Evaluation of the in vivo genotoxicity of liposomal formulation for delivering anticancer estrogenic derivative (ESC8) in a mouse model

In vivo assessment of chronic, genotoxic, and reproductive toxicity of a combination of Termitomyces schimperi (Pat.) R. Heim (Lyophillacea) and kaolin

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Termitomyces schimperi (Pat.) R. Heim (family Lyophyllaceae) is a widely used mushroom in traditional medicine in West Africa, often combined with kaolin, to manage various diseases, including cancers. Despite its ethnopharmacological use, scientific data on its long-term safety, genotoxicity, and effects on male reproductive health remain limited, necessitating rigorous toxicological evaluation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to assess the chronic toxicity, genotoxic potential, and reproductive effects of T. schimperi and kaolin (TSK).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups and orally administered with distilled water (control) or TSK at doses of 200 and 500 mg/kg daily for 180 days. Biochemical, haematological and histopathological parameters were analysed to detect toxicological effects. The genotoxic potential of TSK was evaluated using the mouse micronucleus assay while reproductive toxicity was assessed through sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology in male rats. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test with significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Chronic administration of TSK at 200 and 500 mg/kg showed no significant adverse effects on body weight, organ-to-body weight ratios, histopathological evaluations, biochemical and haematological parameters. The micronucleus assay demonstrated no significant increase in micronuclei count in polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE), confirming the absence of genotoxic potential. Reproductive toxicity assessments also showed no significant changes in sperm parameters at therapeutic doses.

CONCLUSION

This study establishes that the combination of T. schimperi and kaolin is safe at therapeutic doses (200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) during prolonged administration, with no evidence of chronic toxicity or genotoxicity. However, mild cytotoxic effects and potential reproductive toxicity at higher doses (1000 mg/kg) warrant further investigation. Additionally, the lipid-lowering and fertility-enhancing potential of TSK observed in this study suggests promising therapeutic applications that merit further pharmacological exploration.

Targeting steroid hormone receptors for anti-cancer therapy-A review on small molecules and nanotherapeutic approaches

The steroid hormone receptors (SHRs) among nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) are steroid ligand-dependent transcription factors that play important roles in the regulation of transcription of genes promoted via hormone responsive elements in our genome. Aberrant expression patterns and context-specific regulation of these receptors in cancer, have been routinely reported by multiple research groups. These gave an window of opportunity to target those receptors in the context of developing novel, targeted anticancer therapeutics. Besides the development of a plethora of SHR-targeting synthetic ligands and the availability of their natural, hormonal ligands, development of many SHR-targeted, anticancer nano-delivery systems and theranostics, especially based on small molecules, have been reported. It is intriguing to realize that these cytoplasmic receptors have become a hot target for cancer selective delivery. This is in spite of the fact that these receptors do not fall in the category of conventional, targetable cell surface bound or transmembrane receptors that enjoy over-expression status. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is one such exciting SHR that in spite of it being expressed ubiquitously in all cells, we discovered it to behave differently in cancer cells, thus making it a truly druggable target for treating cancer. This review selectively accumulates the knowledge generated in the field of SHR-targeting as a major focus for cancer treatment with various anticancer small molecules and nanotherapeutics on progesterone receptor, mineralocorticoid receptor, and androgen receptor while selectively emphasizing on GR and estrogen receptor. This review also briefly highlights lipid-modification strategy to convert ligands into SHR-targeted cancer nanotherapeutics. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid-Based Structures Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.