Anti-cancer and cardioprotective effects of indol-3-carbinol in doxorubicin-treated mice

Anticancer activity of broccoli, its organosulfur and polyphenolic compounds

The use of natural bioactive constituents from various food sources for anticancer purposes has become increasingly popular worldwide. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is on the top of the consumed vegetables by the masses. Its raw matrix contains a plethora of phytochemicals, such as glucosinolates and phenolic compounds, along with rich amounts of vitamins, and minerals. Consumption of broccoli-derived phytochemicals provides strong antioxidant effects, particularly due to its sulforaphane content, while modulating numerous molecules involved in cell cycle regulation, control of apoptosis, and tuning enzyme activity. Thus, the inclusion of broccoli in the daily diet lowers the susceptibility to developing cancers. Numerous studies have underlined the undisputable role of broccoli in the diet as a chemopreventive raw food, owing to the content in sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate produced as a result of hydrolysis of precursor glucosinolates called glucoraphanin. This review will provide evidence supporting the specific role of fresh florets and sprouts of broccoli and its key bioactive constituents in the prevention and treatment of different cancers; a number of studies carried out in the in vitro and in vivo conditions as well as clinical trials were analyzed.

Potential cardioprotective and anticancer effects of carvedilol either free or as loaded nanoparticles with or without doxorubicin in solid Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential cardioprotective and anti-cancer effects of carvedilol (CAR) either free or as loaded nano-formulated with or without doxorubicin (DOX) in solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC)-bearing mice. It focused on assessment of cardiac damage, drug resistance, apoptosis, oxidative stress status, angiogenesis and proliferation.

METHODS

CAR was loaded into poly-D,L lactic-co-glycolic acid)PLGA(or Niosomes. SEC was induced in female albino mice as an experimental model of breast cancer. Seventy-two mice were randomly divided into 9 equal groups (Normal control, Untreated-SEC, SEC + DOX, SEC + CAR-free, SEC + CAR-PLGA, SEC + CAR-Niosomes, SEC + DOX + CAR-free, SEC + DOX + CAR-PLGA and SEC + DOX + CAR-Niosomes). Tumor volume and survival rate were recorded. On day 28 from tumor inoculation, mice were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected for determination of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB). One part from tumor tissues was prepared for assessment of multidrug resistance protein-1 (MDR-1), caspase-3, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), while the other part was processed for histopathological examination and immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Ki-67.

RESULTS

There was non-significant difference between CAR-free, CAR-PLGA and CAR-Niosomes as anticancer either alone or when combined with DOX. However, CAR-free demonstrated potential cardioprotective effects against cardiac damage mediated by cancer or DOX that have been enhanced using CAR-PLGA or CAR-Niosomes, but that of Niosomes outperformed them both.

CONCLUSION

CAR could be used as an adjuvant therapy with DOX, especially when nanoformualted with PLGA and even better with Niosomes, without compromising its cytotoxicity against cancer cells and preventing its cardiotoxic impacts.

Meta analysis of bioactive compounds, miRNA, siRNA and cell death regulators as sensitizers to doxorubicin induced chemoresistance

Cancer has presented to be the most challenging disease, contributing to one in six mortalities worldwide. The current treatment regimen involves multiple rounds of chemotherapy administration, alone or in combination. The treatment has adverse effects including cardiomyopathy, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. In addition, the development of resistance to chemo has been attributed to cancer relapse and low patient overall survivability. Multiple drug resistance development may be through numerous factors such as up-regulation of drug transporters, drug inactivation, alteration of drug targets and drug degradation. Doxorubicin is a widely used first line chemotherapeutic drug for a myriad of cancers. It has multiple intracellular targets, DNA intercalation, adduct formation, topoisomerase inhibition, iron chelation, reactive oxygen species generation and promotes immune mediated clearance of the tumor. Agents that can sensitize the resistant cancer cells to the chemotherapeutic drug are currently the focus to improve the clinical efficiency of cancer therapy. This review summarizes the recent 10-year research on the use of natural phytochemicals, inhibitors of apoptosis and autophagy, miRNAs, siRNAs and nanoformulations being investigated for doxorubicin chemosensitization.

