Syringic acid prevents skin carcinogenesis via regulation of NoX and EGFR signaling

LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks in skin aging and therapeutic potentials

Skin aging is a complex process influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Although dermatology offers advanced interventions, molecular mechanisms in skin aging remain limited. Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), a subset of coding or non-coding RNAs, regulate gene expression through miRNA competition. Several ceRNA networks investigated up to now offer insights into skin aging and wound healing. In skin aging, RP11-670E13.6-miR-663a-CDK4/CD6 delays senescence induced by UVB radiation. Meg3-miR-93-5p-epiregulin contributes to UVB-induced inflammatory skin damage. Predicted ceRNA networks reveal UVA-induced photoaging mechanisms. SPRR2C sequesters miRNAs in epidermal aging-associated alteration of calcium gradient. H19-miR-296-5p-IGF2 regulates dermal fibroblast senescence. PVT1-miR-551b-3p-AQP3 influences skin photoaging. And bioinformatics analyses identify critical genes and compounds for skin aging interventions. In skin wound healing, MALAT1-miR-124 aids wound healing by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Hair follicle MSC-derived H19 promotes wound healing by inhibiting pyroptosis. And the SAN-miR-143-3p-ADD3 network rejuvenates adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in wound healing. Thus, ceRNA networks provide valuable insights into the molecular underpinnings of skin aging and wound healing, offering potential therapeutic strategies for further investigation. This comprehensive review serves as a foundational platform for future research endeavors in these crucial areas of dermatology.

Oral phytochemicals as photoprotectants in UVR exposed hairless mice: A study of hesperidin methyl chalcone, phloroglucinol, and syringic acid

Ultraviolet radiation is the primary risk factor for keratinocyte carcinoma. Because of increasing incidence rates, new methods of photoprotection must be explored. Oral supplementation with photoprotective compounds presents a promising alternative. Phytochemical compounds like hesperidin methyl chalcone, phloroglucinol, and syringic acid are particularly of interest because of their antioxidant properties. Our primary outcome was to evaluate the effects of oral phytochemicals on photocarcinogenesis with time until tumour onset as the primary endpoint. A total of 125 hairless C3.Cg-Hrhr/TifBom Tac mice were randomised to receive tap water supplemented with either 100 mg/kg hesperidin methyl chalcone, phloroglucinol, or syringic acid, 600 mg/kg nicotinamide as a positive control, or no supplementation. The mice were irradiated with 3.5 standard erythema doses thrice weekly to induce photocarcinogenesis. Supplementation with the phytochemicals phloroglucinol and syringic acid and nicotinamide delayed tumour onset from a median of 140 days to 151 (p = 0.036), 157 days (p = 0.02), and 178 (p = 2.7·10-5), respectively. Phloroglucinol and nicotinamide supplementation reduced tumour number. Nicotinamide increased UV-induced pigmentation and reduced oedema formation, while phloroglucinol supplementation reduced epidermal thickness. These results indicate that oral supplementation with phloroglucinol and syringic acid protects against photocarcinogenesis in hairless mice, but not to the same extent as nicotinamide.

Spice-Derived Phenolic Compounds: Potential for Skin Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Skin cancer is a condition characterized by the abnormal growth of skin cells, primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Different types of skin cancer include melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Despite the advancements in targeted therapies, there is still a need for a safer, highly efficient approach to preventing and treating cutaneous malignancies. Spices have a rich history dating back thousands of years and are renowned for their ability to enhance the flavor, taste, and color of food. Derived from various plant parts like seeds, fruits, bark, roots, or flowers, spices are important culinary ingredients. However, their value extends beyond the culinary realm. Some spices contain bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds, which are known for their significant biological effects. These compounds have attracted attention in scientific research due to their potential health benefits, including their possible role in disease prevention and treatment, such as cancer. This review focuses on examining the potential of spice-derived phenolic compounds as preventive or therapeutic agents for managing skin cancers. By compiling and analyzing the available knowledge, this review aims to provide insights that can guide future research in identifying new anticancer phytochemicals and uncovering additional mechanisms for combating skin cancer.

Sinapic acid alleviates inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) through localization of tight junction proteins by direct binding to TAK1 and improves intestinal microbiota

Introduction: Although sinapic acid is found in various edible plants and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties including colitis, its underlying mechanism and effects on the composition of the gut microbiota are largely unknown. We aimed to identify an early response kinase that regulates the localization of tight junction proteins, act at the onset of the inflammatory response, and is regulated by sinapic acid. Additionally, we analyzed the effects of sinapic acid on the homeostasis of the intestinal microbiome. Methods: We examined the aberrant alterations of early response genes such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activating transcription factor (ATF)-2 within 2 h of sinapic acid treatment in fully differentiated Caco-2 cells with or without lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α stimulation. To confirm the effect of sinapic acid on stimulus-induced delocalization of tight junction proteins, including zonula occludens (ZO)-1, occludin, and claudin-2, all tight junction proteins were investigated by analyzing a fraction of membrane and cytosol proteins extracted from Caco-2 cells and mice intestines. Colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice using 2% dextran sulfate sodium and sinapic acid (2 or 10 mg/kg/day) was administrated for 15 days. Furthermore, the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical activities of sinapic acid for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) evaluated. Results: We confirmed that sinapic acid significantly suppressed the stimulus-induced delocalization of tight junction proteins from the intestinal cell membrane and abnormal intestinal permeability as well as the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β and TNF-α in vitro and in vivo. Sinapic acid was found to bind directly to transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and inhibit the stimulus-induced activation of NF-κB as well as MAPK/ATF-2 pathways, which in turn regulated the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MLCK). Dietary sinapic acid also alleviated the imbalanced of gut microbiota and symptoms of IBD, evidenced by improvements in the length and morphology of the intestine in mice with colitis. Discussion: These findings indicate that sinapic acid may be an effective nutraceutical and pharmaceutical agent for IBD treatment as it targets TAK1 and inhibits subsequent NF-κB and ATF-2 signaling.

