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Hsueh Kung Lin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Cancer Chemopreventive Effects of Boswellia Sacra Gum Resin Hydrodistillates on Invasive Urothelial Cell Carcinoma: Report of a Case
    Integrative Cancer Therapies, 2017
    Co-Authors: Ding Xia, Cole L. Wolley, Weiwei Lou, Mahmoud M. Suhail, Kar Ming Fung, Hsueh Kung Lin
    Abstract:

    A 52-year-old Hispanic male presented with hematuria and was later diagnosed with a large invasive high-grade urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) of the urinary bladder, but with ambiguous pT1/pT2 staging regarding musclaris propria invasion by UCC. The conventional treatment including radical cystoprostatectomy followed by neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy was presented. The patient decided to delay the standard therapy until a later stage, but elected to go through transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) without Bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillation. Following TURBT, the patient started oral Boswellia Sacra gum resin (aka frankincense or Ru Xiang in Chinese) hydrodistillates (BSGRH) administration at 3 mL daily with lifestyle changes, and continued this regimen in the last 25 months. Within the first year after diagnosis, the patient experienced 2 recurrences. Recurrent tumors were removed by TURBT alone and both tumors were far smaller than the original one. After the second recurrence, the patient has no detectible cancer in the bladder based on cystoscopy for 14 months and has an intact genitourinary system. His liver and kidney functions are considered to be normal based on blood chemistry tests. This index case suggests that BSGRH may have cancer chemopreventive effects on UCC. The use of Boswellia-derived products in the management of cancer has been well document in other published studies, and boswellic acids have been suggested to be the major component. However, BSGRH contains very little boswellic acids. Demonstration of cancer chemoprevention using BSGRH is one step forward in isolating the key components other than boswellic acids in frankincense. The critical question as to whether these components can simultaneously activate multiple pathways in cancer cells to execute cancer suppression/cytotoxicity or prevention effects remains to be addressed. More studies including identification of key molecules, pharmacokinetics of major compounds, as well as long-term benefits and possible adverse effects will be needed to meet the guidelines of the US Food and Drug Administration for botanical drug development.

  • frankincense essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia Sacra gum resins induces human pancreatic cancer cell death in cultures and in a xenograft murine model
    BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012
    Co-Authors: Mahmoud M. Suhail, Amy Cao, Russell G. Postier, Jingzhe Zhang, Gary Young, Cole Woolley, Kar Ming Fung, Qingqing Yang, Hsueh Kung Lin
    Abstract:

    Regardless of the availability of therapeutic options, the overall 5-year survival for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer remains less than 5%. Gum resins from Boswellia species, also known as frankincense, have been used as a major ingredient in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat a variety of health-related conditions. Both frankincense chemical extracts and essential oil prepared from Boswellia species gum resins exhibit anti-neoplastic activity, and have been investigated as potential anti-cancer agents. The goals of this study are to identify optimal condition for preparing frankincense essential oil that possesses potent anti-tumor activity, and to evaluate the activity in both cultured human pancreatic cancer cells and a xenograft mouse cancer model. Boswellia Sacra gum resins were hydrodistilled at 78°C; and essential oil distillate fractions were collected at different durations (Fraction I at 0–2 h, Fraction II at 8–10 h, and Fraction III at 11–12 h). Hydrodistillation of the second half of gum resins was performed at 100°C; and distillate was collected at 11–12 h (Fraction IV). Chemical compositions were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS); and total boswellic acids contents were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Frankincense essential oil-modulated pancreatic tumor cell viability and cytotoxicity were determined by colorimetric assays. Levels of apoptotic markers, signaling molecules, and cell cycle regulators expression were characterized by Western blot analysis. A heterotopic (subcutaneous) human pancreatic cancer xenograft nude mouse model was used to evaluate anti-tumor capability of Fraction IV frankincense essential oil in vivo. Frankincense essential oil-induced tumor cytostatic and cytotoxic activities in animals were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Longer duration and higher temperature hydrodistillation produced more abundant high molecular weight compounds, including boswellic acids, in frankincense essential oil fraactions. Human pancreatic cancer cells were sensitive to Fractions III and IV (containing higher molecular weight compounds) treatment with suppressed cell viability and increased cell death. Essential oil activated the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway, induced a rapid and transient activation of Akt and Erk1/2, and suppressed levels of cyclin D1 cdk4 expression in cultured pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, Boswellia Sacra essential oil Fraction IV exhibited anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities against pancreatic tumors in the heterotopic xenograft mouse model. All fractions of frankincense essential oil from Boswellia Sacra are capable of suppressing viability and inducing apoptosis of a panel of human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Potency of essential oil-suppressed tumor cell viability may be associated with the greater abundance of high molecular weight compounds in Fractions III and IV. Although chemical component(s) responsible for tumor cell cytotoxicity remains undefined, crude essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia Sacra gum resins might be a useful alternative therapeutic agent for treating patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis.

