Mechanistic insights into 's anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in A549 lung cancer cells: targeting PI3K/Akt pathway and ROS production.

Lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms behind the anti-cancer effects of the tropical desert plant on the A549 NSCLC cell line. The research examined anti-proliferative effects, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell morphology in NSCLC A549 and L-132 cells.

Outbreak of Efficiently Transferred Carbapenem-Resistant -Producing Gram-Negative Bacilli Isolated from Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of an Indian Hospital.

The emergence of particularly in Gram-negative bacteria is a burden on the health care system in developing countries. Hence, this study was initiated to screen New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-producing Gram-negative bacterial strains from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of an Indian Hospital. A total of 18 -producing isolates were detected in the present study.

Evaluation of an Improved Chitosan Scaffold Cross-Linked With Polyvinyl Alcohol and Amine Coupling Through 1-Ethyl-3-(3-Dimethyl Aminopropyl)-Carbodiimide (EDC) and 2 N-Hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) for Corneal Applications.

Background: Corneal blindness resulting from various medical conditions affects millions worldwide. The rapid developing tissue engineering field offers design of a scaffold with mechanical properties and transparency similar to that of the natural cornea.

Aim: The present study aimed at to prepare and investigate the properties of PVA/chitosan blended scaffold by further cross-linking with 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) and 2 N-Hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) as potential in vitro carrier for human limbal stem cells delivery.

Dendritic cells pulsed with generated tumor cell lysate from Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn. induces anti-tumor immune response.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are unique antigen presenting cells (APC) which play a pivotal role in immunotherapy and induction of an effective immune response against tumors. In the present study, 80% ethanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus was used to generate tumor lysate (TLY) derived from HCT 116 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines via induction of apoptosis. Monocyte-derived DCs were generated ex vivo from the adherent population of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Betulinic acid‑induced expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate‑diaphorase in the immune organs of mice: A possible role of nitric oxide in immunomodulation.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of betulinic acid (BetA) on the expression and distribution pattern of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH‑d), an indirect indicator of nitric oxide (NO) synthase in the thymus and spleen of mice. Mice were randomly assigned to four main groups (n=48 per group): Experimental group (BetA), positive control group (goniothalamin), vehicle control group (dimethyl sulfoxide) and control group (without vehicle). Each group was further divided into three equal subgroups according to the treatment length (4, 8 and 12 days).

Chromolaena odorata: A neglected weed with a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities (Review).

The study of wound‑healing plants has acquired an interdisciplinary nature with a systematic investigational approach. Several biochemicals are involved in the healing process of the body, including antioxidants and cytokines. Although several pharmaceutical preparations and formulations are available for wound care and management, it remains necessary to search for efficacious treatments, as certain current formulations cause adverse effects or lack efficacy.

A Comprehensive Review on the Chemotherapeutic Potential of Piceatannol for Cancer Treatment, with Mechanistic Insights.

Cancer is a diverse class of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth that constitutes the greatest cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite steady progress, the treatment modalities of cancer are still insufficient. Several new concepts have emerged for therapeutic intervention in malignant diseases with the goal of identifying specific targets and overcoming resistance against current cytotoxic therapies.

Effects of Plants and Isolates of Celastraceae Family on Cancer Pathways.

The evaluation of crude drugs of natural origin as sources of new effective anticancer agents continues to be important due to the lack of effective anticancer drugs currently used in practice which are generally accompanied with adverse effects at different levels of severity. The aim of this concise review is to gather existing literature on anticancer potential of extracts and compounds isolated from Celastraceae species. This review covers six genera (Maytenus, Tripterygium, Hippocratea, Gymnosporia, Celastrus and Austroplenckia) belonging to this family and their 33 isolates.

Emerging anticancer potentials of goniothalamin and its molecular mechanisms.

The treatment of most cancers is still inadequate, despite tremendous steady progress in drug discovery and effective prevention. Nature is an attractive source of new therapeutics. Several medicinal plants and their biomarkers have been widely used for the treatment of cancer with less known scientific basis of their functioning.

