Kaempferol: A potential agent in the prevention of colorectal cancer

Exploring the immunological mechanism of Houttuynia cordata in the treatment of colorectal cancer through combined network pharmacology and experimental validation

To explore the potential mechanisms of Houttuynia cordata in the treatment of CRC using network pharmacology combined with experimental validation. The major active components of Houttuynia cordata were identified using the TCMSP database, and their related targets were mined. CRC-related target genes were obtained through the Genecards and OMIM databases. The R software Ven Diagram package was used for visualization of the intersection of drug and disease targets. The intersection target genes were subjected to GO function enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis using the R software clusterProfiler package. A "Drug - active component - target - Disease" network was constructed and analyzed using Cytoscape software. Intersection target genes were uploaded to the STRING database, and the resultant data were imported into Cytoscape software to construct a PPI network and filter core target genes. Expression analysis, diagnostic efficacy, and survival analysis were used to demonstrate the function and clinical value of the core target genes. The correlation between core genes in CRC samples and immune cell infiltration was analyzed using the R software and ssGSVA algorithm. Molecular docking validation of core active components with core target genes was performed using AutodockVina 1.2.2 software. Finally, the effects of quercetin and kaempferol, core active components of Houttuynia cordata, on the growth of HCT116 cells and the regulation of core target genes were validated through CCK8 assay, flow cytometry, and RT-qPCR. Seven effective active components and 147 component-related targets were selected, along with 3806 CRC-related target genes. GO analysis mainly involved biological processes such as epithelial cell proliferation, with KEGG pathway analysis focusing on pathways including AGE-RAGE signaling. Quercetin and kaempferol were identified as two core components, with IL1B, MMP9, CXCL8, and IL6 as four core target genes. Immune infiltration analysis showed that IL1B, MMP9, CXCL8, and IL6 primarily exert anti-CRC effects by promoting neutrophil activity. Molecular docking results indicated stable binding capacities of quercetin and kaempferol with IL1B, MMP9, CXCL8, and IL6. Experimental validation showed that quercetin and kaempferol could inhibit the viability of HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner, promote apoptosis, and downregulate the expression of IL1B, MMP9, CXCL8, and IL6 genes. Houttuynia cordata may exert therapeutic effects on CRC by modulating the immune microenvironment and anti-inflammatory responses, providing new research directions and theoretical guidance for the treatment of CRC with Houttuynia cordata.

Exploring the mechanism of Erteng-Sanjie capsule in treating gastric and colorectal cancers via network pharmacology and in-vivo validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Erteng-Sanjie capsule (ETSJC) has therapeutic effects against gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its underlying pharmacological mechanism remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the pharmacological mechanism of ETSJC against GC and CRC via network pharmacology and in-vivo validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data on the ingredients of ETSJC were obtained from the TCMSP and HERB databases. Further, details on the related targets of the active ingredients were collected from the HERB and SwissTargetPrediction databases. The targets in GC and CRC, which were screened from the OMIM, GeneCards, and TTD databases, were uploaded to STRING for a separate protein-protein interaction network analysis. The common targets shared by ETSJC, GC, and CRC were then screened. Cytoscape and STRING were used to construct the networks of herbs-compounds-targets and PPI. Metascape was utilized to analyze the enrichment of the GO and KEGG pathways. Molecular docking was used to validate the potential binding mode between the core ingredients and targets. Finally, the predicted results were verified with animal experiment.

RESULTS

Eight core ingredients (resveratrol, quercetin, luteolin, baicalein, delphinidin, kaempferol, pinocembrin, and naringenin) and six core targets (TP53, SRC, PIK3R1, AKT1, MAPK3, and STAT3) were filtered via network analysis. The molecular mechanism mainly involved the positive regulation of various processes such as cell migration, protein phosphorylation, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Molecular docking revealed that the core ingredients could be significantly combined with all core targets. The animal experiment revealed that ETSJC could suppress proliferation and promote apoptosis of both GC and CRC tumor cells by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple targets (TP53, SRC, AKT1, and STAT3) were important in GC and CRC. ETSJC could act on these targets and engage in different pathways against GC and CRC. Simultaneously, inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was a promising therapeutic mechanism for treating GC and CRC.

