Publications by authors named "Iman E Helal"

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is an aggressive phenotype of prostate cancer (PC). Tryptophan oxidative catabolism by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) cleaves the indole ring to kynurenine (Kyn), an endogenous ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which activates multiple tumorigenesis pathways. The IDO1-Kyn-AhR axis is aberrantly dysregulated in mCRPC.

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The proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) emerged as a molecular target of great interest for the management of cardiovascular disorders due to its ability to reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by binding and targeting at LDLR for lysosomal degradation in cells. Preliminary studies revealed that pseurotin A (PsA), a spiro-heterocyclic γ-lactam alkaloid from several marine and terrestrial and species, has the ability to dually suppress the PCSK9 expression and protein-protein interaction (PPI) with LDLR, resulting in an anti-hypercholesterolemic effect and modulating the oncogenic role of PCSK9 axis in breast and prostate cancers progression and recurrence. Thus, a preliminary assessment of the PsA acute toxicity represents the steppingstone to develop PsA as a novel orally active PCSK9 axis modulating cancer recurrence inhibitor.

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A new homoisoflavan, identified as (3 )-7-hydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyhomoisoflavan, was isolated from Balf. f. resin.

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A new C-linked chalcone-dihydrochalcone dimer, named dracidione, was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of dragon's blood resin of Balf. f. Structure elucidation of the new compound was carried out by means of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy in addition to high resolution mass spectrometry.

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