1
|
Mohammed HA, Emwas AH, Khan RA. Salt-Tolerant Plants, Halophytes, as Renewable Natural Resources for Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Roles of Phenolics and Flavonoids in Immunomodulation and Suppression of Oxidative Stress towards Cancer Management. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065171. [PMID: 36982245 PMCID: PMC10048981 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Halophytes and xerophytes, plants with adequate tolerance to high salinity with strong ability to survive in drought ecosystem, have been recognized for their nutritional and medicinal values owing to their comparatively higher productions of secondary metabolites, primarily the phenolics, and the flavonoids, as compared to the normal vegetation in other climatic regions. Given the consistent increases in desertification around the world, which are associated with increasing salinity, high temperature, and water scarcity, the survival of halophytes due to their secondary metabolic contents has prioritized these plant species, which have now become increasingly important for environmental protection, land reclamation, and food and animal-feed security, with their primary utility in traditional societies as sources of drugs. On the medicinal herbs front, because the fight against cancer is still ongoing, there is an urgent need for development of more efficient, safe, and novel chemotherapeutic agents, than those currently available. The current review describes these plants and their secondary-metabolite-based chemical products as promising candidates for developing newer cancer therapeutics. It further discusses the prophylactic roles of these plants, and their constituents in prevention and management of cancers, through an exploration of their phytochemical and pharmacological properties, with a view on immunomodulation. The important roles of various phenolics and structurally diverse flavonoids as major constituents of the halophytes in suppressing oxidative stress, immunomodulation, and anti-cancer effects are the subject matter of this review and these aspects are outlined in details.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamdoon A Mohammed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11371, Egypt
| | - Abdul-Hamid Emwas
- Core Labs, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Riaz A Khan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Akaberi T, Shourgashti K, Emami SA, Akaberi M. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of alkaloids from Glaucium spp. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2021; 191:112923. [PMID: 34454171 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.112923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Glaucium Mill. comprising 28 species with 78 synonyms, 3 subspecies, and 3 varieties worldwide belongs to the Papaveraceae family. The plants are well known for their different types of alkaloids. In the present study, we attempted to review the chemistry and pharmacology of the alkaloids from the genus Glaucium. For this purpose, the relevant data were collected from different scientific databases including, "Google Scholar", "ISI Web of Knowledge", "PubMed", "Scopus", and available books and e-books. Our results showed that aporphine alkaloids are dominated in the species; however, other types of alkaloids including protopines, benzophenanthridines, benzylisoquinolines, protoberberines, and morphinanes have also been reported from the genus. The pharmacological studies have shown that the alkaloids from Glaucium species have several biological activities of which anti-cancer and anti-cholinesterase effects have been highly reported. Besides, the data indicated that most of the species have been investigated neither phytochemically nor pharmacologically. Glaucium flavum, known as yellow horn poppy, is the most studied species. According to the reports, the plants from this genus have anti-cancer and anti-cholinesterase potentials and can be used as a source for aporphine alkaloids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toktam Akaberi
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Kamran Shourgashti
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Seyed Ahmad Emami
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Traditional Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Maryam Akaberi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Garcia-Gil M, Turri B, Gabriele M, Pucci L, Agnarelli A, Lai M, Freer G, Pistello M, Vignali R, Batistoni R, Marracci S. Protopine/Gemcitabine Combination Induces Cytotoxic or Cytoprotective Effects in Cell Type-Specific and Dose-Dependent Manner on Human Cancer and Normal Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14020090. [PMID: 33530428 PMCID: PMC7912662 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural alkaloid protopine (PRO) exhibits pharmacological properties including anticancer activity. We investigated the effects of PRO, alone and in combination with the chemotherapeutic gemcitabine (GEM), on human tumor cell lines and non-tumor human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). We found that treatments with different PRO/GEM combinations were cytotoxic or cytoprotective, depending on concentration and cell type. PRO/GEM decreased viability in pancreatic cancer MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells, while it rescued the GEM-induced viability decline in HDFs and in tumor MCF-7 cells. Moreover, PRO/GEM decreased G1, S and G2/M phases, concomitantly with an increase of subG1 phase in MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells. Differently, PRO/GEM restored the normal progression of the cell cycle, altered by GEM, and decreased cell death in HDFs. PRO alone increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MIA PaCa-2, PANC-1 cells and HDFs, while PRO/GEM increased both intracellular and mitochondrial ROS in the three cell lines. These results indicate that specific combinations of PRO/GEM may be used to induce cytotoxic effects in pancreatic tumor MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells, but have cytoprotective or no effects in HDFs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Garcia-Gil
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.-G.); (B.T.); (A.A.); (R.V.); (R.B.)
