Phytochemical Compounds Research Articles

An Overview on the Effects of Some Carotenoids on Health: Lutein and Zeaxanthin.

In this review, the chemical properties, nutritional sources, absorption mechanisms, metabolism, biosynthesis and promising health-related benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin were emphasized and some recommendations for the future studies are suggested. Lutein and zeaxanthin are phytochemical compounds in the carotenoid group and are synthesised only by plants. All mammals get lutein and zeaxanthin into their bodies by consuming plant-based foods. Especially leafy green vegetables, broccoli, pumpkin, cabbage, spinach and egg yolk are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin have potential health effects by preventing free radical formation, exhibiting protective properties against oxidative damage and reducing oxidative stress. These compounds have neuroprotective, cardioprotective, ophthalmological, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-osteoporosis, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and antimicrobial effects. The preventive properties of lutein and zeaxanthin against numerous diseases have attracted attention recently. Further clinical trials with large samples are needed to make generalisations in the prevention and treatment of diseases and to determine the appropriate doses and forms of lutein and zeaxanthin.

A Comparative Analysis of Flavonoid and Phenolic concentration from Diverse Varieties of Moringa oleifera Leaves Utilizing Methanol and Ethanol

Having its leaves abundant in nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, the moringa plant is highly regarded because of its nutritious and industrial usefulness. Despite its widespread utilisation, little is understood concerning the way various Moringa oleifera cultivars vary with regard to their phenolic and flavonoid concentration, particularly when extracting the compound utilising various solvents. To attempt to throw insight into the ways that various solvent types and environment variables affects the phytochemical compounds of Moringa oleifera leaves, this research investigation compared the efficacy of ethanol and methanol in removing phenolics as well as flavonoids from the leaves. The information gathered through this research could assist to identify the most appropriate methods for extraction that will maximize the medical and nutritional advantages associated with Moringa oleifera. New leaves of five different types of Moringa oleifera had been bought from the Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station in Alabama A&M University. Upon being pulverised and dried, the resulting leaves had been preserved at room temperature. The leaves were immersed in a mixture of 70% ethanol as the solvent and 80% methanol all through the extraction method. The extracted samples had been then stirred, filtered, and freeze-dried. Following that, High-performance liquid chromatography was the technique employed to know the overall concentration of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Descriptive and statistical analysis were performed using box plots, scatter plots, bar plots, and t-tests to evaluate the extent or degree to which both solvents removed phenolic and flavonoid compounds and estimated the total quantity of phenolic and flavonoids in the different cultivars. The findings from the descriptive study revealed the Nigerian variety had an increased phenolic content when extracted using methanol—roughly 822.3 µg/ml—than when removed using ethanol (80.6 µg/ml). The Indian type, on the contrary, had phenolic concentrations of 814.3 µg/ml as compared with 647.3 µg/ml in ethanol, revealing an important distinction in preference for methanol. The Nigerian cultivar possessed an increased extraction effectiveness of 1253.12 µg/ml using ethanol as opposed to methanol (1083.52 µg/ml) for flavonoids. The t-test results proved that though the difference was not statistically significant (t(28) = 0.608, p = 0.382), the average phenolic content obtained with methanol (M = 798.60, SD = 23.567) was slightly more than that obtained via ethanol (M = 790.60, SD = 45.183). In a similar vein extraction with methanol showed a smaller average flavonoid concentration (M = 1068.40, SD = 128.641) compared to the extraction with ethanol (M = 1129.40, SD = 166.018); nonetheless, this difference was not statistically significant (t(28) = 1.125, p = 0.334). The scatter diagram revealed a significant linear connection with both phenolic and flavonoid content, having a significant positive correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.95). Although some modifications depending on the variety, the research reveals that methanol and ethanol serve as suitable solvents for phenolic and flavonoid compound extraction from Moringa oleifera leaves. The usefulness of these developments in enhancing methods of extraction in manufacturing industries needs to be explored deeper.

