Use of Polyphenolic Compounds in Dermatologic Oncology

Investigating the Anti-Inflammatory Properties and Skin Penetration Ability of Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Extracts

Plant extracts can be a valuable source of biologically active compounds in many cosmetic preparations. Their effect depends on the phytochemicals they contain and their ability to penetrate the skin. Therefore, in this study, the possibility of skin penetration by phenolic acids contained in dogwood extracts of different fruit colors (yellow, red, and dark ruby red) prepared using different extractants was investigated. These analyses were performed using a Franz chamber and HPLC-UV chromatography. Moreover, the antioxidant properties of the tested extracts were compared and their impact on the intracellular level of free radicals in skin cells was assessed. The cytotoxicity of these extracts towards keratinocytes and fibroblasts was also analyzed and their anti-inflammatory properties were assessed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The analyses showed differences in the penetration of individual phenolic acids into the skin and different biological activities of the tested extracts. None of the extracts had cytotoxic effects on skin cells in vitro, and the strongest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were found in dogwood extracts with dark ruby red fruits.

The Effect of Salvia tomentosa Miller Extracts, Rich in Rosmarinic, Salvianolic and Lithospermic Acids, on Bacteria Causing Opportunistic Infections

Methanolic-aqueous extracts of Salvia tomentosa Miller roots, aerial parts, and inflorescences were examined for their content of polyphenolic derivatives and the antimicrobial and cytotoxic effect. In the polyphenolic-rich profile, rosmarinic, salvianolic, and lithospermic acids along with various derivatives were predominant. A total of twenty phenolic compounds were identified using the UPLC/DAD/qTOF-MS technique. These were caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid derivatives, lithospermic acid derivatives, salvianolic acids B, F, and K derivatives, as well as sagerinic acid, although rosmarinic acid (426-525 mg/100 g of dry weight-D.W.) and salvianolic acid B (83-346.5 mg/100 g D.W.) were significantly predominant in the metabolic profile. Strong antibacterial activity of S. tomentosa extracts was observed against Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC/MBC = 0.625 mg/mL) and Bacillus cereus (MIC = 0.312-1.25 mg/mL). The extracts showed low cytotoxicity towards the reference murine fibroblasts L929 and strong cytotoxicity to human AGS gastric adenocarcinoma epithelial cells in the MTT reduction assay. The observed cytotoxic effect in cancer cells was strongest for the roots of 2-year-old plant extracts.

Eugenol-Based Polymeric Materials-Antibacterial Activity and Applications

Eugenol (4-Allyl-2-methoxy phenol) (EUG) is a plant-derived allyl chain-substituted guaiacol, widely known for its antimicrobial and anesthetic properties, as well as the ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species. It is typically used as a mixture with zinc oxide (ZOE) for the preparation of restorative tooth fillings and treatment of root canal infections. However, the high volatility of this insoluble-in-water component of natural essential oils can be an obstacle to its wider application. Moreover, molecular eugenol can be allergenic and even toxic if taken orally in high doses for long periods of time. Therefore, a growing interest in eugenol loading in polymeric materials (including the encapsulation of molecular eugenol and polymerization of EUG-derived monomers) has been noted recently. Such active macromolecular systems enhance the stability of eugenol action and potentially provide prolonged contact with pathogens without the undesired side effects of free EUG. In this review, we present an overview of methods leading to the formation of macromolecular derivatives of eugenol as well as the latest developments and further perspectives in their pharmacological and antimicrobial applications.

