Honokiol for cancer therapeutics: A traditional medicine that can modulate multiple oncogenic targets

Chemical probes for the identification of the molecular targets of honokiol

Honokiol is a natural product with an interesting array of biological effects, including significant anti-tumor properties. However, full exploration of its therapeutic potential is hampered by its modest pharmacokinetic profile and by the lack of synthetic methods that allow to obtain specifically designed derivatives with improved properties. In addition, the specific molecular targets of honokiol remain poorly understood, a fact that limits the search of alternative hits for subsequent optimization programs. In this work we describe an optimized series of synthetic routes that allow to access to a variety of honokiol derivatives, including a set of minimalist photoaffinity probes to map potential protein targets in live cells. Chemical proteomic studies of the most potent probe revealed a defined set of proteins as the cellular targets of honokiol. Significantly, up to the 62 % of the identified proteins have described roles in cancer, highlighting their potential relationship with the antitumor effects of honokiol. Furthermore, several of the top hits have been validated as direct binding partners of honokiol by cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). In sum, the work described herein provides the first landscape of the cellular targets of honokiol in living cells and contributes to define the specific molecular pathways affected by this natural product.

Honokiol inhibits human osteosarcoma MG63 cell migration by upregulating FTO and Smad6 to promote autophagy

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common primary malignant tumor of bone, most commonly seen in children and adolescents, which has a low survival rate and is a serious threat to patients' lives. Honokiol (HKL) is the main active components of Magnolia officinalis, which have significant anti-tumor properties. The aim of this study was to observe the autophagic and migratory effects of HKL on MG63 cells and to investigate whether the mechanism of action was related to FTO and Smad6.

METHODS

Firstly, we cultured MG63 cells in vitro and intervened with different concentrations of HKL to detect cell activity by CCK8, apoptosis by flow cytometry, cell migration ability by scratch assay, cell invasion ability by transwell assay and MMP2, P62, LC3 I/II, FTO and Smad6 protein expression by Western blot.

RESULTS

HKL inhibited MG63 cells activity and that this effect was dose and time dependent. Although there was no significant effect on apoptosis and invasive ability, HKL could act through effects such as promoting cell autophagy and inhibiting migration. HKL increased the protein expression levels of FTO, Smad6, MMP2, LC3 I/II and P62, and this effect was reduced after silencing of Smad6.

CONCLUSIONS

HKL induced autophagy and inhibited cell migration in MG63 cells by increasing the expression of FTP and Smad6. It can be seen that HKL may be a promising drug for the treatment of OS.

Bioinformatics-based drug repositioning and prediction of the main active ingredients and potential mechanisms of action for the efficacy of Dan-Lou tablet

Drug repositioning is gaining attention as a method for developing new drugs due to its low cost, short cycle time, and high success rate. One important approach is to explore new uses for already marketed drugs. In this study, we utilized the strategy of drug repositioning, focusing on the Dan-Lou tablet. We predicted the efficacy of Dan-Lou tablet against non-small cell lung cancer based on gene expression similarity and verified it by in vitro experiments. Next, we performed further analysis and validation using network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics. Based on the results, it was concluded that Dan-Lou tablet mainly acted through nine compounds, Quercetin, Luteolin, Scoparone, Isorhamnetin, Eugenol, Genistein, Coumestrol, Hederagenin, Succinic Acid, and mainly targeted CCL2, FEN1, TPI1, RMI2 by six pathways. This discovery not only provides a new idea for the development of Dan-Lou tablet but also provides useful predictive information for clinical treatment. The method we adopted has great development prospects as a way to predict the efficacy of new drugs and their main mechanisms of action, and it has a positive impact on the research and development of new drugs using drug repositioning and the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.

Triclosan affects steroidogenesis in mouse primary astrocytes in vitro with engagement of Sirtuin 1 and 3

Triclosan (TCS) is a widely used antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral agent. To date, it has been reported that TCS can enter the human body and disrupt hormonal homeostasis. Therefore, the aim of our paper was to evaluate the impact of TCS on astrocytes, i.e. a crucial population of cells responsible for steroid hormone production. Our data showed that, in mouse primary astrocyte cultures, TCS can act as an endocrine disrupting chemical through destabilization of the production or secretion of progesterone (P4), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E2). TCS affects the mRNA expression of enzymes involved in neurosteroidogenesis, such as Cyp17a1, 17β-Hsd, and Cyp19a1. Our data showed that a partial PPARγ agonist (honokiol) prevented changes in Cyp17a1 mRNA expression caused by TCS. Similarly, honokiol inhibited TCS-stimulated P4 release. However, rosiglitazone (classic PPARγ agonist) or GW9662 (PPARγ antagonist) had a much stronger effect. Therefore, we believe that the changes observed in the P4, T, and E2 levels are a result of dysregulation of the activity of the aforementioned enzymes, whose expression can be affected by TCS through a Pparγ-dependent pathway. TCS was found to decrease the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and Sirtuin 3 protein levels, which may be the result of the activation of the these proteins. Since our study showed dysregulation of the production or secretion of neurosteroids in astrocytes, it can be concluded that TCS reaching the brain may contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases in which an abnormal amount of neurosteroids is observed.

Natural compounds combined with imatinib as promising antileukemic therapy: An updated review

Natural products (NP) have been an alternative therapy for several diseases for centuries, and they also serve as an essential source of bioactive molecules, enhancing our drug discovery capacity. Among these NP, some phytochemicals have shown multiple biological effects, including anticancer activity, with higher effectiveness and less toxicity than actual treatments, suggesting their possible use on resilient human malignancies such as leukemia. Imatinib mesylate (Im) is a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor widely used as an anticancer drug, the gold standard to attend chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Nevertheless, resistance to this drug in patients with CML renders it insufficient to eliminate cells with Philadelphia chromosome (BCR/ABL+). Moreover, recent studies show that imatinib can induce genotoxic and chromosomic damage in some in vitro and in vivo models. These facts urge finding new therapeutic alternatives to increase the effectiveness of antileukemic treatment. Recent research has shown that the combined effects of phytochemicals with imatinib can improve the cytotoxicity or resensitized the resistant cells to this drug in diverse leukemia cell lines. Independent mechanisms of action among phytochemicals and imatinib include BCR/ABL regulation, downregulation of transcription factors, inhibition of anti-apoptotic and activation of pro-apoptotic proteins, apoptosis induction dependent- and independent of ROS-overproduction, membrane functions disruption, induction of cell cycle arrest, and cell death. This review summarizes and discusses the synergic effect of some phytochemicals combined with imatinib on leukemia cells and the mechanism of action proposed for these combinations, looking to contribute to developing new effective alternatives for leukemia treatment.

Honokiol Exhibits Anti-Tumor Effects in Breast Cancer by Modulating the miR-148a-5p-CYP1B1 Axis

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in female patients. There is a significant lack of therapeutic strategies for BC, particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Honokiol (HNK), a lignin extracted from the Magnolia genus plant, has demonstrated numerous pharmacological effects. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the antitumor effect of HNK on BC cells and employ high-throughput sequencing to elucidate its potential mechanism. We found that HNK significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis on BC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, HNK treatment suppressed migration and colony formation and initiated the intrinsic apoptotic pathway specifically in MDA-MB-231 cells. High-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR-148a-5p expression was significantly up-regulated, whereas CYP1B1 expression was down-regulated following HNK treatment. Importantly, survival analysis based on TCGA database showed high miR-148a-5p expression was correlated with a better prognosis for BC patients. Inhibition of miR-148a-5p by inhibitor not only increased cell viability but also attenuated apoptosis induced by HNK. Finally, a strong synergistic effect between HNK and paclitaxel was observed in vitro. In conclusion, our study validated the antitumor efficacy of HNK against human BC cells and elucidated its underlying mechanism through high-throughput sequencing, thereby providing compelling evidence for further exploration of the potential clinical application of HNK towards the treatment of BC.

