Curcumin inhibits the survival and metastasis of prostate cancer cells via the Notch-1 signaling pathway

Targeting Notch signaling pathways with natural bioactive compounds: a promising approach against cancer

Notch signaling pathway is activated abnormally in solid and hematological tumors, which perform essential functions in cell differentiation, survival, proliferation, and angiogenesis. The activation of Notch signaling and communication among Notch and other oncogenic pathways heighten malignancy aggressiveness. Thus, targeting Notch signaling offers opportunities for improved survival and reduced disease incidence. Already, most attention has been given to its role in the cancer cells. Recent research shows that natural bioactive compounds can change signaling molecules that are linked to or interact with the Notch pathways. This suggests that there may be a link between Notch activation and the growth of tumors. Here, we sum up the natural bioactive compounds that possess inhibitory effects on human cancers by impeding the Notch pathway and preventing Notch crosstalk with other oncogenic pathways, which provoke further study of these natural products to derive rational therapeutic regimens for the treatment of cancer and develop novel anticancer drugs. This review revealed Notch as a highly challenging but promising target in oncology.

Application and potential value of curcumin in prostate cancer: a meta-analysis based on animal models

Introduction

Curcumin is gaining recognition as an agent for cancer chemoprevention and is presently administered to humans. However, the limited number of clinical trials conducted for the treatment of prostate cancer is noteworthy. Animal models serve as valuable tools for enhancing our understanding of disease mechanisms and etiology in humans. The objective of this study was to examine the anti-prostate cancer effects of curcumin in vivo for comprehending its current research status and potential clinical applicability.

Methods

Our methodology involved a systematic exploration of animal studies pertaining to curcumin and prostate cancer, as documented in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang database, Vip database, and SinoMed, up to 03 September 2023. Risk of bias was assessed using the SYRCLE Animal Study Risk of Bias tool. The results were combined using the RevMan 5.3.

Results

A comprehensive analysis was conducted on 17 studies encompassing 263 mouse transplantation tumor models. The findings of this meta-analysis demonstrated that curcumin exhibited a superior inhibitory effect on the volume of prostate cancer tumors in mice compared to the control group (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52, 1.80, p < 0.001). Additionally, curcumin displayed a more effective inhibition of mice prostate cancer tumor weight (SMD: -3.27, 95% CI: -4.70, -1.83, p < 0.001). Furthermore, in terms of tumor inhibition rate, curcumin exhibited greater efficacy (SMD: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.27, p < 0.001). Moreover, curcumin more effectively inhibited PCNA mRNA (SMD: -3.11, 95% CI: -4.60, -1.63, p < 0.001) and MMP2 mRNA (SMD: -3.19, 95% CI: 5.85, -0.53, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Curcumin exhibited inhibitory properties towards prostate tumor growth and demonstrated a beneficial effect on prostate cancer treatment, thereby offering substantiation for further clinical investigations. It is important to acknowledge that the included animal studies exhibited considerable heterogeneity, primarily because of the limited number of studies included. Consequently, additional randomized controlled trials are required to comprehensively assess the efficacy of curcumin in humans.

Systematic Review Registration

(https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023464661), identifier (CRD42023464661).

Effects of curcumin and ursolic acid in prostate cancer: A systematic review

The major barriers to phytonutrients in prostate cancer therapy are non-specific mechanisms and bioavailability issues. Studies have pointed to a synergistic combination of curcumin (CURC) and ursolic acid (UA). We investigate this combination using a systematic review process to assess the most likely mechanistic pathway and human testing in prostate cancer. We used the PRISMA statement to screen titles, abstracts, and the full texts of relevant articles and performed a descriptive analysis of the literature reviewed for study inclusion and consensus of the manuscript. The most common molecular and cellular pathway from articles reporting on the pathways and effects of CURC (n = 173) in prostate cancer was NF-κB (n = 25, 14.5%). The most common molecular and cellular pathway from articles reporting on the pathways and effects of UA (n = 24) in prostate cancer was caspase 3/caspase 9 (n = 10, 41.6%). The three most common molecular and cellular pathway from articles reporting on the pathways and effects of both CURC and UA (n = 193) in prostate cancer was NF-κB (n = 28, 14.2%), Akt (n = 22, 11.2%), and androgen (n = 19, 9.6%). Therefore, we have identified the potential synergistic target pathways of curcumin and ursolic acid to involve NF-κB, Akt, androgen receptors, and apoptosis pathways. Our review highlights the limited human studies and specific effects in prostate cancer.

Regulation of the Notch signaling pathway by natural products for cancer therapy

The Notch signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that modulates normal biological processes involved in cellular differentiation, apoptosis, and stem cell self-renewal in a context-dependent fashion. Attributed to its pleiotropic physiological roles, both overexpression and silencing of the pathway are associated with the emergence, progression, and poorer prognosis in various types of cancer. To decrease disease incidence and promote survival, targeting Notch may have chemopreventive and anti-cancer effects. Natural products with profound historical origins have distinguished themselves from other therapies due to their easy access, high biological compatibility, low toxicity, and reliable effects at specific physiological sites in vivo. This review describes the Notch signaling pathway, particularly its normal activation process, and some main illnesses related to Notch signaling pathway dysregulation. Emphasis is placed on the effects and mechanisms of natural products targeting the Notch signaling pathway in diverse cancer types, including curcumin, ellagic acid (EA), resveratrol, genistein, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), quercetin, and xanthohumol and so on. Existing evidence indicates that natural products are feasible solution to fight against cancer by targeting Notch signaling, either alone or in combination with current therapeutic agents.

Inflammation in Prostate Cancer: Exploring the Promising Role of Phenolic Compounds as an Innovative Therapeutic Approach

Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a significant global health concern, being a major cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. Furthermore, profound understanding of the disease is needed. Prostate inflammation caused by external or genetic factors is a central player in prostate carcinogenesis. However, the mechanisms underlying inflammation-driven PCa remain poorly understood. This review dissects the diagnosis methods for PCa and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the disease, clarifying the dynamic interplay between inflammation and leukocytes in promoting tumour development and spread. It provides updates on recent advances in elucidating and treating prostate carcinogenesis, and opens new insights for the use of bioactive compounds in PCa. Polyphenols, with their noteworthy antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, along with their synergistic potential when combined with conventional treatments, offer promising prospects for innovative therapeutic strategies. Evidence from the use of polyphenols and polyphenol-based nanoparticles in PCa revealed their positive effects in controlling tumour growth, proliferation, and metastasis. By consolidating the diverse features of PCa research, this review aims to contribute to increased understanding of the disease and stimulate further research into the role of polyphenols and polyphenol-based nanoparticles in its management.