Anti-aging Effect of Plant Leaf Extract of Kersen (Muntingia calabura L.) on the Seminiferous Tubule of Mice Induced with D-galactose

One of aging-related changes in the testes in male is impairment of spermatogenic process that make spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids cells decreased which ultimately reduces fertility. There are many phytochemical compounds that are known to have anti-aging properties. One plant that is known to contain anti-aging compounds is the kersen or Jamaica cherry (Muntingia calabura L.). This study aims to reveal whether the phytochemicals in kersen leaf extract can restore the number of spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, and spermatids, as well as the diameter and thickness of the seminiferous tubule epithelium in d-galactose-induced mice. There were 5 groups tested in this study. Group-1 was normal mice that were not induced and given the extract. Group-2 was a negative control where mice were induced with d-galactose but not treated. Groups 3, 4, and 5 were given 35, 70, and 105 mg/kg of cherry leaf extract, respectively. The results showed that kersen leaf extract was proven to be able to restore the number of spermatogonia cells, primary spermatocytes, and spermatids as well as restore the diameter and thickness of the seminiferous tubule epithelium. Thus, it can be concluded that kersen leaf extract has anti-aging properties in mice induced by d-galactose.

Exploring Phytochemical Compounds: A Computational Study for HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibition

Background: HIV-1 is the most virulent type, causing most AIDS cases worldwide. Therapeutics like NRTIs and NNRTIs terminate replication by terminating polymerization reactions. Natural-based therapeutics are increasingly being used to reduce side effects and combat disease. Method: The study focuses on identifying phytochemical compounds that effectively inhibit the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase process using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations. Result: Molecular docking results show anisomelolide has a significantly stronger binding affinity (-29.9992KJ/mol) compared to nevirapine (-13.34696 KJ/mol), forming more hydrogen bonds and hydrophilic interactions, indicating a more stable and specific binding. MD simulations further support these findings, with anisomelolide exhibiting lower RMSD and RMSF values, suggesting greater structural stability and lower flexibility. Interaction energy analysis reveals robust binding and stability for anisomelolide over time. Additionally, hydrogen bond analysis indicates more frequent and stronger interactions for anisomelolide. Conclusion: The phytochemical compound anisomelolide exhibits superior binding affinity, structural stability, and interaction dynamics, making it a promising candidate for drug development against HIV-1 RT.

Product development of gac fruit juice incorporated with lime juice

Gac fruit is widely cultivated in Thailand. It has elevated amounts of phytochemical compounds such as lycopene and β-carotene, with the aril section being the richest in these compounds. Lime juice is a healthy drink that is generally consumed for its nutritive value. The purpose of this study was to carry out an assessment to identify the appropriate proportion of lime for blended lime and gac fruit juice processing. This research consisted of four experiments. Fresh gac fruit juice (as a control sample; 0% and blended gac fruit juice with 5%, 10% and 15% concentrations of lime juice were analysed. Physical properties were examined, including brightness and colour (L*, a* and b* values), as well as chemical properties such as total acidity percentage, pH, vitamin C, total soluble solids, β-carotene, antioxidant inhibition percentage (DPPH assay) and lycopene. For the assessment of microbiological properties, a total plate count was carried out. A sensory evaluation for colour, odour, flavour, mouthfeel as well as overall acceptability was performed by thirty untrained panelists using the 9-point hedonic scale. Concerning the physical properties, it was determined that an increase in the amount of lime juice caused an escalation in external colour, odour and sediments. Analysis of the chemical properties revealed that all treatments were significantly different (p<0.05), except for β-carotene and total soluble solids. The chemical properties showed that lycopene, antioxidant inhibition percentage (as DPPH assay) and β-carotene were within the ranges of 647.32- 650.48 µg/g, 4.23-4.65% and 441.95-444.16 µg/g, respectively; they were not significantly different except for the antioxidant inhibition percentage and β-carotene. An increase in the amount of lime juice caused an increase in the external appearance of vitamin C sediments and total acidity percentage. The findings of the microbiological analysis demonstrated that the total plate count met the standard regulations, while the sensory evaluation revealed that the flavour, mouthfeel and overall acceptability for experiment no. 3 (10% of lime juice) obtained the highest values of 7.37, 6.90 and 7.33, respectively.

