Afrostyrax lepidophyllus Mildbr. and Monodora myristica (Gaertn.) Dunal Extracts Decrease Doxorubicin Cytotoxicity on H9c2 Cardiomyoblasts

Nutrients and phytochemicals characterisations, acute and sub-acute oral toxicity studies of BobyGuard C, a polyherbal nutraceutical with anti-breast cancer properties

Background

In 2022, approximately 2.3 million new cases of female breast cancer and 670,000 related deaths worldwide despite significant advancements in conventional treatments. BobyGuard C (BGC) is a novel polyherbal nutraceutical formulated from five plants, selected for their antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and nutritional properties to be used for breast cancer management. This study aimed to characterize its physicochemical, nutritional, and phytochemical properties as well as assess its safety through acute and sub-acute oral toxicity studies in Wistar rats.

Methods

Thecomposition of BGC was analyzed for macronutrients, minerals, and phytochemicals using standard methods. Antioxidant activity was assessed through DPPH, TAC and FRAP assays, while antiproliferative activity was evaluated using the MTT assay on MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Acute (single 5,000 mg/kg dose with 14 days observation) and sub-acute oral (daily administration of 784, 1,568, and 3,136 mg/kg for 28 days) toxicity studies in female Wistar rats followed OECD guidelines.

Results

BGC was found to be rich in proteins (38.36 g/100 g), carbohydrates (59.70 g/100 g), and essential minerals such as magnesium (60,066.67 µg/100 g), and it was free from toxic heavy metals. Several bioactive compounds, including diosgenin, diosbulbin H, β-carotene, Bafoudiosbulbin G and catechin were identified in BGC. Phytochemical analysis revealed high levels of phenols (9,783.48 mg GAE/100 g), flavonoids (47.72 mg QuE/100 g), and alkaloids (106.14 mg berberine eq/100 g), contributing to its strong antioxidant activity (DPPH inhibition: 90.39%). BGC exhibited significant antiproliferative effects on MDA-MB 231 cells, highlighting its potential anticancer activity. Acute toxicity tests showed no mortality at 5,000 mg/kg, with an LD50 exceeding this dose. In the sub-acute 28-day repeated-dose oral study, doses up to 3,136 mg/kg/day resulted in some dose dependent hematological and biochemical changes but no histopathological abnormalities were observed indicating its safety at lower doses.

Conclusion

BGC is a nutritionally rich formulation with potent antioxidant and anticancer potential, demonstrating a favorable safety profile at lower dose (784 mg/kg).

Heracleum persicum Essential Oil Nanoemulsion: A Nanocarrier System for the Delivery of Promising Anticancer and Antioxidant Bioactive Agents

Essential oils are important compounds for the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases in which solubility and bio-accessibility can be improved by nanoemulsion systems. Heracleum persicum oil nanoemulsion (HAE-NE) was prepared and biological properties were investigated against human breast cancer cells and normal human fibroblasts foreskin. Particle size, zeta potential and poly dispersity index were 153 nm, −47.9 mV and 0.35, respectively. (E)anethole (57.9%), terpinolene (13.8%), ɣ-terpinene (8.1%), myrcene (6.8%), hexyl butyrate (5.2%), octyl butanoate (4.5%) and octyl acetate (3.7%) was detected in nanoemulsion. Proliferation of cancer cells at IC50 = 2.32 μg/mL was significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited, and cell migration occurred at 1.5 μL/mL. The HAE-NE at 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 µg/concentration up-regulated caspase 3 and enhanced sub-G1 peak of cell cycle with nil cytotoxic effects in the liver, kidney and jejunum of mice. Villus height, villus width, crypt depth and goblet cells in mice group fed with 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight of HAE-NE improved. Cellular redox state in the liver indicated 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight of nanoemulsion significantly up-regulated the expression of SOD, CAT and GPx genes. Heracleum persicum oil nanoemulsion could be an eco-friendly nanotherapeutic option for pharmaceutical, cosmetological and food applications.