Natural products targeting into cancer hallmarks: An update on caffeine, theobromine, and (+)-catechin

Plasma proteometabolome in lung cancer: exploring biomarkers through bidirectional Mendelian randomization and colocalization analysis

Unlike other cancers with widespread screening (breast, colorectal, cervical, prostate, and skin), lung nodule biopsies for positive screenings have higher morbidity with clinical complications. Development of non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers could thereby significantly enhance lung cancer management for at-risk patients. Here, we leverage Mendelian Randomization (MR) to investigate the plasma proteome and metabolome for potential biomarkers relevant to lung cancer. Utilizing bidirectional MR and co-localization analyses, we identify novel associations, highlighting inverse relationships between plasma proteins SFTPB and KDELC2 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and positive associations of TCL1A with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and CNTN1 with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Additionally, our work reveals significant negative correlations between metabolites such as theobromine and paraxanthine, along with paraxanthine-related ratios, in both LUAD and LUSC. Conversely, positive correlations are found in caffeine/paraxanthine and arachidonate (20:4n6)/paraxanthine ratios with these cancer types. Through single-cell sequencing data of normal lung tissue, we further explore the role of lung tissue-specific protein SFTPB in carcinogenesis. These findings offer new insights into lung cancer etiology, potentially guiding the development of diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic approaches.

Semi-synthesized anticancer theobromine derivatives targeting VEGFR-2: in silico and in vitro evaluations

Vascular endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis are all crucially impacted by Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). Its expression is significantly boosted throughout pathologic angiogenesis causing the development of tumors. Sothat, inhibition of VEGFR-2 has crucial role in cancer treatment. In this study, novel semisynthetic theobromine derivatives were rationally designed as VEGFR-2 inhibitors and subjected to in vitro testing for their ability to block VEGFR-2 activation. Furthermore, the antiproliferative effects of these derivatives were evaluated. Compound 7 g exhibited the most potent anti-VEGFR-2 activity, with an IC50 value of 0.072 µM, and demonstrated excellent dose-dependent inhibitory activity against both MCF-7 and HepG2 cancer cells with IC50 values of 19.35 and 27.89 µM, respectively. Notably, compound 7 g exhibited high selectivity indices of 2.6 and 1.8 against MCF-7 and HepG2 cells, respectively. Compound 7 g induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, promoted apoptosis, and boosted immunomodulation by downregulating TNF-α expression and upregulating IL-2 levels in MCF-7 cells. The molecular docking analysis revealed that compound 7 g could bind effectively to the active site of VEGFR-2, and molecular dynamic simulations confirmed the stability of the VEGFR-2/compound 7 g complex. Furthermore, ADME and toxicity profiling indicated the potential suitability of these compounds as drug candidates. In summary, compound 7 g hold promise as a VEGFR-2 inhibitor.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Biological properties of caffeine, (+)-catechin, and theobromine: an in silico study

We analyzed here the in silico biological activities of caffeine, (+)-catechin, and theobromine. For this, the PubChem database of the NIH (National Institutes of Health) was used to obtain the SMILE canonical form of the bioactive molecules, and the free software PASS Online (Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances) from the Way2Drug portal. Also, we conducted an in vitro experiment using a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line (K562) to confirm some results found in in silico investigation. These cells were exposed to different concentrations of caffeine, (+)-catechin, and theobromine for 72 h. The results found in this in silico study suggested that caffeine, (+)-catechin, and theobromine showed excellent biological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic, as well as protection against cardiovascular, diabetes, neurological, allergic, respiratory, and other therapeutic activities. These findings can be elucidated through the modulation exerted by these bioactive molecules in many biochemical pathways involved in organism homeostasis, such as free radical scavenger action, oxidoreductase inhibitor, membrane permeability inhibitor, and lipid peroxidase inhibitor. In addition, we have found here that caffeine, (+)-catechin, and theobromine have a remarkable anti-inflammatory activity which plays an important role in the therapeutic approach of COVID-19. Moreover, our in vitro findings confirmed the in silico results regarding anticancer activity since these molecules reduce cell proliferation at all tested concentrations. Therefore, since these molecules exhibit important medicinal activities, further investigations should be conducted to reveal new therapies to improve the treatments and prevention of numerous disorders and, consequently, promote human health.

