The citrus flavonoid hesperidin induces p53 and inhibits NF-κB activation in order to trigger apoptosis in NALM-6 cells: involvement of PPARγ-dependent mechanism

Gamma radiation assisted green synthesis of hesperidin-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite targeted JNK/SMAD4/MMP2 signaling pathway

In this study, a novel method for the fabrication of hesperidin/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (RGOH) with the assistance of gamma rays is reported. The different RGOHs were obtained by varying hesperidin concentrations (25, 50, 100, and 200 wt.%) in graphene oxide (GO) solution. Hesperidin concentrations (25, 50, 100, and 200 wt.%) in graphene oxide (GO) were varied to produce the various RGOHs. Upon irradiation with 80 kGy from γ-Ray, the successful reduction of GO occurred in the presence of hesperidin. The reduction process was confirmed by different characterization techniques such as FTIR, XRD, HRTEM, and Raman Spectroscopy. A cytotoxicity study using the MTT method was performed to evaluate the cytotoxic-anticancer effects of arbitrary RGOH on Wi38, CaCo2, and HepG2 cell lines. The assessment of RGOH's anti-inflammatory activity, including the monitoring of IL-1B and IL-6 activities as well as NF-kB gene expression was done. In addition, the anti-invasive and antimetastatic properties of RGOH, ICAM, and VCAM were assessed. Additionally, the expression of the MMP2-9 gene was quantified. The assessment of apoptotic activity was conducted by the detection of gene expressions related to BCl2 and P53. The documentation of the JNK/SMAD4/MMP2 signaling pathway was ultimately accomplished. The findings of our study indicate that RGOH therapy has significant inhibitory effects on the JNK/SMAD4/MMP2 pathway. This suggests that it could be a potential therapeutic option for cancer.

Recent understanding of the mechanisms of the biological activities of hesperidin and hesperetin and their therapeutic effects on diseases

Flavonoids are natural phytochemicals that have therapeutic effects and act in the prevention of several pathologies. These phytochemicals can be found in lemon, sweet orange, bitter orange, clementine. Hesperidin and hesperetin are citrus flavonoids from the flavanones subclass that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor and antibacterial potential. Preclinical studies and clinical trials demonstrated therapeutical effects of hesperidin and its aglycone hesperetin in various diseases, such as bone diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, digestive diseases, urinary tract diseases. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the biological activities of hesperidin and hesperetin, their therapeutic potential in various diseases and their associated molecular mechanisms. This article also discusses future considerations for the clinical applications of hesperidin and hesperetin.

Therapeutic effect of 5-ASA and hesperidin-loaded chitosan/Eudragit® S100 nanoparticles as a pH-sensitive carrier for local targeted drug delivery in a rat model of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic disease characterized by colonic mucosal tissue destruction secondary to an excessive immune response. We synthesized pH-sensitive cross-linked chitosan/Eudragit® S100 nanoparticles (EU S100/CS NPs) as carriers for 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and hesperidin (HSP), then conducted in-vitro and in-vivo studies and evaluated the therapeutic effects. In-vitro analysis revealed that the 5-ASA-loaded EU S100/CS NPs and the HSP-loaded EU S100/CS NPs had smooth and curved surfaces and ranged in size between 250 and 300 nm, with a zeta potential of 32 to 34 mV. FTIR analysis demonstrated that the drugs were loaded on the nanoparticles without significant alterations. The loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of loading 5-ASA onto EU S100/CS NPs were 25.13 % and 60.81 %, respectively. Regarding HSP, these values were 38.34 % and 77.84 %, respectively. Drug release did not occur in simulated gastric fluid (SGF), while a slow-release pattern was recorded for both drugs in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). In-vivo macroscopic and histopathological examinations revealed that both NPs containing drugs significantly relieved the symptoms of acetic acid (AA)-induced UC in Wistar rats. We conclude that the synthesized pH-sensitive 5-ASA/EU S100/CS NPs and HSP/EU S100/CS NPs offer promise in treating UC.

Benefits of topical natural ingredients in epidermal permeability barrier

Because of the crucial role of epidermal permeability barrier in regulation of cutaneous and extracutaneous functions, great efforts have been made to identify and develop the regimens that can improve epidermal permeability barrier function. Studies have demonstrated that oral administration of natural ingredients can improve epidermal permeability barrier in various skin conditions, including inflammatory dermatoses and UV-irradiation. Moreover, topical applications of some natural ingredients can also accelerate the repair of epidermal permeability barrier after acute barrier disruption and lower transepidermal water loss in the intact skin. Natural ingredient-induced improvements in epidermal permeability barrier function can be attributable to upregulation of keratinocyte differentiation, lipid production, antioxidant, hyaluronic acid production, expression of aquaporin 3 and sodium-hydrogen exchanger 1. In this review, we summarize the benefits of topical natural ingredients in epidermal permeability barrier in normal skin with or without acute barrier disruption and the underlying mechanisms.

Orange-derived extracellular vesicles nanodrugs for efficient treatment of ovarian cancer assisted by transcytosis effect

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently received much attention about the application of drug carriers due to their desirable properties such as nano-size, biocompatibility, and high stability. Herein, we demonstrate orange-derived extracellular vesicles (OEV) nanodrugs (DN@OEV) by modifying cRGD-targeted doxorubicin (DOX) nanoparticles (DN) onto the surface of OEV, enabling significantly enhancing tumor accumulation and penetration, thereby efficiently inhibiting the growth of ovarian cancer. The obtained DN@OEV enabled to inducement of greater transcytosis capability in ovarian cancer cells, which presented the average above 10-fold transcytosis effect compared with individual DN. It was found that DN@OEV could trigger receptor-mediated endocytosis to promote early endosome/recycling endosomes pathway for exocytosis and simultaneously reduce degradation in the early endosomes-late endosomes-lysosome pathway, thereby inducing the enhanced transcytosis. In particular, the zombie mouse model bearing orthotopic ovarian cancer further validated DN@OEV presented high accumulation and penetration in tumor tissue by the transcytosis process. Our study indicated the strategy in enhancing transcytosis has significant implications for improving the therapeutic efficacy of the drug delivery system.