  • Frankincense essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia Sacra gum resins induces human pancreatic cancer cell death in cultures and in a xenograft murine model
    BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012
    Co-Authors: Xiao Ni, Amy Cao, Russell G. Postier, Jingzhe Zhang, Gary Young, Cole Woolley, Mahmoud M. Suhail, Kar Ming Fung, Qing Yang, Hsueh Kung Lin
    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND: Regardless of the availability of therapeutic options, the overall 5-year survival for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer remains less than 5%. Gum resins from Boswellia species, also known as frankincense, have been used as a major ingredient in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat a variety of health-related conditions. Both frankincense chemical extracts and essential oil prepared from Boswellia species gum resins exhibit anti-neoplastic activity, and have been investigated as potential anti-cancer agents. The goals of this study are to identify optimal condition for preparing frankincense essential oil that possesses potent anti-tumor activity, and to evaluate the activity in both cultured human pancreatic cancer cells and a xenograft mouse cancer model.\n\nMETHODS: Boswellia Sacra gum resins were hydrodistilled at 78°C; and essential oil distillate fractions were collected at different durations (Fraction I at 0-2 h, Fraction II at 8-10 h, and Fraction III at 11-12 h). Hydrodistillation of the second half of gum resins was performed at 100°C; and distillate was collected at 11-12 h (Fraction IV). Chemical compositions were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS); and total boswellic acids contents were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Frankincense essential oil-modulated pancreatic tumor cell viability and cytotoxicity were determined by colorimetric assays. Levels of apoptotic markers, signaling molecules, and cell cycle regulators expression were characterized by Western blot analysis. A heterotopic (subcutaneous) human pancreatic cancer xenograft nude mouse model was used to evaluate anti-tumor capability of Fraction IV frankincense essential oil in vivo. Frankincense essential oil-induced tumor cytostatic and cytotoxic activities in animals were assessed by immunohistochemistry.\n\nRESULTS: Longer duration and higher temperature hydrodistillation produced more abundant high molecular weight compounds, including boswellic acids, in frankincense essential oil fraactions. Human pancreatic cancer cells were sensitive to Fractions III and IV (containing higher molecular weight compounds) treatment with suppressed cell viability and increased cell death. Essential oil activated the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway, induced a rapid and transient activation of Akt and Erk1/2, and suppressed levels of cyclin D1 cdk4 expression in cultured pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, Boswellia Sacra essential oil Fraction IV exhibited anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities against pancreatic tumors in the heterotopic xenograft mouse model.\n\nCONCLUSION: All fractions of frankincense essential oil from Boswellia Sacra are capable of suppressing viability and inducing apoptosis of a panel of human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Potency of essential oil-suppressed tumor cell viability may be associated with the greater abundance of high molecular weight compounds in Fractions III and IV. Although chemical component(s) responsible for tumor cell cytotoxicity remains undefined, crude essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia Sacra gum resins might be a useful alternative therapeutic agent for treating patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis.

  • Boswellia Sacra essential oil induces tumor cell-specific apoptosis and suppresses tumor aggressiveness in cultured human breast cancer cells
    BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011
    Co-Authors: Mahmoud M. Suhail, Weijuan Wu, Amy Cao, Fadee G. Mondalek, Pin Tsen Shih, Yu Ting Fang, Gary Young, Cole Woolley, Kar Ming Fung, Hsueh Kung Lin
    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND: Gum resins obtained from trees of the Burseraceae family (Boswellia sp.) are important ingredients in incense and perfumes. Extracts prepared from Boswellia sp. gum resins have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic effects. Essential oil prepared by distillation of the gum resin traditionally used for aromatic therapy has also been shown to have tumor cell-specific anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities. The objective of this study was to optimize conditions for preparing Boswellea Sacra essential oil with the highest biological activity in inducing tumor cell-specific cytotoxicity and suppressing aggressive tumor phenotypes in human breast cancer cells.\n\nMETHODS: Boswellia Sacra essential oil was prepared from Omani Hougari grade resins through hydrodistillation at 78 or 100 °C for 12 hours. Chemical compositions were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; and total boswellic acids contents were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Boswellia Sacra essential oil-mediated cell viability and death were studied in established human breast cancer cell lines (T47D, MCF7, MDA-MB-231) and an immortalized normal human breast cell line (MCF10-2A). Apoptosis was assayed by genomic DNA fragmentation. Anti-invasive and anti-multicellular tumor properties were evaluated by cellular network and spheroid formation models, respectively. Western blot analysis was performed to study Boswellia Sacra essential oil-regulated proteins involved in apoptosis, signaling pathways, and cell cycle regulation.\n\nRESULTS: More abundant high molecular weight compounds, including boswellic acids, were present in Boswellia Sacra essential oil prepared at 100 °C hydrodistillation. All three human breast cancer cell lines were sensitive to essential oil treatment with reduced cell viability and elevated cell death, whereas the immortalized normal human breast cell line was more resistant to essential oil treatment. Boswellia Sacra essential oil hydrodistilled at 100 °C was more potent than the essential oil prepared at 78 °C in inducing cancer cell death, preventing the cellular network formation (MDA-MB-231) cells on Matrigel, causing the breakdown of multicellular tumor spheroids (T47D cells), and regulating molecules involved in apoptosis, signal transduction, and cell cycle progression.\n\nCONCLUSIONS: Similar to our previous observations in human bladder cancer cells, Boswellia Sacra essential oil induces breast cancer cell-specific cytotoxicity. Suppression of cellular network formation and disruption of spheroid development of breast cancer cells by Boswellia Sacra essential oil suggest that the essential oil may be effective for advanced breast cancer. Consistently, the essential oil represses signaling pathways and cell cycle regulators that have been proposed as therapeutic targets for breast cancer. Future pre-clinical and clinical studies are urgently needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Boswellia Sacra essential oil as a therapeutic agent for treating breast cancer.

