Antifibrotic and tumor microenvironment modulating effect of date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) extracts in pancreatic cancer

Comparative evaluation of ultrasound-assisted extraction with other green extraction methods for sustainable recycling and processing of date palm bioresources and by-products: A review of recent research

The global food waste crisis has significantly contributed to climate change, water pollution, and land degradation. Date palm waste, including seeds, fronds, and fruit pulp residues, represents a valuable source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This study presents a comparative evaluation of ultrasound-assisted extraction and other novel extraction techniques, such as pressure-based extraction, pulsed electric fields, microwaves, and natural deep eutectic solvents, for recovering bioactive compounds from date palm waste. These methods were assessed for their efficiency and sustainability in extracting antioxidants and phenolic compounds, and other bioactives while minimizing the use of harmful solvents and high temperatures. Critical factors, such as extraction time, solvent type, temperature, and pressure were crucial indicators to achieve higher extraction efficiencies with lower environmental impacts compared to traditional methods. Additionally, combining these techniques may further optimize the extraction process. This study contributes to the development of sustainable strategies for valorizing date palm byproducts and promoting a circular economy in the food industry. By developing sustainable extraction methods that minimize environmental impacts, this research directly supports the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Nanocarrier-mediated modulation of cGAS-STING signaling pathway to disrupt tumor microenvironment

The cGAS-STING signaling plays an important role in the immune response in a tumor microenvironment (TME) of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The acute and controlled activation of cGAS-STING signaling results in tumor suppression, while chronic activation of cGAS-STING signaling results in immune-suppressive TME that could result in tumor survival. There is a need, therefore, to develop therapeutic strategies for harnessing tumor suppressive effects of cGAS-STING signaling while minimizing the risks associated with chronic activation. Combination therapies and nanocarriers-based delivery of cGAS-STING agonists have emerged as promising strategies in immunotherapy for controlled modulation of cGAS-STING signaling in cancer. These approaches aim to optimize the tumor suppressive effects of the cGAS-STING pathway while minimizing the challenges associated with modulators of cGAS-STING signaling. In the present review, we discuss recent advancements and strategies in combination therapies and nanocarrier-based delivery systems for effectively controlling cGAS-STING signaling in cancer immunotherapy. Further, we emphasized the significance of nanocarrier-based approaches for effective targeting of the cGAS-STING signaling, tackling resistance mechanisms, and overcoming key challenges like immune suppression, tumor heterogeneity, and off-target effects.

Therapeutical potential of natural products in treatment of pancreatic cancer: a review

Pancreatic cancer remains as global health challenge, ranking as the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with high mortality rates and a low five-year survival rate. Despite advancements in conventional therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, the overall survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients have shown minimal improvement. Consequently, there is an urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. The search for effective treatments has increasingly turned towards natural products, which offer a diverse array of bioactive compounds with potential anticancer properties. All the natural products, derived from plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms, have emerged as promising candidates in cancer treatment. The review explores the potential role of various natural compounds such as polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids in pancreatic cancer management. With over 60% of cancer medications in clinical trials having natural origins, the review underscores the importance of exploring these compounds for their chemopreventive potential. It covers the epidemiological, molecular pathways influenced by these natural products (such as apoptosis, cell cycle regulation and signaling pathways) and therapeutic aspects aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts in understanding and addressing the complexities of pancreatic cancer. Overall, this review highlights the urgency of developing novel therapeutic strategies and incorporating natural compounds into current treatment modalities to improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.

Methanolic Extract of Phoenix Dactylifera Confers Protection against Experimental Diabetic Cardiomyopathy through Modulation of Glucolipid Metabolism and Cardiac Remodeling

