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Screening the Active Phytochemicals From Eclipta prostrata and Unraveling Their Molecular Insight Into Human
Md Sakhawat Hossain1, Sanjida Khatun2, Md Mojnu Mia1
1Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University Santosh Bangladesh.
Abstract:
Current drugs against multiple human malignancies are limited, and developing new treatment strategies is improbable within a short time. So, considering the current situation, phytochemicals could be a viable option for developing chemotherapeutic agents for managing numerous types of malignancies. Therefore, we aimed to locate all phytochemicals of Eclipta prostrata and unravel their chemotherapeutic mechanisms and strategies individually. We defined 25 active compounds based on their anticancer activities after filtering through IMPPAT and literature search, and these compounds have chemotherapeutic activities against around 15 different human malignancies. In vitro and preclinical models support that the chemotherapeutic properties of phytochemicals derived from Eclipta prostrata are believed to be regulated by many pathways, including targeting signaling pathways, for example, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK); regulated cell death such as Fas cell surface death receptor (FAS), Bid, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), Bcl2, Bax, Bak, Bad, caspase, and Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase (PARP); metastasis and angiogenesis such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (2&9), wingless/integrated (Wnt)/beta-catenin, angiogenesis (E-cCadherin & N-cadherin, vimentin), cell proliferation (cyclins-A, B1, D1, E1, and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 1, 2,4), inflammatory molecules (programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), TNF-α, NF-κB, Interleukin-1 (IL-1), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)), regulating tumor suppressor genes (p21, p27, p38, p51, p53), microRNA (miRNA) regulation, and some nonspecific pathways like DNA fragmentation damage and repair, autophagy (light chain 3-II (LC3-II) and mTOR), and many other pathways. Some selective phytochemicals exert synergistic activities with standard chemotherapeutic drugs and reverse drug resistance through several mechanisms. Nano-based phytochemicals target numerous cancer cells, resulting in drug accumulation and improved drug efficacy, making phytochemicals more potent chemotherapeutic agents in cancer treatment. Additionally, an in-silico pharmacokinetics study reveals that phytoestrogen possesses suitable pharmacokinetic characteristics with minor toxicity in the human body. So, direct consumption of different parts of Eclipta prostrata or specific phytochemicals from this plant can be a potential candidate drug against human malignancies.
Insights
Phytochemicals from Eclipta prostrata show promise as anticancer agents, targeting multiple pathways and potentially reversing drug resistance. These compounds offer a viable option for developing new chemotherapeutic strategies against various human malignancies.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
Background:
- Current cancer treatments face limitations, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Phytochemicals present a promising avenue for developing new chemotherapeutic agents.
- Eclipta prostrata is a potential source of anticancer compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify phytochemicals from Eclipta prostrata with anticancer activities.
- To elucidate the chemotherapeutic mechanisms and strategies of these compounds.
- To evaluate their potential as agents against human malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Literature search and database filtering (IMPPAT) to identify active compounds.
- In vitro and preclinical models to assess chemotherapeutic properties.
- In-silico pharmacokinetic studies to evaluate safety and efficacy.
Main Results:
- Identified 25 active compounds from Eclipta prostrata with activity against 15 human malignancies.
- Demonstrated that these phytochemicals target multiple signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK), regulate cell death (apoptosis, autophagy), and affect metastasis and angiogenesis.
- Showed synergistic effects with conventional drugs, potential to reverse drug resistance, and favorable pharmacokinetics for phytoestrogens.
Conclusions:
- Eclipta prostrata-derived phytochemicals possess significant chemotherapeutic potential against various cancers.
- These compounds modulate diverse cellular pathways crucial for cancer progression and survival.
- Eclipta prostrata and its phytochemicals represent a promising source for developing novel anticancer drugs.

