Evaluation of Antitumor and Antioxidant Activity of Melothria heterophylla (Lour.) Cogn

Melothria heterophylla (Lour.) Cogn., (family-Cucurbitaceae) popularly known as kundari, has been shown to exhibit antioxidant effects. The main objective was to isolate active constituents of the plant extract. In this study, the ability of M. heterophylla to induce apoptosis was studied in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. Treatment of the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells with a variety of concentrations of the ethanol extracts of M. heterophylla and gallic acid (100-1000 μM), to determine the sequences of events marked by apoptosis, assayed by the spectrofluorometric method. Gallic acid and rutin were isolated from plant extract which were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Our results indicate that ethanol extracts of M. heterophylla and gallic acid-induced apoptotic cell death in a dose dependent manner could be due to the generation of reactive oxygen species, especially H₂O₂, which is confirmed by caspase 3 activation. Treatment of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma bearing Swiss albino mice with varied doses (200 and 400 mg/kg, b.w.) of plant extract significantly reduced tumor volume and viable tumor cell count and improved hemoglobin content, RBC count, mean survival time, tumor inhibition, and percentage life span. The enhanced antioxidant status in extract-treated animals were evident from the decline in the levels of lipid peroxidation and increased levels of glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. The data suggest that M. heterophylla exerts anticancer activity, valuable for application in food and drug products.     

Calotropis gigantiea (L.) R. Br (Apocynaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological review

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Calotropis gigantiea (L.) R. Br (Apocynaceae) commonly called as “crown flower” or “giant milk weed” is a well-known weed to many cultures for treating various disorders related to central nervous system, skin diseases, digestive system, respiratory system, reproductive system etc. Indigenous groups made the plant as a part of their lives since they use the fruit fibre to make ropes, household items, for weaving clothes and flowers for garlands apart from usage for various indications. The study aims at far-reaching review on phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, ethnopharmacology, intellectual property transfer on pharmacological therapies, toxicity which aids to provide scientific evidence for the ethnobotanical claims and to identify gaps required to be conducted as a future research prerequisite.

Materials and methods

A systematic literature search was performed using different databases such as Scopus, Science direct, PubMed and Sciverse with no timeline limit set during the search. All the available abstracts and full text articles were included in the systematic review.

Results

Most of the folkloric uses were validated by the scientific studies such as analgesic, anti-arthritic, anti-asthmatic, anti-bacterial, anti-convulsant, anti-pyretic, central nervous system disorders, contraceptive, anti-ulcer and wound healing. In addition other studies such as anti-diabetic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-helminthic, anti-histamine, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, cardio-protective studies, cytotoxicity, hepatoprotectivity, fibrinolytic, mosquitocidal, nerve muscle activity, vasodilation and skeletal muscle activities were also reported for the plant. Isolated compounds such as calotropin, frugoside and 4'-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl frugoside were tested for the cytotoxicity efficacy against both human and rat cell lines out of which calotropin showed potent activity (IC₅₀–15 ng/ml). However there were no clinical trials reported on the plant which is one of the major lacunas.

Conclusions

This review article explores the ethnopharmacological, pharmacological activities phytochemistry and intellectual rights of Cg which gives the evidence of a potent and commercial drug which up on further research leads to the most viable drug for variety of treatments. However there is further need for in-vivo studies and clinical trials on isolated phytoconstituents which will help to commercialise.     

Phyllanthus amarus: ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology: a review

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Phyllanthus amarus Schum. &; Thonn. belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae is a small herb well known for its medicinal properties and widely used worldwide. P. amarus is an important plant of Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine which is used in the problems of stomach, genitourinary system, liver, kidney and spleen. It is bitter, astringent, stomachic, diuretic, febrifuge and antiseptic. The whole plant is used in gonorrhea, menorrhagia and other genital affections. It is useful in gastropathy, diarrhoea, dysentery, intermittent fevers, ophthalmopathy, scabies, ulcers and wounds.

Materials and methods

The present review covers a literature across from 1980 to 2011. Some information collected from traditional Ayurvedic texts and published literature on ethanomedicinal uses of Phyllanthus amarus in different countries worldwide.