Effects of hesperidin on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant response in healthy people: a meta-analysis and meta-regression

Hesperidin is a prominent flavanone found in citrus fruits that has a broad range of biological effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities. The study's objective was to evaluate the effects of hesperidin supplementation on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant parameters such as MDA, TAC, GSH, SOD, and CAT; CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-4 levels respectively, by analyzing human intervention trials. Google Scholar, PubMed, grey literature databases, and the ClinicalTrials website were scanned to identify eligible studies. For the meta-analysis, eighteen studies were chosen. Hesperidin supplementation had significant lowering effect on not only CRP, IL-6, and IL-4 levels but also MDA level (Meta-regression analysis revealed a non-significant direct relationship between hesperidin dosage and chance in CRP, IL-6, and MDA levels. As a result, it can be said that hesperidin supplementation contributes to the inflammatory and antioxidant response, but this contribution is independent of dosage.

Virtual screening indicates potential inhibitors of the P2X7 receptor

Anti-inflammatory agents can be synthetic or natural compounds and are often used to attenuate different levels of inflammation. Inflammatory diseases, due to the involvement of multiple systems, are becoming difficult to treat, involve long durations of therapy where applicable, have a high cost of management and have a deleterious impact on public health. The search for natural and synthetic compounds with anti-inflammatory activity is an important strategy in drug design. Bioactive synthetic drugs may be repurposed for other pharmacological applications, and natural product chemical structures offer unlimited opportunities for new drug discoveries due to the unparalleled availability of chemical diversity. Virtual screening of 2774 molecules on the mouse P2X7 protein showed that potential ligands are composed of five flavonoids (narirutin, diosmin, complanatuside, hesperidin, and oroxin B) and other drugs such as velpatasvir, itacitinib and lifitegrast. In vitro studies in mouse cells confirmed the inhibitory activity of the indicated ligands on the P2X7 receptor by applying virtual screening. The behavior of protein bonded to the ligands was verified by analysis of the molecular dynamic simulation trajectories for four of the most potent inhibitor compounds, indicating that the ligands velpatasvir, itacitinib, lithospermic acid and narirutin remained in the binding site indicated by molecular docking.

Hesperidin, a Bioflavonoid in Cancer Therapy: A Review for a Mechanism of Action through the Modulation of Cell Signaling Pathways

Cancer represents one of the most frequent causes of death in the world. The current therapeutic options, including radiation therapy and chemotherapy, have various adverse effects on patients' health. In this vista, the bioactive ingredient of natural products plays a vital role in disease management via the inhibition and activation of biological processes such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell signaling molecules. Although natural products are not a substitute for medicine, they can be effective adjuvants or a type of supporting therapy. Hesperidin, a flavonoid commonly found in citrus fruits, with its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties, and cardio-preventive factor for disease prevention, is well-known. Furthermore, its anticancer potential has been suggested to be a promising alternative in cancer treatment or management through the modulation of signal transduction pathways, which includes apoptosis, cell cycle, angiogenesis, ERK/MAPK, signal transducer, and the activator of transcription and other cell signaling molecules. Moreover, its role in the synergistic effects with anticancer drugs and other natural compounds has been described properly. The present article describes how hesperidin affects various cancers by modulating the various cell signaling pathways.

In vitro synergistic effect of hesperidin and doxorubicin downregulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in highly metastatic breast cancer cells

Background

We previously reported that in highly metastatic breast cancer cells, doxorubicin (DOX) at non-toxic concentrations promoted cell migration and invasion. Hesperidin (30, 5, 9-dihydroxy-40-methoxy-7-orutinosyl flavanone) is a flavonoid glycoside isolated from citrus/lemon plant that possesses a cytotoxic effect in several cancer cells. In this study, we investigate whether DOX efficacy is enhanced by hesperidin (Hsd) and the molecular pathway involved in highly metastatic breast cancer, 4T1.

Methods

Combined cytotoxicity of Hsd and DOX was evaluated with MTT assay and was analyzed using Chou-Talalay’s method. To better understand the underlying mechanism, several factors, including apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition, antimigration activity was evaluated by scratch wound healing assay, MMP-9 expression by ELISA and gelatin zymography, and Rac-1 protein level using western blot. The data on survival rate and expression level of MMP-9 and Rac-1 were obtained from Gene Expression OMNIBUS (GEO).

Results

Under MTT assay, Hsd showed a cytotoxic effect in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 284 µM on 4T1 cells. Hsd synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic effect of DOX which seemed to correlate with an increase in apoptotic cell death, G2/M cell cycle arrest and blocked the migration of 4T1 cells. At 10 nM, doxorubicin induced lamellipodia formation, and increased the level of Rac-1 and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression. Interestingly, combined treatment of DOX and Hsd dramatically downregulated the expression of MMP-9 and Rac-1. These results indicated that Hsd block the cell migration induced by DOX under in vitro studies.

Conclusion

These findings strongly suggest that Hsd possesses a potential synergistic effect that can be developed to enhance the anticancer efficacy of DOX and reduce the risks of chemotherapy use in highly metastatic breast cancer.

Metabolomic Analysis of Phytochemical Compounds from Ethanolic Extract of Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) Peel and Its Anti-Cancer Effects against Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Lime peels are food waste from lime product manufacturing. We previously developed and optimized a green extraction method for hesperidin-limonin-rich lime peel extract. This study aimed to identify the metabolomics profile of phytochemicals and the anti-cancer effects of ethanolic extract of lime (Citrus aurantifolia) peel against liver cancer cells PLC/PRF/5. The extract’s metabolomics profile was analyzed by using LC-qTOF/MS and GC-HRMS. The anti-cancer effects were studied by using MTT assay, Annexin-PI assay, and Transwell-invasion assay. Results show that the average IC50(s) of hesperidin, limonin, and the extract on cancer cells’ viability were 165.615, 188.073, and 503.004 µg/mL, respectively. At the IC50 levels, the extract induced more apoptosis than those of pure compounds when incubating for 24 and 48 h (p < 0.0001). A combination of limonin and hesperidin showed a synergistic effect on apoptosis induction (p < 0.001), but the effect of the combination was still less than that of the extract at 48 h. Furthermore, the extract significantly inhibited cancer cell invasion better than limonin but equal to hesperidin. At the IC50 level, the extract contains many folds lower amounts of hesperidin and limonin than the IC50 doses of the pure compounds. Besides limonin and hesperidin, there were another 60 and 22 compounds detected from the LCMS and GCMS analyses, respectively. Taken altogether, the superior effect of the ethanolic extract against liver cancer cells compared to pure compound likely results from the combinatorial effects of limonin, hesperidin, and other phytochemical components in the extract.

