plasmid DNA photo‐cleavage activity. The binding interaction ability of the metal complexes with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity of the complexes has been evaluated by MTT (3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazole‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay against A549 (adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cells) and MCF‐7 (breast cancer cell line) cell lines in comparison with cis‐platin. Complexes 1 and 2 have exhibited better cytotoxic activity than cis‐platin against A549 and MCF‐7 cell lines. The cellular uptake study and localization of the complexes within the cells have been investigated by fluorescence microscopy. The cell staining and flow cytometry experiments suggest that complexes induce an apoptotic mode of cell death.

Cytotoxic activity of organotin compounds containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Two series of organotin (IV) complexes based on diclofenac L1Na and aspirin L2H of formulae Me3SnL1 (1); Ph3SnL1 (2); Bu2Sn(L1)2 (3); R2Sn(L1)2 (4, R = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl); Me3SnL2 (5); Me3Sn(2-hydroxybenzoate) (6) and Me2Sn(L2)2 (7) were synthesized and characterized by 1H, 13C, 119Sn NMR, IR, ESI-MS and elemental analysis. It was found by X-ray diffraction analysis of compound 1 that carboxyl group of diclofenac binds two tin atoms each being in the trigonal bipyramid geometry and having coordination number 5. Compounds 6 and 7 were found to be monomers in the solid state with tetrahedron and octahedron geometry around Sn center, respectively. Cytotoxicity in vitro of compounds 1–7 and initial ligands was evaluated on human colon cancer (HCT-116), human breast cancer (MCF-7) and adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial (A-549) cells. The IC50 values varied in 0.17–200 µM range for compounds 1–4 and in 3.3–200 µM range for compounds 5–7 depending on the substituents at Sn center and ligand structure. It was found that compound 2 possesses the maximal cytotoxic activity and significantly induces apoptosis of HCT-116 cells.

A small molecule targeting CHI3L1 inhibits lung metastasis by blocking IL-13Rα2-mediated JNK-AP-1 signals.

Our previous big data analyses showed a high level of association between chitinase 3 like1 (CHI3L1) expression and lung tumor development. In the present study, we investigated whether a CHI3L1‐inhibiting chemical, 2‐({3‐[2‐(1‐cyclohexen‐1‐yl)ethyl]‐6,7‐dimethoxy‐4‐oxo‐3,4‐dihydro‐2‐quinazolinyl}sulfanyl)‐N‐(4‐ethylphenyl)butanamide (K284), could inhibit lung metastasis and studied its mechanism of action. We investigated the antitumor effect of K284 both in vitro and in vivo. K284 (0.5 mg·kg−1 body weight) significantly inhibited lung metastasis in in vivo models after injection of murine melanoma cells (B16F10) or adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549). K284 significantly and concentration‐dependently also inhibited cancer cell proliferation and migration in the A549 and H460 lung cancer cell lines. We found that the binding of K284 to the chitin‐binding domain (CBD) of CHI3L1 prevented the binding of CHI3L1 to its receptor, interleukin‐13 receptor subunit alpha‐2 (IL‐13Rα2), thereby suppressing the CHI3L1 signal. This blocking of the CHI3L1‐IL‐13Rα2 signal caused the inhibition of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK)‐activator protein 1 (AP‐1) signals, resulting in the prevention of lung metastasis and cancer cell growth. Our data demonstrate that K284 may serve as a potential candidate anticancer compound targeting CHI3L1.

Bioactivity guided isolation and characterization of antimicrobial principle from Hydrocotyle javanica Thunb.