Synergistic Effects of Ethanol Extract of Allium sativum (Garlic) with DAPT and ATRA on Notch Signaling Targeted Molecular Action on Lung Cancer Cell line (A549)

Background: The activated oncogenic Notch signalling is an emerging target to treat cancer progression and recurrence. Synthetic inhibitors of Notch receptors are in pre-clinical studies. However, the overexpression of Notch signalling molecules at the gene level needs to be regulated to control cancer progression. Objective: We propose that this can be achieved by gene-regulatory drugs in combination with natural phytochemical compounds. Methods: The ethanol extract of Allium sativum alone and in combination with DAPT and ATRA were evaluated for cytotoxicity on A549 cells by MTT and Trypan blue assays. Their effects on Notch 1, Hes 1 and p53 gene expressions were studied by RT-PCR and qPCR. Their inhibition on metastatic invasion of A549 cells was analyzed by in vitro wound scratch assay. The phytochemicals of the extract were identified by GC-MS analysis. Results: Many organosulfur compounds having anti-cancer potency were identified in GC-MS. The combination treatment with 50μg (IC50) of garlic extract exhibited a highly significant (P≤0.01) synergistic inhibitory effect on A549 cell growth and migration. It has also significantly reduced the expression of Notch 1 and Hes 1 oncogenes and enhanced p53 gene expression, compared with the individual treatments. This indicates the synergistic action of the extract on the downregulation of Notch signalling at the mRNA level. Conclusion: Our study results imply that the combination therapies have potent molecular treatment action via down-regulating Notch signaling target genes and upregulating p53 gene expression as an underlying mechanism of inhibitory action on A549 lung cancer cells.

INHIBITORY EFFECT OF BASE GEDE ETHANOL EXTRACT AGAINTS BACTERIAL GROWTH OF Escherichia coli

Foodborne disease is a condition in which food is contaminated by microorganisms or chemicals, causing disease. One of the microorganisms that most often causes this condition is Escherichia coli. There is an assumption which states that, base gede/base genep has antibacterial properties which inhibit the growth of bacteria in typical Balinese food such as lawar. Various studies have proven that the basic ingredients of base gede have antibacterial activity obtained from secondary metabolites. The purpose of this study was to determine the phytochemical compounds contained in the base gede and the inhibitory power of the base gede in inhibiting the growth of the Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. This study examined the content of secondary metabolites qualitatively and the experimental test was the true experimental posttest only control group design. The method used was the disk diffusion (Kirby Bauer) with variations in the concentration of ethanol extract base gede as many as four groups (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and the negative control group was 96% ethanol and the positive control group ciprofloxacin 5g. The results of the phytochemical test found that the base gede ethanol extract contained phenols, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids. Inhibition test results observed inhibition zones formed at concentrations of 50%, 75%, 100% and K+ with diameters respectively 5.65+/-0.65 mm ; 7.00+/-1.35mm ; 7.78+/-1.18 mm dan 34.52+/-1.49 mm. Kruskal wallis test showed a value of p = 0.001 (p <0.05) which showed that the concentration group had an effect on the inhibition of E.coli ATCC 25922. There was a significant difference between the 50% and 100% concentrations obtained from the Mann-Whitney analysis with value of p = 0.043 (p<0.05). Keywords : Inhibition test, base gede, Escherichia coli

Nutritional value, phytochemical composition, and antioxidant potential of Iranian fenugreeks for food applications

Fenugreeks (Trigonella L. spp.), are well-known herbs belonging to the family Fabaceae, whose fresh and dried leaves have nutritional and medicinal value. In the present study, the content of phytochemical traits (essential oil, diosgenin, trigonelline, total phenol, total flavonoid, total saponins, and total tannins), bitterness value, pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoid, β-carotene, and anthocyanin), vitamins (group B vitamins and ascorbic acid), minerals, and antioxidant activity of thirty cultivated populations belonging to ten Trigonella species were evaluated. The species and populations were significantly different in all studied parameters. A significant positive and negative correlation (p < 0.05) was also observed between the studied parameters. In total, T. teheranica, T. elliptica, and T. foenum-graecum were distinguished as superior species. The results showed that fenugreeks leaves can be considered as a valuable source of food and phytochemical compounds. The obtained data can be help to expand the inventory of wild and cultivated Trigonella species for further exploitation of rich chemotypes in the new foods and specific applications.

