Bacterial cancer therapy: A turning point for new paradigms.

Cancer treatments have advanced considerably in recent years, appreciably enhancing the quality of life and survival of cancer patients. However, standard cancer treatments still have limitations that must be improved. In recent years, bacteria-based cancer therapy has gained much more attention owing to its unique properties that are unachievable with standard therapeutics. Bacteria species such as Salmonella, Clostridium, and Listeria have been shown to control tumor growth with improved prognosis in experimental animal models and clinical settings.

In silico identification of potential inhibitors against main protease of SARS-CoV-2 6LU7 from Andrographis panniculata via molecular docking, binding energy calculations and molecular dynamics simulation studies.

BACKGROUND: The ongoing global outbreak of new corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) has been recognized as global public health concern since it causes high morbidity and mortality every day. Due to the rapid spreading and re-emerging, we need to find a potent drug against SARS-CoV-2. Synthetic drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine, remdisivir have paid more attention and the effects of these drugs are still under investigation, due to their severe side effects. Therefore, the aim of the present study was performed to identify the potential inhibitor against main protease SARS-CoV-2 6LU7. OBJECTIVE: In this study, RO5, ADME properties, molecular dynamic simulations and free binding energy prediction were mainly investigated. RESULTS: The molecular docking study findings revealed that andrographolide had higher binding affinity among the selected natural diterpenoids compared to co-crystal native ligand inhibitor N3. The persistent inhibition of Ki for diterpenoids was analogous. Furthermore, the simulations of molecular dynamics and free binding energy findings have shown that andrographolide possesses a large amount of dynamic properties such as stability, flexibility and binding energy. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, findings of the current study suggest that selected diterpenoids were predicted to be the significant phytonutrient-based inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2 6LU7 (Mpro). However, preclinical and clinical trials are needed for the further scientific validation before use.

Anticancer activity of Cyathula prostrata (Linn) Blume against Dalton's lymphomae in mice model.

Cyathula prostrata (Linn) Blume herbs are commonly used for the treatment of inflammatory and pain in Nigeria. The objective of the present study was to assess the antitumor and antioxidant activity of Cyathula prostrata (Linn) Blume in mice model. The treatment of Dalton's lymphoma ascites cells induced tumor by the methanolic extract of Cyathula prostrata was determined at concentration of 100 mg/ kg body weight given orally for 11 days, antitumor activity was assessed by monitoring the mean survival time, body weight, effect on hematological parameters, antioxidant enzyme levels and histopathological evidence. The results showed that the methanolic extract of Cyathula prostrata increased the survival period of animals, decreased the body weight and also altered many hematological markers and also restored the antioxidant enzymes when compared to the mice of the DLA control group. These findings indicate that the methanolic extract of C. prostrata has anti-tumor activity by preventing the lipid peroxidation and thereby promoting the antioxidant systems in Dalton's lymphoma ascites induced mice. So, these extract could be a natural anticancer agent for human health.

Free radical scavenging potential of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl fruits extract.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate free radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extract Lagenaria siceraria (L. siceraria) (Molina) fruit. METHODS: The free radical scavenging activity of the L. siceraria (Molina) fruit extract was assayed by using α,α-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,20-azinobis 3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS), FRAP, reducing power, chelating ability and ß-carotene bleaching assay. RESULTS: The IC(50) values of DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activity was found to be 1.95 mg/mL and 19 mg/mL, respectively. In ferrous chelation assay, the percentage of inhibition was found to be 89.21%. The reducing power of ethanolic extract of L. siceraria (Molina) fruit was 0.068 at 1 mg/mL and increased to 0.192 at 5 mg/mL. The ß-carotene linoleate bleaching assay was 46.7% at 5 mg/mL and antioxidant activity using FRAP at 0.305 for 1 mg/mL to 0.969 for 5 mg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that L. siceraria (Molina) fruit could be an important sources of natural radical scavengers.