The Role of Phytonutrient Kaempferol in the Prevention of Gastrointestinal Cancers: Recent Trends and Future Perspectives

In recent years, kaempferol, a natural flavonoid present in various fruits and vegetables, has received significant attention in gastrointestinal cancer research due to its varied therapeutic effects. Kaempferol has been proven to alter several molecular mechanisms and pathways, such as the PI3/Akt, mTOR, and Erk/MAPK pathway involved in cancer progression, showing its inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, metastasis, and migration. Kaempferol is processed in the liver and small intestine, but limited bioavailability has been a major concern in the clinical implications of kaempferol. Nano formulations have been proven to enhance kaempferol's efficacy in cancer prevention. The synergy of nanotechnology and kaempferol has shown promising results in in vitro studies, highlighting the importance for more in vivo research and clinical trials to determine safety and efficacy. This review aims to focus on the role of kaempferol in various types of gastrointestinal cancer and how the combination of kaempferol with nanotechnology helps in improving therapeutic efficacy in cancer treatment.

Antitumor Effect and Gut Microbiota Modulation by Quercetin, Luteolin, and Xanthohumol in a Rat Model for Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Colorectal cancer stands as the third most prevalent form of cancer worldwide, with a notable increase in incidence in Western countries, mainly attributable to unhealthy dietary habits and other factors, such as smoking or reduced physical activity. Greater consumption of vegetables and fruits has been associated with a lower incidence of colorectal cancer, which is attributed to their high content of fiber and bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids. In this study, we have tested the flavonoids quercetin, luteolin, and xanthohumol as potential antitumor agents in an animal model of colorectal cancer induced by azoxymethane and dodecyl sodium sulphate. Forty rats were divided into four cohorts: Cohort 1 (control cohort), Cohort 2 (quercetin cohort), Cohort 3 (luteolin cohort), and Cohort 4 (xanthohumol cohort). These flavonoids were administered intraperitoneally to evaluate their antitumor potential as pharmaceutical agents. At the end of the experiment, after euthanasia, different physical parameters and the intestinal microbiota populations were analyzed. Luteolin was effective in significantly reducing the number of tumors compared to the control cohort. Furthermore, the main significant differences at the microbiota level were observed between the control cohort and the cohort treated with luteolin, which experienced a significant reduction in the abundance of genera associated with disease or inflammatory conditions, such as Clostridia UCG-014 or Turicibacter. On the other hand, genera associated with a healthy state, such as Muribaculum, showed a significant increase in the luteolin cohort. These results underline the anti-colorectal cancer potential of luteolin, manifested through a modulation of the intestinal microbiota and a reduction in the number of tumors.

A narrative review on therapeutic potential of naringenin in colorectal cancer: Focusing on molecular and biochemical processes

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and highly metastatic cancer affecting people worldwide. Drug resistance and unwanted side effects are some of the limitations of current treatments for CRC. Naringenin (NAR) is a naturally occurring compound found in abundance in various citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, and tomatoes. It possesses a diverse range of pharmacological and biological properties that are beneficial for human health. Numerous studies have highlighted its antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, making it a subject of interest in scientific research. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the effects of NAR on CRC. The study's findings indicated that NAR: (1) interacts with estrogen receptors, (2) regulates the expression of genes related to the p53 signaling pathway, (3) promotes apoptosis by increasing the expression of proapoptotic genes (Bax, caspase9, and p53) and downregulation of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl2, (4) inhibits the activity of enzymes involved in cell survival and proliferation, (5) decreases cyclin D1 levels, (6) reduces the expression of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk4, Cdk6, and Cdk7) and antiapoptotic genes (Bcl2, x-IAP, and c-IAP-2) in CRC cells. In vitro CDK2 binding assay was also performed, showing that the NAR derivatives had better inhibitory activities on CDK2 than NAR. Based on the findings of this study, NAR is a potential therapeutic agent for CRC. Additional pharmacology and pharmacokinetics studies are required to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action of NAR and establish the most suitable dose for subsequent clinical investigations.