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antiarrhythmic effect of indole-3-carbinol, a phytochemical derived from cruciferous vegetables

Background

Cardiovascular inflammation and oxidative stress are determining factors in high blood pressure and arrhythmias. Indole-3-carbinol is a cruciferous-derived phytochemical with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, its implications on the modulation of cardiovascular inflammatory-oxidative markers are unknown.

Objectives

To establish the effects of indole-3-carbinol on the oxidative-inflammatory-proarrhythmic conditions associated with hypertension.

Materials

Histological, biochemical, molecular, and functional aspects were evaluated in 1) Culture of mouse BV-2 glial cells subjected to oxidative-inflammatory damage by lipopolysaccharides (100 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of 40 μM indole-3-carbinol (n = 5); 2) Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats receiving indole-3-carbinol (2000 ppm/day, orally) during the first 8 weeks of life (n = 15); 3) Isolated rat hearts were submitted to 10 min regional ischemia and 10 min reperfusion.

Results

1) lipopolysaccharides induced oxidative stress and increased inflammatory markers; indole-3-carbinol reversed both conditions (interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, heat shock protein 70, all p < 0.01 vs lipopolysaccharides). 2) SHR rats showed histological, structural, and functional changes with increasing systolic blood pressure (154 ± 8 mmHg vs. 122 ± 7 mmHg in Wistar Kyoto rats, p < 0.01); Inflammatory-oxidative markers also increased, and nitric oxide and heat shock protein 70 decreased. Conversely, indole-3-carbinol reduced oxidative-inflammatory markers and systolic blood pressure (133 ± 8 mmHg, p < 0.01 vs. SHR). 3) indole-3-carbinol reduced reperfusion arrhythmias from 8/10 in SHR to 0/10 (p = 0.0007 by Fisher's exact test).

Conclusions

Indole-3-carbinol reduces the inflammatory-oxidative-proarrhythmic process of hypertension. The nitric oxide and heat shock protein 70 are relevant mechanisms of indole-3-carbinol protective actions. Further studies with this pleiotropic phytochemical as a promising cardioprotective are guaranteed.

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Indole-3-carbinol, a cruciferous-derived compound, has cardioprotective potential.

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We confirmed its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in vitro and in vivo.

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Oral administration reduced blood pressure and cardiac remodeling.

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In isolated hearts from hypertensive rats prevented ischemia-reperfusion arrhythmias.

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Heat shock protein 70 and NO contribute to indole-3-carbinol protective actions.

Oleanolic acid-conjugated human serum albumin nanoparticles encapsulating doxorubicin as synergistic combination chemotherapy in oropharyngeal carcinoma and melanoma

Combination chemotherapy produces a superior therapeutic response than monotherapy in cancer. Human serum albumin and a naturally occurring cancer prophylactic/anticancer triterpenoid, oleanolic acid, were conjugated to form self-assembled nanoparticles that entrapped doxorubicin. Dox@HSA-OA NPs were physicochemically characterized for particle size, zeta potential, drug loading, entrapment efficiency, stability, release, and hemocompatibility. The Dox@HSA-OA NPs (particle size. ∼ 140 nm) showed commendable loading (14.6 %), entrapment (59.01%) of Dox. The in vitro cell uptake study using human oral squamous carcinoma (FaDu-HTB-43) and murine melanoma (B16F10) cells indicated a higher cellular association of Dox@HSA-OA NPs than free Dox. The lowest IC₅₀ of Dox@HSA-OA NPs than Dox against both the cell lines at various time points proved the Dox/HSA-OA-mediated combination chemotherapeutic effect. Dox@HSA-OA NPs demonstrated higher apoptosis and cell cycle arrest (G2/M phase). The Dox@HSA-OA NPs-mediated Dox penetration, cell death/shrinkage were significant in FaDu-HTB-43 spheroids. Dox@HSA-OA NPs showed a better pharmacokinetic profile with increased t_1/2 and Cmax than Dox. The in vivo experiment using B16F10 tumor-bearing mice showed tumor regression, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis-induction via the intrinsic pathway to a greater extent following Dox@HSA-OA NPs treatment than Dox. Therefore, the Dox@HSA-OA NPs-mediated combination therapy could be a powerful treatment strategy for solid tumors.

