Enhancing Chemosensitivity of Breast Cancer Stem Cells by Downregulating SOX2 and ABCG2 Using Wedelolactone-encapsulated Nanoparticles.

A major caveat in the treatment of breast cancer is disease recurrence after therapeutic regime at both local and distal sites. Tumor relapse is attributed to the persistence of chemoresistant cancer stem cells (CSC), which need to be obliterated along with conventional chemotherapy. Wedelolactone, a naturally occurring coumestan, demonstrates anticancer effects in different cancer cells, although with several limitations, and is mostly ineffective against CSCs.

Nanopharmaceutical Approach for Enhanced Anti-cancer Activity of Betulinic Acid in Lung-cancer Treatment via Activation of PARP: Interaction with DNA as a Target: -Anti-cancer Potential of Nano-betulinic Acid in Lung Cancer.

Objectives: This study examined the relative efficacies of a derivative of betulinic acid (dBA) and its poly (lactide- co-glycolide) (PLGA) nano-encapsulated form in A549 lung cancer cells in vivo and in co-mutagen [sodium arsenite (SA) + benzo]undefined[a]pyrene (BaP)]-induced lung cancer in mice in vivo.

Methods: dBA was loaded with PLGA nanoparticles by using the standard solvent displacement method. The sizes and morphologies of nano-dBA (NdBA) were determined by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and their intracellular localization was verified by using confocal microscopy.

Strong anticancer potential of nano-triterpenoid from Phytolacca decandra against A549 adenocarcinoma via a Ca(2+)-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

We isolated a triterpenoid from an ethanolic extract of Phytolacca decandra and nanoencapsulated it with biodegradable nontoxic polymers of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) to examine if the nanoform of this hitherto unexplored betulinic-acid derivative (NdBA) could produce a stronger anticancer effect by rendering better drug bioavailability and targeted delivery than the nonencapsulated betulinic-acid derivative (dBA). The nanoparticles were characterized with the help of physicochemical and morphological studies involving dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy. A549 cancer cells were exposed to NdBA and dBA at the IC50 doses of 50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL, respectively.

Assessment of drug delivery and anticancer potentials of nanoparticles-loaded siRNA targeting STAT3 in lung cancer, in vitro and in vivo.

Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription3 (STAT3) is a hallmark of several types of cancer. Failure to inhibit STAT3 expression by injection of siRNA for STAT3 directly to Balb/c mice led us to adopt alternative means. We formulated nanoparticle-based encapsulation of siRNA (NsiRNA) with polyethylenimine (PEI) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and characterized them.

Molecular approaches toward targeted cancer prevention with some food plants and their products: inflammatory and other signal pathways.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in cancer prevention by food plants and their products. Although several plant parts have potentials for chemoprevention and other therapeutic use, their molecular mechanisms of action are not always well understood. Extensive research has identified several molecular targets that can potentially be used for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer.

Diarylheptanoid-myricanone isolated from ethanolic extract of Myrica cerifera shows anticancer effects on HeLa and PC3 cell lines: signalling pathway and drug-DNA interaction.

Objective: To test if myricanone (C21H24O5), a cyclic diarylheptanoid, has anticancer effects on two different cancer cell lines HeLa and PC3. The present study was conducted with a note on the drug-DNA interaction and apoptotic signalling pathway.

Methods: Several studies like cytotoxicity, nuclear damage, annexin-V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI)-labelled apoptotic assay and cell cycle arrest, immunoblot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used following standard protocols.

Apigenin, a bioactive flavonoid from Lycopodium clavatum, stimulates nucleotide excision repair genes to protect skin keratinocytes from ultraviolet B-induced reactive oxygen species and DNA damage.

In this study, we examined the antioxidative and the DNA protective potentials of apigenin, a flavonoid polyphenol isolated from Lycopodium clavatum, in both in-vitro (HaCaT skin keratinocytes) and in-vivo (mice) models against UV-B radiation. We used DAPI staining in UV-B-irradiated HaCaT skin keratinocytes pre-treated with and without apigenin to assess DNA damage. We also used a flow-cytometric analysis in mice exposed to UV-B radiation with or without topical application of apigenin to assess, through a comet assay, chromosomal aberrations and quanta from reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

Efficacy of PLGA-loaded apigenin nanoparticles in Benzo[a]pyrene and ultraviolet-B induced skin cancer of mice: mitochondria mediated apoptotic signalling cascades.

