Curcumin Combination Chemotherapy: The Implication and Efficacy in Cancer

Modulation of long noncoding RNAs by polyphenols as a novel potential therapeutic approach in lung cancer: A comprehensive review

Lung cancer stands as a formidable global health challenge, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Polyphenols, bioactive compounds synthesized by plants, have garnered attention for their diverse health benefits, particularly in combating various cancers, including lung cancer. The advent of whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing technologies has illuminated the pivotal roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), operating at epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional levels, in cancer progression. This review comprehensively explores the impact of polyphenols on both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive lncRNAs in lung cancer, elucidating on their intricate regulatory mechanisms. The comprehensive examination extends to the potential synergies when combining polyphenols with conventional treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Recognizing the heterogeneity of lung cancer subtypes, the review emphasizes the need for the integration of nanotechnology for optimized polyphenol delivery and personalized therapeutic approaches. In conclusion, we collect the latest research, offering a holistic overview of the evolving landscape of polyphenol-mediated modulation of lncRNAs in lung cancer therapy. The integration of polyphenols and lncRNAs into multidimensional treatment strategies holds promise for enhancing therapeutic efficacy and navigating the challenges associated with lung cancer treatment.

Phytocompounds targeting epigenetic modulations: an assessment in cancer

For centuries, plants have been serving as sources of potential therapeutic agents. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in investigating the effects of plant-derived compounds on epigenetic processes, a novel and captivating Frontier in the field of epigenetics research. Epigenetic changes encompass modifications to DNA, histones, and microRNAs that can influence gene expression. Aberrant epigenetic changes can perturb key cellular processes, including cell cycle control, intercellular communication, DNA repair, inflammation, stress response, and apoptosis. Such disruptions can contribute to cancer development by altering the expression of genes involved in tumorigenesis. However, these modifications are reversible, offering a unique avenue for therapeutic intervention. Plant secondary compounds, including terpenes, phenolics, terpenoids, and sulfur-containing compounds are widely found in grains, vegetables, spices, fruits, and medicinal plants. Numerous plant-derived compounds have demonstrated the potential to target these abnormal epigenetic modifications, including apigenin (histone acetylation), berberine (DNA methylation), curcumin (histone acetylation and epi-miRs), genistein (histone acetylation and DNA methylation), lycopene (epi-miRs), quercetin (DNA methylation and epi-miRs), etc. This comprehensive review highlights these abnormal epigenetic alterations and discusses the promising efficacy of plant-derived compounds in mitigating these deleterious epigenetic signatures in human cancer. Furthermore, it addresses ongoing clinical investigations to evaluate the therapeutic potential of these phytocompounds in cancer treatment, along with their limitations and challenges.

Recent Progress in Phage-Based Nanoplatforms for Tumor Therapy

Nanodrug delivery systems have demonstrated a great potential for tumor therapy with the development of nanotechnology. Nonetheless, traditional drug delivery systems are faced with issues such as complex synthetic procedures, low reproducibility, nonspecific distribution, impenetrability of biological barrier, systemic toxicity, etc. In recent years, phage-based nanoplatforms have attracted increasing attention in tumor treatment for their regular structure, fantastic carrying property, high transduction efficiency and biosafety. Notably, therapeutic or targeting peptides can be expressed on the surface of the phages through phage display technology, enabling the phage vectors to possess multifunctions. As a result, the drug delivery efficiency on tumor will be vastly improved, thereby enhancing the therapeutic efficacy while reducing the side effects on normal tissues. Moreover, phages can overcome the hindrance of biofilm barrier to elicit antitumor effects, which exhibit great advantages compared with traditional synthetic drug delivery systems. Herein, this review not only summarizes the structure and biology of the phages, but also presents their potential as prominent nanoplatforms against tumor in different pathways to inspire the development of effective nanomedicine.

The ethyl acetate extract of Vernonia amygdalina leaf ameliorates gemcitabine effect against migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells via down-regulation the VEGF, COX2, and RAS/MEK pathways

Individuals diagnosed with cancer often turn to the use of herbal remedies with the intention of treating and ameliorating the condition, impeding the progression of metastasis, enhancing immune function, mitigating stress, and inducing relaxation. Recently, medicinal plants were combined with conventional chemotherapy to decrease the side effects and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. This study showed the effectiveness of gemcitabine (Gem) was significantly increased after being used together with ethyl acetate extract obtained from Vernonia amygdalina (Eav) leaves. The combination doses of Eav and Gem were determined based on cytotoxic activity using the MTT assay method. The anticancer effect of this combination was identified by several parameters including the apoptosis effect, anti-migration, and anti-invasion activities of PANC-1 cells. Furthermore, this effect was explained via protein expression evaluation using immunohistochemical and flow cytometry. The Eav has a better Inhibitory Concentration 50 (IC50) than Gem of 21.19 ± 0.64 µg/mL and 164.78 ± 1.40 µg/mL. The combination of Eav and Gem at IC50 (1:1) has the strongest activity than Eav and Gem alone at 500.00 µg/mL. The anti-cancer effect of this combination showed significantly increased levels of apoptosis, particularly in the early phase of 17.46 ± 0.35 % (p < 0.0001) than Eav and Gem alone of 7.76 ± 0.25 % and 7.06 ± 0.20 %. A similar impact was evaluated in the migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells after the combination treatment. The % relative migration and cell invasion were significantly decreased compared to the control group and Eav or Gem alone by 21.49 ± 0.96 % and 125.25 ± 5.25 cells, respectively (p < 0.0001). This study found that signature molecules of VEGF, COX2, RAS, and MEK were down-regulated after treatment. Our study suggested that the Eav ameliorates the Gem effect against PANC-1 cells through apoptosis, migration, and invasion influence via RAS/MEK pathways.

Preparation, Characterization, and Evaluation of the Anticancer Effect of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Containing Rutin and Curcumin

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was the preparation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles co-loaded with rutin and curcumin (Rut-Cur-MSNs) and the assessment of its physicochemical properties as well as its cytotoxicity on the head and neck cancer cells (HN5). Besides, ROS generation of HN5 cells exposed to Rut-Cur-MSNs was evaluated. Several investigations showed that rutin and curcumin have potential effects as anticancer phytochemicals; however, their low aqueous solubility and poor bioavailability limited their applications. The assessment of physicochemical properties and anticancer effect of prepared nanoparticles was the objective of this study.

METHODS

The physicochemical properties of produced nanoparticles were evaluated. The toxicity of Rut-Cur-MSNs on HN5 cells was assessed. In addition, the ROS production in cells treated with Rut- Cur-MSNs was assessed compared to control untreated cells.

RESULTS

The results showed that Rut-Cur-MSNs have mesoporous structure, nanometer size and negative surface charge. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the prepared nanoparticles belong to the family of silicates named MCM-41. The cytotoxicity of Rut-Cur-MSNs at 24 h was significantly higher than that of rutin-loaded MSNs (Rut-MSNs) and curcumin-loaded MSNs (Cur-MSNs) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The achieved results recommend that the prepared mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing rutin and curcumin can be a useful nanoformulation for the treatment of cancer. The produced nanomaterial in this study can be helpful for cancer therapy.

A Combination of Curcumin and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Inhibits Viability and Induces Apoptosis in SCC-9 Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of curcumin combined with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG cell-free supernatant (LGG CFS) on the proliferation and induction of apoptosis in SCC-9 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. Curcumin (40 µg/ml) and 25% v/v LGG CFS (108 CFU/ml), both alone and in a combination regimen, significantly decreased the viability of SCC-9 cells and normal human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells. Interestingly, the combination of low doses of curcumin (5 µg/ml) and 25% v/v LGG CFS (106 CFU/ml) had no effect on the HGF cells but significantly inhibited the viability of SCC-9 cells (p < 0.05). Flow cytometric analysis revealed that SCC-9 cells treated with the combination of low-dose curcumin and low-dose LGG CFS had a higher apoptotic rate than the cells in the control group and the single treatment groups (p < 0.05). The combined treatment also significantly increased the Bax/Bcl2 mRNA and protein expression in SCC-9 cells (p < 0.05) but not in HGF cells, indicating the underlying mechanism of the combination regimen. There was no significant difference in caspase-3 protein expression or the Bcl-xL/Bak and Mcl-1/Bak ratios between the treatment and control groups in both cell lines. These findings suggested that the coadministration of curcumin and LGG could exhibit anticancer effects in SCC-9 cells without causing toxicity to normal fibroblast cells.

