Active chinese mistletoe lectin-55 enhances colon cancer surveillance through regulating innate and adaptive immune responses

Component Composition and Features of Biological Activity of Viscum album (Viscaceae)

The review summarizes the data on the chemical composition and some features of biological activity of the European mistletoe Viscum album L. (Viscaceae Batsch). Among secondary metabolites, viscotoxins, lectins, carbohydrates, amino acids, flavonoids, triterpene acids, and nitrogenous compounds predominate in V. album. Mistletoe extracts and their indivdiual components exert various biological activities, including antitumor, immunomodulatory, and antidiabetic activities, and improve cognitive functions.

Immunostimulant plant proteins: Potential candidates as vaccine adjuvants

The COVID-19 pandemic is shaking up global scientific structures toward addressing antibiotic resistance threats and indicates an urgent need to develop more cost-effective vaccines. Vaccine adjuvants play a crucial role in boosting immunogenicity and improving vaccine efficacy. The toxicity and adversity of most adjuvant formulations are the major human immunization problems, especially in routine pediatric and immunocompromised patients. The present review focused on preclinical studies of immunoadjuvant plant proteins in use with antiparasitic, antifungal, and antiviral vaccines. Moreover, this report outlines the current perspective of immunostimulant plant protein candidates that can be used by researchers in developing new generations of vaccine-adjuvants. Future clinical studies are required to substantiate the plant proteins' safety and applicability as a vaccine adjuvant in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The potential of plant extracts in cell therapy

Cell therapy is the frontier technology of biotechnology innovation and the most promising method for the treatment of refractory diseases such as tumours. However, cell therapy has disadvantages, such as toxicity and poor therapeutic effects. Plant extracts are natural, widely available, and contain active small molecule ingredients that are widely used in the treatment of various diseases. By studying the effect of plant extracts on cell therapy, active plant extracts that have positive significance in cell therapy can be discovered, and certain contributions to solving the current problems of attenuation and adjuvant therapy in cell therapy can be made. Therefore, this article reviews the currently reported effects of plant extracts in stem cell therapy and immune cell therapy, especially the effects of plant extracts on the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and nerve stem cells and the potential role of plant extracts in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy (CAR-T) and T-cell receptor modified T-cell immunotherapy (TCR-T), in the hope of encouraging further research and clinical application of plant extracts in cell therapy.

Leukocyte modulation by natural products from herbal medicines and potential as cancer immunotherapy

Cancer constitutes a kind of life-threatening disease that is prevalent throughout the world. In light of limitations in conventional chemotherapies or radiotherapies, cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a potent strategy in treating cancer. In cancer immunotherapy, preliminary studies have demonstrated that cancer immune surveillance serves a crucial role in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Herbal medicines and natural products, which serve as alternative medicines, are involved in the modulation of tumor immunosurveillance to enhance antitumor activity. Accordingly, this review aimed to summarize the modulation function of herbal medicines and natural products on tumor immunosurveillance while providing scientific insight into further research on its molecular mechanism and potential clinical applications.

Immunomodulation of Chinese Herbal Medicines on NK cell populations for cancer therapy: A systematic review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Immunomodulation has become a crucial modality for cancer treatment. Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) are expected as adjuvant therapy for immunomodulation against cancer, but face the key challenge of poor scientific evidence. Changes of natural killer (NK) cells on numbers and/or cytotoxicity are a novel respect to evaluate the immunomodulation of CHMs.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this review is to investigate the immunomodulation of Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) on NK cell populations for cancer therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review was conducted and outside mainstream electronic databases were screened for potential reference articles. This review tried to report and critically analyzed all the correlative studies, especially these clinical trials (3 CHM extracts and 11 CHM formulas).

