Apoptotic effect of red wine polyphenols on human colon cancer SNU-C4 cells

The Pharmacological Properties of Red Grape Polyphenol Resveratrol: Clinical Trials and Obstacles in Drug Development

Resveratrol is a stilbenoid from red grapes that possesses a strong antioxidant activity. Resveratrol has been shown to have anticancer activity, making it a promising drug for the treatment and prevention of numerous cancers. Several in vitro and in vivo investigations have validated resveratrol's anticancer capabilities, demonstrating its ability to block all steps of carcinogenesis (such as initiation, promotion, and progression). Additionally, resveratrol has been found to have auxiliary pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective activity. Despite its pharmacological properties, several obstacles, such as resveratrol's poor solubility and bioavailability, as well as its adverse effects, continue to be key obstacles to drug development. This review critically evaluates the clinical trials to date and aims to develop a framework to develop resveratrol into a clinically viable drug.

Beneficial Effects of Red Wine Polyphenols on Human Health: Comprehensive Review

Polyphenols are secondary plant metabolites synthesized during the development of the grape berry as a response to stress conditions. They are important constituents in red wines that contribute to the sensory properties and antioxidant activity of wines. Due to the development of highly sophisticated analytical devices, it is now possible to characterize the structure of highly polymerized polyphenols and obtain a full polyphenol profile of red wines. Red wine polyphenols include the ones present in grapes as well as new polyphenol products formed during the winemaking process. Among them, the most important groups and their representatives are flavanols (catechin), stilbenes (trans-resveratrol), flavonols (quercetin) and hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic acid). It is known that polyphenols exhibit beneficial effects on human health, such as anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and cardio-protective effects. Many studies have been conducted on the health effects of red wine polyphenols in cancer chemopreventive activities, neuroprotective effects and impact on cardiovascular diseases, gut microbiota in humans, etc. This review will provide major scientific findings on the impact of red wine polyphenols on human health as well as a review of polyphenols present in red wines and their main features.

Natural Polyphenols as Targeted Modulators in Colon Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Applications

Colon cancer commonly develops from long-term chronic inflammation in the intestine and seriously threatens human health. Natural polyphenols have been valued as a crucial regulator of nutrient metabolism and metabolic diseases, owing to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions and the ability to maintain a balance between gut microbes and their hosts. Notably, experimental and clinical evidence has shown that natural polyphenols could act as a targeted modulator to play a key role in the prevention or treatment of colon cancer. Thus, in this review, we summarized recent advances in the possible regulatory mechanism and the potential application of natural polyphenols in colon cancer, which might be regarded as a novel platform for the colon cancer management.

Polyphenolic Fraction Obtained From Thalassia testudinum Marine Plant and Thalassiolin B Exert Cytotoxic Effects in Colorectal Cancer Cells and Arrest Tumor Progression in a Xenograft Mouse Model

Marine plants are important sources of pharmacologically active metabolites. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the cytotoxic and antitumor activity of a polyphenolic fraction obtained from Thalassia testudinum marine plant and thalassiolin B in human colorectal cancer cells. Human cancer cell lines, including HCT15, HCT116, SW260, and HT29 were treated with tested products for cytotoxicity evaluation by crystal violet assay. The potential proapoptotic effect of these natural products was assessed by flow cytometry in HCT15 cells at 48 h using Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured by fluorescence using DCFH-DA staining, and sulfhydryl concentration by spectrophotometry. The in vivo antitumor activity of the polyphenolic fraction (25 mg/kg) was evaluated in a xenograft model in nu/nu mice. In vivo proapoptotic effect was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti-caspase 3 and anti-Bcl-2 antibodies. The results showed that tested products exert colorectal cancer cell cytotoxicity. Besides, the tested products induced a significant increase (p < 0.05) of intracellular ROS generation, and a depletion of sulfhydryl concentration in HCT15 cells. The polyphenolic fraction arrested tumor growth and induced apoptosis in the xenograft mice model. These results demonstrate the cytotoxic activity of T. testudinum metabolites associated, at least, with ROS overproduction and pro-apoptotic effects. Here we demonstrated for the first time the antitumor activity of a T. testudinum polar extract in a xenograft mice model. These results suggest the potential use of T. testudinum marine plant metabolites as adjuvant treatment in cancer therapy.

Unexpected Toxicity of Green Tea Polyphenols in Combination with the Sambucus RIL Ebulin

The safety of concentrated food complements intake is a major health concern. It has been well established that green tea polyphenols (GTPs) consumption promotes healthy effects. However, the ingestion of large amounts of GTPs is a matter of controversy due to reported adverse effects. We underwent a preliminary exploration of the effects of the oral administration of a standardized concentrated GTPs preparation on mice which suffered from reversible intestinal derangement promoted by sublethal amounts of the antiribosomal lectin ebulin f from dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus L.). Neither independent oral administration of 30 mg/kg body weight Polyphenon 60 nor intraperitoneal administration of 2.5 mg/kg body weight ebulin f triggered lethal toxicity. In contrast, the simultaneous administration of these same doses of both Polyphenon 60 and ebulin f triggered an important and unexpected synergistic toxic action featured by the biphasic reduction of weight, which continued after eight days, reaching a reduction of 40%. Lethality appeared 2 days after the onset of the combined treatment and reached more than 50% after 10 days.