Results

Phytochemical studies have shown the presence of many valuable compounds such as lignans, flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins (ellagitannins), polyphenols, triterpenes, sterols and alkaloids. The extracts and the compounds isolated from P. amarus show a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities including antiviral, antibacterial, antiplasmodial, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective nephroprotective and diurectic properties.

Conclusion

The present review summarizes information concerning the morphology, ecology, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities, clinical applications and toxicological reports of P. amarus. This review aims at gathering the research work undertaken till date on this plant in order to provide sufficient baseline information for future works and commercial exploitation.     

Protein-Protein Interaction Network Analysis for a Biomarker Panel Related to Human Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Background: Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is one of the mostlethal cancers in the world with a very poor prognosis. Identification of molecular diagnostic methods is an important goal. Since protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis is a suitable method for molecular assessment, in the present research a PPI network related to EAC was targeted. Material and Method: Cytoscape software and its applications including STRING DB, Cluster ONE and ClueGO were applied to analyze the PPI network. Result: Among 182 EAC-related proteins which were identified, 129 were included in a main connected component. Proteins based on centrality analysis of characteristics such as degree, betweenness, closeness and stress were screened and key nodes were introduced. Two clusters were determined of which only one was significant statistically. Gene ontology revealed 50 terms in three groups associated with EAC. Conclusion:The findings indicate nine crucial proteins could form a candidate biomarker panel for EAC. Furthermore, an important cluster with 27 proteins related to the disease was identified. Gene ontology analysis of this cluster showed main related terms to closely correspond with those for colorectal cancer.     

Cystic fibrosis is associated with an increased risk of Barrett's esophagus

BackgroundCystic fibrosis (CF) patients have increased risks of gastrointestinal cancers, including esophageal adenocarcinoma. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is highly prevalent in CF and manifests at early ages. CF patients may be at increased risk for long-term sequelae of chronic GERD, including Barrett's esophagus (BE). We aimed to assess whether patients with CF have an increased risk of BE or related neoplasia.MethodsA matched cohort study was performed of adults with and without CF who had undergone upper endoscopy. Non-CF patients were matched in a 4:1 ratio by age, sex, year of exam, and endoscopist. Odds ratios were calculated for the association between CF and BE or related neoplasia, and multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed to adjust for matching variables and additional potential confounders.Results122 CF patients underwent endoscopy, and 488 matched controls were identified. Seven (5.7%) CF patients had BE or related neoplasia, including one GE junction adenocarcinoma. Mean age of affected CF patients was 36.0, and 85.7% had a prior solid organ transplant. The odds of BE was significantly increased in CF patients (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.08–7.81). The risk remained significantly increased in a multivariable model including matching variables (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.19–9.22) and in a parsimonious model (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.06–8.42).ConclusionsAdults with CF have a 3-fold increased risk of BE or related neoplasia and appears to develop at younger ages. Consideration should be given to screening for BE in select CF patients, especially those who have undergone solid organ transplantation.     

Antioxidant properties of Rajgira (Amaranthus paniculatus) leaves and potential synergy in chemoprevention

In recent years there has been a substantial increase in the use of functional foods for disease control. Fruits and vegetables produce phytochemicals such as flavonoids and antioxidants which can lower oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic ailments like cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant capacity and the possible protective effects of Amaranthus paniculatus leaves on the antioxidant defense system in Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC) -treated mice. Oral administration of the leaf extract at different doses caused a significant decrease in tumor volume, viable cell count and tumor weight and elevated the life span of EAC bearing mice. It also showed an improved antioxidant potential as evidenced by a significant increase in the cellular antioxidant defense system such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione and also significantly reduced the levels of TBARS. The levels of RBC, hemoglobin and lymphocyte count were altered in EAC bearing mice and were reverted back to near normal levels after the treatment with the leaf extracts. Their adequate content of total phenolics and flavonoids, DPPH scavenging activity which further suggests that the extracts exert a significant protection against oxidative stress conditions.