Evolution of Natural Product Scaffolds as Potential Proteasome Inhibitors in Developing Cancer Therapeutics

Homeostasis between protein synthesis and degradation is a critical biological function involving a lot of precise and intricate regulatory systems. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) is a large, multi-protease complex that degrades most intracellular proteins and accounts for about 80% of cellular protein degradation. The proteasome, a massive multi-catalytic proteinase complex that plays a substantial role in protein processing, has been shown to have a wide range of catalytic activity and is at the center of this eukaryotic protein breakdown mechanism. As cancer cells overexpress proteins that induce cell proliferation, while blocking cell death pathways, UPP inhibition has been used as an anticancer therapy to change the balance between protein production and degradation towards cell death. Natural products have a long history of being used to prevent and treat various illnesses. Modern research has shown that the pharmacological actions of several natural products are involved in the engagement of UPP. Over the past few years, numerous natural compounds have been found that target the UPP pathway. These molecules could lead to the clinical development of novel and potent anticancer medications to combat the onslaught of adverse effects and resistance mechanisms caused by already approved proteasome inhibitors. In this review, we report the importance of UPP in anticancer therapy and the regulatory effects of diverse natural metabolites, their semi-synthetic analogs, and SAR studies on proteasome components, which may aid in discovering a new proteasome regulator for drug development and clinical applications.

Preventive Effect of Pharmaceutical Phytochemicals Targeting the Src Family of Protein Tyrosine Kinases and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor on Environmental Stress-Induced Skin Disease

The skin protects our body; however, it is directly exposed to the environment and is stimulated by various external factors. Among the various environmental factors that can threaten skin health, the effects of ultraviolet (UV) and particulate matter (PM) are considered the most notable. Repetitive exposure to ultraviolet and particulate matter can cause chronic skin diseases such as skin inflammation, photoaging, and skin cancer. The abnormal activation of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases (SFKs) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in response to UV and/or PM exposure are involved in the development and aggravation of skin diseases. Phytochemicals, chemical compounds of natural plants, exert preventive effects on skin diseases through the regulation of various signaling pathways. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the efficacy of phytochemicals as potential nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical materials for the treatment of skin diseases, primarily by targeting SFK and AhR, and to explore the underlying mechanisms of action. Future studies are essential to validate the clinical potential for the prevention and treatment of skin diseases.

Phenolic Acids-Mediated Regulation of Molecular Targets in Ovarian Cancer: Current Understanding and Future Perspectives

Cancer is a global health concern with a dynamic rise in occurrence and one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Among different types of cancer, ovarian cancer (OC) is the seventh most diagnosed malignant tumor, while among the gynecological malignancies, it ranks third after cervical and uterine cancer and sadly bears the highest mortality and worst prognosis. First-line treatments have included a variety of cytotoxic and synthetic chemotherapeutic medicines, but they have not been particularly effective in extending OC patients' lives and are associated with side effects, recurrence risk, and drug resistance. Hence, a shift from synthetic to phytochemical-based agents is gaining popularity, and researchers are looking into alternative, cost-effective, and safer chemotherapeutic strategies. Lately, studies on the effectiveness of phenolic acids in ovarian cancer have sparked the scientific community's interest because of their high bioavailability, safety profile, lesser side effects, and cost-effectiveness. Yet this is a road less explored and critically analyzed and lacks the credibility of the novel findings. Phenolic acids are a significant class of phytochemicals usually considered in the nonflavonoid category. The current review focused on the anticancer potential of phenolic acids with a special emphasis on chemoprevention and treatment of OC. We tried to summarize results from experimental, epidemiological, and clinical studies unraveling the benefits of various phenolic acids (hydroxybenzoic acid and hydroxycinnamic acid) in chemoprevention and as anticancer agents of clinical significance.

Phenolic Profile and Comparison of the Antioxidant, Anti-Ageing, Anti-Inflammatory, and Protective Activities of Borago officinalis Extracts on Skin Cells

In this study, methanol and water-methanol extracts of borage (Borago officinalis) herb dried using various methods were analysed for their phenolic profile and biological activity. Twelve compounds, including flavonoids (astragalin, kaempferol 4-glucoside, rutoside, and vitexin) and phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic, ferulic, p-hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic, rosmarinic, and syringic), were determined qualitatively and quantitatively in B. officinalis extracts by the HPLC-DAD method. The highest total flavonoid content was confirmed for the methanol extract from the hot-air-dried herb, while the methanol extract from the air-dried herb was most abundant in phenolic acids. The results of in vitro tests on human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and fibroblasts (BJ) showed that the extracts were able to reduce the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species in skin cells. Tests performed to assess inhibition of protein denaturation, lipoxygenase activity, and proteinase activity demonstrated that borage extracts have anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the methanol extract of the herb dried in a convection oven showed the strongest inhibition of both collagenase and elastase activity, which is indicative of anti-ageing properties. The results show that the borage extracts are a source of valuable bioactive compounds with beneficial properties in the context of skin cell protection.

