Gliomas are the most prevalent primary brain tumors, originating from glial (non-neuronal) cells of the brain and spinal cord. Based on their aggressiveness, gliomas are classified into low-grade and high-grade tumors, with high-grade gliomas exhibiting a poor prognosis and a median survival of only 12–15 months. Autophagy is a critical cellular process that contributes to glioma development and resistance to therapy. A central regulator of autophagy and cellular energy homeostasis is AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a heterotrimeric complex consisting of catalytic α, scaffolding β, and regulatory γ subunits, each with multiple isoforms. Recent evidence suggests that these AMPK subunits are differentially expressed in gliomas, contributing variably to tumor initiation, progression, and adaptation to the hypoxic and metabolically stressed tumor microenvironment. This review explores the distinctive expression patterns of AMPK subunits in glioma and their role in forming specific heterotrimeric complexes under tumor conditions. We further examine the interplay between AMPK subunits and their molecular interactors, including genetic and chemical regulators. Despite the established role of AMPK in cancer metabolism, the functional relevance of individual subunits in glioma biology remains underexplored. By highlighting emerging insights into AMPK subunit-specific functions, this review proposes that targeting unique AMPK subunit compositions may offer novel therapeutic opportunities to impede glioma progression and improve patient survival.

Cancer is an enigma, and different types and subtypes add to the complexity of this disease. Innumerable molecules play important roles in glial pathogenesis. One such molecular component discovered recently and originating from the non-coding region of the human genome is the long non-coding RNA, or lncRNA. Multiple lncRNAs have been shown to play a role in tumor development in different cancer types. Although underappreciated as a therapeutic component, emerging studies have highlighted their crucial contributions to intercellular signaling. Studies suggest that lncRNAs play multiple, diverse roles in cancer cells. Their contribution to disease pathogenesis seems contrasting because the same lncRNA facilitating tumorigenesis in a particular cancer type may play a completely antagonistic role in another. In this review, we discuss multiple lncRNAs and the intracellular targets that are pertinent to glioma pathology, the sensitive expression levels, their impact on the disease progression, the pathways they affect, and their consideration as potential biomarkers for glioma. We further discuss multiple lncRNAs in the most aggressive glioma subtype, glioblastoma. Overall, we provide comprehensive information about key lncRNAs in glioma pathogenesis which could be of future fundamental and therapeutic relevance.

Ethnomedicinal use of Tecomella undulata (Rohida) bark to treat syphilis and skin infections, Dalbergia sissoo(Sheesham) leaves/wood to cure skin infections and gonorrhoea, Heliotropium indicum (Indian heliotrope) to cure wounds; and Solanum virginianum (Kantakari) roots/fruits to relieve urinary tract infections are well known. Such conditions are associated with the Staphylococcus aureus infection, a human pathogenic bacteria known for its virulence, antibiotic resistance and biofilm forming abilities. Despite the traditional relevance of these plants, detailed scientific studies on antibiofilm activity against S. aureus remains unexplored. In this study, plant/leaf extracts of these plants were evaluated for antimicrobial activity and their underlying antibiofilm mechanism. Crude extracts (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol) were analyzed and antibiofilm properties were accessed via liquid and solid-phase assays and FESEM. LC-HRMS identified phytochemicals were further analyzed targeting S. aureus proteins ClfA, ClfB, SrtA, SarA and AgrA via molecular docking and dynamics studies. Out of 16 crude extracts, methanolic extracts demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity with lowest MIC of TU-MeOH (1.8 mg/mL) and highest SV-MeOH (7.5mg/mL). All extracts exhibited robust biofilm inhibition (conc. 5- 12.5 mg/mL) confirmed by wrinkled, non-mucoid colonies and FESEM showing disrupted extracellular matrix. LC-HRMS analysis of TU-MeOH revealed a total of 104 phytochemicals, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenols etc. Molecular docking showed Catechin 5-O-(2-feruloyl-6-p-coumaroyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside), Goyaglycoside g and Tryptophol [xylosyl-(1->6)-glucoside] as multitargeting hits further validated by molecular dynamics showing stable interactions. Methanolic extracts of T. undulata, D. sissoo, H. indicum, and S. virginianum inhibits S. aureus biofilm disrupting the extracellular matrix. Catechin derivatives, Goyaglycoside g, and Tryptophol, act as multitarget inhibitors of key adhesive and regulatory biofilm proteins highlighting their therapeutic potential.