Therapeutic potential and limitations of curcumin as antimetastatic agent

Treatment of metastatic cancer is one of the biggest challenges in anticancer therapy. Curcumin is interesting nature polyphenolic compound with unique biological and medicinal effects, including repression of metastases. High impact studies imply that curcumin can modulate the immune system, independently target various metastatic signalling pathways, and repress migration and invasiveness of cancer cells. This review discusses the potential of curcumin as an antimetastatic agent and describes potential mechanisms of its antimetastatic activity. In addition, possible strategies (curcumin formulation, optimization of the method of administration and modification of its structure motif) to overcome its limitation such as low solubility and bioactivity are also presented. These strategies are discussed in the context of clinical trials and relevant biological studies.

Targeting Signaling Pathway by Curcumin in Osteosarcoma

The most prevalent primary bone malignancy among children and adolescents is osteosarcoma. The high mortality rate of osteosarcoma is due to lung metastasis. Despite the development of multi-agent chemotherapy and surgical resection, patients with osteosarcoma have a high metastasis rate and poor prognosis. Thus, it is necessary to identify novel therapeutic agents to improve the 5-year survival rate of these patients. Curcumin, a phytochemical compound derived from Curcuma longa, has been employed in treating several types of cancers through various mechanisms. Also, in vitro studies have demonstrated that curcumin could inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Development in identifying signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma has provided insight into finding new therapeutic targets for the treatment of this cancer. Targeting MAPK/ERK, PI3k/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and MircoRNA by curcumin has been evaluated to improve outcomes in patients with osteosarcoma. Although curcumin is a potent anti-cancer compound, it has rarely been studied in clinical settings due to its congenital properties such as hydrophobicity and poor bioavailability. In this review, we recapitulate and describe the effect of curcumin in regulating signaling pathways involved in osteosarcoma.

Effects of Curcumin and Lactoferrin to Inhibit the Growth and Migration of Prostatic Cancer Cells

Prostate cancer remains one of the main causes of death for men worldwide. Despite recent advances in cancer treatment, patients develop resistance after an initial period of optimal efficacy. Nowadays, it is accepted that natural compounds can result in health benefits with a preventive or adjuvant effect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of curcumin (CU), a bioactive compound in the spice turmeric, and lactoferrin (LF), a natural glycoprotein with immunomodulatory properties, on DU145 and PC3. Prostate cancer cells were cultured with and without LF (175 μM) and CU (2.5 μg/mL and 5 μg/mL), alone and in combination. Cell viability, migration ability, death receptors (DRs), and integrins (α3, β1) gene expression were evaluated, as well as human annexin V quantification and Akt phosphorylation. Differences among cells group, defined according to the treatment used, were assessed with ANOVA. The results showed that the effects of CU and LF are different between the two prostatic cell lines analyzed. In DU145, a reduction in cell proliferation and migration is reported both in the presence of single and combined treatments. In PC3 cells, there is a significant reduction in proliferation in the presence of CU alone, while the inhibition of migration is mainly related to the LF treatment and its combination with CU, compared to untreated cells. Moreover, the reduction in gene expression of integrins and Akt pathway activation were observed mostly in the presence of the CU and LF combination, including the upregulation of DR and annexin V levels, with greater significance for the DU145 cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that CU and LF may have a potentially beneficial effect, mainly when administered in combination, leading to a reduction in cancer cells' aggressiveness.

Identification of a Novel Curcumin Derivative Influencing Notch Pathway and DNA Damage as a Potential Therapeutic Agent in T-ALL

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological malignancy considered curable by modern clinical management. Nevertheless, the prognosis for T-ALL high-risk cases or patients with relapsed and refractory disease is still dismal. Therefore, there is a keen interest in developing more efficient and less toxic therapeutic approaches. T-ALL pathogenesis is associated with Notch signaling alterations, making this pathway a highly promising target in the fight against T-ALL. Here, by exploring the anti-leukemic capacity of the natural polyphenol curcumin and its derivatives, we found that curcumin exposure impacts T-ALL cell line viability and decreases Notch signaling in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. However, our findings indicated that curcumin-mediated cell outcomes did not depend exclusively on Notch signaling inhibition, but might be mainly related to compound-induced DNA-damage-associated cell death. Furthermore, we identified a novel curcumin-based compound named CD2066, endowed with potentiated anti-proliferative activity in T-ALL compared to the parent molecule curcumin. At nanomolar concentrations, CD2066 antagonized Notch signaling, favored DNA damage, and acted synergistically with the CDK1 inhibitor Ro3306 in T-ALL cells, thus representing a promising novel candidate for developing therapeutic agents against Notch-dependent T-ALL.

Curcumin in the treatment of urological cancers: Therapeutic targets, challenges and prospects

Urological cancers include bladder, prostate and renal cancers that can cause death in males and females. Patients with urological cancers are mainly diagnosed at an advanced disease stage when they also develop resistance to therapy or poor response. The use of natural products in the treatment of urological cancers has shown a significant increase. Curcumin has been widely used in cancer treatment due to its ability to trigger cell death and suppress metastasis. The beneficial effects of curcumin in the treatment of urological cancers is the focus of current review. Curcumin can induce apoptosis in the three types of urological cancers limiting their proliferative potential. Furthermore, curcumin can suppress invasion of urological cancers through EMT inhibition. Notably, curcumin decreases the expression of MMPs, therefore interfering with urological cancer metastasis. When used in combination with chemotherapy agents, curcumin displays synergistic effects in suppressing cancer progression. It can also be used as a chemosensitizer. Based on pre-clinical studies, curcumin administration is beneficial in the treatment of urological cancers and future clinical applications might be considered upon solving problems related to the poor bioavailability of the compound. To improve the bioavailability of curcumin and increase its therapeutic index in urological cancer suppression, nanostructures have been developed to favor targeted delivery.

