Anticancer properties of bromelain: State-of-the-art and recent trends

Bromelain is a key enzyme found in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.); a proteolytic substance with multiple beneficial effects for human health such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic, traditionally used in many countries for its potential therapeutic value. The aim of this updated and comprehensive review focuses on the potential anticancer benefits of bromelain, analyzing the cytotoxic, apoptotic, necrotic, autophagic, immunomodulating, and anti-inflammatory effects in cancer cells and animal models. Detailed information about Bromelain and its anticancer effects at the cellular, molecular and signaling levels were collected from online databases such as PubMed/MedLine, TRIP database, GeenMedical, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The results of the analyzed studies showed that Bromelain possesses corroborated pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, anti-edema, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anticoagulant, anti-osteoarthritis, anti-trauma pain, anti-diarrhea, wound repair. Nonetheless, bromelain clinical studies are scarce and still more research is needed to validate the scientific value of this enzyme in human cancer diseases

Paclitaxel: Application in Modern Oncology and Nanomedicine-Based Cancer Therapy

Paclitaxel is a broad-spectrum anticancer compound, which was derived mainly from a medicinal plant, in particular, from the bark of the yew tree Taxus brevifolia Nutt. It is a representative of a class of diterpene taxanes, which are nowadays used as the most common chemotherapeutic agent against many forms of cancer. It possesses scientifically proven anticancer activity against, e.g., ovarian, lung, and breast cancers. The application of this compound is difficult because of limited solubility, recrystalization upon dilution, and cosolvent-induced toxicity. In these cases, nanotechnology and nanoparticles provide certain advantages such as increased drug half-life, lowered toxicity, and specific and selective delivery over free drugs. Nanodrugs possess the capability to buildup in the tissue which might be linked to enhanced permeability and retention as well as enhanced antitumour influence possessing minimal toxicity in normal tissues. This article presents information about paclitaxel, its chemical structure, formulations, mechanism of action, and toxicity. Attention is drawn on nanotechnology, the usefulness of nanoparticles containing paclitaxel, its opportunities, and also future perspective. This review article is aimed at summarizing the current state of continuous pharmaceutical development and employment of nanotechnology in the enhancement of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of paclitaxel as a chemotherapeutic agent

Adaptive characteristics of plants in the conditions of technogenic pollution

The article deals with the problems of induction of the anatomical and morphological structure of plants of different life forms under the conditions of a long-term chronic action of ionising radiation on the territory of the Northern nuclear power plant. Currently, the study and assessment of the radioecological situation on the territory of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, taking into account the ecological state of natural plant and animal populations, is of particular importance. The study of the reaction of living organisms, be it plants or animals, to different doses of chronic ionising radiation makes it possible to assess and diagnose the state of environmental quality, and these organisms themselves can serve as bioindicators of pollution. On the territory of the Semipalatinsk test site, at the experimental site “Balapan”, 3 sections with meadow type of soil were studied: polluted section no. 1 - the north-western shore of Lake Chagan, polluted section no. 2 - the north-eastern shore of Lake Chagan, and control section no. 3. For structural analysis, the study recorded the vegetative organs of plant species with an increased radiation background. It was found that when the EDR (exposure dose rate) of gamma radiation increases and the plant growth is stimulated. In the conditions of radioactive contamination, with an increase in the activity of alpha, beta and gamma radiation, plants response and changes occur in the internal structure of their vegetative organs. Such adaptive features arise under the influence of a complex of environmental factors, including radiation pollution

Technology of landscaping in arid zones by using biohumus from sheep wool

The problem of greening the arid zones in Kazakhstan and in the world, as well as addressing water shortages in agriculture in these areas, requires new ideas or innovative technologies. We used sheep’s wool to create biohumus in combination with desert soils. In Kazakhstan sheep’s wool is considered useless, although it is rich in bioresources. Our research shows that biohumus obtained from sheep’s wool is highly fertile in laboratory experiments, and for it the need to use water is 3 times less than for other soils. Under laboratory conditions, we have proven that biohumus can be used to grow plants in different ecological zones. Its use in the wild/field can solve several problems of greening dry areas and growing food crops in low humidity conditions. In addition, it can increase the value of sheep’s wool as a bio resource. It is thus an economically promising technology that meets the environmental standards of a green economy

Structural Characteristics of Rosa Iliensis Chrshan. under Conditions of the Floodplains of the Rivers Ili and Sharyn

The article provides brief geobotanical characteristics of plant communities of three populations of R. iliensis Chrshan. found in the floodplains of the Ili and Sharyn rivers, as well as presents the morpho-anatomical structure of vegetative organs (stem and leaf) of the species under study. R. iliensis Chrshan. is undoubtedly a rare, endangered species of the flora of Kazakhstan. Its distribution area is shrinking from year to year as a result of the anthropogenic pressure on the environment. The biometric indicators of vegetative organs in the samples collected from populations 1 and 2 were approximately the same. The indicators of the samples collected from population 3 differed substantially. This is a completely natural process, since there are substantial differences in the climatic conditions of the upper and lower parts of the basin where the Ili River flows: a sharp increase in temperature and a decrease in precipitation from high to low hypsometric levels of the basin. Moreover, there is a gradual aridization of the territory from east to west. Naturally, this entails a change in both soil and vegetation cover as well as leaves its mark on the morpho-anatomical structure of vegetative organs. With this in mind, the authors recommend continuous monitoring of the state of the populations at the three sites where R. iliensis Chrshan. was found

Comparative Anatomical and Morphological Study of Three Populations of Salvia aethiopis L. Growing in the Southern Balkhash Region

The manuscript presents the results of morpho-anatomical structure of vegetative organs of Salvia aethiopis L. S.aethiopis L. is a promising medicinal plant of flora of Kazakhstan, which is able to grow under certain soil and climatic conditions. According to its anatomical and morphological features, S.aethiopis L. is a drought-resistant plant that does not tolerate excess moisture. The aim of the study was to investigate the morpho-anatomical structure of S.aethiopis L. plants growing in three different populations of the South Balkhash region of the country. As a result of the study of the morpho-anatomical structure of vegetative organs of the studied plants, the following features of xeromorphic structure of S.aethiopis L. were noted: strong pubescence of all above-ground parts of plants by simple, globular and glandular hairs, well expressed cuticle with small spinules, presence of cuticular thickening of guard cells, large number of stomatal apparatus on lower epidermis. A comparative analysis of the structure of plants of three different populations showed that in the stem of plants of population № 1 the primary cortex and the diameter of the central cylinder are more pronounced in comparison with plants growing in populations № 2 and № 3, which is due to the growing conditions of these populations. In plants of population № 1, an increase in the thickness of the leaf blade as well as inclusions of essential oils, which are localized in single or paired essential oil passages, were noted. In plants of populations № 1 and № 2, the more essential oil passages were observed. The studied plants of population № 1 have the most pronounced thickness of the primary bark than plants of populations № 2 and № 3. The revealed changes in the morpho-anatomical structure of plants are associated with the influence of various environmental and anthropogenic factors depending on the location of the studied plants