P-Glycoprotein 1 Affects Chemoactivities of Resveratrol against Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Resveratrol: biology, metabolism, and detrimental role on the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer

A substantial increase in colorectal cancer (CRC)-associated fatalities can be attributed to tumor recurrence and multidrug resistance. Traditional treatment options, including radio- and chemotherapy, also exhibit adverse side effects. Ancient treatment strategies that include phytochemicals like resveratrol are now widely encouraged as an alternative therapeutic option. Resveratrol is the natural polyphenolic stilbene in vegetables and fruits like grapes and apples. It inhibits CRC progression via targeting dysregulated cancer-promoting pathways, including PI3K/Akt/Kras, targeting transcription factors like NF-κB and STAT3, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In addition, combination therapies for cancer include resveratrol as an adjuvant to decrease multidrug resistance that develops in CRC cells. The current review discusses the biology of resveratrol and explores different mechanisms of action of resveratrol in inhibiting CRC progression. Further, the detrimental role of resveratrol on the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of CRC has been discussed. This review illustrates clinical trials on resveratrol in different cancers, including resveratrol analogs, and their efficiency in promoting CRC inhibition.

Repositioning of HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors as Adjuvants in the Modulation of Efflux Pump-Mediated Bacterial and Tumor Resistance

Efflux pump (EP)-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) seems ubiquitous in bacterial infections and neoplastic diseases. The diversity and lack of specificity of these efflux mechanisms raise a great obstacle in developing drugs that modulate efflux pumps. Since developing novel chemotherapeutic drugs requires large investments, drug repurposing offers a new approach that can provide alternatives as adjuvants in treating resistant microbial infections and progressive cancerous diseases. Hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme-A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, also known as statins, are promising agents in this respect. Originally, statins were used in the therapy of dyslipidemia and for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases; however, extensive research has recently been performed to elucidate the functions of statins in bacterial infections and cancers. The mevalonate pathway is essential in the posttranslational modification of proteins related to vital eukaryotic cell functions. In this article, a comparative review is given about the possible role of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in managing diseases of bacterial and neoplastic origin. Molecular research and clinical studies have proven the justification of statins in this field. Further well-designed clinical trials are urged to clarify the significance of the contribution of statins to the lower risk of disease progression in bacterial infections and cancerous diseases.

Natural Products as a Tool to Modulate the Activity and Expression of Multidrug Resistance Proteins of Intestinal Barrier

The role of intestinal barrier homeostasis in an individual’s general well-being has been widely addressed by the scientific community. Colorectal cancer is among the illnesses that most affect this biological barrier. While chemotherapy is the first choice to treat this type of cancer, multidrug resistance (MDR) is the major setback against the commonly used drugs, with the ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABC transporters) being the major players. The role of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), or breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2) in the efflux of chemotherapeutic drugs is well described in cancer cells, highlighting these proteins as interesting druggable targets to reverse MDR, decrease drug dosage, and consequently undesired toxicity. Natural products, especially phytochemicals, have a wide diversity of chemical structures, and some particular classes, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, or pentacyclic triterpenoids, have been reported as inhibitors of P-gp, MRP1, and ABCG2, being able to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs. Nevertheless, ABC transporters play a vital role in the cell’s defense against xenobiotics, and some phytochemicals have also been shown to induce the transporters’ activity. A balance must be obtained between xenobiotic efflux in non-tumor cells and bioaccumulation of chemotherapy drugs in cancer cells, in which ABC transporters are essential and natural products play a pivotal role that must be further analyzed. This review summarizes the knowledge concerning the nomenclature and function of ABC-transporters, emphasizing their role in the intestinal barrier cells. In addition, it also focuses on the role of natural products commonly found in food products, e.g., phytochemicals, as modulators of ABC-transporter activity and expression, which are promising nutraceutical molecules to formulate new drug combinations to overcome multidrug resistance.

