Role of Photoactive Phytocompounds in Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer

Abstract:Cancer is one of the greatest life-threatening diseases conventionally treated using chemoand radio-therapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising approach to eradicate different types of cancers. PDT requires the administration of photosensitisers (PSs) and photoactivation using a specific wavelength of light in the presence of molecular oxygen. This photoactivation exerts an anticancer effect via apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy of cancer cells. Recently, various natural compounds that exhibit photosensitising potentials have been identified. Photoactive substances derived from medicinal plants have been found to be safe in comparison with synthetic compounds. Many articles have focused on PDT mechanisms and types of PSs, but limited attention has been paid to the phototoxic activities of phytocompounds. The reduced toxicity and side effects of natural compounds inspire the researchers to identify and use plant extracts or phytocompounds as a potent naturalPScandidateforPDT.Thisreviewfocussesontheimportanceofcommonphotoactivegroups (furanocoumarins, polyacetylenes, thiophenes, curcumins, alkaloids, and anthraquinones), their phototoxic effects, anticancer activity and use as a potent PS for an effective PDT outcome in the treatment of various cancers

Anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic properties of Syzygium calophyllifolium

The article discusses anti-oxidant oral glucose tolerance and anti-hyperglycemic potentials of Syzygium calophyllifolium. Extracts from successive solvent extraction were tested for the total phenolic, tannin, flavonoid content and free radical scavenging property using DPPH, ABTS+, phosphomolyb-denum, FRAP, superoxide and metal chelating assays. Ethyl acetate extract of bark responded well against DPPH (IC50 4.13), ABTS+ (36832.29 µM TE/ g extract),phosphomolybdenum (100.4 g AAE/100g extract), superoxide and metal ion radicals. The methanol extract of bark was also found as an effective radical scavenger. The leaf methanol extract also showed significant anti-oxidant ability. The bark methanol extract could potentially reduce the blood glucose level in glucose loaded and diabetic rats. The immense anti-oxidant potential of S. calophyllifolium leaf and bark extracts could be taken as a good source of natural anti-oxidant supplement in food to defend oxidative stress related disorders like diabetes

Phenolics, tannins, flavonoids and anthocyanins contents influenced antioxidant and anticancer activities of Rubus fruits from Western Ghats, India

Rubus fruits are rich in nutrition with a wide range of phytochemical and consumed by humans, but many of its wild varieties are not commercially useful. Phytochemical exploration of these wild fruits could improve the commercial usage of these Rubus species.This study focuses to analyze the phytochemical, antioxidant and cytotoxicity of three wild Rubus ellipticus, R. niveus and R. fairholmianus fruits comparatively, which has not revealed. The in vitro antioxidant studies indicated the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of studied Rubus species competent in scavenging different stable and generated radical. The correlation and regression analysis also statistically supported the contents in the extracts could act against various radicals. Correlation between phytochemical constituent and radical scavenging activity found to be highly positive. The results acquired from this investigation revealed that they are equally competent and could be recommended as dietary supplements or as nutraceuticals. Keywords: Anticancer, Antioxidant, Flavonoids, Nutraceuticals, Phenolic

In vitro anti-oxidant and cytotoxic analysis of Pogostemon mollis Benth

In the present study, the anti-oxidant and cytotoxic effects of the different solvent extracts of Pogostemon mollis were analyzed. The phenolic, tannin and flavonoid contents were highest in the ethyl acetate extract and analogous to the antioxidant activity results. The extracts showed activities similar to the standard anti-oxidants. The extent to which the extracts protect free radical damage on DNA was evaluated and showed good genoprotective effects. Bacterial cells and fungal spores and hyphae showed visible damages due to the treatment of ethyl acetate extract. Finally, in the cytotoxic analysis, IC50 value was calculated based on the absorbance value of different concentrations. It concluded that P. mollis is a prospective candidate for the various therapeutic applications especially its ethyl acetate extract