Article review: Brazilin as potential anticancer agent

Brazilin is the main compound in Caesalpinia sappan and Haematoxylum braziletto, which is identified as a homoisoflavonoid based on its molecular structure. These plants are traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory to treat fever, hemorrhage, rheumatism, skin problems, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, brazilin has increased its interest in cancer studies. Several findings have shown that brazilin has cytotoxic effects on colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, multiple myeloma, osteosarcoma, cervical cancer, bladder carcinoma, also other cancers, along with numerous facts about its possible mechanisms that will be discussed. Besides its flavonoid content, brazilin is able to chelate metal ions. A study has proved that brazilin could be used as an antituberculosis agent based on its ability to chelate iron. This possible iron-chelating of brazilin and all the studies discussed in this review will lead us to the statement that, in the future, brazilin has the potency to be a chemo-preventive and anticancer agent. The article review aimed to determine the brazilin mechanism and pathogenesis of cancer.

Targeting the key players of phenotypic plasticity in cancer cells by phytochemicals

Plasticity of phenotypic traits refers to an organism's ability to change in response to environmental stimuli. As a result, the response may alter an organism's physiological state, morphology, behavior, and phenotype. Phenotypic plasticity in cancer cells describes the considerable ability of cancer cells to transform phenotypes through non-genetic molecular signaling activities that promote therapy evasion and tumor metastasis via amplifying cancer heterogeneity. As a result of metastable phenotypic state transitions, cancer cells can tolerate chemotherapy or develop transient adaptive resistance. Therefore, new findings have paved the road in identifying factors and agents that inhibit or suppress phenotypic plasticity. It has also investigated novel multitargeted agents that may promise new effective strategies in cancer treatment. Despite the efficiency of conventional chemotherapeutic agents, drug toxicity, development of resistance, and high-cost limit their use in cancer therapy. Recent research has shown that small molecules derived from natural sources are capable of suppressing cancer by focusing on the plasticity of phenotypic responses. This systematic, comprehensive, and critical review analyzes the current state of knowledge regarding the ability of phytocompounds to target phenotypic plasticity at both preclinical and clinical levels. Current challenges/pitfalls, limitations, and future perspectives are also discussed.

Guanosine-Based Multidrug Strategy Delivery for Synergistic Anti-Inflammation

The development of codelivery approaches for combination therapy is of great significance, especially for natural products that need to be combined to achieve therapeutic effects. Targeted delivery of multiple drugs through a single carrier remains a challenge. Here, a multi-drug-loaded hydrogel, incorporating quercetin, demethyleneberberine, and dencichine, based on a G4-quadruplex was designed and prepared. Catechol drugs were responsively released in a simulated inflammatory pathological environment by a borate ester linkage, while coagulating dencichine encapsulated in the hydrogel was released along with the degradation of assemblies. The multi-drug-loaded codelivery system is expected to enhance the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease through the synergistic effect of the components. The preparation, characteristic, and physicochemical properties of the multi-drug-loaded assembly were depicted by NMR, CD, and TEM. Degradation assays in vitro proved the good biocompatibility and safety of the hydrogel and a potential pathway to injectable administration. The assays of typical inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-6, indicated that these can be significantly suppressed by the treatment of the hydrogel. The current work provided a simple strategy to construct a multi-drug-loaded hydrogel carrier, which facilitated synergistic therapy for natural products by a codelivery approach.

