Potential of Kalanchoe pinnata as a Cancer Treatment Adjuvant and an Epigenetic Regulator

Hepatoprotective Effect of a Kalanchoe pinnata-Based Beverage Against Carbon Tetrachloride- and Gentamicin-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

OBJECTIVE

Chronic liver diseases are accountable for approximately 2 million deaths annually. The current study aimed to test the putative prophylactic role of Kalanchoe pinnata against hepatic stress.

METHOD

Kalanchoe pinnata leaf extracts utilized in beverage production were obtained via 3 different extraction techniques (conventional solvent extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction).

RESULTS

The highest values on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid assay were from a beverage prepared with supercritical fluid extract. When the prophylactic aspects of a Kalanchoe pinnata-based beverage were explored against carbon tetrachloride- (CCl4-) and gentamicin-induced hepatotoxic conditions in male Wistar rats, results revealed a reduction in serum aspartate aminotransferase, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum alanine transaminase, and bilirubin levels in rats with CCl4 and gentamicin-induced toxicity. The study also concluded that the administration of a therapeutic beverage significantly improved serum total protein, albumin, and globulin levels in Kalanchoe pinnata-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the ameliorative potential of Kalanchoe pinnata against liver diseases.

Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken: unravelling therapeutic potential and navigating toxicity

Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken, a multipurpose medicinal herb, has drawn much interest for its therapeutic qualities from both traditional and modern medicine systems. Many active secondary metabolites, such as bufadienolides, triterpenes, phenols, alkaloids, glycosides, lipids, flavonoids, and organic acids, are responsible for the plant's curative properties. B. pinnatum exhibits a noteworthy significance in oncological research by exhibiting its ability to modify numerous pathways, which may suggest a potential anticancer impact. The herb is recommended for treating lithiasis, a common cause of renal failure, due to its effectiveness in dissolving stones and avoiding crystal formation. The plant has a major impact on diabetes, especially type II diabetes. Moreover, the versatility of B. pinnatum extends to its examination in connection to COVID-19. However, caution is warranted, as B. pinnatum has been reported to possess toxicity attributed to the presence of bufadienolides in its metabolic profile. A comprehensive investigation is essential to thoroughly understand and confirm the synthesis of potentially hazardous compounds. This is crucial for minimizing their presence and ensuring the safe consumption of B. pinnatum among diverse populations of organisms. This review highlights the various medical uses of B. pinnatum, including its ability to effectively treat kidney and liver diseases, as well as its anti-leishmanial, neuropharmacological, antibacterial, immunosuppressive, anti-tumour, and cytotoxic effects. While extensively employed in both traditional and scientific domains, the plant's complete medicinal potential, molecular mechanisms, safety profile, and pharmacodynamics remain ambiguous, rendering it an ideal candidate for pioneering research endeavours.

Exploring the Comprehensive Neuroprotective and Anticancer Potential of Afzelin

Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and others) and cancer, seemingly disparate in their etiology and manifestation, exhibit intriguing associations in certain cellular and molecular processes. Both cancer and neurodegenerative diseases involve the deregulation of cellular processes such as apoptosis, proliferation, and DNA repair and pose a significant global health challenge. Afzelin (kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside) is a flavonoid compound abundant in various plant sources. Afzelin exhibits a diverse range of biological activities, offering promising prospects for the treatment of diseases hallmarked by oxidative stress and deregulation of cell death pathways. Its protective potential against oxidative stress is also promising for alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy. This review explores the potential therapeutic implications of afzelin, including its capacity to mitigate oxidative stress, modulate inflammation, and promote cellular regeneration in neurodegenerative and cancer diseases.