Aloin and CPT-11 combination activates miRNA-133b and downregulates IGF1R- PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MEK/ERK pathways to inhibit colorectal cancer progression

CPT-11 is one of the drugs employed in colorectal cancer treatment and has faced challenges in the form of resistance. The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor is a tyrosine kinase receptor that mediates cancer cell survival and drug resistance. It is frequently overexpressed in colorectal cancer and has previously been identified as a microRNA target. MicroRNAs are non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene function by suppressing messenger RNA translation. Studies have demonstrated that natural compounds can regulate microRNA function and their target genes. Therefore, combining natural compounds with existing cancer drugs can enhance the therapeutic efficacy. We investigated a natural compound, Aloin, for the potential sensitization of colorectal cancer to CPT-11. We used western blot, MTT cell viability assay, flow cytometry, and microRNA/gene knockdown and overexpression experiments, as well as an in vivo mouse model. Our investigation revealed that combining Aloin with CPT-11 exerts an enhanced anti-tumor effect in colorectal cancer. This combination reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis, both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, this combination upregulated miRNA-133b, while downregulating the IGF1R and its downstream MEK/ERK, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. Our findings suggests that CPT-11 and Aloin are potential combination treatment partners against colorectal cancer. MicroRNA-133b may serve as a co-therapeutic target with IGF1R against colorectal cancer, which might overcome the existing treatment limitations.

Integrative Approaches in the Treatment of Patients Affected by Lymphoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Lymphoma is the most frequent hematological malignancy with wide disease spectrum of watchful waiting period, active treatment, survivorship, and palliative care. All these steps impose unmet needs in terms of prevention, symptom alleviation, or prognosis. Complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) is widely used by patients with lymphoma to cope with such issues. Here, we describe the different CIM modalities that may be effective and safe for the management of patients with lymphoma.

RECENT FINDINGS

Low inflammatory diet and ginseng seem effective for lymphoma prevention. Pain and neuropathy may be improved using acupuncture, touch therapy and specific dietary supplements. Nausea/vomiting, fatigue, and insomnia may be relieved by acupuncture, mind-body, touch therapy, and certain dietary supplements. Vitamin D, curcumin, and some traditional medicine herbs may positively impact lymphoma prognosis. Finally, safety issues should be considered especially for the concomitant use of dietary supplements and lymphoma-directed therapies. CIM may be beneficial along the continuum of lymphoma management although safety concerns should be considered when used concomitantly with conventional therapy.

Current appraises of therapeutic applications of nanocurcumin: A novel drug delivery approach for biomaterials in dentistry

Curcumin is a natural herb and polyphenol that is obtained from the medicinal plant Curcuma longa. It's anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-mutagenic, antioxidant and antifungal properties can be leveraged to treat a myriad of oral and systemic diseases. However, natural curcumin has weak solubility, limited bioavailability and undergoes rapid degradation, which severely limits its therapeutic potential. To overcome these drawbacks, nanocurcumin (nCur) formulations have been developed for improved biomaterial delivery and enhanced treatment outcomes. This novel biomaterial holds tremendous promise for the treatment of various oral diseases, the majority of which are caused by dental biofilm. These include dental caries, periodontal disease, root canal infection and peri-implant diseases, as well as other non-biofilm mediated oral diseases such as oral cancer and oral lichen planus. A number of in-vitro studies have demonstrated the antibacterial efficacy of nCur in various formulations against common oral pathogens such as S. mutans, P. gingivalis and E. faecalis, which are strongly associated with dental caries, periodontitis and root canal infection, respectively. In addition, some clinical studies were suggestive of the notion that nCur can indeed enhance the clinical outcomes of oral diseases such as periodontitis and oral lichen planus, but the level of evidence was very low due to the small number of studies and the methodological limitations of the available studies. The versatility of nCur to treat a diverse range of oral diseases augurs well for its future in dentistry, as reflected by rapid pace in which studies pertaining to this topic are published in the scientific literature. In order to keep abreast of the latest development of nCur in dentistry, this narrative review was undertaken. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a contemporaneous update of the chemistry, properties, mechanism of action, and scientific evidence behind the usage of nCur in dentistry.

Curcumin Disrupts a Positive Feedback Loop between ADMSCs and Cancer Cells in the Breast Tumor Microenvironment via the CXCL12/CXCR4 Axis

Adipose tissue has a significant impact on breast cancer initiation and progression owing to its substantial proportion in the breast. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are major players in the breast tumor microenvironment (TME) as they interact with cancer cells. The intricate interaction between ADMSCs and cancer cells not only drives the differentiation of ADMSCs into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) but also the metastasis of cancer cells, which is attributed to the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. We investigated the effects of curcumin, a flavonoid known for CXCL12/CXCR4 axis inhibition, on breast TME by analyzing whether it can disrupt the ADMSC-cancer positive loop. Using MCF7 breast cancer cell-derived conditioned medium (MCF7-CM), we induced ADMSC transformation and verified that curcumin diminished the phenotypic change, inhibiting CAF marker expression. Additionally, curcumin suppressed the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis and its downstream signaling both in ADMSCs and MCF7 cells. The CM from ADMSCs, whose ADMSC-to-CAF transformation was repressed by the curcumin treatment, inhibited the positive feedback loop between ADMSCs and MCF7 as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition in MCF7. Our study showed that curcumin is a potent anti-cancer agent that can remodel the breast TME, thereby restricting the ADMSC-cancer positive feedback loop associated with the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis.

Improved Cytotoxicity and Induced Apoptosis in HeLa Cells by Co-loading Vitamin E Succinate and Curcumin in Nano-MIL-88B-NH2

One of the strategies for improved therapeutic effects in cancer therapy is combination chemotherapy. In this study, a flexible nano-MOF (Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 ) was synthesized in a sonochemical process, then co-loaded with α-tocopheryl succinate (TOS) and curcumin (CCM). The anticancer activity of co-loaded Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 (Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 /TOS@CCM) against the HeLa cells was compared with that of the single-loaded counterpart (Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 @CCM). MTT analysis indicates improved cytotoxicity of Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 /TOS@CCM. The data from the cell apoptosis assay indicated more apoptosis in the case of the co-loaded nano-MOF. This study indicates the positive effect of the presence of TOS on enhancing the anticancer effect of Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 @CCM to prepare a more efficient drug delivery nanosystem.

Identifying synergistic combinations of Doxorubicin-Loaded polyquercetin nanoparticles and natural Products: Implications for breast cancer therapy

Combining chemotherapeutic agents with bioactive natural products is an attractive cancer treatment modality to reduce the dose and side effects of chemotherapy. Combination treatments with drugs having different mechanisms of action can also be beneficial in combatting the development of drug resistance by cancer cells. Nanoparticle (NP)-mediated drug delivery can further improve the therapeutic index of cytotoxic agents by enabling passive and/or active targeting to tumor tissues in vivo. Using doxorubicin (DOX) as a model chemotherapeutic agent, we developed three NP formulations based on polyquercetin (pQCT), an emerging nanocarrier platform. The NPs were co-assembled with DOX, pQCT, and either Pluronic P123, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-amine, or D-α-tocopheryl poly(ethylene glycol) 1000 succinate (TPGS). Physicochemical characterization of the NPs revealed them to have a spherical morphology with high monodispersity, excellent drug loading capacity, and sustained drug release. Then, the NPs were evaluated in vitro to determine their potential synergism when combined with the bioactive natural products curcumin (CUR), tannic acid (TA), and thymoquinone (TQ) against breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). Surprisingly, most of the combinations were found to be antagonistic. However, combinations containing CUR exhibited greater pro-apoptotic effects compared to the single agents, with polymer-modified pQCT NPs presenting as a promising nanoplatform for enhancing DOX's ability to promote cancer cell apoptosis. Our findings provide insights into the potential application of pQCT in nanomedicine, as well as the use of bioactive natural products in combination with DOX as a free agent and as an NP formulation in the treatment of breast cancer.

