1
|
Cervello M, Augello G, Cocco L, Ratti S, Follo MY, Martelli AM, Cusimano A, Montalto G, McCubrey JA. The potential of the nutraceutical berberine in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and other liver diseases such as NAFLD and NASH. Adv Biol Regul 2024; 92:101032. [PMID: 38693042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2024.101032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer which unfortunately has poor outcomes. Common anti-cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and targeted therapy have not increased patient survival significantly. A common treatment for HCC patients is transplantation, however, it has limitations and complications. Novel approaches are necessary to more effectively treat HCC patients. Berberine (BBR) is a nutraceutical derived from various fruits and trees, which has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat various diseases such as diabetes and inflammation. More recently, the anti-proliferation effects of BBR have been investigated in the treatment of patients with various cancers, especially colorectal cancer, and in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this review, we will focus on studies with BBR in liver diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melchiorre Cervello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Augello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Lucio Cocco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Ratti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matilde Y Follo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Cusimano
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Montalto
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy; Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo School of Medicine, Palermo, Italy
| | - James A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Effects of Berberine on Liver Cancer. Nat Prod Commun 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x221102032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer, otherwise known as hepatocellular carcinoma, is a chronic disease condition with an excessive deposition and growth of malignant cells in the body. The high incidence and prevalence rates of liver cancer continue to be problems, as well as its poor prognosis and therapeutic limitations involving severe drug adverse reactions linked to the use of synthetic chemotherapeutic compounds. Continuous experimental studies, as well as utilization of pure herbal-based compounds, are essential towards finding more potent cures for liver cancer. Natural bioactive compounds, particularly alkaloids (eg, berberine), have been shown to be highly beneficial in the treatment of various diseases. Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid, is obtained from stem, bark, roots, rhizomes, and leaves of several medicinal plants, including Berberis species. It is commonly synthesized from the benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline system with the incorporation of an additional carbon atom as a bridge. The multiple attributes of BBR involving effective inhibitory and cytotoxic actions against the proliferation of cancer cells have been demonstrated. The use of BBR in experimental studies (in vivo and in vitro) for over a decade for liver cancer treatment has proven to be highly effective, safe, and potent. Until now, the poor solubility of BBR remains one of the contributing factors leading to its minimal clinical bioavailability. Therefore, BBR could serve as a prospective drug candidate in the future towards drug formulation for liver cancer treatment. The relevant information regarding this review was obtained electronically through the use of databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Springer, Hindawi, Embase, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. All the aforementioned databases were searched from 1981 to 2020. This literature represents an update of previous review papers discussing the various positive pharmacological and mechanistic effects (oxidative stress regulation, inflammation reduction, apoptosis activation, overcoming drug resistance, and metastasis inhibition) of BBR for liver cancer treatment, which would be of great significance to drug development and clinical research.
