Light-Activated Indole-3-Acetic Acid Induces Apoptosis in G361 Human Melanoma Cells

Biocompatible Alginate Hydrogel Film Containing Acetic Acid Manifests Broad-Spectrum Antiviral and Anticancer Activities

Acetic acid, a colourless liquid organic acid with a characteristic acrid smell, is obtained naturally and has applications in both the food and pharmaceutical industries. It has been reported to have beneficial uses for lifestyle-related diseases, and its efficient disinfectant properties are well known. In this study, an alginate crosslinked with Ca2+ hydrogel film was treated with acetic acid to explore its biological properties for biomedicine. The results showed that the novel calcium alginate/acetic acid film was biocompatible in vitro using human keratinocyte cells and in vivo with Caenorhabditis elegans. It also had antiviral properties against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses and anticancer properties against melanoma and colon cancer cells. This novel film thus showed promise for the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, with applications for fabricating broad-spectrum antiviral and anticancer materials.

Effect of various types of photodynamic therapy on inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions in patients with acne: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have demonstrated that photodynamic therapy (PDT) is safe and effective in treating acne vulgaris. The present study aimed to evaluate various PDTs on inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions in patients with acne by a network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODS

The researchers of this paper searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases from inception to March 2022 to identify suitable RCTs. The included studies were evaluated for methodological quality using the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. Twenty-one RCTs were included, with a total sample size of 898 participants.

RESULTS

Network meta-analysis (NMA) revealed that indocyanine green (ICG) + near-infrared (NIR) diode laser, ICG+830 nm light-emitting diode (LED), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) + 520 nm LED, and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) + sunlight demonstrated obvious curative effects in patients with acne vulgaris. Importantly, ICG+NIR diode laser provided the greatest improvement in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions (surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA]: 84.4% and 93.5%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the NWM and SUCRA ranking, ICG + NIR diode laser can be considered more effective in treating acne than the other PDTs of the RCTs. However, this conclusion should be interpreted with caution due to the limitations of the present study.

Sustained-release nanocapsule based on a 3D COF for long-term enzyme prodrug therapy of cancer

A well-designed three-dimensional (3D) covalent organic framework (COF) was constructed as a nanocapsule for the encapsulation of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), which could realize sustained release of HRP to prolong the duration of the therapeutic agents and promote long-term enzyme prodrug therapy.

Photodynamic therapy for cancer: Role of natural products

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising modality for the treatment of cancer. PDT involves administering a photosensitizing dye, i.e. photosensitizer, that selectively accumulates in tumors, and shining a light source on the lesion with a wavelength matching the absorption spectrum of the photosensitizer, that exerts a cytotoxic effect after excitation. The reactive oxygen species produced during PDT are responsible for the oxidation of biomolecules, which in turn cause cell death and the necrosis of malignant tissue. PDT is a multi-factorial process that generally involves apoptotic death of the tumor cells, degeneration of the tumor vasculature, stimulation of anti-tumor immune response, and induction of inflammatory reactions in the illuminated lesion. Numerous compounds with photosensitizing activity have been introduced commercially. Although many papers have been published with regard to PDT in the last decade, there has been relatively little focus on natural medicinal plant extracts and compounds derived therefrom. Herbal plants and their extracts are natural substances, and in comparison with synthetic chemicals are considered "green". This review focuses on the different mechanisms of PDT and discusses the role of various plant extracts and natural compounds either alone or in combination for carrying out PDT on different types of cancers.

Synergistic photodynamic therapeutic effect of indole-3-acetic acid using a pH sensitive nano-carrier based on poly(aspartic acid-graft-imidazole)-poly(ethylene glycol)

Poly(aspartic acid-graft-imidazole)-poly(ethylene glycol) (P(Asp-g-Im)-PEG) was utilized as a pH-sensitive nanocarrier of the photosensitizer indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) for the treatment of skin cancer. IAA loaded micelles (ILMs) exhibited the formation of ca. 140 nm spherical particles at pH 7.4. The micelles disintegrated at acidic pHs, resulting in pH-dependent IAA release and cytotoxicity. Treatment of ILMs with visible light at a wavelength of 480 nm caused pH dependent synergistic cell damage in both in vitro and in vivo models using the B16F10 melanoma cell line. Interestingly, ILMs synergistically produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) at an acidic pH of 6.5 with visible light irradiation by proton coupled electron transfer (PCET). The pH sensitive ILMs could be considered a potent nanomedicine used to exert synergistic photodynamic therapeutic effects to treat cancers.

