Recent Advances in Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)-Containing Herbs Alleviating Radiotherapy- and Chemotherapy-Induced Adverse Reactions in Cancer Treatment

Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma induces selective cancer cell apoptosis by modulating redox homeostasis

BACKGROUND

Anticancer treatments aim to selectively target cancer cells without harming normal cells. While non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTAPP) has shown anticancer potential across various studies, the mechanisms behind its selective action on cancer cells remain inadequately understood. This study explores the mechanism of NTAPP-induced selective cell death and assesses its application in cancer therapy.

METHODS

We treated HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells with NTAPP and assessed the intracellular levels of mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial function, and cell death mechanisms. We employed N-acetylcysteine to investigate ROS's role in NTAPP-induced cell death. Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing was used to compare gene expression in NTAPP-treated HT1080 cells and human normal fibroblasts (NF). Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining examined the expression and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), a key antioxidant gene transcription factor. We also evaluated autophagy activity through fluorescence staining and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS

NTAPP treatment increased ROS levels and induced mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to apoptosis in HT1080 cells. The involvement of ROS in selective cancer cell death was confirmed by N-acetylcysteine treatment. Distinct gene expression patterns were observed between NTAPP-treated NF and HT1080 cells, with NF showing upregulated antioxidant gene expression. Notably, NRF2 expression and nuclear translocation increased in NF but not in HT1080 cells. Furthermore, autophagy activity was significantly higher in normal cells compared to cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that NTAPP induces selective cell death in fibrosarcoma cells through the downregulation of the NRF2-induced ROS scavenger system and inhibition of autophagy. These findings suggest NTAPP's potential as a cancer therapy that minimizes damage to normal cells while effectively targeting cancer cells.

Non-surgical nursing care for tumor patients: an overview of sedation, analgesia, and recent innovations

With the increasing prevalence of tumors, effective symptom management has emerged as a cornerstone of patient care. While surgical interventions remain pivotal, non-surgical nursing methods have gained prominence in providing relief from pain, discomfort, and other tumor-related symptoms. This review delves into the various non-surgical approaches employed, emphasizing tumor sedation and analgesia. We discuss the array of non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies, shedding light on their indications, contraindications, and potential side effects. Furthermore, the importance of addressing individual differences in pain perception and the ethical considerations in symptom management are highlighted. We conclude by providing insights into the recent innovations in the field, emphasizing the need for personalized and comprehensive care to enhance patients' quality of life. Tumor sedation, Tumor analgesia, Non-surgical nursing care, Pain management, Non-pharmacological interventions, Palliative care, Recent innovations, Symptom management.

Matching traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine-based research: Advanced nutraceutical development for proactive gastric cancer prevention

Gastric cancer (GC), the third leading cause of cancer-related death globally, is complex and heterogeneous. This review explores multidisciplinary investigations of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with Western medical practices, emphasizing the development of nutraceuticals for cancer prevention. Using advanced analytical chemistry and food chemistry techniques, this study investigated how TCM components may be optimized for nutraceutical development. Focusing on molecular interactions with GC pathways, particularly the NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, we examined the effects of TCM polyherbal formulas, extracts, and isolated compounds. These agents modulate apoptosis and cellular proliferation, underscoring their potential in preventive strategies. The convergence of nutraceutical and medicine food homology studies highlights a significant shift towards integrating TCM-derived compounds in a preventive health framework. This approach aims not only to enhance efficacy and reduce side effects but also to champion a preventive paradigm using personalized medicine to advance proactive health maintenance and disease prevention. The combination of TCM and western medical practices offers promising avenues for future research and practical applications in GC prevention.

Biomaterial-Based CRISPR/Cas9 Delivery Systems for Tumor Treatment

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology is characterized by high specificity and efficiency, and has been applied to the treatment of human diseases, especially tumors involving multiple genetic modifications. However, the clinical application of CRISPR/Cas9 still faces some major challenges, the most urgent of which is the development of optimized delivery vectors. Biomaterials are currently the best choice for use in CRISPR/Cas9 delivery vectors owing to their tunability, biocompatibility, and efficiency. As research on biomaterial vectors continues to progress, hope for the application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for clinical oncology therapy builds. In this review, we first detail the CRISPR/Cas9 system and its potential applications in tumor therapy. Then, we introduce the different delivery forms and compare the physical, viral, and non-viral vectors. In addition, we analyze the characteristics of different types of biomaterial vectors. We further review recent research progress in the use of biomaterials as vectors for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery to treat specific tumors. Finally, we summarize the shortcomings and prospects of biomaterial-based CRISPR/Cas9 delivery systems.

