Targeting excessive angiogenesis with functional foods and nutraceuticals

Herbal Components Inspiring Current Lifestyle Disease Treatment: Role of Nutraceuticals

Nutraceuticals are the foods that are used to prevent and cure diseases. Food and nutrients are essential for the body's normal function and aid in the maintenance of an individual's health and prevent various diseases. Nutraceuticals are medicinal foods that aid in the maintenance of health, the enhancement of immunity, and the prevention and treatment of specific diseases. The markets of nutraceuticals are one of the fastest-growing industry segments. The prime reason for this accelerated market growth lies in the fact that nutraceuticals are low cost, can prevent diseases to occur, hence, can save the health care cost, have more nutritional value, and many others. Nutraceuticals can be classified on different foundations based on what they promise, natural sources, and nutraceutical food available in the market. This article will discuss those classifications in detail along with the role of nutraceuticals in lifestyle diseases, regulations, market trends, and prospects of nutraceuticals. The article will also highlight the concern areas which play as the limiting factor in the nutraceuticals industry growth like lack of quality control, lack of data on its working, and many other things.

Antitumor and anti-angiogenic potentials of isolated crude saponins and various fractions of Rumex hastatus D. Don

Background

Cancer, being the foremost challenge of the modern era and the focus of world-class investigators, gargantuan research is in progress worldwide to explore novel therapeutic for its management. The exploitation of natural sources has been proven to be an excellent approach to treat or minify the excessive angiogenesis and proliferation of cells. Similarly, based the ethnomedicinal uses and literature survey, the current study is designed to explore the anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic potentials of Rumexhastatus. Anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activities were carried out using potato-disc model and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay respectively. Moreover, R. hastatus was also assessed for antibacterial activity against Agrobacteriumtumefaciens (tumor causing bacterial strain). The positive controls used in anti-tumor, anti-angiogenic and antibacterial activities were vincristine sulphate, dexamethasone and cefotaxime respectively.

Results

The crude saponins (Rh.Sp), methanolic extract (Rh.Cr) and other solvent extracts like n-hexane (Rh.Hex), chloroform (Rh.Chf), ethylacetate (Rh.EtAc) and aqueous fraction (Rh.Aq) exhibited notable anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activities. In potato tumor assay, the chloroform and saponin fractions were observed to be the most effective showing 86.7 and 93.3 % tumor inhibition at 1000 µg/ml with IC₅₀ values 31.6 and 18.1 µg/ml respectively. Similarly, these two samples i.e., chloroform and saponins also excelled among the entire test samples in anti-angiogenic evaluation exhibiting 81.6 % (IC₅₀ = 17.9 µg/ml) and 78.9 % (IC₅₀ = 64.9 µg/ml) at 1000 µg/ml respectively. In contrast, the antibacterial investigations revealed a negligible potential against A. tumefaciens.

Conclusion

Based on our results we can claim that R. hastatus possesses both anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic potentials. In all of the solvent fractions, Rh.Chf and Rh.Sp were most effective against tumor and angiogenesis while having negligible activity against A. tumefaciens. It can be concluded that Rh.Chf and Rh.Sp might be potential targets in the isolation of natural product having anti-neoplastic action.

Fresh from the Ornamental Garden: Hips of Selected Rose Cultivars Rich in Phytonutrients

Morphological parameters (size, weight, color), the content of sugars, organic acids, lycopene, β-carotene, and phenolics were determined in hips of Rosa canina (RCA), Rosa sweginzowii (RSW), Rosa rugosa (RUG), and selected ornamental Rosa cultivars Fru Dagmar Hastrup (FDH), Repandia (REP), Veilchenblau (RVB), Aloha (RAL), Bonica (BON), and Golden Gate (RGG). Although traditionally used RCA hips contained the highest amount of cyanidin-3-glucoside (83 μg/g DW) and were the reddest (h° = 17.5), they did not stand out in other analyzed parameters. RGG climber had the biggest hips (8.86 g), which also contained highest sugar levels (50.9 g/100 g DW). RAL stood out as the cultivar rich in organic acids (33.9 g/100 g DW), mainly because of high quinic acid content (17.6 g/100g DW). FDH and RSW hips were characterized by particularly high ascorbic acid levels (4325 mg/100 g DW and 4711 mg/100 g DW). Other ornamental cultivars contained low amounts of ascorbic acid compared to the analyzed species. The phenolic profile was species/cultivars-specific. The greatest diversity of phenolic compounds was detected in RUG and FDH hips (55 and 54 different tentatively identified compounds with HPLC/MS). Flavanols represented the main phenolic class in most of the investigated species/cultivars and RGG hips contained the highest amount of catechin and proanthocyandin derivatives (15855 μg/g DW). Altogether RAL hips contained the highest quantity of phenolics (44746 μg/g DW) mainly due to high levels of hydrolysable tannins compared to other species/cultivars. Although small, hips of BON and REP were most abundant regarding β-carotene and lycopene content, respectively.

