Hesperetin induces the apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via mitochondrial pathway mediated by the increased intracellular reactive oxygen species, ATP and calcium

Genus Bauhinia (Fabaceae): A review from phytochemistry to pharmacology- Exploring traditional uses and toxicological insights across Asia

BACKGROUND

The genus Bauhinia and its species has been known since ages by tribal people and medicinal practitioners in tropical and subtropical regions for the treatment of diabetes, diarrhea, cough, fever, stomach disorders, skin diseases, and other diseases.

STUDY DESIGN

Our aim was to collect and explore the literature available on the traditional applications and medicinal potential of genus Bauhinia across Asia, so that this review can be used as standard to analyze the immense potential of this genus and can be explored further for clinical use.

METHODS

The information was rigorously gathered from Google Scholar, Pub Med, Elsevier, Wiley Online Search, Science Direct, and other literature sources.

RESULTS

As per the literature, this genus possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant, nephroprotective, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant activities both in vitro and in vivo, due to the presence of flavonoids, steroidal saponins, bauhinioxepins, chromanones, and phenolic compounds.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we have detailed for the first time the categorized information about traditional uses, geographical distribution, morphological features, phytochemistry, pharmacological, and toxicological effects, and patents associated with Bauhinia species. However, more research is needed to explore the mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics of the phytoconstituents, and clinical evaluation for their future use in treating various ailments.

Nanoconjugate Carrying pH-Responsive Transferrin Receptor-Targeted Hesperetin Triggers Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Death through Oxidative Attack and Assemblage of Pro-Apoptotic Proteins

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is recognized as a major aggressive subtype of breast cancer due to its expeditious worsening growth, extensive metastatic capability, and recalcitrance to standard current treatments. Hesperetin (HSP), a natural bioflavonoid from citrus fruits, demonstrates pronounced anticancer efficacy, but its hydrophobicity limits its clinical development. The present study reports the fabrication of a biocompatible and pH-responsive transferrin (TF) receptor-targeted HSP-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanobioconjugate (PLGA-HSP-TF NPs) and the exploration of its in vitro and in vivo antineoplastic potential. PLGA nanoparticles (NPs), PLGA-HSP NPs, and PLGA-HSP-TF NPs were synthesized and characterized by DLS, FTIR, FE-SEM, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The stability and in vitro release profile of nanoparticles were inspected, and anticancer efficacy was scrutinized in terms of in vitro cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and apoptosis biomarkers, and cell cycle arrest. In vivo tumor regression and host survival studies were executed in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell-bearing Swiss albino mice. The drug uptake of highly stable PLGA-HSP-TF NPs was accomplished effectively in MDA-MB-231 cells and showed the pH-dependent intracellular release of HSP, which generated excessive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) that led to oxidative assault to the TNBC cells. This elevated ROS dropped the mitochondrial membrane potential and triggered apoptosis-mediated cell death by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, PLGA-HSP-TF NPs unveiled significant in vivo Ehrlich ascites carcinoma regression and host survival compared to free HSP with minimum toxicity at a minimum dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. The study divulges that PLGA-HSP-TF NPs may be an astounding anticancer nanocandidate for aggressive triple-negative breast cancer therapy.

Plant natural compounds in the cancer treatment: A systematic bibliometric analysis

Plant-derived natural compounds are significant resources for the discovery of potential anticancer drugs. While research in the plant-based anticancer field has surged in recent years, systematic bibliometric analyses covering a longer period and containing up-to-date publications remain scarce. Here, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of literature on the anticancer properties of plant natural compounds over the past three decades, leveraging the bibliometric framework and open-access platform, KNIME. Our findings showed that the number of plant anticancer-related publications underwent an accelerating growth from 1992 to 2023. The country and institution analyses revealed that countries with traditional medical systems contributed a large portion of publications in the plant anticancer field, such as India, China, and South Korea. This study also highlighted the top ten eminent researchers and publications, assisting researchers in identifying pivotal literature. The primary publications were domains of chemistry and biology-related fields, such as Pharmacology & Pharmacy, Plant Sciences, and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Additionally, we noted that flavonoids have been focal plant compounds in anticancer, with strong anticancer potential. Our study provides new insights into the progress and trends in the plant anticancer field and will assist researchers in grasping the future research direction.

Flavonoids: Antioxidant Powerhouses and Their Role in Nanomedicine

This study emphasizes the critical role of antioxidants in protecting human health by counteracting the detrimental effects of oxidative stress induced by free radicals. Antioxidants-found in various forms such as vitamins, minerals, and the phytochemicals abundant in fruits and vegetables-neutralize free radicals by stabilizing them through electron donation. Specifically, flavonoid compounds are highlighted as robust defenders, addressing oxidative stress and inflammation to avert chronic illnesses like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. This research explores the bioactive potential of flavonoids, shedding light on their role not only in safeguarding health, but also in managing conditions such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. This review highlights the novel integration of South African-origin flavonoids with nanotechnology, presenting a cutting-edge strategy to improve drug delivery and therapeutic outcomes. This interdisciplinary approach, blending traditional wisdom with contemporary techniques, propels the exploration of flavonoid-mediated nanoparticles toward groundbreaking pharmaceutical applications, promising revolutionary advancements in healthcare. This collaborative synergy between traditional knowledge and modern science not only contributes to human health, but also underscores a significant step toward sustainable and impactful biomedical innovations, aligning with principles of environmental conservation.

Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy Against Melanoma through Exosomal Delivery of Hesperidin

Melanoma, characterized as the most aggressive and metastatic form of skin cancer, currently has limited treatment options, predominantly chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, the drawbacks associated with parenterally administered chemotherapy underscore the urgent need for alternative compounds to combat melanoma effectively. Hesperidin (HES), a flavonoid present in various citrus fruits, exhibits promising anticancer activity. Nevertheless, the clinical utility of HES is hindered by challenges such as poor water solubility, a short half-life, and low oral bioavailability. In response to these limitations, we introduced a novel approach by formulating HES-loaded exosomes (Exo-HES). Isolation of exosomes was achieved through the ultracentrifugation method, and HES was efficiently loaded using the sonication method. The resulting formulations displayed a desirable particle size (∼106 nm) and exhibited a spherical morphology, as confirmed by scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. In vitro studies conducted on B16F10 cell lines demonstrated higher cytotoxicity of Exo-HES compared to free HES, supported by enhanced cellular uptake validated through coumarin-6-loaded exosomes. This superior cytotoxicity was further evidenced by DNA fragmentation, increased generation of free radicals (ROS), loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and effective inhibition of colony formation. The antimetastatic properties of Exo-HES were confirmed through wound healing and transwell migration assays. Oral pharmacokinetics studies revealed a remarkable increase of approximately 2.5 times in oral bioavailability and half-life of HES when loaded into exosomes. Subsequent in vivo experiments utilizing a B16F10-induced melanoma model in Swiss mice established that Exo-HES exhibited superior anticancer activity compared to HES after oral administration. Importantly, no biochemical, hematological, or histological toxicities were observed in tumor-bearing mice treated with Exo-HES. These findings suggest that exosomes loaded with HES represent a promising nanocarrier strategy to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of hesperidin in melanoma treatment.

Mechanism of metal ion-induced cell death in gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is one of the most severe types of cancer, with a significant impact on human health worldwide. Due to the urgent demand for more effective therapeutic strategies against GI cancers, novel research on metal ions for treating GI cancers has attracted increasing attention. Currently, with accumulating research on the relationship between metal ions and cancer therapy, several metal ions have been discovered to induce cell death. In particular, the three novel modes of cell death, including ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and calcicoptosis, have become focal points of research in the field of cancer. Meanwhile, other metal ions have also been found to trigger cell death through various mechanisms. Accordingly, this review focuses on the mechanisms of metal ion-induced cell death in GI cancers, hoping to provide theoretical support for further GI cancer therapies.

A classical herbal formula alleviates high-fat diet induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) via targeting mitophagy to rehabilitate dysfunctional mitochondria, validated by UPLC-HRMS identification combined with in vivo experiment

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has caused a significant burden on public health care systems, the economy and society. However, there has still been no officially approved pharmacotherapy for NASH. It has been suggested that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play vital roles in NASH pathological progression. Shugan Xiaozhi (SG) formula, as a kind of classical herbal formula, was shown to attenuate NASH.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of SG formula treating NASH.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry combined with bioinformatics analysis was applied to explore the therapeutic targets and main components of SG formula. Moreover, in vivo NASH model was utilized to confirmed the therapeutic effects of SG formula. Molecular docking analysis and further validation experiments were conducted to verify the results of bioinformatics analysis.

RESULTS

The in vivo experiments confirmed SG formula significantly attenuated hepatic pathological progression and relieved oxidative stress in high-fat diet (HFD) induced - NASH model. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) combined with bioinformatics analysis expounded the components of SG formula and revealed the mitochondrial regulation mechanism of SG formula treating NASH. Further in vivo experiments validated that SG formula could alleviate oxidative stress by rehabilitating the structure and function of mitochondria, which was strongly related to regulating mitophagy.

CONCLUSION

In summary, this study demonstrated that SG formula, which could attenuate NASH by regulating mitochondria and might be a potential pharmacotherapy for NASH.

