The effect of curcumin on proliferation and apoptosis in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

In vivo evaluation of nanostructured lipid carrier systems (NLCs) in mice bearing prostate cancer tumours

Nanostructure lipid carriers (NLCs) were developed for the delivery of curmumin (CRN), a potent anticancer agent with low bioavailability, for the treatment of prostate cancer. NLCs prepared using high pressure homogenization (HPH) with around 150 nm particle size, - 40 V ζ-potential and excellent long-term stability. Cellular uptake of CRN-SLN showed nanoparticle localization in the cytoplasm around the nucleus. CRN-NLCs were assessed using flow cytometry and found to cause early and late apoptotic events at 100 μg/ml CRN concentrations. CRN-NLC nanoparticles were administrated to nude mice with LNCaP prostate cancer xenografts and demonstrated substantial tumour volume suppression (40%) with no weight loss compared to pure CRN (ethanolic solution). Overall, NLCs were proved a suitable carrier for passive drug delivery and cancer treatment.

Natural Product-Based Studies for the Management of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Computational to Clinical Studies

Background: With prostate cancer being the fifth-greatest cause of cancer mortality in 2020, there is a dire need to expand the available treatment options. Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) progresses despite androgen depletion therapy. The mechanisms of resistance are yet to be fully discovered. However, it is hypothesized that androgens depletion enables androgen-independent cells to proliferate and recolonize the tumor. Objectives: Natural bioactive compounds from edible plants and herbal remedies might potentially address this need. This review compiles the available cheminformatics-based studies and the translational studies regarding the use of natural products to manage CRPC. Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar searches for preclinical studies were performed, while ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed were searched for clinical updates. Studies that were not in English and not available as full text were excluded. The period of literature covered was from 1985 to the present. Results and Conclusion: Our analysis suggested that natural compounds exert beneficial effects due to their broad-spectrum molecular disease-associated targets. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed several bioactive compounds, including rutaecarpine, berberine, curcumin, other flavonoids, pentacyclic triterpenoids, and steroid-based phytochemicals. Molecular modeling tools, including machine and deep learning, have made the analysis more comprehensive. Preclinical and clinical studies on resveratrol, soy isoflavone, lycopene, quercetin, and gossypol have further validated the translational potential of the natural products in the management of prostate cancer.

Bioconjugated solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for targeted prostate cancer therapy

Prostate cancer is one of the prominent causes of cancer mortality in men all over the world and a challenge to treat. In this study, transferrin (Tf) bioconjugated solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were developed and loaded with curcumin (CRC) for active targeting of prostate cancer cells. Curcumin is an anticancer agent, but its clinical applications are impeded due to the poor water solubility and bioavailability. Prepared blank Tf-SLNs showed minimal cytotoxicity while Tf-CRC-SLNs demonstrated significant in-vitro anti-proliferative activity compared to CRC-SLNs alone. Cellular uptake of Tf-CRC-SLNs were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05/=0.01) compared to unconjugated SLNs or pure drug alone. Bioconjugated Tf-CRC-SLNs also showed improved early apoptotic and late apoptotic or early necrotic populations (6.4% and 88.9% respectively) to CRC-SLNs and CRC solution. Most importantly, in-vivo studies with Tf-CRC-SLNs in mice bearing prostate cancer revealed significant tumour regression (392.64 mm³ after 4 weeks, p < 0.001) compared to the control group. The findings of this work encourage future investigations and further in-vivo clinical studies on the potential of bioconjugated SLNs for cancer cure.

Curcumin and Its Derivatives as Potential Therapeutic Agents in Prostate, Colon and Breast Cancers

Cancer is a life-threatening disease and is the second leading cause of death around the world. The increasing threats of drug-resistant cancers indicate that there is an urgent need for the improvement or development of more effective anticancer agents. Curcumin, a phenolic compound originally derived from turmeric plant (Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae family)) widely known as a spice and a coloring agent for food have been reported to possess notable anticancer activity by inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis, and enhancing cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in various cancer cells. In spite of all these benefits, the therapeutic application of curcumin in clinical medicine and its bioavailability are still limited due to its poor absorption and rapid metabolism. Structural modification of curcumin through the synthesis of curcumin-based derivatives is a potential approach to overcome the above limitations. Curcumin derivatives can overcome the disadvantages of curcumin while enhancing the overall efficacy and hindering drug resistance. This article reports a review of published curcumin derivatives and their enhanced anticancer activities.