Polyphenols from brown alga, Padina boergesenii (Allendar & Kraft) decelerates renal cancer growth involving cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis in renal carcinoma cells

Skeletonema marinoi Extracts and Associated Carotenoid Fucoxanthin Downregulate Pro-Angiogenic Mediators on Prostate Cancer and Endothelial Cells

The exploration of natural preventive molecules for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical use has recently increased. In this scenario, marine microorganisms represent an underestimated source of bioactive products endowed with beneficial effects on health that include anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, differentiating, anti-tumor, and anti-angiogenic activities. Here, we tested the potential chemopreventive and anti-angiogenic activities of an extract from the marine coastal diatom Skeletonema marinoi Sarno and Zingone (Sm) on prostate cancer (PCa) and endothelial cells. We also tested one of the main carotenoids of the diatom, the xanthophyll pigment fucoxanthin (Fuco). Fuco from the literature is a potential candidate compound involved in chemopreventive activities. Sm extract and Fuco were able to inhibit PCa cell growth and hinder vascular network formation of endothelial cells. The reduced number of cells was partially due to growth inhibition and apoptosis. We studied the molecular targets by qPCR and membrane antibody arrays. Angiogenesis and inflammation molecules were modulated. In particular, Fuco downregulated the expression of Angiopoietin 2, CXCL5, TGFβ, IL6, STAT3, MMP1, TIMP1 and TIMP2 in both prostate and endothelial cells. Our study confirmed microalgae-derived drugs as potentially relevant sources of novel nutraceuticals, providing candidates for potential dietary or dietary supplement intervention in cancer prevention approaches.

Marine Migrastatics: A Comprehensive 2022 Update

Metastasis is responsible for the bad prognosis in cancer patients. Advances in research on metastasis prevention focus attention on the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer cell motility and invasion to improve therapies for long-term survival in cancer patients. The so-called “migrastatics” could help block cancer cell invasion and lead to the rapid development of antimetastatic therapies, improving conventional cancer therapies. In the relentless search for migrastatics, the marine environment represents an important source of natural compounds due to its enormous biodiversity. Thus, this review is a selection of scientific research that has pointed out in a broad spectrum of in vitro and in vivo models the anti-cancer power of marine-derived products against cancer cell migration and invasion over the past five years. Overall, this review might provide a useful up-to-date guide about marine-derived compounds with potential interest for pharmaceutical and scientific research on antimetastatic drug endpoints.

Yerba Mate Modulates Tumor Cells Functions Involved in Metastasis in Breast Cancer Models

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cancer in women and tumor metastasis is a major cause of cancer-related deaths. Our aim was to evaluate anti-metastatic properties of yerba mate extract (YMe) in BC models. 4T1, F3II, MCF-7, and MDA-MB231 cell lines were used to perform in vitro assays. The F3II syngeneic mammary carcinoma model in BALB/c mice was used to evaluate tumor progression, BC metastasis and survival. Cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the flank for the heterotopic model and into the mammary fat pad for the orthotopic model. YMe was administered p.o. in a dose of 1.6 g/kg/day. In vitro YMe inhibited cell proliferation and reduced tumor cell adhesion, migration and invasion. These biological effects were cell-line dependent. In vivo YMe reduced tumor metastasis and increased mice survival in both models. Our preclinical results suggest that YMe could modulate tumor progression and metastasis in BC models.

Coffee intake and trace element blood concentrations in association with renal cell cancer among smokers

PURPOSE

To determine whether higher coffee intake may reduce the risk of renal cell cancer (RCC) associated with lead (Pb) and other heavy metals with known renal toxicity.

METHODS

We conducted a nested case-control study of male smokers (136 RCC cases and 304 controls) within the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study. Cases diagnosed with RCC at 5 or more years following cohort enrollment were matched to controls on age (± 7 years) and whole blood draw date (± 30 days). Conditional logistic regression (using two-sided tests) was used to test for main effects and additive models of effect modification.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 16.3 years, coffee consumption was not significantly associated with renal cell cancer risk, when adjusting for blood concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Pb and RCC risk factors (age, smoking, BMI, and systolic blood pressure) (p-trend, 0.134). The association with above median blood Pb and RCC (HR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.06, 2.85) appeared to be modified by coffee consumption, such that RCC risk among individuals with both increased coffee intake and higher blood lead concentration were more than threefold higher RCC risk (HR = 3.40, 95% CI 1.62, 7.13; p-trend, 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Contrary to our initial hypothesis, this study suggests that heavy coffee consumption may increase the previously identified association between higher circulating lead (Pb) concentrations and increased RCC risk. Improved assessment of exposure, including potential trace element contaminants in coffee, is needed.

