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Vini R, Jaikumar VS, Remadevi V, Ravindran S, Azeez JM, Sasikumar A, Sundaram S, Sreeja S. Urolithin A: A promising selective estrogen receptor modulator and 27-hydroxycholesterol attenuator in breast cancer. Phytother Res 2023; 37:4504-4521. [PMID: 37345359 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC) is an oxysterol that acts as an endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), and its adverse effects on breast cancer via the estrogen receptor (ER) have provided new insights into the pathology of cholesterol-linked breast cancer. Our earlier in vitro experiments showed that the methanolic extract of pomegranate could exhibit SERM properties and compete with 27-HC. The major constituents of pomegranate are ellagitannins and ellagic acid, which are converted into urolithins by the colonic microbiota. In recent years, urolithins, especially urolithin A (UA) and urolithin B (UB), have been reported to have a plethora of advantageous effects, including antiproliferative and estrogenic activities. In this study, we attempted to determine the potential of urolithins in antagonizing and counteracting the adverse effects of 27-HC in breast cancer cells. Our findings suggested that UA had an antiproliferative capacity and attenuated the proliferative effects of 27-HC, resulting in subsequent loss of membrane potential and apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Further, UA induced estrogen response element (ERE) transcriptional activity and modulated estrogen-responsive genes, exhibiting a SERM-like response concerning receptor binding. Our in vivo hollow fiber assay results showed a loss of cell viability in breast cancer cells upon UA consumption, as well as a reduction in 27-HC-induced proliferative activity. Additionally, it was shown that UA did not induce uterine proliferation or alter blood biochemical parameters. Based on these findings, we can conclude that UA has the potential to act as a potent estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) modulator and 27-HC antagonist. UA is safe to consume and is very well tolerated. This study further opens up the potential of UA as ER modulator and its benefits in estrogen-dependent tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravindran Vini
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
- Research Centre, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Vishnu Sunil Jaikumar
- Animal Research Facility, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Viji Remadevi
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
- Research Centre, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Swathy Ravindran
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Juberiya M Azeez
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
- Research Centre, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Anjana Sasikumar
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Shankar Sundaram
- Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Kottayam, India
| | - Sreeharshan Sreeja
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
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Pantiora PD, Balaouras AI, Mina IK, Freris CI, Pappas AC, Danezis GP, Zoidis E, Georgiou CA. The Therapeutic Alliance between Pomegranate and Health Emphasizing on Anticancer Properties. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12010187. [PMID: 36671048 PMCID: PMC9855163 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12010187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pomegranate is a fruit bearing-plant that is well known for its medicinal properties. Pomegranate is a good source of phenolic acids, tannins, and flavonoids. Pomegranate juice and by-products have attracted the scientific interest due to their potential health benefits. Currently, the medical community has showed great interest in exploiting pomegranate potential as a protective agent against several human diseases including cancer. This is demonstrated by the fact that there are more than 800 reports in the literature reporting pomegranate's anticancer properties. This review is an update on the research outcomes of pomegranate's potential against different types of human diseases, emphasizing on cancer. In addition, perspectives of potential applications of pomegranate, as a natural additive aiming to improve the quality of animal products, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota D. Pantiora
- Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Ioanna K. Mina
- Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Christoforos I. Freris
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios C. Pappas
- Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: (A.C.P.); (E.Z.); Tel.: +30-210-529-4437 (A.C.P.); +30-210-529-4415 (E.Z.)
| | - Georgios P. Danezis
- Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Zoidis
- Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: (A.C.P.); (E.Z.); Tel.: +30-210-529-4437 (A.C.P.); +30-210-529-4415 (E.Z.)
