Chemoprevention of Rat Mammary Carcinogenesis by Apiaceae Spices

Exosomal Delivery Enhances the Antiproliferative Effects of Acid-Hydrolyzed Apiaceae Spice Extracts in Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide. The Apiaceae plant family includes many culinary spices that have been shown to have medicinal properties. Many phytochemicals exhibit potent bioactivities but often suffer from poor uptake and oral bioavailability. Bovine milk and colostrum exosomes are a compelling drug delivery platform that could address this issue; these natural nanoparticles can be loaded with hydrophilic and lipophilic small molecules and biologics, resulting in lower doses needed to inhibit cancer growth. Ethanolic extracts of eight Apiaceae spices were examined for phytochemical content and antiproliferative potential. Acid hydrolysis (AH) was employed to remove glycosides, asses its impacts on extract efficacy, and evaluate its effects on exosome loading and subsequent formulation efficacy. Antiproliferative activity was assessed through MTT assays on T-47D, MDA-MB-231, and BT-474 breast cancer cells; all extracts exhibited broad antiproliferative activity. AH enhanced the bioactivity of cumin, caraway, and fennel in T-47D cells. Celery, cumin, anise, and ajwain showed the highest activity and were assayed in exosomal formulations, which resulted in reduced doses required to inhibit cellular proliferation for all extracts except AH-cumin. Apiaceae spice extracts demonstrated antiproliferative activities that can be improved with AH and further enhanced with exosomal delivery.

A comprehensive review on the composition, biogenesis, purification, and multifunctional role of exosome as delivery vehicles for cancer therapy

All forms of life produce nanosized extracellular vesicles called exosomes, which are enclosed in lipid bilayer membranes. Exosomes engage in cell-to-cell communication and participate in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Exosomes function via their bioactive components, which are delivered to target cells in the form of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Exosomes function as drug delivery vehicles due to their unique properties of innate stability, low immunogenicity, biocompatibility, biodistribution, accumulation in desired tissues, low toxicity in normal tissues, and the stimulation of anti-cancer immune responses, and penetration capacity into distance organs. Exosomes mediate cellular communications by delivering various bioactive molecules including oncogenes, oncomiRs, proteins, specific DNA, messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), and circular RNA (circRNA). These bioactive substances can be transferred to change the transcriptome of target cells and influence tumor-related signaling pathways. After considering all of the available literature, in this review we discuss the biogenesis, composition, production, and purification of exosomes. We briefly review exosome isolation and purification techniques. We explore great-length exosomes as a mechanism for delivering a variety of substances, including proteins, nucleic acids, small chemicals, and chemotherapeutic drugs. We also talk about the benefits and drawbacks of exosomes. This review concludes with a discussion future perspective and challenges. We hope that this review will provide us a better understanding of the current state of nanomedicine and exosome applications in biomedicine.

Cumin Prevents 17β-Estradiol-Associated Breast Cancer in ACI Rats

Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths in women in less developed countries and the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. In this study, we report the inhibition of E2-mediated mammary tumorigenesis by Cuminum cyminum (cumin) administered via the diet as cumin powder, as well as dried ethanolic extract. Groups of female ACI rats were given either an AIN-93M diet or a diet supplemented with cumin powder (5% and 7.5%, w/w) or dried ethanolic cumin extract (1%, w/w), and then challenged with subcutaneous E2 silastic implants (1.2 cm; 9 mg). The first appearance of a palpable mammary tumor was significantly delayed by both the cumin powder and extract. At the end of the study, the tumor incidence was 96% in the control group, whereas only 55% and 45% animals had palpable tumors in the cumin powder and extract groups, respectively. Significant reductions in tumor volume (660 ± 122 vs. 138 ± 49 and 75 ± 46 mm³) and tumor multiplicity (4.21 ± 0.43 vs. 1.16 ± 0.26 and 0.9 ± 0.29 tumors/animal) were also observed by the cumin powder and cumin extract groups, respectively. The cumin powder diet intervention dose- and time-dependently offset E2-related pituitary growth, and reduced the levels of circulating prolactin and the levels of PCNA in the mammary tissues. Mechanistically, the cumin powder diet resulted in a significant reversal of E2-associated modulation in ERα, CYP1A1 and CYP1B1. Further, the cumin powder diet reversed the expression levels of miRNAs (miR-182, miR-375, miR-127 and miR-206) that were highly modulated by E2 treatment. We analyzed the composition of the extract by GC/MS and established cymene and cuminaldehyde as major components, and further detected no signs of gross or systemic toxicity. Thus, cumin bioactives can significantly delay and prevent E2-mediated mammary tumorigenesis in a safe and effective manner, and warrant continued efforts to develop these clinically translatable spice bioactives as chemopreventives and therapeutics against BC.

Role of natural products in breast cancer related symptomology: Targeting chronic inflammation

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. There have been many advancements in the treatment of breast cancer leading to an increased population of patients living with this disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that cancer diagnosis and aftermath experienced stress could not only affect the quality of life of cancer patients, but it could also influence their disease outcome. The magnitude of stress experienced by breast cancer patients is often compared to the post-traumatic stress disorder-like symptoms suggested to be mediated by the chronic inflammation including NF-κB, AKt, p53 and other inflammatory pathways. Here, we describe the symptomology of PTSD-like symptoms in breast cancer patients and argue that they may in fact be caused by or maintained through aspects of chronic inflammation mediated by the pro-inflammatory markers. Evidence exists that natural products that might attenuate or lessen the effects of chronic inflammation abound in the diet. We summarize some possible agents that might abate the genesis of symptoms experienced by breast cancer patients while mitigating the effect of inflammation.