Ahmed Al-harrasi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Diketopeprazin and Methyl-5-docosenoate from endophytic fungi Aureobasidium pollulan BSS6 with α-Glucosidase inhibition and its validation through molecular docking
    South African Journal of Botany, 2020
    Co-Authors: Saif Al-hosni, Abdul Latif Khan, Najeeb Ur Rehman, Liaqat Ali, Tania Shamim Rizvi, Ajmal Khan, Umer Rashid, Javid Hussian, Ahmed Al-harrasi
    Abstract:

    Abstract Endophytic fungi have been a focus of attention for producing diverse classes of bioactive metabolites but little is known about endophytic fungi Aureobasidium pullulan, isolated from the bark of frankincense producing tree (Boswellia Sacra). Extensive chromatographic methods resulted in the isolation of two known diketopeprazin (1 and 2) along with three fatty acids derivatives (3–5) from the ethyl acetate fraction of Aureobasidium pollulan BSS6. The structures of mentioned compounds were characterized by advanced 1D and 2D spectroscopic techniques such as, ultraviolet–visible (UV), infrared (IR), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) 1H NMR, 13C NMR, heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC), heteronuclear multiple-quantum coherence (HMQC) and correlation spectroscopy (COSY). The resulted compounds were evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibition potential to know their hyperglycemic effect in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Compound 3 showed significant inhibition having an IC50 value of 23.3 µM. To know the binding energy and pharmacophore of compound 3 with in active site of enzyme, the molecular docking was performed. Compound 3 has shown π-alkyl type of interactions with Asp214 and Glu276, key amino acid residues in the catalytic triad of α-glucosidase. In conclusion, the current study reports novel sources of anti-diabetic constituent's from Aureobasidium sp. for the first time.

  • DNA extraction from resin producing Boswellia tree
    2019
    Co-Authors: Adil Khan, Ahmed Al-harrasi, Abdul Latif Khan, Sajjad Asaf, Ahmed Al-rawahi
    Abstract:

    Abstract Wild and medicinal plants producing resin and ladle with phenolic and polysaccharides have been found a major hurdle to extract high quality of genomic DNA. These contaminants co -precipitate with DNA and inhibit enzymatic modification of DNA. Previously reported protocols yielded highly viscous DNA regimen that were not amicable to down-stream analysis. We tried several commonly used protocols but were unable to isolate high quality DNA from frankincense producing Boswellia Sacra. We extensively optimized the Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) based protocol used for Commiphora wightii and Passiflora foetida previously. The current methos involves changes in buffer conditions, handling methods, and cycles of steps to remove resin at earlier stages of extracton. The obtained gDNA can be used for genetic diversity, DNA barcoding and next generation sequencing approaches. To our knowledge, this is the first optimized protocol which a rapid and less laborious for the extraction of DNA from Boswellia species.

  • DNA extraction from resin producing Boswellia tree
    2019
    Co-Authors: Abdul Latif Khan, Ahmed Al-harrasi, Sajjad Asaf, Adil Khan, Ahmed Al-rawahi
    Abstract:

    Abstract The wild nature of plant and the presence of the secondary compounds e.g., Resin and phenolic compound make DNA extraction problematic. Some of them will co-precipitate with DNA during extraction and inhibit further enzymatic modification of the DNA. Furthermore large amounts of complex polysaccharides also make extraction of usable DNA impossible. Previously reported protocols yielded highly viscous and slimy DNA preparations that were not amenable to further analysis. We tried many commonly used protocols but were unable to isolate high quality DNA from the gum containing plant Bosweliia Sacra. We did extensive optimization of the Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide \(CTAB) protocol established by Doyle in 1987 to extract DNA which is feasible for PCR amplification. In this study, we have specifically tested the previously developed CTAB based protocols developed by I Haque adapted for Commiphora wightii and Bipin Deochand Lade protocol developed for Passiflora foetida. Both are developed for plants, which contain high amount of secondary metabolites, polysaccharides and phenolic compounds. Furthermore, we investigate the possibility to extract DNA from resin producing plants which is feasible for downstream application. To our knowledge, this is the first optimized protocol which a rapid and less laborious method for the extraction of DNA from Boswellia species \(Boswellia Sacra and Boswellia elongata found in Oman and Yemen respectively) which are resin \(Luban) producing plant. The isolated DNA by the currently optimized protocol were suitable for polymerase chain reaction \(PCR) mediated amplification for applications genetic diversity and DNA barcoding.

  • Boswellia Sacra Plastid Genome Sequencing and Comparative Analysis
    Biology of Genus Boswellia, 2019
    Co-Authors: Ahmed Al-harrasi, Abdul Latif Khan, Sajjad Asaf, Ahmed Al-rawahi
    Abstract:

    Boswellia Sacra (Burseraceae), a keystone endemic species, is famous for producing a fragrant oleogum resin. However, its genetic make-up, especially its chloroplast genome information, is still unknown. Here, we described the chloroplast (cp) genome of B. Sacra for the first time. The complete cp sequence revealed a circular genome of 160,543 bp with a 37.61% GC content. The cp genome is a typical quadripartite chloroplast structure with inverted repeats (IRs 26,763 bp) separated by small single copy (SSC; 18,962 bp) and large single copy (LSC; 88,055 bp) regions. De novo assembly and annotation showed the presence of 114 unique genes with 83 protein-coding regions. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the B. Sacra cp genome is closely related to the cp genomes of Azadirachta indica and Citrus sinensis, while most of the syntenic differences were found in the non-coding regions. The pairwise distance among 76 shared genes in B. Sacra and A. indica was highest for atpA, rpl2, rps12 and ycf1. The cp genome of B. Sacra reveals a novel genome, which could be used for further studies to understand its diversity, taxonomy and phylogeny.

