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Psilopatis I, Vrettou K, Giaginis C, Theocharis S. The Role of Bitter Melon in Breast and Gynecological Cancer Prevention and Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108918. [PMID: 37240264 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytotherapy has long represented a widely accepted treatment alternative to conventional therapy. Bitter melon is a vine with potent antitumor effects against numerous cancer entities. To date, no review article has, however, been published on the role of bitter melon in breast and gynecological cancer prevention and therapy. The current work constitutes the most comprehensive, up-to-date review of the literature, which highlights the promising anticancer effects of bitter melon on breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer cells and discusses future research recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iason Psilopatis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Kleio Vrettou
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Constantinos Giaginis
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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2
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Gao Y, Li X, Huang Y, Chen J, Qiu M. Bitter Melon and Diabetes Mellitus. FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/87559129.2021.1923733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ya Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
| | - Xian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
| | - Yanjie Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
| | - Jianchao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
| | - Minghua Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
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3
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The triterpenoids of the bitter gourd (Momordica Charantia) and their pharmacological activities: A review. J Food Compost Anal 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2020.103726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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4
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Chiu CF, Chin HK, Huang WJ, Bai LY, Huang HY, Weng JR. Induction of Apoptosis and Autophagy in Breast Cancer Cells by a Novel HDAC8 Inhibitor. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9120824. [PMID: 31817161 PMCID: PMC6995545 DOI: 10.3390/biom9120824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic therapy has been demonstrated to be a viable strategy for breast cancer treatment. In this study, we report the anti-tumor activity of a hydroxamate-based histone deacetylase (HDAC)8-selective inhibitor, HMC, in breast cancer cells. MTT assays showed that HMC inhibited cell viability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells with IC50 values of 7.7 μM and 9.5 μM, respectively. HMC induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, which was associated with its ability to modulate a series of cell survival-related signaling effectors, including Akt, mTOR, Bax, Mcl-1, and Bcl-2. Additionally, HMC was capable of activating PPARγ, which was accompanied by reduced expression of PPARγ target gene products, such as cyclin D1 and CDK6. HMC increased the production of ROS in MCF-7 cells, which could be partially reversed by the cotreatment with a ROS scavenger (N-acetylcysteine or glutathione). Furthermore, HMC induced autophagy, as characterized by the formation of acidic vesicular organelles and autophagic biomarkers including LC3B-II and Atg5. Notably, pharmacological blockade of autophagy by 3-MA or CQ could attenuate HMC-induced apoptosis, suggesting that autophagy played a self-protective role in HMC-induced cell death. Together, these data suggest the translational potential of HMC to be developed into a potential therapeutic agent for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Fang Chiu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan; (C.-F.C.); (L.-Y.B.)
- Cancer Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40415, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Kuo Chin
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung 80284, Taiwan;
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Jan Huang
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
| | - Li-Yuan Bai
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan; (C.-F.C.); (L.-Y.B.)
- College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Yu Huang
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Ru Weng
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- Doctoral Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80715, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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5
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Feltrin C, Oliveira Simões CM. Reviewing the mechanisms of natural product-drug interactions involving efflux transporters and metabolic enzymes. Chem Biol Interact 2019; 314:108825. [PMID: 31553897 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.108825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) and other worldwide health agencies have recently taken initiatives to encourage the use of traditional medicine and/or complementary/alternative medicine in order to promote well-being and public health. In this way, one of the WHO's concerns is the safe use of these therapies. Phytotherapy is a strategy consisting of the use of medicinal plants (MP) and/or herbal medicinal products (HMP) for medicinal purposes. The use of phytotherapy concomitantly with drugs may cause interactions compromising the expected pharmacological action or generating toxic effects. These interactions are complex processes that may occur with multiple medications targeting different metabolic pathways, and involving different compounds present in MP and HMP. Thus, the aim of this review was to summarize the main MP- and HMP-drug interactions that involve specific transporters (P-glycoprotein and BCRP) and CYP450 enzymes (CYP3A4 and CYP2D6), which play relevant roles in the mechanisms of interactions. Firstly, multiple databases were used to search studies describing in vitro or in vivo MP and HMP-drug interactions and, after that, a systematic note-taking and appraisal of the literature was conducted. It was observed that several MP and HMP, metabolic pathways and transcription factors are involved in the transporters and enzymes expression or in the modulation of their activity having the potential to provide such interactions. Thus, the knowledge of MP- and HMP-drug interaction mechanisms could contribute to prevent harmful interactions and can ensure the safe use of these products to help the establishment of the therapeutic planning in order to certify the best treatment strategy to be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Feltrin
