Natural products and their derivatives: Promising modulators of tumor immunotherapy

Elucidating the potential of isorhapontigenin in targeting the MgrA regulatory network: a paradigm shift for attenuating MRSA virulence

As methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) exhibits formidable resistance to many drugs, the imperative for alternative therapeutic strategies becomes increasingly evident. At the heart of our study is the identification of a novel inhibitor through fluorescence anisotropy assays, specifically targeting the crucial multiple gene regulator A (MgrA) regulatory network in S. aureus. Isorhapontigenin (Iso), a natural compound, exhibits outstanding inhibitory efficacy, modulating bacterial virulence pathways without exerting direct bactericidal activity. This suggests a paradigm shift toward attenuating virulence instead of purely focusing on bacterial elimination. Through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo evaluations, we elucidated the complex interplay between Iso and MgrA, leading to reduced S. aureus adhesion, and overall virulence. At the cellular level, Iso offers significant protection to A549 cells infected with S. aureus, reducing cellular damage. Importantly, Iso augments the chemotaxis of neutrophils, curtailing the immune evasion capabilities of S. aureus. Furthermore, in vivo investigations highlight the notable effectiveness of Iso against MRSA-induced pneumonia and within the Galleria mellonella infection model, underscoring its pivotal role in the evolving realm of antibacterial drug discovery. Significantly, when Iso is used in combination with vancomycin, it outperforms its solo application, indicating a more pronounced therapeutic impact. This seminal research emphasizes Iso's potential as a primary defense against the surge of multidrug-resistant pathogens, heralding new prospects in antimicrobial therapy.

Anti-hepatoma immunotherapy of Pholiota adiposa polysaccharide-coated selenium nanoparticles by reversing M2-like tumor-associated macrophage polarization

Targeting macrophages to regulate the tumor microenvironment is a promising strategy for treating cancer. This study developed a stable nano drug (PAP-SeNPs) using Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) and the Pholiota adiposa polysaccharide component (PAP-1a) and reported their physical stability, M2-like macrophages targeting efficacy and anti-hepatoma immunotherapy potential, as well as their molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, the zero-valent and well-dispersed spherical PAP-SeNPs were also successfully synthesized with an average size of 55.84 nm and a negative ζ-potential of -51.45 mV. Moreover, it was observed that the prepared PAP-SeNPs were stable for 28 days at 4 °C. Intravital imaging highlighted that PAP-SeNPs had the dual effect of targeting desirable immune organs and tumors. In vitro analyses showed that the PAP-SeNPs polarized M2-like macrophages towards the M1 phenotype to induce hepatoma cell death, triggered by the time-dependent lysosomal endocytosis in macrophages. Mechanistically, PAP-SeNPs significantly activated the Tlr4/Myd88/NF-κB axis to transform tumor-promoting macrophages into tumor-inhibiting macrophages and successfully initiated antitumor immunotherapy. Furthermore, PAP-SeNPs also enhanced CD3+CD4+ T cells and CD3+CD8+ T cells, thereby further stimulating anti-hepatoma immune responses. These results suggest that the developed PAP-SeNPs is a promising immunostimulant that can assist hepatoma therapy.

Harnessing the capacity of phytochemicals to enhance immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy of cancers: A focus on brain malignancies

Brain cancers, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are challenging health issues with frequent unmet aspects. Today, discovering safe and effective therapeutic modalities for brain tumors is among the top research interests. Immunotherapy is an emerging area of investigation in cancer treatment. Since immune checkpoints play fundamental roles in repressing anti-cancer immunity, diverse immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been developed, and some monoclonal antibodies have been approved clinically for particular cancers; nevertheless, there are significant concerns regarding their efficacy and safety in brain tumors. Among the various tools to modify the immune checkpoints, phytochemicals show good effectiveness and excellent safety, making them suitable candidates for developing better ICIs. Phytochemicals regulate multiple immunological checkpoint-related signaling pathways in cancer biology; however, their efficacy for clinical cancer immunotherapy remains to be established. Here, we discussed the involvement of immune checkpoints in cancer pathology and summarized recent advancements in applying phytochemicals in modulating immune checkpoints in brain tumors to highlight the state-of-the-art and give constructive prospects for future research.

Targeting CD8+ T cells with natural products for tumor therapy: Revealing insights into the mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Despite significant advances in cancer immunotherapy over the past decades, such as T cell-engaging chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), therapeutic failure resulting from various factors remains prevalent. Therefore, developing combinational immunotherapeutic strategies is of great significance for improving the clinical outcome of cancer immunotherapy. Natural products are substances that naturally exist in various living organisms with multiple pharmacological or biological activities, and some of them have been found to have anti-tumor potential. Notably, emerging evidences have suggested that several natural compounds may boost the anti-tumor effects through activating immune response of hosts, in which CD8+ T cells play a pivotal role.

METHODS

The data of this review come from PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) with the keywords "CD8+ T cell", "anti-tumor", "immunity", "signal 1", "signal 2", "signal 3", "natural products", "T cell receptor (TCR)", "co-stimulation", "co-inhibition", "immune checkpoint", "inflammatory cytokine", "hesperidin", "ginsenoside", "quercetin", "curcumin", "apigenin", "dendrobium officinale polysaccharides (DOPS)", "luteolin", "shikonin", "licochalcone A", "erianin", "resveratrol", "procyanidin", "berberine", "usnic acid", "naringenin", "6-gingerol", "ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GL-PS)", "neem leaf glycoprotein (NLGP)", "paclitaxel", "source", "pharmacological activities", and "toxicity". These literatures were published between 1993 and 2023.

RESULTS

Natural products have considerable advantages as anti-tumor drugs based on the various species, wide distribution, low price, and few side effects. This review summarized the effects and mechanisms of some natural products that exhibit anti-tumor effects via targeting CD8+ T cells, mainly focused on the three signals that activate CD8+ T cells: TCR, co-stimulation, and inflammatory cytokines.

CONCLUSION

Clarifying the role and underlying mechanism of natural products in cancer immunotherapy may provide more options for combinational treatment strategies and benefit cancer therapy, to shed light on identifying potential natural compounds for improving the clinical outcome in cancer immunotherapy.

Immunogenic cell death inducers for cancer therapy: An emerging focus on natural products

BACKGROUND

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a specific form of regulated cell death induced by a variety of stressors. During ICD, the dying cancer cells release damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which promote dendritic cell maturation and tumor antigen presentation, subsequently triggering a T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immune response. In recent years, a growing number of studies have demonstrated the potential of natural products to induce ICD and enhance tumor cell immunogenicity. Moreover, there is an increasing interest in identifying new ICD inducers from natural products.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to emphasize the potential of natural products and their derivatives as ICD inducers to promote research on using natural products in cancer therapy and provide ideas for future novel immunotherapies based on ICD induction.

METHOD

This review included a thorough search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to identify natural products with ICD-inducing capabilities. A comprehensive search for clinical trials on natural ICD inducers was also conducted using ClinicalTrials.gov, as well as the approved patents using the Espacenet and CNKI Patent Database.

RESULTS

Natural compounds that induce ICD can be categorized into several groups, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Natural products can induce the release of DAMPs by triggering endoplasmic reticulum stress, activation of autophagy-related pathways, and reactive oxygen species generation, etc. Ultimately, they activate anti-tumor immune response and improve the efficacy of cancer treatments.

CONCLUSION

A growing number of ICD inducers from natural products with promising anti-cancer potential have been identified. The detailed information presented in this review will contribute to the further development of natural ICD inducers and cancer treatment strategies based on ICD-induced responses.

Inflammation and cancer: friend or foe?

Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of pathologies like neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, since tumor development and chronic inflammation are linked, sharing common signaling pathways. At least 20% of breast and colorectal cancers are associated with chronic inflammation triggered by infections, irritants, or autoimmune diseases. Obesity, chronic inflammation, and cancer interconnection underscore the importance of population-based interventions in maintaining healthy body weight, to disrupt this axis. Given that the dietary inflammatory index is correlated with an increased risk of cancer, adopting an anti-inflammatory diet supplemented with nutraceuticals may be useful for cancer prevention. Natural products and their derivatives offer promising antitumor activity with favorable adverse effect profiles; however, the development of natural bioactive drugs is challenging due to their variability and complexity, requiring rigorous research processes. It has been shown that combining anti-inflammatory products, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and statins, with plant-derived products demonstrate clinical utility as accessible adjuvants to traditional therapeutic approaches, with known safety profiles. Pharmacological approaches targeting multiple proteins involved in inflammation and cancer pathogenesis emerge as a particularly promising option. Given the systemic and multifactorial nature of inflammation, comprehensive strategies are essential for long term success in cancer therapy. To gain insights into carcinogenic phenomena and discover diagnostic or clinically relevant biomarkers, is pivotal to understand genetic variability, environmental exposure, dietary habits, and TME composition, to establish therapeutic approaches based on molecular and genetic analysis. Furthermore, the use of endocannabinoid, cannabinoid, and prostamide-type compounds as potential therapeutic targets or biomarkers requires further investigation. This review aims to elucidate the role of specific etiological agents and mediators contributing to persistent inflammatory reactions in tumor development. It explores potential therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment, emphasizing the urgent need for cost-effective approaches to address cancer-associated inflammation.

Artemisinic acid attenuates osteoclast formation and titanium particle-induced osteolysis via inhibition of RANKL-induced ROS accumulation and MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways

Periprosthetic osteolysis (PPO) is the most common cause of joint arthroplasty failure. Its progression involves both biological and mechanical factors. Osteoclastogenesis induced by wear from debris-cell interactions, ultimately leading to excessive bone erosion, is considered the primary cause of PPO; therefore, targeting osteoclasts is a promising treatment approach. Currently available drugs have various side effects and limitations. Artemisinic acid (ArA) is a sesquiterpene isolated from the traditional herb Artemisia annua L. that has various pharmacological effects, such as antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the effect of ArA on osteoclast formation and bone resorption function in vitro, as well as wear particle-induced osteolysis in vivo, and to explore its molecular mechanism of action. Here, we report that ArA inhibits RANKL-stimulated osteoclast formation and function. Mechanistically, ArA suppresses intracellular reactive oxygen species levels by activating the antioxidant response via nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway upregulation. It also inhibits the mitogen-activated kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways, as well as the transcription and expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos. In vivo experiments demonstrated that ArA reduces osteoclast formation and alleviates titanium particle-induced calvarial osteolysis. Collectively, our study highlights that ArA, with its osteoprotective and antioxidant effects, is a promising therapeutic agent for preventing and treating PPO and other osteoclast-mediated osteolytic diseases.

Pachymic acid activates TP53INP2/TRAF6/caspase-8 pathway to promote apoptosis in renal cell carcinoma cells

While pachymic acid (PA), a key component of Poria cocos (Schw.), has demonstrated anti-tumor effects in lung, breast, and pancreatic cancers, its impact on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is unclear. This study evaluated the effect of PA on proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in human renal cancer A498 and ACHN cells as well as in cancer xenograft mice using wound scratch test, Western blotting, and co-immunoprecipitation assays. In a dose- and time-dependent manner, PA exhibited significant inhibition of RCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, accompanied by the induction of apoptosis. Additionally, PA upregulated the expression of tumor protein p53-inducible nuclear protein 2 (TP53INP2) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), which were downregulated in renal papillary and chromophobe carcinoma, resulting in inhibited tumor growth in mice. PA treatment elevated cleaved-caspase 3 and 8, and PARP levels, and facilitated TP53INP2 and TRAF6 binding to caspase 8, promoting its ubiquitination. Molecular docking revealed interactions between PA and TP53INP2, TRAF6. In summary, PA inhibits RCC development by upregulating TP53INP2 and promoting TRAF6-induced caspase 8 ubiquitination, activating apoptotic pathways.

Bufalin suppresses hepatocellular carcinogenesis by targeting M2 macrophage-governed Wnt1/β-catenin signaling

BACKGROUND

The interplay of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor cells plays a key role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and provides an important target for HCC therapy. The communication between them is still on the investigation. Bufalin, the active component derived from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Chansu, has been evidenced to possess anti-HCC activity by directly suppressing tumor cells, while its immunomodulatory effect on the tumor microenvironment (TME) is unclear.

PURPOSE

To explore the mechanism of M2 TAM-governed tumor cell proliferation and the inhibitory effect of bufalin on HCC growth by targeting M2 macrophages.

METHODS

Morphology and marker proteins were detected to evaluate macrophage polarization via microscopy and flow cytometry. Cellular proliferation and malignant transformation of HCC cells cultured with macrophage conditioned medium (CM) or bufalin-primed M2-CM, were assessed by cell viability, colony formation and soft agar assays. Regulations of gene transcription and protein expression and release were determined by RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, ELISA and immunofluorescence. Tumorigenicity upon bufalin treatment was verified in orthotopic and diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC mouse model.

RESULTS

In this study, we first verified that M2 macrophages secreted Wnt1, which acted as a mediator to trigger β-catenin activation in HCC cells, leading to cellular proliferation. Bufalin suppressed HCC cell proliferation and malignant transformation by inhibiting Wnt1 release in M2 macrophages, and dose-dependently inhibited HCC progression in mice. Mechanistically, bufalin specially targeted to block Wnt1 transcription, thus inactivating β-catenin signaling cascade in HCC cells and leading to tumor regression in HCC mouse model.

CONCLUSION

These results clearly reveal a novel potential of bufalin to suppress HCC through immunomodulation, and shed light on a new M2 macrophage-based modality of HCC immunotherapy, which additively enhances direct tumor-inhibitory efficacy of bufalin.

Tellimagrandin-I and camptothin a exhibit chemopreventive effects in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains and human lymphocytes

Tellimagrandin-I (TL) and camptothin A (CA) are ellagitannins widely found in diverse plant species. Numerous studies demonstrated their significant biological activities, which include antitumor, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. Despite this protective profile, the effects of TL and CA on DNA have not been comprehensively investigated. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the mutagenic and antimutagenic effects attributed to TL and CA exposure on Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains using the Ames test. In addition, the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were examined on human lymphocytes, employing both trypan blue exclusion and CometChip assay. The antigenotoxic effect was determined following TL and CA exposure in the presence of co-treatment with doxorubicin (DXR). Our results from the Ames test indicated that TL or CA did not display marked mutagenic activity. However, TL or CA demonstrated an ability to protect DNA against the damaging effects of the mutagens 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide and sodium azide, thereby exhibiting antimutagenic properties. In relation to human lymphocytes, TL or CA did not induce significant cytotoxic or genotoxic actions on these cells. Further, these ellagitannins exhibited an ability to protect DNA from damage induced by DOX during co-treatment, indicating their potential beneficial usefulness as antigenotoxic agents. In conclusion, the protective effects of TL or CA against mutagens, coupled with their absence of genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on human lymphocytes, emphasize their potential therapeutic value in chemopreventive strategies.

Garlic-derived compounds: Epigenetic modulators and their antitumor effects

Cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease that poses a serious threat to human health worldwide. Despite significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, the prognosis and survival rate of cancer remain poor due to late diagnosis, drug resistance, and adverse reactions. Therefore, it is very necessary to study the development mechanism of cancer and formulate effective therapeutic interventions. As widely available bioactive substances, natural products have shown obvious anticancer potential, especially by targeting abnormal epigenetic changes. The main active part of garlic is organic sulfur compounds, of which diallyl trisulfide (DATS) content is the highest, accounting for more than 40% of the total composition. The garlic-derived compounds have been recognized as an antioxidant for cancer prevention and treatment. However, the molecular mechanism of the antitumor effect of garlic-derived compounds remains unclear. Recent studies have identified garlic-derived compound DATS that plays critical roles in enhancing CpG demethylation or promoting histone acetylation as an epigenetic inhibitor. Here, we review the therapeutic progress of garlic-derived compounds against cancer through epigenetic pathways.

Uncovering the colorectal cancer immunotherapeutic potential: Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) root extract and its active compound oenothein B targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 blockade

BACKGROUND

The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors, a novel class of immunotherapy drugs, represents a major breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy, substantially improving patient survival post-treatment. Blocking programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) has demonstrated promising clinical results in various human cancer types. The US FDA has recently permitted only monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based PD-L1 or PD-1 blockers. Although these antibodies exhibit high antitumor efficacy, their size- and affinity-induced side effects limit their applicability.