RESULTS

Evidence-based functions of CHMs against cancer could be summarized as: (1) enhancement of NK cells activity or relative percentage; (2) prevention of tumor growth and metastasis; (3) relief on side-effects or complications of therapeutic strategies (i.e. chemotherapy, radiotherapy and resection). Briefly, most of cellular studies and two thirds animal studies were based on the extract or components of single herbs, whilst most of clinical trials were keen on formula or prescription of CHMs. The main components of CHMs were demonstrated active on promoting the cytotoxicity of NK cells, including Angelica sinensis, Ganoderma lucidum, Panax ginseng, Radix Astragali, Lentinus edodes, etc. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive review demonstrated NK cells activity was positively associated with quality of life but not survival benefit of cancer patients. Thus exploring the roles of NK cells in adjuvant therapy against cancer is confirmed to be beneficial to explore the underlying relationship between immunomodulation and quality of life.

Chinese Herbal Medicine and Its Regulatory Effects on Tumor Related T Cells

Traditional Chinese medicine is an accepted and integral part of clinical cancer management alongside Western medicine in China. However, historically TCM physicians were unaware of the chemical constituents of their formulations, and the specific biological targets in the body. Through HPLC, flow cytometry, and other processes, researchers now have a much clearer picture of how herbal medicine works in conjunction with the immune system in cancer therapy. Among them, the regulation of tumor-related T cells plays the most important role in modulating tumor immunity by traditional Chinese medicine. Encouraging results have been well-documented, including an increase in T cell production along with their associated cytokines, enhanced regulation of Tregs and important T cell ratios, the formation and function of Tregs in tumor microenvironments, and the promotion of the number and function of normal T Cells to reduce conventional cancer therapy side effects. Chinese herbal medicine represents a rich field of research from which to draw further inspiration for future studies. While promising agents have already been identified, the vast majority of Chinese herbal mechanisms remain undiscovered. In this review, we summarize the effects and mechanisms of specific Chinese herbs and herbal decoctions on tumor related T cells.

Chinese Medicine Protein and Peptide in Gene and Cell Therapy

The success of gene and cell therapy in clinic during the past two decades as well as our expanding ability to manipulate these biomaterials are leading to new therapeutic options for a wide range of inherited and acquired diseases. Combining conventional therapies with this emerging field is a promising strategy to treat those previously-thought untreatable diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has evolved for thousands of years in China and still plays an important role in human health. As part of the active ingredients of TCM, proteins and peptides have attracted long-term enthusiasm of researchers. More recently, they have been utilized in gene and cell therapy, resulting in promising novel strategies to treat both cancer and non-cancer diseases. This manuscript presents a critical review on this field, accompanied with perspectives on the challenges and new directions for future research in this emerging frontier.

Comparative Evaluation of Soluble and Insoluble-Bound Phenolics and Antioxidant Activity of Two Chinese Mistletoes

Mistletoes are used medicinally in order to treat various human illnesses. Few studies have reported on the phenolic content and antioxidant properties of Chinese mistletoes (CMs). In this work, the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities of soluble and insoluble-bound phenolic extracts from CMs hosted by Camellia assamica (Mast.) Chang (CMC) and Pyrus, i, f. (CMP) were compared. Phenolic compounds in CMC and CMP were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results indicated that the TPC of soluble phenolic extracts was higher than insoluble-bound phenolic counterparts in both CMC and CMP. In addition, the TPC of soluble, insoluble-bound and total phenolic fractions (9.91 ± 0.23, 4.59 ± 0.27 and 14.50 ± 0.35 μmol ferulic acid equivalents per gram (FAE/g) dry sample) extracted from CMP were higher than those extracted from CMC. The soluble phenolic extracts in CMP showed higher antioxidant activities than those in CMC. Eighteen phenolic compounds from soluble and insoluble-bound phenolic extracts from the CMs were identified and quantified by HPLC. This study indicates that CMC and CMP, especially the latter, could be sources of antioxidants in human health care.

Plant Lectins as Medical Tools against Digestive System Cancers

Digestive system cancers-those of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon-rectum, liver, and pancreas-are highly related to genetics and lifestyle. Most are considered highly mortal due to the frequency of late diagnosis, usually in advanced stages, caused by the absence of symptoms or masked by other pathologies. Different tools are being investigated in the search of a more precise diagnosis and treatment. Plant lectins have been studied because of their ability to recognize and bind to carbohydrates, exerting a variety of biological activities on animal cells, including anticancer activities. The present report integrates existing information on the activity of plant lectins on various types of digestive system cancers, and surveys the current state of research into their properties for diagnosis and selective treatment.