Various concentrations of hesperetin induce different types of programmed cell death in human breast cancerous and normal cell lines in a ROS-dependent manner

The polyphenolic component of citrus fruits, hesperetin (Hst), is a metabolite of hesperidin. In this study, we examined the effect of varying doses and exposure times of hesperetin on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, as well as MCF-10A normal cells. By using MTT assay, real-time PCR, western blot, and flow cytometry, we determined the effects of Hst on cell viability, ROS levels, and markers of cell death. Furthermore, molecular docking was used to identify Hst targets that might be involved in ROS-dependent cell death. According to the results, different concentrations of Hst induced different modes of cell death at specific ROS levels. Paraptosis occurred in all cell lines at concentration ranges of IC35 to IC60, and apoptosis occurred at concentrations greater than IC65. In addition, MDA-MB-231 cells were subjected to senescence at sub-toxic doses when treated for a long period of time. When Hst levels were higher, N-acetylcysteine (NAC)'s effect on neutralizing ROS was more pronounced. According to the docking results, Hst may interact with several proteins involved in the regulation of ROS. As an example, the interaction of CCS (Copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase) with Hst might interfere with its chaperone function in folding SOD-1 (superoxide dismutase enzyme), contributing to an increase in cytoplasmic ROS levels. Finally, depending on the ROS level, Hst induces various modes of cell death.

Phytobioactive compounds as therapeutic agents for human diseases: A review

Phytobioactive compounds are plant secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds abundantly present in medicinal plants and have remarkable therapeutic potential. Oxidative stress and antibiotic resistance are major causes of present-day ailments such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and inflammation. The data for this review were collected from Google Scholar, PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and Science Direct by using keywords: "Medicinal plants, Phytobioactive compounds, Polyphenols, Alkaloids, Carotenoids etc." Several studies have reported the pharmacological and therapeutic potential of the phytobioactives. Polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenes, and polysaccharides isolated from medicinal plants showed remarkable antioxidant, anticancer, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and antidiabetic activities. This literature review was planned to provide comprehensive insight into the biopharmacological and therapeutic potential of phytobioactive compounds. The techniques used for the extraction and isolation of phytobioactive compounds, and bioassays required for their biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities, have been discussed. Characterization techniques for the structural elucidation of phytobioactive compounds such as HPLC, TLC, FTIR, GC-MS/MS, and NMR have also been discussed. This review concludes that phytobioactive compounds may be used as potential alternative to synthetic compounds as therapeutic agents for the treatment of various diseases.

Critical Review in Designing Plant-Based Anticancer Nanoparticles against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for 85% of liver cancer cases, continues to be the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although various forms of chemotherapy and immunotherapy have been investigated in clinics, patients continue to suffer from high toxicity and undesirable side effects. Medicinal plants contain novel critical bioactives that can target multimodal oncogenic pathways; however, their clinical translation is often challenged due to poor aqueous solubility, low cellular uptake, and poor bioavailability. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery presents great opportunities in HCC therapy by increasing selectivity and transferring sufficient doses of bioactives to tumor areas with minimal damage to adjacent healthy cells. In fact, many phytochemicals encapsulated in FDA-approved nanocarriers have demonstrated the ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment. In this review, information about the mechanisms of promising plant bioactives against HCC is discussed and compared. Their benefits and risks as future nanotherapeutics are underscored. Nanocarriers that have been employed to encapsulate both pure bioactives and crude extracts for application in various HCC models are examined and compared. Finally, the current limitations in nanocarrier design, challenges related to the HCC microenvironment, and future opportunities are also discussed for the clinical translation of plant-based nanomedicines from bench to bedside.

Recent Progress in the Hesperetin Delivery Regimes: Significance of Pleiotropic Actions and Synergistic Anticancer Efficacy

BACKGROUND

In the plant kingdom, flavonoids are widely distributed with multifunctional immunomodulatory actions. Hesperetin (HST) remains one of the well-studied compounds in this domain, initially perceived in citrus plants as an aglycone derivative of hesperidin (HDN).

OBSERVATIONS

Natural origin, low in vivo toxicity, and pleiotropic functional essence are the foremost fascinations for HST use as an anticancer drug. However, low aqueous solubility accompanied with a prompt degradation by intestinal and hepatocellular enzymes impairs HST physiological absorption.

MOTIVATION

Remedies attempted herein comprise the synthesis of derivatives and nanocarrier (NC)-mediated delivery. As the derivative synthesis aggravates the structural complexity, NC-driven HST delivery has emerged as a sustainable approach for its sustained release. Recent interest in HST has been due to its significant anticancer potential, characterized via inhibited cell division (proliferation), new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), forceful occupation of neighboring cell's space (invasion), migration to erstwhile physiological locations (metastasis) and apoptotic induction. The sensitization of chemotherapeutic drugs (CDs) by HST is driven via stoichiometrically regulated synergistic actions. Purpose and Conclusion: This article sheds light on HST structure-function correlation and pleiotropic anticancer mechanisms, in unaided and NC-administered delivery in singular and with CDs synergy. The discussion could streamline the HST usefulness and long-term anticancer efficacy.

Hesperidin Inhibits the p53-MDMXInteraction-Induced Apoptosis of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Enhances the Antitumor Effect of Carboplatin

Objective

This study aimed to observe the effect of hesperidin on the apoptosis, proliferation, and invasion of non-small-cell lung cancer, as well as to explore the possible mechanism. The inhibitory effect of hesperidin combined with carboplatin on non-small-cell lung cancer was also investigated.

