Cyclooxygenases (COXs) play a pivotal role in inflammation, a complex phenomenon required in human defense, but also involved in the emergence of insidious human disorders. Currently-used COX-1 inhibitors (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs-NSAIDs), as the most frequent choices for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, have been identified to be associated with a variety of adverse drug reactions, especially dyspepsia, as well as peptic ulcer, which lead to diminished output. Moreover, the structural similarities of COX- 1 and -2, along with the availability of comprehensive information about the three-dimensional structure of COX- 2, co-crystallized with various inhibitors, search selective COX-2 inhibitors a formidable challenge. COX-2 inhibitors were shown to minimize the incidence of metastasis in cancer patients when administered preoperatively. Developing selective COX-2 inhibitors to tackle both cancer and chronic inflammatory illnesses has been identified as a promising research direction in recent decades. Identifying innovative scaffolds to integrate as the major component of future COX-2 inhibitors is critical in this regard. The presence of a central, α, β-unsaturated carbonyl- containing scaffold, as a characteristic structural pattern in many selective COX-2 inhibitors, along with a huge count of chalcone-based anticancer agents representing the basic idea of this review; providing a survey of the most recently published literature concerning development of chalcone analogs as novel COX-2 inhibitors until 2022 with efficient anticancer activity. A brief overview of the most recent developments concerning structure- activity relationship insights and mechanisms is also reported, helping pave the road for additional investigation.
Background: The arrival of large quantities of Sargassum in the Mexican Caribbean Sea has generated major environmental, health and economic problems. Although Sargassum has been used in the generation of some commercial products, few studies have described its possible applications as a source of compounds with anticancer activity.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of different Sargassum extracts on various cancer cell lines. Furthermore, LC/QTOF-MS was used to identify the compounds related to the antiproliferative effect.
Methods: First, determination of the seaweed was performed, and dichloromethane, chloroform and methanol extracts were obtained. The extracts were evaluated for their antiproliferative effects by MTT in breast (MDAMB- 231 and MCF-7), prostate (DU-145), lung (A549) and cervical (SiHa) cancer cell lines. Finally, LC/QTOFMS identified the compounds related to the antiproliferative effect.
Results: The authentication showed Sargassum fluitans as the predominant species. The extracts of dichloromethane and chloroform showed an antiproliferative effect. Interestingly, the fractionation of the chloroform extract showed two fractions (FC1 and FC2) with antiproliferative activity in MDA-MB-231, SiHa and A549 cancer cell lines. On the other hand, three fractions of dichloromethane extract (FD1, FD4 and FD5) also showed antiproliferative effects in the MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, SiHa and DU-145 cancer cell lines. Furthermore, LC/QTOF-MS revealed the presence of eight major compounds in FC2. Three compounds with evidence of anticancer activity were identified (D-linalool-3-glucoside, (3R,4S,6E,10Z)-3,4,7,11-tetramethyl-6,10-tridecadienal and alpha-tocotrienol).
Conclusion: These findings showed that Sargassum fluitans extracts are a possible source of therapeutic agents against cancer and could act as scaffolds for new drug discovery.
Over the last few decades, an alarming rise in the percentage of individuals with cancer and those with multi-resistant illnesses has forced researchers to explore possibilities for novel therapeutic approaches. Numerous medications currently exist to treat various disorders, and the development of small molecules as anticancer agents has considerable potential. However, the widespread prevalence of resistance to multiple drugs in cancer indicates that it is necessary to discover novel and promising compounds with ideal characteristics that could overcome the multidrug resistance issue. The utilisation of metallo-drugs has served as a productive anticancer chemotherapeutic method, and this approach may be implemented for combating multi-resistant tumours more successfully. Schiff bases have been receiving a lot of attention as a group of compounds due to their adaptable metal chelating abilities, innate biologic properties, and versatility to tweak the structure to optimise it for a specific biological purpose. The biological relevance of Schiff base and related complexes, notably their anticancer effects, has increased in their popularity as bio-inorganic chemistry has progressed. As a result of learning about Schiff bases antitumor efficacy against multiple cancer cell lines and their complexes, researchers are motivated to develop novel, side-effect-free anticancer treatments. According to study reports from the past ten years, we are still seeking a powerful anticancer contender. This study highlights the potential of Schiff bases, a broad class of chemical molecules, as potent anticancer agents. In combination with other anticancer strategies, they enhance the efficacy of treatment by elevating the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy, surmounting drug resistance, and promoting targeted therapy. Schiff bases also cause cancer cell DNA repair, improve immunotherapy, prevent angiogenesis, cause apoptosis, and lessen the side effects of chemotherapy. The present review explores the development of potential Schiff base and their d and f block metal complexes as anticancer agents against various cancer cell lines.