Morin Inhibits Proliferation of SW480 Colorectal Cancer Cells by Inducing Apoptosis Mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species Formation and Uncoupling of Warburg Effect

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Synergistically Inhibits the Proliferation of Lung Cancer Cells with Gemcitabine by Induction of Apoptosis Mediated by ROS Generation

The present study focused on the formulation, characterization, and evaluation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded with gemcitabine (GEM) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) for lung cancer treatment. A 2-level, 3-factor factorial design was used to optimize various process parameters in the preparation of SLNs. The average particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) of GEM-EGCG SLNs were found to be 122.8 ± 8.02 and 0.1738 ± 0.02, respectively. Drug loading and release studies indicated a sustained release behavior for GEM-EGCG SLNs, with release kinetics confirmed by the Higuchi model. Cell viability and anticancer activities were assessed using the MTT assay, which determined an IC50 value of 12.5 μg/mL for GEM-EGCG SLNs against A549 cell lines (lung carcinoma epithelial cells). The SLNs were able to internalize into the nuclei of cells, likely due to their small particle size, and were effective in killing cancer cells. Additionally, a study of ROS production-mediated apoptosis of A549 cells was performed through FACS. GEM-EGCG SLNs were found to be stable for 3 months. In vivo studies revealed better drug distribution in the lungs and improved pharmacokinetic profile compared with pure drugs. Overall, the results suggest that combining GEM and EGCG in biocompatible SLNs has resulted in synergistic antitumor potential and improved bioavailability for both drugs, making it a promising anticancer therapeutic regimen against lung cancer.

BM7, a derivative of benzofuran, effectively fights cancer by promoting cancer cell apoptosis and impacting IL-6 levels

The BM7 compound, a bromo derivative of methyl 6-acetyl-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-benzofuran-3-carboxylate, was previously identified as cytotoxic to human leukaemia cells (K562 and HL60) and human cervical cancer (HeLa), while showing no toxicity to non-cancerous primary endothelial cells (HUVEC). In this study, we present the first demonstration of BM7's anticancer efficacy in vivo using a mouse chronic myeloid leukaemia xenograft model. Administered intraperitoneally in a mixture of 10% Solutol HS 15/10% ethanol, BM7 exhibited no visible toxicity and significantly reduced tumor weight, comparable to standard drugs imatinib and hydroxyurea. Further supporting its anticancer potential, a multi-model in vitro study involving seven human cancer cell lines revealed the most promising responses in colon cancer (SW480, SW620, HCT116), liver cancer (HEPG2), and breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) cells. BM7 demonstrated multifaceted anticancer mechanisms, inducing apoptosis while elevating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and suppressing interleukin-6 (IL-6) release in these cell lines. These findings position BM7 as a candidate of significant interest for cancer therapy. Its ability to not only induce apoptosis but also modulate cellular processes such as ROS levels and immune responses, specifically IL-6 suppression, makes BM7 a versatile and promising agent for further exploration in the realm of cancer treatment.

Morin reverses P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug-resistance in KBChR-8-5 cancer cell lines

Multidrug resistance (MDR) during clinical chemotherapy for cancer has been considered a major obstacle to treatment efficacy. The involvement of adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the MDR mechanism significantly reduces the efficacy of chemotherapeutics. This study investigates the potential of morin, a dietary bioflavonoid, to overcome colchicine resistance in KBChR-8-5 MDR cells. The P-gp inhibitory activity by morin was measured by calcein-AM drug efflux assay. Western blot analysis was employed to evaluate P-gp messenger RNA and protein expressions following morin treatment. Flow cytometry analysis and acridine orange/ethidium bromide fluorescence staining were utilised to investigate the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest upon treatment with morin and paclitaxel in combination. Additionally, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array analysis was conducted to study the gene expression profiles related to MDR, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest during treatment with morin, paclitaxel or their combination. Morin exhibited a strong binding interaction with human P-gp. This was corroborated by drug efflux assays, which showed a reduction in P-gp efflux function with increasing morin concentration. Furthermore, morin and paclitaxel combination potentiated the induction of apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Morin treatment significantly downregulated the gene expression of ABCB1 and P-gp membrane expressions in MDR cells. Additionally, PCR array gene expression analysis revealed that the combination treatment with morin and paclitaxel upregulated proapoptotic and cell cycle arrest genes while downregulating ABCB1 gene and antiapoptotic genes. Thus, morin effectively reversed paclitaxel resistance in KBChR-8-5 drug-resistant cancer cells and concluded that morin resensitized the paclitaxel resistance in KBChR8-5 drug-resistant cancer cells.

Selected Flavonols Targeting Cell Death Pathways in Cancer Therapy: The Latest Achievements in Research on Apoptosis, Autophagy, Necroptosis, Pyroptosis, Ferroptosis, and Cuproptosis

The complex and multi-stage processes of carcinogenesis are accompanied by a number of phenomena related to the potential involvement of various chemopreventive factors, which include, among others, compounds of natural origin such as flavonols. The use of flavonols is not only promising but also a recognized strategy for cancer treatment. The chemopreventive impact of flavonols on cancer arises from their ability to act as antioxidants, impede proliferation, promote cell death, inhibit angiogenesis, and regulate the immune system through involvement in diverse forms of cellular death. So far, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis occurring with the participation of flavonols have remained incompletely elucidated, and the results of the studies carried out so far are ambiguous. For this reason, one of the therapeutic goals is to initiate the death of altered cells through the use of quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, isorhamnetin, galangin, fisetin, and morin. This article offers an extensive overview of recent research on these compounds, focusing particularly on their role in combating cancer and elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis. Assessment of the mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of compounds in therapy targeting various types of cell death pathways may prove useful in developing new therapeutic regimens and counteracting resistance to previously used treatments.

Biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles synthesized from Tinospora Cordifolia induce oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer

Cancer chemotherapy remains a serious challenge, and new approaches to therapy are urgently needed to build novel treatment regimens. The methanol extract of the stem of Tinospora Cordifolia was used to synthesize biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) that display anticancer activities against colorectal cancer. Biogenic ZnO-NPs synthesized from methanol extract of Tinospora Cordifolia stem (ZnO-NPs TM) were tested against HCT-116 cell lines to assess anticancer activity. UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TEM analysis characterized the biogenic ZnO-NPs. To see how well biogenic ZnO-NPs fight cancer, cytotoxicity, AO/EtBr staining, Annexin V/PI staining, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis, and caspase cascade activity analysis were performed to assess the anticancer efficacy of biogenic ZnO-NPs. The IC50 values of biogenic ZnO-NPs treated cells (HCT-116 and Caco-2) were 31.419 ± 0.682μg/ml and 36.675 ± 0.916μg/ml, respectively. qRT-PCR analysis showed that cells treated with biogenic ZnO-NPs Bax and P53 mRNA levels increased significantly (p ≤ 0.001). It showed to have impaired MMP and increased ROS generation. In a corollary, our in vivo study showed that biogenic ZnO-NPs have an anti-tumour effect. Biogenic ZnO-NPs TM showed both in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects that could be employed as anticancer drugs.

Gastrointestinal Cancer Therapeutics via Triggering Unfolded Protein Response and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress by 2-Arylbenzofuran

Gastrointestinal cancers are a major global health challenge, with high mortality rates. This study investigated the anti-cancer activities of 30 monomers extracted from Morus alba L. (mulberry) against gastrointestinal cancers. Toxicological assessments revealed that most of the compounds, particularly immunotoxicity, exhibit some level of toxicity, but it is generally not life-threatening under normal conditions. Among these components, Sanggenol L, Sanggenon C, Kuwanon H, 3'-Geranyl-3-prenyl-5,7,2',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone, Morusinol, Mulberrin, Moracin P, Kuwanon E, and Kuwanon A demonstrate significant anti-cancer properties against various gastrointestinal cancers, including colon, pancreatic, and gastric cancers. The anti-cancer mechanism of these chemical components was explored in gastric cancer cells, revealing that they inhibit cell cycle and DNA replication-related gene expression, leading to the effective suppression of tumor cell growth. Additionally, they induced unfolded protein response (UPR) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, potentially resulting in DNA damage, autophagy, and cell death. Moracin P, an active monomer characterized as a 2-arylbenzofuran, was found to induce ER stress and promote apoptosis in gastric cancer cells, confirming its potential to inhibit tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of Morus alba L. monomers in gastrointestinal cancers, especially focusing on Moracin P as a potent inducer of ER stress and apoptosis.

Role of Phytoconstituents in Cancer Treatment: A Review

Over the years, natural compounds have become a significant advancement in cancer treatment, primarily due to their effectiveness, safety, bio-functionality, and wide range of molecular structures. They are now increasingly preferred in drug discovery due to these attributes. These compounds, whether occurring naturally or with synthetic modifications, find applications in various fields like biology, medicine, and engineering. While chemotherapy has been a successful method for treating cancer, it comes with systemic toxicity. To address this issue, researchers and medical practitioners are exploring the concept of combinational chemotherapy. This approach aims to reduce toxicity by using a mix of natural substances and their derivatives in clinical trials and prescription medications. Among the most extensively studied natural anticancer compounds are quercetin, curcumin, vincristine, and vinblastine. These compounds play crucial roles as immunotherapeutics and chemosensitizers, both as standalone treatments and in combination therapies with specific mechanisms. This review article provides a concise overview of the functions, potentials, and combinations of natural anticancer compounds in cancer treatment, along with their mechanisms of action and clinical applications.

Fisetin induces apoptosis in human skin cancer cells through downregulating MTH1

Fisetin, a natural flavonoid molecule, has been shown to have anticancer properties against various malignancies. In this investigation, we discovered that Fisetin decreased cell viability of both the treated skin cancer cell lines A375 and A431 in a dose and time-dependent manner. The IC50 values ranging from 57.60 µM ± 6.59 to 41.70 µM ± 1.25 in A375 and 48.70 µM ± 5.49 to 33.67 µM ± 1.03 for A431 at the observed time ranging between 24 h to 72 h of treatment remained quite enthusiastic when compared with the normal HEK 293 cells. Fisetin significantly decreased colony formation and migratory ability of the cancer cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that Fisetin significantly restricted the progression of skin cancer cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and induced cells to undergo apoptosis by increasing reactive oxygen species, decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential, and elevating the count of early and late apoptotic cells. Our in silico studies of molecular docking followed by molecular dynamics simulation found that the interactions and stability of MTH1 protein with Fisetin further showed a considerable binding affinity for MTH1 (-11.4 kcal/mol) and developed stable complexes maintained throughout 100 ns trajectories. Our western blot analysis endorsed this. We found that Fisetin downregulated the expression levels of MTH1 also in addition, it played a crucial role in regulation of apoptotic events in cancer cells. We therefore, conclude that Fisetin anticancer properties against skin cancer cells are mediated through MTH1 inhibition followed by ATM and P53 upregulation.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Phytochemicals targeting glycolysis in colorectal cancer therapy: effects and mechanisms of action

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant tumor in the world, and it is prone to recurrence and metastasis during treatment. Aerobic glycolysis is one of the main characteristics of tumor cell metabolism in CRC. Tumor cells rely on glycolysis to rapidly consume glucose and to obtain more lactate and intermediate macromolecular products so as to maintain growth and proliferation. The regulation of the CRC glycolysis pathway is closely associated with several signal transduction pathways and transcription factors including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), myc, and p53. Targeting the glycolytic pathway has become one of the key research aspects in CRC therapy. Many phytochemicals were shown to exert anti-CRC activity by targeting the glycolytic pathway. Here, we review the effects and mechanisms of phytochemicals on CRC glycolytic pathways, providing a new method of drug development.

