Quercetin inhibits lymphocyte activation and proliferation without inducing apoptosis in peripheral mononuclear cells

Therapeutic Applications of Nanoformulated Resveratrol and Quercetin Phytochemicals in Colorectal Cancer-An Updated Review

Natural compounds such as polyphenols play several positive roles in maintaining the oxidative and inflammatory capacity of cells, which leads to their potential use as anticancer therapeutics. There is promising evidence for the in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of many polyphenols, including resveratrol and quercetin, specifically in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). There is a clear association between resveratrol and quercetin in interfering with the mechanistic pathways involved in CRC, such as Wnt, P13K/AKT, caspase-3, MAPK, NF-κB, etc. These molecular pathways establish the role of resveratrol and quercetin in controlling cancer cell growth, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting metastasis. The major bottleneck in the progression of the use of resveratrol and quercetin as anticancer therapeutics is their reduced bioavailability in vivo because of their rapid metabolism in humans. Recent advancements in various nanotechnological formulations are promising for overcoming these bioavailability issues. Various nanoformulations of resveratrol and quercetin have shown an optimistic impact on reducing the solubility and improving the stability of resveratrol and quercetin in vivo. A combinatorial approach using nanoformulations of resveratrol with quercetin could potentially increase the impact of resveratrol in controlling CRC cell proliferation. This review discusses the mechanism of resveratrol and quercetin, the two bioactive polyphenolics, in colon cancer, with an emphasis on various types of nanoformulations of the two molecules targeting colon cancer. It also explores the synergistic effect of combining resveratrol and quercetin in various nanoformulations, targeting colon cancer. This research delves into the enhanced pharmacokinetics and potential chemotherapeutic benefits of these bioactive polyphenolics when used together in innovative ways.

Uncovering the molecular mechanism of Mume Fructus in treatment of Sjögren's syndrome

BACKGROUND

Modern medicine has no cure for the xerostomia caused by the early onset of Sjögren's syndrome. Mume Fructus is a common Chinese herbal medicine used to relieve xerostomia. However, the molecular mechanisms of the effects of Mume Fructus are unknown. In this study, network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to investigate the mechanisms of action of Mume Fructus on Sjögren's syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform database was used to identify the active components and targets of Mume Fructus, and the UniProt database was used to identify the genes encoding these targets. SS-related targets were also identified from the GeneCards and OMIM databases. By finding the intersection of the targets of the compounds and the targets of Sjögren's syndrome, the predicted targets of Mume Fructus in the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome were obtained. Further investigation of the active compounds and their targets was carried out by constructing a network of "medicine-candidate compound-target-disease" using Cytoscape 3.7.2, the Protein-Protein Interaction network using the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.7.2, and key targets were identified by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis on R software. Finally, molecular docking was used to verify the affinity of the candidate compounds to the key targets.

RESULTS

Quercetin, beta-sitosterol, and kaempferol in Mume Fructus interact with AKT1, IL-6, IL-1B, JUN, CASP3, and MAPK8. These results suggest that Mume Fructus exerts its therapeutic effects on the peripheral gland injury of Sjögren's syndrome and its secondary cardiovascular disease and tumorigenesis through anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-tumor pathways.

CONCLUSION

With network pharmacology, this study systematically identified the main active components, targets, and specific mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of Mume Fructus on Sjögren's syndrome, providing both a theoretical basis and research direction for further investigations on Mume Fructus.

Impact of senolytic treatment on immunity, aging, and disease

Cellular senescence has been implicated in the pathophysiology of many age-related diseases. However, it also plays an important protective role in the context of tumor suppression and wound healing. Reducing senescence burden through treatment with senolytic drugs or the use of genetically targeted models of senescent cell elimination in animals has shown positive results in the context of mitigating disease and age-associated inflammation. Despite positive, albeit heterogenous, outcomes in clinical trials, very little is known about the short-term and long-term immunological consequences of using senolytics as a treatment for age-related conditions. Further, many studies examining cellular senescence and senolytic treatment have been demonstrated in non-infectious disease models. Several recent reports suggest that senescent cell elimination may have benefits in COVID-19 and influenza resolution and disease prognosis. In this review, we discuss the current clinical trials and pre-clinical studies that are exploring the impact of senolytics on cellular immunity. We propose that while eliminating senescent cells may have an acute beneficial impact on primary immune responses, immunological memory may be negatively impacted. Closer investigation of senolytics on immune function and memory generation would provide insight as to whether senolytics could be used to enhance the aging immune system and have potential to be used as therapeutics or prophylactics in populations that are severely and disproportionately affected by infections such as the elderly and immunocompromised.

Formulating co-loaded nanoliposomes with gallic acid and quercetin for enhanced cancer therapy

Cancer is considered one of the top global causes of death. Natural products have been used in oncology medicine either in crude form or by utilizing isolated secondary metabolites. Biologically active phytomolecules such as gallic acid and quercetin have confirmed antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and neoplastic properties. There is an agreement that microorganisms could mediate oncogenesis or alter the immune system. This research project aims to develop a novel formulation of co-loaded gallic acid and quercetin into nanoliposomes and investigate the efficacy of the free and combined agents against multiple cancerous cell lines and bacterial strains. Thin-film hydration technique was adopted to synthesize the nanocarriers. Particle characteristics were measured using a Zetasizer. The morphology of nanoliposomes was examined by scanning electron microscopy, Encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were evaluated using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Cytotoxicity was determined against Breast Cancer Cells MCF-7, Human Carcinoma Cells HT-29, and A549 Lung Cancer Cells. The antibacterial activities were evaluated against Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Therapeutic formulas were categorized into groups: free gallic acid, free quercetin, free-mix, and their nano-counterparts. Findings revealed that drug loading capacity was 0.204 for the mix formula compared to 0.092 and 0.68 for free gallic acid and quercetin, respectively. Regarding the Zeta potential, the mix formula showed more amphiphilic charge than the free quercetin and free gallic acid formulas (P-values 0.003 and 0.002 receptively). On the contrary, no significant difference in polydispersity indices was reported. Lung cancerous cells were the most affected by the treatments. The best estimated IC50 values were observed in breast and lung cancer lines for the nano-gallic acid and co-loaded particles. The nano-quercetin formula exhibited the least cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of ≥200 μg/mL in both breast (MCF-7) and colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines (HT-29) with no activity against the lung. A remarkable improvement in the efficacy of quercetin was measured after mixing it with gallic acid against the breast and lungs. The tested therapeutic agents exhibited antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria. Nano-liposomes can either enhance or reduce the cytotoxicity activity of active compounds depending on the physical and chemical properties of drug-loaded and type of cancer cells.

