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Ijaz S, Iqbal J, Abbasi BA, Tufail A, Yaseen T, Uddin S, Usman K, Ullah R, Bibi H, Inam P, Sagindykova E, Gürer ES, Habtemariam S, Calina D, Sharifi-Rad J. Current stage of preclinical and clinical development of guggulsterone in cancers: Challenges and promises. Cell Biol Int 2024; 48:128-142. [PMID: 38148708 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Throughout human history, the utilization of medicinal herbs has been recognized as a crucial defense against various ailments, including cancer. Natural products with potential anticancer properties, capable of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, have garnered substantial attention. One such agent under investigation is guggulsterone (GS), a phytosterol derived from the gum resin of the Commiphora mukul tree. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of recent studies elucidating the anticancer molecular mechanisms and molecular targets of GS, guiding future research and potential applications as an adjuvant drug in cancer therapy. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies have explored the biological activities of the active ingredients in Commiphora mukul. Specifically, GS emerges as a potential cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic agent. The investigations delve into the impact of GS on constitutively activated survival pathways, including Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), and PI3-kinase/AKT signaling pathways. These pathways regulate antiapoptotic and proinflammatory genes, exerting control over growth and inflammatory responses. The findings highlight the potential of GS in disrupting survival pathways crucial for cancer cell viability. The inhibition of JAK/STAT, NF-kB, and PI3-kinase/AKT signaling pathways positions GS as a promising candidate for cancer therapy. The review synthesizes evidence from diverse studies, underscoring the multifaceted biological activities of GS in cancer prevention and treatment. To advance our understanding, future clinical and translational studies are imperative to determine effective doses in humans. Additionally, there is a need for the development of new pharmaceutical forms of GS to optimize therapeutic effects. This comprehensive review provides a foundation for ongoing research, offering insights into the potential of GS as a valuable addition to the armamentarium against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumaila Ijaz
- Division of Science and Technology, Department of Botany, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Javed Iqbal
- Department of Botany, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | | | - Aasma Tufail
- Division of Science and Technology, Department of Botany, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Tabassum Yaseen
- Department of Botany, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Siraj Uddin
- Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Kiran Usman
- Department of Botany, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Rafi Ullah
- Department of Botany, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Haseena Bibi
- Department of Botany, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Palwasha Inam
- Department of Botany, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Elvira Sagindykova
- Faculty of Science and Technology, The Caspian University of Technology and Engineering Named after Sh.Yessenov, Aktau, Kazakhstan
| | - Eda Sönmez Gürer
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Solomon Habtemariam
- Pharmacognosy Research & Herbal Analysis Services UK, University of Greenwich, Kent, UK
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
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Schäfer J, Klösgen VJ, Omer EA, Kadioglu O, Mbaveng AT, Kuete V, Hildebrandt A, Efferth T. In Silico and In Vitro Identification of P-Glycoprotein Inhibitors from a Library of 375 Phytochemicals. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10240. [PMID: 37373385 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapy with clinically established anticancer drugs is frequently hampered by the development of drug resistance of tumors and severe side effects in normal organs and tissues. The demand for powerful, but less toxic, drugs is high. Phytochemicals represent an important reservoir for drug development and frequently exert less toxicity than synthetic drugs. Bioinformatics can accelerate and simplify the highly complex, time-consuming, and expensive drug development process. Here, we analyzed 375 phytochemicals using virtual screenings, molecular docking, and in silico toxicity predictions. Based on these in silico studies, six candidate compounds were further investigated in vitro. Resazurin assays were performed to determine the growth-inhibitory effects towards wild-type CCRF-CEM leukemia cells and their multidrug-resistant, P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-overexpressing subline, CEM/ADR5000. Flow cytometry was used to measure the potential to measure P-gp-mediated doxorubicin transport. Bidwillon A, neobavaisoflavone, coptisine, and z-guggulsterone all showed growth-inhibitory effects and moderate P-gp inhibition, whereas miltirone and chamazulene strongly inhibited tumor cell growth and strongly increased intracellular doxorubicin uptake. Bidwillon A and miltirone were selected for molecular docking to wildtype and mutated P-gp forms in closed and open conformations. The P-gp homology models harbored clinically relevant mutations, i.e., six single missense mutations (F336Y, A718C, Q725A, F728A, M949C, Y953C), three double mutations (Y310A-F728A; F343C-V982C; Y953A-F978A), or one quadruple mutation (Y307C-F728A-Y953A-F978A). The mutants did not show major differences in binding energies compared to wildtypes. Closed P-gp forms generally showed higher binding affinities than open ones. Closed conformations might stabilize the binding, thereby leading to higher binding affinities, while open conformations may favor the release of compounds into the extracellular space. In conclusion, this study described the capability of selected phytochemicals to overcome multidrug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schäfer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Vincent Julius Klösgen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Ejlal A Omer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Onat Kadioglu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Armelle T Mbaveng