Indole-3-carbinol ameliorated the isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction via multimodal mechanisms in Wistar rats

The present study investigated the cardioprotection of Indole-3-carbinol on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats. I3C treatment significantly reduced the prolongation of the QRS complex, QT interval, and ST-segment elevation. I3C was also able to normalise blood pressure (SBP, DBP, and MAP) and HR. I3C significantly decreased heart weight, cardiac troponin I (cTn I), CK-MB, LDH, AST and ALT. I3C ameliorated acute hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidemia, and myocardial infarction (%) in ISO rats. I3C treatment significantly elevated the antioxidant enzymes like SOD, CAT, and GSH and attenuated the MDA levels. I3C reduced the inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine 1 L-10. Furthermore, I3C significantly recovered myocardial structure by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and oedema. Moreover, I3C attenuated apoptotic markers (cytochrome C, caspase 9 and caspase 3). Consequently, I3C restored cardiac function in MI rats by alleviating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, and I3C could be used to treat myocardial infarction.

Beneficial Health Effects of Glucosinolates-Derived Isothiocyanates on Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are illnesses that affect the nervous system and heart, all of which are vital to the human body. To maintain health of the human body, vegetable diets serve as a preventive approach and particularly Brassica vegetables have been associated with lower risks of chronic diseases, especially NDDs and CVDs. Interestingly, glucosinolates (GLs) and isothiocyanates (ITCs) are phytochemicals that are mostly found in the Cruciferae family and they have been largely documented as antioxidants contributing to both cardio- and neuroprotective effects. The hydrolytic breakdown of GLs into ITCs such as sulforaphane (SFN), phenylethyl ITC (PEITC), moringin (MG), erucin (ER), and allyl ITC (AITC) has been recognized to exert significant effects with regards to cardio- and neuroprotection. From past in vivo and/or in vitro studies, those phytochemicals have displayed the ability to mitigate the adverse effects of reactive oxidation species (ROS), inflammation, and apoptosis, which are the primary causes of CVDs and NDDs. This review focuses on the protective effects of those GL-derived ITCs, featuring their beneficial effects and the mechanisms behind those effects in CVDs and NDDs.

Dextran-polylactide micelles loaded with doxorubicin and DiR for image-guided chemo-photothermal tumor therapy

Image-guided chemo-photothermal therapy based on near-infrared (NIR) theranostic agents has found promising applications in treating tumors. In this multimodal treatment, it is of critical importance to image real-time distribution of photothermal agents in vivo and to monitor therapeutic outcomes for implementing personalized treatment. In this study, an optimally synthesized dextran-polylactide (DEX-PLA) copolymer was assembled with doxorubicin (DOX) and DiR, a kind of NIR dye, to construct desirable micelles ((DiR + DOX)/DEX-PLA) for performing image-guided chemo-photothermal therapy. These (DiR + DOX)/DEX-PLA micelles had good physical and photothermal stability in aqueous media and showed high photothermal efficiency in vivo. Based on the H22-tumor-bearing mouse model, (DiR + DOX)/DEX-PLA micelles were found to accumulate inside tumors sustainably and to emit strong fluorescence signals for more than three days. The (DiR + DOX)@DEX-PLA micelles together with NIR laser irradiation were able to highly inhibit tumor growth or even eradicate tumors with one injection and two dose-designated 5-minute laser irradiations at the tumor site during 14 days of treatment. Furthermore, they showed almost no impairment to the body of the treated mice. These (DiR + DOX)@DEX-PLA micelles have confirmative translational potential in clinical tumor therapy on account of their persistent image-guided capacity, high antitumor efficacy and good in vivo safety.

Anticancer Effects of Combination of Indole-3-Carbinol and Hydroxychloroquine on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma via Targeting Autophagy and Apoptosis

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is an active component of cruciferous vegetables which is considered a promising antineoplastic agent. This study aimed to assess I3C antineoplastic activity alone and with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model. Eighty female mice were divided into six groups wherein all groups except groups I and II received EAC cells (10⁶ cells/mouse i.p.). Group I, served as control; group II served as I3C; group III served as EAC; groups IV and V received I3C (250 mg/kg body weight oral), and HCQ (60 mg/kg body weight i.p.) respectively; GVI received both I3C and HCQ. Antitumor response markers, serum, hepatic and renal biochemical parameters, histopathological changes, as well as autophagy and apoptosis markers in EAC cells were analyzed. The combination of I3C and HCQ showed the best antitumor responses with increased survival time and ameliorated biochemical parameters. Moreover, I3C upregulated LC3B and downregulated p62 gene expression in EAC cells. Furthermore, I3C combined with HCQ induced apoptosis by highly upregulating cleaved caspase-3 and Bax while downregulating Bcl-2 proteins expression in EAC cells in comparison with each drug alone. In conclusion, I3C combined with HCQ exhibited better antitumor activities than each drug alone via targeting autophagy and apoptosis.

