Maslinic acid induces anticancer effects in human neuroblastoma cells mediated via apoptosis induction and caspase activation, inhibition of cell migration and invasion and targeting MAPK/ERK signaling pathway

Hawthorn with "homology of medicine and food": a review of anticancer effects and mechanisms

Over the past few years, there has been a gradual increase in the incidence of cancer, affecting individuals at younger ages. With its refractory nature and substantial fatality rate, cancer presents a notable peril to human existence and wellbeing. Hawthorn, a medicinal food homology plant belonging to the Crataegus genus in the Rosaceae family, holds great value in various applications. Due to its long history of medicinal use, notable effects, and high safety profile, hawthorn has garnered considerable attention and plays a crucial role in cancer treatment. Through the integration of modern network pharmacology technology and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a range of anticancer active ingredients in hawthorn have been predicted, identified, and analyzed. Studies have shown that ingredients such as vitexin, isoorientin, ursolic acid, and maslinic acid, along with hawthorn extracts, can effectively modulate cancer-related signaling pathways and manifest anticancer properties via diverse mechanisms. This review employs network pharmacology to excavate the potential anticancer properties of hawthorn. By systematically integrating literature across databases such as PubMed and CNKI, the review explores the bioactive ingredients with anticancer effects, underlying mechanisms and pathways, the synergistic effects of drug combinations, advancements in novel drug delivery systems, and ongoing clinical trials concerning hawthorn's anticancer properties. Furthermore, the review highlights the preventive health benefits of hawthorn in cancer prevention, offering valuable insights for clinical cancer treatment and the development of TCM with anticancer properties that can be used for both medicinal and edible purposes.

Self-assembled renewable nano-sized pentacyclic triterpenoid maslinic acids in aqueous medium for anti-leukemic, antibacterial and biocompatibility studies: An insight into targeted proteins-compound interactions based mechanistic pathway prediction through molecular docking

Maslinic acid is a naturally occurring dihydroxy, mono-carboxy bioactive triterpenoid. Its bulky structure was the main hindrance in the path of biological activity. Sodium and potassium salts of nano-sized triterpenoid maslinic acid were prepared from maslinic acid and its self-assembly property was studied in aqueous and aqueous-organic binary liquid mixtures. Morphology of the compounds studied by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Optical Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed vesicular morphology of the self-assemblies. Selective cytotoxicity was performed in leukemic (K-562 and KG-1a) and PBMC cells. Among the three self-assemblies (maslinic acid 1, sodium maslinate 2 and potassium maslinate 3), sodium maslinate 2 showed better antileukemic efficacy. Sodium maslinate 2 induced apoptosis in leukemic cells by elevating ROS levels and disrupting the cellular antioxidant system. From the in-silico studies, it was confirmed that 2 interacted with extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic proteins of leukemic cells and killed those cells by inducing apoptotic pathways. The compounds 1, 2 and 3 showed significant antibacterial efficacy against E.coli strain through binding with several periplasmic membrane fusion protein (MFP) and limiting the efflux system leading to arrestation of antimicrobial resistance.

Chemoprevention of neuroblastoma: progress and promise beyond uncertainties

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and comprises one-tenth of all childhood cancer deaths. The current clinical therapy for this deadly disease is multimodal, involving an induction phase with alternating regimens of high-dose chemotherapeutic drugs and load reduction surgery; a consolidation phase with more intensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and stem cell transplant; and a maintenance phase with immunotherapy and immune-activating cytokine treatment. Despite such intensive treatment, children with neuroblastoma have unacceptable life quality and survival, warranting preventive measures to regulate the cellular functions that orchestrate tumor progression, therapy resistance, metastasis, and tumor relapse/recurrence. Globally, active efforts are underway to identify novel chemopreventive agents, define their mechanism(s) of action, and assess their clinical benefit. Some chemoprevention strategies (e.g., retinoids, difluoromethylornithine) have already been adopted clinically as part of maintenance phase therapy. Several agents are in the pipeline, while many others are in preclinical characterization. Here we review the classes of chemopreventive agents investigated for neuroblastoma, including cellular events targeted, mode(s) of action, and the level of development. Our review: (i) highlights the pressing need for new and improved chemopreventive strategies for progressive neuroblastoma; (ii) lists the emerging classes of chemopreventive agents for neuroblastoma; and (iii) recognizes the relevance of targeting dynamically evolving hallmark functions of tumor evolution (e.g., survival, differentiation, lineage transformation). With recent gains in the understanding of tumor evolution processes and preclinical and clinical efforts, it is our strong opinion that effective chemopreventive strategies for aggressive neuroblastoma are a near reality.

