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Ribeiro E, Costa B, Marques L, Vasques-Nóvoa F, Vale N. Enhancing Urological Cancer Treatment: Leveraging Vasodilator Synergistic Potential with 5-FU for Improved Therapeutic Outcomes. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4113. [PMID: 39064153 PMCID: PMC11277888 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13144113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Backgroud: This study investigates the potential of vasodilator drugs as additive therapy in the treatment of urological cancers, particularly in combination with the antineoplastic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Methods: The study evaluated the cytotoxic effects of sildenafil, tezosentan and levosimendan alone and in combination with 5-FU on urological cancer cell lines. The assessment included MTT assays, colony formation assays and wound healing assays to determine cell viability, proliferative capacity, and migratory behavior, respectively. Results: Sildenafil and tezosentan showed limited cytotoxic effects, while levosimendan demonstrated moderate anticancer activity. The combination of levosimendan and 5-FU exhibited an additive interaction, enhancing cytotoxicity against cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Levosimendan also inhibited cell migration and proliferation, potentially through mechanisms involving the modulation of cAMP levels and nitric oxide production. Conclusions: The findings suggest that levosimendan can be used in conjunction with 5-FU to reduce the required dose of 5-FU, thereby minimizing side effects without compromising therapeutic efficacy. This study offers a new perspective for enhancing therapeutic outcomes in patients with urological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduarda Ribeiro
- PerMed Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; (E.R.); (B.C.); (L.M.)
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Barbara Costa
- PerMed Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; (E.R.); (B.C.); (L.M.)
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Lara Marques
- PerMed Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; (E.R.); (B.C.); (L.M.)
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Vasques-Nóvoa
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Nuno Vale
- PerMed Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; (E.R.); (B.C.); (L.M.)
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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Beltagy DM, Nawar NF, Mohamed TM, Tousson E, El-Keey MM. The synergistic effect of nanocurcumin and donepezil on Alzheimer's via PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway modulating. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2024; 170:106791. [PMID: 37918555 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2023.106791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) hallmarks include amyloid-βeta (Aβ) and tau proteins aggregates, neurite degeneration, microglial activation with cognitive impairment. Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/Glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta (PI3K/AKT/GSK-3) pathway is essential for neuroprotection, cell survival and proliferation by blocking apoptosis. This study aimed to assess protective role of nanocurcumin (NCMN) as strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent with elucidating its synergistic effects with Donepezil as acetylcholinesterase inhibitor on AD in rats via modulating PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway. The experiment was performed on 70 male Wistar albino rats divided into seven groups (control, NCMN, Donepezil, AD-model, Donepezil co-treatment, NCMN only co-treatment, and NCMN+Donepezil combined treatment). Behavioral and biochemical investigations as cholinesterase activity, oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, superoxidedismutase, and catalase), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Tau, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE-1), Phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten), mitogen-activated protein kinase-1 (MAPK-1), Glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta (GSK-3β) and toll-like receptor-4 were evaluated. Treatment with NCMN improved memory, locomotion, neuronal differentiation by activating PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway. These results were confirmed by histological studies in hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doha M Beltagy
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Egypt.
| | - Nagat F Nawar
- Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt
| | - Tarek M Mohamed
- Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt
| | - Ehab Tousson
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt
| | - Mai M El-Keey
- Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt
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Zhu J, Li Q, Wu Z, Xu Y, Jiang R. Curcumin for Treating Breast Cancer: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms, Combinations with Anticancer Drugs, and Nanosystems. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:79. [PMID: 38258090 PMCID: PMC10819793 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) has become the fifth most prevalent cause of cancer-related morbidity, attracting significant attention from researchers due to its heightened malignancy and drug resistance. Conventional chemotherapy approaches have proven inadequate in addressing all BC subtypes, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches or drugs. Curcumin (CUR), a phytochemical derived from Curcuma longa (turmeric), has shown substantial potential in inhibiting BC cell migration, metastasis, and proliferation. However, the use of CUR in this context comes with challenges due to its dynamic and easily degradable nature, poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and swift systemic elimination, collectively limiting its clinical applications. As such, we provide an overview of the properties, synthesis, and characterization of the hybridization of CUR and its analogue with chemo-drug building blocks. We reviewed research from the last five years on CUR's biogenesis with respect to the regulation of BC, revealing that CUR participates in arresting BC cells in the cell cycle and significantly induces apoptosis in BC cells. Information on the chemotherapeutic and antitumor mechanisms of CUR in BC, including regulation of the cell cycle, increased cell apoptosis, and inhibition of multidrug resistance (MDR), was compiled. Additionally, we provide an overview of CUR loaded into nanomaterials that are cotreated with other chemotherapeutic drugs, such as paclitaxel, thymoquinone, and tamoxifen. In this review, we discuss different types of nanoparticles that can be used for CUR delivery, such as polymeric nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and liposomes. By comparing the size, entrapment efficiency, drug-loading capacity, release time, biocompatibility, pharmaceutical scale, and reproducibility of various nanomaterials, we aimed to determine which formulations are better suited for loading CUR or its analogue. Ultimately, this review is expected to offer inspiring ideas, promising strategies, and potential pathways for developing advanced anti-BC strategy nanosystems in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (J.Z.); (Z.W.)
| | - Qian Li
- Medical Department, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China;
| | - Zhongping Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (J.Z.); (Z.W.)
| | - Ying Xu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (J.Z.); (Z.W.)
| | - Rilei Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (J.Z.); (Z.W.)
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Zhong XD, Chen LJ, Xu XY, Liu YJ, Tao F, Zhu MH, Li CY, Zhao D, Yang GJ, Chen J. Berberine as a potential agent for breast cancer therapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:993775. [PMID: 36119505 PMCID: PMC9480097 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.993775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a common malignancy that mainly occurred in women and it has become the most diagnosed cancer annually since 2020. Berberine (BBR), an alkaloid extracted from the Berberidacea family, has been found with broad pharmacological bioactivities including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-obesity, antidepressant, and anticancer effects. Mounting evidence shows that BBR is a safe and effective agent with good anticancer activity against BC. However, its detailed underlying mechanism in BC treatment remains unclear. Here, we will provide the evidence for BBR in BC therapy and summarize its potential mechanisms. This review briefly introduces the source, metabolism, and biological function of BBR and emphasizes the therapeutic effects of BBR against BC via directly interacting with effector proteins, transcriptional regulatory elements, miRNA, and several BBR-mediated signaling pathways. Moreover, the novel BBR-based therapeutic strategies against BC improve biocompatibility and water solubility, and the efficacies of BBR are also briefly discussed. Finally, the status of BBR in BC treatment and future research directions is also prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Dan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Li-Juan Chen
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xin-Yang Xu
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yan-Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Fan Tao
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ming-Hui Zhu
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Chang-Yun Li
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Dan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- *Correspondence: Guan-Jun Yang, ; Jiong Chen, ; Dan Zhao,
| | - Guan-Jun Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- *Correspondence: Guan-Jun Yang, ; Jiong Chen, ; Dan Zhao,
| | - Jiong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- *Correspondence: Guan-Jun Yang, ; Jiong Chen, ; Dan Zhao,
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