Anticancer Drug-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles for In Vitro Release, Promoting Antibacterial and Anticancer Activities

Targeted drug delivery to tumor cells may be possible using nanoparticles containing human therapeutic drugs. The present study was carried out to develop cisplatin (CP) and 5-fluorouracil (FA) encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs), crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) by an ionic gelation method and in vitro release, promoting antibacterial and anticancer activities. The prepared CSNPs, before and after CP and FA encapsulation, have been studied using various characterization techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TEM-SAED patterning. The composites were well-dispersed, with an average particle size diameter of about 395.3 ± 14.3 nm, 126.7 ± 2.6 nm, and 82.5 ± 2.3 nm, respectively. In vitro release studies indicated a controlled and sustained release of CP and FA from the CSNPs, with the release amounts of 72.9 ± 3.6% and 94.8 ± 2.9%. The antimicrobial activity of the CSNPs-FA (91.37 ± 4.37% and 89.28 ± 3.19%) showed a significantly better effect against E. coli and S. aureus than that shown by the CSNPs-CP (63.41 ± 3.84% and 57.62 ± 4.28%). The HCT-116 cell lines were selected for in vitro cell cytotoxicity and live/dead assay to evaluate the preliminary anticancer efficacy of the CSNPs-CP and CSNPs-FA towards successfully inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

Curcumin and melphalan cotreatment induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Dietary bioactive compounds may act at different stages of carcinogenesis, including tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. Spices have been used for thousands of years and have many bioactive compounds with chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties. Curcumin has a multitude of beneficial biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. This study investigated the effects of cotreatment with curcumin and the chemotherapeutic drug melphalan in cultured MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. When used alone, both curcumin and melphalan had a cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cells. Combined treatment with 11.65 µM of curcumin and 93.95 µM of melphalan (CURC/MEL) reduced cell viability by 28.64% and 72.43% after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. CURC/MEL reduced the number of colony-forming units and increased ROS levels by 1.36-fold. CURC/MEL alter cell cycle progression, induce apoptosis, and upregulate caspases-3, -7, and -9, in MDA-MB-231 cells. Cotreatment with curcumin and melphalan have anti-breast cancer cells effects and represent a promising candidate for clinical testing.

Paradox: Curcumin, a Natural Antioxidant, Suppresses Osteosarcoma Cells via Excessive Reactive Oxygen Species

Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive tumor with a rare incidence. Extended surgical resections are the prevalent treatment for OS, which may cause critical-size bone defects. These bone defects lead to dysfunction, weakening the post-surgical quality of patients' life. Hence, an ideal therapeutic agent for OS should simultaneously possess anti-cancer and bone repair capacities. Curcumin (CUR) has been reported in OS therapy and bone regeneration. However, it is not clear how CUR suppresses OS development. Conventionally, CUR is considered a natural antioxidant in line with its capacity to promote the nuclear translocation of a nuclear transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NRF2). After nuclear translocation, NRF2 can activate the transcription of some antioxidases, thereby circumventing excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are deleterious to cells. Intriguingly, this research demonstrated that, in vitro, 10 and 20 μM CUR increased the intracellular ROS in MG-63 cells, damaged cells' DNA, and finally caused apoptosis of MG-63 cells, although increased NRF2 protein level and the expression of NRF2-regulated antioxidase genes were identified in those two groups.

Chinese herbal compound SanHuang decoction reverses axitinib resistance in ccRCC through regulating immune cell infiltration by affecting ADAMTS18 expression

This investigation aims to study the reversal effect of the Chinese herbal compound SanHuang decoction on axitinib resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cells and its mechanistic role by employing cellular and mouse models. Axitinib-resistant ccRCC cell lines (A498-DR and 786-O-DR) were cultured and treated with SanHuang decoction. The apoptosis and migration of tumor cells were observed by flow cytometry and wound healing assays, respectively, and the expression of a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif 18 (ADAMTS18) was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB). In addition, A498-DR cells were inoculated into mice to establish tumorigenic models, and the models were treated with normal saline, axitinib, or different concentrations of SanHuang decoction plus axitinib. Then, the tumor diameter in each group was measured, and the expression of ADAMTS18 was evaluated by RT-PCR, WB and immunohistochemistry. In addition, the distribution of T cells (CD45+, CD4+, CD8+) and PD-L1 expression was analyzed by flow cytometry to evaluate the level of immune cell infiltration. SanHuang decoction significantly reduced the proliferative activity of axitinib-resistant tumor cells and enhanced the sensitivity of tumors to axitinib in vitro (cell lines) and in mice. In the SanHuang decoction group, the expression level of ADAMTS18 was increased to some extent, and several phenomena were observed, including (1) subcutaneous transplanted tumors grew slower, (2) the CD45+/PD-L1 ratio was decreased and (3) the proportions of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells were increased. Overexpression of ADAMTS18 was synergistic with SanHuang decoction treatment to jointly improve tumor immune infiltration and inhibit immune escape. Pearson correlation analysis of sample data showed that there was a negative correlation between the expression of ADAMTS18 and PD-L1 in tumor tissues. In conclusion, the Chinese herbal compound SanHuang decoction can reverse axitinib resistance in ccRCC cells by regulating immune cell infiltration and affecting ADAMTS18 expression.

Combined Treatment of Dendrosomal-Curcumin and Daunorubicin Synergistically Inhibit Cell Proliferation, Migration and Induce Apoptosis in A549 Lung Cancer Cells

Purpose

Chemotherapy drugs used to treat lung cancer are associated with drug resistance and severe side effects. There have been rising demands for new therapeutic candidates and novel approaches, including combination therapy. Here, we aimed to investigate the combinatorial effect of a dendrosomal formulation of curcumin (DNC) and daunorubicin (DNR) on the A549 lung cancer cell line.

Methods

We performed cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell migration, colony-formation capacity, and gene expression analysis to interpret the mechanism of action for a combination of DNC and DNR on A549 cells.

Results

Our results revealed that the combination of DNC and DNR could synergistically inhibit the A549 cells' growth. This synergistic cytotoxicity was further approved by flow cytometry, migration assessment, colony-forming capacity and gene expression analysis. DNR combination with DNC resulted in increased apoptosis to necrosis ratio compared to DNR alone. In addition, the migration and colony-forming capacity were at the minimal range when DNC was combined with DNR. Combined treatment decreased the expression level of MDR-1, hTERT and Bcl-2 genes significantly. In addition, the ratio of Bax/Bcl2 gene expression significantly increased. Our analysis by free curcumin, dendrosomes and DNC also showed that dendrosomes do not have any significant cytotoxic effect on the A549 cells, suggesting that this carrier has a high potential for enhancing the curcumin's biological effects.

Conclusion

Our observations suggest that the DNC formulation of curcumin synergistically enhances the antineoplastic effect of DNR on the A549 cell line through the modulation of apoptosis/necrosis ratio, as well as Bax/Bcl2 ratio, MDR-1 and hTERT gene expression.

Curcumin-reduced gold nanoparticles facilitate IL-12 delivery to a cervical cancer in vitro cell model

Aim: To synthesize curcumin-reduced gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the efficient delivery to and expression of the IL-12 gene in cervical cancer (HeLa) cells in vitro. Methods: Curcumin-reduced AuNPs were synthesized, stabilized with poly-L-lysine and PEG, conjugated to IL-12 DNA and physicochemically characterized. Cytotoxicity and IL-12 expression were accessed in vitro. Results & discussion: Stable, spherical AuNPs effectively compacted and protected the IL-12 DNA and tolerated well in vitro. Real-time quantitative PCR and ELISA confirmed the successful delivery and expression of the IL-12 gene in HeLa cells. Conclusion: The favorable attributes of this AuNP-delivery system and the significant IL-12 expression obtained augur well for cytokine-based therapy or immunotherapy in cervical cancer.

