The therapeutic potential of natural metabolites in targeting endocrine-independent HER-2-negative breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogenous disease, with prognosis and treatment options depending on Estrogen, Progesterone receptor, and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER-2) status. HER-2 negative, endocrine-independent BC presents a significant clinical challenge with limited treatment options. To date, promising strategies like immune checkpoint inhibitors have not yielded breakthroughs in patient prognosis. Despite being considered archaic, agents derived from natural sources, mainly plants, remain backbone of current treatment. In this context, we critically analyze novel naturally-derived drug candidates, elucidate their intricate mechanisms of action, and evaluate their pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo activity in endocrine-independent HER-2 negative BC. Since pre-clinical research success often does not directly correlate with drug approval, we focus on ongoing clinical trials to uncover current trends. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of combining cutting-edge technologies, such as antibody-drug conjugates or nanomedicine, with naturally-derived agents, offering new opportunities that utilize both traditional cytotoxic agents and new metabolites.

A novel anticancer property of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide in triggering ferroptosis of breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is one of the most malignant tumors and is associated with high mortality rates among women. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is an extract from the fruits of the traditional Chinese herb, L. barbarum. LBP is a promising anticancer drug, due to its high activity and low toxicity. Although it has anticancer properties, its mechanisms of action have not been fully established. Ferroptosis, which is a novel anticancer strategy, is a cell death mechanism that relies on iron-dependent lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In this study, human breast cancer cells (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) and MD Anderson-Metastatic Breast-231 (MDA-MB-231)) were treated with LBP. LBP inhibited their viability and proliferation in association with high levels of ferroptosis. Therefore, we aimed to ascertain whether LBP reduced cell viability through ferroptosis. We found that the structure and function of mitochondria, lipid peroxidation, and expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11, also known as xCT, the light-chain subunit of cystine/glutamate antiporter system X_c^-) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were altered by LBP. Moreover, the ferroptosis inhibitor, Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), rescued LBP-induced ferroptosis-associated events including reduced cell viability and glutathione (GSH) production, accumulation of intracellular free divalent iron ions and malondialdehyde (MDA), and down-regulation of the expression of xCT and GPX4. Erastin (xCT inhibitor) and RSL3 (GPX4 inhibitor) inhibited the expression of xCT and GPX4, respectively, which was lower after the co-treatment of LBP with Erastin and RSL3. These results suggest that LBP effectively prevents breast cancer cell proliferation and promotes ferroptosis via the xCT/GPX4 pathway. Therefore, LBP exhibits novel anticancer properties by triggering ferroptosis, and may be a potential therapeutic option for breast cancer.

Quality variation of fruits of species of the genus Lycium in Ukraine: A comparative morphological analysis

Goji berries (Lycium L.) have been an important element of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries due to their health-promoting properties and chemical composition, and they deserve the term “superfruit”. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological parameters of Lycium (L. barbarum L., L. chinense Mill. and L. truncatum Y. C. Wang) fruits for 21 cultivars and varieties from the collections in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv). Cultivars and varieties differed by weight, shape, and size of fruits. Their morphometric parameters were the following: fruit weight from 0.44 (L. truncatum cv. Princess Tao) to 1.08 (L. chinense cv. Tybet) g, fruit length from 10.41 (L. chinense cv. Delikat) to 22.84 (L. truncatum cv. Super Sweet) mm, fruit diameter from 7.16 (L. truncatum cv. Princess Tao) to 13.48 (L. chinense cv. Delikat) mm, number of seeds in fruit from 1.0 to 49.0. The shape indexes of fruits were found ranging from 0.78 (L. chinense cv. Delikat) to 2.56 (L. truncatum cv. New Big). The analysis of coefficient of variation showed the difference of variability in morphometric characteristics between Lycium spp. cultivars and varieties. The most variable features are fruit weight (11.4–37.1%) and number of seeds in fruits (9.7–60.8%), which are important parameters for selection that indicates about potential success of selection. Using the cluster analysis with the Bray-Curtis similarity index allowed us to establish the relationships among the fruits Lycium spp. germplasm and arrange the cultivars and varieties into three relatively main clusters. Plants of the genus Lycium, due to the growing importance as functional food, require systematic research work. In cases of food use, large fruit size is important. In the results of our research on L. barbarum, L. chinense and L. truncatum, in terms of fruit sizes the following cultivars and varieties stand out : LB02, LC Amber Sweet and LT Super Sweet. The collected varieties can be the basis for obtaining new cultivars distinguished by the size of crops and their quality.

Biochemical characterization of fruits of Lycium spp. in Ukraine

Fruits of Lycium possess therapeutic properties due to which they are used in traditional and folk medicine and can be used as a kind of functional food. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biochemical characterization of Lycium L. (L. barbarum L., L. chinense Mill. and L. truncatum Y. C. Wang) fruits for 16 cultivars and varieties from the collections in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv). This study was aimed at determining the concentration of nutrients in the Lycium fruits. Individual genotypes of three Lycium species: L. barbarum, L.chinense, and L. truncatum, differed in such features as the content of dry matter, sugars, vitamin C, β-carotene, acidity, and tannins in the fruit. Fruits of Lycium spp. are a valuable source of nutrients such as vitamin C (4.38–121.0 mg 100g–1 FW), β-carotene content (1.45–5.52%), and tannin (0.12–1.34%). The sugar content (13.83–20.87%) and acidity of the fruit (0.23–4.62%) meet the consumers' requirements for fresh fruit. The cultivar Amber Sweet (L. chinense) had fruits of which the similarities between biochemical characteristics of different studies genotypes were the lowest. The cv. Amber Sweet was characterized by fruit with high sugar content, very high vitamin C content, average acid content, low tannins and β-carotene content, and the lowest dry matter content. Furthermore, a distinctive feature of the other tested genotypes was the yellow colour of the fruit. The data obtained can be used for further selective work.

Functionality of Special Beer Processes and Potential Health Benefits

Consumers’ demand for functional fermented food that can fulfill nutritional needs and help maintain a balanced diet while also having a positive impact on one’s health status is increasing all over the world. Thus, healthy choices could include beverages with nutrients and bioactive compounds which can be used as an effective disease-prevention strategy. Regular beer has certain health benefits which inspire further research with the prospect of obtaining special functional beers with little or no alcohol content. As observed, the special beer market remains highly dynamic and is predicted to expand even further. Therefore, brewers need to keep up with the consumers’ interests and needs while designing special beers, namely nonalcoholic beers (NABs), low-alcohol beers (LABs), and craft beers (CBs). Thus, understanding the potential uses of bioactive compounds in special beer, the wide range of therapeutic effects, and the possible mechanisms of action is essential for developing healthier beverages. This review aimed to evaluate the nutritional features of special beers, and their proven or potential beneficial actions on one’s health status and in preventing certain diseases.