Methods

A549 and NCI-H460 cells were treated with different concentrations of hesperidin (10, 50, and 100 μM). The effect of siRNA knockdown on MDMX on the antitumor effect of hesperidin was observed. CCK-8 was used to detect cell activity. The apoptosis rate was determined by TUNEL. The transwell assay detects the ability of cell migration and invasion. The expression levels of the apoptosis-related proteins p53, MDM2, MDMX, p21, PUMA, Bcl-2, and Bax were detected by qRT-PCR. Cell-proliferation and transwell assays were used to detect the effects of the combined use of hesperidin and carboplatin on lung cancer cells.

Results

Hesperidin significantly inhibited the activity and invasion of A549 and NCI-H460 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Hesperidin also induced the apoptosis of A549 and NCI-H460 cells. Hesperidin further inhibited the interaction between p53 and MDMX, increased the expression of p53, and played an anticancer role. The combination of hesperidin and carboplatin showed the most obvious antitumor effect.

Conclusion

Hesperidin can inhibit lung cancer by inhibiting the interaction between p53 and MDMX. Moreover, the combination of hesperidin and carboplatin can inhibit the migration and invasion of lung cancer cell lines through p53 upregulation, thereby increasing the antitumor effect of carboplatin.

Hesperidin Suppresses the Proliferation of Prostate Cancer Cells by Inducing Oxidative Stress and Disrupting Ca2+ Homeostasis

Although androgen deprivation therapy is mainly used for its treatment, the mortality rate of prostate cancer remains high due to drug resistance. Hence, there is a need to discover new compounds that exhibit therapeutic effects against prostate cancer with minimum side effects. Hesperidin is a flavonoid carbohydrate isolated from citrus fruits. It has antiproliferative effects in various cancer types; however, whether it can modulate cell proliferation by modulating the key targets of cancer therapy, including intracellular signaling pathways and oxidative stress, remains unknown. Therefore, we confirmed that hesperidin suppressed the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, PC3 and DU145. Hesperidin induced cell death by regulating the cell cycle and inhibited the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a cell proliferation marker. Hesperidin also promoted the generation of reactive oxygen species and induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization and endoplasmic reticulum stress in prostate cancer cells. Moreover, as hesperidin increased Ca2+ levels in prostate cancer cells, we co-treated the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor inhibitor, 2-aminoethyl diphenyl borate (2-APB), with hesperidin. Notably, 2-APB restored cell proliferation, which was reduced to control levels by hesperidin. In addition, hesperidin inhibited the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Hesperidin also enhanced the anticancer effects of the chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin, in both PC3 and DU145 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that hesperidin can be used as a potential therapeutic adjuvant in prostate cancer as it can inhibit cell proliferation by mediating oxidative stress and increasing Ca2+ levels.

Identification of the critical genes and miRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma by integrated bioinformatics analysis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health problem with complex etiology and pathogenesis. Microarray data are increasingly being used as a novel and effective method for cancer pathogenesis analysis. An integrative analysis of genes and miRNA for HCC was conducted to unravel the potential prognosis of HCC. Two gene microarray datasets (GSE89377 and GSE101685) and two miRNA expression profiles (GSE112264 and GSE113740) were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus database. A total of 177 differently expressed genes (DEGs) and 80 differently expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were screened out. Functional enrichment of DEGs was proceeded by Clue GO and these genes were significantly enriched in the chemical carcinogenesis pathway. A protein-protein interaction network was then established on the STRING platform, and ten hub genes (CDC20, TOP2A, ASPM, NCAPG, AURKA, CYP2E1, HMMR, PRC1, TYMS, and CYP4A11) were visualized via Cytoscape software. Then, a miRNA-target network was established to identify the hub dysregulated miRNA. A key miRNA (hsa-miR-124-3p) was filtered. Finally, the miRNA-target-transcription factor network was constructed for hsa-miR-124-3p. The network for hsa-miR-124-3p included two transcription factors (TFs) and five targets. These identified DEGs and DEMs, TFs, targets, and regulatory networks may help advance our understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of HCC.

Chemotherapeutic potential of hesperetin for cancer treatment, with mechanistic insights: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

Cancer has become a significant concern in the medical sector with increasing disease complexity. Although some available conventional treatments are still a blessing for cancer patients, short-and long-term adverse effects and poor efficiency make it more difficult to treat cancer patients, demonstrating the need for new potent and selective anticancer drugs. In search of potent anticancer agents, naturally occurring compounds have always been admired due to their structural diversity, where Hesperetin (HSP) may be one of the potent candidates.

PURPOSE

We aimed to summarize all sources, pharmacological properties, anticancer activities of HSP against numerous cancers types through targeting multiple pathological processes, mechanism of HSP on sensitizing the current anti-cancer agents and other phytochemicals, overcoming resistance pattern and determining absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADME/Tox).

METHODS

Information was retrieved from PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar based on some key points like Hesperetin, cancer name, anticancer resistance, nanoformulation, and ADME/Tox was determined by in silico approaches.

