Dietary Natural Products for Prevention and Treatment of Liver Cancer

Effects and Mechanisms of Curcumin for the Prevention and Management of Cancers: An Updated Review

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the world. Curcumin is the main ingredient in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), and is widely used in the food industry. It shows anticancer properties on different types of cancers, and the underlying mechanisms of action include inhibiting cell proliferation, suppressing invasion and migration, promoting cell apoptosis, inducing autophagy, decreasing cancer stemness, increasing reactive oxygen species production, reducing inflammation, triggering ferroptosis, regulating gut microbiota, and adjuvant therapy. In addition, the anticancer action of curcumin is demonstrated in clinical trials. Moreover, the poor water solubility and low bioavailability of curcumin can be improved by a variety of nanotechnologies, which will promote its clinical effects. Furthermore, although curcumin shows some adverse effects, such as diarrhea and nausea, it is generally safe and tolerable. This paper is an updated review of the prevention and management of cancers by curcumin with a special attention to its mechanisms of action.

Proteomics Analysis of Antitumor Activity of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. in Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

Oral cancer is a malignant neoplasm of oral cavity. It accounts for approximately 5% of all malignant tumors. Approximately 97% of all oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, followed by adenocarcinomas, and rarely malignant melanomas. It occurs particularly in males (twice as common in males than in females) of middle age (above 40 years). Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. has traditionally been known for its effective antitumor activity and is currently used in China for cancer therapy. A. pilosa Ledeb. has been traditionally used for the treatment of abdominal pain, sore throat, headache, blood discharge, parasitic infections, and eczema in Korea and other Asian countries. Most studies on A. pilosa Ledeb. are related to the leaves and a few investigated the roots of the plant. However, detailed mechanisms of antitumor activity of A. pilosa Ledeb. have not been fully elucidated. Furthermore, to date, there have been no reports on the antitumor effect of A. pilosa Ledeb. in oral squamous cells. In this study, we used proteomic technology to observe changes in proteins related to anticancer activity of A. pilosa Ledeb. and identified target proteins among altered proteins to reveal the underlying mechanism of action.

Anticancer Effects and Mechanisms of Berberine from Medicinal Herbs: An Update Review

Cancer has been a serious public health problem. Berberine is a famous natural compound from medicinal herbs and shows many bioactivities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, and antimicrobial activities. In addition, berberine shows anticancer effects on a variety of cancers, such as breast, lung, gastric, liver, colorectal, ovarian, cervical, and prostate cancers. The underlying mechanisms of action include inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, suppressing metastasis, inducing apoptosis, activating autophagy, regulating gut microbiota, and improving the effects of anticancer drugs. This paper summarizes effectiveness and mechanisms of berberine on different cancers and highlights the mechanisms of action. In addition, the nanotechnologies to improve bioavailability of berberine are included. Moreover, the side effects of berberine are also discussed. This paper is helpful for the prevention and treatment of cancers using berberine.

Daidzin inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma survival by interfering with the glycolytic/gluconeogenic pathway through downregulation of TPI1

Daidzin (DDZ) is a natural brassin-like compound extracted from the soybean, and has been found to have therapeutic potential against tumors in recent years. This study investigates the therapeutic effect of DDZ on hepatocellular carcinoma cells and elucidates the possible mechanisms of action. The viability of HCCLM3 and Hep3B cells was detected by MTT assay. Western blots and qPCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA levels of proliferation and apoptosis related genes. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for metabolome analysis. In vivo antitumor effects were assessed in nude mice engrafted with HCC cell lines. Our results show that DDZ treatment dose-dependently inhibited cell viability, migration, and survival. The expressions of CDK1, BCL2, MYC, and survivin were reduced, while the expressions of BAX and PARP were increased in DDZ treated cells. The differentially expressed metabolites detected in DDZ treated cultures are associated with glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. Bioinformatic analysis identified TPI1, a gene in the glycolysis pathway with prognostic value for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and DDZ treatment downregulated this gene. In vivo experiments show that DDZ significantly reduced the tumor volume and weight, and inhibited Ki67 expression within tumors. This study shows that DDZ interfered with the survival and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, likely via TPI1 and the gluconeogenesis pathway.

The Potential Mechanisms of Cinobufotalin Treating Colon Adenocarcinoma by Network Pharmacology

Network pharmacology, as a novel way using bioinformatics to explore drug targets and interactions in cancer, broadens our understanding of drug action, thereby facilitating drug discovery. Here, we utilized network pharmacology to explore the role and mechanism by which cinobufotalin functions in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). We found that cinobufotalin represses the growth and proliferation of colon cancer cells, and integrated public databases for targets reported to be associated with COAD, together with those predicted to be targets of cinobufotalin. Targets overlapped between COAD-associated proteins and cinobufotalin target proteins were used to filter candidate targets of cinobufotalin in COAD. The following proteins were thought to occupy a key position in COAD-cinobufotalin target networks: SRC, PIK3R1, MAPK1, PIK3CA, HSP90AA1, CTNNB1, GRB2, RHO1, PTPN11, and EGFR. The networks regulated by cinobufotalin were involved mainly in extracellular signal stimulation and transduction, including MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, and JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Besides, transcriptome sequencing results also indicated that cinobufotalin inhibits the response of colon cancer cells to extracellular stimulation and promotes cell apoptosis. Molecular docking results showed that cinobufotalin matches in the pocket of the top candidate cinobufotalin target proteins (SRC, PIK3R1, MAPK1 and PIK3CA). These findings demonstrate cinobufotalin can be developed as potential anti-cancer therapeutics.

Vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 72 homolog (VPS72) binding to lysine acetyltransferase 5 (KAT5) promotes the proliferation, invasion and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma through regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway

Hepatocellular carcinoma, a fatal malignancy that occurs in the liver, poses a major public health challenge. This paper attempted to clarify the role and mechanism of vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 72 homolog (VPS72) in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Firstly, VPS72 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and the prognostic correlation were analyzed by GEPIA2 database. Western blotting and RT-qPCR assays were used to evaluate VPS72 expression in several hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Then, cell proliferation was assessed by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation in HuH-7 cells with VPS72 silencing. Measurement of cell invasion and migration by transwell and wound healing assays. Next, the relationship between VPS72 and lysine acetyltransferase 5 (KAT5) was predicted by bioGRID, STRING and GEIPA2 databases, which was confirmed by Co-immunoprecipitation assay. Subsequently, KAT5 was overexpressed to explore whether VPS72 could regulate the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by binding to KAT5. And the expression of proteins related to PI3K/AKT signaling was tested with western blotting. Results indicated that VPS72 was highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and cell lines and was associated with poor prognosis. VPS72 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of HuH-7 cells. In addition, VPS72 could bind to KAT5. KAT5 overexpression reversed the suppressive impacts of VPS72 knockdown on the proliferation, invasion and migration in HuH-7 cells. Besides, VPS72 silencing downregulated p-PI3K and p-AKT expression, which was restored by KAT5 overexpression. Collectively, VPS72 binding to KAT5 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through the regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Isatin Counteracts Diethylnitrosamine/2-Acetylaminofluorene-Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Male Wistar Rats by Upregulating Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Detoxification Pathways

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents around 85% of all known types of liver cancers and is estimated to be the fifth most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The current study assessed the preventive efficacy of isatin on diethylnitrosamine (DENA)/2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male Wistar rats and investigated the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. HCC was initiated by intraperitoneal injection of DENA (150 mg/kg/week) for two weeks, followed by oral 2-AAF (20 mg/kg) every other day for three successive weeks. Oral isatin or vehicle (control) was administered at 25 mg/kg for 20 weeks during and following HCC induction. Isatin ameliorated the deleterious effects of DENA/2-AAF on liver function as evidenced by reduced serum levels of AST, ALT, total bilirubin, albumin, and liver tumor biomarkers (CA19.9 and AFP) compared to control DENA/2-AAF-treated rats. Histopathological evaluations demonstrated that isatin-mediated protection against hepatocarcinogenesis was accompanied by a decline in hepatic lipid peroxidation, a marker of oxidative stress, and enhanced antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by increased glutathione and superoxide dismutase expression. Isatin treatment also upregulated expression of the major stress-response transcription factor Nrf2 and the detoxifying enzymes NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase and glutathione-S-transferase alpha 2 and downregulated expression of the proliferation marker Ki67. Moreover, isatin significantly reduced the DENA/2-AAF-induced decrease in hepatic expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 and the DENA/2-AAF-induced increases in pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic factors (TNF-α, NF-κB p50, NF-κB p65, p53, and caspase 3). Thus, it can be concluded that isatin may protect against chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis by enhancing cellular antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification mechanisms, in part through upregulation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

The Role of Bioactive Compounds in Natural Products Extracted from Plants in Cancer Treatment and Their Mechanisms Related to Anticancer Effects

Cancer is one of the greatest causes of death worldwide. With the development of surgery, radiotherapy, and medical agents, the outcomes of cancer patients have greatly improved. However, the underlying mechanisms of cancer are not yet fully understood. Recently, natural products have been proven to be beneficial for various conditions and have played important roles in the development of novel therapies. A substantial amount of evidence indicates that bioactive compounds could improve the outcomes of cancer patients via various pathways, such as endoplasmic reticulum stress, epigenetic modification, and modulation of oxidative stress. Here, we review the current evidence of bioactive compounds in natural products for the treatment of cancer and summarize the underlying mechanisms in this pathological process.

Safranal Prevents Liver Cancer Through Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Alleviating Inflammation

Despite all efforts, an effective and safe treatment for liver cancer remains elusive. Natural products and their derived biomolecules are potential resources to mine for novel anti-cancer drugs. Chemopreventive effects of safranal, a major bioactive ingredient of the golden spice "saffron", were evaluated in this study against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver cancer in rats. Safranal's mechanisms of action were also investigated in the human liver cancer line "HepG2". When administered to DEN-treated rats, safranal significantly inhibited proliferation (Ki-67) and also induced apoptosis (TUNEL and M30 CytoDeath). It also exhibited anti-inflammatory properties where inflammatory markers such as NF-kB, COX2, iNOS, TNF-alpha, and its receptor were significantly inhibited. Safranal's in vivo effects were further supported in HepG2 cells where apoptosis was induced and inflammation was downregulated. In summary, safranal is reported here as a potent chemopreventive agent against hepatocellular carcinoma that may soon be an important ingredient of a broad-spectrum cancer therapy.

Bursatella leachii Purple Ink Secretion Concentrate Exerts Cytotoxic Properties against Human Hepatocarcinoma Cell Line (HepG2): In Vitro and In Silico Studies

Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer death globally. Marine mollusc-derived drugs have gained attention as potential natural-based anti-cancer agents to overcome the side effects caused by conventional chemotherapeutic drugs during cancer therapy. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, the main biomolecules in the purple ink secretion released by the sea hare, named Bursatella leachii (B. leachii), were identified as hectochlorin, malyngamide X, malyngolide S, bursatellin and lyngbyatoxin A. The cytotoxic effects of B. leachii ink concentrate against human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells were determined to be dose- and time-dependent, and further exploration of the underlying mechanisms causing the programmed cell death (apoptosis) were performed. The expression of cleaved-caspase-8 and cleaved-caspase-3, key cysteine-aspartic proteases involved in the initiation and completion of the apoptosis process, appeared after HepG2 cell exposure to the B. leachii ink concentrate. The gene expression levels of pro-apoptotic BAX, TP53 and Cyclin D1 were increased after treatment with the B. leachii ink concentrate. Applying in silico approaches, the high scores predicted that bioactivities for the five compounds were protease and kinase inhibitors. The ADME and cytochrome profiles for the compounds were also predicted. Altogether, the B. leachii ink concentrate has high pro-apoptotic potentials, suggesting it as a promising safe natural product-based drug for the treatment of liver cancer.

Naturally Occurring Antioxidant Therapy in Alzheimer’s Disease

It is estimated that the prevalence rate of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) will double by the year 2040. Although currently available treatments help with symptom management, they do not prevent, delay the progression of, or cure the disease. Interestingly, a shared characteristic of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases and disorders is oxidative stress. Despite profound evidence supporting the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and progression of AD, none of the currently available treatment options address oxidative stress. Recently, attention has been placed on the use of antioxidants to mitigate the effects of oxidative stress in the central nervous system. In preclinical studies utilizing cellular and animal models, natural antioxidants showed therapeutic promise when administered alone or in combination with other compounds. More recently, the concept of combination antioxidant therapy has been explored as a novel approach to preventing and treating neurodegenerative conditions that present with oxidative stress as a contributing factor. In this review, the relationship between oxidative stress and AD pathology and the neuroprotective role of natural antioxidants from natural sources are discussed. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of natural antioxidants as preventatives and/or treatment for AD is examined, with special attention paid to natural antioxidant combinations and conjugates that are currently being investigated in human clinical trials.

