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Hu M, Yuan L, Zhu J. The Dual Role of NRF2 in Colorectal Cancer: Targeting NRF2 as a Potential Therapeutic Approach. J Inflamm Res 2024; 17:5985-6004. [PMID: 39247839 PMCID: PMC11380863 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s479794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC), as the third most common bisexual cancer worldwide, requires urgent research on its underlying mechanisms and intervention methods. NRF2 is an important transcription factor involved in the regulation of redox homeostasis, protein degradation, DNA repair, and other cancer processes, playing an important role in cancer. In recent years, the complex role of NRF2 in CRC has been continuously revealed: on the one hand, it exhibits a chemopreventive effect on cancer by protecting normal cells from oxidative stress, and on the other hand, it also exhibits a protective effect on malignant cells. Therefore, this article explores the dual role of NRF2 and its related signaling pathways in CRC, including their chemical protective properties and promoting effects in the occurrence, development, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance of CRC. In addition, this article focuses on exploring the regulation of NRF2 in CRC ferroptosis, as well as NRF2 drug modulators (activators and inhibitors) targeting CRC, including natural products, compounds, and traditional Chinese medicine formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyun Hu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingling Yuan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Oncology Department II, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
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Sun Y, Li Q, Huang Y, Yang Z, Li G, Sun X, Gu X, Qiao Y, Wu Q, Xie T, Sui X. Natural products for enhancing the sensitivity or decreasing the adverse effects of anticancer drugs through regulating the redox balance. Chin Med 2024; 19:110. [PMID: 39164783 PMCID: PMC11334420 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-024-00982-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Redox imbalance is reported to play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, cancer development, and drug resistance. Severe oxidative damage is a general consequence of cancer cell responses to treatment and may cause cancer cell death or severe adverse effects. To maintain their longevity, cancer cells can rescue redox balance and enter a state of resistance to anticancer drugs. Therefore, targeting redox signalling pathways has emerged as an attractive and prospective strategy for enhancing the efficacy of anticancer drugs and decreasing their adverse effects. Over the past few decades, natural products (NPs) have become an invaluable source for developing new anticancer drugs due to their high efficacy and low toxicity. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that many NPs exhibit remarkable antitumour effects, whether used alone or as adjuvants, and are emerging as effective approaches to enhance sensitivity and decrease the adverse effects of conventional cancer therapies by regulating redox balance. Among them are several novel anticancer drugs based on NPs that have entered clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the synergistic anticancer effects and related redox mechanisms of the combination of NPs with conventional anticancer drugs. We believe that NPs targeting redox regulation will represent promising novel candidates and provide prospects for cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, 999078, China
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qinyi Li
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yufei Huang
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zijing Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guohua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, 999078, China
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sun
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoqing Gu
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunhao Qiao
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qibiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, 999078, China.
| | - Tian Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, 999078, China.
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xinbing Sui
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, 999078, China.
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China.
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Sheikhnia F, Fazilat A, Rashidi V, Azizzadeh B, Mohammadi M, Maghsoudi H, Majidinia M. Exploring the therapeutic potential of quercetin in cancer treatment: Targeting long non-coding RNAs. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 260:155374. [PMID: 38889494 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The escalating global incidence of cancer, which results in millions of fatalities annually, underscores the pressing need for effective pharmacological interventions across diverse cancer types. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of RNA molecules that lack protein-coding capacity but profoundly impact gene expression regulation, have emerged as pivotal players in key cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, cellular metabolism, and drug resistance. Among natural compounds, quercetin, a phenolic compound abundantly present in fruits and vegetables has garnered attention due to its significant anticancer properties. Quercetin demonstrates the ability to inhibit cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis-a process often impaired in malignant cells. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the therapeutic potential of quercetin in cancer treatment, with a specific focus on its intricate interactions with lncRNAs. We explore how quercetin modulates lncRNA expression and function to exert its anticancer effects. Notably, quercetin suppresses oncogenic lncRNAs that drive cancer development and progression while enhancing tumor-suppressive lncRNAs that impede cancer growth and dissemination. Additionally, we discuss quercetin's role as a chemopreventive agent, which plays a crucial role in mitigating cancer risk. We address research challenges and future directions, emphasizing the necessity for in-depth mechanistic studies and strategies to enhance quercetin's bioavailability and target specificity. By synthesizing existing knowledge, this review underscores quercetin's promising potential as a novel therapeutic strategy in the ongoing battle against cancer, offering fresh insights and avenues for further investigation in this critical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhad Sheikhnia
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Ahmad Fazilat
- Motamed Cancer Institute, Breast Cancer Research Center, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Rashidi
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Bita Azizzadeh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Mahya Mohammadi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Maghsoudi