Naringenin Orchestrates and Regulates the Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Pathways and Proinflammatory Signaling: Targeting Hallmarks of Aging-Associated Disorders

The therapeutic application of flavonoids in the management of infectious diseases, cancers, chronic wounds, aging, and neurodegenerative disorders has been well documented in scientific literature. The citric flavonoid naringenin comes under the category of flavanone and exhibits a plethora of health benefits. Very few flavonoids such as curcumin, resveratrol, catechin, quercetin, and kaempferol have been studied to exert their anti-aging properties in humans. The effect of naringenin in the context of age-associated disorders in detail has not been elucidated yet. The databases used for the literature search were Science Direct, Google Scholar, and PubMed. More emphasis has been put on the recent literature on "naringenin" and its effect on "age-associated disorders." Almost all chronic degenerative disorders are characterized by oxidative stress and inflammatory response. The study aims at highlighting the reactive oxygen species-mediated activity of naringenin and the underlying molecular mechanism leading to the prevention of various age-associated disorders. Altogether, the review presents a systematic comprehension of the pharmaceutical and clinicopathological benefits of naringenin in age-associated disorders.

The Anticancer Potential of Kaempferol: A Systematic Review Based on In Vitro Studies

Given the heterogeneity of different malignant processes, planning cancer treatment is challenging. According to recent studies, natural products are likely to be effective in cancer prevention and treatment. Among bioactive flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables, kaempferol (KMP) is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. This systematic review aims to highlight the potential therapeutic effects of KMP on different types of solid malignant tumors. This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were performed in EMBASE, Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration Library, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar. After the application of study criteria, 64 studies were included. In vitro experiments demonstrated that KMP exerts antitumor effects by controlling tumor cell cycle progression, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion, as well as by inhibiting angiogenesis. KMP was also able to inhibit important markers that regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition and enhanced the sensitivity of cancer cells to traditional drugs used in chemotherapy, including cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. This flavonoid is a promising therapeutic compound and its combination with current anticancer agents, including targeted drugs, may potentially produce more effective and predictable results.

Endoplasmic Reticulum as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer: Is there a Role for Flavonoids?

Flavonoids are classified into subclasses of polyphenols, a multipurpose category of natural compounds which comprises secondary metabolites extracted from vascular plants and are plentiful in the human diet. Although the details of flavonoid mechanisms are still not realized correctly, they are generally regarded as antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative; anti-mutagenic; anti-neoplastic; anti-aging; anti-diabetic, cardio-protective, etc. The anti-cancer properties of flavonoids are evident in functions such as prevention of proliferation, metastasis, invasion, inflammation and activation of cell death. Tumors growth and enlargement expose cells to acidosis, hypoxia, and lack of nutrients which result in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress; it triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR), which reclaims homeostasis or activates autophagy. Steady stimulation of ER stress can switch autophagy to apoptosis. The connection between ER stress and cancer, in association with UPR, has been explained. The signals provided by UPR can activate or inhibit anti-apoptotic or apoptotic pathways depending on the period and grade of ER stress. In this review, we will peruse the link between flavonoids and their impact on the endoplasmic reticulum in association with cancer therapy.

Bioactive Compounds in Moringa oleifera: Mechanisms of Action, Focus on Their Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) is a tropical tree native to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan; it is cultivated for its nutritious leaves, pods, and seeds. This scientific study was conducted to outline the anti-inflammatory properties and mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds from M. oleifera. The existing research has found that the plant is used in traditional medicine due to its bioactive compounds, including phytochemicals: flavonoids and polyphenols. The compounds are thought to exert their anti-inflammatory effects due to: (1) inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes: quercetin and kaempferol inhibit the pro-inflammatory enzymes (cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase); (2) regulation of cytokine production: isothiocyanates modulate signaling pathways involved in inflammation, such as the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathway; isothiocyanates inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor α) and IL-1β (interleukin-1β); and (3) antioxidant activity: M. oleifera contains flavonoids, polyphenols, known to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. The review includes M. oleifera's effects on cardiovascular protection, anti-hypertensive activities, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This research could prove valuable for exploring the pharmacological potential of M. oleifera and contributing to the prospects of developing effective medicines for the benefit of human health.