RESULT

HSP is a phytoestrogen present in citrus fruits in a high concentration (several hundred mg/kg) and exhibited anti-cancer activities through interfering at several pathways. HSP can suppress tumor formation by targeting several cellular proteins such as cell cycle regulatory, apoptosis, metastatic, tyrosine kinase, growth factor receptor, estrogen metabolism, and antioxidant-related protein.HSP has shown remarkable synergistic properties in combination therapy and has been reported to overcome multidrug cancer resistance drugs, leading to an improved defensive mechanism. These anticancer activities of HSP may be due to proper structural chemistry.

CONCLUSION

Overall, HSP showed potential anticancer activities against all cancer and possess better pharmacokinetic properties. So this phytochemical alone or combination with other agents can be an effective alternative drug for cancer treatment.

Hesperidin Reduces Memory Impairment Associated with Adult Rat Hippocampal Neurogenesis Triggered by Valproic Acid

Treatment with valproic acid (VPA) deteriorates hippocampal neurogenesis, which leads to memory impairment. Hesperidin (Hsd) is a plant-based bioflavonoid that can augment learning and memory. This study aimed to understand the effect of Hsd on the impairment of hippocampal neurogenesis and memory caused by VPA. The VPA (300 mg/kg) was administered by intraperitoneal injection twice daily for 14 days, and Hsd (100 mg/kg/day) was administered by oral gavage once a day for 21 days. All rats underwent memory evaluation using the novel object location (NOL) and novel object recognition (NOR) tests. Immunofluorescent staining of Ki-67, BrdU/NeuN, and doublecortin (DCX) was applied to determine hippocampal neurogenesis in cell proliferation, neuronal survival, and population of the immature neurons, respectively. VPA-treated rats showed memory impairments in both memory tests. These impairments resulted from VPA-induced decreases in the number of Ki-67-, BrdU/NeuN-, and DCX-positive cells in the hippocampus, leading to memory loss. Nevertheless, the behavioral expression in the co-administration group was improved. After receiving co-administration with VPA and Hsd, the numbers of Ki-67-, BrdU/NeuN-, and DCX-positive cells were improved to the normal levels. These findings suggest that Hsd can reduce the VPA-induced hippocampal neurogenesis down-regulation that results in memory impairments.

Repurposing Natural Dietary Flavonoids in the Modulation of Cancer Tumorigenesis: Decrypting the Molecular Targets of Naringenin, Hesperetin and Myricetin

In the past few years flavonoids have been gaining more attention regarding their (still un) exploited anticancer properties. Flavonoids are natural compounds present in fruits, vegetables, and seeds, meaning that they are already present in the daily life of every person, with a described broad-spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. In the present review we discuss the anticancer activity of three important flavonoids - myricetin (MYR) (flavanol group), hesperetin (HESP) and naringenin (NAR) (flavanone group). Although some mechanisms underlying their activities remain still unclear, they can act as potential inhibitors of key tumorigenic signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, p38 MAPK and NF-κB. Simultaneously, they can reset the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins that belong to the Bcl-2 and caspase family and decrease the intracellular levels of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Together with their synergetic effect they have the potential to become key elements in the prevention and/or treatment of several types of cancer, with the major improvement to the patient life quality, due to their non-existent toxicity.

Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Biomolecules: Molecular Targets Insights

This report explores the available curative molecules directed against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Limited efficiency as well as other drawbacks of existing molecules led to the search for promising potential alternatives. Understanding of the cell signaling mechanisms propelling carcinogenesis and driven by cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis can offer valuable information for the investigation of efficient treatment strategies. The complexity of the mechanisms behind carcinogenesis inspires researchers to explore the ability of various biomolecules to target specific pathways. Natural components occurring mainly in food and medicinal plants, are considered an essential resource for discovering new and promising therapeutic molecules. Novel biomolecules normally have an advantage in terms of biosafety. They are also widely diverse and often possess potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Based on quantitative structure-activity relationship studies, biomolecules can be used as templates for chemical modifications that improve efficiency, safety, and bioavailability. In this review, we focus on anti-HCC biomolecules that have their molecular targets partially or completely characterized as well as having anti-cancer molecular mechanisms that are fairly described.

A Comprehensive Review of the Use of Antioxidants and Natural Products in Cancer Patients Receiving Anticancer Therapy

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The side effects of cancer treatment affect the quality of life. Cancer patients search for antioxidant dietary supplements and natural products during or after conventional cancer treatment for the alleviation of side effects, improvement of the benefits of treatment, and promotion of well-being. However, the efficacy and safety of these products remain controversial; moreover, previous data do not support the standardized use of those alternative treatments in clinics. The current study reviewed the manuscripts reporting the administration of antioxidants and natural products during cancer treatment and revised preclinical and clinical studies on various types of cancer. Most of the positive results were obtained from experimental animal models; however, human clinical studies are discouraging in this regard. Therefore, further precise and distinguishable studies are required regarding antioxidant dietary supplementation. Future studies are also needed to clarify dietary supplements' mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics in a suitable cancer patient population that will benefit the therapeutic regimens. Despite the popularity of dietary supplements, clinicians and patients should always consider their potential benefits and risks. Patients should discuss with their physician before taking any dietary antioxidant supplements or natural products.

