Recent trends and advances in the epidemiology, synergism, and delivery system of lycopene as an anti-cancer agent

Review on toxicology and activity of tomato glycoalkaloids in immature tomatoes

Owing to the lack of selection and limited intelligence in mechanical picking, some immature tomatoes that contain alkaloids are thrown away. Tomatine alkaloids are steroidal alkaloids naturally present in Solanaceae plants, which are distributed in small amounts in immature tomato fruits and decrease as the fruits ripen. Tomato glycoalkaloids are harmful to human health. However, in small quantities, there is some evidence that these compounds might be beneficial, as other non-antioxidant bioactivities. This article considers recent research on the biological effects of tomato glycoalkaloids in immature tomatoes, providing reference value for the potential development of these compounds.

In vitro anticancer study of novel curcumin derivatives via targeting PI3K/Akt/p53 signaling pathway

Four new series of curcumin derivatives bearing NO-donating moiety were synthesized via etherification, nucleophilic substitution, and Knoevenagel condensation etc. The cytotoxicity activity of curcumin derivatives against five human tumor cell lines (A549, Hela, HepG2, MCF-7 and HT-29) and two normal cell lines (LO-2 and HK-2) has been studied. The results showed that compound 6a could inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 cells remarkably and exhibit low toxicity to normal cells. Also, the underlying mechanism in vitro of compound 6a on MCF-7 was investigated. It has been found that compound 6a induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis of MCF-7 in a dose-dependent manner. Compound 6a-induced the fluorescence changes of ROS in MCF-7 cells confirmed the occurrence of apoptosis. Western Blot suggested that compound 6a decreased the expression of PI3K, as well as increased the expression of p53, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3. Furthermore, molecular docking revealed that compound 6a could bind well at active site of PI3K (3zim) with total score 9.59. Together, compound 6a, a potential PI3K inhibitor, may inhibit the survival of MCF-7 cells via interfering with PI3K/Akt/p53 pathway.

Potential Use of Tomato Peel, a Rich Source of Lycopene, for Cancer Treatment

Tomatoes are well known for their impressive nutritional value among vegetables. However, the industrial processing of tomatoes generates a significant amount of waste. Specifically, 10% to 18% of the raw materials used in tomato processing become waste. This waste can seriously affect ecosystems, such as freshwater bodies, wetlands, rivers, and other natural environments, if not properly managed. Interestingly, tomato waste, specifically the skin, contains lycopene, a potent antioxidant and antimutagenic that offers a range of health benefits. This makes it a valuable ingredient in industries such as food and cosmetics. In addition, researchers are exploring the potential of lycopene in the treatment of various types of cancer. This systematic review, guided by the PRISMA 2020 methodology, examined studies exploring the possibility of tomato peel as a source of lycopene and carotenoids for cancer treatment. The findings suggest that tomato peel extracts exhibit promising anticancer properties, underscoring the need for further investigation of possible therapeutic applications. The compiled literature reveals significant potential for using tomato peel to create new cancer treatments, which could potentially revolutionize the field of oncology. This underscores the importance of continued research and exploration, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the scientific community's contribution to this promising area of study.

Novel diacylglycerol oil-based nanostructured lipid carriers improves the stability and digestibility of lycopene

Diacylglycerol (DAG) has garnered attention for its safe and nutritious qualities, and its utilization in emulsion systems to encapsulate hydrophobic bioactives is anticipated to enhance their bioaccessibility. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of DAG oil as a carrier on the stability and digestive characteristics of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) containing lycopene (LYC). The results indicated that DAG oil demonstrated superior storage and heating stability in comparison to triacylglycerol (TAG) oil. Furthermore, NLCs formulated with DAG oil exhibited a faster rate of lipolysis (>76.3%) and higher loading capacity (1.48%), resulting in an approximate 11% enhancement in the bioaccessibility of LYC (reaching up to 31.4%). DAG oils show considerable potential for enhancing and prolonging the properties and bioactivity of NLC carriers, thereby boosting bioaccessibility. The incorporation of DAG oil in food systems holds promise for enriching their functionality over traditional TAG oil.

LYC inhibits the AKT signaling pathway to activate autophagy and ameliorate TGFB-induced renal fibrosis

