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Seaweeds are high in bioactive chemicals frequently used to treat human illnesses. Porphyran is a polysaccharide found in the red seaweeds of the genus Porphyra. Porphyran has been discovered to have immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory activity, and anti-cancer effects via boosting immunity and targeting important apoptotic molecules, making them potential chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive drugs. Polysaccharide-mediated dynamic control of apoptosis and autophagy in cancer has been a viable treatment with low cytotoxicity with high efficacy. Thus, comprehending the influence of porphyran on human health and their molecular mechanisms would open up a new paradigm in cancer therapies. Also, the importance of apoptotic/autophagy modulating porphyran in cancer therapy has been highlighted as the future direction of improved nano-formulation for improved clinical efficacy. This review focuses on the current research into porphyran's anti-cancer efficacy and putative mechanisms of action through apoptosis and autophagy in various cancers, as well as its potential chemotherapeutic treatment in near future. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The synthesis of chiral polymers 1 bonded alternatively with salen and 1,4-dialkoxy-2,6-diethynylbenzene was accomplished. These polymers are recyclable and catalyze the Et2Zn addition to aldehydes with good enantioselectivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although stress-induced mitochondrial hyperfusion (SIMH) exerts a protective role in aiding cell survival, in the absence of mitochondrial fission, SIMH drives oxidative stress-related induction of apoptosis. In this study, our data showed that MTP18, a mitochondrial fission-promoting protein expression, was increased in oral cancer. We have screened and identified S28, a novel inhibitor of MTP18, which was found to induce SIMH and subsequently trigger apoptosis. Interestingly, it inhibited MTP18-mediated mitochondrial fission, as shown by a decrease in p-Drp1 along with increased Mfn1 expression in oral cancer cells. Moreover, S28 induced autophagy but not mitophagy due to the trouble in engulfment of hypoperfused mitochondria. Interestingly, S28-mediated SIMH resulted in the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to the consequent generation of mitochondrial superoxide to induce intrinsic apoptosis. Mechanistically, S28-induced mitochondrial superoxide caused lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), resulting in decreased lysosomal pH, which impaired autophagosome-lysosome fusion. In this setting, it showed that overexpression of MTP18 resulted in mitochondrial fission leading to mitophagy and inhibition of superoxide-mediated LMP and apoptosis. Further, S28, in combination with FDA-approved anticancer drugs, exhibited higher apoptotic activity and decreased cell viability, suggesting the MTP18 inhibition combined with the anticancer drug could have greater efficacy against cancer. [Display omitted] • S28, Noscapine derivatives inhibit expression of MTP18 leading to mitochondrial hyperfusion. • S28-induced hyperfused mitochondria are dysfunctional and trigger massive ROS generation in oral cancer cells. • Mitochondrial hyperfusion-induced ROS by S28 causes lysosomal membrane permeabilization in oral cancer cells. • S28-induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization activates apoptosis in oral cancer cells. • S28 potentiates the efficacy of anticancer drugs to promote cell death in oral cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: NiCl2·6H2O efficiently catalyzes the C–S bond formation by the cross-coupling of aryl iodides with thiols in tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) in excellent yield. The reaction functions in air and the NiLn-TBAB can be recovered and recycled without the loss of activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]