Immunomodulatory glc/man-directed Dolichos lablab lectin (DLL) evokes anti-tumour response in vivo by counteracting angiogenic gene expressions

Immunomodulatory lectin from Cordia myxa targets PI3K/AKT signalling mediated apoptosis to regress both in-vitro and in-vivo tumour

Plant based medicine is gaining recognition as a complementary approach to conventional treatments. Plants contain lectins that bind to carbohydrates and exhibit various biological properties and being used in cancer treatment. In present investigation Cordia myxa fruit was chosen, screen for presence of lectin and explore its biological role. Screening of lectin was conducted through HA activity. Purification and characterization through conventional methods. HI assay to confirm the carbohydrate specificity. Immunomodulatory role by proliferative assays and ELISA. Apoptosis by annexin-V stain, TUNEL, MOMP and COMET assay and in-vivo antitumour activity by EAC induced ascites and solid tumour model. Gene expression through IB and IHC. The results illustrated that, presence of immunostimulant, ̴12 kDa lectin (CML) with strong leucoaggulutination activity having ovalbumin & fetuin specificity. The CML exhibits immune cell proliferation and secretes immune cytokines IL-2, IL-10 & IL-12. The immunomodulatory experiments infer that, CML induces anti-proliferative response against A549 and EAC by inducing apoptosis, which were validated in an in-vitro & in-vivo models. Mechanistically, CML modulates phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT signalling pathways and modulates downstream apoptotic proteins P53, Bax, Bad, Bcl-2, cytochrome-c, caspase-3 and DFF-40. Overall, the study reports the immunomodulatory lectin in Cordia myxa with its potential therapeutic role.

An underutilized bean: hyacinth bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) sweet]: bioactive compounds, functional activity, and future food prospect and applications

Hyacinth bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet], a plant belonging to the leguminous family and traditionally used for medicinal purposes in China, is a valuable resource with a wide range of health benefits. This review examines the bioactive compounds, health-promoting properties and functional food potential of hyacinth bean, highlighting its role in protecting against metabolic diseases and the underlying molecular mechanisms. According to existing research, hyacinth bean contains a diverse array of bioactive compounds, Consumption of hyacinth beans and hyacinth bean-related processed food products, as well as their use in medicines, is associated with a variety of health benefits that are increasingly favoured by the scientific community. In light of these findings, we posit that hyacinth bean holds great promise for further research and food application. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Withaferin-A induced vimentin S56 phosphorylation dissociates NEDD9 signaling loop to regress progressive metastatic melanoma into lung adenocarcinoma

Metastasis is complex and insidious type of disease involves multiple signaling nexus, which have implications in understanding disease pathogenesis. Treatment failure for metastatic cancer is frequently high due to aggressive adaptation of cancerous cells to invade to neighboring organs. Cytoskeleton intermediate filamentous protein Vimentin and scaffolding protein Neural precursor cell expressed Developmentally Down-regulated protein 9 (NEDD9) play a key role in metastatic events by regulating multiple metastatic events. Interaction between these proteins is necessary to promote metastatic progression. Withaferin A (WFA), a natural pharamacophore, known to target Vimentin to induce antitumor potential. However exact molecular mechanism still yet to be elucidated. We hypothesize, Vimentin-NEDD9 signaling nexus is necessary for metastatic progression and targeting this interwoven signaling loop with effective pharamacophore WFA halts metastatic progression of melanoma into lung. To elucidate the same, we carried out gene expression measurement through quantitative Reverses Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), Immunoblot and Immunohistochemistry. Assessment of interactive signaling by Co-immunoprecipitation, Immunofluorescence, Co-localization and Proximity ligation assay. Phosphorylation studies through transfection of phospho specific mutant constructs generated through site directed mutagenesis. WFA induced cellular behavioral changes by migration, invasion assays and Immunoblot analysis. The B16F10 induced mouse metastatic melanoma model to asses NEDD9-Vimentin expression and anti-metastasis induced by WFA. The results postulates, elevated levels and interaction between NEDD9-Vimentin proteins, have positive correlation in metastatic progression of melanoma into lung in both in-vitro and in-vivo condition, establishing it as therapeutic target. Pharmacologically, WFA targets this complex by extending its activity by not only inducing specific Serine 56 phosphorylation of Vimentin, also dissociates NEDD9 signaling loop to halt Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and subsequent metastatic events. Eventually, modulation of the relevant metastatic genes E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, SNAIL, MMP-2 & MMP-9 resulted in regression of metastatic melanoma progression to lung. The study validates WFA induced S56 phosphorylation is necessary to abrupt the NEDD9-Vimentin metastatic signaling complex to regress aggressive metastatic melanoma. The investigation emphasized more mechanistic approach of WFA. Understanding and targeting such integrative mechanical input in the tumor microenvironment will be a better therapeutic strategy to combat metastasis.