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Maria Oliveira Simões
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
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6
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Uramova S, Kubatka P, Dankova Z, Kapinova A, Zolakova B, Samec M, Zubor P, Zulli A, Valentova V, Kwon TK, Solar P, Kello M, Kajo K, Busselberg D, Pec M, Danko J. Plant natural modulators in breast cancer prevention: status quo and future perspectives reinforced by predictive, preventive, and personalized medical approach. EPMA J 2018; 9:403-419. [PMID: 30538792 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-018-0154-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to the genetic component in mammary carcinogenesis, epigenetic alterations are particularly important for the development of sporadic breast cancer (BC) comprising over 90% of all BC cases worldwide. Most of the DNA methylation processes are physiological and essential for human cellular and tissue homeostasis, playing an important role in a number of key mechanisms. However, if dysregulated, DNA methylation contributes to pathological processes such as cancer development and progression. A global hypomethylation of oncogenes and hypermethylation of tumor-suppressor genes are characteristic of most cancer types. Moreover, histone chemical modifications and non-coding RNA-associated multi-gene controls are considered as the key epigenetic mechanisms governing the cellular homeostasis and differentiation states. A number of studies demonstrate dietary plant products as actively affecting the development and progression of cancer. "Nutri-epigenetics" focuses on the influence of dietary agents on epigenetic mechanisms. This approach has gained considerable attention; since in contrast to genetic alterations, epigenetic modifications are reversible affect early carcinogenesis. Currently, there is an evident lack of papers dedicated to the phytochemicals/plant extracts as complex epigenetic modulators, specifically in BC. Our paper highlights the role of plant natural compounds in targeting epigenetic alterations associated with BC development, progression, as well as its potential chemoprevention in the context of preventive medicine. Comprehensive measures are stated with a great potential to advance the overall BC management in favor of predictive, preventive, and personalized medical services and can be considered as "proof-of principle" model, for their potential application to other multifactorial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sona Uramova
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Peter Kubatka
- 2Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mala Hora 4, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia.,3Division of Oncology, Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Dankova
- 3Division of Oncology, Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Andrea Kapinova
- 3Division of Oncology, Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Barbora Zolakova
- 3Division of Oncology, Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Marek Samec
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Pavol Zubor
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Anthony Zulli
- 4Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Taeg Kyu Kwon
- 6Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Peter Solar
- 7Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Martin Kello
- 8Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Karol Kajo
- Department of Pathology, St. Elisabeth Oncology Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Dietrich Busselberg
- 10Qatar Foundation, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Education City, Doha Qatar
| | - Martin Pec
- 2Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mala Hora 4, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Jan Danko
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
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7
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A Sterol from Soft Coral Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:md16070238. [PMID: 30018246 PMCID: PMC6071057 DOI: 10.3390/md16070238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor that plays a key role in regulating cellular metabolism, and is a therapeutic target for cancer therapy. To search for potential PPARγ activators, a compound library comprising 11 marine compounds was examined. Among them, a sterol, 3β,11-dihydroxy-9,11-secogorgost-5-en-9-one (compound 1), showed the highest PPARγ activity with an IC50 value of 8.3 μM for inhibiting human breast adenocarcinoma cell (MCF-7) growth. Western blotting experiments showed that compound 1 induces caspase activation and PARP cleavage. In addition, compound 1 modulated the expression of various PPARγ-regulated downstream biomarkers including cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)6, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), p38, and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Moreover, compound 1 increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, upregulated the phosphorylation and expression of H2AX, and induced autophagy. Interestingly, pre-treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine rescued cells from compound 1-induced growth inhibition, which indicates that the cytotoxic effect of compound 1 is, in part, attributable to its ability to induce autophagy. In conclusion, these findings suggest the translational potential of compound 1 in breast cancer therapy.
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