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Nandi S, Nag A, Khatua S, Sen S, Chakraborty N, Naskar A, Acharya K, Calina D, Sharifi-Rad J. Anticancer activity and other biomedical properties of β-sitosterol: Bridging phytochemistry and current pharmacological evidence for future translational approaches. Phytother Res 2024; 38:592-619. [PMID: 37929761 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Sterols, including β-sitosterol, are essential components of cellular membranes in both plant and animal cells. Despite being a major phytosterol in various plant materials, comprehensive scientific knowledge regarding the properties of β-sitosterol and its potential applications is essential for scholarly pursuits and utilization purposes. β-sitosterol shares similar chemical characteristics with cholesterol and exhibits several pharmacological activities without major toxicity. This study aims to bridge the gap between phytochemistry and current pharmacological evidence of β-sitosterol, focusing on its anticancer activity and other biomedical properties. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of β-sitosterol's potential for future translational approaches. A thorough examination of the literature was conducted to gather relevant information on the biological properties of β-sitosterol, particularly its anticancer therapeutic potential. Various databases were searched, including PubMed/MedLine, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science using appropriate keywords. Studies investigating the effects of β-sitosterol on different types of cancer were analyzed, focusing on mechanisms of action, pharmacological screening, and chemosensitizing properties. Modern pharmacological screening studies have revealed the potential anticancer therapeutic properties of β-sitosterol against various types of cancer, including leukemia, lung, stomach, breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer. β-sitosterol has demonstrated chemosensitizing effects on cancer cells, interfering with multiple cell signaling pathways involved in proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, survival, metastasis invasion, angiogenesis, and inflammation. Structural derivatives of β-sitosterol have also shown anti-cancer effects. However, research in the field of drug delivery and the detailed mode of action of β-sitosterol-mediated anticancer activities remains limited. β-sitosterol, as a non-toxic compound with significant pharmacological potential, exhibits promising anticancer effects against various cancer types. Despite being relatively less potent than conventional cancer chemotherapeutics, β-sitosterol holds potential as a safe and effective nutraceutical against cancer. Further comprehensive studies are recommended to explore the biological properties of β-sitosterol, including its mode of action, and develop novel formulations for its potential use in cancer treatment. This review provides a foundation for future investigations and highlights the need for further research on β-sitosterol as a potent superfood in combating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudeshna Nandi
- Molecular and Applied Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Anish Nag
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India
| | - Somanjana Khatua
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
| | - Surjit Sen
- Department of Botany, Fakir Chand College, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Arghya Naskar
- Molecular and Applied Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Krishnendu Acharya
- Molecular and Applied Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
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Vasilopoulos SN, Güner H, Uça Apaydın M, Pavlopoulou A, Georgakilas AG. Dual Targeting of DNA Damage Response Proteins Implicated in Cancer Radioresistance. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2227. [PMID: 38137049 PMCID: PMC10742610 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation can induce different types of DNA lesions, leading to genomic instability and ultimately cell death. Radiation therapy or radiotherapy, a major modality in cancer treatment, harnesses the genotoxic potential of radiation to target and destroy cancer cells. Nevertheless, cancer cells have the capacity to develop resistance to radiation treatment (radioresistance), which poses a major obstacle in the effective management of cancer. It has been shown that administration of platinum-based drugs to cancer patients can increase tumor radiosensitivity, but despite this, it is associated with severe adverse effects. Several lines of evidence support that activation of the DNA damage response and repair machinery in the irradiated cancer cells enhances radioresistance and cellular survival through the efficient repair of DNA lesions. Therefore, targeting of key DNA damage repair factors would render cancer cells vulnerable to the irradiation effects, increase cancer cell killing, and reduce the risk of side effects on healthy tissue. Herein, we have employed a computer-aided drug design approach for generating ab initio a chemical compound with drug-like properties potentially targeting two proteins implicated in multiple DNA repair pathways. The findings of this study could be taken into consideration in clinical decision-making in terms of co-administering radiation with DNA damage repair factor-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridon N. Vasilopoulos
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou Campus, 15780 Athens, Greece;
- Department of Science and Mathematics, Deree-The American College of Greece, 6 Gravias Street, 15342 Athens, Greece
| | - Hüseyin Güner
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), 35340 Izmir, Turkey; (H.G.); (M.U.A.)
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Life and Natural Science, Abdullah Gül University, 38080 Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Merve Uça Apaydın
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), 35340 Izmir, Turkey; (H.G.); (M.U.A.)
