The antileukemic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its related molecular targets: A mini review

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), and its main constituents, crocin, and crocetin have shown promising effects as an antileukemic agent in animal models and cell culture systems. Saffron retards the growth of cancer cells via inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis and enhancing antioxidative system. It can induce apoptosis and chemosensitivity via inhibiting multidrug resistance proteins. Saffron also induces differentiation pathways via inhibiting promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor-α, histone deacetylase1, and tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterase-1 as well. The present review highlights the most recent findings on the antileukemic effects of saffron and its underlying molecular targets. The emerging evidence suggests that saffron has a selective toxicity effect against leukemic cells while is safe for the normal cells.     

Optimization of L-asparaginase production from novel Enterobacter sp., by submerged fermentation using response surface methodology

The culture conditions and nutritional rations influencing the production of extra cellular antileukemic enzyme by novel Enterobacter aerogenes KCTC2190/MTCC111 were optimized in shake-flask culture. Process variables like pH, temperature, incubation time, carbon and nitrogen sources, inducer concentration, and inoculum size were taken into account. In the present study, finest enzyme activity achieved by traditional one variable at a time method was 7.6 IU/mL which was a 2.6-fold increase compared to the initial value. Further, the L-asparaginase production was optimized using response surface methodology, and validated experimental result at optimized process variables gave 18.35 IU/mL of L-asparaginase activity, which is 2.4-times higher than the traditional optimization approach. The study explored the E. aerogenes MTCC111 as a potent and potential bacterial source for high yield of antileukemic drug.     

Lasiodiplodin,a potent antileukemic macrolide from Euphorbia splendens

In vivo P-388 assay-directed fractionation of an active extract from Euphorbia splendens has led to the isolation of lasiodiplodin, a potent antileukemic macrolide, the structure of which was established from spectral data and a single-crystal X-ray analysis.     

Skin irritant diterpene orthoesters of the daphnane type from Peddiea africana and P. Volkensii

From roots of Peddiea volkensii (Thymelaeaceae) the irritant factors V₁ and V₂ and from roots of P. africana the irritant factor A₁ were isolated. Their structures are the 9,13,14-ortho-(2,4,6-decatrienoates) of 5β-hydroxyresiniferonol-6α,7α-oxide (V₁) and of 5β,12β-dihydroxyresiniferonol-6α,7α-oxide (A₁) and the 12-O-acetate of the latter (V₂). Factors V₁ and V₂ do not exhibit tumour-promoting activity in the standard initiation-promotion protocol on mouse skin, although V₁ is a moderate irritant.     

Eucannabinolide and other constituents of Schkuhria virgata

Isolation of eucannabinolide, its 3-isovaleroyl analog and pectolinarigenin from Schkuhria virgata (La Llave et Lex.) DC. is reported. The identity of eucannabinolide, which exhibits in vivo antileukemic activity, with ‘hiyodorilactone A’, ‘20-hydroxychromolaenide’ and ‘schkuhrin I’ is discussed.     

Structure and stereochemistry of (−)-odorinol,an antileukemic diamide from Aglaia odorata

Bioassay-directed isolation of an antileukemic extract of Aglaia odorata has led to the characterization of (?)-odorinol, a new diamide demonstra     

Genkwadaphnin,a potent antileukemic diterpene from Daphne genkwa

In vivo P-388 assay-directed fractionation of an active extract of Daphne genkwa (Yuán Huā) has led to the isolation and characterization of a new antileukemic principle. genkwadaphnin.