Hesperidin Induced HePG-2 Cell Apoptosis through ROS-Mediated p53/Bcl-2/Bax and p-mTOR Signaling Pathways

Recently, research showed that one of the most common kinds of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is also the fourth main cause of cancer deaths. In studies regarding chemicals to better treat the disease, hesperidin shows a novel potential in performing anticancer activities, particularly in liver cancer. However, the specific mechanism of hesperidin that causes such activities remains a mystery. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate hesperidin’s effect on cell proliferation and activation of ROS-mediated signaling pathways in HePG-2 cells. Hesperidin shows a significant impact on inhibiting HePG-2 cells’ proliferation through induction of cell apoptosis by Bcl-2, Bax, and p53 pathways. Treating cells with hesperidin in a dose-dependent manner shows a significant increase in the apoptotic cell population (sub-G1). Moreover, Hesperidin’s induction of apoptotic activities shows dependence on ROS (reactive oxygen species) overproduction, further affecting the p-mTOR pathways and leading to DNA damage. Hence, the overall data demonstrate that ROS-mediated signaling pathways exhibit mechanisms that may lead to useful information for interpreting hesperidin-induced hepatocarcinoma cell apoptosis.

Mechanism of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium as an Anticancer Agent from the Perspective of Flavonoids: A Review

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), also known as “chenpi”, is the most common qi-regulating drug in traditional Chinese medicine. It is often used to treat cough and indigestion, but in recent years, it has been found to have multi-faceted anti-cancer effects. This article reviews the pharmacology of CRP and the mechanism of the action of flavonoids, the key components of CRP, against cancers including breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, hepatic carcinoma, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, bladder cancer and other cancers with a high diagnosis rate. Finally, the specific roles of CRP in important phenotypes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy and migration–invasion in cancer were analyzed, and the possible prospects and deficiencies of CRP as an anticancer agent were evaluated.

Impact of Phytochemicals on PPAR Receptors: Implications for Disease Treatments

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are members of the ligand-dependent nuclear receptor family. PPARs have attracted wide attention as pharmacologic mediators to manage multiple diseases and their underlying signaling targets. They mediate a broad range of specific biological activities and multiple organ toxicity, including cellular differentiation, metabolic syndrome, cancer, atherosclerosis, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammation related to their up/downstream signaling pathways. Consequently, several types of selective PPAR ligands, such as fibrates and thiazolidinediones (TZDs), have been approved as their pharmacological agonists. Despite these advances, the use of PPAR agonists is known to cause adverse effects in various systems. Conversely, some naturally occurring PPAR agonists, including polyunsaturated fatty acids and natural endogenous PPAR agonists curcumin and resveratrol, have been introduced as safe agonists as a result of their clinical evidence or preclinical experiments. This review focuses on research on plant-derived active ingredients (natural phytochemicals) as potential safe and promising PPAR agonists. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive review and critique of the role of phytochemicals in PPARs-related diseases and provides an understanding of phytochemical-mediated PPAR-dependent and -independent cascades. The findings of this research will help to define the functions of phytochemicals as potent PPAR pharmacological agonists in underlying disease mechanisms and their related complications.

Potential effects of fructus aurantii ethanol extracts against colitis-associated carcinogenesis through coordination of Notch/NF-κB/IL-1 signaling pathways

Colitis-associated cancer (CAC) is the colorectal cancer (CRC) subtype that is difficult to treat, and shows high mortality. The consumption of flavonoid-rich fructus aurantii extracts (FAE) has been associated with multiple beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, but the potential effects on the colitis-associated carcinogenesis have not been thoroughly investigated. Recent clinical data show that, as yet, few agents clearly inhibited CRC development in long-standing inflammatory bowel diseases. Here, we identified that FAE showed significant efficiency to inhibit HT-29 cell proliferation. The potential of FAE in vivo was further evaluated in an AOM/DSS-induced CAC mouse model. Intriguingly, FAE diminished the number of polyps in mice. Furthermore, FAE inhibited CAC by regulating the gene expression of Notch/ NF-κB/IL-1 signaling pathways. Collectively, these results were indicative of FAE has great potential in CAC prevention and treatment.

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium alleviates postmyocardial infarction heart failure by upregulating PPARγ expression

Heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been used in the clinic for centuries. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of CRP in cardiac remodeling and heart failure after MI, as well as the molecular mechanisms involved. Male C57BL/6 mice aged 8 weeks were subjected to coronary artery ligation to mimic the clinical situation in vivo. Echocardiography was used to assess the systolic function of the mouse heart. Masson trichrome staining and Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining were utilized to determine the fibrotic area and cross-sectional area of the mouse heart, respectively. Cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts were isolated from neonatal rats aged 0-3 days in vitro using enzyme digestion. TUNEL staining and EdU staining were performed to evaluate apoptosis and proliferation, respectively. Gene expression changes were analyzed by qRT-PCR, and protein expression changes were assessed by Western blotting. Our findings revealed that CRP attenuated cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and apoptosis and alleviated heart failure after MI in vivo. Furthermore, CRP mitigated cardiomyocyte apoptosis and fibroblast proliferation and differentiation into myofibroblasts. In addition, the PPARγ inhibitor T0070907 completely abolished the abovementioned beneficial effects of CRP, and the PPARγ activator rosiglitazone failed to further ameliorate cardiac apoptosis and fibrosis in vitro. CRP alleviates cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and apoptosis and can ameliorate heart failure after MI via activation of PPARγ. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling by gallic acid suppresses progression of human breast cancer in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

Despite the significant advances in diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer remains the most common malignancy and the second cause of death in women. Increasingly, preclinical evidence has suggested aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), a ligand activated transcription factor, a promising therapeutic target in breast cancer.

PURPOSE

This study aims at screening a number of phenolic compounds to identify an Ahr ligand with suppressive effects on human breast cancer.