Arctigenin inhibits the progression of colorectal cancer through epithelial-mesenchymal transition via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant disease worldwide, with high mortality rates. Conventional treatment methods often lead to metastasis and drug resistance, highlighting the need to explore new drugs and their potential molecular mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of arctigenin on CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and related protein expression, as well as its potential molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

The CCK-8 assay, transwell migration and invasion assays, flow cytometry, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence staining, western blot and an allograft tumor transplantation model was used.

RESULTS

Our study revealed that arctigenin effectively inhibited CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in a dose-dependent manner, while also inducing apoptosis. At the molecular level, arctigenin significantly downregulated the expressions of PCNA, Bcl2, MMP-2, and MMP-9 and upregulated the expressions of Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Additionally, arctigenin demonstrated the ability to inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by upregulating E-cadherin and downregulating mesenchymal markers, such as N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug. Furthermore, arctigenin could inhibit the activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway, which has been implicated in cancer progression. In vivo experiments also showed that arctigenin significantly reduced tumor volume and size compared to the control group, with no significant adverse effects on the liver.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to elucidate the mechanism by which arctigenin inhibits colorectal cancer metastasis through the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway by suppressing the EMT process at the molecular level.

Nano-Formulations of Natural Antioxidants for the Treatment of Liver Cancer

Oxidative stress is a key factor in the pathological processes that trigger various chronic liver diseases, and significantly contributes to the development of hepatocarcinogenesis. Natural antioxidants reduce oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals and play a crucial role in the treatment of free-radical-induced liver diseases. However, their efficacy is often limited by poor bioavailability and metabolic stability. To address these limitations, recent advances have focused on developing nano-drug delivery systems that protect them from degradation and enhance their therapeutic potential. Among the several critical benefits, they showed to be able to improve bioavailability and targeted delivery, thereby reducing off-target effects by specifically directing the antioxidant to the liver tumor site. Moreover, these nanosystems led to sustained release, prolonging the therapeutic effect over time. Some of them also exhibited synergistic effects when combined with other therapeutic agents, allowing for improved overall efficacy. This review aims to discuss recent scientific advances in nano-formulations containing natural antioxidant molecules, highlighting their potential as promising therapeutic approaches for the treatment of liver cancer. The novelty of this review lies in its comprehensive focus on the latest developments in nano-formulations of natural antioxidants for the treatment of liver cancer.

A comprehensive apoptotic assessment of niloticin in cervical cancer cells: a tirucallane-type triterpenoid from Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) Parker

Pharmacologically active small organic molecules derived from natural resources are prominent drug candidates due to their inherent structural diversity. Herein, we explored one such bioactive molecule, niloticin, which is a tirucallane-type triterpenoid isolated from the stem barks of Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) Parker. After initial screening with other isolated compounds from the same plant, niloticin demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against cervical cancer cells (HeLa) with an IC50 value of 11.64 μM. Whereas the compound exhibited minimal cytotoxicity in normal epithelial cell line MCF-10A, with an IC50 value of 83.31 μM. Subsequently, in silico molecular docking studies of niloticin based on key apoptotic proteins such as p53, Fas, FasL, and TNF β revealed striking binding affinity, reflecting docking scores of -7.2, -7.1, -6.8, and -7.2. Thus, the binding stability was evaluated through molecular dynamic simulation. In a downstream process, the apoptotic capability of niloticin was effectively validated through in vitro fluorimetric assays, encompassing nuclear fragmentation. Additionally, an insightful approach involving surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) re-establishes the occurrence of DNA cleavage during cellular apoptosis. Furthermore, niloticin was observed to induce apoptosis through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. This was evidenced by the upregulation of upstream regulatory molecules such as CD40 and TNF, which facilitate the activation of caspase 8. Concurrently, niloticin-induced p53 activation augmented the expression of proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bcl-2 and downregulation of IAPs, leading to the release of cytochrome C and subsequent activation of caspase 9. Therefore, the reflection of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis is in good agreement with molecular docking studies. Furthermore, the anti-metastatic potential was evidenced by wound area closure and Ki67 expression patterns. This pivotal in vitro assessment confirms the possibility of niloticin being a potent anti-cancer drug candidate, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive anticancer assessment of niloticin in HeLa cells.

Uterine fibroids: current research on novel drug targets and innovative therapeutic strategies

INTRODUCTION

Uterine fibroids, the most common nonmalignant tumors affecting the female genital tract, are a significant medical challenge. This article focuses on the most recent studies that attempted to identify novel non-hormonal therapeutic targets and strategies in UF therapy.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers the analysis of the pharmacological and biological mechanisms of the action of natural substances and the role of the microbiome in reference to UFs. This study aimed to determine the potential role of these compounds in UF prevention and therapy.

EXPERT OPINION

While there are numerous approaches for treating UFs, available drug therapies for disease control have not been optimized yet. This review highlights the biological potential of vitamin D, EGCG and other natural compounds, as well as the microbiome, as promising alternatives in UF management and prevention. Although these substances have been quite well analyzed in this area, we still recommend conducting further studies, particularly randomized ones, in the field of therapy with these compounds or probiotics. Alternatively, as the quality of data continues to improve, we propose the consideration of their integration into clinical practice, in alignment with the patient's preferences and consent.

Bioinformatics and In Vitro Study Reveal ERα as The Potential Target Gene of Honokiol to Enhance Trastuzumab Sensitivity in HER2+ Trastuzumab-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells

Trastuzumab resistance presents a significant challenge in the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer, necessitating the investigation of combination therapies to overcome this resistance. Honokiol, a compound with broad anticancer activity, has shown promise in this regard. This study aims to discover the effect of honokiol in increasing trastuzumab sensitivity in HER2+ trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer cells HCC1954 and the underline mechanisms behind. A bioinformatics study performed to explore the most potential target hub gene for honokiol in HER2+ breast cancer. Honokiol, trastuzumab and combined treatment cytotoxicity activity was then evaluated in both parental HCC1954 and trastuzumab resistance (TR-HCC1954) cells using MTT assay. The expression levels of these hub genes were then analyzed using qRT-PCR and those that could not be analyzed were subjected to molecular docking to determine their potential. Honokiol showed a potent cytotoxicity activity with an IC50 of 41.05 μM and 69.61 μM in parental HCC1954 and TR-HCC1954 cell line respectively. Furthermore, the combination of honokiol and trastuzumab resulted in significant differences in cytotoxicity in TR-HCC1954 cells at specific concentrations. Molecular docking and the qRT-PCR showed that the potential ERα identified from the bioinformatics analysis was affected by the treatment. Our results show that honokiol has the potential to increase the sensitivity of trastuzumab in HER2+ trastuzumab resistant breast cancer cell line HCC1954 by affecting regulating estrogen receptor signaling. Further research is necessary to validate these findings.

Glutathione-responsive CD-MOFs co-loading honokiol and indocyanine green biomimetic active targeting to enhance photochemotherapy for breast cancer

Breast cancer has now replaced lung cancer as the most prevalent malignant tumor worldwide, posing a serious health risk to women. We have recently designed a promising option strategy for the treatment of breast cancer. In this work, cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks with high drug-carrying properties were endo-crosslinked by 3,3'dithiodipropionyl chloride to form cubic phase gel nanoparticles, which were drug-loaded and then coated by MCF-7 cell membranes. After intravenous injection, this multifunctional nanomedicine achieved dramatically homologous targeting co-delivery of honokiol and indocyanine green to the breast tumor. Further, the disulfide bonds in the nanostructures achieved glutathione-responsive drug release, induced tumor cells to produce reactive oxygen species and promoted apoptosis, resulting in tumor necrosis, and at the same time, inhibited Ki67 protein expression, which enhanced photochemotherapy, and resulted in a 94.08 % in vivo tumor suppression rate in transplanted tumor-bearing mice. Thereby, this nanomimetic co-delivery system may have a place in breast cancer therapy due to its simple fabrication process, excellent biocompatibility, efficient targeted delivery of insoluble drugs, and enhanced photochemotherapy.