Review and Chemoinformatic Analysis of Ferroptosis Modulators with a Focus on Natural Plant Products

Ferroptosis is a regular cell death pathway that has been proposed as a suitable therapeutic target in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Since its definition in 2012, a few hundred ferroptosis modulators have been reported. Based on a literature search, we collected a set of diverse ferroptosis modulators and analyzed them in terms of their structural features and physicochemical and drug-likeness properties. Ferroptosis modulators are mostly natural products or semisynthetic derivatives. In this review, we focused on the abundant subgroup of polyphenolic modulators, primarily phenylpropanoids. Many natural polyphenolic antioxidants have antiferroptotic activities acting through at least one of the following effects: ROS scavenging and/or iron chelation activities, increased GPX4 and NRF2 expression, and LOX inhibition. Some polyphenols are described as ferroptosis inducers acting through the generation of ROS, intracellular accumulation of iron (II), or the inhibition of GPX4. However, some molecules have a dual mode of action depending on the cell type (cancer versus neural cells) and the (micro)environment. The latter enables their successful use (e.g., apigenin, resveratrol, curcumin, and EGCG) in rationally designed, multifunctional nanoparticles that selectively target cancer cells through ferroptosis induction.

Resveratrol and cyclodextrins, an easy alliance: Applications in nanomedicine, green chemistry and biotechnology

Most drugs or the natural substances reputed to display some biological activity are hydrophobic molecules that demonstrate low bioavailability regardless of their mode of absorption. Resveratrol and its derivatives belong to the chemical group of stilbenes; while stilbenes are known to possess very interesting properties, these are limited by their poor aqueous solubility as well as low bioavailability in animals and humans. Among the substances capable of forming nanomolecular inclusion complexes which can be used for drug delivery, cyclodextrins show spectacular physicochemical and biomedical implications in stilbene chemistry for their possible application in nanomedicine. By virtue of their properties, cyclodextrins have also demonstrated their possible use in green chemistry for the synthesis of stilbene glucosylated derivatives with potential applications in dermatology and cosmetics. Compared to chemical synthesis and genetically modified microorganisms, plant cell or tissue systems provide excellent models for obtaining stilbenes in few g/L quantities, making feasible the production of these compounds at a large scale. However, the biosynthesis of stilbenes is only possible in the presence of the so-called elicitor compounds, the most commonly used of which are cyclodextrins. We also report here on the induction of resveratrol production by cyclodextrins or combinatory elicitation with methyljasmonate in plant cell systems as well as the mechanisms by which they are able to trigger a stilbene response. The present article therefore discusses the role of cyclodextrins in stilbene chemistry both at the physico-chemical level as well as the biomedical and biotechnological levels, emphasizing the notion of "easy alliance" between these compounds and stilbenes.

Medical uses for phenol in the urinary tract: A possible forgotten treatment (Review)

Phenol is a chemical compound that was first used medically as an antiseptic. At low concentrations, phenol exerts local anesthetic effects achieved through denervation; at high concentrations, it exerts a potent protein-denaturing effect that induces apoptosis. Phenol injection therapy has a long history of use in urology. It is reportedly effective for hemorrhagic cystitis, benign prostate hyperplasia, overactive bladder, hydrocele, bladder tumors, interstitial cystitis and other benign urologic diseases, and it is also used as a tool to decrease bleeding during prostate surgery. The present review article summarizes the medical applications of phenol in urological field. The articles available on the medical uses of phenol are primarily older and retrospective, involving small numbers of patients. In the absence of comparative studies with other treatments, it is impossible to determine the relative benefit of phenol. However, the treatment outcomes of phenol injection are fairly well-established. Phenol therapy may be an option for patients who are poor candidates for invasive treatment. Further studies are required, however, as are improvements in the injection technique to reduce the rate of complications.

Dermal Drug Delivery of Phytochemicals with Phenolic Structure via Lipid-Based Nanotechnologies

Phenolic compounds are a large, heterogeneous group of secondary metabolites found in various plants and herbal substances. From the perspective of dermatology, the most important benefits for human health are their pharmacological effects on oxidation processes, inflammation, vascular pathology, immune response, precancerous and oncological lesions or formations, and microbial growth. Because the nature of phenolic compounds is designed to fit the phytochemical needs of plants and not the biopharmaceutical requirements for a specific route of delivery (dermal or other), their utilization in cutaneous formulations sets challenges to drug development. These are encountered often due to insufficient water solubility, high molecular weight and low permeation and/or high reactivity (inherent for the set of representatives) and subsequent chemical/photochemical instability and ionizability. The inclusion of phenolic phytochemicals in lipid-based nanocarriers (such as nanoemulsions, liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles) is so far recognized as a strategic physico-chemical approach to improve their in situ stability and introduction to the skin barriers, with a view to enhance bioavailability and therapeutic potency. This current review is focused on recent advances and achievements in this area.

