Potential anticancer agents identification of Hystrix Brachyura Bezoar through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and protein-ligand interaction with molecular docking analyses

Background: Bezoar (PB) is a rare, solidified form of undigested food commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of porcupine (Hystrix brachyura). It is believed to be traditionally used to treat various diseases including different kinds of cancers in Malaysia. However, its active principles have not been found out yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer property of PB extract as well as to identify the metabolites responsible for its anticancer effect through a widely acclaimed metabolomics approach. Methods: Initially, 25 PB extracts using various solvent ratios of methanol–water (100, 75, 50, 25, 0% v/v) were prepared in regard to metabolomics approach and subsequently the cytotoxicity of each extract was determined against (melanoma) A375 cell line. The metabolites profiling of the most potent extract was conducted using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and in silico investigation was performed on Bcl-2 and cyclin/CDK1 complex protein. Results: The correlation of the bioactivity with GC-MS data produced an orthogonal partial least square (OPLS) model which pinpointed four putative active compounds namely (1) cholest-7-en-3-beta-ol,4,4-dimethyl-,acetate; (2) 4-androsten-4-ol-3,17-dione; (3) isolongifolol and (4) gallic acid. The in silico data suggested the binding score and binding mode of active metabolites with the amino acid residues of protein via hydrophobic interactions. Conclusion: This study is the first to report the identified anticancer compounds from PB extract and evaluate them using molecular docking. This further confirms and justifies its traditional usage as an alternative medicine for the treatment of cancer in Malaysia

Chorein sensitive microtubule organization in tumor cells

Background The purpose of this study is to analyzed the involvement of chorein in microtubules organization of three types of malignant; rhabdomyosarcoma tumor cells (ZF), rhabdomyosarcoma cells (RH30), and rhabdomyosarcoma cells (RD). ZF are expressing high chorein levels. Previous studies revealed that chorein protein silencing in ZF tumor cells persuaded apoptotic response followed by cell death. In addition, in numerous malignant and non-malignant cells this protein regulates actin cytoskeleton structure and cellular signaling. However, the function of chorein protein in microtubular organization is yet to be established. Methods In a current research study, we analyzed the involvement of chorein in microtubules organization by using three types of malignant rhabdomyosarcoma cells. We have applied confocal laser-scanning microscopy to analyze microtubules structure and RT-PCR to examine cytoskeletal gene transcription. Results We report here that in rhabdomyosarcoma cells (RH30), chorein silencing induced disarrangement of microtubular network. This was documented by laser scanning microscopy and further quantified by FACS analysis. Interestingly and in agreement with previous reports, tubulin gene transcription in RH cells was unchanged upon silencing of chorein protein. Equally, confocal analysis showed minor disordered microtubules organization with evidently weakened staining in rhabdomyosarcoma cells (RD and ZF) after silencing of chorein protein. Conclusion These results disclose that chorein silencing induces considerable structural disorganization of tubulin network in RH30 human rhabdomyosarcoma tumor cells. Additional studies are now needed to establish the role of chorein in regulating cytoskeleton architecture in tumor cells

Chorein-dependent microfilament organization in tumor cells

Chorein is variably expressed in different cancer cells. In various non-malignant cell types, this protein regulates cytoskeleton microstructure and signaling. However, the role of chorein in regulating the actin cytoskeleton in tumor cells remains elusive. Here, we investigated chorein expression in various breast tumor cells and the involvement of this protein in microfilament organization. We used laser scanning microscopy to analyze microfilaments architecture, Triton X-100 fractionation to quantify G and Total actin levels, and quantitative RT-PCR to assess chorein gene transcription. We show that in line with previous observations, the less differentiated MCF7 breast cancer cells exhibited the highest relative expression of chorein compared to MDA-MB231 and T47D cell lines. Contrastingly, in less differentiated ZF rhabdomyosarcoma cells expressing high chorein levels, silencing of this protein was followed by clear depolymerization of actin microfilaments as apparent from IF morphological analysis. Quantification of G- and F-actin levels by Triton X-100 fractionation that revealed a significant increase in this ratio fully supported this finding. These results disclose that chorein is highly expressed in less differentiated tumor cells. In addition, silencing of this protein induces significant structural disorganization of the actin network, providing clear evidence that chorein regulates microfilament cytoskeleton architecture in tumor cells of higher malignant potential