PURPOSE

As small-molecule-based PD-1/PD-L1 blockers capable of reducing the side effects of antibody therapies are needed, this study focuses on exploring natural ingredient-based small molecules that can target hPD-L1/PD-1 using herbal medicines and their components.

METHODS

The antitumor potential of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) root extract (EPRE), a globally utilized traditional herbal medicine, folk remedy, and functional food, was explored. A coculture system was established using human PD-L1-expressed murine MC38 cells (hPD-L1-MC38s) and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (CD8+ TILs) expressing humanized PD-1. The in vivo experiments utilized a colorectal cancer (CRC) C57BL/6 J mouse model bearing MC38 cells expressing humanized PD-L1 and PD-1 proteins.

RESULTS

EPRE and its active compound oenothein B effectively hindered the molecular interaction between hPD-L1 and hPD-1. EPRE stimulated tumor-specific T lymphocytes of a hPD-L1/PD-1 CRC mice. This action resulted in the elevated infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+T lymphocytes and subsequent tumor growth reduction. Moreover, the combined therapy of oenothein B, a PD-1/PD-L1 blocker, and FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil plus oxaliplatin) cooperatively suppressed hPD-L1-MC38s growth in the ex vivo model through activated CD8+ TIL antitumor immune response. Oenothein B exhibited a high binding affinity for hPD-L1 and hPD-1. We believe that this study is the first to uncover the inhibitory effects of EPRE and its component, oenothein B, on PD-1/PD-L1 interactions.

CONCLUSION

This study identified a promising small-molecule candidate from natural products that blocks the hPD-L1/PD-1 signaling pathway. These findings emphasize the potential of EPRE and oenothein B as effective anticancer drugs.

Ultrasound-assisted polysaccharide extraction from Fritillaria ussuriensis Maxim. and its structural characterization, antioxidant and immunological activity

Fritillaria ussuriensis Maxim. (F.M.) has been widely used in both food and medication for more than 2000 years. In order to achieve its comprehensive utilization and investigate the structural characterization and biology activity, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions of F.M. polysaccharides. The optimal extraction conditions were ultrasonic power of 174.2 W, ratio of liquid to material of 40.7 mL/g and ultrasonic time of 82.0 min. In addition, a neutral polysaccharide F-1 was obtained, and its structure characterization, antioxidant and immunological activity were evaluated. The structural properties of the polysaccharide were characterized by UV, IR, GC-MS, NMR and AFM. Monosaccharide composition of F-1 (MW 18.11 kDa) was rhamnose, arabinose, glucosamine hydrochloride, galactose, and glucose which under the ratio of 0.9: 3.8: 0.2: 2.9: 92.2. The fractions of F-1 were mainly linked by → 6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → with branch chain α-D-Glcp-(1 → 4)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → and 4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → residues. Moreover, F-1 has a significant scavenging activity, which can clear hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anion, DPPH and ABTS. In addition, the immunological activity showed that F-1 had an effect on macrophage phagocytic activity. And it can increase the release of inflammatory factors including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. F-1 is a novel polysaccharide with significant activity in antioxidant and immunological activity, which has great potential for antioxidant and immunizer in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The study can provide a methodological basis for polysaccharide research and theoretical basis for the industrialized production and practical application.

A review of natural products targeting tumor immune microenvironments for the treatment of lung cancer

Lung cancer (LC) produces some of the most malignant tumors in the world, with high morbidity and mortality. Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), a component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), are critical in tumor development, immune escape, and drug resistance. The TIME is composed of various immune cells, immune cytokines, etc, which are important biological characteristics and determinants of tumor progression and outcomes. In this paper, we reviewed the recently published literature and discussed the potential uses of natural products in regulating TIME. We observed that a total of 37 natural compounds have been reported to exert anti-cancer effects by targeting the TIME. In different classes of natural products, terpenoids are the most frequently mentioned compounds. TAMs are one of the most investigated immune cells about therapies with natural products in TIME, with 9 natural products acting through it. 17 natural products exhibit anti-cancer properties in LC by modulating PD-1 and PD-L1 protein activity. These natural products have been extensively evaluated in animal and cellular LC models, but their clinical trials in LC patients are lacking. Based on the current review, we have revealed that the mechanisms of LC can be treated with natural products through TIME intervention, resulting in a new perspective and potential therapeutic drugs.

A study on the role of Taxifolin in inducing apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells: screening results using weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a frequent malignant tumor in the pancreas. The incomplete understanding of cancer etiology and pathogenesis, as well as the limitations in early detection and diagnostic methods, have created an urgent need for the discovery of new therapeutic targets and drugs to control this disease. As a result, the current therapeutic options are limited. In this study, the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) method was employed to identify key genes associated with the progression and prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) patients in the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database. To identify small molecule drugs with potential in the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD), we compared key genes to the reference dataset in the CMAP database. First, we analyzed the antitumor properties of small molecule drugs using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), AO/EB and Transwell assays. Subsequently, we integrated network pharmacology with molecular docking to explore the potential mechanisms of the identified molecules' anti-tumor effects. Our findings indicated that the progression and prognosis of PAAD patients in pancreatic cancer were associated with 11 genes, namely, DKK1, S100A2, CDA, KRT6A, ITGA3, GPR87, IL20RB, ZBED2, PMEPA1, CST6, and MUC16. These genes were filtered based on their therapeutic potential through comparing them with the reference dataset in the CMAP database. Taxifolin, a natural small molecule drug with the potential for treating PAAD, was screened by comparing it with the reference dataset in the CMAP database. Cell-based experiments have validated the potential of Taxifolin to facilitate apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells while restraining their invasion and metastasis. This outcome is believed to be achieved via the HIF-1 signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study provided a theoretical basis for screening genes related to the progression of pancreatic cancer and discovered potentially active small molecule drugs. The experimental results confirm that Taxifolin has the ability to promote apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells.

Advances in Antitumor Effects Using Liposomal Citrinin in Induced Breast Cancer Model

The study aimed to evaluate the antitumor and toxicogenetic effects of liposomal nanoformulations containing citrinin in animal breast carcinoma induced by 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA). Mus musculus virgin females were divided into six groups treated with (1) olive oil (10 mL/kg); (2) 7,12-DMBA (6 mg/kg); (3) citrinin, CIT (2 mg/kg), (4) cyclophosphamide, CPA (25 mg/kg), (5) liposomal citrinin, LP-CIT (2 μg/kg), and (6) LP-CIT (6 µg/kg). Metabolic, behavioral, hematological, biochemical, histopathological, and toxicogenetic tests were performed. DMBA and cyclophosphamide induced behavioral changes, not observed for free and liposomal citrinin. No hematological or biochemical changes were observed for LP-CIT. However, free citrinin reduced monocytes and caused hepatotoxicity. During treatment, significant differences were observed regarding the weight of the right and left breasts treated with DMBA compared to negative controls. Treatment with CPA, CIT, and LP-CIT reduced the weight of both breasts, with better results for liposomal citrinin. Furthermore, CPA, CIT, and LP-CIT presented genotoxic effects for tumor, blood, bone marrow, and liver cells, although less DNA damage was observed for LP-CIT compared to CIT and CPA. Healthy cell damage induced by LP-CIT was repaired during treatment, unlike CPA, which caused clastogenic effects. Thus, LP-CIT showed advantages for its use as a model of nanosystems for antitumor studies.

Efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of menopause-like syndrome for breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In recent years, breast cancer (BC) incidence and mortality have been the highest in females. Menopause-like syndrome (MLS), arising from hypoestrogenism caused by endocrine therapy, significantly affects the quality of life for females. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has advantages in ameliorating MLS, but the efficacy of TCM in patients with BC has not been systematically evaluated.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Ovid, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, and Clinical Trial Registry from inception to September 4, 2023. The Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool was used for the quality evaluation of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Review Manager 5.4 software was used for statistical analysis, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation was used for quality evaluation of the synthesized evidence.