Quercetin modulates signal transductions and targets non-coding RNAs against cancer development

In recent decades, various investigations have indicated that natural compounds have great potential in the prevention and treatment of different chronic disorders including different types of cancer. As a bioactive flavonoid, Quercetin (Qu) is a dietary ingredient enjoying high pharmacological values and health-promoting effects due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characterization. Conclusive in vitro and in vivo evidence has revealed that Qu has great potential in cancer prevention and development. Qu exerts its anticancer influences by altering various cellular processes such as apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, metastasis, cell cycle, and proliferation. In this way, Qu by targeting numerous signaling pathways as well as non-coding RNAs regulates several cellular mechanisms to suppress cancer occurrence and promotion. This review aimed to summarize the impact of Qu on the molecular pathways and non-coding RNAs in modulating various cancer-associated cellular mechanisms.

A Comprehensive Analysis and Anti-Cancer Activities of Quercetin in ROS-Mediated Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induce carcinogenesis by causing genetic mutations, activating oncogenes, and increasing oxidative stress, all of which affect cell proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. When compared to normal cells, cancer cells have higher levels of ROS, and they are responsible for the maintenance of the cancer phenotype; this unique feature in cancer cells may, therefore, be exploited for targeted therapy. Quercetin (QC), a plant-derived bioflavonoid, is known for its ROS scavenging properties and was recently discovered to have various antitumor properties in a variety of solid tumors. Adaptive stress responses may be induced by persistent ROS stress, allowing cancer cells to survive with high levels of ROS while maintaining cellular viability. However, large amounts of ROS make cancer cells extremely susceptible to quercetin, one of the most available dietary flavonoids. Because of the molecular and metabolic distinctions between malignant and normal cells, targeting ROS metabolism might help overcome medication resistance and achieve therapeutic selectivity while having little or no effect on normal cells. The powerful bioactivity and modulatory role of quercetin has prompted extensive research into the chemical, which has identified a number of pathways that potentially work together to prevent cancer, alongside, QC has a great number of evidences to use as a therapeutic agent in cancer stem cells. This current study has broadly demonstrated the function-mechanistic relationship of quercetin and how it regulates ROS generation to kill cancer and cancer stem cells. Here, we have revealed the regulation and production of ROS in normal cells and cancer cells with a certain signaling mechanism. We demonstrated the specific molecular mechanisms of quercetin including MAPK/ERK1/2, p53, JAK/STAT and TRAIL, AMPKα1/ASK1/p38, RAGE/PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, HMGB1 and NF-κB, Nrf2-induced signaling pathways and certain cell cycle arrest in cancer cell death, and how they regulate the specific cancer signaling pathways as long-searched cancer therapeutics.

Application of Quercetin in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancers

Many cellular signaling pathways contribute to the regulation of cell proliferation, division, motility, and apoptosis. Deregulation of these pathways contributes to tumor cell initiation and tumor progression. Lately, significant attention has been focused on the use of natural products as a promising strategy in cancer treatment. Quercetin is a natural flavonol compound widely present in commonly consumed foods. Quercetin has shown significant inhibitory effects on tumor progression via various mechanisms of action. These include stimulating cell cycle arrest or/and apoptosis as well as its antioxidant properties. Herein, we summarize the therapeutic effects of quercetin in gastrointestinal cancers (pancreatic, gastric, colorectal, esophageal, hepatocellular, and oral).

Quercetin Impact in Pancreatic Cancer: An Overview on Its Therapeutic Effects

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a lethal malignancy cancer, and its mortality rates have been increasing worldwide. Diagnosis of this cancer is complicated, as it does not often present symptoms, and most patients present an irremediable tumor having a 5-year survival rate after diagnosis. Regarding treatment, many concerns have also been raised, as most tumors are found at advanced stages. At present, anticancer compounds-rich foods have been utilized to control PC. Among such bioactive molecules, flavonoid compounds have shown excellent anticancer abilities, such as quercetin, which has been used as an adjunctive or alternative drug to PC treatment by inhibitory or stimulatory biological mechanisms including autophagy, apoptosis, cell growth reduction or inhibition, EMT, oxidative stress, and enhancing sensitivity to chemotherapy agents. The recognition that this natural product has beneficial effects on cancer treatment has boosted the researchers' interest towards more extensive studies to use herbal medicine for anticancer purposes. In addition, due to the expensive cost and high rate of side effects of anticancer drugs, attempts have been made to use quercetin but also other flavonoids for preventing and treating PC. Based on related studies, it has been found that the quercetin compound has significant effect on cancerous cell lines as well as animal models. Therefore, it can be used as a supplementary drug to treat a variety of cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer. This review is aimed at discussing the therapeutic effects of quercetin by targeting the molecular signaling pathway and identifying antigrowth, cell proliferation, antioxidative stress, EMT, induction of apoptotic, and autophagic features.

Phytochemicals in Chemoprevention: A Cost-Effective Complementary Approach

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death across the world. Although conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have effectively decreased cancer progression, they come with many dose-limiting side-effects. Phytochemicals that naturally occur in spices, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and other common foods are surprisingly effective complements to conventional cancer treatments. These biologically active compounds demonstrate anticancer effects via cell signaling pathway interference in cancerous cells. In addition, phytochemicals protect non-cancerous cells from chemotherapy-induced side-effects. This paper addresses the not only the potential of phytochemicals quercetin, isoflavones, curcumin, catechins, and hesperidin in terms of cancer treatment and protection against side-effects of chemotherapy, but also methods for increasing phytochemical bioavailability.