Doxorubicin-Bound Hydroxyethyl Starch Conjugate Nanoparticles with pH/Redox Responsive Linkage for Enhancing Antitumor Therapy

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapeutic drugs used for tumor treatments often show limited efficiency due to their short lifetime, nonspecific delivery, and slow or insufficient intracellular drug release, and also, they can cause severe system or organ toxicity. The development of chemotherapeutic nanomedicines with high efficacy and satisfactory safety still remains a challenge for current tumor chemotherapy.

METHODS

A novel type of conjugate was synthesized using hydroxyethyl starch (HES) as a carrier while binding doxorubicin (DOX) onto HES backbone through a pH/redox responsive linker containing both disulfide and hydrazone bonds in series. The built conjugates were self-assembled into nanoparticles (NPs) (HES-SS-hyd-DOX NPs) for achieving enhanced antitumor therapy and adequate safety.

RESULTS

HES-SS-hyd-DOX NPs had a certain ability for the tumor-orientated drug accumulation and were capable of releasing DOX itself rather than DOX derivatives. It was found that the pH/redox responsive linkage enabled the NPs to achieve fast and sufficient intracellular drug release. Based on the tumor-bearing mouse model, antitumor results demonstrated that these NPs were able to inhibit the growth of the advanced tumors with significantly enhanced efficacy when compared to free DOX, and to those conjugate NPs containing only a single responsive or unresponsive bond. Besides, HES-SS-hyd-DOX NPs also showed adequate safety to the normal organs of the treated mice.

CONCLUSION

The pH/redox responsive linkage in HES-SS-hyd-DOX was found to play a critical role in mediating the drug accumulation and the fast and sufficient intracellular drug release. The HES-exposed surface of HES-SS-hyd-DOX NPs endowed the NPs with long circulation capability and remarkably reduced the DOX-induced side effects.

Assessment of Chemotherapy-Induced Organ Damage with Ga-68 Labeled Duramycin

PURPOSE

Evaluation of [⁶⁸Ga]NODAGA-duramycin as a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer of cell death for whole-body detection of chemotherapy-induced organ toxicity.

PROCEDURES

Tracer specificity of Ga-68 labeled NODAGA-duramycin was determined in vitro using competitive binding experiments. Organ uptake was analyzed in untreated and doxorubicin, busulfan, and cisplatin-treated mice 2 h after intravenous injection of [⁶⁸Ga]NODAGA-duramycin. In vivo data were validated by immunohistology and blood parameters.

RESULTS

In vitro experiments confirmed specific binding of [⁶⁸Ga]NODAGA-duramycin. Organ toxicities were detected successfully using [⁶⁸Ga]NODAGA-duramycin PET/X-ray computed tomography (CT) and confirmed by immunohistochemistry and blood parameter analysis. Organ toxicities in livers and kidneys showed similar trends in PET/CT and immunohistology. Busulfan and cisplatin-related organ toxicities in heart, liver, and lungs were detected earlier by PET/CT than by blood parameters and immunohistology.

CONCLUSION

[⁶⁸Ga]NODAGA-duramycin PET/CT was successfully applied to non-invasively detect chemotherapy-induced organ toxicity with high sensitivity in mice. It, therefore, represents a promising alternative to standard toxicological analyses with a high translational potential.