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 67, Cameroon
| | - Victor Kuete
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 67, Cameroon
| | - Andreas Hildebrandt
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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Xu HB, Chen XZ, Yu ZL, Xue F. Guggulsterone from Commiphora mukul potentiates anti-glioblastoma efficacy of temozolomide in vitro and in vivo via down-regulating EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling and NF-κB activation. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 301:115855. [PMID: 36280019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Myrrh is an aromatic oleo-gum resin extracted from the stem of Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl., and has the efficacies to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. Myrrh is mainly used for the treatment of chronic diseases including cancer. Guggulsterone, a major active steroid extracted from myrrh, has been found to inhibit cancer cell growth. Glioblastoma is the most common malignancy of central nervous system, and its prognosis remains very poor mainly due to chemotherapeutic resistance. The active status of EGFR/PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signaling in glioblastoma contributed to poor response for chemotherapy, and blocking this signaling with antagonists sensitized glioblastoma cells to chemotherapy. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study will investigate whether guggulsterone potentiates the anti-glioblastoma efficacy of temozolomide by down-regulating EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling and NF-κB activation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cell viability and proliferation was determined by cell counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V/PI and hoechst 33342 staining assays. Molecular techniques such as western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR were used to demonstrate guggulsterone in vitro effect on EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling and NF-κB activation. Finally, in vivo studies were performed in orthotopic mouse models of glioblastoma. RESULTS The results demonstrated that guggulsterone enhanced temozolomide-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in human glioblastoma U251 and U87 cells. Furthermore, the synergistic anti-glioblastoma efficacy between guggulsterone and temozolomide was intimately associated with the inhibition of EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling and NF-κB activation in U251 and U87 cells. Our in vivo results on orthotopic xenograft models similarly indicated that guggulsterone potentiated temozolomide-induced tumor growth inhibition through suppressing EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and NF-кB activity. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggested that guggulsterone potentiated anti-glioblastoma efficacy of temozolomide through down-regulating EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and NF-кB activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Bin Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo Hospital of Zhejiang University, Ningbo, 315010, China.
| | - Xian-Zhen Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Zhou-Lun Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210017, China.
| | - Fei Xue
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
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Pressley M, Salvioli M, Lewis DB, Richards CL, Brown JS, Staňková K. Evolutionary Dynamics of Treatment-Induced Resistance in Cancer Informs Understanding of Rapid Evolution in Natural Systems. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.681121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid evolution is ubiquitous in nature. We briefly review some of this quite broadly, particularly in the context of response to anthropogenic disturbances. Nowhere is this more evident, replicated and accessible to study than in cancer. Curiously cancer has been late - relative to fisheries, antibiotic resistance, pest management and evolution in human dominated landscapes - in recognizing the need for evolutionarily informed management strategies. The speed of evolution matters. Here, we employ game-theoretic modeling to compare time to progression with continuous maximum tolerable dose to that of adaptive therapy where treatment is discontinued when the population of cancer cells gets below half of its initial size and re-administered when the cancer cells recover, forming cycles with and without treatment. We show that the success of adaptive therapy relative to continuous maximum tolerable dose therapy is much higher if the population of cancer cells is defined by two cell types (sensitive vs. resistant in a polymorphic population). Additionally, the relative increase in time to progression increases with the speed of evolution. These results hold with and without a cost of resistance in cancer cells. On the other hand, treatment-induced resistance can be modeled as a quantitative trait in a monomorphic population of cancer cells. In that case, when evolution is rapid, there is no advantage to adaptive therapy. Initial responses to therapy are blunted by the cancer cells evolving too quickly. Our study emphasizes how cancer provides a unique system for studying rapid evolutionary changes within tumor ecosystems in response to human interventions; and allows us to contrast and compare this system to other human managed or dominated systems in nature.