Collapse
|
3
|
Xu C, Huang X, Lei X, Jin Z, Wu M, Liu X, Huang Y, Zhao X, Xiong Y, Sun J, Duan X, Wang J. Costunolide-Induced Apoptosis via Promoting the Reactive Oxygen Species and Inhibiting AKT/GSK3β Pathway and Activating Autophagy in Gastric Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:722734. [PMID: 34869312 PMCID: PMC8633576 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.722734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Costunolide (Cos) is a sesquiterpene lactone extracted from chicory. Although it possesses anti-tumor effects, the underlying molecular mechanism against gastric cancer cells remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effect and potential mechanism of Cos on gastric cancer. Methods: The effect of Cos on HGC-27 and SNU-1 proliferation was detected by CCK-8 and clone formation assay. The changes in cell apoptosis were determined using Hoechst 33258 and tunel staining. The morphology of autophagy was analyzed by autophagosomes with the electron microscope and LC3-immunofluorescence with the confocal microscope. The related protein levels of the cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy and AKT/GSK3β pathway were determined by Western blot. The anti-tumor activity of Cos was evaluated by subcutaneously xenotransplanting HGC-27 into Balb/c nude mice. The Ki67 and P-AKT levels were examined by immunohistochemistry. Results: Cos significantly inhibited HGC-27 and SNU-1 growth and induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Cos activated intrinsic apoptosis and autophagy through promoting cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and inhibiting the ROS-AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway. Moreover, preincubating gastric carcinoma cells with 3-methyladenine (3-MA), a cell-autophagy inhibitor, significantly alleviated the effects of Cos in inducing cell apoptosis. Conclusion: Cos induced apoptosis of gastric carcinoma cells via promoting ROS and inhibiting AKT/GSK3β pathway and activating pro-death cell autophagy, which may be an effective strategy to treat gastric cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cuixiang Xu
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaohua Lei
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhankui Jin
- Department of Orthopedics, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Research, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Graduate School, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Second Department of General Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Yubin Huang
- Department of Graduate School, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Second Department of General Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiangrong Zhao
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Yue Xiong
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingying Sun
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xianglong Duan
- Second Department of General Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Second Department of General Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Álvarez-Mercado AI, Caballeria-Casals A, Rojano-Alfonso C, Chávez-Reyes J, Micó-Carnero M, Sanchez-Gonzalez A, Casillas-Ramírez A, Gracia-Sancho J, Peralta C. Insights into Growth Factors in Liver Carcinogenesis and Regeneration: An Ongoing Debate on Minimizing Cancer Recurrence after Liver Resection. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091158. [PMID: 34572344 PMCID: PMC8470173 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma has become a leading cause of cancer-associated mortality throughout the world, and is of great concern. Currently used chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma lead to severe side effects, thus underscoring the need for further research to develop novel and safer therapies. Liver resection in cancer patients is routinely performed. After partial resection, liver regeneration is a perfectly calibrated response apparently sensed by the body’s required liver function. This process hinges on the effect of several growth factors, among other molecules. However, dysregulation of growth factor signals also leads to growth signaling autonomy and tumor progression, so control of growth factor expression may prevent tumor progression. This review describes the role of some of the main growth factors whose dysregulation promotes liver tumor progression, and are also key in regenerating the remaining liver following resection. We herein summarize and discuss studies focused on partial hepatectomy and liver carcinogenesis, referring to hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, and epidermal growth factor, as well as their suitability as targets in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Finally, and given that drugs remain one of the mainstay treatment options in liver carcinogenesis, we have reviewed the current pharmacological approaches approved for clinical use or research targeting these factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana I. Álvarez-Mercado
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, 18016 Armilla, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, 18014 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.I.Á.-M.); (C.P.)
| | - Albert Caballeria-Casals
- Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Department, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-C.); (C.R.-A.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Carlos Rojano-Alfonso
- Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Department, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-C.); (C.R.-A.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Jesús Chávez-Reyes
- Facultad de Medicina e Ingeniería en Sistemas Computacionales Matamoros, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Matamoros 87300, Mexico; (J.C.-R.); (A.C.-R.)
| | - Marc Micó-Carnero
- Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Department, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-C.); (C.R.-A.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Alfredo Sanchez-Gonzalez
- Teaching and Research Department, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ciudad Victoria “Bicentenario 2010”, Ciudad Victoria 87087, Mexico;
| | - Araní Casillas-Ramírez
- Facultad de Medicina e Ingeniería en Sistemas Computacionales Matamoros, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Matamoros 87300, Mexico; (J.C.-R.); (A.C.-R.)
- Teaching and Research Department, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ciudad Victoria “Bicentenario 2010”, Ciudad Victoria 87087, Mexico;
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, 03036 Barcelona, Spain;
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Peralta
- Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Department, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-C.); (C.R.-A.); (M.M.-C.)
- Correspondence: (A.I.Á.-M.); (C.P.)
| |
Collapse
|