Use of Anticancer Platinum Compounds in Combination Therapies and Challenges in Drug Delivery

As one of the leading and most important metal-based drugs, platinum-based pharmaceuticals are widely used in the treatment of solid malignancies. Despite significant side effects and acquired drug resistance have limited their clinical applications, platinum has shown strong inhibitory effects for a wide assortment of tumors. Drug delivery systems using emerging technologies such as liposomes, dendrimers, polymers, nanotubes and other nanocompositions, all show promise for the safe delivery of platinum-based compounds. Due to the specificity of nano-formulations; unwanted side-effects and drug resistance can be largely averted. In addition, combinational therapy has been shown to be an effective way to improve the efficacy of platinum based anti-tumor drugs. This review first introduces drug delivery systems used for platinum and combinational therapeutic delivery. Then we highlight some of the recent advances in the field of drug delivery for combinational therapy; specifically progress in leveraging the cytotoxic nature of platinum-based drugs, the combinational effect of other drugs with platinum, while evaluating the drug targeting, side effect reducing and sitespecific nature of nanotechnology-based delivery platforms.

Natural compounds as potential adjuvants to cancer therapy: Preclinical evidence

Traditional chemotherapy is being considered due to hindrances caused by systemic toxicity. Currently, the administration of multiple chemotherapeutic drugs with different biochemical/molecular targets, known as combination chemotherapy, has attained numerous benefits like efficacy enhancement and amelioration of adverse effects that has been broadly applied to various cancer types. Additionally, seeking natural-based alternatives with less toxicity has become more important. Experimental evidence suggests that herbal extracts such as Solanum nigrum and Claviceps purpurea and isolated herbal compounds (e.g., curcumin, resveratrol, and matairesinol) combined with antitumoral drugs have the potential to attenuate resistance against cancer therapy and to exert chemoprotective actions. Plant products are not free of risks: Herb adverse effects, including herb-drug interactions, should be carefully considered. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on The Pharmacology of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.6/issuetoc.

Performance of severity parameters to detect chemotherapy-induced pain and distress in mice

According to European Union directive 2010/63/EU a severity classification of experimental procedures performed on laboratory animals is mandatory. This includes a prospective evaluation of all interventions performed within the experiment, as well as an assessment of the actual burden of each animal during the experiment. In this regard, the evaluation and scoring of defined criteria regarding the health state of animals could help to early identify deteriorations in animal health and facilitate the application of humane endpoints. This article discusses the applicability of an adapted score sheet in BALB/cAnNRj mice receiving either cisplatin, doxorubicin or busulfan, three chemotherapeutic agents with different toxicological profiles and longitudinal non-invasive molecular imaging. The health state was investigated by score sheets documenting general state, body weight, spontaneous behaviour and treatment specific parameters (e.g. anaemia, neurotoxicity, persistent diarrhoea). Although blood and serum analyses clearly indicated various organ damage, most scoring parameters except for body weight did not report on the deceasing animal health state. Thus, there is need for more sensitive observational parameters to judge the animal's health state and welfare.

Effects of quercetin, sitagliptin alone or in combination in testicular toxicity induced by doxorubicin in rats

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of quercetin and/or sitagliptin on testicular damage induced by doxorubicin (DOX).

Methodology

Twenty-five male Wistar rats, weighing 240±20 g, were randomly divided into five groups as follows: a negative control group; that was treated with 1 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride; a DOX-treated group received Intraperitoneal (I.P.) DOX injection (3 mg/kg); a group treated with quercetin 80 mg/kg + sitagliptin 10 mg/kg + DOX; a group treated with quercetin 80 mg/kg + DOX; and a group treated with sitagliptin 10 mg/kg+ DOX. All treatment were given orally daily for 21 days with I.P. DOX 3 mg/kg injection for the treatment groups at days 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, and 19. On day 22, blood was collected for analysis of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC). The testes were also removed and sent for histopathological examination.

Results

The study revealed that the combination of quercetin with sitagliptin produced a significant increase in testosterone and FSH levels with a non-significant increase in LH level. This combination also non-significantly decreased the level of ALP and LDH and restored the GPx level with enhancing TAOC.

Conclusion

The results suggest quercetin/sitagliptin combination as a promising therapeutic modality for attenuation of DOX-induced testicular toxicity in rats, and the main mechanism involved in such effect could be due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of both agents.