Morin Hydrate Encapsulation and Release from Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Melanoma Therapy

Melanoma incidence, a type of skin cancer, has been increasing worldwide. There is a strong need to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve melanoma treatment. Morin is a bioflavonoid with the potential for use in the treatment of cancer, including melanoma. However, therapeutic applications of morin are restrained owing to its low aqueous solubility and limited bioavailability. This work investigates morin hydrate (MH) encapsulation in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to enhance morin bioavailability and consequently increase the antitumor effects in melanoma cells. Spheroidal MSNs with a mean size of 56.3 ± 6.5 nm and a specific surface area of 816 m²/g were synthesized. MH was successfully loaded (MH-MSN) using the evaporation method, with a loading capacity of 28.3% and loading efficiency of 99.1%. In vitro release studies showed that morin release from MH-MSNs was enhanced at pH 5.2, indicating increased flavonoid solubility. The in vitro cytotoxicity of MH and MH-MSNs on human A375, MNT-1 and SK-MEL-28 melanoma cell lines was investigated. Exposure to MSNs did not affect the cell viability of any of the cell lines tested, suggesting that the nanoparticles are biocompatible. The effect of MH and MH-MSNs on reducing cell viability was time- and concentration-dependent in all melanoma cell lines. The A375 and SK-MEL-28 cell lines were slightly more sensitive than MNT-1 cells in both the MH and MH-MSN treatments. Our findings suggest that MH-MSNs are a promising delivery system for the treatment of melanoma.

Antioxidant and Anti-Cytotoxicity Effect of Phenolic Extracts from Psidium guajava Linn. Leaves by Novel Assisted Extraction Techniques

Phytochemicals (PCs) are gaining popularity due to their antioxidant effects and potential protection against infection, cardiovascular disease, and cellular metabolic activity. These PCs must be retained as much as possible during extraction. This research focused on the extraction of PC from Psidium guajava Linn. leaves due to higher antioxidant potential. Solvent extraction (SE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using distilled water (DW) or 60% (v/v) ethanol/water (ET) were used for the extraction of PC. ET shows higher total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) as well as higher antioxidant activity than DW. Phytochemical screening demonstrated that all of the screening showed positive results in all extraction methods, except glycoside. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in TPC and TFC during MAE/ET, SE/ET, and UAE/ET. Antioxidant analysis shows that MAE and SE resulted in high (p < 0.05) DPPH and FRAP values for ET and DW, respectively. MAE/ET showed the highest inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 16.67 µg/mL). HPLC and TLC analysis reveal the fingerprint of morin, which might function as an anticancer agent with other bioactives. Increasing the extract content increased the inhibitory activity of SW480 cells via MTT assay. In conclusion, MAE/ET is the most efficient among the extraction techniques in terms of anti-cytotoxicity effects.

Pharmacological Prospects of Morin Conjugated Selenium Nanoparticles-Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Thrombolytic, and Anticancer Activities

Abstract

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have gained wide importance in the scientific community and have emerged as an optimistic therapeutic carrier agent for targeted drug delivery. In the present study, the effectiveness of nano selenium conjugated with Morin (Ba-SeNp-Mo) produced from endophytic bacteria Bacillus endophyticus reported in our earlier research was tested against various Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacterial pathogens and fungal pathogens that showed good zone of inhibition against all selected pathogens. Antioxidant activities of these NPs were studied by 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-Azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide (O2-), and nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging assays that exhibited dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values 6.92 ± 1.0, 16.85 ± 1.39, 31.60 ± 1.36, 18.87 ± 1.46, and 6.95 ± 1.27 μg/mL. The efficiency of DNA cleavage and thrombolytic activity of Ba-SeNp-Mo were also studied. The antiproliferative effect of Ba-SeNp-Mo was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in COLON-26 cell lines that resulted in IC50 value of 63.11 μg/mL. Further increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels up to 2.03 and significant early, late and necrotic cells were also observed in AO/EtBr assay. CASPASE 3 expression was upregulated to 1.22 (40 μg/mL) and 1.85 (80 μg/mL) fold. Thus, the current investigation suggested that the Ba-SeNp-Mo has offered remarkable pharmacological activity.

Graphical Abstract

Flavonoids' Dual Benefits in Gastrointestinal Cancer and Diabetes: A Potential Treatment on the Horizon?

Diabetes and gastrointestinal cancers (GI) are global health conditions with a massive burden on patients' lives worldwide. The development of both conditions is influenced by several factors, such as diet, genetics, environment, and infection, which shows a potential link between them. Flavonoids are naturally occurring phenolic compounds present in fruits and vegetables. Once ingested, unabsorbed flavonoids reaching the colon undergo enzymatic modification by the gut microbiome to facilitate absorption and produce ring fission products. The metabolized flavonoids exert antidiabetic and anti-GI cancer properties, targeting major impaired pathways such as apoptosis and cellular proliferation in both conditions, suggesting the potentially dual effects of flavonoids on diabetes and GI cancers. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the impact of flavonoids on diabetes and GI cancers in four significant pathways. It also addresses the synergistic effects of selected flavonoids on both conditions. While this is an intriguing approach, more studies are required to better understand the mechanism of how flavonoids can influence the same impaired pathways with different outcomes depending on the disease.

