Publications by authors named "Zainab M Almarhoon"

Bufadienolides, a group of C-24 steroidal compounds found in toad venom and certain plants, have emerged as promising candidates for anticancer drug development due to their broad-spectrum cytotoxicity and multitargeted molecular mechanisms. These compounds demonstrate a range of biological effects, including the induction of apoptosis and autophagy, inhibition of metastasis and angiogenesis, and modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment. Mechanistically, bufadienolides influence critical signaling cascades such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and NF-κB, and also affect cell cycle regulation and mitochondrial dynamics.

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Salvianolic acid B (SalB) is a bioactive compound derived from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Over the years, SalB has gained considerable attention for its potential anticancer properties, but there have not been many clinical trials to commercialize it for usage in people. Therefore, this study provides a broad overview of the state of knowledge regarding the anticancer properties of SalB and focused on the route of administration, pharmacokinetic parameters, type of cancer, study model, drug concentrations, involved signaling pathways, safety and toxicity, efficacy, and mechanisms of action.

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Oxidative stress, the Warburg effect, and resistance to apoptosis are key hallmarks driving colorectal tumorigenesis. This study aimed to develop novel multi-target compounds capable of modulating these pathways. A library of 24 newly synthesized compounds-incorporating annulated thiophene, thiazole, quinazolinone, 2-oxoindoline, and 1,2,3-oxadiazole scaffolds, as well as -(1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-3-(2-(phenylcarbamothioyl)hydrazineyl) prop-1-en-2-yl)benzamide-was evaluated for antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), PDK-1 and LDHA inhibition, cytotoxic effects against LoVo and HCT-116 colon carcinoma cells, with parallel assessment of safety profiles on normal HUVECs.

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Pterostilbene (PT), a natural dimethoxy analogue of resveratrol, exhibits enhanced bioavailability and lipophilicity, making it a more effective therapeutic candidate than resveratrol. These pharmacokinetic advantages improve its cellular uptake and metabolic stability, positioning PT as a promising compound in cancer treatment. PT has shown significant anticancer activity in several malignancies, including melanoma, breast, colorectal, and ovarian cancers.

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The energy storage ability of a device highly depends on the morphology of the materials used. A structure-directing agent (SDA) can be used to design materials with a specific surface morphology. Zeolite imidazole (ZIF-67) is a favorable electroactive material for energy storage devices.

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The development of anti-inflammatory compounds is crucial because of the complexity of the wound-healing process associated with bacterial infections. Anti-inflammatory compounds have been rapidly developed for use in biomedical fields. In this study, three new skin fibroblast cell promotors (pyrazolone derivatives) with pyrazolone cores were designed and synthesized to evaluate their inhibitory effects on the cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme.

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L., also known as Cinnamon vine, has a longstanding history in traditional medicine due to its diverse bioactive compounds. However, comprehensive scientific evaluations of its phytochemical properties and therapeutic potential are still limited.

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Linalool (LIN), a monoterpene alcohol from lavender and coriander essential oils, is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, its potential in arthritis management, combining in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies; pharmacokinetics; and toxicity management, remains unexplored. This study investigated LIN's anti-arthritis activity through various approaches: in vitro (egg albumin test), in vivo (terpene oil, formaldehyde-induced, and Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced models), and in silico analyses.

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New indole/1,2,4-triazole hybrids were synthesized and tested for antiproliferative activity against the NCI 60 cell line as tubulin polymerization inhibitors. All final compounds, - and - were evaluated at a single concentration of 10 µM against a panel of sixty cancer cell lines. Compounds -, featuring the NO-releasing oxime moiety, exhibited superior anticancer activity to their precursor ketones - across all tested cancer cell lines.

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Heparin, traditionally known for its anticoagulant properties, has recently been identified as a potential agent in cancer therapy. Its derivatives, including low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and unfractionated heparin (UFH), are being investigated for their multifaceted roles in oncology. This review focuses on the expanding exploration of heparin's anticancer effects and its possible integration into cancer treatment protocols.

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Introduction: This work outlines the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a new series of benzimidazole/1,2,3-triazole hybrids as apoptotic antiproliferative agents that inhibit the EGFR pathway.

Methods: The research assesses the antiproliferative efficacy of compounds and against various cancer cell lines.

Results And Discussion: The research emphasizing hybrids and for their remarkable activity, with GI values of 29 nM and 25 nM, respectively.

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In this study, we report the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) using micro-emulsion-hydrothermal method. By adjusting the synthesis temperature, we successfully produced FeO nanorods and nanospheres. In addition, the 2-octanol, and the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide served as a solvent in the synthesis process.

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A novel series of 1,2,3-triazole/quinazoline-4-one hybrids (8a-t) were designed and synthesized as dual-targeted antiproliferative agents. Compounds 8a-t were evaluated for their antiproliferative efficacy against a panel of four cancer cell lines. The results indicated that most of the evaluated compounds exhibited strong antiproliferative activity, with 8f, 8g, 8h, 8j, and 8l demonstrating the highest potency.