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Cytotoxic and antibacterial polyketide-indole hybrids synthesized from indole-3-carbinol by Daldinia eschscholzii

Two skeletally undescribed polyketide-indole hybrids (PIHs), named indolchromins A and B, were generated from indole-3-carbinol (I3C) in the fungal culture (Daldinia eschscholzii). The indolchromin structures were elucidated mainly by their 1D and 2D NMR spectra with the former confirmed by the single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. Each indolchromin alkaloid was chirally separated into four isomers, whose absolute configurations were assigned by comparing the recorded circular dichroism (CD) spectra with the electronic CD (ECD) curves computed for all optional stereoisomers. Furthermore, the indolchromin construction pathways in fungal culture were clarified through enzyme inhibition, precursor feeding experiment, and energy calculation. The cascade reactions, including decarboxylative Claisen condensation catalyzed by 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase (AONS), C(sp³)-H activation, double bond migration, and Michael addition, all undergone compatibly during the fungal cultivation. In an MIC range of 1.3–8.6 μmol/L, (2S,4R)- and (2R,4S)-indolchromin A and (2R,4S)-indolchromin B are inhibitory against Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile, Veillonella sp., Bacteroides fragilis, and Streptococcus pyogenes. (2R,4S)-Indolchromin A and (2S,4S)-indolchromin B were cytotoxic against the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 with IC₅₀ values of 27.9 and 131.2 nmol/L, respectively, with the former additionally active against another human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 (IC₅₀ 94.4 nmol/L).

Sorting out the Value of Cruciferous Sprouts as Sources of Bioactive Compounds for Nutrition and Health

Edible sprouts with germinating seeds of a few days of age are naturally rich in nutrients and other bioactive compounds. Among them, the cruciferous (Brassicaceae) sprouts stand out due to their high contents of glucosinolates (GLSs) and phenolic compounds. In order to obtain sprouts enriched in these phytochemicals, elicitation is being increasing used as a sustainable practice. Besides, the evidence regarding the bioavailability and the biological activity of these compounds after their dietary intake has also attracted growing interest in recent years, supporting the intake of the natural food instead of enriched ingredients or extracts. Also, there is a growing interest regarding their uses, consumption, and applications for health and wellbeing, in different industrial sectors. In this context, the present review aims to compile and update the available knowledge on the fundamental aspects of production, enrichment in composition, and the benefits upon consumption of diverse edible cruciferous sprouts, which are sources of phenolic compounds and glucosinolates, as well as the evidence on their biological actions in diverse pathophysiological situations and the molecular pathways involved.

Hydroxyethyl Starch-Based Nanoparticles Featured with Redox-Sensitivity and Chemo-Photothermal Therapy for Synergized Tumor Eradication

Chemo-photothermal combination therapy could achieve synergistically enhanced efficiency against tumors. Nanocarriers with good safety and high efficiency for chemo- photothermal therapy are pressingly needed. A new type of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) based on nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and indocyanine green (ICG) was, thus, developed in this study. DOX-loaded HES conjugates with redox-sensitivity (HES-SS-DOX) were first synthesized and they were then combined with ICG to self-assemble into HES-SS-DOX@ICG NPs with controlled compositions and sizes via collaborative interactions. The optimal HES-SS-DOX@ICG NPs had good physical and photothermal stability in aqueous media and showed high photothermal efficiency in vivo. They were able to fast release the loaded DOX in response to the redox stimulus and the applied laser irradiation. Based on the H22-tumor-bearing mouse model, these NPs were found to tendentiously accumulate inside tumors in comparison to other major organs. The HES-SS-DOX@ICG NPs together with dose-designated laser irradiation were able to fully eradicate tumors with only one injection and one single subsequent laser irradiation on the tumor site during a 14-day treatment period. In addition, they showed almost no impairment to the body. The presently developed HES-SS-DOX@ICG NPs have good in vivo safety and highly efficient anti-tumor capability. These NPs in conjugation with laser irradiation have promising potential for chemo-photothermal cancer therapy in the clinic.

Rutin and orlistat produce antitumor effects via antioxidant and apoptotic actions

Cancer is a broad term used to describe a large number of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation that leads to tumor production. Cancer is associated with mutations in genes controlling proliferation and apoptosis, oxidative stress, fatty acid synthase (FAS) expression, and other mechanisms. Currently, most antineoplastic drugs have severe adverse effects and new effective and safe drugs are needed. This study aims to investigate the possible anticancer activity of rutin and orlistat which are both safely used clinically in humans against two breast cancer models (in vivo EAC and in vitro MCF7) and the pancreatic cancer cell line (PANC-1). Our results have shown that both rutin and orlistat exerted an in vivo anticancer activity as evidenced by the decrease in tumor volume, CEA level, cholesterol content, FAS, and the exerted antioxidant action (reduced MDA level and increased GSH content) and through histopathological examination. In addition, both were cytotoxic to MCF-7 and Panc-1 cell lines by promoting apoptosis. In conclusion, the anticancer activity of rutin and orlistat makes them promising candidates for cancer treatment alone or in combination with other anticancer drugs specially that they are used clinically with an acceptable safety profile.

