Dina Mostafa Mohammed

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global crisis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are anticipated to be significant players in the pathogenesis of HCC in a multitude of ways, including tumor progression, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and recurrence. To limit the progression of hepatocarcinogenesis, we employ a new treatment regimen that delivers lncRNA SRHC via polymer nanoparticles. A total of 100 mice were divided into five different groups. The initial group served as a control and received saline injections. On the other hand, the pathological-control group received weekly N-Nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) injections for 16 weeks. The remaining three groups received injections of polymer nanoparticles (NPs), long noncoding RNA SRHC alone, or conjugated NPs, respectively, once a week for four weeks, starting in the 12th week after DEN injection. After 16 weeks, the animals were euthanized, and liver specimens and blood samples were collected for biochemical, molecular, and pathological evaluations. Using nanoconjugates containing the lncRNA SRHC significantly improved tumor-associated biomarkers and histopathology compared with the pathological-control group. Furthermore, the expression of SENP1 and PCNA was downregulated. In conclusion, SRHC-conjugated nanoparticles are more likely to be considered a cutting-edge HCC treatment protocol.

The adventitious root culture is an effective in vitro technique for producing valuable secondary metabolites. These cultures operate independently of the shoots and quickly provide a substantial raw material. This study is the first report aimed at reducing the cost of biomass production by encouraging adventitious root development and examining the potential of secondary metabolites produced from adventitious root cultures of Withania somnifera L. to kill cancer cells (Hep-G2) and reduce in vitro inflammation activity by testing their ability to prevent lipoxygenase and proteinase from performing their activities. IBA concentrations were tested to induce adventitious roots from W. somnifera L. plantlet leaves; the optimal IBA concentration was 1.0 mg/L. In addition, increasing the number of subcultures led to an increase in biomass to 5.84-fold in the fifth subculture. The macronutrient content, antioxidant tests, flavonoids, phenolic, and HPLC analysis were assessed. Anticancer and anti-inflammatory characteristics were evaluated. The results of total phenolics and total flavonoids were 27.42 ± 2.57 and 7.21 ± 0.14 mg/g Dw, respectively, and total antioxidant activities, including DPPH and ABTS, were 13.61 ± 2.21 and 18.31 ± 1.34 mg/g Dw, respectively. HPLC analysis revealed that catechin and gallic acid were the highest compounds, with concentrations of 419.26 and 249.73 µg/g, respectively, which correlated with strong anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities in vitro. Moreover, the IC ₅₀ for cytotoxicity against Hep-G2 was 100 µg/ml. In conclusion, the in vitro W. somnifera L. adventitious roots have shown promising results in the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Moreover, these adventitious roots have significant nutritional value, which increases antioxidant activity, in addition to their potential application as new natural secondary metabolites.

Spirulina platensis (Sp) and probiotic bacteria (Pb) have been shown to have beneficial effects in controlling metabolic syndrome (MeS), characterized by the co-occurrence of obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. The objective of this research was to formulate an innovative microencapsulated powder consisting of a mixture of Sp and Pb, referred to as a “spirubiotic sachet,” and investigate its potential positive impact in managing hyperlipidemia, weight gain, hyperglycemia, and related problems in individuals with metabolic syndrome. Microencapsulated Sp with whey protein, flavored with a coconut taste, was obtained by spray drying, and HPLC analysis was performed. Probiotic bacteria were microencapsulated by freeze-drying, and the characterization of both microcapsules was done. The spirubiotic sachets contained both Sp and Pb. Physico-sensory tests were reported. Fifty diagnosed MeS cases were enrolled in this study. Pre- and post-treatment assessments of clinical, dietary, anthropometric data, and body composition measurements were conducted. Enzymatic colorimetric methods and ELISA kits were used to assess biochemical parameters. Patients received one spirubiotic sachet/day and a tailored diet regimen for 3 months. Administering a spirubiotic sachet to MeS patients effectively reversed the majority of metabolic abnormalities, bringing them closer to normal levels with decreased dietary calories, improved anthropometric measures, altered body composition, and normalized biochemical parameters. In conclusion, Sp and Pb work together synergistically to help manage people with MeS and related diseases. Spirubiotic sachets can be innovative with beneficial health effects.

The butterfly pea is a significant source of bioactive secondary metabolites. Callus cultures provide a viable option for the reliable synthesis of important secondary metabolites, overcoming the limitations of inconsistent yields from field-grown plants. The present results indicated that MS medium with 1.0 mg/L BAP and 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D produced a highly significant growth stimulation for callus induction in Clitoria ternatea L. after 40–45 days under darkness. The biomass of the callus augmented with each subsequent subculture, reaching its peak by the sixth subculture, where the biomass increased about 11.8-fold. The micronutrient content, antioxidant assays, flavonoids, phenolics, and HPLC analysis were assessed. Anti-diabetic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory characteristics were evaluated. The results of total phenolics and total flavonoids were 81.37 ± 0.65 and 4.63 ± 1.03 mg/g DW, respectively, and total antioxidant activities, including DPPH and ABTS, were 15.52 ± 1.07 and 2.32 ± 0.09 mg/g DW, respectively. HPLC analysis revealed that Gallic acid, Chlorogenic acid, and Rosmarinic acid were the highest compounds with concentrations of 346.92, 329.22, and 188.64 µg/g, respectively, which correlated with strong anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities in vitro. Also, IC50 for α-amylase and α-glucosidase for C. ternatea L. callus culture was 850.5 ± 0.54 and 198.63 ± 0.67 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, HYA, Lipoxygenase, and Proteinase Inhibitions of C. ternatea L. callus cultures were 53.41 ± 0.66, 47.35 ± 0.98, and 35.37 ± 0.63, respectively. In conclusion, using the C. ternatea L. callus cultures has shown promise in secondary metabolite synthesis. Moreover, the HPLC analysis of callus cultures of C. ternatea L. comprises a range of flavonoid and phenolic compounds that demonstrated the most anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects, in addition to their potential application as a natural source of secondary metabolites.

Baikal skullcap or Chinese (Scutellaria baicalensis L.) is an interesting plant with promising medicinal properties; however, traditional cultivation methods are time-consuming, and yield variations can be significant; callus culture is considered one of the solutions to overcome these limitations because the callus culture provides an effective, alternative for the consistent production of secondary metabolites. For callus production of S. baicalensis L., the in vitro germinating seedlings were cultured on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (BAP) and 1.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Three culture lines were established, and the best growth index represented in fresh and dry weight was obtained from line No. 1. S. baicalensis L. callus extract was performed on the best callus line in the stationary phase for in vitro assays. The chemical analysis, antioxidant tests, proline, flavonoids, phenolics, and macronutrient content were assessed. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of secondary metabolites in S. baicalensis L. callus and to study its biological effect on recurrent ulcerative colitis (UC). Conventional treatment of UC has focused on suppressing immunological responses instead of addressing which are (UC) underlying causes. Recurrent UC is caused by oxidative stress and inflammation that lead to chronic inflammation of the inner lining of the colon and rectum. According to the findings, secondary metabolites in S. baicalensis L. callus cultures increased antioxidant activity. This improvement in oxidative activity was positively correlated with the potential to reduce UC in vivo.