Anticancer activity of flavonoids accompanied by redox state modulation and the potential for a chemotherapeutic strategy

Since researchers began studying the mechanism of flavonoids' anticancer activity, little attention has been focused on the modulation of redox state in cells as a potential chemotherapeutic strategy. However, recent studies have begun identifying that the anticancer effect of flavonoids occurs both in their antioxidative activity which scavenges ROS and their prooxidative activity which generates ROS. Against this backdrop, this study attempts to achieve a comprehensive analysis of the individual and separate study findings regarding flavonoids' modulation of redox state in cancer cells. It focuses on the mechanism behind the anticancer effect, and mostly on the modulation of redox potential by flavonoids such as quercetin, hesperetin, apigenin, genistein, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), luteolin and kaempferol in both in vitro and animal models. In addition, the clinical applications of and bioavailability of flavonoids were reviewed to help build a treatment strategy based on flavonoids' prooxidative potential.

The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Tumor Treatment and its Impact on Bone Marrow Hematopoiesis

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), an important molecule inducing oxidative stress in organisms, play a key role in tumorigenesis, tumor progression and recurrence. Recent findings on ROS have shown that ROS can be used to treat cancer as they accelerate the death of tumor cells. At present, pro-oxidant drugs that are intended to increase ROS levels of the tumor cells have been widely used in the clinic. However, ROS are a double-edged sword in the treatment of tumors. High levels of ROS induce not only the death of tumor cells but also oxidative damage to normal cells, especially bone marrow hemopoietic cells, which leads to bone marrow suppression and (or) other side effects, weak efficacy of tumor treatment and even threatening patients' life. How to enhance the killing effect of ROS on tumor cells while avoiding oxidative damage to the normal cells has become an urgent issue. This study is a review of the latest progress in the role of ROS-mediated programmed death in tumor treatment and prevention and treatment of oxidative damage in bone marrow induced by ROS.

Hesperetin attenuates silica-induced lung injury by reducing oxidative damage and inflammatory response

Oxidative stress and the inflammatory response are two important mechanisms of silica-induced lung injury. Hesperetin (HSP) is a natural flavonoid compound that is found in citrus fruits and has been indicated to exhibit strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The current study evaluated the protective effect of HSP on lung injury in rats exposed to silica. The results indicated that the degree of alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis in the HSP-treated group was significantly decreased compared with the silica model group. The content of hydroxyproline (HYP) was also revealed to decrease overall in the HSP treated group compared with the silica model group, indicating that the degree of pulmonary fibrosis was decreased compared with the silica model group. The present study also demonstrated that HSP reduced oxidation levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX). Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was also increased following HSP treatment, indicating that HSP can alleviate oxidative stress in the lung tissue of silica-exposed rats. In addition, HSP was revealed to inhibit the synthesis and secretion of fibrogenic factor TGF-β1, reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-4, TNF-α and increase the levels of anti-inflammatory factors IFN-γ and IL-10. The current study demonstrated that HSP can effectively attenuate silica-induced lung injury by reducing oxidative damage and the inflammatory response.

Protective effects of hesperetin on the quality of sperm, apoptosis, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress during the process of cryopreservation: An experimental study

BACKGROUND

Hesperetin is a bioflavonoid compound, largely used in Chinese traditional medicine and found plenty in citrus fruits. Hesperetin has beneficial effects against different diseases. The sperm cryopreservation process is a common method that is used in infertility laboratories. It has been reported that during the cryopreservation process, the quality of sperm is significantly reduced.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of hesperetin on the quality of human spermatozoa during the cryopreservation process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, 22 sperm sample of normozoospermia men who reffered to the infertility department of the Shariati Hospital (Tehran, Iran) Between October and November 2019 were collect and divided in to three groups as: 1) fresh, 2) control (frozen-thawed group without treatment), and 3) treatment group as frozen-thawed samples supplemented with 20 µM hesperetin. Motility, Viability, morphology, Apoptotic-like changes, intracellular H2 O2 , intracellular O2- , and lipid peroxidation (LPO) was measured.

RESULTS

Hesperetin treatment during the cryopreservation process of human sperm significantly improved the viability, motility, and morphology rates of the spermatozoa after frozen-thawed process in control group (p < 0.01). In addition, it significantly reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, LPO level and increased the percentage of viable sperm cells with intact plasma membrane (p < 0.01) after frozen-thawed process.

CONCLUSION

Hesperetin can improve the quality of human sperm and also protect human sperm against reactive oxygen species, LPO, and apoptosis during the cryopreservation-thawing process.