Antitumor activity of the Ailanthus altissima bark phytochemical ailanthone against breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Ailanthone is isolated from the bark of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Simaroubaceae). The mechanism that underlies the activity of ailanthone on MCF-7 cells was investigated by MTT assay. Breast cancer MCF-7 cells were treated with 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 µg/ml ailanthone for 24, 48 and 72 h. The inhibition of proliferation induced by treatment with ailanthone was assessed by MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution in MCF-7 cells with the same doses of ailanthone for 48 h were determined by flow cytometry. Expression of apoptosis-associated genes and proteins were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis, respectively. The results revealed that ailanthone inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation. Flow cytometry assay demonstrated that ailanthone induced apoptosis and G₀/G₁ cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 cells. Western blotting and RT-PCR assays demonstrated that upregulation of pro-apoptotic caspase-3 and Bcl-associated X, and downregulation of anti-apoptotic apoptosis regulator B-cell lymphoma-2 in MCF-7 cells may be associated with the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to investigate the antitumor activity of ailanthone from A. altissima on MCF-7 cells and to attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanism. The present study revealed the presence of ailanthone-mediated antitumor effects, indicating that ailanthone may be a novel phytomedicine with potential use in breast cancer therapy.

The Role of Compounds Derived from Natural Supplement as Anticancer Agents in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Review

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is the most prominent kidney cancer derived from renal tubules and accounts for roughly 85% of all malignant kidney cancer. Every year, over 60,000 new cases are registered, and about 14,000 people die from RCC. The incidence of this has been increasing significantly in the U.S. and other countries. An increased understanding of molecular biology and the genomics of RCC has uncovered several signaling pathways involved in the progression of this cancer. Significant advances in the treatment of RCC have been reported from agents approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that target these pathways. These agents have become drugs of choice because they demonstrate clinical benefit and increased survival in patients with metastatic disease. However, the patients eventually relapse and develop resistance to these drugs. To improve outcomes and seek approaches for producing long-term durable remission, the search for more effective therapies and preventative strategies are warranted. Treatment of RCC using natural products is one of these strategies to reduce the incidence. However, recent studies have focused on these chemoprevention agents as anti-cancer therapies given they can inhibit tumor cell grow and lack the severe side effects common to synthetic compounds. This review elaborates on the current understanding of natural products and their mechanisms of action as anti-cancer agents. The present review will provide information for possible use of these products alone or in combination with chemotherapy for the prevention and treatment of RCC.

A new, simplified model for the estimation of polyphenol oxidation potentials based on the number of OH groups

We present a new and simpler regression model for the estimation of the first oxidation potentials (Ep1) of flavonoids based on the number of phenolic, alcoholic, and carboxylic OH groups. In the regression we included the Ep1 of 12 polyphenols (mostly flavonols and catechins) that were measured in our laboratory at pH 3. The model yielded r=0.986 and SE=0.040. Later successive inclusions of previously reported Ep values into the regression model, 7 at pH 3, the model (N=19) yielded r=0.980, SE=0.046 and 19 at pH 7 the model (N=38), yielded r=0.985, SE=0.044.

Kukoamine A inhibits human glioblastoma cell growth and migration through apoptosis induction and epithelial-mesenchymal transition attenuation

Cortex lycii radicis is the dried root bark of Lycium chinense, a traditional Chinese herb used in multiple ailments. The crude extract of Cortex lycii radicis has growth inhibition effect on GBM cells. Kukoamine A (KuA) is a spermine alkaloid derived from it. KuA possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities, but its anticancer activity is unknown. In this study, the growth and migration inhibition effect of KuA on human GBM cells and the possible mechanism of its activity were investigated. After KuA treatment, proliferation and colony formation of GBM cells were decreased significantly; apoptotic cells were increased; the cell cycle was arrested G0/G₁ phase; the migration and invasion were decreased, the growth of tumors initiated from GBM cells was inhibited significantly; the expressions of 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) were decreased, apoptotic proteins, Bax and caspase-3 were increased, and antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 was decreased significantly; The expressions of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ), N-cadherin, vimentin, twist and snail+slug were decreased significantly, while the expression of E-cadherin was increased significantly in KuA treated GBM cells and tumor tissues. KuA inhibited human glioblastoma cell growth and migration in vitro and in vivo through apoptosis induction and epithelial-mesenchymal transition attenuation by downregulating expressions of 5-LOX and C/EBPβ.