Potential Therapeutic Targets of Quercetin, a Plant Flavonol, and Its Role in the Therapy of Various Types of Cancer through the Modulation of Various Cell Signaling Pathways

Polyphenolic flavonoids are considered natural, non-toxic chemopreventers, which are most commonly derived from plants, fruits, and vegetables. Most of these polyphenolics exhibit remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Quercetin (Qu) is a chief representative of these polyphenolic compounds, which exhibits excellent antioxidant and anticancer potential, and has attracted the attention of researchers working in the area of cancer biology. Qu can regulate numerous tumor-related activities, such as oxidative stress, angiogenesis, cell cycle, tumor necrosis factor, proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. The anticancer properties of Qu mainly occur through the modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), apoptosis, phosphatidyl inositol-3-kinase (P13K)/Akt (proteinase-kinase B)/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase)/ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2), and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. The anticancer potential of Qu is documented in numerous in vivo and in vitro studies, involving several animal models and cell lines. Remarkably, this phytochemical possesses toxic activities against cancerous cells only, with limited toxic effects on normal cells. In this review, we present extensive research investigations aimed to discuss the therapeutic potential of Qu in the management of different types of cancers. The anticancer potential of Qu is specifically discussed by focusing its ability to target specific molecular signaling, such as p53, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), VEGF, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), PI3K/Akt, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways. The anticancer potential of Qu has gained remarkable interest, but the exact mechanism of its action remains unclear. However, this natural compound has great pharmacological potential; it is now believed to be a complementary—or alternative—medicine for the prevention and treatment of different cancers.

Metabolomics and Pharmacological Screening of Aspergillus versicolor Isolated from Hyrtios erectus Red Sea Sponge; Egypt

Background:

Aspergillus Versicolor is a marine-derived fungus isolated from Hyrtios Erectus Red Sea sponge.

Methods:

The aim of this study was to carry out a pharmacological screening and investigation for the in vitro biological activity (antioxidant, cholinergic, antidiabetic and anticancer) of Aspergillus Versicolor crude extract’s active compounds by using different qualitative and quantitative methods.

Results:

The present study results showed that Aspergillus Versicolor crude extracts contain 0.6 mg total phenolic/mg crude extract. Aspergillus Versicolor also showed a potent antioxidative capacity by decreasing the oxidation of ABTS. The anticancer and inhibitory effects of Aspergillus Versicolor crude extracts on PTK and SHKI were found to be 75.29 % and 80.76%; respectively. The AChE inhibitory assay revealed that Aspergillus Versicolor extracts had an inhibitory percentage of 86.67%. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity using COX1, COX2, TNF, and IL6 was 77.32, 85.21 %, 59.83%, and 56.15%; respectively. Additionally, the anti-viral effect using reverse transcriptase enzyme showed high antiviral activity with 92.10 %.

Conclusion:

The current study confirmed that the Aspergillus versicolor crude extract and its active constituents showed strong effects on diminishing the oxidative stress, neurodegenerative damage, antiinflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-viral, suggesting their beneficial role as a promising fermented product in the treatment of cancer, oxidative stress, Alzheimer's, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral diseases.

Optimization of Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) D. C. leaf extraction using a simplex centroid design focused on extracting phenolics with antioxidant and antiproliferative activities

Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) D. C. (Myrtaceae) has been showing interesting biological activities in the literature which was correlated to its phenolic compounds. In the sense of a better recovering of phenolics with the best antioxidant and antiproliferative activities, an extraction, based on multivariate analytical approach, was developed from E. punicifolia leaves. The different extractor solvents (ethanol, methanol and water) and their binary and ternary combinations were evaluated using a simplex-centroid mixture design and surface response methodology. The optimized crude extracts were investigated for phenol and flavonoid content and compared to their antioxidant (EC₅₀) and antiproliferative properties against HEp-2 (cell line derived from the oropharyngeal carcinoma) and mononuclear viability cells. Ethanolic extracts showed the best phenolic content with the highest antioxidant activity and moderated activity antiproliferative to HEp-2. ESI-QTOF–MS revealed the presence of quercetin and myricetin derivatives, which was correlated to activities tested. Then, simplex-centroid design allowed us to correlate the Eugenia punicifolia biological activities with the extracts obtained from solvent different polarity mixtures.

Proteomic Analysis of Quercetin-Treated K562 Cells

Among natural products under investigation for their additive potential in cancer prevention and treatment, the flavonoid quercetin has received attention for its effects on the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In the past, we addressed this issue in K562 cells, a cellular model of the human chronic myeloid leukemia. Here, we applied stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) proteomics with the aim to increase knowledge on the regulative and metabolic pathways modulated by quercetin in these cells. After 24 h of quercetin treatment, we observed that apoptosis was not completely established, thus we selected this time range to capture quantitative data. As a result, we were able to achieve a robust identification of 1703 proteins, and to measure fold changes between quercetin-treated and untreated cells for 1206 proteins. Through a bioinformatics functional analysis on a subset of 112 proteins, we propose that the apoptotic phenotype of K562 cells entails a significant modulation of the translational machinery, RNA metabolism, antioxidant defense systems, and enzymes involved in lipid metabolism. Finally, we selected eight differentially expressed proteins, validated their modulated expression in quercetin-treated K562 cells, and discussed their possible role in flavonoid cytotoxicity. This quantitative profiling, performed for the first time on this type of tumor cells upon treatment with a flavonoid, will contribute to revealing the molecular basis of the multiplicity of the effects selectively exerted by quercetin on K562 cells.