Crosstalk between xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibiting and cancer chemotherapeutic properties of comestible flavonoids- a comprehensive update

Gout is an inflammatory disease caused by metabolic disorder or genetic inheritance. People throughout the world are strongly dependent on ethnomedicine for the treatment of gout and some receive satisfactory curative treatment. The natural remedies as well as established drugs derived from natural sources or synthetically made exert their action by mechanisms that are closely associated with anticancer treatment mechanisms regarding inhibition of xanthine oxidase, feedback inhibition of de novo purine synthesis, depolymerization and disappearance of microtubule, inhibition of NF-ĸB activation, induction of TRAIL, promotion of apoptosis, and caspase activation and proteasome inhibition. Some anti-gout and anticancer novel compounds interact with same receptors for their action, e.g., colchicine and colchicine analogues. Dietary flavonoids, i.e., chrysin, kaempferol, quercetin, fisetin, pelargonidin, apigenin, luteolin, myricetin, isorhamnetin, phloretinetc etc. have comparable IC₅₀ values with established anti-gout drug and effective against both cancer and gout. Moreover, a noticeable number of newer anticancer compounds have already been isolated from plants that have been using by local traditional healers and herbal practitioners to treat gout. Therefore, the anti-gout plants might have greater potentiality to become selective candidates for screening of newer anticancer leads.

Natural Products as Anticancer Agents: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Natural products have been an invaluable and useful source of anticancer agents over the years. Several compounds have been synthesized from natural products by modifying their structures or by using naturally occurring compounds as building blocks in the synthesis of these compounds for various purposes in different fields, such as biology, medicine, and engineering. Multiple modern and costly treatments have been applied to combat cancer and limit its lethality, but the results are not significantly refreshing. Natural products, which are a significant source of new therapeutic drugs, are currently being investigated as potential cytotoxic agents and have shown a positive trend in preclinical research and have prompted numerous innovative strategies in order to combat cancer and expedite the clinical research. Natural products are becoming increasingly important for drug discovery due to their high molecular diversity and novel biofunctionality. Furthermore, natural products can provide superior efficacy and safety due to their unique molecular properties. The objective of the current review is to provide an overview of the emergence of natural products for the treatment and prevention of cancer, such as chemosensitizers, immunotherapeutics, combinatorial therapies with other anticancer drugs, novel formulations of natural products, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their anticancer properties.

Morin inhibits colon cancer stem cells by inhibiting PUM1 expression in vitro

Over the last few decades, the number of people diagnosed with cancer has increased dramatically every year, making it a major cause of mortality today. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, and the second in mortality rate. Current cancer treatment fails to treat colon cancer completely due to the remains of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs). Morin flavonoid present in figs (Ficus carica) and other plant sources, was found to have an anti-proliferative effect on the colon cancer model and cell line, but it is not studied for its effect on the colon CSCs. In this study, we have tested the potency of morin to inhibit CSCs. We found that morin has significantly reduced colon cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and colonospheroid formation in a dose-dependent manner. Pumilio-1 (PUM1) has been shown to play an important role in colon CSCs maintenance. We found that morin has a good binding affinity with PUM1 protein with one hydrophobic and two hydrogen bond interactions. Further, the immunofluorescence results have also shown a reduction in PUM1 expression in colon cancer cell lines after morin treatment. CD133 is overexpressed in colon CSCs and morin treatment has reduced the CD133 expression in HCT116 and CT26 colon cancer cell lines. Our research outcome has explored the anti-cancer stem cell potency of morin via targeting the PUM1 protein and further reducing the colon spheroids formation and reducing the CD133 expression in colon cancer cells.

Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Digested Aglianico Grape Pomace Extract in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Grape pomace (GP)—the major by-product of winemaking processes—still contains bioactive molecules with known beneficial properties for human health, such as an antiradical scavenging activity or an antiproliferative activity of tumors. In vitro studies have demonstrated that GP polyphenols specifically influence colon cancer cell proliferation. In addition to previously published work, we tested the phenolic compounds of Aglianico GP following an in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion on colorectal cancer cell lines at different degrees of differentiation. Our experiments, using HT29 and SW480 cells, confirmed the anti-proliferative effect of GP gastrointestinal digested extract and provided intriguing insights on the way it influences the cancer cell features (i.e., viability, proliferation, and apoptosis). We observed that Aglianico GP extract showed a great ability to affect cell proliferation and apoptosis. Interestingly, both HT29 and SW480 cells produced a significant increase in Bax, and a significant increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3. The gastrointestinal digested GP extract was previously characterized both for antioxidant activity and phenolic composition. As a result, the TPC and the antioxidant activity reached high values in the Aglianico GP digested extract, and the main compounds assessed by UHPLC-DAD were anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. This work shed light on the use of digested GP extract as a dietary ingredient, a very sustainable source of nutritional compounds with potential health benefits for colon cancer cell proliferation.

Insight into Potential Anticancer Activity of Algal Flavonoids: Current Status and Challenges

Flavonoids are some of the most precious phytochemicals, believed to be found largely in terrestrial plants. With the advancement of phytochemical research and marine bioprospecting, flavonoids have also been reported by the research of microalgae and macroalgae. High growth rate with minimal nutritional and growth requirement, saving arable land and rich metabolic profile make microalgae an excellent repertoire of novel anticancer compounds, such as flavonoids. In addition, marine algae, especially seaweeds contain different types of flavonoids which are assumed to have unique chemical structures and bioactivities than their terrestrial counterparts. Flavonoids are not only good antioxidants but also have the abilities to kill cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and autophagy. However, the study of the anticancer properties of flavonoids is largely limited to terrestrial plants. This review offers an insight into the distribution of different classes of flavonoids in eukaryotic microalgae, cyanobacteria and seaweeds with their possible anticancer activities. In addition, extraction and purification methods of these flavonoids have been highlighted. Finally, prospects and challenges to use algal flavonoids as anticancer agents have been discussed.