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of amentoflavone on gentamicin-induced kidney damage in rats

Gentamicin (GEN) is an extensively used aminoglycoside. Contrary to its antibacterial potential, it can induce oxidative stress in several organs, including kidney. Amentoflavone (AMN) is a biflavonoid with conspicuous pharmacological activities. The current study was held to estimate the curative efficacy of AMN to antagonize the nephrotoxic effects instigated by GEN. 48 albino rats were separated into four groups: control group, GEN administrated group (80 mgkg−1 intraperitoneally), GEN + AMN treated group (80 mgkg−1 + 40 mgkg−1) and only AMN administrated group (40 mgkg−1). Following 30 days of administration, results showed that GEN disturbed antioxidant enzymes i.e., glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activity, besides elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) along with reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Besides this, level of inflammatory cytokines involving interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) & cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) were escalated. Furthermore, treatment with GEN enhanced the level of apoptotic proteins comprising of Bax, caspase-9 along with caspase-3 besides lessened the level of Bcl-2. In addition to this, GEN reduced the level of albumin, creatinine clearance & augmented the level of creatinine, urea, urobilinogen, urinary protein, kidney injury molecules-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as well as instigated various histopathological damages. However, co-treated group (AMN + GEN) revoked abovementioned renal dysregulations instigated by GEN. Taken together, AMN could significantly counteract GEN-instigated nephrotoxic effects due to its antioxidant capabilities

Piperine Enhances the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Thymoquinone against Microcystin-LR-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Neurotoxicity in Mice

Microcystin- (MC-) LR is the most frequent cyanotoxin produced by Microcystis aeruginosa cyanobacteria in the contaminated freshwater environment. MC represents a health hazard to humans and animals. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the potential ameliorative effect of thymoquinone (TQ) and/or piperine (PP) against MC toxicity in mice. Fifty-six mice were randomly divided into seven experimental groups. Group I is the normal control that received distilled water for 21 days; Group II (TQ) was treated with TQ (10 mg/kg, i.p) for 21 days; Group III (PP) was treated with PP (25 mg/kg, i.p) for 21 days; Group IV (MC) was treated with MC (10 μg/kg, i.p) for 14 days and served as the toxic control; and Groups V, VI, and VII received TQ and/or PP 7 days prior to MC and continued for 14 days with MC. The results revealed that MC elicited hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity which was evident due to the significant elevation of serum AST, ALT, γGT, ALP, LDH, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. Furthermore, MC markedly increased MDA and NO contents along with reduction of GSH, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px in liver and brain tissues. The electron transport chain may be a possible target for MC. TQ and/or PP ameliorated the MC-mediated oxidative damage in the liver and brain which might be attributed to their antioxidant properties. However, the concurrent treatment of TQ and PP showed the best regimen as a result of the PP-enhanced bioavailability of TQ

Evaluation of Cuscuta reflexa seed essential oil on TPA-induced inflammation in mice

Objectives: Cuscuta reflexa is parasitic plant of subtropical and temperate areas, commonly named as amarbel or akasvel in India. Present study is to investigate the In-vivoanti-inflammatory potential of C. reflexa seed essential oil. Materials and methods: In this study the essential oil was hydro-distilled from dried seeds and analyzed for chemical profiling and anti-inflammatory activity. In –vivo activity was performed on mice inducing TPA as disease causing agent. Study of biochemical parameter and oxidative stress was performed by taking homogenate of ear pinna of mice. Results: Chemical analysis is done by GC and GC-MS study, we found β-Bisabolene and Hexahydro farnesyl acetone as the major component as 13.2 and 14.2% respectively along with cis-chrysanthenyl acetate, caryophyllene oxide, carotol, caryophyllene oxide. In-vitro activity of cell viability was assessed using RAW 264.7 macrophages, showed no reduction in viable cell in the processed culture. In-vivo it significantly reduces the inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α). Conclusions: Cuscuta reflexa seed essential oil was found effective in the management of inflammation by encountering the inflammatory mediators (cytokines)