Recent Developments in Nanoparticle Formulations for Resveratrol Encapsulation as an Anticancer Agent

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound that has gained considerable attention in the past decade due to its multifaceted therapeutic potential, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. However, its anticancer efficacy is impeded by low water solubility, dose-limiting toxicity, low bioavailability, and rapid hepatic metabolism. To overcome these hurdles, various nanoparticles such as organic and inorganic nanoparticles, liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, solid lipid nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, carbon nanotubes, bioactive glass nanoparticles, and mesoporous nanoparticles were employed to deliver resveratrol, enhancing its water solubility, bioavailability, and efficacy against various types of cancer. Resveratrol-loaded nanoparticle or resveratrol-conjugated nanoparticle administration exhibits excellent anticancer potency compared to free resveratrol. This review highlights the latest developments in nanoparticle-based delivery systems for resveratrol, focusing on the potential to overcome limitations associated with the compound's bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness.

Investigating the effect of red beetroot powder concentration and processing time on the bioactive compounds composition and antioxidant capacity of beetroot dark chocolate

BACKGROUND

The development of functional foods is receiving increased recognition as a result of the general interest in healthy diets as part of a healthier lifestyle. This project sought to incorporate red beetroot in dark chocolate and investigate the effect of beetroot powder concentration and processing time on the chocolates' bioactive compound composition, antioxidant capacity, and sugar content.

RESULTS

The results showed the presence of bioactive compounds such as betalains and vitamin C in the red beetroot with relatively high antioxidant capacity. The addition of beetroot powder to dark chocolate increased the majority of the bioactive compounds (e.g. catechin, epicatechin, betalains, vitamin C) while at the same time increasing the antioxidant capacity. It also resulted in a decrease in sugar content. Except for vitamin C, processing for more than 12 h had an increasing effect on the majority of the bioactive compounds. Beetroot powder incorporation at a maximum of 30% and processing for 24 h was regarded as optimal.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the present study suggests that red beetroot powder could be added to dark chocolates and processed for more than 12 h to increase the bioactive compounds and overall antioxidant capacity. This research would help to diversify beetroot utilization, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve the overall health-promoting properties of dark chocolate for improved consumer well-being. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Enhancing NKT cell-mediated immunity against hepatocellular carcinoma: Role of XYXD in promoting primary bile acid synthesis and improving gut microbiota

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

'Xiayuxue decoction' (XYXD) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound, composing of three natural medicines: Rheum officinale Baill., Prunus persica (L.) Batsch and Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker. It is derived from the famous traditional Chinese medical classics 'Jingui Yaolue' and has been used for thousands of years. In the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary liver Cancer issued by China's Health Commission, XYXD was applied in the treatment of primary liver cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To clarify the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of XYXD in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, the active components of XYXD and its distribution in vivo were identified by Ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Then, the effective components and mechanism of XYXD against HCC were explored by network pharmacology combined with cell experiments in vitro. Furthermore, the anti-HCC effect of XYXD was determined by animal experiments in vivo. Metagenomic sequencing was used to detect its effect in gut microbiota, and targeted metabolism was used to detect the changes of bile acids in the liver. Finally, the related targets of NKT cell immune function activation were detected by RT-qPCR and Elisa.

RESULTS

A total of 113 active ingredients in XYXD were identified, and the distribution of active ingredients in blood, liver, tumor, cecum, intestinal contents and feces was clarified. The circulation process and active ingredient group of XYXD were preliminarily clarified. In addition, we found five anti-HCC active ingredients in XYXD through network pharmacology combined with cell experiments in vitro, among which aloe emodin had the most significant effect, and predicted the potential mechanism of XYXD against HCC through NKT cell pathway. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of XYXD on liver tumor growth was clarified by animal experiments in vivo. The mechanism was mainly to promote the production of bile salt hydrolase (BSH) by increasing the abundance of Bacteroides and Lactobacillus, BSH converts conjugated bile acids into primary bile acids, and reduces the conversion of primary bile acids to secondary bile acids by reducing the abundance of Eubacterium, thereby increasing the content of primary bile acids. Primary bile acids trigger NKT cells in the liver to produce interferon-γ to exert anti-HCC immune effects.