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Maryam Majidinia
- Solid Tumor Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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Hon KW, Naidu R. Synergistic Mechanisms of Selected Polyphenols in Overcoming Chemoresistance and Enhancing Chemosensitivity in Colorectal Cancer. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:815. [PMID: 39061884 PMCID: PMC11273411 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13070815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Despite significant advances in medical treatment, chemotherapy as monotherapy can lead to substantial side effects and chemoresistance. This underscores the need for therapeutic approaches that are not only pharmacologically safe but also modulate multiple potent signaling pathways and sensitize cancer cells to overcome resistance to standard drugs. In recent years, scientists have been searching for natural compounds that can be used as chemosensitizers in addition to conventional medications for the synergistic treatment of CRC. Polyphenols represent a diverse group of natural compounds that can target multiple signaling pathways in cancer cells to induce anti-cancer effects. Additionally, polyphenols have been shown to work synergistically with chemotherapeutics and other natural compounds in cancer cells. This review aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the synergistic mechanisms of selected polyphenols as chemosensitizers in CRC cells. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to fully harness the synergistic mechanisms of selected polyphenols combined with chemotherapy or natural compounds in improving cancer treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rakesh Naidu
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia;
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Luo Y, Zhang G, Hu C, Huang L, Wang D, Chen Z, Wang Y. The Role of Natural Products from Herbal Medicine in TLR4 Signaling for Colorectal Cancer Treatment. Molecules 2024; 29:2727. [PMID: 38930793 PMCID: PMC11206024 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway constitutes an intricate network of protein interactions primarily involved in inflammation and cancer. This pathway triggers intracellular signaling cascades, modulating transcription factors that regulate gene expression related to immunity and malignancy. Previous studies showed that colon cancer patients with low TLR4 expression exhibit extended survival times and the TLR4 signaling pathway holds a significant role in CRC pathogenesis. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have garnered substantial attention as an alternative therapeutic modality for CRC, primarily due to their multifaceted composition and ability to target multiple pathways. Emerging evidence indicates that specific TCM products, such as andrographolide, rosmarinic acid, baicalin, etc., have the potential to impede CRC development through the TLR4 signaling pathway. Here, we review the role and biochemical processes of the TLR4 signaling pathway in CRC, and natural products from TCMs affecting the TLR4 pathway. This review sheds light on potential treatment strategies utilizing natural TLR4 inhibitors for CRC, which contributes to the advancement of research and accelerates their clinical integration into CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Luo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.L.); (G.Z.); (L.H.); (D.W.)
| | - Guochen Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.L.); (G.Z.); (L.H.); (D.W.)
| | - Chao Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China;
| | - Lijun Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.L.); (G.Z.); (L.H.); (D.W.)
| | - Dong Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.L.); (G.Z.); (L.H.); (D.W.)
| | - Zhejie Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yumei Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.L.); (G.Z.); (L.H.); (D.W.)
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Sharma V, Arora A, Bansal S, Semwal A, Sharma M, Aggarwal A. Role of bio-flavonols and their derivatives in improving mitochondrial dysfunctions associated with pancreatic tumorigenesis. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e3920. [PMID: 38269510 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondria, a cellular metabolic center, efficiently fulfill cellular energy needs and regulate crucial metabolic processes, including cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and generation of reactive oxygen species. Alteration in the mitochondrial functions leads to metabolic imbalances and altered extracellular matrix dynamics in the host, utilized by solid tumors like pancreatic cancer (PC) to get energy benefits for fast-growing cancer cells. PC is highly heterogeneous and remains unidentified for a longer time because of its complex pathophysiology, retroperitoneal position, and lack of efficient diagnostic approaches, which is the foremost reason for accounting for the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. PC cells often respond poorly to current therapeutics because of dense stromal barriers in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, which limit the drug delivery and distribution of antitumor immune cell populations. As an alternative approach, various natural compounds like flavonoids are reported to possess potent antioxidant and anticancerous properties and are less toxic than current chemotherapeutic drugs. Therefore, we aim to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the pharmacological properties of flavonols in PC in this review from the perspective of mitigating mitochondrial dysfunctions associated with cancer cells. Our literature survey indicates that flavonols efficiently regulate cellular metabolism by scavenging reactive oxygen species, mitigating inflammation, and arresting the cell cycle to promote apoptosis in tumor cells via intrinsic mitochondrial pathways. In particular, flavonols proficiently inhibit the cancer-associated proliferation and inflammatory pathways such as EGFR/MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and nuclear factor κB in PC. Overall, this review provides in-depth evidence about the therapeutic potential of flavonols for future anticancer strategies against PC; still, more multidisciplinary human interventional studies are required to dissect their pharmacological effect accurately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinit Sharma
- Department of Anatomy, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Ankita Arora
- Department of Anatomy, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Sakshi Bansal
- Department of Anatomy, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Ankita Semwal
- Department of Anatomy, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Mayank Sharma
- Department of Anatomy, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Anjali Aggarwal
- Department of Anatomy, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
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