@article {1445, title = {Thymoquinone-Loaded Zinc Nanoparticles Mitigate Inflammation and Inhibit Glioblastoma Progression: A Novel Therapeutic Approach}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {June 2025}, pages = {850-858}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {850}, abstract = {

Background: Glioblastoma is the most aggressive and lethal primary brain tumour, characterized by rapid proliferation, high invasiveness, and resistance to conventional therapies. Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in its progression, with pro-inflammatory cytokines contributing to tumour growth and therapy resistance. Nanotechnology based approaches, such as Thymoquinone derived Zinc Nanoparticles (TQ-ZnNPs) offer a promising strategy to enhance drug bioavailability and target inflammation driven glioblastoma more effectively. Objectives: Thymoquinone, a naturally occurring substance with anti-inflammatory and anticancer qualities, has drawbacks such as low bioavailability and solubility. To overcome these, TQ-ZnNPs were synthesized using nanotechnology. Materials and Methods: TQ-ZnNPs were synthesized using a green nanotechnology approach and characterized for their physicochemical properties through techniques like, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy examination to verify their optical and structural characteristics. Glioblastoma cells were treated with Lipopolysaccharide to induce inflammation, followed by exposure to TQ-ZnNPs to assess their anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. RT-PCR method was used to assess gene expression. Results: TQ-ZnNPs exhibited enhanced stability and bioavailability, significantly reducing oxidative stress and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in glioblastoma cells. They effectively inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, suggesting potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of TQ-ZnNPs in targeting inflammation driven glioblastoma. Conclusion: TQ-ZnNPs demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potential, making them a promising nanotherapeutic approach for combating inflammation driven glioblastoma.

}, keywords = {Anti-inflammatory, Glioblastoma, Inflammation, lipopolysaccharide, Nanotechnology, Thymoquinone, Zinc nanoparticles}, doi = {10.5530/pres.20252143}, author = {Sofia Sebastian and Taniya Mary Martin and Meenakshi Sundaram Kishore Kumar} } @article {479, title = {Kolaviron, Biflavonoid Complex from the Seed of Garcinia kola Attenuated Angiotensin II- and Lypopolysaccharide-induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Nitric Oxide Production}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {8}, year = {2018}, month = {March 2016}, pages = {50-55}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {50}, abstract = {

Introduction: Kolaviron (KV), a biflavonoid extract from Garcinia kola seeds has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, hepato-protective, cardio-protective, nephro-protective and other arrays of chemopreventive capabilities but the mechanism of action is still not completely understood. Materials and Methods: In this study, we investigated the anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative potential of KV in cultured Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs). Effects of KV (25-100 μg/mL) on VSMC proliferation alone or following treatments with mitogen and proinflammatory agents Angiotensin II (Ag II, 10-6 M) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 μg/mL) and effects on NO production were determined. Cellular proliferations were determined by MTT assay, nitric oxide (NO) level was determined by Griess assay. KV dose-and time dependently attenuated VSMC growth. Results: Treatment of VSMCs with Ag II and LPS significantly enhanced proliferation of the cell which was significantly attenuated by the treatment with KV. Treatment of VSMC with LPS significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) level in the media which was attenuated by KV. These results demonstrated anti-proliferative antiinflammatory properties of KV as it clearly inhibited cellular proliferation induced by mitogens as well as LPS-induced inflammatory processes. Conclusion: Therefore, KV may mitigate cardiovascular conditions that involve cell proliferation, free radical generation and inflammatory processes such as hypertension, diabetes and stroke. However, the molecular mechanism of action of KV needs to be investigated.

}, keywords = {Angiotensin II, Cardiovascular diseases, cell proliferation, Kolaviron, lipopolysaccharide, Nitric oxide, vascular smooth muscle cells}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.178647}, author = {Ademola Adetokunbo Oyagbemi and Temidayo Olutayo Omobowale and Adeolu Alex Adedapo and Momoh Audu Yakubu} } @article {503, title = {Hepatoprotective and Cytotoxic Activities of Abietic Acid from Isodon wightii (Bentham) H. Hara}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {8}, year = {2016}, month = {May 2016}, pages = {206-208}, type = {Short Communication}, chapter = {206}, abstract = {

Isodon (Lamiaceae) is a known source of bioactive terpenoids. Diterpenoids isolated from Isodon wightii (Bentham) H. Hara showed antibacterial, antiacetylcholinesterase, antioxidant, anticancer, and anticarcinogenic activities, etc., Hepatoprotective activity of ABA against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced liver injury in BALB/c mice was studied. Cytotoxic activity of ABA was tested against cervical cancer cells (HeLa) using MTT assay followed by propidium iodide (PI) staining to identify apoptosis. Histopathological analysis revealed that 1.5 μg/mL LPS induced liver damage was attenuated by ABA in a dose dependent manner. ABA showed cytotoxicity with IC50 value of 176.28 {\textpm} 0.02 μg/mL and PI staining of treated cells showed apoptosis. This study proves that ABA would be a promising natural compound for herbal drug preparation.

}, keywords = {Abietic acid, Apoptosis, BALB/c mice, HeLa, lipopolysaccharide}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.182920}, author = {Madhusudhanan Gogul Ramnath and Ramaraj Thirugnanasampandan and Sadasivam Mathusalini and Palathurai Subramanium Mohan} }