Inhibition of urinary bladder cancer cell proliferation by silibinin

Plant-Derived Epi-Nutraceuticals as Potential Broad-Spectrum Anti-Viral Agents

Although the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be diminishing, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants represents a threat to humans due to their inherent transmissibility, immunological evasion, virulence, and invulnerability to existing therapies. The COVID-19 pandemic affected more than 500 million people and caused over 6 million deaths. Vaccines are essential, but in circumstances in which vaccination is not accessible or in individuals with compromised immune systems, drugs can provide additional protection. Targeting host signaling pathways is recommended due to their genomic stability and resistance barriers. Moreover, targeting host factors allows us to develop compounds that are effective against different viral variants as well as against newly emerging virus strains. In recent years, the globe has experienced climate change, which may contribute to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases through a variety of factors. Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can increase the geographic range of disease-carrying vectors, increasing the risk of diseases spreading to new areas. Climate change may also affect vector behavior, leading to a longer breeding season and more breeding sites for disease vectors. Climate change may also disrupt ecosystems, bringing humans closer to wildlife that transmits zoonotic diseases. All the above factors may accelerate the emergence of new viral epidemics. Plant-derived products, which have been used in traditional medicine for treating pathological conditions, offer structurally novel therapeutic compounds, including those with anti-viral activity. In addition, plant-derived bioactive substances might serve as the ideal basis for developing sustainable/efficient/cost-effective anti-viral alternatives. Interest in herbal antiviral products has increased. More than 50% of approved drugs originate from herbal sources. Plant-derived compounds offer diverse structures and bioactive molecules that are candidates for new drug development. Combining these therapies with conventional drugs could improve patient outcomes. Epigenetics modifications in the genome can affect gene expression without altering DNA sequences. Host cells can use epigenetic gene regulation as a mechanism to silence incoming viral DNA molecules, while viruses recruit cellular epitranscriptomic (covalent modifications of RNAs) modifiers to increase the translational efficiency and transcript stability of viral transcripts to enhance viral gene expression and replication. Moreover, viruses manipulate host cells' epigenetic machinery to ensure productive viral infections. Environmental factors, such as natural products, may influence epigenetic modifications. In this review, we explore the potential of plant-derived substances as epigenetic modifiers for broad-spectrum anti-viral activity, reviewing their modulation processes and anti-viral effects on DNA and RNA viruses, as well as addressing future research objectives in this rapidly emerging field.

Epigenetic effects of herbal medicine

Epigenetic memory is essential for life that governs the predefined functional features of cells. Recent evidence has indicated that the epigenetic modification provides a potential link to gene expression changes that may be involved in the development of various chronic diseases, and targeting the epigenome becomes a plausible method for treating diseases. Traditional herbal medicine has gradually entered the vision of researchers due to its low toxicity and its effectiveness in treating diseases. As a matter of fact, researchers found that the possessed epigenetic modification capacity of herbal medicine had the ability to combat the progression of the disease, such as various types of cancer, diabetes, inflammation, amnesia, liver fibrosis, asthma, and hypertension-induced renal injury. Studies on the epigenetic effects of herbal medicine will provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of human diseases, which may lead to new therapeutic approaches and diagnoses. Thus, this review summarized the impact of herbal medicine and its bioactive components on disease epigenome as examples of how utilization of epigenetic plasticity could be useful as the basis for the future development of targeted therapies in chronic diseases.

A systematic review of the protective effects of silymarin/silibinin against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

PURPOSE

Although doxorubicin chemotherapy is commonly applied for treating different malignant tumors, cardiotoxicity induced by this chemotherapeutic agent restricts its clinical use. The use of silymarin/silibinin may mitigate the doxorubicin-induced cardiac adverse effects. For this aim, the potential cardioprotective effects of silymarin/silibinin against the doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity were systematically reviewed.