METHODS

Potential interactions between Ahr and phenolic compounds were predicted in silico, and physical interaction was examined by ligand competitive binding in vitro. The MDA-MB-231 and T47D breast cancer cell lines were used to examine the expression of Ahr downstream genes and progression of breast cancer cells in vitro. Binding of Ahr/Ahr nuclear transporter (Arnt) complex to the xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE)-box was examined by DNA-protein interaction (DPI)-ELISA, promoter activity was assessed using luciferase reporter system, and RNA interreference was carried out using electroporation. The real-time PCR and/or immunoblotting were used to quantify gene expressions. Tumor growth in vivo was assessed using a murine orthotopic model.

RESULTS

A combined computational modeling and in vitro approaches identified gallic acid (GA) as an Ahr ligand with agonistic properties. It induced binding of Ahr/Arnt to the XRE-box, enhanced the promoter activity and expression of Ahr downstream genes including cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), and SRY-related HMG-box4 (SOX4)-targeting miR-212/132 cluster and miR-335 in both MDA-MB-231 and T47D cells. GA increased apoptosis while decreased proliferation, migration and invasion capacities of breast cancer cells in an Ahr-dependent fashion. Furthermore, it reduced the levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and SOX4, while selectively increased that of tumor protein 53 (P53), in an Ahr-dependent and -independent fashions. In an in vivo orthotopic model, GA activated Ahr signaling and reduced the growth of breast cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

We identified GA as an Ahr phenolic ligand, and provided evidence on the role of Ahr in mediating its anti-breast cancer effects, indicating that GA, and possibly other phenolic compounds, have important therapeutic implications in human breast cancer through activation of Ahr signaling.

Nobiletin as a chemopreventive natural product against cancer, a comprehensive review

As a leading cause of death, second only to heart disease, cancer has always been one of the burning topics in medical research. When targeting multiple signal pathways in tumorigenesis chemoprevention, using natural or synthetic anti-cancer drugs is a vital strategy to reduce cancer damage. However, toxic effects, multidrug resistance (MDR) as well as cancer stem cells (CSCs) all prominently limited the clinical application of conventional anticancer drugs. With low side effects, strong biological activity, unique mechanism, and wide range of targets, natural products derived from plants are considered significant sources for new drug development. Nobiletin is one of the most attractive compounds, a unique flavonoid primarily isolated from the peel of citrus fruits. Numerous studies in vitro and in vivo have suggested that nobiletin and its derivatives possess the eminent potential to become effective cancer chemoprevention agents through various cellular and molecular levels. This article aims to comprehensively review the anticancer efficacy and specific mechanisms of nobiletin, enhancing our understanding of its chemoprevention properties and providing the latest research findings. At the end of this review, we also give some discussion and future perspectives regarding the challenges and opportunities in nobiletin efficient exploitation.

An Overview of Bioactive Flavonoids from Citrus Fruits

Citrus species are one of the world’s popular fruit crops, cultivated all over the world for their economic and nutritional values. Citrus, like other fruits and vegetables, are an important source of several antioxidant molecules (polyphenols, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids) that can inhibit the harmful effects of free radicals on the human body; due to their functional values and health-promoting properties, Citrus species are considered valuable fruits not only in agri-food industry, but also in pharmaceutical industry. Flavonoids are among the major constituents of polyphenols found in different parts of Citrus fruits (skin, peels, seed, pulp membrane, and juice). Flavonoids have different biological properties (antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial activities). Several studies have also shown the health-related properties of Citrus flavonoids, especially antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammation, anti-aging, and cardiovascular protection activities. In the present review, attempts are made to discuss the current trends of research on flavonoids in different Citrus species.

Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment and Hippocampal Neurogenesis: A Review of Physiological Mechanisms and Interventions

A wide range of cognitive deficits, including memory loss associated with hippocampal dysfunction, have been widely reported in cancer survivors who received chemotherapy. Changes in both white matter and gray matter volume have been observed following chemotherapy treatment, with reduced volume in the medial temporal lobe thought to be due in part to reductions in hippocampal neurogenesis. Pre-clinical rodent models confirm that common chemotherapeutic agents used to treat various forms of non-CNS cancers reduce rates of hippocampal neurogenesis and impair performance on hippocampally-mediated learning and memory tasks. We review the pre-clinical rodent literature to identify how various chemotherapeutic drugs affect hippocampal neurogenesis and induce cognitive impairment. We also review factors such as physical exercise and environmental stimulation that may protect against chemotherapy-induced neurogenic suppression and hippocampal neurotoxicity. Finally, we review pharmacological interventions that target the hippocampus and are designed to prevent or reduce the cognitive and neurotoxic side effects of chemotherapy.

Hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Vaccinium ashei Reade promotes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis on T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Vaccinium ashei Reade, popularly known as Rabbiteye blueberry, has several therapeutic properties attributed to the phenolic compounds present in its leaves and fruits. Here, we sought to evaluate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract from V. ashei leaves (Bluegem cultivar, VAB) in T-cell Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). The VAB extract was toxic to T-ALL cells at the ∼60 µg/ml concentration. T-ALL cell death occurred through apoptosis. VAB extract was found to induce micronuclei formation, p53 pathway activation, and cell cycle arrest. Those mutagenic effects were evidenced through microscopy analysis and molecular p53 pathway activation. A series of phenolic compounds were identified in VAB extract by mass spectrometry, such as vanillic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, coumaric acid, taxifolin, quercetin and naringenin, some of which are presumed to induce DNA damage. In conclusion, the V. ashei leaves extract may have important secondary metabolites with antileukemic properties.

The Use of Bio-Active Compounds of Citrus Fruits as Chemopreventive Agents and Inhibitor of Cancer Cells Viability

Common therapy of cancer, such as chemotherapy, has various side effects for the patients. In recent studies, new therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment are adjuvant therapy, along with a reduction in side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Treatment by herbal medicines may have some advantages over treatment with single purified chemicals, also in terms of side effects, the use of plants in cancer treatment is a more secure method. Citrus fruits are one of the most consumed natural products in the world due to the presence of various metabolites and bioactive compounds, such as phenols, flavonoids and, carotenoids. Bioactive compounds of citrus modulate signaling pathways and interact with signaling molecules such as apoptotic and cell cycle (P53, P21, etc.) and thus have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and oxidative stress. The findings discussed in this review strongly support their potential as anti-cancer agents. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to examine the effects of active compounds in citrus as a therapy agent in cancer treatment.

