Kaempferol suppresses bladder cancer tumor growth by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis

Selected Flavonols Targeting Cell Death Pathways in Cancer Therapy: The Latest Achievements in Research on Apoptosis, Autophagy, Necroptosis, Pyroptosis, Ferroptosis, and Cuproptosis

The complex and multi-stage processes of carcinogenesis are accompanied by a number of phenomena related to the potential involvement of various chemopreventive factors, which include, among others, compounds of natural origin such as flavonols. The use of flavonols is not only promising but also a recognized strategy for cancer treatment. The chemopreventive impact of flavonols on cancer arises from their ability to act as antioxidants, impede proliferation, promote cell death, inhibit angiogenesis, and regulate the immune system through involvement in diverse forms of cellular death. So far, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis occurring with the participation of flavonols have remained incompletely elucidated, and the results of the studies carried out so far are ambiguous. For this reason, one of the therapeutic goals is to initiate the death of altered cells through the use of quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, isorhamnetin, galangin, fisetin, and morin. This article offers an extensive overview of recent research on these compounds, focusing particularly on their role in combating cancer and elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis. Assessment of the mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of compounds in therapy targeting various types of cell death pathways may prove useful in developing new therapeutic regimens and counteracting resistance to previously used treatments.

Moringa oleifera and Its Biochemical Compounds: Potential Multi-targeted Therapeutic Agents Against COVID-19 and Associated Cancer Progression

The Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global concern, with updated pharmacological therapeutic strategies needed. Cancer patients have been found to be more susceptible to severe COVID-19 and death, and COVID-19 can also lead to cancer progression. Traditional medicinal plants have long been used as anti-infection and anti-inflammatory agents, and Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) is one such plant containing natural products such as kaempferol, quercetin, and hesperetin, which can reduce inflammatory responses and complications associated with viral infections and multiple cancers. This review article explores the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of M. oleifera as an anti-COVID-19 and anti-inflammatory agent, and its potential role in reducing the risk of cancer progression in cancer patients with COVID-19. The article discusses the ability of M. oleifera to modulate NF-κB, MAPK, mTOR, NLRP3 inflammasome, and other inflammatory pathways, as well as the polyphenols and flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol, that contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties. Overall, this review highlights the potential therapeutic benefits of M. oleifera in addressing COVID-19 and associated cancer progression. However, further investigations are necessary to fully understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of M. oleifera and its natural products as anti-inflammatory, anti-COVID-19, and anti-cancer strategies.

The role of Ginkgo Folium on antitumor: Bioactive constituents and the potential mechanism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ginkgo biloba L. is a well-known and highly regarded resource in Chinese traditional medicine due to its effectiveness and safety. Ginkgo Folium, the leaf of Ginkgo biloba L., contains biologically active constituents with diverse pharmacological activities. Recent studies have shown promising antitumor effects of the bioactive constituents found in Ginkgo Folium against various types of cancer cells, highlighting its potential as a natural source of antitumor agents. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize its therapeutic potential.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

To provide a detailed understanding of the pharmacological activities of Ginkgo Folium and its potential therapeutic benefits for cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we conducted a thorough and systematic search of multiple online databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, using relevant keywords such as "Ginkgo Folium," "flavonoids," "terpenoids," "Ginkgo Folium extracts," and "antitumor" to cover a broad range of studies that could inform our review. Additionally, we followed a rigorous selection process to ensure that the studies included in our review met the predetermined inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

The active constituents of Ginkgo Folium primarily consist of flavonoids and terpenoids, with quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, ginkgolides, and bilobalide being the major compounds. These active constituents exert their antitumor effects through crucial biological events such as apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and inhibition of invasion and metastasis via modulating diverse signaling pathways. During the process of apoptosis, active constituents primarily exert their effects by modulating the caspase-8 mediated death receptor pathway and caspase-9 mediated mitochondrial pathway via regulating specific signaling pathways. Furthermore, by modulating multiple signaling pathways, active constituents effectively induce G1, G0/G1, G2, and G2/M phase arrest. Among these, the pathways associated with G2/M phase arrest are particularly extensive, with the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) being most involved. Moreover, active constituents primarily mediate autophagy by modulating certain inflammatory factors and stressors, facilitating the fusion stage between autophagosomes and lysosomes. Additionally, through the modulation of specific chemokines and matrix metalloproteinases, active constituents effectively inhibit the processes of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis, exerting a significant impact on cellular invasion and migration. Synergistic effects are observed among the active constituents, particularly quercetin and kaempferol.

CONCLUSION

Active components derived from Ginkgo Folium demonstrate a comprehensive antitumor effect across various levels and pathways, presenting compelling evidence for their potential in new drug development. However, in order to facilitate their broad and adaptable clinical application, further extensive experimental investigations are required to thoroughly explore their efficacy, safety, and underlying mechanisms of action.

Echinatin inhibits tumor growth and synergizes with chemotherapeutic agents against human bladder cancer cells by activating p38 and suppressing Wnt/β-catenin pathways

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the urinary system. Due to the poor prognosis and high mortality rate of the disease, it is urgent to develop new drugs with high efficacy and low toxicity to treat BC. Echinatin (Ecn) is a bioactive natural flavonoid oflicorice that has attracted special attention for its promising anti-tumor potential. Herein, we explored the inhibitory effects of Echinatin on BC cells and probed the possible molecular mechanism. We found that Ecnin vitro inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion, arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, and promoted apoptosis in BC cells. Besides, Ecn had no notable cytotoxicity towards human normal cells. We subsequently confirmed that Ecn restrained xenograft tumor growth and metastasis of BC cells in vivo. Mechanistically, Ecn activated the p38 signaling pathway but inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, while over-expression of β-catenin and the p38 inhibitor both attenuated the inhibitory effects of Ecn on BC cells. Remarkably, Ecn combined with cisplatin (DDP) or gemcitabine (Gem) had synergistic inhibitory effects on BC cells. In summary, our results validate that Ecn inhibits the tumor growth of human BC cells via p38 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. More meaningfully, our results suggest a potential strategy to enhance DDP- or Gem-induced inhibitory effects on BC cells by combining with Ecn.

The Anticancer Potential of Kaempferol: A Systematic Review Based on In Vitro Studies

Given the heterogeneity of different malignant processes, planning cancer treatment is challenging. According to recent studies, natural products are likely to be effective in cancer prevention and treatment. Among bioactive flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables, kaempferol (KMP) is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. This systematic review aims to highlight the potential therapeutic effects of KMP on different types of solid malignant tumors. This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were performed in EMBASE, Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration Library, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar. After the application of study criteria, 64 studies were included. In vitro experiments demonstrated that KMP exerts antitumor effects by controlling tumor cell cycle progression, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion, as well as by inhibiting angiogenesis. KMP was also able to inhibit important markers that regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition and enhanced the sensitivity of cancer cells to traditional drugs used in chemotherapy, including cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. This flavonoid is a promising therapeutic compound and its combination with current anticancer agents, including targeted drugs, may potentially produce more effective and predictable results.