In Vitro and In Silico Study on the Impact of Chlorogenic Acid in Colorectal Cancer Cells: Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Interaction with β-Catenin and LRP6

Colorectal cancer mortality rate and highly altered proteins from the Wnt/β-catenin pathway increase the scientific community's interest in finding alternatives for prevention and treatment. This study aims to determine the biological effect of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on two colorectal cancer cell lines, HT-29 and SW480, and its interactions with β-catenin and LRP6 to elucidate a possible modulatory mechanism on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These effects were determined by propidium iodide and DiOC6 for mitochondrial membrane permeability, MitoTracker Red for mitochondrial ROS production, DNA content for cell distribution on cell cycle phases, and molecular docking for protein-ligand interactions and binding affinity. Here, it was found that CGA at 2000 µM significantly affects cell viability and causes DNA fragmentation in SW480 cells rather than in HT-29 cells, but in both cell lines, it induces ROS production. Additionally, CGA has similar affinity and interactions for LRP6 as niclosamide but has a higher affinity for both β-catenin sites than C2 and iCRT14. These results suggest a possible modulatory role of CGA over the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in colorectal cancer.

Anticancer and chemosensitizing activities of stilbenoids from three orchid species

Recently, we have isolated and identified several bioactive flavonoids and stilbenoids with potential anticancer activity from Thai orchids. In this study, we further investigated the cytotoxic and chemosensitizing activities of these phytochemicals (namely, pinocembrin, cardamonin, isalpinin, galangin, pinosylvin monomethyl ether, 2,3'-dihydroxy-5'-methoxystilbene, (E)-2,5'-dihydroxy-2'-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-3'-methoxystilbene, 2,3-dihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxystilbene, 2,3'-dihydroxy-5,5'-dimethoxystilbene, 3,4'-dihydroxy-5-methoxystilbene and batatasin III) against breast cancer MCF7 cells and its two multidrug resistant (MDR) sublines (MCF7/DOX and MCF7/MX). Cytotoxicity was determined with MTT assay for the estimation of the half maximal cytotoxic concentrations (IC₅₀). Effects of the test compounds on activities of efflux transporters (BCRP, P-gp, MRP1, and MRP2) were evaluated with substrate accumulation assays using fluorometry and flow cytometry analysis. Out of these 11 test compounds, the stilbene pinosylvin monomethyl ether displayed its cytotoxicity specifically toward MCF7 cells (IC₅₀ = 6.2 ± 1.2 μM, 72-h incubation) with 4.96 folds higher than normal fibroblast. Its potency decreased in MCF7/DOX and MCF7/MX cells by 3.94 and 7.38 folds, respectively. Our transporter assay indicated that this stilbene significantly reduced the activities of P-gp, MRP1, and MRP2, but not BCRP. After 48-h co-incubation, this stilbene (at 2 μM) synergistically increased doxorubicin- and mitoxantrone-mediated cytotoxicity in MCF7, MCF7/DOX, and MCF7/MX cells potentially by increasing the intracellular level of cytotoxic drug. Pinosylvin monomethyl ether could sensitize breast cancer cells to chemotherapy and overcome MDR, in part, via the inhibition of drug efflux transporters.

Modulatory Effect of Chlorogenic Acid and Coffee Extracts on Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Colorectal Cancer Cells

The Wnt/β-Catenin pathway alterations present in colorectal cancer (CRC) are of special interest in the development of new therapeutic strategies to impact carcinogenesis and the progression of CRC. In this context, different polyphenols present in natural products have been reported to have modulatory effects against the Wnt pathway in CRC. In this study, we evaluate the effect of two polyphenol-rich coffee extracts and chlorogenic acid (CGA) against SW480 and HT-29 CRC cells. This involved the use of MTT and SRB techniques for cell viability; wound healing and invasion assay for the evaluation of the migration and invasion process; T cell factor (TCF) reporter plasmid for the evaluation of transciption factor (TCF) transcriptional activity; polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of target genes and confocal fluorescence microscopy for β-Catenin and E-Cadherin protein fluorescence levels; and subcellular localization. Our results showed a potential modulatory effect of the Wnt pathway on CRC cells, and we observed a reduction in the transcriptional activity of β-catenin. All the results were prominent in SW480 cells, where the Wnt pathway deregulation has more relevance and implies a constitutive activation of the signaling pathway. These results establish a starting point for the discovery of a mechanism of action associated with these effects and corroborate the anticancer potential of polyphenols present in coffee, which could be explored as chemopreventive molecules or as adjunctive therapy in CRC.