Debulking influenza and herpes simplex virus strains by a wide-spectrum anti-viral protein formulated in clinical grade chewing gum

Lack of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) vaccine, low vaccination rates of Influenza viruses, waning immunity and viral transmission after vaccination underscore the need to reduce viral loads at their transmission sites. Oral virus transmission is several orders of magnitude higher than nasal transmission. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated neutralization of viruses using a natural viral trap protein (FRIL) formulated in clinical-grade chewing gum. FRIL is highly stable in the lablab bean powder (683 days) and in chewing gum (790 days), and fully functional (794 days) when stored at ambient temperature. They passed the bioburden test with no aerobic bacteria, yeasts/molds, with minimal moisture content (1.28-5.9%). Bean gum extracts trapped HSV-1/HSV-2 75-94% in a dose-dependent manner through virus self-aggregation. Mastication simulator released >50% release of FRIL within 15 min of chewing the bean gum. In plaque reduction assays, >95% neutralization of H1N1 and H3N2 required ∼40 mg/mL, HSV-1 160 mg/mL, and HSV-2 74 mg/mL of bean gum for 1,000 copies/mL virus particles. Therefore, a 2000 mg bean gum tablet has more than adequate potency for clinical evaluation and is safe with no detectable levels of glycosides. These observations augur well for evaluating bean gum in human clinical studies to minimize virus infection/transmission.

Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, edible uses, and quality control of Lablab semen Album: A systematic review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lablab Semen Album (lablab), the white and dried mature fruit of Lablab purpureus in the Lablab genus of the Fabaceae family, is a renowned traditional medicinal herb with a long history of use in China. In Chinese medicine, lablab is often combined with other drugs to treat conditions such as weak spleen and stomach, loss of appetite, loose stools, excessive leucorrhoea, summer dampness and diarrhea, chest tightness, and abdominal distension.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Comprehensive information on lablab was gathered from databases including Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Springer, PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and ancient materia medica.

RESULTS

Lablab, a member of the lentil family, thrives in warm and humid climates, and is distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Traditionally, lablab is used to treat various ailments, such as spleen and stomach weakness, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Phytochemical analyses reveal that lablab is a rich source of triterpenoid saponins, glucosides, volatile components, polysaccharides, and amino acids. Lablab extracts exhibit diverse biological activities, including hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antitumoral, antiviral properties, and more. Besides its medicinal applications, lablab is extensively used in the food industry due to its high nutrient content. Additionally, the quality of lablab can be regulated by determining the levels of key chemical components pivotal to its medicinal effects, ensuring the herb's overall quality.

CONCLUSION

Lablab is a promising medicinal and edible plant ingredient with diverse pharmacological effects, making it a valuable ingredient for food, pharmaceuticals, and animal husbandry. However, it has inherent toxicity if not properly prepared. Additionally, some traditional uses and pharmacological activities lack scientific validation due to incomplete methods, unclear results, and insufficient clinical data. Thus, further in vivo and in vitro studies on its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology, along with clinical efficacy evaluations, are needed to ensure lablab's safety and effectiveness. As an important traditional Chinese medicine, lablab deserves more attention.

Lectins in oncology and virology: Mechanisms of anticancer activity and SARS-CoV-2 inhibition

Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin with carbohydrate-binding properties. They are found both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. The most abundant source of the lectins are plants. Many lectins have anticancer effects by directly exerting cytotoxic effects on malignant cells or indirectly activating the immune system. Lectins also have antiviral activities. These proteins can recognise glycoproteins on the surface of enveloped viruses and bind to them. This creates a physical barrier between them and the corresponding receptors on the surface of the host cell, which prevents the virus from entering the cell and can thus effectively inhibit the replication of the virus. In this review, we focus on the anticancer activities of selected lectins and the underlying mechanisms. We also discuss different types of lectins with antiviral activity. We have paid special attention to lectins with inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2. Finally, we outline the challenges of using lectins in therapy and suggest future research directions.