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Fu J, Zhu SH, Xu HB, Xu YQ, Wang X, Wang J, Kong PS. Xihuang pill potentiates the anti-tumor effects of temozolomide in glioblastoma xenografts through the Akt/mTOR-dependent pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 261:113071. [PMID: 32603676 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Xihuang pill, as a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula, is used for tumor treatment in China. The anti-tumor activities and mechanisms of Xihuang pill still remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY The Akt/mTOR signaling pathway plays an important role in mediating cell proliferation and apoptosis in glioblastoma. This study aimed to investigate whether Xihuang pill could potentiate temozolomide-induced apoptosis of glioblastoma U87 and U251 cells in vivo and its underlying mechanisms related to Akt/mTOR pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human glioblastoma U87 and U251 xenograft models were established. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot were performed to evaluate the anti-proliferative effect, apoptosis and Akt/mTOR signaling mediators. RESULTS The results showed that Xihuang pill (0.5, 1 g/kg) or temozolomide (10 mg/kg) treatment alone inhibited tumor growth in glioblastoma U87 and U251 xenografts. When Xihuang pill (1 g/kg) and temozolomide (10 mg/kg) were co-administrated, the activities of antitumor growth were markedly increased. Meanwhile, Xihuang pill (0.5, 1 g/kg) or temozolomide (10 mg/kg) treatment alone decreased the levels of Ki67 and PCNA expression in glioblastoma U87 and U251 xenografts. In combination treatment group, the inhibitory effects on Ki67 and PCNA expression were significantly enhanced in glioblastoma U87 and U251 xenografts compared to temozolomide treatment alone. Examining the apoptotic index by TUNEL assay showed similar results. Furthermore, Xihuang pill markedly down-regulated the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and inhibited the activation of Akt/mTOR pathway in glioblastoma U87 and U251 xenografts. In addition, no significant signs of toxicities were related to Xihuang pill and/or temozolomide treatment. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggested that Xihuang pill might potentiate temozolomide-induced apoptosis of glioblastoma cells in vivo through inhibiting Akt/mTOR-dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Fu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Hui Zhu
- Department of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong-Bin Xu
- Department of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - You-Qi Xu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ping-Shi Kong
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Girisa S, Parama D, Harsha C, Banik K, Kunnumakkara AB. Potential of guggulsterone, a farnesoid X receptor antagonist, in the prevention and treatment of cancer. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2020; 1:313-342. [PMID: 36046484 PMCID: PMC9400725 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2020.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most dreadful diseases in the world with a mortality of 9.6 million annually. Despite the advances in diagnosis and treatment during the last couple of decades, it still remains a serious concern due to the limitations associated with currently available cancer management strategies. Therefore, alternative strategies are highly required to overcome these glitches. The importance of medicinal plants as primary healthcare has been well-known from time immemorial against various human diseases, including cancer. Commiphora wightii that belongs to Burseraceae family is one such plant which has been used to cure various ailments in traditional systems of medicine. This plant has diverse pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antimutagenic, and antitumor which mostly owes to the presence of its active compound guggulsterone (GS) that exists in the form of Z- and E-isomers. Mounting evidence suggests that this compound has promising anticancer activities and was shown to suppress several cancer signaling pathways such as NF-κB/ERK/MAPK/AKT/STAT and modulate the expression of numerous signaling molecules such as the farnesoid X receptor, cyclin D1, survivin, caspases, HIF-1α, MMP-9, EMT proteins, tumor suppressor proteins, angiogenic proteins, and apoptotic proteins. The current review is an attempt to summarize the biological activities and diverse anticancer activities (both in vitro and in vivo) of the compound GS and its derivatives, along with its associated mechanism against various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sosmitha Girisa
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Dey Parama
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Choudhary Harsha
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Kishore Banik
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational and Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