Partially Purified Gloriosa superba Peptides Inhibit Colon Cancer Cell Viability by Inducing Apoptosis Through p53 Upregulation

BACKGROUND

Colon cancer is a major health problem worldwide. Available treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and anticancer drugs are limited due to stage of cancer, side effects and altered biodistribution. The use of peptides extracted from natural products has appeared as a potential therapy. Gloriosa superba is known to contain colchicine and other alkaloids with anticancer activity. However, these peptides contained within the extracts have not been studied. This study, therefore, focuses on an investigation of anti-colon cancer activity from a partially purified protein hydrolysate of G superba rhizome.

METHODS

Dried G superba rhizome was extracted using 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate and digested with pepsin. The protein hydrolysates with molecular weight lesser than 3kDa were collected and subjected for cell viability assay. Then, the partial purification of the protein hydrolysate was performed using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Fractions containing anticancer peptides were investigated, and their effects on apoptosis and protein expression using apoptosis test and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTS

Partially purified peptides of G superba rhizome demonstrated anticolon activity in SW620 cells by inducing apoptosis through upregulation of p53 and downregulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB).

CONCLUSIONS

Consequently, G superba peptides showed high potential for further purification and development of anticolon therapeutics.

Potential role of bioactive peptides in prevention and treatment of chronic diseases: a narrative review

In the past few years, increasing interest has been directed to bioactive peptides of animal and plant origin: in particular, researchers have focused their attention on their mechanisms of action and potential role in the prevention and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular and infective diseases. We have developed a search strategy to identify these studies in PubMed (January 1980 to May 2016); particularly those papers presenting comprehensive reviews or meta-analyses, plus in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials on those bioactive peptides that affect cardiovascular diseases, immunity or cancer, or have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. In this review we have mostly focused on evidence-based healthy properties of bioactive peptides from different sources. Bioactive peptides derived from fish, milk, meat and plants have demonstrated significant antihypertensive and lipid-lowering activity in clinical trials. Many bioactive peptides show selective cytotoxic activity against a wide range of cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo, whereas others have immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects. Furthermore, some peptides exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, which could aid in the prevention of chronic diseases. However, clinical evidence is at an early stage, and there is a need for solid pharmacokinetic data and for standardized extraction procedures. Further studies on animals and randomized clinical trials are required to confirm these effects, and enable these peptides to be used as preventive or therapeutic treatments.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed section on Principles of Pharmacological Research of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.11/issuetoc.

Efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in treating cancer

The morbidity associated with cancer has rapidly increased in recent years, and in the previous 5 years has had a tendency to be the leading cause of fatality compared with cardiovascular disease. Therefore, effective measures are required with an aim to reduce the incidence. Based on the results of clinical investigation, a multidisciplinary treatment strategy for cancer, which includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, are prominently used in clinical practice. However, the therapies are insufficient due to multidrug resistance, adverse effects and the presence of the root of the cancer. Therefore, there is a necessity to develop more effective or adjunctive therapies for cancer prevention and treatment. Cancer is now widely recognized as a systemic humoral disease. Similarly, the function of herbal drugs is to modulate the whole body system in a more holistic way. Recently, herbal drugs have been applied to one of the efficient approaches for cancer therapy. Furthermore, there is evidence that various herbal medicines have been proven to be useful and effective in sensitizing the conventional agents against the various factors at the cellular and molecular levels that are associated with the occurrence of cancer and in prolonging survival time, alleviating side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and improving the quality of life in cancer patients.

Mistletoe alkaloid fractions alleviates carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis through inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation via TGF-β/Smad interference

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mistletoe (Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai) has long been categorized as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia. In addition to its application in cancer therapy, mistletoe has also been used in the treatment of chronic hepatic disorders in China. In the present study, we investigated the antifibrotic effect and mechanisms of action of mistletoe extracts in a rat model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An experimental model of hepatic fibrosis was established by intraperitoneal injection of rats with CCl4 for 8 weeks. Rats were subsequently treated with a mistletoe alkaloid fraction preparation via oral administration (120mg/kg daily for 8 weeks) or with distilled water as a control. Histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson׳s trichrome staining. The expression of markers relevant to hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation in the liver was assessed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The anti-fibrosis activity and mechanisms of action of mistletoe alkaloid fractions were further investigated in the HSC-T6 HSC line, following treatment with mistletoe alkaloid fractions (12mg/ml) for 48h.

