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Apple pomace (AP) utilised for analysis of triterpenic acids (TTAs) using HPLC-MS/MS. The methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts showed high phenolic content with significant antioxidant activity compared to chloroform and n-hexane. AP TTAs; ursolic acid, betulinic acid and maslinic acid showed potent antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory effects. The IC 50 values were 13.2-30.8 μg/mL (tyrosinase), 19.6-42.5 μg/mL (xanthine oxidase) and 16.6-38.6 μg/mL (urease) for AP extracts and 8.4-25.8 μg/mL (tyrosinase), 12.6-30.2 μg/mL (xanthine oxidase) and 10.1-28.6 μg/mL (urease) for TTAs, compared to the positive controls; kojic acid (10.4 ± 0.06 μg/mL), allopurinol (9.6 ± 0.04 μg/mL) and thiourea (8.9 ± 0.02 μg/mL) towards respective enzymes. UA showed a competitive type of inhibition for tyrosinase, while BA showed a noncompetitive type of inhibition towards xanthine oxidase. In addition, the AP extracts and TTAs exerted significant cytotoxic effects towards the proliferation of cancer cell lines. AP methanol extract (IC 50 of 38.5 ± 4.1, 47.1 ± 3.5, 70.6 ± 2.3, and 50.5 ± 3.9 μg/mL) and ursolic acid (IC 50 of 6.5 ± 0.7, 15.5 ± 1.4, 20.8 ± 1.3, and 5.6 ± 0.8 μg/mL) showed prominent anticancer activity on Hela, Skov-3, Caski, and NCL cancer cell lines, respectively. Thus, this study shows that the AP & TTAs could be utilized for functional food development and as a potent antioxidant, anticancer, skin whitening, and anti-urolithic agents., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A growing number of evidences from clinical and preclinical studies have shown that dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) function contributes to the progression of cancer and thus miRNA can be an effective target in therapy. Dietary phytochemicals, such as quercetin, are natural products that have potential anti-cancer properties due to their proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative effects. Available experimental studies indicate that quercetin could modulate multiple cancer-relevant miRNAs including let-7, miR-21, miR-146a and miR-155, thereby inhibiting cancer initiation and development. This paper reviews the data supporting the use of quercetin for miRNA-mediated chemopreventive and therapeutic strategies in various cancers, with the aim to comprehensively understand its health-promoting benefits and pharmacological potential. Integration of technology platforms for miRNAs biomarker and drug discovery is also presented., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Dianthus superbus (DS) is a traditional medicinal herb well known for its medicinal and therapeutic potential and widely distributed in various Asian countries. The ethyl acetate (EA), butanol (Bu) and distilled water (DW) extracts of DS assessed for extraction of bioactive compounds and their biological activities. The chemical analysis was done using LC-MS/MS and antioxidant, anticancer and antiviral activities were determined. EA extracts showed strong anticancer activity with IC 50 of 9.5, 13.8 and 69.9 μg/mL on SKOV, NCL-H1299 and Caski cancer cell lines, respectively. The Bu extracts exhibited strongest antiviral activity with respect to both influenza A and B viruses with IC 50 values of 4.97 and 3.9 μg/mL, respectively. Also the metabolic profile for EA, Bu and DW extracts shows high variations and influence precisely the antioxidant, anticancer and antiviral properties. The quercetin 3- rutinoside and isorhamnetin 3- glucoside showed higher neuraminidase inhibition activity in dose dependent manner. Molecular docking study revealed that flavonol glycosides have higher binding activities towards influenza polymerase membrane glycoprotein. Correlation study showed that flavonol glycosides were linked to anti-influenza activity and cyclic peptides with anticancer activities. This study provides vital information for effective utilization of DS for medicinal, food and therapeutic purposes., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Berberine, a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids has drawn high attention for its several biological potencies., Objective: To furnish new rationalized derivatives based on berberine core which can deliver promising antioxidant and cytotoxic activities., Method: The N-Mannich base of an isoquinoline alkaloid, berberine, bearing substituted benzothiazole moieties was obtained. Novel synthesized analogues were in vitro screened for antioxidant efficacy toward 2,2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) free radicals and in vitro cytotoxicity towards cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa and CaSki), an ovarian cancer cell line (SK-OV-3) and human renal cancer cell line (Caki-2). Cytotoxicity of the compounds toward normal cell lines was examined using the Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) non-cancer cell line., Results: Analogues bearing a methoxy functional group (5e), acid functionality (5c), and a cyano group (5m) showed remarkable radical scavenging potential in DPPH and ABTS bioassays. Potent cytotoxicity exhibited by berberine against the HeLa cell line was attributable to the presence of a 2-aminobenzothaizole moiety (5a) and its 6-chloro congener (5g) on the berberine core, and the 6-cyano group (5m) on the benzothiazole ring revealed strong sensitivity for the CaSki cell line, whereas subjected scaffolds demonstrated diminished activity against the SK-OV-3 cell line. In addition, the compound with a 2-aminobenzothaizole moiety (5a), compound with methoxy functional group (5e) and compound with cyano group appeared with the most significant cytotoxicity effect in Caki-2 cell line. Their structures have been elucidated by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and elemental analyses (CHN) essential research., Conclusion: N-Mannich bases of berberine were efficiently generated utilizing pharmacologically diverse substituted 2-aminobenzothiazole entities and final compounds were found remarkably active in antioxidant and cytotoxic assay. Hence, such types of compounds can be further studied or rationalized in future drug discovery studies., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)

