A new herbal formula BP10A exerted an antitumor effect and enhanced anticancer effect of irinotecan and oxaliplatin in the colon cancer PDTX model

On-line extraction and determination of coumarins compounds from mouse plasma based on a homemade phenyl-hybrid monolithic adsorbent

A phenyl-hybrid monolithic adsorbent was prepared using an organic monomer of ethylene glycol phenyl ether acrylate and inorganic monomers of tetramethoxysilane and vinyltrimethoxysilane, via polycondensation and polymerization in a stainless-steel column, which shows porous structure and multiple functional groups, according to the measurements of scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption method and infrared spectroscopy. The resulting hybrid phenyl-based monolith was used as a solid-phase extraction column, combining with an analytical column in conjunction with high-performance liquid chromatography system for the on-line extraction and determination of coumarins (praeruptorin A and praeruptorin B) in Peucedani Radix from mouse plasma. The homemade hybrid monolithic solid-phase extraction column exhibits good removal ability for the sample matrices, as well as unique selectivity for the two praeruptorins. Methodology validation results indicate that the present method is applicable for the on-line extraction and quantitative analysis of praeruptorin A and praeruptorin B in Peucedani Radix from mouse plasma with a limit of quantitation 0.06 μg/mL and a linear range 0.06-5 μg/mL (r＞0.999), thus indicating the present method is a promising and alternative method for the quantitative determination of similar target components with micro or trace concentration from complex extract solution and plasma.

Synergistic and Additive Effects of Herbal Medicines in Combination with Chemotherapeutics: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Natural products are increasingly gaining interest as potential new drug candidates for cancer treatment. Herbal formula, which are combinations of several herbs, are primarily used in East Asia and have a long history of use that continues today. Recently, research exploring the combination of herbal formulas and chemotherapy for cancer treatment has been on the rise.

METHODS

This study reviewed research on the co-administration of herbal formulas and chemotherapy for cancer treatment. The databases PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were used for article searches. The following keywords were employed: "Antineoplastic agents," "Chemotherapy," "Phytotherapy," "Herbal medicine," "Drug synergism," and "Synergistic effect." The selection process focused on studies that investigated the synergistic interaction between herbal formulas and chemotherapeutic agents.

RESULTS

Among the 30 studies included, 25 herbal formulas and 7 chemotherapies were used. The chemotherapy agents co-administered included cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, docetaxel, doxorubicin, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and gemcitabine. The types of cancer most frequently studied were lung, breast, and colon cancers. Most studies evaluating the anticancer efficacy of combined herbal formula and chemotherapy treatment were conducted in vitro or in vivo.

DISCUSSION

Most studies reported synergistic effects on cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and tumor growth inhibition. These effects were found to be associated with cell cycle arrest, anti-angiogenesis, and gene expression regulation. Further studies leading to clinical trials are required. Clinical experiences in East Asian countries could provide insights for future research.

Therapeutic implications and clinical manifestations of thymoquinone

Thymoquinone (TQ), a natural phytochemical predominantly found in Nigella sativa, has been investigated for its numerous health benefits. TQ showed anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, validated in various disease models. The anti-cancer potential of TQ is goverened by anti-proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, ROS production, anti-metastasis and anti-angiogenesis, inhibition of cell migration and invasion action. Additionally, TQ exhibited antitumor activity via the modulation of multiple pathways and molecular targets, including Akt, ERK1/2, STAT3, and NF-κB. The present review highlighted the anticancer potential of TQ . We summarize the anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of TQ, focusing on its molecular targets and its promising action in cancer therapy. We further described the molecular mechanisms by which TQ prevents signaling pathways that mediate cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis.