Recent advances of honokiol：pharmacological activities, manmade derivatives and structure-activity relationship

Honokiol (HNK) is a typical natural biphenyl polyphenol compound. It has been proven to have a wide range of biological activities, including pharmacological effects such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial. However, due to the poor stability, water solubility, and bioavailability of HNK, HNK has not been used in clinical treatment. This article reviews the latest research on the pharmacological activity of HNK and summarizes the HNK derivatives designed and improved by several researchers. Reviewing these contents could promote the research process of HNK and guide the design of better HNK derivatives for clinical application in the future.

Delivery Strategies, Structural Modification, and Pharmacological Mechanisms of Honokiol: A Comprehensive Review

Honokiol (HK) is a traditional Chinese herbal bioactive compound that originates mainly from the Magnolia species, traditionally used to treat anxiety and stroke, as well as alleviation of flu symptoms. This natural product and its derivatives displayed diverse biological activities, including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial activities. However, its poor bioavailability and pharmacological activity require primary consideration in the development of HK-based drugs. Recent innovative HK formulations based on the nanotechnology approach allowed for improvement in both bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. Chemical derivation and drug combination are also effective strategies to ameliorate the drawbacks of HK. In recent years, studies on HK derivatives and compositions have made great progress in the treatment of cancer, inflammation, bacterial infection, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases, demonstrating better activity than HK. The objective of this review is an examination of the recent developments in the field of pharmacological activity of HK and its drug-related issues, and approaches to improve its physicochemical and biological properties, including solubility, stability, and bioavailability. Recent patents and the ongoing clinical trials in HK are also summarized.

Rheum khorasanicum. Hydroalcoholic root extract induces cell death in human colorectal adenocarcinoma: An in vitro and in silico study

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second greatest cause of cancer-related death in the world and chemotherapy, as an important part of CRC treatment, has some drawbacks, including systemic toxicity. Therefore, it is crucial to discover new and more effective CRC treatment plans. Rheum khorasanicum (R. khorasanicum) is a medicinal plant with high flavonoids, stilbenes, and anthraquinone contents, so it can be a potential source of antioxidants and can be used for therapeutic purposes and trigger apoptosis in cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of hydroalcoholic root extract of R. khorasanicum treatment on inducing mitochondrial apoptosis of HT-29 and Caco-2 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Firstly, the total phenolic and flavonoid content was determined. Then, the cytotoxic effects of R. khorasanicum on cells of three different types, including HT-29 and Caco-2 colon cancer cells as well as normal 3T3 cells were assessed using the MTT assay. To investigate the characteristics of cellular death, flow cytometry, and western blotting were performed. The results of this study indicated considerable phenolic (356.4±9.4 GAE/gDW) and flavonoid (934.55±17.1 QE/gDW) contents in R. khorasanicum. MTT assay's finding indicated that 100, 60, and 30μg/mL concentrations of R. khorasanicum reduce cell viability in HT-29 and Caco-2 cell lines significantly (P<0.05). It has been also revealed that R. khorasanicum extract induces apoptosis rather than necrosis in these cell lines. Moreover, Bcl-2 expression was significantly reduced in both HT-29 and Caco-2 cell lines, while Bax and cleaved caspase-3 expression soared considerably in the groups under R. khorasanicum treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, our findings have suggested that high phenol and flavonoid contents of R. khorasanicum root extract possibly play an important role in cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in HT-29 and Caco-2 colon cancer cells.

Honokiol suppress the PD-L1 expression to improve anti-tumor immunity in lung cancer

Lung cancer is a serious health issue globally, and current treatments have proven to be inadequate. Therefore, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) that target the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have become a viable treatment option in lun cancer. Honokiol, a lignan derived from Magnolia officinalis, has been found to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. Our research found that honokiol can effectively regulate PD-L1 through network pharmacology and transcriptome analysis. Cell experiments showed that honokiol can significantly reduce PD-L1 expression in cells with high PD-L1 expression. Molecular docking, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI)indicated that Honokiol can bind to PD-L1. Co-culture experiments on lung cancer cells and T cells demonstrated that honokiol mediates PD-L1 degradation, stimulates T cell activation, and facilitates T cell killing of tumor cells. Moreover, honokiol activates CD4 + and CD8 + T cell infiltration in vivo, thus suppressing tumor growth in C57BL/6 mice. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that honokiol can inhibit the growth of lung cancer by targeting tumor cell PD-L1, suppressing PD-L1 expression, blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, and enhancing anti-tumor immunity.

Traditional Plant-Derived Compounds Inhibit Cell Migration and Induce Novel Cytoskeletal Effects in Glioblastoma Cells

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are aggressive and invasive cancers of the brain, associated with high rates of tumour recurrence and poor patient outcomes despite initial treatment. Targeting cell migration is therefore of interest in highly invasive cancers such as GBMs, to prevent tumour dissemination and regrowth. One current aim of GBM research focuses on assessing the anti-migratory properties of novel or repurposed inhibitors, including plant-based drugs which display anti-cancer properties. We investigated the potential anti-migratory activity of plant-based products with known cytotoxic effects in cancers, using a range of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) migration and invasion assays as well as immunofluorescence microscopy to determine the specific anti-migratory and phenotypic effects of three plant-derived compounds, Turmeric, Indigo and Magnolia bark, on established glioma cell lines. Migrastatic activity was observed in all three drugs, with Turmeric exerting the most inhibitory effect on GBM cell migration into scratches and from the spheroid edge at all the timepoints investigated (p < 0.001). We also observed novel cytoskeletal phenotypes affecting actin and the focal adhesion dynamics. As our in vitro results determined that Turmeric, Indigo and Magnolia are promising migrastatic drugs, we suggest additional experimentation at the whole organism level to further validate these novel findings.

The therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine on breast cancer through modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Breast cancer, the most prevalent malignant tumor among women globally, is significantly influenced by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which plays a crucial role in its initiation and progression. While conventional chemotherapy, the standard clinical treatment, suffers from significant drawbacks like severe side effects, high toxicity, and limited prognostic efficacy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides a promising alternative. TCM employs a multi-targeted therapeutic approach, which results in fewer side effects and offers a high potential for effective treatment. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the therapeutic impacts of TCM on various subtypes of breast cancer, focusing on its interaction with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, it explores the effectiveness of both monomeric and compound forms of TCM in the management of breast cancer. We also discuss the potential of establishing biomarkers for breast cancer treatment based on key proteins within the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Our aim is to offer new insights into the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and to contribute to the standardization of TCM.

HH-A, a modified honokiol, protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion induced brain injury in rodent via Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways

Honokiol, a bioactive component found in Magnolia officinalis, has shown in protecting against ischemic stroke in animal models. However, its poor water solubility has limited its clinical applications. In this study, we introduced a hydrophilic building block on the aromatic ring of honokiol, resulting in the synthesis of four new compounds (HH-A, -B, -C and -D) with significantly improved water solubility. We then investigated the neuroprotective effects of these compounds in mouse and rat models of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (tMCAO/R) brain injury. Among the compounds tested, HH-A, also known as (S)-6-((3',5-diallyl-2,4'-dihydroxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)amino)-6-oxohexane-1,5-diaminium chloride, showed the most promising results. HH-A was found to significantly reduced the infarct volume and brain edema in mice. It also outperformed the other three compounds and honokiol, even surpassing the effects of edaravone dexborneol. Additionally, HH-A demonstrated dose-dependent improvements in body weight, neurological deficits, and infarct volume. Further analysis in tMCAO/R rat model revealed that HH-A treatment led to significant upregulations of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the brain. HH-A also significantly reduced the expression of HNE, and exhibited anti-apoptotic effects by decreasing the expression of Bax and increasing the expression of Bcl-2. This was further supported by a decrease in the number of TUNEL positive cells. Taken together, the neuroprotective effects of HH-A may be attributed to its ability to target the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, leading to reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the brain. These findings suggest that HH-A has potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Emerging trends of phytochemicals as ferroptosis modulators in cancer therapy

Ferroptosis, a novel form of regulated cell death characterized by dependence on iron and lipid peroxidation, has been implicated in a wide range of clinical conditions including neurological diseases, cardiovascular disorders, acute kidney failure, and various types of cancer. Therefore, it is critical to suppress cancer progression and proliferation. Ferroptosis can be triggered in cancer cells and some normal cells by synthetic substances, such as erastin, Ras-selective lethal small molecule-3, or clinical pharmaceuticals. Natural bioactive compounds are traditional drug discovery tools, and some have been therapeutically used as dietary additives or pharmaceutical agents against various malignancies. The fact that natural products have multiple targets and minimal side effects has led to notable advances in anticancer research. Research has indicated that ferroptosis can also be induced by natural compounds during cancer treatment. In this review, we focused on the most recent developments in emerging molecular processes and the significance of ferroptosis in cancer. To provide new perspectives on the future development of ferroptosis-related anticancer medications, we also provide a summary of the implications of natural phytochemicals in triggering ferroptosis through ROS production and ferritinophagy induction in a variety of malignancies.