Renal fibrosis is a typical pathological change in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the predominant stage. Activation of macroautophagy/autophagy plays a crucial role in the process of EMT. Lycopene (LYC) is a highly antioxidant carotenoid with pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and mediation of autophagy. In this study, we demonstrated the specific mechanism of LYC in activating mitophagy and improving renal fibrosis. The enrichment analysis results of GO and KEGG showed that LYC had high enrichment values with autophagy. In this study, we showed that LYC alleviated aristolochic acid I (AAI)-induced intracellular expression of PINK1, TGFB/TGF-β, p-SMAD2, p-SMAD3, and PRKN/Parkin, recruited expression of MAP1LC3/LC3-II and SQSTM1/p62, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and ameliorated renal fibrosis in mice. When we simultaneously intervened NRK52E cells using bafilomycin A1 (Baf-A1), AAI, and LYC, intracellular MAP1LC3-II and SQSTM1 expression was significantly increased. A similar result was seen in renal tissue and cells when treated in vitro and in vivo with CQ, AAI, and LYC, and the inhibitory effect of LYC on the AAI-activated SMAD2-SMAD3 signaling pathway was attenuated. Molecular docking simulation experiments showed that LYC stably bound to the AKT active site. After intervention of cells with AAI and GSK-690693, the expression of PINK1, PRKN, MAP1LC3-II, BECN1, p-SMAD2 and p-SMAD3 was increased, and the expression of SQSTM1 was decreased. However, SC79 inhibited autophagy and reversed the inhibitory effect of LYC on EMT. The results showed that LYC could inhibit the AKT signaling pathway to activate mitophagy and reduce renal fibrosis.Abbreviation: AA: aristolochic acid; ACTA2/α-SMA: actin alpha 2, smooth muscle, aorta; ACTB: actin beta; AKT/protein kinase B: thymoma viral proto-oncogene; BAF-A1: bafilomycin A1; BECN1: beclin 1, autophagy related; CCN2/CTGF: cellular communication network factor 2; CDH1/E-Cadherin: cadherin 1; CKD: chronic kidney disease; COL1: collagen, type I; COL3: collagen, type III; CQ: chloroquine; ECM: extracellular matrix; EMT: epithelial-mesenchymal transition; FN1: fibronectin 1; LYC: lycopene; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; MMP: mitochondrial membrane potential; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase ; PI3K: phosphoinositide 3-kinase; PINK1: PTEN induced putative kinase 1; PRKN/Parkin: parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase; PPI: protein-protein interaction; SMAD2: SMAD family member 2; SMAD3: SMAD family member 3; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TGFB/TGFβ: transforming growth factor, beta; VIM: vimentin.

Unveiling the hidden role of extracellular vesicles in brain metastases: a comprehensive review

Background

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, transparent vesicles that can be found in various biological fluids and are derived from the amplification of cell membranes. Recent studies have increasingly demonstrated that EVs play a crucial regulatory role in tumorigenesis and development, including the progression of metastatic tumors in distant organs. Brain metastases (BMs) are highly prevalent in patients with lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma, and patients often experience serious complications and are often associated with a poor prognosis. The immune microenvironment of brain metastases was different from that of the primary tumor. Nevertheless, the existing review on the role and therapeutic potential of EVs in immune microenvironment of BMs is relatively limited.

Main body

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the published research literature, summarizing the vital role of EVs in BMs. Studies have demonstrated that EVs participate in the regulation of the BMs immune microenvironment, exemplified by their ability to modify the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, change immune cell infiltration, and activate associated cells for promoting tumor cell survival and proliferation. Furthermore, EVs have the potential to serve as biomarkers for disease surveillance and prediction of BMs.

Conclusion

Overall, EVs play a key role in the regulation of the immune microenvironment of brain metastasis and are expected to make advances in immunotherapy and disease diagnosis. Future studies will help reveal the specific mechanisms of EVs in brain metastases and use them as new therapeutic strategies.

MAPK/NF-κB signaling mediates atrazine-induced cardiorenal syndrome and antagonism of lycopene

Atrazine (ATZ) is the most prevalent herbicide that has been widely used in agriculture to control broadleaf weeds and improve crop yield and quality. The heavy use of ATZ has caused serious environmental pollution and toxicity to human health. Lycopene (LYC), is a carotenoid that exhibits numerous health benefits, such as prevention of cardiovascular diseases and nephropathy. However, it remains unclear that whether ATZ causes cardiorenal injury or even cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) and the beneficial role of LYC on it. To test this hypothesis, mice were treated with LYC and/or ATZ for 21 days by oral gavage. This study demonstrated that ATZ exposure caused cardiorenal morphological alterations, and several inflammatory cell infiltrations mediated by activating NF-κB signaling pathways. Interestingly, dysregulation of MAPK signaling pathways and MAPK phosphorylation caused by ATZ have been implicated in cardiorenal diseases. ATZ exposure up-regulated cardiac and renal injury associated biomarkers levels that suggested the occurrence of CRS. However, these all changes were reverted, and the phenomenon of CAR was disappeared by LYC co-treatment. Based on our findings, we postulated a novel mechanism to elucidate pesticide-induced CRS and indicated that LYC can be a preventive and therapeutic agent for treating CRS by targeting MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Lycopene as a Therapeutic Agent against Aflatoxin B1-Related Toxicity: Mechanistic Insights and Future Directions

Aflatoxin (AFT) contamination poses a significant global public health and safety concern, prompting widespread apprehension. Of the various AFTs, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) stands out for its pronounced toxicity and its association with a spectrum of chronic ailments, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Lycopene, a lipid-soluble natural carotenoid, has emerged as a potential mitigator of the deleterious effects induced by AFB1 exposure, spanning cardiac injury, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, intestinal damage, and reproductive impairment. This protective mechanism operates by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid peroxidation, and activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, facilitating the activation of mitochondrial biogenesis, the endogenous antioxidant system, and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1) pathways, as well as regulating the activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. This review provides an overview of the protective effects of lycopene against AFB1 exposure-induced toxicity and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, it explores the safety profile and potential clinical applications of lycopene. The present review underscores lycopene's potential as a promising detoxification agent against AFB1 exposure, with the intent to stimulate further research and practical utilization in this domain.