Multifunctional Targeting Liposomes of Epirubicin Plus Resveratrol Improved Therapeutic Effect on Brain Gliomas

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Multidrug Resistance (MDR): A Widespread Phenomenon in Pharmacological Therapies

Multidrug resistance is a leading concern in public health. It describes a complex phenotype whose predominant feature is resistance to a wide range of structurally unrelated cytotoxic compounds, many of which are anticancer agents. Multidrug resistance may be also related to antimicrobial drugs, and is known to be one of the most serious global public health threats of this century. Indeed, this phenomenon has increased both mortality and morbidity as a consequence of treatment failures and its incidence in healthcare costs. The large amounts of antibiotics used in human therapies, as well as for farm animals and even for fishes in aquaculture, resulted in the selection of pathogenic bacteria resistant to multiple drugs. It is not negligible that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may further contribute to antimicrobial resistance. In this paper, multidrug resistance and antimicrobial resistance are underlined, focusing on the therapeutic options to overcome these obstacles in drug treatments. Lastly, some recent studies on nanodrug delivery systems have been reviewed since they may represent a significant approach for overcoming resistance.

Saikosaponins and the deglycosylated metabolites exert liver meridian guiding effect through PXR/CYP3A4 inhibition

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Radix Bupleuri (RB), traditionally used to treat inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases, represents one of the most successful and widely used herbal drugs in Asia over the past 2000 years. Being realized the role in regulating metabolism and controlling Yin/Yang, RB is not only chosen specifically for treating liver meridian and the corresponding organs, but also believed to have liver meridian guiding property and help potentiate the therapeutic effects of liver. However, the ingredients in RB with liver meridian guiding property and the underly mechanism have not been comprehensively investigated.

AIM OF STUDY

Considering the important role of CYP3A4 in first-pass metabolism and the liver exposure of drugs, the present study aimed to determine whether saikosaponins (SSs) and the corresponding saikogenins (SGs) have a role in inhibiting the catalytic activity of CYP3A4 in human liver microsomes and HepG2 hepatoma cells and whether they could suppress CYP3A4 expression by PXR-mediated pathways in HepG2 hepatoma cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of SSs and SGs on CYP3A4-mediated midazolam1'-hydroxylation activities in pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs) was first studied. Dose-dependent experiments were performed to obtain the half inhibit concentration (IC₅₀) values. HepG2 cells were used to assay catalytic activity of CYP3A4, reporter function, mRNA levels, and protein expression. The inhibitory effects of SSa and SSd on CYP3A4 activity are negligible, while the corresponding SGs (SGF and SGG) have obvious inhibitory effects on CYP3A4 activity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.45 and 1.30 μM. The similar results were obtained from testing CYP3A4 catalytic activity in HepG2 cells, which correlated well with the suppression of the mRNA and protein levels of CYP3A4. Time-dependent testing of CYP3A4 mRNA and protein levels, as well as co-transfection experiments using the CYP3A4 promoter luciferase plasmid, further confirmed that SSs and SGs could inhibit the expression of CYP3A4 at the transcription level. Furthermore, PXR protein expression decreased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner after cells were exposed to SSs and SGs. PXR overexpression and RNA interference experiments further showed that SSs and SGs down-regulate the catalytic activity and expression of CYP3A4 in HepG2 may be mainly through PXR-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

SSs and SGs inhibit the catalytic activity and expression of CYP3A4 in a PXR-dependent manner, which may be highly related to the liver meridian guiding property of RB.

Effect of Pterostilbene, a Natural Derivative of Resveratrol, in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer through Top1/Tdp1-Mediated DNA Repair Pathway

Topoisomerase 1 (Top1) inhibitor is an effective anticancer drug, but several factors limit its clinical application such as drug inactivation, tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (Tdp1)-mediated tumor drug resistance, and its toxicity. Our previous study identified pterostilbene (PTE) and resveratrol (RE) to suppress these two proteins by binding to their active center. PTE and RE could inhibit the proliferation of various colorectal cancer cells, induce cell apoptosis, and make cell cycle stay in G2/M phase in vitro. PTE and RE could decrease Top1 and Tdp1 contents and mRNA expression in wild-type, constructed Tdp1 overexpressing CL187, Top1- or Tdp1- silenced CL187 cell lines. PTE exhibited excellent antitumor activity in subcutaneous CL187 transplantation model (TGI = 79.14 ± 2.85%, 200 mg/kg, i.p.) and orthotopic transplantation model (TGI = 76.57 ± 6.34%, 100 mg/kg, i.p.; TGI = 72.79 ± 4.06%, 500 mg/kg, i.g.) without significant toxicity. PTE had no significant inhibitory effect on non-tumor cell proliferation in vitro and would not induce damage to liver, kidney, and other major organs. Overall, PTE and RE can inhibit the activity of Top1 enzyme and inhibit the DNA damage repair pathway mediated by Top1/Tdp1, and can effectively inhibit colorectal cancer development with low toxicity, thus they have great potential to be developed into a new generation of anti-tumor drugs.