Maslinic acid exerts anticancer effects by targeting cancer hallmarks

BACKGROUND

Natural products have long been regarded as a source of anticancer compounds with low toxicity. Evidence revealed that maslinic acid (MA), a widely distributed pentacyclic triterpene in common foodstuffs, exhibited pronounced inhibitory effects against various cancer cell lines. Most cancer cells thrive by acquiring cancer hallmarks, as coined by Hanahan and Weinberg in 2000 and 2011.

PURPOSE

This represents the first systematic review concerning the anticancer properties of MA as these cancer hallmarks are targeted. It aims to summarize the antineoplastic activities of MA, discuss the diverse mechanisms of action based on the effects of MA exerted on each hallmark.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the search terms "maslinic," "cancer," "tumor," and "neoplasm," to retrieve articles from the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus published up to September 2022. Study selection was conducted by three reviewers independently from title and abstract screening until full-text evaluation. Data extraction was done by one reviewer and counterchecked by the second reviewer.

RESULTS

Of the 330 articles assessed, 40 papers met the inclusion criteria and revealed that MA inhibited 16 different cancer cell types. MA impacted every cancer hallmark by targeting multiple pathways.

CONCLUSION

This review provides insights regarding the inhibitory effects of MA against various cancers and its remarkable biological properties as a pleiotropic bioactive compound, which encourage further investigations.

Paulownia Organs as Interesting New Sources of Bioactive Compounds

Paulownia spp. is a genus of trees in the Paulowniaceae family. It is native to southeastern Asia (especially China), where it has been cultivated for decorative, cultural, and medicinal purposes for over 2000 years. Depending on taxonomic classification, there are 6 to 17 species of Paulownia; P. tomentosa, P. elongata, P. fortunei, and P. catalpifolia are considered the most popular. Nowadays, Paulownia trees are planted in Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia for commercial, medical, and decorative purposes. Lately, growing interest in Paulownia has led to the development of various hybrids, the best-known being Clone in vitro 112, Shan Tong, Sundsu 11, and Cotevisa 2. Paulownia Clone in vitro 112 is an artificially created hybrid of two species of Paulownia: P. elongata and P. fortunei. The present review of selected papers from electronic databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SCOPUS before 15 November 2022 describes the phytochemical characteristics, biological properties, and economic significance of various organs from different Paulownia species and hybrids, including P. tomentosa, P. elongata, P. fortunei, and Paulownia Clone in vitro 112. Many compounds from Paulownia demonstrate various biological activities and are promising candidates for natural preparations; for example, the leaves of Clone in vitro 112 have anti-radical and anticoagulant potential. However, further in vivo studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanism of action of the active substances and their long-term effects.

Maslinic Acid: A New Compound for the Treatment of Multiple Organ Diseases

Maslinic acid (MA) is a pentacyclic triterpene acid, which exists in many plants, including olive, and is highly safe for human beings. In recent years, it has been reported that MA has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, neuroprotective and other biological activities. More and more experimental data has shown that MA has a good therapeutic effect on multiple organ diseases, indicating that it has great clinical application potential. In this paper, the extraction, purification, identification and analysis, biological activity, pharmacokinetics in vivo and molecular mechanism of MA in treating various organ diseases are reviewed. It is hoped to provide a new idea for MA to treat various organ diseases.

Food Applications and Potential Health Benefits of Hawthorn

Hawthorn (Crataegus) is a plant of the Rosaceae family and is widely grown throughout the world as one of the medicinal and edible plants, known as the “nutritious fruit” due to its richness in bioactive substances. Preparations derived from it are used in the formulation of dietary supplements, functional foods, and pharmaceutical products. Rich in amino acids, minerals, pectin, vitamin C, chlorogenic acid, epicatechol, and choline, hawthorn has a high therapeutic and health value. Many studies have shown that hawthorn has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-cardiovascular disease, and digestive enhancing properties. This is related to its bioactive components such as polyphenols (chlorogenic acid, proanthocyanidin B2, epicatechin), flavonoids (proanthocyanidins, mucoxanthin, quercetin, rutin), and pentacyclic triterpenoids (ursolic acid, hawthornic acid, oleanolic acid), which are also its main chemical constituents. This paper briefly reviews the chemical composition, nutritional value, food applications, and the important biological and pharmacological activities of hawthorn. This will contribute to the development of functional foods or nutraceuticals from hawthorn.