Bioactive compounds from Actinidia arguta fruit as a new strategy to fight glioblastoma

In recent years, there has been a significant demand for natural products as a mean of disease prevention or as an alternative to conventional medications. The driving force for this change is the growing recognition of the abundant presence of valuable bioactive compounds in natural products. On recent years Actinia arguta fruit, also known as kiwiberry, has attracted a lot of attention from scientific community due to its richness in bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds, organic acids, vitamins, carotenoids and fiber. These bioactive compounds contribute to the fruit's diverse outstanding biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer properties. Due to these properties, the fruit may have the potential to be used in the treatment/prevention of various types of cancer, including glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain cancer, displaying 90 % of recurrence rate within a span of 2 years. Despite the employment of an aggressive approach, the prognosis remains unfavorable, emphasizing the urgent requirement for the development of new effective treatments. The preclinical evidence suggests that kiwiberry has potential impact on glioblastoma by reducing the cancer self-renewal, modulating the signaling pathways involved in the regulation of the cell phenotype and metabolism, and influencing the consolidation of the tumor microenvironment. Even though, challenges such as the imprecise composition and concentration of bioactive compounds, and its low bioavailability after oral administration may be drawbacks to the development of kiwiberry-based treatments, being urgent to ensure the safety and efficacy of kiwiberry for the prevention and treatment of glioblastoma. This review aims to highlight the potential impact of A. arguta bioactive compounds on glioblastoma, providing novel insights into their applicability as complementary or alternative therapies.

Flavonoids as promising anticancer therapeutics: Contemporary research, nanoantioxidant potential, and future scope

Flavonoids are natural polyphenolic compounds considered safe, pleiotropic, and readily available molecules. It is widely distributed in various food products such as fruits and vegetables and beverages such as green tea, wine, and coca-based products. Many studies have reported the anticancer potential of flavonoids against different types of cancers, including solid tumors. The chemopreventive effect of flavonoids is attributed to various mechanisms, including modulation of autophagy, induction of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and antioxidant defense. Despite of significant anticancer activity of flavonoids, their clinical translation is limited due to their poor biopharmaceutical attributes (such as low aqueous solubility, limited permeability across the biological membranes (intestinal and blood-brain barrier), and stability issue in biological systems). A nanoparticulate system is an approach that is widely utilized to improve the biopharmaceutical performance and therapeutic efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals. The present review discusses the significant anticancer potential of promising flavonoids in different cancers and the utilization of nanoparticulate systems to improve their nanoantioxidant activity further to enhance the anticancer activity of loaded promising flavonoids. Although, various plant-derived secondary metabolites including flavonoids have been recommended for treating cancer, further vigilant research is warranted to prove their translational values.

Sakuranin represses the malignant biological behaviors of human bladder cancer cells by triggering autophagy via activating the p53/mTOR pathway

OBJECTIVE

Sakura extract is a natural flavonoid compound that may have potential anti-tumor effects. The paper focuses on investigating Sakuranin mechanism on bladder cancer (BC) cells.

METHODS

BC cells (T24) were treated with different concentrations of Sakuranin, with 48-h IC50 determined. T24 cells were treated with Sakuranin at IC50, followed by assessment of cell proliferative/apoptotic/migrative/invasive activities by CCK-8, EdU and plate clone formation assays/flow cytometry/Transwell/scratch test. MMP-2 (migration and invasion-related protein) protein level was assessed by Western blot. Cell autophagy was evaluated by measuring the protein levels of autophagy markers (LC3-I/LC3-II/p62) through Western blot. The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA was used to validate the role of autophagy in the regulatory mechanism of Sakuranin in T24 cell behaviors. Furthermore, the activation of the p53/mTOR pathway in cells was detected and a combination of Sakuranin and p53 inhibitor Pifithrin-µ was adopted to explore the involvement of this pathway.

RESULTS

Sakuranin decreased T24 cell proliferation/EdU positive cell percentage/colony formation number and area/migration/invasion/scratch healing/MMP-2 protein level, and accelerated apoptosis. Sakuranin elevated the LC3-II/I ratio and lowered p62 level in T24 cells. 3-MA partially averted Sakuranin-mediated repression on cell malignant behaviors. Sakuranin upregulated p-p53 and p53 levels, and decreased the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio in T24 cells. The effects of Sakuranin on cell biological behaviors were partly annulled by Pifithrin-µ treatment.

CONCLUSION

Sakuranin suppressed T24 cell proliferation/migration/invasion, and enhanced apoptosis by potentiating autophagy through activating the p53/mTOR pathway. This study provided a theoretical basis for Sakuranin as a potential drug for clinical treatment of BC.

Effects and Mechanisms of Kaempferol in the Management of Cancers through Modulation of Inflammation and Signal Transduction Pathways

Cancer is the principal cause of death and its incidence is increasing continuously worldwide. Various treatment approaches are in practice to treat cancer, but these treatment strategies may be associated with severe side effects and also produce drug resistance. However, natural compounds have established their role in cancer management with minimal side effects. In this vista, kaempferol, a natural polyphenol, mainly found in vegetables and fruits, has been revealed to have many health-promoting effects. Besides its health-promoting potential, its anti-cancer potential has also been described in in vivo as well as in in vitro studies. The anti-cancer potential of kaempferol has been proven through modulation of cell signaling pathways in addition to the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells. It leads to the activation of tumor suppressor genes, inhibition of angiogenesis, PI3K/AKT pathways, STAT3, transcription factor AP-1, Nrf2 and other cell signaling molecules. Poor bioavailability of this compound is one of the major limitations for its proper and effective disease management actions. Recently, some novel nanoparticle-based formulations have been used to overcome these limitations. The aim of this review is to provide a clear picture regarding the mechanism of action of kaempferol in different cancers through the modulation of cell signaling molecules. Besides this, strategies to improve the efficacy and synergistic effects of this compound have also been described. However, more studies are needed based on clinical trials to fully explore the therapeutic role of this compound, especially in cancer treatment.

Junctional adhesion molecule-like protein as a novel target for kaempferol to ameliorate lung adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Although there have been improvements in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, the majority of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients still lack effective therapies. Consequently, it is urgent to screen for new diagnosis biomarkers and pharmacological targets. Junctional adhesion molecule-like protein (JAML) was considered to be an oncogenic protein and may be a novel therapeutic target in LUAD. Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid that exhibits antitumor activities in LUAD. However, the effect of kaempferol on JAML is still unknown.

METHODS

Small interfering RNA was used to knockdown JAML expression. The cell viability was determined using the cell counting kit-8 assay. The proliferation of LUAD cells was evaluated using the 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay. The migration and invasion of LUAD cells were evaluated by transwell assays. Molecular mechanisms were explored by Western blotting.

RESULTS

JAML knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion of LUAD cells, and JAML deficiency restrained epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via inactivating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway. Using a PI3K activator (740Y-P), rescue experiments showed that phenotypes to JAML knockdown in LUAD cells were dependent on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Kaempferol also inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells and partially suppressed EMT through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Knockdown of JAML ameliorated the inhibitory effect of kaempferol on LUAD cells. Kaempferol exerted anticancer effects by targeting JAML.