Polyphenols of the Mediterranean Diet and Their Metabolites in the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer

The Mediterranean diet is a central element of a healthy lifestyle, where polyphenols play a key role due to their anti-oxidant properties, and for some of them, as nutripharmacological compounds capable of preventing a number of diseases, including cancer. Due to the high prevalence of intestinal cancer (ranking second in causing morbidity and mortality), this review is focused on the beneficial effects of selected dietary phytophenols, largely present in Mediterranean cooking: apigenin, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, quercetin-rutine, and resveratrol. The role of the Mediterranean diet in the prevention of colorectal cancer and future perspectives are discussed in terms of food polyphenol content, the effectiveness, the plasma level, and the importance of other factors, such as the polyphenol metabolites and the influence of the microbiome. Perspectives are discussed in terms of microbiome-dependency of the brain-second brain axis. The emergence of polyphenol formulations may strengthen the efficiency of the Mediterranean diet in the prevention of cancer.

Essential Oils, Pituranthos chloranthus and Teucrium ramosissimum, Chemosensitize Resistant Human Uterine Sarcoma MES-SA/Dx5 Cells to Doxorubicin by Inducing Apoptosis and Targeting P-Glycoprotein

The multidrug resistance phenotype is a global phenomenon and causes chemotherapy failure in various cancers, such as in uterine sarcomas that have a high mortality rate. To overcome this phenotype, there is growing research interest in developing new treatment strategies. In this study, we highlight the potential of two essential oils from the Apiaceae family, Pituranthos chloranthus (PC) and Teucrium ramosissimum Desf. (TR), to act as chemopreventive and chemosensitizing agents against two uterine sarcoma cell lines, MES-SA and P-gp-overexpressing MES-SA/Dx5 cells. We found that PC and TR were able to inhibit the cell viability of sensitive MES-SA and resistant MES-SA/Dx5 cells by a slight modulation of the cell cycle and its regulators, but also through a significant induction of apoptosis. The molecular mechanism involved both caspase pathways associated with an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Very interestingly, the combination of doxorubicin with PC or TR induced a synergism to increase cell death in resistant MES-SA/Dx5 cells and, subsequently, had the benefit of decreasing the resistance index to doxorubicin. These synergistic effects were reinforced by a decrease in P-gp expression and its P-gp adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity, which subsequently led to intracellular doxorubicin accumulation in resistant sarcoma cells.

Death Receptor 5 (TNFRSF10B) Is Upregulated and TRAIL Resistance Is Reversed in Hypoxia and Normoxia in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines after Treatment with Skyrin, the Active Metabolite of Hypericum spp

Skyrin (SKR) is a plant bisanthraquinone secondary metabolite from the Hypericum genus with potential use in anticancer therapy. However, its effect and mechanism of action are still unknown. The negative effect of SKR on HCT 116 and HT-29 cancer cell lines in hypoxic and normoxic conditions was observed. HCT 116 cells were more responsive to SKR treatment as demonstrated by decreased metabolic activity, cellularity and accumulation of cells in the G1 phase. Moreover, an increasing number of apoptotic cells was observed after treatment with SKR. Based on the LC-MS comparative proteomic data from hypoxia and normoxia (data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD019995), SKR significantly upregulated Death receptor 5 (DR5), which was confirmed by real-time qualitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, multiple changes in the Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-activated cascade were observed. Moreover, the reversion of TRAIL resistance was observed in HCT 116, HT-29 and SW620 cell lines, even in hypoxia, which was linked to the upregulation of DR5. In conclusion, our results propose the use of SKR as a prospective anticancer drug, particularly as an adjuvant to TRAIL-targeting treatment to reverse TRAIL resistance in hypoxia.