Skin cancer is increasing at an alarming rate and becoming resistant to conventional chemotherapy necessitating improved drug delivery system. We loaded apigenin (Ap), a dietary flavonoid having anti-cancer property, with poly (lactic-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NAp) to explore if nano-encapsulation could enhance anti-carcinogenic effect against ultra-violet B (UVB) and Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) induced skin tumor and mitochondrial dysfunction in mice. Particle size, morphology and zeta potential of NAp were determined using dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy.

Strategic formulation of apigenin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for intracellular trafficking, DNA targeting and improved therapeutic effects in skin melanoma in vitro.

The aim of the present study was the evaluation of anti-proliferative potentials of apigenin (Ap), (a dietary flavonoid) loaded in poly (lactic-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (NAp) in A375 cells in vitro. NAp was characterized for particle size, morphology, zeta potential, drug release and encapsulation. Cellular entry and intracellular localization of NAp were assessed by transmission electron and confocal microscopies.

Poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nano-encapsulation of chelidonine, an active bioingredient of greater celandine (Chelidonium majus), enhances its ameliorative potential against cadmium induced oxidative stress and hepatic injury in mice.

This study evaluates the possible protective potentials of chelidonine and its poly lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) encapsulated nano-form against cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in mice, ex vivo and in vivo. Acute exposure to CdCl₂ (1.0 mg/kg b.

Anticancer potential of myricanone, a major bioactive component of Myrica cerifera: novel signaling cascade for accomplishing apoptosis.

Extract of Myrica cerifera bark has long been fruitfully used as a hepato-protective and anti-cancer drug in various complementary and alternative systems of medicine. Myricanone, its principal bioactive compound, had also been reported to have apoptosis-promoting ability. We evaluated its anti-cancer potential in vitro in HepG2 liver cancer cells and tried to understand the signal cascades involved in accomplishing apoptosis.

The potentized homeopathic drug, Lycopodium clavatum (5C and 15C) has anti-cancer effect on hela cells in vitro.

Cancer is a disease that needs a multi-faceted approach from different systems of medicine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether homeopathically-potentized ultra-high dilutions of Lycopodium Clavatum (LC-5C and LC-15C, respectively) have any anti-cancer effects on HeLa cells. Cells were exposed to either LC-5C (diluted below Avogadro's limit, i.

Cytotoxicity and apoptotic signalling cascade induced by chelidonine-loaded PLGA nanoparticles in HepG2 cells in vitro and bioavailability of nano-chelidonine in mice in vivo.

Poor oral bioavailability of chelidonine, a bio-active ingredient of Chelidonium majus, showing anti-cancer potentials against cancer cells with multidrug resistance, makes its optimal use rather limited. To address this problem, we encapsulated chelidonine in biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) polymers and evaluated nano-chelidonine's (NCs) anti-cancer efficacy vis-à-vis free chelidonine (FC) against HepG2 cells and also evaluated its bioavailability in mice. Physicochemical characteristics indicated that stable spherical NC were formed in nanometer size range (123±1.

Relative efficacies of insulin and poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid encapsulated nano-insulin in modulating certain significant biomarkers in arsenic intoxicated L6 cells.

The present study evaluates relative efficacies of insulin and PLGA-loaded-nano-insulin (NIn) in combating arsenic-induced impairment of glucose uptake, insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction in L6 skeletal muscle cells. L6 cells were treated with 0.5 mM sodium arsenite for 30 min and then the cells were further treated with either 100 nM insulin (standardized dose) or either of the two doses, 50 nM and 100 nM of nano-insulin.

Apigenin-induced apoptosis in A375 and A549 cells through selective action and dysfunction of mitochondria.

We isolated apigenin (5,7,4'-trihydroxy flavone) from ethanolic extract of Lycopodium clavatum (LC) used as a homeopathic mother tincture for treatment of various diseases. We assessed the anticancer potentials of the compound using human malignant melanoma cell line A375 and a lung carcinoma cell line A549 and focussed on its putative molecular mechanism of action on apoptosis induction. We examined the cytotoxicity of apigenin in both cancer cells and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid loaded nano-insulin has greater potentials of combating arsenic induced hyperglycemia in mice: some novel findings.

Diabetes is a menacing problem, particularly to inhabitants of groundwater arsenic contaminated areas needing new medical approaches. This study examines if PLGA loaded nano-insulin (NIn), administered either intraperitoneally (i.p.

Ameliorative effects of Syzygium jambolanum extract and its poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid nano-encapsulated form on arsenic-induced hyperglycemic stress: a multi-parametric evaluation.