  • Propagation and Conservation of Boswellia Sacra
    Biology of Genus Boswellia, 2019
    Co-Authors: Ahmed Al-harrasi, Abdul Latif Khan, Sajjad Asaf, Ahmed Al-rawahi
    Abstract:

    Most Boswellia species are very important and rare, and a very small number of nurseries offer seeds and propagated plants for some Boswellia species. The present chapter reveals the environmental conditions and appropriate methods for Boswellia species propagation. Various Boswellia species grow under different environmental conditions. For example, some species can grow in the humid tropics and some grow in dry tropical regions; therefore, the soil medium can be different for these species. Similarly, the amount of water required for Boswellia growth varies from environment to environment and from season to season. For Boswellia plants, a basic vigorous growth fertilizer with balanced NPK and chelated metals are sufficient. Furthermore, clonal propagation using tissue culture techniques provides a substitute for the vegetative practices used in the past. This approach has the potential to provide a higher multiplication of uniform genotypes in a short time and provides a substitute for the species that are difficult to grow. In some Boswellia species, the rooting of stem cuttings was found to be a very easy, inexpensive and successful strategy for mass multiplication. Mostly, Boswellia seedlings grown in nurseries have reportedly grown poorly in the field. However, vegetative propagation through root cuttings is predicted to give good results in the field. In vitro techniques are used for the conservation of Boswellia species, as already reported by various researchers. Furthermore, a number of hormonal combinations were checked on various Boswellia species such as B. serrata, and some combinations were found to be successful for a few months.

Abdul Latif Khan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Diketopeprazin and Methyl-5-docosenoate from endophytic fungi Aureobasidium pollulan BSS6 with α-Glucosidase inhibition and its validation through molecular docking
    South African Journal of Botany, 2020
    Co-Authors: Saif Al-hosni, Abdul Latif Khan, Najeeb Ur Rehman, Liaqat Ali, Tania Shamim Rizvi, Ajmal Khan, Umer Rashid, Javid Hussian, Ahmed Al-harrasi
    Abstract:

    Abstract Endophytic fungi have been a focus of attention for producing diverse classes of bioactive metabolites but little is known about endophytic fungi Aureobasidium pullulan, isolated from the bark of frankincense producing tree (Boswellia Sacra). Extensive chromatographic methods resulted in the isolation of two known diketopeprazin (1 and 2) along with three fatty acids derivatives (3–5) from the ethyl acetate fraction of Aureobasidium pollulan BSS6. The structures of mentioned compounds were characterized by advanced 1D and 2D spectroscopic techniques such as, ultraviolet–visible (UV), infrared (IR), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) 1H NMR, 13C NMR, heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC), heteronuclear multiple-quantum coherence (HMQC) and correlation spectroscopy (COSY). The resulted compounds were evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibition potential to know their hyperglycemic effect in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Compound 3 showed significant inhibition having an IC50 value of 23.3 µM. To know the binding energy and pharmacophore of compound 3 with in active site of enzyme, the molecular docking was performed. Compound 3 has shown π-alkyl type of interactions with Asp214 and Glu276, key amino acid residues in the catalytic triad of α-glucosidase. In conclusion, the current study reports novel sources of anti-diabetic constituent's from Aureobasidium sp. for the first time.

  • DNA extraction from resin producing Boswellia tree
    2019
    Co-Authors: Adil Khan, Ahmed Al-harrasi, Abdul Latif Khan, Sajjad Asaf, Ahmed Al-rawahi
    Abstract:

    Abstract Wild and medicinal plants producing resin and ladle with phenolic and polysaccharides have been found a major hurdle to extract high quality of genomic DNA. These contaminants co -precipitate with DNA and inhibit enzymatic modification of DNA. Previously reported protocols yielded highly viscous DNA regimen that were not amicable to down-stream analysis. We tried several commonly used protocols but were unable to isolate high quality DNA from frankincense producing Boswellia Sacra. We extensively optimized the Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) based protocol used for Commiphora wightii and Passiflora foetida previously. The current methos involves changes in buffer conditions, handling methods, and cycles of steps to remove resin at earlier stages of extracton. The obtained gDNA can be used for genetic diversity, DNA barcoding and next generation sequencing approaches. To our knowledge, this is the first optimized protocol which a rapid and less laborious for the extraction of DNA from Boswellia species.

  • DNA extraction from resin producing Boswellia tree
    2019
    Co-Authors: Abdul Latif Khan, Ahmed Al-harrasi, Sajjad Asaf, Adil Khan, Ahmed Al-rawahi
    Abstract:

    Abstract The wild nature of plant and the presence of the secondary compounds e.g., Resin and phenolic compound make DNA extraction problematic. Some of them will co-precipitate with DNA during extraction and inhibit further enzymatic modification of the DNA. Furthermore large amounts of complex polysaccharides also make extraction of usable DNA impossible. Previously reported protocols yielded highly viscous and slimy DNA preparations that were not amenable to further analysis. We tried many commonly used protocols but were unable to isolate high quality DNA from the gum containing plant Bosweliia Sacra. We did extensive optimization of the Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide \(CTAB) protocol established by Doyle in 1987 to extract DNA which is feasible for PCR amplification. In this study, we have specifically tested the previously developed CTAB based protocols developed by I Haque adapted for Commiphora wightii and Bipin Deochand Lade protocol developed for Passiflora foetida. Both are developed for plants, which contain high amount of secondary metabolites, polysaccharides and phenolic compounds. Furthermore, we investigate the possibility to extract DNA from resin producing plants which is feasible for downstream application. To our knowledge, this is the first optimized protocol which a rapid and less laborious method for the extraction of DNA from Boswellia species \(Boswellia Sacra and Boswellia elongata found in Oman and Yemen respectively) which are resin \(Luban) producing plant. The isolated DNA by the currently optimized protocol were suitable for polymerase chain reaction \(PCR) mediated amplification for applications genetic diversity and DNA barcoding.