Flavanols from evening primrose (Oenothera paradoxa) defatted seeds inhibit prostate cells invasiveness and cause changes in Bcl-2/Bax mRNA ratio

In this study, we assessed the influence of an evening primrose flavanol preparation (EPFP) on proliferation and invasiveness of human prostate cancer cells (DU 145) and immortalized prostate epithelial cells (PNT1A). We report for the first time that EPFP reduces DU 145 cell proliferation (IC50 = 97 μM GAE for 72 h incubation) and invasiveness (by 24% versus control at 75 μM GAE). EPFP strongly inhibited PNT1A invasiveness in a concentration-dependent manner (by 67% versus control at 75 μM GAE) and did not cause a reduction in their proliferation. Furthermore, EPFP inhibited the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 secreted to culture medium by PNT1A cells by 84% and 34% versus control at 100 μM GAE, respectively. In the case of DU 145, MMP-9 activity at 100 μM GAE was reduced by 37% versus control. Moreover, the evening primrose seed flavanols suppressed the expression of selected genes (MMP-1, MMP-9, MMP-14, c-Fos, c-Jun, and VEGF) and also caused favorable changes in Bcl-2/Bax mRNA ratio which render DU 145 cells more sensitive to apoptosis-triggering agents. An additional confirmation of the proapoptotic activity of EPFP toward DU 145 was visualization of characteristic apoptotic bodies by DAPI staining. In conclusion, this study suggests that EPFP may increase apoptosis and reduce angiogenesis of prostate cancer cells.

A simple GC-MS method for the screening of betulinic, corosolic, maslinic, oleanolic and ursolic acid contents in commercial botanicals used as food supplement ingredients

The occurrence of triterpene pentacyclic acids in plants is extensive, but little is known about their availability in commercial extracts. A simple GC-MS method for the simultaneous determination of betulinic, corosolic, maslinic, oleanolic and ursolic acids was developed and applied to 38 different commercial plant extracts sold as ingredients for dietary supplements. A suitable protocol was set up to perform routine control of a diverse array of samples with different botanical, chemical and physical characteristics. Remarkable quantities of corosolic acid were found in dried extracts from aerial parts of Lagerstroemia speciosa and Ortosiphon stamineus (14233 and 1132 mg/kg, respectively), while oleanolic acid was abundant in O. stamineus and Crataegus monogyna flowers (2774 and 2339 mg/kg); ursolic was identified in O. stamineus, C. monogyna, L. speciosa and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi leaves (7773, 4165, 2108 and 1034 mg/kg). Only L. speciosa was rich in maslinic acid (4958 mg/kg), while minor amounts of betulinic acid (257 and 80 mg/kg) were detected in L. speciosa and C. monogyna extracts. Lower quantities of triterpenic acids were identified in dried extracts of Harpagophyton procumbens root, propolis, Punica granatum root, Styrax benzoin, Vaccinium myrtillus fruits and Vitis vinifera seeds. Decoctions and fluid extracts lacked or contained very low amounts of triterpenic acids. Results are discussed in terms of quality and safety of these ingredients.

Cat's whiskers tea (Orthosiphon stamineus) extract inhibits growth of colon tumor in nude mice and angiogenesis in endothelial cells via suppressing VEGFR phosphorylation

Cat's whiskers (Orthosiphon stamineus) is commonly used as Java tea to treat kidney stones including a variety of angiogenesis-dependent diseases such as tumorous edema, rheumatism, diabetic blindness, and obesity. In the present study, antitumor potential of standardized 50% ethanol extract of O. stamineus leaves (EOS) was evaluated against colorectal tumor in athymic mice and antiangiogenic efficacy of EOS was investigated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). EOS at 100 mg/kg caused 47.62 ± 6.4% suppression in tumor growth, while at 200 mg/kg it caused 83.39 ± 4.1% tumor regression. Tumor histology revealed significant reduction in extent of vascularization. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed EOS (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in vitro (211 ± 0.26 pg/ml cell lysate) as well as in vivo (90.9 ± 2 pg/g tissue homogenate) when compared to the control (378 ± 5 and 135.5 ± 4 pg, respectively). However, EOS was found to be noncytotoxic to colon cancer and endothelial cells. In vitro, EOS significantly inhibited the migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). EOS suppressed VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGF receptor-2 in HUVECs. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of EOS showed high rosmarinic acid contents, whereas phytochemical analysis revealed high protein and phenolic contents. These results demonstrated that the antitumor activity of EOS may be due to its VEGF-targeted antiangiogenicity.