Upregulation of tumor suppressor PIAS3 by Honokiol promotes tumor cell apoptosis via selective inhibition of STAT3 tyrosine 705 phosphorylation

The natural product Honokiol exhibits robust antitumor activity against a range of cancers, and it has also received approval to undergo phase I clinical trial testing. We confrmed that honokiol can promote the apoptotic death of tumor cells through cell experiments. Then siRNA constructs specific for PIAS3, PIAS3 overexpression plasmid and the mutation of the STAT3 Tyr705 residue were used to confirm the mechanism of Honokiol-induced apoptosis. Finally, we confrmed that honokiol can promote PIAS3 upregulation, in turn suppressing STAT3 Tyr705 phosphorylation through the in vivo and in vitro experiments. Honokiol was ultimately found to reduce tumor cell viability by promoting apoptosis through a mechanism dependent on the ability of Honokiol to promote PIAS3 upregulation and the selective inhibition of p-STAT3 (Tyr705) without affecting p-STAT3 (Ser727) or p-STAT1 (Tyr701) levels. PIAS3 knockdown and overexpression in tumor cells altered STAT3 activation and associated DNA binding activity through the control of Tyr705 phosphorylation via PIAS3-STAT3 complex formation, ultimately shaping Honokiol-induced tumor cell apoptosis. Honokiol was also confirmed to significantly prolong the survival of mice bearing xenograft tumors in a PIAS3-dependent fashion. Together, these findings highlight a novel pathway through which Honokiol can promote PIAS3 upregulation, in turn suppressing STAT3 Tyr705 phosphorylation and promoting the apoptotic death of tumor cells.

Prediction of the risk of severe small bowel obstruction and effects of Houpu Paiqi mixture in patients undergoing surgery for small bowel obstruction

AIM

Small bowel obstruction is a common condition that requires emergency surgery. Slow recovery of bowel function after surgery or the occurrence of one or more complications can exacerbate the disease and result in severe small bowel obstruction (SSBO), significantly impacting recovery. It is characterized by a failure to regain enteral nutrition promptly, requiring long-term intensive care. Therefore, it is necessary to identify factors that predict SSBO, to allow early intervention for patients likely to develop this condition.

METHODS

Of the 260 patients who underwent emergency or elective surgery for small bowel obstruction between January 2018 and December 2022, 45 developed SSBO. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model was applied to optimize factor selection and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to construct a predictive model. The performance and clinical utility of the nomogram were determined and internal validation was conducted. In addition, the effects of the Houpu Paiqi mixture on postoperative recovery were analyzed by comparing the clinical data of 28 patients who were treated with the mixture and 61patients who did not receive it.

RESULTS

The predictors included in the prediction nomogram were age, peritonitis, intestinal resection and anastomosis, complications, operation time, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, white blood cell count, and procalcitonin level. The model had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.948 (95% confidence interval: 0.814-0.956). Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the SSBO risk nomogram had a good net clinical benefit. In addition, treatment with the Houpu Paiqi mixture reduced postoperative exhaust time, postoperative defecation time, time to first postoperative liquid feed, and length of stay in hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a nomogram that can assist clinicians in identifying patients at greater risk of SSBO, which may aid in early diagnosis and intervention. Additionally, we found that the Houpu Paiqi mixture promoted postoperative recovery.

Mitochondrial targeting derivatives of honokiol enhanced selective antitumor activity in NCI-H446 cells and decreased in vivo toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Mitochondria, responsible for ATP production and apoptosis regulation, play a key role in cancer cells. Honokiol regulates apoptosis through the endogenous mitochondrial pathway but does not specifically target tumor cells. We designed 28 novel derivatives of honokiol using triple-function delocalized lipophilic cations such as berberine and F16 as mitochondrion-targeting carriers. While all derivatives exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity toward tumor cells compared to honokiol, the derivative 2E-3-F16 exhibited a substantial tumor cell selectivity between NCI-H446 cancer cells and HBE cells by one order of magnitude and enhanced the sensitivity of A549 cells to cisplatin. Mechanistically, it targeted mitochondria and induced apoptosis by preventing tumor cells from entering the G0/G1 phases as well as inducing an abnormal elevation of reactive oxygen species, thereby decreasing the mitochondrial membrane potential level. It also showed lower toxicity toward Caenorhabditis elegans than honokiol. This study provides a possible method for developing mitochondrion-targeting antitumor drugs with high efficiency and low toxicity based on natural products.

Honokiol and its analogues as anticancer compounds: Current mechanistic insights and structure-activity relationship

Lignans are plant-derived polyphenolic compounds with a plethora of biological applications. Also, regarded as phytoestrogens, the lignans offer a variety of health benefits of which the anti-cancer effects are the most attractive. Honokiol is a lignan isolated from various parts of trees belonging to the genus Magnolia. The bioactivity of honokiol is attributed to its characteristic physical properties, which include small size and the presence of two phenolic groups that may interact with proteins in cell membranes via hydrophobic interactions, aromatic pi orbital co-valency, and hydrogen bonding. The hydrophobicity of honokiol enables its rapid dissolution in lipids and the crossing of physiological barriers, including the blood-brain barrier and cerebrospinal fluid. These factors contribute towards the high bioavailability of honokiol which further support its candidature in medicinal research. Therefore, the anticancer properties of honokiol are of particular interest as many of the contemporary anticancer drugs suffer from bioavailability drawbacks, which necessitates the identification and development of novel candidate molecules directed as anticancer chemotherapeutics. The antioncogenic profile of honokiol also arises from the regulation of various signalling pathways associated with oncogenesis, arresting of the cell cycle by regulation of cyclic proteins, upregulation of epithelial markers and downregulation of mesenchymal markers leading to the inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and preventing the metastasis by restricting cell migration and invasion due to the downregulation of matrix-metalloproteinases. In this review, we discuss the anticancer properties of honokiol.

Use of honokiol in lung cancer therapy: a mini review of its pharmacological mechanism

Honokiol (3',5-di-(2-propenyl)-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol) is a biologically active natural product derived from Magnolia and has been shown to have excellent biological activities. This paper discusses research progress on the use of honokiol in the treatment of lung cancer, as studies have confirmed that honokiol can exert anti-lung-cancer effects through multiple pathways and multiple signaling pathways, such as inhibiting angiogenesis, affecting mitochondrial function and apoptosis, regulating of autophagy and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, honokiol combined with other chemotherapy drugs is also a way in which it can be applied.