Lycopene Alleviates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Steatohepatitis through Inhibition of the ASK1-JNK Signaling Pathway

Lycopene has been proven to alleviate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but the precise mechanisms are inadequately elucidated. In this study, we found a previously unknown regulatory effect of lycopene on the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) signaling pathway in both in vivo and in vitro models. Lycopene supplementation (3 and 6 mg/kg/day) exhibited a significant reduction in lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis of the liver in mice fed with a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet or a methionine-choline-deficient diet. RNA sequencing uncovered that the mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathway, which is closely associated with inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, was significantly downregulated by lycopene. Furthermore, we found lycopene ameliorated ER swelling and decreased the expression levels of ER stress markers (i.e., immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein, C/EBP homologous protein, and X-box binding protein 1s). Especially, the inositol-requiring enzyme 1α involved in the ASK1 phosphorylation was inhibited by lycopene, resulting in the decline of the subsequent c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascade. ASK1 inhibitor DQOP-1 eliminated the lycopene-induced inhibition of the ASK1-JNK pathway in oleic acid and palmitic acid-induced HepG2 cells. Molecular docking further indicated hydrophobic interactions between lycopene and ASK1. Collectively, our research indicates that lycopene can alleviate ER stress and attenuate inflammation cascades and lipid accumulation by inhibiting the ASK1-JNK pathway.

Improvement of physicochemical properties of lycopene by the self-assembly encapsulation of recombinant ferritin GF1 from oyster (Crassostrea gigas)

BACKGROUND

Lycopene (LYC), a carotenoid found in abundance in ripe red fruits, exhibits higher singlet oxygen quenching activity than other carotenoids. However, the stability of LYC is extremely poor due to its high double-bond content. In this paper, a nano-encapsulation strategy based on highly stable marine-derived ferritin GF1 nanocages was used to improve the thermal stability and oxidation resistance of LYC, thereby boosting its functional effectiveness and industrial applicability.

RESULTS

The preparation of GF1-LYC nanoparticles benefited from the pH-responsive reversible self-assembly of GF1 to capture LYC molecules into GF1 cavities with a LYC-to-protein ratio of 51 to 1. After the encapsulation of the LYC, the reassembled GF1 nanocages maintained intact morphology and good monodispersity. The GF1-LYC nanoparticles incorporated the characteristic LYC peaks in spectrograms, and their powder form contained the crystalline form of LYC. Molecular docking revealed that LYC bound with the inner triple-axis channel areas of GF1, interacting with VAL139, LYS72, LYS65, TYR69, PHE129, HIS133, HIS62, and TYR134 amino acids through hydrophobic bonds. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy also demonstrated the bonding of GF1 and LYC. In comparison with free LYC, GF1 reduced the thermal degradation of encapsulated LYC at 37 °C significantly and maintained the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-scavenging ability of LYC.

CONCLUSION

As expected, the water solubility, thermal stability, and antioxidant capacity of encapsulated LYC from GF1-LYC nanoparticles was notably improved in comparison with free LYC, indicating that the shell-like marine ferritin nanoplatform might enhance the stable delivery of LYC and promote its utilization in the field of food nutrition and in other industries. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bioactive phytocompounds for oral cancer prevention and treatment: A comprehensive and critical evaluation

The high incidence of oral cancer combined with excessive treatment cost underscores the need for novel oral cancer preventive and therapeutic options. The value of natural agents, including plant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals), in preventing carcinogenesis and representing expansive source of anticancer drugs have been established. While fragmentary research data are available on antioral cancer effects of phytochemicals, a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the potential of these agents for the prevention and intervention of human oral malignancies has not been conducted according to our knowledge. This study presents a complete and critical analysis of current preclinical and clinical results on the prevention and treatment of oral cancer using phytochemicals. Our in-depth analysis highlights anticancer effects of various phytochemicals, such as phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids, and sulfur-containing compounds, against numerous oral cancer cells and/or in vivo oral cancer models by antiproliferative, proapoptotic, cell cycle-regulatory, antiinvasive, antiangiogenic, and antimetastatic effects. Bioactive phytochemicals exert their antineoplastic effects by modulating various signaling pathways, specifically involving the epidermal growth factor receptor, cytokine receptors, toll-like receptors, and tumor necrosis factor receptor and consequently alter the expression of downstream genes and proteins. Interestingly, phytochemicals demonstrate encouraging effects in clinical trials, such as reduction of oral lesion size, cell growth, pain score, and development of new lesions. While most phytochemicals displayed minimal toxicity, concerns with bioavailability may limit their clinical application. Future directions for research include more in-depth mechanistic in vivo studies, administration of phytochemicals using novel formulations, investigation of phytocompounds as adjuvants to conventional treatment, and randomized clinical trials.