Antioxidant phytochemicals against type 2 diabetes

Dietary phytochemicals, of which polyphenols form a considerable part, may affect the risk of obesity-associated chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. This article presents an overview on how phytochemicals, especially polyphenols in fruits, vegetables, berries, beverages and herbal medicines, may modify imbalanced lipid and glucose homeostasis thereby reducing the risk of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes complications.

Inhibition of Caco-2 colon, MCF-7 and Hs578T breast, and DU 145 prostatic cancer cell proliferation by water-soluble black bean condensed tannins

The potential anti-angiogenic activities of water-soluble condensed tannins isolated from black beans were evaluated using HEL 299 normal human fibroblast lung cells, Caco-2 colon, MCF-7 and Hs578T breast, and DU 145 human prostatic cancer cells. Condensed tannins at 0.24-24 microM did not affect the growth of normal cells, but dose-dependently induced cancer cell death by apoptosis as shown by a concentration-dependent decrease in ATP and cell gross morphology. After 24h exposure to Caco-2, MCF-7, Hs578T, and DU 145 cancer cells, water-soluble black bean condensed tannins at 24 microM suppressed fetal bovine serum stimulated cell migration, the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2 or gelatinase A), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9 or gelatinase B), and vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF(165) receptor expression by the cancer cells in the conditioned media. The potential health enhancing properties of condensed tannins from black beans as inhibitors of angiogenesis is discussed.

Angiogenesis: from plants to blood vessels

Angiogenesis is a major pathological component of diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease. Although major advances have been made and encouraging clinical results obtained, safer and more effective approaches are required. The identification of new drugs from plants has a long and successful history, and certain proangiogenic and antiangiogenic plant components have been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Similar to Western combination therapy, TCM uses mixtures of plant extracts, termed fufang, to maximize efficacy and minimize adverse effects or toxicity. More evidence-based research and chemical optimization of these compounds could further enhance the effectiveness of these plant-based medicines in angiotherapy.

Inhibition of angiogenesis and endothelial cell functions are novel sulforaphane-mediated mechanisms in chemoprevention

Sulforaphane, an aliphatic isothiocyanate, is a known cancer chemopreventive agent. Aiming to investigate antiangiogenic potential of sulforaphane, we here report a potent decrease of newly formed microcapillaries in a human in vitro antiangiogenesis model, with an IC50 of 0.08 micromol/L. The effects of sulforaphane on endothelial cell functions essential for angiogenesis were investigated in HMEC-1, an immortalized human microvascular endothelial cell line. Molecular signaling pathways leading to activation of endothelial cell proliferation and degradation of the basement membrane were analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR. Sulforaphane showed time- and concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on hypoxia-induced mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and two angiogenesis-associated transcription factors, hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and c-Myc, in a concentration range of 0.8 to 25 micromol/L. In addition, the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor KDR/flk-1 was inhibited by sulforaphane at the transcriptional level. Sulforaphane could also affect basement membrane integrity, as it suppressed transcription of the predominant endothelial collagenase matrix metalloproteinase-2 and its tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2. Migration of HMEC-1 cells in a wound healing assay was effectively prevented by sulforaphane at submicromolar concentrations, and we determined an IC50 of 0.69 micromol/L. In addition, within 6 hours of incubation, sulforaphane inhibited tube formation of HMEC-1 cells on basement membrane matrix at 0.1, 1, and 10 micromol/L concentrations. These effects were not due to inhibition of HMEC-1 cell proliferation; however, after 72 hours of incubation, sulforaphane nonselectively reduced HMEC-1 cell growth with an IC50 of 11.3 micromol/L. In conclusion, we have shown that sulforaphane interferes with all essential steps of neovascularization from proangiogenic signaling and basement membrane integrity to endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. These novel antiangiogenic activities of sulforaphane are likely to contribute to its cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic potential.

Characterisation of proanthocyanidin aglycones and glycosides from rose hips by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and their rapid quantification together with vitamin C

Fifteen individual proanthocyanidin aglycones and 19 glycosides, together with a complex mixture of chromatographically non-separated tetra- to octameric proanthocyanidin glycosides were detected--the non-separated glycosides being novel natural products--and characterised from dog rose hips using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). Along with these phenolics, a 50% aqueous ethanol extract of rose hips was found to contain high levels of Vitamin C. A simple and rapid HPLC method assisted by diode array detection for the estimation of the total concentration of proanthocyanidin aglycones and glycosides, as well as Vitamin C, in rose hip extracts was developed.