METHODS

In this study, we performed a systematic search in accordance with PRISMA guideline for identifying all relevant studies on "the role of silymarin/silibinin against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity" in different electronic databases up to June 2022. Sixty-one articles were obtained and screened based on the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirteen eligible papers were finally included in this review.

RESULTS

According to the echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings, the doxorubicin-treated groups presented a significant reduction in ejection fraction, tissue Doppler peak mitral annulus systolic velocity, and fractional shortening as well as bradycardia, prolongation of QT and QRS interval. However, these echocardiographic abnormalities were obviously improved in the silymarin plus doxorubicin groups. As well, the doxorubicin administration led to induce histopathological and biochemical changes in the cardiac cells/tissue; in contrast, the silymarin/silibinin co-administration could mitigate these induced alterations (for most of the cases).

CONCLUSION

According to the findings, it was found that the co-administration of silymarin/silibinin alleviates the doxorubicin-induced cardiac adverse effects. Silymarin/silibinin exerts its cardioprotective effects via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic activities, and other mechanisms.

The Involvement of Natural Polyphenols in Molecular Mechanisms Inducing Apoptosis in Tumor Cells: A Promising Adjuvant in Cancer Therapy

Various literature data show how a diet rich in vegetables could reduce the incidence of several cancers due to the contribution of the natural polyphenols contained in them. Polyphenols are attributed multiple pharmacological actions such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-allergic, cardioprotective and even anti-tumor properties. The multiple mechanisms involved in their anti-tumor action include signaling pathways modulation associated with cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, angiogenesis, metastasis and cell death. Since the dysregulation of death processes is involved in cancer etiopathology, the natural compounds able to kill cancer cells could be used as new anticancer agents. Apoptosis, a programmed form of cell death, is the most potent defense against cancer and the main mechanism used by both chemotherapy agents and polyphenols. The aim of this review is to provide an update of literature data on the apoptotic molecular mechanisms induced by some representative polyphenol family members in cancer cells. This aspect is particularly important because it may be useful in the design of new therapeutic strategies against cancer involving the polyphenols as adjuvants.

Silibinin exerts anti-cancer activity on human ovarian cancer cells by increasing apoptosis and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)

BACKGROUND

Silibinin, the principal flavonoid derived from milk thistle seeds, has been demonstrated to have strong inhibitory effects against human malignancies. The inhibitory function of silibinin on ovarian cancer, however, is not fully identified. In this essay, both in vivo and in vitro investigations were conducted to survey the silibinin's blocking effects on ovarian cancer.

METHODS

The impacts of silibinin on two ovarian cancer cell lines, SKOV-3 and A2870, were determined by evaluating cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Q-RT-PCR and western blotting techniques were carried out to explore the protein levels of signaling pathway markers. A mouse xenograft model was utilized to determine the silibinin efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth.

RESULTS

After cell treatment with silibinin, cell viability, migration, and invasion were appreciably inhibited in cancer cell lines, but cell apoptosis was promoted. Also, silibinin reversed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism by inducing E-cadherin expression and reducing N-cadherin and vimentin expression, suppressing the levels of regulators related to EMT such as Snail, Slug, and ZEB1 transcription factors, and also decreasing PI3K/AKT, Smad2/3, and β-catenin intermediate molecules in vitro. Silibinin effectively ameliorated tumor growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

silibinin could be considered a potent agent against ovarian cancer based on the results.

Silibinin Therapy Improves Cholangiocarcinoma Outcomes by Regulating ERK/Mitochondrial Pathway

Background: Silibinin is widely utilized drug in various cancer treatments, though its application in cholangiocarcinoma has not yet been explored. For the first time, we evaluated the anticancer potential and underlying molecular mechanism of silibinin in treatment of cholangiocarcinoma treatment.

