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Jiménez-González V, Kowalczyk T, Piekarski J, Szemraj J, Rijo P, Sitarek P. Nature's Green Potential: Anticancer Properties of Plants of the Euphorbiaceae Family. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:114. [PMID: 38201542 PMCID: PMC10778523 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The number of cancer cases will reach 24 million in 2040, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Current treatments for cancer are not effective and selective for most patients; for this reason, new anticancer drugs need to be developed and researched enough. There are potentially useful drugs for cancer isolated from plants that are being used in the clinic. Available information about phytochemistry, traditional uses, in vitro and in vivo experiments with plants, and pure compounds isolated from the Euphorbiaceae family indicates that this family of plants has the potential to develop anticancer drugs. This review examines selected species from the Euphorbiaceae family and their bioactive compounds that could have potential against different types of cancer cells. It reviews the activity of crude extracts, isolated compounds, and nanoparticles and the potential underlying mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Jiménez-González
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Tomasz Kowalczyk
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - Janusz Piekarski
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical University in Lodz, 93-513 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Janusz Szemraj
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Patricia Rijo
- CBIOS-Lusófona University’s Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Przemysław Sitarek
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-151 Lodz, Poland;
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Feng C, Lyu Y, Gong L, Wang J. Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Review. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14112274. [PMID: 35684073 PMCID: PMC9182762 DOI: 10.3390/nu14112274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common cancer of the urinary system. The potential therapeutic effects of certain natural products against renal cell carcinoma have been reported both in vivo and in vitro, but no reviews have been published classifying and summarizing the mechanisms of action of various natural products. In this study, we used PubMed and Google Scholar to collect and screen the recent literature on natural products with anti-renal-cancer effects. The main mechanisms of action of these products include the induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, inhibition of metastasis and reduction of drug resistance. In total, we examined more than 30 natural products, which include kahweol acetate, honokiol, englerin A and epigallocatechin-3-gallate, among others, have demonstrated a variety of anti-renal-cancer effects. In conclusion, natural products may have a wider application in kidney cancer than previously believed and are potential candidates for treatment in RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Feng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100000, China; (C.F.); (L.G.)
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China;
| | - Yinfeng Lyu
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China;
| | - Lingxiao Gong
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100000, China; (C.F.); (L.G.)
| | - Jing Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100000, China; (C.F.); (L.G.)
- Correspondence:
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Qian JJ, Xu Q, Xu WM, Cai R, Huang GC. Expression of VEGF-A Signaling Pathway in Cartilage of ACLT-induced Osteoarthritis Mouse Model. J Orthop Surg Res 2021; 16:379. [PMID: 34127028 PMCID: PMC8201729 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-021-02528-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anterior cruciate ligament transection surgery (ACLT)-induced OA model was often used to investigate the molecular mechanism of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Researches have shown that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) played an important role in OA. The present study aimed to investigate the pathological changes after ACLT surgery and reveal the expression characteristics of the VEGF-A/VEGFR2 signaling pathway in this model. METHODS Moderate KOA model was established by ACLT, and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Safranin-O(S-O) staining were used to detect the pathological changes in mouse knee cartilage, and the matrix biomarkers A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs 5(ADAMTS5), Collagen II (COL-II) were detected using immunohistochemistry (IHC), CD31 was detected by immunofluorescence (IF) to show the vascular invasion in cartilage, and proteins expression of VEGF-A pathway were detected by Western blot (WB). Meanwhile, the inflammatory biomarkers cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cartilage were detected by WB. RESULTS ACLT surgery can lead to degeneration of cartilage in mice, and the characteristics of the lesion were time-dependent. The ADAMTS5-positive cells increased while COL-II decreased in OA cartilage with time, and new blood vessels labeled by CD31 can be seen from 1 week in OA cartilage, and increased in 8 and 12 weeks. The expression of VEGF-A, VEGFR2, COX-2, and iNOS were higher than control groups, which were basically consistent with the degree of osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS The degenerative degree of articular cartilage was time-dependent; angiogenesis and inflammation were important pathological changes of cartilage in KOA. The expression of the VEGF-A/VEGFR2 signaling pathway was basically correlated with the degree of KOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Jia Qian