Burmannic Acid Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Oxidative Stress Response of Oral Cancer Cells

Burmannic acid (BURA) is a new apocarotenoid bioactive compound derived from Indonesian cinnamon; however, its anticancer effect has rarely been investigated in oral cancer cells. In this investigation, the consequences of the antiproliferation of oral cancer cells effected by BURA were evaluated. BURA selectively suppressed cell proliferation of oral cancer cells (Ca9-22 and CAL 27) but showed little cytotoxicity to normal oral cells (HGF-1). In terms of mechanism, BURA perturbed cell cycle distribution, upregulated mitochondrial superoxide, induced mitochondrial depolarization, triggered γH2AX and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine DNA damage, and induced apoptosis and caspase 3/8/9 activation in oral cancer cells. Application of N-acetylcysteine confirmed oxidative stress as the critical factor in promoting antiproliferation, apoptosis, and DNA damage in oral cancer cells.

Microenvironmental Reactive Oxygen Species in Colorectal Cancer: Involved Processes and Therapeutic Opportunities

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Although screening programs have reduced mortality rates, there is a need for research focused on finding the main factors that lead primary CRC to progress and metastasize. During tumor progression, malignant cells modify their habitat, corrupting or transforming cells of different origins and creating the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cells forming the TME like macrophages, neutrophils, and fibroblasts generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that modify the cancer niche. The effects of ROS in cancer are very diverse: they promote cellular proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), evasion of cell death programs, migration, and angiogenesis. Due to the multifaceted role of ROS in cancer cell survival and function, ROS-modulating agents such as antioxidants or pro-oxidants could have therapeutic potential in cancer prevention and/or as a complement to systemic treatments. In this review, we will examine the main ROS producer cells and their effects on cancer progression and metastasis. Furthermore, we will enumerate the latest clinical trials where pro-oxidants and antioxidants have therapeutic uses in CRC.

Effect and underlying mechanism of morin on the pharmacokinetics of diclofenac sodium in rats

1. Morin, a natural flavonol, is present in many plants. It has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities and is often used as an adjuvant treatment for arthritis. Diclofenac sodium is the first-choice drug in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, the herb-drug interaction (HDI) between morin and diclofenac sodium remains unclear.2. The aim of the present research was to investigate whether and how morin affect the pharmacokinetic profile of diclofenac sodium.3. The enzyme kinetic and pharmacokinetic studies showed that morin significantly accelerated the metabolism and reduced systemic exposure of diclofenac sodium. Interestingly, the effect of morin on the pharmacokinetic profile of diclofenac sodium was not in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the effect of morin on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) was further investigated.4. The results implied that the influence mechanism of morin on the pharmacokinetic of diclofenac sodium might be related to CYP2C9 and P-gp. Attention should be paid to the risk of HDI between morin and diclofenac sodium in clinical practice.

The anticarcinogenic and anticancer effects of the dietary flavonoid, morin: Current status, challenges, and future perspectives

Flavonoids constitute one of the most important classes of polyphenols, which have been found to have a wide range of biological activities such as anticancer effects. A large body of evidence demonstrates that morin as a pleiotropic dietary flavonoid possesses potent anticarcinogenic and anticancer activities with minimal toxicity against normal cells. The present review comprehensively elaborates the molecular mechanisms underlying antitumorigenic and anticancer effects of morin. Morin exerts its anticarcinogenic effects through multiple cancer preventive mechanisms, including reduction of oxidative stress, activation of phase II enzymes, induction of apoptosis, attenuation of inflammatory mediators, and downregulation of p-Akt and NF-κB expression. A variety of molecular targets and signaling pathways such as apoptosis, cell cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and microRNAs (miRNAs) as well as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), NF-κB, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Hippo pathways have been found to be involved in the anticancer effects of morin. In the adjuvant therapy, morin has been shown to have synergistic anticancer effects with several chemotherapeutic drugs. The findings of this review indicate that morin can act as a promising chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent.

Pharmacological Activities for Morus alba L., Focusing on the Immunostimulatory Property from the Fruit Aqueous Extract

Depending on the extraction method, numerous compounds that have specific pharmacological effects can be obtained from M. alba L. There is a growing scientific interest in health problems related to aging. Efforts to develop safe immune-enhancing pharmaceuticals are increasing. This review aims to summarize and critically discuss the immunity enhancement effects and pharmaceutical efficacy of M. alba L. extracts. The scientific database search was conducted using Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PubMed until May 2021. Additional articles were identified and obtained from references in the retrieved articles. Ethanol or methanol extraction of various parts of M. alba L. identified a large amount of phenols and flavonoids, which are effective for immunosuppression, antioxidants, and cardiovascular diseases, and are antibacterial, and anticancer. Water extraction of M. alba L. enhanced the innate immune response based on immune cell activation. A polysaccharide and an alkaloid related to increased macrophage activity were isolated from M. alba L. fruit extracts. M. alba L. fruit water extracts primarily induced the production of pro-inflammatory substances, in model organisms, via TLR4 in immune cells. Water extracts have been shown to be effective in pathogen defense and tumor suppression by enhancing macrophage activity. Based on our literature review on the bioactivity of M. alba L. fruit extracts, particularly in relation to their immunity enhancement activity, we anticipate that M. alba-derived pharmaceuticals will have excellent potential in future medical research.

Enzymatic Metabolism of Flavonoids by Gut Microbiota and Its Impact on Gastrointestinal Cancer

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is a prevalent global health disease with a massive burden on health care providers. Internal and external factors such as obesity, smoking, diet (red meat), low socioeconomic status and infection with Helicobacter pylori are the critical risk factors of GI cancers. Flavonoids are natural phenolic compounds found abundantly in fruits and vegetables. Upon ingestion, 90% of flavonoids consumed require further enzymatic metabolism by the gut microbiome to enhance their bioavailability and absorption. Several epidemiological studies reported that consumption of flavonoids and their enzymatic conversion by gut microbes is strongly associated with the reduced risk of GI cancer development. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the enzymatic conversion of flavonoids by the human gut microbiome. It also addresses the underlying anti-GI cancer effects on metabolic pathways such as apoptosis and cellular proliferation. Overall, metabolites produced from flavonoid's enzymatic conversion illustrate anti-GI cancer effects, but the mechanisms of action need further clarification.