CONCLUSION

This study found that the traditional Chinese herbal formula XYXD can trigger the immune effect of NKT cells against HCC by regulating the interaction between gut microbiota and bile acids.

Role of Phytoconstituents in Cancer Treatment: A Review

Over the years, natural compounds have become a significant advancement in cancer treatment, primarily due to their effectiveness, safety, bio-functionality, and wide range of molecular structures. They are now increasingly preferred in drug discovery due to these attributes. These compounds, whether occurring naturally or with synthetic modifications, find applications in various fields like biology, medicine, and engineering. While chemotherapy has been a successful method for treating cancer, it comes with systemic toxicity. To address this issue, researchers and medical practitioners are exploring the concept of combinational chemotherapy. This approach aims to reduce toxicity by using a mix of natural substances and their derivatives in clinical trials and prescription medications. Among the most extensively studied natural anticancer compounds are quercetin, curcumin, vincristine, and vinblastine. These compounds play crucial roles as immunotherapeutics and chemosensitizers, both as standalone treatments and in combination therapies with specific mechanisms. This review article provides a concise overview of the functions, potentials, and combinations of natural anticancer compounds in cancer treatment, along with their mechanisms of action and clinical applications.

A Review on Bioactive Compounds, Ethnomedicinal Importance and Pharmacological Activities of Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd

Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd. is a traditional leafy vegetable used by tribal communities for ethnomedicinal and ethnoculinary preparations. This article reviews the current knowledge of its multiple uses, including pharmacological activities and nutritional composition. The literature survey shows that it has been traditionally useful in the treatment of several diseases, such as anaemia, diabetes, measles, and ulcers and the preparation of various traditional foods. Analysis of the literature on its phytochemicals shows its richness in bioactive compounds. Further, research also shows that this plant has antidiabetic, antiobesity, antitumor, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective activities besides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Nutrient analysis of the plant reveals the presence of Ca, Zn, Fe, vitamins C and E, dietary fibre and protein in considerable quantities. The results of the pharmacological studies on the antidiabetic, antiulcer and anti-anaemic activities provide support in favour of its ethnomedicinal uses. The presence of bioactive compounds and pharmacological activities show the usefulness of this plant as a functional food.

Ellagic Acid and Cancer Hallmarks: Insights from Experimental Evidence

Cancer is a complex and multifaceted disease with a high global incidence and mortality rate. Although cancer therapy has evolved significantly over the years, numerous challenges persist on the path to effectively combating this multifaceted disease. Natural compounds derived from plants, fungi, or marine organisms have garnered considerable attention as potential therapeutic agents in the field of cancer research. Ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenolic compound found in various fruits and nuts, has emerged as a potential cancer prevention and treatment agent. This review summarizes the experimental evidence supporting the role of EA in targeting key hallmarks of cancer, including proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis evasion, immune evasion, inflammation, genomic instability, and more. We discuss the molecular mechanisms by which EA modulates signaling pathways and molecular targets involved in these cancer hallmarks, based on in vitro and in vivo studies. The multifaceted actions of EA make it a promising candidate for cancer prevention and therapy. Understanding its impact on cancer biology can pave the way for developing novel strategies to combat this complex disease.