Effects of Functional and Nutraceutical Foods in the Context of the Mediterranean Diet in Patients Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Several studies report that breast cancer survivors (BCS) tend to have a poor diet, as fruit, vegetable, and legume consumption is often reduced, resulting in a decreased intake of nutraceuticals. Moreover, weight gain has been commonly described among BCS during treatment, increasing recurrence rate and mortality. Improving lifestyle and nutrition after the diagnosis of BC may have important benefits on patients' general health and on specific clinical outcomes. The Mediterranean diet (MD), known for its multiple beneficial effects on health, can be considered a nutritional pool comprising several nutraceuticals: bioactive compounds and foods with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Recent scientific advances have led to the identification of nutraceuticals that could amplify the benefits of the MD and favorably influence gene expression in these patients. Nutraceuticals could have beneficial effects in the postdiagnostic phase of BC, including helping to mitigate the adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Moreover, the MD could be a valid and easy-to-follow option for managing excess weight. The aim of this narrative review is to evaluate the recent scientific literature on the possible beneficial effects of consuming functional and nutraceutical foods in the framework of MD in BCS.

The Importance of Antioxidant Activity for the Health-Promoting Effect of Lycopene

Lycopene is a compound of colored origin that shows strong antioxidant activity. The positive effect of lycopene is the result of its pleiotropic effect. The ability to neutralize free radicals via lycopene is one of the foundations of its pro-health effect, including the ability to inhibit the development of many civilization diseases. Therefore, this study focuses on the importance of the antioxidant effect of lycopene in inhibiting the development of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diseases within the nervous system, diabetes, liver diseases, and ulcerative colitis. According to the research mentioned, lycopene supplementation has significant promise for the treatment of illnesses marked by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the majority of the supporting data for lycopene's health benefits comes from experimental research, whereas the evidence from clinical studies is both scarcer and less certain of any health benefits. Research on humans is still required to establish its effectiveness.

Associations between colorectal cancer risk and dietary intake of tomato, tomato products, and lycopene: evidence from a prospective study of 101,680 US adults

Background

Previous epidemiological studies have yielded inconsistent results regarding the effects of dietary tomato, tomato products, and lycopene on the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), possibly due to variations in sample sizes and study designs.

Methods

The current study used multivariable Cox regression, subgroup analyses, and restricted cubic spline functions to investigate correlations between CRC incidence and mortality and raw tomato, tomato salsa, tomato juice, tomato catsup, and lycopene intake, as well as effect modifiers and nonlinear dose-response relationships in 101,680 US adults from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial.

Results

During follow-up 1100 CRC cases and 443 CRC-specific deaths occurred. After adjustment for confounding variables, high consumption of tomato salsa was significantly associated with a reduced risk of CRC incidence (hazard ratio comparing the highest category with the lowest category 0.8, 95% confidence interval 0.65-0.99, p for trend = 0.039), but not with a reduced risk of CRC mortality. Raw tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato catsup, and lycopene consumption were not significantly associated with CRC incidence or CRC mortality. No potential effect modifiers or nonlinear associations were detected, indicating the robustness of the results.

Conclusion

In the general US population a higher intake of tomato salsa is associated with a lower CRC incidence, suggesting that tomato salsa consumption has beneficial effects in terms of cancer prevention, but caution is warranted when interpreting these findings. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate its potential effects in other populations.

PBAT/PLA humic acid biodegradable film applied on solar greenhouse tomato plants increased lycopene and decreased total acid contents

This work aims to resolve residual film pollution in farmlands and improve tomato quality. The mechanical properties and degradation of PBAT/PLA lignin (MZS) and PBAT/PLA humic acid (FZS) composite biodegradable film were analyzed, and its effect on soil temperature and humidity, soil microorganisms, soil physical and chemical properties, tomato yield, and quality was studied. Polyethylene film (PE) was used as a control. The results demonstrate a higher degradation degree of FZS film than of MZS film. The degradation degree of FZS and MZS films reached level 2 and level 1, respectively, after 131 days of film covering. The weight loss rate of FZS and MZS films reached 52.74 % and 57.82 %, respectively, when buried for 160 days. Compared to the coverings of PE and MZS films, FZS film could significantly increase the soil's electric conductivity and organic matter content (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of soil fungi Chaetomium also increased. The yield, soluble solids, vitamin C (Vc), soluble sugar, and lycopene of tomato plants covered with FZS film significantly increased by 6.74 %, 8.75 %, 15.41 %, 8.30 %, and 27.27 % compared to plants covered with PE film, and the total acid and hardness significantly decreased by 24.95 % and 8.46 %, respectively (p < 0.05). Using 10 μm PBAT/PLA humic acid biodegradable film for tomato cultivation in autumn and winter increased the lycopene and decreased the total acid content by changing the soil's physical and chemical characteristics and increasing the content of Chaetomium soil.