RESULTS

Hepatic fibrosis decreased markedly in CCl4-treated animals following treatment with mistletoe alkaloid fractions, compared to controls. The mRNA levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), procollagen I and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) were significantly downregulated, by about 40%, 40% and 45%, respectively, in liver tissues from rats treated with mistletoe alkaloid fractions. Furthermore, significant downregulation of TGF-β1, TGF-β1 receptor, phosphorylated Smad 2 and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) proteins, by about 45%, 30% and 40%, respectively, was also observed in liver tissues from mistletoe alkaloid fractions-treated rats. In contrast, Smad 7 levels were significantly increased by about 30% in mistletoe alkaloid fractions-treated rats. Treatment of HSC-T6 cells with mistletoe alkaloid fractions significantly induced Smad 7 expression and inhibited the expression of α-SMA, TGFβ1, TGF-β1 receptor, Smad 2 and TIMP-1, in vitro.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that mistletoe alkaloid fractions decrease extracellular matrix accumulation by inhibiting HSC activation. Mechanistically, this may occur via inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad 2 and Smad 7 signal transduction, thereby blocking the synthesis of procollagen I and TIMP-1. These findings suggest that mistletoe alkaloid fractions may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

Bioactive proteins and peptides isolated from Chinese medicines with pharmaceutical potential

Some protein pharmaceuticals from Chinese medicine have been developed to treat cardiovascular diseases, genetic diseases, and cancer. Bioactive proteins with various pharmacological properties have been successfully isolated from animals such as Hirudo medicinalis (medicinal leech), Eisenia fetida (earthworm), and Mesobuthus martensii (Chinese scorpion), and from herbal medicines derived from species such as Cordyceps militaris, Ganoderma, Momordica cochinchinensis, Viscum album, Poria cocos, Senna obtusifolia, Panax notoginseng, Smilax glabra, Ginkgo biloba, Dioscorea batatas, and Trichosanthes kirilowii. This article reviews the isolation methods, molecular characteristics, bioactivities, pharmacological properties, and potential uses of bioactive proteins originating from these Chinese medicines.

Emerging roles of mistletoes in malignancy management

Mistletoes are a group of obligate plant semi-parasites in the order Santalales. These clumps of plants growing on a wide range of host plants have been traditionally regarded as medicinal repositories. However, current scientific discoveries have validated their health potentials like never before. Their extracts containing alkaloids, viscotoxins, lectins, and polysaccharides have been evidenced to possess a myriad biological potentials including cancer inhibition. Mistletoes have emerged as promising alternative therapy against colon, oral, lung, and pancreas cancers. The plant extracts bolster immunity, delay tumour initiation and progression, kill malignant tumours, stabilize DNA, alleviate side effects of chemotherapeutics, improve the lifespan, and coping ability of cancer patients and survivors. A range of proprietary formulations viz. Iscador, Eurixor, Helixor, Lektinol, Isorel, Iscucin, Abnoba-viscum and recombinant lectin ML-1 are already being commercialized. This review presents an informative account on the recent developments in mistletoe-mediated cancer management. The underlying mechanisms, possibilities and limitations in cancer therapeutic development are outlined for kindling both researcher and public interest.