Pharmacological features, health benefits and clinical implications of honokiol

Honokiol (HNK) is a natural polyphenolic compound extracted from the bark and leaves of Magnolia grandiflora. It has been traditionally used as a medicinal compound to treat inflammatory diseases. HNK possesses numerous health benefits with a minimal level of toxicity. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and blood-cerebrospinal fluid, thus having significant bioavailability in the neurological tissues. HNK is a promising bioactive compound possesses neuroprotective, antimicrobial, anti-tumorigenic, anti-spasmodic, antidepressant, analgesic, and antithrombotic features . HNK can prevent the growth of several cancer types and haematological malignancies. Recent studies suggested its role in COVID-19 therapy. It binds effectively with several molecular targets, including apoptotic factors, chemokines, transcription factors, cell surface adhesion molecules, and kinases. HNK has excellent pharmacological features and a wide range of chemotherapeutic effects, and thus, researchers have increased interest in improving the therapeutic implications of HNK to the clinic as a novel agent. This review focused on the therapeutic implications of HNK, highlighting clinical and pharmacological features and the underlying mechanism of action.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Natural compounds targeting nuclear receptors for effective cancer therapy

Human nuclear receptors (NRs) are a family of forty-eight transcription factors that modulate gene expression both spatially and temporally. Numerous biochemical, physiological, and pathological processes including cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, immune modulation, development, reproduction, and aging are extensively orchestrated by different NRs. The involvement of dysregulated NRs and NR-mediated signaling pathways in driving cancer cell hallmarks has been thoroughly investigated. Targeting NRs has been one of the major focuses of drug development strategies for cancer interventions. Interestingly, rapid progress in molecular biology and drug screening reveals that the naturally occurring compounds are promising modern oncology drugs which are free of potentially inevitable repercussions that are associated with synthetic compounds. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to draw our attention to the potential therapeutic effects of various classes of natural compounds that target NRs such as phytochemicals, dietary components, venom constituents, royal jelly-derived compounds, and microbial derivatives in the establishment of novel and safe medications for cancer treatment. This review also emphasizes molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that are leveraged to promote the anti-cancer effects of these natural compounds. We have also critically reviewed and assessed the advantages and limitations of current preclinical and clinical studies on this subject for cancer prophylaxis. This might subsequently pave the way for new paradigms in the discovery of drugs that target specific cancer types.

Affinity character analysis of magnolol and honokiol based on stepwise frontal analysis coupled with cell membrane chromatography

Magnolol and honokiol have been reported to exhibit anti-cancer activity. However, few studies are in relation to the interaction of magnolol/honokiol with vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2). In this study, a membrane chromatography method based on VEGFR2 was established for the interaction characteristic analysis between drug and receptor. The selectivity, repeatability and stability of the chromatographic model were evaluated using drugs acting on different receptors. The affinity between VEGFR2 and magnolol/honokiol was verified by cell membrane chromatography. The binding sites of magnolol/honokiol and VEGFR2 were analyzed by zonal elution. Especially, the dissociation equilibrium constants (Kd) of magnolol/honokiol and VEGFR2 were measured by zonal elution and stepwise frontal analysis respectively. In addition, the actions of magnolol/honokiol on VEGFR2 were analyzed by stepwise frontal analysis at different temperatures. The results showed that the binding sites of magnolol and honokiol on VEGFR2 were different from sorafenib, indicating that magnolol and honokiol could be used as competitive agents for self-competitive displacement experiment. The Kd values (order of magnitude) of magnolol/honokiol with VEGFR2 measured by stepwise frontal analysis were consistent with the zonal elution results. Honokiol binds VEGFR2 with higher affinity than magnolol. The main forces that stabilize the interactions of honokiol with VEGFR2 are hydrogen bonds and van der Waal's forces, and the main force of magnolol is electrostatic forces. These discoveries could assist in the prediction of drug activity and understanding for the underlying mechanism.

Honokiol inhibits the growth of hormone-resistant breast cancer cells: its promising effect in combination with metformin

Background and purpose

Primary and metastatic breast cancers still represent an unmet clinical need for improved chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Considerable attention has been paid to natural anticancer compounds, especially lignans. The study aimed to evaluate the activity of several lignans against breast cancer cells and assess the effect of leading lignans on signaling pathways in combination with metformin.

Experimental approach

Human breast cancer cell lines MCF7 (hormone-dependent), MDA-MB-231, and SKBR3 (hormone-independent) were used. A hormone-resistant MCF7/hydroxytamoxifen (HT) subline was obtained by long-term cultivation of the MCF7 line with hydroxytamoxifen. Antiproliferative activity was assessed by the MTT test; the expression of signaling pathway proteins was evaluated by immunoblotting analysis.

Findings/Results

We evaluated the antiproliferative activity of lignans in breast cancer cells with different levels of hormone dependence and determined the relevant IC50 values. Honokiol was chosen as the leading compound, and its IC50 ranged from 12 to 20 μM, whereas for other tested lignans, the IC50 exceeded 50 μM. The accumulation of cleaved PARP and a decrease in the expression of Bcl-2 and ERα in MCF7/HT were induced following the combination of honokiol with metformin.

Conclusions and implications

Honokiol demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity against both hormone-dependent breast cancer cells and lines with primary and acquired hormone resistance. The combination of honokiol with metformin is considered an effective approach to induce death in hormone-resistant cells. Honokiol is of interest as a natural compound with antiproliferative activity against breast cancers, including resistant tumors.

Internet-Based Healthcare Knowledge Service for Improvement of Chinese Medicine Healthcare Service Quality

With the development of new-generation information technology and increasing health needs, the requirements for Chinese medicine (CM) services have shifted toward the 5P medical mode, which emphasizes preventive, predictive, personalized, participatory, and precision medicine. This implies that CM knowledge services need to be smarter and more sophisticated. This study adopted a bibliometric approach to investigate the current state of development of CM knowledge services, and points out that accurate knowledge service is an inevitable requirement for the modernization of CM. We summarized the concept of smart CM knowledge services and highlighted its main features, including medical homogeneity, knowledge service intelligence, integration of education and research, and precision medicine. Additionally, we explored the intelligent service method of traditional Chinese medicine under the 5P medical mode to support CM automatic knowledge organization and safe sharing, human-machine collaborative knowledge discovery and personalized dynamic knowledge recommendation. Finally, we summarized the innovative modes of CM knowledge services. Our research will guide the quality assurance and innovative development of the traditional Chinese medicine knowledge service model in the era of digital intelligence.

Intralesional Chemotherapy for Prostate Cancer: In vivo Proof of Principle

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer (PCA) is one of the most common cancers in the world, and current therapies are debilitating to patients. To develop a novel modality for the treatment of PCA, we evaluated the efficacy of intralesional administration of the Sirt3 activator Honokiol (HK) and the NADPH oxidase inhibitor Dibenzolium (DIB).

METHODS

We used a well-established transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP-C2) model of hormone-independent PCA. MTS assay, apoptosis assay, wound healing assay, transwell invasion assay, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting were conducted in vitro, and HK and DIB were intratumorally administered to mice bearing TRAMP-C2 tumors. Tumor size and weight were observed over time. After removing tumors, H-E staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining were conducted.

RESULTS

Treatment by HK or DIB showed an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and migration in PCA cells. Poor ability to induce apoptosis in vitro, insufficient expression of caspase-3 on IHC staining, and increased necrotic areas on H-E staining indicated that necrosis plays an important role in cell death in treating groups by HK or DIB. RT-PCR, Western blotting, and IHC staining for epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers suggested that EMT was suppressed by HK and DIB individually. In addition, HK induced activation of CD3. Mouse experiments showed safe antitumor effects in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

HK and DIB suppressed PCA proliferation and migration. Further research will explore the effects of HK and DIB at the molecular level to reveal new mechanisms that can be exploited as therapeutic modalities.

Role of Turmeric and Curcumin in Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases: Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used for thousands of years for the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases. Curcumin is just one of >200 ingredients in turmeric. Almost 7000 scientific papers on turmeric and almost 20,000 on curcumin have been published in PubMed. Scientific reports based on cell culture or animal studies are often not reproducible in humans. Therefore, human clinical trials are the best indicators for the prevention and treatment of a disease using a given agent/drug. Herein, we conducted an extensive literature survey on PubMed and Scopus following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The keywords "turmeric and clinical trials" and "curcumin and clinical trials" were considered for data mining. A total of 148 references were found to be relevant for the key term "turmeric and clinical trials", of which 70 were common in both PubMed and Scopus, 44 were unique to PubMed, and 34 were unique to Scopus. Similarly, for the search term "curcumin and clinical trials", 440 references were found to be relevant, of which 70 were unique to PubMed, 110 were unique to Scopus, and 260 were common to both databases. These studies show that the golden spice has enormous health and medicinal benefits for humans. This Review will extract and summarize the lessons learned about turmeric and curcumin in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases based on clinical trials.

