Investigating the synergistic potential of TRAIL and SAHA in inducing apoptosis in MOLT-4 cancer cells

TRIAL-based combination therapies in cancers

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) shows promising therapeutic potential in cancer treatment as it is able to trigger extrinsic apoptotic pathways by binding to the cognate death receptor, causing broad-spectrum apoptosis in cancer cells with negligible toxicity to normal cells. However, the majority of cancers display resistance to TRAIL, limiting its clinical utility. Overcoming resistance to TRAIL therapies remains a challenge in the development of effective anti-cancer strategies. To address the limitations of TRAIL therapy, a viable alternative approach involves combining TRAIL with more potent drugs compared to monotherapy. This combination strategy aims to induce synergistic effects or sensitize drug-resistant cancer cells. This review provides an overview of relevant modalities of TRAIL combination therapy, highlighting different drug classes. The findings demonstrate that combining TRAIL with other agents can effectively counteract resistance observed with TRAIL therapies in cancer. These findings lay a foundation for future advancements in TRAIL-based therapies for treating various cancers.

The potential of marine-derived piperazine alkaloids: Sources, structures and bioactivities

Marine-derived piperazine alkaloids (MDPAs) constitute a significant group of natural compounds known for their diverse structures and biological activities. Over the past five decades, substantial efforts have been devoted to isolating these alkaloids from marine sources and characterizing their chemical and bioactive profiles. To date, a total of 922 marine-derived piperazine alkaloids have been reported from various marine organisms. These compounds demonstrate a wide range of pharmacological properties, including cytotoxicity, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and various other activities. Notably, among these activities, cytotoxicity emerges as the most prominent characteristic of marine-derived piperazine alkaloids. This review also summarizes the structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies associated with the cytotoxicity of these compounds. In summary, our objective is to provide an overview of the research progress concerning marine-derived piperazine alkaloids, with the aim of fostering their continued development and utilization.

A literature review: mechanisms of antitumor pharmacological action of leonurine alkaloid

Leonurine refers to the desiccated aerial portion of a plant in the Labiatae family. The primary bioactive constituent of Leonurine is an alkaloid, Leonurine alkaloid (Leo), renowned for its substantial therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of gynecological disorders, in addition to its broad-spectrum antineoplastic capabilities. Over recent years, the pharmacodynamic mechanisms of Leo have garnered escalating scholarly interest. Leo exhibits its anticancer potential by means of an array of mechanisms, encompassing the inhibition of neoplastic cell proliferation, induction of both apoptosis and autophagy, and the containment of oncogenic cell invasion and migration. The key signal transduction pathways implicated in these processes include the Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL), the Phosphoinositide3-Kinase/Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase (PI3K/AKT), the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3), and the Mitogen-Activated Protein/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (MAP/ERK). This paper commences with an exploration of the principal oncogenic cellular behaviors influenced by Leo and the associated signal transduction pathways, thereby scrutinizing the mechanisms of Leo in the antineoplastic sequence of events. The intention is to offer theoretical reinforcement for the elucidation of more profound mechanisms underpinning Leo's anticancer potential and correlating pharmaceutical development.