Syringic acid Attenuates Oxidative Stress in Plasma and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Syringic acid (SA) is a natural phenolic acid that possesses antioxidant properties. The current study aimed to assess the possible ameliorative effects of SA on oxidative stress in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Twenty-two healthy donors as well as 22 sex- and age-matched AML patients participated in the study. AML patients were at the time of diagnosis and before remission. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma samples were obtained and divided into four groups. The groups include: 1) buffer (B), containing isotonic phosphate buffer saline (100 mM, pH 7.4, 1 hr); 2) OX, containing solution subjected to iron-mediated oxidation (2.7 µM, 1 hr); 3) SA, containing SA solution (10 µM, 1 h) as ROS quencher and 4) SA + OX in which samples were pretreated with 10 µM of SA for 1 h, and then exposed to OX solution (2.7 µM) for 1 h. The results indicated that SA caused a significant increase in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in PBMCs. Of note, the treatment of PBMCs and plasma samples of AML patients with SA was able to normalize the altered levels of GPX, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). The antioxidant effect of SA was further confirmed by analyzing the total oxidant status, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonylation in both plasma samples and PBMCs of AML patients. According to the results, it seems that SA has strong protective effects on oxidative stress by elevating the total antioxidant status (TAS) of PBMCs and plasma specimens from AML patients.

TPGS Decorated Liposomes as Multifunctional Nano-Delivery Systems

Liposomes are sphere-shaped vesicles that can capture therapeutics either in the outer phospholipid bilayer or inner aqueous core. Liposomes, especially when surface-modified with functional materials, have been used to achieve many benefits in drug delivery, including improving drug solubility, oral bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and delivery to disease target sites such as cancers. Among the functional materials used to modify the surface of liposomes, the FDA-approved non-ionic surfactant D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) is increasingly being applied due to its biocompatibility, lack of toxicity, applicability to various administration routes and ability to enhance solubilization, stability, penetration and overall pharmacokinetics. TPGS decorated liposomes are emerging as a promising drug delivery system for various diseases and are expected to enter the market in the coming years. In this review article, we focus on the multifunctional properties of TPGS-coated liposomes and their beneficial therapeutic applications, including for oral drug delivery, vaccine delivery, ocular administration, and the treatment of various cancers. We also suggest future directions to optimise the manufacture and performance of TPGS liposomes and, thus, the delivery and effect of encapsulated diagnostics and therapeutics.

Polyphenolic compounds from rapeseeds (Brassica napus L.): The major types, biofunctional roles, bioavailability, and the influences of rapeseed oil processing technologies on the content

The rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) are the important oil bearing material worldwide, which contain wide variety of bioactive components with polyphenolic compounds considered the most typical. The rapeseed polyphenols encompass different structural variants, and have been considered to have many bioactive functions, which are beneficial for the human health. Whereas, the rapeseed oil processing technologies affect their content and the biofunctional activities. The present review of the literature highlighted the major types of the rapeseed polyphenols, and summarized their biofunctional roles. The influences of rapeseed oil processing technologies on these polyphenols were also elucidated. Furthermore, the directions of the future studies for producing nutritional rapeseed oils preserved higher level of polyphenols were prospected. The rapeseed polyphenols are divided into the phenolic acids and polyphenolic tannins, both of which contained different subtypes. They are reported to have multiple biofunctional roles, thus showing outstanding health improvement effects. The rapeseed oil processing technologies have significant effects on both of the polyphenol content and activity. Some novel processing technologies, such as aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE), subcritical or supercritical extraction showed advantages for producing rapeseed oil with higher level of polyphenols. The oil refining process involved heat or strong acid and alkali conditions affected their stability and activity, leading to the loss of polyphenols of the final products. Future efforts are encouraged to provide more clinic evidence for the practical applications of the rapeseed polyphenols, as well as optimizing the processing technologies for the green manufacturing of rapeseed oils.

Salicornia ramosissima: A New Green Cosmetic Ingredient with Promising Skin Effects

This study aims to validate a new cosmetic ingredient from Salicornia ramosissima S J. Woods through in vitro and ex vivo assays. The halophyte extracts were obtained by subcritical water extraction (SWE) at different temperatures (110, 120, 140, 160 and 180 °C). The antioxidant/radical scavenging activities and the phenolic profile were screened for all extracts. The optimal extract was assessed in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, while permeation assays were performed in Franz cells. The inhibitory activity of hyaluronidase and elastase was also evaluated. The sample extracted at 180 °C presented the highest phenolic content (1739.28 mg/100 g of dry weight (dw)). Despite not being efficient in the sequestration of ABTS^•+, this extract scavenged the DPPH^• (IC₅₀ = 824.57 µg/mL). The scavenging capacity of superoxide (O₂^•-) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) was also considerable (respectively, IC₅₀ = 158.87 µg/mL and IC₅₀ = 5.80 µg/mL). The cell viability assays confirmed the absence of negative effects on keratinocytes, while the fibroblasts' viability slightly decreased. The ex vivo permeation of rutin, quercetin and syringic acid after 24 h was, respectively, 11, 20 and 11%. Additionally, the extract showed a good elastase and hyaluronidase inhibitory activity. The results obtained support the S. ramosissima bioactivity as a cosmetic ingredient.