Chorein Sensitive Orai1 Expression and Store Operated Ca2+ Entry in Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells

Background: Chorein, a protein encoded by VPS13A (vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 13A), is defective in chorea acanthocytosis, a rare disease characterized by acanthocytosis of red blood cells and neuronal cell death with progressive hyperkinetic movement disorder, cognitive dysfunction, behavioral abnormalities and chronic hyperkalemia. Chorein is highly expressed in ZF rhabdomyosarcoma cells and counteracts apoptosis of those cells. Chorein is effective in part by interacting with and fostering stimulation of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-p85-subunit. PI3K dependent signaling includes the serum and glucocorticoid inducible kinase SGK1. The kinase activates NFκB with subsequent up-regulation of the Ca2+ channel subunit Orai1, which accomplishes store operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Orai1 and SOCE have been shown to confer survival of tumor cells. The present study thus explored whether chorein impacts on Orai1 expression and SOCE. Methods: In rhabdomyosarcoma cells chorein, Orai1, NFκB and SGK1 transcript levels were quantified by RT-PCR, Orai1 protein abundance by Western blotting, FACS analysis and confocal laser microscopy, [Ca2+]i utilizing Fura-2 fluorescence, and SOCE from the increase of [Ca2+]i following store depletion with extracellular Ca2+ removal and inhibition of the sarcoendoplasmatic reticular Ca2+ ATPase with thapsigargin. Results: The mRNA coding for chorein was most abundant in drug resistant, poorly differentiated human ZF rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Chorein silencing significantly decreased Orai1 transcript levels and Orai1 protein expression, as well as SGK1 and NFκB transcript levels. SOCE in ZF rhabdomyosarcoma cells was significantly blunted by chorein silencing, Orai1 inhibitor 2-APB (50 µM), SGK1 inhibitor EMD638683 (50 µM, 10 h) and NFκB inhibitor wogonin (50 µM, 24 h). Conclusion: Chorein is a stimulator of Orai1 expression and thus of store operated Ca2+ entry. The effect may involve SGK1 and NFκB

Spirulina platensis mediated the biochemical indices and antioxidative function of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) intoxicated with aflatoxin B1

International audienceAflatoxicosis is one of the threats that cause severe mortalities in fish farms. The dietary functional additives are a friendly approach attributed to beneficial effects on aquatic animals. The study aimed at evaluating the impact of Spirulina platensis (SP) on the biochemical indices and antioxidative function of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) intoxicated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). A control diet and 3 test diets were enriched with 0% SP/0 mg AFB1/kg (control), 1% SP (SP), 2.5 mg AFB1/kg diet (AFB1), and 1% SPþ2.5 mg AFB1/kg diet (SP/AFB1). The diets were supplied to three aquaria for each group twice daily at the rate of 2.5% for 30 days. The blood alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate transaminase (AST) were significantly increased by AFB1 toxicity with regards to fish fed the control and SP diets (P < 0.05). The inclusion of SP in the diet of tilapia intoxicated with AFB1 lowered the levels of ALT, AST, and ALP in comparison to fish contaminated with AFB1without SP (P < 0.05). The total blood protein and albumin were decreased in fish contaminated with AFB1 (P < 0.05); however, the dietary SP resulted in improving the blood protein and albumin with similar levels with the control and SP diets. The urea and creatinine were increased in tilapia fed AFB1 diet without SP (P < 0.05); however, the inclusion of SP reduced the levels of urea and creatinine with similar levels with the control and SP diets. The antioxidative capacity of Nile tilapia fed SP and contaminated with AFB1 is expressed by superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. The activities of SOD and GSH were decreased by AFB1 (P < 0.05); however, dietary SP increased the SOD and GSH in fish fed AFB1. On the other hand, the concentration of MDA was increased in tilapia fed AFB1 (P < 0.05); however, SP decreased the level of MDA in fish fed AFB1. In conclusion, the application of SP in the aquafeed seems to be an innovativeapproach to relieve the toxic influences of AFB1 on aquatic animals