Preliminary phytochemical screening of Iris kashmiriana Baker collected from Budgam, Kashmir, India

The present study was intended to discover the preliminary phytochemicals of Iris kashmiriana Baker collected from Kashmir region, India. The preliminary phytochemical analysis was conducted in methanolic and aqueous extracts which showed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, phytosterols, saponins, diterpenes, cardiac glycosides. Among the various phytochemicals studied, alkaloids and proteins were found to be absent in both methanolic and aqueous extracts. From the results, it was noted that the extracts of Iris kashmiriana Baker was found to be a rich source of variety of active secondary metabolites. This report will lead to the further isolation and characterization of these active secondary metabolites for bioefficacy and bioactivity. Keywords: Phytochemical, Bioactive compounds, Iris kashmiriana, Mazar mund, Kashmir

Pharmacognostic Standardization and Phytochemical Evaluation of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle leaves

The present study was focussed to carry out the detailed pharmacognostic studies in terms of organoleptic characters, physicochemical parameters, macroscopical, microscopical characters and phytochemical screening for major groups of compounds and other WHO recommended parameters for standardization of the leaves of (Mill.) family Simaroubaceae. Phytochemical screening of methanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves of Ailanthus altissima demonstrated the presence of Carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, phenols, saponins, diterpenes, fats and oils. However alkaloids and anthraquinone glycosides were found absent in all the extracts. Information obtained from phytochemical and pharmacognostical analysis can be used as markers in the identification and standardization of this plant for monograph development and as herbal remedy. Keywords: Tree of heaven, Phytochemical, Pharmacognostic analysis, Bioactive compounds, Ailanthus altissima

The Regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Cancer: Special Focuses on Luteolin Patents

Cancer is a major health problem across the globe, and is expeditiously growing at a faster rate worldwide. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a membranous cell organelle having inextricable links in cellular homeostasis. Altering ER homeostasis initiates various signaling events known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). The basic purpose of the UPR is to reinstate the homeostasis; however, a continuous UPR can stimulate pathways of cell death, such as apoptosis. As a result, there is great perturbation to target particular signaling pathways of ER stress. Flavonoids have gained significant interest as a potential anticancer agent because of their considerable role in causing cytotoxicity of the cancerous cells. Luteolin, a flavonoid isolated from natural products, is a promising phytochemical used in the treatment of cancer. The current study is designed to review the different endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways involved in the cancer, mechanistic insights of luteolin as an anticancer agent in modulating ER stress, and the available luteolin patent formulations were also highlighted. The patents were selected on the basis of pre-clinical and/or clinical trials, and established antitumor effects using patent databases of FPO IP and Espacenet. The patented formulation of luteolin studied so far has shown promising anticancer potential against different cancer cell lines. However, further research is still required to determine the molecular targets of such bioactive molecules so that they can be used as anticancer drugs

Repurposing approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy: a comprehensive review of mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical prospects

Abstract Cancer poses a significant global health challenge, with predictions of increasing prevalence in the coming years due to limited prevention, late diagnosis, and inadequate success with current therapies. In addition, the high cost of new anti-cancer drugs creates barriers in meeting the medical needs of cancer patients, especially in developing countries. The lengthy and costly process of developing novel drugs further hinders drug discovery and clinical implementation. Therefore, there has been a growing interest in repurposing approved drugs for other diseases to address the urgent need for effective cancer treatments. The aim of this comprehensive review is to provide an overview of the potential of approved non-oncology drugs as therapeutic options for cancer treatment. These drugs come from various chemotherapeutic classes, including antimalarials, antibiotics, antivirals, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antifungals, and have demonstrated significant antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and antimetastatic properties. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify relevant studies on the repurposing of approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy. Various electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were searched using appropriate keywords. Studies focusing on the therapeutic potential, mechanisms of action, efficacy, and clinical prospects of repurposed drugs in cancer treatment were included in the analysis. The review highlights the promising outcomes of repurposing approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy. Drugs belonging to different therapeutic classes have demonstrated notable antitumor effects, including inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis, modulating the immune response, and suppressing metastasis. These findings suggest the potential of these repurposed drugs as effective therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment. Repurposing approved non-oncology drugs provides a promising strategy for addressing the urgent need for effective and accessible cancer treatments. The diverse classes of repurposed drugs, with their demonstrated antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and antimetastatic properties, offer new avenues for cancer therapy. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to explore the full potential of these repurposed drugs and optimize their use in treating various cancer types. Repurposing approved drugs can significantly expedite the process of identifying effective treatments and improve patient outcomes in a cost-effective manner