Targeting oncogenic transcription factors in skin malignancies: An update on cancer stemness and therapeutic outcomes

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and prone to various diseases, including cancer; thus, provides the first line of defense against exogenous biological and non-biological agents. Skin cancer, a complex and heterogenic process, with steep incidence rate often metastasizes due to poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis and clinical challenges. Indeed, accumulating evidence indicates that deregulation of transcription factors (TFs) due to genetic, epigenetic and signaling distortions plays essential role in the development of cutaneous malignancies and therapeutic challenges including cancer stemness features and reprogramming. This review highlights the recent developments exploring underlying mechanisms how deregulated TFs (e.g., NF-κB, AP-1, STAT etc.,) orchestrates cutaneous onco-pathogenesis, reprogramming, stemness and poor clinical outcomes. Along this line, bioactive drugs, and their derivatives from natural and or synthetic origin has gained attention due to their multitargeting potential, potentially safer and effective therapeutic outcome for human malignancies. We also discussed therapeutic importance of targeting aberrantly expressed TFs in skin cancers with bioactive natural products and or synthetic agents.

Virgin coconut oil: A comprehensive review of antioxidant activity and mechanisms contributed by phenolic compounds

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is obtained by processing mature coconut cores with mechanical or natural methods. In recent years, VCO has been widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries because of its excellent functional activities. VCO has biological functions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral, and also has potential therapeutic effects on many chronic degenerative diseases. Among these functions, the antioxidant is the most basic and important function, which is mainly determined by phenolic compounds and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). This review aims to elucidate the antioxidant functions of each phenolic compound in VCO, and discuss the antioxidant mechanisms of VCO in terms of the role of phenolic compounds with fat, intestinal microorganisms, and various organs. Besides, the composition of VCO and its application in various industries are summarized, and the biological functions of VCO are generalized, which should lay a foundation for further research on the antioxidant activity of VCO and provide a theoretical basis for the development of food additives with antioxidant activity.

NADPH Oxidase and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Are Promising Targets of Phytochemicals for Ultraviolet-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis

The skin acts as the primary defense organ that protects the body from the external environment. Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Skin carcinogenesis is usually caused by cell degeneration due to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes changes in various signaling networks, disrupting the homeostasis of single skin cells. In this review, we summarize the roles of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in UV-induced skin carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we describe the crosstalk that exists between NOX, EGFR, and protein tyrosine phosphatase κ and its oncogenic downstream signaling pathways. Chemoprevention is the use of chemical compounds to recover the healthy status of the skin or delay cancer development. Current evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies on chemopreventive phytochemicals that target NOX, EGFR, or both, as major regulators of skin carcinogenesis will also be discussed.

Plant-derived bioactive compounds produced by Streptomyces variabilis LCP18 associated with Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers as potential target to combat human pathogenic bacteria and human cancer cell lines

To date, endophytic actinomycetes have been well-documented as great producers of novel antibiotics and important pharmaceutical leads. The present study aimed to evaluate potent bioactivities of metabolites synthesized by the strain LCP18 residing in the Vietnamese medicinal plant Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers towards human pathogenic bacteria and human cancer cell lines. Endophytic actinomycete strain LCP18 showed considerable inhibition against seven bacterial pathogens and three human tumor cell lines and was identified as species Streptomyces variabilis. Strain S. variabilis LCP18 was phenotypically resistant to fosfomycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, dalacin, cefoxitin, rifampicin, and fusidic acid and harbored the two antibiotic biosynthetic genes such as PKS-II and NRPS. Further purification and structural elucidation of metabolites from the LCP18 extract revealed five plant-derived bioactive compounds including isopcrunetin, genistein, daidzein, syringic acid, and daucosterol. Among those, isoprunetin, genistein, and daidzein exhibited antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14,028 and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35,984 with the MIC values ranging from 16 to 128 µg/ml. These plant-derived compounds also exhibited cytotoxic effects against human lung cancer cell line A549 with IC50 values of less than 46 μM. These findings indicated that endophytic S. variabilis LCP18 can be an alternative producer of plant-derived compounds which significantly show potential applications in combating bacterial infections and inhibition against lung cancer cell lines.

Hydroxycinnamic Acids and Derivatives Formulations for Skin Damages and Disorders: A Review

Alterations of skin homeostasis are widely diffused in our everyday life both due to accidental injuries, such as wounds and burns, and physiological conditions, such as late-stage diabetes, dermatitis, or psoriasis. These events are locally characterized by an intense inflammatory response, a high generation of harmful free radicals, or an impairment in the immune response regulation, which can profoundly change the skin tissue' repair process, vulnerability, and functionality. Moreover, diabetes diffusion, antibiotic resistance, and abuse of aggressive soaps and disinfectants following the COVID-19 emergency could be causes for the future spreading of skin disorders. In the last years, hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives have been investigated and applied in several research fields for their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial activities. First, in this study, we give an overview of these natural molecules' current source and applications. Afterwards, we review their potential role as valid alternatives to the current therapies, supporting the management and rebalancing of skin disorders and diseases at different levels. Also, we will introduce the recent advances in the design of biomaterials loaded with these phenolic compounds, specifically suitable for skin disorders treatments. Lastly, we will suggest future perspectives for introducing hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives in treating skin disorders.

