Potential effects of fructus aurantii ethanol extracts against colitis-associated carcinogenesis through coordination of Notch/NF-κB/IL-1 signaling pathways

Unlocking the potential of flavonoids: Natural solutions in the fight against colon cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, underscoring the importance of understanding the diverse molecular and genetic underpinnings of CRC to improve its diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. This review delves into the adenoma-carcinoma-metastasis model, emphasizing the "APC-KRAS-TP53" signature events in CRC development. CRC is categorized into four consensus molecular subtypes, each characterized by unique genetic alterations and responses to therapy, illustrating its complexity and heterogeneity. Furthermore, we explore the role of chronic inflammation and the gut microbiome in CRC progression, emphasizing the potential of targeting these factors for prevention and treatment. This review discusses the impact of dietary carcinogens and lifestyle factors and the critical role of early detection in improving outcomes, and also examines conventional chemotherapy options for CRC and associated challenges. There is significant focus on the therapeutic potential of flavonoids for CRC management, discussing various types of flavonoids, their sources, and mechanisms of action, including their antioxidant properties, modulation of cell signaling pathways, and effects on cell cycle and apoptosis. This article presents evidence of the synergistic effects of flavonoids with conventional cancer therapies and their role in modulating the gut microbiome and immune response, thereby offering new avenues for CRC treatment. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to CRC research and treatment, incorporating insights from genetic, molecular, and lifestyle factors. Further research is needed on the preventive and therapeutic potential of natural compounds, such as flavonoids, in CRC, underscoring the need for personalized and targeted treatment strategies.

Green and highly effective extraction of bioactive flavonoids from Fructus aurantii employing deep eutectic solvents-based ultrasonic-assisted extraction protocol

In China, Jiang Fructus aurantii (JFA) has attracted increasing interest as a famous traditional herbal medicine and valuable economic food for its valuable medicinal and industrial properties. In the current work, contrasted with conventional extraction techniques, natural flavonoids from JFA (naringin and neohesperidin) were extracted with remarkable effectiveness utilizing a sustainable deep eutectic solvents combined ultrasonic-assisted extraction (DESs-UAE) protocol. The optimal extraction capacity can be achieved by mixing 30 % water with a molar ratio of 1:3 for choline chloride and ethylene glycol, as opposed to the classical extraction solvents of 95 % ethanol, methanol, and water. Moreover, the DESs-UAE extraction programs were also systematically optimized employing Box-Behnken design (BBD) trials, and the eventual findings suggested that the best parameters were a 27 % water content in DES, a 16 mL/g liquid-solid ratio, a 72 min extraction time, and a 62 °C extraction temperature, along with the corresponding greatest contents of NAR (48.18 mg/g) and NEO (34.50 mg/g), respectively. Notably, by comparison with the pre-optimization data, the optimized DES extraction efficiency of flavonoids is markedly higher. Thereafter, the characterization of the solvents before and after extraction, as well as the differences between the four extraction solvent extracts, were compared using the FT-IR analyses. Furthermore, SEM results suggested that the penetration and erosion abilities of the plant cell wall of DES-1 were stronger than those of the other three traditional solvents, thus allowing more release of flavonoid compounds. In conclusion, the present research develops a straightforward, sustainable, and exceedingly efficient approach for the extraction of bioactive flavonoids from JFA, which has the potential to facilitate the efficient acquisition of active ingredients from TCM.

Exploring the Mechanisms of Self-made Kuiyu Pingchang Recipe for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome using a Network Pharmacology-based Approach and Molecular Docking

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common intestinal diseases. According to the clinical experience and curative effect, the authors formulated Kuiyu Pingchang Decoction (KYPCD) comprised of Paeoniae radix alba, Aurantii Fructus, Herba euphorbiae humifusae, Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia, Angelicae sinensis radix, Panax ginseng C.A. Mey., Platycodon grandiforus and Allium azureum Ledeb.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to explore the mechanisms of KYPCD in the treatment of UC and IBS following the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory of "Treating different diseases with the same treatment".

METHODS

The chemical ingredients and targets of KYPCD were obtained using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP). The targets of UC and IBS were extracted using the DisGeNET, GeneCards, DrugBANK, OMIM and TTD databases. The "TCM-component-target" network and the "TCM-shared target-disease" network were imaged using Cytoscape software. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was built using the STRING database. The DAVID platform was used to analyze the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Using Autodock Tools software, the main active components of KYPCD were molecularly docked with their targets and visualized using PyMOL.

RESULTS

A total of 46 active ingredients of KYPCD corresponding to 243 potential targets, 1,565 targets of UC and 1,062 targets of IBS, and 70 targets among active ingredients and two diseases were screened. Core targets in the PPI network included IL6, TNF, AKT1, IL1B, TP53, EGFR and VEGFA. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated 563 biological processes, 48 cellular components, 82 molecular functions and 144 signaling pathways. KEGG enrichment results revealed that the regulated pathways were mainly related to the PI3K-AKT, MAPK, HIF-1 and IL-17 pathways. The results of molecular docking analysis indicated that the core active ingredients of KYPCD had optimal binding activity to their corresponding targets.

CONCLUSION

KYPCD may use IL6, TNF, AKT1, IL1B, TP53, EGFR and VEGFA as the key targets to achieve the treatment of UC and IBS through the PI3K-AKT, MAPK, HIF-1 and IL-17 pathways.

Murine models of colorectal cancer: the azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model of colitis-associated cancer

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer. It is a heterogeneous disease, including both hereditary and sporadic types of tumors. CRC results from complex interactions between various genetic and environmental factors. Inflammatory bowel disease is an important risk factor for developing CRC. Despite growing understanding of the CRC biology, preclinical models are still needed to investigate the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease, as well as to find new methods of treatment and prevention.

Objectives

The purpose of this review is to describe existing murine models of CRC with a focus on the models of colitis-associated CRC. This manuscript could be relevant for experimental biologists and oncologists.

Methodology

We checked PubMed and Google from 01/2018 to 05/2023 for reviews of CRC models. In addition, we searched PubMed from 01/2022 to 01/2023 for articles using the azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) CRC model.

Results

Existing murine models of CRC include spontaneous, genetically engineered, transplantation, and chemically induced models. For the study of colitis-associated cancer (CAC), the AOM/DSS model is predominantly used. This model is very similar in histological and molecular characteristics to the human CAC, and is highly reproducible, inexpensive, and easy to use. Despite its popularity, the AOM/DSS model is not standardized, which makes it difficult to analyze and compare data from different studies.

Conclusions

Each model demonstrates particular advantages and disadvantages, and allows to reproduce different subtypes or aspects of the pathogenesis of CRC.

HPLC Analysis of Polyphenols Derived from Hungarian Aszú from Tokaj Wine Region and Its Effect on Inflammation in an In Vitro Model System of Endothelial Cells

Many studies have been published in recent years regarding the fact that moderate wine consumption, as a part of a balanced diet can have a beneficial effect on human health. The biologically active components of wine continue to be the subject of intense research today. In this study, the bioactive molecules of Hungarian aszú from the Tokaj wine region were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and investigated in an in vitro model system of endothelial cells induced by bacterial-derived lipopolysaccharide. The HPLC measurements were performed on a reversed phased column with gradient elution. The non-cytotoxic concentration of the active substance was determined based on 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)-, apoptosis, and necrosis assays. The antioxidant effect of the extract was determined by evaluating its ability to eliminate ROS. The expressions of the interleukin-(IL)1α, IL1-β, IL-6, and IL-8 pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) at the mRNA level were evaluated using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We found that the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced increases in the expressions of the investigated cytokines were significantly suppressed by Hungarian aszú extract, excluding IL-6. In our experimental setup, our treatment had a positive effect on the eNOS expression, which was impaired as a result of the inflammatory manipulation. In our experimental model, the Hungarian aszú extract decreased the LPS-induced increases in the expression of the investigated cytokines and eNOS at the mRNA level, which presumably had a positive effect on the endothelial dysfunction caused by inflammation due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Collectively, this research contributes to a more thorough understanding of the bioactive molecules of aszú from the Tokaj wine region.

Unraveling the Complex Interconnection between Specific Inflammatory Signaling Pathways and Mechanisms Involved in HIV-Associated Colorectal Oncogenesis

The advancement of HIV treatment has led to increased life expectancy. However, people living with HIV (PLWH) are at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancers. Chronic inflammation has a key role in oncogenesis, affecting the initiation, promotion, transformation, and advancement of the disease. PLWH are prone to opportunistic infections that trigger inflammation. It has been documented that 15-20% of cancers are triggered by infections, and this percentage is expected to be increased in HIV co-infections. The incidence of parasitic infections such as helminths, with Ascariasis being the most common, is higher in HIV-infected individuals. Cancer cells and opportunistic infections drive a cascade of inflammatory responses which assist in evading immune surveillance, making them survive longer in the affected individuals. Their survival leads to a chronic inflammatory state which further increases the probability of oncogenesis. This review discusses the key inflammatory signaling pathways involved in disease pathogenesis in HIV-positive patients with colorectal cancers. The possibility of the involvement of co-infections in the advancement of the disease, along with highlights on signaling mechanisms that can potentially be utilized as therapeutic strategies to prevent oncogenesis or halt cancer progression, are addressed.