Natural substances have been attracted several researchers in the recent years, because of its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. We have investigated the effect of carnosine on cell viability, apoptosis, DNA damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caspase 3 enzyme expression in human cervical carcinoma and Madin-Darby Kidney Cells (MDCK) cells. Carnosine inhibited cancer cell growth up to 23%. ROS level was increased up to 30 and 31% in MDCK and HeLa cells respectively. Tunnel assay showed 42 and 14% of positive apoptotic cells in cancer and normal cells respectively. The alteration in mitochondrial and nuclear morphology was determined. The extended lace-like network of normal mitochondria found in control cells. Carnosine treatment significantly altered the mitochondrial morphology of normal cervical carcinoma cell. Mitochondria were condensed clump structures in carnosine treated cancer cells. Carnosine reduced the number of colonies of cervical carcinoma cells. Caspase 3 expression was corresponded to the appearance of immunofluorescence in the cytoplasm. Caspase 3 expression was gradually increased in cervical carcinoma cells. In Silico, docking study was performed to recognize the binding activity of carnosine against a subunit of the caspase 3, and carnosine was able to bind to the drug binding pocket of caspase 3. The glide energy is -5.2 kcal/mol, suggesting the high binding affinity of carnosine to caspase 3. Taking all these data together, the natural dipeptide L-carnosine could be a suitable antiproliferative agent in cervical carcinoma cells. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., (Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Metal oxide nanoparticles have been widely investigated for its use in the pharmacological field. The present study was aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity of copper oxide nanorods in human cervical carcinoma cells. The effect of copper oxide nanorods on cell viability was determined by sulforhodamine-B (SRB) assay. The fluorescence and confocal microscopy analyzes showed the cell rounding and nuclear fragmentation following exposure of copper oxide nanorods. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased and could initiate membrane lipid peroxidation, which in turn regulate cytokinetic movements of cells. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of p53 and caspase 3 was increased, which further confirms the occurrence of apoptosis at the transcriptional level. Furthermore, caspase-3 enzyme activity was increased, which also confirms the occurrence of apoptosis in tumor cells at the translational level. Taking all our experimental results together, it may suggest that the copper oxide nanorods could be a potential anti-tumor agent to inhibit cancer cell proliferation.

A metal oxide nanoparticle has been widely investigated for its potential use in the biomedical application. The present study investigates the cytotoxicity of ZnO nanoparticle in human cervical carcinoma cells. Cell viability was determined, and it showed the possible cytotoxic effect of ZnO nanoparticles. The characteristic apoptotic features such as rounding and loss of adherence were observed in the treated cells. Fluorescence and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM) studies have showed reduced nuclear volume and condensed cytoplasm. The mRNA expression of apoptotic gene p53 and caspase 3 was up-regulated following ZnO nanoparticle exposure, which confirms the occurrence of apoptosis at the transcriptional level. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased in a dose-dependent manner, and initiate lipid peroxidation of the liposomal membrane, which in turn regulate several signaling pathways and influencing the cytokinetic movements of cells. ZnO nanoparticles showed a dynamic cytotoxic effect in cervical carcinoma cells. ZnO nanoparticle might induce the apoptosis through increased intracellular ROS level. Moreover, up-regulated apoptotic gene expression confirms the occurrence of apoptosis. Taking all these data together, it may be concluded that ZnO nanoparticle may exert cytotoxicity on HeLa cell through the apoptotic pathway, implies the probable utility of ZnO nanoparticle in the cancer treatment and therapy., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have well-known anti-bacterial properties and have been widely used in daily life as various medical and general products. There is limited information available on the cytotoxicity of AgNPs. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity of AgNPs in HeLa cells. Cytotoxicity and apoptosis have been observed in the AgNPs treated in the HeLa cells. Sulphorhodamine-B assay (SRB assay) showed the cytotoxic effect in the AgNP-treated HeLa cells. Inverted microscope, fluorescence microscope, and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) analyses showed the apoptosis-induced morphological changes such as rounding in shape, nuclear fragmentation, cytoplasm reduction, loss of adhesion, and reduced cell volume. Necrosis and apoptosis were observed in the AgNP-treated HeLa cells by DNA fragmentation study. Mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) have increased in AgNP-treated HeLa cells. Up-regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of p53, bax, and caspase 3 were found in AgNP-treated HeLa cells. Caspase 3 enzyme activity was found to increase in AgNP-treated HeLa cells. The AgNPs showed the right cytotoxic effect in cervical carcinoma cells. Our results suggest that metal-based nanoparticles might be a potential candidate for the treatment of cervical cancer.