Bu-Shen-Fang-Chuan formula attenuates T-lymphocytes recruitment in the lung of rats with COPD through suppressing CXCL9/CXCL10/CXCL11-CXCR3 axis

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease characterized by irreversible airflow limitation. The current medications show limited effects on the decline of pulmonary function in COPD. Our multicenter clinical trial found that Bu-Shen-Fang-Chuan fomula (BSFCF), a Chinese herbal formula, markedly reduced the frequencies of acute exacerbation of COPD and delayed lung function decline. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we established a COPD rat model through a 6-month exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) and found that BSFCF (7.2 g/kg) effectively improved CS-induced reduction in pulmonary function and remarkably decreased the numbers of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Importantly, BSFCF treatment notably prevented the accumulation of T-lymphocytes (especially CD8⁺ T-cells) in the lung of COPD rats. RNA sequencing analysis of lung tissue demonstrated that CXCL9/CXCL10/CXCL11-CXCR3 chemokine axis in the lung of CS-exposed rats was significantly suppressed by BSFCF. Moreover, our Real-time PCR data verified that BSFCF evidently inhibited the mRNA expressions of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11 and CXCR3. Conclusively, BSFCF markedly improved pulmonary function and attenuated CD8⁺ T-cells recruitment in the lung of CS-exposed rats, which were partially through inhibition of CXCL9/CXCL10/CXCL11-CXCR3 axis.

Traditional Chinese medicine-combination therapies utilizing nanotechnology-based targeted delivery systems: a new strategy for antitumor treatment

Cancer is a major public health problem, and is now the world’s leading cause of death. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-combination therapy is a new treatment approach and a vital therapeutic strategy for cancer, as it exhibits promising antitumor potential. Nano-targeted drug-delivery systems have remarkable advantages and allow the development of TCM-combination therapies by systematically controlling drug release and delivering drugs to solid tumors. In this review, the anticancer activity of TCM compounds is introduced. The combined use of TCM for antitumor treatment is analyzed and summarized. These combination therapies, using a single nanocarrier system, namely codelivery, are analyzed, issues that require attention are determined, and future perspectives are identified. We carried out a systematic review of >280 studies published in PubMed since 1985 (no patents involved), in order to provide a few basic considerations in terms of the design principles and management of targeted nanotechnology-based TCM-combination therapies.

The polyphenol quercetin induces cell death in leukemia by targeting epigenetic regulators of pro-apoptotic genes

Background

In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the pro-apoptotic effects of quercetin (Qu) by evaluating the effect of Qu treatment on DNA methylation and posttranslational histone modifications of genes related to the apoptosis pathway. This study was performed in vivo in two human xenograft acute myeloid leukemia (AML) models and in vitro using HL60 and U937 cell lines.

Results

Qu treatment almost eliminates DNMT1 and DNMT3a expression, and this regulation was in part STAT-3 dependent. The treatment also downregulated class I HDACs. Furthermore, treatment of the cell lines with the proteasome inhibitor, MG132, together with Qu prevented degradation of class I HDACs compared to cells treated with Qu alone, indicating increased proteasome degradation of class I HDACS by Qu. Qu induced demethylation of the pro-apoptotic BCL2L11, DAPK1 genes, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, Qu (50 μmol/L) treatment of cell lines for 48 h caused accumulation of acetylated histone 3 and histone 4, resulting in three- to ten fold increases in the promoter region of DAPK1, BCL2L11, BAX, APAF1, BNIP3, and BNIP3L. In addition, Qu treatment significantly increased the mRNA levels of all these genes, when compared to cells treated with vehicle only (control cells) (*p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In summary, our results showed that enhanced apoptosis, induced by Qu, might be caused in part by its DNA demethylating activity, by HDAC inhibition, and by the enrichment of H3ac and H4ac in the promoter regions of genes involved in the apoptosis pathway, leading to their transcription activation.

The effect of quercetin on the electrical properties of model lipid membranes and human glioblastoma cells

Quercetin is a naturally-occurring flavonoid claimed to exert many beneficial health effects. In this report, the influence of quercetin on the surface charge of phosphatidylcholine liposomes and human glioblastoma LN-229 and LN-18 cells was studied using microelectrophoretic mobility measurements. The effect of quercetin on the electrical resistance and capacitance of bilayer lipid membranes was analyzed via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that after flavonoid treatment, the cell lines demonstrated changes in surface charge only in alkaline pH solutions, whereas there were no significant alterations in quercetin-treated vs. control cells in acidic pH solutions. The same tendency was found for liposomal membranes proving that quercetin insertion into membranes is strongly pH-dependent. Capacitance and resistance measurements conducted in acidic electrolyte solutions demonstrated an increase in both electrical parameters, indicating an increased amount of quercetin inserted into the bilayers. Moreover, the cytotoxic effect of quercetin confirms that the flavonoid enters the cells and perturbs the proliferation of LN-229 and LN-18 glioblastoma cell lines. As such, our results indicate that the specific localization of quercetin, membrane-bound or cell-entering, might be crucial for its pharmacological activity. However, further studies are necessary prior to applying these physicochemical measurements as standard methods of evaluating drug activity.

Quercetin-loaded mixed micelles exhibit enhanced cytotoxic efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer in vitro

In the present study, quercetin (QUR)-loaded mixed micelles (QUR-M) were prepared with the aim of improving the physicochemical and anticancer efficacy of QUR in lung cancer cells. The mixed micelles comprised tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) and a 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine derivative of polyethylene glycol. The nanosized QUR-M exhibited a pH-responsive and controlled release of QUR that is likely to be beneficial in cancer treatment. The results of an MTT assay clearly demonstrated that the anticancer effect of QUR-M in A549 cancer cells was stronger compared with that of free QUR at 24 and 48 h time points. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of QUR and QUR-M were observed to be 12.45 and 6.42 µg/ml, respectively. When stained with Hoechst 33342 and observed using a confocal laser scanning microscope, A549 cells treated with QUR-M exhibited severe chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation of the nuclei. Overall, high intracellular uptake, sustained drug release and the presence of TPGS in the mixed micelles may result in an increased inhibitory effect against cell proliferation and improved therapeutic efficacy in lung cancers.