Antitumour activity of 2-dihydroailanthone from the bark of Ailanthus altissima against U251

Context The bark of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Simaroubaceae) is traditionally used to treat ascariasis, diarrhoea, spermatorrhoea, bleeding and gastrointestinal diseases. Objective The objective of this study is to investigate the antitumour activity and mechanism of 2-dihydroailanthone isolated from A. altissima. Materials and methods The U251 cells were treated with 1.00, 4.00 and 8.00 μg/mL of 2-dihydroailanthone for 48 h and the normal cells treated with 20.00 μg/mL of 2-dihydroailanthone were tested as well. Proliferation inhibition of 2-dihydroailanthone on the cells was tested by MTT. Apoptosis and cell-cycle distribution in U251 cells with 1.00, 3.00 and 5.80 μg/mL of 2-dihydroailanthone for 48 h were determined by flow cytometry, respectively. The expression of the apoptosis-related genes and proteins was analysed by RT-PCR and Western blot method, respectively. Results MTT assay revealed that 2-dihydroailanthone inhibited U251 cells proliferation. The cell viability of U251 cells was 62.82, 31.34 and 25.58%, and that of three normal cells was 72.75, 82.74 and 44.92%, respectively. Flow cytometry assay showed that 2-dihydroailanthone induced apoptosis and G0/G1 phase cycle arrest towards U251 cells. The late apoptotic cells were 11.37, 21.73 and 33.83%, and the cells cycle distributed in the G0/G1 accounted for 48.85, 62.77 and 64.40%, respectively. The Western blot and RT-PCR assay showed that up-regulation of pro-apoptotic bax protein and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 protein as well as their mRNA on U251 cells might be related to the apoptosis induction and proliferation inhibition. Conclusion An important bioactive component, 2-dihydroailanthone, has antitumour effects, enlightening a novel source of phytomedicines in tumour therapy.

Alcoholic Beverage Consumption and Chronic Diseases

Epidemiological and experimental studies have consistently linked alcoholic beverage consumption with the development of several chronic disorders, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and obesity. The impact of drinking is usually dose-dependent, and light to moderate drinking tends to lower risks of certain diseases, while heavy drinking tends to increase the risks. Besides, other factors such as drinking frequency, genetic susceptibility, smoking, diet, and hormone status can modify the association. The amount of ethanol in alcoholic beverages is the determining factor in most cases, and beverage types could also make an influence. This review summarizes recent studies on alcoholic beverage consumption and several chronic diseases, trying to assess the effects of different drinking patterns, beverage types, interaction with other risk factors, and provide mechanistic explanations.

Antidiabetic properties of lyophilized extract of acorn (Quercus brantii Lindl.) on experimentally STZ-induced diabetic rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Acorn obtained from the Quercus brantii Lindl. (QB) tree has been used in Turkish folk medicine. Some studies have reported as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, antitumoural of QB properties previously. however, its effect on the management of type diabetic 2 and oxidative stress complications is still unexplored. The aims of our study were the evaluation of the protective effect and antioxidant role of acorn lyophilized seed plant extract against STZ-induced diabetic complications as oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity and nephropathy, lipidemia and serum biomarkers of diabetes (SBD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In-vivo studies were performed on STZ-induced diabetic rats Experiment was designed as I [Normal Control (NC)], II [Diabetes mellitus (DM)], III [DM+Acarbose (20mg/kg b.w) (DM+AC-20)], IV [DM+QB (100mg/kg b.w) (DM+QB-100)], V [DM+QB (250 mg/kg b.w) (DM+QB-250)] and VI [DM+QB (500 mg/kg b.w) (DM+QB-500)] groups.

RESULTS

This study showed that the biochemical analysis showed a considerable increase in the HRDB, DB, LP, MDA and fluctuated ADSC in the II group as compared to that of control group whereas, AC and the plant lyophilized seed plant extract supplementations diet restored the STZ-induced diabetic complications towards the control. α-glycosidase activity in DM group showed statistically significant increase with respect to control group in small intestine. Moreover, in accordance with the effects of seed extract; in diabetic rat groups to whom acorn seed extract and acarbose were given, the levels of almost all the concerned parameters were reached to the ones measured at control group. As a result, it was concluded that acorn seed extract had certain healing effects on many complications caused by diabetes.

Comparison of bioactivities of talactoferrin and lactoferrins from human and bovine milk

OBJECTIVES

Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding glycoprotein present in high concentration in human milk. It is a pleiotropic protein and is involved in diverse bioactivities, such as stimulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, immune competence, antimicrobial activities, anti-infection, and anticancer activities. Lf has been shown to be partly resistant to proteolysis in the gastrointestinal tract and may thus play important roles in the intestine and liver during infancy. Talactoferrin alfa (TLf) is a recombinant human Lf shown to protect against sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis as well as cancer. Because bovine Lf (bLf) and human Lf have different amino acid composition and all 3 Lfs differ in glycosylation, they may have different functions/potency. The objective of the present study was to investigate and compare bioactivities of TLf and Lfs from human and bovine milk and thus to provide a better understanding of the bioactivities of different forms of Lf and their potential applications.

METHODS

In the present study, Caco-2 and C3A cells were used as intestine and liver models to evaluate internalization of Lfs by intestine and liver cells, effects of Lfs on cell proliferation and differentiation, growth of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) secretion, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 expression. In addition, HT-29 cells were used as a colon cancer cell model to examine the effects of Lfs on apoptosis.

