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Safenraiter ME, Soldini MPC, Del Río MG. Cantharidin: A Multiporpuse Beetlejuice. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2024; 53:964-971. [PMID: 38750300 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-024-01164-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Cantharidin is produced by beetles of two families, Meloidae (true blister beetles) and Oedemeridae (false blister beetles). Nevertheless, it is mainly members of the meloid family that have been widely studied in the traditional medicines and pharmacology of different cultures and countries. The meloids cantharidin's role is going to be reviewed in this paper, including the cantharidin discovery, its adaptative function, and worldwide uses. Finally, we recovered information on the implementation of this compound in South American civilizations in different therapeutic treatments as well as sexual stimulants and aphrodisiacs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melania Edith Safenraiter
- Laboratorio de Entomología, CICYTTP-CONICET/UADER/Gob. Entre Ríos, Materi y España, Diamante, Entre Ríos, Argentina.
| | - María Paula Campos Soldini
- Laboratorio de Entomología, CICYTTP-CONICET/UADER/Gob. Entre Ríos, Materi y España, Diamante, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - María Guadalupe Del Río
- División Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Univ Nacional de La Plata, CONICET, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Guo J, Yan W, Duan H, Wang D, Zhou Y, Feng D, Zheng Y, Zhou S, Liu G, Qin X. Therapeutic Effects of Natural Products on Liver Cancer and Their Potential Mechanisms. Nutrients 2024; 16:1642. [PMID: 38892575 PMCID: PMC11174683 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer ranks third globally among causes of cancer-related deaths, posing a significant public health challenge. However, current treatments are inadequate, prompting a growing demand for novel, safe, and effective therapies. Natural products (NPs) have emerged as promising candidates in drug development due to their diverse biological activities, low toxicity, and minimal side effects. This paper begins by reviewing existing treatment methods and drugs for liver cancer. It then summarizes the therapeutic effects of NPs sourced from various origins on liver cancer. Finally, we analyze the potential mechanisms of NPs in treating liver cancer, including inhibition of angiogenesis, migration, and invasion; regulation of the cell cycle; induction of apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis; influence on tumor metabolism; immune regulation; regulation of intestinal function; and regulation of key signaling pathways. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of NPs research in liver cancer treatment, offering a foundation for further development and application in pharmaceuticals and functional foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhong Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functional Food, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100023, China; (J.G.); (W.Y.); (H.D.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (G.L.)
| | - Wenjie Yan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functional Food, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100023, China; (J.G.); (W.Y.); (H.D.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (G.L.)
| | - Hao Duan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functional Food, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100023, China; (J.G.); (W.Y.); (H.D.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (G.L.)
| | - Diandian Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functional Food, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100023, China; (J.G.); (W.Y.); (H.D.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (G.L.)
| | - Yaxi Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functional Food, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100023, China; (J.G.); (W.Y.); (H.D.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (G.L.)
| | - Duo Feng
- Institute of Food and Nutrition Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China;
| | - Yue Zheng
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China;
| | - Shiqi Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functional Food, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100023, China; (J.G.); (W.Y.); (H.D.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (G.L.)
| | - Gaigai Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functional Food, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100023, China; (J.G.); (W.Y.); (H.D.); (D.W.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (G.L.)
| | - Xia Qin
- Graduate Department, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100101, China
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Potential of Compounds Originating from the Nature to Act in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy by Targeting the Tumor Immunosuppressive Microenvironment: A Review. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 28:molecules28010195. [PMID: 36615387 PMCID: PMC9822070 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent subtype of liver cancer, is the second main reason for cancer-related deaths worldwide. In recent decades, sufficient evidence supported that immunotherapy was a safe and effective treatment option for HCC. However, tolerance and frequent recurrence and metastasis occurred in patients after immunotherapy due to the complicated crosstalk in the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME) in HCC. Therefore, elucidating the TIME in HCC and finding novel modulators to target TIME for attenuating immune suppression is critical to optimize immunotherapy. Recently, studies have shown the potentially immunoregulatory activities of natural compounds, characterized by multiple targets and pathways and low toxicity. In this review, we concluded the unique role of TIME in HCC. Moreover, we summarized evidence that supports the hypothesis of natural compounds to target TIME to improve immunotherapy. Furthermore, we discussed the comprehensive mechanisms of these natural compounds in the immunotherapy of HCC. Accordingly, we present a well-grounded review of the naturally occurring compounds in cancer immunotherapy, expecting to shed new light on discovering novel anti-HCC immunomodulatory drugs from natural sources.
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Zhai BT, Sun J, Shi YJ, Zhang XF, Zou JB, Cheng JX, Fan Y, Guo DY, Tian H. Review targeted drug delivery systems for norcantharidin in cancer therapy. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:509. [DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01703-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractNorcantharidin (NCTD) is a demethylated derivative of cantharidin (CTD), the main anticancer active ingredient isolated from traditional Chinese medicine Mylabris. NCTD has been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of various solid tumors, especially liver cancer. Although NCTD greatly reduces the toxicity of CTD, there is still a certain degree of urinary toxicity and organ toxicity, and the poor solubility, short half-life, fast metabolism, as well as high venous irritation and weak tumor targeting ability limit its widespread application in the clinic. To reduce its toxicity and improve its efficacy, design of targeted drug delivery systems based on biomaterials and nanomaterials is one of the most feasible strategies. Therefore, this review focused on the studies of targeted drug delivery systems combined with NCTD in recent years, including passive and active targeted drug delivery systems, and physicochemical targeted drug delivery systems for improving drug bioavailability and enhancing its efficacy, as well as increasing drug targeting ability and reducing its adverse effects.
Graphical Abstract
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Wang Y, Su Y, Yang Y, Jin H, Wu M, Wang Q, Sun P, Zhang J, Yang X, Shu X. Increased brain uptake of pterostilbene loaded folate modified micellar delivery system. Drug Deliv 2022; 29:3071-3086. [PMID: 36131589 PMCID: PMC9848421 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2126559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Effective chemotherapy for clinical treatment of brain diseases is still lacking due to the poor penetration of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The aim of this study was to construct a folate modified pterostilbene (Pt) loaded polymeric micellar delivery system (F-Pt/M) with mPEG-PCL as carrier material to aim at penetrating the BBB for brain tissue targeting via receptor-mediated endocytosis. In this study, F-Pt/M was prepared using thin-film hydration method and then optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) with the entrapment efficiency (EE), drug loading (DL) and hydrodynamic diameter (HD) as indexes. The average hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of optimal F-Pt/M were 133.2 nm and 24.6 mV, respectively. DL (18.3%) and EE (98.6%) made the solubility of Pt in water about 25 times higher than that of crude Pt. Results of DSC evaluation revealed that drugs were successfully encapsulated inside the polymeric micelles. TEM images showed that homogeneous spherical micellar structures with a narrow size distribution were developed. The release result in vitro showed that F-Pt/M presented sustained release behavior compared to control free Pt solution. Compared to non-targeted Pt/M, F-Pt/M had a significantly higher cytotoxicity against FR-overexpressing A172 cells. In vitro cellular uptake tests illustrated that the micellar delivery system could significantly improve the accumulation of drugs in target cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis. BBB penetration value (P) of F-Pt/M was about 4 folds higher than that of free Pt group. In addition, drug targeting index (DTI) was calculated to determine targeting of F-Pt/M to the brain which was found to be 4.89, implying improved brain targeting was achieved. Hence, the developed F-Pt/M exhibited great potential for delivering more drug molecules across the BBB for the treatment of brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Wang
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China,College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China,The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yanan Su
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yunqiao Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Huan Jin
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Moli Wu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qian Wang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Pengyuan Sun
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jianbin Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China,Xiaobo Yang College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Lvshunkou District, Dalian116044, China
| | - Xiaohong Shu
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China,College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China,CONTACT Xiaohong Shu Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Lvshunkou District, Dalian 116044, China
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Xu Y, Wang M, Ning S, Yang Z, Zhou L, Xia X. Development of Glycyrrhetinic Acid and Folate Modified Cantharidin Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Targeting Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27206786. [PMID: 36296377 PMCID: PMC9610810 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27206786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cantharidin (CTD) is the major component of anticancer drugs obtained from Mylabris Cichorii and has a good inhibitory effect on several cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and breast cancer. However, due to its toxicity, oral administration can cause various adverse reactions, limiting its clinical application. The aim of this work was to design glycyrrhetinic acid (GA)- and/or folate (FA)-modified solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for the encapsulation of CTD to target HCC. Four CTD-loaded SLNs (cantharidin solid lipid nanoparticles (CSLNs), glycyrrhetinic acid-modified cantharidin solid lipid nanoparticles (GA-CSLNs), folate-modified cantharidin solid lipid nanoparticles (FA-CSLNs), and glycyrrhetinic acid and folate-modified cantharidin solid lipid nanoparticles (GA-FA-CSLNs)) were prepared by the emulsion ultrasonic dispersion method, and their physicochemical parameters were determined (particle size and distribution, morphology, zeta-potential, entrapment efficiency, drug loading, and hemolysis). Additionally, the antitumor activities of the four SLNs were evaluated comprehensively by tests for cytotoxicity, cell migration, cell cycle, apoptosis, cellular uptake, competition suppression assay, and in vivo tumor suppression assay. Four SLNs showed spherical shapes and mean diameters in the range of 75–110 nm with size dispersion (PDI) within the range of 0.19–0.50 and zeta-potential approximately –10 mV. The entrapment efficiency of CTD in SLNs was higher than 95% for all tested formulations, and no hemolysis was observed. Compared to GA-CSLNs or CSLNs, GA-FA-CSLNs and FA-CSLNs showed stronger cytotoxicity on hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2), and the cytotoxicity of GA-FA-CSLNs on hepatocyte cells (L-02) was remarkably reduced compared with other formulations. GA-FA-CSLNs and FA-CSLNs also increased the inhibition of HepG2 cell migration, and FA-CSLNs had the highest apoptosis rate. The cell cycle results indicated that HepG2 cells were arrested mainly in the S phase and G2/M phase. Analysis of competition inhibition experiments showed that GA and FA ligands had targeted effects on HepG2 cells. The in vivo tumor inhibition experiment showed that GA-FA-CSLNs and FA-CSLNs had excellent tumor inhibition ability—their tumor inhibition rates were 96.46% and 89.92%, respectively. Our results indicate that GA-FA-CSLNs and FA-CSLNs have a promising future in the therapeutic intervention of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Min Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
- The Second Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, China
| | - Shuangcheng Ning
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Zhonglan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Lili Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (X.X.); Tel.: +86-138-7596-5134 (L.Z.); +86-139-7313-1320 (X.X.)
| | - Xinhua Xia
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (X.X.); Tel.: +86-138-7596-5134 (L.Z.); +86-139-7313-1320 (X.X.)
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Ha JH, Kim YJ. Photodynamic and Cold Atmospheric Plasma Combination Therapy Using Polymeric Nanoparticles for the Synergistic Treatment of Cervical Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031172. [PMID: 33504007 PMCID: PMC7865232 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrating multi-modal therapies into one platform could show great promise in overcoming the drawbacks of conventional single-modal therapy and achieving improved therapeutic efficacy in cancer. In this study, we prepared pheophorbide a (Pheo a)/targeting ligand (epitope analog of oncoprotein E7, EAE7)-conjugated poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA)/poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (MPEG-PLGA)/hyaluronic acid (PPHE) polymeric nanoparticles via self-assembly and encapsulation method for the photodynamic therapy (PDT)/cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) combinatory treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cervical cancer, thereby enhancing the therapeutic efficacy. The synthesized PPHE polymeric nanoparticles exhibited a quasi-spherical shape with an average diameter of 80.5 ± 17.6 nm in an aqueous solution. The results from the in vitro PDT efficacy assays demonstrated that PPHE has a superior PDT activity on CaSki cells due to the enhanced targeting ability. In addition, the PDT/CAP combinatory treatment more effectively inhibited the growth of cervical cancer cells by causing elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species generation and apoptotic cell death. Moreover, the three-dimensional cell culture model clearly confirmed the synergistic therapeutic efficacy of the PDT and the CAP combination therapy using PPHE on CaSki cells. Overall, these results indicate that the PDT/CAP combinatory treatment using PPHE is a highly effective new therapeutic modality for cervical cancer.
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