Natural-Derived Molecules as a Potential Adjuvant in Chemotherapy: Normal Cell Protectors and Cancer Cell Sensitizers

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a global threat to humans and a leading cause of death worldwide. Cancer treatment includes, among other things, the use of chemotherapeutic agents, compounds that are vital for treating and preventing cancer. However, chemotherapeutic agents produce oxidative stress along with other side effects that would affect the human body.

OBJECTIVE

To reduce the oxidative stress of chemotherapeutic agents in cancer and normal cells by naturally derived compounds with anti-cancer properties, and protect normal cells from the oxidation process. Therefore, the need to develop more potent chemotherapeutics with fewer side effects has become increasingly important.

METHOD

Recent literature dealing with the antioxidant and anticancer activities of the naturally naturally-derived compounds: morin, myricetin, malvidin, naringin, eriodictyol, isovitexin, daidzein, naringenin, chrysin, and fisetin has been surveyed and examined in this review. For this, data were gathered from different search engines, including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Scopus, and Scifinder, among others. Additionally, several patient offices such as WIPO, CIPO, and USPTO were consulted to obtain published articles related to these compounds.

RESULT

Numerous plants contain flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds such as morin, myricetin, malvidin, naringin, eriodictyol, isovitexin, daidzein, naringenin, chrysin, and fisetin, which exhibit ‎antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic actions via several mechanisms. These compounds show sensitizers of cancer cells and protectors of healthy cells. Moreover, these compounds can reduce oxidative stress, which is accelerated by chemotherapeutics and exhibit a potent anticancer effect on cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these findings, more research is recommended to explore and evaluate such flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds.

Morin as an imminent functional food ingredient: an update on its enhanced efficacy in the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndromes

Flavonoids represent polyphenolic plant secondary metabolites with a general structure of a 15-carbon skeleton comprising two phenyl rings and a heterocyclic ring. Over 5000 natural flavonoids (flavanones, flavanonols, and flavans) from various plants have been characterized. Several studies provide novel and promising insights into morin hydrate for its different biological activities against a series of metabolic syndromes. The present review is a rendition of its sources, chemistry, functional potency, and protective effects on metabolic syndromes ranging from cancer to brain injury. Most importantly this systematic review article also highlights the mechanisms of interest to morin-mediated management of metabolic disorders. The key mechanisms (anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory) responsible for its therapeutic potential are well featured after collating the in vitro and in vivo study reports. As a whole, based on the prevailing information rationalizing its medicinal use, morin can be identified as a therapeutic agent for the expansion of human health.

Green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles regulates the apoptotic expression in bone cancer cells MG-63 cells

Management of degenerative spine pathologies frequently leads to the need for bone growth. Rehmanniae Radix (RR), a Chinese herbal formulation was found to exhibit numerous therapeutic properties including its potent effect against cancer cell lines. However, the underlying mechanism through which the Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) synthesized from Rehmanniae Radix exerts its anti-cancer activity against osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 needs to be explored. Therefore, the study was performed to evaluate the anticancer, cytotoxicity and apoptotic effectiveness of ZnONPs from RR against MG-63 cells. Characterization studies such UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, TEM and XRD analysis were performed. Cytotoxicity assay, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), morphological examination of cells and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis inducing ability of RR were evaluated by various procedures. Western blot analysis of apoptotic markers such as Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were also performed. RR was found to inhibit growth of MG-63 cells at increasing dose. AO/EB staining confirmed the apoptotic efficacy of ZnONPs induced by RR in MG-63 cells. ZnONPs was also found to initiate increased generation of ROS and decreased MMP. Decreased MMP has resulted in increased levels of apoptotic proteins Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 and induction of apoptosis was substantiated by western blot analysis. The outcomes of the work propose that ZnONPs from RR exhibits strong anticancer action and inducing apoptosis on MG-63 cells via stimulating increased generation of ROS. Thus, ZnONPs from RR might be used as a hopeful drug target against several types of cancer cell lines.

In vitro anticancer activity of fucoidan extracted from Sargassum cinereum against Caco-2 cells

Fucoidan is a marine sulfated polysaccharide, which is extracted from brown seaweed that has a wide range of bioactivities including anti-cancer properties. However, the underlying mechanism of fucoidan on its anti-cancer and apoptotic activity against colon cancer cell line Caco-2 remains to be elucidated. Hence, the present study evaluated the cytotoxicity, apoptotic and anti-cancer activity of fucoidan extracted from brown seaweed Sargassum cinereum against Caco-2 cell line. Cytotoxicity, morphological examination of nuclei, mitochondrial membrane potential, flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and detection of apoptotic efficacy of fucoidan were assessed by different assay protocols. Fucoidan inhibited growth of Caco-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. IC50 concentration of fucoidan was found to be 250 μg/ml. AO/EB, Hoechst and Annexin V/PI staining confirmed the apoptosis induced by fucoidan in Caco-2 cells. Fucoidan was also found to increase ROS production and augment mitochondrial membrane permeability. The findings of the study suggest that fucoidan exerts potent anti-cancer and apoptotic effect on Caco-2 cells by enhancing ROS production. Thus, fucoidan may be used as a promising therapeutic regimen against various cancer cell types.