Potential Herb-Drug Interactions in the Management of Age-Related Cognitive Dysfunction

Late-life mild cognitive impairment and dementia represent a significant burden on healthcare systems and a unique challenge to medicine due to the currently limited treatment options. Plant phytochemicals have been considered in alternative, or complementary, prevention and treatment strategies. Herbals are consumed as such, or as food supplements, whose consumption has recently increased. However, these products are not exempt from adverse effects and pharmacological interactions, presenting a special risk in aged, polymedicated individuals. Understanding pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions is warranted to avoid undesirable adverse drug reactions, which may result in unwanted side-effects or therapeutic failure. The present study reviews the potential interactions between selected bioactive compounds (170) used by seniors for cognitive enhancement and representative drugs of 10 pharmacotherapeutic classes commonly prescribed to the middle-aged adults, often multimorbid and polymedicated, to anticipate and prevent risks arising from their co-administration. A literature review was conducted to identify mutual targets affected (inhibition/induction/substrate), the frequency of which was taken as a measure of potential interaction. Although a limited number of drugs were studied, from this work, interaction with other drugs affecting the same targets may be anticipated and prevented, constituting a valuable tool for healthcare professionals in clinical practice.

Chemosensitization of HT29 and HT29-5FU Cell Lines by a Combination of a Multi-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor and 5FU Downregulates ABCC1 and Inhibits PIK3CA in Light of Their Importance in Saudi Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the main causes of death worldwide and in Saudi Arabia. The toxicity and the development of resistance against 5 fluorouracil 5FU pose increasing therapeutic difficulties, which necessitates the development of personalized drugs and drug combinations. Objectives: First, to determine the most important kinases and kinase pathways, and the amount of ABC transporters and KRAS in samples taken from Saudi CRC patients. Second, to investigate the chemosensitizing effect of LY294002 and HAA₂₀₂₀ and their combinations with 5FU on HT29, HT29-5FU, HCT116, and HCT116-5FU CRC cells, their effect on the three ABC transporters, cell cycle, and apoptosis, in light of the important kinase pathways resulting from the first part of this study. Methods: The PamChip^® peptide micro-array profiling was used to determine the level of kinase and targets in the Saudi CRC samples. Next, RT-PCR, MTT cytotoxicity, Western blotting, perturbation of cell cycle, annexin V, and immunofluorescence assays were used to investigate the effect on CRC, MRC5, and HUVEC cells. Results: The kinase activity profiling highlighted the importance of the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and the growth factors pathways in the Saudi CRC samples. PIK3CA was the most overexpressed, and it was associated with increased level of mutated KRAS and the three ABC transporters, especially ABCC1 in the Saudi samples. Next, combining HAA₂₀₂₀ with 5FU exhibited the best synergistic and resistance-reversal effect in the four CRC cells, and the highest selectivity indices compared to MRC5 and HUVEC normal cells. Additionally, HAA₂₀₂₀ with 5FU exerted significant inhibition of ABCC1 in the four CRC cells, and inhibition of PIK3CA/AKT/MAPK7/ERK in HT29 and HT29-5FU cells. The combination also inhibited EGFR, increased the preG₁/S cell cycle phases, apoptosis, and caspase 8 in HT29 cells, while it increased the G₁ phase, p21/p27, and apoptosis in HT29-5FU cells. Conclusion: We have combined the PamChip kinase profiling of Saudi CRC samples with in vitro drug combination studies in four CRC cells, highlighting the importance of targeting PIK3CA and ABCC1 for Saudi CRC patients, especially given that the overexpression of PIK3CA mutations was previously linked with the lack of activity for the anti-EGFRs as first line treatment for CRC patients. The combination of HAA₂₀₂₀ and 5FU has selectively sensitized the four CRC cells to 5FU and could be further studied.

