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Yang X, Man D, Zhao P, Li X. Identification of the therapeutic mechanism of the saffron crocus on glioma through network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis. Med Oncol 2023; 40:296. [PMID: 37691037 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02142-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Saffron crocus is a herbal medicine of traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM). Saffron extract has been indicated to inhibit tumor cell growth and promote tumor cell apoptosis in a variety of cancers, including glioma, but the specific mechanism is not clear. To study the possible mechanism of saffron action on glioma, network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis methods were used in this study. We used the online database to obtain the active ingredients of saffron and their targets. Glioma-related targets were also acquired from online database. We intersected drug targets with glioma-related targets and conducted PPI network analysis to obtain network core genes. Then, we obtained RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for glioma patients. Through different expression analysis and lasso regression, further screening of core genes in the network was conducted, and a prognostic model was established. The sample was divided into two groups with high and low risk using this model. The RNA-seq data from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) database were used to further validate our prediction model. Then, we explored the difference in pathways enrichment between high-risk patients and low-risk patients and calculated the difference in immune microenvironment between the two groups. Finally, we used scRNA-seq data in the CGGA database to analyze the cell types in which the model gene is mainly enriched and predicted the cell types which saffron effected on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobing Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Dulegeqi Man
- Department of Neurosurgery, International Mongolia Hospital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, 250117, China.
| | - Xingang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, 250117, China.
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Yang X, Lu D, Sun Y, Wei T, Man D, Chen A, Luo T, Zhao F, Liu X, Cheng B, Wang X, Zhao P, Wang D, Li X. Network pharmacology and experimental verification reveal the mechanism of safranal against glioblastoma (GBM). Front Oncol 2023; 13:1255164. [PMID: 37736545 PMCID: PMC10509474 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1255164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Safranal is an active component of the traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) saffron, which has potential anticancer activity. Methods and results Here, we studied the therapeutic effect and mechanism of safranal on GBM. CCK-8, GBM-brain organoid coculture experiments and 3D tumour spheroid invasion assays showed that safranal inhibited GBM cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Network pharmacology, RNA-seq, molecular docking analysis, western blotting, apoptosis, and cell cycle assays predicted and verified that safranal could promote GBM cell apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest and inhibit the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis. In vivo experiments showed that safranal could inhibit GBM cell growth alone and in combination with TMZ. Conclusion This study revealed that safranal inhibits GBM cell growth in vivo and in vitro, promotes GBM cell apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest, inhibits the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis and cooperate with TMZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobing Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, China
| | - Di Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, China
| | - Yanfei Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, China
| | - Tiandi Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology, Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Dulegeqi Man
- International Mongolia Hospital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, China
| | - Anbin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Luo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Department of Emergency, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Feihu Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, China
| | - Xuemeng Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, China
| | - Bo Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, China
| | - Donghai Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, China
| | - Xingang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory and Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, China
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Matraszek-Gawron R, Chwil M, Terlecki K, Skoczylas MM. Current Knowledge of the Antidepressant Activity of Chemical Compounds from Crocus sativus L. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:58. [PMID: 36678554 PMCID: PMC9860663 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychotropic effect of Crocus sativus L. (family Iridaceae) biologically active chemical compounds are quite well documented and they can therefore be used in addition to the conventional pharmacological treatment of depression. This systematic review on antidepressant compounds in saffron crocus and their mechanisms of action and side effects is based on publications released between 1995−2022 and data indexed in 15 databases under the following search terms: antidepressant effect, central nervous system, Crocus sativus, cognitive impairement, crocin, crocetin, depression, dopamine, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems, picrocrocin, phytotherapy, neurotransmitters, safranal, saffron, serotonin, and biologically active compounds. The comparative analysis of the publications was based on 414 original research papers. The investigated literature indicates the effectiveness and safety of aqueous and alcoholic extracts and biologically active chemical compounds (alkaloids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, flavonoid, phenolic, saponins, and terpenoids) isolated from various organs (corms, leaves, flower petal, and stigmas) in adjuvant treatment of depression and anxiety. Monoamine reuptake inhibition, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonism, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-α agonism are the main proposed mechanism of the antidepressant action. The antidepressant and neuroprotective effect of extract components is associated with their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. The mechanism of their action, interactions with conventional drugs and other herbal preparations and the safety of use are not fully understood; therefore, further detailed research in this field is necessary. The presented results regarding the application of C. sativus in phytotherapy are promising in terms of the use of herbal preparations to support the treatment of depression. This is particularly important given the steady increase in the incidence of this disease worldwide and social effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Matraszek-Gawron
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15 Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Mirosława Chwil
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15 Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Karol Terlecki
- Department of Vascular Surgery and Angiology, Medical University of Lublin, Racławickie 1 Street, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Michał Marian Skoczylas
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Unii Lubelskiej 1 Street, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland
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Safety Assessment and Pain Relief Properties of Saffron from Taliouine Region (Morocco). Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27103339. [PMID: 35630819 PMCID: PMC9144369 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27103339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. In addition to its culinary utilization, this spice is used for medicinal purposes such as in pain management. In this study, the analgesic activity of Crocus sativus stigma extract (CSSE) was evaluated in rodents and its possible physiological mechanism was elucidated. The anti-nociceptive effect of CSSE was evaluated using three animal models (hot plate, writhing, and formalin tests). The analgesic pathways involved were assessed using various analgesia-mediating receptors antagonists. The oral administration of CSSE, up to 2000 mg/kg, caused no death or changes in the behavior or in the hematological and biochemical blood parameters of treated animals nor in the histological architecture of the animals’ livers and kidneys. CSSE showed a central, dose-dependent, anti-nociceptive effect in response to thermal stimuli; and a peripheral analgesic effect in the test of contortions induced by acetic acid. The dual (central and peripheral) analgesic effect was confirmed by the formalin test. The anti-nociceptive activity of CSSE was totally or partially reversed by the co-administration of receptor antagonists, naloxone, atropine, haloperidol, yohimbine, and glibenclamide. CSSE influenced signal processing, by the modulation of the opioidergic, adrenergic, and muscarinic systems at the peripheral and central levels; and by regulation of the dopaminergic system and control of the opening of the ATP-sensitive K+ channels at the spinal level. The obtained data point to a multimodal mechanism of action for CSSE: An anti-inflammatory effect and a modulation, through different physiological pathways, of the electrical signal generated by the nociceptors. Further clinical trials are required to endorse the potential utilization of Moroccan saffron as a natural painkiller.