Analysis of the Mechanism of Maslinic Acid on Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Based on RNA-Seq Technology

Objective

This study analyzed gene sequence changes in the thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC) cell line TPC-1 treated with the natural compound maslinic acid (MA) through RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and identified the necessary genes to provide a basis for the study of the molecular mechanism of action of MA in PTC treatment.

Methods

RNA-seq technology was used to detect genetic differences between the normal cell group (Nthy-ori 3-1) and the TPC-1 cell group (N vs T). Then, gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, Venn diagram analysis of shared genes, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were used to analyze the therapeutic effect of the MA on TPC-1 cells. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to verify six key genes.

Results

GO and KEGG analyses showed that four crucial signaling pathways are related to TPC development: cytoplasmic molecule (cell adhesion molecules), neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, tumor transcriptional disorder, and cytokine–cytokine interaction. The Venn diagram revealed 434 genes were shared between the MA vs T-group and 387 genes were shared between the MATH vs T and N vs T groups. PPI and ClueGO showed that NLRP3, SERPINE1, CD74, EDN1, HMOX1, and CXCL1 genes were significantly associated with PTC, while CXCL1, HMOX1, and other factors were mainly involved in the cytokine–cytokine interaction. The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of NLRP3, EDN1, HMOX1, and CXCL1 genes was significantly upregulated in the TPC-1 group but significantly downregulated after MA treatment (p < 0.01). SERPINE1 and CD74 genes were not expressed in TPC-1 cells, whereas they were significantly upregulated after MA treatment (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

This present study proves for the first time that MA can treat PTC, and the preliminary identification of key genes and rich signal transduction pathways provides potential biomarkers. It also provides potential biomarkers for the treatment of PTC with the natural compound MA and preliminarily discusses the therapeutic mechanism of action of MA against PTC, which is helpful for the further diagnosis and treatment of PTC patients.

Recent Advances Regarding the Molecular Mechanisms of Triterpenic Acids: A Review (Part II)

Triterpenic acids are a widespread class of phytocompounds which have been found to possess valuable therapeutic properties such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, lipolytic, antiviral, and antiparasitic effects. They are a subclass of triterpenes bearing a characteristic lipophilic structure that imprints unfavorable in vivo properties which subsequently limit their applications. The early investigation of the mechanism of action (MOA) of a drug candidate can provide valuable information regarding the possible side effects and drug interactions that may occur after administration. The current paper aimed to summarize the most recent (last 5 years) studies regarding the MOA of betulinic acid, boswellic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, madecassic acid, moronic acid, and pomolic acid in order to provide scientists with updated and accessible material on the topic that could contribute to the development of future studies; the paper stands as the sequel of our previously published paper regarding the MOA of triterpenic acids with therapeutic value. The recent literature published on the topic has highlighted the role of triterpenic acids in several signaling pathways including PI3/AKT/mTOR, TNF-alpha/NF-kappa B, JNK-p38, HIF-α/AMPK, and Grb2/Sos/Ras/MAPK, which trigger their various biological activities.

Maslinic acid protects against pressure-overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy by blocking METTL3-mediated m6A methylation

Coordinated response of the heart to physiological stressors (including stress overload, ischemia, hypothyroidism, and metabolic signals) is a hallmark of heart disease. However, effective treatment and its molecular targets are unknown. Although Maslinic Acid (MA) has been shown to inhibit inflammatory responses with strong anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant effects, information on its role and underlying mechanism in cardiac hypertrophy are scanty. The present study revealed that 10-10³ μg/ml MA treatment significantly inhibited Ang-II induced hypertrophy in NMCMs and the dosage did not influence the cell viability of H9C2 and NCMCs. Moreover, the anti-hypertrophy effect of MA (30 mg/kg·day) was verified in the TAC-induced hypertrophy mouse model in vivo. Further analysis showed that MA administration decreased the total RNA m⁶A methylation and METTL3 levels in Ang-II treated NMCMs and TAC stressed hearts. Rescue experiments under adenovirus-mediated myocardial METTL3 overexpression confirmed that METTL3-mediated m⁶A methylation is essential in M-driven inhibition of myocardial hypertrophy. Collectively, MA exerts a significant anti-hypertrophy effect by regulating the modification of METTL3-mediated m⁶A methylation in vitro and in vivo. These findings may provide a platform for establishing a new target and strategy for cardiac hypertrophy treatment.