Differential Cytotoxicity of Rooibos and Green Tea Extracts against Primary Rat Hepatocytes and Human Liver and Colon Cancer Cells - Causal Role of Major Flavonoids

Differential anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of aqueous extracts of green rooibos (Rg; Aspalathus linearis) and green tea (GT; Camellia sinensis) and an aspalathin-enriched extract of green rooibos (GRE), were investigated in primary rat hepatocytes (PH) and human liver (HepG2) and colon (HT-29) cancer cells. Rooibos flavonoids, aspalathin and luteolin, and the green tea flavanol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), were included to assess their contribution relative to their extract concentrations. GRE was the most effective in reducing cell growth parameters which was associated with a high total polyphenol content and high ferric reducing potential. Differential cell responses were noticed with HepG2 cells more sensitive than PH toward the induction of apoptosis by GRE. Luteolin induced apoptosis in PH and HepG2 cells while aspalathin lacked any effect. EGCG induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells while PH were resistant. HT-29 cells were resistant to apoptosis induction by the tea and pure flavonoids. Differences existed in the individual effects of the major rooibos and GT flavonoids against cell growth parameters compared to their equivalent concentrations in the extract mixtures. Diversity of the flavonoid constituents, physicochemical properties and cellular redox status governing cell survival are likely to explain the differential cell responses.

Drug Repositioning for P-Glycoprotein Mediated Co-Expression Networks in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most fatal types of cancers that is seen in both men and women. CRC is the third most common type of cancer worldwide. Over the years, several drugs are developed for the treatment of CRC; however, patients with advanced CRC can be resistant to some drugs. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) (also known as Multidrug Resistance 1, MDR1) is a well-identified membrane transporter protein expressed by ABCB1 gene. The high expression of MDR1 protein found in several cancer types causes chemotherapy failure owing to efflux drug molecules out of the cancer cell, decreases the drug concentration, and causes drug resistance. As same as other cancers, drug-resistant CRC is one of the major obstacles for effective therapy and novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Network-based approaches can be used to determine specific biomarkers, potential drug targets, or repurposing approved drugs in drug-resistant cancers. Drug repositioning is the approach for using existing drugs for a new therapeutic purpose; it is a highly efficient and low-cost process. To improve current understanding of the MDR-1-related drug resistance in CRC, we explored gene co-expression networks around ABCB1 gene with different network sizes (50, 100, 150, 200 edges) and repurposed candidate drugs targeting the ABCB1 gene and its co-expression network by using drug repositioning approach for the treatment of CRC. The candidate drugs were also assessed by using molecular docking for determining the potential of physical interactions between the drug and MDR1 protein as a drug target. We also evaluated these four networks whether they are diagnostic or prognostic features in CRC besides biological function determined by functional enrichment analysis. Lastly, differentially expressed genes of drug-resistant (i.e., oxaliplatin, methotrexate, SN38) HT29 cell lines were found and used for repurposing drugs with reversal gene expressions. As a result, it is shown that all networks exhibited high diagnostic and prognostic performance besides the identification of various drug candidates for drug-resistant patients with CRC. All these results can shed light on the development of effective diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies for drug resistance in CRC.

Red Wine Extract Disrupts Th17 Lymphocyte Differentiation in a Colorectal Cancer Context

SCOPE

Scope: It is well established that immune response and inflammation promote tumoral progression. Immune cells communicate through direct contact or through cytokine secretion, and it is the pro-inflammatory status that will tip the balance toward tumor progression or anti-tumor immunity. It is demonstrated here that a red wine extract (RWE) can decrease inflammation through its action on the inflammasome complex. This study determines whether an RWE could impact other key actors of inflammation, including T helper 17 (Th17) immune cells in particular.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Methods and results: Using an RWE containing 4.16 g of polyphenols/liter of wine, it is shown that RWE decreases colorectal cancer cells in vitro and induces a reduction in colorectal tumor growth associated with a decrease in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in vivo. The process of T-lymphocyte differentiation in Th17 cells is altered by RWE, as revealed by the decrease in the expression of key actors controlling this process, such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and retinoid acid-related orphan receptor γt. This disruption is associated with an inhibition of inflammatory interleukin 17 secretion.

CONCLUSION

The data highlights the major involvement of Th17 immune cells in the biological effects of an RWE.