Curcuminoids as Anticancer Drugs: Pleiotropic Effects, Potential for Metabolic Reprogramming and Prospects for the Future

The number of published studies on curcuminoids in cancer research, including its lead molecule curcumin and synthetic analogs, has been increasing substantially during the past two decades. Insights on the diversity of inhibitory effects they have produced on a multitude of pathways involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression have been provided. As this wealth of data was obtained in settings of various experimental and clinical data, this review first aimed at presenting a chronology of discoveries and an update on their complex in vivo effects. Secondly, there are many interesting questions linked to their pleiotropic effects. One of them, a growing research topic, relates to their ability to modulate metabolic reprogramming. This review will also cover the use of curcuminoids as chemosensitizing molecules that can be combined with several anticancer drugs to reverse the phenomenon of multidrug resistance. Finally, current investigations in these three complementary research fields raise several important questions that will be put among the prospects for the future research related to the importance of these molecules in cancer research.

Combination Chemotherapy with Selected Polyphenols in Preclinical and Clinical Studies-An Update Overview

This review article describes studies published over the past five years on the combination of polyphenols, which are the most studied in the field of anticancer effects (curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, and apigenin) and chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, etc. According to WHO data, research has been limited to five cancers with the highest morbidity rate (lung, colorectal, liver, gastric, and breast cancer). A systematic review of articles published in the past five years (from January 2018 to January 2023) was carried out with the help of all Web of Science databases and the available base of clinical studies. Based on the preclinical studies presented in this review, polyphenols can enhance drug efficacy and reduce chemoresistance through different molecular mechanisms. Considering the large number of studies, curcumin could be a molecule in future chemotherapy cocktails. One of the main problems in clinical research is related to the limited bioavailability of most polyphenols. The design of a new co-delivery system for drugs and polyphenols is essential for future clinical research. Some polyphenols work in synergy with chemotherapeutic drugs, but some polyphenols can act antagonistically, so caution is always required.

Glutathione-Responsive Tannic Acid-Assisted FRET Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy

In cancer combination therapy, a multimodal delivery vector is used to improve the bioavailability of multiple anti-cancer hydrophobic drugs. Further, targeted delivery of therapeutics along with simultaneous monitoring of the drug release at the tumor site without normal organ toxicity is an emerging and effective strategy for cancer treatment. However, the lack of a smart nano-delivery system limits the application of this therapeutic strategy. To overcome this issue, a PEGylated dual drug, conjugated amphiphilic polymer (CPT-S-S-PEG-CUR), has been successfully synthesized by conjugating two hydrophobic fluorescent anti-cancer drugs, curcumin (CUR) and camptothecin (CPT), through an ester and a redox-sensitive disulfide (-S-S-) linkage, respectively, with a PEG chain via in situ two-step reactions. CPT-S-S-PEG-CUR is spontaneously self-assembled in the presence of tannic acid (TA, a physical crosslinker) into anionic, comparatively smaller-sized (~100 nm), stable nano-assemblies in water in comparison to only polymer due to stronger H-bond formation between polymer and TA. Further, due to the spectral overlap between CPT and CUR and a stable, smaller nano-assembly formation by the pro-drug polymer in water in presence of TA, a successful Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) signal was generated between the conjugated CPT (FRET donor) and conjugated CUR (FRET acceptor). Interestingly, these stable nano-assemblies showed a preferential breakdown and release of CPT in a tumor-relevant redox environment (in the presence of 50 mM glutathione), leading to the disappearance of the FRET signal. These nano-assemblies exhibited a successful cellular uptake by the cancer cells and an enhanced antiproliferative effect in comparison to the individual drugs in cancer cells (AsPC1 and SW480). Such promising in vitro results with a novel redox-responsive, dual-drug conjugated, FRET pair-based nanosized multimodal delivery vector can be highly useful as an advanced theranostic system towards effective cancer treatment.

Curcumin and Plumbagin Synergistically Target the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway: A Prospective Role in Cancer Treatment

Cancer development is associated with the deregulation of various cell signaling pathways brought on by certain genetic and epigenetic alterations. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies have been developed to target those pathways. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway is one major deregulated pathway in various types of cancer. Several anticancer drug candidates are currently being investigated in preclinical and/or clinical studies to target this pathway. Natural bioactive compounds provide an excellent source for anticancer drug development. Curcumin and plumbagin are two potential anticancer compounds that have been shown to target the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway individually. However, their combinatorial effect on cancer cells is still unknown. This study aims to investigate the synergistic effect of these two compounds on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway by employing a sequential molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) analysis. An increase in binding affinity and a decrease in inhibition constant have been observed when curcumin and plumbagin were subjected to sequential docking against the key proteins PI3K, Akt, and mTOR. The MD simulations and molecular mechanics combined with generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) analyses validated the target proteins’ more stable conformation when interacting with the curcumin and plumbagin combination. This indicates the synergistic role of curcumin and plumbagin against cancer cells and the possible dose advantage when used in combination. The findings of this study pave the way for further investigation of their combinatorial effect on cancer cells in vitro and in vivo models.

Co-Delivery of Methotrexate and Nanohydroxyapatite with Polyethylene Glycol Polymers for Chemotherapy of Osteosarcoma

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an alternative treatment modality for tumors. Methotrexate (MTX) has been often used as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy reagent for osteosarcoma surgery. However, the large dosage, high toxicity, strong drug resistance, and poor improvement of bone erosion restricted the utilization of methotrexate. Here, we developed a targeted drug delivery system using nanosized hydroxyapatite particles (nHA) as the cores. MTX was conjugated to polyethylene glycol (PEG) through the pH-sensitive ester linkage and acted as both the folate receptor-targeting ligand and the anti-cancer drug due to the similarity to the structure of folic acid. Meanwhile, nHA could increase the concentration of calcium ions after being uptake by cells, thus inducing mitochondrial apoptosis and improving the efficacy of medical treatment. In vitro drug release studies of MTX-PEG-nHA in phosphate buffered saline at different pH values (5, 6.4 and 7.4) indicated that the system showed a pH-dependent release feature because of the dissolution of ester bonds and nHA under acidic conditions. Furthermore, the treatment on osteosarcoma cells (143B, MG63, and HOS) by using MTX-PEG-nHA was demonstrated to exhibit higher therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, the developed platform possesses the great potential for osteosarcoma therapy.

Functionalization of curcumin nanomedicines: a recent promising adaptation to maximize pharmacokinetic profile, specific cell internalization and anticancer efficacy against breast cancer

Owing to its diverse heterogeneity, aggressive nature, enormous metastatic potential, and high remission rate, the breast cancer (BC) is among the most prevalent types of cancer associated with high mortality. Curcumin (Cur) is a potent phytoconstituent that has gained remarkable recognition due to exceptional biomedical viability against a wide range of ailments including the BC. Despite exhibiting a strong anticancer potential, the clinical translation of Cur is restricted due to intrinsic physicochemical properties such as low aqueous solubility, chemical instability, low bioavailability, and short plasma half-life. To overcome these shortcomings, nanotechnology-aided developments have been extensively deployed. The implication of nanotechnology has pointedly improved the physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetic profile, cell internalization, and anticancer efficacy of Cur; however, majority of Cur-nanomedicines are still facing grandeur challenges. The advent of various functionalization strategies such as PEGylation, surface decoration with different moieties, stimuli-responsiveness (i.e., pH, light, temperature, heat, etc.), tethering of specific targeting ligand(s) based on the biochemical targets (e.g., folic acid receptors, transferrin receptors, CD44, etc.), and multifunctionalization (multiple functionalities) has revolutionized the fate of Cur-nanomedicines. This study ponders the biomedical significance of various Cur-nanomedicines and adaptable functionalizations for amplifying the physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity via induction of apoptosis, cell internalization, bioavailability, passive and active targeting to the tumor microenvironment (TME), and anticancer efficacy of the Cur while reversing the multidrug resistance (MDR) and reoccurrence in BC. Nevertheless, the therapeutic outcomes of Cur-nanomedicines against the BC have been remarkably improved after adaptation of various functionalizations; however, this evolving strategy still demands extensive research for scalable clinical translation.

