Upregulation of microRNA 344a-3p is involved in curcumin induced apoptosis in RT4 schwannoma cells

Ferroptosis-Regulated Natural Products and miRNAs and Their Potential Targeting to Ferroptosis and Exosome Biogenesis

Ferroptosis, which comprises iron-dependent cell death, is crucial in cancer and non-cancer treatments. Exosomes, the extracellular vesicles, may deliver biomolecules to regulate disease progression. The interplay between ferroptosis and exosomes may modulate cancer development but is rarely investigated in natural product treatments and their modulating miRNAs. This review focuses on the ferroptosis-modulating effects of natural products and miRNAs concerning their participation in ferroptosis and exosome biogenesis (secretion and assembly)-related targets in cancer and non-cancer cells. Natural products and miRNAs with ferroptosis-modulating effects were retrieved and organized. Next, a literature search established the connection of a panel of ferroptosis-modulating genes to these ferroptosis-associated natural products. Moreover, ferroptosis-associated miRNAs were inputted into the miRNA database (miRDB) to bioinformatically search the potential targets for the modulation of ferroptosis and exosome biogenesis. Finally, the literature search provided a connection between ferroptosis-modulating miRNAs and natural products. Consequently, the connections from ferroptosis-miRNA-exosome biogenesis to natural product-based anticancer treatments are well-organized. This review sheds light on the research directions for integrating miRNAs and exosome biogenesis into the ferroptosis-modulating therapeutic effects of natural products on cancer and non-cancer diseases.

Plant-Derived Epi-Nutraceuticals as Potential Broad-Spectrum Anti-Viral Agents

Although the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be diminishing, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants represents a threat to humans due to their inherent transmissibility, immunological evasion, virulence, and invulnerability to existing therapies. The COVID-19 pandemic affected more than 500 million people and caused over 6 million deaths. Vaccines are essential, but in circumstances in which vaccination is not accessible or in individuals with compromised immune systems, drugs can provide additional protection. Targeting host signaling pathways is recommended due to their genomic stability and resistance barriers. Moreover, targeting host factors allows us to develop compounds that are effective against different viral variants as well as against newly emerging virus strains. In recent years, the globe has experienced climate change, which may contribute to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases through a variety of factors. Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can increase the geographic range of disease-carrying vectors, increasing the risk of diseases spreading to new areas. Climate change may also affect vector behavior, leading to a longer breeding season and more breeding sites for disease vectors. Climate change may also disrupt ecosystems, bringing humans closer to wildlife that transmits zoonotic diseases. All the above factors may accelerate the emergence of new viral epidemics. Plant-derived products, which have been used in traditional medicine for treating pathological conditions, offer structurally novel therapeutic compounds, including those with anti-viral activity. In addition, plant-derived bioactive substances might serve as the ideal basis for developing sustainable/efficient/cost-effective anti-viral alternatives. Interest in herbal antiviral products has increased. More than 50% of approved drugs originate from herbal sources. Plant-derived compounds offer diverse structures and bioactive molecules that are candidates for new drug development. Combining these therapies with conventional drugs could improve patient outcomes. Epigenetics modifications in the genome can affect gene expression without altering DNA sequences. Host cells can use epigenetic gene regulation as a mechanism to silence incoming viral DNA molecules, while viruses recruit cellular epitranscriptomic (covalent modifications of RNAs) modifiers to increase the translational efficiency and transcript stability of viral transcripts to enhance viral gene expression and replication. Moreover, viruses manipulate host cells' epigenetic machinery to ensure productive viral infections. Environmental factors, such as natural products, may influence epigenetic modifications. In this review, we explore the potential of plant-derived substances as epigenetic modifiers for broad-spectrum anti-viral activity, reviewing their modulation processes and anti-viral effects on DNA and RNA viruses, as well as addressing future research objectives in this rapidly emerging field.

Resveratrol, Epigallocatechin Gallate and Curcumin for Cancer Therapy: Challenges from Their Pro-Apoptotic Properties

Plant-derived bioactive compounds are gaining wide attention for their multiple health-promoting activities and in particular for their anti-cancer properties. Several studies have highlighted how they can prevent cancer initiation and progression, improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy, and, in some cases, limit some of the side effects of chemotherapy agents. In this paper, we provide an update of the literature on the anti-cancer effects of three extensively studied plant-derived compounds, namely resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, and curcumin, with a special focus on the anti-cancer molecular mechanisms inducing apoptosis in the major types of cancers globally.