Identification and Quantification of Stilbenes (Piceatannol and Resveratrol) in Passiflora edulis By-Products

Recently, studies on the by-products from the food industry, such as passion fruit seeds, have significantly increased, as these can have an added value, due to their properties, such as potential antioxidant activity. This study was conducted to determine the presence of piceatannol and resveratrol in various extracts of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds from Madeira Island and a commercial passion fruit oil was used as reference. The commercial oil and the extracts that were obtained by traditional Soxhlet method with ethanol and acetone did not reveal the presence of the two stilbenes, piceatannol and resveratrol. However, the extracts that were obtained by the ultrasound method showed significant amounts of piceatannol and resveratrol when compared with the commercial oil. The presence of these compounds indicates that this oil could have potential application in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, due to their proven antioxidant and anti-aging properties.

Xanthohumol, a Prenylated Flavonoid from Hops, Induces DNA Damages in Colorectal Cancer Cells and Sensitizes SW480 Cells to the SN38 Chemotherapeutic Agent

In spite of chemotherapy and systematic screening for people at risk, the mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains consistently high, with 600,000 deaths per year. This low success rate in the treatment of CRC results from many failures associated with high resistance and the risk of metastasis. Therefore, in response to these therapeutic failures, new strategies have been under development for several years aimed at increasing the effect of anticancer compounds and/or at reducing their secondary effects on normal cells, thus enabling the host to better withstand chemotherapy. This study highlights that xanthohumol (Xn) concentrations under the IC50 values were able to induce apoptosis and to enhance the DNA-damage response (DDR). We demonstrate for the first time that Xn exerts its anticancer activity in models of colon cancer through activation of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) pathway. Subsequently, the ability of Xn to restore DNA damage in CRC cells can sensitize them to anticancer agents such as SN38 (7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin) used in chemotherapy.

Sanggenol L Induces Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest via Activation of p53 and Suppression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling in Human Prostate Cancer Cells

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Western countries. Recently, Asian countries are being affected by Western habits, which have had an important role in the rapid increase in cancer incidence. Sanggenol L (San L) is a natural flavonoid present in the root barks of Morus alba, which induces anti-cancer activities in ovarian cancer cells. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the effects of sanggenol L on human prostate cancer cells have not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether sanggenol L exerts anti-cancer activity in human prostate cancer cells via apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Sanggenol L induced caspase-dependent apoptosis (up-regulation of PARP and Bax or down-regulation of procaspase-3, -8, -9, Bid, and Bcl-2), induction of caspase-independent apoptosis (up-regulation of AIF and Endo G on cytosol), suppression of cell cycle (down-regulation of CDK1/2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin A, and cyclin B1 or up-regulation of p53 and p21), and inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling (down-regulation of PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR) in prostate cancer cells. These results suggest the induction of apoptosis via suppression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and cell cycle arrest via activation of p53 in response to sanggenol L in prostate cancer cells.

The Plant-Derived Compound Resveratrol in Brain Cancer: A Review

Despite intensive research, malignant brain tumors are among the most difficult to treat due to high resistance to conventional therapeutic approaches. High-grade malignant gliomas, including glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytoma, are among the most devastating and rapidly growing cancers. Despite the ability of standard treatment agents to achieve therapeutic concentrations in the brain, malignant gliomas are often resistant to alkylating agents. Resveratrol is a plant polyphenol occurring in nuts, berries, grapes, and red wine. Resveratrol crosses the blood‒brain barrier and may influence the central nervous system. Moreover, it influences the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase and, more importantly, the resistance to standard treatment via various mechanisms, such as O6-methylguanine methyltransferase. This review summarizes the anticancer effects of resveratrol in various types of brain cancer. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have presented promising results; however, further clinical research is necessary to prove the therapeutic efficacy of resveratrol in brain cancer treatment.

The Potential Use of Resveratrol for Cancer Prevention

In addition to the traditional treatments of cancer and cancer prevention, the use of natural compounds, especially those found in food, should be considered. To clarify if resveratrol has the potential for cancer prevention and the possibility of use in therapy, the following must be taken into account: data from epidemiology, clinical protocol (case and control), preclinical studies (lab animals), use of established cell lines as models of cancer cells, test tube assays (enzymes activities), and requirements of nanotechnologies in order to discover new drugs to fight cancer. From this perspective and future expected advances, more information is needed such as improved efficacy, methods of application, and the synergistic sensitization of resveratrol as an adjuvant. In addition, resveratrol nanoformulation is considered to overcome its weak bioavailability.