Wnt/β‑catenin signaling modulates piperine‑mediated antitumor effects on human osteosarcoma cells

Piper retrofractum extract and its component piperine promote lymphangiogenesis via an AKT- and ERK-dependent mechanism

Administration of Piper retrofractum extract (PRE) has been reported to alleviate edema, but the mechanism underlying this effect is unknown. Promotion of lymphangiogenesis is known to improve lymphedema, but the effect of PRE on lymphangiogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether PRE and specifically, piperine, the main component of PRE, can induce lymphangiogenesis. Treatments with PRE and piperine significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, and tube formation in human dermal lymphatic microvascular endothelial cells (HDLECs) but had no effect on the expression of lymphangiogenic factors. Furthermore, PRE and piperine significantly promoted the phosphorylation of the AKT and ERK proteins in HDLECs, and pretreatment with AKT and ERK inhibitors significantly attenuated the PRE- and piperine-induced lymphangiogenesis. These results indicate that PRE and piperine promote lymphangiogenesis via an AKT- and ERK-dependent mechanism. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The lymphatic system plays various roles such as maintaining tissue fluid homeostasis, immune defense, and metabolism. Disruption of the lymphatic system results in insufficient fluid drainage, which causes edema. Currently, there are no effective treatments for lymphedema; therefore, the development of novel treatment strategies is desirable. In this study, we showed that PRE and its main component piperine promote lymphangiogenesis in lymphatic endothelial cells. Therefore, PRE has the potential to be used as a novel functional food for relieving lymphedema.

In Vitro Inhibition of Piper nigrum and Piperine on Growth, Migration, and Invasion of PANC-1 Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Several dietary and medicinal herbs have been shown to be effective in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Although Piper nigrum has been shown to have anti-cancer activities against various cancer cells, its anti-pancreatic cancer properties have not been reported. In the present study, P. nigrum extract (PNE) inhibited proliferation of PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells. Flow cytometry showed G0/G1 arrest caused by PNE in PANC-1 cells. In addition, Western blot analysis showed that PNE suppressed the protein levels of cell cycle regulators such as cyclin B1, cyclin D1, survivin, and Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1). These findings suggested that the inhibitory activity of PNE against the growth of PANC-1 cells was correlated with cell cycle arrest and repression of cell cycle regulators. Wound healing and trans-well assays showed that PNE suppressed migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells. Piperine, a major alkaloid of Piper nigrum, was identified as the main component of PNE by HPLC analysis. Piperine also attenuated the cell growth, migration, and invasion of PANC-1 cells, suggesting its contribution to the anti-pancreatic cancer effects of PNE. These results demonstrate that PNE and its major constituent, piperine, have anti-pancreatic cancer properties such as growth-inhibition, anti-migration, and anti-invasion of cancer cells.

Identification of KIF4A as a pan-cancer diagnostic and prognostic biomarker via bioinformatics analysis and validation in osteosarcoma cell lines

Background

Cancer is a disease of abnormal cell proliferation caused by abnormal expression of cancer-related genes. However, it is still difficult to distinguish benign and malignant lesions in many cases. KIF4A has been reported to be associated with a variety of cancer lesions. We aimed to explore whether KIF4A could be used as a biomarker of pan-cancer diagnostic.

Methods

We identified twenty-eight cell cycle-related genes that were overexpressed in no less than ten types of cancer. We determined KIF4A mRNA and protein expression in osteosarcoma (OS) cells. Furthermore, to determine the effect of KIF4A in OS, we silenced KIF4A in OS cells and detected cell viability, colony formation, invasion, migration, apoptosis and cell cycle parameters.

Results

KIF4A exhibited upregulated expression in eleven types of cancer. Cell cycle-related genes are extensively overexpressed in various types of cancers. KIF4A overexpression can serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in various cancers. Silencing KIF4A inhibited the viability, colony formation, invasion and migration and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of OS cells. Our findings revealed that high expression of KIF4A could serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in OS cancers.

Conclusion

KIF4A could serve as a pan-cancer diagnostic and prognostic marker. KIF4A could be used as a novel therapeutic target for OS.

Overview of the Anticancer Potential of the "King of Spices" Piper nigrum and Its Main Constituent Piperine

The main limits of current anticancer therapy are relapses, chemoresistance, and toxic effects resulting from its poor selectivity towards cancer cells that severely impair a patient's quality of life. Therefore, the discovery of new anticancer drugs remains an urgent challenge. Natural products represent an excellent opportunity due to their ability to target heterogenous populations of cancer cells and regulate several key pathways involved in cancer development, and their favorable toxicological profile. Piper nigrum is one of the most popular spices in the world, with growing fame as a source of bioactive molecules with pharmacological properties. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the anticancer potential of Piper nigrum and its major active constituents-not limited to the well-known piperine-whose undeniable anticancer properties have been reported for different cancer cell lines and animal models. Moreover, the chemosensitizing effects of Piper nigrum in association with traditional anticancer drugs are depicted and its toxicological profile is outlined. Despite the promising results, human studies are missing, which are crucial for supporting the efficacy and safety of Piper nigrum and its single components in cancer patients.