Comparative study between two different morphological structures based on polylactic acid, nanocellulose and magnetite for co-delivery of flurouracil and curcumin

Cellulose was extracted from mango fibers and subjected to acid hydrolysis to obtain a nanofiber. Two morphological structures based on the polylactic acid (PLA)/nanocellulose (NC) combination have been synthesized and Fe₃O₄ NPs (M) are incorporated into both combinations. The first formulation is obtained by blending technique (PLA/M-NC) and the second formulation is obtained by self-assembly of grafted copolymer (M-PLA-co-NC). The magnetic nanocomposites are used as carriers for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an anti-cancer drug, and curcumin (CUR) to get PLA/M-NC/5-FU/CUR and M-PLA-co-NC/5-FU/CUR. The structural, morphological, and magnetic properties of the obtained nanocomposites were characterized by various techniques. The loading, release of 5-FU/CUR and the inhibition efficacy of nanocarriers loaded drugs against bacteria, HePG-2, MCF-7, and HCT-116 cell lines were studied. The two morphological forms of nanocarriers are considered close in loading % of 5-FU; however, the M-PLA-co-NC nanocarrier loaded double the loading % of CUR into PLA/M-NC nanocarrier, revealing superiority of copolymeric micelle than the blended formulation. The dual drugs loaded magnetic copolymeric micelles M-PLA-co-NC/5-FU/CUR revealed slower release, higher antibacterial and antitumor efficacy than the PLA/M-NC/5-FU/CUR. In this respect, the M-PLA-co-NC/5-FU/CUR could be considered a good nanomedicine against Streptococcus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli bacteria, besides the investigated cell lines.

Natural flavonoid sinensetin inhibits cisplatin-induced pyroptosis and attenuates intestinal injury

The demand of exploring strategies to enhance chemotherapy drug efficacy and alleviate adverse effects by using natural compounds is increasing. Sinensetin (SIN) is a kind of natural flavonoids with anti-inflammatory activities. However, its protective impact on chemotherapy-induced adverse effects has not been well demonstrated. Here, we found that SIN could inhibit Cisplatin-induced release of proinflammatory cellular contents and inflammatory cell death-pyroptosis. In addition, Cisplatin-induced activation of gasdermin E (GSDME), a critical mediator of chemotherapy-induced tissue injury, could also be reversed by SIN. Furthermore, SIN impaired Cisplatin-induced intracellular damages, including ROS release and DNA damages. Importantly, SIN was able to alleviate intestinal injury in Cisplatin-challenged mice, which was accompanied by the decrease of lytic cell death and immune cell infiltration. Of note, SIN administration did not reverse Cisplatin-caused tumor suppression in vivo. In conclusion, our result provides a potential application of SIN to reduce Cisplatin-caused adverse effects, without impairing its anti-tumor capacity.

Curcumin a Natural Phenol and Its Therapeutic Role in Cancer and Photodynamic Therapy: A Review

Cancer continues to cause an alarming number of deaths globally, and its burden on the health system is significant. Though different conventional therapeutic procedures are exploited for cancer treatment, the prevalence and death rates remain elevated. These, therefore, insinuate that novel and more efficient treatment procedures are needed for cancer. Curcumin, a bioactive, natural, phenolic compound isolated from the rhizome of the herbaceous plant turmeric, is receiving great interest for its exciting and broad pharmacological properties. Curcumin presents anticancer therapeutic capacities and can be utilized as a photosensitizing drug in cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT). Nonetheless, curcumin's poor bioavailability and related pharmacokinetics limit its clinical utility in cancer treatment. This review looks at the physical and chemical properties, bioavailability, and safety of curcumin, while focusing on curcumin as an agent in cancer therapy and as a photosensitizer in cancer PDT. The possible mechanisms and cellular targets of curcumin in cancer therapy and PDT are highlighted. Furthermore, recent improvements in curcumin's bioavailability in cancer therapy using nanoformulations and delivery systems are presented.

Targeting Apoptotic Pathway of Cancer Cells with Phytochemicals and Plant-Based Nanomaterials

Apoptosis is the elimination of functionally non-essential, neoplastic, and infected cells via the mitochondrial pathway or death receptor pathway. The process of apoptosis is highly regulated through membrane channels and apoptogenic proteins. Apoptosis maintains cellular balance within the human body through cell cycle progression. Loss of apoptosis control prolongs cancer cell survival and allows the accumulation of mutations that can promote angiogenesis, promote cell proliferation, disrupt differentiation, and increase invasiveness during tumor progression. The apoptotic pathway has been extensively studied as a potential drug target in cancer treatment. However, the off-target activities of drugs and negative implications have been a matter of concern over the years. Phytochemicals (PCs) have been studied for their efficacy in various cancer cell lines individually and synergistically. The development of nanoparticles (NPs) through green synthesis has added a new dimension to the advancement of plant-based nanomaterials for effective cancer treatment. This review provides a detailed insight into the fundamental molecular pathways of programmed cell death and highlights the role of PCs along with the existing drugs and plant-based NPs in treating cancer by targeting its programmed cell death (PCD) network.

Resveratrol, Epigallocatechin Gallate and Curcumin for Cancer Therapy: Challenges from Their Pro-Apoptotic Properties

Plant-derived bioactive compounds are gaining wide attention for their multiple health-promoting activities and in particular for their anti-cancer properties. Several studies have highlighted how they can prevent cancer initiation and progression, improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy, and, in some cases, limit some of the side effects of chemotherapy agents. In this paper, we provide an update of the literature on the anti-cancer effects of three extensively studied plant-derived compounds, namely resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, and curcumin, with a special focus on the anti-cancer molecular mechanisms inducing apoptosis in the major types of cancers globally.

Piezocatalytic Medicine: An Emerging Frontier using Piezoelectric Materials for Biomedical Applications

Emerging piezocatalysts have demonstrated their remarkable application potential in diverse medical fields. In addition to their ultrahigh catalytic activities, their inherent and unique charge-carrier-releasing properties can be used to initiate various redox catalytic reactions, displaying bright prospects for future medical applications. Triggered by mechanical energy, piezocatalytic materials can release electrons/holes, catalyze redox reactions of substrates, or intervene in biological processes to promote the production of effector molecules for medical purposes, such as decontamination, sterilization, and therapy. Such a medical application of piezocatalysis is termed as piezocatalytic medicine (PCM) herein. To pioneer novel medical technologies, especially therapeutic modalities, this review provides an overview of the state-of-the-art research progress in piezocatalytic medicine. First, the principle of piezocatalysis and the preparation methodologies of piezoelectric materials are introduced. Then, a comprehensive summary of the medical applications of piezocatalytic materials in tumor treatment, antisepsis, organic degradation, tissue repair and regeneration, and biosensing is provided. Finally, the main challenges and future perspectives in piezocatalytic medicine are discussed and proposed, expecting to fuel the development of this emerging scientific discipline.