Molecular profiling of angiogenesis in hypericin mediated photodynamic therapy.

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the administration of a tumor-localizing photosensitizing drug, which is activated by light of specific wavelength in the presence of molecular oxygen thus generating reactive oxygen species that is toxic to the tumor cells. PDT selectively destroys photosensitized tissue leading to various cellular and molecular responses. The present study was designed to examine the angiogenic responses at short (0.

Apoptosis induced by photosensitizers (Perylquinone derivatives) in human carcinoma cells: a possible relevance to photodynamic therapy.

Novel photosensitizers Hypocrellin A (HA) and Hypocrellin B (HB), lipid soluble perylquinone derivatives of the genus Hypericum have a strong photodynamic effect on tumors and viruses. However, the mechanisms of tumor cell death induced by HA and HB are still unclear. In this study, we attempt to elucidate the photodynamic effects of HA and HB compounds in poorly differentiated (CNE2) and moderately differentiated (TW0-1) human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells as well as human mucosal colon (CCL-220.

Mechanisms of action of phenanthroperylenequinones in photodynamic therapy (review).

Despite the age-old belief that most anti-cancer agents kill tumor cells by necrosis, recent findings have demonstrated that photosensitizers could also kill tumor cells by triggering genetically programmed series of events termed apoptosis. Cell death by apoptosis is a very neat way to eliminate unwanted cells: no traces are left and the cell contents are never released or accessible to the immune system. Hence there is no inflammation.

Nitric oxide mediated photo-induced cell death in human malignant cells.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality used for the treatment of a variety of solid neoplasms. The principle of PDT is based on the selective uptake of a photosensitizing chemical in tumor tissue/cell followed by irradiation of tumors with visible light. The treatment results in a cascade of oxidative events causing cell death both in vitro and in vivo.

Efficacy of hypocrellin pharmacokinetics in phototherapy.

Hypocrellins A and B are pigments which are isolated from the parasitic fungi Hypocrella bambuase sacc and Shiraia bambusicola P. Heen found in the People's Republic of China and other parts of Asia including Sri Lanka. These agents, which belong to the general class of perylene quinonoid pigments, have a long history of traditional medicinal agents especially in Asia.

Bio-distribution and subcellular localization of Hypericin and its role in PDT induced apoptosis in cancer cells.

The development of new-generation photosensitizers to improve photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) is an area of extensive research. One such compound that has been studied in our group is Hypericin (HY). To study the mechanism of action we have investigated uptake, intracellular localization, cell phototoxicity and morphological changes especially to ultrastructures following photodynamic treatment in poorly (CNE2) and moderately (TW0-1) differentiated human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells and also other tumor cells such as colon (CCL-220.

Hypericin induced death receptor-mediated apoptosis in photoactivated tumor cells.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant disease of the head/neck region with a 5-year survival level of approximately 65%. To explore the novel therapeutic strategies in the management of this disease, the potential effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in NPC cells were investigated. PDT, a new mode of treatment, is based on the combined use of light-absorbing compounds and light irradiation.

Hypocrellins and Hypericin induced apoptosis in human tumor cells: a possible role of hydrogen peroxide.

We examined whether generation of H2O2 is a critical event for the apoptotic pathway upstream of mitochondrial involvement and caspase-3 protease activation. Perylquinone photosensitizers such as Hypocrellin A (HA), Hypocrellin B (HB) and Hypericin (HY) induced activation of caspase-3 and apoptosis upon photoactivation. Generation of H2O2 was commonly detected after photoactivation within an hour, and scavenging of H2O2 caused cells to fail to undergo apoptosis.

Photodynamic therapy induced Fas-mediated apoptosis in human carcinoma cells.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinical approach that utilizes light-activated drugs for the treatment of a variety of pathologic conditions. Human poorly (CNE2) and moderately differentiated (TW0-1) human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells undergo rapid apoptosis when treated with PDT sensitized with Hypocrellin A (HA) and Hypocrellin B (HB). It has been shown that these compounds have a strong photodynamic effect on tumors and viruses.