Our data show that A. subulata extracts have potent antiproliferative properties on human cancer cell lines. This plant should be considered an important source of potent anticancer compounds.

Curcumin (CUR) is a phenolic compound that is safe for human consumption. It exhibits chemopreventive, antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and antimetastatic effects. However, these benefits can be hampered due to the lipophilic nature, rapid metabolism, low bioavailability, and fast elimination of the molecule. Considering this, the present work reviews the use of CUR-based nanosystems as anticancer agents, including conventional nanosystems (i.e., liposomes, nanoemulsions, nanocrystals, nanosuspensions, polymeric nanoparticles) and nanosystems that respond to external stimuli (i.e., magnetic nanoparticles and photodynamic therapy). Previous studies showed that the effects of CUR were improved when loaded into nanosystems as compared to the free compound, as well as synergist effects when it is co-administrated alongside with other molecules. In order to maximize the beneficial health effects of CUR, critical factors need to be strictly controlled, such as particle size, morphology, and interaction between the encapsulating material and CUR. In addition, there is an area of study to be explored in the development of CUR-based smart materials for nanomedical applications. Imaging-guided drug delivery of CUR-based nanosystems may also directly target specific cells, thereby increasing the therapeutic and chemopreventive efficacy of this versatile compound.

The bioactive properties of peptide fractions obtained from the hydrolysis of squid (Dosidicus gigas) byproducts collagen, using Protease type XIV and ultrafiltration (UFI), were studied. The basic objective was to improve the bioactivity of squid hydrolysates via the application of UFI. Peptide fractions obtained after UFI had higher antioxidant and antimutagenic activities, but the antiproliferative activity did not improve after UFI. Peptides <5 kDa (Fraction F3) showed higher antioxidant and antimutagenic activities, as well as lower antioxidant and antiproliferative activities than both, peptides >10 kDa (F1) and those within the range of >5 to <10 kDa (F2). Band at lower field observed in FT-IR spectra and proton-peaks observed at higher 1 H-NMR fields, both associated to aromatic amino acids, as well as to other antioxidant amino acids such as hydroxyproline, glycine, arginine and lysine, may explain F3 bioactivity. Ultrafiltration can, therefore, be used to improve some bioactivities of squid collagen hydrolysates.

Las especies reactivas de oxígeno, que inducen estrés oxidativo en el organismo, son uno de los factores de riesgo para padecer de algún tipo de cáncer. En México los tipos de cáncer con mayor mortalidad son el de próstata, mama, cervicouterino, pulmón e hígado. Los productos naturales representan la forma más antigua de remedios medicinales, para el cáncer esta fuente no es una excepción. En esta investigación, se estudió la actividad antioxidante por ABTS y DPPH, y la actividad antiproliferativa de seis plantas medicinales del noroeste de México. Las cáscaras del fruto de Jacquinia macrocarpa ssp pungens mostraron la mejor actividad antiproliferativa del estudio con una IC50 de 9.2 mg/mL en A549, seguido por B microphylla con IC50 de 13.8 mg/mL en HeLa. Bursera laxiflora obtuvo la mejor actividad antioxidante de las seis plantas frente a los radicales ABTS y DPPH, así como también presentó actividad antiproliferativa en HeLa. La corteza de B. laxiflora contiene compuestos con actividad antioxidante, que probablemente, también sean los mismos que inducen la actividad antiproliferativa en células cancerosas. Por otro lado, J.  macrocarpa y B. microphylla no presentan actividad antioxidante, sin embargo, las tres especies vegetales representan una fuente potencial de moléculas con actividad antiproliferativa.