New insights for the use of quercetin analogs in cancer treatment

AIM

Quercetin (Q1) is a flavonoid widely present in plants and endowed with several pharmacological properties mostly due to its antioxidant potential. Q1 shows anticancer activity and could be useful in cancer prevention. On the other hand, Q1 is poorly soluble in water and unstable in physiological systems, and its bioavailability is very low.

METHODS

A small set of Q1 derivatives (Q2-Q9) has been synthesized following opportunely modified chemical procedures previously reported. Anticancer activity has been evaluated by MTT assay. Human Topoisomerases inhibition has been performed by direct enzymatic assays. Apoptosis has been evaluated by TUNEL assay. ROS production and scavenging activity have been determined by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

The anticancer profile of a small library of Q1 analogues, in which the OH groups were all or partially replaced with hydrophobic functional groups, has been evaluated. Two of the studied compounds demonstrated an interesting cytotoxic profile in two breast cancer models showing the capability to inhibit human Topoisomerases.

CONCLUSION

The studied compounds represent suitable leads for the development of innovative anticancer drugs. [Formula: see text].

CS-PEG decorated PLGA nano-prototype for delivery of bioactive compounds: A novel approach for induction of apoptosis in HepG2 cell line

PURPOSE

Polymer-based nanoparticles are used as vectors for cancer drug delivery. The bioactive compounds (quercetin, ellagic acid and gallic acid) are well known to be not only antioxidants but also chemopreventive candidates against various types of cancers. To circumvent the low bioavailability and the short half-life time obstacles, we hypothesized a novel PLGA nano-platform functionalized with CS and PEG to encapsulate these phytochemicals. This encapsulation will protect the compounds from the phagocytic uptake and deliver PLGA-CS-PEG nano-prototype with high biodegradability and biosafety.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three consequent types of PLGA-based nanocomposites were prepared and characterized. Furthermore, we investigated the newly synthesized nano-formulations against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and colorectal cancer (HCT 116) cell lines using cell growth inhibition assays, followed by apoptosis and necrosis assays using flow cytometry to detect the underlying mechanism of HepG2 cell death.

RESULTS

Through Malvern Zeta Sizer, we recorded that the average diameters of the nano-prototypes ranged from 150 to 300nm. The cytotoxic activity of quercetin, ellagic acid, and gallic acid-encapsulated PLGA, PLGA-CS, and PLGA-CS-PEG nano-prototypes it has been found that they reduce the IC50s of the HepG2 cells values by 2.2, 2.9, 2.8-folds, 1, 1.5, 2.7-folds, and 0.9, 0.7, 1.5-folds, respectively. Mechanistically, the nano-platforms of quercetin seem to be dependent on both apoptosis and necrosis, while those of ellagic acid and gallic acid are mainly dependent on apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

CS-PEG-blended PLGA nano-delivery system of quercetin, ellagic acid and gallic acid can potentiate apoptosis-mediated cell death in HepG2 cell line.

Established Human Cell Lines as Models to Study Anti-leukemic Effects of Flavonoids

Despite the extensive work on pathological mechanisms and some recent advances in the treatment of different hematological malignancies, leukemia continues to present a significant challenge being frequently considered as incurable disease. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic agents with high efficacy and low toxicity is urgently needed to improve the overall survival rate of patients. In this comprehensive review article, the current knowledge about the anticancer activities of flavonoids as plant secondary polyphenolic metabolites in the most commonly used human established leukemia cell lines (HL-60, NB4, KG1a, U937, THP-1, K562, Jurkat, CCRF- CEM, MOLT-3, and MOLT-4) is compiled, revealing clear anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, cell cycle arresting, and differentiation inducing effects for certain compounds. Considering the low toxicity of these substances in normal blood cells, the presented data show a great potential of flavonoids to be developed into novel anti-leukemia agents applicable also in the malignant cells resistant to the current conventional chemotherapeutic drugs.

Molecular mechanisms of action of quercetin in cancer: recent advances

In the last few decades, the scientific community has discovered an immense potential of natural compounds in the treatment of dreadful diseases such as cancer. Besides the availability of a variety of natural bioactive molecules, efficacious cancer therapy still needs to be developed. So, to design an efficacious cancer treatment strategy, it is essential to understand the interactions of natural molecules with their respective cellular targets. Quercetin (Quer) is a naturally occurring flavonol present in many commonly consumed food items. It governs numerous intracellular targets, including the proteins involved in apoptosis, cell cycle, detoxification, antioxidant replication, and angiogenesis. The weight of available synergistic studies vigorously fortifies the utilization of Quer as a chemoprevention drug. This extensive review covers various therapeutic interactions of Quer with their recognized cellular targets involved in cancer treatment.

A chemical screen for medulloblastoma identifies quercetin as a putative radiosensitizer

Treatment of medulloblastoma in children fails in approximately 30% of patients, and is often accompanied by severe late sequelae. Therefore, more effective drugs are needed that spare normal tissue and diminish long-term side effects. Since radiotherapy plays a pivotal role in the treatment of medulloblastoma, we set out to identify novel drugs that could potentiate the effect of ionizing radiation.Thereto, a small molecule library, consisting of 960 chemical compounds, was screened for its ability to sensitize towards irradiation. This small molecule screen identified the flavonoid quercetin as a novel radiosensitizer for the medulloblastoma cell lines DAOY, D283-med, and, to a lesser extent, D458-med at low micromolar concentrations and irradiation doses used in fractionated radiation schemes. Quercetin did not affect the proliferation of neural precursor cells or normal human fibroblasts. Importantly, in vivo experiments confirmed the radiosensitizing properties of quercetin. Administration of this flavonoid at the time of irradiation significantly prolonged survival in orthotopically xenografted mice. Together, these findings indicate that quercetin is a potent radiosensitizer for medulloblastoma cells that may be a promising lead for the treatment of medulloblastoma in patients.