Venkatesh, Nagaraj Parisara, B. T. Prabhakar, Pramod.S.N.. Characterization of antioxidant, anti-cancer, and immunomodulatory functions of partially purified garlic (Allium sativum L.) lectin

Introduction and Aim: The metabolic and oxidative stress induces highly reactive free radicals that are known to harm normal physiology and play a role in the development of cancer. Elevated levels of these free radicals contribute to excessive neovascularization leading to angiogenesis mediated cancer progression. Targeting these free radicals through dietary source is important strategy in regulation of cancer. Allium sativum L. (AsL) garlic has important multi pharmacological properties. On the other hand, dietary lectins are proven to be the best anti-cancer molecules. The study presents investigation that focus to assess the antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anticancer activities of partially purified garlic lectin (PPAsL).  Materials and Methods: Fresh garlic bulbs were processed and evaluated for lectin induced HA activity. Further the garlic lectins (AsL) were partially purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and dialysis and analyzed through SDS-PAGE. Further lectins were characterized by producing Anti-AsL polyclonal antibodies and purification by affinity chromatography. Pharmacological evaluations of the lectins were assessed through antioxidant, anti-proliferative and antiangiogenic mediated anti-cancer activity. Results: Lectin positive activity was confirmed by HA activity and partial purification lectin identified ?12kDa protein having Glc/Man glycan specificity. The polyclonal antibodies raised against PPAsL, confirmed that it has potent immunogen. Pharmacological evaluation confirmed that PPAsL has potent antioxidant, antiangiogenic and antiproliferative effect both in-vitro and in-vivo.  Conclusion: PPAsL is potent antioxidant, anti-proliferative and anti-cancer molecule. The dietary recommendation of the garlic lectin is an important therapeutic strategy against the cancer.

Co-Targeting Tumor Angiogenesis and Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment: A Perspective in Ethnopharmacology

Tumor angiogenesis is one of the most important processes of cancer deterioration via nurturing an immunosuppressive tumor environment (TME). Targeting tumor angiogenesis has been widely accepted as a cancer intervention approach, which is also synergistically associated with immune therapy. However, drug resistance is the biggest challenge of anti-angiogenesis therapy, which affects the outcomes of anti-angiogeneic agents, and even combined with immunotherapy. Here, emerging targets and representative candidate molecules from ethnopharmacology (including traditional Chinese medicine, TCM) have been focused, and they have been proved to regulate tumor angiogenesis. Further investigations on derivatives and delivery systems of these molecules will provide a comprehensive landscape in preclinical studies. More importantly, the molecule library of ethnopharmacology meets the viability for targeting angiogenesis and TME simultaneously, which is attributed to the pleiotropy of pro-angiogenic factors (such as VEGF) toward cancer cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells. We primarily shed light on the potentiality of ethnopharmacology against tumor angiogenesis, particularly TCM. More research studies concerning the crosstalk between angiogenesis and TME remodeling from the perspective of botanical medicine are awaited.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Jacalin, a Dietary Plant Lectin on the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs)

The tumor microenvironment that refers to the tumor's surroundings is a key modulator of tumor growth and invasion. The tumor-derived signals are known to downregulate the anti-tumor effects of the effector cells present in the TME. Thus, the cross-talk between the tumor cells with the surrounding immune cells helps in evading the tumor surveillance as well as aiding in tumor growth and proliferation. Hence, knowledge regarding the effects of drugs/compound on the tumor-stromal interactions is gaining importance. In the present study, the effects of jacalin, a dietary lectin on the proliferation and cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), are investigated. Jacalin was shown to act as a mitogen of PBMCs, the key cytokine secreting immune cells. Also, jacalin initially induced increased mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ; however, prolonged stimulation of PBMCs resulted in increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine, mainly TGF-β. Furthermore, 6 h jacalin prestimulated PBMCs (Jac-PBMCs) were shown to inhibit HeLa cell proliferation while 24 h Jac-PBMCs were found to favor tumor growth. Thus, it may be postulated that while jacalin initially polarizes the PBMCs to hinder the tumor growth, after a stipulated time point, interaction of jacalin with PBMCs can lead to an immunosuppressive TME that may probably assist in tumor growth and progression.