Curcumin Inhibits the Growth and Metastasis of Melanoma via miR-222-3p/SOX10/Notch Axis

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on melanoma and its mechanism.

Methods

Curcumin (0, 0.125, 0.25, or 0.5 mg/ml) was utilized to treat A375 and HT144 cell lines. The MTT analysis was used to confirm the proliferation ability. Wound healing and transwell analysis showed the migration and invasion ability. Immunofluorescence assay was used to demonstrate the effect of curcumin on SOX10 expression. Multiple bioinformatic analysis to confirm the SOX10 associated miRNA. The correlation of miR-222-3p and SOX10 was detected by Luciferase reporter assays. qRT-PCR showed the miR-222-3p level. Western blot analyzed the expression of SOX10, Notch1, and HES1 in melanoma cell treated with or without miR-222-3p inhibitor.

Results

Curcumin could inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of melanoma cells. Furthermore, curcumin repress the expression of SOX10, Notch1, and HES-1, and increase the expression of miR-222-3p. And the miR-222-3p could directly target to SOX10 mRNA to inhibit its expression. In addition, inhibition of miR-222-3p expression reversed the inhibitory effect of curcumin the growth of melanoma cells.

Conclusion

Curcumin enhances the miR-222-3p level to reduce SOX10 expression, and ultimately inactivates the Notch pathway in repressing melanoma proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Diet-derived small molecules (nutraceuticals) inhibit cellular proliferation by interfering with key oncogenic pathways: an overview of experimental evidence in cancer chemoprevention

Discouraging statistics of cancer disease has projected an increase in the global cancer burden from 19.3 to 28.4 million incidences annually within the next two decades. Currently, there has been a revival of interest in nutraceuticals with evidence of pharmacological properties against human diseases including cancer. Diet is an integral part of lifestyle, and it has been proposed that an estimated one-third of human cancers can be prevented through appropriate lifestyle modification including dietary habits; hence, it is considered significant to explore the pharmacological benefits of these agents, which are easily accessible and have higher safety index. Accordingly, an impressive embodiment of evidence supports the concept that the dietary factors are critical modulators to prevent, retard, block, or reverse carcinogenesis. Such an action reflects the ability of these molecules to interfere with multitude of pathways to subdue and neutralize several oncogenic factors and thereby keep a restraint on neoplastic transformations. This review provides a series of experimental evidence based on the current literature to highlight the translational potential of nutraceuticals for the prevention of the disease through consumption of enriched diets and its efficacious management by means of novel interventions. Specifically, this review provides the current understanding of the chemopreventive pharmacology of nutraceuticals such as cucurbitacins, morin, fisetin, curcumin, luteolin and garcinol toward their potential as anticancer agents.

Pharmacological Mechanisms and Clinical Applications of Curcumin: Update

Curcumin, a well-known hydrophobic polyphenol extracted from the rhizomes of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), has attracted great interest in the last ten years due to its multiple pharmacological activities. A growing body of evidence has manifested that curcumin has extensive pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxygenation, lipid regulation, antiviral, and anticancer with hypotoxicity and minor adverse reactions. However, the disadvantages of low bioavailability, short half-life in plasma, low drug concentration in blood, and poor oral absorption severely limited the clinical application of curcumin. Pharmaceutical researchers have carried out plenty of dosage form transformations to improve the druggability of curcumin and have achieved remarkable results. Therefore, the objective of this review summarizes the pharmacological research progress, problems in clinical application and the improvement methods of curcumin's druggability. By reviewing the latest research progress of curcumin, we believe that curcumin has a broad clinical application prospect for its wide range of pharmacological activities with few side effects. The deficiencies of lower bioavailability of curcumin could be improved by dosage form transformation. However, curcumin in the clinical application still requires further study regarding the underlying mechanism and clinical trial verification.

Protective effect of the association of curcumin with piperine on prostatic lesions: New perspectives on BPA-induced carcinogenesis

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical agent which can exert detrimental effects on the male reproductive system, especially the prostate gland. In this study we described the efficacy of the dietary agent curcumin, alone or combined with piperine, to suppress the impact of BPA on the prostate. Adult gerbils were divided into nine experimental groups (n = 7 each group), regarding control (water and oil), exposed to BPA (50 μg/kg/day in water) or curcumin (100 mg/kg) and/or piperine (20 mg/kg). To evaluate the effects of the phytotherapic agents, the other groups received oral doses every two days, BPA plus curcumin (BCm), piperine (BP), and curcumin + piperine (BCmP). BPA promoted prostatic inflammation and morphological lesions in ventral and dorsolateral prostate lobes, associated with an increase in androgen receptor-positive cells and nuclear atypia, mainly in the ventral lobe. Curcumin and piperine helped to minimize these effects. BPA plus piperine or curcumin showed a reduction in nuclear atypical phenotype, indicating a beneficial effect of phytochemicals. Thus, these phytochemicals minimize the deleterious action of BPA in prostatic lobes, especially when administered in association. The protective action of curcumin and piperine consumption is associated with weight loss, anti-inflammatory potential, and control of prostate epithelial cell homeostasis.

Molecular Basis of Prostate Cancer and Natural Products as Potential Chemotherapeutic and Chemopreventive Agents

Prostate cancer is the second most common malignant cancer in males. It involves a complex process driven by diverse molecular pathways that closely related to the survival, apoptosis, metabolic and metastatic characteristics of aggressive cancer. Prostate cancer can be categorized into androgen dependent prostate cancer and castration-resistant prostate cancer and cure remains elusive due to the developed resistance of the disease. Natural compounds represent an extraordinary resource of structural scaffolds with high diversity that can offer promising chemical agents for making prostate cancer less devastating and curable. Herein, those natural compounds of different origins and structures with potential cytotoxicity and/or in vivo anti-tumor activities against prostate cancer are critically reviewed and summarized according to the cellular signaling pathways they interfere. Moreover, the anti-prostate cancer efficacy of many nutrients, medicinal plant extracts and Chinese medical formulations were presented, and the future prospects for the application of these compounds and extracts were discussed. Although the failure of conventional chemotherapy as well as involved serious side effects makes natural products ideal candidates for the treatment of prostate cancer, more investigations of preclinical and even clinical studies are necessary to make use of these medical substances reasonably. Therefore, the elucidation of structure-activity relationship and precise mechanism of action, identification of novel potential molecular targets, and optimization of drug combination are essential in natural medicine research and development.

