Salvia lachnostachys Benth has antitumor and chemopreventive effects against solid Ehrlich carcinoma

New insights into the anticancer effects of Polycladia crinita aqueous extract and its selenium nanoformulation against the solid Ehrlich carcinoma model in mice via VEGF, notch 1, NF-кB, cyclin D1, and caspase 3 signaling pathway

Background: Phaeophyceae species are enticing interest among researchers working in the nanotechnology discipline, because of their diverse biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-tumor. In the present study, the anti-cancer properties of Polycladia crinita extract and green synthesized Polycladia crinita selenium nanoparticles (PCSeNPs) against breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) and solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC) were investigated. Methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy examinations of Polycladia crinita were determined and various analytical procedures, such as SEM, TEM, EDX, and XRD, were employed to characterize the biosynthesized PCSeNPs. In vitro, the anticancer activity of free Polycladia crinita and PCSeNPs was evaluated using the viability assay against MDA-MB-231, and also cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry was determined. Furthermore, to study the possible mechanisms behind the in vivo anti-tumor action, mice bearing SEC were randomly allocated into six equal groups (n = 6). Group 1: Tumor control group, group 2: free SeNPs, group 3: 25 mg/kg Polycladia crinita, group 4: 50 mg/kg Polycladia crinita, group 5: 25 mg/kg PCSeNPs, group 6: 50 mg/kg PCSeNPs. Results: Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy examinations of Polycladia crinita extract exposed the presence of many bioactive compounds, such as 4-Octadecenoic acid-methyl ester, Tetradecanoic acid, and n-Hexadecenoic acid. These compounds together with other compounds found, might work in concert to encourage the development of anti-tumor activities. Polycladia crinita extract and PCSeNPs were shown to inhibit cancer cell viability and early cell cycle arrest. Concentrations of 50 mg/kg of PCSeNPs showed suppression of COX-2, NF-кB, VEGF, ki-67, Notch 1, and Bcl-2 protein levels. Otherwise, showed amplification of the caspase 3, BAX, and P53 protein levels. Moreover, gene expression of caspase 3, caspase 9, Notch 1, cyclin D1, NF-кB, IL-6, and VEGF was significantly more effective with PCSeNPs than similar doses of free extract. Conclusion: The PCSeNPs mediated their promising anti-cancerous action by enhancing apoptosis and mitigating inflammation, which manifested in promoting the total survival rate and the tumor volume decrease.

Absence of maternal-fetal adverse effects of Alternanthera littoralis P. Beauv. following treatment during pregnancy in mice

Alternanthera littoralis P. Beauv is a plant native to Brazil that exhibits various beneficial activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anti-hyperalgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the ethanol extract of Alternanthera littoralis (EEAl) on reproductive outcomes, embryofetal development, and DNA integrity of pregnant female mice. Pregnant Swiss female mice were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (n = 10): controls were administered either 1% Tween 80 (vehicle), EEAl 100 mg/kg or EEAl 1000 mg/kg. Treatment was administered through gavage during the gestational period until day 18. On gestational days 16, 17, and 18, a peripheral blood sample from the tail vein was obtained for DNA integrity analysis (micronucleus test). After the last collection, animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation. Maternal organs and fetuses were collected, weighed, and subsequently analyzed. Reproductive outcome parameters were assessed by measurement of number of implants, live fetuses, and resorptions. Embryonic development was determined by adequacy of weight for gestational age as well as determination of external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. Data demonstrated that EEAl did not produce maternal toxicity at either dose associated with no marked alterations in any of the reproductive outcome parameters including implantation sites, live/dead fetuses ratio, fetal viability, post-implantation losses, resorptions, and resorption rate. However, EEAl 1000 group reduced embryofetal development by lowering placental weight. In addition, there was an increase in the frequency of external and skeletal malformations in the EEAl 1000 group, which could not be attributed to extract exposure as these values were within control levels. Based upon our findings, evidence indicates that the EEAl at the concentrations employed in our study may be considered safe for use during pregnancy and extracts of this plant show potential for development of phytomedicines to be used in pregnancy.