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Tan W, Pan T, Wang S, Li P, Men Y, Tan R, Zhong Z, Wang Y. Immunometabolism modulation, a new trick of edible and medicinal plants in cancer treatment. Food Chem 2021; 376:131860. [PMID: 34971892 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The edible and medicinal plants (EMPs) are becoming an abundant source for cancer prevention and treatment since the natural and healthy trend for modern human beings. Currently, there are more than one hundred species of EMPs widely used and listed by the national health commission of China, and most of them indicate immune or metabolic regulation potential in cancer treatment with numerous studies over the past two decades. In the present review, we focused on the metabolic influence in immunocytes and tumor microenvironment, including immune response, immunosuppressive factors and cancer cells, discussing the immunometabolic potential of EMPs in cancer treatment. There are more than five hundred references collected and analyzed through retrieving pharmacological studies deposited in PubMed by medical subject headings and the corresponding names derived from pharmacopoeia of China as a sole criterion. Finally, the immunometabolism modulation of EMPs was sketch out implying an immunometabolic control in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Tingrui Pan
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Shengpeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Peng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Yongfan Men
- Research Laboratory of Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Rui Tan
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China.
| | - Yitao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China.
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Fang QW, Fu WW, Yang JL, Lu Y, Chen JC, Wu PY, Zhang X, Xu HX. New monoterpenoids from the stigmas of Crocus sativus. J Nat Med 2021; 76:102-109. [PMID: 34417964 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-021-01559-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
One new compound, crocusatin M (1), and three new glycosidic compounds, crocusatins N-P (2-4), along with nine known compounds were isolated from the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus. The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations of 1, 2, and 3 were unambiguously assigned by the comparison of experimental and calculated ECD data. This is the first report of the isolation of 4 with the HMG moiety from the genus Crocus. Compounds 1 and 4 exhibited weak anti-inflammatory activities on inhibiting lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Wei Fang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cai Lun Lu 1200, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Wei Fu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cai Lun Lu 1200, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jin-Ling Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cai Lun Lu 1200, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cai Lun Lu 1200, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang-Cheng Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cai Lun Lu 1200, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Pei-Ying Wu
- Saffron Div. of Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 200002, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Saffron Div. of Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 200002, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Xi Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cai Lun Lu 1200, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China. .,Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200002, People's Republic of China.
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Arjmand MH, Hashemzehi M, Soleimani A, Asgharzadeh F, Avan A, Mehraban S, Fakhraei M, Ferns GA, Ryzhikov M, Gharib M, Salari R, Sayyed Hoseinian SH, Parizadeh MR, Khazaei M, Hassanian SM. Therapeutic potential of active components of saffron in post-surgical adhesion band formation. J Tradit Complement Med 2021; 11:328-335. [PMID: 34195027 PMCID: PMC8240116 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abdominal adhesions are common and often develop after abdominal surgery. There are currently no useful targeted pharmacotherapies for adhesive disease. Saffron and its active constituents, Crocin and Crocetin, are wildly used in traditional medicine for alleviating the severity of inflammatory or malignant disease. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of the pharmacological active component of saffron in attenuating the formation of post-operative adhesion bands using different administration methods in a murine model. MATERIAL METHOD saffron extract (100 mg/kg), Crocin (100 mg/kg), and Crocetin (100 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally and by gavage in various groups of male Wistar rat post-surgery. Also three groups were first treated intra-peritoneally by saffron extract, Crocin, and Crocetin (100 mg/kg) for 10 days and then had surgery. At the end of the experiments, animals sacrificed for biological assessment. RESULT A hydro-alcoholic extract of saffron and crocin but not crocetin potently reduced the adhesion band frequency in treatment and pre-treatment groups in the mice given intra-peritoneal (i.p) injections. Following the saffron or crocin administration, histological evaluation and quantitative analysis represented less inflammatory cell infiltration and less collagen composition, compared to control group. Moreover, the oxidative stress was significantly reduced in treatment groups. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that a hydro-alcoholic extract of saffron or its active compound, crocin, is a potentially novel therapeutic strategy for the prevention of adhesions formation and might be used as beneficial anti-inflammatory or anti-fibrosis agents in clinical trials. TAXONOMY Abdominal surgeries/post-surgical adhesions.
