Growth Inhibition and Apoptotic Effect of Pine Extract and Abietic Acid on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells via Alteration of Multiple Gene Expressions Using In Vitro Approach

Evaluation of safety and efficacy of Brazilian brown propolis from Araucaria sp. in preventing colon cancer

Brazilian propolis produced by honeybees have been widely studied, but few data exist regarding the safety and pharmacological potential of this natural product. The aim of the present study was to examine the toxicity, genotoxicity, and chemoprevention effects attributed to exposure to the brown propolis hydroalcoholic extract (BPHE) of Araucaria sp. Acute oral toxicity test was conducted using Wistar Hannover rats, demonstrating that the highest dose tested (2,000 mg/kg b.w.) produced no apparent adverse effects or lethality. The micronucleus (MN) genotoxicity test was conducted using peripheral blood from Swiss mice, which also noted that BPHE did not induce significant chromosomal damage. It is of interest that BPHE at a dose of 12 mg/kg b.w. exhibited antigenotoxic effects against the doxorubicin (DXR)-induced damage. However, BPHE did not influence the depletion of reduced glutathione induced by DXR in mice. It is noteworthy that BPHE exerted chemopreventive effects at doses 6, 12, and 24 mg/kg b.w. The determination of this effect of BPHE on colon carcinogenesis was examined using aberrant crypt foci (ACF) as evidenced by histological analysis. The colons of animals treated with BPHE (12 mg/kg b.w.) exhibited a significant reduction in staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein following 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-and BPHE combined treatments. Hence, it is conceivable that the anti-inflammatory activity of the chemical constituents of BPHE are involved in its chemopreventive action against colon carcinogenesis as evidenced from ACF assay. Therefore, BHPE was found to be a safe product, without any apparent significant acute adverse risk. Further, the extract exhibited antigenotoxic and anticarcinogenic activities which may be considered for beneficial uses in colon carcinogenesis.

A new strategy for the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage: Ferroptosis

Intracerebral hemorrhage, is a cerebrovascular disease with high morbidity, mortality, and disability. Due to the lack of effective clinical treatments, the development of new drugs to treat intracerebral hemorrhage is necessary. In recent years, ferroptosis has been found to play an important role in the pathophysiological process of intracerebral hemorrhage, which can be treated by inhibiting ferroptosis and thus intracerebral hemorrhage. This article aims to explain the mechanism of ferroptosis and its relationship to intracerebral hemorrhage. In the meantime, it briefly discusses the molecules identified to alleviate intracerebral hemorrhage by inhibiting ferroptosis, along with other clinical agents that are expected to treat intracerebral hemorrhage through this mechanism. In addition, a brief overview of the morphological alterations of different forms of cell death and their role in ICH is provided. Finally, the challenges that may arise in translating ferroptosis inhibitors from basic research to clinical use are presented. This article serves as a reference and provides insights to aid in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage in the clinic.

Raptinal: a powerful tool for rapid induction of apoptotic cell death

Chemical inducers of apoptosis have been utilized for decades as tools to uncover steps of the apoptotic cascade and to treat various diseases, most notably cancer. While there are several useful compounds available, limitations in potency, universality, or speed of cell death of these pro-apoptotic agents have meant that no single compound is suitable for all (or most) purposes. Raptinal is a recently described small molecule that induces intrinsic pathway apoptosis rapidly and reliably, and consequently, has been utilized in cell culture and whole organisms for a wide range of biological studies. Its distinct mechanism of action complements the current arsenal of cytotoxic compounds, making it useful as a probe for the apoptosis pathway and other cellular processes. The rapid induction of cell death by Raptinal and its widespread commercial availability make it the pro-apoptotic agent of choice for many applications.

Development of Lipid Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles of Abietic Acid: Optimization, In-Vitro and Preclinical Evaluation