RESULTS

All Lfs significantly enhanced cell proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis, CCL20 secretion, and TGF-β1 expression. They also markedly suppressed growth of EPEC. Compared with bLf, TLf showed stronger effects on suppression of EPEC growth and enhancement of TGF-β1 secretion, whereas bLf exhibited more potent effects on cell differentiation, apoptosis, and CCL20 secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that TLf has several bioactivities similar to human Lf and bLf from milk and may play critical roles in immune and intestinal development in infants as well as having anti-cancer activities in adults. TLf and bLf may be used for different applications owing to their various potencies. TLf may preferentially be used for anti-bacterial applications, whereas bLf may be used for cancer therapy because it exhibits stronger effects on CCL20 secretion, cell differentiation, and apoptosis.

Combination of quercetin and hyperoside inhibits prostate cancer cell growth and metastasis via regulation of microRNA‑21

Previous studies have reported that hyperoside and quercetin in combination (QH; 1:1) inhibited the growth of human leukemia cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti‑cancer effect of QH on prostate cancer cells. The results demonstrated that QH decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased antioxidant capacity in PC3 cells at various concentrations (2.5‑60 µg/ml) with peak inhibition and augmentation changes of 3.22‑ and 3.00‑fold, respectively. Following treatment with QH for 48 and 72 h, the IC50-values on PC3 cells were 19.7 and 12.4 µg/ml, respectively. Western blot analysis revealed that QH induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells via activation of caspase‑3 and cleavage of poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase. In addition, QH significantly inhibited the invasion and migration of PC3 cells as well as reduced the expression of numerous prostate tumor‑associated microRNAs (miRs), including miR‑21, compared to that of untreated human prostate cancer cells. QH was also found to enhance the expression of tumor suppressor programmed cell death protein 4, which was negatively regulated by miR‑21. Furthermore, induced overexpression of miR‑21 using pre‑miR‑21 oligonucleotides attenuated the beneficial effect of QH on prostate cancer cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that QH exerted an anti‑cancer effect on human prostate cancer cells, the mechanism of which proceeded, at least in part, via the inhibition of the miR‑21 signaling pathway.

Antitumor effects of two extracts from Oxytropis falcata on hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo

AIMS

To investigate the antitumor effects of extracts from Oxytropis falcata on human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells in vitro and in transplanted murine H22 tumors in vivo.

METHODS

Cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells were determined and tumor growth inhibition in H22 tumors was investigated. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry with propidium iodide (PI) and Annexin V-FITC/ PI double staining.

RESULTS

MTT assay revealed that essential oil and flavonoids of O. falcata (named EOOF and FOF) inhibited proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 value of EOOF and FOF were 0.115 and 0.097 mg·mL(-1), respectively. Cell cycle was arrested at G(1) phase, and induction of apoptosis occurred in SMMC-7721 cells when subjected to FOF. Growth inhibition in H22 solid tumors transplanted mice was significantly pronounced after being treated with FOF, and the inhibition ratio were 56.1% and 70.8% at the concentration of 30 and 60 mg·kg(-1).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that FOF promotes apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells and inhibits H22 tumor growth, resulting in a potential antitumor effect on hepatic cancer.

Tanshinone IIA inhibits the growth, attenuates the stemness and induces the apoptosis of human glioma stem cells

Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are believed to contribute to glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) propagation and treatment resistance. Tanshinone IIA possesses anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to determine the inhibitory effect of tanshinone IIA on human GSCs in vitro and in vivo and to explore the underlying mechanisms. In the present study, human GBM neurospheres (GBMS) were isolated from adherent GBM cells in serum-free medium, and the cells from the GBMS displayed characteristics of GSCs. Results from the MTT, neurosphere formation and in vivo inhibition assays revealed that tanshinone IIA had a significant inhibitory effect on human GSCs in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, tanshinone IIA increased the expression of differentiation and neural lineage markers including GFAP and β-tubulin, decreased expression of GSC markers including CD133 and nestin, and induced GSC apoptosis in vitro and in vivo in a dose‑dependent manner. Inflammatory cytokines and signaling pathways are believed to play key roles in maintaining the stem-like properties in human glioma cells. In the present study, inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL6) and its downstream activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 [phospho-STAT3(tyrosine705) and phospho-STAT3(serine727)] were downregulated after tanshinone IIA treatment in vitro and in vivo. This result indicated that disturbance of the IL6/STAT3 signaling axis by tanshinone IIA is closely related to the growth inhibition of GSCs. Taken together, our results indicate that tanshinone IIA has the potential to target and kill GSCs through suppression of proliferation, attenuation of stemness and induction of apoptosis. Its mechanism of activity may be associated with attenuation of the IL6/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Enrichment and characterization of cancer stem‑like cells from a cervical cancer cell line