A comprehensive computational approach for the identification of structure-based potential pharmacological candidates as selective AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 inhibitors: repurposing of purine alkaloids for the treatment of cancer

Significant metabolic pathways have been linked to AKR1B1 and AKR1B10. These enzymes are crucial biological targets in the therapy of colon cancer. In the past several decades, drug repurposing has gained appeal as a time and cost-efficient strategy for providing new indications for existing drugs. The structural properties of the plant-based alkaloidal drugs theobromine and theophylline were examined using density functional theory (DFT) computations, where the B3LYP/SVP method was used to quantify the dipole moment, polarizability, and optimization energy. Optimized structures obtained through DFT studies were docked inside the active pocket of target proteins to evaluate their inhibitory potential. Moreover, molecular dynamic simulation provides significant insight into a dynamic view of molecular interactions. The findings of current revealed theobromine and theophylline as strong AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 inhibitors, respectively. In addition, the anti-cancer potential of theophylline and theobromine was validated by targeting various tumor proteins, i.e. NF-κB, cellular tumor antigen P53 and caspase-3 using a molecular docking approach. Theobromine was found to be strongly interacted with NF-κB and caspase-3, whereas theophylline potentially inhibited cellular tumor antigen P53. In addition, the ADMET characteristics of theobromine and theophylline were identified, confirming their drug-like capabilities. These results should open the way for further experimental validation and structure-based drug design/repurposing of AKR1B1/AKR1B10 inhibitors for the treatment of colon cancer and associated malignancies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Overview of Caffeine Effects on Human Health and Emerging Delivery Strategies

Caffeine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in various plants. It acts as a stimulant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even an aid in pain management, and is found in several over-the-counter medications. This naturally derived bioactive compound is the best-known ingredient in coffee and other beverages, such as tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks, and is widely consumed worldwide. Therefore, it is extremely important to research the effects of this substance on the human body. With this in mind, caffeine and its derivatives have been extensively studied to evaluate its ability to prevent diseases and exert anti-aging and neuroprotective effects. This review is intended to provide an overview of caffeine's effects on cancer and cardiovascular, immunological, inflammatory, and neurological diseases, among others. The heavily researched area of caffeine in sports will also be discussed. Finally, recent advances in the development of novel nanocarrier-based formulations, to enhance the bioavailability of caffeine and its beneficial effects will be discussed.

The Most Potent Natural Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, and Food Ingredients Isolated from Plants with Deep Eutectic Solvents

There is growing interest in reducing the number of synthetic products or additives and replacing them with natural ones. The pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries are especially focused on natural and bioactive chemicals isolated from plants or microorganisms. The main challenge here is to develop efficient and ecological methods for their isolation. According to the strategies and rules of sustainable development and green chemistry, green solvents and environmentally friendly technologies must be used. The application of deep eutectic solvents as efficient and biodegradable solvents seems to be a promising alternative to traditional methods. They are classified as being green and ecological but, most importantly, very efficient extraction media compared to organic solvents. The aim of this review is to present the recent findings on green extraction, as well as the biological activities and the possible applications of natural plant ingredients, namely, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, and some others. This paper thoroughly reviews modern, ecological, and efficient extraction methods with the use of deep eutectic solvents (DESs). The newest findings, as well as the factors influencing the efficiency of extraction, such as water content, and hydrogen bond donor and acceptor types, as well as the extraction systems, are also discussed. New solutions to the major problem of separating DESs from the extract and for solvent recycling are also presented.

Short-Term Intake of Theobroma grandiflorum Juice Fermented with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 9595 Amended the Outcome of Endotoxemia Induced by Lipopolysaccharide