Comparison of the roles of estrogens and androgens in breast cancer and prostate cancer

Breast cancer (BC) and prostate cancer (PC) are the second most common malignant tumors in women and men in western countries, respectively. The risks of death are 14% for BC and 9% for PC. Abnormal estrogen and androgen levels are related to carcinogenesis of the breast and prostate. Estradiol stimulates cancer development in BC. The effect of estrogen on PC is concentration-dependent, and estrogen can regulate androgen production, further affecting PC. Estrogen can also increase the risk of androgen-induced PC. Androgen has dual effects on BC via different metabolic pathways, and the role of the androgen receptor (AR) in BC also depends on cell subtype and downstream target genes. Androgen and AR can stimulate both primary PC and castration-resistant PC. Understanding the mechanisms of the effects of estrogen and androgen on BC and PC may help us to improve curative BC and PC treatment strategies.

Root bark extract of Calliandra portoricensis (Jacq.) Benth. chemoprevents N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary gland toxicity in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Calliandra portoricensis (CP) is a herb widely used in Nigeria for the treatment of breast engorgement. However, the scientific evidence of this use and its mechanisms of action is not clearly understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We assessed the chemopreventive effects of methanol extract of CP on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-induced mammary gland toxicity in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fingerprinting of methanol extract of CP by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was done. Female Wistar rats were assigned into eight groups: Group 1 (control), group 2 received NMU only, groups 3, 4 and 5 received NMU and treated with CP at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. Group 6 received CP (300 mg/kg), group 7 received NMU and vincristine, while group 8 received vincristine.

RESULTS

The weight-gain by rats decreased in all groups that received NMU. Administration of NMU significantly increased organo-somatic weight of mammary gland by 52%. The NMU increased serum nitric oxide, total bilirubin, mammary myeloperoxidase and lipid peroxidation by 76%, 87%, 130% and 21%, respectively, as well as activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase. Also, NMU-treated rats had decreased total sulphydryl, reduced glutathione and catalase. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong expression of estrogen, progesterone and EGFR-2 proteins in NMU-treated rats. Treatment with CP (200 and 300 mg/kg) attenuated NMU-induced inflammation and oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

CP ameliorated NMU-induced toxicity by modulating different cellular targets.

Identification of karanjin isolated from the Indian beech tree as a potent CYP1 enzyme inhibitor with cellular efficacy via screening of a natural product repository

CYP1A1 is thought to mediate carcinogenesis in oral, lung and epithelial cancers. In order to identify a CYP1A1 inhibitor from an edible plant, 394 natural products in the IIIM's natural product repository were screened, at 10 μM concentration, using CYP1A1-Sacchrosomes™ (i.e. microsomal enzyme isolated from recombinant baker's yeast). Twenty-seven natural products were identified that inhibited 40-97% of CYP1A1's 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity. The IC50 values of the 'hits', belonging to different chemical scaffolds, were determined. Their selectivity was studied against a panel of 8 CYP-Sacchrosomes™. In order to assess cellular efficacy, the 'hits' were screened for their capability to inhibit CYP enzymes expressed within live recombinant human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells from plasmids encoding specific CYP genes (1A2, 1B1, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 3A4). Isopimpinellin (IN-475; IC50, 20 nM) and karanjin (IN-195; IC50, 30 nM) showed the most potent inhibition of CYP1A1 in human cells. Isopimpinellin is found in celery, parsnip, fruits and in the rind and pulp of limes whereas different parts of the Indian beech tree, which contain karanjin, have been used in traditional medicine. Both isopimpinellin and karanjin negate the cellular toxicity of CYP1A1-mediated benzo[a]pyrene. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations with CYP isoforms rationalize the observed trends in the potency and selectivity of isopimpinellin and karanjin.

Are plant-based functional foods better choice against cancer than single phytochemicals? A critical review of current breast cancer research

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. Over 90% of all breast cancer cases are of different 'sporadic' cell types, thus placing emphasis on the need for breast cancer prevention and new effective treatment strategies. In recent years, pre-clinical research provides growing evidence regarding the beneficial action of bioactive plant-derived substances - phytochemicals, on multiple cancer-related biological pathways. The important natural source of various phytochemicals with anti-oncogenic properties are plant-based functional foods. It is hypothesized that a significant anti-tumour activity of plant-based functional foods are the result of a combination of various phytochemicals rather than an isolated agent. The mixture of phytochemicals with various biological activities present in whole foods could have additive or synergistic effects against carcinogenesis. Clinically, it is very important to compare the effect of the isolated phytochemicals against the mixture of phytochemicals present in specific plant-based functional foods. Therefore, the purpose of this review article is to compare anticancer activities of isolated phytochemicals and plant-based functional foods for the prevention and therapy of breast carcinoma. Our conclusion supports the hypothesis that a mixture of wide range of phytochemicals with a plethora of biological activities present in whole plant-derived foods could have additive or synergistic effects against breast cancer. Although, the lack of parallel comparative studies between whole natural foods versus isolated plant compounds limits our conclusion, future pre-clinical and clinical studies evaluating this issue is required.