Phytochemicals as Invaluable Sources of Potent Antimicrobial Agents to Combat Antibiotic Resistance

Plants have been used for therapeutic purposes against various human ailments for several centuries. Plant-derived natural compounds have been implemented in clinics against microbial diseases. Unfortunately, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance has significantly reduced the efficacy of existing standard antimicrobials. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared antimicrobial resistance as one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to discover new antimicrobial agents against drug-resistant pathogens. In the present article, we have discussed the importance of plant metabolites in the context of their medicinal applications and elaborated on their mechanism of antimicrobial action against human pathogens. The WHO has categorized some drug-resistant bacteria and fungi as critical and high priority based on the need to develope new drugs, and we have considered the plant metabolites that target these bacteria and fungi. We have also emphasized the role of phytochemicals that target deadly viruses such as COVID-19, Ebola, and dengue. Additionally, we have also elaborated on the synergetic effect of plant-derived compounds with standard antimicrobials against clinically important microbes. Overall, this article provides an overview of the importance of considering phytogenous compounds in the development of antimicrobial compounds as therapeutic agents against drug-resistant microbes.

Construction and application of covalently bonded CD147 cell membrane chromatography model based on polystyrene microspheres

In this study, a novel cell membrane chromatography (CMC) model was developed to investigate cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147) targeted anti-tumor drug leads for specific screening and ligand-receptor interaction analysis by SNAP-tagged CD147 fusion protein conjugation and polystyrene microspheres (PS) modification. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) are widely used in the treatment of cancer. CD147 plays important roles in tumor progression and acts as an attractive target for therapeutic intervention; therapeutic drugs for CD147-related cancers are limited to date. Thus, a screening method for active components in TCMs is crucial for the further research and development of CD147 antagonists. However, improvement is still needed to perform specific and accurate drug lead screening using the CMC-based method. Recently, our group developed a covalently immobilized receptor-SNAP-tag/CMC model using silica gel as carrier. Besides the carboxyl group on multi-step modified silica particles, the amino group of benzyl-guanine (BG, substrate of SNAP-tag) also possesses reactivity towards the carboxyl group on available carboxyl-modified PS. Herein, we used PS as carrier and an extended SNAP-tag with CD147 receptor to construct the PS-BG-CD147/CMC model for active compound investigation coupled with HPLC/MS and applied this coupled PS-BG-CD147/CMC-HPLC/MS two-dimensional system to drug lead screening from Nelumbinis Plumula extract (NPE) sample. In addition, to comprehensively verify the pharmacological effects of screened ingredients, a cell proliferation inhibition assay was performed, and the interaction between the ingredients and CD147 was studied by the frontal analysis method. This study developed a high-throughput PS-based CMC screening platform, which could be widely applied and utilized in chromatographic separation and drug lead discovery.

The Degree of Hydroxylation of Phenolic Rings Determines the Ability of Flavonoids and Stilbenes to Inhibit Calcium-Mediated Membrane Fusion

This paper discusses the possibility of using plant polyphenols as viral fusion inhibitors with a lipid-mediated mechanism of action. The studied agents are promising candidates for the role of antiviral compounds due to their high lipophilicity, low toxicity, bioavailability, and relative cheapness. Fluorimetry of calcein release at the calcium-mediated fusion of liposomes, composed of a ternary mixture of dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine, dioleoyl phosphatidylglycerol, and cholesterol, in the presence of 4'-hydroxychalcone, cardamonin, isoliquiritigenin, phloretin, resveratrol, piceatannol, daidzein, biochanin A, genistein, genistin, liquiritigenin, naringenin, catechin, taxifolin, and honokiol, was performed. It was found that piceatannol significantly inhibited the calcium-induced fusion of negatively charged vesicles, while taxifolin and catechin showed medium and low antifusogenic activity, respectively. As a rule, polyphenols containing at least two OH-groups in both phenolic rings were able to inhibit the calcium-mediated fusion of liposomes. In addition, there was a correlation between the ability of the tested compounds to inhibit vesicle fusions and to perturb lipid packing. We suggest that the antifusogenic action of polyphenols was determined by the depth of immersion and the orientation of the molecules in the membrane.

The Journey of Resveratrol from Vineyards to Clinics

With rising technological advancements, several factors influence the lifestyle of people and stimulate chronic inflammation that severely affects the human body. Chronic inflammation leads to a broad range of physical and pathophysiological distress. For many years, non-steroidal drugs and corticosteroids were most frequently used in treating inflammation and related ailments. However, long-term usage of these drugs aggravates the conditions of chronic diseases and is presented with morbid side effects, especially in old age. Hence, the quest for safe and less toxic anti-inflammatory compounds of high therapeutic potential with least adverse side effects has shifted researchers' attention to ancient medicinal system. Resveratrol (RSV) - 3,4,5^' trihydroxystilbene is one such naturally available polyphenolic stilbene derivative obtained from various plant sources. For over 2000 years, these plants have been used in Asian medicinal system for curing inflammation-associated disorders. There is a wealth of in vitro, in vivo and clinical evidence that shows RSV could induce anti-aging health benefits including, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, phytoesterogenic, and cardio protective properties. However, the issue of rapid elimination of RSV through the metabolic system and its low bio-availability is of paramount importance which is being studied extensively. Therefore, in this article, we scientifically reviewed the molecular targets, biological activities, beneficial and contradicting effects of RSV as evinced by clinical studies for the prevention and treatment of inflammation-mediated chronic disorders.

Targeting UNC-51-like kinase 1 and 2 by lignans to modulate autophagy: possible implications in metastatic colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC), especially metastatic (mCRC) form, becomes a major reason behind cancer morbidity worldwide, whereas the treatment strategy is not optimum. Several novel targets are under investigation for mCRC including the autophagy pathway. Natural compounds including dietary lignans are sparsely reported as autophagy modulators. Nonetheless, the interaction between dietary lignans and core autophagy complexes are yet to be characterised. We aimed to describe the interaction between the dietary lignans from flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) and sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum) along with the enterolignans (enterodiol and enterolactone) and the UNC-51-like kinase 1 and 2 (ULK1/2), important kinases required for the autophagy. A range of in-silico technologies viz. molecular docking, drug likeness, and ADME/T was employed to select the best fit modulator and/or inhibitor of the target kinases from the list of selected lignans. Drug likeness and ADME/T studied further selected the best-suited lignans as potential autophagy inhibitor. Molecular dynamic simulation (MDS) analyses were used to validate the molecular docking results. Binding free energies of the protein-ligand interactions by MM-PBSA method further confirmed best-selected lignans as ULK1 and/or ULK2 inhibitor. In conclusion, three dietary lignans pinoresinol, medioresinol, and lariciresinol successfully identified as dual ULK1/2 inhibitor/modifier, whereas enterodiol emerged as a selective ULK2 inhibitor/modifier.

Honokiol inhibits interleukin-induced angiogenesis in the NSCLC microenvironment through the NF-κB signaling pathway

Tumor angiogenesis, which may be affected by microenvironmental inflammation and promotes tumor development and metastasis, is one of the key reasons contributing to increased mortality. The goal of this study is to investigate how lignin analogs, specifically honokiol (HNK), block angiogenesis induced by the inflammatory milieu of lung cancer. The human lung cancer cell lines A549 and H460 were treated with HNK. Interleukin-1 was employed to mimic an inflammatory tumor microenvironment. Findings demonstrated that HNK drastically decreased the cell viability of A549 and H460 cells. In A549 and H460 cells, HNK also reduced the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the most important marker of tumor angiogenesis. Signal pathway studies revealed that HNK blocked the NF-κB signaling pathway. This effect, in turn, prevented the expression of VEGF by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from A549-conditioned medium cultures were subjected to HNK treatment, which decreased tubulogenesis, horizontal and vertical migration, and cell proliferation in HUVECs. Overall, HNK inhibited the NF-κB pathway. This effect resulted in the downregulation of VEGF, thus reducing the viability and angiogenesis of human lung cancer cell lines. In A549 cell xenografts, HNK decreased VEGF expression, tumor angiogenesis, and tumor development. Our research shows that HNK is a potential antiangiogenic molecule for the treatment of lung cancer.