Analysis of the Chemical, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Pink Pepper (Schinus molle L.)

Here, we compared the chemical properties and antioxidant effects of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and pink pepper (Schinus molle L.). Additionally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of pink pepper were measured to determine nutraceutical potential. Pink peppers from Brazil (PPB), India (PPI), and Sri Lanka (PPS) had higher Hunter a* (redness) values and lower L* (lightness) and b* (yellowness) values than black pepper from Vietnam (BPV). Fructose and glucose were detected in PPB, PPI, and PPS, but not in BPV. PPB, PPI, and PPS had greater 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radical scavenging stabilities and higher total phenolic contents than BPV. BPV had higher levels of piperine than the pink peppers. Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, epicatechin, and p-coumaric acid were detected only in the three pink peppers. PPB significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced reactive oxygen species production with increased Nrf2 translocation from cytosol to nucleus and heme oxygenase-1 expression. PPB and PPS significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced nitrite production and nitric oxide synthase expression by suppressing phosphorylation of p38 without affecting cell viability. Additionally, PPB and PPS significantly suppressed ultraviolet B-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression by affecting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 without cell cytotoxicity. These results suggest that pink pepper is a potential nutraceutical against oxidative and inflammatory stress.

Syringic Acid: A Potential Natural Compound for the Management of Renal Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Diabetic Rats

BACKGROUND

Diabetic nephropathy can lead to renal diseases; oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have critical roles in its development.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, the effect of syringic acid (SYR), a natural phenolic acid, on diabetic nephropathy and mitochondrial biogenesis was examined.

METHODS

Diabetes was induced in rats by injecting streptozotocin. SYR (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day) was orally administered for 6 weeks. SYR effects on factors, such as antioxidant activities and mRNA expression level of mitochondrial biogenesis indexes, were evaluated.

RESULTS

In SYR-treated rats, blood glucose and ALP level were significantly reduced. SYR increased kidney GSH content in the diabetic group. Elevated renal catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in diabetic rats were restored to normal levels after treatment. SYR significantly reduced the renal TBARS level, which had increased in diabetic rats. This compound also significantly upregulated renal mRNA expression of PGC-1α and NRF-1, and increased mtDNA/nDNA ratio in diabetic rats. These values were reduced in the non-treated diabetic group. The results show improvement of histopathological damages of kidney in the SYR treated group in comparison with the diabetic group.

CONCLUSION

According to the results, SYR alters renal antioxidant defense mechanisms. Also, it could be considered as a novel approach by targeting mitochondria in renal diabetic complications.

Cellulose nanocrystal preparation from Gelidium amansii and analysis of its anti-inflammatory effect on the skin in vitro and in vivo

Treated Gelidium amansii cellulose nanocrystal (TGa CNC) was prepared from treated Gelidium amansii (TGa) and evaluated for its anti-inflammatory effect on human keratinocytes and mice skin. Using three independent cell lines, TGa CNC showed no cytotoxicity in HaCaT, Beas-2B, and Raw 264.7 cells. A non-toxic dose of TGa CNC suppressed ultraviolet (UV) B-induced AP (activated protein)-1, and subsequent cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 gene and protein expression in HaCaT cells. TGa CNC suppressed translocation of c-Jun from the cytosol to the nucleus responds to UVB irradiation. Additionally, TGa CNC suppressed UVB-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs)1/2/MEK/2/B-Raf, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)1/2/MKK4/7, Akt, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation in HaCaT cells. Dorsal treatment of TGa CNC significantly suppressed acute UVB-induced increase in epidermal thickness and COX-2 expression in mice skin. Overall, these results indicate that TGa CNC exerts potent anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of abnormal COX-2 expression and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)s signaling pathways.

Comparison of the pharmacokinetic profiles of 13 phenolic acids and 6 triterpenes in normal and leukopenia rats after oral administration of Sanguisorba officinalis L. extract by LC-MS/MS

A selective, accurate, and efficient liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 13 phenolic acids. Additionally, for more comprehensively determining the chemical constituents in Sanguisorba officinalis L. extract, a previously developed method was employed for the simultaneous determination of six triterpenes. Thus, two methods were used to ensure the comprehensiveness and reliability of this study. Based on these methods, the pharmacokinetic profiles of the 13 phenolic acids and 6 triterpenes in normal and leukopenia rats after oral administration of S. officinalis L. extract were compared for the first time in the present study. Quantitative detection of the 13 phenolic acids and 6 triterpenes was performed using the multiple reaction monitoring mode with the electrospray ion source in negative and positive electrospray ionization, respectively. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 RRHD column (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.8 µm) using gradient elution with a mobile phase composed of methanol-0.1% aqueous formic acid. The pharmacokinetic results demonstrated that the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the 19 analytes in leukopenia rats differed significantly from those determined in normal rats, which could provide a helpful reference for the clinical application of S. officinalis L. in the prevention and treatment of leucopenia.

Regenerative Wound Dressings for Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is considered the most prevalent cancer type globally, with a continuously increasing prevalence and mortality growth rate. Additionally, the high risk of recurrence makes skin cancer treatment among the most expensive of all cancers, with average costs estimated to double within 5 years. Although tumor excision is the most effective approach among the available strategies, surgical interventions could be disfiguring, requiring additional skin grafts for covering the defects. In this context, post-surgery management should involve the application of wound dressings for promoting skin regeneration and preventing tumor recurrence and microbial infections, which still represents a considerable clinical challenge. Therefore, this paper aims to provide an up-to-date overview regarding the current status of regenerative wound dressings for skin cancer therapy. Specifically, the recent discoveries in natural biocompounds as anti-cancer agents for skin cancer treatment and the most intensively studied biomaterials for bioactive wound dressing development will be described.

