Current Research on Biosciences and Biotechnology

From silk waste to cancer therapy: a review of the therapeutic potential and in vitro cytotoxicity of sericin

Lisya Mutiara Dewi — 2026-08-31

Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, often leading to death. The high incidence of cancer has led to continued exploration of potential therapeutics, particularly those derived from natural products. One of the potential natural products is sericin, which has been shown to have anticancer effects against several types of cancer through various in vitro studies. Previous studies generally indicate that sericin's anticancer effects are reflected in its ability to reduce cancer cell viability and induce apoptosis by regulating the expression levels of its related proteins. Studies have suggested that the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins are known to influence the metastatic potential of cancer cells. Although the specific antimetastatic effects of sericin, an industrial waste by-product, remain largely unexplored, this review comprehensively evaluates its role as an anticancer agent and its underlying cellular mechanisms. Sericin modulates the apoptotic pathway by shifting the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, specifically through upregulating the pro-apoptotic Bax and suppressing the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, leading to the sequential activation of pro-caspase-9 and downstream effector caspases. Beyond its established pro-apoptotic activity, we highlight the ability of sericin to restore the apoptotic threshold, which may effectively limit the survival of circulating tumour cells and their capacity to metastasize. Consequently, while sericin offers a promising frontier for future therapeutic investigation, realizing this remarkable potential requires addressing critical experimental gaps, specifically the current lack of dedicated in vitro migration/ invasion assays and in vivo metastasis models to evaluate sericin impact on disrupting the metastatic cascade.

Molecular docking and ADMET evaluation of punicalagin from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel as a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-IV) inhibitor

Ari Yuniarto — 2026-08-31

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-IV) is an important therapeutic target in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of punicalagin, a major polyphenol from pomegranate peel, as a natural DPP-IV inhibitor using an in silico approach. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina, and the docking protocol was validated by redocking the native ligand, yielding an RMSD value of 0.8298 Å, indicating good agreement between the experimental and predicted ligand poses. Punicalagin exhibited a more favourable predicted binding affinity toward DPP-IV, with a docking score of –10.44 kcal/mol, compared with alogliptin (–8.11 kcal/mol) and the native ligand (–8.65 kcal/mol). This favourable predicted interaction was supported by multiple hydrogen-bond and hydrophobic interactions with residues within the DPP-IV binding site, particularly Glu206, Ser209, Arg356, Arg358, and Arg669. ADMET prediction indicated a relatively favourable safety profile for punicalagin, particularly given the absence of predicted hepatotoxicity and its limited blood–brain barrier permeability. However, its lower intestinal absorption and limited volume of distribution compared with alogliptin may represent potential challenges to systemic bioavailability. Overall, punicalagin demonstrated promising in silico potential as a natural DPP-IV inhibitor based on its predicted binding affinity and interaction profile. Nevertheless, these findings represent computational predictions and do not establish actual DPP-IV inhibitory activity. Further molecular dynamics simulations, in vitro DPP-IV enzyme inhibition assays, pharmacokinetic studies, and formulation optimization are required to validate its inhibitory activity, stability, bioavailability, and potential therapeutic relevance in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

FT-IR and GC–MS profiling of Aurantiochytrium sp. biomass cultivated on alternative carbon sources in a Wave Junk Fermentor

Suhendra — 2026-08-31

Marine heterotrophic microalgae of the genus Aurantiochytrium are a renewable, contaminant-free platform for high-value lipids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and squalene. This study characterised the dried biomass of an indigenous Indonesian Aurantiochytrium sp. isolate, obtained from a Kupang mangrove ecosystem and cultivated in a low-shear, non-impeller Wave Junk Fermentor (registered industrial design IDD000067676). Within a circular-economy framework, the biomass was produced on different carbon sources and screened by high-throughput Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, while its fatty-acid profile was examined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). FT-IR spectra of biomass grown on fructose (40 and 50 g/L) were essentially invariant to substrate concentration, whereas raising crude-glycerol concentration from 40 to 50 g/L shifted the O–H stretch from 3345 to 3361 cm⁻¹ and produced new bands at 2915 cm⁻¹ (aliphatic C–H) and 1043 cm⁻¹ (C–O), indicating stimulated de novo lipogenesis. GC–MS of the Glycerol 50 biomass (designated sample NIT1) gave library matches consistent with methyl docosapentaenoate (DPA; C22:5 ω-3) and, more tentatively, DHA (C22:6 ω-3), indicating the presence of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the lipid fraction. The reported library-match probabilities are identity confidence indices, not concentrations. The biomass FT-IR fingerprint closely resembled that of a premium commercial omega-3/DHA supplement, supporting the commercial potential of this locally sourced biomass as a sustainable feedstock for the pharmaceutical, functional-food and cosmetic sectors.

Immunomodulatory potential of galing (Cayratia trifolia L. Domin) plant on IgM antibody and monocytes in Salmonella typhi-infected rats

Muhammad Ilyas Y. — 2026-08-31

Typhoid fever remains a health problem that requires support from both humoral and cellular immune responses. Therefore, the search for natural immunomodulators is important. Galing plant (Cayratia trifolia L. Domin) contains bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins, which are thought to have the potential to enhance immune responses. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of ethanol extracts of galing leaves and stems on immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels and monocyte counts in male white rats induced with Salmonella typhi. The research hypothesis was that ethanol extract of galing plant could increase IgM levels and monocyte counts. This study used a randomized posttest-only control group design with seven treatment groups: normal control, negative control, positive control, leaf extract at doses of 400 and 500 mg/kg BW, and stem extract at doses of 400 and 500 mg/kg BW. IgM levels were measured using the ELISA method, while monocyte counts were analyzed using a hematology analyzer. The results showed that administration of ethanol extract of galing plant significantly increased IgM levels and monocyte counts compared with the negative control (p<0.05). The leaf extract group at a dose of 500 mg/kg BW showed the highest IgM level of 22.94 ± 2.00 ng/mL and the highest monocyte count of 8.44 ± 0.11%. A positive correlation was found between IgM levels and monocyte counts (p<0.05). Ethanol extract of galing plant has the potential to be developed as a natural immunomodulator to enhance immune responses against infection.