RESULTS

This review included 42 studies involving 3112 female patients with BC. The results showed that the TCM group was better at decreasing the Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) scores (standardized MD, SMD = - 1.84, 95% confidence interval, CI [- 2.21--1.46], Z = 9.63, P < 0.00001). Regarding the main symptoms of MLS, the TCM groups could significantly decrease the scores of hot flashes and night sweats (SMD = - 0.68, 95% CI [- 1.1--0.27], Z = 3.24, P = 0.001), paraesthesia (SMD = - 0.48, 95% CI [- 0.74--0.21], Z = 3.53, P = 0.0004), osteoarthralgia (SMD = - 0.41, 95% CI [- 0.6-0.21], Z = 4.09, P < 0.0001), anxiety (MD = - 0.85, 95% CI [- 1.13, - 0.58], Z = 6.08, P < 0.00001) and insomnia (MD = - 0.61, 95% CI [- 0.8, - 0.43], Z = 6.51, P < 0.00001). TCM can effectively improve the symptoms of MLS in patients with BC. Moreover, TCM could improve the objective response rate (ORR) by 50% (RR = 1.5, 95% CI [1.37-1.64], Z = 9.01, P < 0.00001). Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol (E2) had no significant difference compared with the control group (p = 0.81 and p = 0.87), and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the TCM group decreased significantly (MD = - 0.99, 95% CI [- 1.38, - 0.5], Z = 5.01, P < 0.00001). This means that the use of TCM does not negatively affect endocrine therapy and may even have a synergistic effect. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) was lower in the TCM groups than in the control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The meta-analysis stated that TCM could better improve the MLS of patients, alleviate related symptoms, and did not increase adverse drug reactions in BC survivors. This review brings more attention to MLS, and the present findings shed light on the potential applications of TCM in the treatment of MLS in BC survivors.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery and Target Identification in Cancer

Drug discovery and development (DDD) is a highly complex process that necessitates precise monitoring and extensive data analysis at each stage. Furthermore, the DDD process is both timeconsuming and costly. To tackle these concerns, artificial intelligence (AI) technology can be used, which facilitates rapid and precise analysis of extensive datasets within a limited timeframe. The pathophysiology of cancer disease is complicated and requires extensive research for novel drug discovery and development. The first stage in the process of drug discovery and development involves identifying targets. Cell structure and molecular functioning are complex due to the vast number of molecules that function constantly, performing various roles. Furthermore, scientists are continually discovering novel cellular mechanisms and molecules, expanding the range of potential targets. Accurately identifying the correct target is a crucial step in the preparation of a treatment strategy. Various forms of AI, such as machine learning, neural-based learning, deep learning, and network-based learning, are currently being utilised in applications, online services, and databases. These technologies facilitate the identification and validation of targets, ultimately contributing to the success of projects. This review focuses on the different types and subcategories of AI databases utilised in the field of drug discovery and target identification for cancer.

The Combination of Bioavailable Concentrations of Curcumin and Resveratrol Shapes Immune Responses While Retaining the Ability to Reduce Cancer Cell Survival

The polyphenols Curcumin (CUR) and Resveratrol (RES) are widely described for their antitumoral effects. However, their low bioavailability is a drawback for their use in therapy. The aim of this study was to explore whether CUR and RES, used at a bioavailable concentration, could modulate immune responses while retaining antitumor activity and to determine whether CUR and RES effects on the immune responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tumor growth inhibition could be improved by their combination. We demonstrate that the low-dose combination of CUR and RES reduced the survival of cancer cell lines but had no effect on the viability of PBMCs. Although following CUR + RES treatment T lymphocytes showed an enhanced activated state, RES counteracted the increased IFN-γ expression induced by CUR in T cells and the polyphenol combination increased IL-10 production by T regulatory cells. On the other hand, the combined treatment enhanced NK cell activity through the up- and downregulation of activating and inhibitory receptors and increased CD68 expression levels on monocytes/macrophages. Overall, our results indicate that the combination of CUR and RES at low doses differentially shapes immune cells while retaining antitumor activity, support the use of this polyphenol combinations in anticancer therapy and suggest its possible application as adjuvant for NK cell-based immunotherapies.

Cosmosiin Induces Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer by Inhibiting PD-L1 Expression and Inducing ROS

Immunotherapies, particularly those concerning immune checkpoint inhibitors, have transformed cancer treatment in recent years. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a key target for immunotherapy that is overexpressed in the cells of colorectal cancer, a widespread malignant cancer that poses a significant healthcare challenge. This study investigated the effects of cosmosiin treatment on colorectal cancer cell lines. Cosmosiin is a naturally occurring flavone glycoside compound that has potential health benefits, including antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. This study showed that cosmosiin effectively suppresses the expression of PD-L1 and triggers apoptosis, which is facilitated through pathways that are related to reactive oxygen species. These outcomes suggest that cosmosiin could be a promising candidate for an immune checkpoint inhibitor in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Antiedematogenic and Analgesic Activities of Abietic Acid in Mice

Exacerbated inflammatory responses to harmful stimuli can lead to significant pain, edema, and other complications that require pharmacological intervention. Abietic acid (AA) is a diterpene found as a significant constituent in pine species, and evidence has identified its biological potential. The present study aimed to evaluate abietic acid's antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory activity in mice. Swiss mice (Mus musculus) weighing 20-30 g were treated with AA at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. The central nervous system (CNS) effects were evaluated using open-field and rotarod assays. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory screening was assessed by the acetic acid and formalin tests. The antiedematogenic activity was investigated by measuring paw edema induced by carrageenan, dextran, histamine, arachidonic acid, and prostaglandin, in addition to using a granuloma model. The oral administration of abietic acid (200 mg/Kg) showed no evidence of CNS effects. The compound also exhibited significant antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory activities in the carrageenan and dextran models, mostly related to the inhibition of myeloperoxidase (MOP) activity and histamine action and, to a lesser extent, the inhibition of eicosanoid-dependent pathways. In the granuloma model, abietic acid's effect was less expressive than in the acute models investigated in this study. In conclusion, abietic acid has analgesic and antiedematogenic activities related to anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Effect of Fragment 1 on the Binding of Epigallocatechin Gallate to the PD-L1 Dimer Explored by Molecular Dynamics

Blocking the interaction between programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) by directly targeting the PD-L1 dimer has emerged as a hot topic in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a natural product, has been demonstrated binding to the PD-L1 dimer in our previous study, but has a weaker binding capacity, moreover, EGCG is located at the end of the binding pocket of the PD-L1 dimer. The inhibitor fragment 1 (FRA) lies at the other end. So, we proposed that the introduction of FRA might be able to improve the binding ability. To illuminate this issue, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed in the present study. Binding free energy calculations show that the binding affinity is significantly increased by 17 kcal/mol upon the introduction of FRA. It may be due to the energy contributions of emerging key residues ATyr56, AMet115, BTyr123, AIle54 and the enhanced contributions of initial key residues ATyr123 and BVal68. Binding mode and non-bonded interaction results indicate that FRA_EGCG (EGCG in combination with FRA) binds to the C-, F- and G-sheet of the PD-L1 dimer. Importantly, the introduction of FRA mainly strengthened the nonpolar interactions. The free energy landscape and secondary structure results further show that FRA_EGCG can interact with the PD-L1 dimer more stably. These data demonstrated here provide the theoretical basis for screening two or more natural products with additive inhibitory effect on this pathway and therefore exerting more effective anticancer immunity.

Marine-Fungi-Derived Gliotoxin Promotes Autophagy to Suppress Mycobacteria tuberculosis Infection in Macrophage

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection causes tuberculosis (TB) and has been a long-standing public-health threat. It is urgent that we discover novel antitubercular agents to manage the increased incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains of MTB and tackle the adverse effects of the first- and second-line antitubercular drugs. We previously found that gliotoxin (1), 12, 13-dihydroxy-fumitremorgin C (2), and helvolic acid (3) from the cultures of a deep-sea-derived fungus, Aspergillus sp. SCSIO Ind09F01, showed direct anti-TB effects. As macrophages represent the first line of the host defense system against a mycobacteria infection, here we showed that the gliotoxin exerted potent anti-tuberculosis effects in human THP-1-derived macrophages and mouse-macrophage-leukemia cell line RAW 264.7, using CFU assay and laser confocal scanning microscope analysis. Mechanistically, gliotoxin apparently increased the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I and Atg5 expression, but did not influence macrophage polarization, IL-1β, TNF-a, IL-10 production upon MTB infection, or ROS generation. Further study revealed that 3-MA could suppress gliotoxin-promoted autophagy and restore gliotoxin-inhibited MTB infection, indicating that gliotoxin-inhibited MTB infection can be treated through autophagy in macrophages. Therefore, we propose that marine fungi-derived gliotoxin holds the promise for the development of novel drugs for TB therapy.