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are proposed to be responsible for tumor recurrence, metastasis and the high mortality rate of cancer patients. Isolation and identification of CSCs is crucial for basic and preclinical studies. However, as there are currently no universal markers for the isolation and identification of CSCs in any type of cancer, the method for isolating CSCs from primary cancer tissues or cell lines is costly and ineffective. In order to establish a reliable model of cervical cancer stem cells for basic and preclinical studies, the present study was designed to enrich cervical cancer CSCs using a nonadhesive culture system and to characterize their partial stemness phenotypes. Human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) were cultured using a nonadhesive culture system to generate tumor spheres. Their stemness characteristics were investigated through colony formation, tumor sphere formation, self-renewal, toluidine blue staining, chemoresistance, invasion assays, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence staining of putative stem cell markers, including octamer-binding transcription factor 4, SRY-box 2 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member A1, and adipogenic differentiation induction. Typical tumor spheres were formed within 5–7 days under this nonadhesive culture system. Compared with the adherent parental HeLa cells, the colony formation capacity, self-renewal potential, light cell population, cell invasion, chemoresistance and expression of putative stem cell markers of the tumor sphere cells increased significantly, and a subpopulation of tumor sphere cells were induced into adipogenic differentiation. Using the nonadhesive culture system, a reliable model of cervical cancer stem cells was established, which is inexpensive, effective and simple compared with the ultra-low attachment serum free culture method. The stemness characteristics of the tumor sphere HeLa cells mirrored the CSC phenotypes. This CSC model may be useful for basic and preclinical studies of cervical cancer and other types of cancer.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells by blocking NFκB/p65 pathway and disrupting mitochondrial transmembrane potential

The molecular mechanisms and the possible effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on the induction of apoptosis in the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were investigated.

Combination of quercetin and hyperoside has anticancer effects on renal cancer cells through inhibition of oncogenic microRNA-27a

Quercetin and hyperoside (QH) in combination (1:1 ratio) have previously been shown to inhibit the growth of human leukemia cells. Here, we investigated the anticancer activity of the same mixture in 786-O renal cancer cells. QH decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by up to 2.25-fold and increased the antioxidant capacity by up to 3-fold in 786-O cells (3.8-60 μg/ml), whereas IC50 values for viability were 18.2, 18.7 and 11.8 μg/ml, respectively. QH also induced caspase-3 cleavage (2-fold) and increased PARP cleavage. Specificity protein (Sp) transcription factors are overexpressed in cancer cells and regulate genes required for cell proliferation, survival and angiogenesis. QH treatment decreased the expression of Sp1, Sp3 and Sp4 mRNA and this was accompanied by decreased protein expression. Moreover, expression of the Sp-dependent anti-apoptotic survival gene survivin was also significantly reduced, both at the mRNA and protein levels. QH decreased microRNA-27a (miR-27a) and induced the zinc finger protein ZBTB10, an Sp-repressor, suggesting that interactions between QH and the miR-27a-ZBTB10 axis play a role in Sp downregulation. This was confirmed by transfection of cells with a specific mimic for miR-27a, which partially reversed the effects of QH. These findings are consistent with previous studies on botanical anticancer agents in colon cancer cells.

Dealcoholated red wine induces autophagic and apoptotic cell death in an osteosarcoma cell line

Until recently, the supposed preventive effects of red wine against cardiovascular diseases, the so-called "French Paradox", has been associated to its antioxidant properties. The interest in the anticancer capacity of polyphenols present in red wine strongly increased consequently to the enormous number of studies on resveratrol. In this study, using lyophilized red wine, we present evidence that its anticancer effect in a cellular model is mediated by apoptotic and autophagic cell death. Using a human osteosarcoma cell line, U2Os, we found that the lyophilized red wine was cytotoxic in a dose-dependent manner with a maximum effect in the range of 100-200 μg/ml equivalents of gallic acid. A mixed phenotype of types I/II cell death was evidenced by means of specific assays following treatment of U2Os with lyophilized red wine, e.g., autophagy and apoptosis. We found that cell death induced by lyophilized red wine proceeded through a mechanism independent from its anti-oxidant activity and involving the inhibition of PI3K/Akt kinase signaling. Considering the relative low concentration of each single bioactive compound in lyophilized red wine, our study suggests the activation of synergistic mechanism able to inhibit growth in malignant cells.

Morusin inhibits human cervical cancer stem cell growth and migration through attenuation of NF-κB activity and apoptosis induction

