Ellagic Acid and Cancer Hallmarks: Insights from Experimental Evidence.

Cancer is a complex and multifaceted disease with a high global incidence and mortality rate. Although cancer therapy has evolved significantly over the years, numerous challenges persist on the path to effectively combating this multifaceted disease. Natural compounds derived from plants, fungi, or marine organisms have garnered considerable attention as potential therapeutic agents in the field of cancer research.

Spice-Derived Phenolic Compounds: Potential for Skin Cancer Prevention and Therapy.

Skin cancer is a condition characterized by the abnormal growth of skin cells, primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Different types of skin cancer include melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Despite the advancements in targeted therapies, there is still a need for a safer, highly efficient approach to preventing and treating cutaneous malignancies.

Anticancer Potential of Natural Chalcones: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence.

There is no doubt that significant progress has been made in tumor therapy in the past decades. However, the discovery of new molecules with potential antitumor properties still remains one of the most significant challenges in the field of anticancer therapy. Nature, especially plants, is a rich source of phytochemicals with pleiotropic biological activities.

Programmed Cell Death Alterations Mediated by Synthetic Indole Chalcone Resulted in Cell Cycle Arrest, DNA Damage, Apoptosis and Signaling Pathway Modulations in Breast Cancer Model.

Although new chemotherapy significantly increased the survival of breast cancer (BC) patients, the use of these drugs is often associated with serious toxicity. The discovery of novel anticancer agents for BC therapy is expected. This study was conducted to explore the antiproliferative effect of newly synthesized indole chalcone derivative ZK-CH-11d on human BC cell lines.

Synthesis, physicochemical properties and biological activities of novel alkylphosphocholines with foscarnet moiety.

A series of alkylphosphocholines with foscarnet moiety was synthesized. The structure of these zwitterionic amphiphiles was modified in both polar and non-polar parts of surfactant molecule. Investigations of physicochemical properties are represented by the determination of critical micelle concentration, the surface tension value at the cmc and the surface area per surfactant head group utilising surface tension measurements.

L. Extract Does Not Induce Fibroblast to Myofibroblast Conversion but Increases Extracellular Matrix Production In Vitro Leading to Increased Wound Tensile Strength in Rats.

The ability of horse chestnut extract (HCE) to induce contraction force in fibroblasts, a process with remarkable significance in skin repair, motivated us to evaluate its wound healing potential in a series of experiments. In the in vitro study of the ability of human dermal fibroblasts to form myofibroblast-like cells was evaluated at the protein level (Western blot and immunofluorescence). The in vivo study was conducted on male Sprague-Dawley rats with inflicted wounds (one open circular and one sutured incision) on their backs.

Antiproliferative Effect of Acridine Chalcone Is Mediated by Induction of Oxidative Stress.

Chalcones are naturally occurring phytochemicals with diverse biological activities including antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anticancer effects. Some studies indicate that the antiproliferative effect of chalcones may be associated with their pro-oxidant effect. In the present study, we evaluated contribution of oxidative stress in the antiproliferative effect of acridine chalcone 1C ((2 E)-3-(acridin-9-yl)-1-(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one) in human colorectal HCT116 cells.

Naja ashei venom induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells.

In the present study, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of Naja ashei full venom (NAV) on human colorectal cancer cells. The NAV-induced antiproliferative effect was associated with cell cycle arrest in S phase and increased number of cells with sub G0/G1 DNA content, which is considered a marker of apoptosis. Apoptosis has also been confirmed with annexin V/PI staining.

Mechanochemical approach for the capping of mixed core CdS/ZnS nanocrystals: Elimination of cadmium toxicity.

The wet mechanochemical procedure for the capping of the CdS and CdS/ZnS quantum dot nanocrystals is reported. l-cysteine and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were used as capping agents. When using l-cysteine, the dissolution of cadmium(II) was almost none for CdS/ZnS nanocrystals.

Antiproliferative effect of β-escin - an in vitro study.