Alternative Options for Skin Cancer Therapy via Regulation of AKT and Related Signaling Pathways

Global environmental pollution has led to human exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to the damaged ozone layer, thereby increasing the incidence and death rate of skin cancer including both melanoma and non-melanoma. Overexpression and activation of V-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT, also known as protein kinase B) and related signaling pathways are major factors contributing to many cancers including lung cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and skin cancer. Although BRAF inhibitors are used to treat melanoma, further options are needed due to treatment resistance and poor efficacy. Depletion of AKT expression and activation, and related signaling cascades by its inhibitors, decreases the growth of skin cancer and metastasis. Here we have focused the effects of AKT and related signaling (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathways by regulators derived from plants and suggest the need for efficient treatment in skin cancer therapy.

Inhibiting the PI3K/Akt, NF-κB signalling pathways with syringic acid for attenuating the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells SCC131

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effect of syringic acid (SRA) on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) SCC131 cells via suppression of NF-κB-induced PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.

METHODS

The present study assesses the anticancer effects of SRA alongside human oral cancer (HOC) SCC131 cells through the fabrication of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activated apoptosis. DAPI and Rh-123 staining were used to assess the apoptotic nuclear characteristic, mitochondrial membrane potential, cell adhesion and migration by fluorescence microscope with SRA treatment.

KEY FINDINGS

Syringic acid inhibits cell viability (IC₅₀ values of 25 µm), adhesion, migration and induced apoptosis. MTT assay demonstrated SRA-induced apoptotic events, inhibition of invasion and angiogenic signalling in SCC131 cell line. Furthermore, SRA treated with SCC131 cells suppresses the protein expression of inflammatory, angiogenesis and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways. It is suggested that SRA prevents the translocation of NF-κB and PI3K/Akt activated products to the nucleus, thereby suppressing angiogenesis via downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, addition of SRA to SCC131 cells may provide a promising natural therapeutic strategy against squamous cell carcinomas with potential application in clinical analysis.

Influence of climate variation on phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of Medicago minima populations

Medicago minima is a pasture legume that grows almost all over the world. In Tunisia, it occupies various climatic environments and is considered the most abundant annual Medicago plant. However, this species is unconsumed and unused by humans. This study aimed to explore the phytochemical characteristics of Medicago minima selected from different provenances in Tunisia and subsequently investigate the influence of environmental factors on their phenolic composition and antioxidant activity. Therefore, a calorimetric method and DPPH tests provided the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents and antioxidant potential in roots, stems, leaves and seeds. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identified and quantified four phenolic acids and three flavonoids in the studied organs. Roots and leaves showed the greatest phenolic compound content and had high antioxidant activity. Rutin and syringic acid (leaves) represent a characteristic for this species. For each organ, principal component analysis of phenolic profiles showed that the root’s phenolic composition could be an indication of the plant adaptation to even small changes in its environments. Plants originating from a cold climate, higher altitude or semi-arid environment had the highest phenolic compound contents in their organs. Our findings provide useful information for the exploitation of the phenolic compounds in these weeds for the development of environmental sustainability.

Fenretinide induces a new form of dynamin-dependent cell death in pediatric sarcoma

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS) is a highly malicious childhood malignancy characterized by specific chromosomal translocations mostly encoding the oncogenic transcription factor PAX3-FOXO1 and therefore also referred to as fusion-positive RMS (FP-RMS). Previously, we have identified fenretinide (retinoic acid p-hydroxyanilide) to affect PAX3-FOXO1 expression levels as well as FP-RMS cell viability. Here, we characterize the mode of action of fenretinide in more detail. First, we demonstrate that fenretinide-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) depends on complex II of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, since ROS scavenging as well as complexing of iron completely abolished cell death. Second, we co-treated cells with a range of pharmacological inhibitors of specific cell death pathways including z-vad (apoptosis), necrostatin-1 (necroptosis), 3-methyladenine (3-MA) (autophagy), and ferrostatin-1 (ferroptosis) together with fenretinide. Surprisingly, none of these inhibitors was able to prevent cell death. Also genetic depletion of key players in the apoptotic and necroptotic pathway (BAK, BAX, and RIPK1) confirmed the pharmacological data. Interestingly however, electron microscopy of fenretinide-treated cells revealed an excessive accumulation of cytoplasmic vacuoles, which were distinct from autophagosomes. Further flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy experiments suggested a hyperstimulation of macropinocytosis, leading to an accumulation of enlarged early and late endosomes. Surprisingly, pharmacological inhibition as well as genetic depletion of large dynamin GTPases completely abolished fenretinide-induced vesicle formation and subsequent cell death, suggesting a new form of dynamin-dependent programmed cell death. Taken together, our data identify a new form of cell death mediated through the production of ROS by fenretinide treatment, highlighting the value of this compound for treatment of sarcoma patients including FP-RMS.