Phytochemical content, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of Morrocan Cynara cardunculus L. var. ferocissima leaf methanolic extract.

Cyanra cardunclus L. var. ferocissima is widely used in Morocco as a food and in traditional medicine. Therefore, this study aimed to determine, for the first time, the phytochemical content and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of this variety. Qualitative tests were used to screen for the phytochemical compounds present in the extract, and spectrophotometric methods were used for quantification. The sugar profiles were determined using HPLC. Antioxidant activity was determined in vitro using DPPH, FRAP, and total antioxidant activity assays, and anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using serum albumin denaturation and membrane stabilization assays. The extract contained a high amount of total polyphenols, hydrocinnamic acids, anthocyanins, chlorophyll, ortho-diphenols, terpenoids, and triterpenoids. In addition, five sugars were identified with high amounts of raffinose and sucrose. The extract exerted considerable antioxidant activity by scavenging radicals and reducing power. It exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting protein denaturation and heat-inducing hemolysis. From the correlation results, anthocyanin, polyphenol, and triterpenoid contents were strongly correlated with DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Orthodiphenols, flavonols, and chlorophyll α were strongly correlated with FRAP, whereas orthodiphenols, hydrocinnamic acids, and triterpenoids were strongly correlated with total antioxidant activity. In terms of anti-inflammatory activity, orthodiphenols, hydrocinnamic acids, and triterpenoids correlated strongly with inhibition of bovine serum albumin denaturation activity, whereas terpenoids, flavonols, and chlorophyll correlated strongly with red cell membrane-stabilizing activity. In conclusion, the Moroccan Cynara cardunclus var. ferocissima leaf methanolic extract constitutes a promising source of phytochemicals with considerable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Comprehensive phenolic profiling and biological evaluation of Centaurea glastifolia L. (Asteraceae)

The present investigation focused on the comprehensive analysis of the phenolic profile of Centaurea glastifolia L. (Asteraceae) and the assessment of its diverse biological activities. Utilising LC-MS/MS, the phytochemical composition of the 70% methanol extract of Centaurea glastifolia (CG-ME) was thoroughly elucidated, revealing the presence of 30 distinct phytochemical compounds. Notably, major phenolic constituents identified in the extract included quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, luteolin, and apigenin-7-O-glucoside. The antioxidant, antibacterial, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities of CG-ME were investigated. The CG-ME exhibited a moderate capacity for scavenging DPPH radicals (IC50: 50.05 ± 1.58 µg/mL) and FRAP (63.96 ± 0.39 mg TE/g extract), indicating a moderate level of antioxidant activity. Moreover, CG-ME demonstrated significant antiproliferative effects (GI50: 1.10 and 1.30 µg/mL) on cancer cells (C6 and HTC cancer cell lines, respectively) while displaying low cytotoxicity towards normal cells (LC50: >1000 µg/mL). In terms of antibacterial activity, CG-ME was found to be inactive against tested both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains (MIC > 500 µg/mL). The extracts had a promising antiproliferative effect on C6, HeLa, and HT29 cancer cell lines with a less cytotoxic effect (10.5–14.2%) against normal cells.

Comparative metabolites profiling of different solvent extracts of Asparagus species cladodes using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and molecular networking.