The Role of Glucosinolates from Cruciferous Vegetables (Brassicaceae) in Gastrointestinal Cancers: From Prevention to Therapeutics

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is composed of rapidly renewing cells, which increase the likelihood of cancer. Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed GI cancers and currently stands in second place regarding cancer-related mortality. Unfortunately, the treatment of GI is limited, and few developments have occurred in the field over the years. With this in mind, new therapeutic strategies involving biologically active phytocompounds are being evaluated as anti-cancer agents. Vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and radish, all belonging to the Brassicaceae family, are high in dietary fibre, minerals, vitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols, and glucosinolates. The latter compound is a secondary metabolite characteristic of this family and, when biologically active, has demonstrated anti-cancer properties. This article reviews the literature regarding the potential of Cruciferous vegetables in the prevention and/or treatment of GI cancers and the relevance of appropriate compound formulations for improving the stability and bioaccessibility of the major Cruciferous compounds, with a particular focus on glucosinolates.

Overexpression of eRF3a Promotes Cell Proliferation and Migration in Liver Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The eukaryotic release factor 3a (eRF3a), a member of the eukaryotic peptide chain release factor family, is overexpressed in several types of cancer. This study aims to investigate the biological role and mechanism of eRF3a in the progression of liver cancer.

METHODS

Western blotting and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression level of eRF3a in normal liver cells and liver cancer cells. The cell transfection experiments were performed to overexpress eRF3a levels in liver cancer cells HCCLM9 and Huh7, and then cell cycle and apoptosis experiments, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), plate cloning, and Transwell experiments were done to evaluate the function of eRF3a in the progression of liver cancer. The Western blotting was done to explore the mechanism of eRF3a promoting the development of liver cancer. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression level of eRF3a in normal liver cells and liver cancer cells. The cell transfection experiments were performed to overexpress eRF3a levels in liver cancer cells HCCLM9 and Huh7, and then cell cycle and apoptosis experiments, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), plate cloning, and Transwell experiments were done to evaluate the function of eRF3a in the progression of liver cancer. The Western blotting was done to explore the mechanism of eRF3a promoting the development of liver cancer.

RESULTS

eRF3a was significantly highly expressed in liver cancer cells, and its expression level was negatively correlated with the clinical prognosis of patients. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that eRF3a could promote the proliferation and migration of liver cancer cells through the ERK and JNK signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that eRF3a may be a potential prognostic marker for liver cancer and act as an oncogene by activating JNK and ERK signaling; therefore, eRF3a may be a new target for the treatment of liver cancer.

Tertiary sulphonamide derivatives as dual acting small molecules that inhibit LSD1 and suppress tubulin polymerisation against liver cancer

A series of tertiary sulphonamide derivatives were synthesised and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against liver cancer cell lines (SNU-475, HepG-2, and Bel-7402). Among these tertiary sulphonamides, compound 17a displayed the best anti-liver cancer activity against Bel-7402 cells with an IC50 value of 0.32 μM. Compound 17a could effectively inhibit tubulin polymerisation with an IC50 value of 1.27 μM. Meanwhile, it selectively suppressed LSD1 with an IC50 value of 63 nM. It also concentration-dependently inhibited migration against Bel-7402 cells. Importantly, tertiary sulphonamide 17a exhibited the potent antitumor activity in vivo. All these findings revealed that compound 17a might be a tertiary sulphonamide-based dual inhibitor of tubulin polymerisation and LSD1 to treat liver cancer.

Targeting AMPK Signaling by Dietary Polyphenols in Cancer Prevention

Cancer is a serious public health problem in the world and a major disease affecting human health. Dietary polyphenols have shown good potential in the treatment of various cancers. It is worth noting that cancer cells usually exhibit metabolic abnormalities of high glucose intake and inefficient utilization. AMPK is the key molecule in the regulation of energy metabolism and is closely related with obesity and diabetes. Recent studies indicate that AMPK also plays an important role in cancer prevention and regulating cancer-related genes and pathways, and dietary polyphenols can significantly regulate AMPK activity. In this review, the progress of dietary polyphenols preventing carcinogenesis via AMPK pathway is systemically summarized. From the viewpoint of interfering energy metabolism, the anti-cancer effects of dietary polyphenols are explained. AMPK pathway modulated by different dietary polyphenols affects pathways and target genes are summarized. Dietary polyphenols exert anti-cancer effect through the target molecules regulated by AMPK, which broadens the understanding of polyphenols anti-cancer mechanisms and provides value reference for the investigators of the novel field.

Garlic constituents for cancer prevention and therapy: From phytochemistry to novel formulations

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the oldest plants cultivated for its dietary and medicinal values. This incredible plant is endowed with various pharmacological attributes, such as antimicrobial, antiarthritic, antithrombotic, antitumor, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities. Among the various beneficial pharmacological effects of garlic, the anticancer activity is presumably the most studied. The consumption of garlic provides strong protection against cancer risk. Taking into account the multi-targeted actions and absence of considerable toxicity, a few active metabolites of garlic are probably to play crucial roles in the killing of cancerous cells. Garlic contains several bioactive molecules with anticancer actions and these include diallyl trisulfide, allicin, diallyl disulfide, diallyl sulfide, and allyl mercaptan. The effects of various garlic-derived products, their phytoconstituents and nanoformulations have been evaluated against skin, prostate, ovarian, breast, gastric, colorectal, oral, liver, and pancreatic cancers. Garlic extract, its phytocompounds and their nanoformulations have been shown to inhibit the different stages of cancer, including initiation, promotion, and progression. Besides, these bioactive metabolites alter the peroxidation of lipid, activity of nitric oxide synthetase, nuclear factor-κB, epidermal growth factor receptor, and protein kinase C, cell cycle, and survival signaling. The current comprehensive review portrays the functions of garlic, its bioactive constituents and nanoformulations against several types of cancers and explores the possibility of developing these agents as anticancer pharmaceuticals.