Hydrocotyle javanica Thunb. (Family Araliaceae) has been used in traditional herbal medicine as a substitute of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. Although, the latter has been studied extensively and various biologically active constituents have been reported, the former has not been studied for its active constituents. The current study followed activity guided isolation and identification of the fraction with antimicrobial activity from H. javanica. Plant extracts were prepared by extracting successively with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and ethanol. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using gram positive and gram negative bacteria and Candida albicans. Bioactivity-guided isolation was carried out by preparative thin layer chromatography and bioautography. Cytotoxicity of the most active antimicrobial principle was evaluated against Human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and Adenocarcinomic Human Alveolar Basal Epithelial (A549) cell lines. The tentative structure of the most active antimicrobial principle was constructed from the data obtained from FTIR, MS, H-NMR and C-NMR.

Effect of cyanide ions (CN-) extracted from cassava (Manihotesculenta Crantz) on Alveolar Epithelial Cells (A549 cells)

Cassava (Manihotesculenta Crantz) is one of the most important root crops in tropical countries. It is a major source of cyanogenic glycosides viz. linamarin and lotaustralin, and these on breakdown liberate HCN and ketone. Cassava cyanide extract (CCE) from cassava leaves and tuber rinds were formulated as a biopesticide against certain borer insect pests of horticultural crops. Adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549) were treated with three different concentrations (100, 200, 400 ppm) of CCE. The MTT and NRU assays showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The DCFH-DA assay does not show any free radical scavenging activity, whereas the NRR assay showed a reduction in the nitrile radicals with an increase in the concentration of the bioactive compound. A negative correlation was found between the concentration of the bioactive principles and mitochondrial and lysosomal functions. Various cellular assays demonstrated the cellular response of the CCE, and it was found that at higher concentration (400 ppm), the CCE exert a significant necrotic cell death rather than apoptosis. The results of the study indicated that the CCE have a remarkable tendency of anti-proliferative ability.

Anticancer activity of secondary metabolites from Bauhinia tomentosa Linn. leaf – An in silico approach

Introduction and Aim: Plants and plant derived products are used for human healthcare since the dawn of human civilization. About 80% of modern drugs are from natural origin. Many dreadful diseases like cancer are treated using drugs of natural origin. In the present study, a medicinal plant B. tomentosa Linn. leaves were investigated for its anticancer activity using A549 (Human Adenocarcinomic Alveolar Basal Epithelial Cells) cell lines. The active components were identified using GC-MS (Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrophotometry) analysis. The aim of the present study was to identify potential lead compounds against various protein targets that are involved in lung carcinogenesis using molecular docking approach.
 
 Materials and Methods: 3D structures of compounds reported from GCMS analysis of B. tomentosa were built using Chemsketch software. All the compounds analyzed exhibited antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and chemo preventive properties. Docking studies were performed using Molegro virtual docker (MVD).
 
 Results: The docking studies revealed that the ligands either activate or inhibit the selected target proteins appropriately. This shows that the phytochemicals of B. tomentosa leaf was found to have appreciable anticancer activity.
 
 Conclusion: The presence of various bioactive phytoconstituents justifies the use of the leaf for various ailments by traditional practitioners.

Adsorptive Microtiter Plates As Solid Supports in Affinity Purification Workflows.

Affinity ligands such as antibodies are widely used in (bio)medical research for purifying proteins from complex biological samples. These ligands are generally immobilized onto solid supports which facilitate the separation of a captured protein from the sample matrix. Adsorptive microtiter plates are commonly used as solid supports prior to immunochemical detection (e.g., immunoassays) but hardly ever prior to liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS-)-based detection. Here, we describe the use of adsorptive microtiter plates for protein enrichment prior to LC-MS detection, and we discuss opportunities and challenges of corresponding workflows, based on examples of targeted (i.e., soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) in human serum) and discovery-based workflows (i.e., transcription factor p65 (NF-κB) in lysed murine RAW 264.7 macrophages and peptidyl-prolyl cis–trans isomerase FKBP5 (FKBP5) in lysed human A549 alveolar basal epithelial cells). Thereby, we aim to highlight the potential usefulness of adsorptive microtiter plates in affinity purification workflows prior to LC-MS detection, which could increase their usage in mass spectrometry-based protein research.