Current insights into epigenetics, noncoding RNA interactome and clinical pharmacokinetics of dietary polyphenols in cancer chemoprevention

Several studies have reported the health-beneficial effects of dietary phytochemicals, namely polyphenols, to prevent various diseases, including cancer. Polyphenols, like (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from green tea, curcumin from turmeric, and ellagic acid from pomegranate are known to act by modulating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and apoptotic signal transduction pathways in the tumor milieu. The evolving literature underscores the role of epigenetic regulation of genes associated with cancer by these polyphenols, primarily via non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). However, there is little clarity on the exact role(s) played by these ncRNAs and their interactions with other ncRNAs, or with their protein targets, in response to modulation by these dietary polyphenols. Here, we review ncRNA interactions and functional networks of the complex ncRNA interactome with their targets in preclinical studies along with the role of epigenetics as well as key aspects of pharmacokinetics and phytochemistry of dietary polyphenols. We also summarize the current state of clinical trials with these dietary polyphenols. Taken together, this synthetic review provides insights into the molecular aspects underlying the anticancer chemopreventive effects of dietary polyphenols as well as summarizes data on novel biomarkers modulated by these polyphenols for preventive or therapeutic purposes in various types of cancer.

Curcumin inhibits prostate cancer progression by regulating the miR-30a-5p/PCLAF axis

Curcumin has been shown to inhibit the growth of a variety of tumor cells. However, the biological functions of curcumin in prostate cancer (PCa) have not yet fully elucidated. The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of curcumin on the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of PCa cells and the underlying mechanism. Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry were used to detect the effects of curcumin at different concentrations on the proliferation and apoptosis of PCa cell lines, PC-3 and DU145. BrdU and Transwell assays, western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were used to determine the effect of curcumin on cell proliferation, migration and invasion, apoptosis-related protein expression, and microRNA (miR)-30a-5p and PCNA clamp associated factor (PCLAF) expression, respectively. In addition, bioinformatics analysis and Pearson's correlation test were used to verify the relationship between miR-30a-5p and PCLAF. Curcumin was observed to impede the proliferation, migration and invasion of PCa cells, and promote their apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Curcumin enhanced miR-30a-5p expression and inhibited PCLAF expression; furthermore, there was a negative correlation between miR-30a-5p and PCLAF expression in PCa tissues. In addition, transfection of miR-30a-5p inhibitors partially reversed the function of curcumin on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. Overall, curcumin suppressed the malignant biological behaviors of PCa cells by regulating the miR-30a-5p/PCLAF axis.

Plant Natural Products: Promising Resources for Cancer Chemoprevention

Cancer is a major factor threatening human health and life safety, and there is a lack of safe and effective therapeutic drugs. Intervention and prevention in premalignant process are effective ways to reverse carcinogenesis and prevent cancer from occurring. Plant natural products are rich in sources and are a promising source for cancer chemoprevention. This article reviews the chemopreventive effects of natural products, especially focused on polyphenols, flavonoids, monoterpene and triterpenoids, sulfur compounds, and cellulose. Meanwhile, the main mechanisms include induction of apoptosis, antiproliferation and inhibition of metastasis are briefly summarized. In conclusion, this article provides evidence for natural products remaining a prominent source of cancer chemoprevention.

Curcumin against Prostate Cancer: Current Evidence

Cancer is a condition characterized by remarkably enhanced rates of cell proliferation paired with evasion of cell death. These deregulated cellular processes take place following genetic mutations leading to the activation of oncogenes, the loss of tumor suppressor genes, and the disruption of key signaling pathways that control and promote homeostasis. Plant extracts and plant-derived compounds have historically been utilized as medicinal remedies in different cultures due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Many chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of cancer are derived from plants, and the scientific interest in discovering plant-derived chemicals with anticancer potential continues today. Curcumin, a turmeric-derived polyphenol, has been reported to possess antiproliferative and proapoptotic properties. In the present review, we summarize all the in vitro and in vivo studies examining the effects of curcumin in prostate cancer.

Mechanism of Notch1‑saRNA‑1480 reversing androgen sensitivity in human metastatic castration‑resistant prostate cancer

The aim of the present study was to explore the mechanism by which Notch1-small activating (sa)RNA restored androgen sensitivity in human metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). After transfection of Notch1-saRNA-1480 in PC3 cells, the expression of Notch1 and androgen receptor (AR) was investigated by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Furthermore, the protein expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured. Then, flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle and apoptosis after transfection. Moreover, the migration and invasion ability of PC3 cells were assessed by transwell assays. Then, angio-genesis experiments were conducted to analyze the abilities of PC3 cells to form blood vessels. Furthermore, in vivo experiments detected the antitumor activity of Notch1-saRNA-1480. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Notch1 were significantly increased after transfection, while the expression levels of AR and VEGF were decreased. After transfection, the cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 checkpoint. Notch1-saRNA-1480 significantly increased the proportion of apoptotic cells after transfection. In addition, transwell assay results showed that PC3 cell migration and invasion were inhibited. The total vessel length was significantly decreased based on angiogenesis experiments, which indicated that PC3 cell angiogenesis was inhibited. In vivo experiments showed that Notch1-saRNA-1480 could inhibit tumor growth and volume. The protein expression of Notch1, AR, VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and VEGF in tumor tissues was consistent with in vitro levels. Notch1-saRNA-1480 could significantly inhibit the proliferation of PC3 cells in vitro and the growth of tumors in vivo, which is associated with the inhibition of the AR and VEGF pathways.