  • Microbial Communities Accompanying Cultivated and Wild Boswellia Sacra Trees
    Biology of Genus Boswellia, 2019
    Co-Authors: Ahmed Al-harrasi, Abdul Latif Khan, Sajjad Asaf, Ahmed Al-rawahi
    Abstract:

    Boswellia Sacra has been studied with attention to the rhizosphere microbiota in its root zone. The current chapter discusses the bacterial and fungal rhizosphere communities living with both cultivated and wild B. Sacra tree populations studied using next-generation sequencing approaches. The results revealed that Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were abundant in wild and cultivated populations, respectively. Furthermore, Actinobacteria were abundant in wild populations, and Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria were abundant in cultivated populations. Higher quantities of glucosidases, cellulases and IAA were found in cultivated than in wild tree rhizospheres.

  • Boswellia Sacra Plastid Genome Sequencing and Comparative Analysis
    Biology of Genus Boswellia, 2019
    Co-Authors: Ahmed Al-harrasi, Abdul Latif Khan, Sajjad Asaf, Ahmed Al-rawahi
    Abstract:

    Boswellia Sacra (Burseraceae), a keystone endemic species, is famous for producing a fragrant oleogum resin. However, its genetic make-up, especially its chloroplast genome information, is still unknown. Here, we described the chloroplast (cp) genome of B. Sacra for the first time. The complete cp sequence revealed a circular genome of 160,543 bp with a 37.61% GC content. The cp genome is a typical quadripartite chloroplast structure with inverted repeats (IRs 26,763 bp) separated by small single copy (SSC; 18,962 bp) and large single copy (LSC; 88,055 bp) regions. De novo assembly and annotation showed the presence of 114 unique genes with 83 protein-coding regions. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the B. Sacra cp genome is closely related to the cp genomes of Azadirachta indica and Citrus sinensis, while most of the syntenic differences were found in the non-coding regions. The pairwise distance among 76 shared genes in B. Sacra and A. indica was highest for atpA, rpl2, rps12 and ycf1. The cp genome of B. Sacra reveals a novel genome, which could be used for further studies to understand its diversity, taxonomy and phylogeny.

Gary Young - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • frankincense essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia Sacra gum resins induces human pancreatic cancer cell death in cultures and in a xenograft murine model
    BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012
    Co-Authors: Mahmoud M. Suhail, Amy Cao, Russell G. Postier, Jingzhe Zhang, Gary Young, Cole Woolley, Kar Ming Fung, Qingqing Yang, Hsueh Kung Lin
    Abstract:

    Regardless of the availability of therapeutic options, the overall 5-year survival for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer remains less than 5%. Gum resins from Boswellia species, also known as frankincense, have been used as a major ingredient in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat a variety of health-related conditions. Both frankincense chemical extracts and essential oil prepared from Boswellia species gum resins exhibit anti-neoplastic activity, and have been investigated as potential anti-cancer agents. The goals of this study are to identify optimal condition for preparing frankincense essential oil that possesses potent anti-tumor activity, and to evaluate the activity in both cultured human pancreatic cancer cells and a xenograft mouse cancer model. Boswellia Sacra gum resins were hydrodistilled at 78°C; and essential oil distillate fractions were collected at different durations (Fraction I at 0–2 h, Fraction II at 8–10 h, and Fraction III at 11–12 h). Hydrodistillation of the second half of gum resins was performed at 100°C; and distillate was collected at 11–12 h (Fraction IV). Chemical compositions were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS); and total boswellic acids contents were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Frankincense essential oil-modulated pancreatic tumor cell viability and cytotoxicity were determined by colorimetric assays. Levels of apoptotic markers, signaling molecules, and cell cycle regulators expression were characterized by Western blot analysis. A heterotopic (subcutaneous) human pancreatic cancer xenograft nude mouse model was used to evaluate anti-tumor capability of Fraction IV frankincense essential oil in vivo. Frankincense essential oil-induced tumor cytostatic and cytotoxic activities in animals were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Longer duration and higher temperature hydrodistillation produced more abundant high molecular weight compounds, including boswellic acids, in frankincense essential oil fraactions. Human pancreatic cancer cells were sensitive to Fractions III and IV (containing higher molecular weight compounds) treatment with suppressed cell viability and increased cell death. Essential oil activated the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway, induced a rapid and transient activation of Akt and Erk1/2, and suppressed levels of cyclin D1 cdk4 expression in cultured pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, Boswellia Sacra essential oil Fraction IV exhibited anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities against pancreatic tumors in the heterotopic xenograft mouse model. All fractions of frankincense essential oil from Boswellia Sacra are capable of suppressing viability and inducing apoptosis of a panel of human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Potency of essential oil-suppressed tumor cell viability may be associated with the greater abundance of high molecular weight compounds in Fractions III and IV. Although chemical component(s) responsible for tumor cell cytotoxicity remains undefined, crude essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia Sacra gum resins might be a useful alternative therapeutic agent for treating patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis.