Microfibrillated cellulose films containing chitosan and tannic acid for wound healing applications

The effectiveness of tannic acid as antimicrobial and wound healing for burns have been shown for a century; however, uncontrolled target dosage may result in undesirable side-effects. Remarkably, tannic acid polyphenols compounds crosslinked with polymeric materials produce a strong composite containing the beneficial properties of this tannin. However, investigation of the crosslink structure and its antibacterial and regenerative properties are still unknown when using nanocellulose by mechanical defibrillation; additionally, due to the potential crosslink structure with chitosan, its structure can be complex. Therefore, this work uses bleach kraft nanocellulose in order to investigate the effect on the physical and regenerative properties when incorporated with chitosan and tannic acid. This film results in increased rigidity with a lamellar structure when incorporated with tannic acid due to its strong hydrogen bonding. The release of tannic acid varied depending on the structure it was synthesised with, whereas with chitosan it presented good release model compared to pure cellulose. In addition, exhibiting similar thermal stability as pure cellulose films with antibacterial properties tested against S. aureus and E. coli with good metabolic cellular viability while also inhibiting NF-κB activity, a characteristic of tannic acid.

Antioxidant Properties of Plant-Derived Phenolic Compounds and Their Effect on Skin Fibroblast Cells

Plants are rich sources of a diverse range of chemicals, many of which have significant metabolic activity. One large group of secondary compounds are the phenolics, which act as inter alia potent reactive oxygen scavengers in cells, including fibroblasts. These common dermis residue cells play a crucial role in the production of extracellular matrix components, such as collagen, and maintaining the integrity of connective tissue. Chronic wounds or skin exposure to UV-irradiation disrupt fibroblast function by the generation of reactive oxygen species, which may damage cell components and modify various signaling pathways. The resulting imbalance may be reversed by the antioxidant activity of plant-derived phenolic compounds. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on the impact of phenolics on fibroblast functionality under oxidative stress conditions. It examines a range of compounds in extracts from various species, as well as single specific plant-derived compounds. Phenolics are a good candidate for eliminating the causes of skin damage including wounds and aging and acting as skin care agents.

Curcumin and cancer biology: Focusing regulatory effects in different signalling pathways

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide. Till date, many such effective treatments are available, for example chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, but there are severe associated side effects, such as increased infection risk, constipation, hair loss, anaemia, among others. Thus, the need for effective therapeutic strategies and screening methodology arises. Researchers around the world are increasingly trying to discover anticancer therapies with as few side effects as possible and many are now focusing on phytochemicals, like curcumin. Curcumin is a bright yellow substance isolated from the plant rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. To this molecule a high therapeutic benefit has been underlined, being able to alter the development of cancer by different mechanisms, such as regulating multiple microRNA expression, modifying a series of signalling pathways, that is, Akt, Bcl-2, PTEN, p53, Notch, and Erbb. Another major pathway that curcumin targets is the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene expression. In fact, MMPs are responsible for the degradation of the cell-extracellular matrix, which can lead to the diseased condition and many different pathways contribute to its activity, such as JAK/STAT, NF-κB, MAPK/ERK, COX-2, ROS, TGF-β, among others. In this review, we have attempted to describe the curcumin regulatory effect on different cell signalling pathways involved in the progression of different types of cancers.

