Neoplastic disorders, particularly malignant carcinomas, are complex systemic diseases characterized by unregulated cellular proliferation, the invasion of adjacent tissues, and potential metastasis to distant bodily sites. Among the diverse spectrum of cancer subtypes, malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive form of cutaneous cancer originating in melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells resident in the skin. This malignancy is distinguished by its rapid and uncontrolled growth, as well as its propensity for metastasis to vital organs, thereby posing significant challenges to therapeutic intervention and prognostication. Early detection of melanoma is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes, as diagnosis at an advanced stage often yields a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Diagnostic modalities for melanoma encompass comprehensive clinical evaluations by dermatologists; radiological imaging techniques such as ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans; and excisional biopsies for accurate histopathological assessment. Malignant melanoma is typically treated with surgery to remove the tumor, followed by immunotherapy to enhance the immune response, targeted therapy for tumors with specific genetic mutations, chemotherapy for advanced stages, radiation therapy to manage metastasis, and other adjunct therapies. This review presents the properties and possible adjunct therapeutic effects against malignant melanoma of quercetin found in the literature and explores, based on the observed physicochemical properties and biological activity, its potential development as a topical formulation for cutaneous application. Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid compound abundant in various plant-based food sources, including apples, onions, berries, and citrus fruits, and has exhibited promising antiproliferative, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Its distinctive biochemical structure enables quercetin to effectively neutralize reactive oxygen species and modulate key carcinogenic pathways, thereby rendering it a potential candidate for therapeutic intervention in managing malignant tumors, including melanoma.

Artemisia dracunculus/(tarragon) is a perennial plant used in traditional medicine and the food industry. The plant is known to have beneficial effects on health, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anthelmintic, etc. In this study, the compounds present in the highest concentrations in the essential oils obtained by different extraction methods from tarragon found on the Romanian market were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The biological activity of these compounds was predicted using the computational tools ADMETlab3.0, admetSAR3.0, CLC-Pred2.0, and AntiBac-Pred. Also, the main molecular target of these compounds was predicted and the interactions with this protein were evaluated using molecular docking. The compounds identified in high concentrations in the obtained essential oils are estragole, cis-β-ocimene, trans-β-ocimene, limonene, eugenol methyl ether, eugenol acetate, eugenol, caryophyllene oxide, and α-pinene. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity profiles of these compounds show that they are generally safe, but some of them can cause skin sensitization and respiratory toxicity and are potential inhibitors of the organic anion transporters OATP1 and OATP2. Several of these compounds exert antibacterial activity against some species of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Prevotella. All compounds reveal potential cytotoxicity for several types of cancer cells. These findings may guide further experimental studies to identify medical and pharmacological applications of tarragon extracts or specific compounds that can be isolated from these extracts.

This study analyzes the fractal aspects of the structures of S100 proteins to better understand their structural complexity. We take into account 33 solution structures and 18 crystal structures corresponding to human S100 proteins for the calculation of mass and surface fractal dimensions. The mass fractal dimension value is calculated as Dm = 1.54, confirming the extended conformation of the dimers of these proteins. The mean value of the surface fractal dimension is Ds = 2.35 ± 0.09 when computed using solution structures and Ds = 2.23 ± 0.05 when computed using crystal structures, revealing the surface irregularities of S100 proteins. Changes in surface fractal dimensions have been recorded for S100 proteins due to the changes in the pH of the environment, due to mutations in their sequences that alter how the protein folds, and/or due to their interactions with ions and/or ligands that reflect the structural rearrangements that occur upon binding. These changes can significantly influence the biological activity of the protein, making the fractal dimension of the surface a valuable parameter in studying protein functions, interactions, and potential therapeutic targeting.