The Involvement of Natural Polyphenols in Molecular Mechanisms Inducing Apoptosis in Tumor Cells: A Promising Adjuvant in Cancer Therapy

Various literature data show how a diet rich in vegetables could reduce the incidence of several cancers due to the contribution of the natural polyphenols contained in them. Polyphenols are attributed multiple pharmacological actions such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-allergic, cardioprotective and even anti-tumor properties. The multiple mechanisms involved in their anti-tumor action include signaling pathways modulation associated with cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, angiogenesis, metastasis and cell death. Since the dysregulation of death processes is involved in cancer etiopathology, the natural compounds able to kill cancer cells could be used as new anticancer agents. Apoptosis, a programmed form of cell death, is the most potent defense against cancer and the main mechanism used by both chemotherapy agents and polyphenols. The aim of this review is to provide an update of literature data on the apoptotic molecular mechanisms induced by some representative polyphenol family members in cancer cells. This aspect is particularly important because it may be useful in the design of new therapeutic strategies against cancer involving the polyphenols as adjuvants.

Citrus flavanone metabolites protect pancreatic β-cells against cholesterol stress through a multi-proteomic mechanism

Citrus flavanones may improve oxidative stress and insulin resistance induced by western diets. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating the change in protein expression levels. This study evaluated the protection and the mechanisms of action of citrus flavanone metabolites, hesperetin 7-glucuronide (H7G) and 3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid (PA), on pancreatic β-cell function under oxidative stress induced by cholesterol using the global proteomics approach. Cholesterol induced changes in the global proteomic profile in the pancreatic β-cell line Min6. On the other hand, proteomics analysis identified 254 proteins differentially expressed with H7G and 352 with PA treatments, most of them were opposite to the changes induced by cholesterol. Bioinformatics analysis showed that these proteins are implicated in cell functions like cell signaling (insulin signaling, p30MAPK signaling, and others), metabolism (glucokinase and glutathione metabolisms), and inflammation pathways (TNF-α and NF-κB pathways). Also, the results of molecular docking suggest that H7G and PA could bind to putative transcription factors (PPAR-γ, STAT-3, CREB1, NF-κB, NFYA) and cell signaling proteins (IKK, RAS, Pi3K, ERK), which results in changes in protein expression observed. Altogether, these data suggest that the treatment with H7G and PA protects pancreatic β-cells against stress induced by cholesterol through multi-proteomic mechanisms of action.

Synthetic Pathways and the Therapeutic Potential of Quercetin and Curcumin

Polyphenols are considered popular ingredients in the pharmaceutical and medical fields due to their preventive and therapeutic properties. However, the potential effects and mechanisms of action of individual polyphenols remain largely unknown. Herein, we analyzed recent data on the synthetic pathways, features, and similarity of the properties of quercetin, as the most famous flavonoid, and curcumin, a representative of curcuminoids that despite their anti-oxidant activity, also have a pro-oxidant effect, depending on the concentration and the cellular environment. This review focuses on an analysis of their anti-cancer efficacy against various cancer cell lines via cell cycle arrest (regulation of p53/p21 and CDK/cyclins) and by triggering the mitochondrial intrinsic (Bcl-2/Bax/caspase 9) apoptotic pathway, as well as through the modulation of the signaling pathways (PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, JAK/STAT, MAPK, p53, and NF-ĸB) and their influence on the non-coding RNAs involved in angiogenesis, invasion, migration, and metastasis. The therapeutic potential of quercetin and curcumin is discussed not only on the basis of their anti-cancer effects, but also with regard to their anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial actions.

Antitumoral Activities of Curcumin and Recent Advances to ImProve Its Oral Bioavailability

Curcumin, a main bioactive component of the Curcuma longa L. rhizome, is a phenolic compound that exerts a wide range of beneficial effects, acting as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer agent. This review summarizes recent data on curcumin's ability to interfere with the multiple cell signaling pathways involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and the migration of several cancer cell types. However, although curcumin displays anticancer potential, its clinical application is limited by its low absorption, rapid metabolism and poor bioavailability. To overcome these limitations, several curcumin-based derivatives/analogues and different drug delivery approaches have been developed. Here, we also report the anticancer mechanisms and pharmacokinetic characteristics of some derivatives/analogues and the delivery systems used. These strategies, although encouraging, require additional in vivo studies to support curcumin clinical applications.