Responses of Purple Rice Genotypes to Nitrogen and Zinc Fertilizer Application on Grain Yield, Nitrogen, Zinc, and Anthocyanin Concentration

Purple rice is recognized as a staple food for humans and as a source of anthocyanins and micronutrients such as zinc (Zn). This study examined how nitrogen (N) and Zn fertilizers affected grain yield and grain N, Zn, and anthocyanin concentration among purple rice genotypes. Six purple rice genotypes (PIZ, KAK, KS, KH-CMU, KDK, and HN) were grown under two levels of N, the optimum N60 (60 kg/ha) and high N180 (180 kg/ha) rates, along with three Zn application methods (no Zn application (Zn0), soil Zn application (ZnS; 50 kg ZnSO₄/ha), and foliar Zn spray (ZnF; 0.5% ZnSO₄ at the rate of 900 L/ha three times at heading, flowering, and early milk stages). Grain yield of the five purple rice landraces increased by 21–40% when increasing N from N60 to N180, although no response was found with HN. The higher N rate increased grain N concentration by 10–50% among the genotypes, while anthocyanin concentration increased by 100–110% in KAK and KS, and grain Zn was increased in KS. Applying ZnS increased grain yield by 16–94% but decreased anthocyanin and N concentrations compared to the control Zn0. Applying ZnF effectively increased grain Zn concentration by 40–140% in the genotypes without adversely impacting grain anthocyanin or N concentration. This study demonstrated that the appropriate management of N and Zn fertilizers for specific purple rice genotypes would be one way to increase productivity and grain N, Zn, and anthocyanin concentration.

Selenium-rich royal jelly inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma through PI3K/AKT and VEGF pathways in H22 tumor-bearing mice

Royal jelly (RJ) and selenium (Se)-rich foods have well-known health benefits that are attributable to a broad range of pharmacological effects including antioxidant, anti-tumor, and immunoregulatory activities. However, the physiological effects of Se-rich RJ, which is produced by feeding Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) sodium selenite sucrose solution, are not well understood. The anti-hepatoma activity and mechanism of Se-rich RJ in H22 tumor-bearing mice were investigated in the current study. The findings showed that the content of organic and inorganic Se in Se-rich RJ was significantly higher than that in RJ. Furthermore, interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production in serum were increased and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in liver was decreased in mice fed RJ and Se-rich RJ. 16SrRNA sequencing and serum untargeted metabolomics showed that RJ and Se-rich RJ could modulate the gut microbiota, and fisetin and l-glutathione oxidized were the main anti-tumor components in RJ and Se-rich RJ. Further analysis showed 11-deoxy prostaglandin F1β was the specific anti-tumor metabolite in mice treated with Se-rich RJ compared with RJ. The results indicated that RJ and Se-rich RJ could inhibit the expression of PI3K and phosphorylation of AKT, induce cell apoptosis through the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and regulate Bcl-2/Bax expression. RJ and Se-rich RJ also inhibited the expression of COX-2 and VEGF. To summarize, the findings clearly demonstrate that Se-rich RJ could inhibit tumor growth by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting angiogenesis as well as exhibit anti-tumor effects by improving immune function and antioxidant activities. The results indicated that Se-rich RJ could be a potential functional food for the management and prevention of cancer.

Another look at dietary polyphenols: challenges in cancer prevention and treatment

Cancer is a pathology that impacts in a profound manner people all over the world. The election strategy against cancer often uses chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which more often than not can present many side effects and not always reliable efficacy. By contrast, it is widely known that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables has a protective effect against cancer insurgence and development. Polyphenols are generally believed to be responsible for those beneficial actions, at least partially. In this review, we highlight the metabolic interaction between polyphenols and our metabolism and discuss their potential for anticancer prevention and therapy.

Ultrafine Jujube Powder Enhances the Infiltration of Immune Cells during Anti-PD-L1 Treatment against Murine Colon Adenocarcinoma

Simple Summary

While modulating gut microbiota using dietary intervention with natural nutrients has proven to be effective in improving the response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the underpinning mechanism is poorly understood. This work demonstrates that the oral administration of ultrafine jujube powder (JP) let to a significant alteration of gut microbiota, an increased abundance of Clostridiales, including Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, an elevated SCFA production, an intensified infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells to the tumor microenvironment, and a greatly improved response of anti-PD-L1 treatment against murine colon adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the size of the JP particles had a significant impact on the abovementioned attributes. The present study demonstrates that dietary intervention with nutrients is highly effective in modulating the gut microbiota for an improved immune checkpoint blockage therapy.

Abstract

Whereas dietary intervention with natural nutrients plays an important role in activating the immune response and holds unprecedented application potential, the underpinning mechanism is poorly understood. The present work was dedicated to comprehensively examine the effects of ultrafine jujube powder (JP) on the gut microbiota and, consequentially, the effects associated with the response rate to anti-PD-L1 treatment against murine colon adenocarcinoma. A murine colon adenocarcinoma model with anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy was established to evaluate how dietary interventions affect the microbiota. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the role of SCFAs in the immune response. Oral administration of JP greatly improves the response of anti-PD-L1 treatment against murine colon adenocarcinoma. Such an improvement is associated with the alteration of gut microbiota which leads to an increased abundance of Clostridiales, including Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, an elevated SCFA production, and an intensified infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells to the tumor microenvironment. This work demonstrates that JP is particularly effective in modulating the gut microbiota for an improved immune checkpoint blockage therapy by boosting cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The experimental findings of the present study are helpful for the development of dietary intervention methods for cancer immunotherapy using natural nutrients.

Propionate and Butyrate Produced by Gut Microbiota after Probiotic Supplementation Attenuate Lung Metastasis of Melanoma Cells in Mice

SCOPE

The beneficial effects of probiotics in reducing gastrointestinal inflammation and in preventing colorectal cancer have been reported, but the mechanism underlying the immunomodulatory effect of probiotics in inhibiting extra-intestinal tumor progression remains unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study shows that probiotic supplementation attenuate lung metastasis of melanoma cells in mice. Feeding mice with VSL#3 probiotics change the composition and proportion of gut microbiota. The changes in gut bacteria composition, such as in the abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Streptococcus, and Lachnoclostridium, are associated with the production of short-chain fatty acids in the gut. The concentrations of propionate and butyrate are upregulated in gut and blood after feeding VSL#3, and the increase in propionate and butyrate levels promotes the expression of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) in lung endothelial cells and the recruitment of T helper 17 (Th17) cells to the lungs via the CCL20/chemokine receptor 6 axis. The recruitment of Th17 cells decreases the number of tumor foci in lungs and attenuates the lung metastasis of melanoma cells in mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The results provide new information on the role and mechanisms of action of probiotics in attenuating extra-intestinal tumor metastasis.