Combination of cytokinin and auxin induces apoptosis, cell cycle progression arrest and blockage of the Akt pathway in HeLa cells

Plant cytokinins and auxins have recently been proposed as novel cancer therapies, which proceed via different mechanisms; however, their combined use has not been investigated. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to show that the cytokinin ortho-methoxytopolin-riboside (MeoTR) strongly inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells, the effect of which was synergistically enhanced by auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), while IAA demonstrated to have no cytotoxic effects on cells. MeoTR was found to activate intrinsic and extrinsic caspase-dependent pathways, and IAA potentiated this activation. In addition, these effects were blocked by Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK), a pan-specific-caspase-inhibitor. IAA increased the MeoTR- induced inhibition of B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and survivin, whereas IAA-only decreased Bcl-2 expression. MeoTR downregulated phosphorylated (p)-pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1, p-Akt and p-glycogen synthase kinase 3β, the effect of which was more potent in combination with IAA, despite the weak effect of IAA alone. LY294002, an Akt-inhibitor, was able to increase the inhibition of p-Akt through MeoTR and combination treatment. IAA and MeoTR increased the proportion of cells in S phase independently. However, the combination treatment induced a further increase. In addition, IAA and MeoTR treatment downregulated protein levels of cyclin A, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and p-CDK2, and upregulated protein levels of p21 and p27. Furthermore, the combination treatment enhanced these effects, indicating that IAA potentiated the inhibitory effect of MeoTR on HeLa cells via cell cycle progression arrest and accumulation in S phase, coupled with the negative regulation of Bcl-2. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that treatment with these two phytohormones in combination, may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of malignant cervical cancer.

Hierarchical coated metal hydroxide nanoconstructs as potential controlled release carriers of photosensitizer for skin melanoma

Inorganic nanostructured ensembles containing an anionic clay matrix with layered double hydroxide (LDH) were designed in nanooncology for photosensitizer delivery.

The effect of photodynamic therapy using indole-3-acetic Acid and green light on acne vulgaris

Background

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has increasingly been used for the treatment of acne vulgaris and several studies have shown its clinical efficacy. However, ALA-PDT needs a relatively long incubation period and is frequently associated with adverse effects. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) has been introduced as a new photosensitizer for the treatment of acne in recent study. IAA-PDT requires only a short incubation period and the procedure is relatively painless in contrast to ALA-PDT.

Objective

To investigate the efficacy and safety of IAA- PDT in the treatment of acne.

Methods

Twenty-five patients with facial acne lesions were enrolled in this study. IAA-PDT was performed for five sessions at 1-week intervals (week 0~4). IAA was treated with 15 minute occlusion, and green light was given for 15 minutes. Clinical efficacy was determined by evaluating acne lesion counts, severity grading, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) at week 0, 2, 4, and 5. Sebum secretion and erythema index was measured by Sebumeter and Mexameter, respectively, at baseline and one week after each treatment session (week 1~5). Histopathological examination was performed at baseline and week 5. Adverse effects were recorded throughout the study.

Results

All the patients completed the study. Numbers of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions were significantly decreased. Acne severity grade and the DLQI showed significant reduction. Sebum secretion and erythema were also reduced. Histopathological examination showed a reduction in inflammatory reactions. No adverse effects were observed except for transient pruritus in one patient.

Conclusion

PDT using IAA and green light was an effective, simple and safe treatment for acne.

Experimental photodynamic therapy for liver cancer cell-implanted nude mice by an indole-3-acetic acid and intense pulsed light combination

Recently, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) has been introduced as a new cancer therapeutic agent through oxidative decarboxylation by horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The purpose of this study was to determine the therapeutic feasibility of IAA/light combination against liver cancer. SK-HEP-1 cells were irradiated with UVB or visible light (518 nm) in the presence of IAA. Cell viability was measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Then, IAA was injected in SK-HEP-1 liver cancer cell-implanted nude mice, and the tumor area was irradiated with intense pulsed light (IPL). Then, tissue was taken for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay and immunohistochemical staining for 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), p53, caspase-3, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In vitro experiments demonstrated that IAA alone was not cytotoxic, but activated IAA by HRP or light caused cell death. In vivo experiments showed that IAA/IPL treatment caused regression of tumor cells in SK-HEP-1-implanted nude mice. The TUNEL assay showed that IAA/IPL induced cancer cell apoptosis, and this was confirmed by increases in 8-OHdG, p53, and caspase-3 in IAA/IPL-treated mice. In contrast, IPL alone did not induce apoptosis, indicating that the apoptotic effect resulted from activated IAA by light. In summary, we showed that IAA/light induced tumor regression in SK-HEP-1-implanted nude mice. These results suggest the potential use of IAA/light combination in liver cancer.