The incidence of cardiovascular disorders is continuously rising, and there are no effective drugs to treat diabetes-associated heart failure. Thus, there is an urgent need to explore alternate approaches, including natural plant extracts, which have been successfully exploited for therapeutic purposes. The current study aimed to explore the cardioprotective potential of Phoenix dactylifera (PD) extract in experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Following in vitro phytochemical analyses, Wistar albino rats (N = 16, male; age 2-3 weeks) were fed with a high-fat or standard diet prior to injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg i.p.) after 2 months and separation into the following four treatment groups: healthy control, DCM control, DCM metformin (200 mg/kg/day, as the reference control), and DCM PD treatment (5 mg/kg/day). After 25 days, glucolipid and myocardial blood and serum markers were assessed along with histopathology and gene expression of both heart and pancreatic tissues. The PD treatment improved glucolipid balance (FBG 110 ± 5.5 mg/dL; insulin 17 ± 3.4 ng/mL; total cholesterol 75 ± 8.5 mg/dL) and oxidative stress (TOS 50 ± 7.8 H2O2equiv./L) in the DCM rats, which was associated with preserved structural integrity of both the pancreas and heart compared to the DCM control (FBG 301 ± 10 mg/dL; insulin 27 ± 3.4 ng/mL; total cholesterol 126 ± 10 mg/dL; TOS 165 ± 12 H2O2equiv./L). Gene expression analyses revealed that PD treatment upregulated the expression of insulin signaling genes in pancreatic tissue (INS-I 1.69 ± 0.02; INS-II 1.3 ± 0.02) and downregulated profibrotic gene expression in ventricular tissue (TGF-β 1.49 ± 0.04) compared to the DCM control (INS-I 0.6 ± 0.02; INS-II 0.49 ± 0.03; TGF-β 5.7 ± 0.34). Taken together, these data indicate that Phoenix dactylifera may offer cardioprotection in DCM by regulating glucolipid balance and metabolic signaling.

Synthesis, pharmacological evaluation, and in silico study of new 3-furan-1-thiophene-based chalcones as antibacterial and anticancer agents

New 3-furan-1-thiophene-based chalcones were synthesized, characterized and pharmacologically evaluated as antibacterial and anticancer agents against two bacterial species; Gram-positive (Streptococcus pyogenes) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). All tested final compounds were active against the two bacterial species; S. pyogenes and P . aeruginosa. Especially compound AM4 showed large inhibition zone (27.13 and 23.30 mm), respectively. Using the DPPH assay, the new chalcones were evaluated for their free radical scavenging activity and found to reach up to 90 %, accomplished at a test concentration of 200 μg/mL. Furthermore, the chalcone derivatives were investigated against two breast cell lines; MCF-7 (cancerous) and MCF-10A (non-cancerous). Compound AM4 showed potent anticancer activity (IC50 = 19.354 μg/mL) in comparison to the other tested chalcone derivatives. In silico study was achieved using the PyRx AutoDock Vina software (0.8) to study the interaction types between the new hits and the binding sites of targeted proteins; glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase and tubulin, the target for antibacterial and anticancer drugs, respectively. Based on the molecular docking results the tested chalcones bind to the active pocket of the respective proteins, which support the in vitro results. In conclusion, 3-furan-1-thiophene-based chalcones could serve as new hits in the discovery of novel anticancer and/or antibacterial drugs.

Antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antiviral investigations using egyptian phoenix dactylifera L. pits extract

Phoenix dactylifera L. and its wastes are known to be high in nutrients that are beneficial to human health. The study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antiviral properties of Phoenix dactylifera L. pits extract (PDPE) in vitro. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis indicated phenol, 2,5-bis(1,1-dimethyl ethyl), tetradecanoic acid, octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, á-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid, and heptaethylene glycol monododecyl ether existence. The PDPE influenced pathogenic microorganisms, with inhibition zone diameters (IZDs) ranging from 10.0 to 35.0 mm. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 5638 had the highest IZD, while Salmonella typhi DSM 17058 and Shigella sonnei DSM 5570 had the lowest. The antifungal effect observed only in spore failure or conidia formation. PDPE showed a 100% antibacterial spectrum against bacteria, with MIC values between 250 and 1000 µg/ml. MIC was only indicated with S. aureus of 500 µg/ml. MBC values ranged from 500 to 1000 g/ml, with MBC values of 500 g/ml for B. cereus, E. faecalis, S. typhi, and S. sonnei. The activity was 66.7% at 500 µg/ml, further concentrations of 125-250 g/ml had no antibacterial effect. PDPE biofilm inhibition % had the highest percentage of inhibition (98.59%) with S. aureus, B. cereus (94.12%), and E. coli (74.46%). With 50% (CC50) viral activity, the highest non-toxic PDPE dose was found to be at 123.0 µg/ml.

