Cactus pear extracts induce reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells

Machine learning analysis of oxidative stress-related phenotypes for specific gene screening in ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress serves a crucial role in tumor development. However, the relationship between ovarian cancer and oxidative stress remains unknown. We aimed to create an oxidative stress-related prognostic signature to enhance the prognosis prediction of CC patients using bioinformatics.

METHODS

The genes differentially expressed and associated with oxidative stress were extracted with the help of "limma" packages. The model for prognosis was created using Multivariate Cox regression analysis to determine the risk related to the genes related to oxidative stress. Patients were categorized as low-risk or high-risk based on the median score. The receiver operation characteristic (ROC) and survival curves were used to evaluate the predictive effect of the prognostic signature. We utilized quantitative real-time PCR to assess the expression levels of key genes associated with oxidative stress in ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3, OVCAR3, and HeyA8) and normal ovarian epithelial cells (HOSEpiC).

RESULTS

A signature comprising seven genes associated with oxidative stress was developed to prognosticate patients with ovarian cancer. Overall survival (OS) of the patient having CC was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis. It was found that patient with a higher risk score had lower OS than the low-risk score. The signature of genes associated with oxidative stress was found to be independently prognostic for 1, 2, and 3 years. Further research found that the expression levels of nine hub genes had a strong association with patient outcomes. Our analysis revealed a higher expression of CX3CR1 in ovarian cancer cell lines compared with normal cells.

CONCLUSIONS

To deploy a novel oxidative stress-related prognostic signature as an independent biomarker in cervical cancer, we developed and validated it.

The latest research progress: Active components of Traditional Chinese medicine as promising candidates for ovarian cancer therapy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ovarian cancer ranks the first in the mortality of gynecological tumors. Because there are no obvious symptoms in the early stage of ovarian cancer, most patients are in the advanced stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. The incidence of ovarian cancer is increasing year by year, and the incidence of ovarian cancer has a trend of younger age. In recent years. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a significant impact on improving the quality of life of cancer patients, reducing drug toxicity, preventing metastasis and recurrence, enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and prolonging survival time, so patients have benefited a lot.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review summarizes the mechanisms and molecular pathways through which active ingredients of TCM act in ovarian cancer. It explores the advantages of TCM in treating ovarian cancer. This review provides theoretical support for the use of TCM in the treatment of ovarian cancer, offering new perspectives for its clinical prevention and treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review conducted a literature search on PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for relevant studies on TCM active ingredients in preventing ovarian cancer. The search terms included "ovarian cancer" combined with "Chinese herbal medicine," "Herbal medicine," "Traditional Chinese medicine," and "Active ingredients of Chinese medicine". Based on existing experimental and clinical research, the paper systematically summarized and analyzed the mechanisms of TCM in treating ovarian cancer.

RESULTS

Active ingredients of TCM inhibit the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer through inducing tumor cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, suppressing tumor cell migration and invasion, inducing tumor cell autophagy, promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy drugs. Chinese medicine provides a comprehensive treatment option for ovarian cancer patients, synergizing with radiotherapy and chemotherapy drugs to enhance treatment effectiveness and introduce new hope and possibilities in clinical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Active ingredients of TCM can inhibit the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer, but further clinical research is needed to support their application.

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. - anticancer properties and phytochemicals: current trends and future perspectives

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and conventional cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy often result in undesirable and adverse effects. Natural products have emerged as a promising alternative for cancer treatment, with comparatively fewer side effects reported. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., a member of the Cactaceae family, contains a diverse array of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, polyphenols, betalains, and tannins, which have been shown to exhibit potent anticancer properties. Various parts of the Opuntia plant, including the fruits, stems/cladodes, and roots, have demonstrated cytotoxic effects against malignant cell lines in numerous studies. This review comprehensively summarizes the anticancer attributes of the phytochemicals found in Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., highlighting their potential as natural cancer prevention and treatment agents. Bibliometric metric analysis of PubMed and Scopus-retrieved data using VOSviewer as well as QDA analysis provide further insights and niche to be explored. Most anticancer studies on Opuntia ficus-indica and its purified metabolites are related to colorectal/colon cancer, followed by melanoma and breast cancer. Very little attention has been paid to leukemia, thyroid, endometrial, liver, and prostate cancer, and it could be considered an opportunity for researchers to explore O. ficus-indica and its metabolites against these cancers. The most notable mechanisms expressed and validated in those studies are apoptosis, cell cycle arrest (G0/G1 and G2/M), Bcl-2 modulation, antiproliferative, oxidative stress-mediated mechanisms, and cytochrome c. We have also observed that cladodes and fruits of O. ficus-indica have been more studied than other plant parts, which again opens the opportunity for the researchers to explore. Further, cell line-based studies dominated, and very few studies were related to animal-based experiments. The Zebrafish model is another platform to explore. However, it seems like more in-depth studies are required to ascertain clinical utility of this biosustainable resource O. ficus-indica.