Hypoxia inducible factor pathways as targets for functional foods

The etiology of most chronic angiogenic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, diabetes complications, and cancer includes the presence of pockets of hypoxic cells growing behind aerobic cells and away from blood vessels. Hypoxic cells are the result of uncontrolled growth and insufficient vascularization and have undergone a shift from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. Cells respond to hypoxia by stimulating the expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF), which is critical for survival under hypoxic conditions and in embryogenesis. HIF is a heterodimer consisting of the O2-regulated subunit, HIF-1alpha, and the constitutively expressed aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator, HIF-1beta. Under hypoxic conditions, HIF-1alpha is stable, accumulates, and migrates to the nucleus where it binds to HIF-1beta to form the complex (HIF-1alpha + HIF-1beta). Transcription is initiated by the binding of the complex (HIF-1alpha + HIF-1beta) to hypoxia responsive elements (HREs). The complex [(HIF-1alpha + HIF-1beta) + HREs] stimulates the expression of genes involved in angiogenesis, anaerobic metabolism, vascular permeability, and inflammation. Experimental and clinical evidence show that these hypoxic cells are the most aggressive and difficult angiogenic disease cells to treat and are a major reason for antiangiogenic and conventional treatment failure. Hypoxia occurs in early stages of disease development (before metastasis), activates angiogenesis, and stimulates vascular remodeling. HIF-1alpha has also been identified under aerobic conditions in certain types of cancer. This review summarizes the role of hypoxia in some chronic degenerative angiogenic diseases and discusses potential functional foods to target the HIF-1alpha pathways under hypoxic and normoxic conditions. It is reported that dietary quinones, semiquinones, phenolics, vitamins, amino acids, isoprenoids, and vasoactive compounds can down-regulate the HIF-1 pathways and therefore the expression of several proangiogenic factors. Considering the lack of efficiency or the side effects of synthetic antiangiogenic drugs at clinical trials, down-regulation of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis by use of naturally occurring functional foods may provide an effective means of prevention.

In vitro inhibition of the activation of Pro-matrix Metalloproteinase 1 (Pro-MMP-1) and Pro-matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Pro-MMP-9) by rice and soybean Bowman-Birk inhibitors

The in vitro inhibitory activity of the rice Bowman-Birk inhibitor (rBBI) or soybean Bowman-Birk inhibitor (sBBI) against trypsin-catalyzed activation of pro-matrix metalloproteinase 1 or 9 (pro-MMP-1 or pro-MMP-9), respectively, was investigated using electrophoresis with silver staining, heparin-enhanced zymography, biotinylated gelatin, Biotrak assay, and fluorescence quenched substrate hydrolysis. rBBI at concentrations of 0.08-0.352 mg/mL dose-dependently inhibited the in vitro activation of 45 microg/mL pro-MMP-1 by trypsin. Heparin-enhanced zymography analysis of pro-MMP-1, trypsin-activated MMP-1, and a mixture of pro-MMP-1-trypsin-rBBI showed clear zones associated with trypsin-activated MMP-1 and the absence of clear zones in lanes containing pro-MMP-1 or a mixture of pro-MMP-1, trypsin, and rBBI. The results of the Biotrak assay also indicated that rBBI dose-dependently suppressed the activation of pro-MMP-1 by trypsin. sBBI dose-dependently inhibited the activation of 100 microg/mL of pro-MMP-9 by trypsin. Biotinylated gelatin assays demonstrated that pro-MMP-9 or pro-MMP-9 in the presence of trypsin and BBI did not hydrolyze gelatin, whereas p-aminophenylmercury acetate (APMA)-activated MMP-9 and trypsin-activated MMP-9 caused significant hydrolysis of gelatin. Quenched fluorescence substrate hydrolysis for total MMP activity showed that pro-MMP-1 or pro-MMP-9 did not hydrolyze the substrate Mca-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-Dpa-Ala-Arg-NH2; active MMP-1 or MMP-9 hydrolyzed the substrate, but lower substrate hydrolysis was obtained when pro-MMP-1 or pro-MMP-9 was incubated with trypsin in the presence of increasing concentrations of rBBI. The results are discussed in light of the role of MMP-1 and MMP-9 in the process of angiogenesis and the potential of rBBI or sBBI as a functional food ingredient.