Nanowired Delivery of Curcumin Attenuates Methamphetamine Neurotoxicity and Elevates Levels of Dopamine and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Curcumin is a well-known antioxidant used as traditional medicine in China and India since ages to treat variety of inflammatory ailments as a food supplement. Curcumin has antitumor properties with neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer's disease. Curcumin elevates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and dopamine (DA) levels in the brain indicating its role in substance abuse. Methamphetamine (METH) is one of the most abused substances in the world that induces profound neurotoxicity by inducing breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), vasogenic edema and cellular injuries. However, influence of curcumin on METH-induced neurotoxicity is still not well investigated. In this investigation, METH neurotoxicity and neuroprotective effects of curcumin nanodelivery were examined in a rat model. METH (20 mg/kg, i.p.) neurotoxicity is evident 4 h after its administration exhibiting breakdown of BBB to Evans blue albumin in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, thalamus and hypothalamus associated with vasogenic brain edema as seen measured using water content in all these regions. Nissl attaining exhibited profound neuronal injuries in the regions of BBB damage. Normal curcumin (50 mg/kg, i.v.) 30 min after METH administration was able to reduce BBB breakdown and brain edema partially in some of the above brain regions. However, TiO₂ nanowired delivery of curcumin (25 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly attenuated brain edema, neuronal injuries and the BBB leakage in all the brain areas. BDNF level showed a significant higher level in METH-treated rats as compared to saline-treated METH group. Significantly enhanced DA levels in METH-treated rats were also observed with nanowired delivery of curcumin. Normal curcumin was able to slightly elevate DA and BDNF levels in the selected brain regions. Taken together, our observations are the first to show that nanodelivery of curcumin induces superior neuroprotection in METH neurotoxicity probable by enhancing BDNF and DA levels in the brain, not reported earlier.

Co-Delivery System of Curcumin and Colchicine Using Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Promotes Anticancer and Apoptosis Effects

Purpose: Many natural agents have a high anticancer potential, and their combination may be advantageous for improved anticancer effects. Such agents, however, often are not water soluble and do not efficiently target cancer cells, and the kinetics of their action is poorly controlled. One way to overcome these barriers is to combine natural agents with nanoparticles. Our aim in the current study was to fabricate an anticancer nanoformulation for co-delivery of two natural agents, curcumin (CR) and colchicine (CL), with a core-shell structure. Using cancer cell lines, we compared the anticancer efficacy between the combination and a nanoformulation with CL alone. Methods: For the single-drug nanoformulation, we used phosphonate groups to functionalize mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and loaded the MSNs with CL. Additional loading of this nanoformulation with CR achieved the co-delivery format. To create the structure with a core shell, we selected a chitosan−cellulose mixture conjugated with targeting ligands of folic acid for the coating. For evaluating anticancer and apoptosis effects, we assessed changes in important genes and proteins in apoptosis (p53, caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2) in several cell lines (MCF-7, breast adenocarcinoma; HCT-116, colon carcinoma; HOS, human osteosarcoma; and A-549, non−small cell lung cancer). Results: Nanoformulations were successfully synthesized and contained 10.9 wt.% for the CL single-delivery version and 18.1 wt.% for the CL+CR co-delivery nanoformulation. Anticancer effects depended on treatment, cell line, and concentration. Co-delivery nanoformulations exerted anticancer effects that were significantly superior to those of single delivery or free CL or CR. Anticancer effects by cell line were in the order of HCT-116 > A549 > HOS > MCF-7. The lowest IC50 value was obtained for the nanoformulation consisting of CL and CR coated with a polymeric shell conjugated with FA (equivalent to 4.1 ± 0.05 µg/mL). With dual delivery compared with the free agents, we detected strongly increased p53, caspase-3, and Bax expression, but inhibition of Bcl-2, suggesting promotion of apoptosis. Conclusions: Our findings, although preliminary, indicate that the proposed dual delivery nanoformulation consisting of nanocore: MSNs loaded with CL and CR and coated with a shell of chitosan−cellulose conjugated folic acid exerted strong anticancer and apoptotic effects with potent antitumor activity against HCT-116 colon cells. The effect bested CL alone. Evaluating and confirming the efficacy of co-delivery nanoformulations will require in vivo studies.

Functional two-dimensional MXenes as cancer theranostic agents

Recently, MXenes, as a kind of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials with exceptional performance, have become the research hotspots owing to their unique structural, electronic, and chemical properties. They have potential applications in electrochemical storage, photocatalysis, and biosensors. Furthermore, they have certain characteristics such as large surface area, favorable biocompatibility, and ideal mechanical properties, which can expand their applications in biomedical fields, especially in cancer therapy. To date, several researchers have explored the applications of MXenes in tumor elimination, which exhibited other fantastic properties of those 2D MXenes, such as efficient in vivo photothermal ablation, low phototoxicity, high biocompatibility, etc. In this review, the structures, properties, modifications, and preparation methods are introduced respectively. More importantly, the multifunctional platforms for cancer therapy based on MXenes nanosheets (NSs) are reviewed in detail, including single-modality and combined-modality cancer therapy. Finally, the prospects and challenges of MXenes are prospected and discussed. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this review, the structures, properties, modifications, and preparation methods of MXenes nanomaterials are introduced, respectively. In addition, the preparation conditions and morphological characterizations of some common MXenes for therapeutic platforms are also summarized. More importantly, the practical applications of MXenes-based nanosheets are reviewed in detail, including drug delivery, biosensing, bioimaging, and multifunctional tumor therapy platforms. Finally, the future prospects and challenges of MXenes are prospected and discussed.

Redox Properties, Bioactivity and Health Effects of Indicaxanthin, a Bioavailable Phytochemical from Opuntia ficus indica, L.: A Critical Review of Accumulated Evidence and Perspectives

Phytochemicals from plant foods are considered essential to human health. Known for their role in the adaptation of plants to their environment, these compounds can induce adaptive responses in cells, many of which are directed at maintaining the redox tone. Indicaxanthin is a long-known betalain pigment found in the genus Opuntia of cactus pear and highly concentrated in the edible fruits of O. ficus indica, L. whose bioactivity has been overlooked until recently. This review summarizes studies conducted so far in vitro and in vivo, most of which have been performed in our laboratory. The chemical and physicochemical characteristics of Indicaxanthin are reflected in the molecule's reducing properties and antioxidant effects and help explain its ability to interact with membranes, modulate redox-regulated cellular pathways, and possibly bind to protein molecules. Measurement of bioavailability in volunteers has been key to exploring its bioactivity; amounts consistent with dietary intake, or plasma concentration after dietary consumption of cactus pear fruit, have been used in experimental setups mimicking physiological or pathophysiological conditions, in cells and in animals, finally suggesting pharmacological potential and relevance of Indicaxanthin as a nutraceutical. In reporting experimental results, this review also aimed to raise questions and seek insights for further basic research and health promotion applications.

Curcumin loaded Ag-TiO2-halloysite nanotubes platform for combined chemo-photodynamic therapy treatment of cancer cells

The use of naturally occurring anticancer materials in combination with doped metal oxide has emerged as one of the most promising ways for improving anticancer treatment efficacy. In this study, the anticancer potential of curcumin-loaded Ag-TiO₂-halloysite nanotubes (curcumin-loaded Ag-TiO₂-HNTs) was examined. Ag-TiO₂-HNTs with different wt% of Ag-TiO₂ were synthesized and characterized using XRD, TGA, FT-IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and SEM-EDX. The XRD results revealed the presence of crystalline TiO₂. However, the presence of Ag was detected through the SEM-EDX analysis. Cyclic voltammetry measurements suggested the enhancement of the release of ROS from TiO₂ upon deposition with Ag. FT-IR and TGA analysis confirmed the successful loading of curcumin inside the nanotubes of the halloysite. In vitro drug released studies revealed the release of approximately 80-99% curcumin within 48 hours. Kinetic model studies revealed that the release of curcumin from HNT and Ag-TiO₂-HNT followed the first-order and Higuchi models, respectively. The light irradiated curcumin-loaded Ag-TiO₂-HNTs samples exhibited considerable anticancer potential as compared to the free curcumin, irradiated Ag-TiO₂ NPs samples, and unirradiated curcumin loaded Ag-TiO₂-HNTs samples. The obtained results revealed that combined chemo- and photodynamic therapy using curcumin-loaded Ag-TiO₂-HNTs nanomaterial has the potential as an effective anticancer treatment method.