Nano-formulated delivery of active ingredients from traditional Chinese herbal medicines for cancer immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy has garnered promise in tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis through establishing durable and memorable immunological activity. However, low response rates, adverse side effects, and high costs compromise the additional benefits for patients treated with current chemical and biological agents. Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) are a potential treasure trove of natural medicines and are gaining momentum in cancer immunomodulation with multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway characteristics. The active ingredient extracted from CHMs benefit generalized patients through modulating immune response mechanisms. Additionally, the introduction of nanotechnology has greatly improved the pharmacological qualities of active ingredients through increasing the hydrophilicity, stability, permeability, and targeting characteristics, further enhancing anti-cancer immunity. In this review, we summarize the mechanism of active ingredients for cancer immunomodulation, highlight nano-formulated deliveries of active ingredients for cancer immunotherapy, and provide insights into the future applications in the emerging field of nano-formulated active ingredients of CHMs.

Medicinal Plant-derived Phytochemicals in Detoxification

The average worldwide human life expectancy is 70 years, with a significantly higher value in Western societies. Many modern diseases are not associated with premature mortality but with a decreased quality of life in aged patients and an excessive accumulation of various toxic compounds in the human body during life. Today, scientists are especially interested in finding compounds that can help increase a healthy lifespan by detoxifying the body. Phytotherapy with specific approaches is used in alternative medicine to remove toxins from the body. Worldwide, research is conducted to identify medicinal plant-derived molecules that, with few or no side effects, may protect the liver and other organs. This review provides updated information about the detoxification process, the traditional and modern use of the most effective medicinal plants, their active metabolites as detoxifying agents, and the mechanisms and pathways involved in the detoxification process. Among medicinal plants with substantial detoxifying properties, a major part belongs to the Asteraceae family (Silybum marianum, Cynara scolymus, Arctium lappa, Helichrysum species, Inula helenium, and Taraxacum officinale). The most widely used hepatoprotective phytocomponent is silymarin, a standardized extract from the Silybum marianum seeds containing a mixture of flavonolignans. Many polysaccharides, polyphenols, and terpenoids have a detoxifying effect. Overall, scientific data on medicinal plants used in phytotherapeutic practice worldwide provides an understanding and awareness of their efficacy in detoxification.

Pharmacological Mechanisms and Adjuvant Properties of Licorice Glycyrrhiza in Treating Gastric Cancer

Licorice is a remarkable traditional Chinese medicine obtained from the dried root and rhizomes of the Glycyrrhiza genus, and t has been utilized in China for many centuries. It consists of more than 300 compounds that are mainly divided into triterpene saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and phenolic components. The active compounds of licorice have been found to possess multiple biological activities, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, immunoregulatory, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective functions. In addition to providing a brief overview of licorice's adjuvant properties, this review describes and analyzes the pharmacological mechanisms by which licorice components function to treat gastric cancer. Furthermore, licorice compounds are also found to be potent adjuvant chemotherapy agents, as they can improve the quality of life of cancer patients and alleviate chemotherapy-induced adverse effects.

Genetic Polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GPX1 Genes and Smoking Susceptibility in the Saudi Population

Background/Objective/Methods

Glutathione-S-transferase Mu1 (GSTM1) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) are known antioxidant enzymes that help protect cells from the oxidative damage that occurs from smoking. This study explored the correlation between GSTM1 and GPX1 levels between a group of smokers with the GSTM1 and GPX1 genes in the Saudi population and a control group and investigated the genetic risk factors in the group of smokers.