Endotoxemia is a condition caused by increasing levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) characterized by an impaired systemic response that causes multiple organ dysfunction. Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 9595 is a strain with probiotic potential which shows immunomodulatory properties. The incorporation of this bacterium in food rich in bioactive compounds, such as cupuaçu juice (Theobroma grandiflorum), could result in a product with interesting health properties. This work evaluated the effects of the oral administration of cupuaçu juice fermented with L. rhamnosus on the outcome of LPS-induced endotoxemia in mice. C57BL/6 mice (12/group) received oral doses (100 µL) of saline solution and unfermented or fermented cupuaçu juice (10⁸ CFU/mL). After 5 days, the endotoxemia was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg). The endotoxemia severity was evaluated daily using a score based on grooming behavior, mobility, presence of piloerection, and weeping eyes. After 6 h and 120 h, the mice (6/group) were euthanized for analysis of cell counts (in peritoneal lavage and serum) and organ weight. L. rhamnosus grew in cupuaçu juice and produced organic acids without the need for supplementation. The bacteria counts were stable in the juice during storage at 4 °C for 28 days. The fermentation with L. rhamnosus ATCC 9595 changed the metabolites profile of cupuaçu juice due to the biotransformation and enhancement of some compounds. In general, the administration of L. rhamnosus-fermented juice allowed a significant improvement in several characteristics of endotoxemic status (weight loss, hypothermia, severity index, cell migration). In addition, treatment with fermented juice significantly reduced the weight of the spleen, liver, intestine, and kidneys compared to the saline-treated endotoxemic group. Taken together, our data show that short-term intake therapy of cupuaçu juice fermented with L. rhamnosus ATCC 9595 can reduce systemic inflammation in an experimental model of LPS-induced endotoxemia in mice.

Effects of a Semisynthetic Catechin on Phosphatidylglycerol Membranes: A Mixed Experimental and Simulation Study

Catechins have been shown to display a great variety of biological activities, prominent among them are their chemo preventive and chemotherapeutic properties against several types of cancer. The amphiphilic nature of catechins points to the membrane as a potential target for their actions. 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzoate of catechin (TMBC) is a modified structural analog of catechin that shows significant antiproliferative activity against melanoma and breast cancer cells. Phosphatidylglycerol is an anionic membrane phospholipid with important physical and biochemical characteristics that make it biologically relevant. In addition, phosphatidylglycerol is a preeminent component of bacterial membranes. Using biomimetic membranes, we examined the effects of TMBC on the structural and dynamic properties of phosphatidylglycerol bilayers by means of biophysical techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy, together with an analysis through molecular dynamics simulation. We found that TMBC perturbs the thermotropic gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition and promotes immiscibility in both phospholipid phases. The modified catechin decreases the thickness of the bilayer and is able to form hydrogen bonds with the carbonyl groups of the phospholipid. Experimental data support the simulated data that locate TMBC as mostly forming clusters in the middle region of each monolayer approaching the carbonyl moiety of the phospholipid. The presence of TMBC modifies the structural and dynamic properties of the phosphatidylglycerol bilayer. The decrease in membrane thickness and the change of the hydrogen bonding pattern in the interfacial region of the bilayer elicited by the catechin might contribute to the alteration of the events taking place in the membrane and might help to understand the mechanism of action of the diverse effects displayed by catechins.

Natural Products as Anticancer Agents: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Natural products have been an invaluable and useful source of anticancer agents over the years. Several compounds have been synthesized from natural products by modifying their structures or by using naturally occurring compounds as building blocks in the synthesis of these compounds for various purposes in different fields, such as biology, medicine, and engineering. Multiple modern and costly treatments have been applied to combat cancer and limit its lethality, but the results are not significantly refreshing. Natural products, which are a significant source of new therapeutic drugs, are currently being investigated as potential cytotoxic agents and have shown a positive trend in preclinical research and have prompted numerous innovative strategies in order to combat cancer and expedite the clinical research. Natural products are becoming increasingly important for drug discovery due to their high molecular diversity and novel biofunctionality. Furthermore, natural products can provide superior efficacy and safety due to their unique molecular properties. The objective of the current review is to provide an overview of the emergence of natural products for the treatment and prevention of cancer, such as chemosensitizers, immunotherapeutics, combinatorial therapies with other anticancer drugs, novel formulations of natural products, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their anticancer properties.

