Background: Over the years, phytomedicines have been widely used as natural modalities for the treatment and prevention of various diseases by different ethnic groups across the globe. Although, 25% of drugs in the USA contain at least one plant-derived therapeutic compound, currently there is a paucity of plant-derived active medicinal ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry. Scientific evidence-based translation of plant-derived ethnomedicines for their clinical application is an urgent need. The anticancer and associated properties (antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) inhibition) of various plant extracts and phytochemicals have been elucidated earlier. Several of the plant derivatives are already in use under prophylactic/therapeutic settings against cancer and many are being investigated under different phases of clinical trials. Main body: The purpose of this study is to systematically comprehend the progress made in the area of prophylactic and therapeutic potential of the anticancerous plant derivatives. Besides, we aim to understand their anticancer potential in terms of specific sub-phenomena, such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic and inhibition of EMT, with an insight of the molecules/pathways associated with them. The study also provides details of classes of anticancer compounds, their plant source(s) and the molecular pathway(s) targeted by them. In addition to the antioxidative and antiproliferative potentials of anticancer plant derivatives, this study emphasizes on their EMT-inhibition potential and other ‘anticancer related’ properties. The EMT is highlighted as a phenomenon of choice for targeting cancer due to its role in the induction of metastasis and drug resistance. Different phytochemicals in pre-clinical or clinical trials, with promising chemopreventive/anticancer activities have been enlisted and the plant compounds showing synergistic anticancer activity in combination with the existing drugs have been discussed. The review also unravels the need of carrying out pan-signalome studies for identifying the cardinal pathways modulated by phytomedicine(s), as in many cases, the molecular pathway(s) has/have been randomly studied. Conclusion: This review systematically compiles the studies regarding the impact of various plant derivatives in different cancers and oncogenic processes, as tested in diverse experimental model systems. Availability of more comprehensive information on anticancer phyto-constituents, their relative abundance in crude drugs, pathways/molecules targeted by phytomedicines, their long-term toxicity data and information regarding their safe use under the combinatorial settings, would open greater avenues of their utilization in future against this dreaded disease. Graphical

Aspergillosis, candidiasis, and cryptococcosis are the most common cause of mycoses-related disease and death among immune-compromised patients. Adhesins are cell-surface exposed proteins or glycoproteins of pathogens that bind to the extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents or mucosal epithelial surfaces of the host cells. The forces of interaction between fungal adhesins and host tissues are accompanied by ligand binding, hydrophobic interactions and protein-protein aggregation. Adherence is the primary and critical step involved in the pathogenesis; however, there is limited information on fungal adhesins compared to that on the bacterial adhesins. Except a few studies based on screening of proteome for adhesin identification, majority are based on characterization of individual adhesins. Recently, based on their characteristic signatures, many putative novel fungal adhesins have been predicted using bioinformatics algorithms. Some of these novel adhesin candidates have been validated by in-vitro studies; though, most of them are yet to be characterised experimentally. Morphotype specific adhesin expression as well as tissue tropism are the crucial determinants for a successful adhesion process. This review presents a comprehensive overview of various studies on fungal adhesins and discusses the targetability of the adhesins and adherence phenomenon, for combating the fungal infection in a preventive or therapeutic mode.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃) exerts anti-proliferative activity by binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and regulating gene expression. We previously reported that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells which harbor epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations display elevated VDR expression (VDR^high) and are vitamin D-sensitive. Conversely, those with K-ras mutations are VDR^low and vitamin D-refractory. Because EGFR mutations are found predominately in NSCLC cells with an epithelial phenotype and K-ras mutations are more common in cells with a mesenchymal phenotype, we investigated the relationship between vitamin D signaling capacity and the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Using NSCLC cell lines and publically available lung cancer cell line microarray data, we identified a relationship between VDR expression, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ sensitivity, and EMT phenotype. Further, we discovered that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ induces E-cadherin and decreases EMT-related molecules SNAIL, ZEB1, and vimentin in NSCLC cells. 1,25(OH)₂D₃-mediated changes in gene expression are associated with a significant decrease in cell migration and maintenance of epithelial morphology. These data indicate that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ opposes EMT in NSCLC cells. Because EMT is associated with increased migration, invasion, and chemoresistance, our data imply that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ may prevent lung cancer progression in a molecularly defined subset of NSCLC patients.

Heterocyclic compounds are fundamental in natural products and pharmaceuticals. The triazole nucleus, in particular, is a versatile structure present in numerous bioactive molecules. 7- chloroquinoline is historically significant for its antimalarial properties and exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review aimed to compile and discuss 69 biologically active 1,2,3-triazole hybrids derived from 7-chloroquinoline, highlighting their enhanced bioactivity when combined with 4,7- dichloroquinoline. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to identify and analyze the synthesis and biological activities of triazole hybrids originating from 4,7- dichloroquinoline and 7-chloroquinoline. It was found that the 4,7-dichloroquinoline scaffold, when coupled with triazole derivatives, exhibited enhanced bioactivity, including antimicrobial, antimalarial, and anticancer effects. This synergy between the two structures underscores their potential therapeutic applications. The insights provided in this review will serve as a valuable resource for medicinal chemists exploring triazoles derived from 4,7-dichloroquinoline and 7- chloroquinoline. The enhanced bioactivity of these hybrids highlights their significance in the development of new therapeutic agents.