The ethanolic extract of Salvia lachnostachys Benth is not maternotoxic, does not alter reproductive performance, but has teratogenic potential

Salvia lachnostachys Benth is native to Brazil and has anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, cytotoxic, antitumor, and antihyperalgesic activities. The population, including pregnant women, consume this plant to treat pain, inflammation, flu, spasms, insomnia, and depression, mainly. There are no safety reports on the use of this plant during pregnancy. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of S. lachnostachys ethanolic extract (EESl) on reproductive performance, embryofetal development, and DNA integrity of pregnant female mice. Pregnant females were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 10): The Control group was treated with a vehicle, and treatment groups were administered with EESl at 100 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. Treatment occurred by gavage throughout the gestational period until day 18. Afterward, reproductive performance, embryofetal development, and DNA integrity parameters were evaluated. The results indicated that EESl did not alter any reproductive performance parameters. However, it changed embryofetal outcome through reduced placental weight (EESl 100 mg/kg), decreased fetal weight (EESl 100 and 1000 mg/kg), and increased frequency of small for gestational age fetuses (EESl 1000 mg/kg). In addition, EES1 increased the frequency of external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. Because of the above, it is considered that EESl is not maternotoxic, does not alter reproductive performance, but does alter embryofetal development. Its use in the gestational period is not indicated due to its teratogenic potential.

Fruticuline A, a chemically-defined diterpene, exerts antineoplastic effects in vitro and in vivo by multiple mechanisms

Natural products have been recognized as important bioactive compounds on the basis of their wide biological properties. Here we investigated the antitumor effect and molecular mechanisms of the diterpene Fruticuline A (fruti) from Salvia lachnostachys, in human cancer cell lineages and Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma in mice. Fruti reduced MCF-7 and HepG2 proliferation by the reduction of Cyclin D1 levels and decreased NF-κB gene levels in both cell types. Furthermore, fruti also induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells, reduced Bcl-2 gene expression and induced necroptosis by increasing Ripk in MCF-7 cells. In mice, fruti prevented tumor development and reduced Cyclin D1, Bcl-2 and Rela gene levels, and reduced the p-NF-κB/NF-κB ratio in tumor tissue. Furthermore, fruti induced necrosis and apoptosis, increased N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase and TNF-α levels and reduced IL-10 and Vegf levels in tumor tissue. Collectively, fruti exerts antitumor effects through the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway, reducing Cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 levels. In vitro the apoptosis and necroptosis pathways are involved in the cellular death, whereas in vivo, cells undergo necrosis by increased tumor inflammation and reduction of angiogenesis. Thus, fruticuline A acts in tumor cells by multiple mechanisms and represents a promising molecule for drug development in cancer treatment.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Synergizes Sorafenib Anticancer Efficacy with Minimizing Its Cytotoxicity

Cancer, as a group, represents the most important cause of death worldwide. Unfortunately, the available therapeutic approaches of cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy are unsatisfactory and represent a great challenge as many patients have cancer recurrence and severe side effects. Methotrexate (MTX) is a well-established (antineoplastic or cytotoxic) chemotherapy and immunosuppressant drug used to treat different types of cancer, but its usage requires high doses causing severe side effects. Therefore, we need a novel drug with high antitumor efficacy in addition to safety. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the antitumor efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO-NPs) and sorafenib alone or in combination on solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC) in mice. Sixty adult female Swiss-albino mice were divided equally into 6 groups as follows: control, SEC, MTX, ZnO-NPs, sorafenib, and ZnO-NPs+sorafenib; all treatments continued for 4 weeks. ZnO-NPs were characterized by TEM, zeta potential, and SEM mapping. Data showed that ZnO-NPs synergized with sorafenib as a combination therapy to execute more effective and safer anticancer activity compared to monotherapy as showed by a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in tumor weight, tumor cell viability, and cancer tissue glutathione amount as well as by significant increase (P < 0.001) in tumor growth inhibition rate, DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species generation, the release of cytochrome c, and expression of the apoptotic gene caspase-3 in the tumor tissues with minimal changes in the liver, renal, and hematological parameters. Therefore, we suggest that ZnO-NPs might be a safe candidate in combination with sorafenib as a more potent anticancer. The safety of this combined treatment may allow its use in clinical trials.