Effect of two glycyrrhizinic acid nanoparticle carriers on MARC-145 cells actin filaments

Unravelling the potential of L-carnosine analog-based nano-assemblies as pH-responsive therapeutics in treating glioma: an in vitro perspective

Self-assembled small peptide-based nanoparticles (NPs) constitute a major section of the biomimetic smart NPs owing to their excellent compatibility and minimal adverse effects in the biological system. Here, we have designed a modified L-carnosine dipeptide analog, "Fmoc-β-Ala-L-His-(Trt)-o-methyl formate", which was assembled along with a modified single amino acid, Fmoc-Arg-(Pbf)-OH and zinc ions to form stable and mono-dispersed L-carnosine analog NPs (CaNPs) with inherent anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, the CaNPs demonstrated an average size of ∼200 nm, making them suitable to invade the tumor site by following the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Our studies depicted a remarkable cancer cell killing ability of the NPs of ∼82% in C6 glioma cells. Thereafter, cellular investigations were performed in C6 cells to analyze the influence of the NPs on cellular cytoskeleton integrity by using a phalloidin assay and anti-cancer efficacy by using calcein AM/PI, and an apoptosis assay further indicated their anti-cancer effect. Additionally, the NPs negatively impacted the ability of C6 cells to migrate across a premade scratch (∼44% wound closure) demonstrating their tendency to halt cancer cell migration and metastasis. Also, our NPs depicted ∼19.51 ± 0.17% permeability across the bEnd.3 transwell model establishing their BBB penetrability. Collectively, our results could positively implicate the successful anti-cancer potential of the minimalistic, biologically compliant, L-carnosine analog (Ca)-based nanostructures in glioma.

Potential of glycyrrhizic and glycyrrhetinic acids against influenza type A and B viruses: A perspective to develop new anti-influenza compounds and drug delivery systems

Despite the recent dynamic development of medicine, influenza is still a significant epidemiological problem for people around the world. The growing resistance of influenza viruses to currently available antiviral drugs makes it necessary to search for new compounds or drug forms with potential high efficacy against human influenza A and B viruses. One of the methods of obtaining new active compounds is to chemically modify privileged structures occurring in the natural environment. The second solution, that is gaining more and more interest, is the use of modern drug carriers, which significantly improve physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters of the transported substances. Molecules known from the earliest times for their numerous therapeutic properties are glycyrrhizinic acid (GA) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GE). Both compounds constitute the main active agents of the licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Leguminosae) root and, according to a number of scientific reports, show antiviral properties against both DNA and RNA viruses. The above information prompted many scientific teams around the world to obtain and test in vitro and/or in vivo new synthetic GA and GE derivatives against influenza A and B viruses. Similarly, in recent years, a significant amount of GA and GE-based drug delivery systems (DDS) such as nanoparticles, micelles, liposomes, nanocrystals, and carbon dots has been prepared and tested for antiviral activity, including those against influenza A and B viruses. This work systematizes the attempts undertaken to study the antiviral activity of new GA and GE analogs and modern DDS against clinically significant human influenza viruses, at the same time indicating the directions of their further development.

Broad Antiviral Spectrum of Glycyrrhizic Acid for Human and Veterinary Medicine: Reality or Fiction?

BACKGROUND

Emerging virus infections provoke health problems in people and animals, which generate social and economic issues worldwide. This has spurred the search for new pharmacological strategies to confront them.

SUMMARY

The purpose of this review is to draw the reader's attention to pharmacological evaluations of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and its analogs on the broad range of viruses known in human and veterinary medicine. GA is the main water-soluble constituent extracted from the roots of plants from the genus Glycyrrhiza, commonly known as licorice root. It has long been used due to its broad spectrum of bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, and antitumor properties. It has also been proposed as an antiviral agent. Medicines derived from GA are currently being used to combat acute and chronic hepatitis and herpes viruses.

KEY MESSAGES

This review suggests that GA could be a new broad-spectrum antiviral due to its ability to inhibit DNA or RNA viruses both in vitro and in vivo. GA could be a potential drug for preventing and/or treating various viral diseases.