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Background: The most important factors contributing to multi-drug resistance in oral cancer include overexpression of the EGFR protein and the downstream malignancy regulators that are associated with it. This study investigates the impact of solanine on inflammation, proliferation, and angiogenesis inhibition in multidrug-resistant oral cancer KB-Chr-8-5 cells through inhibition of the EGFR/PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. Methods: Cell viability was assessed using an MTT assay to evaluate cytotoxic effects. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨM), and AO/EtBr staining were analyzed to assess apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. Western blotting was employed to examine protein expression related to angiogenesis, apoptosis, and signaling pathways. Experiments were conducted in triplicate. Results: Solanine treatment at concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 μM significantly increased ROS production, which is indicative of its antioxidant properties. This increase was associated with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨM) with p < 0.05, suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction. Inhibition of EGFR led to reduced activity of PI3K, Akt, and NF-κB, resulting in decreased expression of iNOS, IL-6, Cyclin D1, PCNA, VEGF, Mcl-1, and HIF-1α and increased levels of the apoptotic proteins Bax, caspase-9, and caspase-3. These changes collectively inhibited the growth of multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cells. Conclusions: Solanine acts as a potent disruptor of cellular processes by inhibiting the EGFR-mediated PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. These results suggest that solanine holds promise as a potential preventive or therapeutic agent against multidrug-resistant cancers.

Background: Magnesium is recognized to have pharmacological potential, and its nanoformulation is anticipated to offer significant therapeutic effects, particularly against cancer. In this study, we analyzed the anticancer effect of biogenically synthesized magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) against breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). Methods: Different biological evaluations, such as cytotoxicity, cellular morphology, induction of apoptosis, generation of ROS, cell adhesion and cellular migration were estimated using well established methodology. Results: The biogenic MgO NPs exhibited increased cytotoxicity, induced apoptosis, enhanced formation of ROS, promoted cell adhesion and inhibited cellular migration in a dose-dependent manner, showing its therapeutic potential against MDA-MB-231 cells. Conclusion: The current study observed strong anticancer activity of MgO NPs against studied cancer cell lines. However, our study must be validated in an appropriate animal/xenograft model to authenticate the effectiveness of MgO NPs against breast cancer.

Introduction: Phytochemicals have garnered much attention because they are useful in managing several human diseases. Yohimbine is one such phytochemical with significant pharmacological potential and could be exploited for research by medicinal chemists. It is an indole alkaloid obtained from various natural/synthetic sources.Aims and Results: The research on yohimbine started early, and its use as a stimulant and aphrodisiac by humans has been reported for a long time. The pharmacological activity of yohimbine is mediated by the combined action of the central and peripheral nervous systems. It selectively blocks the pre and postsynaptic α2-adrenergic receptors and has a moderate affinity for α1 and α2 subtypes. Yohimbine also binds to other behaviourally relevant monoaminergic receptors in the following order: α-2 NE > 5HT-1A>, 5HT-1B > 1-D > D3 > D2 receptors.Conclusion: The current review highlights some significant findings that contribute to developing yohimbine-based drugs. It also highlights the therapeutic potential of yohimbine against selected human diseases. However, further research is recommended on the pharmacokinetics, molecular mechanisms, and drug safety requirements using well-designed randomized clinical trials to produce yohimbine as a pharmaceutical agent for human use.Key MessagesYohimbine is a natural indole alkaloid with significant pharmacological potential.Humans have used it as a stimulant and aphrodisiac from a relatively early time.It blocks the pre- and postsynaptic α2-adrenergic receptors that could be exploited for managing erectile dysfunction, myocardial dysfunction, inflammatory disorders, and cancer.