Combining the Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Effects of Astragalus and Shiitake as an Integrated Therapeutic Approach

Astragalus root (Huang Qi) and Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) are both considered medicinal foods and are frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine due to their anticancer and immunomodulating properties. Here, the scientific literatures describing evidence for the anticancer and immunogenic properties of Shiitake and Astragalus were reviewed. Based on our experimental data, the potential to develop medicinal food with combined bioactivities was assessed using Shiitake mushrooms grown over Astragalus beds in a proprietary manufacturing process, as a novel cancer prevention approach. Notably, our data suggest that this new manufacturing process can result in transfer and increased bioavailability of Astragalus polysaccharides with therapeutic potential into edible Shiitake. Further research efforts are required to validate the therapeutic potential of this new Hengshan Astragalus Shiitake medicinal food.

Asparagus officinalis Exhibits Anti-Tumorigenic and Anti-Metastatic Effects in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of female cancer death. Emerging evidence suggests that many dietary natural products have anti-tumorigenic activity, including that of asparagus officinalis. The current study aimed to assess the anti-tumorigenic and anti-metastatic effects of asparagus officinalis on serous ovarian cancer cell lines and a transgenic mouse model of high grade serous ovarian cancer. Asparagus officinalis decreased cellular viability, caused cell cycle G1 phase arrest and induced apoptosis in the OVCAR5 and SKOV3 cells. Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation was rescued by the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK, implying that its cytotoxic effects were mainly dependent on caspase pathways. Asparagus officinalis increased levels of ROS and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential with corresponding increases in PERK, Bip, Calnexin PDI and ATF4 in both cell lines. Treatment with asparagus officinalis also reduced ability of adhesion and invasion through epithelial-mesenchymal transition and reduction of VEGF expression. The combination of Asparagus officinalis with paclitaxel had synergistic anti-proliferative activity. Furthermore, Asparagus officinalis significantly inhibited tumor growth and reduced serum VEGF in a genetically engineered mouse model of ovarian cancer under obese and lean conditions, accompanied with a decrease in the expression of Ki67, VEGF and phosphorylated S6, and in an increase in phosphorylation of AMPK in the ovarian tumor tissues. Overall, our data provide a pre-clinical rationale for asparagus officinalis in the prevention and treatment of ovarian cancer as a novel natural product.

Anthocyanins: Promising Natural Products with Diverse Pharmacological Activities

Anthocyanins are natural products that give color to plants. As natural plant pigments, anthocyanins also have a series of health-promoting benefits. Many researchers have proved that anthocyanins have therapeutic effects on diseases, such as circulatory, nervous, endocrine, digestive, sensory, urinary and immune systems. Additionally, a large number of studies have reported that anthocyanins have an anticancer effect through a wide range of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The anti-disease impact and mechanism of anthocyanins are diverse, so they have high research value. This review summarizes the research progress of anthocyanins on the pharmacological agents of different diseases to provide references for subsequent research.

Pharmacological Effects of Selected Medicinal Plants and Vitamins Against COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is a serious disease that has caused multiple deaths in various countries in the world. Globally, as of May 23, 2021, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 have reach 166,346,635 with a total of 3,449,117 deaths. Several recent scientific studies have shown that medicinal plants and vitamins can benefit and improve the health of COVID-19 patients. However, the benefits of medicinal plants and vitamins in the treatment of COVID-19 remain unproven. Therefore, the objective of this article is to expounds the benefits of using medicinal plants (Allium sativum, curcumin, Nigella sativa, Zingiber officitale) and vitamins (vitamin C and vitamin D) that possess the antiviral properties for the prevention and/or control of COVID-19. To reach our objective, we searched scientific databases of ongoing trials in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites, PubMed Central, Medline databases, and Google Scholar websites. We also searched databases on World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to collect relevant papers. We found that all of the selected medicinal plants and vitamins possess antiviral activities, and their individual intake shows promise for the prevention and/or control of COVID-19. We conclude that, the selected medicinal plants and vitamins possess anti-viral properties that are more likely to prevent and/or disrupt the SARS-CoV-2 replication cycle, enhance the human immune system and promote good health.

Beneficial Effects of Betaine: A Comprehensive Review

Medicinal herbs and many food ingredients possess favorable biological properties that contribute to their therapeutic activities. One such natural product is betaine, a stable, nontoxic natural substance that is present in animals, plants, and microorganisms. Betaine is also endogenously synthesized through the metabolism of choline or exogenously consumed through dietary intake. Betaine mainly functions as (i) an osmolyte and (ii) a methyl-group donor. This review describes the major physiological effects of betaine in whole-body health and its ability to protect against both liver- as well as non-liver-related diseases and conditions. Betaine's role in preventing/attenuating both alcohol-induced and metabolic-associated liver diseases has been well studied and is extensively reviewed here. Several studies show that betaine protects against the development of alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis, apoptosis, and accumulation of damaged proteins. Additionally, it can significantly prevent/attenuate progressive liver injury by preserving gut integrity and adipose function. The protective effects are primarily associated with the regulation of methionine metabolism through removing homocysteine and maintaining cellular SAM:SAH ratios. Similarly, betaine prevents metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and its progression. In addition, betaine has a neuroprotective role, preserves myocardial function, and prevents pancreatic steatosis. Betaine also attenuates oxidant stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and cancer development. To conclude, betaine exerts significant therapeutic and biological effects that are potentially beneficial for alleviating a diverse number of human diseases and conditions.

A plant-based medicinal food inhibits the growth of human gastric carcinoma by reversing epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Background

Natural products, especially those with high contents of phytochemicals, are promising alternative medicines owing to their antitumor properties and few side effects. In this study, the effects of a plant-based medicinal food (PBMF) composed of six medicinal and edible plants, namely, Coix seed, Lentinula edodes, Asparagus officinalis L., Houttuynia cordata, Dandelion, and Grifola frondosa, on gastric cancer and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated in vivo.