  • Frankincense essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia Sacra gum resins induces human pancreatic cancer cell death in cultures and in a xenograft murine model
    BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012
    Co-Authors: Xiao Ni, Amy Cao, Russell G. Postier, Jingzhe Zhang, Gary Young, Cole Woolley, Mahmoud M. Suhail, Kar Ming Fung, Qing Yang, Hsueh Kung Lin
    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND: Regardless of the availability of therapeutic options, the overall 5-year survival for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer remains less than 5%. Gum resins from Boswellia species, also known as frankincense, have been used as a major ingredient in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat a variety of health-related conditions. Both frankincense chemical extracts and essential oil prepared from Boswellia species gum resins exhibit anti-neoplastic activity, and have been investigated as potential anti-cancer agents. The goals of this study are to identify optimal condition for preparing frankincense essential oil that possesses potent anti-tumor activity, and to evaluate the activity in both cultured human pancreatic cancer cells and a xenograft mouse cancer model.\n\nMETHODS: Boswellia Sacra gum resins were hydrodistilled at 78°C; and essential oil distillate fractions were collected at different durations (Fraction I at 0-2 h, Fraction II at 8-10 h, and Fraction III at 11-12 h). Hydrodistillation of the second half of gum resins was performed at 100°C; and distillate was collected at 11-12 h (Fraction IV). Chemical compositions were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS); and total boswellic acids contents were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Frankincense essential oil-modulated pancreatic tumor cell viability and cytotoxicity were determined by colorimetric assays. Levels of apoptotic markers, signaling molecules, and cell cycle regulators expression were characterized by Western blot analysis. A heterotopic (subcutaneous) human pancreatic cancer xenograft nude mouse model was used to evaluate anti-tumor capability of Fraction IV frankincense essential oil in vivo. Frankincense essential oil-induced tumor cytostatic and cytotoxic activities in animals were assessed by immunohistochemistry.\n\nRESULTS: Longer duration and higher temperature hydrodistillation produced more abundant high molecular weight compounds, including boswellic acids, in frankincense essential oil fraactions. Human pancreatic cancer cells were sensitive to Fractions III and IV (containing higher molecular weight compounds) treatment with suppressed cell viability and increased cell death. Essential oil activated the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway, induced a rapid and transient activation of Akt and Erk1/2, and suppressed levels of cyclin D1 cdk4 expression in cultured pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, Boswellia Sacra essential oil Fraction IV exhibited anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities against pancreatic tumors in the heterotopic xenograft mouse model.\n\nCONCLUSION: All fractions of frankincense essential oil from Boswellia Sacra are capable of suppressing viability and inducing apoptosis of a panel of human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Potency of essential oil-suppressed tumor cell viability may be associated with the greater abundance of high molecular weight compounds in Fractions III and IV. Although chemical component(s) responsible for tumor cell cytotoxicity remains undefined, crude essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia Sacra gum resins might be a useful alternative therapeutic agent for treating patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis.

  • Boswellia Sacra essential oil induces tumor cell-specific apoptosis and suppresses tumor aggressiveness in cultured human breast cancer cells
    BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011
    Co-Authors: Weijuan Wu, Fadee G. Mondalek, Pin Tsen Shih, Yu Ting Fang, Kar Ming Fung, Gary Young
    Abstract:

    Background Gum resins obtained from trees of the Burseraceae family ( Boswellia sp .) are important ingredients in incense and perfumes. Extracts prepared from Boswellia sp . gum resins have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic effects. Essential oil prepared by distillation of the gum resin traditionally used for aromatic therapy has also been shown to have tumor cell-specific anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities. The objective of this study was to optimize conditions for preparing Boswellea Sacra essential oil with the highest biological activity in inducing tumor cell-specific cytotoxicity and suppressing aggressive tumor phenotypes in human breast cancer cells. Methods Boswellia Sacra essential oil was prepared from Omani Hougari grade resins through hydrodistillation at 78 or 100 ^oC for 12 hours. Chemical compositions were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; and total boswellic acids contents were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Boswellia Sacra essential oil-mediated cell viability and death were studied in established human breast cancer cell lines (T47D, MCF7, MDA-MB-231) and an immortalized normal human breast cell line (MCF10-2A). Apoptosis was assayed by genomic DNA fragmentation. Anti-invasive and anti-multicellular tumor properties were evaluated by cellular network and spheroid formation models, respectively. Western blot analysis was performed to study Boswellia Sacra essential oil-regulated proteins involved in apoptosis, signaling pathways, and cell cycle regulation. Results More abundant high molecular weight compounds, including boswellic acids, were present in Boswellia Sacra essential oil prepared at 100 ^oC hydrodistillation. All three human breast cancer cell lines were sensitive to essential oil treatment with reduced cell viability and elevated cell death, whereas the immortalized normal human breast cell line was more resistant to essential oil treatment. Boswellia Sacra essential oil hydrodistilled at 100 ^oC was more potent than the essential oil prepared at 78 ^oC in inducing cancer cell death, preventing the cellular network formation (MDA-MB-231) cells on Matrigel, causing the breakdown of multicellular tumor spheroids (T47D cells), and regulating molecules involved in apoptosis, signal transduction, and cell cycle progression. Conclusions Similar to our previous observations in human bladder cancer cells, Boswellia Sacra essential oil induces breast cancer cell-specific cytotoxicity. Suppression of cellular network formation and disruption of spheroid development of breast cancer cells by Boswellia Sacra essential oil suggest that the essential oil may be effective for advanced breast cancer. Consistently, the essential oil represses signaling pathways and cell cycle regulators that have been proposed as therapeutic targets for breast cancer. Future pre-clinical and clinical studies are urgently needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Boswellia Sacra essential oil as a therapeutic agent for treating breast cancer.