- Laboratory for New Techniques of Restoration & Reconstruction of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Rehabilitation Therapy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Qi Xu
- Laboratory for New Techniques of Restoration & Reconstruction of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei-Min Xu
- Laboratory for New Techniques of Restoration & Reconstruction of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ren Cai
- Department of Basic Physical Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Gui-Cheng Huang
- Laboratory for New Techniques of Restoration & Reconstruction of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Huang W, Liang Y, Chung HY, Wang G, Huang JJ, Li Y. Cyperenoic acid, a sesquiterpene derivative from Croton crassifolius, inhibits tumor growth through anti-angiogenesis by attenuating VEGFR2 signal pathway in breast cancer. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 76:153253. [PMID: 32531699 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyperenoic acid, one of the main chemical constituents of the root of Croton crassifolius, exhibited potent anti-angiogenic property on the zebrafish embryo model with little cytotoxicity. Nevertheless, its anti-angiogenic mechanism and anti-tumor effect have not been investigated. PURPOSE To investigate the anti-angiogenic mechanisms of cyperenoic acid and evaluate it whether could exert anti-tumor effect by inhibiting angiogenesis. STUDY DESIGN Targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) pathway to inhibit tumor angiogenesis is a significant strategy for cancer treatment. Initially, the anti-angiogenic effect of cyperenoic acid as well as the mechanisms of the action was studied using both in-vitro and in-vivo methodologies. Then, its anti-tumor effect through anti-angiogenesis by attenuating VEGFR2 signaling pathway was evaluated. METHODS The in-vitro inhibitory effect of cyperenoic acid on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis was evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) model. Moreover, its ex-vivo and in-vivo effects were evaluated using the aortic ring assay and the matrigel plug assay. The influence of the cyperenoic acid on tyrosine phosphorylation of VEGFR2 was studied by western blotting assay and the influence on downstream signaling pathway of VEGFR2 also be detected. Computer-docking simulations were carried out to study the interaction between cyperenoic acid and VEGFR2. Finally, its inhibitory effect on tumor growth was studied using breast cancer xenograft model. RESULTS Cyperenoic acid possessed little toxicity to HUVECs, but it significantly inhibited VEGF-induced proliferation, invasion, migration and tube formation of HUVECs. Moreover, it inhibited VEGF-induced sprout formation ex vivo and vessel formation in vivo. Further mechanistic study showed that cyperenoic acid could suppress VEGFR2 tyrosine kinase activity and alter its downstream signaling pathways in VEGF-induced HUVECs. In addition, it could form two hydrogen bonds with the ATP binding pocket of the VEGFR2 kinase domain by docking. For breast cancer xenograft model, cyperenoic acid suppressed tumor growth, but no obvious toxic pathologic changes were observed in mice. Besides, it suppressed the phosphorylation of VEGFR2 in tumor, demonstrating its anti-angiogenic ability in vivo partly targeting the VEGFR2. CONLUSION Cyperenoic acid could exert anti-tumor effect in breast cancer by inhibiting angiogenesis via VEGFR2 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihuan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Developmental & Regenerative Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yeyin Liang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hau Yin Chung
- Food and Nutritional Sciences Programme, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Guocai Wang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jim Junhui Huang
- Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Republic of Singapore.
| | - Yaolan Li
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
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Hu L, Huang W, Ding Y, Liu M, Wang M, Wang Y, Zhang W, Li Y, Ye W, Li M, Liu Z. PHMH, a diarylheptanoid from Alpinia officinarum attenuates VEGF-induced angiogenesis via inhibition of the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway. Food Funct 2020; 10:2605-2617. [PMID: 31020299 DOI: 10.1039/c8fo01809j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The rhizome of Alpinia officinarum Hance, a popular spice used as a condiment in China and Europe, has various reported bioactivities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, its anti-angiogenic activity has not previously been reported. In this study, a diarylheptanoid was isolated from Alpinia officinarum and identified as 1-phenyl-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-4E-en-3-heptanone (PHMH). We demonstrated that PHMH exerts anti-angiogenic activity both in vitro and in vivo. PHMH inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced viability, migration, invasion and tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro, and also suppressed VEGF-induced sprout formation of rat aorta ex vivo. Furthermore, PHMH was found to block VEGF-induced vessel formation in mice and suppress angiogenesis in both zebrafish and chorioallantoic membrane models. Mechanistic studies indicated that PHMH inhibited VEGF-induced VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) auto-phosphorylation and resulted in the blockage of VEGFR-2-mediated signaling cascades in HUVECs, including the Akt/mTOR, ERK1/2, and FAK pathways. Our findings provide new insights into the potential application of PHMH as a therapeutic agent for anti-angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liubing Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People's Republic of China.