The Synergistic Effects of the Combination of L-Carnitine and Lycopene on the Lycopene Bioavailability and Duodenal Health of Roosters

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of Lycopene and L-Carnitine, individually or in combination, on various physiological and molecular factors related to intestinal health and absorption ability in Roosters, such as intestinal morphology, serum biochemical parameters, genes involved in Lycopene uptake, nutritional transport genes, and tight junction genes. The findings of the study revealed that the combination of L-Carnitine and Lycopene supplementation had been found to increase the serum concentration levels of TP and ALB. Interestingly, the relative mRNA expression of genes responsible for Lycopene uptakes, such as SR-BI and BCO2, was higher in the LC group compared to other groups. Additionally, the expression of specific nutritional transport genes in the duodenum was significantly affected by both CAR and LC supplementation groups. The tight junction gene OCLN showed a significant increase in expression in the combination group compared to using either Lycopene or L-Carnitine alone. This study concludes that using Lycopene and L-carnitine in combination in poultry feed can potentially improve intestinal morphology and serum biochemical parameters, increase Lycopene bioavailability, improve nutrients uptake, and enhance the integrity of duodenal tight junctions in Roosters.

Nano-Nutraceuticals for Health: Principles and Applications

The use of nanotechnological products is increasing steadily. In this scenario, the application of nanotechnology in food science and as a technological platform is a reality. Among the several applications, the main use of this technology is for the development of foods and nutraceuticals with higher bioavailability, lower toxicity, and better sustainability. In the health field, nano-nutraceuticals are being used as supplementary products to treat an increasing number of diseases. This review summarizes the main concepts and applications of nano-nutraceuticals for health, with special focus on treating cancer and inflammation.

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43450-022-00338-7.

Molecular Target Interactions of Quinoline Derivatives as Anticancer Agents: A Review

One of the leading causes of death worldwide is cancer, which poses substantial risks to both society and an individual's life. Cancer therapy is still challenging, despite developments in the field and continued research into cancer prevention. The search for novel anticancer active agents with a broader cytotoxicity range is therefore continuously ongoing. The benzene ring gets fused to a pyridine ring at two carbon atoms close to one another to form the double ring structure of the heterocyclic aromatic nitrogen molecule known as quinoline (1-azanaphthalene). Quinoline derivatives contain a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antitubercular, antifungal, antibacterial, and antimalarial properties. Quinoline derivatives have also been shown to have anticancer properties. There are many quinoline derivatives widely available as anticancer drugs that act via a variety of mechanisms on various molecular targets, such as inhibition of topoisomerase, inhibition of tyrosine kinases, inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs), inhibition of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and inhibition of tubulin polymerization.

Diet-derived antioxidants and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Whether supplementation with diet-derived antioxidants is beneficial for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is still controversial and we hope to answer this question using population-based genetic data.

METHODS

A total of 8485 NAFLD cases and 658,849 healthy controls from four independent NAFLD genome-wide association studies were enrolled in this study. Genetic variants closely associated with the diet-derived antioxidants were selected to predict their circulating levels. A bi-directional Mendelian randomization (MR) design was employed to assess their causations.

RESULTS

Genetic correlation analyses suggested inverse associations between diet-derived antioxidants and NAFLD. MR analyses indicated that the odds ratio (OR) of per standard deviation increase in genetically predicted toenail and blood selenium was 1.179 for NAFLD (95% confidence interval [1.083-1.284]). Also, the genetically elevated selenium level was causally associated with increased levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, alkaline phosphatase and glycated hemoglobin. The OR of 1 µg/dL increase in genetically predicted serum lycopene was 1.082 (95%CI [1.051-1.113]). No other causal associations were found for NAFLD. However, we observed protective effects of genetically predicted β-carotene (OR = 0.929[0.911-0.947]) and retinol (OR = 0.483[0.460-0.508]) on type 2 diabetes (T2D), and further they could reduce the serum levels of blood lipids and glucose. Reverse MR analysis suggested genetically predicated NAFLD status would not affect the levels of diet-derived antioxidants.

CONCLUSION

Overall, we observed the positive associations of genetically predicted selenium and lycopene with NAFLD. However, the genetically predicted β-carotene and retinol levels were inversely associated with the risk of T2D.

Lycopene attenuates the inflammation and apoptosis in aristolochic acid nephropathy by targeting the Nrf2 antioxidant system