  • Boswellia Sacra essential oil induces tumor cell-specific apoptosis and suppresses tumor aggressiveness in cultured human breast cancer cells
    BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011
    Co-Authors: Mahmoud M. Suhail, Weijuan Wu, Amy Cao, Fadee G. Mondalek, Pin Tsen Shih, Yu Ting Fang, Gary Young, Cole Woolley, Kar Ming Fung, Hsueh Kung Lin
    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND: Gum resins obtained from trees of the Burseraceae family (Boswellia sp.) are important ingredients in incense and perfumes. Extracts prepared from Boswellia sp. gum resins have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic effects. Essential oil prepared by distillation of the gum resin traditionally used for aromatic therapy has also been shown to have tumor cell-specific anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities. The objective of this study was to optimize conditions for preparing Boswellea Sacra essential oil with the highest biological activity in inducing tumor cell-specific cytotoxicity and suppressing aggressive tumor phenotypes in human breast cancer cells.\n\nMETHODS: Boswellia Sacra essential oil was prepared from Omani Hougari grade resins through hydrodistillation at 78 or 100 °C for 12 hours. Chemical compositions were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; and total boswellic acids contents were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Boswellia Sacra essential oil-mediated cell viability and death were studied in established human breast cancer cell lines (T47D, MCF7, MDA-MB-231) and an immortalized normal human breast cell line (MCF10-2A). Apoptosis was assayed by genomic DNA fragmentation. Anti-invasive and anti-multicellular tumor properties were evaluated by cellular network and spheroid formation models, respectively. Western blot analysis was performed to study Boswellia Sacra essential oil-regulated proteins involved in apoptosis, signaling pathways, and cell cycle regulation.\n\nRESULTS: More abundant high molecular weight compounds, including boswellic acids, were present in Boswellia Sacra essential oil prepared at 100 °C hydrodistillation. All three human breast cancer cell lines were sensitive to essential oil treatment with reduced cell viability and elevated cell death, whereas the immortalized normal human breast cell line was more resistant to essential oil treatment. Boswellia Sacra essential oil hydrodistilled at 100 °C was more potent than the essential oil prepared at 78 °C in inducing cancer cell death, preventing the cellular network formation (MDA-MB-231) cells on Matrigel, causing the breakdown of multicellular tumor spheroids (T47D cells), and regulating molecules involved in apoptosis, signal transduction, and cell cycle progression.\n\nCONCLUSIONS: Similar to our previous observations in human bladder cancer cells, Boswellia Sacra essential oil induces breast cancer cell-specific cytotoxicity. Suppression of cellular network formation and disruption of spheroid development of breast cancer cells by Boswellia Sacra essential oil suggest that the essential oil may be effective for advanced breast cancer. Consistently, the essential oil represses signaling pathways and cell cycle regulators that have been proposed as therapeutic targets for breast cancer. Future pre-clinical and clinical studies are urgently needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Boswellia Sacra essential oil as a therapeutic agent for treating breast cancer.

Ahmed Alharrasi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • first complete chloroplast genomics and comparative phylogenetic analysis of commiphora gileadensis and c foliacea myrrh producing trees
    PLOS ONE, 2019
    Co-Authors: Abdul Latif Khan, A U Khan, Sajjad Asaf, Ahmed Alharrasi, Omar Alsudairy, Noor Mazin Abdulkareem, Adil Khan, Tariq Shehzad
    Abstract:

    Commiphora gileadensis and C. foliacea (family Burseraceae) are pantropical in nature and known for producing fragrant resin (myrrh). Both the tree species are economically and medicinally important however, least genomic understanding is available for this genus. Herein, we report the complete chloroplast genome sequences of C. gileadensis and C. foliacea and comparative analysis with related species (C. wightii and Boswellia Sacra). A modified chloroplast DNA extraction method was adopted, followed with next generation sequencing, detailed bioinformatics and PCR analyses. The results revealed that the cp genome sizes of C. gileadensis and C. foliacea, are 160,268 and 160,249 bp, respectively, with classic quadripartite structures that comprises of inverted repeat’s pair. Overall, the organization of these cp genomes, GC contents, gene order, and codon usage were comparable to other cp genomes in angiosperm. Approximately, 198 and 175 perfect simple sequence repeats were detected in C. gileadensis and C. foliacea genomes, respectively. Similarly, 30 and 25 palindromic, 15 and 25 forward, and 20 and 25 tandem repeats were determined in both the cp genomes, respectively. Comparison of these complete cp genomes with C. wightii and B. Sacra revealed significant sequence resemblance and comparatively highest deviation in intergenic spacers. The phylo-genomic comparison showed that C. gileadensis and C. foliacea form a single clade with previously reported C. wightii and B. Sacra from family Burseraceae. Current study reports for the first time the cp genomics of species from Commiphora, which could be helpful in understanding genetic diversity and phylogeny of this myrrh producing species.

  • endogenous phytohormones of frankincense producing Boswellia Sacra tree populations
    PLOS ONE, 2018
    Co-Authors: Abdul Latif Khan, Ahmed Alharrasi, Fazal Mabood, Fazal Akber, Amjad Ali, Raheem Shahzad, Ahmed Alrawahi, Zabta Khan Shinwari, In-jung Lee
    Abstract:

    Boswellia Sacra, an endemic tree to Oman, is exposed to man-made incisions for commercial level frankincense production, whereas unsustainable harvesting may lead to population decline. In this case, assessment of endogenous phytohormones (gibberellic acid (GA), indole-acetic acid (IAA), salicylic acid (SA) and kinetin) can help to understand population health and growth dynamics. Hence, it was aimed to devise a robust method using Near-Infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) coupled with multivariate methods for phytohormone analysis of thirteen different populations of B. Sacra. NIRS data was recorded in absorption mode (10000–4000 cm-1) to build partial least squares regression model (calibration set 70%). Model was externally cross validated (30%) as a test set to check their prediction ability before the application to quantify the unknown amount of phytohormones in thirteen different populations of B. Sacra. The results showed that phytohormonal contents varied significantly, showing a trend of SA>GA/IAA>kinetin across different populations. SA and GA contents were significantly higher in Pop13 (Hasik), followed by Pop2 (Dowkah)–an extreme end of B. Sacra tree cover in Dhofar region. A similar trend in the concentration of phytohormones was found when the samples from 13 populations were subjected to advance liquid chromatography mass spectrophotometer and gas chromatograph with selected ion monitor analysis. The current analysis provides alternative tool to assess plant health, which could be important to in situ propagation of tree population as well as monitoring tree population growth dynamics.