Identification of key genes of hesperidin in inhibition of breast cancer stem cells by functional network analysis

Breast cancer therapy with classical chemotherapy is unable to eradicate breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Loss of p53 function causes growth and differentiation in cancer stem cells (CSCs); therefore, p53-targeted compounds can be developed for BCSCs-targeted drugs. Previously, hesperidin (HES), a citrus flavonoid, showed anticancer activities and increased efficacy of chemotherapy in several types of cancer in vitro and in vivo. This study was aimed to explore the key protein and molecular mechanism of hesperidin in the inhibition of BCSCs using bioinformatics and in vitro study. Bioinformatics analysis revealed about 75 potential therapeutic target proteins of HES in BCSCs (TH), in which TP53 was the only direct target protein (DTP) with a high degree score. Furthermore, the results of GO enrichment analysis showed that TH was taken part in the biological process of regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis also showed that TH is involved in several pathways, including cell cycle, p53 signaling pathway. In vitro experiment results showed that HES inhibited cell proliferation, mammosphere, and a colony formation, and migration in on MCF-7 3D cells (mammospheres). HES induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells 3D. In addition, HES treatment reduced the mRNA level of p21 but increased the mRNA level of cyclin D1 and p53 in the mammosphere. HES inhibits BCSCs in mammospheres. More importantly, this study highlighted p53 as a key protein in inhibition of BCSCs by HES. Future studies on the molecular mechanism are needed to validate the results of this study.

Therapeutic potential of hesperidin and its aglycone hesperetin: Cell cycle regulation and apoptosis induction in cancer models

BACKGROUND

The ability of cancer cells to divide without restriction and to escape programmed cell death is a feature of the proliferative state. Citrus flavanones are flavonoids with potential multiple anticancer actions, from antioxidant and chemopreventive, to anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, cytostatic and cytotoxic in different cancer models.

PURPOSE

This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the antiproliferative actions of the citrus flavanones hesperidin (HSD) and hesperetin (HST), with emphasis on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

METHODS

Cochrane Library, Scopus, Pubmed and Web of Science collection databases were queried for publications reporting antiproliferative effects of HSD and HST in cancer models.

RESULTS

HSD and HST have been proven to delay cell proliferation in several cancer models. Depending on the compound, dose and cell line studied, different effects have been reported. Cell cycle arrest associated with cytostatic effects has been reported in cells with increased levels of p53 and also cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, as well as decreased levels of specific cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases. Moreover, apoptotic effects have been found to be associated with altered ratios of pro-/antiapoptotic proteins, caspase activation, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway activation and caspase-independent pathways.

CONCLUSION

Available scientific literature data indicate complex effects, dependent on cell lines and exposure conditions, suggesting that HSD and HST doses need to be optimized according to the cellular and organismal context. The establishment of the main antiproliferative mechanisms is of utmost importance for a possible therapeutic benefit of citrus flavanones in the context of cancer.

Comparison Among Garlic, Berberine, Resveratrol,Hibiscus sabdariffa, GenusZizyphus, Hesperidin, Red Beetroot,Catha edulis,Portulaca oleracea, and Mulberry Leaves in the Treatment of Hypertension and Type 2 DM: A Comprehensive Review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension are 2 of the most prevalent diseases with poor impact on health status worldwide. In most cases, they coexist with other metabolic disorders as well as cardiac, micro- and macrovascular complications. Many plants are known for their hypotensive, cardioprotective, and/or antidiabetic activities. Their active ingredients either identified and isolated or still utilized as herbal preparations of certain plant parts. The use of medicinal plants comprises the main basis for most of the traditional medicine (TM) systems and procedures. As conventional medicines seem insufficient to control such progressive diseases, herbal agents from TM could be used as adjuvant with good impact on disease control and progression as well as other concomitant health conditions. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of 10 different herbal medicines of botanical origin or herbal preparations in the management of hypertension and its cardiovascular complications and type 2 DM along with various coexisting health disorders. These herbal medicines are garlic, berberine, resveratrol, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Zizyphus ( oxyphylla, mucronate, jujube, rugosa), hesperidin, red beetroot, Catha edulis, mulberry leaves, and Portulaca oleracea.

Molecular mechanisms of action of hesperidin in cancer: Recent trends and advancements

Hesperidin belongs to flavanones class of flavonoids and is known to possess broad-spectrum applicability to prevent dreadful diseases such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer. The reported anticancer effects of hesperidin have been found to be associated with its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Hesperidin interacts with numerous recognized cellular targets and inhibits cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In addition, evidence has suggested its promising role in inhibiting tumor cell metastasis, angiogenesis, and chemoresistance. The present mini-review highlights the ongoing development to identify hesperidin targets in cancer. Furthermore, the potential of nano technology-based hesperidin combinations and delivery systems will also be discussed. Overall, this review highlights all the possible molecular targets affected by hesperidin in tumor cells on a single platform.

Impact statement

Experimental findings from numerous studies have demonstrated the anticancer effects of hesperidin (Hesp) to be associated with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities along with its potential role in inhibiting the tumor cell metastasis and angiogenesis. Additionally, Hesp can also reverse drug resistance of cancer cells, which make it a promising candidate to be used in combination with existing anti-cancer drugs. This review will be helpful for upcoming researchers and scientific community to find out complete capsular package about cancer drug targets of Hesp and its role in modulating various important hallmarks of cancer.

Chemopreventive effect of hesperidin, a citrus bioflavonoid in two stage skin carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice

The cancer-protective ability of hesperidin was investigated on 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced skin carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. Topical application of DMBA+TPA on mice skin led to 100% tumour incidence and rise in average number of tumours. Administration of different doses of hesperidin (HPD) before (pre) or after (post) and continuous (pre and post) DMBA application significantly reduced tumour incidence and average number of tumours in comparison to DMBA+TPA treatment alone. Topical application of DMBA+TPA increased oxidative stress as shown by significantly increased TBARS values and reduced glutathione contents, and glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Hesperidin treatment significantly reduced TBARS values and elevated glutathione concentration and glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the skin/tumors of mice treated with HPD+DMBA+TPA, HPD+DMBA+TPA+HPD or DMBA+TPA+HPD when compared to DMBA+TPA application alone. The study of molecular mechanisms showed that hesperidin suppressed expression of Rassf7, Nrf2, PARP and NF-κB in a dose dependent manner with a maximum inhibition at the level of 300 mg/kg body weight hesperidin. In conclusion, oral administration of hesperidin protected mice against chemical carcinogenesis by increasing antioxidant status, reducing DMBA+TPA induced lipid peroxidation and inflammatory response, and repressing of Rassf7, Nrf2, PARP and NF-κB levels.

