Caffeic acid phenethyl ester accumulates beta-catenin through GSK-3beta and participates in proliferation through mTOR in C2C12 cells

A common molecular and cellular pathway in developing Alzheimer and cancer

Globally cancer and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are two major diseases and still, there is no clearly defined molecular mechanism. There is an opposite relation between cancer and AD which are the proportion of emerging cancer was importantly slower in AD patients, whereas slow emerging AD in patients with cancer. In cancer, regulation of cell mechanisms is interrupted by an increase in cell survival and proliferation, while on the contrary, AD is related to augmented neuronal death, that may be either produced by or associated with amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau deposition. Stated that the probability that disruption of mechanisms takes part in the regulation of cell survival/death and might be implicated in both diseases. The mechanism of actions such as DNA-methylation, genetic polymorphisms, or another mechanism of actions that induce alteration in the action of drugs with significant roles in resolving the finding to repair and live or die might take part in the pathogenesis of these two ailments. The functions of miRNA, p53, Pin1, the Wnt signaling pathway, PI3 KINASE/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway GRK2 signaling pathway, and the pathophysiological role of oxidative stress are presented in this review as potential candidates which hypothetically describe inverse relations between cancer and AD. Innovative materials almost mutual mechanisms in the aetiology of cancer and AD advocates novel treatment approaches. Among these treatment strategies, the most promising use treatment such as tyrosine kinase inhibitor, nilotinib, protein kinase C, and bexarotene.

Alzheimer's Disease and Cancer: When Two Monsters Cannot Be Together

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cancer are among the leading causes of human death around the world. While neurodegeneration is the main feature of AD, the most important characteristic of malignant tumors is cell proliferation, placing these two diseases in opposite sides of cell division spectrum. Interestingly, AD and cancer's pathologies consist of a remarkable common feature and that is the presence of active cell cycle in both conditions. In an in vitro model of primary adult neuronal culture, we previously showed that treating cell with beta amyloid forced neurons to start a cell cycle. Instead of cell division, however, neuronal cell cycle was aborted and a massive neurodegeneration was left behind as the consequence. A high level of cell cycle entry, which is a requirement for cancer pathogenesis, was reported in clinically diagnosed cases of AD, leading to neurodegeneration. The diverse clinical manifestation of a similar etiology, have puzzled researchers for many years. In fact, the evidence showed an inverse association between AD and cancer prevalence, suggesting that switching pathogenesis toward AD protects patients against cancer and vice versa. In this mini review, we discussed the possibility of involvement of cell proliferation and survival dysregulation as the underlying mechanism of neurodegeneration in AD, and the leading event to develop both disorders' pathology. As examples, the role of phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt/ mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway in cell cycle re-entry and blocking autophagy are discussed as potential common intracellular components between AD and cancer pathogenesis, with diverse clinical diagnosis.

Evaluation of the antiaggregant activity of ascorbyl phenolic esters with antioxidant properties

Beneficial effects of the antioxidant L-ascorbic acid (Asc) in human health are well known. Its particular role in hemostasis deserves further consideration, since it has been described a dose-dependent effect of Asc in platelet activity. Contrary, it has been demonstrated that phenolic compounds have inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation stimulated by the physiological agonist thrombin (Thr). Here, we have evaluated the actions of three synthetic phenolic esters of Asc: L-ascorbyl 6-protocatechuate (Prot Asc), L-ascorbyl 6-gallate (Gal Asc), and L-ascorbyl 6-caffeate (Caf Asc). All these Asc derivatives exhibited greater radical scavenging activity than Asc, and in experiments using human platelets from healthy subjects, they do not evoke changes in platelet viability upon their administration. Nevertheless, these compounds altered platelet calcium homeostasis in response to Thr, although Prot Asc induced a smaller effect than Gal Asc, Caf Asc, and Asc. As a consequence, platelet aggregation was also impaired by these compounds, reporting Prot Asc and Caf Asc a weaker antiaggregant action than Gal Asc and Asc. Treatments with Gal Asc and Caf Asc altered in larger extent the phosphorylation pattern of pp60(Src) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) evoked by stimulating human platelets with Thr. Summarizing, Prot Asc is the ascorbyl phenolic ester with the strongest antioxidant properties and weakest antiaggregant actions, and its use as antioxidant may be safer than the rest of derivatives in order to prevent thrombotic alteration in patients that need treatment with antioxidant therapies.

Activation of mTOR: a culprit of Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by cognitive impairment in clinical presentation, and by β-amyloid (Aβ) production and the hyper-phosphorylation of tau in basic research. More highlights demonstrate that the activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) enhances Aβ generation and deposition by modulating amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism and upregulating β- and γ-secretases. mTOR, an inhibitor of autophagy, decreases Aβ clearance by scissoring autophagy function. mTOR regulates Aβ generation or Aβ clearance by regulating several key signaling pathways, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K)/protein kinase B (Akt), glycogen synthase kinase 3 [GSK-3], AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). The activation of mTOR is also a contributor to aberrant hyperphosphorylated tau. Rapamycin, the inhibitor of mTOR, may mitigate cognitive impairment and inhibit the pathologies associated with amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles by promoting autophagy. Furthermore, the upstream and downstream components of mTOR signaling are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of AD. Hence, inhibiting the activation of mTOR may be an important therapeutic target for AD.

Biology-oriented development of novel lipophilic antioxidants with neuroprotective activity

Discovery of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives with enhanced in lipophilicity, blood brain barrier permeability and neuroprotective potential.

A novel continuous flow biosynthesis of caffeic acid phenethyl ester from alkyl caffeate and phenethanol in a packed bed microreactor

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a rare natural ingredient with several biological activity, but the industrial production of CAPE using lipase-catalyzed esterification of caffeic acid (CA) and 2-phenylethanol (PE) in ionic liquids is hindered by low substrate concentrations and a long reaction time. To establish a high-efficiency bioprocess for obtaining CAPE, a novel continuous flow biosynthesis of CAPE from alkyl caffeate and PE in [Bmim][Tf2N] using a packed bed microreactor was successfully carried out. Among the tested alkyl caffeates and lipases, methyl caffeate and Novozym 435, respectively, were selected as the suitable substrate and biocatalyst. Under the optimum conditions selected using response surface methodology, a 93.21% CAPE yield was achieved in 2.5h using a packed bed microreactor, compared to 24h using a batch reactor. The reuse of Novozym 435 for 20 cycles and continuous reaction for 9 days did not result in any decrease in activity.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester inhibits nuclear factor-kappaB and protein kinase B signalling pathways and induces caspase-3 expression in primary human CD4+ T cells

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component in propolis, is known to have anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. In this study, the effects of CAPE on the functions of primary human CD4+ T cells were evaluated in vitro. CAPE significantly suppressed interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-5 production and proliferation of CD4+ T cells stimulated by soluble anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies in both healthy subjects and asthmatic patients. CAPE inhibited nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation and protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation, but not p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in T cells. CAPE also induced active caspase-3 expression in CD4+ T cells; CCR4+CD4+ T cells were more sensitive to CAPE induction than CXCR3+CD4+ T cells. Together, these results indicate that CAPE inhibits cytokine production and proliferation of T cells, which might be related to the NF-kappaB and Akt signalling pathways, and that CCR4+CD4+ T cells are more sensitive to CAPE inhibition. This study provides a new insight into the mechanisms of CAPE for immune regulation and a rationale for the use of propolis for the treatment of allergic disorders.