Comparative Cytotoxic Activity of Hydroxytyrosol and Its Semisynthetic Lipophilic Derivatives in Prostate Cancer Cells

The Protective Effects of an Aged Black Garlic Water Extract on the Prostate

Chronic inflammation is a recognized risk factor for various cancers, including prostate cancer (PCa). We aim to explore the potential protective effects of aged black garlic extract (ABGE) against inflammation-induced prostate damage and its impact on prostate cancer cell lines. We used an ex vivo model of inflammation induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on C57BL/6 male mouse prostate specimens to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of ABGE. The gene expression levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers (COX-2, NF-κB, and TNF-α, IL-6) were measured. Additionally, we evaluated ABGE's therapeutic effects on the prostate cancer cell lines through in vitro functional assays, including colony formation, tumorsphere formation, migration assays, and phosphorylation arrays to assess the signaling pathways (MAPK, AKT, JAK/STAT, and TGF-β). ABGE demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in preclinical models, partly attributed to its polyphenolic content, notably catechin and gallic acid. In the ex vivo model, ABGE reduced the gene expression levels of COX-2, NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6. The in vitro studies showed that ABGE inhibited cell proliferation, colony and tumorsphere formation, and cell migration in the prostate cancer cells, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent. ABGE exhibits promising anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, supporting further investigation into ABGE as a potential agent for managing inflammation and prostate cancer.

Anti-Cancer, Anti-Angiogenic, and Anti-Atherogenic Potential of Key Phenolic Compounds from Virgin Olive Oil

The Mediterranean diet, renowned for its health benefits, especially in reducing cardiovascular risks and protecting against diseases like diabetes and cancer, emphasizes virgin olive oil as a key contributor to these advantages. Despite being a minor fraction, the phenolic compounds in olive oil significantly contribute to its bioactive effects. This review examines the bioactive properties of hydroxytyrosol and related molecules, including naturally occurring compounds (-)-oleocanthal and (-)-oleacein, as well as semisynthetic derivatives like hydroxytyrosyl esters and alkyl ethers. (-)-Oleocanthal and (-)-oleacein show promising anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties, which are particularly underexplored in the case of (-)-oleacein. Additionally, hydroxytyrosyl esters exhibit similar effectiveness to hydroxytyrosol, while certain alkyl ethers surpass their precursor's properties. Remarkably, the emerging research field of the effects of phenolic molecules related to virgin olive oil on cell autophagy presents significant opportunities for underscoring the anti-cancer and neuroprotective properties of these molecules. Furthermore, promising clinical data from studies on hydroxytyrosol, (-)-oleacein, and (-)-oleocanthal urge further investigation and support the initiation of clinical trials with semisynthetic hydroxytyrosol derivatives. This review provides valuable insights into the potential applications of olive oil-derived phenolics in preventing and managing diseases associated with cancer, angiogenesis, and atherosclerosis.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel N-Arylpiperazines Containing a 4,5-Dihydrothiazole Ring

Arylpiperazines represent one of the most important classes of 5-HT1AR ligands and have attracted considerable interests for their versatile properties in chemistry and pharmacology, leading to the research of new derivatives that has been focused on the modification of one or more portions of such pharmacophore. An efficient protocol for the synthesis of novel thiazolinylphenyl-piperazines (2a-c) and the corresponding acetylated derivatives was used (3a-c). The new compounds were tested for their functional activity and affinity at 5-HT1A receptors, showing an interesting affinity profile with a Ki value of 412 nM for compound 2b. The cytotoxic activity of novel thiazolinylphenyl-piperazines (2a-c) and corresponding N-acetyl derivatives (3a-c) against human prostate and breast cancer cell lines (LNCAP, DU-145 and PC-3, MCF-7, SKBR-3 and MDA-MB231) was investigated according to the procedure described in the literature. The reported data showed a cytotoxic effect for 2a-c and 3a-c compounds (IC50 values ranging from 15 µM to 73 µM) on the investigated cancer cell lines, with no effect on noncancer cells. Future studies will be aimed to investigate the mechanism of action and therapeutic prospects of these new scaffolds.

Valorization of Olea europaea and olive oil processing by-products/wastes

Olive (Olea europaea) is a native species from the Mediterranean region and widely cultivated for its edible fruit, known as olives. Olives are a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, and polyphenols, and have been shown to have various health benefits. They are commonly used for cooking and are also employed in cosmetics and the pharmaceutical industry. The extract obtained from olive fruits and several subproducts of the olive industry has demonstrated several biological activities mainly associated with their antioxidant and inflammatory properties. Thus, olives, olive-derived products, and subproducts of the olive industry have gained popularity in recent years due to their potential health benefits and their use in traditional medicine. The present chapter summarizes the main applications of Olea europaea and olive oil processing by-products as therapeutic agents against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and antimicrobial agents.

