The effects of Juglone-Selenium combination on invasion and metastasis in pancreatic cancer cell lines

A comprehensive Study of Juglone's Effect on Polyphenol Oxidase in Cucumber: In Vitro Experiments and Computational Docking and Dynamics Insights

This study explores the impact of juglone on cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. Beith Alpha), scrutinizing its effects on seed germination, growth, and the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme's activity and gene expression. Employing concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.5 mM, we found juglone's effects to be concentration-dependent. At lower concentrations (0.01 and 0.1 mM), juglone promoted root and shoot growth along with germination, whereas higher concentrations (0.25 and 0.5 mM) exerted inhibitory effects, delineating a threshold for its allelopathic influence. Notably, PPO activity surged, especially at 0.5 mM in roots, hinting at oxidative stress involvement. Real-time PCR unveiled that juglone modulates PPO gene expression in cotyledons, peaking at 0.1 mM and diminishing at elevated levels. Correlation analyses elucidated a positive link between juglone-induced root growth and cotyledon PPO gene expression but a negative correlation with heightened root enzyme activity. Additionally, germination percentage inversely correlated with root PPO activity, while PPO activities positively associated with dopa and catechol substrates in both roots and cotyledons. Molecular docking studies revealed juglone's selective interactions with PPO's B chain, suggesting regulatory impacts. Protein interaction assessments highlighted juglone's influence on amino acid metabolism, and molecular dynamics indicated juglone's stronger, more stable binding to PPO, inferring potential alterations in enzyme function and stability. Conclusively, our findings elucidate juglone's dose-dependent physiological and biochemical shifts in cucumber plants, offering insights into its role in plant growth, stress response, and metabolic modulation.

Unlocking the potential of 1,4-naphthoquinones: A comprehensive review of their anticancer properties

Cancer encompasses a group of pathologies with common characteristics, high incidence, and prevalence in all countries. Although there are treatments available for this disease, they are not always effective or safe, often failing to achieve the desired results. This is why it is necessary to continue the search for new therapies. One of the strategies for obtaining new antitumor drugs is the use of 1,4-naphthoquinone as a scaffold in synthetic or natural products with antitumor activity. This review focuses on compiling studies related to the antitumor activity of 1,4-naphthoquinone and its natural and synthetic derivatives over the last 10 years. The work describes the main natural naphthoquinones with antitumor activity and classifies the synthetic naphthoquinones based on the structural modifications made to the scaffold. Additionally, the formation of metal complexes using naphthoquinones as a ligand is considered. After a thorough review, 197 synthetic compounds with potent biological activity against cancer have been classified according to their chemical structures and their mechanisms of action have been described.

Juglone-ascorbate treatment enhances reactive oxygen species mediated mitochondrial apoptosis in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer (PC) is challenging due to its aggressiveness and acquired resistance to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Therefore, the discovery of new therapeutic agents and strategies is essential. Juglone, a naphthoquinone, is a secondary metabolite produced naturally in walnut-type trees having allelopathic features in its native environment. Juglone was shown to prevent cell proliferation and induce ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis. Ascorbate with both antioxidant and oxidant features, shows selective cytotoxicity in cancer cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, we evaluated the anticancer effects of Juglone in combination with ascorbate in PANC-1 and BxPC-3 PC cells. The MTT assay was used to determine the IC50 dose of Juglone with 1 mM NaAscorbate (Jug-NaAsc). Subsequently, the cells were treated with 5, 10, 15 and 20 µM Jug-NaAsc for 24 h. Apoptotic effects were evaluated by analyzing the following genes using qPCR; proapoptotic Bax, antiapoptotic Bcl-2 related to the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and apoptosis inhibitor Birc5 (Survivin). Immunofluorescence analysis was performed using Annexin V-FITC in PC cells. As an antioxidant enzyme, Trx2 protein levels were determined by a commercial ELISA test kit. Jug-NaAsc treatment decreased the expressions of antiapoptotic genes Bcl-2 and Birc5 while the apoptotic gene Bax expression increased at all doses. Additionally, a dose-dependently increase of apoptosis according to immunofluorescence analysis and the decreases of Trx2 enzyme levels at all treatments in both cell lines supported gene expression results.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that Juglone is a potential anticancer agent especially when combined with ascorbate.

Editorial

NIL.