Mistletoe lectin has a shiga toxin-like structure and should be combined with other Toll-like receptor ligands in cancer therapy

Mistletoe extract (ME) is applied as an adjuvant treatment in cancer therapy in thousands of patients each year in Europe. The main immunostimulating component of mistletoe extract, mistletoe lectin, recently has been shown to be a pattern recognition receptor ligand and hence is binding to an important class of pathogen-sensing receptors. Pattern recognition receptor ligands are potent activators of dendritic cells. This activation is a prerequisite for a full-blown T-cell response against cancer cells. Pattern recognition receptor ligands are increasingly recognized as important players in cancer immunotherapy. We collect evidence from case studies on spontaneous regression, from epidemiology, from experiments in a mouse cancer model, and from protein structure comparisons to argue that a combination of mistletoe therapy with other pattern recognition receptor ligand substances leads to an increased immune stimulatory effect. We show that mistletoe lectin is a plant protein of bacterial origin with a 3D structure very similar to shiga toxin from Shigella dysenteriae, which explains the remarkable immunogenicity of mistletoe lectin. Secondly, we show that a combination of pattern recognition receptor ligands applied metronomically in a cancer mouse model leads to complete remission, while single pattern recognition receptor ligands slowed tumor growth. Taken together, we propose to combine mistletoe drugs with other pattern recognition receptor ligand drugs to increase its efficacy in adjuvant or even primary cancer therapy.

Effect of lupeol on the growth of human pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells and γδT cells

AIM: To explore the effect of lupeol on the grow-

th of human pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells and γδT cells.

METHODS: Peripheral blood γδT cells, expanded in vitro, were used in our study. After SW1990 and γδT cells were incubated with different concentrations of lupeol for different durations (24, 48 and 72 h), cell growth was determined by MTT assay. A blank control and a solvent control were run simultaneously.

RESULTS: The Lupeol at doses of 0.4-200 μg/mL, there are significant differences of growth human pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 cells between the groups of 24, 48, 72 h and blank control group, the solvent control group (P < 0.05), however, no difference had been observed in each groups of three separated times. Harvested 7 d, γδT cells had expanded to 80.2% from 3.61%. in the groups of 24, 48 and 72 h, the effects turned to be advantageous and then depressed as the dose was increasing. there are no differences between the groups of 24 h and blank control group, the solvent control group. there are significant differences between the groups of 48, 72 h and blank control group, the solvent control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Lupeol suppressed the growth of SW1990 cells, but produced a facilitative effect first and then inhibitory effect on the growth of γδT cells.

The role of nutraceutical proteins and peptides in apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis of cancer cells

The process of carcinogenesis is complex and not easy to eliminate. It includes the initial occurrence of genetic alterations which can lead to the inactivation of tumor-suppressor genes and further accumulation of genetic alterations during tumor progression. Looking for food and food components with biological properties, collectively called nutraceuticals, that can hinder such alterations and prevent the inactivation of tumor-suppressor genes is a very promising area for cancer prevention. Proteins and peptides are one group of nutraceuticals that show potential results in preventing the different stages of cancer including initiation, promotion, and progression. In this review, we summarized current knowledge on the use of nutraceutical proteins and peptides in cancer prevention and treatment. We focused on the role of plant protease inhibitors, lactoferrin and lactoferricin, shark cartilage, plant lectins, and lunasin in the apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis of cancer cells. Also included are studies on bioavailability and clinical trials conducted on these promising proteins and peptides.

Expression of calreticulin is associated with infiltration of T-cells in stage IIIB colon cancer

AIM: To investigate the correlation between expression of calreticulin and infiltration of lymphocytes in stage IIIB colon cancer.

METHODS: Sixty-eight pathologically-confirmed specimens were obtained from stage IIIB (T3N1M0) colon cancer patients who underwent radical resection between January 1999 and May 2002 at the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to show infiltration of lymphocytes and expression of calreticulin in colon cancer. Association between calreticulin expression, infiltration of lymphocytes, and 5-year survival rate of patients was assessed.

RESULTS: The expression level of calreticulin was lower in cancer nest than in its adjacent normal epithelium since 61.8% (42/68) of the samples were stained with calreticulin in colon cancer. The expression of calreticulin in colon cancer was associated with the infiltration of CD45RO+ cells rather than with that of CD3+ cells. In addition, the stronger expression of calreticulin and the higher infiltration of CD3+ and CD45RO+ cells in colon cancer were associated with the higher 5-year survival rate of patients.

CONCLUSION: Expression of calreticulin is associated with infiltration of T-cells, which implies that a low expression level of molecular marker may represent a new mechanism underlying immune escape in colon cancer.