Lycopene (LYC) is a carotenoid, has antioxidant properties. This study investigated whether lycopene attenuates aristolochic acids (AAs) -induced chronic kidney disease. In this experiment, lycopene was used to intervene C57BL/6 mice with renal injury induced by aristolochic acid exposure. The histomorphological changes and serological parameters of the kidney were measured in order to assess the alleviating effect of lycopene on renal injury in aristolochic acid nephropathy. In vitro and in vivo experiments were carried out to verify the main mechanism of action and drug targets of lycopene in improving aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) and by various experimental methods such as ELISA, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western-blot and qRT-PCR. The results showed that oxidative stress injury was induced in the kidney of mice after AAI exposure, resulting in inflammatory response and tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. The results showed that the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling pathway was inhibited after AAI exposure. AAI induces oxidative stress injury in the kidney, which ultimately leads to inflammation and tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. After LYC intervened in the body, it activated Nrf2 nuclear translocation and its downstream HO-1 and NQO1 antioxidant signaling pathways. LYC inhibited ROS production by renal tubular epithelial cells, and alleviated mitochondrial damage. LYC further modulated the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling cascade, thereby reduced the accumulation of inflammatory factors in the renal interstitium. Moreover, LYC was able to up-regulate the expression of Bcl-2, down-regulate Bax expression and inhibit the activation of cleaved forms of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3, which finally attenuated the apoptosis of the mitochondrial pathway induced by AAI exposure. It was concluded that lycopene was able to activate the Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathway to maintain the homeostasis of renal oxidative stress and ultimately attenuated renal inflammatory response and apoptosis. These results suggested that lycopene can be used as a drug to relieve AAN.

Phthalate-induced testosterone/androgen receptor pathway disorder on spermatogenesis and antagonism of lycopene

Male infertility is an attracting growing concern owing to decline in sperm quality of men worldwide. Phthalates, in particular to di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) or its main metabolite mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), affect male reproductive development and function, which mainly accounts for reduction in male fertility. Lycopene (LYC) is a natural antioxidant agent that has been recognized as a possible therapeutic option for treating male infertility. Testosterone (T)/androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway is involved in maintaining spermatogenesis and male fertility. How DEHP causes spermatogenesis disturbance and whether LYC could prevent DEHP-induced male reproductive toxicity have remained unclear. Using in vivo and vitro approaches, we demonstrated that DEHP caused T biosynthesis reduction in Leydig cell and secretory function disorder in Sertoli cell, and thereby resulted in spermatogenic impairment. Results also showed that MEHP caused mitochondrial damage and oxidative damage, which imposes a serious threat to the progress of spermatogenesis. However, LYC supplement reversed these changes. Mechanistically, DEHP contributed to male infertility via perturbing T/AR signaling pathway during spermatogenesis. Overall, our study reveals critical role for T/AR signal transduction in male fertility and provides promising insights into the protective role of LYC in phthalate-induced male reproductive disorders.

Lycopene-Loaded Bilosomes Ameliorate High-Fat Diet-Induced Chronic Nephritis in Mice through the TLR4/MyD88 Inflammatory Pathway

Chronic kidney disease caused by a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome has received widespread attention. Lycopene has a wide range of biological activities and can improve a variety of chronic diseases through anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, HFD-fed mice were used as a metabolic syndrome model to evaluate the protective effect of lycopene in a sustained-release vehicle (bilosomes) in the small intestine against renal injury and to determine whether the TLR4/MyD88 pathway and related metabolic pathways are involved in this process. The results showed that lycopene bilosomes alleviated HFD-induced kidney damage, as evidenced by lower serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid levels. Histopathology studies showed that lycopene bilosomes attenuated HFD-induced tubular cell and glomerular injury. In addition, Elisa, RT-PCR, and Western blotting results showed that lycopene bilosomes also reduced the expression of inflammatory factors such as TLR4, MyD88, NF-kB, TNF-a, and IL-6 in mouse kidneys. The mechanism was to attenuate renal inflammatory response by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88 inflammatory pathway. These findings suggested that lycopene can alleviate nephritis and metabolic disorders caused by HFD, inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88 inflammatory pathway and its downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines and further regulating the vitamin K metabolism, beta-alanine metabolism, and glutathione metabolism pathways to relieve chronic nephritis.

Connexin-43 is a promising target for lycopene preventing phthalate-induced spermatogenic disorders

INTRODUCTION

Male infertility is a multifactorial pathological condition and may be a harbinger of future health. Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that have been implicated in the global decline in male fertility. Among them, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most prevalently used. Lycopene (LYC) is a possible preventive and therapeutic agent for male infertility owing to its antioxidant properties. The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is formed between Sertoli cells where it creates a unique microenvironment for spermatogenesis.

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesize that phthalate caused male infertility and LYC plays an important role in phthalate-induced male fertility disorders.

METHODS

Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, ultrastructure observation, and fluorescence microscopy were used to examine the morphological changes. RNA-Seq, and western blotting were conducted to detect gene and protein levels. Routine testing for sperm morphology and sperm-egg binding assay were conducted to examine the morphological structure and function of sperm. Cell scratch assay and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) were used to detect cell migration capacity and barrier integrity.

RESULTS

In vivo experiments, we showed that LYC prevented DEHP-induced impairment of BTB integrity, which provided a guarantee for the smooth progress of spermatogenesis. LYC improved DEHP-induced change in sperm parameters and fertilization ability. Subsequent in vitro experiments, LYC alleviated MEHP-induced disruption of intercellular junctions in mouse Spermatogonia cells (GC-1 cells) and mouse Sertoli cells (TM4 cells). In MEHP-induced BTB impairment models of Sertoli cells, treatment with LYC or overexpressing connexin-43 (Cx43) promoted cell migration capacity and normalized BTB integrity. Cx43 knockdown inhibited cell migration capacity and perturbed BTB reassembly in LYC preventing DEHP-induced BTB impairment.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides evidence for the role of LYC in phthalates-induced spermatogenic disorders and points to Cx43 as a potential target for male fertility.