CONCLUSION

JAML is a novel target for kaempferol against LUAD cells. Please cite this article as: Wu Q, Wang YB, Che XW, Wang H, Wang W. Junctional adhesion molecule-like protein as a novel target for kaempferol to ameliorate lung adenocarcinoma. J Integr Med. 2023; Epub ahead of print.

Therapeutic Importance of Kaempferol in the Treatment of Cancer through the Modulation of Cell Signalling Pathways

Plant-derived flavonoids are considered natural nontoxic chemo-preventers and have been widely studied for cancer treatment in recent decades. Mostly all flavonoid compounds show significant anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant properties. Kaempferol (Kmp) is a well-studied compound and exhibits remarkable anticancer and antioxidant potential. Kmp can regulate various cancer-related processes and activities such as cell cycle, oxidative stress, apoptosis, proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. The anti-cancer properties of Kmp primarily occur via modulation of apoptosis, MAPK/ERK1/2, P13K/Akt/mTOR, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signalling pathways. The anti-cancer property of Kmp has been recognized in several in-vivo and in-vitro studies which also includes numerous cell lines and animal models. This flavonoid possesses toxic activities against only cancer cells and have restricted toxicity on healthy cells. In this review, we present extensive research investigations about the therapeutic potential of Kmp in the management of different types of cancers. The anti-cancer properties of Kmp are discussed by concentration on its capability to target molecular-signalling pathway such as VEGF, STAT, p53, NF-κB and PI3K-AKT signalling pathways. The anti-cancer property of Kmf has gained a lot of attention, but the accurate action mechanism remains unclear. However, this natural compound has a great pharmacological capability and is now considered to be an alternative cancer treatment.

Identification of a Hydroxygallic Acid Derivative, Zingibroside R1 and a Sterol Lipid as Potential Active Ingredients of Cuscuta chinensis Extract That Has Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Effects in Aged Caenorhabditis elegans

We examined the effects of the extracts from two traditional Chinese medicine plants, Cuscuta chinensis and Eucommia ulmoides, on the healthspan of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. C. chinensis increased the short-term memory and the mechanosensory response of aged C. elegans. Furthermore, both extracts improved the resistance towards oxidative stress, and decreased the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species. Chemical analyses of the extracts revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic acid, cinnamic acid, and quercetin. A fraction from the C. chinensis extract enriched in zingibroside R1 improved the lifespan, the survival after heat stress, and the locomotion in a manner similar to the full C. chinensis extract. Thus, zingibroside R1 could be (partly) responsible for the observed health benefits of C. chinensis. Furthermore, a hydroxygallic acid derivative and the sterol lipid 4-alpha-formyl-stigmasta-7,24(241)-dien-3-beta-ol are abundantly present in the C. chinensis extract and its most bioactive fraction, but hardly in E. ulmoides, making them good candidates to explain the overall healthspan benefits of C. chinensis compared to the specific positive effects on stress resistance by E. ulmoides. Our findings highlight the overall anti-aging effects of C. chinensis in C. elegans and provide first hints about the components responsible for these effects.

Curcumin in the treatment of urological cancers: Therapeutic targets, challenges and prospects

Urological cancers include bladder, prostate and renal cancers that can cause death in males and females. Patients with urological cancers are mainly diagnosed at an advanced disease stage when they also develop resistance to therapy or poor response. The use of natural products in the treatment of urological cancers has shown a significant increase. Curcumin has been widely used in cancer treatment due to its ability to trigger cell death and suppress metastasis. The beneficial effects of curcumin in the treatment of urological cancers is the focus of current review. Curcumin can induce apoptosis in the three types of urological cancers limiting their proliferative potential. Furthermore, curcumin can suppress invasion of urological cancers through EMT inhibition. Notably, curcumin decreases the expression of MMPs, therefore interfering with urological cancer metastasis. When used in combination with chemotherapy agents, curcumin displays synergistic effects in suppressing cancer progression. It can also be used as a chemosensitizer. Based on pre-clinical studies, curcumin administration is beneficial in the treatment of urological cancers and future clinical applications might be considered upon solving problems related to the poor bioavailability of the compound. To improve the bioavailability of curcumin and increase its therapeutic index in urological cancer suppression, nanostructures have been developed to favor targeted delivery.

A Review of the Pharmacological Potential of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn on Cancer

Spatholobus suberectus Dunn (SSD) has been extensively employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat several ailments. SSD and its active compounds are effective therapeutic agents for treating a variety of diseases with negligible side effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate its phytochemistry, pharmacology, and potential therapeutic effects exclusively in cancer prevention and treatment. Phytochemical and pharmacological information was collected and arranged in a rational order. SSD has been frequently attributed to having antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, hematopoietic, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Evidence has indicated that the bioactive constituents in SSD have attracted increasing scientific attention due to their preventive role in cancers. Further, the present review provides the current information on the health implications of SSD, thus allowing for future clinical trials to explore its restorative benefits. All data of in vitro and animal investigations of SSD, as well as its effect on human health, were obtained from an electronic search and library database. The diverse pharmacological potential of SSD provides an opportunity for preclinical drug discovery, and this comprehensive review strongly indicates that SSD is an excellent anti-tumorigenic agent that modulates or prevents breast cancer.

Molecular docking and in vitro experiments verified that kaempferol induced apoptosis and inhibited human HepG2 cell proliferation by targeting BAX, CDK1, and JUN

Hepatocellular carcinoma, as a common liver cirrhosis complication, has become the sixth most common cancer worldwide, and its increasing incidence has resulted in considerable medical and economic burdens. As a natural polyphenolic compound, kaempferol has exhibits a wide range of antitumor activities against multiple cancer targets. In this study, the Autodock software was used for molecular docking to simulate the interaction process between kaempferol and HCC targets and the PyMOL software was used for visualization. Proliferation of kaempferol HepG2 cells under the effect of kaempferol was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells was detected using flow cytometry. The expressions of proteins BAX, CDK1, and JUN protein expressions were detected by Western blot. Molecular docking found that the kaempferol ligand has 3 rotatable bonds, 6 nonpolar hydrogen atoms, and 12 aromatic carbon atoms, and can form complexes with the kaempferol targets P53, BAX, AR, CDK1, and JUN through electrostatic energy. GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis suggests that kaempferol regulates the biological function of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and is related to apoptosis. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay suggested that Kaempferol can significantly inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation, and the inhibition rate increased with the increase in drug concentration and incubation time. Moreover, kaempferol can promoted HepG2 cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. This compound upregulated BAX and JUN expression and downregulated CDK1 expression. Thus, Kaempferol can promote HepG2 cell apoptosis, and the regulatory mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression levels of the apoptosis-related proteins BAX, CDK1, and JUN.

A systematic review of anti-cancer roles and mechanisms of kaempferol as a natural compound

It has been shown in multiple experimental and biological investigations that kaempferol, an edible flavonoid generated from plants, may be used as an anti-cancer drug and has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. Many signaling pathways are altered in cancer cells, resulting in cell growth inhibition and death in various tumor types. Cancer is a multifaceted illness coordinated by multiple external and internal mechanisms. Natural extracts with the fewest side effects have piqued the attention of researchers in recent years, attempting to create cancer medicines based on them. An extensive array of natural product-derived anti-cancer agents have been examined to find a successful method. Numerous fruits and vegetables have high levels of naturally occurring flavonoid kaempferol, and its pharmacological and biological effects have been studied extensively. Certain forms of cancer are sensitive to kaempferol-mediated anti-cancer activity, although complete research is needed. We have endeavored to concentrate our review on controlling carcinogenic pathways by kaempferol in different malignancies. Aside from its extraordinary ability to modify cell processes, we have also discussed how kaempferol has the potential to be an effective therapy for numerous tumors.