Unraveling the Potential Role of NEDD4-like E3 Ligases in Cancer

Cancer is a deadly disease worldwide, with an anticipated 19.3 million new cases and 10.0 million deaths occurring in 2020 according to GLOBOCAN 2020. It is well established that carcinogenesis and cancer development are strongly linked to genetic changes and post-translational modifications (PTMs). An important PTM process, ubiquitination, regulates every aspect of cellular activity, and the crucial enzymes in the ubiquitination process are E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s) that affect substrate specificity and must therefore be carefully regulated. A surfeit of studies suggests that, among the E3 ubiquitin ligases, neuronal precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated 4 (NEDD4)/NEDD4-like E3 ligases show key functions in cellular processes by controlling subsequent protein degradation and substrate ubiquitination. In addition, it was demonstrated that NEDD4 mainly acts as an oncogene in various cancers, but also plays a tumor-suppressive role in some cancers. In this review, to comprehend the proper function of NEDD4 in cancer development, we summarize its function, both its tumor-suppressive and oncogenic role, in multiple types of malignancies. Moreover, we briefly explain the role of NEDD4 in carcinogenesis and progression, including cell survival, cell proliferation, autophagy, cell migration, invasion, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), chemoresistance, and multiple signaling pathways. In addition, we briefly explain the significance of NEDD4 as a possible target for cancer treatment. Therefore, we conclude that targeting NEDD4 as a therapeutic method for treating human tumors could be a practical possibility.

Magnolol as a Potential Anticancer Agent: A Proposed Mechanistic Insight

Cancer is a serious disease with high mortality and morbidity worldwide. Natural products have served as a major source for developing new anticancer drugs during recent decades. Magnolol, a representative natural phenolic lignan isolated from Magnolia officinali, has attracted considerable attention for its anticancer properties in recent years. Accumulating preclinical studies have demonstrated the tremendous therapeutic potential of magnolol via a wide range of pharmacological mechanisms against cancer. In this review, we summarized the latest advances in preclinical studies investigating anticancer properties of magnolol and described the important signaling pathways explaining its underlying mechanisms. Magnolol was capable of inhibiting cancer growth and metastasis against various cancer types. Magnolol exerted anticancer effects through inhibiting proliferation, inducing cell cycle arrest, provoking apoptosis, restraining migration and invasion, and suppressing angiogenesis. Multiple signaling pathways were also involved in the pharmacological actions of magnolol against cancer, such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, MAPK signaling and NF-κB signaling. Based on this existing evidence summarized in the review, we have conclusively confirmed magnolol had a multi-target anticancer effect against heterogeneous cancer disease. It is promising to develop magnolol as a drug candidate for cancer therapy in the future.

Demystifying the Functional Role of Nuclear Receptors in Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer (EC), an aggressive and poorly understood disease, is one of the top causes of cancer-related fatalities. GLOBOCAN 2020 reports that there are 544,076 deaths and 604,100 new cases expected worldwide. Even though there are various advancements in treatment procedures, this cancer has been reported as one of the most difficult cancers to cure, and to increase patient survival; treatment targets still need to be established. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a type of transcription factor, which has a key role in several biological processes such as reproduction, development, cellular differentiation, stress response, immunity, metabolism, lipids, and drugs, and are essential regulators of several diseases, including cancer. Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of NRs in tumor immunology and proved the well-known roles of multiple NRs in modulating proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. There are surplus of studies conducted on NRs and their implications in EC, but only a few studies have demonstrated the diagnostic and prognostic potential of NRs. Therefore, there is still a paucity of the role of NRs and different ways to target them in EC cells to stop them from spreading malignancy. This review emphasizes the significance of NRs in EC by discussing their diverse agonists as well as antagonists and their response to tumor progression. Additionally, we emphasize NRs’ potential to serve as a novel therapeutic target and their capacity to treat and prevent EC.

Activating SIRT3 in peritoneal mesothelial cells alleviates postsurgical peritoneal adhesion formation by decreasing oxidative stress and inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome

Peritoneal adhesions (PAs) are a serious complication of abdominal surgery and negatively affect the quality of life of millions of people worldwide. However, a clear molecular mechanism and a standard therapeutic strategy for PAs have not been established. Here, we developed a standardized method to mimic the pathological changes in PAs and found that sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) expression was severely decreased in adhesion tissues, which was consistent with our bioinformatics analysis and patient adhesion tissue analysis. Thus, we hypothesized that activating SIRT3 could alleviate postsurgical PAs. Sirt3-deficient (Sirt3^−/−) mice exhibited many more PAs after standardized abdominal surgery. Furthermore, compared with wild-type (Sirt3^+/+) mice, Sirt3-deficient (Sirt3^−/−) mice showed more prominent reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, increased levels of inflammatory factors, and exacerbated mitochondrial damage and fragmentation. In addition, we observed NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the adhesion tissues of Sirt3^−/− but, not Sirt3^+/+ mice. Furthermore, mesothelial cells sorted from Sirt3^−/− mice exhibited impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics and redox homeostasis. Honokiol (HKL), a natural compound found in several species of the genus Magnolia, could activate SIRT3 in vitro. Then, we demonstrated that treatment with HKL could reduce oxidative stress and the levels of inflammatory factors and suppress NLRP3 activation in vivo, reducing the occurrence of postsurgical PAs. In vitro treatment with HKL also restored mitochondrial bioenergetics and promoted mesothelial cell viability under oxidative stress conditions. Taken together, our findings show that the rescue of SIRT3 by HKL may be a new therapeutic strategy to alleviate and block postsurgical PA formation.

Treatment with honokiol, a compound found in magnolia tree bark, significantly reduces formation of internal scar tissue after abdominal surgery in mice. Healing of incisions in the peritoneum, the connective tissue lining the abdomen, can result in scar tissue bonds known as peritoneal adhesions (PA), causing complications such as infertility or bowel obstructions. The mechanism of PA formation is unknown, and no therapies are available. Xuqi Li at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, China, and co-workers found that PA tissues in both mice and human patients had decreased levels of SIRT3, a stress-response protein. Mice lacking SIRT3 showed increased inflammation and PA formation. When mice were treated with honokiol the day after surgery in order to boost SIRT3 levels, PA formation was significantly decreased. These results suggest a possible preventative treatment for post-surgical PAs.

Honokiol Improves Acne-like Lesions in a Rabbit Ear Model by Alleviating Hyperkeratosis and Sebum Secretion

The prevalence of acne vulgaris is high, but the topical retinoids used as the foundation of treatment have teratogenic and photosensitivity properties. Previous studies have suggested that honokiol, a small-molecule compound extracted from Magnolia officinalis, could effectively inhibit Cutibacterium acnes ( C acnes) and inflammation in vitro. However, the effect in vivo is unclear. The rabbit ear acne model that we created showed obvious comedones and hyperkeratosis. These lesions were repeatedly measured and recorded by dermatoscopy (ultraviolet light). Compared with the control group, topical 2.5% honokiol cream obviously improved the comedones and hyperkeratosis and effectively reduced sebum secretion, as shown by Oil Red O staining. The effects were equivalent to those of adapalene gel without local side effects. We added honokiol's other functions to acne treatment in addition to antiinflammation, but further studies are needed.