Methods: HuCCT-1 and CCLP-1 cells were chosen to be an in vitro study model and were exposed to various concentrations of silibinin for indicated times. Cell viability was evaluated by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and half maximal inhibitory (IC50) concentrations were calculated. Cell proliferation capacity was determined through the use of colony formation and 5-Ethynyl-2′- deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. Cell apoptosis and cycle arrest were assessed by Live/Dead staining assay and flow cytometry (FCM). The protein levels of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)/mitochondrial apoptotic pathway were evaluated through western blotting (WB). Mitochondrial membrane potential changes were determined via 5,5′,6,6′-Tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide (JC-1). A cholangiocarcinoma cell line xenograft model was used to assess the anti-tumor activity of silibinin in vivo.

Results: Inhibition of the ERK protein by silibinin led to a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, which, in turn, caused Cytochrome C to be released from the mitochondria. The activation of downstream apoptotic pathways led to apoptosis of cholangiocarcinoma cells. In general, silibinin inhibited the growth of cholangiocarcinoma cell line xenograft tumors.

Conclusions: Silibinin is able to inhibit cholangiocarcinoma through the ERK/mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, which makes silibinin a potential anti-tumor drug candidate for cholangiocarcinoma treatment.

Additive effects of resveratrol and doxorubicin on bladder cancer cells

The treatment of bladder cancer remains a challenge in clinical practice. Different chemotherapeutic protocols can be used; however, it is common to observe tumor recurrence and secondary effects that result in toxicity. Doxorubicin (DOX), one of the most effective anticancer agents used to treat bladder cancer, can cause chronic cardiotoxicity, limiting its use in clinical practice. Resveratrol (RES), a natural product with potential antitumor activity against bladder cancer, is associated with rapid metabolism and low bioavailability and needs to be combined with chemotherapeutic drugs to improve its use. Our study aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of a low concentration of DOX (2 µM) in combination with RES (150, 200 and 250 µM) on two bladder cancer cell lines. We investigated the mechanism of interaction between the drugs by performing cytotoxicity, clonogenic, oxidative stress, cell migration, cell morphology and nuclear division index (NDI) assays. Cytotoxicity evaluation revealed an additive interaction between RES and DOX for both cell lines. Additionally, the results of cell colony formation, oxidative stress, cell migration, cell morphology and NDI assays showed that a combination of DOX and RES was more effective than RES or DOX alone. In conclusion, a low concentration of DOX combined with RES could potentiate the antitumor effects of the drugs on bladder cancer cells, thus overcoming the secondary effects caused by DOX and the low bioavailability of resveratrol.

Synergistic anti-cancer effects of silibinin-etoposide combination against human breast carcinoma MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines

OBJECTIVES

Recently, there is a significant focus on combination chemotherapy for cancer using a cytotoxic drug and a phytochemical compound. We investigated the effect of silibinin on etoposide-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cytotoxic effects of silibinin and etoposide were determined using MTT assay after 24 and 48 hr incubation with these drugs individually and combined. The mRNA expression of Bax and Bcl2, and protein levels of P53, phosphorylated p53 (P-P53), and P21 were determined using real-time PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. The caspase 9 activity was measured using an ELISA kit.

RESULTS

Silibinin and etoposide alone and combined significantly inhibit cell growth in a dose and time-dependent manner in both cell lines. The strongest synergistic effects in terms of MCF-7 cell growth inhibition [combination index (CI) = 0.066] were evident. The silibinin-etoposide combinations cause a much powerful apoptotic death (47% and 40%) compared with each compound individually in MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231 cells, respectively. Additionally, the silibinin-etoposide combinations significantly increased the expression of P53, P-P53, and P21 in MCF-7 cells. Neither silibinin nor etoposide individually increased the level of P53 and P-P53 in MDA-MB-231 cells, but both of them individually and combined increased the level of P21.

CONCLUSION

Since the silibinin-etoposide combination induces apoptosis in both cell lines with and without expression of p53, thus, it is suggested that this combination may be a successful therapeutic strategy for breast cancer regardless of P53 status.