Potential Anti-Tumorigenic Properties of Diverse Medicinal Plants against the Majority of Common Types of Cancer

Globally, cancer is one of the primary causes of both morbidity and mortality. To prevent cancer from getting worse, more targeted and efficient treatment plans must be developed immediately. Recent research has demonstrated the benefits of natural products for several illnesses, and these products have played a significant role in the development of novel treatments whose bioactive components serve as both chemotherapeutic and chemo-preventive agents. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring molecules obtained from plants that have potential applications in both cancer therapy and the development of new medications. These phytochemicals function by regulating the molecular pathways connected to the onset and progression of cancer. Among the specific methods are immune system control, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, preventing proliferation, raising antioxidant status, and inactivating carcinogens. A thorough literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Google Patent, Patent Scope, and US Patent to obtain the data. To provide an overview of the anticancer effects of several medicinal plants, including Annona muricata, Arctium lappa, Arum palaestinum, Cannabis sativa, Catharanthus roseus, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hibiscus, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Moringa oleifera, Nerium oleander, Silybum marianum, Taraxacum officinale, Urtica dioica, Withania somnifera L., their availability, classification, active components, pharmacological activities, signaling mechanisms, and potential side effects against the most common cancer types were explored.

Targeting key RNA methylation enzymes to improve the outcome of colorectal cancer chemotherapy (Review)

RNA methylation modifications are closely linked to tumor development, migration, invasion and responses to various therapies. Recent studies have shown notable advancements regarding the roles of RNA methylation in tumor immunotherapy, the tumor microenvironment and metabolic reprogramming. However, research on the association between tumor chemoresistance and N6‑methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferases in specific cancer types is still scarce. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most common gastrointestinal cancers worldwide. Conventional chemotherapy remains the predominant treatment modality for CRC and chemotherapy resistance is the primary cause of treatment failure. The expression levels of m6A methyltransferases, including methyltransferase‑like 3 (METTL3), METTL14 and METTL16, in CRC tissue samples are associated with patients' clinical outcomes and chemotherapy efficacy. Natural pharmaceutical ingredients, such as quercetin, have the potential to act as METTL3 inhibitors to combat chemotherapy resistance in patients with CRC. The present review discussed the various roles of different types of key RNA methylation enzymes in the development of CRC, focusing on the mechanisms associated with chemotherapy resistance. The progress in the development of certain inhibitors is also listed. The potential of using natural remedies to develop antitumor medications that target m6A methylation is also outlined.

UHPLC-MS metabolomic profile and in silico pharmacokinetic approach of Kalanchoe daigremontiana Raym.-Hamet & H. Perrier aqueous extracts

Throughout humanity's development, the medicinal use of plants has evolved as an observational and empirical matter; Yorubá culture uses Kalanchoe sp. as universal antidotes. They are believed to be "ewé òdúndún" or plants of goodness and are traditionally and religiously used in preparations to treat diseases and physiological disorders. Our main goals were to determine the comparative phytochemical composition panel of two Kalanchoe daigremontiana Raym.-Hamet & H. Perrier aqueous extracts through UHPLC-MS metabolomic approaches and highlight the drug-likeness properties of the most abundant compounds in the complex mixture prepared according to its traditional uses. K. daigremontiana leaf aqueous extracts were prepared by cold water maceration (Kd1) or decoction (Kd2). The metabolomics analysis of the extracts was performed through UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS acquisition in positive and negative modes. An in-house database was built with molecules found in plants from the Crassulaceae family and was applied to the annotation step. Our analysis identified 132 compounds, showcasing variations between negative (ESI(-)) and positive (ESI(+)) ionization modes. Notably, flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol glycosides, known for their potent antioxidant properties, were abundant in both extracts. Additionally, bufadienolides, associated with diverse biological activities, were present. Both extracts presented similar phytochemical compositions in terms of the number of compounds. Differential analysis revealed significantly higher intensities for specific molecules in both Kd1 and Kd2 extracts. Considering the relative abundance, Kd1 showed a significant amount of Fatty Acids and Steroids concerning Kd2. Additionally, the 15 most abundant compounds were analyzed using in silico pharmacokinetic and toxicity algorithms (SwissADME, pkCSM, and LAZAR) to predict their drug-likeness profile. The fifteen most abundant molecules (Corchorifatty acid F; 9,12,13-TriHOME; Acetylsagittatin A; Apiin; Kaempferol; L-Malic acid; 19-Oxodesacetylcinobufagin; Lucyoside Q; (12 S,13 S)-Epoxylinolenic acid; Isocitric acid; 4''-O-Acetylafzelin; Hellebrigenin; Senedigitalene; Blumenol C and Sativoside R2) had their ADMET in silico profiles predicted using computational tools. Importantly, our in silico assessments pinpointed six promising compounds with favorable absorption, pharmacokinetics, and drug-likeness properties, suggesting their potential as bioactive agents. This finding underscores the significance of these traditional aqueous extracts in folk medicine. In conclusion, our study not only supports the traditional use of Kalanchoe spp. but also sheds light on the safety and pharmacological potential of these extracts. By exploring different extraction methods and employing metabolomics, we have gained valuable insights into the bioactivity and safety of plant extracts, which can guide future research in this field.