The Self-Administered Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Supplements and Antioxidants in Cancer Therapy and the Critical Role of Nrf-2-A Systematic Review

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) supplements are widely used by cancer patients. Dietary supplements, vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies, and antioxidants are especially popular. In a systematic literature review, 37 studies, each including more than 1000 participants, on CAM, dietary supplement, and vitamin use among cancer patients were identified. Accordingly, cancer patients use antioxidants such as vitamin C (from 2.6% (United Kingdom) to 41.6% (United States)) and vitamin E (from 2.9% (China) to 48% (United States)). Dietary supplements and vitamins are taken for different reasons, but often during conventional cancer treatment involving chemotherapy or radiotherapy and in a self-decided manner without seeking medical advice from healthcare professionals. Drug-drug interactions with dietary supplements or vitamins involving multiple signaling pathways are well described. Since most of the anticancer drugs generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), an adaptive stress response of healthy and malignant cells, mainly driven by the Nrf-2-Keap I network, can be observed. On the one hand, healthy cells should be protected from ROS-overproducing chemotherapy and radiotherapy; on the other hand, ROS production in cancer cells is a "desirable side effect" during anticancer drug treatment. We here describe the paradoxical use of antioxidants and supplements during cancer therapy, possible interactions with anticancer drugs, and the involvement of the Nrf-2 transcription factor.

Preparation of Triptolide Nano Drug Delivery System and Its Antitumor Activity In-Vitro

Triptolide (as an effective antitumor drug) is limited in clinical application because of its poor solubility and absorption in-vivo. Herein, we prepared folic acid modified polymer micelles to encapsulate triptolide and enhance its biologicalavailability coupled with antitumor effect. We prepared nano-micelles of triptolide through thin lipid film hydrational method. Physical properties and in vitro release characterization of Fol-Plla-cl-Peg-Plla-cl-Tmicelles were evaluated, while bioavailability of the formulation in rats was investigated. Tumor targeting potential of micelles was determined by observing the uptake of A549 cells. In-Vitro antitumor activity of micelles and free triptolide (API) was investigated with MTT assay. The prepared polymer material exhibited no cytotoxicity. The particle size distribution of Fol-Plla-cl-Peg-Plla-cl-T micelles was uniform and small, with good stability and high efficiency of entrapment. Triptolide In-Vitro release from micelles demonstrated slow and continuous released for 24 h. Compared with API, the half-life of micelles was prolonged, whilst its bioavailability in-vivo was increased by about 6.35 times. More importantly, Fol-Plla-cl-Peg-Plla-cl-T micelles significantly improved the antitumor activity of triptolide and showed good tumor targeting potential. Fol-Plla-cl-Peg-Plla-cl-T micelles could improve the bioavailability and antitumor activity of triptolide, amid demonstration of good tumor targeting and high safety.

The Potential of Curcumin-Capped Nanoparticle Synthesis in Cancer Therapy: A Green Synthesis Approach

Cancer nanotherapeutics is an important field of research which utilizes nanomaterials as an approach to cancer therapy. Nano-mediated therapeutic delivery systems overcome the adverse side effects of traditional cancer treatment methods. Nanoparticles (NPs) are considered excellent tumor-targeting vehicles due to their compact and variable size, large surface area, ability to load several genes and drugs, and mediation of increased therapeutic payload uptake. Despite the rapid development of nanotechnology, there is growing concern regarding the possible long-term side effects of NPs on the environment and human health. Green chemistry using plant materials, such as curcumin, is a sustainable alternative to conventional reduction methods and confers dual reducing and capping properties. Curcumin is a bioactive compound isolated from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, which exhibits various medicinal properties. Curcumin-capped NPs exhibit increased solubility, bioavailability, therapeutic indices, and antitumor properties. This review highlights the potential and antitumor properties of economical, simple, and eco-friendly curcumin-synthesized and capped NPs for the localized delivery of therapeutic genes and drugs to the cancer tumor microenvironment with fewer adverse side effects.

Inflammatory markers S100A8/A9 and metabolic alteration for evaluating signs of early phase toxicity of anticancer agent treatment

Anticancer agents can cause various side effects, including tissue damages/inflammatory reactions. Drug-responsive biomarkers are essential for evaluating drug toxicity in disease processes. S100 calcium-binding proteins A8/A9 (S100A8/A9) are highly expressed in neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages accumulated at inflammatory sites and are known to be related to tissue damage/inflammation; however, their response to drug toxicity has not been reported. Herein, we investigated the effects of anticancer agents (doxorubicin, cisplatin, and docetaxel) on S100A8/A9 gene expression profiles in four representative tissues (heart, kidney, liver, and lung) in normal C57BL/6J mice. Both S100A8/A9 expression was transiently or time-dependently elevated in four tissues within 48 h after dosing of the three anticancer agents under toxicity-inducing conditions. S100A8/A9 patterns differed among agents and tissues. This result suggests that S100A8/A9 is useful for evaluating anticancer agent-induced tissue damage. Metabolomic analysis revealed that some metabolites showed temporal patterns similar to that of S100A8/A9 expression. The amounts of fumarate (doxorubicin-treated heart), tyrosine (cisplatin-treated kidney), acetylcarnosine (doxorubicin-treated liver), and 2-phosphoglycerate (docetaxel-treated lung) showed similar patterns to that of S100A8/A9 expression. Although these metabolites showed different behaviors between tissues and serum, they may be useful marker candidates for evaluating anticancer agent-induced tissue damage at an earlier stage after dosing.

Drug-herb combination therapy in cancer management

Cancer is the second leading cause of fatality all over the world. Various unwanted side effects are being reported with the use of conventional chemotherapy. The plant derived bioactive compounds are the prominent alternative medicinal approach for reduction of chemotherapy associated side effects. The data is collected from Pubmed, Sci-hub, Google scholar, and Research gate were systematically searched up to year 2020. Several herbal drugs have been investigated and found with grateful anti-cancer potentials hence, it can be used in combination with chemotherapy for the depletion of associated side-effects. Herbal drugs and their extracts contain a mixture of active ingredients, which show interactions within themselves and along with chemotherapeutic agents to show either synergistic or antagonistic therapeutic effects. Therefore, it is necessary to develop alternative treatment to control chemotherapy associated side-effects. In this review, we discussed some of the significant chemical compounds, which could be efficient against cancer. This review focuses on the different herbal drugs that play an important role in the treatment of cancer and its associated side-effects. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of herbal treatment in combination with chemotherapy for cancer treatment.

Combination Therapy Using Polyphenols: An Efficient Way to Improve Antitumoral Activity and Reduce Resistance

Polyphenols represent a structural class of mainly natural organic chemicals that contain multiple phenol structural units. The beneficial properties of polyphenols have been extensively studied for their antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects, but nowadays, their medical applications are starting to be extended to many other applications due to their prebiotic role and their impact on the microbiota. This review focused on the use of polyphenols in cancer treatment. Their antineoplastic effects have been demonstrated in various studies when they were tested on numerous cancer lines and some in in vivo models. A431 and SCC13 human skin cancer cell lines treated with EGCG presented a reduced cell viability and enhanced cell death due to the inactivation of β-catenin signaling. Additionally, resveratrol showed a great potential against breast cancer mainly due to its ability to exert both anti-estrogenic and estrogenic effects (based on the concentration) and because it has a high affinity for estrogen receptors ERα and Erβ. Polyphenols can be combined with different classical cytostatic agents to enhance their therapeutic effects on cancer cells and to also protect healthy cells from the aggressiveness of antitumor drugs due to their anti-inflammatory properties. For instance, curcumin has been reported to reduce the gastrointestinal toxicity associated with chemotherapy. In the case of 5-FU-induced, it reduced the gastrointestinal toxicity by increasing the intestinal permeability and inhibiting mucosal damage. Co-administration of EGCG and doxorubicin induced the death of liver cancer cells. EGCG has the ability to inhibit autophagic activity and stop hepatoma Hep3B cell proliferation This symbiotic approach is well-known in medical practice including in multiple chemotherapy.