Hyaluronic acid-based nano drug delivery systems for breast cancer treatment: Recent advances

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among females worldwide, and high resistance to drugs and metastasis rates are the leading causes of death in BC patients. Releasing anti-cancer drugs precisely to the tumor site can improve the efficacy and reduce the side effects on the body. Natural polymers are attracting extensive interest as drug carriers in treating breast cancer. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural polysaccharide with excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-immunogenicity and is a significant component of the extracellular matrix. The CD44 receptor of HA is overexpressed in breast cancer cells and can be targeted to breast tumors. Therefore, many researchers have developed nano drug delivery systems (NDDS) based on the CD44 receptor tumor-targeting properties of HA. This review examines the application of HA in NDDSs for breast cancer in recent years. Based on the structural composition of NDDSs, they are divided into HA NDDSs, Modified HA NDDSs, and HA hybrid NDDSs.

The multifaceted role of STAT3 pathway and its implication as a potential therapeutic target in oral cancer

Oral cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, and it has become a matter of serious concern due to the alarming rise in its incidence rate worldwide. Despite recent advancements in oral cancer treatment strategies, there are no significant improvements in patient's survival rate. Among the numerous cell signaling pathways involved in oral cancer development and progression, STAT3 is known to play a multifaceted oncogenic role in shaping the tumor pathophysiology. STAT3 hyperactivation in oral cancer contributes to survival, proliferation, invasion, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, metastasis, immunosuppression, chemoresistance, and poor prognosis. A plethora of pre-clinical and clinical studies have documented the role of STAT3 in the initiation and development of oral cancer and showed that STAT3 inhibition holds significant potential in the prevention and treatment of this cancer. However, to date, targeting STAT3 activation mainly involves inhibiting the upstream signaling molecules such as JAK and IL-6 receptors. The major challenge in targeting STAT3 lies in the complexity of its phosphorylation- and dimerization-independent functions, which are not affected by disrupting the upstream regulators. The present review delineates the significance of the STAT3 pathway in regulating various hallmarks of oral cancer. In addition, it highlights the STAT3 inhibitors identified to date through various preclinical and clinical studies that can be employed for the therapeutic intervention in oral cancer treatment.

Oxidation and Reduction Dual-Responsive Polymeric Prodrug Micelles Co-delivery Precisely Prescribed Paclitaxel and Honokiol for Laryngeal Carcinoma Combination Therapy

Laryngeal carcinoma is the most common head and neck malignancy globally, and chemotherapy is still the most common treatment for this type of carcinoma. Monotherapy has become powerless because of the lack of drugs in the anticancer agent library, the difficult process of new drug discovery, and the widespread drug resistance. Combination therapy with two agents, in particular Chinese herbal medicines with chemotherapy drugs, is a potential alternative to chemotherapy alone. However, combination therapy faces difficulties in delivering multiple drugs to tumor tissue in a precise ratio. Here, a cocktail polymeric prodrug micelle (PHPPM) was developed using an oxidation and reduction dual-responsive polymeric paclitaxel (PTX) and polymeric honokiol (HK) prodrugs. Both of them were obtained by covalently conjugating the drug to dextran via diselenium bonds. Following optimization and characterization, the PHPPM with the precise mass ratio of PTX and HK was obtained, enabling ratiometric drug loading, synchronized drug release in response to tumor high-level reactive oxygen species and glutathione environment, long blood circulation, and high tumor accumulation. This co-delivery system can effectively inhibit laryngeal carcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo. Codelivery of chemotherapy agents and Chinese herbal medicine with a precise ratio and controlled release of the two drugs at the tumor site provides an effective approach to clinical therapy for other laryngeal carcinomas.

Opportunities and challenges for co-delivery nanomedicines based on combination of phytochemicals with chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer treatment

The therapeutic limitations such as insufficient efficacy, drug resistance, metastasis, and undesirable side effects are frequently caused by the long duration monotherapy based on chemotherapeutic drugs. multiple combinational anticancer strategies such as nucleic acids combined with chemotherapeutic agents, chemotherapeutic combinations, chemotherapy and tumor immunotherapy combinations have been embraced, holding great promise to counter these limitations, while still taking including some potential risks. Nowadays, an increasing number of research has manifested the anticancer effects of phytochemicals mediated by modulating cancer cellular events directly as well as the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, these natural compounds exhibited suppression of cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of cancer cells, P-glycoprotein inhibition, decreasing vascularization and activation of tumor immunosuppression. Due to the low toxicity and multiple modulation pathways of these phytochemicals, the combination of chemotherapeutic agents with natural compounds acts as a novel approach to cancer therapy to increase the efficiency of cancer treatments as well as reduce the adverse consequences. In order to achieve the maximized combination advantages of small-molecule chemotherapeutic drugs and natural compounds, a variety of functional nano-scaled drug delivery systems, such as liposomes, host-guest supramolecules, supramolecules, dendrimers, micelles and inorganic systems have been developed for dual/multiple drug co-delivery. These co-delivery nanomedicines can improve pharmacokinetic behavior, tumor accumulation capacity, and achieve tumor site-targeting delivery. In that way, the improved antitumor effects through multiple-target therapy and reduced side effects by decreasing dose can be implemented. Here, we present the synergistic anticancer outcomes and the related mechanisms of the combination of phytochemicals with small-molecule anticancer drugs. We also focus on illustrating the design concept, and action mechanisms of nanosystems with co-delivery of drugs to synergistically improve anticancer efficacy. In addition, the challenges and prospects of how these insights can be translated into clinical benefits are discussed.

Phytochemicals for the Prevention and Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence and Molecular Mechanisms

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with about 90% of renal malignancies, and its incidence is increasing globally. Plant-derived compounds have gained significant attention in the scientific community for their preventative and therapeutic effects on cancer. To evaluate the anticancer potential of phytocompounds for RCC, we compiled a comprehensive and systematic review of the available literature. Our work was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria. The literature search was performed using scholarly databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect and keywords such as renal cell carcinoma, phytochemicals, cancer, tumor, proliferation, apoptosis, prevention, treatment, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Based on in vitro results, various phytochemicals, such as phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids, and sulfur-containing compounds, suppressed cell viability, proliferation and growth, showed cytotoxic activity, inhibited invasion and migration, and enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in RCC. In various animal tumor models, phytochemicals suppressed renal tumor growth, reduced tumor size, and hindered angiogenesis and metastasis. The relevant antineoplastic mechanisms involved upregulation of caspases, reduction in cyclin activity, induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via modulation of a plethora of cell signaling pathways. Clinical studies demonstrated a reduced risk for the development of kidney cancer and enhancement of the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs. Both preclinical and clinical studies displayed significant promise of utilizing phytochemicals for the prevention and treatment of RCC. Further research, confirming the mechanisms and regulatory pathways, along with randomized controlled trials, are needed to establish the use of phytochemicals in clinical practice.

Rediscovery of Traditional Plant Medicine: An Underestimated Anticancer Drug of Chelerythrine

In many studies, the extensive and significant anticancer activity of chelerythrine (CHE) was identified, which is the primary natural active compound in four traditional botanical drugs and can be applied as a promising treatment in various solid tumors. So this review aimed to summarize the anticancer capacities and the antitumor mechanism of CHE. The literature searches revolving around CHE have been carried out on PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and MEDLINE databases. Increasing evidence indicates that CHE, as a benzophenanthridine alkaloid, exhibits its excellent anticancer activity as CHE can intervene in tumor progression and inhibit tumor growth in multiple ways, such as induction of cancer cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, prevention of tumor invasion and metastasis, autophagy-mediated cell death, bind selectively to telomeric G-quadruplex and strongly inhibit the telomerase activity through G-quadruplex stabilization, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and PKC. The role of CHE against diverse types of cancers has been investigated in many studies and has been identified as the main antitumor drug candidate in drug discovery programs. The current complex data suggest the potential value in clinical application and the future direction of CHE as a therapeutic drug in cancer. Furthermore, the limitations and the present problems are also highlighted in this review. Despite the unclearly delineated molecular targets of CHE, extensive research in this area provided continuously fresh data exploitable in the clinic while addressing the present requirement for further studies such as toxicological studies, combination medication, and the development of novel chemical methods or biomaterials to extend the effects of CHE or the development of its derivatives and analogs, contributing to the effective transformation of this underestimated anticancer drug into clinical practice. We believe that this review can provide support for the clinical application of a new anticancer drug in the future.