Apigenin and Hesperidin Downregulate DNA Repair Genes in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells and Augment Doxorubicin Toxicity

A number of studies have confirmed anti-tumor activity of flavonoids and their ability to enhance the effectiveness of classical anticancer drugs. The mechanism of this phenomenon is difficult to explain because of the ambivalent nature of these compounds. Many therapeutic properties of these compounds are attributed to their antioxidant activity; however, it is known that they can act as oxidants. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of apigenin and hesperidin on MCF-7 breast cancer cells with doxorubicin. The cytotoxic effect was determined using an MTT test and cell cycle analysis. To evaluate the possible interaction mechanism, reduced glutathione levels, as well as the DNA oxidative damage and the double strand breaks, were evaluated. Additionally, mRNA expression of genes related to DNA repair was assessed. It was demonstrated that flavonoids intensified the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin despite flavonoids reduced oxidative damage caused by the drug. At the same time, the number of double strand breaks significantly increased and expression of tested genes was downregulated. In conclusion, both apigenin and hesperidin enhance the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin on breast cancer cells, and this phenomenon occurs regardless of oxidative stress but is accompanied by disorders of DNA damage response mechanisms.

Therapeutic potential of hesperidin and its aglycone hesperetin: Cell cycle regulation and apoptosis induction in cancer models

BACKGROUND

The ability of cancer cells to divide without restriction and to escape programmed cell death is a feature of the proliferative state. Citrus flavanones are flavonoids with potential multiple anticancer actions, from antioxidant and chemopreventive, to anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, cytostatic and cytotoxic in different cancer models.

PURPOSE

This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the antiproliferative actions of the citrus flavanones hesperidin (HSD) and hesperetin (HST), with emphasis on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

METHODS

Cochrane Library, Scopus, Pubmed and Web of Science collection databases were queried for publications reporting antiproliferative effects of HSD and HST in cancer models.

RESULTS

HSD and HST have been proven to delay cell proliferation in several cancer models. Depending on the compound, dose and cell line studied, different effects have been reported. Cell cycle arrest associated with cytostatic effects has been reported in cells with increased levels of p53 and also cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, as well as decreased levels of specific cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases. Moreover, apoptotic effects have been found to be associated with altered ratios of pro-/antiapoptotic proteins, caspase activation, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway activation and caspase-independent pathways.

CONCLUSION

Available scientific literature data indicate complex effects, dependent on cell lines and exposure conditions, suggesting that HSD and HST doses need to be optimized according to the cellular and organismal context. The establishment of the main antiproliferative mechanisms is of utmost importance for a possible therapeutic benefit of citrus flavanones in the context of cancer.

Effects of boric acid on cell death and oxidative stress of mouse TM3 Leydig cells in vitro

BACKGROUND

Boron (B) is an abundant element on earth and presents at physiological pH in the form of boric acid (BA). It has both positive and negative effects on biological systems. BA and sodium borates have been considered as being toxic to the reproduction system in animal experiments. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanism underlying the toxic effects of BA is not fully understood.

METHODS

Here, we demonstrate the influence of BA on mouse TM3 Leydig cells which are male reproductive system cells targeted by BA exposure. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT and NRU assays. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining kit, mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm) assay kit with JC-1 and caspase-3 colorimetric assay kit were used to indicate the cell death pathway. To estimate the role of oxidative stress in BA induced toxicity, glutathione (GSH) level, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured manually.

RESULTS

The cell viability assays showed that BA was not cytotoxic within the tested concentrations up to 1000 μM. Sub-toxic concentrations were used for detecting oxidative stress status. BA exposure was significantly reduced GSH level at 1000 μM and CAT activity in a concentration-dependent manner. However, SOD activity was increased at the tested concentrations (100-1000 μM). Moreover, ΔΨm was significantly decreased at 500 and 1000 μM of BA, while caspase-3 activity was not changed apparently.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrated that BA is not cytotoxic and apoptotic but may slightly induces oxidative stress in TM3 Leydig cells at higher concentrations.

Molecular mechanisms of action of hesperidin in cancer: Recent trends and advancements

Hesperidin belongs to flavanones class of flavonoids and is known to possess broad-spectrum applicability to prevent dreadful diseases such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer. The reported anticancer effects of hesperidin have been found to be associated with its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Hesperidin interacts with numerous recognized cellular targets and inhibits cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In addition, evidence has suggested its promising role in inhibiting tumor cell metastasis, angiogenesis, and chemoresistance. The present mini-review highlights the ongoing development to identify hesperidin targets in cancer. Furthermore, the potential of nano technology-based hesperidin combinations and delivery systems will also be discussed. Overall, this review highlights all the possible molecular targets affected by hesperidin in tumor cells on a single platform.

IMPACT STATEMENT

Experimental findings from numerous studies have demonstrated the anticancer effects of hesperidin (Hesp) to be associated with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities along with its potential role in inhibiting the tumor cell metastasis and angiogenesis. Additionally, Hesp can also reverse drug resistance of cancer cells, which make it a promising candidate to be used in combination with existing anti-cancer drugs. This review will be helpful for upcoming researchers and scientific community to find out complete capsular package about cancer drug targets of Hesp and its role in modulating various important hallmarks of cancer.