Wumei Pill Ameliorates AOM/DSS-Induced Colitis-Associated Colon Cancer through Inhibition of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress by Regulating S-Adenosylhomocysteine Hydrolase- (AHCY-) Mediated Hedgehog Signaling in Mice

Wumei Pill (WMP) is a traditional Chinese herbal formulation and widely used to treat digestive system diseases in clinical. S-Adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AHCY) can catalyze the hydrolysis of S-adenosylhomocysteine to adenosine and homocysteine in living organisms, and its abnormal expression is linked to the pathogenesis of many diseases including colorectal cancer (CRC). A previous study reported that WMP could prevent CRC in mice; however, the underlying mechanisms especially the roles of AHCY in WMP-induced anti-CRC remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the regulatory roles and potential mechanisms of AHCY in WMP-induced anti-CRC. WMP notably alleviated the azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium- (AOM/DSS-) induced colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC) in mice. Besides, WMP inhibited the inflammation and oxidative stress in AOM/DSS-induced CAC mice. AHCY was high expression in clinical samples of colon cancer compared to the adjacent tissues. WMP inhibited the AHCY expression in AOM/DSS-induced CAC mice. An in vitro study found that AHCY overexpression induced cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and tumor angiogenesis, whereas its knockdown impaired its oncogenic function. AHCY overexpression enhanced, while its knockdown weakened the inflammation and oxidative stress in colon cancer cells. Interestingly, WMP potently suppressed the hedgehog (Hh) signaling in AOM/DSS-induced CAC mice. A further study showed that AHCY overexpression activated the Hh signaling while AHCY knockdown inactivated the Hh signaling. Moreover, activation of the Hh signaling reversed the effect of AHCY silencing on inflammation and oxidative stress in vitro. In conclusion, WMP alleviated the AOM/DSS-induced CAC through inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress by regulating AHCY-mediated hedgehog signaling in mice. These findings uncovered a potential molecular mechanism underlying the anti-CAC effect of WMP and suggested WMP as a promising therapeutic candidate for CRC.

Preventive effects of Brassicaceae family for colon cancer prevention: A focus on in vitro studies

The emergence of adverse effects and resistance to colorectal cancer (CRC) current therapies calls for the development of new strategies aimed at both preventing and treating. In this context, functional extracts from Brassicaceae family contains abundant bioactive compounds directly related to a positive effect on human health including cancer. The main objective of this systematic review is to compile all recent studies that analyzed the in vitro antiproliferative activity of functional extracts or isolated molecules from the Brassicaceae family against CRC. A total of 711 articles published between January 2011 and May 2021 were identified. Of them, 68 met our inclusion criteria. Different standardized protocols using variable parts of plants of the Brassicaceae family resulted in diverse bioactive extracts and/or compounds. Most of them were related to isothiocyanates, which showed significant antitumor activity against CRC. These in vitro studies provide an excellent guide to direct research on the applications of plants of the Brassicaceae family to the prevention of this type of tumor. The extracts and molecules with demonstrated activity against CRC should be tested in vivo and in clinical trials to determine their usefulness in the prevention of this cancer to reduce its global incidence.

Drug-Resistant Stem Cells: Novel Approach for Colon Cancer Therapy

Metastatic progression of female breast and colon cancer represents a major cause of mortality in women. Spontaneous/acquired resistance to conventional and targeted chemo-endocrine therapy is associated with the emergence of drug-resistant tumor-initiating cancer stem cell populations. The cancer-initiating premalignant stem cells exhibit activation of select cancer cell signaling pathways and undergo epithelial–mesenchymal transition, leading to the evolution of a metastatic phenotype. The development of reliable cancer stem cell models provides valuable experimental approaches to identify novel testable therapeutic alternatives for therapy-resistant cancer. Drug-resistant stem cell models for molecular subtypes of clinical breast cancer and for genetically predisposed colon cancer are developed by selecting epithelial cells that survive in the presence of cytostatic concentrations of relevant therapeutic agents. These putative stem cells are characterized by the expression status of select cellular and molecular stem cell markers. The stem cell models are utilized as experimental approaches to examine the stem-cell-targeted growth inhibitory efficacy of naturally occurring dietary phytochemicals. The present review provides a systematic discussion on (i) conceptual and experimental aspects relevant to the chemo-endocrine therapy of breast and colon cancer, (ii) molecular/cellular aspects of cancer stem cells and (iii) potential stem-cell-targeting lead compounds as testable alternatives against the progression of therapy-resistant breast and colon cancer.

