Attenuation of hyperplasia in lung parenchymal and colonic epithelial cells in DMBA-induced cancer by administering Andrographis paniculata Nees extract using animal model

Small RNA sequencing and identification of Andrographis paniculata miRNAs with potential cross‑kingdom human gene targets

Cross-species post-transcriptional regulatory potential of plant derived small non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) has been well documented by plenteous studies. MicroRNAs are transferred to host cells via oral ingestion wherein they play a decisive role in regulation of host genes; thus, miRNAs have evolved as the nascent bioactive molecules imparting pharmacological values to traditionally used medicinal plants. The present study aims to investigate small RNA profiling in order to uncover the potential regulatory role of miRNAs derived from Andrographis paniculata, one of the most widely used herb by tribal communities for liver disorders and document the pharmacological properties of A. paniculata miRNAs. In this study, high-throughput sequencing method was used to generate raw data, ~ 60 million sequences were generated from A. paniculata leaves. Using computational tools and bioinformatics approach, analyses of 3,480,097 clean reads resulted in identification of 3440 known and 51 putative novel miRNAs regulating 1365 and 192 human genes respectively. Remarkably, the identified plausible novel miRNAs apa-miR-5, apa-miR-1, apa-miR-26, and apa-miR-30 are projected to target significant host genes including CDK6, IKBKB, TRAF3, CHD4, MECP2, and ADIPOQ. Subsequent annotations revealed probable involvement of the target genes in various pathways for instance p38-MAPK, AKT, AMPK, NF-Kβ, ERK, WNT signalling, MYD88 dependant cascade, and pathways in cancer. Various diseases such as human papilloma virus infection, Alzheimer's, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver, Alcoholic liver diseases, HepatoCellular Carcinoma (HCC), and numerous other cancers were predominantly found to be linked with target genes. Our findings postulate novel interpretations regarding modulation of human transcripts by A. paniculata miRNAs and exhibit the regulation of human diseases by plant-derived miRNAs. Though our study elucidates miRNAs as novel therapeutic agents, however, experimental validations for assessment of therapeutic potential of these miRNAs are still warranted.

Andrographis paniculata extract as an immunity modulator against cancer via telomerase inhibition

In accordance with the importance of telomerase inhibition as a potential target in cancer therapy, and increasing reports on the association between short telomeres and severe COVID-19 symptoms as well as extensive application of Andrographis paniculata as a remedy for both cancer and SARS-CoV-2, the present study aimed at investigating the impact of the plant’s extracts on telomerase activity (as an important enzyme regulating telomere length). Telomerase inhibition in MCF-7 cells treated with the Dichloromethane, ethanol, water, and methanol extracts of A. paniculata was assessed using Telomerase Repeated Amplification Protocol (TRAP). The above-mentioned extracts inhibited telomerase by 80.3 ± 1.4%, 78.5 ± 1.35%, 77.5 ± 1.81%, and 73.7 ± 1.81%, respectively. Furthermore, the flow cytometry analysis showed that the water and methanol extracts induced higher rates of total apoptosis by 32.8% and 25%, respectively, compared with dichloromethane (10.07%) and ethanol (10.7%) extracts. The inhibitory effect of A. paniculata on telomerase activity can be considered as a potential immunity modulator in cancer therapy; however, telomerase inhibition as a safe approach to SARS-CoV-2 is arguable. Two mechanisms can be considered accordingly; (a) reducing the existing population of short telomeres via telomerase inhibition in cancer cells (arresting proliferation and finally cell death) may decrease the susceptibility against SARS-CoV-2, especially in cancer patients or patients prone to cancer, and (b) increasing the population of short telomeres via telomerase inhibition in normal/somatic cells may increase the susceptibility against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the telomerase inhibition of A. paniculata as an immunity modulator in cancer and COVID-19 should be investigated, carefully.