Nano-delivery systems for food bioactive compounds in cancer: prevention, therapy, and clinical applications

Bioactive compounds represent a broad class of dietary metabolites derived from fruits and vegetables, such as polyphenols, carotenoids and glucosinolates with potential for cancer prevention. Curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, and β-carotene have been the most widely applied bioactive compounds in chemoprevention. Lately, many approaches to encapsulating bioactive components in nano-delivery systems have improved biomolecules' stability and targeted delivery. In this review, we critically analyze nano-delivery systems for bioactive compounds, including polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), liposomes, niosomes, and nanoemulsions (NEs) for potential use in cancer therapy. Efficacy studies of the nanoformulations using cancer cell lines and in vivo models and updated human clinical trials are also discussed. Nano-delivery systems were found to improve the therapeutic efficacy of bioactive molecules against various types of cancer (e.g., breast, prostate, colorectal and lung cancer) mainly due to the antiproliferation and pro-apoptotic effects of tumor cells. Furthermore, some bioactive compounds have promised combination therapy with standard chemotherapeutic agents, with increased tumor efficiency and fewer side effects. These opportunities were identified and developed to ensure more excellent safety and efficacy of novel herbal medicines enabling novel insights for designing nano-delivery systems for bioactive compounds applied in clinical cancer therapy.

Effects of Torreya grandis Kernel Oil on Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Flora in C57BL/6J Mice

Background

Recent experimental studies have shown that vegetable oil supplementation ameliorates high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in mice via modulating hepatic lipid metabolism and the composition of the gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the Torreya grandis kernel oil (TKO) rich in unpolysaturated fatty acid against hyperlipidemia and gain a deep insight into its potential mechanisms.

Methods

Normal mice were randomly divided into three groups: ND (normal diet), LO (normal diet supplement with 4% TKO), and HO (normal diet supplement with 8% TKO). Hyperlipidemia mice were randomly divided into two groups: HFN (normal diet) and HFO (normal diet supplement with 8% TKO). Blood biochemistry and histomorphology were observed; liver RNA-seq, metabolomics, and gut 16S rRNA were analyzed.

Results

Continuous supplementation of TKO in normal mice significantly ameliorated serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and free fatty acid (FFA) accumulation, decreased blood glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA), and enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels. According to GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid pathways, and significantly changed metabolites (SCMs) might be involved in the metabolism of lipids. High-dose TKO improved gut alpha diversity and beta diversity showing that the microbial community compositions of the five groups were different.

Conclusion

Supplementation of TKO functions in the prevention of hyperlipidemia via regulating hepatic lipid metabolism and enhancing microbiota richness in normal mice. Our study is the first to reveal the mechanism of TKO regulating blood lipid levels by using multiomics and promote further studies on TKO for their biological activity.

In Vitro Imaging of Lycopene Delivery to Prostate Cancer Cells

The ability to monitor the uptake and distribution of food nutrients in in vitro cell culture models is key to understanding the efficacy of these nutraceuticals to treat and prevent disease. Lycopene is a carotenoid found in chloroplasts and chromoplasts of tomatoes, providing the familiar red color, and a bioactive that inhibits prostate carcinogenesis. We employed live-cell Raman microscopy to visualize lycopene delivery from tween 80 micelles into PC-3 prostate cancer cells. The tween 80 micelle provides a mimic of natural lipoprotein complexes that deliver lycopene in vivo, overcomes the low aqueous solubility of lycopene and challenges replicating physiological uptake to cells, and provides a stable signal to assess cellular uptake of the nutraceutical formulation. The Raman images indicate subcellular localization of the lycopene within the cells. The lycopene Raman signal is resonantly enhanced at an excitation wavelength of 532 nm, providing a convenient, sensitive, and label-free technique to detect and quantify lycopene uptake in living cells. Analysis of the acquired Raman spectra in the maps determines the concentration of lycopene at each point in the cell. In addition to the expected lycopene Raman signal, Raman scattering from the tween 80 vehicle is also mapped in the cells. The Raman data correlates with scattering features observed in darkfield microscopy images of the cells, which display the cell membrane and other features for reference. Overall, the Raman maps indicate lycopene likely accumulates in lipid membranes of cytoplasmic organelles.

miR-664b-3p inhibits colon cell carcinoma via negatively regulating Budding uninhibited by benzimidazole 3