Prevention of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced genotoxicity and cardiotoxicity: Effect of plant derived small molecule indole-3-carbinol (I3C) on oxidative stress and inflammation

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline group of antibiotic available for the treatment of broad spectrum of human cancers. However, patient receiving DOX-therapy, myelosuppression and genotoxicity which may lead to secondary malignancy and dose dependent cardiotoxicity is an imperative adverse effect. Mechanisms behind the DOX-induced toxicities are increased level of oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis. Therefore, in search of a potential chemoprotectant, naturally occurring glucosinolate breakdown product Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) was evaluated against DOX-induced toxicities in Swiss albino mice. DOX was administered (5 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) and I3C was administered (20 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) in concomitant and 15 days pretreatment schedule. Results of the present study showed that I3C appreciably mitigated DOX-induced chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei formation, DNA damage and apoptosis in bone marrow niche. Histopathological observations revealed that DOX-intoxication resulted in massive structural and functional impairment of heart and bone marrow niche. However, oral administration of I3C significantly attenuated DOX-induced oxidative stress in the cardiac tissues as evident from decreased levels of ROS/RNS and lipid peroxidation, and by increased level of glutathione (reduced) and the activity of phase-II antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, administration of I3C significantly (P < 0.05) stimulated Nrf2-mediated activation of antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway and promoted expression of cytoprotective proteins heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H:quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and GSTπ in bone marrow and cardiac tissues. In connection with that, I3C significantly attenuated DOX-induced inflammation by downregulation of pro-inflammatory mediators, viz., NF-kβ(p50), iNOS, COX-2 and IL-6 expression. Moreover, I3C attenuate DOX-induced apoptosis by up-regulation of Bcl2 and down-regulation of Bax and caspase-3 expression in bone marrow cells. Thus, this study suggests that I3C has promising chemoprotective efficacy against DOX-induced toxicities and indicates its future use as an adjuvant in chemotherapy.

The new era of nanotechnology, an alternative to change cancer treatment

In the last few years, nanostructures have gained considerable interest for the safe delivery of therapeutic agents. Several therapeutic approaches have been reported, such as molecular diagnosis, disease detection, nanoscale immunotherapy and anticancer drug delivery that could be integrated into clinical use. The current paper aims to highlight the background that supports the use of nanoparticles conjugated with different types of therapeutic agents, applicable in targeted therapy and cancer research, with a special emphasis on hematological malignancies. A particular key point is the functional characterization of nonviral delivery systems, such as gold nanoparticles, liposomes and dendrimers. The paper also presents relevant published data related to microRNA and RNA interference delivery using nanoparticles in cancer therapy.

WITHDRAWN: The anti-cancer properties in parallel with toxic effects of indole-3-carbinol derivatives

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Cardioprotective mechanisms of phytochemicals against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic, which is effectively used in the treatment of different malignancies, such as leukemias and lymphomas. Its most serious side effect is dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, which occurs through inducing oxidative stress apoptosis. Due to the myelosuppressive effect of dexrazoxane, a commonly-used drug to alleviate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, researchers investigated the potential of phytochemicals for prophylaxis and treatment of this condition. Phytochemicals are plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventive properties. Preclinical trials have shown antioxidant properties for several plant extracts, such as those of Aerva lanata, Aronia melanocarpa, Astragalus polysaccharide, and Bombyx mori plants. Other plant extracts showed an ability to inhibit apoptosis, such as those of Astragalus polysaccharide, Azadirachta indica, Bombyx mori, and Allium stavium plants. Unlike synthetic agents, phytochemicals do not impair the clinical activity of DOX and they are particularly safe for long-term use. In this review, we summarized the results of preclinical trials that investigated the cardioprotective effects of phytochemicals against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Future human trials are required to translate these cardioprotective mechanisms into practical clinical implications.

