Natural products as glycolytic inhibitors for cervical cancer treatment: A comprehensive review

Cervical cancer, a prevalent gynaecological malignancy, presents challenges in late-stage treatment efficacy. Aerobic glycolysis, a prominent metabolic trait in cervical cancer, emerges as a promising target for novel drug discovery. Natural products, originating from traditional medicine, represent a significant therapeutic avenue and primary source for new drug development. This review explores the regulatory mechanisms of glycolysis in cervical cancer and summarises natural compounds that inhibit aerobic glycolysis as a therapeutic strategy. The glycolytic phenotype in cervical cancer is regulated by classical molecules such as HIF-1, HPV virulence factors and specificity protein 1, which facilitate the Warburg effect in cervical cancer. Various natural products, such as artemisinin, shikonin and kaempferol, exert inhibitory effects by downregulating key glycolytic enzymes through signalling pathways such as PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α and JAK2/STAT3. Despite challenges related to drug metabolism and toxicity, these natural compounds provide novel insights and promising avenues for cervical cancer treatment.

Design and fabrication of functionalized curdlan-curcumin delivery system to facilitate the therapeutic effects of curcumin on breast cancer

We developed a facile method for the fabrication of a biodegradable delivery system composed of two blocks: curdlan and curcumin. This was achieved by chemical functionalization of curdlan through tosylation, amination followed by complexation with curcumin. A comprehensive evaluation of structural characterization and component stability showed that cur-cum complex exhibited better anticancer properties with enhanced thermal properties. The cur-cum complex shows pH sensitive sustained release behaviour with higher release at acidic pH and kinetic data of drug release follows the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The cur-cum complex has ability to block the proliferation of the MCF-7 cell line as revealed by MTT assay which showed increased toxicity of cur-cum complex against these cell lines. The results obtained from western blot analysis demonstrated that the co-administration of cur and cum effectively induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. This effect was observed by a considerable upregulation of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, a decline in mRNA expression of LDHA, level of lactate and LDH activity. The results clearly depict the role of functionalized curdlan as efficient carrier for curcumin delivery with prolonged, sustained release and enhanced bioavailability, thereby improving the overall anticancer activity.

Application of natural polysaccharides and their novel dosage forms in gynecological cancers: therapeutic implications from the diversity potential of natural compounds

Cancer is one of the most lethal diseases. Globally, the number of cancers is nearly 10 million per year. Gynecological cancers (for instance, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial), relying on hidden diseases, misdiagnoses, and high recurrence rates, have seriously affected women's health. Traditional chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy effectively improve the prognosis of gynecological cancer patients. However, with the emergence of adverse reactions and drug resistance, leading to the occurrence of complications and poor compliance of patients, we have to focus on the new treatment direction of gynecological cancers. Because of the potential effects of natural drugs in regulating immune function, protecting against oxidative damage, and improving the energy metabolism of the body, natural compounds represented by polysaccharides have also attracted extensive attention in recent years. More and more studies have shown that polysaccharides are effective in the treatment of various tumors and in reducing the burden of metastasis. In this review, we focus on the positive role of natural polysaccharides in the treatment of gynecologic cancer, the molecular mechanisms, and the available evidence, and discuss the potential use of new dosage forms derived from polysaccharides in gynecologic cancer. This study covers the most comprehensive discussion on applying natural polysaccharides and their novel preparations in gynecological cancers. By providing complete and valuable sources of information, we hope to promote more effective treatment solutions for clinical diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancers.

Non-glycosidic iridoids from the roots of Patrinia scabra and their nitric oxide production inhibitory effects

Phytochemical investigation on the 70% aqueous EtOH extract from the roots of Patrinia scabra led to the isolation and characterization of five new non-glycosidic iridoids, patriscabrins F-J (1-5), along with a known iridoid 11-ethoxyviburtinal (6). The structures of the new compounds 1-5 were determined by interpretation of spectroscopic data, particularly by 1D- and 2D-NMR and ECD studies. Thereafter, the isolates 1-6 were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells. Of these, patriscabrin F (1) exhibited the most potent inhibitory effect with observed IC₅₀ value of 14.1 μM. In addition, patriscabrin G (2) and 11-ethoxyviburtinal (6) showed IC₅₀ values 24.6 and 35.5 μM, respectively.

Iridoids from the Roots of Patrinia scabra and Their Inhibitory Potential on LPS-Induced Nitric Oxide Production

An activity-guided fractionation procedure of the 70% aqueous EtOH extract from the roots of Patrinia scabra led to the isolation and characterization of five new iridoids, patriscabrins A-E (1-5), along with 13 known compounds. The structures of 1-5 were determined by interpretation of spectroscopic data, particularly by 1D and 2D NMR, ECD, and VCD studies. Thereafter, isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells. Of these, the new iridoids 2 and 5 and the known lignan patrineolignan B (6) exhibited IC₅₀ values of 14.7 to 17.8 μM.