Results

The control and smokers' group (n = 50; aged 22.3 ± 3.1 years; BMI 24.6 ± 5.9 kg/m2) were genotyped using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In comparison with the control group, the smokers' group displayed a different genotype disruption of GSTM1 and GPX1. Carriers of the homozygous (TT) genotype of GSTM1 had more than a twofold (OR = 2.71, 95% CI = 0.10-70.79, P = 1.000) smoking risk than the carriers of the heterozygous (CT) genotype. Those with the GPX1 gene showed no risk in the control and smokers' groups. Smokers with the TT/GG combination (homozygous for GPX1 and normal for GPX1) were identified as high risk (OR = 2.58, 95% CI = 0.096-69.341).

Conclusion

The main outcomes showed no significant association between genetic polymorphism of the GSTM1 and GPX1 genes and cigarette smoking in the Saudi Arabian population. However, the results showed a slight decrease in the number of GSTM1 and GPX1 gene modifications among smokers.

Cell membrane-coated nanomaterials for cancer therapy

With the development of nanotechnology, nanoparticles have emerged as a delivery carrier for tumor drug therapy, which can improve the therapeutic effect by increasing the stability and solubility and prolonging the half-life of drugs. However, nanoparticles are foreign substances for humans, are easily cleared by the immune system, are less targeted to tumors, and may even be toxic to the body. As a natural biological material, cell membranes have unique biological properties, such as good biocompatibility, strong targeting ability, the ability to evade immune surveillance, and high drug-carrying capacity. In this article, we review cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (CMNPs) and their applications to tumor therapy. First, we briefly describe CMNP characteristics and applications. Second, we present the characteristics and advantages of different cell membranes as well as nanoparticles, provide a brief description of the process of CMNPs, discuss the current status of their application to tumor therapy, summarize their shortcomings for use in cancer therapy, and propose future research directions. This review summarizes the research progress on CMNPs in cancer therapy in recent years and assesses remaining problems, providing scholars with new ideas for future research on CMNPs in tumor therapy.

Medicinal Plants of the Flora of Kazakhstan Used in the Treatment of Skin Diseases

The skin shows the physiological condition of the body's organs and systems that prevent infections and physical damage. Throughout the ages, in folk medicine, phytotherapy was considered a primary form of treatment in all countries, including Kazakhstan, due to the abundance and availability of plant-based remedies. This paper discusses several medicinal plants that are traditionally used in the treatment of skin diseases in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The chemical composition of these plants was analyzed, with a particular focus on the biologically active basic compounds responsible for their therapeutic efficiency in treating skin ailments.

The prospect of Xihuang pill in the treatment of cancers

Background

Xihuang pill, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) prescription and a representative of Huoxuehuayu therapy (one of the TCM therapies to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis), has been widely used in breast cancer treatments. Although some evidence suggests the efficacy and safety of the Xihuang pill in treating certain cancer, the overall efficacy of the Xihuang pill in other cancer treatment is uncertain.

Objective

This study aimed to summarize the current clinical literature and provided evidence support for addressing the research question of whether the Xihuang pill is safe and effective in the treatment of various cancers as Huoxuehuayu therapy, and possibly identify the clinical dosage range and therapeutic effect of Xihuang pills.

Method

Seven Chinese and English databases such as PubMed, CNKI, and Google Scholar were searched to collect the publications on Xihuang pill and cancer. Then the researchers extracted data from the articles that met the inclusion criteria and used SAS statistical program version 9.4 (by SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina, USA) for statistical statistics.

Results

Our search identified 78 studies, including 69 RCTs (randomized control trials), 6 NRCCs (non-randomized concurrent control trials), and 3 BAS (before-after study), evaluating 3151 patients in total. The daily doses of Xihuang pills/capsule were between 2 g and 60 g, and duration between 2 weeks and 5 years, mostly used in the middle or late stage of cancer. The therapeutic effect of the Xihuang pill was mainly reflected in improving Complete Response (CR, a term from The Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) or Partial Response (PR, a term from The Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors), reducing adverse reactions, promoting quality of life (QoL), regulating immunity, alleviating pain, prolonging survival, reducing metastasis and recurrence, reducing inflammation, regulating estrogen levels, decreasing hypercoagulative status, and reducing tumor markers.

Conclusion

Xihuang pill representing Huoxuehuayu therapy has a good prospect in the treatment of cancer.