Kaempferol Regresses Carcinogenesis through a Molecular Cross Talk Involved in Proliferation, Apoptosis and Inflammation on Human Cervical Cancer Cells, HeLa

Kaempferol, a flavonoid, contains a plethora of therapeutic properties and has demonstrated its efficacy against cancer. This study aims to unravel the molecular targets that are being modulated by kaempferol on HeLa cells. Various assays were performed, namely: MTT assay, flow cytometry to analyze DNA content and quantitate apoptosis. Quantitative PCR and protein profiling were performed to evaluate the modulated manifestation of different genes involved in apoptosis, cell growth and inflammation. Kaempferol exhibited reduction in cell viability of HeLa cells (IC50 = 50 µM 48 h), whereas it did not show any significant effect on viability of the AC-16 cell line. Kaempferol-impacted apoptosis was definitive, as it induced DNA fragmentation, caused disruption of membrane potential, accumulation of cells in the G2-M phase and augmented early apoptosis. Consistently, kaempferol induced apoptosis in HeLa cells by modulating the expression of various genes at both transcript and protein levels. It upregulated the expression of pro-apoptotic genes, including APAF1, BAX, BAD, Caspases 3, and 9, etc., at the transcript level and Bad, Bax, p27, p53, p21, Caspases 3 and 8 etc. at the protein level, while it downregulated the expression of pro-survival gene BCL-2, BIRC8, MCL-1, XIAP, and NAIP at the transcript level and Bcl-2, XIAP, Livin, clap-2 at the protein level. Kaempferol attenuated oxidative stress by upregulating GSH activity and anti-inflammatory response by suppressing NF-kB pathways. Moreover, kaempferol averted rampant cell division and induced apoptosis by modulating AKT/MTOR and MAP kinase pathways. Hence, kaempferol can be considered as a natural therapeutic agent with a differential profile.

Virtual screening and in vitro experimental verification of LuxS inhibitors from natural products for Lactobacillus reuteri

The rapid proliferation and colonization of probiotics in the intestines are essential for human health. Quorum sensing (QS) is a communication mechanism among bacteria, which can regulate various bacterial crowd behavior. This study aimed to enhance the viability of Lactobacillus reuteri 1-12 by regulating QS. Herein, we built a database containing 72 natural products (previously reported) that can improve intestinal flora. Virtual screening (VS) was subsequently conducted to screen four potential active compounds. After that, molecular docking was conducted to analyze the binding mode of the four natural products to S-Ribosylhomocysteinase (LuxS). The results showed that norathyriol, mangiferin, baicalein, and kaempferol had good binding ability to LuxS. The validation experiment showed that norathyriol, mangiferin, baicalein, and kaempferol could inhibit the production of autoinducer-2 (AI-2). Moreover, mangiferin significantly increased L. reuteri 1-12 biomass and promoted L. reuteri 1-12 biofilm formation and structure. Besides, only mangiferin inhibited luxS expression, thus increasing L. reuteri 1-12 biomass. This research indicated that mangiferin may be a potential inhibitor of LuxS, promoting the probiotic properties of L. reuteri and human health.

Antiangiogenic Phytochemicals Constituent of Diet as Promising Candidates for Chemoprevention of Cancer

Despite the extensive knowledge on cancer nature acquired over the last years, the high incidence of this disease evidences a need for new approaches that complement the clinical intervention of tumors. Interestingly, many types of cancer are closely related to dietary habits associated with the Western lifestyle, such as low fruit and vegetable intake. Recent advances around the old-conceived term of chemoprevention highlight the important role of phytochemicals as good candidates for the prevention or treatment of cancer. The potential to inhibit angiogenesis exhibited by many natural compounds constituent of plant foods makes them especially interesting for their use as chemopreventive agents. Here, we review the antitumoral potential, with a focus on the antiangiogenic effects, of phenolic and polyphenolic compounds, such as quercetin or myricetin; terpenoids, such as ursolic acid or kahweol; and anthraquinones from Aloe vera, in different in vitro and in vivo assays, and the available clinical data. Although clinical trials have failed to assess the preventive role of many of these compounds, encouraging preclinical data support the efficacy of phytochemicals constituent of diet in the prevention and treatment of cancer, but a deeper understanding of their mechanisms of action and better designed clinical trials are urgently needed.

Network Pharmacology-Based Study on the Active Component and Mechanism of the Anti-Non-Invasive and Invasive Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma Effects of Zhuling Jisheng Decoction

Zhuling Jisheng decoction is employed for the treatment of bladder urothelial cancer in clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine. However, there are few studies on its precise mechanism. For the antibladder cancer action of Zhuling Jisheng decoction, a network pharmacological technique was used to design a component/target/pathway molecular regulatory network. The TCMSP dataset was used to identify the chemical makeup of Zhuling Jisheng decoction, which was then analyzed and assessed for oral bioavailability and pharmacological similarity. The chemical composition of Zhuling Jisheng decoction was identified through the TCMSP database, and it was evaluated and screened based on oral bioavailability and drug similarity. The GEO database was searched for genes associated with urothelial bladder carcinoma, and gene targets associated with bladder urothelial cancer resistance were chosen by comparison. The function and linked pathways of the target genes were examined and screened using annotation, visualization, and a comprehensive discovery database. The impact of Zhuling Jisheng decoction on urothelial bladder cancer was studied using Cytoscape software to create a component/target/pathway network. Finally, 69 and 55 target genes were discovered for noninvasive bladder urothelial cancer and invasive bladder urothelial cancer, respectively. In noninvasive urothelial cancer, 118 pathways were highly enriched, including the TNF signaling pathway and the IL-17 signaling route. 103 pathways were highly enriched in invasive urothelial cancer, including the p53 signaling route, bladder cancer route, and calcium signaling route. There were 18 and 15 drug targets associated with noninvasive and invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma prognoses. Many signaling pathways directly act on tumours, and indirect pathways inhibit the development of bladder urothelial carcinoma. This research establishes a scientific foundation for further research into the framework of action of Zhuling Jisheng decoction in the therapy of bladder urothelial cancer.