Methods

A subcutaneous xenograft model of gastric cancer was successfully established in nude mice inoculated with SGC-7901 cells. The tumor-bearing mice were separately underwent with particular diets supplemented with three doses of PBMF (43.22, 86.44, and 172.88 g/kg diet) for 30 days. Tumor volumes were recorded. Histopathological changes in and apoptosis of the xenografts were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining, respectively. Serum levels of TNF-α, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA expression levels of β-catenin, GSK-3β, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, MMP-2/9, Snail, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3/9, and Cyclin D1 were evaluated via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression levels of GSK-3β, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Ki-67 were determined by immunohistochemistry staining.

Results

PBMF treatment efficiently suppressed neoplastic growth, induced apoptosis, and aggravated necrosis in the xenografts of SGC-7901 cells. PBMF treatment significantly decreased the serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and significantly increased that of TNF-α. Furthermore, PBMF treatment notably upregulated the mRNA expression levels of GSK-3β, E-cadherin, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 but substantially downregulated those of β-catenin, N-cadherin, MMP-2, MMP-9, Snail, and Cyclin D1 in tumor tissues. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was upregulated at the mRNA level. Moreover, PBMF treatment remarkably increased the protein expression levels of GSK-3β and E-cadherin but notably reduced those of Ki-67 and N-cadherin in tumor tissues.

Conclusions

The PBMF concocted herein exerts anti-gastric cancer activities via epithelial–mesenchymal transition reversal, apoptosis induction, and proliferation inhibition. The underlying molecular mechanisms likely rely on suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-021-03301-6.

Melatonin in Cancer Treatment: Current Knowledge and Future Opportunities

Melatonin is a pleotropic molecule with numerous biological activities. Epidemiological and experimental studies have documented that melatonin could inhibit different types of cancer in vitro and in vivo. Results showed the involvement of melatonin in different anticancer mechanisms including apoptosis induction, cell proliferation inhibition, reduction in tumor growth and metastases, reduction in the side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, decreasing drug resistance in cancer therapy, and augmentation of the therapeutic effects of conventional anticancer therapies. Clinical trials revealed that melatonin is an effective adjuvant drug to all conventional therapies. This review summarized melatonin biosynthesis, availability from natural sources, metabolism, bioavailability, anticancer mechanisms of melatonin, its use in clinical trials, and pharmaceutical formulation. Studies discussed in this review will provide a solid foundation for researchers and physicians to design and develop new therapies to treat and prevent cancer using melatonin.

Apoptotic effect of compound K in hepatocellular carcinoma cells via inhibition of glycolysis and Akt/mTOR/c-Myc signaling

Since the AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/c-Myc signaling plays a pivotal role in the modulation of aerobic glycolysis and tumor growth, in the present study, the role of AKT/mTOR/c-Myc signaling in the apoptotic effect of Compound K (CK), an active ginseng saponin metabolite, was explored in HepG2 and Huh7 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCCs). Here, CK exerted significant cytotoxicity, increased sub-G1, and attenuated the expression of pro-Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (pro-PARP) and Pro-cysteine aspartyl-specific protease (pro-caspase3) in HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Consistently, CK suppressed AKT/mTOR/c-Myc and their downstreams such as Hexokinase 2 (HK2) and pyruvate kinase isozymes M2 (PKM2) in HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Additionally, CK reduced c-Myc stability in the presence or absence of cycloheximide in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, AKT inhibitor LY294002 blocked the expression of p-AKT, c-Myc, HK2, PKM2, and pro-cas3 in HepG2 cells. Pyruvate blocked the ability of CK to inhibit p-AKT, p-mTOR, HK2, and pro-Cas3 in treated HepG2 cells. Overall, these findings provide evidence that CK induces apoptosis via inhibition of glycolysis and AKT/mTOR/c-Myc signaling in HCC cells as a potent anticancer candidate for liver cancer clinical translation.

Role of G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor in Digestive System Carcinomas: A Minireview

Digestive system carcinomas are one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), a novel estrogen receptor, has been recognized as an important mediator in numerous cancer types. Recently, the function and clinical significance of GPER in digestive system carcinomas has been a subject of interest. Increasing evidence has revealed that GPER plays an important role as a potential biomarker in digestive system carcinomas. This work summarizes the recent literature and focuses on the emerging functional role of GPER in digestive system carcinomas, including gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. The potential application of GPER in novel strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of digestive system carcinomas is discussed and highlighted.

Anticancer property of Hemp Bioactive Peptides in Hep3B liver cancer cells through Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway

Foodborne protein hydrolysates exhibit biological activity that may be therapeutic in a number of human disease settings. Hemp peptides (HP) generated by controlled hydrolysis of hemp proteins have a number of health benefits and are of pharmaceutical value. In the present study, we produce small molecular weight HP from hemp seed and investigate its anticancer properties in Hep3B human liver cancer cells. We demonstrate that HP treatment increased apoptosis, reduced cell viability, and reduced cell migration in Hep3B human liver cancer cells without affecting the normal liver cell line L02. We correlate these phenotypes with increased cellular ROS levels, upregulation of cleaved caspase 3 and Bad, and downregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2. HP treatment led to increased Akt and GSK-3β phosphorylation, with subsequent downregulation of β-catenin, suggesting β-catenin signaling modulation as a critical mechanism by which HP exhibits anticancer properties. Our findings suggest HP are of potential therapeutic interest for liver cancer treatment.