Phytochemical-derived tumor-associated macrophage remodeling strategy using Phoenix dactylifera L. boosted photodynamic therapy in melanoma via H19/iNOS/PD-L1 axis

BACKGROUND

The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a barrier to PDT efficacy among melanoma patients. The aim of this study is to employ a novel muti-tactic TME-remodeling strategy via repolarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the main TME immune cells in melanoma, from the pro-tumor M2 into the antitumor M1 phenotype using Phoenix dactylifera L. (date palm) in combination with PDT.

METHODS

Screening of different date cultivars was employed to choose extracts of selective toxicity to melanoma and TAMs, not normal macrophages. Potential extracts were then fractionated and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Finally, the efficacy and the potential molecular mechanism of the co-treatment were portrayed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis.

RESULTS

Initial screening resulted in the selection of the two Phoenix dactylifera L. cultivars Safawi and Sukkari methanolic extracts. Sukkari showed superior capacity to revert TAM phenotype into M1 as well as more prominent upregulation of M1 markers and repression of melanoma immunosuppressive markers relative to positive control (resiquimod). Molecularly, it was shown that PDT of melanoma cells in the presence of the secretome of repolarized TAMs surpassed the monotherapy via the modulation of the H19/iNOS/PD-L1immune-regulatory axis.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the potential utilization of nutraceuticals in combination with PDT in the treatment of melanoma to provide a dual activity through alleviating the immune suppressive TME and potentiating the anti-tumor responses.

Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Silybum marianum Seed Extract Rich in Silydianin and Silychristin in a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become an increasing global health problem, which leads to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Silybum marianum extracts have been reported to possess several biological activities. In this study, an ethyl acetate extract prepared from S. marianum seeds of the Iraqi Kurdistan region was analyzed to identify its chemical constituents. Subsequently, its potential for the prevention and treatment of MetS was studied in a rat model induced by a high-fat/high-fructose diet (HFD/F). Silydianin and silychristin were the most abundant flavonolignan constituents (39.4%) identified in the S. marianum extract (SMEE). HFD/F-induced rats treated with SMEE exhibited preventive effects including reduced serum triglyceride levels (TG), decreased glucose levels in an oral glucose tolerance test (p < 0.001), attenuated weight gain, and reduced blood pressure compared to the untreated control group. Therapeutic application of SMEE after inducing MetS led to lowering of TG (p < 0.001) and glucose levels, in addition to reducing weight gain and normalizing blood pressure (p < 0.005). Thus, S. marianum extract rich in silydianin and silychristin may be useful for preventing and attenuating MetS, and further research and clinical trials are warranted.

Nutraceuticals: A Promising Therapeutic Approach in Ophthalmology

Oxidative stress represents one of the main factors driving the pathophysiology of multiple ophthalmic conditions including presbyopia, cataracts, dry eye disease (DED), glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Currently, different studies have demonstrated the role of orally administered nutraceuticals in these diseases. For instance, they have demonstrated to improve lens accommodation in presbyopia, reduce protein aggregation in cataracts, ameliorate tear film stability, break up time, and tear production in dry eye, and participate in the avoidance of retinal neuronal damage and a decrease in intraocular pressure in glaucoma, contribute to the delayed progression of AMD, or in the prevention or treatment of neuronal death in diabetic retinopathy. In this review, we summarized the nutraceuticals which have presented a positive impact in ocular disorders, emphasizing the clinical assays. The characteristics of the different types of nutraceuticals are specified along with the nutraceutical concentration used to achieve a therapeutic outcome in ocular diseases.

Potential bioactivity of Phoenix dactylifera fruits, leaves, and seeds against prostate and pancreatic cancer cells

The use of functional foods' phytochemicals in the chemoprevention of different cancer diseases has become one of the hot scientific areas in the clinical nutrition field. For instance, the Khalas palm cultivar (KPC; Phoenix dactylifera) is one of the natural sustainable resources that have high bioactivity and functionality. This study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative activity and mode of action of KPC's different parts on prostate (Pc3) and pancreatic (panc1) cancer cells at a molecular level. In the methods, KPC's leaves, seeds, and fruits' chemical composition and phytochemical analysis were analyzed. Also, the cytotoxic effects of each extract were assessed against pc3 and panc1 cell lines. Besides, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle analysis, and gene expression of both Cap3 and Cap9 were studied. The obtained results indicated that KPC leaves extract exhibited the highest significant (P < 0.01) anti-proliferation activity against the utilized cancer cell lines compared to fruits and seeds extracts. Also, there were significant (P < 0.05) differences in the phenolic contents, flavonoid of compounds, and antioxidant power of the leaves when compared to the seeds and fruits. Additionally, the highest cytotoxic effect (lowest IC₅₀) was recorded with leave extract than seeds and fruits. Meanwhile, the seeds extract induced (P < 0.05) the apoptosis and arrested cells in the G2/M phase as well as up-regulated the gene expression of the apoptotic-related genes (Casp3 and Casp9) compared to the control group. In conclusion, this study showed that the presence of bioactive components in the KPC different parts extracts have the significant ability to induce the apoptotic pathway that could down-regulate the proliferation of prostate (pc3) and pancreatic (panc1) cancer cells. The pathway mechanism of action was induced by the phytol molecule presented in its leaves extract.