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Khatoon E, Banik K, Harsha C, Sailo BL, Thakur KK, Khwairakpam AD, Vikkurthi R, Devi TB, Gupta SC, Kunnumakkara AB. Phytochemicals in cancer cell chemosensitization: Current knowledge and future perspectives. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 80:306-339. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Sun M, Hua J, Liu G, Huang P, Liu N, He X. Myrrh induces the apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells through down-regulating cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Biosci Rep 2020; 40:BSR20192372. [PMID: 32364228 PMCID: PMC7240199 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20192372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study is designed to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of myrrh on human gastric cancer both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The gastric cancer cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining. Wound healing was performed to evaluate the effects of myrrh on the migration. COX-2, PCNA, Bcl-2, and Bax expressions were detected by Western blot analysis. A xenograft nude mice model of human gastric cancer was established to evaluate the anti-cancer effect of myrrh in vivo. RESULTS Myrrh significantly inhibited cellular proliferation, migration, and induced apoptosis in vitro as well as inhibited tumor growth in vivo. In addition, myrrh inhibited the expression of PCNA, COX-2, and Bcl-2 as well as increased Bax expression in gastric cancer cells. CONCLUSION Myrrh may inhibit the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells, as well as induced their apoptosis by down-regulating the expression of COX-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxue Sun
- Department of Geriatrics, Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, China
| | - Jie Hua
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, China
| | - Gaoshuang Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, China
| | - Peiyun Huang
- Department of Geriatrics, Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, China
| | - Ningsheng Liu
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
- The Key laboratory of Antibody Technique of Ministry of Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Xiaopu He
- Department of Geriatrics, Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, China
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Kunnumakkara AB, Banik K, Bordoloi D, Harsha C, Sailo BL, Padmavathi G, Roy NK, Gupta SC, Aggarwal BB. Googling the Guggul (Commiphora and Boswellia) for Prevention of Chronic Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:686. [PMID: 30127736 PMCID: PMC6087759 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive research during last 2 decades has revealed that most drugs discovered today, although costs billions of dollars for discovery, and yet they are highly ineffective in their clinical response. For instance, the European Medicines Agency has approved 68 anti-cancer drugs, and out of which 39 has reached the market level with no indication of increased survival nor betterment of quality of life. Even when drugs did improve survival rate compared to available treatment strategies, most of these were found to be clinically insignificant. This is a fundamental problem with modern drug discovery which is based on thinking that most chronic diseases are caused by alteration of a single gene and thus most therapies are single gene-targeted therapies. However, extensive research has revealed that most chronic diseases are caused by multiple gene products. Although most drugs designed by man are mono-targeted therapies, however, those designed by "mother nature" and have been used for thousands of years, are "multi-targeted" therapies. In this review, we examine two agents that have been around for thousands of years, namely "guggul" from Commiphora and Boswellia. Although we are all familiar with the search engine "google," this is another type of "guggul" that has been used for centuries and being explored for its various biological activities. The current review summarizes the traditional uses, chemistry, in vitro and in vivo biological activities, molecular targets, and clinical trials performed with these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Kishore Banik
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Devivasha Bordoloi
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Choudhary Harsha
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Bethsebie L. Sailo
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Ganesan Padmavathi
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Nand K. Roy