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Hanson JR, Nichols T, Mukhrish Y, Bagley MC. Diterpenoids of terrestrial origin. Nat Prod Rep 2019; 36:1499-1512. [DOI: 10.1039/c8np00079d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This review covers the isolation and chemistry of diterpenoids from terrestrial sources from 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Hanson
- Department of Chemistry
- School of Life Sciences
- University of Sussex
- East Sussex
- UK
| | - Tyler Nichols
- Department of Chemistry
- School of Life Sciences
- University of Sussex
- East Sussex
- UK
| | - Yousef Mukhrish
- Department of Chemistry
- School of Life Sciences
- University of Sussex
- East Sussex
- UK
| | - Mark C. Bagley
- Department of Chemistry
- School of Life Sciences
- University of Sussex
- East Sussex
- UK
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Zhu GS, Tang LY, Lv DL, Jiang M. Total Flavones of Abelmoschus manihot Exhibits Pro-Angiogenic Activity by Activating the VEGF-A/VEGFR2-PI3K/Akt Signaling Axis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2018; 46:567-583. [PMID: 29595071 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x18500295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a process of new blood vessel formation from pre-existing vessels. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) binds to VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and thus activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway play a central role in angiogenesis. Total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot (TFA), the major active component of the traditional Chinese herb Abelmoschus manihot, display novel pro-angiogenic activity. However, little information concerning its underlying mechanism is available. Here we investigate the pro-angiogenesis of TFA with the aim of understanding its mechanism of action. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model were used to evaluate pro-angiogenesis of TFA using cell viability, wounding healing, transwell invasion, tube formation, RT-qPCR and Western blot methods. LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, was used to interfere with PI3K/Akt pathway signal for assessing the underlying mechanism. Results in vitro indicated TFA obviously promoted HUVECs proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation. Furthermore, TFA markedly augmented PI3K and Akt phosphorylation and up-regulated VEGF-A and VEGFR2 expression in HUVECs. However, pre-treatment with LY294002 not only markedly attenuated TFA-induced cells proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation, but also significantly abolished TFA-induced VEGF-A and VEGFR2 over-expression as well as PI3K and Akt phosphorylation. Experiments in CAM model showed TFA significantly promoted the formation of branched blood vessels and was dramatically suppressed by LY294002. Taken together, TFA promoted angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo which, however, were counteracted by LY294002, suggesting at least in part, TFA exhibits pro-angiogenic activity by activating the VEGF-A/VEGFR2-PI3K/Akt signaling axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Song Zhu
- * Intensive Care Unit, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210001, P. R. China.,† Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, P. R. China
| | - Ling-Yi Tang
- † Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Ling Lv
- ‡ Department of Outpatient, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, P. R. China
| | - Meng Jiang
- § Good Clinical Practice, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, P. R. China
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Roncero AM, Tobal IE, Moro RF, Díez D, Marcos IS. Halimane diterpenoids: sources, structures, nomenclature and biological activities. Nat Prod Rep 2018; 35:955-991. [DOI: 10.1039/c8np00016f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Diterpenes with a halimane skeleton constitute a small group of natural products that can be biogenetically considered as being between labdane and clerodane diterpenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro M. Roncero
- Departamento de Química Orgánica
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas
- Universidad de Salamanca
- 37008 Salamanca
- Spain
| | - Ignacio E. Tobal
- Departamento de Química Orgánica
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas
- Universidad de Salamanca
- 37008 Salamanca
- Spain
| | - Rosalina F. Moro
- Departamento de Química Orgánica
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas
- Universidad de Salamanca
- 37008 Salamanca
- Spain
| | - David Díez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas
- Universidad de Salamanca
- 37008 Salamanca
- Spain
| | - Isidro S. Marcos
- Departamento de Química Orgánica
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas
- Universidad de Salamanca
- 37008 Salamanca
- Spain
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Qiu M, Jin J, Zhou L, Zhou W, Liu Y, Tan Q, Cao D, Zhao Z. Diterpenoids from Croton crassifolius include a novel skeleton possibly generated via an intramolecular [2+2]-photocycloaddition reaction. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2018; 145:103-110. [PMID: 29117577 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Five previously undescribed terpenoids (cracrosons D-H), including three clerodane diterpenoids, together with 16 known diterpenoids were isolated from Croton crassifolius (Euphorbiaceae). Cracroson D features a previously undescribed carbon skeleton with an unprecedented cyclobutane ring. Their structures, including their absolute configurations, were elucidated using spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses along with CD calculations. A plausible biogenetic pathway for cracroson D is also proposed, which was supported by the experimental results. Additionally, all of the compounds were evaluated in vitro for cytotoxicity against T24 and A549 cells using the CCK-8 method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maosong Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jing Jin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lian Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yinxiang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qinglong Tan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Di Cao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhongxiang Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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