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be responsible for tumor metastasis, recurrence, and high mortality of cancer patients due to their high tumorigenicity resistance to chemo-radiotherapy. Morusin possesses anti-cancer activity through attenuation of NF-κB activity, which is up-regulated in cancer stem cells. The purpose of this study is to confirm the growth and migration inhibition effect of morusin on human cervical CSCs, and to clarify its partial mechanism of activity. Human cervical CSCs were enriched using non-adhesive culture system. Their stemness characteristics were identified with tumor sphere formation, self-renewal, toluidine blue staining, migration assays, RT-PCR analysis, and immunofluorescence staining of putative stem cell markers, Oct4, SOX2, and ALDH1; the epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) transition markers and relevant transcription factors were evaluated with Western blotting. The growth and migration inhibition effects of morusin on human cervical CSCs were tested by cell proliferation, tumor sphere formation, and transwell assay; apoptotic death of human cervical CSCs in response to morusin was measured with DAPI staining, apoptotic DNA fragmentation; NF-κBp65, Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 protein expressions were detected through Western blotting. Under this non-adhesive culture system, typical tumor spheres appeared within 5-7 days, the tumor sphere formation, self-renewal, and cell migration, expressions of putative stem cell markers, EMT markers, and relevant transcription factors of the tumor sphere cells were increased significantly. After morusin treatment, the proliferation, tumor sphere formation, and migration of human cervical CSCs were decreased significantly, DAPI-stained apoptotic cells increased, apoptotic DNA fragmentations formed evidently; the expression levels of NF-κBp65 and Bcl-2 decreased significantly, Bax, and caspase-3 increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Using the non-adhesive culture system, human cervical CSCs were enriched and expanded. Morusin has the potential to target and kill CSCs, and can inhibit human cervical growth and migration through NF-κB attenuation mediated apoptosis induction.

Anticancer potential of aqueous extract of alocasia macrorrhiza against hepatic cancer in vitro and in vivo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Alocasia macrorrhiza has been used as a folk medicine for cancer treatment in the Southwest of China.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to confirm the anticancer activity of aqueous extract of alocasia macrorrhiza against hepatic cancer and to elucidate its mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human normal liver cells and hepatocellular carcinoma cells were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity, colony formation inhibition, EdU incorporation, AO/EB staining apoptotic cells, apoptotic DNA fragmentation, and cell cycle distribution in response to alocasia macrorrhiza extract. The mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ, Cyclin D1, Rb, P21, Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 were detected through RT-PCR and Western blotting; the tumor growth inhibition in vivo was tested by oral administration of the extract.

RESULTS

Alocasia macrorrhiza aqueous extract exhibited proliferation inhibition and apoptosis effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro, inhibited hepatoma growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Alocasia macrorrhiza extract has potential cytotoxic and apoptotic effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and inhibits hepatoma growth in vivo, its mechanism of action might be associated with the inhibition of DNA synthesis, cell cycle (G(0)/G(1)) arrest, apoptosis induction through up-regulation the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ, Rb, Bax and capase-3genes and down-regulation of the expressions of Cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 genes.

Growth inhibition and apoptotic effect of alpha-eleostearic acid on human breast cancer cells

Alpha-eleostearic acid (α-ESA) is a natural and biologically active compound which possesses potent antioxidant and anti-tumor activity. The purpose of this study was to confirm the anticancer activity of α-ESA against human breast cancer cells and to further elucidate its mechanism of activity. Human breast cancer cells and normal liver cells were used for in-vitro tests of the anticancer activity of α-ESA, including cytotoxicity, colony formation inhibition, EdU incorporation, AO/EB staining of apoptotic cells, cell cycle distribution through flow cytometry, and PPARγ, p21, Bax, p53, and caspase-3 mRNA expressions through RT-PCR. After α-ESA treatment, the proliferation, colony formation, and EdU labeling indices of cancer cells decreased (p < 0.05), while the AO/EB-stained apoptotic cells increased (p < 0.05). By FCM analysis, the apoptotic indices increased (p < 0.01), and the cell population decreased in S phase (p < 0.01) and increased in G(2)/M phase (p < 0.05) in α-ESA treated cancer cells. RT-RCR showed that α-ESA significantly increased the expression levels of PPARγ, p21, Bax, p53, and caspase-3 mRNA. The findings in these studies suggested that α-ESA exhibited a potential cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction effect on human breast cancer cells, with little effect on normal cells at certain concentrations. The mechanism for such effects might be associated with the inhibition of DNA synthesis, induction of apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest of cancer cells through up-regulation of PPARγ, p21, Bax, p53, and caspase-3 expressions.

The Effect of Fig Tree Latex (Ficus carica) on Stomach Cancer Line

BACKGROUND

The therapeutic effect of herbal materials in inhibition of cancer cell growth was shown. This study investigates the effect of fig tree latex (Ficus carica) on stomach cancer line.

METHODS

The in vitro effect of different doses of fig tree latex on stomach cancer cell line and the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated after 72 hours.

RESULTS

Fig tree latex could inhibit the proliferation of cancer cell line without any cytotoxic effect on human normal cells. Five mg/ml was the optimum concentration in inhibition of cell line growth.

CONCLUSION

Cancer cell line was more sensitive to Ficus carica latex than normal cells. This anticancer activity might be due to presence of its proteolytic enzymes.