The objective of the current research was to develop abietic acid (AA)-loaded hybrid polymeric nanoparticles (HNPs) for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity after oral administration. AAHNPs were developed by microinjection technique and optimized by 3-factor 3-level Box-Behnken design. The AAHNPs were evaluated for morphology, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, in-vitro release, ex-vivo permeation, in-vitro antioxidant, and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The optimized AAHNPs (AAHNPsopt) displayed 384.5 ± 6.36nm of PS, 0.376 of PDI, 23.0 mV of ZP, and 80.01 ± 1.89% of EE. FTIR and X-ray diffraction study results revealed that AA was encapsulated into a HNPs matrix. The AAHNPsopt showed significant (P < 0.05) high and sustained release of AA (86.72 ± 4.92%) than pure AA (29.87 ± 3.11%) in 24h. AAHNPsopt showed an initial fast release of AA (20.12 ± 3.07% in 2h), which succeeded in reaching the therapeutic concentration. The AAHNPsopt showed 2.49-fold higher ex-vivo gut permeation flux than pure AA due to the presence of lipid and surfactant. The AAHNPsopt exhibited significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001) higher antioxidant activity as compared to pure AA at each concentration. AAHNPsopt formulation displayed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher anti-inflammatory effect (21.51 ± 2.23% swelling) as compared to pure AA (46.51 ± 1.74% swelling). From the in-vitro and in-vivo finding, it was concluded that HNPs might be a suitable carrier for the improvement of the therapeutic efficacy of the drug.

Anticancer activities of natural abietic acid

Cancer is the main cause of death in the world. There are several therapies that are in practice for cancer cure including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Among the chemotherapies, natural products are considered comparable safe, easily available and cost effective. Approximately 60% of cancer approved FDA drugs are natural products including vinblastine, doxorubicin, and paclitaxel. These natural products have complex structures due to which they work against cancer through different molecular pathways, STAT3, NF-kB, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial dependent pathway, extrinsic apoptosis pathway, autophagy, mitophagy and ferroptosis. AA is a natural abietane diterpenoid compound from Pinus palustris and Pimenta racemose var. grissea with different pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant, anti-obesity and anti-allergic. Recently it has been reported with its anticancer activities through different molecular mechanisms including NF-kB, PI3K/AKT, call cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, mitochondrial dependent pathway, extrinsic apoptosis pathway, AMPK pathway and ferroptosis pathways. The literature survey reveals that there is no review on AA anticancer molecular mechanisms, therefore in current review, we summarize the anticancer molecular mechanisms of AA.

[The role and the molecular mechanism of abietic acid in the proliferation, invasion and migration of cisplatin-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells]

Objective:To investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of abietic acid in the cell proliferation, invasion and migration of cisplatin-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Methods:①Cisplatin-resistant C666/DDP cell line was constructed by increasing drug concentration method. ②The effects of abietic acid on proliferation, invasion and migration of C666/DDP cells were investigated by CCK-8 method, reactive oxygen species（ROS） and mitochondrial membrane potential（MMP） level assay and subcutaneous tumorigenesis assay in nude mice to detect the effects of abietic acid on proliferation and apoptosis of C666/DDP cells in vitro and in vivo. The effect of abietic acid on the proliferation and apoptosis of C666/DDP cells in vitro and in vivo was measured by Transwell assay. ③Western blot and IHC method to detect the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway related proteins. Results:①The IC50 of cisplatin cytotoxicity to C666-1 was about 25 μmol/L. RI=25 μmol/L /4 μmol/L=6.25, resistance was obtained, and the C666-1-DDP resistant strain was successfully constructed. ②Abietic acid promoted apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of C666/DDP cells, and showed G2/M phase block; transwell showed that abietic acid inhibited C666/DDP cell migration and invasion, increased ROS level of C666/DDP cells and decreased MMP. Transwell showed that abietic acid inhibited the migration and invasion ability of C666/DDP cells, increased the ROS level of C666/DDP cells and decreased MMP. ③Animal experiments showed that abietic acid inhibited the proliferation of cisplatin-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vivo in a concentration gradient and suppressed the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins. Conclusion:Abietic acid inhibits proliferation, invasion and migration of cisplatin-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by a mechanism related to inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Terpenes-Modified Lipid Nanosystems for Temozolomide, Improving Cytotoxicity against Glioblastoma Human Cancer Cells In Vitro

