Plant Compounds Inhibit the Growth of W12 Cervical Precancer Cells Containing Episomal or Integrant HPV DNA; Tanshinone IIA Synergizes with Curcumin in Cervical Cancer Cells.

This study explores the effects of plant compounds on human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced W12 cervical precancer cells and bioelectric signaling. The aim is to identify effective phytochemicals, both individually and in combination, that can prevent and treat HPV infection and HPV associated cervical cancer. Phytochemicals were tested using growth inhibition, combination, gene expression, RT PCR, and molecular docking assays.

Piperlongumine inhibits proliferation and oncogenic MYCN expression in chemoresistant metastatic retinoblastoma cells directly and through extracellular vesicles.

Ocular retinoblastoma malignancies, which develop into metastatic phenotypes, result in poor prognosis and survival for infant and child patients. To improve the prognosis of metastatic retinoblastoma, it is important to identify novel compounds with less toxic side effects and higher therapeutic efficacy compared to existing chemotherapeutics. Piperlongumine (PL), a neuroprotective, plant-derived compound has been explored for its anticancer activities both in vitro and in vivo.

Extracellular vesicles of human diabetic retinopathy retinal tissue and urine of diabetic retinopathy patients are enriched for the junction plakoglo bin protein.

Introduction: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a potentially blinding retinal disorder that develops through the pathogenesis of diabetes. The lack of disease predictors implies a poor prognosis with frequent irreversible retinal damage and vision loss. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) present a novel opportunity for pre-symptomatic disease diagnosis and prognosis, both severely limited in DR.

Human retinal organoids release extracellular vesicles that regulate gene expression in target human retinal progenitor cells.

The mechanisms underlying retinal development have not been completely elucidated. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are novel essential mediators of cell-to-cell communication with emerging roles in developmental processes. Nevertheless, the identification of EVs in human retinal tissue, characterization of their cargo, and analysis of their potential role in retina development has not been accomplished.

A Self-degradable Curcumin Polymer with Anti-cancer Activity.

Curcumin is a widely researched and utilized natural product used for a variety of ailments including as a gastrointestinal aide and an anticancer agent. Curcumin however suffers from poor bioavailability. A strategy to circumvent poor bioavailability is to administer with an adjuvant or by synthetic modification.

A transcriptomic analysis of turmeric: Curcumin represses the expression of cholesterol biosynthetic genes and synergizes with simvastatin.

The spice turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) has a long history of use as an anti-inflammatory agent. The active component curcumin induces a variety of diverse biological effects and forms a series of degradation and metabolic products in vivo.

Characterization of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Microvesicle Genesis, Morphology and Pluripotent Content.

Microvesicles (MVs) are lipid bilayer-covered cell fragments that range in diameter from 30 nm-1 uM and are released from all cell types. An increasing number of studies reveal that MVs contain microRNA, mRNA and protein that can be detected in the extracellular space. In this study, we characterized induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) MV genesis, content and fusion to retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) in vitro.

Digitoxin enhances the growth inhibitory effects of thapsigargin and simvastatin on ER negative human breast cancer cells.

Background: The cardiac glycoside digitoxin preferentially inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells and targets the Erk pathway. Digitoxin alters the expression of genes that mediate calcium metabolism and IAP genes.

Purpose: Since the optimal treatment for cancer involves the use of agents in combination, we assessed the growth inhibitory effects of digitoxin combined with agents that alter calcium metabolism, thapsigargin, a sarcoplasmic/ER Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, and the statin simvastatin, as well as digitoxin's effect on the IAP pathway of apoptosis.

Garcinia benzophenones inhibit the growth of human colon cancer cells and synergize with sulindac sulfide and turmeric.

Previous studies indicate that extracts and purified components from Garcinia species inhibit the growth of human colon cancer cells. Garcinia benzophenones activate the expression of genes in the endoplasmic reticulum and cellular energy stress (mTOR) pathways. This study examines the growth inhibitory and synergistic effects of Garcinia benzophenones, alone or combined with chemopreventive agents, on human colon cancer cells.

Carnosic acid inhibits the growth of ER-negative human breast cancer cells and synergizes with curcumin.

Background: Studies indicate that extracts and purified components, including carnosic acid, from the herb rosemary display significant growth inhibitory activity on a variety of cancers.

Purpose: This paper examines the ability of rosemary/carnosic acid to inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells and to synergize with curcumin.

Materials And Methods: To do this, we treated human breast cancer cells with rosemary/carnosic acid and assessed effects on cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, gene expression patterns, activity of the purified Na/K ATPase and combinations with curcumin.

Chemopreventive potential of black cohosh on breast cancer in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Background/aim: This study examines the chemopreventive potential and action of the herb black cohosh on Sprague-Dawley rats.

Materials And Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with an extract of black cohosh enriched in triterpene glycosides (27%) at 35.7 (Group I), 7.

Pharmacological mechanisms of black cohosh in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Background: Studies indicate that extracts and purified components from black cohosh inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells, but the molecular targets and signaling pathways have not yet been defined.