Opuntia genus in Human Health: A Comprehensive Summary on Its Pharmacological, Therapeutic and Preventive Properties. Part 1

Opuntia spp. is a diverse and widely distributed genus in Africa, Asia, Australia, and America. Mexico has the largest number of wild species; mainly O. streptacantha, O. hyptiacantha, O. albicarpa, O. megacantha and O. ficus-indica. The latter being the most cultivated and domesticated species. Throughout history, plants and their phytochemicals have played an important role in health care and Opuntia spp. has shown a high nutritional, medicinal, pharmaceutical, and economic impacts. Its main bioactive compounds include pigments (carotenoids, betalains and betacyanins), vitamins, flavonoids (isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin) and phenolic compounds. Together, they favor the different plant parts and are considered phytochemically important and associated with control, progression and prevention of some chronic and infectious diseases. This first review (Part 1), compiles information from published research (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) on its preventive effects against atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity, hepatoprotection, effects on human infertility and chemopreventive and/or antigenotoxic capacity. The aim is to provide scientific evidences of its beneficial properties and to encourage health professionals and researchers to expand studies on the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Opuntia spp.

Betalain plant sources, biosynthesis, extraction, stability enhancement methods, bioactivity, and applications

Betalains are plant pigments with functional properties used mainly as food dyes. However, they have been shown to be unstable to different environmental factors. This paper provides a review of (1) Betalain plant sources within several plant families such as Amaranthaceae, Basellaceae, Cactaceae, Portulacaceae, and Nyctaginaceae, (2) The biosynthesis pathway of betalains for both betacyanins and betaxanthins, (3) Betalain extraction process, including non-conventional technologies like microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, and pulsed electrical field extraction, (4) Factors affecting their stability, mainly temperature, water activity, light incidence, as well as oxygen concentration, metals, and the presence of antioxidants, as well as activation energy as a mean to assess stability, and novel food-processing technologies able to prevent betalain degradation, (5) Methods to increase shelf life, mainly encapsulation by spray drying, freeze-drying, double emulsions, ionic gelation, nanoliposomes, hydrogels, co-crystallization, and unexplored methods such as complex coacervation and electrospraying, (6) Biological properties of betalains such as their antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antitumoral, and anti-inflammatory activities, among others, and (7) Applications in foods and other products such as cosmetics, textiles and solar cells, among others. Additionally, study perspectives for further research are provided for each section.

Comparative study between in vivo- and in vitro-derived extracts of cactus (Opuntis ficus-indica L. Mill) against prostate and mammary cancer cell lines

Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill cladodes are considered to be a source of an abundance of bioactive compounds. To identify a natural product that can be used in the chemoprevention and treatment of cancer, this study was conducted to produce an anticancer agent extracted from in vitro-derived cladodes of prickly pear cactus. Toward this goal, assays of seed germination and micropropagation revealed that the highest seed germination rate was 66% and that the highest shoot number per explant was obtained with benzyl adenine (BA) (2 mg/l) and kinetin (Kin) (1 mg/l) within 2 months, at 22.6. In addition, the maximum length of shoots was obtained with BA (3 mg/l) and Kin (0.5 mg/l), at 7.44 cm. The in vitro-derived cladode extract showed higher total phenolic and kaempferol contents than the in vivo-derived cladode extract (total phenolics 156.5 mg/g and 86 mg/g DW; kaempferol 2.807 mg/g and 1.304 mg/g DW, respectively). These remarkable results reflected the anticancer activity on the viability and proliferation/migration of PC3 prostate and mammary Mcf7-7 cells. In terms of cytotoxicity, the IC50 values on PC3 and Mcf7 cells were 5775.7 and 6311.3 μg/ml, respectively, showing dose-dependent increases. Meanwhile, from in vivo analyses of the plants, the IC50 values were 5927.93 and 6825.6 μg/ml, respectively, again showing dose-dependent increases.