Molecular mechanisms linking environmental toxicants to cancer development: Significance for protective interventions with polyphenols

Human exposure to environmental toxicants with diverse mechanisms of action is a growing concern. In addition to well-recognized carcinogens, various chemicals in environmental and occupational settings have been suggested to impact health, increasing susceptibility to cancer by inducing genetic and epigenetic changes. Accordingly, in this review, we have discussed recent insights into the pathological mechanisms of these chemicals, namely their effects on cell redox and calcium homeostasis, mitochondria and inflammatory signaling, with a focus on the possible implications for multi-stage carcinogenesis and its reversal by polyphenols. Plant-derived polyphenols, such as epigallocatechin-gallate, resveratrol, curcumin and anthocyanins reduce the incidence of cancer and can be useful nutraceuticals for alleviating the detrimental outcomes of harmful pollutants. However, development of therapies based on polyphenol administration requires further studies to validate the biological efficacy, identifying effective doses, mode of action and new delivery forms. Innovative microphysiological testing models are presented and specific proposals for future trials are given. Merging the current knowledge of multifactorial actions of specific polyphenols and chief environmental toxicants, this work aims to potentiate the delivery of phytochemical-based protective treatments to individuals at high-risk due to environmental exposure.

Therapeutic Potential of Plant Phenolic Acids in the Treatment of Cancer

Globally, cancer is the second leading cause of death. Different conventional approaches to treat cancer include chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, these are usually associated with various deleterious effects and numerous disadvantages in clinical practice. In addition, there are increasing concerns about drug resistance. In the continuous search for safer and more effective treatments, plant-derived natural compounds are of major interest. Plant phenolics are secondary metabolites that have gained importance as potential anti-cancer compounds. Phenolics display a great prospective as cytotoxic anti-cancer agents promoting apoptosis, reducing proliferation, and targeting various aspects of cancer (angiogenesis, growth and differentiation, and metastasis). Phenolic acids are a subclass of plant phenolics, furtherly divided into benzoic and cinnamic acids, that are associated with potent anticancer abilities in various in vitro and in vivo studies. Moreover, the therapeutic activities of phenolic acids are reinforced by their role as epigenetic regulators as well as supporters of adverse events or resistance associated with conventional anticancer therapy. Encapsulation of phyto-substances into nanocarrier systems is a challenging aspect concerning the efficiency of natural substances used in cancer treatment. A summary of phenolic acids and their effectiveness as well as phenolic-associated advances in cancer treatment will be discussed in this review.

Development of TPGS/F127/F68 mixed polymeric micelles: Enhanced oral bioavailability and hepatoprotection of syringic acid against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity

Syringic acid (SA), a natural polyphenol found in fruits and vegetables, is claimed to show notable hepatoprotection. Nevertheless, low solubility and bioavailability hamper the application of SA. This study aimed to investigate the potential of TPGS/F127/F68 mixed polymeric micelles as a sustained and liver-targeting nanocarrier for SA. Herein, the prepared SA-loaded TPGS/F127/F68 mixed polymeric micelles (SA-TPGS-Ms) were spherically-shaped and homogeneously-distributed nanoparticles with high entrapment efficiency (94.67 ± 2.05%) and sustained release. Besides, in-vitro cell culture studies revealed that SA-TPGS-Ms substantially promoted cellular uptake with excellent biocompatibility. After oral administration, SA-TPGS-Ms demonstrated an increased bioavailability (2.3-fold) and delayed in-vivo elimination compared with the free SA. Furthermore, the alleviation of oxidative stress and amelioration of hepatic injury in CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity mice further demonstrated the excellent hepatoprotection of SA-TPGS-Ms. Collectively, SA-TPGS-Ms could be a promising nanocarrier for the utilization of SA in functional foods, with enhanced bioavailability and hepatoprotection.

Beer and its non-alcoholic compounds in health and disease

Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with beneficial effects on human health. Specifically, consumption of red wine and beer has shown a J-shape relation with many important diseases. While a role of ethanol cannot be excluded, the high content of polyphenols in both beverages has been proposed to contribute to these effects, with beer having the advantage over wine that it is lower in alcohol. In addition to ethanol, beer contains a wide variety of compounds with known medicinal potential such as kaempferol, quercetin, tyrosol and phenolic acids, and it is the main dietary source for the flavones xanthohumol and 8-prenylnaringenin, and bitter acids such as humulones and lupulones. Clinical and pre-clinical evidence for the protective effects of moderate beer consumption against cardiovascular disease and other diseases has been accumulating since the 1990s, and the non-alcoholic compounds of beer likely exert most of the observed beneficial effects. In this review, we summarize and discuss the effects of beer consumption in health and disease as well as the clinical potential of its non-alcoholic compounds which may be promising candidates for new therapies against common chronic diseases.

Signaling Pathways, Chemical and Biological Modulators of Nucleotide Excision Repair: The Faithful Shield against UV Genotoxicity

The continuous exposure of the human body's cells to radiation and genotoxic stresses leads to the accumulation of DNA lesions. Fortunately, our body has several effective repair mechanisms, among which is nucleotide excision repair (NER), to counteract these lesions. NER includes both global genome repair (GG-NER) and transcription-coupled repair (TC-NER). Deficiencies in the NER pathway underlie the development of several DNA repair diseases, such as xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), Cockayne syndrome (CS), and trichothiodystrophy (TTD). Deficiencies in GG-NER and TC-NER render individuals to become prone to cancer and neurological disorders, respectively. Therefore, NER regulation is of interest in fine-tuning these risks. Distinct signaling cascades including the NFE2L2 (NRF2), AHR, PI3K/AKT1, MAPK, and CSNK2A1 pathways can modulate NER function. In addition, several chemical and biological compounds have proven success in regulating NER's activity. These modulators, particularly the positive ones, could therefore provide potential treatments for genetic DNA repair-based diseases. Negative modulators, nonetheless, can help sensitize cells to killing by genotoxic chemicals. In this review, we will summarize and discuss the major upstream signaling pathways and molecules that could modulate the NER's activity.