Bioactivity and Pharmacological Potential of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Against Pandemic COVID-19: a Comprehensive Review

A novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), transmitted from person to person, has quickly emerged as the pandemic responsible for the current global health crisis. This infection has been declared a global pandemic, resulting in a concerning number of deaths as well as complications post-infection, primarily among vulnerable groups particularly older people and those with multiple comorbidities. In this article, we review the most recent research on the role of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits (DPFs) to prevent or treat COVID-19 infection. The mechanisms underlying this preventive or therapeutic effect are also discussed in terms of bioactivity potentials in date palm, e.g., antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and hemolytic potential, as well as prospect against COVID-19 disease and the potential product development. Therefore, it can be concluded that regular consumption of DPFs may be associated with a lower risk of some chronic diseases. Indeed, DPFs have been widely used in folk medicine since ancient times to treat a variety of health conditions, demonstrating the importance of DPFs as a nutraceutical and source of functional nourishment. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the majority of the research on DPFs in terms of nutrient content and biologically active components such as phenolic compounds, with an emphasis on their roles in improving overall health as well as the potential product development to ensure consumers' satisfaction in a current pandemic situation. In conclusion, DPFs can be given to COVID-19 patients as a safe and effective add-on medication or supplement in addition to routine treatments.

Date fruit as a promising source of functional carbohydrates and bioactive compounds: A review on its nutraceutical potential

From the past decade, consumption of ready-to-eat food and ease of access to fast food increased the onset of several diseases. Thus, there is a need to shift the trend from consumption of unhealthy food item to natural and healthy alternatives. In this context, fruits can be considered as functional food, which have ability to provide essential nutrients and bioactive compounds. These compounds when consume in adequate amount would have the potential to lower the onset of diseases. In this regard, Phoenix dactylifera or date fruit is an important source of functional carbohydrates and bioactive compounds for their use as functional foods. The major functional carbohydrate in date fruit are in the form of dietary fiber, such as β-glucan, cellulose and fructans along with other bioactive compounds. Additionally, it is also a good source of other important nutrients such as sugars, minerals, along with minor quantities of proteins and lipids. Due to these functional compounds, date fruit have shown a wide range of pharmaceutical properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective and anticancer. This review provides latest information regarding functional and nutraceutical carbohydrates of date fruits along-with mechanism of action on different diseases reported in recent years. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This will provide information to food industries for the development of innovative food products by using date fruit. Moreover, bioactive components from date fruit may prove to enhance global health and wellness. However, further research is needed on clinical trials for the development of functional food products by using date fruit for functional foods and pharmaceutical applications.

Enhanced Anticancer Performance of Eco-Friendly-Prepared Mo-ZnO/RGO Nanocomposites: Role of Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted great attention in cancer therapy because of their novel and tailorable physicochemical features. Pure ZnO NPs, molybdenum (Mo)-doped ZnO NPs, and Mo-ZnO/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (Mo-ZnO/RGO NCs) were prepared using a facile, inexpensive, and eco-friendly approach using date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit extract. Anticancer efficacy of green synthesized NPs/NCs was examined in two different cancer cells. The potential mechanism of the anticancer activity of green synthesized NPs/NCs was explored through oxidative stress and apoptosis. The syntheses of pure ZnO NPs, Mo-ZnO NPs, and Mo-ZnO/RGO NCs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and photoluminescence (PL). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) study indicated the excellent colloidal stability of green prepared samples. Mo-ZnO/RGO NCs exhibited threefold higher anticancer activity in human colon (HCT116) and breast (MCF7) cancer cells as compared to pure ZnO NPs. The anticancer activity of Mo-ZnO/RGO NCs was mediated through reactive oxygen species, p53, and the caspase-3 pathway. Moreover, cytocompatibility of Mo-ZnO/RGO NCs in human normal colon epithelial (NCM460) and normal breast epithelial cells (MCF10A) was much better than those of pure ZnO NPs. Altogether, green stabilized Mo-ZnO/RGO NCs exhibited enhanced anticancer performance and improved cytocompatibility because of green mediated good synergism between ZnO, Mo, and RGO. This study suggested the high nutritional value fruit-based facile preparation of ZnO-based nanocomposites for cancer therapy.