Opuntia spp.: Characterization and Benefits in Chronic Diseases

Opuntia species have been used for centuries as food resources and in traditional folk medicine for their nutritional properties and their benefit in chronic diseases, particularly diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. These plants are largely distributed in America, Africa, and the Mediterranean basin. Opuntia spp. have great economic potential because they grow in arid and desert areas, and O. ficus-indica, the domesticated O. species, is used as a nutritional and pharmaceutical agent in various dietary and value-added products. Though differences in the phytochemical composition exist between wild and domesticated (O. ficus-indica) Opuntia spp., all Opuntia vegetatives (pear, roots, cladodes, seeds, and juice) exhibit beneficial properties mainly resulting from their high content in antioxidants (flavonoids, ascorbate), pigments (carotenoids, betalains), and phenolic acids. Other phytochemical components (biopeptides, soluble fibers) have been characterized and contribute to the medicinal properties of Opuntia spp. The biological properties of Opuntia spp. have been investigated on cellular and animal models and in clinical trials in humans, allowing characterization and clarification of the protective effect of Opuntia-enriched diets in chronic diseases. This review is an update on the phytochemical composition and biological properties of Opuntia spp. and their potential interest in medicine.

Na7CrCuW11O39.16H2O induces apoptosis in human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells through the p38 signaling pathway

Ovarian carcinoma is a common malignant disease worldwide with a poor therapeutic response. The present study investigated the effects of Na₇CrCuW₁₁O₃₉.16H₂O (CrCuW₁₁) on ovarian cancer cell growth and investigated the mechanisms underlying its actions. The effects of CrCuW₁₁ on cell viability and apoptosis were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining and electron microscopy in human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells. The expression of bcl-2-like protein 4 (Bax), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), cytochrome c, phosphorylated (p)-p38 and p38 was determined by western blot analysis. Caspase-3 activity was measured by caspase-3 activity kit. CrCuW₁₁ concentrations of 1.87×10^-3 mol. l^-1 at 12 h reduced viability induced apoptosis in SKOV3 cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. Forced expression of CrCuW₁₁ upregulated the expression of certain proteins (Bax, cytochrome c, and p-p38), and downregulated Bcl-2 protein expression. Furthermore, CrCuW₁₁ also enhanced caspase-3 activity. The p38 inhibitor SB203580 was able to inhibit the activity of CrCuW₁₁. Caspase-3 and p38 signaling pathways were associated with CrCuW₁₁-regulated multiple targets involved in SKOV3 cell proliferation. Therefore, the results of the present study indicated that CrCuW₁₁ may be used as a novel clinical drug for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Dietary prevention of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric cancer with kimchi

To prove whether dietary intervention can prevent Helicobacter pylori-induced atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer, we developed cancer preventive kimchi (cpKimchi) through special recipe and administered to chronic H. pylori-initiated, high salt diet-promoted, gastric tumorigenesis mice model. H. pylori-infected C57BL/6 mice were administered with cpKimchi mixed in drinking water up to 36 weeks. Gross and pathological gastric lesions were evaluated after 24 and 36 weeks, respectively and explored underlying molecular changes to explain efficacies. Cancer preventive actions of anti-inflammation and anti-mutagenesis were compared between standard recipe kimchi (sKimchi) and special recipe cpKimchi in in vitro H. pylori-infected cell model. The erythematous and nodular changes, mucosal ulcerative and erosive lesions in the stomach were noted at 24^th weeks, but cpKimchi administration significantly ameliorated. After 36^th weeks, scattered nodular masses, some ulcers, and thin nodular gastric mucosa were noted in H. pylori-infected mice, whereas these gross lesions were significantly attenuated in cpKimchi group. On molecular analysis, significant expressions of COX-2 and IL-6, activated NF-κB and STAT3, increased apoptosis, and marked oxidative stresses were noted in H. pylori-infected group relevant to tumorigenesis, but these were all significantly attenuated in cpKimchi group. cpKimchi extracts imparted significant selective induction of apoptosis only in cancer cells, led to inhibition of H. pylori-induced proliferation, while no cytotoxicity through significant HO-1 induction in non-transformed gastric cells. In conclusion, daily dietary intake of cpKimchi can be an effective way either to rejuvenate H. pylori-atrophic gastritis or to prevent tumorigenesis supported with the concerted actions of anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-mutagenic mechanisms.

Anticancer properties of extracts from Opuntia humifusa against human cervical carcinoma cells

In this study, we found that the total polyphenol and ascorbic acid levels in the fruit of Opuntia humifusa are higher than those in other parts of the plant. We further hypothesized that antioxidants in O. humifusa might affect the growth or survival of cancer cells. Hexane extracts of seeds and ethyl acetate extracts of fruits and stems significantly suppressed the proliferation of HeLa cervical carcinoma cells, but did not affect the proliferation of normal human BJ fibroblasts. Additionally, the extracts of O. humifusa induced G1 phase arrest in HeLa cells. The O. humifusa extracts reduced the levels of G1 phase-associated cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4), and phosphorylated retinoblastoma proteins. Moreover, p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p53 expression significantly increased after treatment. We examined the effects of ethyl acetate extracts of O. humifusa fruit (OHF) on HeLa cells xenograft tumor growth. OHF treatment significantly reduced tumor volume and this decrease was correlated with decreased Cdk4 and cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, flavonoids, trans Taxifolin, and dihydrokaempferol, were isolated from OHF. Thus, this extract may be a promising candidate for treating human cervical carcinoma.