Monitoring of dynamic ATP level changes by oligomycin-modulated ATP synthase inhibition in SW480 cancer cells using fluorescent "On-Off" switching DNA aptamer

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the main energy source in cells and an important biomolecule participating in cellular reactions in living organisms. Since the ATP level changes dynamically reflecting the development of a debilitating disease or carcinogenesis, we have focused in this work on monitoring of the oligomycin (OMC)-modulated ATP synthase inhibition using a fluorescent-switching DNA aptamer designed for the detection of ATP (Apt(ATP)), as the model for studies of dynamic ATP level variation. The behavior of the ATP aptamer has been characterized using fluorescence spectroscopy. The Intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (iFRET) operates in the proposed aptamer from the FAM dye moiety to guanines of the aptamer G-quadruplex when the target ATP is present and binds to the aptamer changing its conformation. The iFRET process enables the detection of ATP down to the limit of detection, LOD = 17 μM, without resorting to any extra chemi-amplification schemes. The selectivity coefficients for relevant interferent triphosphates (UTP, GTP, and CTP) are low for the same concentration as that of ATP. We have demonstrated an efficient transfection of intact cells and OMC-treated SW480 colon cancer cells with Apt(ATP), using microscopic imaging, iFRET measurements, and cell viability testing with MTT method. The applicability of the switching DNA aptamer for the analysis of real samples, obtained by lysis of SW480 cells, was also tested. The proposed Apt(ATP) may be considered as a viable candidate for utilization in measurements of dynamic ATP level modulation in cells in different stages of cancer development and testing of new drugs in pharmacological studies.

Quinoa Secondary Metabolites and Their Biological Activities or Functions

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) was known as the "golden grain" by the native Andean people in South America, and has been a source of valuable food over thousands of years. It can produce a variety of secondary metabolites with broad spectra of bioactivities. At least 193 secondary metabolites from quinoa have been identified in the past 40 years. They mainly include phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, and nitrogen-containing compounds. These metabolites exhibit many physiological functions, such as insecticidal, molluscicidal and antimicrobial activities, as well as various kinds of biological activities such as antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. This review focuses on our knowledge of the structures, biological activities and functions of quinoa secondary metabolites. Biosynthesis, development and utilization of the secondary metabolites especially from quinoa bran were prospected.

Potential proapoptotic phytochemical agents for the treatment and prevention of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of mortality among men and women. Chemo-resistance, adverse effects and disease recurrence are major challenges in the development of effective cancer therapeutics. Substantial literature on this subject highlights that populations consuming diets rich in fibers, fruits and vegetables have a significantly reduced incidence rate of CRC. This chemo-preventive effect is primarily associated with the presence of phytochemicals in the dietary components. Plant-derived chemical agents act as a prominent source of novel compounds for drug discovery. Phytochemicals have been the focus of an increasing number of studies due to their ability to modulate carcinogenic processes through the alteration of multiple cancer cell survival pathways. Despite promising results from experimental studies, only a limited number of phytochemicals have entered into clinical trials. The purpose of the current review is to compile previously published pre-clinical and clinical evidence of phytochemicals in cases of CRC. A PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct search was performed for relevant articles published between 2008-2018 using the following key terms: 'Phytochemicals with colorectal cancers', 'apoptosis', 'cell cycle', 'reactive oxygen species' and 'clinical anticancer activities'. The present review may aid in identifying the most investigated phytochemicals in CRC cells, and due to the limited number of studies that make it from the laboratory bench to clinical trial stage, may provide a novel foundation for future research.

Flavonoid morin inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of melanoma cells by regulating reactive oxygen species, Sp1 and Mcl-1

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with cancer progression in different cancers, including melanoma. It also affects specificity protein (Sp1), a transcription factor. Flavonoid morin is known to inhibit growth of cancer cells, including lung cancer and breast cancer. Herein, we hypothesized that morin can inhibit cancer activities in melanoma by altering ROS generation. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of morin and its underlying mechanisms in melanoma cells. Effects of morin on cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined using standardized assays. Changes in pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins were analyzed by western blot analysis. Cellular ROS levels and mitochondrial function were evaluated by measuring DCF-DA fluorescence and rhodamine-123 fluorescence intensities, respectively. Morin induced ROS production and apoptosis, as presented by increased proportion of cells with Annexin V-PE(+) staining and sub-G0/G1 peak in cell cycle analysis. It also downregulated Sp1, Mcl-1, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 but upregulated cleaved caspase-3, Bax, and PUMA. In immunohistochemical staining, Sp1 was overexpressed in melanoma tissues compared to normal skin tissues. Collectively, our data suggest that morin can induce apoptosis of melanoma cells by regulating pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins through ROS, and may be a potential substance for treatment of melanoma.

Peptide P11 suppresses the growth of human thyroid carcinoma by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy, and the incidence of thyroid carcinoma is increasing in recent decades. CYYGQSKYC (P6), a nonapeptide with anti-lymphangiogenic effect by its binding to VEGFR-3 and selectively inhibiting VEGF-C binding to VEGFR-3, could suppress the migration and invasion of cancer cells. LSPPRYP (P9) acts as an effective bFGF/FGFR antagonist and inhibits the growth of the murine melanoma B16-F10 cells. In order to increase the anti-tumor effects of P6 and P9, we connected P6 with P9 via a flexible linker Gly-Gly-Gly (GGG) to reconstruct a novel peptide P11, CYYGQSKYCGGGLSPPRYP. In the present study, the mechanism of action of peptide P11 on the growth of human thyroid carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo was determined. Our results showed that peptide P11 inhibited the proliferation, viability, migration, and invasion of human thyroid carcinoma cells. Peptide P11 increased the apoptosis and decreased the protein levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR in human thyroid carcinoma cells. In addition, P11 could effectively inhibit the growth of human thyroid carcinoma xenograft tumors in nude mice. In conclusion, peptide P11 could inhibit the growth of human thyroid carcinoma by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Novel peptides can be designed and applied for the treatment of various types of cancer.