Gallic acid ester derivatives induce apoptosis and cell adhesion inhibition in melanoma cells: The relationship between free radical generation, glutathione depletion and cell death

Malignant melanoma is a lethal disease, and the incidence and mortality associated with it are increasing worldwide. It has a significant tendency to develop both metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy. The tumor cells show abnormal redox regulation, and although the molecular mechanisms involved are not well characterized, they seem to be related to oxidative stress. In a previous study, we showed the antitumoral properties of gallic acid ester derivatives in leukemia cells. Here, we show the effect of octyl, decyl, dodecyl and tetradecyl gallates on B16F10 cells, a melanoma cell line. All compounds induced cytotoxic effects, and the IC(50) values obtained were between 7microM and 17microM after 48h of incubation. Cell death occurred through apoptosis, as demonstrated by the genomic DNA fragmentation pattern. The gallates were able to induce significant production of free radicals, deplete both glutathione and ATP, activate NF-kappaB and promote the inhibition of cell adhesion under the experimental conditions. The glutathione depletion induced by these compounds was related to the inhibition of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthase activity. These results suggest that gallates induce tumoral cell death through apoptosis as a consequence of oxidative stress, though they use different mechanisms to do so. These findings are important since melanoma cells are resistant to death because of their high level of antioxidant defense, adhesion capability and propensity to metastasize.

Tumor apoptosis by indole-3-acetic acid/light in B16F10 melanoma-implanted nude mice

Recently, we reported that UVB-activated indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) induces the apoptosis of G361 human melanoma cells. In the present study, we used IAA and visible light combinations to treat B16F10 melanoma-implanted nude mice using an experimental intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy model. We first investigated whether activated IAA by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or UVB causes apoptosis of B16F10 melanoma cells. IAA/HRP or IAA/UVB combination lead to apoptosis of B16F10 cells, as reported in other cell lines. Interestingly, IAA alone was not cytotoxic. These findings suggested the potential use of IAA in the treatment of melanoma. For the future clinical use, we also tested whether visible light has the same effects like UVB and found that visible light also activates IAA to produce free radicals and that IAA/visible light decreased cell viability significantly. Based on these results, IAA/IPL combination was tried whether it can induce apoptosis in vivo status. TUNEL staining showed that IAA/IPL treatment induced apoptosis of tumor cells. In addition, the expressions of p53, Fas, and PARP were upregulated in the IAA/IPL-treated group than in untreated control, demonstrating that IAA/IPL treatment caused apoptosis in melanoma-implanted nude mice. In conclusion, we showed that IAA/IPL induces melanoma regression in B16F10 melanoma-implanted nude mice. These results suggest the potential use of IAA/IPL in the treatment of malignant melanoma.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Baker's Yeast, suppresses the growth of Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness and mechanisms of anti-tumor activity of Baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in immunocompetent mice. Swiss albino mice were inoculated intramuscularly in the right thigh with Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells. At day 8, mice bearing Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma tumor (SEC) were intratumorally (IT) injected with killed S. cerevisiae (10 x 10(6) and 20 x 10(6) cells) for 35 days. Histopathology of yeast-treated mice showed extensive tumor degeneration, apoptosis, and ischemic (coagulative) and liquefactive necrosis. These changes are associated with a tumor growth curve that demonstrates a significant antitumor response that peaked at 35 days. Yeast treatment (20 x 10(6) cells) three times a week resulted in a significant decrease in tumor volume (TV) (67.1%, P < 0.01) as compared to PBS-treated mice. The effect was determined to be dependent on dose and frequency. Yeast administered three and two times per week induced significant decrease in TV as early as 9 and 25 days post-treatment, respectively. Administration of yeast significantly enhanced the recruitment of leukocytes, including macrophages, into the tumors and triggered apoptosis in SEC cells as determined by flow cytometry (78.6%, P < 0.01) at 20 x 10(6) cells, as compared to PBS-treated mice (42.6%). In addition, yeast treatment elevated TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma plasma levels and lowered the elevated IL-10 levels. No adverse side effects from the yeast treatment were observed, including feeding/drinking cycle and life activity patterns. Indeed, yeast-treated mice showed significant final body weight gain (+21.5%, P < 0.01) at day 35. These data may have clinical implications for the treatment of solid cancer with yeast, which is known to be safe for human consumption.