Tumor-associated macrophages: an effective player of the tumor microenvironment

Cancer progression is primarily caused by interactions between transformed cells and the components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). TAMs (tumor-associated macrophages) make up the majority of the invading immune components, which are further categorized as anti-tumor M1 and pro-tumor M2 subtypes. While M1 is known to have anti-cancer properties, M2 is recognized to extend a protective role to the tumor. As a result, the tumor manipulates the TME in such a way that it induces macrophage infiltration and M1 to M2 switching bias to secure its survival. This M2-TAM bias in the TME promotes cancer cell proliferation, neoangiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, matrix remodeling for metastatic support, and TME manipulation to an immunosuppressive state. TAMs additionally promote the emergence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are known for their ability to originate, metastasize, and relapse into tumors. CSCs also help M2-TAM by revealing immune escape and survival strategies during the initiation and relapse phases. This review describes the reasons for immunotherapy failure and, thereby, devises better strategies to impair the tumor-TAM crosstalk. This study will shed light on the understudied TAM-mediated tumor progression and address the much-needed holistic approach to anti-cancer therapy, which encompasses targeting cancer cells, CSCs, and TAMs all at the same time.

Exploring the potential mechanisms of Yi-Yi-Fu-Zi-Bai-Jiang-San therapy on the immune-inflamed phenotype of colorectal cancer via combined network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses

BACKGROUND

The development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) is closely associated with its complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Assessment of the modified pattern of immune cell infiltration (ICI) will help increase knowledge regarding the characteristics of TME infiltration. Yi-Yi-Fu-Zi-Bai-Jiang-San (YYFZBJS) has been shown to have positive effects on the regulation of the immune microenvironment of CRC. However, its pharmacological targets and molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

METHODS

Network pharmacological analysis was used to identify the target of YYFZBJS in the TME of CRC. Patients with the immune-inflamed phenotype (IIP) were identified using CRC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Consensus genes were identified by intersecting YYFZBJS targets, CRC disease targets and differentially expressed genes in the CRC microenvironment. Then, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox analyses were used to identify a prognostic signature from the consensus genes. Cytoscape software was further used to build a unique herb-compound-target network diagram of the important components of YYFZBJS and prognostic gene targets. In addition, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis was performed using the prognostic gene sets to explore the molecular mechanism of the prognostic genes in drug therapy for CRC IIP patients. Finally, single-cell analysis was performed to validate the expression of the prognostic genes in the TME of CRC using the TISCH2 database.

RESULTS

A total of 284 IIP patients were identified from 480 patients with CRC. A total of 35 consensus genes were identified as targets of YYFZBJS in the TME of CRC patients. An eleven-gene prognostic signature, including PIK3CG, C5AR1, PRF1, CAV1, HPGDS, PTGS2, SERPINE1, IDO1, TGFB1, CXCR2 and MMP9, was identified from the consensus genes, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUCs) values of 0.84 and 0.793 for the training and test cohorts, respectively. In the herb-compound-target network, twenty-four compounds were shown to interact with the 11 prognostic genes, which were significantly enriched in the IL-17 signaling, arachidonic acid metabolism and metabolic pathways. Single-cell analysis of the prognostic genes confirmed that their abnormal expression was associated with the TME of CRC.

CONCLUSION

This study organically integrated network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses to identify prognostic genes in CRC IIP patients from the targets of YYFZBJS. Although this data mining work was limited to the study of mechanisms related to prognosis based on the immune microenvironment, the methodology provides new perspectives in the search for novel therapeutic targets of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and accurate diagnostic indicators of cancers targeted by TCMs.

Panaxynol alleviates colorectal cancer in a murine model via suppressing macrophages and inflammation

Currently available colorectal cancer (CRC) therapies have limited efficacy and severe adverse effects that may be overcome with the alternative use of natural compounds. We previously reported that panaxynol (PA), a bioactive component in American ginseng, possesses anticancer properties in vitro and suppresses murine colitis through its proapoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Because colitis is a predisposing factor of CRC and inflammation is a major driver of CRC, we sought to evaluate the therapeutic potential of PA in CRC. Azoxymethane-dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) mice (C57BL/6) were administered 2.5 mg/kg PA or vehicle 3 times/wk via oral gavage over 12 wk. PA improved clinical symptoms (P ≤ 0.05) and reduced tumorigenesis (P ≤ 0.05). This improvement may be reflective of PA's restorative effect on intestinal barrier function; PA upregulated the expression of essential tight junction and mucin genes (P ≤ 0.05) and increased the abundance of mucin-producing goblet cells (P ≤ 0.05). Given that macrophages play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of CRC and that we previously demonstrated that PA targets macrophages in colitis, we next assessed macrophages. We show that PA reduces the relative abundance of colonic macrophages within the lamina propria (P ≤ 0.05), and this was consistent with a reduction in the expression of important markers of macrophages and inflammation (P ≤ 0.05). We further confirmed PA's inhibitory effects on macrophages in vitro under CRC conditions (P ≤ 0.05). These results suggest that PA is a promising therapeutic compound to treat CRC and improve clinical symptoms given its ability to inhibit macrophages and modulate the inflammatory environment in the colon.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We report that panaxynol (PA) reduces colorectal cancer (CRC) by improving the colonic and tumor environment. Specifically, we demonstrate that PA improves crypt morphology, upregulates crucial tight junction and mucin genes, and promotes the abundance of mucin-producing goblet cells. Furthermore, PA reduces macrophages and associated inflammation, important drivers of CRC, in the colonic environment. This present study provides novel insights into the potential of PA as a therapeutic agent to ameliorate CRC tumorigenesis.

Blocking LTB4 signaling-mediated TAMs recruitment by Rhizoma Coptidis sensitizes lung cancer to immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) induces durable immune responses across a spectrum of advanced cancers and revolutionizes the oncology field. However, only a subset of patients achieves long-lasting clinical benefits. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) usually secrete immunosuppressive cytokines and contribute to the failure of ICB therapy. Therefore, it is crucial to mechanically manipulate the abundance and function of TAMs in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which can offer a promising molecular basis to improve the clinical response efficacy of ICB in cancer patients.

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate TAMs in the immunosuppressive microenvironment to identify new therapeutic targets, improve the ability to predict and guide responses to clinical immunotherapy, and develop new strategies for immunotherapy of lung tumors.

METHODS

Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) xenograft-bearing mouse models were established to analyze the antitumor activity of Rhizoma Coptidis (RC) in vivo. A systems pharmacology strategy was used to predict the correlation between RC and M2 macrophages. The effect of RC on the abundance of M2 macrophages was analyzed by flow cytometry of murine samples. Western blot was performed to analyze the expression of Leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) and LTB4 receptor 1 (BLT1) in harvested lung cancer tissues. The impact of blocking leukotriene B4 (LTB4) signaling by RC on the recruitment of M2 macrophages was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Transwell migration assays were conducted to clarify the inhibition of macrophage migration by blocking LTB4. Lta4h-/- mice were used to investigate the sensitivity of immunotherapy to lung cancer by blocking the LTB4 signaling.

RESULTS

Here, we report that RC, an herbal medicine from the family Ranunculaceae, suppresses the recruitment and immunosuppressive function of TAMs, which in turn sensitizes lung cancer to ICB therapy. Firstly, a systems pharmacology strategy was proposed to identify combinatorial drugs for ICB therapy with a systems biology perspective of drug-target-pathway-TME phenotype. We predicted and verified that RC significantly inhibits tumor growth and the infiltration of M2-TAMs into TME of LLC tumor-bearing mice. Then, RC inhibits the recruitment of macrophages to the tumor TME via blocking LTB4 signaling, and suppresses the expression of immunosuppressive factors (IL-10, TGF-β and VEGF). As a result, RC enables CD8+ T cells to retain their proliferative and infiltrative abilities within the TME. Ultimately, these events promote cytotoxic T-cell-mediated clearance of tumor cells, which is further enhanced by the addition of anti-PD-L1 therapy. Furthermore, we employed LTA4H deficient mice (Lta4h-/- mice) to evaluate the antitumor efficiency, the results showed that the efficacy of immunotherapy was enhanced due to the synergistic effect of LTB4 signaling blockage and ICB inhibition, leading to remarkable inhibition of tumor growth in a mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these findings suggest that RC enhances antitumor immunity, providing a rationale for combining RC with immunotherapies as a potential anti-cancer treatment strategy.