Asparagus species are naturally distributed worldwide and are known for their pharmacological properties that offer cures for various ailments. However, the metabolic choreography of these Asparagus species is not well characterized, and the compounds contributing to their bioactivities remain unknown. This study aimed to profile and compare the metabolomes of three Asparagus species cladodes using different solvent extractions. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and molecular networking approach was used to study the effects of different solvents (ethyl acetate, methanol, and chloroform) with varying polarity on metabolites extraction and identification of bioactive compounds from three Asparagus species cladodes (Asparagus falcatus, Asparagus plumosus, and Asparagus densiflorus 'Meyersii'). Multivariate statistical analyses (mainly principal component analysis) revealed a significant separation between the three solvents and the three species, indicating notable metabolic differences. A total of 118 metabolites were identified in the three species extracted with the different solvents, with methanolic and chloroform extracts containing more metabolites compared with ethyl acetate extracts. These metabolites were identified as belonging to the flavonoids, cinnamic acids, organooxygen compounds, steroids, fatty acids, benzenes, and glycerophospholipids compound classes. Furthermore, these compounds classes were differentially distributed among the three species, indicating chemical/chemotaxis differences between the compared species. Chloroform and methanol are recommended as the optimal solvents to obtain a high content of phytochemical compounds from Asparagus species cladodes.

Bergamot Pomace Flour: From Byproduct to Bioactive Ingredient for Pasta Production

Contemporary consumers demonstrate an increasing preference for foods formulated with sustainable ingredients and health-promoting benefits. In this study, both demands were addressed by formulating enriched pasta using by-products derived from the processing of bergamot, a typical Calabrian citrus fruit. Wheat flour was replaced with different percentages of exhausted bergamot pomace flour (BPF: 1.5%, 2.5%, and 5%). The results indicated that bergamot pomace is a source of various phytochemical compounds, such as minerals, fibers, and polyphenols, which are beneficial to human health. The enriched pasta samples showed a significant increase in antioxidant properties, measured as a total polyphenol and flavonoid content and through chromatographic analysis. From the latter, it emerged that phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids, were resistant to cooking. The best qualitative characteristics were shown by the sample formulated with 2.5% BPF, as also confirmed by the sensory analysis; indeed, sample C exhibited a similar level of acceptability to the control sample (A) in terms of general acceptability by the panelists. Hence, BPF can be considered as a functional ingredient for the formulation of pasta, enhancing the product’s functionality, or as an addition as flour in gluten-free products.

Nymphaea alba leaf powder effectiveness in removing nisin from fermentation broth using docking and experimental analysis

The accumulation of nisin in the fermentation medium can reduce the process's productivity. This research studied the potential of Nymphaea alba leaf powder (NALP) as a hydrophobic biosorbent for efficient in-situ nisin adsorption from the fermentation medium by docking and experimental analysis. Molecular docking analysis showed that di-galloyl ellagic acid, a phytochemical compound found in N. alba, had the highest affinity towards nisin. Enhancements in nisin adsorption were seen following pre-treatment of NAPL with HCl and MgCl2. A logistic growth model was employed to evaluate the growth dynamics of the biosorption capacity, offering valuable insights for process scalability. Furthermore, optimization through Response Surface Methodology elucidated optimal nisin desorption conditions by Liebig's law of the minimum, which posits that the scarcest resource governs production efficiency. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy pinpointed vital functional groups involved in biosorption. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the changing physical characteristics of the biosorbent after exposure to nisin. The findings designate NALP as a feasible adsorbent for nisin removal from the fermentation broth, thus facilitating its application in the purification of other biotechnological products based on growth and production optimization principles.

Use of Herbal Drugs in Cardiovascular Disease- A Review.

Thirty percent of deaths worldwide are caused by cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). As per the WHO data, the number of fatalities due to CVDs is 17.9 million years, and it is projected to cause 22.2 million deaths by 2030. In terms of gender, women die from CVD at a rate of 51% compared to 42% for males. Most people use phytochemicals, a type of traditional medicine derived from plants, either in addition to or instead of commercially available medications to treat and prevent CVD. Phytochemicals are useful in lowering cardiovascular risks, especially for lowering blood cholesterol, lowering obesity-related factors, controlling blood sugar and the consequences of type 2 diabetes, controlling oxidative stress factors and inflammation, and preventing platelet aggregation. Medicinal plants that are widely known for treating CVD include ginseng, ginkgo biloba, ganoderma lucidum, gynostemma pentaphyllum, viridis amaranthus, etc. Plant sterol, flavonoids, polyphenols, sulphur compound and terpenoid are the active phytochemicals present in these plants. The aim of this article is to cover more and more drugs that are used for cardiovascular diseases. In this article, we will learn about the use of different herbal drugs, mechanism of action, phytochemical compounds, side effects, etc. However, more research is required to comprehend the process and particular phytochemicals found in plants that treat CVD.