Quercetin-loaded freeze-dried nanomicelles: Improving absorption and anti-glioma efficiency in vitro and in vivo

To improve its poor aqueous solubility and stability, the potential chemopreventive agent quercetin was encapsulated in freeze-dried polymeric micelles by a thin film hydration and vacuum freeze-drying process before being used for glioma chemotherapy. The micelle characteristics, release profile, cellular uptake, intracellular drug concentration, transport across the blood-brain barrier, and antitumor efficiency in vivo were investigated. Results showed that the particle size of quercetin-loaded freeze-dried nanomicelles (QUE-FD-NMs) ranged from 20 to 80nm, with an efficiently sustained release profile. Increased intracellular uptake into Caco-2 cells with low cytotoxicity, efficient penetration of BBB, and powerful cytotoxicity on C6 glioma cells were observed. QUE-FD-NMs accumulated in tumor-bearing brain tissues and exhibited significant antitumor effects in vivo, which significantly benefited the survival of glioma-bearing mice. These findings suggest that freeze-drying micelles loaded with quercetin is a promising drug delivery method for glioma therapy.

Natural Compounds Modulating Mitochondrial Functions

Mitochondria are organelles responsible for several crucial cell functions, including respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, and regulation of apoptosis; they are also the main intracellular source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the last years, a particular interest has been devoted to studying the effects on mitochondria of natural compounds of vegetal origin, quercetin (Qu), resveratrol (RSV), and curcumin (Cur) being the most studied molecules. All these natural compounds modulate mitochondrial functions by inhibiting organelle enzymes or metabolic pathways (such as oxidative phosphorylation), by altering the production of mitochondrial ROS and by modulating the activity of transcription factors which regulate the expression of mitochondrial proteins. While Qu displays both pro- and antioxidant activities, RSV and Cur are strong antioxidant, as they efficiently scavenge mitochondrial ROS and upregulate antioxidant transcriptional programmes in cells. All the three compounds display a proapoptotic activity, mediated by the capability to directly cause the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria or indirectly by upregulating the expression of proapoptotic proteins of Bcl-2 family and downregulating antiapoptotic proteins. Interestingly, these effects are particularly evident on proliferating cancer cells and can have important therapeutic implications.

Regulatory effect of quercetin on hazardous microcystin-LR-induced apoptosis of Carassius auratus lymphocytes in vitro

Microcystins (MCs) are secondary metabolites produced by cyanobacteria. Oxidative stress is considered the major cytotoxic mechanism of microcystin-LR (MCLR). Quercetin (QE) is a flavonoid that can eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and elicit anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. This study determined the regulatory effect of QE on the cytotoxicity and oxidative stress of Carassius auratus lymphocytes induced by 1 μg/L MCLR in vitro after 24 h. MCLR-mediated cytotoxicity and ROS formation in fish lymphocytes were suppressed by QE in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, QE enhanced the endogenous antioxidant defense system and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio to protect fish lymphocytes against oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by MCLR. Glutathione levels and catalase activities increased by approximately 3.9- and 2-fold, respectively, in the QE treatment group (1000 μg/L) compared with the MCLR treatment group. The percentage of apoptosis in the only MCLR treatment group was 59% whereas that in the control group was 23%. The percentage of apoptosis in the high-dose QE treatment group (1000 μg/L) was 29%, lower by nearly half compared with the only MCLR treatment group. QE (1000 μg/L) effectively inhibited the expression of caspase-3 protein by nearly 43% compared with the only MCLR treatment group. The results obtained clearly indicate that QE can effectively prevent MCLR-induced immunotoxicity by eliminating oxidative stress and blocking the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in fish lymphocytes.

Structure and antioxidant activity of polyphenols derived from propolis

Propolis is a potential source of natural antioxidants such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. Its wide biological effects have been known and used since antiquity. In the modern world natural substances are sought which would be able to counteract the effects of antioxidative stress, which underlies many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and atherosclerosis. This paper aims to present the antioxidative activity of phenolic acids and flavonoids present in Polish propolis and the relationship between their chemical structure and antioxidative activity influencing its medicinal properties. Data concerning the biological activity of propolis are summarized here, including its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, estrogenic effects, as well as AIDS- counteracting and reparative-regenerative function.

Liposomal quercetin: evaluating drug delivery in vitro and biodistribution in vivo

OBJECTIVE

The drug-loaded PEGylated nanomaterials have shown effective cell-killing in vitro, but to the best of authors' knowledge there have been no reports of successful drug delivery in vitro and in vivo using polyethyleneglycol-2000-distearoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PEG2000-DSPE) nanomaterials loaded with unmodified drug molecules, such as quercetin (QUE). In this study, it remained an open question as to whether such formulations could prove effective in vitro and in vivo, and to study the distribution and clearance of PEG-DPSE-ylated lipid-based quercetin nanoliposomes (PEG2000-DPSE-QUE-NLs) as delivery vehicles for the anticancer drug in vitro and in vivo.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

PEG-DPSE layers were attached to QUE-NLs, dispersed in aqueous media and characterized using TEM and HPLC/UV spectroscopy. Tumor cell killing efficacy was assessed in vitro using MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays, and the distribution and clearance pathways, as well as repeated administration in rats, were studied by HPLC spectroscopy.

RESULTS

PEG2000-DPSE-QUE-NLs were efficiently dispersed in aqueous media compared with controls, and PEGylated (PEG2000-DPSE) NLs were found to be effective drug delivery vehicles when simply loaded with QUE. The plasma QUE concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after repeated administration of PEG2000-DSPE liposomal QUE. There was a slight ABC phenomenon with the PEG2000-DSPE-modified QUE liposomes.

CONCLUSION

The QUE/PEG2000-DPSE formulation was more effective than QUE in vitro on inhibiting the growth of glioma cancer cells. This work demonstrates that nanomaterials (PEG2000-DPSE) are effective drug delivery vehicles in vivo as tumor-targeted drug carriers.