Chemical modifications of polysaccharides and their anti-tumor activities

With the rising trend of incidence of cancers, effective therapies are urgently needed to control human malignancies. However, the chemotherapy drugs currently on the market cause serious side effects. Polysaccharides belong to a class of biomacromolecules, which have drawn considerable research interest over the years as it possess anti-cancer activities or can increase the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy drugs with fewer side effects. The antitumor activity of many polysaccharides was significantly increased after modification. Based on these encouraging observations, a great deal of effort has been focused on discovering anti-cancer polysaccharides and modified derivatives for the development of effective therapeutics for various human cancers. This review highlights recent advances on the major chemical modification methods of polysaccharides, and discusses the effect of molecular modification on the physicochemical properties and anti-tumor activities of polysaccharides. Meanwhile, the underlying anti-tumor mechanisms of polysaccharide and its modified derivatives were also discussed.

The Mediterranean Diet as source of bioactive compounds with multi-targeting anti-cancer profile

Many bioactive agents have been extracted from plants or belong to functional foods and have been considered in the treatment of serious and multifactorial diseases, such as cancer. In particular, this review is focused on the anti-cancer properties owned by several natural products typically from the Mediterranean area. In some regions of the South of Italy, a lower cancer incidence has been observed. There is increasing evidence that adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern correlates with reduced risk of several cancer types. This could be mainly attributed to the typical lifestyle aspects of the Mediterranean diet, such as high consumption of fruit and vegetables. In this review, the main natural products of the Mediterranean area are discussed, with particular attention on their anti-cancer properties endowed with multi-target profiles.

Fabrication of hesperidin nanoparticles loaded by poly lactic co-Glycolic acid for improved therapeutic efficiency and cytotoxicity

Hesperidin, as a flavonone, is recognized as promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer agent. Its poor bioavailability is crucial bottleneck for therapeutic efficacy. To enhance the stability and bioactive potentials, hesperidin -PLGA-Poloxamer 407 was successfully prepared to minimize or overcome problems associated with hesperidin absorption. The characteristics of nanohesperidin were testing by in vitro dissolution study, XRD, FTIR, PSA and SEM. Antioxidant effects of nanohesperidin were studied. The structure-activity relationship analysis with antioxidant pharmacophore has been performed by using density functional theory method and quantum chemical calculations. The structural properties were investigated using Becke three-parameter hybrid exchange and the Lee-Yang-Parr correction functional methods. Nanohesperidin was found to decrease the H₂O₂ activity-induced DNA instability. Blood compatibility on human erythrocytes was confirmed by haemolytic and in vitro toxicity assessments. The in vitro anticancer activity of nanohesperidin towards MCF-7 cells using various parameters was carried out. The nanohesperidin was found to exert cell growth arrest, activated DNA fragmentation and induced apoptotic cell death through caspase-3 and p53-dependent pathways. These findings showed that nanohesperidin play an important role in its anticancer effects, suggesting might be used for clinical trials and can represent driving formulation for novel chemotherapeutic agents.

Citrus Flavanones Enhance β-Carotene Uptake in Vitro Experiment Using Caco-2 Cell: Structure-Activity Relationship and Molecular Mechanisms

Flavonoids can interfere with the absorption of carotenoids. In this study, the inherent mechanisms of 12 citrus flavanones for β-carotene (Bc) cellular uptake and the structure-activity relationship were investigated. The results showed that multiple hydroxyl groups had the lowest promoting effect. O-Glycosylation at C7 of the A ring led to the greatest promoting effect on Bc absorption. O-Glycosylation at C7 exhibited a strong affinity with the cell membrane and subsequently fluidized the cell membrane. Aglycon molecules significantly induced transient increases of paracellular permeability by decreasing tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-1) expression. In addition, citrus flavanones might enhance scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) expression via their actions as agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ). Catechol structure in the B-ring attenuated the activate action of SR-BI expression. The structure-dependent membrane permeability and activation of specific membrane proteins are mechanistically associated with the promoting effect on Bc cellular uptake by citrus flavanones.

Hesperetin and Hesperidin Improved β-Carotene Incorporation Efficiency, Intestinal Cell Uptake, and Retinoid Concentrations in Tissues

Dietary constituents can influence the bioavailability of carotenoids. This study investigated the effect of citrus flavanones on β-carotene (Bc) bioavailability using four experimental models: in vitro digestion procedure, synthetic mixed micelles, Caco-2 cell monolayers, and gavage experiments in mice. The addition of hesperetin (Hes, 25 μM) and hesperidin (Hes-G, 25 μM) standards significantly increased the incorporation efficiency of the Bc standard to 68.7 ± 3.6 and 75.2 ± 7.5% ( p < 0.05), respectively. However, the addition of naringenin (Nar, 25 μM) and naringin (Nar-G, 25 μM) standards significantly reduced the incorporation efficiency of Bc by 23.8 and 26.4%, respectively ( p < 0.05). The increases in scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) expression promoted by citrus flavanones played an important role in Bc cellular absorption in the Caco-2 cell model. Furthermore, after 3 days of gavage, four citrus flavanones (7.5 mg kg^-1 day^-1) increased the retinoid concentrations in tissues; in contrast, after 7 days of gavage, Nar and Nar-G significantly decreased hepatic retinoid concentrations ( p < 0.05). This finding suggested that the incorporation efficiency into micelles was the main step governing carotenoid bioavailability.