Targeting HIF-1α by newly synthesized Indolephenoxyacetamide (IPA) analogs to induce anti-angiogenesis-mediated solid tumor suppression

BACKGROUND

Hypoxic microenvironment is a common feature of solid tumors, which leads to the promotion of cancer. The transcription factor, HIF-1α, expressed under hypoxic conditions stimulates tumor angiogenesis, favoring HIF-1α as a promising anticancer agent. On the other hand, synthetic Indolephenoxyacetamide derivatives are known for their pharmacological potentiality. With this background here, we have synthesized, characterized, and validated the new IPA (8a-n) analogs for anti-tumor activity.

METHODS

The new series of IPA (8a-n) were synthesized through a multi-step reaction sequence and characterized based on the different spectroscopic analysis FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, mass spectra, and elemental analyses. Cell-based screening of IPA (8a-n) was assessed by MTT assay. Anti-angiogenic efficacy of IPA (8k) validated through CAM, Rat corneal, tube formation and migration assay. The underlying molecular mechanism is validated through zymogram and IB studies. The in vivo anti-tumor activity was measured in the DLA solid tumor model.

RESULTS

Screening for anti-proliferative studies inferred, IPA (8k) is a lead molecule with an IC₅₀ value of _˜5 μM. Anti-angiogenic assays revealed the angiopreventive activity through inhibition of HIF-1α and modulation downstream regulatory genes, VEGF, MMPs, and P53. The results are confirmative in an in vivo solid tumor model.

CONCLUSION

The IPA (8k) is a potent anti-proliferative molecule with anti-angiogenic activity and specifically targets HIF1α, thereby modulates its downstream regulatory genes both in vitro and in vivo. The study provides scope for new target-specific drug development against HIF-1α for the treatment of solid tumors.

Machaerium acutifolium lectin alters membrane structure and induces ROS production in Candida parapsilosis

Lectins are a group of widely distributed and structurally heterogeneous proteins of nonimmune origin. These proteins have the ability to interact with glycans present on cell surfaces and elicit diverse biological activities. Machaerium acutifolium lectin (MaL) is an N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-binding lectin that exhibits antinociceptive activity via transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1). Lectins that have the ability to recognize and interact with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues are potential candidates for studies of fungicidal activity. In this work, we show that MaL has antifungal activity against Candida species, and we describe its mode of action towards Candida parapsilosis. MaL inhibited the growth of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis. However, MaL was more potent against C. parapsilosis. The candidacidal mode of action of MaL on C. parapsilosis involves enhanced cell permeabilization, alteration of the plasma membrane proton-pumping ATPase function (H+-ATPase), induction of oxidative stress, and DNA damage. MaL also exhibited antibiofilm activity and noncytotoxicity to Vero cells. These results indicate that MaL is a promising candidate for the future development of a new, natural, and safe drug for the treatment of infections caused by C. parapsilosis.

Is the orofacial antinociceptive effect of lectins intrinsically related to their specificity to monosaccharides?

Lectins are proteins of non-immunological origin that may play several biological applications, of which we can highlight the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. In this work, we evaluated the possible effect of orofacial antinociceptive activity of three plant lectins, Dioclea violacea (DVL - Man/Glc-binding), Vatairea macrocarpa (VML - Gal-binding) and PPL (Parkia platycephala - Man/Glc-binding) in adult zebrafish. Acute nociception was induced by menthol (1.2 μM), or capsaicin (4.93 μM) applied into in the upper lip (5.0 μL) of adult wild zebrafish. Zebrafish were pretreated by intraperitoneal injection (20 μL) with vehicle (Control) or lectins (0.025; 0.05 or 0.1 mg/mL) 30 min before induction. The effect of lectins on zebrafish locomotor behavior was evaluated with the open field test. Naive groups (n = 8) were included in all tests. Our results indicate that only PPL presented antinociceptive induced by capsaicin, suggesting the potential clinical application of PPL as inhibitor of orofacial nociception and that this effect may be due to the modulation of TRPV1 channel. In conclusion, lectins that exhibit affinity to the same or different carbohydrates do not necessarily have an antinociceptive effect on the orofacial nociception model, indicating that the glycan carbohydrate binding pattern may be related to the effect on nociception inhibition.