Remodeling the Epigenetic Landscape of Cancer-Application Potential of Flavonoids in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer

Epigenetics, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and noncoding RNA regulation, are physiological regulatory changes that affect gene expression without modifying the DNA sequence. Although epigenetic disorders are considered a sign of cell carcinogenesis and malignant events that affect tumor progression and drug resistance, in view of the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications, clinicians believe that associated mechanisms can be a key target for cancer prevention and treatment. In contrast, epidemiological and preclinical studies indicated that the epigenome is constantly reprogrammed by intake of natural organic compounds and the environment, suggesting the possibility of utilizing natural compounds to influence epigenetics in cancer therapy. Flavonoids, although not synthesized in the human body, can be consumed daily and are common in medicinal plants, vegetables, fruits, and tea. Recently, numerous reports provided evidence for the regulation of cancer epigenetics by flavonoids. Considering their origin in natural and food sources, few side effects, and remarkable biological activity, the epigenetic antitumor effects of flavonoids warrant further investigation. In this article, we summarized and analyzed the multi-dimensional epigenetic effects of all 6 subtypes of flavonoids (including flavonols, flavones, isoflavones, flavanones, flavanols, and anthocyanidin) in different cancer types. Additionally, our report also provides new insights and a promising direction for future research and development of flavonoids in tumor prevention and treatment via epigenetic modification, in order to realize their potential as cancer therapeutic agents.

Berberine suppresses bladder cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting JAK1-STAT3 signaling via upregulation of miR-17-5p

Hyperactivation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is strongly associated with cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, chemoresistance, and immune evasion; thus, STAT3 has been intensely studied as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Berberine (BBR), an active component extracted from Coptis chinensis, has shown anti-tumor effects in multiple tumors. However, its underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects and the underlying mechanisms of BBR on bladder cancer (BCa) cells. We found that BBR showed significant cytotoxic effects against BCa cell lines both in vivo and in vitro, with much lower cytotoxic effects on the human normal urothelial cell line SV-HUC-1. BBR treatment induced DNA replication defects and cell cycle arrest, resulting in apoptosis or cell senescence, depending on p53 status, in BCa cells. Mechanistically, BBR exerted anti-tumor effects on BCa cells by inhibiting Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)-STAT3 signaling through the upregulation of miR-17-5p, which directly binds to the 3'UTR of JAK1 and STAT3, downregulating their expressions. Collectively, our results demonstrate that BBR exerts anti-tumor effects by perturbing JAK1-STAT3 signaling through the upregulation of miR-17-5p in BCa cells, and that BBR may serve as a potential therapeutic option for BCa treatment.

Path of Silibinin from diet to medicine: A dietary polyphenolic flavonoid having potential anti-cancer therapeutic significance

In the last few decades, targeting cancer by the use of dietary phytochemicals has gained enormous attention. The plausible reason and believe or mind set behind this fact is attributed to either lesser or no side effects of natural compounds as compared to the modern chemotherapeutics, or due to their conventional use as dietary components by mankind for thousands of years. Silibinin is a naturally derived polyphenol (a flavonolignans), possess following biochemical features; molecular formula C₂₅H₂₂O₁₀, Molar mass: 482.44 g/mol, Boiling point 793 °C, with strikingly high antioxidant and anti-tumorigenic properties. The anti-cancer properties of Silibinin are determined by a variety of cellular pathways which include induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. In addition, Silibinin controls modulation of the expression of aberrant miRNAs, inflammatory response, and synergism with existing anti-cancer drugs. Therefore, modulation of a vast array of cellular responses and homeostatic aspects makes Silibinin an attractive chemotherapeutic agent. However, like other polyphenols, the major hurdle to declare Silibinin a translational chemotherapeutic agent, is its lesser bioavailability. After summarizing the chemistry and metabolic aspects of Silibinin, this extensive review focuses on functional aspects governed by Silibinin in chemoprevention with an ultimate goal of summarizing the evidence supporting the chemopreventive potential of Silibinin and clinical trials that are currently ongoing, at a single platform.