Natural Compounds in Prostate Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Mechanisms of Action and Molecular Targets

Prostate cancer (PCa) represents a major cause of cancer mortality among men in developed countries. Patients with recurrent disease initially respond to androgen-deprivation therapy, but the tumor eventually progresses into castration-resistant PCa; in this condition, tumor cells acquire the ability to escape cell death and develop resistance to current therapies. Thus, new therapeutic approaches for PCa management are urgently needed. In this setting, natural products have been extensively studied for their anti-PCa activities, such as tumor growth suppression, cell death induction, and inhibition of metastasis and angiogenesis. Additionally, numerous studies have shown that phytochemicals can specifically target the androgen receptor (AR) signaling, as well as the PCa stem cells (PCSCs). Interestingly, many clinical trials have been conducted to test the efficacy of nutraceuticals in human subjects, and they have partially confirmed the promising results obtained in vitro and in preclinical models. This article summarizes the anti-cancer mechanisms and therapeutic potentials of different natural compounds in the context of PCa prevention and treatment.

Impregnation of Curcumin into a Biodegradable (Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid, PLGA) Support, to Transfer Its Well Known In Vitro Effect to an In Vivo Prostate Cancer Model

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in older men and is associated with high mortality. Despite advances in screening for early detection of PCa, a large proportion of patients continue to be diagnosed with metastatic disease, with ~20% of men showing a high tumor grade and stage. Medicinal plant extracts have a great potential to prevent/treat PCa, as well as to reduce its incidence/prevalence and improve survival rates. One of the most promising extracts is curcumin, which is a major, nontoxic, bioactive compound of Curcuma longa. Curcumin has strong antitumor activity in vitro. However, its potential beneficial in vivo affects are limited by its low intestinal absorption and rapid metabolism. In this study, curcumin was impregnated into a biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) support and characterized by FTIR and DSC, and its release by UV spectrophotometry. PLGA-curcumin was tested in different subcutaneous PCa xenograft models (PC3, 22rv1, and DU145 PCa cell-lines), and its effects evaluated by tumor progression an immuno-histochemical analysis (Trichromic, Ki67 and TUNEL stainings), were compared with those of a commercial curcumin preparation. Our results indicate that curcumin-impregnated PLGA is significantly more active (~2-fold increase) with respect to oral curcumin, which supports its use for subcutaneous administration.

Co-Delivery of Natural Compounds with a Dual-Targeted Nanoparticle Delivery System for Improving Synergistic Therapy in an Orthotopic Tumor Model

Various natural compounds including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and curcumin (CU) have potential in developing anticancer therapy. However, their clinical use is commonly limited by instability and low tissue distribution. EGCG and CU combined treatment can improve the efficacy with synergistic effects. To improve the synergistic effect and overcome the limitations of low tissue distribution, we applied a dual cancer-targeted nanoparticle system to co-deliver EGCG and CU. Nanoparticles were composed of hyaluronic acid, fucoidan, and poly(ethylene glycol)-gelatin to encapsulate EGCG and CU. Furthermore, a dual targeting system was established with hyaluronic acid and fucoidan, which were used as agents for targeting CD44 on prostate cancer cells and P-selectin in tumor vasculature, respectively. Their effect and efficacy were investigated in prostate cancer cells and a orthotopic prostate tumor model. The EGCG/CU-loaded nanoparticles bound to prostate cancer cells, which were uptaken more into cells, leading to a better anticancer efficiency compared to the EGCG/CU combination solution. In addition, the releases of EGCG and CU were regulated by their pH value that avoided the premature release. In mice, treatment of the cancer-targeted EGCG/CU-loaded nanoparticles significantly attenuated the orthotopic tumor growth without inducing organ injuries. Overall, the dual-targeted nanoparticle system for the co-delivery of EGCG and CU greatly improved its synergistic effect in cancer therapy, indicating its great potential in developing treatments for prostate cancer therapy.

The Role of Herbal Bioactive Components in Mitochondria Function and Cancer Therapy

Mitochondria are highly dynamic double-membrane organelles which play a well-recognized role in ATP production, calcium homeostasis, oxidation-reduction (redox) status, apoptotic cell death, and inflammation. Dysfunction of mitochondria has long been observed in a number of human diseases, including cancer. Targeting mitochondria metabolism in tumors as a cancer therapeutic strategy has attracted much attention for researchers in recent years due to the essential role of mitochondria in cancer cell growth, apoptosis, and progression. On the other hand, a series of studies have indicated that traditional medicinal herbs, including traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), exert their potential anticancer effects as an effective adjunct treatment for alleviating the systemic side effects of conventional cancer therapies, for reducing the risk of recurrence and cancer mortality and for improving the quality of patients' life. An amazing feature of these structurally diverse bioactive components is that majority of them target mitochondria to provoke cancer cell-specific death program. The aim of this review is to summarize the in vitro and in vivo studies about the role of these herbs, especially their bioactive compounds in the modulation of the disturbed mitochondrial function for cancer therapy.

Knockdown of LncRNA GHET1 suppresses prostate cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting HIF-1α/Notch-1 signaling pathway via KLF2

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common cancers in male groups worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) are reported to be dysregulated in a variety of cancers, including PC. This study aimed to explore the role of LncRNA GHET1 in the pathogenesis of PC. RT-qPCR was carried out to examine the relative expression level of GHET1 in PC patients. In vitro, GHET1 siRNA (si-GHET1) was used to investigate the biological role of GHET1 in PC cell lines. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 and colony formation assay, while cell cycle and cell apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry. Moreover, western blot was carried out to measure the protein expression levels of KLF2 and HIF-1α/Notch-1 signal pathway. We found that GHET1 showed higher expression in PC tissues and had a negative correlation with KLF2 expression. Knockdown of GHET1 significantly suppressed the cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and promoted cell apoptosis. Additionally, si-GHET1 transfection induced KLF2 upregulation and HIF-1α/Notch-1 signal pathway suppression, which could be rescued by si-KLF2 transfection. These results suggest the key role of GHET1 in PC progression. Moreover, GHET1 might be explored to be a potential target for clinical treatment of PC. © 2019 BioFactors, 45(3):364-373, 2019.

Curcumin up-regulates miR-133a expression to inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration and invasion

BACKGROUND

Curcumin has a good inhibitory effect on the occurr-ence and development of many kinds of tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma, but its anti-hepatocellular carcinoma mechanism is not completely clear. Some studies have found that curcumin can inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer cells by regulating the expression of miR-133a. The low expression of miR-133a in hepatocellular carcinoma has been confirmed by data, but whether curcumin regulated expression of miR-133a plays an anti-hepatocellular carcinoma role is not clear.