The Potential of Plant-Derived Extracts and Compounds to Augment Anticancer Effects of Chemotherapeutic Drugs

Plant extracts comprise a complex mixture of natural compounds with diverse biological activities including anticancer activities. This has made the use of plant extracts a trending strategy in cancer treatment. In addition, plants' active constituents such as polyphenols could confer protective effects on normal cells against damage by free radicals as well as lessen the toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs. Recently, many emerging studies revealed the combinatory uses of plant extracts and individual therapeutic compounds that could be a promising panacea in hampering multiple signaling pathways involved in cancer development and progression. Besides enhancing the therapeutic efficacy, this has also been proven to reduce the dosage of chemotherapeutic drugs used, and hence overcome multiple drug resistance and minimize treatment side effects. Notably, combined use of plant extracts with chemotherapeutics drugs was shown to enhance anticancer effects through modulating various signaling pathways, such as P13K/AKT, NF-κB, JNK, ERK, WNT/β-catenin, and many more. Hence, this review aims to comprehensively summarize both In Vitro and In Vivo mechanisms of actions of well-studied plant extracts, such as Ganoderma Lucidum, Korean red ginseng, Garcinia sp., curcumin, and luteolin extracts in augmenting anticancer properties of the conventional chemotherapeutic drugs from an extensive literature search of recent publications.

Drug-Resistant Stem Cells: Novel Approach for Colon Cancer Therapy

BACKGROUND

Next to breast cancer, advanced stage metastatic colon cancer represents a major cause for mortality in women. Germline or somatic mutations in tumor suppressor genes or in DNA mismatch repair genes represent risk factors for genetic predisposition of colon cancer that are also detectable in sporadic colon cancer. Conventional chemotherapy for colon cancer includes combination of 5-fluoro-uracil with oxaliplatin and irinotecan or targeted therapy with non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. Major limitations of these therapeutic interventions are associated with systemic toxicity, acquired tumor resistance and the emergence of drug resistant stem cells that favor initiation, progression and metastasis of therapy-resistant disease. These limitations emphasize an unmet need to identify tumor stem cell selective testable alternatives. Drug-resistant stem cell models facilitate the identification of new testable alternatives from natural phytochemicals and herbal formulations. The goal of this review is to provide an overview relevant to the current status of conventional/targeted therapy, the role of cancer stem cells and the status of testable alternatives for therapy-resistant colon cancer. Experimental models: Hyper-proliferative and tumorigenic cell lines from genetically predisposed colonic tissues of female mice represent experimental models. Chemotherapeutic agents select drug-resistant phenotypes that exhibit upregulated expressions of cellular and molecular stem cell markers. Mechanistically distinct natural phytochemicals effectively inhibit stem cell growth and downregulate the expressions of stem cell markers.

CONCLUSIONS

The present review discusses the status of colon cancer therapy and inherent limitations, cancer stem cell biology, potential lead compounds and their advantages over chemotherapy. The present experimental approaches will facilitate the identification of pharmacological and naturally-occurring agents as lead compounds for stem cell targeted therapy of colon cancer.

Egg Yolk Protein Water Extracts Modulate the Immune Response in BALB/c Mice with Immune Dysfunction Caused by Forced Swimming

The objective of this study was to determine the immunomodulatory effects of egg yolk protein–water extract (EYW) on splenocyte proliferation, cytokine secretion, immunoglobulin production, and NK cell cytotoxic activity in BALB/c mice. The forced swimming test (FST) was used to provide a model for suppressing immune regulation. The proliferation of B cells in the EYW supplementation group was significantly increased from the level to which it was reduced by the FST (from 40.9% to 81.8%, p < 0.05). EYW supplementation affected cytokine secretion of splenocytes. Levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-10—as Th1 and Th2 cytokines, respectively—were decreased after the FST. However, EYW supplementation showed that secretion levels of these cytokines were significantly increased to pre-FST levels (p < 0.05). The production of immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG) was increased abnormally after the FST, whereas EYW supplementation significantly decreased it to pre-FST levels (p < 0.05). EYW supplementation also improved NK cell cytotoxic activity against YAC-1 tumor cells compared to the PC group (p < 0.05). These data suggest that EYW has potential as an immunomodulatory agent in the food and/or pharmaceutical industries.