Hesperidin structurally modified by gamma irradiation induces apoptosis in murine melanoma B16BL6 cells and inhibits both subcutaneous tumor growth and metastasis in C57BL/6 mice

Hesperidin is a flavonoid which occurs in citrus fruits. Hesperidin was gamma-irradiated at doses of 0, 30, 70, and 150 kGy. Gamma irradiation induced a decreased hesperidin peak, and a new radiolytic peak that gradually increased up to 150 kGy. The new radiolytic peak was fractionated, and the fractionated hesperidin derivative was used for subsequent experiments. Hesperidin gamma-irradiated at 150 kGy was toxic toward B16BL6 cells, but not toward bone marrow-derived macrophages. This cytotoxicity was exerted via induction of apoptosis, as reflected by the high population of double-positive cells, increased sub-G1 phase cells, depolarization of matrix metalloproteinase, production of reactive oxygen species, weakness of cell adhesion, changes in cell morphology, and inhibition of B16BL6 cell migration. Furthermore, 150 kGy gamma-irradiated hesperidin decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and pro-caspases-3 and -9, increased the expression of Bax and cytosolic cytochrome c, and increased the cleavage of poly ADP ribose polymerase. In vitro mechanistic study revealed that 150 kGy gamma-irradiated hesperidin achieved significantly greater inhibition of lung metastasis and growth of melanoma B16BL6 cells in C57BL/6 mice than non-irradiated intact hesperidin did. These results suggest that the structural modification of hesperidin induced by gamma irradiation could facilitate the development of anti-cancer drugs.

Hesperidin as a Neuroprotective Agent: A Review of Animal and Clinical Evidence

Neuroprotection is the preservation of function and networks of neural tissues from damages caused by various agents, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's diseases, and multiple sclerosis. Hesperidin, a flavanone glycoside, is a natural phenolic compound with a wide range of biological effects. Mounting evidence has demonstrated that hesperidin possesses inhibitory effect against development of neurodegenerative diseases. Our review discusses neuropharmacological mechanisms for preventive and therapeutic effects of hesperidin in neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, the review examines clinical evidence confirming its neuroprotective function. Various cellular and animal models specific to neurodegenerative diseases have been conducted to evaluate the underlying neuropharmacological mechanisms of hesperidin. Neuroprotective potential of this flavonoid is mediated by improvement of neural growth factors and endogenous antioxidant defense functions, diminishing neuro-inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. Despite the various preclinical studies on the role of hesperidin in the neurodegenerative diseases, less is known about its definite effect on humans. A limited number of clinical trials showed that hesperidin-enriched dietary supplements can significantly improve cerebral blood flow, cognition, and memory performance. Further clinical trials are also required for confirming neuroprotective efficacy of this natural flavonoid and evaluating its safety profile.

Adding Oral Pioglitazone to Standard Induction Chemotherapy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

The hypothesis of an effect by thiazolidinedione on leukemia cells was proposed 2 decades ago, but there is little clinical evidence regarding its efficacy. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of adding pioglitazone to standard induction chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this randomized clinical trial, newly diagnosed AML patients were randomized to 1 of 2 groups. Patients in both groups received cytarabine (100 mg/m² per day for 7 days) and daunorubicin (60 mg/m² per day for 3 days). Patients in the pioglitazone group additionally received oral pioglitazone (45 mg per day). The 2 groups were compared according to remission rate, laboratory findings, and adverse events during treatment.

RESULTS

Forty patients were evaluated, 20 patients in each group. The complete remission rate was 20% more in the pioglitazone group compared to the control group (P = .202). Complications due to pioglitazone discontinuation were observed in 2 cases. The mean serum alanine aminotransferase in the fourth treatment week was significantly more in pioglitazone group compared to the control group (65.5 vs. 33.6 mg/dL, P = .039). The mean serum creatinine in all treatment phases was significantly higher in the pioglitazone group compared to the control group (P < .05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding other laboratory findings (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

Adding pioglitazone to cytarabine and daunorubicin increased the remission rate in AML patients compared to control subjects. Although this difference in remission rate between the 2 groups was not statistically significant, it could be important in the clinical setting. Pioglitazone may provide benefits as an adjuvant therapy for AML patients without causing serious adverse events.

Ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammation by Hesperidin and vitamin E in doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy

Background

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a common chemotherapeutic drug. However, it causes cardiomyopathy which reduces its clinical use in human cancer therapy.

Objective

The purpose of our study was to assess the cardioprotective effect of hesperidin (HSP) and vitamin E (VIT.E) against DOX-induced cardiomyopathy.

Material and methods

Seventy rats were allocated into seven groups: control, HSP (50 mg/kg, orally), VIT.E (100 mg/kg orally), DOX [4 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)], DOX+HSP, DOX+VIT.E and DOX+HSP+VIT.E.

Results

Our findings showed that serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), myeloperoxidase (MPO), cardiac catalase and caspase activities as well as cardiac malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum nitric oxide (NO) concentrations were reduced DOX+HSP or DOX+VIT.E or DOX+VIT.E+HSP groups compared to DOX group. Whereas, cardiac reduced glutathione (GSH) level, serum arylesterase, and paraoxonase activities were higher in rats injected with DOX and administrated with HSP and VIT.E than that of rats injected with DOX only. Cardiac histopathology of DOX group showed some changes that were improved during administration with HSP and VIT.E.

Conclusion

HSP and VIT.E possess a protective effect against DOX-induced cardiomyopathy via inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Pharmacoinformatics approach for the identification of Polo-like kinase-1 inhibitors from natural sources as anti-cancer agents

Polo-like kinase-1 (PLK-1) plays a key role in cell cycle progression during mitosis. Overexpression/dysfunction of PLK-1 is directly associated with cancerous transformation and has been reported in different cancer types. Here, we employed high throughput virtual screening and molecular docking to screen Selleck's natural compound library against PLK-1 kinase domain. We have identified eight bioactive compounds (Apigenin, Dihydromyricetin, Diosmetin, Hesperidin, Hesperitin, Naringenin, Phlorizi, and Quercetin) as the potential inhibitors of PLK-1. Further investigation through Molecular Mechanics-Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) calculations and 15 ns molecular dynamics simulation revealed that hesperidin formed the most stable complex with PLK-1 kinase domain. Altogether, our results indicate that hesperidin interacted strongly with the key residues of the PLK-1 active site (such as Leu59, Lys61, Lys82, Cys133, Asn181, Asp194, Leu59, Cys67, Ala80, Val114, Leu130, Leu132, Cys133, Leu139, Phe183, and Phe195) through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. The Hesperidin-PLK-1 complex was stabilized by Gibb's free energy of -13.235 kcal/mol which corresponded to the binding affinity of 5.095 × 109 M-1. This is the first study wherein hesperidin has been identified as a potential inhibitor of PLK-1. Further design and optimization of the hesperidin scaffold as an inhibitor of PLK-1 kinase domain is highly recommended.