Inhibition of Endothelial Inflammatory Response by HT-C6, a Hydroxytyrosol Alkyl Ether Derivative

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a bioactive phenolic compound naturally present in olives and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) which is described as an antioxidant, antitumoral and antiangiogenic molecule. Previous studies of semi-synthetic HT-derivatives presented the hydroxytyrosyl alkyl ether HT-C6 as one of the most potent derivatives studied in the context of antioxidant, anti-platelet and antiangiogenic assays, but its direct effect on inflammation was not reported. In this work, we use RT-qPCR measure of gene expression, protein analysis by Western-blot and immunofluorescence techniques, adhesion and migration functional assays and single-cell monitoring of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in order to explore in vitro the ability of HT-C6 to interfere in the inflammatory response of endothelial cells (ECs). Our results showed that HT-C6 strongly reduces the TNF-α-induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), E-selectin (SELE), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 and 5 (CCL2 and CCL5) in HUVECs, impairing the chemotactic and adhesion potential of these cells towards THP-1 monocytes in vitro. In this work, we define a mechanism of action underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of HT-C6, which involves the abrogation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway activation in ECs. These results, together with the ability of HT-C6 to reduce ROS formation in ECs, point to this compound as a promising HT-derivative to be tested in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Somatostatin, Cortistatin and Their Receptors Exert Antitumor Actions in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Cells: Critical Role of Endogenous Cortistatin

Somatostatin (SST), cortistatin (CORT), and their receptors (SSTR1-5/sst5TMD4-TMD5) comprise a multifactorial hormonal system involved in the regulation of numerous pathophysiological processes. Certain components of this system are dysregulated and play critical roles in the development/progression of different endocrine-related cancers. However, the presence and therapeutic role of this regulatory system in prostate cancer (PCa) remain poorly explored. Accordingly, we performed functional (proliferation/migration/colonies-formation) and mechanistic (Western-blot/qPCR/microfluidic-based qPCR-array) assays in response to SST and CORT treatments and CORT-silencing (using specific siRNA) in different PCa cell models [androgen-dependent (AD): LNCaP; androgen-independent (AI)/castration-resistant PCa (CRPC): 22Rv1 and PC-3], and/or in the normal-like prostate cell-line RWPE-1. Moreover, the expression of SST/CORT system components was analyzed in PCa samples from two different patient cohorts [internal (n = 69); external (Grasso, n = 88)]. SST and CORT treatment inhibited key functional/aggressiveness parameters only in AI-PCa cells. Mechanistically, antitumor capacity of SST/CORT was associated with the modulation of oncogenic signaling pathways (AKT/JNK), and with the significant down-regulation of critical genes involved in proliferation/migration and PCa-aggressiveness (e.g., MKI67/MMP9/EGF). Interestingly, CORT was highly expressed, while SST was not detected, in all prostate cell-lines analyzed. Consistently, endogenous CORT was overexpressed in PCa samples (compared with benign-prostatic-hyperplasia) and correlated with key clinical (i.e., metastasis) and molecular (i.e., SSTR2/SSTR5 expression) parameters. Remarkably, CORT-silencing drastically enhanced proliferation rate and blunted the antitumor activity of SST-analogues (octreotide/pasireotide) in AI-PCa cells. Altogether, we provide evidence that SST/CORT system and SST-analogues could represent a potential therapeutic option for PCa, especially for CRPC, and that endogenous CORT could act as an autocrine/paracrine regulator of PCa progression.

In Vitro Study of the Potential Role of Olive Oil Oleuropein in Modulating the 5-FU Cytotoxic Efficacy against the Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is an anticancer drug used to inhibit the proliferation of many different tumor cells. Since severe side effects are associated with this drug, its combination with different natural compounds would allow the use of a significantly lower dose of 5-FU. Oleuropein (OLEU), has been shown to have inhibitory effects on various types of cancers. AIM: The main objective of the current study was to assess the cytotoxic effect of OLEU and the chemotherapeutic drug 5-FU on Human Tongue Carcinoma Cancer Cell Line (HNO-97) and Human Normal Oral Epithelial Cell Line (OEC) either independently or combinatory effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for cell viability, and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated. Flowcytometry for cell cycle analysis was performed. Also, in vitro scratch assay was done to assess the inhibitory effects of OLEU on the migration of cells.RESULTS: MTT assay study demonstrated that OLEU and 5-FU alone or in combinations have produced a significant inhibitory effect on both normal and cancer cell lines with a favorable impact for OLEU on cancer cell lines rather than the normal one. A significant increase in the cell inhibitory % was reported between the single and the combinations treated groups as compared to the non-treated control group. Cell cycle analysis via flowcytometry showed that OLEU had induced cell cycle arrest at G0/1 phase, decreased S phase and G2/M phase either independently or in combination for 24h and 48h when compared with a non-treated control group. A Scratch assay test showed that OLEU could induce delayed wound healing. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study suggest that OLEU can exert an anti-cancer effect on HNO-97 and may have the potential for potentiation of 5-FU cytotoxic effects and reduction of its adverse effects. In addition, OLEU could inhibit cancer progression and expansion from the initial tumor.