AIM

To investigate the effect of curcumin on the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and explore the underlying mechanism by detecting the expression of miR-133a.

METHODS

After treatment of liver cancer SMMC-7721 cells with curcumin (0, 10, and 20 μmol/L) for 48 h, cell viability was detected by MTT assay, cell migration and invasion were measured by transwell assay, and the expression of miR-133a in the cells was detected by RT-PCR. The expression of miR-133a in normal liver LO2 cells and hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells was detected by RT-PCR. After transfection with miR-133a analogue to SMMC-7721 cells, the effect of miR-133a on migration and invasion of cells before and after curcumin treatment was detected by transwell assay.

RESULTS

Curcumin effectively inhibited SMMC-7721 cell viability (10 μmol/L curcumin: 0.71 + 0.07 vs 1.02 + 0.09; 20 μmol/L: 0.45 + 0.05 vs 1.02 + 0.09), migration (52.32 ± 5.48 vs 121.43 ± 12.35), and invasion (46.33 ± 5.38 vs 109.25 ± 10.75) and increased miR-133a expression (10 μmol/L curcumin: 1.62 ± 0.11 vs 1.00 ± 0.09; 20 μmol/L: 2.96 ± 0.25 vs 1.00 ± 0.09). Compared with LO2 cells, the expression level of miR-133a (0.32 ± 0.03 vs 1.03 ± 0.08) in SMCC-7721 cells was decreased obviously. After increasing the expression of miR-133a, the migration (32.84 ± 3.95 vs 96.35 ± 9.08) and invasion (42.75 ± 5.06 vs 119.32 ± 11.71) of SMCC-7721 cells were significantly decreased, and the inhibitory effect of curcumin on migration (29.6 ± 3.32 vs 134.62 ± 13.41) and invasion (31.86 ± 4.05 vs 129.73 ± 12.74) of SMCC-7721 cells was enhanced.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin can inhibit the migration and invasion of hepatoma cells by up-regulating the expression of miR-133a.

Natural products: An upcoming therapeutic approach to cancer

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death across the world. Different environmental and anthropogenic factors initiate mutations in different functional genes of growth factors and their receptors, anti-apoptotic proteins, self-renewal developmental proteins, tumor suppressors, transcription factors, etc. This phenomenon leads to altered protein homeostasis of the cell which in turn induces cancer initiation, development, progression and survival. From ancient times various natural products have been used as traditional medicine against different diseases. Natural products are readily applicable, inexpensive, accessible and acceptable therapeutic approach with minimum cytotoxicity. As most of the target-specific anticancer drugs failed to achieve the expected result so far, new multi-targeted therapies using natural products have become significant. In this review, we have summarized the efficacy of different natural compounds against cancer. They are capable of modulating cancer microenvironment and diverse cell signaling cascades; thus playing a major role in combating cancer. These compounds are found to be effective against several signaling pathways, mainly cell death pathways (apoptosis and autophagy) and embryonic developmental pathways (Notch pathway, Wnt pathway and Hedgehog pathway). This review article is expected to be helpful in understanding the recent progress of natural product research for the development of anticancer drug.

Prostate Cancer Disparity, Chemoprevention, and Treatment by Specific Medicinal Plants

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common cancers in men. The global burden of this disease is rising. Its incidence and mortality rates are higher in African American (AA) men compared to white men and other ethnic groups. The treatment decisions for PC are based exclusively on histological architecture, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and local disease state. Despite advances in screening for and early detection of PC, a large percentage of men continue to be diagnosed with metastatic disease including about 20% of men affected with a high mortality rate within the African American population. As such, this population group may benefit from edible natural products that are safe with a low cost. Hence, the central goal of this article is to highlight PC disparity associated with nutritional factors and highlight chemo-preventive agents from medicinal plants that are more likely to reduce PC. To reach this central goal, we searched the PubMed Central database and the Google Scholar website for relevant papers. Our search results revealed that there are significant improvements in PC statistics among white men and other ethnic groups. However, its mortality rate remains significantly high among AA men. In addition, there are limited studies that have addressed the benefits of medicinal plants as chemo-preventive agents for PC treatment, especially among AA men. This review paper addresses this knowledge gap by discussing PC disparity associated with nutritional factors and highlighting the biomedical significance of three medicinal plants (curcumin, garlic, and Vernonia amygdalina) that show a great potential to prevent/treat PC, as well as to reduce its incidence/prevalence and mortality, improve survival rate, and reduce PC-related health disparity.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of curcumin in prevention and treatment of disease

Curcumin is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound present in rhizome of Curcuma longa belonging to the family zingiberaceae. Growing experimental evidence revealed that curcumin exhibit multitarget biological implications signifying its crucial role in health and disease. The current review highlights the recent progress and mechanisms underlying the wide range of pharmacological effects of curcumin against numerous diseases like neuronal, cardiovascular, metabolic, kidney, endocrine, skin, respiratory, infectious, gastrointestinal diseases and cancer. The ability of curcumin to modulate the functions of multiple signal transductions are linked with attenuation of acute and chronic diseases. Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have revealed that curcumin modulates several molecules in cell signal transduction pathway including PI3K, Akt, mTOR, ERK5, AP-1, TGF-β, Wnt, β-catenin, Shh, PAK1, Rac1, STAT3, PPARγ, EBPα, NLRP3 inflammasome, p38MAPK, Nrf2, Notch-1, AMPK, TLR-4 and MyD-88. Curcumin has a potential to prevent and/or manage various diseases due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties with an excellent safety profile. In contrast, the anti-cancer effects of curcumin are reflected due to induction of growth arrest and apoptosis in various premalignant and malignant cells. This review also carefully emphasized the pharmacokinetics of curcumin and its interaction with other drugs. Clinical studies have shown that curcumin is safe at the doses of 12 g/day but exhibits poor systemic bioavailability. The use of adjuvant like piperine, liposomal curcumin, curcumin nanoparticles and curcumin phospholipid complex has shown enhanced bioavailability and therapeutic potential. Further studies are warranted to prove the potential of curcumin against various ailments.