Metabolic profiling of four South African herbal teas using high resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance

Increased preference to herbal drinks has led to global interest in the use and production of different plant species for the preparation of various drink formulations. Medicinal properties derived from bioactive compounds remain the main driver of choice for herbal teas. This study determined the chemical variation in honeybush, rooibos, special and bush tea, profiled compounds responsible for such differences and compared their peak areas. Nuclear magnetic resonance and high resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to determine compound variation and profiling. Principal component analysis and partial-least square multivariate statistical analysis showed distinct differences (P < 0.05) between the different types of herbal teas. Detected compounds included flavonoids, phenolics, lignans, megastigmane glycoside, most of which possess health benefits. The findings showed that South African herbal teas could play a vital role as health promoting drinks, and that bush tea and special tea are phytochemically comparable with other commercialized herbal teas.

Anti-leukemic effects of PPARγ ligands

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, a subtype of PPARs, is a member of the nuclear receptor family. PPARγ and its ligands contribute to various types of diseases including cancer. Given that currently developed therapies against leukemia are not very effective or safe, PPARγ ligands have been shown to be a new class of compounds with the potential to treat hematologic malignancies, particularly leukemia. The capability of PPARγ ligands to induce apoptosis, inhibit proliferation, and promote differentiation of leukemia cells suggests it has significant potential as a drug against leukemia. However, the specific mechanisms and molecules involved are not well-understood, although a number of PPARγ ligands with anti-leukemic effects have been identified. This may explain why PPARγ ligands have not been widely evaluated in clinical trials. To fill the gaps in the lack of understanding of specific anti-leukemic processes of PPARγ ligands and further adapt these molecules as anti-leukemic agents, this review describes previous studies of the anti-leukemic effects of PPARγ ligands.

Hesperidin induces apoptosis and G0/G1 arrest in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells

Lung cancer has high incidence and mortality rates worldwide. In the present study, the mechanisms by which hesperidin decreases the viability and induces the apoptosis of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells were investigated. Initially, MTT and flow cytometric assays were performed to evaluate the effects of hesperidin on the viability and apoptosis of A549 cells and human normal lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells. The results revealed that hesperidin has no negative effects on the human normal lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells and the viability of cells treated with various concentrations of hesperidin was inhibited in a time- and dose-dependent manner compared with the control groups. Subsequently, the expression levels of proteins involved in the mitochondria-associated apoptotic pathway were studied by western blot analysis. Hesperidin was identified to induce A549 cell apoptosis by downregulating the levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl extra large protein and simultaneously upregulating the levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein, BH3 interacting-domain death agonist (Bid), tBid, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose)polymerase. The effect of hesperidin on the cell cycle was assessed by flow cytometry. Hesperidin was observed to cause G0/G1 arrest of A549 cells by decreasing the expression of cyclin D1 and increasing the expression of p21 and p53. In summary, it was demonstrated that hesperidin induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and induced G0/G1 arrest in human NSCLC A549 cells. Therefore, hesperidin may be developed as a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of NSCLC.

Hesperidin inhibits ovarian cancer cell viability through endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathways

Hesperidin is a vitamin P flavonoid compound primarily present in citrus fruits. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether hesperidin inhibits ovarian cancer cell viability via endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathways. A2780 cells were treated with various doses of hesperidin for 6, 12 or 24 h, and the viability of A2780 cells was assessed using the MTT assay. Hesperidin decreased the viability of A2780 cells and increased cytotoxicity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, hesperidin induced apoptosis and increased cleaved caspase-3 protein expression levels in A2780 cells. Furthermore, hesperidin markedly increased the protein expression of anti-growth arrest- and DNA damage-inducible gene 153, anti-CCAAT'enhancer-binding protein homologous protein, glucose-regulated protein 78 and cytochrome c in A2780 cells. The results of the present study indicated that hesperidin inhibits cell viability and induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells via endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathways. Thus, hesperidin may offer a novel therapeutic tool for ovarian carcinoma.

Synergistic tumor suppression by a Perilla frutescens-derived methoxyflavanone and anti-cancer tyrosine kinase inhibitors in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma

Anti-cancer tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective in many types of cancers including non-small cell lung cancer, while appearance of TKI-resistant tumors suggests a need for the development of their potentiation strategies. We have previously shown that a methoxyflavanone derivative from the Asian medicinal herb Perilla frutescens (Perilla-derived methoxyflavanone; PDMF) shows a prominent anti-tumor activity against A549 human lung adenocarcinoma. Here we show that PDMF and anti-cancer TKIs (nilotinib, bosutinib, dasatinib, and ponatinib) synergistically suppress proliferation of A549 cells. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that co-stimulation with nilotinib (4 μM) and PDMF induced G₂/M cell cycle arrest in low PDMF doses (10-50 μM), whereas this combination triggered de novo G₁ arrest in higher PDMF dosages (50-125 μM). We also found that co-administration with nilotinib and PDMF significantly suppressed in vivo tumorigenicity of A549 cells in athymic nude mice.

Flavanones: Citrus phytochemical with health-promoting properties

Citrus fruit and juices represent one of the main sources of compounds with a high potential for health promoting properties. Among these compounds, flavanones (such as hesperetin, naringenin, eriodictyol, isosakuranetin, and their respective glycosides), which occur in quantities ranging from ∼180 to 740 mg/L (depending on the Citrus species and cultivar) are responsible for many biological activities. These compounds support and enhance the body's defenses against oxidative stress and help the organism in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Moreover, among other properties, they also show anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial activities. This review analyzes the biochemistry, pharmacology, and biology of Citrus flavanones, emphasizing the occurrence in Citrus fruits and juices and their bioavailability, structure-function correlations and ability to modulate signal cascades both in vitro and in vivo. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(4):495-506, 2017.

Health-promoting effects of the citrus flavanone hesperidin

Hesperidin, a member of the flavanone group of flavonoids, can be isolated in large amounts from the rinds of some citrus species. Considering the wide range of pharmacological activities and widespread application of hesperidin, this paper reviews preclinical and clinical trials of hesperidin and its related compounds, including their occurrence, pharmacokinetics, and some marketed products available. Preclinical studies and clinical trials demonstrated therapeutical effects of hesperidin and its aglycone hesperetin in various diseases, such as neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, and cardiovascular diseases and others, due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, lipid-lowering, and insulin-sensitizing properties.