Deciphering the Mysterious Relationship between the Cross-Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative and Oncological Diseases

The relationship between oncological pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders is extremely complex and is a topic of concern among a growing number of researchers around the world. In recent years, convincing scientific evidence has accumulated that indicates the contribution of a number of etiological factors and pathophysiological processes to the pathogenesis of these two fundamentally different diseases, thus demonstrating an intriguing relationship between oncology and neurodegeneration. In this review, we establish the general links between three intersecting aspects of oncological pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders, i.e., oxidative stress, epigenetic dysregulation, and metabolic dysfunction, examining each process in detail to establish an unusual epidemiological relationship. We also focus on reviewing the current trends in the research and the clinical application of the most promising chemical structures and therapeutic platforms that have a modulating effect on the above processes. Thus, our comprehensive analysis of the set of molecular determinants that have obvious cross-functional pathways in the pathogenesis of oncological and neurodegenerative diseases can help in the creation of advanced diagnostic tools and in the development of innovative pharmacological strategies.

Natural Products Treat Colorectal Cancer by Regulating miRNA

Diseases are evolving as living standards continue to improve. Cancer is the main cause of death and a major public health problem that seriously threatens human life. Colorectal cancer is one of the top ten most common malignant tumors in China, ranking second after gastric cancer among gastrointestinal malignant tumors, and its incidence rate is increasing dramatically each year due to changes in the dietary habits and lifestyle of the world's population. Although conventional therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have profoundly impacted the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), drug resistance and toxicity remain substantial challenges. Natural products, such as dietary therapeutic agents, are considered the safest alternative for treating CRC. In addition, there is substantial evidence that natural products can induce apoptosis, inhibit cell cycle arrest, and reduce the invasion and migration of colon cancer cells by targeting and regulating the expression and function of miRNAs. Here, we summarize the recent research findings on the miRNA-regulation-based antitumor mechanisms of various active ingredients in natural products, highlighting how natural products target miRNA regulation in colon cancer prevention and treatment. The application of natural drug delivery systems and predictive disease biomarkers in cancer prevention and treatment is also discussed. Such approaches will contribute to the discovery of new regulatory mechanisms associated with disease pathways and provide a new theoretical basis for developing novel colon cancer drugs and compounds and identifying new therapeutic targets.

Synergistic Anti-Tumor Effect of Toosendanin and Paclitaxel on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer via Regulating ADORA2A-EMT Related Signaling

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive cancer with very poor prognosis. Combination therapy has proven to be a promising strategy for enhancing TNBC treatment efficacy. Toosendanin (TSN), a plant-derived triterpenoid, has shown pleiotropic effects against a variety of tumors. Herein, it is evaluated whether TSN can enhance the efficacy of paclitaxel (PTX), a common chemotherapeutic agent, against TNBC. It is found that TSN and PTX synergistically suppress the proliferation of TNBC cell lines such as MDA-MB-231 and BT-549, and the combined treatment also inhibits the colony formation and induces cell apoptosis. Furthermore, this combination shows more marked migratory inhibition when compared to PTX alone. Mechanistic study shows that the ADORA2A pathway in TNBC is down-regulated by the combination treatment via mediating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In addition, the combined treatment of TSN and PTX significantly attenuates the tumor growth when compared to PTX monotherapy in a mouse model bearing 4T1 tumor. The results suggest that combination of TSN and PTX is superior to PTX alone, suggesting that it may be a promising alternative adjuvant chemotherapy strategy for patients with TNBC, especially those with metastatic TNBC.

Targeting extracellular matrix through phytochemicals: a promising approach of multi-step actions on the treatment and prevention of cancer

Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a pivotal and dynamic role in the construction of tumor microenvironment (TME), becoming the focus in cancer research and treatment. Multiple cell signaling in ECM remodeling contribute to uncontrolled proliferation, metastasis, immune evasion and drug resistance of cancer. Targeting trilogy of ECM remodeling could be a new strategy during the early-, middle-, advanced-stages of cancer and overcoming drug resistance. Currently nearly 60% of the alternative anticancer drugs are derived from natural products or active ingredients or structural analogs isolated from plants. According to the characteristics of ECM, this manuscript proposes three phases of whole-process management of cancer, including prevention of cancer development in the early stage of cancer (Phase I); prevent the metastasis of tumor in the middle stage of cancer (Phase II); provide a novel method in the use of immunotherapy for advanced cancer (Phase III), and present novel insights on the contribution of natural products use as innovative strategies to exert anticancer effects by targeting components in ECM. Herein, we focus on trilogy of ECM remodeling and the interaction among ECM, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and sort out the intervention effects of natural products on the ECM and related targets in the tumor progression, provide a reference for the development of new drugs against tumor metastasis and recurrence.

Active Ingredients from Chinese Medicine for Combination Cancer Therapy

Combination therapy against cancer has gained increasing attention because it can help to target multiple pathways to tackle oncologic progression and improve the limited antitumor effect of single-agent therapy. Chinese medicine has been studied extensively in cancer therapy and proven to be efficacious in many cases due to its wide spectrum of anticancer activities. In this review, we aim to summarize the recent progress of active ingredients from Chinese medicine (AIFCM) in combination with various cancer therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, gene therapy, radiotherapy, phototherapy and immunotherapy. In addition to highlighting the potential contribution of AIFCM in combination cancer therapy, we also elucidate the underlying mechanisms behind their synergistic effect and improved anticancer efficacy, thereby encouraging the inclusion of these AIFCM as part of effective armamentarium in fighting intractable cancers. Finally, we present the challenges and future perspectives of AIFCM combination therapy as a feasible and promising strategy for the optimization of cancer treatment and better clinical outcomes.

DNA hydrogels and nanogels for diagnostics, therapeutics, and theragnostics of various cancers

As an efficient class of hydrogel-based therapeutic drug delivery systems, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hydrogels (particularly DNA nanogels) have attracted massive attention in the last five years. The main contributor to this is the programmability of these 3-dimensional (3D) scaffolds that creates fundamental effects, especially in treating cancer diseases. Like other active biological ingredients (ABIs), DNA hydrogels can be functionalized with other active agents that play a role in targeting drug delivery and modifying the half-life of the therapeutic cargoes in the body's internal environment. Considering the brilliant advantages of DNA hydrogels, in this survey, we intend to submit an informative collection of feasible methods for the design and preparation of DNA hydrogels and nanogels, and the responsivity of the immune system to these therapeutic cargoes. Moreover, the interactions of DNA hydrogels with cancer biomarkers are discussed in this account. Theragnostic DNA nanogels as an advanced species for both detection and therapeutic purposes are also briefly reviewed.

Natural Products for the Immunotherapy of Glioma

Glioma immunotherapy has attracted increasing attention since the immune system plays a vital role in suppressing tumor growth. Immunotherapy strategies are already being tested in clinical trials, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T cell) therapy, and virus therapy. However, the clinical application of these immunotherapies is limited due to their tremendous side effects and slight efficacy caused by glioma heterogeneity, antigen escape, and the presence of glioma immunosuppressive microenvironment (GIME). Natural products have emerged as a promising and safe strategy for glioma therapy since most of them possess excellent antitumor effects and immunoregulatory properties by reversing GIME. This review summarizes the status of current immunotherapy strategies for glioma, including their obstacles. Then we discuss the recent advancement of natural products for glioma immunotherapy. Additionally, perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of natural compounds for modulating the glioma microenvironment are also illustrated.