Blue maize with pigmented germ: Phytochemical compounds and tortilla color

Blue maize is used in the production of various traditional foods, and its phytochemical composition has been claimed to possess health benefits. In this study, two blue maize hybrids with pigmented germ grown in five environments were studied under the hypothesis that the germ could have a different anthocyanin profile from that of anthocyanins synthesized in the aleurone layer, and that those in the germ could increase the total anthocyanin content in the whole grain. The percentage of pigmented germ, total anthocyanin content (TA) and total soluble phenols in the germ, whole grain and tortilla were evaluated to determine how tortilla color is modified. For the first time, the anthocyanin and fatty acid profiles of pigmented germ were determined. In the anthocyanin profile, anthocyanins derived from peonidin stood out, making 50.7 %. The most abundant fatty acid was linoleic acid (40.6 %). Whole kernel TA content increased when the maize had a higher percentage of pigmented germ, with minimal changes when grain was transformed to tortilla, resulting in darker tortillas. The large variation in TA among environments highlights the importance of identifying the environments that most favor anthocyanin synthesis.

Retention of Phytochemical Compounds and Antioxidative Activity in Traditional Baked Dish "proja" Made from Pigmented Maize.

Two genotypes of pigmented maize (black (BM) and red (RM)) were used as flour ingredients in several formulations of the traditional baked maize dish "proja". This study investigated the stability of phytochemical compounds and antioxidant activity in proja as affected by baking and different acidity degrees of dough formulations. Compared to RM proja, all BM proja formulations were significantly higher in antioxidant compounds and exhibited the highest inhibitory activity (73-85%) against DPPH. There was a strong significant correlation between DPPH inhibition and total phenolics (r2 = 0.95), flavonoids (r2 = 0.96), and anthocyanins (r2 = 0.97) in baked proja. After baking, 67-85% of total phenolics were retained. The fate of flavonoids and anthocyanins after baking was variable: from 70% degradation to liberation. Dough acidity significantly and positively affected the content of phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins in BM proja (r2 = 0.70, 0.82, and 0.47, respectively). Baking increased antioxidant activity against DPPH, •OH, and O2•- radicals in proja, except for ≈10% decline of DPPH inhibition in BM proja. In RM proja, retention of inhibitory capacity against O2•- was highly correlated to flavonoid retention (r2 = 0.71). Using pigmented maize flour in proja baking resulted in proja with appreciable content of total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and high antioxidant activity, confirming the significant improvement of the nutrient profile of this traditional food.

Sesamol-mediated targeting of EPHA2 sensitises cervical cancer for cisplatin treatment by regulating mitochondrial dynamics, autophagy, and mitophagy.

Cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most prevalent cancer among women globally, presenting a significant therapeutic challenge due to its resistance to cisplatin. Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EPHA2) is prominently overexpressed in cervical cancer and plays a vital role in cisplatin resistance, although the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Mitochondrial dynamics, autophagy, and mitophagy are critical in mediating cisplatin resistance. Sesamol, a phytochemical compound, has exhibited promising anticancer properties. This study aims to investigate the regulatory role of EPHA2 in these pathways underlying cisplatin resistance and to investigate the potential of sesamol in overcoming this resistance and inhibiting cervical cancer progression. In this study, we knocked down EPHA2 in the SiHa cell line and evaluated the resulting changes in molecular markers associated with mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, and autophagy. Our results indicated that EPHA2 knockdown (EPHA2-KD) led to enhanced mitochondrial fusion and reduced mitochondrial fission, mitophagy, and autophagy. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of EPHA2-KD and sesamol treatment on sensitising cervical cancer to cisplatin treatment. Our data revealed that EPHA2-KD and sesamol treatment significantly increases cellular sensitivity to cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. Additionally, we demonstrated that sesamol effectively targets EPHA2, as evidenced by decreased EPHA2 expression levels following sesamol treatment. In summary, targeting EPHA2 through knockdown or sesamol treatment enhances cisplatin sensitivity in cervical cancer by modulating mitochondrial dynamics, autophagy and mitophagy, suggesting promising therapeutic strategies to overcome chemoresistance.