Kaempferol, Myricetin and Fisetin in Prostate and Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Prostate and bladder cancer represent the two most frequently diagnosed genito-urinary malignancies. Diet has been implicated in both prostate and bladder cancer. Given their prolonged latency and high prevalence rates, both prostate and bladder cancer represent attractive candidates for dietary preventive measures, including the use of nutritional supplements. Flavonols, a class of flavonoids, are commonly found in fruit and vegetables and are known for their protective effect against diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, a higher dietary intake of flavonols was associated with a lower risk of both bladder and prostate cancer in epidemiological studies. In this systematic review, we gathered all available evidence supporting the anti-cancer potential of selected flavonols (kaempferol, fisetin and myricetin) against bladder and prostate cancer. A total of 21, 15 and 7 pre-clinical articles on bladder or prostate cancer reporting on kaempferol, fisetin and myricetin, respectively, were found, while more limited evidence was available from animal models and epidemiological studies or clinical trials. In conclusion, the available evidence supports the potential use of these flavonols in prostate and bladder cancer, with a low expected toxicity, thus providing the rationale for clinical trials that explore dosing, settings for clinical use as well as their use in combination with other pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

Advance toward isolation, extraction, metabolism and health benefits of kaempferol, a major dietary flavonoid with future perspectives

As a major ubiquitous secondary metabolite, flavonoids are widely distributed in planta. Among flavonoids, kaempferol is a typical natural flavonol in diets and medicinal plants with myriad bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory activity, anti-cancer activity, antioxidant activity, and anti-diabetic activity. However, the natural sources, absorption and metabolism as well as the bioactivities of kaempferol have not been reviewed comprehensively and systematically. This review highlights the latest research progress and the effect of kaempferol in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases, as well as its protective health effects, and provides a theoretical basis for future research to be used in nutraceuticals. Further, comparison of the different extraction and analytical methods are presented to highlight the most optimum for PG recovery and its detection in plasma and body fluids. Such review aims at improving the value-added applications of this unique dietary bioactive flavonoids at commercial scale and to provide a reference for its needed further development.

Natural Phytochemicals in Bladder Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Phytochemicals are natural small-molecule compounds derived from plants that have attracted attention for their anticancer activities. Some phytochemicals have been developed as first-line anticancer drugs, such as paclitaxel and vincristine. In addition, several phytochemicals show good tumor suppression functions in various cancer types. Bladder cancer is a malignant tumor of the urinary system. To date, few specific phytochemicals have been used for bladder cancer therapy, although many have been studied in bladder cancer cells and mouse models. Therefore, it is important to collate and summarize the available information on the role of phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment of bladder cancer. In this review, we summarize the effects of several phytochemicals including flavonoids, steroids, nitrogen compounds, and aromatic substances with anticancer properties and classify the mechanism of action of phytochemicals in bladder cancer. This review will contribute to facilitating the development of new anticancer drugs and strategies for the treatment of bladder cancer using phytochemicals.

Kaempferol inhibits Nrf2 signalling pathway via downregulation of Nrf2 mRNA and induces apoptosis in NSCLC cells

Chemoprevention failure is considered to be the most emerging problem that makes non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as one of the deadliest malignancies in the world. In NSCLC cells, Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a redox sensitive transcription factor, promotes cancer cell survival and fosters mechanism for drug resistance. Here we report identification of Kaempferol, a dietary flavonoid, as a potent Nrf2 inhibitor using Nrf2 reporter assay in NSCLC cells (A549 and NCIH460). Kaempferol selectively reduces Nrf2 mRNA and protein levels and lower level of nuclear Nrf2 downregulates transcription of Nrf2 target genes (NQO1, HO1, AKR1C1 and GST). Kaempferol (25 μM) mediated downregulation of GST, NQO1 and HO1 expression is also observed even after stimulation of Nrf2 by tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ). Again, Kaempferol incubation does not change the levels of NFκBp65 and phospho NFκBp65, suggesting it hampers Nrf2 signalling pathway in these cells. Nrf2 inhibition by Kaempferol induces ROS accumulation after 48 h of treatment and makes NSCLC cells sensitive to apoptosis at physiological concentration. Taken together, our study demonstrates that Kaempferol is a potent inhibitor of Nrf2 and can be used as a natural sensitizer and anti-cancer agent for lung cancer therapeutics.

Kaempferol Improves TRAIL-Mediated Apoptosis in Leukemia MOLT-4 Cells by the Inhibition of Anti-apoptotic Proteins and Promotion of Death Receptors Expression

INTRODUCTION

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL or Apo2L) is a member of the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) superfamily, which stimulates apoptosis in a wide range of cancer cells through binding to Death Receptors 4 and 5 (DR4/5). Nevertheless, TRAIL has noticeable anti-cancer abilities; some cancer cells acquire resistance to TRAIL, and consequently, its potential for inducing apoptosis in target cells is strongly diminished. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia MOLT-4 cell line is one of the most resistant cells to TRAIL that developed resistance to TRAIL through different pathways. TRAIL plus kaempferol was used to eliminate the resistance of the MOLT-4 cells to TRAIL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, IC50 for kaempferol (95μM) was determined by using the MTT assay. Secondly, the viability of the MOLT-4 cells was assayed by FACS after Annexin V/PI staining, following treatment with TRAIL (50 and 100nM) and kaempferol (95μM) alone and in combination. Finally, the expression levels of the candidate genes involved in resistance to TRAIL were assayed by real-time PCR technique.

RESULTS

Kaempferol plus TRAIL induced apoptosis robustly in MOLT-4 cells at 12, 24 and 48 hours after treatment. Additionally, it was found that kaempferol could inhibit the expression of c-FLIP, X-IAP, cIAP1/2, FGF-8 and VEGF-beta, and conversely augment the expression of DR4/5 in MOLT-4 cells.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that co-treatment of MOLT-4 cells with TRAIL plus kaempferol is a practical and attractive approach to eliminate cancers' resistance to TRAIL by inhibition of the intracellular anti-apoptotic proteins, upregulation of DR4/5 and also by suppression of the VEGF-beta (VEGFB) and FGF-8 expressions.

Anti-Cancer Potential of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids Present in Cannabis

In recent years, and even more since its legalization in several jurisdictions, cannabis and the endocannabinoid system have received an increasing amount of interest related to their potential exploitation in clinical settings. Cannabinoids have been suggested and shown to be effective in the treatment of various conditions. In cancer, the endocannabinoid system is altered in numerous types of tumours and can relate to cancer prognosis and disease outcome. Additionally, cannabinoids display anticancer effects in several models by suppressing the proliferation, migration and/or invasion of cancer cells, as well as tumour angiogenesis. However, the therapeutic use of cannabinoids is currently limited to the treatment of symptoms and pain associated with chemotherapy, while their potential use as cytotoxic drugs in chemotherapy still requires validation in patients. Along with cannabinoids, cannabis contains several other compounds that have also been shown to exert anti-tumorigenic actions. The potential anti-cancer effects of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, present in cannabis, are explored in this literature review.

Leaf Extract of Aerva javanica Suppresses Excessive Growth of Granulation Tissue in Horses

Wound healing in horses is complicated by the excessive growth of granulation tissue, commonly known as proud flesh and is similar to keloids in human beings. At present, there is no satisfactory treatment for proud flesh in horses. In this study, we, for the first time, demonstrated that leaf extract of Aerva javanica suppresses excessive growth of granulation tissue in horses. Many plant flavonoids are claimed to have antiproliferative properties. Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid containing 3-hydroxy flavone backbone found in many plants in its aglycone form and attached with various sugars. Ecdysteroids are steroidal analogs of invertebrate steroidal hormones found in plants. Both flavonoids and ecdysteroids accumulate more in plants during abiotic stress. We hypothesized that Aerva javanica may have high levels of ecdysteroids and kaempferols for surviving in stressful conditions of desert. Those kaempferols may suppress the growth of granulation tissue by their antiangiogenesis property. Ecdysteroids may control the larvae of habronema if associated with proud flesh. Extract was prepared using solvent-based fractionation and silica gel column flash chromatography. Application of the leaf extract in horses suppressed growth of granulation tissue along with restoration of normal skin function. Various purification steps and mass spectrometry were used to identify the active components in the study.