From Cocoa to Chocolate: Effect of Processing on Flavanols and Methylxanthines and Their Mechanisms of Action

Despite the health benefits associated with the ingestion of the bioactive compounds in cocoa, the high concentrations of polyphenols and methylxanthines in the raw cocoa beans negatively influence the taste, confer the astringency and bitterness, and affect the stability and digestibility of the cocoa products. It is, therefore, necessary to process cocoa beans to develop the characteristic color, taste, and flavor, and reduce the astringency and bitterness, which are desirable in cocoa products. Processing, however, affects the composition and quantities of the bioactive compounds, resulting in the modification of the health-promoting properties of cocoa beans and chocolate. In this advanced review, we sought to better understand the effect of cocoa's transformational process into chocolate on polyphenols and methylxanthine and the mechanism of action of the original flavanols and methylxanthines. More data on the cocoa processing effect on cocoa bioactives are still needed for better understanding the effect of each processing step on the final polyphenolic and methylxanthine composition of chocolate and other cocoa products. Regarding the mechanisms of action, theobromine acts through the modulation of the fatty acid metabolism, mitochondrial function, and energy metabolism pathways, while flavanols mainly act though the protein kinases and antioxidant pathways. Both flavanols and theobromine seem to be involved in the nitric oxide and neurotrophin regulation.

In Silico Prediction of the Bioactive Profile and Metabolites of Satureja nepeta in Diseases Related to the Excessive Production of Interleukin-6

Inflammatory bowel diseases are caused by an abnormal reaction of the immune system, which becomes hyperactive because the mechanisms responsible for regulating it get out of control. For an effective immune response, many proinflammatory cytokines are secreted, particularly interleukin-6 (IL-6) keystone cytokine inflammation. Many synthetic and natural compounds targeting IL-6 have been studied. The genus Satureja of the Lamiaceae family is generally known for its many virtues, in particular anti-inflammatory properties. However, the mechanism of action is unclear. This study aims to predict the impact of characterized bioactive molecules of Moroccan Satureja nepeta in the potential control of inflammatory response mediated by IL-6 cytokine. A list of 9 previously characterized natural compounds of S. nepeta was compiled, and a list of 6 potential protein targets involved in intestinal inflammation was made. The 2 lists of natural compound-target proteins were analyzed by the STITCH software (http://stitch.embl.de/) to develop protein-compound and protein-protein interaction networks (PPINs). An ontological enrichment (GO) analysis was performed by the Clue GO plugin to evaluate the PPIN generated by STITCH; finally, the molecular docking to predict the mode underlying the anti-inflammatory effects. STITCH results revealed direct and indirect interactions of S. nepeta chemical compounds with a key protein target IL-6. The array results by ClueGO showed that most compounds involved in the regulation of several biological processes related to IL-6 such as inflammation apoptosis, cell differentiation, and metabolic regulation. The targets directly related to IL-6 have been used for molecular docking. Quercetin, catechin, and gallic acid have a strong affinity with the IL-6 receptor (respectively −7.1; −6.1; −5.3). This study strongly suggests that the bioactive compounds of S. nepeta could constitute a new therapeutic alternative in the treatment of diseases related to IL-6. However, to validate the results obtained in this work, it is necessary to explore the mechanism of action of potential bioactive molecules by experimentation.

Coffee and tea consumption, patient-reported, and clinical outcomes in a longitudinal study of patients with breast cancer

Background

Higher consumption of coffee and tea has been associated with improved health outcomes in the general population and improved breast cancer (BC) prognosis. This study investigated patterns of coffee and tea consumption and association with patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) and clinical outcomes among survivors of BC.

Methods

The authors included survivors of stage I–III BC enrolled in the CANTO cohort (NCT01993498) that provided post‐treatment assessment of coffee and tea consumption from years 1 to 4 after diagnosis. Group‐based trajectory modeling clustered patients according to daily consumption of coffee and tea. Multivariable mixed models and Cox models examined associations between consumption, PROs and clinical outcomes.