A new series of 9-O-3-(1-piperazinyl/morpholinyl/piperidinyl)pentyl-berberines has been efficiently formulated via coupling 1,5-dibromopentane with berberrubine which was obtained by treating berberine in a vacuum oven at optimum temperature and pressure. Nucleophilic substitution of a variety of substituted piperazines, morpholine, carbazole and piperidine furnished analogues 5a-i. Final compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulphonic acid) (ABTS) bioassays. Also, cancer cell inhibitory potential of titled compounds was screened for cervical cancer, HeLa and CaSki employing SRB assay in terms of cytotoxicity. A minimum inhibitory concentration of 5a-i towards normal cells was studied using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line. Final compounds with carbazole and 1-(naphthalen-2-yl)piperazine showed excellent free radical scavenging efficacies in DPPH and ABTS bioassays, respectively. The presence of naphthyl, benzhydryl, benzoyl, furoyl and heterocyclic rings on the piperazine system was essential to exert anticipated cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines. The structure of the final compounds was adequately confirmed via spectroscopic techniques, elemental analysis analysis and characterization of physical properties.

The 9-demethylated derivative of the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine was derivatised in its isoquinoline moiety using enamines derived from formaldehyde and morpholine, piperidine, carbazole and six variously substituted piperazines to form Mannich base products which were evaluated for their in vitro biological effects. Standard tests determined their radical scavenging potential and their ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Cancerous growth inhibitory efficacies were assessed using cervical cancer cell lines HeLa and CaSki and their cytotoxicities towards normal cell lines were evaluated using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell lines. Piperazine derivatives bearing a heterocyclic nitrogen substituent such as a pyridyl or a pyrimidyl ring were the most active antioxidant and anticancer agents. A carbazole moiety attached to the berberine core also demonstrated excellent inhibitory effects on cancerous cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A simple, inexpensive ultra-sonication method was used to synthesize quasi spherical silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with an aqueous extract from Panax ginseng roots. This method has the advantages of being completely eco-friendly and allows increased reaction rates, uniform dispersal of the nanoparticles in liquids, and effective breaking of aggregates. Biomolecules present in plant extracts are often used to reduce metal ions to nanoparticles in a single-step green synthesis route. The formation of the AgNPs was characterized using UV–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy- dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The formation of AgNPs (456 nm) was confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy. HR-TEM analysis revealed that most of the AgNPs were quasi spherical with sizes ranging from approximately 5 to 15 nm. The crystalline nature of the AgNPs was confirmed by XRD, and the presence of elemental silver was confirmed by energy-dispersive X -ray analysis. The AgNPs showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity towards HeLa cells in vitro (3.88% at 0.005 M, 5.11% at 0.01 M, 7.52% at 0.015 M, 11.19% at 0.02 M, and 19.45% at 0.025 M) as revealed by sulforhodamine B assay. They were also shown to be virucidal against the influenza A virus (strain A/PR/8). Hence, the present facile, eco-friendly, and efficient method results in the synthesis of AgNPs that can act as an alternative biomaterial for future biomedical applications. Graphical Abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • AgNPs synthesized via green route using Panax ginseng root aqueous extract. • AgNPs were spherical in shape, with a crystallite size of 5 to 15 nm. • In addition, the green synthesized AgNPs were studied for in-vitro cytotoxic and antiviral activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

7-(4-Bromobutoxy)-5-hydroxy-2-phenyl-4 H -chromen-4-one, obtained from chrysin with 1,4-dibromobutane, was combined with a wide range of 6-substituted 2-aminobenzthiazoles, which had been prepared from the corresponding anilines with potassium thiocyanate. Free radical scavenging efficacies of newer analogues were measured using DPPH and ABTS assays, in addition to the assessment of their anticancer activity against cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa and CaSki) and ovarian cancer cell line (SK-OV-3) implementing the SRB assay. Cytotoxicity of titled compounds was checked using Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) non-cancer cell line. Overall, 6a – r indicated remarkable antioxidant power as DPPH and ABTS + scavengers; particularly the presence of halogen(s) ( 6g , 6h , 6j – 6l ) was favourable with IC 50 values comparable to the control ascorbic acid. Unsubstituted benzothiazole ring favored the activity of resultant compounds ( 6a and 6r ) against HeLa cell line, whereas presence of chlorine ( 6g ) or a di-fluoro group ( 6k ) was a key to exert strong action against CaSki. Moreover, a mono-fluoro ( 6j ) and a ketonic functionality ( 6o ) were beneficial to display anticipated anticancer effects against ovarian cancer cell line SK-OV-3. The structural assignments of the new products were done on the basis of IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]