| | - Constantinos A. Georgiou
- Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
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Vini R, Azeez JM, Remadevi V, Susmi TR, Ayswarya RS, Sujatha AS, Muraleedharan P, Lathika LM, Sreeharshan S. Urolithins: The Colon Microbiota Metabolites as Endocrine Modulators: Prospects and Perspectives. Front Nutr 2022; 8:800990. [PMID: 35187021 PMCID: PMC8849129 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.800990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been used in hormone related disorders, and their role in clinical medicine is evolving. Tamoxifen and raloxifen are the most commonly used synthetic SERMs, and their long-term use are known to create side effects. Hence, efforts have been directed to identify molecules which could retain the beneficial effects of estrogen, at the same time produce minimal side effects. Urolithins, the products of colon microbiota from ellagitannin rich foodstuff, have immense health benefits and have been demonstrated to bind to estrogen receptors. This class of compounds holds promise as therapeutic and nutritional supplement in cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis, muscle health, neurological disorders, and cancers of breast, endometrium, and prostate, or, in essence, most of the hormone/endocrine-dependent diseases. One of our findings from the past decade of research on SERMs and estrogen modulators, showed that pomegranate, one of the indirect but major sources of urolithins, can act as SERM. The prospect of urolithins to act as agonist, antagonist, or SERM will depend on its structure; the estrogen receptor conformational change, availability and abundance of co-activators/co-repressors in the target tissues, and also the presence of other estrogen receptor ligands. Given that, urolithins need to be carefully studied for its SERM activity considering the pleotropic action of estrogen receptors and its numerous roles in physiological systems. In this review, we unveil the possibility of urolithins as a potent SERM, which we are currently investigating, in the hormone dependent tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravindran Vini
- Cancer Biology Division, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Juberiya M. Azeez
- Cancer Biology Division, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Viji Remadevi
- Cancer Biology Division, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - T. R. Susmi
- Cancer Biology Division, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - R. S. Ayswarya
- Cancer Biology Division, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | | | | | - Lakshmi Mohan Lathika
- Cancer Biology Division, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Sreeja Sreeharshan
- Cancer Biology Division, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
- *Correspondence: Sreeja Sreeharshan
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Vini R, Rajavelu A, Sreeharshan S. 27-Hydroxycholesterol, The Estrogen Receptor Modulator, Alters DNA Methylation in Breast Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:783823. [PMID: 35360070 PMCID: PMC8961300 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.783823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC) is the first known endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), and its elevation from normal levels is closely associated with breast cancer. A plethora of evidence suggests that aberrant epigenetic signatures in breast cancer cells can result in differential responses to various chemotherapeutics and often leads to the development of resistant cancer cells. Such aberrant epigenetic changes are mostly dictated by the microenvironment. The local concentration of oxygen and metabolites in the microenvironment of breast cancer are known to influence the development of breast cancer. Hence, we hypothesized that 27-HC, an oxysterol, which has been shown to induce breast cancer progression via estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and liver X receptor (LXR) and by modulating immune cells, may also induce epigenetic changes. For deciphering the same, we treated the estrogen receptor-positive cells with 27-HC and identified DNA hypermethylation on a subset of genes by performing DNA bisulfite sequencing. The genes that showed significant DNA hypermethylation were phosphatidylserine synthase 2 (PTDSS2), MIR613, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), thyroid hormone receptor alpha (THRA), dystrotelin (DTYN), and mesoderm induction early response 1, family member 3 (MIER). Furthermore, we found that 27-HC weakens the DNMT3B association with the ERα in MCF-7 cells. This study reports that 27-HC induces aberrant DNA methylation changes on the promoters of a subset of genes through modulation of ERα and DNMT3B complexes to induce the local DNA methylation changes, which may dictate drug responses and breast cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravindran Vini
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Arumugam Rajavelu
- Pathogen Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat & Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, India
- *Correspondence: Arumugam Rajavelu, ; Sreeja Sreeharshan,
| | - Sreeja Sreeharshan
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, India
- *Correspondence: Arumugam Rajavelu, ; Sreeja Sreeharshan,
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Wong TL, Strandberg KR, Croley CR, Fraser SE, Nagulapalli Venkata KC, Fimognari C, Sethi G, Bishayee A. Pomegranate bioactive constituents target multiple oncogenic and oncosuppressive signaling for cancer prevention and intervention. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 73:265-293. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Ge S, Duo L, Wang J, Yang J, Li Z, Tu Y. A unique understanding of traditional medicine of pomegranate, Punica granatum L. and its current research status. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 271:113877. [PMID: 33515685 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Pomegranate, Punica granatum L., has been used in traditional medicine in China and several regions of the world including Ayurveda, Islamic, and Persian for the treatment of atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and several types of cancer, as well as for peptic ulcer and oral diseases for hundreds of years. Presently, pomegranate is treated as both a "medicine food homology" herbal medicine and a healthy food supplemental product. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this work is to develop an overview of pomegranate in the context of the status of its traditional medicine theories, the spread along the Silk Road, ethnopharmacological uses, chemical compositions, pharmacological activities, toxicology, and the involved pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS Information on P. granatum L. was acquired from published materials, including monographs on medicinal plants, ancient and modern recorded classical texts; and pharmacopoeias and electronic databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CNKI, and Wanfang Data). RESULTS Pomegranate has been used in many traditional medical systems throughout history. It is widely cultivated in Central Asia and spread throughout China along the Silk Road. Many phytochemicals, such as tannins, organic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and volatile oils have been identified from different parts of pomegranate, these compounds have a wide range of activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-oncogenic properties, as well as conferring resistance to cerebrovascular disease. Furthermore, A summary of the four promising pharmacological pathways is provided. CONCLUSIONS The traditional uses, chemical compositions, pharmacological activities, and signaling pathways of pomegranate are summarized comprehensively in the review. It can be treated as a guidance for the future clinical and basic research. The information provided in this review will be very useful for further studies to develop novel therapeutic directions for application of pomegranate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Ge
- Medical Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, China; Development Research Center of TCM, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Lan Duo
- School of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Junqi Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Jingfan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhiyong Li
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
| | - Ya Tu
- Medical Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, China; Development Research Center of TCM, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, China.