Prevention of breast cancer by dietary polyphenols-role of cancer stem cells

Breast cancer is a common malignancy with poor prognosis. Cancer cells are heterogeneous and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are primarily responsible for tumor relapse, treatment-resistance and metastasis, so for breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Diets are known to be associated with carcinogenesis. Food-derived polyphenols are able to attenuate the formation and virulence of BCSCs, implying that these compounds and their analogs might be promising agents for preventing breast cancer. In the present review, we summarized the origin and surface markers of BCSCs and possible mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effects of polyphenols on BCSCs. The suppressive effects of common dietary polyphenols against BCSCs, such as curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and related polyphenolic compounds were further discussed.

Role of curcumin in regulating p53 in breast cancer: an overview of the mechanism of action

p53 is a tumor suppressor gene involved in various cellular mechanisms including DNA repair, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. More than 50% of human cancers have a mutated nonfunctional p53. Breast cancer (BC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths among females. p53 mutations in BC are associated with low survival rates and more resistance to the conventional therapies. Thus, targeting p53 activity was suggested as an important strategy in cancer therapy. During the past decades, cancer research was focused on the development of monotargeted anticancer therapies. However, the development of drug resistance by modulation of genes, proteins, and pathways was the main hindrance to the success of such therapies. Curcumin is a natural product, extracted from the roots of Curcuma longa, and possesses various biological effects including anticancer activity. Previous studies proved the ability of curcumin to modulate several signaling pathways and biomolecules in cancer. Safety and cost-effectiveness are additional inevitable advantages of curcumin. This review summarizes the effects of curcumin as a regulator of p53 in BC and the key molecular mechanisms of this regulation.

Iron Metabolism in Prostate Cancer; From Basic Science to New Therapeutic Strategies

An increasing amount of research has recently strengthened the case for the existence of iron dysmetabolism in prostate cancer. It is characterized with a wide array of differential expression of iron-related proteins compared to normal cells. These proteins control iron entry, cellular iron distribution but also iron exit from prostate cells. Iron dysmetabolism is not an exclusive feature of prostate cancer cells, but it is observed in other cells of the tumor microenvironment. Disrupting the machinery that secures iron for prostate cancer cells can retard tumor growth and its invasive potential. This review unveils the current understanding of the ways that prostate cancer cells secure iron in the tumor milieu and how can we exploit this knowledge for therapeutic purposes.

Curcumin decreases Warburg effect in cancer cells by down-regulating pyruvate kinase M2 via mTOR-HIF1α inhibition

Warburg effect is an emerging hallmark of cancer cells with pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) as its key regulator. Curcumin is an extensively-studied anti-cancer compound, however, its role in affecting cancer metabolism remains poorly understood. Herein, we show that curcumin inhibits glucose uptake and lactate production (Warburg effect) in a variety of cancer cell lines by down-regulating PKM2 expression, via inhibition of mTOR-HIF1α axis. Stable PKM2 silencing revealed that PKM2 is required for Warburg effect and proliferation of cancer cells. PKM2 over-expression abrogated the effects of curcumin, demonstrating that inhibition of Warburg effect by curcumin is PKM2-mediated. High PKM2 expression correlated strongly with poor overall survival in cancer, suggesting the requirement of PKM2 in cancer progression. The study unravels novel PKM2-mediated inhibitory effect of curcumin on metabolic capacities of cancer cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study linking curcumin with PKM2-driven cancer glycolysis, thus, providing new perspectives into the mechanism of its anticancer activity.

The Molecular Targets and Anti-Invasive Effects of 2,6-bis-(4-hydroxyl-3methoxybenzylidine) cyclohexanone or BHMC in MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cells

In order to metastasize, tumor cells need to migrate and invade the surrounding tissues. It is important to identify compound(s) capable of disrupting the metastasis of invasive cancer cells, especially for hindering invadopodia formation, so as to provide anti-metastasis targeted therapy. Invadopodia are thought to be specialized actin-rich protrusions formed by highly invasive cancer cells to degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM). A curcuminoid analogue known as 2,6-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidine)cyclohexanone or BHMC has shown good potential in inhibiting inflammation and hyperalgesia. It also possesses an anti-tumor effects on 4T1 murine breast cancer cells in vivo. However, there is still a lack of empirical evidence on how BHMC works in preventing human breast cancer invasion. In this study, we investigated the effect of BHMC on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and its underlying mechanism of action to prevent breast cancer invasion, especially during the formation of invadopodia. All MDA-MB-231 cells, which were exposed to the non-cytotoxic concentrations of BHMC, expressed the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), which indicate that the anti-proliferative effects of BHMC did not interfere in the subsequent experiments. By using a scratch migration assay, transwell migration and invasion assays, we determined that BHMC reduces the percentage of migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. The gelatin degradation assay showed that BHMC reduced the number of cells with invadopodia. Analysis of the proteins involved in the invasion showed that there is a significant reduction in the expressions of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 7 (β-PIX), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) in the presence of BHMC treatment at 12.5 µM. Therefore, it can be postulated that BHMC at 12.5 µM is the optimal concentration for preventing breast cancer invasion.

Curcumin on the "flying carpets" to modulate different signal transduction cascades in cancers: Next-generation approach to bridge translational gaps

Curcumin, a bioactive and pharmacologically efficient component isolated from Curcuma longa has attracted considerable attention because of its ability to modulate diverse cellular and physiological pathways. WNT, TGF/SMAD, NOTCH, and SHH are fundamentally different signaling cascades, but their choreographed activation is strongly associated with cancer development and progression. In this review we have attempted to set spotlight on regulation of different cell signaling pathways by curcumin in different cancers. We partition this multi-component review into in-depth biological understanding of various signal transduction cascades and how curcumin targets intracellular signal transducers of deregulated pathways to inhibit cancer development and progression. Rapidly broadening landscape of both established and candidate oncogenic driver mutations identified in different cancers is a major stumbling block in the standardization of drugs having significant clinical outcome. Intra and inter-tumor heterogeneity had leveraged the complexity of therapeutic challenges to another level. Multi-pronged approach and molecularly guided treatments will be helpful in improving the clinical outcome.