Role and Therapeutic Potential of Melatonin in Various Type of Cancers

Cancer is a large group of diseases and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancers are the most common types of cancer in men, whereas breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, and thyroid cancers are the most common among women. Presently, various treatment strategies, including surgical resection combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, nanotherapy, and immunotherapy, have been used as conventional treatments for patients with cancer. However, the clinical outcomes of advanced-stage disease remain relatively unfavorable owing to the emergence of chemoresistance, toxicity, and other undesired detrimental side effects. Therefore, new therapies to overcome these limitations are indispensable. Recently, there has been considerable evidence from experimental and clinical studies suggesting that melatonin can be used to prevent and treat cancer. Studies have confirmed that melatonin mitigates the pathogenesis of cancer by directly affecting carcinogenesis and indirectly disrupting the circadian cycle. Melatonin (MLT) is nontoxic and exhibits a range of beneficial effects against cancer via apoptotic, antiangiogenic, antiproliferative, and metastasis-inhibitory pathways. The combination of melatonin with conventional drugs improves the drug sensitivity of cancers, including solid and liquid tumors. In this manuscript, we will comprehensively review some of the cellular, animal, and human studies from the literature that provide evidence that melatonin has oncostatic and anticancer properties. Further, this comprehensive review compiles the available experimental and clinical data analyzing the history, epidemiology, risk factors, therapeutic effect, clinical significance, of melatonin alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents or radiotherapy, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms of its anticancer effect against lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, skin, liver, cervical, and ovarian cancers. Nonetheless, in the interest of readership clarity and ease of reading, we have discussed the overall mechanism of the anticancer activity of melatonin against different types of cancer. We have ended this report with general conclusions and future perspectives.

MiR-452-5p mediates the proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via targeting COLEC10

Objective: This study explored the potential function of miR-452-5p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and clarified the mechanism underlying HCC progression. Materials & methods: Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect miR-452-5p and COLEC10 mRNA expression in HCC, western blot was performed to test COLEC10 protein expression. The regulatory mechanism of miR-452-5p/COLEC10 in HCC cells was explored using CCK-8, wound healing assay, Transwell and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results: MiR-452-5p was greatly upregulated in HCC cells, and it served as an oncogene playing an active role in HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. COLEC10 was identified as the target of miR-452-5p in HCC attenuating the promoting effect of miR-452-5p on HCC cells upon overexpression. Conclusion: MiR-452-5p can promote the progression of HCC via targeting COLEC10.

Standardized extract of ginger ameliorates liver cancer by reducing proliferation and inducing apoptosis through inhibition oxidative stress/ inflammation pathway

Ginger has been proposed as quite a promising candidate for cancer prevention. The purpose of this study was to assess the chemo-preventive effects of ginger. Furthermore, this study investigated the possible mechanisms of a standardized extract drawn from the rhizomes of ginger against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver cancer in Wistar rats. The chemo-preventive effects of ginger at doses of 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg per day were determined using a liver cancer model which was induced by DEN (Ali et al., 2008) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) in rats. Ginger attenuated carcinogenic changes after 22 weeks of cancer induction by decreasing the quantity and occurrences of hepatic dyschromatic nodules and positive focal areas as well as decreasing the amount of placental glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the livers of DEN/2-AAF-treated rats. Moreover, in rats, ginger counteracts DEN-influenced oxidative stress and decreases myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl concentrations in the liver. This was determined by observing the restoration of superoxide dismutase, catalase, GST and glutathione. Immunohistochemical bleaching in rat livers showed that ginger prevented the increase in cell-positive numbers for Ki-67, cyclooxygenase-2 and nuclear factor kappa B p65. Ginger also inhibited the number of positive cells in DEN/2-AAF-treated rats for TUNEL, M30 and caspase-3 liver tissues. This research shows that ginger has an important chemo-preventative impact on liver cancer by inhibiting the growth of cells and inducing apoptosis. By reducing oxidative and inflammatory damage, ginger protects rat liver against cancer.

Withaferin A Acts as a Novel Regulator of Liver X Receptor-α in HCC

Withaferin A, a steroidal lactone derived from the Withania somnifera plant has been known for its anti-cancerous effects on various types of cancer cells. However, its effect on the hallmarks of cancer such as proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis is still poorly understood. The antitumor property of Withaferin A and its molecular mechanism of action on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells is not yet completely established. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the novel molecular function of Withaferin A on HCC cells and its effect on various gene expression. Our results clearly showed that Withaferin A treatment to HCC cells inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth. Further, we explored the Withaferin A target genes by blotting human angiogenesis, and cytokine arrays using conditioned media of Withaferin A treated QGY-7703 cells. We found that many of Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), angiogenesis and inflammation associated proteins secretion is downregulated upon Withaferin A treatment. Interestingly, all these genes expression is also negatively regulated by nuclear receptor Liver X receptor-α (LXR-α). Here, we explored a novel mechanism that Withaferin-A activated LXR-α inhibits NF-κB transcriptional activity and suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth of these HCC cells. All these data strongly confirmed that Withaferin A is a potent anticancer compound and suppresses various angiogenesis and inflammatory markers which are associated with the development and progression of HCC. This beneficial and potential therapeutic property of Withaferin A will be very useful for the treatment of HCC.

Platinum Nanoparticles Enhance Exosome Release in Human Lung Epithelial Adenocarcinoma Cancer Cells (A549): Oxidative Stress and the Ceramide Pathway are Key Players

Background

Several studies have demonstrated various molecular mechanisms involved in the biogenesis and release of exosomes. However, how external stimuli, such as platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs), induces the biogenesis and release of exosomes remains unclear. To address this, PtNPs were synthesized using lutein to examine their effect on the biogenesis and release of exosomes in human lung epithelial adenocarcinoma cancer cells (A549).

Methods

The size and concentration of isolated exosomes were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and nanoparticle tracking analysis system (NTA). Morphology and structure of exosomes were examined using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. Quantification of exosomes were analyzed by EXOCET^TM assay and fluorescence polarization (FP). The expression of typical markers of exosomes were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

A549 cells cultured with PtNPs enhance exosome secretion by altering various physiological processes. Interestingly, A549 cells treated with PtNPs increases total protein concentration, biogenesis and release of exosomes associated with PtNPs-induced oxidative stress. GW4869 inhibits PtNPs induced biogenesis and release of exosomes and also acetylcholinesterase (AChE), neutral sphingomyelinase activity (n-SMase), and exosome counts. A549 cells pre-treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly inhibited PtNPs induced exosome biogenesis and release. These findings confirmed that PtNPs-induced exosome release was due to the induction of oxidative stress and the ceramide pathway. These factors enhanced exosome biogenesis and release and may be useful in understanding the mechanism of exosome formation, release, and function.

Conclusion

PtNPs provide a promising agent to increase exosome production in A549 cells. These findings offer novel strategies for enhancing exosome release, which can be applied in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Importantly, this is the first study, to our knowledge, showing that PtNPs stimulate exosome biogenesis by inducing oxidative stress and the ceramide pathway.