A pharmacognostic approach for mitigating pancreatic cancer: emphasis on herbal extracts and phytoconstituents

Background

Pancreatic cancer is studied as one of the most lethal cancers with currently no control of its lethality, mainly due to its late diagnosis and lack of foolproof treatment processes. Despite continuous efforts being made in looking for therapies to deal with cancer, it keeps on being a labyrinth for the researchers. Efforts like discovering new treatment options, repurposing existing drugs, are continuously made to deal with this cancer.

Main body

With the urge to get answers and the fact that nature has all roots of therapeutics, efforts are made in the direction of finding those answers for providing ministrations for pancreatic cancer from plant products. Plant products are used as treatment options either directly in the form of extracts or an alternative to them is individual phytochemicals that are either isolated from the plants or are commercially synthesized for various purposes. In this review, we put forward such pharmacognostic initiatives made in combating pancreatic cancer, focusing mainly on plant extracts and various phytochemicals; along with the mechanisms which they triggered to fulfill the need for cytotoxicity to pancreatic cancer cells (in vitro and in vivo).

Conclusion

This study will thus provide insights into new combination therapy that can be used and also give a clue on which plant product and phytoconstituent can be used in dealing with pancreatic cancer.

Graphical abstract

Review On Documented Medicinal Plants Used For The Treatment Of Cancer

Background:

Cancer is a frightful disease and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Naturally derived compounds are gaining interest of research workers as they have less toxic side effects as compared to currently used treatments such as chemotherapy. Plants are the pool of chemical compounds which provides a promising future for research on cancer.

Objective:

This review paper provides updated information gathered on medicinal plants and isolated phytoconstituents used as anticancer agents and summarises the plant extracts and their isolated chemical constituents exhibiting anticancer potential on clinical trials.

Methods:

An extensive bibliographic investigation was carried out by analysing worldwide established scientific databases like SCOPUS, PUBMED, SCIELO, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Web of Science, Wiley, SciFinder and Google Scholar etc. In next few decades, herbal medicine may become a new epoch of medical system.

Results:

Many researches are going on medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer but it is a time to increase further experimental studies on plant extracts and their chemical constituents to find out their mechanism of action at molecular level.

Conclusion:

The article may help many researchers to start off further experimentation that might lead to the drugs for the cancer treatment.

Novel Anticancer and Treatment Sensitizing Compounds against Pancreatic Cancer

The isolation of chemical compounds from natural origins for medical application has played an important role in modern medicine with a range of novel treatments having emerged from various natural forms over the past decades. Natural compounds have been exploited for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumor capabilities. Specifically, 60% of today's anticancer drugs originate from natural sources. Moreover, the combination of synthetic and natural treatments has shown applications for (i) reduced side effects, (ii) treatment sensitization and (iii) reduction in treatment resistance. This review aims to collate novel and natural compounds that are being explored for their preclinical anticancer, chemosensitizing and radiosensitizing effects on Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which is a lethal disease with current treatments being inefficient and causing serve side effects. Two key points are highlighted by this work: (i) the availability of a range of natural compounds for potentially new therapeutic approaches for PDAC, (ii) potential synergetic impact of natural compounds with advanced chemo- and radio-therapeutic modalities for PDAC.