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Key Words
- APC, activated protein C
- Crocetin
- Crocin
- DSS, dextran sodium sulfate
- Fibrosis
- HE, Hematoxylin & Eosin
- IP, intera-peritoneal
- Inflammation
- MDA, malondialdehyde
- PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor
- PSAB, post-surgical adhesion band
- Post-surgical adhesion band formation
- SOD, superoxidase dismutase
- Saffron
- TAA, thioacetamide
- TGF-β, transforming growth factor-beta
- α-SMA, α-smooth muscle actin
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad-Hassan Arjmand
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | | | - Atena Soleimani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Asgharzadeh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Student Research Committee and Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Mehraban
- Immunology Research Center, Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases Division, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam Fakhraei
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gordon A. Ferns
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Division of Medical Education, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9PH, UK
| | - Mikhail Ryzhikov
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Washington University, School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Masoumeh Gharib
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Roshanak Salari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Persian Medicine, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Reza Parizadeh
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Shah HM, Jain AS, Joshi SV, Kharkar PS. Crocetin and related oxygen diffusion-enhancing compounds: Review of chemical synthesis, pharmacology, clinical development, and novel therapeutic applications. Drug Dev Res 2021; 82:883-895. [PMID: 33817811 PMCID: PMC8273373 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The current pandemic forced us to introspect and revisit our armamentarium of medicinal agents which could be life‐saving in emergency situations. Oxygen diffusion‐enhancing compounds represent one such class of potential therapeutic agents, particularly in ischemic conditions. As rewarding as the name suggests, these agents, represented by the most advanced and first‐in‐class molecule, trans‐sodium crocetinate (TSC), are the subject of intense clinical investigation, including Phase 1b/2b clinical trials for COVID‐19. Being a successor of a natural product, crocetin, TSC is being investigated for various cancers as a radiosensitizer owing to its oxygen diffusion enhancement capability. The unique properties of TSC make it a promising therapeutic agent for various ailments such as hemorrhagic shock, stroke, heart attack, among others. The present review outlines various (bio)synthetic strategies, pharmacological aspects, clinical overview and potential therapeutic benefits of crocetin and related compounds including TSC. The recent literature focusing on the delivery aspects of these compounds is covered as well to paint the complete picture to the curious reader. Given the potential TSC holds as a first‐in‐class agent, small‐ and/or macromolecular therapeutics based on the core concept of improved oxygen diffusion from blood to the surrounding tissues where it is needed the most, will be developed in future and satisfy the unmet medical need for many diseases and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hriday M Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Ashvi S Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Shreerang V Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Prashant S Kharkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India
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Rizeq B, Gupta I, Ilesanmi J, AlSafran M, Rahman MDM, Ouhtit A. The Power of Phytochemicals Combination in Cancer Chemoprevention. J Cancer 2020; 11:4521-4533. [PMID: 32489469 PMCID: PMC7255361 DOI: 10.7150/jca.34374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional therapies for cancer treatment have posed many challenges, including toxicity, multidrug resistance and economic expenses. In contrast, complementary alternative medicine (CAM), employing phytochemicals have recently received increased attention owing to their capability to modulate a myriad of molecular mechanisms with a less toxic effect. Increasing evidence from preclinical and clinical studies suggest that phytochemicals can favorably modulate several signaling pathways involved in cancer development and progression. Combinations of phytochemicals promote cell death, inhibit cell proliferation and invasion, sensitize cancerous cells, and boost the immune system, thus making them striking alternatives in cancer therapy. We previously investigated the effect of six phytochemicals (Indol-3-Carbinol, Resveratrol, C-phycocyanin, Isoflavone, Curcumin and Quercetin), at their bioavailable levels on breast cancer cell lines and were compared to primary cell lines over a period of 6 days. This study showed the compounds had a synergestic effect in inhibiting cell proliferation, reducing cellular migration and invasion, inducing both cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Despite the vast number of basic science and preclinical cancer studies involving phytochemicals, the number of CAM clinical trials in cancer treatment still remains nascent. In this review, we summarize findings from preclinical and clinical studies, including our work involving use of phytochemicals, individually as well as in combination and further discuss the potential of these phytochemicals to pave way to integrate CAM in primary health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balsam Rizeq
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ishita Gupta
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Josephine Ilesanmi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammed AlSafran
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - MD Mizanur Rahman
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Allal Ouhtit
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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