Physalis alkekengi hydroalcoholic extract enhances the apoptosis in mouse model of breast cancer cells

Research progress on the chemical components and pharmacological effects of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino

Physalis Calyx seu Fructus is the dry calyx or the calyx with fruit of the Solanaceae plant Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino, with a long history of use in medicine and food. However, despite its many potential therapeutic and culinary applications, P. alkekengi is not being exploited for these applications on a large scale. This study analysed various research related to the different chemical components of P. alkekengi, including steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, sucrose esters, piperazines, volatile oils, polysaccharides, amino acids, and trace elements. In addition, research related to the pharmacological activities of P. alkekengi, including its anti-inflammatory, anti microbial, antioxidative, hypoglycaemic, analgesic, anti-tumour, and immunomodulatory effects were investigated. Research articles from 1974 to 2023 were obtained from websites such as Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and journal databases such as Scopus and PubMed, with the keywords such as Physalis alkekengi, components, effects, and activities. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the progress of phytochemical and pharmacological research on the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of P. alkekengi and a reference for the better exploitation of P. alkekengi in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress-Oriented Apoptosis Pathway in Saccharides Supplemented Cryopreserved Sperm of Pacific Abalone, Haliotis discus hannai

The Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai is a highly commercialized seafood in Southeast Asia. The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant activity and oxidative stress-oriented apoptosis pathway in saccharides supplemented cryopreserved sperm of Pacific abalone. Cryopreserved sperm showed impaired antioxidant defenses due to the reduced mRNA abundance of antioxidant genes (CAT, Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, GPx, GR, and BCL-2), apoptosis inhibitor (HSP70, and HSP90) gene, and enzymatic antioxidant activity compared to fresh sperm. Such impaired antioxidant defenses caused an increase in the mRNA expression of apoptosis genes (Bax, and Caspase-3), finally leading to apoptosis. The impaired antioxidant defense also increased O₂^•− production and lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels, which further accelerated apoptosis. Considering all the experimental findings, an apoptosis pathway of cryopreserved sperm has been adopted for the first time. Specifically, sperm cryopreserved using 3% sucrose combined with 8% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) showed improved mRNA stability, enzymatic activity, and DNA integrity with reduced O₂^•− production and MDA levels compared to sperm cryopreserved with the other types of examined cryoprotectants (8% ethylene glycol + 1% glucose, 6% propylene glycol + 2% glucose, 2% glycerol + 3% glucose, and 2% methanol + 4% trehalose). The present study suggests that 3% sucrose combined with 8% DMSO is suitable to cryopreserve the sperm of this valuable species for molecular conservation.

Phytonutrient Composition of Two Phenotypes of Physalis alkekengi L. Fruit

Physalis alkekengi L. is the only representative of the genus Physalis (Solanaceae) that is native to Bulgaria, found in wild habitats under different climatic and soil conditions. The plant is poisonous, but produces edible fruit, which are a source of functional nutrients—vitamins, phenolic antioxidants, minerals, etc. Therefore, the objective of this work was to determine the presence of certain nutrient and bioactive substances in two phenotypes of P. alkekengi fruit from Bulgaria, in order to better reveal the prospects of fruit use in nutrition. Different macro and micronutrients were determined in the fruit—protein, ash, lipids, fiber, natural pigments, sugars, amino acids, minerals—and the results showed differences between the phenotypes. Fruit energy values were low and identical in the samples, 43 kcal/100 g. The fruits were rich in extractable phenolics (TPC, 17.74–20.25 mg GAE/100 g FW; flavonoids, 15.84–18.03 mg QE/100 g FW) and demonstrated good antioxidant activity (DPPH, 171.55–221.26 mM TE/g; FRAP, 193.18–256.35 mM TE/g). P. alkekengi fruits were processed to obtain a dry extract with ethanol (yield 47.92–58.6%), and its individual composition was identified (GC-MS). The results in this study supported the presumed phytonutritive potential of P. alkekengi fruit, thus, opening doors for further research.

The Autophagy-Inducing Mechanisms of Vitexin, Cinobufacini, and Physalis alkekengi Hydroalcoholic Extract against Breast Cancer in vitro and in vivo

OBJECTIVES

Owing to inefficiency of chemotherapy towards cancer treatment, formulation and application of herbal drug compounds will open new avenues with this regard. In this study, the anticancer effects of itexin, cinobufacini, and Physalis alkekengi (P. alkekengi) were assessed.

METHODS

Herein, synergistic effects of vitexin, cinobufacini, and P. alkekengi hydroalcoholic extract were assessed against estrogen-receptor (EGFR2)-positive breast cancer mouse model. Sixty ER + breast cancer BALB/c mice (six groups each including ten members) were included. The anticancer effects of P. alkekengi hydroalcoholic extract, vitexin, and cinobufacini were administered against EGFR2 cancerous cells for 14 days. The tumor size, cytotoxic effects, and expression of Beclin-1, LC3-II, and ATG5 autophagy-related genes were investigated using RT-qPCR technique. The data was analyzed using chi-square, ANOVA, and multinomial logistic regression tests.

KEY FINDINGS

The 50% lethal dose (LD50) of P. alkekengi and vitexin against the breast cancer cells included 12 mg/kg, respectively, while cinobufacini LD50 was 24 mg/kg but had no toxicity against CRL7242 breast normal cells. Furthermore, 24 mg/kg of the P. alkekengi, vitexin, and cinobufacini significantly increased the ATG5, Beclin-1, and LC3-II gene expression.

CONCLUSION

Considering anticancer effects of P. alkekengi, vitexin, and cinobufacini against breast cancer through induction of the autophagy pathway, the compound formulations can be applied as anticancer therapies.

Effect of L-carnitine on the expression of the apoptotic genes Bcl-2 and Bax

OBJECTIVE

The genes Bcl-2 and Bax play important roles in apoptosis. Many studies have shown that formalin has a strong deleterious effect on male fertility and can induce apoptosis. L-carnitine has been reported to potentially reverse the negative effects of formalin, leading to improved spermatogenesis. In this study, we examined the levels of expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in mice treated with formalin and L-carnitine.

METHODS

Thirty adult BALB/c mice were categorized into three groups. The mice in the control group (n=10) were not injected with any substance. The mice in the second group (n=10) received 10 mg/kg of formalin daily via an intraperitoneal injection, while those in the final group (n=10) were intraperitoneally injected daily with a dose of 10 mg/kg of formalin and 100 mg/kg of L-carnitine. All mice were kept in isolated cages for 31 days.

RESULTS

The expression of Bax was significantly higher in the formalin-treated mice than in the mice of the control group, while the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly lower in the formalin-treated mice than in the control mice. Additionally, relative to control mice, Bcl-2 expression increased and Bax expression decreased in the mice administered both formalin and L-carnitine.

CONCLUSION

In this study, L-carnitine was shown to augment Bcl-2 expression and to reduce Bax expression, indicating that this compound may inhibit apoptosis. Due to its positive effects, L-carnitine can be used as a prophylactic treatment for people who routinely come into direct contact with formalin as an occupational hazard.