Enhancing Doxorubicin Delivery toward Tumor by Hydroxyethyl Starch-g-Polylactide Partner Nanocarriers

Doxorubicin (DOX), a kind of wide-spectrum chemotherapeutic drug, can cause severe side effects in clinical use. To enhance its antitumor efficacy while reducing the side effects, two kinds of nanoparticles with desirable compositions and properties were assembled using optimally synthesized hydroxyethyl starch-grafted-polylactide (HES-g-PLA) copolymers and utilized as partner nanocarriers. The large empty HES-g-PLA nanoparticles (mean size, ca. 700 nm), at an optimized dose of 400 mg/kg, were used to block up the reticuloendothelial system in tumor-bearing mice 1.5 h in advance, and the small DOX-loaded HES-g-PLA nanoparticles (mean size, ca. 130 nm) were subsequently applied to the mice. When these partner nanocarriers were administered in this sequential mode, the released DOX had a significantly prolonged plasma half-life time and much slower clearance rate as well as a largely enhanced intratumoral accumulation as compared to free DOX. In vivo antitumor studies demonstrated that the DOX-loaded HES-g-PLA nanoparticles working together with their partner exhibited remarkably enhanced antitumor efficacy in comparison to free DOX. In addition, these HES-g-PLA partner nanocarriers showed negligible damage to the normal organs of the treated mice. Considering safe and efficient antitumor performance of DOX-loaded HES-g-PLA nanoparticles, the newly developed partner nanocarriers in combination with their administration mode have promising potential in clinical cancer chemotherapy.

Reversible Toxic Effects of the Dietary Supplement Indole-3-Carbinol in an Immune Compromised Rodent Model: Intestine as the Main Target

Dietary supplements are widely used in the United States, but the safety issue remains unresolved. Immuno-deficient or immuno-compromised patients, estimated to exceed 10 million in the United States, are known to use dietary supplements. This population potentially may be susceptible to supplements' adverse effects. The cruciferous vegetable-derived indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is known for its possible protective effects against a number of chronic diseases and is commercially available as a dietary supplement. However, the safety of orally consumed I3C in the general population and particularly in immuno-compromised individuals remains unknown. In this study, rodent model of immune-deficient male BALB/c nu/nu athymic mice were given diets supplemented with 0-100 μmoles I3C/g diet for 4 weeks. We found that BALB/c nu/nu mice were not viable after three days on a 100 μmoles I3C/g supplemented diet. Switching to the control diet (without I3C) after first detection of stress resulted in a 75% recovery of mice. Mice fed with 10-50 μmoles I3C/g supplemented diet survived but showed concentration-dependent adverse effects. More importantly, the intestine appeared to be the target of I3C toxicity. Number and width of intestinal villi were significantly altered by I3C, which associated with a dose-dependent reduction in cell proliferation and increase in apoptosis. Other molecular effects observed for I3C include activation of multiple xenobiotic metabolism pathways. This is the first study to report hazardous effects of I3C supplementation that are specific to the gastrointestinal tract in an immuno-compromised model and should serve as a caution in using I3C as dietary supplements.

Cardioprotective Potentials of Plant-Derived Small Molecules against Doxorubicin Associated Cardiotoxicity

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent and widely used anthracycline antibiotic for the treatment of several malignancies. Unfortunately, the clinical utility of DOX is often restricted due to the elicitation of organ toxicity. Particularly, the increased risk for the development of dilated cardiomyopathy by DOX among the cancer survivors warrants major attention from the physicians as well as researchers to develop adjuvant agents to neutralize the noxious effects of DOX on the healthy myocardium. Despite these pitfalls, the use of traditional cytotoxic drugs continues to be the mainstay treatment for several types of cancer. Recently, phytochemicals have gained attention for their anticancer, chemopreventive, and cardioprotective activities. The ideal cardioprotective agents should not compromise the clinical efficacy of DOX and should be devoid of cumulative or irreversible toxicity on the naïve tissues. Furthermore, adjuvants possessing synergistic anticancer activity and quelling of chemoresistance would significantly enhance the clinical utility in combating DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. The present review renders an overview of cardioprotective effects of plant-derived small molecules and their purported mechanisms against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Phytochemicals serve as the reservoirs of pharmacophore which can be utilized as templates for developing safe and potential novel cardioprotective agents in combating DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.