Application of natural polysaccharides and their novel dosage forms in gynecological cancers: therapeutic implications from the diversity potential of natural compounds

Cancer is one of the most lethal diseases. Globally, the number of cancers is nearly 10 million per year. Gynecological cancers (for instance, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial), relying on hidden diseases, misdiagnoses, and high recurrence rates, have seriously affected women's health. Traditional chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy effectively improve the prognosis of gynecological cancer patients. However, with the emergence of adverse reactions and drug resistance, leading to the occurrence of complications and poor compliance of patients, we have to focus on the new treatment direction of gynecological cancers. Because of the potential effects of natural drugs in regulating immune function, protecting against oxidative damage, and improving the energy metabolism of the body, natural compounds represented by polysaccharides have also attracted extensive attention in recent years. More and more studies have shown that polysaccharides are effective in the treatment of various tumors and in reducing the burden of metastasis. In this review, we focus on the positive role of natural polysaccharides in the treatment of gynecologic cancer, the molecular mechanisms, and the available evidence, and discuss the potential use of new dosage forms derived from polysaccharides in gynecologic cancer. This study covers the most comprehensive discussion on applying natural polysaccharides and their novel preparations in gynecological cancers. By providing complete and valuable sources of information, we hope to promote more effective treatment solutions for clinical diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancers.

Naringenin Induces HepG2 Cell Apoptosis via ROS-Mediated JAK-2/STAT-3 Signaling Pathways

Hepatocarcinoma is one of the most prevalent digestive system tumors worldwide and lacks effective therapy. Recently, naringenin has been isolated from some citrus fruits, and its anticancer effects have been tested. However, the molecular mechanisms of naringenin and the potential implications of oxidative stress in naringenin-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells remain elusive. Based on the above, the present study examined the effect of naringenin on the cytotoxic and anticancer mechanisms of HepG2 cells. Naringenin-induced HepG2 cell apoptosis was confirmed via the accumulation of the sub-G1 cell population, phosphatidylserine exposure, mitochondrial transmembrane potential loss, DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation, and caspase-9 activation. Furthermore, naringenin enhanced cytotoxic effects on HepG2 cells and triggered intracellular reactive oxygen species; the signaling pathways of JAK-2/STAT-3 were inhibited, and caspase-3 was activated to advance cell apoptosis. These results suggest that naringenin plays an important role in inducing apoptosis in HepG2 cells and that naringenin may be a promising candidate for cancer therapy.

The role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in liver cancer

MDSCs are immature myeloid immune cells, which accumulate in models of liver cancer to reduce effector immune cell activity, contribute to immune escape and treatment resistance. The accumulation of MDSCs suppresses the role of CTL and the killing effects of NK cells, induces the accumulation of Treg cells, and blocks the antigen presentation of DCs, thus promoting the progression of liver cancer. Recently, immunotherapy has emerged a valuable approach following chemoradiotherapy in the therapy of advanced liver cancer. A considerable increasing of researches had proved that targeting MDSCs has become one of the therapeutic targets to enhance tumor immunity. In preclinical study models, targeting MDSCs have shown encouraging results in both alone and in combination administration. In this paper, we elaborated immune microenvironment of the liver, function and regulatory mechanisms of MDSCs, and therapeutic approaches to target MDSCs. We also expect these strategies to supply new views for future immunotherapy for the treatment of liver cancer.

Advances in the Anti-Tumor Activity of Biflavonoids in Selaginella

Despite the many strategies employed to slow the spread of cancer, the development of new anti-tumor drugs and the minimization of side effects have been major research hotspots in the anti-tumor field. Natural drugs are a huge treasure trove of drug development, and they have been widely used in the clinic as anti-tumor drugs. Selaginella species in the family Selaginellaceae are widely distributed worldwide, and they have been well-documented in clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Biflavonoids are the main active ingredients in Selaginella, and they have good biological and anti-tumor activities, which warrant extensive research. The promise of biflavonoids from Selaginella (SFB) in the field of cancer therapy is being realized thanks to new research that offers insights into the multi-targeting therapeutic mechanisms and key signaling pathways. The pharmacological effects of SFB against various cancers in vitro and in vivo are reviewed in this review. In addition, the types and characteristics of biflavonoid structures are described in detail; we also provide a brief summary of the efforts to develop drug delivery systems or combinations to enhance the bioavailability of SFB monomers. In conclusion, SFB species have great potential to be developed as adjuvant or even primary therapeutic agents for cancer, with promising applications.

Substances of Natural Origin in Medicine: Plants vs. Cancer

Continuous monitoring of the population's health is the main method of learning about disease prevalence. National and international data draw attention to the persistently high rates of cancer incidence. This necessitates the intensification of efforts aimed at developing new, more effective chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive drugs. Plants represent an invaluable source of natural substances with versatile medicinal properties. Multidirectional activities exhibited by natural substances and their ability to modulate key signaling pathways, mainly related to cancer cell death, make these substances an important research direction. This review summarizes the information regarding plant-derived chemotherapeutic drugs, including their mechanisms of action, with a special focus on selected anti-cancer drugs (paclitaxel, irinotecan) approved in clinical practice. It also presents promising plant-based drug candidates currently being tested in clinical and preclinical trials (betulinic acid, resveratrol, and roburic acid).

Nanomedicine in Lung Cancer Immunotherapy

Lung cancer is the major cause of cancer death worldwide. Cancer immunotherapy has been introduced as a promising and effective treatment that can improve the immune system’s ability to eliminate cancer cells and help establish immunological memory. Nanoparticles can contribute to the rapidly evolving field of immunotherapy by simultaneously delivering a variety of immunological agents to the target site and tumor microenvironment. Nano drug delivery systems can precisely target biological pathways and be implemented to reprogram or regulate immune responses. Numerous investigations have been conducted to employ different types of nanoparticles for immunotherapy of lung cancer. Nano-based immunotherapy adds a strong tool to the diverse collection of cancer therapies. This review briefly summarizes the remarkable potential opportunities for nanoparticles in lung cancer immunotherapy and its challenges.

Hecogenin and its derivates: A pharmacology review

Despite the several uses of drugs from natural compounds in the pharmaceutical industry, new molecules have been discovered and associated with pharmacological activities over the years. Hecogenin, a steroidal saponin, has been the subject of several studies due to reports of pharmacological activities. This study combines the articles published to date that show the pharmacological activity and the mechanism of action of hecogenin, its acetate, and its derivates. This compilation shows that the compounds can act in different pathologies that affect many systems of the human body. They showed pharmacological properties in inflammation, mediating cytokines, cells, and environment. Also, it participated in tumoral processes by pathways like PPGARγ, ERK½, and MMP-2 and showed antimicrobial effects against organisms like Candida and Aedes aegypti's larvae. This review indicates that continuing studies with these molecules are essential once they have the potential to be a future drug.

A Natural Glucan from Black Bean Inhibits Cancer Cell Proliferation via PI3K-Akt and MAPK Pathway

A natural α-1,6-glucan named BBWPW was identified from black beans. Cell viability assay showed that BBWPW inhibited the proliferation of different cancer cells, especially HeLa cells. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that BBWPW suppressed the HeLa cell cycle in the G2/M phase. Consistently, RT-PCR experiments displayed that BBWPW significantly impacts the expression of four marker genes related to the G2/M phase, including p21, CDK1, Cyclin B1, and Survivin. To explore the molecular mechanism of BBWPW to induce cell cycle arrest, a transcriptome-based target inference approach was utilized to predict the potential upstream pathways of BBWPW and it was found that the PI3K-Akt and MAPK signal pathways had the potential to mediate the effects of BBWPW on the cell cycle. Further experimental tests confirmed that BBWPW increased the expression of BAD and AKT and decreased the expression of mTOR and MKK3. These results suggested that BBWPW could regulate the PI3K-Akt and MAPK pathways to induce cell cycle arrest and ultimately inhibit the proliferation of HeLa cells, providing the potential of the black bean glucan to be a natural anticancer drug.

Targeting potential receptor molecules in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using in silico approaches

Introduction: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in lung cancer. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other conventional cancer treatments have a low success rate. Thus, creating new medications is essential to halt the spread of lung cancer. Methods: In this study bioactive nature of lochnericine against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) was analyzed using various computational approaches such as quantum chemical calculations, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulation. Furthermore, the MTT assay shows the anti-proliferation activity of lochnericine. Results and Discussion: Using Frontier Molecular Orbital (FMO), the calculated band gap energy value associated with bioactive compounds and the molecule's potential bioactivity is confirmed. The H38 hydrogen atom and O1 oxygen atom in the molecule are effectively electrophilic, and potential nucleophilic attack sites were confirmed through analysis of the Molecular electrostatic potential surface. Furthermore, the electrons within the molecule were delocalized, which confers bioactivity on the title molecule and was authorized through Mulliken atomic charge distribution analysis. A molecular docking study revealed that lochnericine inhibits non-small cell lung cancer-associated targeted protein. The lead molecule and targeted protein complex were stable during molecular dynamics simulation studies till the simulation period. Further, lochnericine demonstrated remarkable anti-proliferative and apoptotic features against A549 lung cancer cells. The current investigation powerfully suggests that lochnericine is a potential candidate for lung cancer.