PEG2000-DPSE-coated quercetin nanoparticles remarkably enhanced anticancer effects through induced programed cell death on C6 glioma cells

In this study, PEGylated nanoparticles quercetin drug delivery vehicles were investigated as carriers for anticancer drugs induced programed cell death (PCD). PEG2000-DPSE-coated quercetin nanoparticles were prepared and tumor cell killing efficacy was studied on glioma C6 cells and assayed for cell survival, apoptosis, or necrosis. The levels of ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were determined. Western blot assayed p53, p-p53, cytochrome C, and caspase proteins expression were also studied. Results indicate that PEG2000-DPSE-QUE-NPS showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity to C6 glioma cells and enhanced ROS accumulation induced upregulation of p53 protein, which was accompanied with an increase in cytochrome c and caspase-3 protein levels. These results support the hypothesis that quercetin nanoparticles-coated PEG2000-DPSE remarkably enhanced anticancer effect of induced programed cell death on C6 glioma cells. Overall, PEG2000-DPSE-coated quercetin nanoparticles showed promising potential as a drug carrier for cancer therapy.

Identification, isolation and in vitro expansion of human and nonhuman primate T stem cell memory cells

The T cell compartment is phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous; subsets of naive and memory cells have different functional properties, and also differ with respect to homeostatic potential and the ability to persist in vivo. Human stem cell memory T (T(SCM)) cells, which possess superior immune reconstitution and antitumor response capabilities, can be identified by polychromatic flow cytometry on the basis of the simultaneous expression of several naive markers together with the memory marker CD95. We describe here a protocol based on the minimum set of markers required for optimal identification of human and nonhuman primate (NHP) T(SCM) cells with commonly available flow cytometers. By using flow sorters, T(SCM) cells can thereby be isolated efficiently at high yield and purity. With the use of the 5.5-h isolation procedure, depending on the number of cells needed, the sorting procedure can last for 2-15 h. We also indicate multiple strategies for their efficient expansion in vitro at consistent numbers for functional characterization or adoptive transfer experiments.

Cancer chemoprevention by polyphenols and their potential application as nanomedicine

Today cancer is a leading cause of death among the developed countries. Its highly complex nature makes it difficult to understand as it entails multiple cellular physiological systems such as cell signaling and apoptosis. The biggest challenges faced by cancer chemoprevention/chemotherapy is maintaining drug circulation and avoiding multidrug resistance. Overall there is modest evidence regarding the protective effects of nutrients from supplements against a number of cancers. Numerous scientific literatures available advocate the use of polyphenols for chemoprevention. Some groups have also suggested use of combination of nutrients in cancer prevention. However, we have yet to obtain the desired results in the line of cancer chemotherapy research. Nanotechnology can play a pivotal role in cancer treatment and prevention. Moreover, nanoparticles can be modified in various ways to prolong circulation, enhance drug localization, increase drug efficacy, and potentially decrease the chances of multidrug resistance. In this communication, we will cover the use of various polyphenols and nutrients in cancer chemoprevention. The application of nanotechnology in this regard will also be included. In view of available reports on the potential of nanoparticles, we suggest their usage along with different combination of nutrients as cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Quercetin and cancer chemoprevention

Several molecules present in the diet, including flavonoids, can inhibit the growth of cancer cells with an ability to act as "chemopreventers". Their cancer-preventive effects have been attributed to various mechanisms, including the induction of cell-cycle arrest and/or apoptosis as well as the antioxidant functions. The antioxidant activity of chemopreventers has recently received a great interest, essentially because oxidative stress participates in the initiation and progression of different pathological conditions, including cancer. Since antioxidants are capable of preventing oxidative damage, the wide use of natural food-derived antioxidants is receiving greater attention as potential anti-carcinogens. Among flavonoids, quercetin (Qu) is considered an excellent free-radical scavenging antioxidant, even if such an activity strongly depends on the intracellular availability of reduced glutathione. Apart from antioxidant activity, Qu also exerts a direct, pro-apoptotic effect in tumor cells, and can indeed block the growth of several human cancer cell lines at different phases of the cell cycle. Both these effects have been documented in a wide variety of cellular models as well as in animal models. The high toxicity exerted by Qu on cancer cells perfectly matches with the almost total absence of any damages for normal, non-transformed cells. In this review we discuss the molecular mechanisms that are based on the biological effects of Qu, and their relevance for human health.

Immunomodulation of Autoimmune Arthritis by Herbal CAM

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune disease of global prevalence. The disease is characterized by synovial inflammation leading to cartilage and bone damage. Most of the conventional drugs used for the treatment of RA have severe adverse reactions and are quite expensive. Over the years, increasing proportion of patients with RA and other immune disorders are resorting to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for their health needs. Natural plant products comprise one of the most popular CAM for inflammatory and immune disorders. These herbal CAM belong to diverse traditional systems of medicine, including traditional Chinese medicine, Kampo, and Ayurvedic medicine. In this paper, we have outlined the major immunological pathways involved in the induction and regulation of autoimmune arthritis and described various herbal CAM that can effectively modulate these immune pathways. Most of the information about the mechanisms of action of herbal products in the experimental models of RA is relevant to arthritis patients as well. The study of immunological pathways coupled with the emerging application of genomics and proteomics in CAM research is likely to provide novel insights into the mechanisms of action of different CAM modalities.

Preparation of a chemically stable quercetin formulation using nanosuspension technology

In the present study the evaporative precipitation into aqueous solution (EPAS) process and the high homogenization press (HPH) process were compared to evaluate their feasibility to form a chemically stable quercetin nanosuspension. The particle size and Zeta potential of the EPAS nanosuspension were similar to those of the HPH nanosuspension. Differences in results of differential scanning calorimetery and X-ray measures were observed between the two processes. The crystalline-to-amorphous phase transition was shown in the profile of EPAS dried powder. On the contrary the initial crystalline state of drug was maintained throughout the HPH process. Dissolution test results indicated that the EPAS process showed a higher improvement in the drug solubility and dissolution rate than the HPH process. At last the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis proved the superiority of both nanosuspensions over QCT solution formulation for the chemical and photo-stability. As a result, it can be concluded that the EPAS and HPH techniques were feasible to prepare a chemically stable QCT nanosuspension with significantly enhanced dissolution rate.