The Genus Patrinia: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies

The aim of the present review is to comprehensively outline the botanical description, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Patrinia, and to discuss possible trends for the further study of medicinal plants from the genus Patrinia. The genus Patrinia plays an important role in Asian medicine for the treatment of erysipelas, conjunctival congestion with swelling and pain, peri-appendicular abscesses, lung carbuncle, dysentery, leucorrhea, and postpartum disease. More than 210 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from Patrinia plants, especially P. scabiosaefolia Fisch., P. scabra Bunge, P. villosa Juss., P. heterophylla Bunge and P. rupestris(Pall.) Juss[Formula: see text] Of these compounds, triterpenoids and saponins, iridoids, flavonoids, and lignans are the major or active constituents. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that some monomer compounds and crude extracts from the genus Patrinia possess wide pharmacological activities, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral effects. In addition, they have been shown to have valuable and positive effects on the immune and nervous system in experimental animals. There are also some reports on the clinical uses and toxicity of these species. However, few reports have been published concerning the material identification or quality control of Patrinia species, and the clinical uses and toxic effects of these plants are relatively sparse. More attention must be given to these issues.

The Anti-Oxidant and Antitumor Properties of Plant Polysaccharides

Oxidative stress has been increasingly recognized as a major contributing factor in a variety of human diseases, from inflammation to cancer. Although certain parts of signaling pathways are still under investigation, detailed molecular mechanisms for the induction of diseases have been elucidated, especially the link between excessive oxygen reactive species (ROS) damage and tumorigenesis. Emerging evidence suggests anti-oxidant therapy can play a key role in treating those diseases. Among potential drug resources, plant polysaccharides are natural anti-oxidant constituents important for human health because of their long history in ethnopharmacology, wide availability and few side effects upon consumption. Plant polysaccharides have been shown to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, cell viability promotion, immune-regulation and antitumor functions in a number of disease models, both in laboratory studies and in the clinic. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress of signaling pathways involved in the initiation and progression of oxidative stress- and cancer-related diseases in humans. The natural sources, structural properties and biological actions of several common plant polysaccharides, including Lycium barbarum, Ginseng, Zizyphus Jujuba, Astragalus lentiginosus, and Ginkgo biloba are discussed in detail, with emphasis on their signaling pathways. All of the mentioned common plant polysaccharides have great potential to treat oxidative stress and cancinogenic disorders in cell models, animal disease models and clinical cases. ROS-centered pathways (e.g. mitochondrial autophagy, MAPK and JNK) and transcription factor-related pathways (e.g. NF-[Formula: see text]B and HIF) are frequently utilized by these polysaccharides with or without the further involvement of inflammatory and death receptor pathways. Some of the polysaccharides may also influence tumorigenic pathways, such as Wnt and p53 to play their anti-tumor roles. In addition, current problems and future directions for the application of those plant polysaccharides are also listed and discussed.

Proteomic analysis of the effect of triterpenes from Patrinia heterophylla on leukemia K562 cells

For centuries, Patrinia heterophylla had been used in China to treat many diseases including tumor. Triterpenes has been identified as the major active constituents in Patrinia heterophylla. To elucidate the antitumor mechanism of triterpenes from Patrinia heterophylla1 (TPH), a proteomic analysis is carried out with TPH treatment in K562 cells. The total proteins extracted from TPH treated K562 cells are analyzed by two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and compared with those untreated K562 cells. Mass spectrometry is applied to identify the differentially expressed proteins. Twenty-three differentially expressed significant proteins are discovered. Eight proteins are later identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and Mascot software. Among them, four proteins are up-regulated (Aldolase A, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Flavin reductase and Hemoglobin subunit) and four proteins were down-regulated (Heat-shock protein 90 〈Alpha〉 (HSP90-〈Alpha〉), Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A, Moesin, tublin) by TPH treatment in K562 cells. The identified proteins are associated with energy metabolism, oxidative stress, apoptosis, signal transduction, differential induction, and protein biosynthesis. These findings might provide valuable insights into the antitumor mechanism of TPH in K562 cells.

Anticancer polysaccharides from natural resources: a review of recent research

Taking into account the rising trend of the incidence of cancers of various organs, effective therapies are urgently needed to control human malignancies. However, almost all of the chemotherapy drugs currently on the market cause serious side effects. Fortunately, several previous studies have shown that some non-toxic biological macromolecules, including polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes, possess anti-cancer activities or can increase the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy drugs. Based on these encouraging observations, a great deal of effort has been focused on discovering anti-cancer polysaccharides and complexes for the development of effective therapeutics for various human cancers. This review focuses on the advancements in the anti-cancer efficacy of various natural polysaccharides and polysaccharide complexes in the past 5 years. Most polysaccharides were tested using model systems, while several involved clinical trials.

Rhein Lysinate Induced S-Phase Arrest and Increased the Anti-Tumor Activity of 5-FU in HeLa Cells

Rhein lysinate (RHL), easily dissolved in water, is one of the anthraquinones, and has been shown to have anti-tumor activity in different human cancer cell lines. In the present study, we observed that RHL could cause vacuolar degeneration in HeLa cells, which was not observed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and other cell lines (SKOV-3 and SK-BR-3). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-tumor effect of rhein lysinate on human cervix cancer HeLa cells. The results indicated that RHL could induce HeLa cell S-phase arrest and RHL (higher than 80 μM) also induced HeLa cell G2/M-phase arrest in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to the HeLa cells, RHL induced HUVECs G1-phase arrest at all dose levels tested in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with RHL led to a significant S or G2/M-phase arrest through promoting the expression of p53 and p21 and the phosphorylation of p53. Moreover, 80 μM RHL could increase 5-FU anti-tumor activity. In conclusion, RHL could be a novel chemotherapeutic drug candidate for the treatment of human cervix cancer in the future.