An updated pharmacological insight into calotropin as a potential therapeutic agent in cancer

Calotropin is a pharmacologically active compound isolated from milkweed plants like Calotropis procera, Calotropis gigantea, and Asclepias currasavica that belong to the Asclepiadaceae family. All of these plants are recognised as medical traditional plants used in Asian countries. Calotropin is identified as a highly potent cardenolide that has a similar chemical structure to cardiac glycosides (such as digoxin and digitoxin). During the last few years, cytotoxic and antitumor effects of cardenolides glycosides have been reported more frequently. Among cardenolides, calotropin is identified as the most promising agent. In this updated and comprehensive review, we aimed to analyze and discuss the specific mechanisms and molecular targets of calotropin in cancer treatment to open new perspectives for the adjuvant treatment of different types of cancer. The effects of calotropin on cancer have been extensively studied in preclinical pharmacological studies in vitro using cancer cell lines and in vivo in experimental animal models that have targeted antitumor mechanisms and anticancer signaling pathways. The analyzed information from the specialized literature was obtained from scientific databases until December 2022, mainly from PubMed/MedLine, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases using specific MeSH search terms. The results of our analysis demonstrate that calotropin can be a potential chemotherapeutic/chemopreventive adjunctive agent in cancer pharmacotherapeutic management

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

Phenolic compounds as Nrf2 inhibitors : potential applications in cancer therapy

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and involves an oxidative stress mechanism. The transcription factor Nrf2 has a crucial role in cytoprotective response against oxidative stress, including cancer growth and progression and therapy resistance. For this reason, inhibitors of Nrf2 are new targets to be studied. Traditional plant-based remedies rich in phytochemicals have been used against human cancers and phenolic compounds are known for their chemopreventive properties. This comprehensive review offers an updated review of the role of phenolic compounds as anticancer agents due to their action on Nrf2 inhibition. In addition, the role of naturally-occurring bioactive anticancer agents are covered in the clinical applications of polyphenols as Nrf2 inhibitors. EkynToSR555mbd1vVCBd11Video Abstrac

Spermidine as a promising anticancer agent: Recent advances and newer insights on its molecular mechanisms

Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine compound found in semen. It is also found in several plant sources and boasts a remarkable biological profile, particularly with regards to its anticancer properties. Spermidine specifically interferes with the tumour cell cycle, resulting in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and suppression of tumor growth. Moreover, it also triggers autophagy by regulating key oncologic pathways. The increased intake of polyamines, such as spermidine, can suppress oncogenesis and slow the growth of tumors due to its role in anticancer immunosurveillance and regulation of polyamine metabolism. Spermidine/spermine N-1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) plays a critical role in polyamine homeostasis and serves as a diagnostic marker in human cancers. Chemically modified derivatives of spermidine hold great potential for prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications against various malignancies. This review discusses in detail the recent findings that support the anticancer mechanisms of spermidine and its molecular physiology

The effect of crude oil on the biochemical parameters of the blood of white rats

In this article authors were identified the effect of crude oil on the biochemical parameters of white rat blood. The experiments were conducted in two groups. In the first group, biochemical blood parameters of the control group were determined. In the second group, the biochemical parameters of the blood of white rats after poisoning with crude oil were determined: during the experiment, white rats were treated for chronic crude oil poisoning. Crude oil products from the Zhanaozen oil field were the main food for white rats. Feeding of white rats was carried out according to commonly used methods. The oil concentration in the feed is about 1%. There was also a weak concentration of oil in the water of 0.001%. Thus, rats were fed a daily dose of 5.85 g of oil per day. Results: The results of the study show a decrease in the mechanical properties of oil-poisoned organisms in stem cells and the intensity of protein synthesis. Leads to metabolic processes and physiological changes in the body. Biochemical parameters of the blood of white rats after poisoning with crude oil indicate impaired liver and kidney function. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that crude oil has a high negative impact on the biochemical parameters of the blood and causes various diseases. Therefore, the results of the study can be used to organize measures to protect the environment and animal and human health in oil-producing areas

The effect of anthropogenic factors on rare, endemic plant species in the Ile Alatau

Our study showed that the anthropogenic impact on the flora of the study area, including agricultural activities, is growing every year. This complex research has been conducted in Almaty Province on the 6 populations of the four rare and endemic plant species (Ikonnikovia kaufmanniana, Limonium michelsonii), taking into account the total number, age spectrum. An analysis of the density and age structure of the populations Ikonnikovia kaufmanniana showed that the age range of the population 1 and 2 account for maximum virginal individuals and in the population of 3 generative individuals. The results of the study of the age and condition of life Limonium michelsonii in different parts of the three populations showed that a young virginal (64.6%) and generative individuals (23.6%) and in the population 2, the maximum is in juvenile (54.5%) and (20.49%) individuals and population 3 maximum occurs at a young virginal (38.9%) and (29.4%) individuals

Importance of the geobotanical studying in agriculture (with the example of the Sugaty region)

This article provides an overview of the literature on the role of geobotanical research in agriculture. In it, the author describes this article, which contains opposing points of view on the problem considered in the importance of geobotanical studies of today’s agricultural systems. The article discusses the problems and ways to solve the economic use of geobotany is the creation of artificial phytocenoses, as well as changing the natural ones by one or another violation of their composition and structure. Agriculture should ensure the maintenance of ecological balance in agrolandscape systems. Compliance with the requirements of environmental management, environmental protection and optimization of management of agricultural landscapes is becoming one of the main conditions for increasing the productive longevity of agricultural ecosystems and the efficiency of agricultural production