Red Beetroot and Betalains as Cancer Chemopreventative Agents

Carcinogenesis is the process whereby a normal cell is transformed into a neoplastic cell. This action involves several steps starting with initiation and followed by promotion and progression. Driving these stages are oxidative stress and inflammation, which in turn encompasses a myriad of aberrant gene expressions, both within the transforming cell population and the cells within the surrounding lesion. Chemoprevention of cancer with bioreactive foods or their extracted/purified components occurs via normalizing these inappropriate gene activities. Various foods/agents have been shown to affect different gene expressions. In this review, we discuss whereby the chemoprevention activities of the red beetroot itself may disrupt carcinogenesis and the activities of the water-soluble betalains extracted from the plant.

Preparation and Characterization of Syringic Acid-Loaded TPGS Liposome with Enhanced Oral Bioavailability and In Vivo Antioxidant Efficiency

In this study, syringic acid-loaded TPGS liposome (SA-TPGS-Ls) was successfully prepared to improve oral bioavailability of syringic acid (SA). SA is a natural and notable antioxidant activity compound with its limited bioavailability ascribable to its poor aqueous solubility and fast elimination. Recently, TPGS has become a perfect molecular biomaterial in developing several carrier systems with sustained, controlled, and targeted the drug delivery. SA-TPGS-Ls was prepared via thin-film dispersion method and characterized in terms of particle size, stability, morphology, and encapsulation efficiency (EE). The results showed that SA-TPGS-Ls had regular spherical-shaped nanoparticles with EE of 96.48 ± 0.76%. The pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated a delayed MRT and prolonged t_1/2, while relative oral bioavailability increased by 2.8 times. Tissue distribution showed that SA-TPGS-Ls maintained liver drug concentration while delayed elimination was also observed in the kidney. In CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity study, the activities of hepatic T-AOC, GSH-Px, CAT, GSH, and SOD were greatly elevated, while serum biological markers ALT, AST, and AKP were reduced after treatment of mice with SA-TPGS-Ls. Histopathological studies confirmed that SA-TPGS-Ls could remarkably improve the status of hepatic tissues. Collectively, SA-TPGS-Ls significantly improved the drug encapsulation efficiency, stability coupled with bioavailability of SA, hence increasing in vivo antioxidant activity of the drug.

Another look at phenolic compounds in cancer therapy the effect of polyphenols on ubiquitin-proteasome system

Inhibitors of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) have been the object of research interests for many years because of their potential as anti-cancer agents. Research in this field is aimed at improving the specificity and safety of known proteasome inhibitors. Unfortunately, in vitro conditions do not reflect the processes taking place in the human body. Recent reports indicate that the components of human plasma affect the course of many signaling pathways, proteasome activity and the effectiveness of synthetic cytostatic drugs. Therefore, it is believed that the key issue is to determine the effects of components of the human diet, including effects of chemically active polyphenols on the ubiquitin-proteasome system activity in both physiological and pathological (cancerous) states. The following article summarizes the current knowledge on the direct and indirect synergistic and antagonistic effects between polyphenolic compounds present in the human diet and the efficiency of protein degradation via the UPS.

Effect of Syringic acid on antioxidant biomarkers and associated inflammatory markers in mice model of asthma

Asthma is termed as the induction of chronic inflammation in the airway lumen of lungs due to accumulation of inflammatory cells which affects normal breathing process. Prolonged accumulation of inflammatory cells leads to oxidative stress and suppression of antioxidant activities. Therefore, in our present investigation, a potential phenolic compound, Syringic acid was tested for the suppression of inflammatory markers toward an antiasthmatic activity in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice model. As a result, the Syringic acid treatment was found to suppress the inflammatory cells; eosinophil, neutrophil, macrophage, lymphocyte, and other inflammatory markers including IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and TNF-α in the BALF of OVA-induced asthmatic mice. Similarly, IgE levels were significantly reduced in the blood serum of Syringic acid treated mice groups. In this context, the IFN-γ levels were found enhanced in the BALF of Syringic acid treated asthmatic mice groups, expressing an anti-inflammatory response. Enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants such as SOD, CAT, and GSH levels were found high in the Syringic acid treatment than the asthmatic control group, which depicts the antioxidant response of Syringic acid on asthmatic groups. Intriguingly, the ROS, NO₂ , NO₃ , and MDA levels were inhibited in the BALF of Syringic acid treated mice groups. The airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) was comparatively normal in the Syringic acid treatment as it was severe in the case of asthmatic control group. Consequently, the effect of Syringic acid is prominent in the treatment of asthma by controlling the accumulation of inflammatory cells, other inflammatory markers along with enhancement of antioxidant markers, suppression of ROS and controlling airway hyperreactivity. Hence, Syringic acid may be recommended for clinical trials in the treatment of asthma.