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Subash C. Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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Xu C, Lu X, Liu W, Chen A, Meng G, Zhang H, Li B, Zhang Y, Wu J, Wei J. CD8 + T cells mediate the antitumor activity of frankincense and myrrh in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Transl Med 2018; 16:132. [PMID: 29784005 PMCID: PMC5963062 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-018-1508-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor-promoting inflammation is an emerging hallmark of cancer, which participates in both cancer progression and immune escape. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical inflammation-related cancer with an extremely poor prognosis. Frankincense and myrrh are anti-inflammation agents commonly used in clinic. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether extract of frankincense and myrrh (FM) downregulates inflammatory microenvironment of HCC and thereby restores antitumor immune responses. Methods The water-decocting FM was obtained and quantified. HCC cell lines HCCLM3 and Hepa1-6 were used to evaluate the efficacy of FM targeting NF-κB and STAT3 signaling with western blot and qRT-PCR analysis. CD8+NKG2D+ cells were derived from human peripheral blood and were used for evaluation of immune cells-mediated inflammation and oncolysis on HCCLM3 cells. The antitumor efficacy of FM was investigated both in immune compromised and immune competent mice bearing subcutaneous HCC. Mice received daily oral gavage of FM at 60 mg/kg. Immune activity within tumor microenvironment (TME) was assessed by ELISpot assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Depletion of CD8+ T cells or NK cells was achieved by intraperitoneal injection of respective neutralizing antibody. Results FM significantly inhibited the activation of NF-κB and STAT3 signaling in HCC cells induced by cytokines (TNF-α or IL-6) and in co-culture system with CD8+NKG2D+ cells. Furthermore, FM sensitized HCC cells to CD8+NKG2D+ cells-mediated oncolysis. In HCC-bearing mice, FM at a non-toxic dose failed to reduce tumor growth in immune compromised mice, whereas it significantly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged life span in immune competent mice. While the number of IFN-γ-producing cells within TME was increased in mice treated with FM, the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and NK cells was not increased. Finally, we identified that depletion of CD8+ T cells rather than NK cells abrogated the antitumor activity of FM. Conclusions Our results show for the first time that CD8+ T cells mediate the antitumor activity of FM at a non-toxic dose. This may provide new insights to this ancient mysterious prescription in cancer therapy, which offers a novel and practical therapeutic strategy and the possibilities of combined immunotherapy for HCC as well as other inflammation-related cancers in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Xian Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.,The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Anxian Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Gang Meng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Binghua Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.,The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Yonghui Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Junhua Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Jiwu Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China. .,Nanjing University Hightech Institute at Suzhou, Suzhou, 215123, China.
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Xu HB, Fu J, Huang F, Yu J. Guggulsterone sensitized drug-resistant human hepatocarcinoma cells to doxorubicin through a Cox-2/P-gp dependent pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 803:57-64. [PMID: 28342979 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Previous researches indicated that cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) might be involved in P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated multidrug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Doxorubicin-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma PLC/PRF/5 cells (PLC/PRF/5R) and HepG2 (HepG2R) cells were developed in the present study. The modulatory effect of guggulsterone on Cox-2 and P-gp in PLC/PRF/5R and HepG2R cells was investigated. Cells proliferation, Cox-2 and P-gp expression, and prostaglandin E2 release were examined using MTT, flow cytometry, western blot and ELISA assays. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted against Cox-2 and multidrug resistance protein (Mdr-1) was used to regulate the expression of Cox-2 and P-gp. The results showed that co-administration of guggulsterone resulted in a significant increase in chemo-sensitivity of PLC/PRF/5R cells to doxorubicin, as compared with doxorubicin treatment alone. When doxorubicin (10µM) was combined with guggulsterone (50µM), the mean apoptotic population of PLC/PRF/5R cells was 20.16%. It was increased by 1.5 times, as compared with doxorubicin (10µM) treatment alone. Furthermore, guggulsterone had significantly inhibitory effect on the levels of Cox-2, P-gp and prostaglandin E2. However, guggulsterone did not show significantly inhibitory effect on the expression of prostaglandin E receptors. In addition, Cox-2 siRNA simultaneously reduced the expression of Cox-2 and P-gp in PLC/PRF/5R cells. Mdr-1 siRNA had no influence on Cox-2, but inhibited P-gp expression. The present study suggested that guggulsterone might enhance the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin to PLC/PRF/5R cells through a Cox-2/P-gp dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Bin Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China.
| | - Jun Fu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Yu
- Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.