Phenolic compounds of blueberries (Vaccinium spp) as a protective strategy against skin cell damage induced by ROS: A review of antioxidant potential and antiproliferative capacity

The skin is a tissue with a high metabolic activity that acts as a protective layer for the internal organs of the body. This tissue is exposed to a variety of damaging agents, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to oxidative damage to various macromolecules, disrupting vital cellular processes and increasing mutations. A situation referred to as oxidative stress occurs when a large amount of oxidants exceeds the capacity of the antioxidant defense system. Oxidative stress is considered a contributory factor to the aging process and the pathogenesis of various skin diseases, including cancer. Several current studies seek to identify new natural compounds with properties that mitigate the harmful effects of ROS, thereby acting as blockers or suppressors of the carcinogenesis process. This review briefly presents the relationship between ultraviolet radiation, ROS, and skin damage; and summarizes the in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence of the chemopreventive effect on skin cancer of phenolic compounds from blueberries (Vaccinium spp). Although several studies addressed the topic of bioactive compounds and their activities as possible anticancer agents, none have focused on the antioxidative action and antiproliferative effects on skin cancer of phenolic compounds derived from blueberries.

Protoflavones in melanoma therapy: Prooxidant and pro-senescence effect of protoapigenone and its synthetic alkyl derivative in A375 cells

AIMS

In our study, the anticancer effects of a semisynthetic p-quinol, protoapigenone 1'-O-butyl ether (PABut), were tested in human melanoma A375 cells also in comparison with natural congener, protoapigenone (PA).

MAIN METHODS

The cytotoxic effect of PABut and PA was determined using MTT assay. Flow cytometry analysis was used to evaluate the influence of the compounds tested on ROS generation and cell cycle distribution in A375 cells. Moreover, apoptosis was evaluated by AO/EB dual staining as well as by flow cytometry. Markers of senescence were quantified by spectrofluorimetry and by Western blot analysis.

KEY FINDINGS

Both PABut and PA showed significant cytotoxicity against melanoma A375 cells at sub-micromolar concentrations. Both protoflavones induced comparable cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase. However, a more profound upregulation of intracellular ROS levels was found following PABut treatment. An increased apoptosis in the cells following 48 h treatment with both protoflavones tested was also confirmed. Both compounds tested remarkably upregulated p21 protein levels in A375 cells. Unlike PA, PABut significantly decreased protein levels of NAD⁺-dependent deacetylase SirT1 and β-actin accompanied by mild significant upregulation of mitochondrial SOD2 and senescence markers, p16 protein and SA-β-Gal activity. However, a significant upregulation of p53 only following PA treatment was found.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results suggest that PABut and PA confer high chemotherapeutic potential in melanoma cells and are suitable for further testing. Furthermore, modification of protoapigenone with 1'-O-butyl ether moiety can be associated with improved senescence-inducing effect and, thus, enhanced chemotherapeutic potency of PABut compared to the unmodified natural protoflavone.

Natural Polyphenols Targeting Senescence: A Novel Prevention and Therapy Strategy for Cancer

Cancer is one of the most serious diseases endangering human health. In view of the side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, it is necessary to develop low-toxic anti-cancer compounds. Polyphenols are natural compounds with anti-cancer properties and their application is a considerable choice. Pro-senescence therapy is a recently proposed anti-cancer strategy and has been shown to effectively inhibit cancer. It is of great significance to clarify the mechanisms of polyphenols on tumor suppression by inducing senescence. In this review, we delineated the characteristics of senescent cells, and summarized the mechanisms of polyphenols targeting tumor microenvironment and inducing cancer cell senescence for cancer prevention and therapy. Although many studies have shown that polyphenols effectively inhibit cancer by targeting senescence, it warrants further investigation in preclinical and clinical studies.