Currently, increasing the efficiency of glioblastoma treatment is still an unsolved problem. In this study, a combination of promising approaches was proposed: (i) an application of nanotechnology approach to create a new terpene-modified lipid system (7% w/w), using soybean L-α-phosphatidylcholine, N-carbonyl-methoxypolyethylene glycol-2000)-1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine for delivery of the chemotherapy drug, temozolomide (TMZ, 1 mg/mL); (ii) use of TMZ associated with natural compounds-terpenes (1% w/w) abietic acid and Abies sibirica Ledeb. resin (A. sibirica). Different concentrations and combinations of terpene-lipid systems were employed to treat human cancer cell lines T 98G (glioblastoma), M-Hela (carcinoma of the cervix) and human liver cell lines (Chang liver). The terpene-lipid systems appeared to be unilamellar and of spherical shape under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The creation of a TMZ-loaded terpene-lipid nanosystem was about 100 nm in diameter with a negative surface charge found by dynamic light scattering. The 74% encapsulation efficiency allowed the release time of TMZ to be prolonged. The modification by terpenes of TMZ-loaded lipid nanoparticles improved by four times the cytotoxicity against human cancer T 98G cells and decreased the cytotoxicity against human normal liver cells. Terpene-modified delivery lipid systems are of potential interest as a combination therapy.

Novel N-Arylmethyl-aniline/chalcone hybrids as potential VEGFR inhibitors: synthesis, biological evaluations, and molecular dynamic simulations

Significant advancements have been made in the domain of targeted anticancer therapy for the management of malignancies in recent times. VEGFR-2 is characterised by its pivotal involvement in angiogenesis and subsequent mechanisms that promote tumour cells survival. Herein, novel N-arylmethyl-aniline/chalcone hybrids 5a-5n were designed and synthesised as potential anticancer and VEGFR-2 inhibitors. The anticancer activity was evaluated at the NCI-USA, resulting in the identification of 10 remarkably potent molecules 5a-5j that were further subjected to the five-dose assays. Thereafter, they were explored for their VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity where 5e and 5h emerged as the most potent inhibitors. 5e and 5h induced apoptosis with cell cycle arrest at the SubG0-G1 phase within HCT-116 cells. Moreover, their impact on some key apoptotic genes was assessed, suggesting caspase-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to explore the binding modes and stability of the protein-ligand complexes.

Propolis-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers halt breast cancer progression through miRNA-223 related pathways: an in-vitro/in-vivo experiment

The most frequent malignant tumor in women is breast cancer, and its incidence has been rising every year. Propolis has been used for its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aimed to examine the effect of the Egyptian Propolis Extract (ProE) and its improved targeting using nanostructured lipid carriers (ProE-NLC) in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice, the common animal model for mammary tumors. EAC mice were treated either with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), ProE, ProE-NLC, or a combination of ProE-NLC and 5-FU. Their effect on different inflammatory, angiogenic, proliferation and apoptotic markers, as well as miR-223, was examined. ProE and ProE-NLC have shown potential anti-breast cancer activity through multiple interrelated mechanisms including, the elevation of antioxidant levels, suppression of angiogenesis, inflammatory and mTOR pathways, and induction of the apoptotic pathway. All of which is a function of increased miRNA-223 expression. The efficiency of propolis was enhanced when loaded in nanostructured lipid carriers, increasing the effectiveness of the chemotherapeutic agent 5-FU. In conclusion, this study is the first to develop propolis-loaded NLC for breast cancer targeting and to recommend propolis as an antitumor agent against breast cancer or as an adjuvant treatment with chemotherapeutic agents to enhance their antitumor activity and decrease their side effects. Tumor targeting by ProE-NLC should be considered as a future therapeutic perspective in breast cancer.

Novel triphenylphosphonium amphiphilic conjugates of glycerolipid type: synthesis, cytotoxic and antibacterial activity, and targeted cancer cell delivery

This work deals with the creation of new cationic triphenylphosphonium amphiphilic conjugates of glycerolipid type (TPP-conjugates), bearing a pharmacophore terpenoid fragment (abietic acid and betulin) and a fatty acid residue in one hybrid molecule as a new generation of antitumor agents with high activity and selectivity. The TPP-conjugates showed high mitochondriotropy leading to the development of mitochondriotropic delivery systems such as TPP-pharmacosomes and TPP-solid lipid particles. Introducing the betulin fragment into the structure of a TPP-conjugate (compound 10) increases the cytotoxicity 3 times towards tumor cells of prostate adenocarcinoma DU-145 and 4 times towards breast carcinoma MCF-7 compared to TPP-conjugate 4a in the absence of betulin. TPP-hybrid conjugate 10 with two pharmacophore fragments, betulin and oleic acid, has significant cytotoxicity toward a wide range of tumor cells. The lowest IC50 of 10 is 0.3 μM toward HuTu-80. This is at the level of the reference drug doxorubicin. TPP-pharmacosomes (10/PC) increased the cytotoxic effect approximately 3 times toward HuTu-80 cells, providing high selectivity (SI = 480) compared to the normal liver cell line Chang liver.