Bioactive phytoconstituents as potent inhibitors of casein kinase-2: dual implications in cancer and COVID-19 therapeutics

Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a conserved serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in hematopoietic cell survival, cell cycle control, DNA repair, and other cellular processes. It plays a significant role in cancer progression and viral infection. CK2 is considered a potential drug target in cancers and COVID-19 therapy. In this study, we have performed a virtual screening of phytoconstituents from the IMPPAT database to identify some potential inhibitors of CK2. The initial filter was the physicochemical properties of the molecules following the Lipinski rule of five. Then binding affinity calculation, PAINS filter, ADMET, and PASS analyses followed by interaction analysis were carried out to discover nontoxic and better hits. Finally, two compounds, stylopine and dehydroevodiamines with appreciable affinity and specific interaction towards CK2, were identified. Their time-evolution analyses were carried out using all-atom molecular dynamics simulation, principal component analysis and free energy landscape. Altogether, we propose that stylopine and dehydroevodiamines can be further explored in in vitro and in vivo settings to develop anticancer and antiviral therapeutics.

Showing protein–ligands interactions, electrostatic potential of CK2 bound to selected compounds, free energy landscapes of CK2-stylopine, and CK2-dehydroevodiamines complexes.

Microbiota-Host-Irinotecan Axis: A New Insight Toward Irinotecan Chemotherapy

Irinotecan (CPT11) and its active metabolite ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN38) are broad-spectrum cytotoxic anticancer agents. Both cause cell death in rapidly dividing cells (e.g., cancer cells, epithelial cells, hematopoietic cells) and commensal bacteria. Therefore, CPT11 can induce a series of toxic side-effects, of which the most conspicuous is gastrointestinal toxicity (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Studies have shown that the gut microbiota modulates the host response to chemotherapeutic drugs. Targeting the gut microbiota influences the efficacy and toxicity of CPT11 chemotherapy through three key mechanisms: microbial ecocline, catalysis of microbial enzymes, and immunoregulation. This review summarizes and explores how the gut microbiota participates in CPT11 metabolism and mediates host immune dynamics to affect the toxicity and efficacy of CPT11 chemotherapy, thus introducing a new concept that is called "microbiota-host-irinotecan axis". Also, we emphasize the utilization of bacterial β-glucuronidase-specific inhibitor, dietary interventions, probiotics and strain-engineered interventions as emergent microbiota-targeting strategies for the purpose of improving CPT11 chemotherapy efficiency and alleviating toxicity.

Changes and Prognostic Value of lncRNA CASC9 in Patients with Advanced Colon Cancer after Chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

Colon cancer (CC) shows a gradual increasing incidence in recent years, and chemotherapy is a frequently adopted treatment for patients with middle or advanced colon cancer (ACC), but it lacks prognostic markers after CC.

METHODS

The changes of lncRNA CASC9 in 58 patients with CC were determined using a real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) assay before and after chemotherapy, and the correlation of serum lncRNA CASC9 with efficacy of FOLFOX4 regimen (oxaliplatin + calcium folinate + fluorouracil) was analyzed. The patients were followed up to understand the association of lncRNA CASC9 with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Patients with CC showed notably higher lncRNA CASC9 expression than controls, and lncRNA CASC9 presented an association with the clinical stage of the patients. In addition, lncRNA CASC9 demonstrated a clinical value in predicting efficacy on patients and acted as one independent prognostic factor for PFS in patients with ACC.

CONCLUSIONS

With increased expression of serum lncRNA CASC9, patients with ACC suffered an unfavorable chemotherapy effect. In addition, serum lncRNA CASC9 is a promising sensitive indicator for prediction of ACC and is related to the clinical efficacy and prognosis of patients.

Effect of Pterostilbene, a Natural Derivative of Resveratrol, in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer through Top1/Tdp1-Mediated DNA Repair Pathway