MiR-664b-3p has been reported to play a crucial role in cancer progression. This research explores the biological effect and molecular mechanisms of miR-664b-3p in cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of colon cancer. The expression level of miR-664b-3p and Budding uninhibited by benzimidazole 3 (Bub3) in colon cancer cell lines and tissues were detected and analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR and bioinformatics method. The Western blot measured the expression level of proliferation-related, migration-related, and apoptosis-related proteins. CCK-8 assessed cell viability, and the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected by the Edu assay, wound-healing assay, and transwell assay, respectively. Annexin/propidium iodide (PI) assays detected apoptosis of cells. The target of miR-664b-3p was predicted by bioinformatics methods and then validated by gene engineering technology. MiR-664b-3p was downregulated in colon cancer tissues and cells. The cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of cells were inhibited after transfecting by miR-664b-3p mimics, whereas apoptosis was promoted. Over-expression of miR-664b-3p could reduce the expression of proliferation-promoted proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), proliferation marker protein Ki-67 (Ki-67), migration-promoted Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Matrix Metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2), and Matrix Metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), and apoptosis-inhibited protein (Bcl-2) while increasing the expression of apoptosis-promoted BCL2-Associated X Protein (Bax), caspase-3, and caspase-9 proteins. The study indicated that miR-664b-3p plays a significant role in colon cancer and could regulate the progression of colon cancer tumor growth by suppressing the expression of BUB3 protein. These findings provide a novel strategy to screen and treat colon cancer.

Design, synthesis, and anticancer activity of cinnamoylated barbituric acid derivatives

Background As reactive and biomimetic pharmacophores, heterocycles have found a potent impact in the domain of medicinal chemistry. Aim This work deals with the design and synthesis of 18 barbituric acid derivatives bearing 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid and cinnamic acid scaffolds to find potent anticancer agents. Methodology The target molecules were obtained through Knoevenagel condensation and acylation reaction. The cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT assay. Flowcytometry was performed to determined the cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, ROS levels and the loss of MMP. The ratios of GSH/GSSG and the MDA levels were determined by using UV spectrophotometry. Results The results revealed that introducing substitutions (-CF3, -OCF3, -F) on the meta- of the benzyl ring of barbituric acid derivatives led to a considerable increase in the antiproliferative activities compared with that of corresponding ortho- and para-substituted barbituric acid derivatives. Mechanism investigation implied that the 1c could increase the ROS and MDA level, decrease the ratio of GSH/GSSG and MMP, and lead to cell cycle arrest. Conclusion Further research is needed for structural optimization to enhance hydrophilicity, thereby improve the biological activity of these compounds.

Lycopene protects sperm from oxidative stress in the experimental varicocele model

Oxidative stress (OS) is an important parameter in the evaluation of infertility caused by varicocele. Antioxidants are the most commonly prescribed drugs in these patients. Lycopene molecule, as the powerful antioxidant in the carotenoid family, has beneficial effects on improving fertility in males. Therefore, we investigated the effects of lycopene on induced OS by varicocele in an animal model. Forty-five adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control (n = 12) and varicocele (n = 33). Two months after induced varicocele, five rats in each group were sacrificed randomly and induced varicocele was investigated. Remained rats were divided into five groups (n = 7), including the control (I), varicocele (II), varicocele reserving solvent (III), varicocele reserving lycopene 4 mg/kg (IV), and 10 mg/kg (V) for two months. At the end of the experiment, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), %DNA damage, and antioxidant enzymatic levels were measured. The results indicated that there were significant increases in the levels of ROS, MDA, DNA damage, superoxide dismutase (SOD), sperm concentration, and motility in the varicocele groups compared with the control group. In the lycopene group (10 mg/kg), sperm concentration, the levels of TAC, and catalase (CAT) activity were improved so the levels of ROS, MDA, and %DNA damage were reduced compared with varicocele group. Our findings indicated that the administration of lycopene especially at a dose of 10 mg/kg in the varicocele group could protect sperm from OS and sperm DNA damage by increasing antioxidant activity and reducing ROS.

The steroidal alkaloids α-tomatine and tomatidine: Panorama of their mode of action and pharmacological properties

The steroidal glycoalkaloid α-tomatine (αTM) and its aglycone tomatidine (TD) are abundant in the skin of unripe green tomato and present in tomato leaves and flowers. They mainly serve as defensive agents to protect the plant against infections by insects, bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. In addition, the two products display a range of pharmacological properties potentially useful to treat various human diseases. We have analyzed all known pharmacological activities of αTM and TD, and the corresponding molecular targets and pathways impacted by these two steroidal alkaloids. In experimental models, αTM displays anticancer effects, particularly strong against androgen-independent prostate cancer, as well as robust antifungal effects. αTM is a potent cholesterol binder, useful as a vaccine adjuvant to improve delivery of protein antigens or therapeutic oligonucleotides. TD is a much less cytotoxic compound, able to restrict the spread of certain viruses (such as dengue, chikungunya and porcine epidemic diarrhea viruses) and to provide cardio and neuro-protective effects toward human cells. Both αTM and TD exhibit marked anti-inflammatory activities. They proceed through multiple signaling pathways and protein targets, including the sterol C24 methyltransferase Erg6 and vitamin D receptor, both directly targeted by TD. αTM is a powerful regulator of the NFkB/ERK signaling pathway implicated in various diseases. Collectively, the analysis shed light on the multitargeted action of αTM/TD and their usefulness as chemo-preventive or chemotherapeutic agents. A novel medicinal application for αTM is proposed.