The role of mRNA in the development, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of neural tumors

Neural tumors can generally be divided into central nervous system tumors and peripheral nervous tumors. Because this type of tumor is located in the nerve, even benign tumors are often difficult to remove by surgery. In addition, the majority of neural tumors are malignant, and it is particular the same for the central nervous system tumors. Even treated with the means such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, they are also difficult to completely cure. In recent years, an increasingly number of studies have focused on the use of mRNA to treat tumors, representing an emerging gene therapy. The use of mRNA can use the expression of some functional proteins for the treatment of genetic disorders or tissue repair, and it can also be applied to immunotherapy through the expression of antigens, antibodies or receptors. Therefore, although these therapies are not fully-fledged enough, they have a broad research prospect. In addition, there are many ways to treat tumors using mRNA vaccines and exosomes carrying mRNA, which have drawn much attention. In this study, we reviewed the current research on the role of mRNA in the development, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of neural tumors, and examine the future research prospects of mRNA in neural tumors and the opportunities and challenges that will arise in the future application of clinical treatment.

Targeting micro-RNAs by natural products: a novel future therapeutic strategy to combat cancer

MicroRNAs are a class of short, non-coding RNAs that play a crucial role in normal physiology by attenuating translation or targeting messenger RNAs for degradation. Deregulation of miRNAs disturbs key molecular events in interconnected processes such as cell proliferation, tumor angiogenesis, self-renewal, apoptosis, metastasis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. This process initiates, promotes and develops the pathophysiology of cancer. The modulation of miRNAs results in epigenetic changes in the genome, which eventually leads to cancer. Targeting deregulated miRNAs by natural products derived from plants is an ideal strategy to combat tumorigenesis. Owing to their fewer side effects, natural products have been used as chemotherapeutic agents against various cancers. These natural products modulate the dysregulated signaling pathways by downregulating the oncogenic miRNAs which play a crucial role in the development of tumorigenesis and maintain a fine balance of tumor suppressor miRNAs. This review article aims to highlight the key modifications of miRNAs which lead to tumorigenesis and the chemotherapeutic potential of natural products by targeting miRNAs and their possible mechanism of inhibition for developing an effective anti-cancer agent(s). They will have less damaging effects on normal cells for future chemotherapeutics.

Quercetin, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Curcumin, and Resveratrol: From Dietary Sources to Human MicroRNA Modulation

Epidemiologic studies suggest that dietary polyphenol intake is associated with a lower incidence of several non-communicable diseases. Although several foods contain complex mixtures of polyphenols, numerous factors can affect their content. Besides the well-known capability of these molecules to act as antioxidants, they are able to interact with cell-signaling pathways, modulating gene expression, influencing the activity of transcription factors, and modulating microRNAs. Here we deeply describe four polyphenols used as nutritional supplements: quercetin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC), and curcumin, summarizing the current knowledge about them, spanning from dietary sources to the epigenetic capabilities of these compounds on microRNA modulation.

Potential Mechanisms of Action of Curcumin for Cancer Prevention: Focus on Cellular Signaling Pathways and miRNAs

Despite significant progressions in treatment modalities over the last decade, either cancer incidence or mortality is continuously on the rise throughout the world. Current anticancer agents display limited efficacy, accompanied by severe side effects. In order to improve therapeutic outcomes in patients with cancer, it is crucial to identify novel, highly efficacious pharmacological agents. Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol extracted from turmeric, has gained increasing attention due to its powerful anticancer properties. Curcumin can inhibit the growth, invasion and metastasis of various cancers. The anticancer mechanisms of curcumin have been extensively studied. The anticancer effects of curcumin are mainly mediated through its regulation of multiple cellular signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, MAPK, p53 and NF-ĸB signaling pathways. Moreover, curcumin also orchestrates the expression and activity of oncogenic and tumor-suppressive miRNAs. In this review, we summarized the regulation of these signaling pathways by curcumin in different cancers. We also discussed the modulatory function of curcumin in the downregulation of oncogenic miRNAs and the upregulation of tumor-suppressive miRNAs. An in-depth understanding of the anticancer mechanisms of curcumin will be helpful for developing this promising compound as a therapeutic agent in clinical management of cancer.