Artemisia annua, a Traditional Plant Brought to Light

Traditional remedies have been used for thousand years for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries. Of growing interest, the plant Artemisia annua, known for its malarial properties, has been studied for its numerous biological activities including metabolic, anti-tumor, anti-microbial and immunomodulatory properties. Artemisia annua is very rich in secondary metabolites such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and phenolic compounds, of which the biological properties have been extensively studied. The purpose of this review is to gather and describe the data concerning the main chemical components produced by Artemisia annua and to describe the state of the art about the biological activities reported for this plant and its compounds beyond malaria.

Putting the Brakes on Tumorigenesis with Natural Products of Plant Origin: Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms of Actions and Immune Targets for Bladder Cancer Treatment

Bladder cancer is the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Although the incidence in men is 4 times higher than that in women, the diagnoses are worse for women. Over the past 30 years, the treatment for bladder cancer has not achieved a significant positive effect, and the outlook for mortality rates due to muscle-invasive bladder cancer and metastatic disease is not optimistic. Phytochemicals found in plants and their derivatives present promising possibilities for cancer therapy with improved treatment effects and reduced toxicity. In this study, we summarize the promising natural products of plant origin with anti-bladder cancer potential, and their anticancer mechanisms—especially apoptotic induction—are discussed. With the developments in immunotherapy, small-molecule targeted immunotherapy has been promoted as a satisfactory approach, and the discovery of novel small molecules against immune targets for bladder cancer treatment from products of plant origin represents a promising avenue of research. It is our hope that this could pave the way for new ideas in the fields of oncology, immunology, phytochemistry, and cell biology, utilizing natural products of plant origin as promising drugs for bladder cancer treatment.

Mapping Pharmacological Network of Multi-Targeting Litchi Ingredients in Cancer Therapeutics

Considerable pharmacological studies have demonstrated that the extracts and ingredients from different parts (seeds, peels, pulps, and flowers) of Litchi exhibited anticancer effects by affecting the proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, metastasis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy sensitivity, stemness, metabolism, angiogenesis, and immunity via multiple targeting. However, there is no systematical analysis on the interaction network of “multiple ingredients-multiple targets-multiple pathways” anticancer effects of Litchi. In this study, we summarized the confirmed anticancer ingredients and molecular targets of Litchi based on published articles and applied network pharmacology approach to explore the complex mechanisms underlying these effects from a perspective of system biology. The top ingredients, top targets, and top pathways of each anticancer function were identified using network pharmacology approach. Further intersecting analyses showed that Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), Gallic acid, Kaempferol, Luteolin, and Betulinic acid were the top ingredients which might be the key ingredients exerting anticancer function of Litchi, while BAX, BCL2, CASP3, and AKT1 were the top targets which might be the main targets underling the anticancer mechanisms of these top ingredients. These results provided references for further understanding and exploration of Litchi as therapeutics in cancer as well as the application of “Component Formula” based on Litchi’s effective ingredients.

Preventive Effects of Kaempferol on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Complications in C57BL/6 Mice

Kaempferol is a dietary flavanol that regulates cellular lipid and glucose metabolism. Its mechanism of action in preventing hepatic steatosis and obesity-related disorders has yet to be clarified. The purpose of this research was to examine kaempferol's antiobesity effects in high-fat diet- (HFD-) fed mice and to investigate its impact on their gut microbiota. Using a completely randomized design, 30 mice were equally assigned to a control group, receiving a low-fat diet, an HFD group, receiving a high-fat diet, and an HFD+kaempferol group, receiving a high-fat diet and kaempferol doses of 200 mg/kg in the diet. After eight weeks, the HFD mice displayed substantial body and liver weight gain and high blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels. However, treatment with kaempferol moderated body and liver weight gain and elevation of blood glucose and serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Examination of 16S ribosomal RNA showed that HFD mice exhibited decreased microbial diversity, but kaempferol treatment maintained it to nearly the same levels as those in the control group. In conclusion, kaempferol can protect against obesity and insulin resistance in mice on a high-fat diet, partly through regulating their gut microbiota and moderating the decrease in insulin resistance.

Kaempferol Promotes Apoptosis While Inhibiting Cell Proliferation via Androgen-Dependent Pathway and Suppressing Vasculogenic Mimicry and Invasion in Prostate Cancer

Kaempferol is a well-known natural flavonol reported to be a potential treatment for multiple cancers. In this study, we demonstrated that cell growth of androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells could be inhibited 33% by 5 μM kaempferol, around 60% by 10 μM kaempferol, and almost 100% by 15 μM kaempferol. Also, kaempferol showed relatively limited effect on PC-3 cells and nonmalignant RWPE-1 cells. In the presence of DHT, the IC₅₀ for kaempferol was 28.8 ± 1.5 μM in LNCaP cells, 58.3 ± 3.5 μM in PC-3 cells, and 69.1 ± 1.2 μM in RWPE-1 cells, respectively. Kaempferol promotes apoptosis of LNCaP cells in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Then, luciferase assay data showed that kaempferol could inhibit the activation of androgen receptors induced by DHT significantly. The downstream targets of androgen receptors, such as PSA, TMPRSS2, and TMEPA1, were found decreased in the presence of kaempferol in qPCR data. It was then confirmed that the protein level of PSA was decreased. Kaempferol inhibits AR protein expression and nuclear accumulation. Kaempferol suppressed vasculogenic mimicry of PC-3 cells in an in vitro study. In conclusion, kaempferol is a promising therapeutic candidate for treatment of prostate cancer, where the androgen signaling pathway as well as vasculogenic mimicry are involved.

Kaempferol protects retinal ganglion ceils from high-glucose-induced injury by regulating vasohibin-1

Kaempferol is a medicinal flavonol derived from the roots of Kaempferia galanga L. Kaempferol can affect cell survival, apoptosis, and anti-oxidation, though its role and underlying mechanism in retinal ganglion cells with high-glucose injury remains unclear. In this study, we explored kaempferol's role in high-glucose injury in cells from the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) line. RGC cells were isolated and then cultured in high glucose (55 mmol/L) for 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, or 72 h, and results showed decreased cell viability at 48 h and 72 h. We treated RGC cells with different concentrations of kaempferol (0 μmol/L, 20 μmol/L, 40 μmol/L, 60 μmol/L, 80 μmol/L, or 100 μmol/L) and high-glucose (55 mmol/L) for 48 h. The data indicated inhibited lactate dehydrogenase leakage, apoptosis, caspase-3 activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Moreover, whereas cell viability increased in RGC cells that were incubated with kaempferol (60 μmol/L, 80 μmol/L, or 100 μmol/L) and glucose (55 mmol/L), compared with glucose alone. Kaempferol (60 μmol/L) elevated ERK phosphorylation and vasohibin-1 (VASH1) expression, and inhibition of ERK phosphorylation reversed the effect of kaempferol (60 μmol/L) on VASH1 expression in RGC cells with high-glucose injury. Additionally, interference of VASH1 by VASH1 siRNA markedly reversed the effects of kaempferol (60 μmol/L) on cell viability, caspase-3 activity, and ROS levels in RGC cells with high glucose injury. Taken together, the results suggest that kaempferol protected retinal ganglion cells from high-glucose-induced injury via ERK and VASH1 signaling.