Recent Updates on Marine Cancer-Preventive Compounds

The natural compounds derived from marine organisms often exhibit unique chemical structures and potent biological activities. Cancer-preventive activity is one of the rather new activities that has emerged and been extensively studied over the last decades. This review summarizes the recent updates on the marine chemopreventive compounds covering the relevant literature published in 2013-2021 and following the previous comprehensive review by Stonik and Fedorov (Marine Drugs 2014, 12, 636-671). In the current article, only the molecules having an effect on malignant transformation (or related pathway and molecules), cancer stem cells, or carcinogen-induced in vivo tumor development were considered to be "true" cancer-preventive compounds and were, therefore, reviewed. Additionally, particular attention has been given to the molecular mechanisms of chemoprevention, executed by the reported marine compounds.

A review on phytoconstituents of marine brown algae

Background

From the last few years, the development and discovery of bioactive compounds and their potential properties from marine algae have been enhanced significantly. The coastal area is a huge storehouse for propitious algae. It has been the genuine reality that the consequence of marine algae as a source of different compounds is increasing.

Main body

Numerous advanced research devices are available for the discovery of synthetic compounds but still many researchers are working on natural bioactive compounds to discover their biological properties, which are useful to society. Marine algae are taking the preponderance of consideration from investigators owing to its phenomenon of biological activity like anti-cancer, anti-viral, cholesterol-reducing, and many more. A variety of compounds are collected from algae with specific purposes as they remain in an extremely ambitious and hard state; this condition is responsible for the synthesis of very particularly effective bioactive compounds. The present article is concentrating on the brown algae of the Gujarat coast, phlorotannins, polyphenol, phytosterol from brown algae, and their various applications. The main importance has been given to the secondary metabolites and various applications of marine brown algae.

Conclusion

From this review, it can be concluded that the prominent bioactive compounds from brown algae can cure many serious diseases. Besides, the potential biological activities of a special bioactive compound may represent the interest in the industry of pharmaceuticals, cosmeceutical, and functional foods.

Squalene deters drivers of RCC disease progression beyond VHL status

Identifying drug candidates to target cellular events/signaling that evades von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL) gene interaction is critical for the cure of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Recently, we characterized a triterpene-squalene derived from marine brown alga. Herein, we investigated the potential of squalene in targeting HIF-signaling and other drivers of RCC progression. Squalene inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell dealth and reverted the cells' metastatic state (migration, clonal expansion) independent of their VHL status. Near-identical inhibition of HIF-1α and HIF-2α and the regulation of downstream targets in VHL wild type and mutant cell lines demonstrated squalene efficacy beyond VHL-HIF interaction. In a rat model of chemically induced RCC, squalene displayed chemopreventive capabilities by substantial reversal of lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial redox regulation, maintaining ∆ψ_m, inflammation [Akt, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)], angiogenesis (VEGFα), metastasis [matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2)], and survival (Bax/Bcl2, cytochrome-c, Casp3). Squalene restored glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione-s-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase and stabilized alkaline phosphatase, alkaline transaminase, and aspartate transaminase. The correlation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance with VEGF/NF-κB and negative association of GSH with Casp3 show that squalene employs reduction in ROS regulation. Cytokinesis-block micronuclei (CBMN) assay in VHL^wt/mut cells revealed both direct and bystander effects of squalene with increased micronucleus (MN) frequency. Clastogenicity analysis of rat bone marrow cells demonstrated an anti-clastogenic effect of squalene, with increased polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs), decreased MNPCE,s and MN normochromatic erythrocytes. Squalene could effectively target HIF signaling that orchestrate RCC evolution. The efficacy of squalene is similar in VHL^wt and VHL^mut RCC cells, and hence, squalene could serve as a promising drug candidate for an RCC cure beyond VHL status and VHL-HIF interaction dependency. Summary: Squalene derived from marine brown algae displays strong anti-cancer (RCC) activity, functionally targeting HIF-signaling pathway, and affects various cellular process. The significance of squalene effect for RCC is highlighted by its efficiency beyond VHL status, designating itself a promising drug candidate. Graphical abstract.

Characteristics of Polyphenolic Content in Brown Algae of the Pacific Coast of Russia

Water and ethanol brown macroalgal extracts of nine species of Laminariales and four species of Fucales of the Pacific coast of Russia were investigated. It has been shown that brown algae species of Agarum, Thalassiophyllum, Fucus and Cystoseira can be a source of the polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. Phenolic content in the ethanol algal extracts (Undaria pinnatifida, Arthrothamnus bifidus, Thalassiophyllum clathrus and Agarum turneri) was 1.1-3.5 times higher than in the water extracts. In Sargassum pallidum and Kjellmaniella crassifolia, the total polyphenolic content was 2.1 and 1.6 times higher, respectively, in water extracts than in ethanol extracts. The maximum radical scavenging activity has been detected in Agarum turneri ethanol extracts (38.8 mg ascorbic acid/g and 2506.8 µmol Trolox equiv/g dry algae). Phlorotannin content varies from 16.8 μg/g dry sample of Costaria costata to 2763.2 μg/g dry sample of Agarum turneri. It is found the content of polyphenolic compounds in brown algae is determined mainly by their species-specificity and by their belonging to the genus. The presence of major phenols in the extract of Thalassiophyllum clathrus, such as phenolic acid (gallic acid), hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, coumaric acid) and flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin) has been established.