In silico identification and in vitro validation of alpha-hederin as a potent inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in breast cancer stem cells.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a vital role in metastasis, recurrence and chemoresistance in breast cancer. β-catenin, which is a frequently over activated protein in CSCs, binds to T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (Tcf/Lef) family transcription factors leading to ectopic expression of Wnt pathway responsive genes necessary for the maintenance and action of CSCs. With the aim of identifying a small molecules that can effectively eliminate CSCs, molecular docking studies were performed against the Tcf/Lef binding hotspot on β-catenin using a library of 100 natural or synthetic small molecules.

Autoantibodies in laryngeal cancer: detection and role as a biomarker.

Objective: Diagnostic role of autoantibodies (AAb) as serological biomarkers has not been specifically investigated in laryngeal cancer (LC) previously. The study investigates the presence of anti-LC AAbs and their potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis of LC, to improve patient outcome.

Method: Anti-LC AAb levels were investigated in LC patients (n = 30) and healthy individuals (n = 30) by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Factors affecting iron absorption and the role of fortification in enhancing iron levels.

Iron is an important micronutrient required for a number of biological processes including oxygen transport, cellular respiration, the synthesis of nucleic acids and the activity of key enzymes. The World Health Organization has recognised iron deficiency as the most common nutritional deficiency globally and as a major determinant of anaemia. Iron deficiency anaemia affects 40% of all children between the ages of 6 and 59 months, 37% of mothers who are pregnant and 30% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 years worldwide.

Anti-diabetic and anti-cancer related health food properties of selected Sri Lankan traditional rice based porridges.

Four Sri Lankan porridges including madathawalu (MWP), kaluheenati (KHP), mixed rice of sudu heenati, goda heenati, masuran, and dikwee (MXP) and special traditional porridge (STP) were screened for in vitro glycemic indices (GI), α-amylase inhibition and anti-glycation activities. All four porridges had the medium GI values, those were in the range of 40.5 ± 4 to 63.

Biological Evaluation of Platinum(II) Sulfonamido Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization, Cytotoxicity, and Biological Imaging.

Platinum-based compounds are actively used in clinical trials as anticancer agents. In this study, two novel platinum complexes, (1 = [PtCl((SOquin)dpa)], 2 = [PtCl((SOazobenz)dpa)]) containing quinoline and azobenzene appended dipicolylamine sulfonamide ligands were synthesized in good yield. The singlet attributable to methylene CH protons of the ligands of C1 and C2 appears as two doublets in H NMR spectra, which confirms the presence of magnetically nonequivalent protons upon coordination to platinum.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of dipicolylamine sulfonamide derivatized platinum complexes as potential anticancer agents.

Three new Pt complexes, [PtCl(N(SO(2-nap))dpa)], [PtCl(N(SO(1-nap))dpa)] and [PtCl(N(SOpip)dpa)], containing a rare 8-membered ring were synthesized in good yield and high purity by utilizing the ligands N(SO(2-nap))dpa, N(SO(1-nap))dpa and N(SOpip)dpa, which contain a dipicolylamine moiety. Structural studies of all three complexes confirmed that the ligands are bound in a bidentate mode Pt-N bonds forming a rare 8-membered ring. The intense fluorescence displayed by the ligands is quenched upon coordination to Pt.

Cytotoxicity against Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2) Cells and Anti-Oxidant Activity of Selected Endemic or Medicinal Plants in Sri Lanka.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most fatal cancer globally with limited treatment options. Plants and herbs have been used to treat cancer and other diseases for a long time by traditional practitioners in Sri Lanka. In the present study, leaf and bark extracts of selected plants were investigated for cytotoxic properties on HepG2 cells.

A new liposomal nanocarrier for co-delivery of gedunin and p-glycoprotein siRNA to target breast cancer stem cells.

Gedunin is a secondary metabolite found in neem tree. Since the first discovery of this compound, its bio-active properties have been continuously evaluated. However, the low hydrophobicity of gedunin decreases its bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profile.

Identification of 3--α-l-arabinosyl oleanolic acid, a triterpenoid saponin, as a new breast cancer stem cell growth inhibitor.

This study was conducted to determine the anti-cancer activity of 3--α-L-arabinosyl oleanolic acid (3-O-L-AO), a triterpenoid saponin, isolated from the leaves of Vahl in breast cancer stem cells (bCSCs) grown in hypoxia. Anti-proliferative effects of 3-O-L-AO in bCSCs were determined using WST-1 assay. Real-time PCR was employed to evaluate the effects of 3-O-L-AO on apoptosis.

Hexane Extract of Fruits Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Stem Cells Isolated from Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line MDA-MB-231.

Development of therapy resistance is a major clinical issue in breast cancer treatments. Breast cancer stem cells (bCSCs) have a clearly defined role in the development of breast cancer therapy resistance and tumor recurrence. Therefore, discovery of new treatment strategies to circumvent cancer therapy resistance and tumor recurrence by targeting bCSCs is desperately needed.

An efficient and high-yielding method for extraction and purification of linamarin from Cassava; biological evaluation.

During the last three decades, studies of linamarin extracted from cassava have received increased attention due to the presence of high cyanogenic compounds in these extracts. The methods that are utilized to isolate linamarin are either tedious or use acidic conditions resulting in poor yields. In this study, a novel cryocooled method of extraction has been developed to isolate linamarin from Cassava root peel.

Evaluation of anticancer effects of a pharmaceutically viable extract of a traditional polyherbal mixture against non-small-cell lung cancer cells.