A Carbohydrate-Binding Protein from the Edible Lablab Beans Effectively Blocks the Infections of Influenza Viruses and SARS-CoV-2

The influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and coronavirus spike (S) protein mediate virus entry. HA and S proteins are heavily glycosylated, making them potential targets for carbohydrate binding agents such as lectins. Here, we show that the lectin FRIL, isolated from hyacinth beans (Lablab purpureus), has anti-influenza and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. FRIL can neutralize 11 representative human and avian influenza strains at low nanomolar concentrations, and intranasal administration of FRIL is protective against lethal H1N1 infection in mice. FRIL binds preferentially to complex-type N-glycans and neutralizes viruses that possess complex-type N-glycans on their envelopes. As a homotetramer, FRIL is capable of aggregating influenza particles through multivalent binding and trapping influenza virions in cytoplasmic late endosomes, preventing their nuclear entry. Remarkably, FRIL also effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2, preventing viral protein production and cytopathic effect in host cells. These findings suggest a potential application of FRIL for the prevention and/or treatment of influenza and COVID-19.

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FRIL is a plant lectin with potent anti-influenza and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity

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FRIL preferentially binds to complex-type N-glycans on viral glycoproteins

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FRIL inhibits influenza virus entry by sequestering virions in late endosomes

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Intranasal administration of FRIL protects against lethal H1N1 challenge in mice

Potent antiviral activity of carbohydrate-specific algal and leguminous lectins from the Brazilian biodiversity

Brazil has one of the largest biodiversities in the world. The search for new natural products extracted from the Brazilian flora may lead to the discovery of novel drugs with potential to treat infectious and other diseases. Here, we have investigated 9 lectins extracted and purified from the Northeastern Brazilian flora, from both leguminous species: Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr), C. maritima (ConM), Dioclea lasiocarpa (DLasiL) and D. sclerocarpa (DSclerL), and algae Amansia multifida (AML), Bryothamniom seaforthii (BSL), Hypnea musciformis (HML), Meristiella echinocarpa (MEL) and Solieria filiformis (SfL). They were exposed to a panel of 18 different viruses, including HIV and influenza viruses. Several lectins showed highly potent antiviral activity, often within the low nanomolar range. DSclerL and DLasiL exhibited EC50 values (effective concentration of lectin required to inhibit virus-induced cytopathicity by 50%) of 9 nM to 46 nM for HIV-1 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), respectively, DLasiL also inhibited feline corona virus at an EC50 of 5 nM, and DSclerL, ConBr and ConM showed remarkably low EC50 values ranging from 0.4 to 6 nM against influenza A virus strain H3N2 and influenza B virus. For HIV, evidence pointed to the blockage of entry of the virus into its target cells as the underlying mechanism of antiviral action of these lectins. Overall, the most promising lectins based on their EC50 values were DLasiL, DSclerL, ConBr, ConM, SfL and HML. These novel findings indicate that lectins from the Brazilian flora may provide novel antiviral compounds with therapeutic potential.

The Novel 4-Phenyl-2-Phenoxyacetamide Thiazoles modulates the tumor hypoxia leading to the crackdown of neoangiogenesis and evoking the cell death

Tumor microenvironment is a complex multistep event which involves several hallmarks that transform the normal cell into cancerous cell. Designing the novel antagonistic molecule to reverse the tumor microenvironment with specific target is essential in modern biological studies. The novel 4-phenyl-2-phenoxyacetamide thiazole analogues 8_a-ab were synthesized in multistep process, then screened and assessed for cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects in vitro against multiple cancer cells of different origin such as MCF-7, A549, EAC and DLA cells which revealed that compound 8f with fluoro and methyl substitute has potential cytotoxic efficacy with an average IC₅₀ value of ˜ 13 μM. The mechanism of cytotoxicity assessed for anti-tumor studies both in ascites and solid tumor models in-vivo inferred the regressed tumor activity. This is due to changes in the cause of tumor microenvironment with crackdown of neovascularization and evoking apoptosis process as assessed by CAM, corneal vascularization and apoptotic hallmarks in 8f treated cells. The molecular gene studies inferred involvement of HIF-1upregulation and stabilization of p53 which are interlinked in signaling as conferred by immunoblot analysis.