Toxicogenetic and antiproliferative effects of chrysin in urinary bladder cancer cells

The antitumour activity of chrysin have been studied in several types of cancer cells. In urinary bladder cancer, its cytotoxic effects have already demonstrated; however, its mechanism of action is not completely understood and the role of tumour protein p53 (TP53) gene in these effects is unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of chrysin (10, 20, 40, 60 80 and 100 µM) in progression of bladder tumour cells with different status of the TP53 gene and different degrees of tumour (RT4, grade 1, TP53 wild type; 5637, grade 2, TP53 mutated and T24, grade 3, TP53 mutated). Results demonstrated that chrysin inhibited cell proliferation by increasing reactive oxygen species and DNA damage and inhibited cell migration in all cell lines. In TP53 wild-type cells, a sub-G1 apoptotic population was present. In mutated TP53 cells, chrysin caused arrest at the G2/M phase and morphological changes accompanied by downregulation of PLK1, SRC and HOXB3 genes. In addition, in Grade 2 cells, chrysin induced global DNA hypermethylation and, in the highest-grade cells, downregulated c-MYC, FGFR3 and mTOR gene expression. In conclusion, chrysin has antiproliferative and toxicogenetic activity in bladder tumour cells independently of TP53 status; however, the mechanisms of action are dependent on TP53 status.

Ribosome Binding Protein 1 Correlates with Prognosis and Cell Proliferation in Bladder Cancer

Introduction

Ribosome binding protein 1 (RRBP1) is reported to be correlated with tumor formation and progression. However, the role of RRBP1 in bladder cancer is unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression of RRBP1 and its influence on cell proliferation in bladder cancer.

Methods

Quantification real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to detect the expression levels of RRBP1 in 138 bladder cancer and matched adjacent normal bladder tissues. Then, the clinical significance of RRBP1 in bladder cancer was evaluated. The effect of RRBP1 on cell proliferation and its potential mechanism were further explored.

Results

Results show that the mRNA levels of RRBP1 in bladder cancer were significantly higher compared with those in normal tissues (P< 0.001). IHC results show the high-expression rate of RRBP1 in bladder cancer was 68.8%, which was significantly greater than those in normal tissues (40.6%, P< 0.001). RRBP1 high-expression was significantly associated with differentiation, T stage and lymph node metastasis in bladder cancer (P< 0.05). The overall survival time of patients with RRBP1 high-expression was significantly reduced compared to those with RRBP1 low-expression. Moreover, RRBP1 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation, which was correlated with Smad1/Smad3/TGF-β1 signal pathway.

Conclusion

RRBP1 high-expression correlates with prognosis and promotes cell proliferation in bladder cancer, which could be a potential biomarker.

Anticancer Effects of Nutraceuticals in the Mediterranean Diet: An Epigenetic Diet Model

Epidemiological and clinical studies support the association between nutrition and development or progression of different malignancies such as colon, breast, and prostate cancer, defining these tumors as diet-associated cancer. The Mediterranean diet shows inverse associations with metabolic diseases, cardiovascular pathologies and various types of cancer. Many bioactive nutrients of the Mediterranean diet have been identified as factors protective against these types of pathologies. The epigenome has been identified as the primary goal of modulations in gene expression related to these molecular nutrients. In fact, they can modify the epigenome and can be incorporated into the 'epigenetic diet', which translates into a diet regimen that can be used therapeutically for health or preventative purposes. Most epigenetic changes are influenced by lifestyle and nutrition. Epigenetic therapy is a new area for the development of nutraceuticals whose absence of toxicity can represent a valid asset in cancer prevention strategies. Recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics and nutraceuticals have led to the identification of superfoods capable of favorably conditioning gene expression. In this review, we highlight the importance of nutraceuticals present in the Mediterranean diet as epigenetic modifiers both in the mechanisms of tumor onset and as protective agents.