Protective Effect of Natural Products against Huntington's Disease: An Overview of Scientific Evidence and Understanding Their Mechanism of Action

Huntington's disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disease, normally starts in the prime of adult life, followed by a gradual occurrence of characteristic psychiatric disturbances and cognitive and motor dysfunction. To the best of our knowledge, there is no treatment available to completely mitigate the progression of HD. Among various therapeutic approaches, exhaustive literature reports have confirmed the medicinal benefits of natural products in HD experimental models. Building on this information, this review presents a brief overview of the neuroprotective mechanism(s) of natural products against in vitro/in vivo models of HD. Relevant studies were identified from several scientific databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar. After screening through literature from 2005 to the present, a total of 14 medicinal plant species and 30 naturally isolated compounds investigated against HD based on either in vitro or in vivo models were included in the present review. Behavioral outcomes in the HD in vivo model showed that natural compounds significantly attenuated 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induced memory loss and motor incoordination. The biochemical alteration has been markedly alleviated with reduced lipid peroxidation, increased endogenous enzymatic antioxidants, reduced acetylcholinesterase activity, and increased mitochondrial energy production. Interestingly, following treatment with certain natural products, 3-NP-induced damage in the striatum was ameliorated, as seen histologically. Overall, natural products afforded varying degrees of neuroprotection in preclinical studies of HD via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, preservation of mitochondrial function, inhibition of apoptosis, and induction of autophagy.

The Role of Stellate Cells in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Targeting Perspectives

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a gastrointestinal malignancy with a dismal clinical outcome. Accumulating evidence suggests that activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), the major producers of extracellular matrix (ECM), drive the severe stromal/desmoplastic reaction in PDAC. Furthermore, the crosstalk among PSCs, pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) as well as other stroma cells can establish a growth-supportive tumor microenvironment (TME) of PDAC, thereby enhancing tumor growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance via various pathways. Recently, targeting stroma has emerged as a promising strategy for PDAC therapy, and several novel strategies have been proposed. The aim of our study is to give a profound review of the role of PSCs in PDAC progression and recent advances in stroma-targeting strategies.

Jaceidin Flavonoid Isolated from Chiliadenus montanus Attenuates Tumor Progression in Mice via VEGF Inhibition: In Vivo and In Silico Studies

Phytochemical study of Chiliadenus montanus aerial parts afforded six compounds; Intermedeol (1), 5α-hydroperoxy-β-eudesmol (2), 5,7-dihydroxy-3,3’,4’-trimethoxyflavone (3), 5,7,4’-trihydroxy-3,6,3’-trimethoxyflavone (jaceidin) (4), eudesm-11,13-ene-1β,4β,7α-triol (5) and 1β,4β,7β,11-tetrahydroxyeudesmane (6). These compounds were identified based on their NMR spectral data. The isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against liver cancer cell line (HepG2) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Jaceidin flavonoid (4) exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect in vitro. Therefore, both of jaceidin and C. montanus extract were evaluated for their in vivo anti-tumor activity against Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC). Compared to control group, jaceidin and C. montanus extract decreased the tumor weight, improved the histological picture of tumor cells, lowered the levels of VEGF and ameliorate the oxidative stress. Molecular docking and in silico studies suggested that jaceidin was a selective inhibitor of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis with excellent membrane permeability and oral bioavailability.

Anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant actions of Middle Eastern Phoenix dactylifera extract on mercury-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo

Mercuric chloride (MC) is a complex substance which is capable to produce free radicals. Middle Eastern Phoenix dactylifera (MEPD) is a flowering plant of palm family with potent antioxidant feature. Due to the increasing use of herbs in medicine, this study was designed to assess the effects of MEPD and MC on inflammatory apoptogenic, oxidative and histomorphometric alterations in liver. Sixty-four male rats were assigned to 8 groups including: control groups (normal group and MC (50 mg/kg)), MEPD groups (30, 90, 270 mg/kg) and MC + MEPD treated groups. All experimental groups were treated intraperitoneally and orally daily for 5 weeks. The relative expression level of apoptotic genes (p53, Bcl2 and Bax) and hepatocyte apoptotic index were analyzed. Also, Nitrite oxide (NO), lipid peroxidation (LP), Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) assays were conducted to assess the antioxidant levels. Cytokines involved in inflammation, hepatic enzymes and histomorphometric parameters (hepatocytes diameter (HD) and central hepatic vein (CHV)) were evaluated. All factors showed incremental trends following MC administration (else FRAP level and Bcl2, which were decreased) in MC group than normal group (P < 0.05). In comparison with the MC group, total values in MEPD and MEPD + MC groups were decreased (P < 0.05) (except FRAP level and Bcl2, which were increased). According to the obtained data, the administration of MEPD extract has potent antioxidant property that attenuates the destructive hepatic effects of MC by initiation of cellular antioxidant pathways and restoration of pathological changes into the physiological form.