Considering the multi-targeted drug approach, Enhydra fluctuans and Ipomoea aquatica were comprehensively investigated for their acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and β-secretase enzyme inh Show more
Considering the multi-targeted drug approach, Enhydra fluctuans and Ipomoea aquatica were comprehensively investigated for their acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and β-secretase enzyme inhibitory potential, which are linked to Alzheimer's disease. The results showed that I. aquatica produced more prominent anti-cholinesterase potential compared to E. fluctuans. But E. fluctuans showed more potent BACE1 inhibitory potential compared to I. aquatica. For the safety study, the extracts were tested for heavy metal content estimation, CYP450 isozyme inhibitory potential, and cytotoxicity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, and total flavonoids were significantly correlated with the anti-cholinesterase activity, where I. aquatica showed more protuberant potential compared to E. fluctuans. The UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis tentatively identified phytometabolites from the phenylethanoid glycosides and chlorogenic acids class in both the extracts. Further, in silico toxicity prediction, molecular docking, and dynamic simulation studies provided additional evidence on the safety profile and interaction potential of phytometabolites with AChE, BChE, and BACE1 enzymes. Show less
Glioblastoma (GBM) has poor median survival due to its resistance to chemoradiotherapy, which results in tumor recurrence. Recurrent GBMs currently lack effective treatments. DUSP6 is known to be pro- Show more
Glioblastoma (GBM) has poor median survival due to its resistance to chemoradiotherapy, which results in tumor recurrence. Recurrent GBMs currently lack effective treatments. DUSP6 is known to be pro-tumorigenic and is upregulated in GBM. We show that DUSP6 expression is significantly higher in recurrent GBM patient biopsies compared to expression levels in primary GBM biopsies. Importantly, although it has been reported to be a cytoplasmic protein, we found nuclear localization of DUSP6 in primary and recurrent patient samples and in parent and relapse populations of GBM cell lines generated from an in vitro radiation survival model. DUSP6 inhibition using BCI resulted in decreased proliferation and clonogenic survival of parent and relapse cells. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of DUSP6 catalytic activity radiosensitized primary and, importantly, relapse GBM cells by inhibiting the recruitment of phosphorylated DNAPKcs (also known as PRKDC), subsequently downregulating the recruitment of phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX) and 53BP1 (also known as TP53BP1). This resulted in decreased cell survival and prolonged growth arrest upon irradiation in vitro and significantly increased the progression-free survival in orthotopic mouse models of GBM. Our study highlights a non-canonical function of DUSP6, emphasizing the potential application of DUSP6 inhibitors in the treatment of recurrent GBM. Show less