Is the Triggering of PD-L1 Dimerization a Potential Mechanism for Food-Derived Small Molecules in Cancer Immunotherapy? A Study by Molecular Dynamics

Using small molecules to inhibit the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is an important approach in cancer immunotherapy. Natural compounds such as capsaicin, zucapsaicin, 6-gingerol and curcumin have been proposed to have anticancer immunologic functions by downregulating the PD-L1 expression. PD-L1 dimerization promoted by small molecules was recently reported to be a potential mechanism to inhibit the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. To clarify the molecular mechanism of such compounds on PD-L1 dimerization, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were performed. The results evidenced that these compounds could inhibit PD-1/PD-L1 interactions by directly targeting PD-L1 dimerization. Binding free energy calculations showed that capsaicin, zucapsaicin, 6-gingerol and curcumin have strong binding ability with the PD-L1 dimer, where the affinities of them follow the trend of zucapsaicin > capsaicin > 6-gingerol ≈ curcumin. Analysis by residue energy decomposition, contact numbers and nonbonded interactions revealed that these compounds have a tight interaction with the C-sheet, F-sheet and G-sheet fragments of the PD-L1 dimer, which were also involved in the interactions with PD-1. Moreover, non-polar interactions between these compounds and the key residues Ile54, Tyr56, Met115 and Ala121 play a key role in stabilizing the protein−ligand complexes in solution, in which the 4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl group and the carbonyl group of zucapsaicin, capsaicin, 6-ginger and curcumin were significant for the complexation of small molecules with the PD-L1 dimer. The conformational variations of these complexes were further analyzed by free energy landscape (FEL) and principal component analysis (PCA) and showed that these small molecules could make the structure of dimers more stable. This work provides a mechanism insight for food-derived small molecules blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway via directly targeting the PD-L1 dimerization and offers theoretical guidance to discover more effective small molecular drugs in cancer immunotherapy.

The function of natural compounds in important anticancer mechanisms

The existence of malignant tumors has been a threat to human life, health, and safety. Although the rapid development of radiotherapy, drug therapy, surgery, and local therapy has improved the quality of life of tumor patients, there are still some risks. Natural compounds are widely used in cancer because they are easy to obtain, have a good curative effects and have no obvious side effects, and play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of various cancers. Phenolic, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and other natural components of traditional Chinese medicine have certain anti-tumor activities, which can promote apoptosis, anti-proliferation, anti-metastasis, inhibit angiogenesis, change the morphology of cancer cells and regulate immune function, etc., and have positive effects on breast cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, rectal cancer and so on. To better understand the effects of natural compounds on cancer, this paper screened out four important pathways closely related to cancer, including cell death and immunogenic cell death, immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, inflammation and related pathways and tumor metastasis, and systematically elaborated the effects of natural compounds on cancer.

Therapeutic potential of Curcuma oil and its terpenoids in gynecological cancers

BACKGROUND

Gynecological cancers encompass all uncontrolled and aberrant cell growth in the female reproductive system, therapeutic interventions are constantly evolving, but there is still a high death rate, significant side effects and medication resistance, making the task of treatment challenging and complex. The essential oil extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa is a promising natural drug, which has excellent biological activity on cancer cells and is to be developed as a new type of anti-gynecological tumor therapeutic agent.

PURPOSE

To systematically summarize the available evidence for the efficacy of Curcuma oil and its terpenoids (β-elemene, curcumol, furanodiene, and germacrone) in gynecological cancers, primarily malignancies of the reproductive system, involving ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers, explain the underlying mechanisms of preventing and treating gynecological cancers, and assess the shortcomings of existing work.

RESULTS

Through several signaling channels, Curcuma oil and its terpenoids can not only stop the growth of ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and endometrial cancer cells, limit the formation of tumors, but also raise the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and improve the quality of life for patients.

CONCLUSION

It provides a preclinical basis for the efficacy of Curcuma oil as a broad-spectrum anti-tumor agent for the prevention and treatment of gynecological cancers. Even so, further efforts are still needed to improve the bioavailability of Curcuma oil and upgrade related experiments.

Vibsane-type diterpenoids from Viburnum odoratissimum inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cells via the PI3K/AKT pathway

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with an elevated danger of metastasis and a short survival rate. Vibsane-type diterpenoids with novel structures possess marked antitumor activities against multiple cancer cells. However, the exact mechanism is poorly unclear.

PURPOSE

To assess the antitumor mechanism of vibsane-type diterpenoids derived from Viburnum odoratissimum (V. odoratissimum) against HCC cells in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

The main constituents in the ethyl acetate extract of V. odoratissimum (EAVO) were identified by LC-MS/MS. The antiproliferative activity of EAVO in vitro was evaluated by MTT assays. Annexin V-FITC/PI, AO/EB, and Hoechst 33,258 staining were employed to detect apoptosis. JC-1 fluorescence dye was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The levels of intracellular ROS and mitochondrial superoxides were assessed by H₂DCF-DA and MitoSox staining, respectively. The levels of oxidative stress were determined by ROS Green™ H₂O₂ probe, hydroxyphenyl fluorescein (HPF), and the C11 BODIPY 581/591 fluorescent probe. Transcriptomics was performed to investigate the antitumor mechanism of EAVO in HCC. The molecular mechanism by which EAVO suppressed HCC cells was verified by Western blot, RT-PCR, and HTRF® KinEASE™-STK S3 kits. The efficacy and safety of EAVO in vivo were evaluated using Hep3B xenograft models.

RESULTS

Vibsane-type diterpenoids were the main constituents of EAVO by LC-MS/MS. EAVO suppressed proliferation, aggravated oxidative stress, and promoted apoptosis in HCC cells. Moreover, EAVO dramatically inhibited tumor growth in Hep3B xenograft models. Transcriptomics results indicated that EAVO inhibited HCC cell proliferation by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Vibsanin B, vibsanol I, and vibsanin S isolated from EAVO was used to further verify the antitumor activity of vibsane-type diterpenoids subsequently. Interestingly, the kinase results showed that vibsanin B and vibsanol I exhibited vital AKT kinase inhibitory activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, this study provided a comprehensive mechanism overview of vibsane-type diterpenoids against HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. It also laid a foundation for further antitumor investigation of vibsane-type diterpenoids in V. odoratissimum.

The Na+/K+-ATPase: A potential therapeutic target in cardiometabolic diseases

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) are a direct consequence of modern living and contribute to the development of multisystem diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus (DM). CMD has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. A sodium pump (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase) is found in most eukaryotic cells' membrane and controls many essential cellular functions directly or indirectly. This ion transporter and its isoforms are important in the pathogenesis of some pathological processes, including CMD. The structure and function of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, its expression and distribution in tissues, and its interactions with known ligands such as cardiotonic steroids and other suspected endogenous regulators are discussed in this review. In addition, we reviewed recent literature data related to the involvement of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity dysfunction in CMD, focusing on the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase as a potential therapeutic target in CMD.

Myeloidderived suppressor cells: Escorts at the maternal-fetal interface

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a novel heterogenous group of immunosuppressive cells derived from myeloid progenitors. Their role is well known in tumors and autoimmune diseases. In recent years, the role and function of MDSCs during reproduction have attracted increasing attention. Improving the understanding of their strong association with recurrent implantation failure, pathological pregnancy, and neonatal health has become a focus area in research. In this review, we focus on the interaction between MDSCs and other cell types (immune and non-immune cells) from embryo implantation to postpartum. Furthermore, we discuss the molecular mechanisms that could facilitate the therapeutic targeting of MDSCs. Therefore, this review intends to encourage further research in the field of maternal-fetal interface immunity in order to identify probable pathways driving the accumulation of MDSCs and to effectively target their ability to promote embryo implantation, reduce pathological pregnancy, and increase neonatal health.