Marine natural products as a source of novel anticancer drugs: an updated review (2019-2023).

Marine natural products have long been recognized as a vast and diverse source of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications, particularly in oncology. This review provides an updated overview of the significant advances made in the discovery and development of marine-derived anticancer drugs between 2019 and 2023. With a focus on recent research findings, the review explores the rich biodiversity of marine organisms, including sponges, corals, algae, and microorganisms, which have yielded numerous compounds exhibiting promising anticancer properties.

Antidiabetic Effects of Quercetin and Silk Sericin in Attenuating Dysregulation of Hepatic Gluconeogenesis in Diabetic Rats Through Potential Modulation of PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 Signaling: In Vivo and In Silico Studies.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an intricate disease correlated with many metabolic deregulations, including disordered glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular apoptosis due to hepatic gluconeogenesis aberrations. However, there is no radical therapy to inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis disturbances yet. We thus sought to probe the effectiveness and uncover the potential mechanism of quercetin (QCT) and silk sericin (SS) in mitigating hyperglycemia-induced hepatic gluconeogenesis disorder, which remains obscure.

In-silico screening and analysis of missense SNPs in human CYP3A4/5 affecting drug-enzyme interactions of FDA-approved COVID-19 antiviral drugs.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) represent the prevailing form of genetic variations observed in the human population. Such variations could alter the encoded enzymes' activities. CYP3A4/5 enzymes are involved in metabolizing drugs, notably antivirals against SARS-CoV-2.

Phloretin-nanospanlastics for targeting the Akt/PI3K signaling pathways in dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer in mice.

Objectives: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, accounting for approximately 10 % of all cancer cases. It is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Phloretin is a natural compound found in apples and other fruits.

Biosynthesized ZnO NPs loaded-electrospun PVA/sodium alginate/glycine nanofibers: synthesis, spinning optimization and antimicrobial activity evaluation.

In this work, microalgae-based zinc oxide nanoparticles loaded with electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/sodium alginate (SA) nanofibers were fabricated by electro-spinner. PVA/SA fibrous mats were crosslinked by citric acid, which enhanced their thermal stability and swelling behavior. Green-synthesized ZnO NPs were laboratory synthesized and characterized by FTIR, XRD, EDX, SEM, TEM and TGA analyses.

Effective Targeting of Glutamine Synthetase with Amino Acid Analogs as a Novel Therapeutic Approach in Breast Cancer.

Cancer cells undergo metabolic rewiring to support rapid proliferation and survival in challenging environments. Glutamine is a preferred resource for cancer metabolism, as it provides both carbon and nitrogen for cellular biogenesis. Recent studies suggest the potential anticancer activity of amino acid analogs.

Correction: Alamri et al. Enhancement of the Protective Activity of Vanillic Acid against Tetrachloro-Carbon (CCl) Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats by the Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs). 2022, , 8308.

In the original publication [...

Response surface methodology and repeated-batch fermentation strategies for enhancing lipid production from marine oleaginous Candida parapsilosis Y19 using orange peel waste.

Oleaginous yeasts are considered promising sources for lipid production due to their ability to accumulate high levels of lipids under appropriate growth conditions. The current study aimed to isolate and identify oleaginous yeasts having superior ability to accumulate high quantities of lipids; and enhancing lipid production using response surface methodology and repeated-batch fermentation. Results revealed that, twenty marine oleaginous yeasts were isolated, and the most potent lipid producer isolate was Candida parapsilosis Y19 according to qualitative screening test using Nile-red dye.

Azotobacter biodiversity in Egypt using microbiological, biochemical, and molecular-biology multidisciplinary approach.

The presence of Azotobacter bacteria in the soil plays an important role in increasing its fertility and enhancing plant health. Azotobacter diversity depends on several environmental factors, particularly soil texture, pH, and nutrient content. The current study investigated the diversity of Azotobacter in various soil samples collected from 10 different governorates along the river Nile valley and its delta, Northern Mediterranean shore, Sinai, and Upper Egypt regions.

Machine learning-guided differential gene expression analysis identifies a highly-connected seven-gene cluster in triple-negative breast cancer.

Background: One of the most challenging cancers is triple-negative breast cancer, which is subdivided into many molecular subtypes. Due to the high degree of heterogeneity, the role of precision medicine remains challenging. With the use of machine learning (ML)-guided gene selection, the differential gene expression analysis can be optimized, and eventually, the process of precision medicine can see great advancement through biomarker discovery.

Quality by Design Approach for the Formulation and Evaluation of Stem Cells Derived Rosmarinic Acid-Loaded Nanofibers as an Anti-Wrinkle Patch: In Vitro and In Vivo Characterizations.

Skin wrinkles result from a myriad of multifaceted processes involving intrinsic and extrinsic aging. To combat this effect, plant stem cells offer a renewable and eco-friendly source for various industries, including cosmeceuticals. (SM), which contains the bioactive compound Rosmarinic acid (RA) and has been proposed for its anti-wrinkle effect.