Chinese Medicines in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer: From Formulas to Extracts and Compounds

In order to fully understand the progresses and achievements in Chinese medicines for the treatment of prostate cancer, we summarize all the available reports on formulas, extracts, and compounds of Chinese medicines against prostate cancer. A number of clinical trials verified that traditional Chinese formulas had some unique advantages in the treatment of prostate cancer. Many Chinese medicine extracts could protect against prostate cancer, and many compounds isolated from Chinese traditional medicines showed a clear anti-prostate cancer effect. However, Chinese medicines are facing many problems regarding their multicomponent nature, complicated mechanisms of action, and high doses required for therapy. Herein, we review the functions of Chinese medicines in prostate cancer and focus on their mechanisms. The review will deepen the understanding of Chinese medicines potential in the anti-prostate cancer field. In addition, we put forward a question concerning the current research on Chinese medicines: in order to better illustrate that Chinese medicines can be used in the clinical treatment of prostate cancer, should our research focus on formulas, extracts, or compounds?

Curcumin suppressed the prostate cancer by inhibiting JNK pathways via epigenetic regulation

Curcumin is a component of turmeric and is isolated from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa. Curcumin was reported to have therapeutic effects on prostate cancer. Yet the molecular mechanism of curcumin remains unclear. In this study, mouse prostate cancer xenograft model was established and subjected to curcumin treatment. GST-c-Jun pull down kinase assays were performed to study the phospho-c-Jun level. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay kit was utilized to detect the cell viability. Immunoblotting and qRT-PCR were performed for target gene expression analysis. Curcumin inhibited growth of prostate cancer in vivo as well as promoted apoptosis of LNCaP cells in vitro. Curcumin inhibited JNK pathway and repressed H3K4me3 in LNCaP cells. Combined use of curcumin and JQ-1 inhibited the prostate cancer efficiently. In conclusion, curcumin inhibits JNK pathway and plays a role in epigenetic regulation of prostate cancer cells by repressing H3K4me3.

Curcumin inhibits the growth of liver cancer stem cells through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway

Cancer stem cells are considered as a main cause of cancer recurrence. In the present study, the effects of curcumin on the growth of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) were investigated. The proliferation and apoptosis of LCSCs were assessed by MTT assays and flow cytometry. Changes in the expression of apoptosis-related proteins were identified by western blotting. The results of the study demonstrated that curcumin treatment inhibited the growth of LCSCs, induced cell apoptosis, as well as regulated the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins and the release of cytochrome c. Further experiments revealed that treatment with curcumin inhibited that the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Treatment with an activator of PI3K/AKT reversed the curcumin-induced growth inhibition of LCSCs. These results demonstrated that curcumin inhibited the growth of LCSCs through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Thus, the present study suggested that curcumin may be a potentially efficient agent in the treatment of liver cancer.

Does combined therapy of curcumin and epigallocatechin gallate have a synergistic neuroprotective effect against spinal cord injury?

Systematic inflammatory response after spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the factors leading to lesion development and a profound degree of functional loss. Anti-inflammatory compounds, such as curcumin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) are known for their neuroprotective effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of combined therapy of curcumin and EGCG in a rat model of acute SCI induced by balloon compression. Immediately after SCI, rats received curcumin, EGCG, curcumin + EGCG or saline [daily intraperitoneal doses (curcumin, 6 mg/kg; EGCG 17 mg/kg)] and weekly intramuscular doses (curcumin, 60 mg/kg; EGCG 17 mg/kg)] for 28 days. Rats were evaluated using behavioral tests (the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) open-field locomotor test, flat beam test). Spinal cord tissue was analyzed using histological methods (Luxol Blue-cresyl violet staining) and immunohistochemistry (anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein, anti-growth associated protein 43). Cytokine levels (interleukin-1β, interleukin-4, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha, and RANTES) were measured using Luminex assay. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the relative expression of genes (Sort1, Fgf2, Irf5, Mrc1, Olig2, Casp3, Gap43, Gfap, Vegf, NfκB, Cntf) related to regenerative processes in injured spinal cord. We found that all treatments displayed significant behavioral recovery, with no obvious synergistic effect after combined therapy of curcumin and ECGC. Curcumin and EGCG alone or in combination increased axonal sprouting, decreased glial scar formation, and altered the levels of macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha, interleukin-1β, interleukin-4 and interleukin-6 cytokines. These results imply that although the expected synergistic response of this combined therapy was less obvious, aspects of tissue regeneration and immune responses in severe SCI were evident.

Inhibition of Notch-1 pathway is involved in rottlerin-induced tumor suppressive function in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Recent studies have revealed that rottlerin is a natural chemical drug to exert its anti-cancer activity. However, the molecular mechanisms of rottlerin-induced tumor suppressive function have not been fully elucidated. Notch signaling pathway has been characterized to play a crucial role in tumorigenesis. Therefore, regulation of Notch pathway could be beneficial for the treatment of human cancer. The aims of our current study were to explore whether rottlerin could suppress Notch-1 expression, which leads to inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. We performed several approaches, such as CTG, Flow cytometry, scratch healing assay, transwell and Western blotting. Our results showed that rottlerin treatment inhibited cell growth, migration and invasion, and triggered apoptosis, and arrested cell cycle to G1 phase. Moreover, the expression of Notch-1 was obvious decreased in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells after rottlerin treatment. Importantly, overexpression of Notch-1 promoted cell growth and invasion, whereas down-regulation of Notch-1 inhibited cell growth and invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Notably, we found the over-expression of Notch-1 could abrogate the anti-cancer function induced by rottlerin. Strikingly, our study implied that Notch-1 could be a useful target of rottlerin for the prevention and treatment of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The Notch-1 receptor in prostate tumorigenesis

The Notch signalling pathway plays a fundamental role in tissue development due to its involvement in cell fate determination and postnatal tissue differentiation. Its capacity to regulate cell growth and development has been linked to the occurrence of several cancers including that of the prostate. The transmembrane receptor Notch-1 of this pathway has been linked to the oncogenic role of Notch signalling in prostate adenocarcinoma. Other studies have suggested a tumour suppressive function for Notch-1. This review focuses on the role of Notch-1 in prostate cancer development and maintenance and relates this to the fundamental role of Notch in normal prostate development. The current understanding of the aberrant Notch signalling characteristic of prostate cancer is discussed, and recent therapeutic advances in this field are presented.