Evaluation of antidiabetic properties of cactus pear seed oil in rats

CONTEXT

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae)) is a medicinal plant widely used to treat diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

This work investigates the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect of cactus pear seed oil (CPSO), its mechanism of action, and any toxic effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The hypoglycemic effect of CPSO was evaluated in groups of six healthy Wistar rats given 1 or 2 ml kg(-1) orally and compared with groups receiving glibenclamide (2 mg kg(-1)) or water. Glycemia was determined after 30, 60, 120, 240, and 360 min. The antihyperglycemic effect of CPSO was determined in healthy rats and in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ); normal rats received 0.8 ml kg(-1) CPSO, while diabetic rats received 1 ml kg(-1) CPSO, their controls received water or 2 mg kg(-1) glibenclamide. For the antihyperglycemic effect evaluation, all the animals were fasted for 16 h before treatment and received glucose orally at 1 g kg(-1) 30 min after treatment; blood was taken after 30, 90, 150, and 210 min. Intestinal glucose absorption was estimated in rat jejunum perfused with a solution containing 5.55 mmol l(-1) glucose. Acute toxicity was determined in albino mice that received oral or intraperitoneal doses of 1, 3, or 5 ml kg(-1) CPSO.

RESULTS

CPSO (p.o.) decreased postprandial hyperglycemia (60 min after glucose loading), 40.33% and 16.01%, in healthy and STZ-diabetic glucose-loaded rats, respectively. CPSO, also, significantly decreased intestinal glucose absorption by 25.42%. No adverse effects were seen in mice administered CPSO at up to 5 ml kg(-1).

CONCLUSION

CPSO is antihyperglycemic. The effect can be explained partly by inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption.

Set9, NF-κB, and microRNA-21 mediate berberine-induced apoptosis of human multiple myeloma cells

AIM

To investigate the mechanisms by which berberine suppressed the proliferation of human multiple myeloma cells.

METHODS

Human U266 multiple myeloma cell line was tested. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, ultramicrostructure and secretion function were examined using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), flow cytometry (FCM), electron and fluorescence microscopy, as well as ELISA assay. The microRNAs (miRs) and transcription factors in U266 cells were detected using arrays and verified by qRT-PCR. EMSA and luciferase assays were used to verify the p65-dependent transactivation of miR-21 gene.

RESULTS

Treatment of U266 cells with berberine (40-160 μmol/L) suppressed cell proliferation and IL-6 secretion in dose- and time-dependent manners. Meanwhile, berberine dose-dependently induced ROS generation, G(2)/M phase arrest and apoptosis in U266 cells, and decreased the levels of miR-21 and Bcl-2. Overexpression of miR-21 counteracted berberine-induced suppression of cell proliferation and IL-6 secretion. In U266 cells treated with berberine (80 μmol/L), the activity of NF-κB was decreased by approximately 50%, followed by significant reduction of miR-21 level. berberine (80-160 μmol/L) increased the level of Set9 (lysine methyltransferase) by more than 2-fold, caused methylation of the RelA subunit, which inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation and miR-21 transcription. In U266 cells treated with berberine (80 μmol/L), knockdown of Set9 with siRNAs significantly increased NF-κB protein level accompanying with a partial recovery of proliferation.

CONCLUSION

In U266 cells, berberine suppresses NF-κB nuclear translocation via Set9-mediated lysine methylation, leads to decrease in the levels miR21 and Bcl-2, which induces ROS generation and apoptosis.

Research strategies in the study of the pro-oxidant nature of polyphenol nutraceuticals

Polyphenols of phytochemicals are thought to exhibit chemopreventive effects against cancer. These plant-derived antioxidant polyphenols have a dual nature, also acting as pro-oxidants, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), and causing oxidative stress. When studying the overall cytotoxicity of polyphenols, research strategies need to distinguish the cytotoxic component derived from the polyphenol per se from that derived from the generated ROS. Such strategies include (a) identifying hallmarks of oxidative damage, such as depletion of intracellular glutathione and lipid peroxidation, (b) classical manipulations, such as polyphenol exposures in the absence and presence of antioxidant enzymes (i.e., catalase and superoxide dismutase) and of antioxidants (e.g., glutathione and N-acetylcysteine) and cotreatments with glutathione depleters, and (c) more recent manipulations, such as divalent cobalt and pyruvate to scavenge ROS. Attention also must be directed to the influence of iron and copper ions and to the level of polyphenols, which mediate oxidative stress.