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Emodin is a naturally occurring anthraquinone derivative with a wide range of pharmacological activities, including neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. We aim to assess the anticancer activity of emodin against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rat models using the proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis biomarkers. After induction of HCC, assessment of the liver impairment and the histopathology of liver sections were investigated. Hepatic expression of both mRNA and protein of the oxidative stress biomarkers, HO-1, Nrf2; the mitogenic activation biomarkers, ERK5, PKCδ; the tissue destruction biomarker, ADAMTS4; the tissue homeostasis biomarker, aggregan; the cellular fibrinolytic biomarker, MMP3; and of the cellular angiogenesis biomarker, VEGF were measured. Emodin increased the survival percentage and reduced the number of hepatic nodules compared to the HCC group. Besides, emodin reduced the elevated expression of both mRNA and proteins of all PKC, ERK5, ADAMTS4, MMP3, and VEGF compared with the HCC group. On the other hand, emodin increased the expression of mRNA and proteins of Nrf2, HO-1, and aggrecan compared with the HCC group. Therefore, emodin is a promising anticancer agent against HCC preventing the cancer prognosis and infiltration. It works through many mechanisms of action, such as blocking oxidative stress, proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis.

Introduction: The genus Euphorbia is known to contain diterpenoids, and several isolated compounds which exhibited biological activities including significant multidrug resistance reversal effects. This work is focused on the isolation, in vitro and in silico studies of two natural bio-active flavonoids (1 & 2) isolated from Euphorbia pulcherrima bark for the very first time. Methods: The phytochemical investigation resulted in the identification of two flavonoids: 3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one (1) and 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one (2), which were isolated for the first time from Euphorbia pulcherrima. Results: The chemical structures of the two isolated compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and ESI-HRMS spectral data. The Bioactivity activity of these compounds was evaluated; results revealed that compounds 1 & 2 exhibit promising urease inhibitory potential with IC50 values of 15.3 ± 2.13 μM and 19.0 ± 2.43 μM, respectively, whereas the positive control thiourea had an IC50 of 21.0 ± 0.23 μM. Similarly, these compounds were also evaluated against the tyrosinase enzyme; results showed that compound 1 displays significant inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 48.7 ± 2.19 μM, whereas compound 2 exhibited a moderate effect with an IC50 value of 74.8 ± 1.79 μM, when compared with the standard (alpha-kojic acid, IC50 = 47.6 ± 0.67 μM). Additionally, compounds 1 and 2 also exhibited anti-glycation and phosphodiesterase inhibitory activities. Conclusion: Studies dealing with the drug like properties such as in silico screening (docking study) was also carried out to discover the structural features of both compounds 1 and 2. Results indicated that the docking scores of compounds 1 and 2 are in agreement with their IC50 values. Key messages Isolation and characterization of two bioactive flavonoids (1 and 2) from Euphorbia pulcherrima. In silico and in vitro enzyme inhibition studies were conducted to identify the therapeutic potential of flavonoids 1 and 2. Drug-like properties were calculated to discover important pharmacophoric features.

This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of different monochromatic LED light colour (white ‘WL’, green ‘GL’, blue ‘BL’ and mixed green and blue ‘GL × BL’) and two levels of light intensity (5 lx and 20 lx) on growth performance, physiological responses (haematological and biochemical), behaviour and fear reactions in broiler. A 4 × 2 factorial treatment structure was used to evaluate the impact of 4 LED light colours (WL, GL, BL and GL × BL) and 2 levels of light intensity (5 lx and 20 lx) in triplicates. One-day-old Cobb Avian-48 chicks (N = 384, 36.29 ± 0.092 g) were used. Results revealed a significant effect of light colour on performance (final weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio [FCR]), haematological parameters (haemoglobin, RBCs, PCV, TLC and H/L ratio), biochemical parameters (TP, albumin (AL), and AL/globulin (GL) ratio), tonic immobility (TI) duration and open field (OF) test (latency to first step, mobility duration, immobility duration, immobility sitting, immobility standing, pecking and dropping) with the best results observed in GL × BL. Light intensity had no effects on studied parameters except for H/L ratio, TI duration, latency to first step, immobility sitting, immobility standing and pecking with better findings detected in 5 lx. There was a significant light colour × light intensity interaction on final weight, weight gain, AL, TI duration, mobility duration, immobility duration, immobility sitting, immobility standing and pecking. Conclusively, monochromatic LED light (GL × BL, BL and GL) particularly of low intensity could be a source of light in broiler houses that might have the potential to improve broiler welfare.Highlights LED light is an important factor in the broiler production. Mixed blue and green, blue or green light of 5 lx improves broiler performance and health status. Mixed blue and green, blue or green light of low intensity reduced fear reaction in broilers.