Skin cancer, a prevalent malignancy worldwide, poses significant health concerns owing to its increasing incidence. Autophagy, a natural cellular process, is a pivotal event in skin cancer and has advantageous and detrimental effects. This duality has prompted extensive investigations into medical interventions targeting autophagy modulation for their substantial therapeutic potential. This systematic review aimed to investigate the relationship between skin cancer and autophagy and the contribution and mechanism of autophagy modulators in skin cancer. We outlined the effectiveness and safety of targeting autophagy as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of skin cancer. This comprehensive review identified a diverse array of autophagy modulators with promising potential for the treatment of skin cancer. Each of these compounds demonstrates efficacy through distinct physiological mechanisms that have been elucidated in detail. Interestingly, findings from a literature search indicated that none of the natural, synthetic, or semisynthetic compounds exhibited notable adverse effects in either human or animal models. Consequently, this review offers novel mechanistic and therapeutic perspectives on the targeted modulation of autophagy in skin cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) continues to be the primary malignant neoplasm affecting women. For many years, traditional approaches such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation, and surgical interventions have been employed to treat BC. However, these therapies often fall short due to considerable adverse effects and the development of multidrug resistance or tolerance. Spices and culinary herbs that have been utilized in culinary practices for millennia have also demonstrated therapeutic effects in traditional medicinal practices serving to both prevent and treat BC. This review aims to comprehensively explore the roles and underlying mechanisms through which spices and culinary herbs exert anti-BC properties. These natural ingredients exhibit diverse anti-BC effects that encompass diverse mechanisms, including the inhibition of BC cell proliferation, migration, metastasis, and angiogenesis, as well as the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. These actions are achieved by targeting signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), notch signaling, Hedgehog signaling, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and Wingless/int (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling pathways that are predominantly overexpressed in breast tumors or are exploited by them to promote cancer progression. Additionally, compounds such as curcumin, allicin, gingerol, zerumbone, diosgenin, capsaicin, piperine, quercetin, malabaricone C, eugenol, cardamomin, carnosol, cinnamaldehyde, sinigrin present in these spices and herbs may be more effective with reduced side effects against BC compared to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. This review presents a concise overview of the potential contributions of spices, culinary herbs, and their potent bioactive constituents against BC, with particular emphasis on elucidating their mechanisms of action.

Syzygium grande (Wight) Walp., commonly known as the sea apple, is valued for its wide range of uses. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects of a methanol extract obtained from the leaves of S. grande (MESG) in Swiss albino mice. The extract's anxiolytic potential was assessed using the elevated plus maze (EPM), hole‐board test (HBT), and light–dark test (LDT). Its antidepressant activity was evaluated through the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Sedative properties were measured using the open field test (OFT) and hole‐cross test (HCT), while antipyretic activity was determined through a yeast‐induced fever model. To identify active compounds in the extract, GC–MS/MS analysis was conducted. Additionally, computational approaches—including AutoDock Vina, Discovery Studio 2021, PASS online, and ADME/T platforms—were employed for PASS prediction analysis, ADME/T profiling, and molecular docking of various secondary metabolites. The findings indicated that MESG exhibited dose‐dependent anxiolytic, antidepressant, sedative, and antipyretic effects. A 400 mg/kg dose significantly enhanced anxiolytic activity ( p < 0.001) in all behavioral models. It also moderately reduced immobility in the FST and TST ( p < 0.01). Furthermore, MESG significantly suppressed locomotor activity in the OFT and HCT ( p < 0.001), indicating strong sedative action. The same dose effectively lowered rectal temperature in the fever model ( p < 0.05). Computational docking scores, which ranged from −2.6 to −10 kcal/mol, further supported these biological effects. In conclusion, S. grande shows considerable promise as a source of therapeutic agents for treating anxiety, depression, insomnia, and fever.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive form of breast cancer, presents a significant mortality risk owing to its elevated potential for metastasis. The overexpression of Murine Double Minute 2 homolog (MDM2) protein, a key suppressor of tumour suppressor p53, in TNBC amplifies its growth, advancement, and invasiveness. Thus, inhibiting MDM2 protein emerges as a compelling strategy to enhance the efficacy of TNBC treatment. We aimed to identify novel potential MDM2 inhibitors from natural marine compounds, known for their distinctive chemical structures and heightened anticancer activities, utilizing molecular docking, ADME/T analysis, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, MM-PBSA calculations, and in silico PASS predictions. A marine compound library was constructed for initial screening purpose and the molecular docking analysis revealed that two marine compounds, namely 10,11-dihydrosodwanone B and sodwanone T, exhibited significantly higher binding affinity (− 9.6 kcal/mol and − 9.1 kcal/mol, respectively) compared to the established inhibitor nutlin-3a (− 8.4 kcal/mol). ADME/T investigations were conducted to ensure the drug-likeness properties and safety of these compounds. Additionally, in silico PASS tool predicted that both compounds possess a heightened potential for anticancer activities. Molecular dynamics simulations (100 ns) and MM-PBSA calculations indicated that sodwanone T formed a relatively more stable complex and had a higher binding-free energy with MDM2, respectively. In conclusion, this research suggests sodwanone T as a promising candidate for further testing and development as an MDM2 inhibitor for potential therapeutic applications against TNBC. Nevertheless, substantial experimental and clinical investigations are necessary to enhance its applicability in clinical settings. Graphical abstract