Kaempferol: A Key Emphasis to Its Anticancer Potential

A marked decrease in human cancers, including breast cancer, bone cancer, and cervical cancer, has been linked to the consumption of vegetable and fruit, and the corresponding chemoprotective effect has been associated with the presence of several active molecules, such as kaempferol. Kaempferol is a major flavonoid aglycone found in many natural products, such as beans, bee pollen, broccoli, cabbage, capers, cauliflower, chia seeds, chives, cumin, moringa leaves, endive, fennel, and garlic. Kaempferol displays several pharmacological properties, among them antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and antidiabetic activities, and is being applied in cancer chemotherapy. Specifically, kaempferol-rich food has been linked to a decrease in the risk of developing some types of cancers, including skin, liver, and colon. The mechanisms of action include apoptosis, cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, downregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathways. In this sense, this article reviews data from experimental studies that investigated the links between kaempferol and kaempferol-rich food intake and cancer prevention. Even though growing evidence supports the use of kaempferol for cancer prevention, further preclinical and clinical investigations using kaempferol or kaempferol-rich foods are of pivotal importance before any public health recommendation or formulation using kaempferol.

Kaempferol suppresses human gastric cancer SNU-216 cell proliferation, promotes cell autophagy, but has no influence on cell apoptosis

Gastric cancer remains a serious threat to human health worldwide. Kaempferol is a plant-derived flavonoid compound with a wide range of pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of kaempferol on gastric cancer SNU-216 cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy, as well as underlying potential mechanisms. Viability, proliferation, and apoptosis of SNU-216 cells after kaempferol treatment were evaluated using cell counting kit-8 assay, 5-btomo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation assay, and annexin V-FITC/PI staining, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was performed to measure the mRNA expressions of cyclin D1 and microRNA-181a (miR-181a) in SNU-216 cells. Cell transfection was used to down-regulate the expression of miR-181a. The protein expression levels of cyclin D1, bcl-2, bax, caspase 3, caspase 9, autophagy-related gene 7, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-I (LC3-I), LC3-II, Beclin 1, p62, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) in SNU-216 cells were detected using western blotting. Results showed that kaempferol significantly suppressed SNU-216 cell viability and proliferation but had no influence on cell apoptosis. Further results suggested that kaempferol significantly induced SNU-216 cell autophagy. The expression of miR-181a in SNU-216 cells after kaempferol treatment was enhanced. Kaempferol significantly inactivated MAPK/ERK and PI3K pathways in SNU-216 cells. Suppression of miR-181a significantly reversed the kaempferol-induced MAPK/ERK and PI3K pathways inactivation in SNU-216 cells. This research demonstrated that kaempferol suppressed proliferation and promoted autophagy of human gastric cancer SNU-216 cells by up-regulating miR-181a and inactivating MAPK/ERK and PI3K pathways.

Inhibitory Effect of Synthetic Flavone Derivatives on Pan-Aurora Kinases: Induction of G2/M Cell-Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in HCT116 Human Colon Cancer Cells

Members of the aurora kinase family are Ser/Thr kinases involved in regulating mitosis. Multiple promising clinical trials to target aurora kinases are in development. To discover flavones showing growth inhibitory effects on cancer cells, 36 flavone derivatives were prepared, and their cytotoxicity was measured using a long-term clonogenic survival assay. Their half-maximal growth inhibitory effects against HCT116 human colon cancer cells were observed at the sub-micromolar level. Pharmacophores were derived based on three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity calculations. Because plant-derived flavones inhibit aurora kinase B, we selected 5-methoxy-2-(2-methoxynaphthalen-1-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one (derivative 31), which showed the best half-maximal cell growth inhibitory effect, and tested whether it can inhibit aurora kinases in HCT116 colon cancer cells. We found that derivative 31 inhibited the phosphorylation of aurora kinases A, aurora kinases B and aurora kinases C, suggesting that derivative 31 is a potential pan-aurora kinase inhibitor. The results of our analysis of the binding modes between derivative 31 and aurora A and aurora B kinases using in-silico docking were consistent with the pharmacophores proposed in this study.

Chemo-preventive and therapeutic effect of the dietary flavonoid kaempferol: A comprehensive review

Kaempferol, a natural flavonoid present in several plants, possesses a wide range of therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory. It has a significant role in reducing cancer and can act as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of diseases and ailments such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, oxidative stress, asthma, and microbial contamination disorders. Kaempferol acts through different mechanisms: It induces apoptosis (HeLa cervical cancer cells), decreases cell viability (G2/M phase), downregulates phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT (protein kinase B) and human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus-I (HTLV-I) signaling pathways, suppresses protein expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers including N-cadherin, E-cadherin, Slug, and Snail, and metastasis-related markers such as matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2). Accordingly, the aim of the present review is to collect information pertaining to the effective role of kaempferol against various degenerative disorders, summarize the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antiaging effects of kaempferol and to review the progress of recent research and available data on kaempferol as a protective and chemotherapeutic agent against several ailments.

RNA sequencing and de novo assembly of Solanum trilobatum leaf transcriptome to identify putative transcripts for major metabolic pathways

Solanum trilobatum L. is an important medicinal plant in traditional Indian system of medicine belonging to Solanaceae family. However, non-availability of genomic resources hinders its research at the molecular level. We have analyzed the S. trilobatum leaf transcriptome using high throughput RNA sequencing. The de novo assembly of 136,220,612 reads produced 128,934 non-redundant unigenes with N50 value of 1347 bp. Annotation of unigenes was performed against databases such as NCBI nr database, Gene Ontology, KEGG, Uniprot, Pfam, and plnTFDB. A total of 60,097 unigenes were annotated including 48 Transcription Factor families and 14,490 unigenes were assigned to 138 pathways using KEGG database. The pathway analysis revealed the transcripts involved in the biosynthesis of important secondary metabolites contributing for its medicinal value such as Flavonoids. Further, the transcripts were quantified using RSEM to identify the highly regulated genes for secondary metabolism. Reverse-Transcription PCR was performed to validate the de novo assembled unigenes. The expression profile of selected unigenes from flavonoid biosynthesis pathway was analyzed using qRT-PCR. We have also identified 13,262 Simple Sequence Repeats, which could help in molecular breeding. This is the first report of comprehensive transcriptome analysis in S. trilobatum and this will be an invaluable resource to understand the molecular basis related to the medicinal attributes of S. trilobatum in further studies.