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Article Synopsis
  • * This study reviews methods from 2000 to 2023, focusing on how traditional knowledge combined with modern techniques, including AI, can enhance the search for bioactive compounds.
  • * The review emphasizes the historic significance of natural products, outlines current technological improvements in isolating bioactive compounds, and discusses challenges like biodiversity sustainability while suggesting innovative solutions.
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Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates the pain-relieving (analgesic) and anxiety-reducing (anxiolytic) effects of citronellal (CTL) in Swiss mice using innovative, cost-effective models.
  • Results showed that CTL significantly decreased various anxiety and pain-related behaviors in mice compared to a control group, even outperforming standard drugs like diclofenac sodium in some tests.
  • In addition, in silico studies suggested that CTL interacts with specific receptors (GABA) and enzymes (COX), indicating its potential as an effective anxiolytic and analgesic agent through these molecular pathways.
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Article Synopsis
  • - A new series of 4,6-diaryl-pyrimidines was created as potential cancer treatments that specifically target EGFR and VEGFR-2 pathways.
  • - Among the synthesized compounds, two were found to be particularly effective, showing GI values of 22 and 24 nM, while also acting as dual inhibitors and promoting apoptosis in cancer cells.
  • - The promising results included lower cell migration rates and superior docking scores compared to established drugs, suggesting these new compounds have great potential for further development in cancer therapy.
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Diosmin, a potent bioflavonoid derived from citrus fruits, has gained significant attention for its anticancer potential, reflecting a critical need in the ongoing battle against cancer. Amidst increasing cancer incidence, the quest for safer and more effective treatments has brought diosmin to the forefront, given its unique pharmacological profile distinct from other flavonoids. Diosmin's anticancer mechanisms are multifaceted, involving apoptosis induction, angiogenesis inhibition, and metastasis prevention.

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Many naturally derived compounds are currently used in oncotherapy. Besides official medicine, complementary and alternative medicine practices, including old herbal remedies, are widely used and accepted as additional tools in cancer treatment. Nakai (AGN), a medicinal herb in Asia, has roots historically used in medicine.

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In this work, a straightforward and scalable method was used to generate nitrogen-rich porous carbon (NRPC), which was then incorporated with a graphitic carbon nitride and magnetite (g-CN/FeO) nanocomposite, fabricated with FeO nanoparticles as an eco-friendly and economically viable component. The fabricated NRPC/g-CN/FeO nanocomposite was applied as an electrode in supercapacitor applications. The synthesized NRPC/g-CN/FeO nanocomposite, NRPC, g-CN, and FeO were characterized by analytical and morphological analyses.

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This study reports a novel CuSe-TiO-GO composite, synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method at a controlled temperature, and investigates its electrochemical performance for supercapacitors (SCs) and photocatalytic behavior for degrading methylene blue (MB) dye. The compositional phase structure and chemical bond interaction were thoroughly investigated. The as-fabricated pristine, binary, and ternary composites underwent comprehensive characterization employing spectroscopic techniques and electrochemical analysis.

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Nimbolide, one of the main ingredients constituent of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract, has garnered attention for its potential as an anticancer agent. Its efficacy against various cancers and chemopreventive action has been demonstrated through numerous in vivo and in vitro studies. This updated review aims to comprehensively explore the chemopreventive and anticancer properties of nimbolide, emphasizing its molecular mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications in oncology.

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Arnicolide D, a potent sesquiterpene lactone from Centipeda minima, has emerged as a promising anticancer candidate, demonstrating significant efficacy in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and suppressing metastasis across various cancer models. This comprehensive study delves into the molecular underpinnings of Arnicolide D's anticancer actions, emphasizing its impact on key signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR and STAT3, and its role in modulating cell cycle and survival mechanisms. Quantitative data from preclinical studies reveal Arnicolide D's dose-dependent cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and human colon carcinoma, showcasing its broad-spectrum anticancer potential.

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition affecting the central nervous system (CNS), where the interplay of genetic and environmental factors influences its pathophysiology, triggering immune responses and instigating inflammation. Contemporary research has been notably dedicated to investigating the contributions of gut microbiota and their metabolites in modulating inflammatory reactions within the CNS. Recent recognition of the gut microbiome and dietary patterns as environmental elements impacting MS development emphasizes the potential influence of small, ubiquitous molecules from microbiota, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

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The world needs sustainable energy resources with affordable, economic, and accountable sources. Consequently, energy innovation technologies are evolving toward electrochemical applications like batteries, supercapacitors, etc. The current study involves the solid blend biopolymer electrolyte (SBBE) with different compositions of sodium alginate blended with pectin via the casting technique.

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