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Liu L, Li MY, Xing Y, Wang XY, Wang Y. The oncogenic roles of 27-hydroxycholesterol in glioblastoma. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:3623-3629. [PMID: 31579088 PMCID: PMC6757262 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most frequent primary malignant brain tumor in adults. Oxysterols are oxidation products of cholesterol generated by enzymatic reactions. 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC), an oxysterol, is an abundant metabolite of cholesterol. 27-HC significantly accelerates mammary cancer growth, proliferation and progression in experimental models. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of 27-HC on glioblastoma has not been studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the exact role of 27-HC in glioblastoma. The present study demonstrated that 27-HC promoted proliferation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, colony formation, migration and invasion of U251 and U118 MG glioblastoma cells. Treatment with 27-HC was also associated with an increase in the formation of glioblastoma-initiating cells in U251 and U118 MG cell lines. Additionally, it was observed that high levels of 27-HC in glioblastoma tissues were associated with poor outcome in patients. In conclusion, 27-HC, a primary metabolite of cholesterol, may serve an important role in the progression of glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- Department of Neurology 4, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
| | - Mei-Yuan Li
- Department of Internal 11, Infectious Disease Hospital of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150500, P.R. China
| | - Yu Xing
- Department of Neurology, Heilongjiang Agricultural Reclamation Bureau General Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150088, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Yun Wang
- Department of Internal 11, Infectious Disease Hospital of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150500, P.R. China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Internal 11, Infectious Disease Hospital of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150500, P.R. China
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Munir MT, Ponce C, Powell CA, Tarafdar K, Yanagita T, Choudhury M, Gollahon LS, Rahman SM. The contribution of cholesterol and epigenetic changes to the pathophysiology of breast cancer. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 183:1-9. [PMID: 29733910 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women. Accumulating evidence suggests that cholesterol plays an important role in the development of breast cancer. Even though the mechanistic link between these two factors is not well understood, one possibility is that dysregulated cholesterol metabolism may affect lipid raft and membrane fluidity and can promote tumor development. Current studies have shown oxysterol 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC) as a critical regulator of cholesterol and breast cancer pathogenesis. This is supported by the significantly higher expression of CYP27A1 (cytochrome P450, family 27, subfamily A, polypeptide 1) in breast cancers. This enzyme is responsible for 27-HC synthesis from cholesterol. It has been shown that 27-HC can not only increase the proliferation of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells but also stimulate tumor growth and metastasis in several breast cancer models. This phenomenon is surprising since 27-HC and other oxysterols generally reduce intracellular cholesterol levels by activating the liver X receptors (LXRs). Resolving this paradox will elucidate molecular pathways by which cholesterol, ER, and LXR are connected to breast cancer. These findings will also provide the rationale for evaluating pharmaceutical approaches that manipulate cholesterol or 27-HC synthesis in order to mitigate the impact of cholesterol on breast cancer pathophysiology. In addition to cholesterol, epigenetic changes including non-coding RNAs, and microRNAs, DNA methylation, and histone modifications, have all been shown to control tumorigenesis. The purpose of this review is to discuss the link between altered cholesterol metabolism and epigenetic modification during breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maliha T Munir
- Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Catherine A Powell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Sciences Center, College Station, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - Mahua Choudhury
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Sciences Center, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Lauren S Gollahon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Shaikh M Rahman
- Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
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Possible use of Punica granatum (Pomegranate) in cancer therapy. Pharmacol Res 2018; 133:53-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Panth N, Manandhar B, Paudel KR. Anticancer Activity ofPunica granatum(Pomegranate): A Review. Phytother Res 2017; 31:568-578. [DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Panth
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health and Allied Science; Pokhara University; PO Box 427, Dhungepatan Kaski Nepal
| | - Bikash Manandhar
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health and Allied Science; Pokhara University; PO Box 427, Dhungepatan Kaski Nepal
| | - Keshav Raj Paudel
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health and Allied Science; Pokhara University; PO Box 427, Dhungepatan Kaski Nepal
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