Results

Among 3788 patients, the authors identified four stable patterns of consumption: “Low” (25.8%), “Moderate” (37.6%), “High” (25.3%), and “Very high” (11.3%), corresponding to <1, 2, 3, and ≥ 4 cups of coffee and/or tea per day. Patients in the “Very high” group (vs. “Low”), were more likely to be younger, smokers, with higher monthly income and education. PROs and survival outcomes were similar across the four groups.

Conclusions

Over one in three survivors of BC reported high or very high consumption of coffee and/or tea. The authors found no association between higher consumption of coffee and/or tea, worse PROs and clinical outcomes.

More than 30% of survivors of breast cancer report high post‐diagnostic consumption of coffee and tea. In this study, the authors did not find any detrimental association between higher consumption of coffee and tea and patient‐reported or clinical outcomes.

Antitumor Applications of Photothermal Agents and Photothermal Synergistic Therapies

As a new tumor treatment strategy, photothermal therapy (PTT) has the advantages of accuracy, ease of administration, a high efficiency and low side effects. Photothermal transduction agents (PTAs) are the key factor which play an important role in PTT. The mechanism of PTT is discussed in detail. The photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) can be improved by increasing the light absorption and reducing the light scattering of photothermal conversion agents. Additionally, non-radiative relaxation path attenuation can also promote energy conversion to obtain a higher value in terms of PCE. The structure and photothermal characteristics of various kinds of PTAs (metal materials, carbon-based nanomaterials, two-dimensional nanomaterials, and organic materials) were compared and analyzed. This paper reviews the antitumor applications of photothermal synergistic therapies, including PTT combined with immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. This review proposes that these PTAs promote the development of photothermal synergistic therapies and have a great potential in the application of tumor treatment.

Investigating the Role of Dahuang in Hepatoma Treatment Using Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Survival Analysis

Hepatoma is one of the most common malignant tumors. The incidence rate is high in developing countries, and China has the most significant number of cases. Dahuang is a classic traditional antitumor drug commonly used in China and has also been applied to treat hepatoma. However, the potential mechanism of Dahuang in treating hepatoma is not clear. Therefore, this study is aimed at elucidating the possible molecular mechanism and key targets of Dahuang using methods of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and survival analysis. Firstly, the active ingredients and key targets of Dahuang were analyzed through public databases, and then the drug-ingredient-target-disease network diagram of Dahuang against hepatoma was constructed. Five main active components and five core targets were determined according to the enrichment degree. Enrichment analysis demonstrated that Dahuang treated hepatoma through the multiple pathways in cancer. Additionally, molecular docking predicted that aloe-emodin and PIK3CG depicted the best binding energy. Survival analysis indicated that a high/ESR1 gene expression had a relatively good prognosis for patients with hepatoma (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the current study results demonstrated that Dahuang could treat hepatoma through a variety of active ingredients, targets, and multiantitumor pathways. Moreover, it effectively improved the prognosis of hepatoma patients. ESR1 is the potential key gene that is beneficial for the survival of hepatoma patients. Also, aloe-emodin and beta-sitosterol are the two main active crucial ingredients for hepatoma treatment. The study also provided some functional bases and references for the development of new drugs, target mining, and experimental animal research of hepatoma in the future.

Dietary sources, health benefits, and risks of caffeine

Dietary intake of caffeine has significantly increased in recent years, and beneficial and harmful effects of caffeine have been extensively studied. This paper reviews antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of caffeine as well as its protective effects on cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cancers, and neurodegenerative and liver diseases. In addition, we summarize the side effects of long-term or excessive caffeine consumption on sleep, migraine, intraocular pressure, pregnant women, children, and adolescents. The health benefits of caffeine depend on the amount of caffeine intake and the physical condition of consumers. Moderate intake of caffeine helps to prevent and modulate several diseases. However, the long-term or over-consumption of caffeine can lead to addiction, insomnia, migraine, and other side effects. In addition, children, adolescents, pregnant women, and people who are sensitive to caffeine should be recommended to restrict/reduce their intake to avoid potential adverse effects.