Objective: The present work tested organic solvents to prepare an extract with anticancer properties from a polyherbal mixture containing Nigella sativa (seeds), Hemidesmus indicus (roots) and Smilax glabra (rhizomes). We evaluate anticancer effects in non-small-cell lung cancer cells (NCI-H292), and discuss optimization for pharmaceutical use in the context of efficacy, yield and toxicity.

Methods: Using different organic solvents, six extracts were prepared from the polyherbal mixture.

The Genome of Setaria digitata: A Cattle Nematode Closely Related to Human Filarial Parasites.

Here we present the draft genome sequence of Setaria digitata, a parasitic nematode affecting cattle. Due to its similarity to Wuchereria bancrofti, the parasitic nematode that causes lymphatic filariasis in humans, S. digitata has been used as a model organism at the genomic level to find drug targets which can be used for the development of novel drugs and/or vaccines for human filariasis.

Vernolactone Promotes Apoptosis and Autophagy in Human Teratocarcinomal (NTERA-2) Cancer Stem-Like Cells.

, is a shrub endemic to Sri Lanka. has been used in Sri Lankan traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases and conditions. The present study was designed to determine antiproliferative, apoptotic, autophagic, and antioxidant effects of vernolactone, isolated from , in human embryonal carcinoma cells (NTERA-2, a cancer stem cell model).

Role of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in ovarian cancer: Biological and therapeutic significance.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a lethal gynecological cancer. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway plays an important role in the regulation of cell survival, growth, and proliferation. Irregularities in the major components of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway are common in human cancers.

Emerging role of histone deacetylase inhibitors as anti-breast-cancer agents.

Breast cancer (BC) remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. A balance in the opposing actions of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) is necessary for epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Impairment in the balance between the actions of HATs and HDACs has been reported in the development of BC.

Isolation of a New Sesquiterpene Lactone From Vernonia Zeylanica (L) Less and its Anti-Proliferative Effects in Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

Background/objective: Vernonia zeylanica (L) less is an endemic plant to Sri Lanka. The present study was designed to isolate potential cytotoxic compound/s from chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of V. zeylanica by bio-activity guided isolation and to evaluate its anti-proliferative effects in three breast cancer phenotypes (MCF -7, MDA-MB-231, SKBR-3).

Effect of natural curcuminoids-intercalated layered double hydroxide nanohybrid against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis: A bactericidal, antibiofilm, and mechanistic study.

The study aimed to determine the antibacterial/antibiofilm effect and mechanism of interaction of curcuminoids-intercalated Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (curcuminoids-LDH) against three different bacteria. Antimicrobial effect of curcuminoids-LDH nanohybrid was investigated against P. aeruginosa, S.

Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Govaniadine Isolated from Wall. Roots on Human Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells.

Current breast cancer therapies have limitations in terms of increased drug resistance resulting in short-term efficacy, thus demanding the discovery of new therapeutic agents. In this study, cytotoxic activity and apoptotic effects of govaniadine isolated from Wall. roots were determined on human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells.

In vitro assays and techniques utilized in anticancer drug discovery.

Development of a cancer is a multistep process and six major hallmarks of cancer that are known to control malignant transformation have been described. Anticancer drug development is a tedious process, requiring a number of in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. In vitro assays provide an initial platform for cancer drug discovery approaches.

A Review on Ethnopharmacological Applications, Pharmacological Activities, and Bioactive Compounds of (Mango).

(family Anacardiaceae), commonly known as mango, is a pharmacologically, ethnomedically, and phytochemically diverse plant. Various parts of tree have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of different ailments, and a number of bioactive phytochemical constituents of have been reported, namely, polyphenols, terpenes, sterols, carotenoids, vitamins, and amino acids, and so forth. Several studies have proven the pharmacological potential of different parts of mango trees such as leaves, bark, fruit peel and flesh, roots, and flowers as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antiplasmodial, and antihyperlipemic.

A Study on Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Potential of a Triterpenoid Saponin (3-O--L-Arabinosyl Oleanolic Acid) Isolated from Vahl in Human Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NCI-H292) Cells.

Lung cancer is the major cause of cancer death among men. A number of natural compounds have proven to be useful in the treatmet of lung cancer. This study was aimed to determine cytotoxic and apoptotoic effects of a natural compound 3-O--L-arabinosyl oleanolic acid (3-O-L-AO) isolated from in non-small-cell lung cancer (NCI-H292) cells.

Protective Effects of Six Selected Dietary Compounds against Leptin-Induced Proliferation of Oestrogen Receptor Positive (MCF-7) Breast Cancer Cells.

Background: Obesity is considered as one of the risk factors for breast cancer. Leptin has been found to be involved in breast cancer progression. Therefore, novel approaches to antagonize biological effects of leptin are much needed.

In Vitro Anticancer Effect of Gedunin on Human Teratocarcinomal (NTERA-2) Cancer Stem-Like Cells.

Gedunin is one of the major compounds found in the neem tree . In the present study, antiproliferative potential of gedunin was evaluated in human embryonal carcinoma cells (NTERA-2, a cancer stem cell model) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), using Sulforhodamine (SRB) and WST-1 assays, respectively. The effects of gedunin on expression of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), its cochaperone Cdc37, and HSP client proteins (AKT, ErbB2, and HSF1) were evaluated by real-time PCR.

Anti-hepatocarcinogenic and Anti-oxidant Effects of Mangrove Plant .

Context: is a shrub mangrove plant of the family Rubiaceae and not yet been studied for anti-hepatocarcinogenic effects.

Objectives: We investigated possible anti-hepatocarcinogenic and antioxidant properties of .

Materials And Methods: Dried leaves of were sequentially extracted into hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol and tested for cytotoxicity on HepG2 cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and sulforhodamine B assays, and for antioxidant activities by the free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays.