Galbanic acid potentiates TRAIL induced apoptosis in resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells via inhibition of MDR1 and activation of caspases and DR5

Sesquiterpenes and Sesquiterpene Derivatives from Ferula: Their Chemical Structures, Biosynthetic Pathways, and Biological Properties

Ferula is a genus of flowering plants known for its edible and medicinal properties. Since ancient times, many species of Ferula have been used in traditional medicine to treat various health issues across countries, such as digestive disorders, respiratory problems, and even as a remedy for headaches and toothaches. In addition, they are also used as a flavoring agent in various cuisines. As the main active ingredients in Ferula, sesquiterpenes and their derivatives, especially sesquiterpene coumarins, sesquiterpene phenylpropanoids, and sesquiterpene chromones, have attracted the attention of scientists due to the diversity of their chemical structures, as well as their extensive and promising biological properties, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties. However, there has not been a comprehensive review of sesquiterpenes and their derivatives from this plant. This review aims to provide an overview of the chemical structures, biosynthetic pathways, and biological properties of sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene derivatives from Ferula, which may help guide future research directions and possible application methods for this valuable edible and medicinal plant.

Acute oral toxicity assessment of galbanic acid in albino rat according to OECD 425 TG

In spite of the broad biological and also anticarcinogenic effects which have been reported for galbanic acid in various studies, its toxic effects are not still well characterized. The study was accomplished to evaluate the acute oral toxicity of galbanic acid pursuant to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) TG No. 425. Female rats were received asafoetida extract and galbanic acid in distilled water by oral gavage. According to the existing information, limit test was done for aqueous extract of asafoetida and main test was done for galbanic acid. The animals were monitored for 2 weeks. Then under general anesthesia, the blood samples were obtained from the heart for biochemical and hematological assessment and the vital organs of rats were isolated for pathological evaluation. The results showed that although the Median lethal dose (LD50) of asafoetida extract was above the 2000 mg/kg body weight, the galbanic acid estimated LD50 was 310.2 mg/kg. There was no considerable change in body weight of vehicle and extract treated animals but in galbanic acid treated animals, the body weights were not normally increased. A significant rise was observed in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), (aspartate aminotransferase) AST and (alanine aminotransferase) ALT levels as well as in white blood cells (WBC), platelet and lymphocytes counts in galbanic acid group compared to vehicle and extract groups. Based on the obtained results, we suggest that although the asafoetida aqueous extract could be categorized as group 5 (LD50 > 2000 mg/kg), but galbanic acid estimated LD50 is about 310.2 mg/kg and toxicity signs also appeared in lung, liver enzymes and complete blood count (CBC) of galbanic acid treated animals.

The potential therapeutic effects of Galbanic acid on cancer

Galbanic acid (GBA), as a natural compound has potential anticancer properties. It has been documented that GBA shows promising therapeutic potential against various types of cancer, including breast, lung, colon, liver, and prostate cancer. Several mechanisms involve im anti-tumor effects of GBA include apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of angiogenesis, suppression of metastasis, and modulation of immune responses. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of GBA along with chemotherapeutic agents led to has enhancing efficiency with reduction in toxicity. Moreover, GBA through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties possess indirect anti-tumor effects. In this review, we will summarize the anti-tumor effects of GBA acid along with involve mechanisms.

Role of natural P-gp inhibitor in the effective delivery for chemotherapeutic agents

Multi-drug resistance has shown to be one of the leading threats faced currently in many chemotherapeutic agents. Permeability glycoprotein (P-gp) is an efflux transporter in membrane, an integral part of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters widely distributed in the body for cellular uptake. It is present enormously in cancerous cells and is in charge of generating transporter mediated resistance to treatments of tumorous cells in addition to blocking the entry of chemotherapeutic drugs into the cell. Natural P-gp inhibitors are derived from natural plant sources possessing basic structures like alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, saponins, sapogenins, sterols, coumarins and miscellaneous structures acting on P-gp substrate for inhibition of multi-drug resistance via inhibiting the efflux pump. They do not depict their action on the healthy cells and thus it is proven to be more effective and less toxic than synthetic P-gp inhibitor leading to enhancement in bioavailability of chemotherapeutic drugs. The significant objective of the present review is surfing through the impact of natural P-gp inhibitors having basic structures derived from the plant sources and how it inhibits the resistance of chemotherapeutic drugs together with how well it delivers chemotherapy medicines.

Cancer multidrug-resistance reversal by ABCB1 inhibition: A recent update

Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs as a part of the standardized chemotherapy regimen. Cytotoxic chemicals delay and prevent cancer cells from multiplying, invading, and metastasizing. However, the significant drawbacks of cancer chemotherapy are the lack of selectivity of the cytotoxic drugs to tumour cells and normal cells and the development of resistance by cells for the particular drug or the combination of drugs. Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the low sensitivity of specific cells against drugs associated with cancer chemotherapy. The most common mechanisms of anticancer drug resistance are: (a) drug-dependent MDR (b) target-dependent MDR, and (c) drug target-independent MDR. In all the factors, the overexpression of multidrug efflux systems contributes significantly to the increased resistance in the cancer cells. Multidrug resistance due to efflux of anticancer drugs by membrane ABC transporters includes ABCB1, ABCC1, and ABCG2. ABCB1 inhibition can restore the sensitivity of the cancerous cells toward chemotherapeutic drugs. In this review, we discussed ABCB1 inhibitors under clinical studies with their mode of action, potency and selectivity. Also, we have highlighted the contribution of repurposing drugs, biologics and nano formulation strategies to combat multidrug resistance by modulating the ABCB1 activity.

Comprehensive Analysis of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein Expression and Prognostic Significance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) have been associated with tumor development and progression by affecting apoptosis through cell death signaling pathways. To date, eight IAPs (BIRC1-8) have been identified in mammalian cells. However, the role of IAPs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development and progression has not been explored in depth. In this study, we used public datasets and bioinformatics tools to compare the expression, prognostic significance, and function of IAPs in NSCLC and its subtypes. Expression of IAPs in cancer and normal tissues and at different stages of NSCLC was compared with gene expression profiling interactive analysis, and their prognostic significance was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database. The correlations among IAPs were analyzed with the STRING database and SPSS19.0. Functional annotation of IAPs was analyzed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment on the basis of the DAVID tool. Among patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the expression level of BIRC5 was higher than that in normal samples, and the expression of BIRC1 and BIRC5 significantly varied in different stages. Moreover, the BIRC1-3 and BIRC5 mRNA levels were associated with overall survival (OS), and the BIRC1-2 and BIRC5-6 mRNA levels were associated with progression-free survival (PFS). Among patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), the expression level of BIRC1 was lower and that of BIRC5 was higher than those in normal tissues, and BIRC5 expression significantly varied in different stages. BIRC1 expression was associated with OS, whereas BIRC2 and BIRC6 expression was associated with PFS. Enrichment analysis showed that most IAPs are associated with ubiquitin- and apoptosis-related pathways. Collectively, this study suggests BIRC5 as a potential diagnostic and staging marker, BIRC1 as a potential marker of OS, and BIRC2 and BIRC6 as potential PFS markers for patients with NSCLC. These highlight new targets for the early detection, treatment, and management of NSCLC.

The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor mediates reproductive toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyl congener 126 in rats

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are endocrine disrupting chemicals with documented, though mechanistically ill-defined, reproductive toxicity. The toxicity of dioxin-like PCBs, such as PCB126, is mediated via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in non-ovarian tissues. The goal of this study was to examine the uterine and ovarian effects of PCB126 and test the hypothesis that the AHR is required for PCB126-induced reproductive toxicity. Female Holzman-Sprague Dawley wild type (n = 14; WT) and Ahr knock out (n = 11; AHR-/-) rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of either corn oil vehicle (5 ml/kg: WT_O and AHR-/-_O) or PCB126 (1.63 mg/kg in corn oil: WT_PCB and AHR-/-_PCB) at four weeks of age. The estrous cycle was synchronized and ovary and uterus were collected 28 days after exposure. In WT rats, PCB126 exposure reduced (P < 0.05) body and ovary weight, uterine gland number, uterine area, progesterone, 17β-estradiol and anti-Müllerian hormone level, secondary and antral follicle and corpora lutea number but follicle stimulating hormone level increased (P < 0.05). In AHR-/- rats, PCB126 exposure increased (P ≤ 0.05) circulating luteinizing hormone level. Ovarian or uterine mRNA abundance of biotransformation, and inflammation genes were altered (P < 0.05) in WT rats due to PCB126 exposure. In AHR-/- rats, the transcriptional effects of PCB126 were restricted to reductions (P < 0.05) in three inflammatory genes. These findings support a functional role for AHR in the female reproductive tract, illustrate AHR's requirement in PCB126-induced reprotoxicity, and highlight the potential risk of dioxin-like compounds on female reproduction.

The Most Competent Plant-Derived Natural Products for Targeting Apoptosis in Cancer Therapy

Cancer is a challenging problem for the global health community, and its increasing burden necessitates seeking novel and alternative therapies. Most cancers share six basic characteristics known as "cancer hallmarks", including uncontrolled proliferation, refractoriness to proliferation blockers, escaping apoptosis, unlimited proliferation, enhanced angiogenesis, and metastatic spread. Apoptosis, as one of the best-known programmed cell death processes, is generally promoted through two signaling pathways, including the intrinsic and extrinsic cascades. These pathways comprise several components that their alterations can render an apoptosis-resistance phenotype to the cell. Therefore, targeting more than one molecule in apoptotic pathways can be a novel and efficient approach for both identifying new anticancer therapeutics and preventing resistance to therapy. The main purpose of this review is to summarize data showing that various plant extracts and plant-derived molecules can activate both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways in human cancer cells, making them attractive candidates in cancer treatment.

Overview of novel strategies for the delivery of anthracyclines to cancer cells by liposomal and polymeric nanoformulations

Severe side effects and the rapid emergence of drug resistance in cancer cells are major problems in the chemotherapy utilizing anthracyclines, with a difference between cellular response at nano and micro scale levels. Understanding this situation is more complicated issue to attain efficient targeted formulations with low unexpected toxicity in patients. On nano-scale level, considering properties of nano-bio interaction in all relevant parts of the body may offer clue for suitable formulations. Four main strategies comprising PEGylation, surface charging, targeting, and stimuli responsiveness can be deployed to improve the liposomal and polymeric nanoformulations that can efficiently deliver common anthracyclines namely daunorubicin (DAU), doxorubicin (DOX), idarubicin (IDA), and epirubicin (EPI). Herein, the advances and challenges pertaining to the formulations of these anticancer drugs via liposomal and polymeric nanoformulations, are discussed.

Triptolide enhances TRAIL sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells by activating autophagy via downregulation of PUM1

BACKGROUND

Triptolide (TPL) can enhance the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), but available research is limited to whether TPL can affect the relevant downstream signaling pathways of TRAIL. Current knowledge is far from adequate to fully understand the mechanisms by which TPL increases TRAIL sensitivity of pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE

We aimed to find TPL-regulated upstream components of the signaling pathways of TRAIL to further understand the regulatory mechanism by which TPL increases the sensitivity to TRAIL.

METHODS

Microarray analysis and the adherent cell cytometry system Celigo were used to identify the TRAIL-related genes. Western blot analysis, cell proliferation assays, tumorigenicity assays in nude mice, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy were performed to analyze the function of Pumilio RNA-binding family member 1 (PUM1) in TPL-mediated enhancement of sensitivity to TRAIL. The effect of PUM1 silencing on the p27-CDK2 complex was examined by immunoprecipitation.

RESULTS

PUM1 expression was decreased by TPL and TPL + TRAIL but was not decreased by TRAIL alone. PUM1 silencing enhanced low-concentration-TRAIL-induced suppression of proliferation and promotion of apoptosis and increased p27 expression and the amount of the p27-CDK2 complex in pancreatic cancer cells. PUM1 overexpression attenuated the effects of TPL treatment (TRAIL-induced cell proliferation suppression and apoptosis promotion), while PUM1 silencing and TPL enhanced low-concentration-TRAIL-induced autophagy activation in pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover, PUM1 overexpression attenuated the effect of TPL treatment on TRAIL-induced autophagy activation in pancreatic cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

PUM1 silencing increased the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL in vivo and in vitro, indicating that PUM1 may be a new target for increasing the sensitivity of cancer cells to TRAIL. In addition, our results indicate that TPL enhances TRAIL sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells by activating autophagy via downregulation of PUM1. This novel concept may have significant implications for the development of new strategies to enhance TRAIL sensitivity of tumors.

Natural Product Mediated Regulation of Death Receptors and Intracellular Machinery: Fresh from the Pipeline about TRAIL-Mediated Signaling and Natural TRAIL Sensitizers

Rapidly developing resistance against different therapeutics is a major stumbling block in the standardization of therapy. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated signaling has emerged as one of the most highly and extensively studied signal transduction cascade that induces apoptosis in cancer cells. Rapidly emerging cutting-edge research has helped us to develop a better understanding of the signaling machinery involved in inducing apoptotic cell death. However, excitingly, cancer cells develop resistance against TRAIL-induced apoptosis through different modes. Loss of cell surface expression of TRAIL receptors and imbalance of stoichiometric ratios of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins play instrumental roles in rewiring the machinery of cancer cells to develop resistance against TRAIL-based therapeutics. Natural products have shown excellent potential to restore apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant cancer cell lines and in mice xenografted with TRAIL-resistant cancer cells. Significantly refined information has previously been added and continues to enrich the existing pool of knowledge related to the natural-product-mediated upregulation of death receptors, rebalancing of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins in different cancers. In this mini review, we will set spotlight on the most recently published high-impact research related to underlying mechanisms of TRAIL resistance and how these deregulations can be targeted by natural products to restore TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in different cancers.