  • regulation of endogenous phytohormones and essential metabolites in frankincense producing Boswellia Sacra under wounding stress
    Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2018
    Co-Authors: Abdul Latif Khan, Ahmed Alharrasi, Raheem Shahzad, Ahmed Alrawahi, Qari Muhammad Imran, Byungwook Yun, Yoonha Kim, Sangmo Kang, In-jung Lee
    Abstract:

    Boswellia Sacra is an economically and ecologically important frankincense-producing tree, which is wounded to extract the aromatic resin. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms following this wounding stress are unknown. Our current goal was to elucidate the regulation of key physio-molecular determinants of wounded and preserved B. Sacra populations. Wounding caused a twofold increase in calcium/magnesium content and a reduction in essential macronutrient (nitrogen) levels. Total amino acids were also reduced 1.74-fold; however, the levels of γ-amino butyric acid, hydroxyl-proline, and β-alanine were significantly higher (1- to 2.2-fold). In contrast, the fatty acids (linolenic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acids) were significantly higher in the preserved trees. Endogenous jasmonic acid (JA) was also significantly higher (67%) in the wounded trees, as was the expression of the JA-related genes allene oxide synthase and allene oxide cyclase. A similar twofold increase in stress-responsive abscisic acid was observed in the wounded trees. However, salicylic acid was down-regulated, and the pathogenesis-related genes PR1 and PR3 exhibited varying responses in the wounded plants. The presence of physiologically active (GA1, GA4, and GA3) and inactive (GA12, GA19, and GA20) gibberellins in both the wounded and control trees revealed similarity with the known GA biosynthesis in B. Sacra. Both GA4 and GA3 were each significantly synthesized, which were buoyed by the increased expressions of ent-copalyl diphosphate synthase, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, and gibberellin 20 oxidases under wounding stress. In conclusion, B. Sacra responds to extraction of resin by regulating essential endogenous hormones and related transcripts, which in return retard tree growth and development.

  • quantification of akba in Boswellia Sacra using nirs coupled with plsr as an alternative method and cross validation by hplc
    Phytochemical Analysis, 2018
    Co-Authors: Najeeb Ur Rehman, Abdul Latif Khan, Hidayat Hussain, Javid Hussain, Liaqat Ali, Ahmed Alharrasi, Fazal Mabood, Muhammed Albroumi, Rene Csuk
    Abstract:

    Introduction 3-O-Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), one of the pentacyclic triterpenoids, is the main biologically active constituent in the resin of Boswellia Sacra and has received significant pharmacological interest in recent years. Objective It was aimed to develop a robust method to quantify the AKBA content in methanolic extracts of different parts of B. Sacra plants and in various fractions of its resin exudates through near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) coupled with partial least squares regression (PLSR). Material and Methods The near-infrared (NIR) spectra were used to measure the AKBA standards and B. Sacra samples at a wavelength range between 700 and 2500 nm in absorption mode. A PLSR model was built from the obtained spectral data using 70% of the AKBA working standard solutions (training set), ranging from 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm. The final PLSR showed a R2 value of 99% with a root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) value of 0.39% and a R2 value of 99%. Results The results showed that a 50% CHCl3/n-hexane sub-fraction has the highest concentration of AKBA (14.8%), followed by 55% CHCl3/n-hexane (13.6%), and 40% CHCl3/n-hexane (6.1%). Conclusion As the results achieved with the proposed NIRS methodology are in close agreement to the results of AKBA analysis using HPLC, we suggest that our proposed NIRS method is a fast alternative and non-destructive method for the analysis of AKBA in different samples of B. Sacra. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  • rhizospheric microbial communities associated with wild and cultivated frankincense producing Boswellia Sacra tree
    PLOS ONE, 2017
    Co-Authors: Abdul Latif Khan, Sajjad Asaf, In-jung Lee, Ahmed Alrawahi, Ahmed Alharrasi
    Abstract:

    Boswellia Sacra, a frankincense producing endemic tree, has been well known for its cultural, religious and economic values. However, the tree has been least explored for the associated microsymbiota in the rhizosphere. The current study elucidates the fungal and bacterial communities of the rhizospheric regions of the wild and cultivated B. Sacra tree populations through next generation sequencing. The sequence analysis showed the existence of 1006±8.9 and 60.6±3.1 operational taxonomic unit (OTUs) for bacterial and fungal communities respectively. In fungal communities, five major phyla were found with significantly higher abundance of Ascomycota (60.3%) in wild population and Basidiomycota (52%) in cultivated tree rhizospheres. Among bacterial communities, 31 major phyla were found, with significant distribution of Actinobacteria in wild tree rhizospheres, whereas Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria were highly abundant in cultivated trees. The diversity and abundance of microbiome varied significantly depending upon soil characteristics of the three different populations. In addition, significantly higher glucosidases, cellulases and indole-3-acetic acid were found in cultivated tree’s rhizospheres as compared to wild tree populations. for these plants to survive the harsh arid-land environmental conditions. The current study is a first comprehensive work and advances our knowledge about the core fungal and bacterial microbial microbiome associated with this economically important tree.