Topoisomerase 1 (Top1) inhibitor is an effective anticancer drug, but several factors limit its clinical application such as drug inactivation, tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (Tdp1)-mediated tumor drug resistance, and its toxicity. Our previous study identified pterostilbene (PTE) and resveratrol (RE) to suppress these two proteins by binding to their active center. PTE and RE could inhibit the proliferation of various colorectal cancer cells, induce cell apoptosis, and make cell cycle stay in G2/M phase in vitro. PTE and RE could decrease Top1 and Tdp1 contents and mRNA expression in wild-type, constructed Tdp1 overexpressing CL187, Top1- or Tdp1- silenced CL187 cell lines. PTE exhibited excellent antitumor activity in subcutaneous CL187 transplantation model (TGI = 79.14 ± 2.85%, 200 mg/kg, i.p.) and orthotopic transplantation model (TGI = 76.57 ± 6.34%, 100 mg/kg, i.p.; TGI = 72.79 ± 4.06%, 500 mg/kg, i.g.) without significant toxicity. PTE had no significant inhibitory effect on non-tumor cell proliferation in vitro and would not induce damage to liver, kidney, and other major organs. Overall, PTE and RE can inhibit the activity of Top1 enzyme and inhibit the DNA damage repair pathway mediated by Top1/Tdp1, and can effectively inhibit colorectal cancer development with low toxicity, thus they have great potential to be developed into a new generation of anti-tumor drugs.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Colorectal Cancer: Implications for Drug Discovery

As an important part of complementary and alternative medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been applied to treat a host of diseases for centuries. Over the years, with the incidence rate of human colorectal cancer (CRC) increasing continuously and the advantage of TCM gradually becoming more prominent, the importance of TCM in both domestic and international fields is also growing with each passing day. However, the unknowability of active ingredients, effective substances, and the underlying mechanisms of TCM against this malignant tumor greatly restricts the translation degree of clinical products and the pace of precision medicine. In this review, based on the characteristics of TCM and the oral administration of most ingredients, we herein provide beneficial information for the clinical utilization of TCM in the prevention and treatment of CRC and retrospect the current preclinical studies on the related active ingredients, as well as put forward the research mode for the discovery of active ingredients and effective substances in TCM, to provide novel insights into the research and development of innovative agents from this conventional medicine for CRC treatment and assist the realization of precision medicine.

Nanoformulations of Coumarins and the Hybrid Molecules of Coumarins with Potential Anticancer Effects

Coumarins are the secondary metabolites of some plants, fungi, and bacteria. Coumarins and the hybrid molecules of coumarins are the compounds which have been widely studied for their potential anticancer effects. They belong to benzopyrone chemical class, more precisely benzo-α-pyrones, where benzene ring is fused to pyrone ring. In nature, coumarins are found in higher plants like Rutaceae and Umbelliferae and some essential oils like cinnamon bark oil, cassia leaf oil and lavender oil are also rich in coumarins. The six main classes of coumarins are furanocoumarins, dihydrofuranocoumarins, pyrano coumarins, pyrone substituted coumarins, phenylcoumarins and bicoumarins. As well as their wide range of biological activities, coumarins and the hybrid molecules of coumarins are proven to have an important role in anticancer drug development due to the fact that many of its derivatives have shown an anticancer activity on various cell lines. Osthol, imperatorin, esculetin, scopoletin, umbelliprenin, angelicine, bergamottin, limettin, metoxhalen, aurapten and isopimpinellin are some of these coumarins. This review summarizes the anticancer effects of coumarins and their hybrid molecules including the novel pharmaceutical formulations adding further information on the topic for the last ten years and basically focusing on the structureactivity relationship of these compounds in cancer.

Toxicological assessments of an ethanol extract complex of Descurainia sophia and Peucedanum praeruptorum: Subacute oral toxicity and genotoxicity studies

An ethanol extract complex of Descurainia sophia seeds and Peucedanum praeruptorum roots, called BP10A, has antitumor potential against colorectal cancer. In the present study, we evaluated the 28-day oral toxicity and the genotoxicity of BP10A. The subacute toxicity test was done through oral administration to mice. ICR mice (n = 10) received daily oral BP10A doses of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days. During administration, general clinical signs, food consumption, organ weights, and hematologic, biochemical and histopathological parameters in male and female mice were assessed. No significant adverse effects up to the highest dose (2000 mg/kg) were found. The genotoxicity was evaluated using a battery of tests, including an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) test, an in vivo micronucleus test using bone marrow cells in ICR mice and a chromosomal aberration test using CHL/IU cells. BP10A did not show any genotoxic signs in the Ames (up to 5000 μg/plate), micronucleus (up to 5000 mg/kg) and the chromosomal aberration tests (550-1750 μg/mL). Therefore, BP10A was considered safe based on the subacute toxicity and genotoxicity results, indicating that it is a useful pharmaceutical material with no adverse toxicity.