Quercetin protects the rat kidney against oxidative stress-mediated DNA damage and apoptosis induced by lead

Quercetin, a flavonoid, effectively improved the lead-induced histology changes including structure damage and leukocyte infiltration in rat kidney. The present study was designed to explore the protective mechanism of quercetin against lead-induced oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis in rat kidney. We found that quercetin markedly decreased the ROS level and lowered the GSH/GSSG ratio in the kidney of lead-treated rat. The increase of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine level in the kidney of lead-treated rat was effectively suppressed by quercetin. Furthermore, quercetin markedly restored Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT and GPx activities in the kidney of lead-treated rat. TUNEL assay showed that lead-induced apoptosis in rat kidney was significantly inhibited by quercetin, which might be attributed to its antioxidant property. In conclusion, these results suggested that quercetin could protect the rat kidney against lead-induced injury by improving renal function, attenuating histopathologic changes, reducing ROS production, renewing the activities of antioxidant enzymes, decreasing DNA oxidative damage and apoptosis.

Quercetin induced apoptosis in association with death receptors and fludarabine in cells isolated from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients

Background:

Quercetin is a flavonoid naturally present in food and beverages belonging to the large class of phytochemicals with potential anti-cancer properties. Here, we investigated the ability of quercetin to sensitise primary cells from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) to death receptor (DR) agonists, recombinant TNF-related-apoptosis-inducing ligand (rTRAIL) and anti-CD95, and to fludarabine, a widely used chemotherapeutic drug against CLL.

Methods:

Peripheral white blood cells were isolated from patients and incubated with medium containing 50 ng ml anti-CD95 agonist antibody; 10 ng ml recombinant TRAIL; 10–25 μM quercetin and 3.5–14 μM fludarabine. Neutral Red assay was used to measure cell viability, where as apoptosis was assessed by determining caspase-3 activity, exposure to Annexin V and PARP fragmentation.

Results:

Quercetin significantly enhanced anti-CD95- and rTRAIL-induced cell death as shown by decreased cell viability, increased caspase-3 and -9 activities, and positivity to Annexin V. In addition, association of quercetin with fludarabine increases the apoptotic response in CLL cells of about two-fold compared with quercetin monotreatment.

Conclusion:

This work shows that resistance to DR- and fludarabine-induced cell death in leukaemic cells isolated from CLL patients can be ameliorated or bypassed by the combined treatment with quercetin. Considering the low toxicity of the molecule, our study results are in favour of a potential use of quercetin in adjuvant chemotherapy in combination with other drugs.

Interfering with ROS Metabolism in Cancer Cells: The Potential Role of Quercetin

A main feature of cancer cells, when compared to normal ones, is a persistent pro-oxidative state that leads to an intrinsic oxidative stress. Cancer cells have higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than normal cells, and ROS are, in turn, responsible for the maintenance of the cancer phenotype. Persistent ROS stress may induce adaptive stress responses, enabling cancer cells to survive with high levels of ROS and maintain cellular viability. However, excessive ROS levels render cancer cells highly susceptible to quercetin, one of the main dietary flavonoids. Quercetin depletes intracellular glutathione and increases intracellular ROS to a level that can cause cell death.

Quercetin protects rat liver against lead-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis

Quercetin, a flavonoid, effectively improved the lead-induced histology changes including structure damage and leukocyte infiltration in rat liver. The present study was designed to explore the protective mechanism of quercetin against lead-induced hepatic injury. We found that quercetin markedly decreased the MDA and H(2)O(2) levels and lowered the GSH/GSSG ratio in the liver of lead-treated rat. Moreover, quercetin markedly restored Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, CAT and GPx activities and upregulated mRNA expression levels of these proteins in the liver of lead-treated rat. Western blot analysis showed that quercetin significantly inhibited apoptosis by modulating the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 expression and suppressing the expression of phosphorylated JNK1/2 and cleaved caspase-3 in the liver of lead-treated rat. In conclusion, these data suggest that quercetin protects the rat liver from lead-induced injury by attenuating lipid peroxidation, renewing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and inhibiting apoptosis.

Select phytochemicals suppress human T-lymphocytes and mouse splenocytes suggesting their use in autoimmunity and transplantation

We have considered a novel "rational" gene targeting approach for treating pathologies whose genetic bases are defined using select phytochemicals. We reason that one such potential application of this approach would be conditions requiring immunosuppression such as autoimmune disease and transplantation, where the genetic target is clearly defined; i.e., interleukin-2 and associated T-cell activation. Therefore, we hypothesized that select phytochemicals can suppress T-lymphocyte proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. The immunosuppressive effects of berry extract, curcumin, quercetin, sulforaphane, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C and sucrose were tested on anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28-activated primary human T-lymphocytes in culture. Curcumin, sulforaphane, quercetin, berry extract and EGCG all significantly inhibited T-cell proliferation, and this effect was not due to toxicity. IL-2 production was also reduced by these agents, implicating this important T-cell cytokine in proliferation suppression. Except for berry extract, these same agents also inhibited mouse splenic T-cell proliferation and IL-2 production. Subsequent in vivo studies revealed that quercetin (but not sulforaphane) modestly suppressed mouse splenocyte proliferation following supplementation of BALB/c mice diets. This effect was especially prominent if corrected for the loss of supplement "recall" as observed in cultured T-cells. These results suggest the potential use of these select phytochemicals for treating autoimmune and transplant patients, and support our strategy of using select phytochemicals to treat genetically-defined pathologies, an approach that we believe is simple, healthy, and cost-effective.