Curcumin-Based Nanoformulations: A Promising Adjuvant towards Cancer Treatment

Throughout the United States, cancer remains the second leading cause of death. Traditional treatments induce significant medical toxic effects and unpleasant adverse reactions, making them inappropriate for long-term use. Consequently, anticancer-drug resistance and relapse are frequent in certain situations. Thus, there is an urgent necessity to find effective antitumor medications that are specific and have few adverse consequences. Curcumin is a polyphenol derivative found in the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa L.), and provides chemopreventive, antitumor, chemo-, and radio-sensitizing properties. In this paper, we summarize the new nano-based formulations of polyphenolic curcumin because of the growing interest in its application against cancers and tumors. According to recent studies, the use of nanoparticles can overcome the hydrophobic nature of curcumin, as well as improving its stability and cellular bioavailability in vitro and in vivo. Several strategies for nanocurcumin production have been developed, each with its own set of advantages and unique features. Because the majority of the curcumin-based nanoformulation evidence is still in the conceptual stage, there are still numerous issues impeding the provision of nanocurcumin as a possible therapeutic option. To support the science, further work is necessary to develop curcumin as a viable anti-cancer adjuvant. In this review, we cover the various curcumin nanoformulations and nanocurcumin implications for therapeutic uses for cancer, as well as the current state of clinical studies and patents. We further address the knowledge gaps and future research orientations required to develop curcumin as a feasible treatment candidate.

Curcumin piperidone derivatives induce anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects in LN-18 human glioblastoma cells

Curcumin has demonstrated potential cytotoxicity across various cell lines despite its poor bioavailability and rapid metabolism. Therefore, our group have synthesized curcuminoid analogues with piperidone derivatives, FLDP-5 and FLDP-8 to overcome these limitations. In this study, the analogues were assessed on LN-18 human glioblastoma cells in comparison to curcumin. Results from cytotoxicity assessment showed that FLDP-5 and FLDP-8 curcuminoid analogues caused death in LN-18 cells in a concentration-dependent manner after 24-h treatment with much lower IC₅₀ values of 2.5 µM and 4 µM respectively, which were more potent compared to curcumin with IC₅₀ of 31 µM. Moreover, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the level of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide upon 2-h and 6-h treatment confirmed the oxidative stress involvement in the cell death process induced by these analogues. These analogues also showed potent anti-migratory effects through inhibition of LN-18 cells’ migration and invasion. In addition, cell cycle analysis showed that these analogues are capable of inducing significant (p < 0.05) S-phase cell cycle arrest during the 24-h treatment as compared to untreated, which explained the reduced proliferation indicated by MTT assay. In conclusion, these curcuminoid analogues exhibit potent anti-cancer effects with anti-proliferative and anti-migratory properties towards LN-18 cells as compared to curcumin.

Pinus mugo Essential Oil Impairs STAT3 Activation through Oxidative Stress and Induces Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells

Essential oils (EOs) and their components have been reported to possess anticancer properties and to increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy. The aim of this work was to select EOs able to downregulate STAT3 signaling using Western blot and RT-PCR analyses. The molecular mechanism of anti-STAT3 activity was evaluated through spectrophotometric and fluorometric analyses, and the biological effect of STAT3 inhibition was analyzed by flow cytometry and wound healing assay. Herein, Pinus mugo EO (PMEO) is identified as an inhibitor of constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation in human prostate cancer cells, DU145. The down-modulation of the STAT3 signaling cascade decreased the expression of anti-proliferative as well as anti-apoptotic genes and proteins, leading to the inhibition of cell migration and apoptotic cell death. PMEO treatment induced a rapid drop in glutathione (GSH) levels and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration, resulting in mild oxidative stress. Pretreatment of cells with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a cell-permeable ROS scavenger, reverted the inhibitory action of PMEO on STAT3 phosphorylation. Moreover, combination therapy revealed that PMEO treatment displayed synergism with cisplatin in inducing the cytotoxic effect. Overall, our data highlight the importance of STAT3 signaling in PMEO cytotoxic activity, as well as the possibility of developing adjuvant therapy or sensitizing cancer cells to conventional chemotherapy.

Plants as a Source of Anticancer Agents: From Bench to Bedside

Cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. Conventional anticancer therapies are associated with lack of selectivity and serious side effects. Cancer hallmarks are biological capabilities acquired by cancer cells during neoplastic transformation. Targeting multiple cancer hallmarks is a promising strategy to treat cancer. The diversity in chemical structure and the relatively low toxicity make plant-derived natural products a promising source for the development of new and more effective anticancer therapies that have the capacity to target multiple hallmarks in cancer. In this review, we discussed the anticancer activities of ten natural products extracted from plants. The majority of these products inhibit cancer by targeting multiple cancer hallmarks, and many of these chemicals have reached clinical applications. Studies discussed in this review provide a solid ground for researchers and physicians to design more effective combination anticancer therapies using plant-derived natural products.

Polyphenol Mechanisms against Gastric Cancer and Their Interactions with Gut Microbiota: A Review

The lack of new drugs and resistance to existing drugs are serious problems in gastric cancer(GC) treatment. The research found polyphenols possess anti-Helicobacter pylori(Hp) and antitumor activities and may be used in the research and development of drugs for cancer prevention and treatment. However, polyphenols are affected by their chemical structures and physical properties, which leads to relatively low bioavailability and bioactivity in vivo. The intestinal flora can improve the absorption, utilization, and biological activity of polyphenols, whereas polyphenol compounds can increase the richness of the intestinal flora, reduce the activity of carcinogenic bacteria, stabilize the proportion of core flora, and maintain homeostasis of the intestinal microenvironment. Our review summarizes the gastrointestinal flora-mediated mechanisms of polyphenol against GC.

Chemopreventive Potential of Dietary Nanonutraceuticals for Prostate Cancer: An Extensive Review

There are more than two hundred fifty different types of cancers, that are diagnosed around the world. Prostate cancer is one of the suspicious type of cancer spreading very fast around the world, it is reported that in 2018, 29430 patients died of prostate cancer in the United State of America (USA), and hence it is expected that one out of nine men diagnosed with this severe disease during their lives. Medical science has identified cancer at several stages and indicated genes mutations involved in the cancer cell progressions. Genetic implications have been studied extensively in cancer cell growth. So most efficacious drug for prostate cancer is highly required just like other severe diseases for men. So nutraceutical companies are playing major role to manage cancer disease by the recommendation of best natural products around the world, most of these natural products are isolated from plant and mushrooms because they contain several chemoprotective agents, which could reduce the chances of development of cancer and protect the cells for further progression. Some nutraceutical supplements might activate the cytotoxic chemotherapeutic effects by the mechanism of cell cycle arrest, cell differentiation procedures and changes in the redox states, but in other, it also elevate the levels of effectiveness of chemotherapeutic mechanism and in results, cancer cell becomes less reactive to chemotherapy. In this review, we have highlighted the prostate cancer and importance of nutraceuticals for the control and management of prostate cancer, and the significance of nutraceuticals to cancer patients during chemotherapy.

Radiosensitizing effect of dendrosomal nanoformulation of curcumin on cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Curcumin was found to possess numerous pharmacological activities in clinical research, however, its biological effects together with radiation are yet to be addressed. The present study investigated whether the combined treatment of dendrosomal nanoformulation of curcumin (DNC) and gamma radiation can enhance the radiosensitivity of U87MG and MDA-MB-231 cell lines.

METHODS

U87MG and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were exposed to 2 Gray (Gy) and 10 μM DNC determined by MTT assay, then subjected to clonogenic assay, cell cycle assay, and flow cytometric apoptosis analysis. Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB) and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) stained cells were used to study morphologic changes. The expression evaluation of putative cell cycle genes, i.e., P53, P21, CCND1, and CCNB1 was carried out by RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

Our findings indicated that the combined treatment with DNC and radiation might cooperatively augment the efficacy of ionizing radiation in the cancer cells and notably decrease the survival and viability of the cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In addition to a synergistic effect deducted by sensitizer enhancement ratio (SER) assessment, co-treatment resulted in greater apoptotic cells than the individual treatments. Further experiments then indicated that DNC could effectively induce G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis following irradiation. Conformably, there was a decrement of CCND1 and CCNB1 expression, and an increment of P53, P21 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

The data implied that DNC as a radiosensitizer can enhance the lethal effect of ionizing radiation on cancer cells which could be a promising adjuvant therapy in clinical treatments.