Synthesis and Characterization of New Pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole Derivatives as 3-Hydroxyflavone Analogues

In this paper, an efficient synthetic route from pyrazole-chalcones to novel 6-aryl-5-hydroxy-2-phenylpyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(2H)-ones as 3-hydroxyflavone analogues is described. The methylation of 5-hydroxy-2,6-phenylpyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(2H)-one with methyl iodide in the presence of a base yielded a compound containing a 5-methoxy group, while the analogous reaction of 5-hydroxy-2-phenyl-6-(pyridin-4-yl)pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(2H)-one led to the zwitterionic 6-(N-methylpyridinium)pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol derivative. The treatment of 5-hydroxy-2,6-phenylpyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(2H)-one with triflic anhydride afforded a 5-trifloylsubstituted compound, which was further used in carbon-carbon bond forming Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions to yield 5-(hetero)aryl- and 5-carbo-functionalized pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles. The excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction of 5-hydroxypyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles from the 5-hydroxy moiety to the carbonyl group in polar protic, polar aprotic, and nonpolar solvents was observed, resulting in well-resolved two-band fluorescence. The structures of the novel heterocyclic compounds were confirmed by 1H-, 13C-, 15N-, and 19F-NMR spectroscopy, HRMS, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data.

Health-Promoting Properties: Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Properties of Sambucus nigra L. Flowers and Fruits

Sambucus nigra L. has been used for centuries in traditional medicine thanks to its valuable healing properties. The healing properties result from its high content of biologically active compounds, mainly antioxidants, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In our review, we have presented scientific studies evaluating the anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of extracts and their components from S. nigra L. flowers and fruits. The results of the research show that the effect of antioxidant phytochemicals contained in their composition reduces the level of free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines, prevents mutations that increase the risk of cancer development, and inhibits cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and changes in intracellular signaling, consequently inhibiting the growth of malignant tumors and the formation of metastases. Flowers and fruits of S. nigra L. are a valuable source of nutraceutical and pharmacological substances that can support prevention and anti-inflammatory and oncological therapy without negative side effects for the patient.

Kaempferol and Fisetin-Related Signaling Pathways Induce Apoptosis in Head and Neck Cancer Cells

Despite the relative effectiveness of standard cancer treatment strategies, head and neck cancer (HNC) is still considered one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. While selected bioactive compounds of plant origin reveal a pro-apoptotic effect, kaempferol and fisetin flavonols have been reported as potential anti-cancer agents against malignant neoplasms. To date, their exact role in signaling pathways of head and neck cancer cells is largely unknown. Based on the various methods of cytotoxicity testing, we elucidated that kaempferol and fisetin inhibit proliferation, reduce the capacity of cell migration, and induce apoptosis in SCC-9, SCC-25, and A-253 HNC cells in a dose-dependent manner in vitro (p < 0.05, fisetin IC₅₀ values of 38.85 µM, 62.34 µM, and 49.21 µM, and 45.03 µM, 49.90 µM, and 47.49 µM for kaempferol-SCC-9, SCC-25, and A-253, respectively). The obtained results showed that exposure to kaempferol and fisetin reduces Bcl-2 protein expression, simultaneously leading to the arrest in the G2/M and S phases of the cell cycle. Kaempferol and fisetin inhibit cell proliferation by interfering with the cell cycle, which is strongly associated with the induction of G2/M arrest, and induce apoptosis by activating caspase-3 and releasing cytochrome c in human HNC cells. In addition, investigating flavonols, by inhibiting anti-apoptotic proteins from the Bcl-2 family and damaging the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, increased the level of cytochrome c. While flavonols selectively induce apoptosis of head and neck cancer cells, they may support oncological therapy as promising agents. The discovery of new derivatives may be a breakthrough in the search for effective chemotherapeutic agents with less toxicity and thus fewer side effects.

Substances of Natural Origin in Medicine: Plants vs. Cancer

Continuous monitoring of the population's health is the main method of learning about disease prevalence. National and international data draw attention to the persistently high rates of cancer incidence. This necessitates the intensification of efforts aimed at developing new, more effective chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive drugs. Plants represent an invaluable source of natural substances with versatile medicinal properties. Multidirectional activities exhibited by natural substances and their ability to modulate key signaling pathways, mainly related to cancer cell death, make these substances an important research direction. This review summarizes the information regarding plant-derived chemotherapeutic drugs, including their mechanisms of action, with a special focus on selected anti-cancer drugs (paclitaxel, irinotecan) approved in clinical practice. It also presents promising plant-based drug candidates currently being tested in clinical and preclinical trials (betulinic acid, resveratrol, and roburic acid).