Combination of cisplatin and ethyl acetate extract of Vernonia amygdalina Delile induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis on PANC-1 cells via PI3K/mTOR

Context: Vernonia amygdalina Delile (VAD) is known as a potential plant with a wide variety of medicinal properties, including anticancer. Aims: To evaluate the combination effect of VAD extract with cisplatin (CIS) against PANC-1 cells, focusing on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis activities. Methods: This study is an experimental study using PANC-1 cells as objects. The phytochemical compounds were analyzed with LC-MS/MS. The cytotoxic activity of extracts and their combinations was determined using the MTT assay method in the PANC-1 cell line. Apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and PI3K/mTOR profiles were analyzed with flow cytometry. Immunocytochemistry was used to determine Bcl-2, Cyclin D1, and p53 expression. Results: The phytochemicals found were five compounds with retention times of 8.96, 9.85, 10.52, 12.59, and 10.36. The results of the MTT assay showed that the IC50 values of extract and CIS were 21.83 ± 0.46 µg/mL and 3.02 ± 0.44 µg/mL, respectively. The combination index (CI) value of extract and CIS had a synergistic effect. Combination extract and CIS induced early and late apoptosis, inhibited cell cycle progression on the G1 phase, inhibited Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 expression, induced p53 expression, and inhibited PI3K and mTOR expression. Conclusions: The combination of extract and CIS showed anticancer activity against PANC-1 cells through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest via inhibition of PI3K and mTOR expressions.

Medicinal food rich in phytochemical compounds and antioxidant power enhances the health of rural women who are exposed to pesticides

Medicinal food rich in phytochemical compounds and antioxidant power enhances the health of rural women who are exposed to pesticides

Phytochemical Profiling and Molecular Investigation of Moringa Oleifera Lam. Leaves for Anti-Arthritic Potential: Assessment and Identification of Phytopharmaceuticals through GC-MS Analysis, In Silico Study, ADMET Analysis, and In Vitro Evaluation

Background: The drumstick tree, Moringa oleifera Lam. (family Moringaceae), is known as a magical plant due to its broad pharmacological activities. Traditionally, the leaves of this plant are used for anti-inflammatory action. However, the compounds in Moringa oleifera leaves and their mechanism that show anti-arthritic potential are unknown. Methods: In this study, a preliminary phytochemical investigation of Moringa oleifera leaves eth-anolic extract was conducted using qualitative analysis followed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to determine the constituents in the extracts. Results: The results indicated the presence of various phytochemical compounds (about 316). Out of these, about 16 compounds were identified that covered 54.63 % of the total ethanolic extract. A molecular docking study was further performed using selected two compounds i.e. 3, 7, 11, 15-tetramethylhexadec-2-en-1-ol and neophytadiene and different targets proteins MMP9 (1L6J), PGE2 (1Z9H), TLR-1-TLR-2 (2Z80), COX-II (3NT1 and 5F19), iNOS (3NW2), HtrA1 (3TJO), JAK-1 (4K6Z), MCSF (5LXF) and TLR-4 (5NAO). Later on, an online tool was used to perform ADME/T analysis of the identified compounds. The DPPH and ABTS assay confirmed the strong potential of this extract for antioxidant activity, which correlates with anti-arthritic potential. Conclusion: Based on molecular docking, the mechanism for these compounds for the anti-arthritic activity of these magical plant leaves was identified. It is concluded from the study that Moringa oleifera leaves ethanolic extract have potential compounds that may be used to develop more ef-fective formulations for better therapeutic exercise against inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.