Lipid-soluble polyphenols from sweet potato exert antitumor activity and enhance chemosensitivity in breast cancer

Polyphenols are abundant in vegetables and fruit. They have been shown to have various antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we extracted the lipid-soluble fraction of polyphenols from fermented sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). These lipid-soluble polyphenols mainly contained caffeic acid derivatives with strong antioxidant ability, which we hypothesized to affect diseases for which oxidative stress is a factor, such as cancer. We therefore investigated the antitumor and chemo-sensitizing effects of lipid-soluble polyphenols on E0771 murine breast cancer cells. The lipid-soluble polyphenols accumulated in the cells’ cytoplasm due to its high lipophilicity, and reduced reactive oxygen species through its strong antioxidant activity. The lipid-soluble polyphenols also arrested the cell cycle at G₀/G₁ by suppressing Akt activity, and enhanced the cytotoxicity of anticancer agents. In this model, lipid-soluble polyphenols inhibited tumor growth and enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs. These results suggest the potential of lipid-soluble polyphenols as a functional food to support cancer therapy.

Role of ellagic acid for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases

Globally, one of the alarming problems is the prevalence and burden of liver diseases, which accounts for 2 million cases per year. Chronic liver aetiologies such as hepatitis infections, alcoholic or non-alcoholic liver disease, environmental agents, and drug-induced toxicity are invariably responsible for liver fibrosis progression to finally hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatment options are unable to overwhelm and cure liver diseases. Emerging findings suggest researchers' interest in using evidence-based complementary medicine such as ellagic acid with extensive pharmacological properties. They include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidaemic, anti-viral, anti-angiogenic, and anticancer activity. The molecular functions elicited by ellagic acid include scavenging of free radicals, regulation of lipid metabolism, the prohibition of fibrogenesis response-mediating proteins, inhibits hepatic stellate cells and myofibroblasts, restrains hepatic viral replication, facilitates suppression of growth factors, regulates transcription factors, proinflammatory cytokines, augments the liver immune response, fosters apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation in tumorigenic cells. This review will most notably focus on preclinical and clinical information based on currently available evidence to warrant ellagic acid's prospective role in preventing liver diseases.

Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2) Activities of Monoterpene Hydroxy Lactones Isolated from the Marine Microalga Tisochrysis Lutea

Tisochrysis lutea is a marine haptophyte rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) and carotenoids (e.g., fucoxanthin). Because of the nutraceutical applications of these compounds, this microalga is being used in aquaculture to feed oyster and shrimp larvae. In our earlier report, T. lutea organic crude extracts exhibited in vitro cytotoxic activity against human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells. However, so far, the compound(s) accountable for the observed bioactivity have not been identified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate and identify the chemical component(s) responsible for the bioactivity observed. Bioassay-guided fractionation through a combination of silica-gel column chromatography, followed by preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC), led to the isolation of two diastereomers of a monoterpenoid lactone, namely, loliolide (1) and epi-loliolide (2), isolated for the first time in this species. The structural elucidation of both compounds was carried out by GC-MS and 1D (¹H and ¹³C APT) and 2D (COSY, HMBC, HSQC-ed, and NOESY) NMR analysis. Both compounds significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells and were considerably less toxic towards a non-tumoral murine stromal (S17) cell line, although epi-loliolide was found to be more active than loliolide.

Naringin and naringenin as anticancer agents and adjuvants in cancer combination therapy: Efficacy and molecular mechanisms of action, a comprehensive narrative review

Although the rates of many cancers are controlled in Western countries, those of some cancers, such as lung, breast, and colorectal cancer are currently increasing in many low- and middle-income countries due to increases in risk factors caused by development and societal problems. Additionally, endogenous factors, such as inherited mutations, steroid hormones, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor systems, inflammation, oxidative stress, and exogenous factors (including tobacco, alcohol, infectious agents, and radiation), are believed to compromise cell functions and lead to carcinogenesis. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapies are some examples of the approaches used for cancer treatment. However, various short- and long-term side effects can also considerably impact patient prognosis based on clinical factors associated with treatments. Recently, increasing numbers of studies have been conducted to identify novel therapeutic agents from natural products, among which plant-derived bioactive compounds have been increasingly studied. Naringin (NG) and its aglycone naringenin (NGE) are abundantly present in citrus fruits, such as grapefruits and oranges. Their anti-carcinogenic activities have been shown to be exerted through several cell signal transduction pathways. Recently, different pharmacological strategies based on combination therapy, involving NG and NGE with the current anti-cancer agents have shown prodigious synergistic effects when compared to monotherapy. Besides, NG and NGE have been reported to overcome multidrug resistance, resulting from different defensive mechanisms in cancer, which is one of the major obstacles of clinical treatment. Thus, we comprehensively reviewed the inhibitory effects of NG and NGE on several types of cancers through different signal transduction pathways, the roles on sensitizing with the current anticancer medicines, and the efficacy of the cancer combination therapy.

Effect of Feijoa Sellowiana Acetonic Extract on Proliferation Inhibition and Apoptosis Induction in Human Gastric Cancer Cells

Gastric cancer (GC) still represents a relevant health problem in the world for both incidence and mortality rates. Many studies underlined that natural products consumption could reduce GC risk, indicating flavonoids as responsible for the beneficial effects through the modulation of several biological processes, such as the inhibition of cancer antioxidant defense and induction of apoptosis. Since Feijoa sellowiana fruit is known to contain high amounts of flavonoids, among which is flavone, we evaluated the antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of F. sellowiana acetonic extract on GC cell lines through MTS and Annexin-V FITC assays. Among three GC cell lines tested, SNU-1 results being sensitive to both the F. sellowiana acetonic extract and synthetic flavone, which was used as the reference treatment. Moreover, we evaluated their antioxidant effects, assessing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes supeoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in polymorphonuclear cells. We found a significant increase of their activity after exposure to both F. sellowiana acetonic extract and flavone, supporting the idea that a diet that includes flavone-rich fruits could be of benefit for health. In addition to this antioxidant effect on normal cells, this study indicates, for the first time, an anticancer effect of F. sellowiana acetonic extract in GC cells.