Kaempferol Attenuates ROS-Induced Hemolysis and the Molecular Mechanism of Its Induction of Apoptosis on Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer has become the most common malignant urinary carcinoma. Studies have shown that significant antioxidant and bladder cancer-fighting properties of several plant-based diets like Psidium guajava, ginger and amomum, are associated with their high kaempferol content. In this paper, we evaluated the antioxidant and anticancer activities of kaempferol and its mechanism of induction to apoptosis on bladder cancer cells. Our findings demonstrated that kaempferol showed an obvious radical scavenging activity in erythrocytes damaged by oxygen. Kaempferol promoted antioxidant enzymes, inhibited ROS generation and lipid peroxidation and finally prevented the occurrence of hemolysis. Additionally, kaempferol exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on bladder cancer cells and high safety on normal bladder cells. At the molecular level, kaempferol suppressed EJ bladder cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting the function of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), CyclinD1, CDK4, Bid, Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL, and promoting p-BRCA1, p-ATM, p53, p21, p38, Bax and Bid expression, and finally triggering apoptosis and S phase arrest. We found that Kaempferol exhibited strong anti-oxidant activity on erythrocyte and inhibitory effects on the growth of cancerous bladder cells through inducing apoptosis and S phase arrest. These findings suggested that kaempferol might be regarded as a bioactive food ingredient to prevent oxidative damage and treat bladder cancer.

Phytochemical Characterization of Mentha spicata L. Under Differential Dried-Conditions and Associated Nephrotoxicity Screening of Main Compound With Organ-on-a-Chip

Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) is normally used as a vegetable flavoring herb. It also has several pharmacological activities against fever, cough, infection, and inflammation. The current study presents an untargeted comparative metabolomics approach utilizing HPLC-QTOF-MS high-throughput analytical technology to provide insights into the effect of the drying process on the examined spearmint species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of compositional differences among fresh and dried spearmint leaves determined via a metabolomic approach to reveal that dried leaves are a better source of bioactive metabolites. The nephrotoxicity of kaempferol, a bioactive metabolite from spearmint, was further assessed with a kidney-on-a-chip. On the designed chip, a GelMA-based 3D culture platform mimics the microenvironment and basic functions of the kidney. In addition, the chip's transparency allows for direct observation under an optical microscope. Treatment of human embryonic kidney cells with 30 μM of kaempferol for 12 h induced no obvious cell injury or apoptosis in the cells, on the basis of morphology, thus providing a proof-of-concept demonstration of kaempferol's non-toxicity.

Kaempferol suppresses proliferation but increases apoptosis and autophagy by up-regulating microRNA-340 in human lung cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with unsatisfied prognosis. Kaempferol is a dietary flavonoid that inhibits tumorgenesis, and we aimed to uncover the underlying mechanism of kaempferol in lung cancer cells.

METHODS

A549 cells were stimulated with kaempferol, and then cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy and expression of miR-340 were assessed. Subsequently, effects of kaempferol on protein expression of phosphatase with tensin homology (PTEN) and key kinases in the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways were detected by Western blot analysis. Moreover, the effects of miR-340 inhibition on kaempferol-induced alterations in A549 cells were also studied.

RESULTS

Cell viability, proliferation and cyclinD1 expression level in A549 cells were all reduced by kaempferol. Conversely, cell apoptosis and autophagy were promoted by kaempferol. We found autophagy promoted apoptosis in kaempferol-treated A549 cells. Then, expression of miR-340 was identified to be up-regulated by kaempferol treatment. After treatments with kaempferol, PTEN level was elevated and levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT were decreased. Moreover, the alterations induced by kaempferol were abrogated by miR-340 inhibition.

CONCLUSION

Kaempferol inhibited proliferation but induced apoptosis and autophagy in A549 cells. Additionally, kaempferol might function through up-regulating miR-340, along with up-regulation of PTEN and inactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

A Novel Flavonoid Composition Targets Androgen Receptor Signaling and Inhibits Prostate Cancer Growth in Preclinical Models

The high prevalence and long latency period of prostate cancer (PCa) provide a unique opportunity to control disease progression with dietary and nutraceutical approaches. We developed ProFine, a standardized composition of luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol, and investigated its potential as a nutraceutical for PCa in preclinical models. The three ingredients of ProFine demonstrated synergistic in vitro cytotoxicity and effectively induced apoptosis in PCa cells. ProFine markedly affected the transcriptome of PCa cells, suppressed the expression of androgen receptor, and inhibited androgen-regulated genes. Oral administration of ProFine did not exhibit obvious toxicities in mice, and the three ingredients retained their individual pharmacokinetic and bioavailability profiles. Importantly, ProFine significantly retarded the growth of PCa xenografts in athymic nude mice and extended the survival of animals. This study provides preclinical evidence supporting the promise of ProFine as a safe, efficacious, and affordable intervention to control PCa progression and improve clinical outcomes.

Nimesulide inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells by enhancing expression of PTEN

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-associated cases of mortality worldwide. Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX-2) is considered a therapeutic target for prevention of pancreatic cancer. Nimesulide, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, can induce cell apoptosis, resulting in an anti-cancer effect. However, the mechanism underlying this effect remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of nimesulide on proliferation of PANC-1 cells using an MTT assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by DNA laddering and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide-stained flow cytometry. Furthermore, western blot analysis was used to elucidate the mechanism underlying nimesulide treatment in PANC-1 cells. It was determined that proliferation of PANC-1 cells was inhibited by nimesulide in a dose-dependent manner. Nimesulide promoted apoptosis of PANC-1 cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that nimesulide increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 and apoptosis regulator Bax (Bcl-2 associated protein X), and decreased the expression of pro-caspase-3 and apoptosis regulator Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2). Furthermore, nimesulide enhanced expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and decreased the expression level of COX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor. In summary, the results of the present study demonstrated that nimesulide could induce apoptosis and inhibit growth of PANC-1 cells by enhancing the expression of PTEN, which indicates the potential of nimesulide to prevent tumor angiogenesis.

Kaempferol-loaded mucoadhesive nanoemulsion for intranasal administration reduces glioma growth in vitro

In order to search for new approaches to treat glioma, intranasal administration has been proposed as an alternative route to deliver drugs into the brain. Among the drug alternatives, kaempferol (KPF) has been reported to induce glioma cell death. This study aimed to prepare nanoemulsions containing KPF with and without chitosan to investigate their potential for brain delivery following intranasal administration, and to evaluate their antitumor activity against glioma cells. KPF-loaded nanoemulsion (KPF-NE) and KPF-loaded mucoadhesive nanoemulsion (KPF-MNE) were prepared by high-pressure homogenization technique and were characterized for their globule size, zeta potential, drug content, pH, viscosity, mucoadhesive strength and morphology. KPF from KPF-MNE showed significantly higher permeation across the mucosa in ex vivo diffusion studies. Histopathological examination suggests both nanoemulsions to be safe for the nasal mucosa and able to preserve KPF antioxidant capability. KPF-MNE enhanced significantly the amount of drug into rat's brain following intranasal administration (5- and 4.5-fold higher than free drug and KPF-NE, respectively). In addition, KPF-MNE reduced C6 glioma cell viability through induction of apoptosis to a greater extent than either free KPF or KPF-NE. The mucoadhesive nanoemulsion developed for intranasal administration may be a promising system for delivery to the brain, and KPF-MNE is a candidate for further antiglioma trials.