A Review of the Popular Uses, Anatomical, Chemical, and Biological Aspects of Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae): A Genus of Plants Known as "Miracle Leaf"

Species of the genus Kalanchoe have a long history of therapeutic use in ethnomedicine linked to their remarkable healing properties. Several species have chemical and anatomical similarities, often leading to confusion when they are used in folk medicine. This review aims to provide an overview and discussion of the reported traditional uses, botanical aspects, chemical constituents, and pharmacological potential of the Kalanchoe species. Published scientific materials were collected from the PubMed and SciFinder databases without restriction regarding the year of publication through April 2023. Ethnopharmacological knowledge suggests that these species have been used to treat infections, inflammation, injuries, and other disorders. Typically, all parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes either as crude extract or juice. Botanical evaluation can clarify species differentiation and can enable correct identification and validation of the scientific data. Flavonoids are the most common classes of secondary metabolites identified from Kalanchoe species and can be correlated with some biological studies (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial potential). This review summarizes several topics related to the Kalanchoe genus, supporting future studies regarding other unexplored research areas. The need to conduct further studies to confirm the popular uses and biological activities of bioactive compounds is also highlighted.

Bioactive Ingredients in K. pinnata Extract and Synergistic Effects of Combined K. pinnata and Metformin Preparations on Antioxidant Activities in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Skeletal Muscle Cells

With healthcare costs rising, many affected by ailments are turning to alternative medicine for treatment. More people are choosing to complement their pharmacological regimen with dietary supplements from natural products. In this study, the compound composition of Kalanchoe Pinnata (K. pinnata) and the effects of combined preparations of K. pinnata and metformin on antioxidant activity in human skeletal muscle myoblasts (HSMMs) and human diabetic skeletal muscle myoblasts (DHSMMs) were investigated. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography fusion orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-OT-FTMS) identified biologically active flavanols in K. pinnata. The main compounds identified in locally grown K. pinnata were quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and avicularin. Antioxidant results indicated that a combinatorial preparation of K. pinnata with metformin may modulate antioxidant responses by increasing the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase and increasing levels of reduced glutathione. A combination of 50 μM and 150 μg/mL of metformin and K. pinnata, respectively, resulted in a significant increase in reduced glutathione levels in non-diabetic and diabetic human skeletal muscle myoblasts and H2O2-stress-induced human skeletal muscle myoblasts. Additionally, a K. pinnata treatment (400 µg/mL) alone significantly increased catalase (CAT) activity for non-diabetic and diabetic human skeletal muscle myoblasts and a H2O2-stress-induced human skeletal muscle myoblast cell line, while significantly lowering malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. However, the treatment options were more effective at promoting cell viability after 24 h versus 72 h and did not promote cell viability after 72 h in H2O2-stress-induced HSMM cells. These treatment options show promise for treating oxidative-stress-mediated pathophysiological complications associated with type II diabetes.