Chemical and biological studies on the soft coral Nephthea sp

Pro-Apoptotic Activity of Epi-Obtusane against Cervical Cancer: Nano Formulation, In Silico Molecular Docking, and Pharmacological Network Analysis

Cancer is a major disease that threatens human health all over the world. Intervention and prevention in premalignant processes are successful ways to prevent cancer from striking. On the other hand, the marine ecosystem is a treasure storehouse of promising bioactive metabolites. The use of such marine products can be optimized by selecting a suitable nanocarrier. Therefore, epi-obtusane, previously isolated from Aplysia oculifera, was investigated for its potential anticancer effects toward cervical cancer through a series of in vitro assays in HeLa cells using the MTT assay method. Additionally, the sesquiterpene was encapsulated within a liposomal formulation (size = 130.8 ± 50.3, PDI = 0.462, zeta potential -12.3 ± 2.3), and the antiproliferative potential of epi-obtusane was investigated against the human cervical cancer cell line HeLa before and after encapsulation with liposomes. Epi-obtusane exhibited a potent effect against the HeLa cell line, while the formulated molecule with liposomes increased the in vitro antiproliferative activity. Additionally, cell cycle arrest analysis, as well as the apoptosis assay, performed via FITC-Annexin-V/propidium iodide double staining (flow cytofluorimetry), were carried out. The pharmacological network enabled us to deliver further insights into the mechanism of epi-obtusane, suggesting that STAT3 might be targeted by the compound. Moreover, molecular docking showed a comparable binding score of the isolated compound towards the STAT3 SH2 domain. The targets possess an anticancer effect through the endometrial cancer pathway, regulation of DNA templated transcription, and nitric oxide synthase, as mentioned by the KEGG and ShinyGo 7.1 databases.

Nephthea sp. inhibits biofilm, DNA gyrase, HSP90, and DHFR: in vitro, in silico, and pharmacokinetics studies

This study attempts to identify and assess a novel marine-derived antibiofilm agent. The antibacterial activity of n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions from the crude extract of soft coral Nephthea sp. was evaluated against six microorganisms.Ethyl acetate fraction considered the most effective one against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Candida, investigated potential biofilm inhibition against the tested strains. Seventeen secondary metabolites were identified using (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) responsible for these biological activities of the active fraction. Additionally, a molecular docking study showed free binding energy of -7.5 kcal/mol; Azamial A had the highest binding affinity for the DNA gyrase enzyme, while Sinularectin had -8.3 and -7.6 kcal/mol for the DHFR and HSP90 enzymes, respectively. Moreover, pharmacokinetics and (ADME) studies for Azamial A and Sinularectin were performed. Finally, results were confirmed by the in vitro enzymatic inhibitory effect of ethyl acetate fraction suggested in the in-silico study.

Phytofabrication of silver nanoparticles using Averrhoa bilimbi leaf extract for anticancer activity

Averrhoa bilimbi leaf extract was successfully utilized as a reducing agent to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the laboratory. The phytochemicals in the extract helped keep the silver nanoparticles stable and slowed them down. Different methods, such as UV-visible, FT-IR spectroscopies, XRD, and SEM analyses, were used to characterize the size, shape, and morphology of the nanoparticles, and the results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles were spherical and monodispersed. FTIR spectrum streaching vibrations shown stabillization of silver nanoparticles by green extract. On the other hand, these nanoparticles were labelled as Averrhoa bilimbi (AB) extract silver nanoparticles (AB-AgNPs). The biological synthesis process was proven to enhance the efficacy of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The effectiveness of AB-AgNPs in fighting cancer could be enhanced specifically for lung cancer (A549 cell line) and breast cancer (MCF7 cell line) by optimizing the necessary conditions. The IC50 value for A549 cells was 49.52 g mL-1, while that for MCF7 cells was 78.40 g mL-1. The effect of AgNPs on both cell lines was assessed using an MTT assay, which showed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity effect. The biosynthesized AB-AgNPs hold great potential as anticancer agents. Their synthesis using Averrhoa bilimbi leaf extract as a reducing agent was proven to be successful, resulting in spherical and monodispersed nanoparticles that exhibit effective cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

In vivo Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Activity of Soft Coral Nephthea sp. from Southeast Sulawesi

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Nephthea</i> sp., has various biological activities. The study on anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory of <i>Nephthea</i> sp., from Southeast Sulawesi is still limited. Hence, this study aims to determine the content of secondary metabolite compounds and their pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> <i>Nephthea</i> sp., was collected from Saponda Island and extracted using ethyl acetate. The chemical contents were analyzed by a phytochemical screening test, anti-inflammatory activity by xylene-induced ear edema and immunomodulatory activity using macrophage phagocytic activity (SPA) in experimental animals. <b>Results:</b> The ethyl acetate extract of <i>Nephthea</i> sp., contains flavonoids and steroids. According to the result obtained, the ethyl acetate extract of <i>Nephthea</i> sp., exhibited anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity <i>in vivo</i>. The EAN 0.2 demonstrated the highest potency and showed no significant difference compared to diclofenac sodium at a concentration of 0.15 mg mL¹ (p>0.05) with the highest percentage edema inhibition as in xylene-induced ear edema. In addition, EAN 0.2 exhibited a similar result in increasing SPA compared to control (p>0.05). Both assays showed significant differences with negative control in this study (p<0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> Soft coral <i>Nephthea</i> sp., can be a potential candidate as an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agent.

Cytotoxic potential of Nephthea sp.-derived actinomycetes supported by metabolomics analysis

Soft corals and associated microorganisms are known to produce leads for anticancer drugs. Keeping this in mind, Nephthea sp.; a Red Sea soft coral was investigated for the first time using the OSMAC approach. Two isolates, Streptomyces sp. UR63 and Micrococcus sp. UR67 were identified. Their extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, macrolides, quinones, fatty acids and terpenoids. Further comparison through a set of multivariate data analyses revealed their unique chemical profiles. The extracts displayed inhibitory potencies against HepG-2, Caco-2 and MCF-7 tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 11.4 to 38.7 μg/mL when compared with the positive control, doxorubicin. The study not only highlights the cytotoxic potential of soft coral-associated actinomycetes but also shows the advantage of using the OSMAC approach in this regard.