Modulation of endogenous antioxidant system by wine polyphenols in human disease

Numerous studies indicate that moderate red wine consumption is associated with a protective effect against all-cause mortality. Since oxidative stress constitutes a unifying mechanism of injury of many types of disease processes, it should be expected that polyphenolic antioxidants account for this beneficial effect. Nevertheless, beyond the well-known antioxidant properties of these compounds, they may exert several other protective mechanisms. Indeed, the overall protective effect of polyphenols is due to their large array of biological actions, such as free radical-scavenging, metal chelation, enzyme modulation, cell signalling pathways modulation and gene expression effects, among others. Wine possesses a variety of polyphenols, being resveratrol its most outstanding representative, due to its pleiotropic biological properties. The presence of ethanol in wine aids to polyphenol absorption, thereby contributing to their bioavailability. Before absorption, polyphenols must be hydrolyzed by intestinal enzymes or by colonic microflora. Then, they undergo intestinal and liver metabolism. There have been no reported polyphenol adverse effects derived from intakes currently associated with the normal diet. However, supplements for health-protection should be cautiously used as no level definition has been given to make sure the dose is safe. The role of oxidative stress and the beneficial effects of wine polyphenols against cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, microbial, inflammatory, neurodegenerative and kidney diseases and ageing are reviewed. Future large scale randomized clinical trials should be conducted to fully establish the therapeutic use of each individual wine polyphenol against human disease.

Nutrimetabolomics: development of a bio-identification toolbox to determine the bioactive compounds in grape juice

BACKGROUND

Grape juice and related products have previously been associated with many health benefits, such as protection against cardiovascular disease. Current consensus is that the polyphenols are the likely bioactive species in these products.

RESULTS

Extracts of commercially available grape juices exhibited biological antioxidant activities ranging from 19.30 to 3099.51 µM trolox equivalents, as determined by cell-based assay in which J774 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccaride at a concentration of 100 µg/ml for 1 h. Partial least-squares regression was then used to determine covariance between the antioxidant activity and 400 MHz (1)H NMR spectral profiles using models with R(2)X and R(2)Y values of 0.64 and 0.95, respectively, using three latent variables: the Q(2)(cum) was 0.63. Hydroxycinnamic acids and their derivatives were identified as being the most positively correlated with the antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

The work presented here describes a strategy for the bioinformatic linkage of plant metabolomic data with in vitro biological activity as an initial step towards determining structure-activity relationships.

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of Korean white lotus cultivars

In traditional Korean medicine, lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) roots have been used as an antidiabetic and an antiproliferative remedy. However, scientific publications on lotus properties are very limited. Therefore, it was decided to investigate the Korean white lotus cultivars in order to find out their bioactivity. It was found that all lotus cultivars (Inchisa, Muan, Garam, and Chungyang) possess high amounts of bioactive compounds: total phenols, between 7.95 +/- 0.8 and 4.21 +/- 0.3 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight (DW); ascorbic acid, between 15.8 +/- 1.1 and 22.3 +/- 1.7 mg of ascorbic acid/g DW; and amino acids, between 15.05 +/- 0.82% and 16.62 +/- 0.90% DW. The highest contents of polyphenols (7.95 +/- 0.8 mg of GAE/g DW) and the highest levels of antioxidant [by 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assays, 54.27 +/- 6.1 and 21.98 +/- 2.5 microM Trolox equivalents/g DW, respectively] and antiproliferative activities on both human cancer cell lines (Calu-6 for human pulmonary carcinoma and SMU-601 for human gastric carcinoma, 59.75 +/- 3.99% and 71.21 +/- 2.79% cell viability, respectively) were found in the Chungyang cultivar. Fluorometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy can be applied as rapid methods for determination of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols. The correlation between the bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity was high. In conclusion, all Korean white lotus cultivars are valuable medicinal foods, and in order to receive the best results a combination of lotus cultivars has to be consumed.

Antiproliferative activity of Korean wild vegetables on different human tumor cell lines

This study was conducted to determine the antiproliferative activity of 24 Korean wild vegetables. The methanol extracts of these wild vegetables were used against lung, breast, colon and gastric cancer cells, and the results were assessed by MTT assay. It was found that at the extract concentration of 400 mgL(-1) 14 plants exercised antiproliferative activity over 80% against the lung cancer cells, one plant among six--against breast cancer cells, and two plants among six--against colon cancer cells, respectively. Eighteen wild vegetables had the hyperplasia inhibition activity against gastric cancer cells over 23.6% at all extract concentrations, however, only six plants had the antiproliferative activity over 80% in 600 mgL(-1). It was found that the extracts from Youngia sonchifolia, Synurus deltoides, Syneilesis palmata, and Cephalonoplos segetum, in concentration of 400 mgL(-1) inhibited the hyperplasia of lung cancer cells over 95% and Angelica gigas-both lung and colon cancer cells over 95%. In conclusion, the studied wild vegetables' methanol extracts possess dose dependent antiproliferative properties, based on their bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols, but some of them as Hypericum ascyron against lung cancer are not effective and even course harm.