In South East Asia, groundwater arsenic contamination has become a great menace. Chronic arsenic intoxication leads to a hyperglycemic condition in animals and man. Because of undesirable side-effects and affordability, orthodox medicine, like insulin, is not preferred by many who like natural products instead.

Dihydroxy-isosteviol methyl ester of Pulsatilla nigricans extract reduces arsenic-induced DNA damage in testis cells of male mice: its toxicity, drug-DNA interaction and signaling cascades.

Objective: To evaluate the ameliorative efficacy of dihydroxy-isosteviol methyl ester (DIME) of Pulsatilla nigricans extract in arsenic-induced DNA damage in testis cells of mice.

Methods: The mice were treated with sodium arsenite (SA) solution intragastrically at a dose of 20 mg/kg per day and examined at 30, 60, and 90 d after treatment. We divided SA-intoxicated mice into two sub-groups: one fed with DIME at a dose of 35 mg/kg and the other with 85% alcohol.

Ameliorative potentials of Syzygium jambolanum extract against arsenic-induced stress in L6 cells in vitro.

Objective: To determine the ameliorative potentials of Syzygium jambolanum (SJ) extract in L6 skeletal muscle cells in regard to arsenic-induced impairment of optimum glucose homeostasis and improper functioning of mitochondria.

Methods: Several study parameters like glucose level and mitochondrial functioning through indexes of pyruvate kinase, glucokinase and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed. The expression of the relevant marker proteins and mRNAs like glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), IRS2 and glucokinase for tracking down the signalling cascade were critically analyzed.

Dihydroxy-isosteviol-methyl-ester, an active biological component of Pulsatilla nigricans, reduces arsenic induced cellular dysfunction in testis of male mice.

Arsenic contamination has become a menacing health concern, warranting search for new drugs capable of ameliorating its toxicity. Extract of Pulsatilla nigricans is occasionally used as traditional medicine including homeopathy to combat/alleviate toxicity-related symptoms of known or unknown cause. Mice were intoxicated with a sub-lethal dose of sodium arsenite (20mg/kg b.

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles by ethanolic extracts of Phytolacca decandra, Gelsemium sempervirens, Hydrastis canadensis and Thuja occidentalis induce differential cytotoxicity through G2/M arrest in A375 cells.

The capability of crude ethanolic extracts of certain medicinal plants like Phytolacca decandra, Gelsemium sempervirens, Hydrastis canadensis and Thuja occidentalis used as homeopathic mother tinctures in precipitating silver nanoparticles from aqueous solution of silver nitrate has been explored. Nanoparticles thus precipitated were characterized by spectroscopic, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, atomic force and transmission electron microscopic analyses. The drug-DNA interactions of silver nanoparticles were analyzed from data of circular dichroism spectroscopy and melting temperature profiles using calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) as target.

Poly (lactide-co-glycolide) encapsulated extract of Phytolacca decandra demonstrates better intervention against induced lung adenocarcinoma in mice and on A549 cells.

We tested relative efficacy of the extract of Phytolacca decandra (PD) and its PLGA nano-encapsulated form (NPD) in mice intoxicated with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) (25 mg/kg b.w.) plus sodium-arsenite (SA) (10 mg/kg b.

Dihydroxy-isosteviol methyl ester from Pulsatilla nigricans induces apoptosis in HeLa cells: its cytoxicity and interaction with calf thymus DNA.

Dihydroxy-isosteviol methyl ester (DIME), the principal biological compound isolated from the medicinal plant Pulsatilla nigricans (Fam: Ranunculaceae) having the molecular formula of C21 H34 O3 (molecular weight 334.25), was administered to cervical cancer cells (HeLa) in vitro to evaluate its possible apoptotic (anti-cancer) potentials. We analyzed the expression of p53, Bax, Bcl2, Apaf and caspase 3 signal proteins and analyzed the early apoptotic events in HeLa cells induced by DIME using protocols like Annexin V-FITC and PI staining.

Rapid green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate by a homeopathic mother tincture Phytolacca Decandra.

Objective: To examine if a homeopathic mother tincture (Phytolacca Decandra) is capable of precipitating silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate (AgNO(3)) and to characterize the biosynthesized nanoparticles for evaluating their biological activities.

Methods: A total of 100 mg of AgNO(3) was added to 20mL of Milli-Q water and stirred vigorously. Then 5mL of the homeopathic mother tincture of Phytolacca Decandra (ethanolic root extract of Phytolacca decandra) was added and stirred continuously.