1
|
Deng X, Yang Z, Han M, Ismail N, Esa NM, Razis AFA, Bakar MZA, Chan KW. Comprehensive Insights Into the Combinatorial Uses of Selected Phytochemicals in Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Isothiocyanates, Quinones, Carotenoids, and Alkaloids. Phytother Res 2024. [PMID: 39557422 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8378] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 10/01/2024] [Accepted: 10/24/2024] [Indexed: 11/20/2024]
Abstract
Despite the advancement in cancer diagnosis and treatment, colorectal cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Given the high recurrence rate of colorectal cancer even after surgical resection, chemotherapy has been clinically used to improve the treatment outcomes of colorectal cancer. However, chemotherapy is well-known for its toxic side effects. Thus, phytochemicals have been widely studied in recent years as preventive and therapeutic agents for colorectal cancer owing to their relatively low toxicity. Moreover, combinatorial uses of phytochemicals with other natural compounds or with drugs may amplify the positive outcomes of colorectal cancer prevention and treatment by intervening in multiple signaling pathways and targets. This review summarized the combinatorial use of several well-studied groups of phytochemicals, that is, isothiocyanates, quinones, carotenoids, and alkaloids, in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer, and suggested it as a potential approach to improve the anticancer efficacy of single compounds and minimize the toxic side effects associated with conventional drugs. Notably, we generalized the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical experiments-based molecular mechanisms whereby the selected phytochemicals in combination with other compounds exerted anti-colorectal cancer effects by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, cell invasion, and tumor growth. Overall, this review provides a reference and new perspective to propel further advancements in research and development of preventative and therapeutic strategies for colorectal cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi Deng
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zhongming Yang
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mingzhao Han
- Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norsharina Ismail
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norhaizan Mohd Esa
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- UPM-MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Md Zuki Abu Bakar
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kim Wei Chan
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Deng X, Yang Z, Chan KW, Ismail N, Abu Bakar MZ. 5-Fluorouracil in Combination with Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles Loaded with Antioxidant Thymoquinone against Colon Cancer: Synergistically Therapeutic Potential and Underlying Molecular Mechanism. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:1030. [PMID: 39334689 PMCID: PMC11429434 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13091030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, with high mortality. Adverse side effects and chemoresistance of the first-line chemotherapy 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) have promoted the widespread use of combination therapies. Thymoquinone (TQ) is a natural compound with potent antioxidant activity. Loading antioxidants into nano delivery systems has been a major advance in enhancing their bioavailability to improve clinical application. Hence, this study aimed to prepare the optimal TQ-loaded calcium carbonate nanoparticles (TQ-CaCO3 NPs) and investigate their therapeutic potential and underlying molecular mechanisms of TQ-CaCO3 NPs in combination with 5-FU against colon cancer. Firstly, we developed purely aragonite CaCO3 NPs with a facile mechanical ball-milling method. The pH-sensitive and biocompatible TQ-CaCO3 NPs with sustained release properties were prepared using the optimal synthesized method (a high-speed homogenizer). The in vitro study revealed that the combination of TQ-CaCO3 NPs (15 μM) and 5-FU (7.5 μM) inhibited CT26 cell proliferation and migration, induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, and suppressed the CT26 spheroid growth, exhibiting a synergistic effect. Finally, network pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated the potential targets and crucial signaling pathways of TQ-CaCO3 NPs in combination with 5-FU against colon cancer. Therefore, TQ-CaCO3 NPs combined with 5-FU could enhance the anti-colon cancer effects of 5-FU with broader therapeutic targets, warranting further application for colon cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi Deng
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zhongming Yang
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kim Wei Chan
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norsharina Ismail
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Md Zuki Abu Bakar
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kurowska N, Madej M, Strzalka-Mrozik B. Thymoquinone: A Promising Therapeutic Agent for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 46:121-139. [PMID: 38248312 PMCID: PMC10814900 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46010010] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and is responsible for approximately one million deaths each year. The current standard of care is surgical resection of the lesion and chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). However, of concern is the increasing incidence in an increasingly younger patient population and the ability of CRC cells to develop resistance to 5-FU. In this review, we discuss the effects of thymoquinone (TQ), one of the main bioactive components of Nigella sativa seeds, on CRC, with a particular focus on the use of TQ in combination therapy with other chemotherapeutic agents. TQ exhibits anti-CRC activity by inducing a proapoptotic effect and inhibiting proliferation, primarily through its effect on the regulation of signaling pathways crucial for tumor progression and oxidative stress. TQ can be used synergistically with chemotherapeutic agents to enhance their anticancer effects and to influence the expression of signaling pathways and other genes important in cancer development. These data appear to be most relevant for co-treatment with 5-FU. We believe that TQ is a suitable candidate for consideration in the chemoprevention and adjuvant therapy for CRC, but further studies, including clinical trials, are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy in the treatment of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kurowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (N.K.); (M.M.)
| | - Marcel Madej
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (N.K.); (M.M.)
- Silesia LabMed, Centre for Research and Implementation, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Barbara Strzalka-Mrozik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (N.K.); (M.M.)
| |
Collapse
|