Resveratrol, 4' Acetoxy Resveratrol, R-equol, Racemic Equol or S-equol as Cosmeceuticals to Improve Dermal Health

Phytochemicals are botanical compounds used in dermatology applications as cosmeceuticals to improve skin health. Resveratrol and equol are two of the best-known polyphenolic or phytoestrogens having similar chemical structures and some overlapping biological functions to 17β-estradiol. Human skin gene expression was reviewed for 28 different biomarkers when resveratrol, 4′ acetoxy resveratrol (4AR), R-equol, racemic equol or S-equol were tested. Sirtuin 1 activator (SIRT 1) was stimulated by resveratrol and 4AR only. Resveratrol, R-equol and racemic equol were effective on the aging biomarkers proliferating cell nuclear factor (PCNA), nerve growth factor (NGF), 5α-reductase and the calcium binding proteins S100 A8 and A9. Racemic equol and 4AR displayed among the highest levels for the collagens, elastin and tissue inhibitor of the matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP 1). S-equol displayed the lowest level of effectiveness compared to the other compounds. The 4AR analog was more effective compared to resveratrol by 1.6-fold. R-equol and racemic equol were almost equal in potency displaying greater inhibition vs. resveratrol or its 4′ analog for the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), but among the inflammatory biomarkers, resveratrol, 4AR, R-equol and racemic equol displayed high inhibition. Thus, these cosmeceuticals display promise to improve dermal health; however, further study is warranted to understand how phytochemicals protect/enhance the skin.

Towards therapeutic advances in melanoma management: An overview

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer with rapidly increasing incidence rate. The disease is largely considered incurable and the patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma have a survival of not more than five years. Despite of the recent advances in anti-melanoma chemo- and immunotherapies, the available drugs are relatively toxic and responsive to only a limited subset of lesions. Currently, topical pharmacotherapy is demonstrated as an effective approach for the treatment of various skin cancers. Also, in vitro testing of melanoma cell lines and murine melanoma models has identified a number of relatively safe and effective phytochemicals. In this review, we described the use of topical pharmacotherapy for the treatment of skin cancers. Melanoma treatment by drugs targeting MAPK-pathway has also been discussed. Long non-coding RNAs and therapeutics targeting ER-associated pathways looks quite promising for the treatment of melanoma. Moreover, some natural anticancer compounds that have been reported to have anti-melanoma effects have also been described. At present a better understanding of genetics and epigenetics of initiation and progression of melanoma is needed for the identification of novel biomarkers and development of targeted therapeutics against melanoma.

Dual Inhibition of PI3K/Akt and mTOR by the Dietary Antioxidant, Delphinidin, Ameliorates Psoriatic Features In Vitro and in an Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-Like Disease in Mice

AIM

The treatment of psoriasis remains elusive, underscoring the need for identifying novel disease targets and mechanism-based therapeutic approaches. We recently reported that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway that is frequently deregulated in many malignancies is also clinically relevant for psoriasis. We also provided rationale for developing delphinidin (Del), a dietary antioxidant for the management of psoriasis. This study utilized high-throughput biophysical and biochemical approaches and in vitro and in vivo models to identify molecular targets regulated by Del in psoriasis.

RESULTS

A kinome-level screen and Kds analyses against a panel of 102 human kinase targets showed that Del binds to three lipid (PIK3CG, PIK3C2B, and PIK3CA) and six serine/threonine (PIM1, PIM3, mTOR, S6K1, PLK2, and AURKB) kinases, five of which belong to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Surface plasmon resonance and in silico molecular modeling corroborated Del's direct interactions with three PI3Ks (α/c2β/γ), mTOR, and p70S6K. Del treatment of interleukin-22 or TPA-stimulated normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) significantly inhibited proliferation, activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR components, and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. To establish the in vivo relevance of these findings, an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced Balb/c mouse psoriasis-like skin model was employed. Topical treatment of Del significantly decreased (i) hyperproliferation and epidermal thickness, (ii) skin infiltration by immune cells, (iii) psoriasis-related cytokines/chemokines, (iv) PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway activation, and (v) increased differentiation when compared with controls. Innovation and Conclusion: Our observation that Del inhibits key kinases involved in psoriasis pathogenesis and alleviates IMQ-induced murine psoriasis-like disease suggests a novel PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway modulator that could be developed to treat psoriasis. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 49-69.