Molecular changes associated with the anticancer effect of sulforaphane against Ehrlich solid tumour in mice

α-Hederin Saponin Augments the Chemopreventive Effect of Cisplatin against Ehrlich Tumors and Bioinformatic Approach Identifying the Role of SDF1/CXCR4/p-AKT-1/NFκB Signaling

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1) and its C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 receptor (CXCR4) are significant mediators for cancer cells’ proliferation, and we studied their expression in Ehrlich solid tumors (ESTs) grown in mice. α-Hederin is a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin found in Hedera or Nigella species with biological activity that involves suppression of growth of breast cancer cell lines. The aim of this study was to explore the chemopreventive activity of α-hederin with/without cisplatin; this was achieved by measuring the reduction in tumor masses and the downregulation in SDF1/CXCR4/pAKT signaling proteins and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB). Ehrlich carcinoma cells were injected in four groups of Swiss albino female mice (Group1: EST control group, Group2: EST + α-hederin group, Group3: EST + cisplatin group, and Group4: EST+α-hederin/cisplatin treated group). Tumors were dissected and weighed, one EST was processed for histopathological staining with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), and the second MC was frozen and processed for estimation of signaling proteins. Computational analysis for these target proteins interactions showed direct-ordered interactions. The dissected solid tumors revealed decreases in tumor masses (~21%) and diminished viable tumor regions with significant necrotic surrounds, particularly with the combination regimens. Immunohistochemistry showed reductions (~50%) in intratumoral NFκβ in the mouse group that received the combination therapy. The combination treatment lowered the SDF1/CXCR4/p-AKT proteins in ESTs compared to the control. In conclusion, α-hederin augmented the chemotherapeutic potential of cisplatin against ESTs; this effect was at least partly mediated through suppressing the chemokine SDF1/CXCR4/p-AKT/NFκB signaling. Further studies are recommended to verify the chemotherapeutic potential of α-hederin in other breast cancer models.

Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and apoptosis induction and inhibition of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response in human prostate cancer PC3 cells by Brassica oleracea var. acephala: An in vitro study

BACKGROUND

Brassica oleracea var. acephala is a good source of health-promoting biologically active compounds like phenolics, vitamins, and glucosinolates.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This in vitro research was conducted to evaluate the apoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties of ethanolic extract of Brassica oleracea var. acephala (EEBO) in PC3 prostate cancer cells. The LC-MS/MS technique was applied to identify the biomolecules of EEBO. The MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of EEBO on PC3 cells. Moreover, qRT-PCR was used to examine the expression levels of Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, BAX, and BCL-2 in PC3 cell line. MMP was predicted by Rhodamine 123 staining, and release of cytochrome c was detected by an ELISA kit. Further, apoptosis was quantified by DNA fragmentation assay. The Western blotting method was used to detect the protein expression levels, and The DPPH assay was applied to determine the antioxidant effect of EEBO. The formula and structure of 19 biomolecules were predicted by LC-MS/MS. EEBO exhibited scavenging activity for DPPH. The MTT test showed EEBO reduced the viability of PC3 cells. The mRNA and protein levels of NRF2 pathway genes and BAX were increased, but those of the NF-κB pathway genes and BCL-2 were decreased in the EEBO-treated cells. Moreover, EEBO led to the diminution of MMP and enhanced the release of cytochrome c and DNA fragmentation, which resulted in apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Molecular changes due to the anticancer impact of EEBO on PC3 were involved in the induction of Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and apoptosis and inhibition of inflammation.

Dietary phytochemicals targeting Nrf2 for chemoprevention in breast cancer

Breast cancer accounts for 11.7% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases and has become the leading cause of cancer worldwide. Currently, more effective and less toxic chemopreventive strategies for breast cancer are urgently needed. Notably, naturally occurring dietary phytochemical compounds, such as curcumin and resveratrol, are generally considered to be the most promising breast cancer preventive agents. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that plays a key regulatory role in the expression of multiple antioxidant and anti-inflammatory enzymes, which can effectively suppress the excessive accumulation of carcinogens and their metabolites. Therefore, modulation of Nrf2 by dietary phytochemicals appears to be a promising approach for breast cancer prevention, which further removes excessive carcinogenic metabolites by inducing Phase II cytoprotective enzymes such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). In this review, we summarize recently published findings on the prevention of breast cancer with potential natural phytochemical compounds targeting Nrf2, as well as a mechanistic discussion of Nrf2 activation and its contribution in inhibiting breast cancer carcinogenesis. The epigenetic regulation of Nrf2 by phytochemicals is also explored.