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Athanasia Pavlopoulou
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), 35340 Izmir, Turkey; (H.G.); (M.U.A.)
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Alexandros G. Georgakilas
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou Campus, 15780 Athens, Greece;
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Ahmed SA, Mendonca P, Messeha SS, Soliman KFA. Anticancer Effects of Fucoxanthin through Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis Induction, and Angiogenesis Inhibition in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Molecules 2023; 28:6536. [PMID: 37764312 PMCID: PMC10535858 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The absence of progesterone receptors, estrogen receptors, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 restricts the therapy choices for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Moreover, conventional medication is not highly effective in treating TNBC, and developing effective therapeutic agents from natural bioactive compounds is a viable option. In this study, the anticancer effects of the natural compound fucoxanthin were investigated in two genetically different models of TNBC cells: MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. Fucoxanthin had a significant anticancer effect in both cell lines at a concentration range of 1.56-300 µM. The compound decreased cell viability in both cell lines with higher potency in MDA-MB-468 cells. Meanwhile, proliferation assays showed similar antiproliferative effects in both cell lines after 48 h and 72 h treatment periods. Flow cytometry and Annexin V-FITC apoptosis assay revealed the ability of fucoxanthin to induce apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 only. Cell cycle arrest analysis showed that the compound also induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase in both cell lines, accompanied by more cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells at S-phase and a higher cell cycle arrest in the MDA-MB-468 cells at G2-phase. Wound healing and migration assay showed that in both cell lines, fucoxanthin prevented migration, but was more effective in MDA-MB-231 cells in a shorter time. In both angiogenic cytokine array and RT-PCR studies, fucoxanthin (6.25 µM) downregulated VEGF-A and -C expression in TNF-α-stimulated (50 ng/mL) MDA-MB-231, but not in MDA-MB-468 cells on the transcription and protein levels. In conclusion, this study shows that fucoxanthin was more effective in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, where it can target VEGF-A and VEGF-C, inhibit cell proliferation and cell migration, and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis-the most crucial cellular processes involved in breast cancer development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shade’ A. Ahmed
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA;
| | - Patricia Mendonca
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA;
| | - Samia S. Messeha
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA;
| | - Karam F. A. Soliman
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA;
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Benrahou K, Driouech M, El Guourrami O, Mrabti HN, Cherrah Y, El Abbes Faouzi M. Medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and taxonomy of Poygonum aviculare L.: a comprehensive review. Med Chem Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-023-03021-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Pacifico S, Bláha P, Faramarzi S, Fede F, Michaličková K, Piccolella S, Ricciardi V, Manti L. Differential Radiomodulating Action of Olea europaea L. cv. Caiazzana Leaf Extract on Human Normal and Cancer Cells: A Joint Chemical and Radiobiological Approach. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11081603. [PMID: 36009322 PMCID: PMC9404970 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11081603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of a natural compound with selectively differential radiomodulating activity would arguably represent a valuable asset in the striving quest for widening the therapeutic window in cancer radiotherapy (RT). To this end, we fully characterized the chemical profile of olive tree leaf polyphenols from the Caiazzana cultivar (OLC), autochthonous to the Campania region (Italy), by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HR-MS). Oleacein was the most abundant molecule in the OLC. Two normal and two cancer cells lines were X-ray-irradiated following 24-h treatment with the same concentration of the obtained crude extract and were assessed for their radioresponse in terms of micronucleus (MN) induction and, for one of the normal cell lines, of premature senescence (PS). Irradiation of pre-treated normal cells in the presence of the OLC reduced the frequency of radiation-induced MN and the onset of PS. Conversely, the genotoxic action of ionising radiation was exacerbated in cancer cells under the same experimental conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the dual action of a polyphenol-rich olive leaf extract on radiation-induced damage. If further confirmed, these findings may be pre-clinically relevant and point to a substance that may potentially counteract cancer radioresistance while reducing RT-associated normal tissue toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Severina Pacifico
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Sezione di Napoli, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pavel Bláha
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Sezione di Napoli, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Shadab Faramarzi
- Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah 67149-67346, Iran
| | - Francesca Fede
- Dipartimento di Fisica “E. Pancini”, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Katarina Michaličková
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Sezione di Napoli, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisica “E. Pancini”, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Simona Piccolella
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Sezione di Napoli, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Valerio Ricciardi
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Sezione di Napoli, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Manti
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Sezione di Napoli, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisica “E. Pancini”, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence:
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