Assessment of the Biocontrol Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Against Infected L. Germination.

This study investigated the biosynthesis, statistical optimization, characterization, and biocontrol activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) produced by newly isolated sp. The strain TA-3N was identified based on the ITS gene sequence, together with its phenotypic characteristics (GenBank accession number: OM321439). The color change from light yellow to brown after the incubation period indicates AgNPs biosynthesis.

Chemopreventive effect of Pistacia vera leaf extract against mammary carcinoma induced by dimethyl-benz(a)anthracene in vivo and in vitro: Potential role of antioxidant, antiinflammatory and immune mechanisms.

This study aimed to define the antitumor effect of ethanolic extract of Pistacia vera leaves (PEE) toward breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo using dimethyl-benz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast tumor in adult female rats. PEE showed a potent antioxidant effect toward both DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radicals with IC values of 72.6 and 107.

One-step green synthesis of collagen nanoparticles using Ulva fasciata, network pharmacology and functional enrichment analysis in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Collagen nanoparticles (collagen-NPs) possess numerous applications owing to their minimal immunogenicity, non-toxic nature, excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility. This study presents a novel sustainable technique for one-step green synthesis of hydrolyzed fish collagen-NPs (HFC-NPs) using a hot-water extract of Ulva fasciata biomass. HFC-NPs were characterized using TEM, FTIR, XRD, ζ-potential analyses, etc.

Visible-light-induced CO-releasing properties and cytotoxicity of a Ru(II) carbonyl complex containing 2-(pyridin-2-yl)-quinoxaline.

The photo-induced CO-releasing properties of the dark-stable complex [RuCl(CO)L] (L = 2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinoxaline) were investigated under 468 nm light exposure in the presence and absence of biomolecules such as histidine, calf thymus DNA and hen egg white lysozyme. The CO release kinetics were consistent regardless of the presence of these biomolecules, suggesting that they did not influence the CO release mechanism. The quinoxaline ligand demonstrated exceptional cytotoxicity against human acute monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1), with evidence of potential DNA damage ascertained by comet assay, while it remained non-toxic to normal kidney epithelial cells derived from African green monkey (Vero) cell lines.

The anticancer activity of fucoidan coated selenium nanoparticles and curcumin nanoparticles against colorectal cancer lines.

Cancers still globally endanger millions of people yearly; the incidences/mortalities of colorectal cancers are particularly increasing. The natural nanoparticles (NPs) and marine biopolymers were anticipated to provide effectual safe significances for managing cancers. The transformation of curcumin to nano-curcumin (NCur) was conducted with gum Arabic.

Optimized smFISH Pipeline for Studying Nascent Transcription in Mouse Embryonic Tissue Samples.

Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of gene expression is crucial for unraveling molecular mechanisms underlying various biological processes. While traditional methods have offered insights into gene expression patterns, they primarily focus on mature mRNA transcripts, lacking real-time visualization of newly synthesized or nascent transcription events. Recent advancements in monitoring nascent transcription in live cells provide valuable insights into transcriptional dynamics.

Green Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles, Statistical Process Optimization, Characterization, and Molecular Docking Analysis of Their Antimicrobial Activities onto Cotton Fabrics.

Nanotechnological methods for creating multifunctional fabrics are attracting global interest. The incorporation of nanoparticles in the field of textiles enables the creation of multifunctional textiles exhibiting UV irradiation protection, antimicrobial properties, self-cleaning properties and photocatalytic. Nanomaterials-loaded textiles have many innovative applications in pharmaceuticals, sports, military the textile industry etc.

leaf extract improves the efficacy of doxorubicin in the breast cancer therapy by suppressing the expression of MDR-1, Raf-1, and Top-II.

The aim of this work was to explore the bioactive properties of leaves (Baker f.) Cufod. Methanol and ethanol extracts showed the highest antioxidant activity with the lowest IC values.

Unveiling the mechanism of sericin and hydroxychloroquine in suppressing lung oxidative impairment and early carcinogenesis in diethylnitrosamine-induced mice by modulating PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

This study sheds light on the ameliorative influence of combined sericin and hydroxychloroquine (HQ) on mitigating diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced lung oxidative impairment and inflammation, thereby precluding early carcinogenic episodes in mice. Besides, the pivotal role of sericin and HQ in controlling the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathway was probed. Therefore, male Swiss albino mice were assigned to different groups and treated with different drugs.

Impact of steroid therapy on pediatric acute liver failure: prognostic implication and interplay between TNF-α and miR-122.

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare illness marked by rapid deterioration of liver function, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in children. While steroids have been observed to correlate with improved survival, evidence supporting their efficacy in ALF children remains limited. miR-122, a liver-specific microRNA, plays a pivotal role in liver pathology, with its expression significantly altered in various liver diseases.

Correction: Reinvestigation of Passerini and Ugi scaffolds as multistep apoptotic inducers dual modulation of caspase 3/7 and P53-MDM2 signaling for halting breast cancer.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D3RA04029A.].