Root Bark Extract of Oroxylum indicum Vent. Inhibits Solid and Ascites Tumors and Prevents the Development of DMBA-Induced Skin Papilloma Formation.

Oroxylum indicum is a traditionally used plant in Ayurvedic and folk medicines. The plant is useful for the management of gastrointestinal diseases as well as skin diseases. In the present study, we analyzed the antitumor potential of O. indicum in Dalton's lymphoma ascites tumor cells (DLA) and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-induced solid and ascites tumors. Further, the potential of O. indicum extract (OIM) on skin papilloma induction by dimethyl benz(a) anthracene (DMBA) and croton oil was evaluated. The chemical composition of the extract was analyzed using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The predominant compounds present in the extract were demethoxycentaureidin 7-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, baicalein-7-O-glucuronide, 5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone, 3-Hydroxy-3',4',5'-trimethoxyflavone, 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl) chromen-4-one, and 4'-Hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyflavanone. Treatment with high-dose OIM enhanced the percentage of survival in ascites tumor-bearing mice by 34.97%. Likewise, high and low doses of OIM reduced the tumor volume in mice by 61.84% and 54.21%, respectively. Further, the skin papilloma formation was brought down by the administration of low- and high-dose groups of OIM (by 67.51% and 75.63%). Overall, the study concludes that the Oroxylum indicum root bark extract is a potentially active antitumor and anticancer agent.

Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Progression: Prev entive Phytochemicals.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is the conversion of epithelial cells into mesenchymal phenotype generally observed during embryogenesis and wound healing as well as in malignant transformation. Several signaling pathways and transcription factors associated with EMT have been explored. Dietary phytochemicals that are multi-targeted agents which interfere with these pathways, assume preventive potential against pathologic EMT. OBJECTIVE: The present review aims to provide a detailed description of the nature and characteristics of EMT in physiological and pathophysiological conditions and the scope of phytochemicals in its prevention. METHOD: Details regarding the initiation, progression as well as prevention of pathologic EMT and metastasis and recent patents on preventive phytochemicals were obtained from PubMed literatures and patent databases. RESULTS: The phenotypic changes during EMT are regulated by transcription factors like Snail, Slug, Twist and Zeb, which are activated through diverse signaling pathways of TGF-ß, NF-kB, Wnt and Notch. s phytocompounds that are potent enough to interfere with these signaling pathways, which in turn prevent pathological implications of EMT. Present review also discusses 28 recent patents on those phytocompounds. CONCLUSION: EMT is a significant pharmacological target for developing preventive agents to combat pathological conditions like malignancy. Many of the phytochemicals cited in this review are being enrolled for different phases of clinical trials for their efficacy. In spite of the major limitations regarding bioavailability, sensitivity and tolerance of these compounds, their synthetic analogs, formulations and efficient drug delivery systems are also being attempted which will hopefully generate productive and promising results in near future.

Vitamin E supplementation modulates the biological effects of omega-3 fatty acids in naturally aged rats.

Omega-3 fatty acids are well-known class of nutraceuticals with established health benefits. Recently, the oxidation products of these fatty acids are gaining attention, as they are likely to disturb body redox balance. Therefore, the efficacy of omega-3 fats under conditions of diminished antioxidant status, such as aging, is always a concern. Present study assessed the effects of omega-3 fats (DHA and EPA) together with or without vitamin-E in naturally aged rats. It was found that in omega-3 fats alone consumed rats the lipid profile was improved, while in omega-3 fat with vitamin-E-consumed group (OMVE), the hepato protective and antioxidant properties were pronounced, especially the redox status of brain tissue. It is possible that vitamin-E might have reduced the peroxidation of omega-3 fats, thereby allowing their synergistic effects. Hence, the use of vitamin-E along with omega-3 fat may be beneficial under aged conditions.