MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA, approximately 18-23 nucleotides that can post-transcriptionally regulate the expression of complementary mRNAs. MiRNAs have been found to play a critical role in a broad spectrum of biological processes, such as developmental timing, cell death, cell proliferation, hematopoiesis, and nervous system patterning. Here, we aimed to investigate the possible upregulation of miR-141 in cervical cancer cells and to confirm the influential role of miR-141 in cervical cancer cell proliferation. The level of miR-141 in HeLa cells has been assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell morphology and a number of living HeLa cells were achieved upon transfection with either precursor miR-141 (pre-miR-141) or a specific inhibitor. MTT assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production were monitored to assess the potential toxic effect of miR-141 in cancer cells. ELISA assay has been used to monitor the produced cytokines from transfected HeLa cells. Notably, the expression of miR-141 significantly increased in HeLa cells compared to the normal cervical HCK1T cell line. Transfection of HeLa cells with an inhibitor, antagonist miR-141, showed a potent effect on cancer cell viability, unlike the transfection of pre-miR-141. HeLa cells transfected with pre-miR-141 showed decreased levels of interleukin 13 (IL-13). Meanwhile, the transfection of miR-141 specific inhibitor showed an increasing level of produced IL-10 and a decreasing level of IL-10, indicating the role of miR-141 in avoiding programmed cell death in HeLa cells. Together, these data uncover the role of miR-141 in supporting cervical cancer progression and provide miR-141 as a believable therapeutic target.

Costus afer Ker Gawl is an indigenous plant, commonly called a ginger lily, spiral ginger, or bush cane, it has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory activity of C.afer leaf extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Protein denaturation and erythrocyte stabilization assays were used to evaluate in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, and alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibition was used to evaluate in vitro anti-diabetic activity. 60 male Wistar rats were used for the two inflammatory models: the 30 rats were randomly assigned into six groups (n=5) for carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models respectively: Group I: normal, group II: control(untreated), group III: 10mg/kg b.w diclofenac sodium (standard), group IV, V and VI were given 50, 100, 250 mg/kg b.w Costus afer ethanol leaf extract (CAELE) in each of the two models. The study showed that in protein denaturation assay, CAELE and Diclofenac had 56.69% and 80.82% respectively at the highest concentration, erythrocyte stabilization had 80.40% CAELE and 94.88% Diclofenac sodium at the highest dose in a dose-dependent manner. Alpha amylase and alpha-glucosidase showed an increase in percentage inhibition activity at 65.44% and 43.72% respectively against acarbose (standard) at 56.01%. However, in the cotton pellet-induced granuloma model, the concentration exhibited high percentage inhibition (77.82%) comparable to the standard drug at 91.28%, and reduction in paw thickness was also observed in the carrageenan model in a dose-dependent manner respectively. This study showed that CAELE at different concentrations showed anti-inflammatory activity in diabetic conditions.