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Benedetta Turri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.-G.); (B.T.); (A.A.); (R.V.); (R.B.)
| | - Morena Gabriele
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (L.P.)
| | - Laura Pucci
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (L.P.)
| | - Alessandro Agnarelli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.-G.); (B.T.); (A.A.); (R.V.); (R.B.)
| | - Michele Lai
- Retrovirus Centre, Department of Translational Medicine and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.L.); (G.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Giulia Freer
- Retrovirus Centre, Department of Translational Medicine and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.L.); (G.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Retrovirus Centre, Department of Translational Medicine and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.L.); (G.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Robert Vignali
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.-G.); (B.T.); (A.A.); (R.V.); (R.B.)
| | - Renata Batistoni
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.-G.); (B.T.); (A.A.); (R.V.); (R.B.)
- Istituto Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Marracci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.-G.); (B.T.); (A.A.); (R.V.); (R.B.)
- Istituto Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali, 50121 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Charid I, Kessler M, Darb-Esfahani S, Zemojtel T, Abobaker S, Tyuarets S, Schrauwen S, Atmani-Kilani D, Benaida-Debbache N, Schäfer R, Castillo-Tong DC, Atmani D, Cherbal F, Amant F, Sehouli J, Kulbe H, Braicu EI. Pretreatment with methanolic extract of Pistacia lentiscus L. increases sensitivity to DNA damaging drugs in primary high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells. Eur J Integr Med 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2020.101163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
5
|
Xia X, Wang L, Zhang X, Wang S, Lei L, Cheng L, Xu Y, Sun Y, Hang B, Zhang G, Bai Y, Hu J. Halofuginone-induced autophagy suppresses the migration and invasion of MCF-7 cells via regulation of STMN1 and p53. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:4009-4020. [PMID: 29231257 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicines have been recognized as especially promising anticancer agents in modern anticancer research. Halofuginone (HF), an analog of quinazolinone alkaloid extracted from Dichroa febrifuga, is widely used in traditional medicine. However, whether HF inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells and/or reduces the migration and invasion of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, as well as the underlying mechanisms in vitro, remains unclear. In this study, we report that an HF extract inhibits the growth of MCF-7 cells and reduces their migration and invasion, an important feature of potential anticancer agents. In addition, HF significantly increases the activation of autophagy, which is closely associated with tumor metastasis. As STMN1 and p53 have been closely implicated in breast cancer progression, we analyzed their expression in the context of HF extract treatment. Western blot analysis showed that HF suppresses STMN1 and p53 expression and activity in an autophagy-dependent manner. Collectively, these data indicate that activation of autophagy reduces expression of STMN1 and p53, and the migration and invasion of cancer cells contributes to the anti-cancer effects of the HF. These findings may provide new insight into breast cancer prevention and therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Xia
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China.,Postdoctoral Research Base, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China.,Post-doctoral Research Station, Henan Agriculture University, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China
| | - Shan Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China
| | - Lianchen Lei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Likun Cheng
- Shandong Binzhou Animal Science &Veterinary Medicine Academy, Binzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yanzhao Xu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China
| | - Yawei Sun
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China
| | - Bolin Hang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China
| | - Gaiping Zhang
- Post-doctoral Research Station, Henan Agriculture University, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
| | - YueYu Bai
- Animal Health Supervision of Henan Province, Bureau of Animal Husbandry of Henan province, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
| | - JianHe Hu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China.,Postdoctoral Research Base, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Alves-Silva JM, Romane A, Efferth T, Salgueiro L. North African Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used in Cancer Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:383. [PMID: 28694778 PMCID: PMC5483438 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cancer is a major cause of mortality worldwide with increasing numbers by the years. In North Africa, the number of cancer patients is alarming. Also shocking is that a huge number of cancer patients only have access to traditional medicines due to several factors, e.g., economic difficulties. In fact, medicinal plants are widely used for the treatment of several pathologies, including cancer. Truthfully, herbalists and botanists in North African countries prescribe several plants for cancer treatment. Despite the popularity and the potential of medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer, scientific evidence on their anticancer effects are still scarce for most of the described plants. Objective: Bearing in mind the lack of comprehensive and systematic studies, the aim of this review is to give an overview of studies, namely ethnobotanical surveys and experimental evidence of anticancer effects regarding medicinal plants used in North Africa for cancer therapy. Method: The research was conducted on several popular search engines including PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science. The research focused primarily on English written papers published between the years 2000 and 2016. Results: This review on plants traditionally used by herbalists in North Africa highlights that Morocco and Algeria are the countries with most surveys on the use of medicinal plants in folk medicine. Among the plethora of plants used, Nigella sativa and Trigonella foenum-graecum are the most referred ones by herbalists for the treatment of cancer. Moreover, a plethora of scientific evidence qualifies them as candidates for further drug development. Furthermore, we report on the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Conclusion: Overall, this review highlights the therapeutic potential of some medicinal plants as anticancer agents. The North African flora offers a rich source of medicinal plants for a wide array of diseases, including cancer. The elucidation of their modes of action represents an indispensable condition for the rational development of new drugs for cancer treatment. Furthermore, testing the anticancer activity in vivo and in clinical trials are warranted to explore the full therapeutic potential of North African plants for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge M Alves-Silva