This study examined the antiproliferative effects of β-escin (E) in cancer cells. The study showed that E inhibited cancer cells growth in a dose-dependent manner. The flow cytometric analysis revealed an escin-induced increase in the sub-G1 DNA content, which is considered to be a marker of apoptosis.

CdS/ZnS nanocomposites: from mechanochemical synthesis to cytotoxicity issues.

CdS/ZnS nanocomposites have been prepared by a two-step solid-state mechanochemical synthesis. CdS has been prepared from cadmium acetate and sodium sulfide precursors in the first step. The obtained cubic CdS (hawleyite, JCPDS 00-010-0454) was then mixed in the second step with the cubic ZnS (sphalerite, JCPDS 00-005-0566) synthesized mechanochemically from the analogous precursors.

Some ferrocenyl chalcones as useful candidates for cancer treatment.

Although knowledge of cancer management is extensive, mortality is not currently declining in this area. It is therefore important to implement a long-term strategy that would aim to prevent these serious diseases. Ferrocene-related organometallic compounds are promising candidates for design of new drugs since they can exhibit much greater biological activity than their phenyl analogs.

Soy and breast cancer: focus on angiogenesis.

Epidemiological studies have revealed that high consumption of soy products is associated with low incidences of hormone-dependent cancers, including breast and prostate cancer. Soybeans contain large amounts of isoflavones, such as the genistein and daidzain. Previously, it has been demonstrated that genistein, one of the predominant soy isoflavones, can inhibit several steps involved in carcinogenesis.

Organometallic iron complexes as potential cancer therapeutics.

Metal-containing drugs have long been used for medicinal purposes in more or less empirical way. The potential of these anticancer agents has only been fully realised and explored since the discovery of the biological activity of cisplatin. Cisplatin and carboplatin have been two of the most successful anti-cancer agents ever developed, and are currently used to treat ovarian, lung and testicular cancers.

Comparison of some antioxidant properties of plant extracts from Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Eleutherococcus senticosus and Stevia rebaudiana.

Phenolic compounds from plants are known for their antioxidant properties and have been proposed as therapeutic agents to counteract oxidative stress. However, under normal circumstances, the body only receives a very small amount of these substances in the diet. We have investigated the effect of extracts from known and frequently used plants as part of diet, food seasoning, medicinal tea, and sweetener at different concentrations on the ability to scavenge free radicals, to affect antioxidant enzymes, and finally in the survival of cancer cell lines.

Synthesis, self-aggregation and biological properties of alkylphosphocholine and alkylphosphohomocholine derivatives of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetylpyridinium bromide, benzalkonium bromide (C16) and benzethonium chloride.

A series of alkylphosphocholine and alkylphosphohomocholine derivatives of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetylpyridinium bromide, benzalkonium bromide (C16) and benzethonium chloride have been synthesized. Their physicochemical properties were also investigated. The critical micelle concentration (cmc), the surface tension value at the cmc (γcmc), and the surface area at the surface saturation per head group (Acmc) were determined by means of surface tension measurements.

Antiproliferative and antiangiogenic properties of horse chestnut extract.

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antiproliferative effect of the horse chestnut extract (HCE) on cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we have investigated the in vitro effect of HCE on some angiogenic events by using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The cell proliferation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and anchorage-independent growth by colony-forming assay.

Dialkylamino and nitrogen heterocyclic analogues of hexadecylphosphocholine and cetyltrimetylammonium bromide: effect of phosphate group and environment of the ammonium cation on their biological activity.

A series of dialkylamino and nitrogen heterocyclic analogues of hexadecylphosphocholine and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide have been synthesized. The prepared compounds exhibit significant cytotoxic, antifungal and antiprotozoal activities. Alkylphosphocholines possess higher antifungal activity against Candida albicans in comparison with quaternary ammonium compounds.

Effect of flavonoids on daunorubicin-induced toxicity in H9c2 Cardiomyoblasts.

Daunorubicin (DNR) is one of the most important antitumor agents belonging to the anthracycline group. However, its use is seriously limited by the development of cardiac toxicity. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of quercetin, pycnogenol and naringenin on daunorubicin-induced cytoxicity in H9c2 cells.