Role of Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Acids in the Treatment of Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer carries a poor prognosis and has proven resistance to chemotherapy. Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Acids (PTAs) are natural bioactive compounds that have a well-known impact on cancer research because of their cytotoxic and chemopreventive activities. This review focuses on bladder cancer which can no longer be successfully treated by DNA damaging drugs. Unlike most of the existing drugs against bladder cancer, PTAs are non-toxic to normal cells. Collecting findings from both in vitro and in vivo studies, it has been concluded that PTAs may serve as promising agents in future bladder cancer therapy. In this review, the roles of various PTAs in bladder cancer have been explored, and their mechanisms of action in the treatment of bladder cancer have been described. Specific PTAs have been shortlisted from each of the chief skeletons of pentacyclic triterpenoids, which could be effective against bladder cancer because of their mode of action. This review thereby throws light on the multi targets and mechanisms of PTAs, which are responsible for their selective anticancer effects and provides guidelines for further research and development of new natural antitumor compounds.

Renoprotective Effects of Maslinic Acid on Experimental Renal Fibrosis in Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Model via Targeting MyD88

Maslinic acid (MA), also named crategolic acid, is a pentacyclic triterpene extracted from fruits and vegetables. Although various beneficial pharmacological effects of MA have been revealed, its effect on renal fibrosis remains unclear. This study was designed to clarify whether MA could attenuate renal fibrosis and determine the putative underlying molecular mechanisms. We demonstrated that MA-treated mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) developed a histological injury of low severity and exhibited downregulated expression of fibrotic markers, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, and fibronectin by 38, 44 and 40%, and upregulated expression of E-cadherin by 70% as compared with untreated UUO mice. Moreover, MA treatment restored the expression levels of α-SMA, connective tissue growth factor, and vimentin to 10, 7.8 and 38% of those induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in NRK49F cells. MA decreased expression of Smad2/3 phosphorylation and Smad4 in UUO kidneys and TGF-β treated NRK49F cells (p < 0.05, respectively). Notably, MA specifically interferes with MyD88, an adaptor protein, thereby mitigating Smad4 nuclear expression (p < 0.01 compared to TGF-β treated group) and ameliorating renal fibrotic changes (p < 0.01 for each fibrotic markers compared to TGF-β induced cells). In addition, in the UUO model and lipopolysaccharide-induced NRK49F cells, MA treatment decreased the expression of IL-1β, TGF-α and MCP-1, ICAM-1, associated with the suppression of NF-κB signaling. These findings suggest that MA is a potential agent that can reduce renal interstitial fibrosis, to some extent, via targeting TGF-β/Smad and MyD88 signaling.

The Anticancer Potential of Maslinic Acid and Its Derivatives: A Review

Cancer is still an insurmountable problem for humans and critically attacking human health. In recent years, natural products have gained increasing attention in the field of anti-tumor due to their extensive sources and minimal side effects. Maslinic acid (MA), a pentacyclic triterpene acid mainly derived from the olive tree (Olea europaea L.) has been confirmed to possess great anti-cancer effects. This paper reviewed the inhibitory effect of MA and its derivatives on lung cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, lymphatic, leukemia, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, gallbladder cancer, and bladder cancer, among others. MA inhibited the proliferation of various tumor cells and showed lower IC50 values in melanoma 518A2 cells and gastric cancer MKN28 cells compared with other cell lines. A series of semi-synthetic derivatives obtained by modifying MA chemical structure have been shown to have high cytotoxicity to human tumor cell lines, but low cytotoxicity to non-malignant cells, which is conducive to developing its potential as a chemotherapeutic agent. These studies suggest that MA derivatives have broad prospects in the development of antitumor therapeutics in the future and warrant further study.

Retardant effect of dihydroartemisinin on ulcerative colitis in a JAK2/STAT3-dependent manner

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is a semi-synthetic derivative and the main active metabolite of artemisinin. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of DHA on the ulcerative colitis (UC) in both in vivo and in vitro models. Weight, survival rate, colon length, and Disease Activity Index score were used to evaluate the severity of colitis. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect the expressions of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The expressions of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and the phosphorylation of JAK2 (p-JAK2) and STAT3 (p-STAT3), were measured by western blot analysis. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expressions of tight junction proteins. We found that the weights and colon lengths of mice in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)+DHA group were significantly lower and longer than those in the DSS group, respectively. Compared with those in the DSS group, the expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in the DSS+DHA and DSS+5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) groups were decreased, while the expressions of IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly upregulated. DHA largely increased the expressions of zonula occludens-1 and occludin. Western blot analysis and/or immunohistochemical staining analysis showed that the expressions of JAK2, STAT3, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3 in DSS+DHA and DSS+5-ASA groups were significantly lower than those in DSS group. DHA has a specific therapeutic effect on UC. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of DHA is related to the blockage of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. These findings provide evidence that DHA may be a useful drug and is expected to become a promising new treatment for human UC.