Endophytic fungi are a diverse group of microorganisms that colonize the inter- or intracellular spaces of plants and exhibit mutual benefits. Their interactions with the host plant and other microbiomes are multidimensional and play a crucial role in the production of secondary metabolites. We screened bioactive compounds present in the extracts of Aspergillus flavus, an endophytic fungus isolated from the roots of the medicinal grass Cynodon dactylon, for its anticancer potential. An in vitro analysis of the Ethyl acetate extract from A. flavus showed significant cytostatic effects (IC₅₀: 16.25 μg/mL) against breast cancer cells (MCF-7). A morphological analysis of the cells and a flow cytometry of the cells with annexin V/Propidium Iodide suggested that the extract induced apoptosis in the MCF-7 cells. The extract of A. flavus increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and caused a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in MCF-7 cells. To identify the metabolites that might be responsible for the anticancer effect, the extract was subjected to a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Interestingly, nine phytochemicals that induced cytotoxicity in the breast cancer cell line were found in the extract. The in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed that two compounds, 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone and 3α, 5 α-cyclo-ergosta-7,9(11), 22t-triene-6beta-ol exhibited significant binding affinities (−9.20, and −9.50 Kcal/mol, respectively) against Bcl-2, along with binding stability and intermolecular interactions of its ligand-Bcl-2 complexes. Overall, the study found that the endophytic A. flavus from C. dactylon contains plant-like bioactive compounds that have a promising effect in breast cancer.

The objective of the present work was to improve the biological activity of Padina gymnospora. In the current study, silver chloride nanoparticles have been synthesized using the aqueous extract of Padina gymnospora and further characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscope. Further, the hemolytic activity and eco-toxicity of silver chloride nanoparticles analyzed. The synthesized silver chloride nanoparticles were found to be mono-dispersed and spherical with an average size of 11.5–32.86 nm. The particles showed an anticancer effect in a dose-dependent manner against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7 cell lines) (IC₅₀ = 31.37 μg ml⁻¹). In addition, it showed the larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti at a lower dose (3.92 μg ml⁻¹) than that of the aqueous extract (13.01 μg ml⁻¹). Nanoparticles also exhibited greater antimicrobial activity for both bacterial and fungal pathogens. The synthesized silver chloride nanoparticles showed a maximum zone of inhibition, i.e., 31 mm for Candida albicans followed and 27 mm for vancomycin resistance Enterococcus faecalis.The results suggest the possible use of synthesized silver nanoparticles with P. gymnospora as therapeutic agent for breast cancer, dengue vector control and as antimicrobial agent.

In this study, we biosynthesized the stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Momordica cymbalaria leaves to evaluate their antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and photocatalytic properties. Initially, we screened the bioactive compounds from M. cymbalaria extract using GC-MS. The biosynthesis of Mc-AgNPs was confirmed using instruments, such as UV-visible spectroscopy FT-IR, XRD, SEM with EDX, and HR-TEM analyses. The UV-visible spectrum indicated absorbance at 425 nm. The crystallite size of the M. cymbalaria-stabilized nanoparticles was determined to be 20.14 nm. The morphology and size of the synthesized Mc-AgNPs were confirmed via SEM-EDX and HR-TEM analyses, with a size range from 16 to 22 nm. The synthesized Mc-AgNPs exhibited a photocatalytic yield of 60%. The biosynthesized Mc-AgNPs demonstrated strong antioxidant properties and prominent antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria. The cytotoxicity study revealed that Mc-AgNPs were effective against MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The recognized bioactivities confirm that the synthesized Mc-AgNPs act as effective catalysts in oxidation and serve as potent antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial agents.

Emerging proteomic technologies offer new insight in the study of malignant tumor to identify protein biomarkers for early detection, stratification, prediction and monitoring of treatment, as well as to detect target molecules for therapy. The tumor protein biomarker is responsible for the regulation of the cell cycle to promote cell proliferation and resistance to cell death. Important technologies include ELISA, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, western blot, mass spectrometry, protein microarray, and microfluidics for the study of screening, protein profiling, identification, qualitative and quantitative analysis of differential expressed oncoproteins relative to cancer tissues, counterparts at different stages of the disease from preneoplasia to neoplasia. It can also provide a detailed description of identifying tissue-specific protein biomarkers and to analysis the modification of protein activity in cancer conditions. In this chapter, we discuss current and emerging protein assays for improving cancer diagnosis, including trends toward advances in assay miniaturization, improve sensitivity and specificity, time and cost-effective, and accuracy in detection and measurement of protein activity. However, information from these protein diagnostic technologies should be integrated to obtain the optimal information required for the clinical management of a patient.

Endophytic fungi are a diverse group of microorganisms that colonize the inter- or intracellular spaces of plants for mutual benefits. The interactions with a host plant and other microbiomes are multidimensional and play a crucial role in the production of secondary metabolites. We screened bioactive compounds present in the extracts of Aspergillus flavus, an endophytic fungus isolated from the roots of the medicinal grass Cynodon dactylon, for its anticancer potential. Ethyl acetate extract from isolated A. flavus showed significant cytostatic effects (IC50: 16.25 μg mL−1) against breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Morphology of cells and DAPI stained nuclei along with the results of flow cytometry annexin V/PI assay suggested apoptosis to be the main process leading to cells’ death. While investigating the mechanism that triggers apoptosis, we found that the extract of A. flavus increased ROS generation and caused loss of mitochondrial membrane potential of MCF-7 cells. To identify the metabolites that might be responsible for the anticancer effect, the extract was examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Interestingly, nine phytochemicals were found to have potential inhibitory effects of anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) in the breast cancer cells. In the in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed that two compounds: 2,4,7-Trinitrofluorenone and 3alpha, 5alpha-Cyclo-ergosta-7,9(11),22t-triene-6beta-ol exhibited significant binding affinities (-9.20, and -9.50 Kcal mol-1, respectively) against Bcl-2 along with binding stability and intermolecular interactions of its ligand-Bcl-2 complexes. Overall, the study found that the endophytic A. flavus from C. dactylon contains plant-like bioactive compounds that have a promising effect in breast cancer.