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences and Faculty of Pharmacy, University of CoimbraCoimbra, Portugal
| | - Abderrahmane Romane
- Laboratoire de Chimie Organique Appliquée, Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences (Semlalia), Université Cadi AyyadMarrakech, Morocco
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University MainzMainz, Germany
| | - Lígia Salgueiro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences and Faculty of Pharmacy, University of CoimbraCoimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Dembitsky VM, Gloriozova TA, Poroikov VV. Naturally occurring plant isoquinoline N-oxide alkaloids: their pharmacological and SAR activities. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2015; 22:183-202. [PMID: 25636889 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 09/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The present review describes research on novel natural isoquinoline alkaloids and their N-oxides isolated from different plant species. More than 200 biological active compounds have shown confirmed antimicrobial, antibacterial, antitumor, and other activities. The structures, origins, and reported biological activities of a selection of isoquinoline N-oxides alkaloids are reviewed. With the computer program PASS some additional SAR (structure-activity relationship) activities are also predicted, which point toward new possible applications of these compounds. This review emphasizes the role of isoquinoline N-oxides alkaloids as an important source of leads for drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tatyana A Gloriozova
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Russian Academy of the Medical Sciences, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Vladimir V Poroikov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Russian Academy of the Medical Sciences, Moscow 119121, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
El-Merahbi R, Liu YN, Eid A, Daoud G, Hosry L, Monzer A, Mouhieddine TH, Hamade A, Najjar F, Abou-Kheir W. Berberis libanotica Ehrenb extract shows anti-neoplastic effects on prostate cancer stem/progenitor cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112453. [PMID: 25380390 PMCID: PMC4224486 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), including those of advanced prostate cancer, are a suggested reason for tumor resistance toward conventional tumor therapy. Therefore, new therapeutic agents are urgently needed for targeting CSCs. Despite the minimal understanding of their modes of action, natural products and herbal therapies have been commonly used in the prevention and treatment of many cancers. Berberis libanotica Ehrenb (BLE) is a plant rich in alkaloids which may possess anti-cancer activity and a high potential for eliminating CSCs. We tested the effect of BLE on prostate cancer cells and our data indicated that this extract induced significant reduction in cell viability and inhibited the proliferation of human prostate cancer cell lines (DU145, PC3 and 22Rv1) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. BLE extract induced a perturbation of the cell cycle, leading to a G0-G1 arrest. Furthermore, we noted 50% cell death, characterized by the production of high levels of reactive oxidative species (ROS). Inhibition of cellular migration and invasion was also achieved upon treatment with BLE extract, suggesting a role in inhibiting metastasis. Interestingly, BLE extract had a major effect on CSCs. Cells were grown in a 3D sphere-formation assay to enrich for a population of cancer stem/progenitor cells. Our results showed a significant reduction in sphere formation ability. Three rounds of treatment with BLE extract were sufficient to eradicate the self-renewal ability of highly resistant CSCs. In conclusion, our results suggest a high therapeutic potential of BLE extract in targeting prostate cancer and its CSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rabih El-Merahbi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Yen-Nien Liu
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Assaad Eid
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Georges Daoud
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Leina Hosry
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Alissar Monzer
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Tarek H. Mouhieddine
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Aline Hamade
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
- * E-mail: (WAK); (FN); (AH)
| | - Fadia Najjar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
- * E-mail: (WAK); (FN); (AH)
| | - Wassim Abou-Kheir
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- * E-mail: (WAK); (FN); (AH)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Identification and quantification of the main active anticancer alkaloids from the root of Glaucium flavum. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:23533-44. [PMID: 24317429 PMCID: PMC3876061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141223533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Revised: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucium flavum is used in Algerian folk medicine to remove warts (benign tumors). Its local appellations are Cheqiq el-asfar and Qarn el-djedyane. We have recently reported the anti-tumoral activity of Glaucium flavum root alkaloid extract against human cancer cells, in vitro and in vivo. The principal identified alkaloid in the extract was protopine. This study aims to determine which component(s) of Glaucium flavum root extract might possess potent antitumor activity on human cancer cells. Quantitative estimation of Glaucium flavum alkaloids was realized by HPLC-DAD. Glaucium flavum effect on human normal and cancer cell viability was determined using WST-1 assay. Quantification of alkaloids in Glaucium flavum revealed that the dried root part contained 0.84% of protopine and 0.07% of bocconoline (w/w), while the dried aerial part contained only 0.08% of protopine, glaucine as the main alkaloid, and no bocconoline. In vitro evaluation of the growth inhibitory activity on breast cancer and normal cells demonstrated that purified protopine did not reproduce the full cytotoxic activity of the alkaloid root extract on cancer cell lines. On the other hand, bocconoline inhibited strongly the viability of cancer cells with an IC50 of 7.8 μM and only a low cytotoxic effect was observed against normal human cells. Our results showed for the first time that protopine is the major root alkaloid of Glaucium flavum. Finally, we are the first to demonstrate a specific anticancer effect of Glaucium flavum root extract against breast cancer cells, which can be attributed, at least in part, to bocconoline.
Collapse
|