Alantolactone induces gastric cancer BGC-823 cell apoptosis by regulating reactive oxygen species generation and the AKT signaling pathway

Alantolactone (ALT), a natural sesquiterpene lactone, has been suggested to exert anti-cancer activities in various cancer cell lines. However, the effects and mechanisms of action of ALT in human gastric cancer remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the effects of ALT on BGC-823 cells were examined and the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with these effects were investigated. Cell viability was detected by using an MTT assay. Cell cycle, cell apoptosis and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of proteins of interest were analyzed by western blot assay. The results demonstrated that ALT triggered apoptosis and induced G0/G1 phase arrest in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the expression level of the anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 was downregulated, and expression of the pro-apoptosis proteins Bax and cleaved PARP were significantly upregulated. The cell cycle-associated proteins cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B were also increased, while cyclin D1 was deceased. In addition, ALT induced apoptosis via the inhibition of RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT) signaling and ROS generation, which was effectively inhibited by the ROS scavenger, N-acetyl cysteine. Therefore, the results from the present study indicated that the ROS-mediated inhibition of the AKT signaling pathway serves an important role in ALT-induced apoptosis in BGC-823 cells. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that ALT exerted significant anti-cancer effects against gastric cancer cells in vitro.

Strategies for targeting energy metabolism in Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog -mutant colorectal cancer

Alterations in cellular energy metabolism play critical roles in colorectal cancer (CRC). These alterations, which correlate to KRAS mutations, have been identified as energy metabolism signatures. This review summarizes the relationship between colorectal tumors associated with mutated KRAS and energy metabolism, especially for the deregulated energy metabolism that affects tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Furthermore, this review will concentrate on the role of metabolic genes, factors and signaling pathways, which are coupled with the primary energy source connected with the KRAS mutation that induces metabolic alterations. Strategies for targeting energy metabolism in mutated KRAS CRC are also introduced. In conclusion, deregulated energy metabolism has a close relationship with KRAS mutations in colorectal tumors. Therefore, selective inhibitors, agents against metabolic targets or KRAS signaling, may be clinically useful for colorectal tumor treatment through a patient-personalized approach.

Strategies to target energy metabolism in consensus molecular subtype 3 along with Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog mutations for colorectal cancer therapy

Alterations in cellular energy metabolism play a critical role in colorectal cancer (CRC), which has been identified as the definition of consensus molecular subtypes (CMSs), and CMS3 tumors exhibit energy metabolism signatures along with Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)-activating mutations. This review summarizes the relationship between CMS3 tumors associated with mutated KRAS and energy metabolism in CRC, especially for the dysregulated energy metabolism that affects tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Furthermore, this review concentrates on the role of metabolic genes and factors and signaling pathways, which coupled with a primary energy source connected with the CMS3 associated with mutated KRAS, induce metabolic alterations. The strategies to target energy metabolism for the metabolic alterations in mutated KRAS CRC are also introduced. In conclusion, dysregulated energy metabolism has a close relationship with mutated KRAS in CMS3 tumors. Therefore, selective inhibitors or agents against metabolic targets or KRAS signaling may be clinically useful for CMS3 tumor treatment through a personalized approach for patients with cancer.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation and glycolysis in airway smooth muscle cells via activation of Drp1

Abnormal airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) proliferation is an important pathological process in airway remodeling contributes to increased mortality in asthma. Mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism have a central role in the maintenance of the cell function. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ASMCs proliferative model was used to investigate the effect of mitochondria on the proliferation of ASMCs and the possible mechanism. We used cell and molecular biology to determine the effect of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) on LPS-mediated ASMCs cell cycle progression and glycolysis. The major findings of the current study are as follows: LPS promoted an increased mitochondrial fission and phosphorylation of Drp1 at Ser616 (p-Drp1 Ser616). LPS-induced ASMCs proliferation and cell cycle progression, which was significantly inhibited application of Drp1 RNA interfering. Glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) depressed ASMCs proliferative process induced by LPS stimulation. LPS caused mitochondrial metabolism disorders and aerobic glycolysis in a dependent on Drp1 activation. These results indicated that Drp1 may function as a key factor in asthma airway remodeling by mediating ASMC proliferation and cell cycle acceleration through an effect on mitochondrial metabolic disturbance.

Morin protects glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis through regulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway

Our aim is to investigate the potential therapeutic value of morin against osteoporosis and elucidate the mechanism of action. Osteoporosis was induced in rats by a subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone (DEX) for 5 weeks. Body weight was regularly monitored. Body mineral density (BMD) was determined at proximal femurs using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Pathological examination was performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The relative expression of osteogenic and bone resorption markers was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Activation of the MAPK signaling pathway was analyzed by Western blotting. Body weight and BMD were both significantly decreased in osteoporotic rats, although BMD was partially restored by intraperitoneal morin administration. Morin treatment also increased the number of trabecular bones in DEX-induced rats. Mechanistically, morin reversed the decrease of osteogenic markers and increase of bone resorption markers, which might eventually be mediated by modulation of MAPK signaling cascades. Here, we uncovered the therapeutic effect of morin against osteoporosis and demonstrated its suppressive action on the MAPK pathway in this disease.

Zerumbone, a Cyclic Sesquiterpene from Zingiber zerumbet Induces Apoptosis, Cell Cycle Arrest, and Antimigratory Effects in SW480 Colorectal Cancer Cells

Zerumbone isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet was investigated for the mechanisms by which it exhibits antiproliferative activity in colorectal cancer cells (SW480). The results indicated that the zerumbone suppressed cell growth and enhanced cell apoptosis. Exposure to zerumbone induced generation of reactive oxygen species, reduced the cellular antioxidant status, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and activated caspase 3, caspase 8, and caspase 9 (p < 0.001). It was also found that there was a decrease in the expression of Bcl 2 and elevation of Bax (p < 0.001) on exposure to zerumbone. Furthermore, treatment with 50, 75, and 100 μM zerumbone resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase with a value of 17.2 ± 0.1, 19.63 ± 0.25, and 26.66 ± 0.25, respectively, and also distorted the microfilament network and effectively inhibited cellular migration.