Purpose: This study examines the pharmacological mechanisms and toxicological effects in the short term of the herb black cohosh on female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Materials And Methods: To assess effects on gene activity and lipid content, we treated female Sprague-Dawley rats with an extract of black cohosh enriched in triterpene glycosides (27%) at 35.

Utility of coupled-HSQC experiments in the intact structural elucidation of three complex saponins from Blighia sapida.

The structures of three complex saponins from the fruit pods of Blighia sapida have been elucidated and their (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra assigned employing a variety of one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques without degradative chemistry. The saponins have either four or six monosaccharide units linked to a triterpene aglycone. High-resolution, proton-coupled-HSQC spectra were important for determining both the identities of the intact monosaccharide units and coupling constants in strongly coupled proton spin systems.

Digitoxin activates EGR1 and synergizes with paclitaxel on human breast cancer cells.

Background: Numerous studies have suggested that digitalis derivatives promise to be superior to existing adjuvant therapy for breast cancer as to effects and side-effects. In the present study, we have used gene expression analysis to determine the molecular action of digitoxin on breast cancer cells and assessed digitoxin's ability to synergize with the chemotherapy agent paclitaxel with respect to inhibition of cell proliferation

Materials And Methods: We treated (Her2 overexpressing, ER low) MDA-MB-453 human breast cancer cells with digitoxin at four doses {20 ng/ml (26 nM) to 1 μg/ml} and collected RNA at 6 h and 24 h for gene expression analysis. To examine the effects on ER positive cells, we treated MCF7 cells with digitoxin at 1 μg/ml and collected RNA for RT-PCR analysis.

Actein inhibits the Na+-K+-ATPase and enhances the growth inhibitory effect of digitoxin on human breast cancer cells.

The Na+K+-ATPase is a known target of cardiac glycosides such as digitoxin and ouabain. We determined that the enzyme also is a target of the structurally-related triterpene glycoside actein, present in the herb black cohosh. Actein's inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase activity was less potent than that of digitoxin, but actein potentiated digitoxin's inhibitory effect on Na+-K+-ATPase activity and MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cell growth.

Growth inhibitory activity of extracts and compounds from Cimicifuga species on human breast cancer cells.

The purpose of this report is to explore the growth inhibitory effect of extracts and compounds from black cohosh and related Cimicifuga species on human breast cancer cells and to determine the nature of the active components. Black cohosh fractions enriched for triterpene glycosides and purified components from black cohosh and related Asian species were tested for growth inhibition of the ER(-) Her2 overexpressing human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-453. Growth inhibitory activity was assayed using the Coulter Counter, MTT and colony formation assays.

The growth inhibitory effect of actein on human breast cancer cells is associated with activation of stress response pathways.

Previous studies indicate that the triterpene glycoside actein from the herb black cohosh inhibits growth of human breast cancer cells. This study seeks to identify genes altered in human breast cancer cells by treatment with actein, using gene expression analysis. We treated MDA-MB-453 human breast cancer cells with actein at 2 doses, 20 or 40 microg/mL, for 6 or 24 hr.

Gene expression analysis of the mechanisms whereby black cohosh inhibits human breast cancer cell growth.

Background: Previous studies indicate that specific extracts and the pure triterpene glycoside actein obtained from black cohosh inhibit growth of human breast cancer cells. Our aim is to identify alterations in gene expression induced by treatment with a methanolic extract (MeOH) of black cohosh.

Materials And Methods: We treated MDA-MB-453 human breast cancer cells with the MeOH extract at 40 microg/ml and collected RNA at 6 and 24 h; we confirmed the microarray results with real-time RT-PCR for 18 genes.

Actein and a fraction of black cohosh potentiate antiproliferative effects of chemotherapy agents on human breast cancer cells.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the triterpene glycosides present in black cohosh enhance the growth inhibitory effects of specific breast cancer chemotherapy agents. Black cohosh roots and rhizomes were extracted with methanol (MeOH)/water (H (2)O) and fractionated by solvent-solvent partitioning to yield three fractions: hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and water. The EtOAc fraction is enriched in triterpene glycosides, including the compound actein.

Polyphenolic constituents of Actaea racemosa.

A new lignan, actaealactone (1), and a new phenylpropanoid ester derivative, cimicifugic acid G (2), together with 15 known polyphenols, protocatechuic acid, protocatechualdehyde, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, methyl caffeate, ferulic acid, ferulate-1-methyl ester, isoferulic acid, 1-isoferuloyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside, fukinolic acid, and cimicifugic acids A, B, and D-F, were isolated from an extract of the rhizomes and roots of black cohosh (Actaea racemosa). The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of NMR spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed antioxidant activity in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical assay with IC(50) values of 26 and 37 microM, respectively.

Growth inhibitory activity of extracts and purified components of black cohosh on human breast cancer cells.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether black cohosh contains constituents that inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells, and therefore might eventually be useful in the prevention or treatment of breast cancer. Black cohosh rhizomes were extracted with methanol/water and fractionated by solvent-solvent partitioning to yield three fractions: hexane, ethyl acetate and water. The ethyl acetate fraction displayed the highest potency in two cell-based assays, growth inhibition and cell cycle analysis.