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12
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Bhat AA, Prabhu KS, Kuttikrishnan S, Krishnankutty R, Babu J, Mohammad RM, Uddin S. Potential therapeutic targets of Guggulsterone in cancer. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2017; 14:23. [PMID: 28261317 PMCID: PMC5331628 DOI: 10.1186/s12986-017-0180-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural compounds capable of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells have always been of considerable interest as potential anti-cancer agents. Many such compounds are under screening and development with their potential evolution as a clinical drug benefiting many of the cancer patients. Guggulsterone (GS), a phytosterol isolated gum resin of the tree Commiphora mukul has been widely used in Indian traditional medicine as a remedy for various diseses. GS has been shown to possess cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic potential as established by in vitro and in vivo studies. GS has been shown to target constitutively activated survival pathways such as PI3-kinase/AKT, JAK/STAT, and NFκB signaling pathways that are involved in the regulation of growth and inflammatory responses via regulation of antiapoptotic and inflammatory genes. The current review focuses on the molecular targets of GS, cellular responses, and the animal model studies in various cancers. The mechanistic action of GS in different types of cancers also forms a part of this review. The perspective of translating this natural compound into a clinically approved drug with its pros and cons is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajaz A Bhat
- Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kirti S Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shilpa Kuttikrishnan
- Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Roopesh Krishnankutty
- Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jayaprakash Babu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE USA
| | - Ramzi M Mohammad
- Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
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13
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Xu HB, Yu J, Xu LZ, Fu J. Regulation of P-glycoprotein efflux activity by Z-guggulsterone of Commiphora mukul at the blood-brain barrier. J Neurol Sci 2016; 363:147-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.02.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Guggulsterone and Its Role in Chronic Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 929:329-361. [PMID: 27771932 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-41342-6_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Guggulsterone is a plant sterol derived from gum resin of Commiphora wightii. The gum resin from guggul plants has been used for thousand years in Ayurveda to treat various disorders, including internal tumors, obesity, liver disorders, malignant sores and ulcers, urinary complaints, intestinal worms, leucoderma, sinuses, edema, and sudden paralytic seizures. Guggulsterone has been identified a bioactive components of this gum resin. This plant steroid has been reported to work as an antagonist of certain nuclear receptors, especially farnesoid X receptor, which regulates bile acids and cholesterol metabolism. Guggulsterone also mediates gene expression through the regulation of transcription factors, including nuclear factor-kappa B and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, which plays important roles in the development of inflammation and tumorigenesis. Guggulsterone has been shown to downregulate the expression of proteins involved in anti-apoptotic, cell survival, cell proliferation, angiogenic, metastatic, and chemoresistant activities in tumor cells. This review aimed to clarify the cell signal pathways targeted by guggulsterone and the bioactivities of guggulsterone in animal models and humans.
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15
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Arnason T, Harkness T. Development, Maintenance, and Reversal of Multiple Drug Resistance: At the Crossroads of TFPI1, ABC Transporters, and HIF1. Cancers (Basel) 2015; 7:2063-82. [PMID: 26501324 PMCID: PMC4695877 DOI: 10.3390/cancers7040877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Early detection and improved therapies for many cancers are enhancing survival rates. Although many cytotoxic therapies are approved for aggressive or metastatic cancer; response rates are low and acquisition of de novo resistance is virtually universal. For decades; chemotherapeutic treatments for cancer have included anthracyclines such as Doxorubicin (DOX); and its use in aggressive tumors appears to remain a viable option; but drug resistance arises against DOX; as for all other classes of compounds. Our recent work suggests the anticoagulant protein Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor 1α (TFPI1α) plays a role in driving the development of multiple drug resistance (MDR); but not maintenance; of the MDR state. Other factors; such as the ABC transporter drug efflux pumps MDR-1/P-gp (ABCB1) and BCRP (ABCG2); are required for MDR maintenance; as well as development. The patient population struggling with therapeutic resistance specifically requires novel treatment options to resensitize these tumor cells to therapy. In this review we discuss the development, maintenance, and reversal of MDR as three distinct phases of cancer biology. Possible means to exploit these stages to reverse MDR will be explored. Early molecular detection of MDR cancers before clinical failure has the potential to offer new approaches to fighting MDR cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terra Arnason
- Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.:+1-306-844-1119; Fax: +1-306-844-1512
| | - Troy Harkness
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, Canada;
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Review on the Applications and Molecular Mechanisms of Xihuang Pill in Tumor Treatment. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2015; 2015:854307. [PMID: 26170886 PMCID: PMC4479127 DOI: 10.1155/2015/854307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Xihuang pill (XH) is a complementary and alternative medicine that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of tumors since the 18th century. XH has clinical effects on non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, and bone metastasis. XH can also inhibit the growth of tumor cells and cancer stem cells, prevent tumor invasion and angiogenesis, and regulate the tumor microenvironment. XH is composed of Ru Xiang (olibanum), Mo Yao (Commiphora myrrha), She Xiang (Moschus), and Niu Huang (Calculus bovis). Some of the compounds found in these ingredients exert multiple antitumor effects and may synergize with the other ingredients. We aimed to summarize the clinical applications and molecular mechanisms of XH and its chemical composition. This review will provide potential new strategies and alternative perspectives for tumor treatments and basic research into complementary and alternative medicine.
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