Inhibitory effect of Abrus abrin-derived peptide fraction against Dalton's lymphoma ascites model

Peptides derived from larger molecules that are important modulators in cancer regression are becoming leads for development of therapeutic drugs. It has been reported that Abrus abrin, isolated from the seeds of Abrus precatorius, showed in vitro and in vivo antitumor properties by the induction of apoptosis. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vivo therapeutic effectiveness of abrin-derived peptide (ABP) fraction in Dalton's lymphoma (DL) mice model. The lethal dose (LD(50)) of ABP was found to be 2.25 mg/kg body weight and further the acute toxicity was determined with sublethal doses in normal mice. The acute toxicity like body weight, peripheral blood cell count, lympho-hematological and biochemical parameters remained unaffected till 200 microg/kg body weight of ABP. The sublethal doses of ABP showed very significant growth inhibitory properties in vivo DL mice model. There were 24%, 70.8% and 89.7% reductions in DL cell survival in 25, 50 and 100 microg/kg body weight of ABP, respectively. Analysis of the growth inhibitory mechanism in DL cells revealed nuclear fragmentation, and condensation with the appearance of the sub-G(0)/G(1) peak is indicative of apoptosis. Further, the Western blotting showed that apoptosis was mediated by the reduction in the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression, and activation of caspase-3 through the release of cytochrome c in DL cells. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed an effective antitumor response (104.6 increase in life span (ILS) %) with a dose of 100 microg/kg body weight.

Natural polyphenols facilitate elimination of HT-29 colorectal cancer xenografts by chemoradiotherapy: a Bcl-2- and superoxide dismutase 2-dependent mechanism

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. The treatment of advanced colorectal cancer with chemotherapy and radiation has two major problems: development of tumor resistance to therapy and nonspecific toxicity towards normal tissues. Different plant-derived polyphenols show anticancer properties and are pharmacologically safe. In vitro growth of human HT-29 colorectal cancer cells is inhibited ( approximately 56%) by bioavailable concentrations of trans-pterostilbene (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxystilbene; t-PTER) and quercetin (3,3',4',5,6-pentahydroxyflavone; QUER), two structurally related and naturally occurring small polyphenols. I.v. administration of t-PTER and QUER (20 mg/kg x day) inhibits growth of HT-29 xenografts ( approximately 51%). Combined administration of t-PTER + QUER, FOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil; a first-line chemotherapy regimen), and radiotherapy (X-rays) eliminates HT-29 cells growing in vivo leading to long-term survival (>120 days). Gene expression analysis of a Bcl-2 family of genes and antioxidant enzymes revealed that t-PTER + QUER treatment preferentially promotes, in HT-29 cells growing in vivo, (a) superoxide dismutase 2 overexpression ( approximately 5.7-fold, via specificity protein 1-dependent transcription regulation) and (b) down-regulation of bcl-2 expression ( approximately 3.3-fold, via inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB activation). Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to human superoxide dismutase 2 and/or ectopic bcl-2 overexpression avoided polyphenols and chemoradiotherapy-induced colorectal cancer elimination and showed that the mangano-type superoxide dismutase and Bcl-2 are key targets in the molecular mechanism activated by the combined application of t-PTER and QUER.

Antiproliferative and immunostimulatory protein fraction from edible mushrooms

Fruit bodies and mycelia of various higher Basidiomycetes were studied in search of biological effector molecules. In this study, we evaluated the antiproliferative and immunomodulatory properties of a protein fraction designated as Cibacron blue affinity eluted protein (CBAEP) isolated from five different species of edible mushrooms (Termitomyces clypeatus, Pleurotus florida, Calocybe indica, Astraeus hygrometricus, and Volvariella volvacea). This protein fraction (10-100μg/ml) mediated antiproliferative activity on several tumor cell lines through the induction of apoptosis. Also the isolated protein fraction from all five mushrooms had a stimulatory effect on splenocytes, thymocytes and bone marrow cells. Further it enhanced mouse natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and stimulated macrophages to produce nitric oxide (NO). The highest immunostimulatory activity was determined in the CBAEP from T. clypeatus and the highest antiproliferative activity from C. indica.

Cytotoxicity of fig fruit latex against human cancer cells

Fig fruit latex (FFL) contains significant amounts of polyphenolic compounds and can serve as a source of antioxidants after human consumption. The purpose of this study is to confirm anticancer activity of FFL against human cancer cells and to further elucidate its mechanism of activity. Human glioblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and normal liver cells were used for in vitro tests of FFL effects. Those tests included cytotoxicity, colony formation inhibition, Brdu incorporation, acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining for apoptotic cells, cell cycle distribution through flow cytometry (FCM), and ADP-ribosyltransferase (NAD+; poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase)-like 1 (ADPERL1) mRNA expression through RT-PCR in response to FFL treatment. After FFL treatment, the proliferation, colony formation, and Brdu labeling indices of cancer cells decreased (P<0.05), while the AO/EB stained apoptotic cells increased (P<0.05). By FCM analysis, an increase of G(0)/G(1) phase cell population and decrease of S and G(2)/M phase cells were observed (P<0.01), while both ADPRTL1 mRNA expression and apoptotic indices increased (P<0.01). The findings in these studies suggested that FFL exhibited potent cytotoxicity in some human cancer cells with little effect in normal cells at certain concentration. The mechanism for such effects might be associated with the inhibition of DNA synthesis, induction of apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest of cancer cells.