Anti-Atopic Dermatitis Effects of Abietic Acid Isolated from Rosin under Condition Optimized by Response Surface Methodology in DNCB-Spread BALB/c Mice

Abietic acid (AA) is known to have beneficial effects on inflammation, photoaging, osteoporosis, cancer, and obesity; however, its efficacy on atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been reported. We investigated the anti-AD effects of AA, which was newly isolated from rosin, in an AD model. To achieve this, AA was isolated from rosin under conditions optimized by response surface methodology (RSM), and its effects on cell death, iNOS-induced COX-2 mediated pathway, inflammatory cytokine transcription, and the histopathological skin structure were analyzed in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-treated BALB/c mice after treatment with AA for 4 weeks. AA was isolated and purified through isomerization and reaction-crystallization under the condition (HCl, 2.49 mL; reflux extraction time, 61.7 min; ethanolamine, 7.35 mL) established by RSM, resulting in AA with a purity and extraction yield of 99.33% and 58.61%, respectively. AA exhibited high scavenging activity against DPPH, ABTS, and NO radicals as well as hyaluronidase activity in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-inflammatory effects of AA were verified in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages through amelioration of the inflammatory response, including NO production, iNOS-induced COX-2 mediated pathway activation, and cytokine transcription. In the DNCB-treated AD model, the skin phenotypes, dermatitis score, immune organ weight, and IgE concentration were significantly ameliorated in the AA cream (AAC)-spread groups compared to the vehicle-spread group. In addition, AAC spread ameliorated DNCB-induced deterioration of skin histopathological structure through the recovery of the thickness of the dermis and epidermis and the number of mast cells. Furthermore, activation of the iNOS-induced COX-2 mediated pathway and increased inflammatory cytokine transcription were ameliorated in the skin of the DNCB+AAC-treated group. Taken together, these results indicate that AA, newly isolated from rosin, exhibits anti-AD effects in DNCB-treated AD models, and has the potential to be developed as a treatment option for AD-related diseases.

Discovery of Novel Bioactive Tanshinones and Carnosol Analogues against Breast Cancer

The abietane diterpenoids ferruginol (1), tanshinone IIA (3), and carnosol (4) are well-known for their interesting pharmacological properties, including antitumor, similar to other natural and semisynthetic abietanes. In this study, a pair of semisynthetic C18-functionalized analogues of 3 and 4 were prepared from the commercially available (+)-dehydroabietylamine or readily obtained methyl dehydroabietate. Semisynthetic ferruginol (1) and some selected analogues, together with the synthesized analogues, were tested in vitro for the inhibition of proliferation in four breast cancer cell lines, SUM149, MDA-MB231, T47D, and MCF07. As a result, several tested abietane analogues decreased cell proliferation and enhanced cell death, with IC₅₀ in the range 1.3-18.7 μM. This work demonstrates the antitumor activities of two tested compounds, making these molecules interesting for the development of new anticancer agents.

Imatinib Mesylate-Loaded Rosin/Cinnamon Oil-Based In Situ Forming Gel against Colorectal Cancer Cells

Localized delivery systems have been typically designed to enhance drug concentration at a target site and minimize systemic drug toxicity. A rosin/cinnamon oil (CO) in situ forming gel (ISG) was developed for the sustainable delivery of imatinib mesylate (IM) against colorectal cancer cells. CO has been claimed to express a potent anticancer effect against various cancer cells, as well as a synergistic effect with IM on colorectal cancer cells; however, poor aqueous solubility limits its application. The effect of rosin with the adding CO was assessed on physicochemical properties and in vitro drug release from developed IM-loaded rosin/CO-based ISG. Moreover, in vitro cytotoxicity tests were conducted against two colorectal cancer cells. All formulations exhibited Newtonian flow behavior with viscosity less than 266.9 cP with easier injectability. The adding of CO decreased the hardness and increased the adhesive force of the obtained rosin gel. The gel formation increased over time under microscopic observation. CO-added ISG had a particle-like gel appearance, and it promoted a higher release of IM over a period of 28 days. All tested ISG formulations revealed cytotoxicity against HCT-116 and HT-29 cell lines at different incubation times. Thus, CO-loaded rosin-based ISG can act as a potentially sustainable IM delivery system for chemotherapy against colorectal cancer cells.