Flavonoids as Anticancer Agents

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds subdivided into 6 groups: isoflavonoids, flavanones, flavanols, flavonols, flavones and anthocyanidins found in a variety of plants. Fruits, vegetables, plant-derived beverages such as green tea, wine and cocoa-based products are the main dietary sources of flavonoids. Flavonoids have been shown to possess a wide variety of anticancer effects: they modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging enzyme activities, participate in arresting the cell cycle, induce apoptosis, autophagy, and suppress cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness. Flavonoids have dual action regarding ROS homeostasis—they act as antioxidants under normal conditions and are potent pro-oxidants in cancer cells triggering the apoptotic pathways and downregulating pro-inflammatory signaling pathways. This article reviews the biochemical properties and bioavailability of flavonoids, their anticancer activity and its mechanisms of action.

Identification of potential agents for thymoma by integrated analyses of differentially expressed tumour-associated genes and molecular docking experiments

Thymoma, derived from the epithelial cells of the thymus, is a rare malignant tumour type. Following diagnosis with thymoma, patients generally undergo surgical treatment. However, patients with advanced-stage disease are only candidates for chemotherapy and have poor survival. Therefore, it is urgently required to explore effective chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of thymoma. In the present study, a Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify novel drugs for thymoma. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in thymoma were obtained by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis. Subsequently, these genes were processed by Connectivity Map analysis to identify suitable compounds. In addition, Metascape software was used to verify drug and target binding. Molecular docking technology was used to verify drug and target binding. Finally, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion parameters in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform database were used for drug screening and for evaluation of the potential clinical value. In total, 2,447 DEGs, including 2,204 upregulated and 243 downregulated genes, were identified from 118 thymoma patients and 339 normal samples. The top 10 drugs displaying the most significant negative correlations were fulvestrant, hesperetin, zidovudine, hydrocortisone, rolitetracycline, ellipticine, sirolimus, quinisocaine, oestradiol (estradiol) and harmine. The predicted targets of these drugs were then confirmed. The score for the association between estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and fulvestrant was 0.99. According to the molecular docking analysis, the total scores for the interaction between ESR1 were 10.26, and those for the interaction between tamoxifen and ESR1 were 6.60. The oral bioavailability (%), drug-likeness and drug half-life for hesperetin were 70.31, 0.27 and 15.78, respectively; those for oestradiol were 53.56, 0.32 and 3.50, respectively; and those for harmine were 56.80, 0.13 and 5.04, respectively. In conclusion, several potential therapeutic drugs for thymoma were identified in the present study. The results suggested that the compounds, including fulvestrant, estradiol, hesperetin and ellipticine, represent the most likely drugs for the treatment of thymoma. Future studies should focus on testing these novel compounds in vitro and in vivo.

Toosendanin induces the apoptosis of human Ewing's sarcoma cells via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway

Toosendanin, a triterpenoid extracted from the root bark of Melia toosendan, has its origin from traditional Chinese medicine and has been used as a non‑polluting and pesticide‑free plant insecticide in China for fruit and vegetable production. In recent years, toosendanin has been found to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and promote tumor cell apoptosis. Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is the second most common primary malignant bone and soft tissue tumor in children and adolescents. Although the overall prognosis of ES has improved, the 5‑year survival rate has not significantly increased. To analyze the role of toosendanin on ES progression, CCK‑8 viability assay, flow cytometry, Hoechst 33258 staining and western blotting were performed. The present results suggested that toosendanin suppressed cell viability and induced apoptosis in human SK‑ES‑1 cells compared with DMSO treatment. In addition, in the present study, toosendanin was found to upregulate the expression of Bax and downregulate the expression of Bcl‑2, altering the Bax/Bcl‑2 ratio. Additionally, toosendanin promoted the release of cytochrome c, resulting in the activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, thus inducing the activation of caspase‑9 and caspase‑3, and the cleavage of PARP. Our results demonstrated that toosendanin inhibited the growth of ES cells in a dose‑dependent manner and triggered mitochondrial apoptotic pathway to induce apoptosis. Therefore, toosendanin can potentially be utilized as an anticancer botanical drug for the treatment of ES.

Efficacy of celastrol combined with cisplatin in enhancing the apoptosis of U-2OS osteosarcoma cells via the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum pathways of apoptosis

Osteosarcoma is a common primary malignant tumor of bone, and the poor prognosis and low 5-year survival rate have not improved for three decades. The present study aimed to study the effect a combination of celastrol and cisplatin on the human osteosarcoma cell line U-2OS, and to investigate the mechanism by which celastrol/cisplatin induces the apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells. MTT and Annexin V-FITC/PI assays were used to evaluate the effects of combined celastrol/cisplatin on growth and apoptosis, respectively, in U-2OS cells. Morphological changes accompanying cell growth inhibition were observed using a fluorescence microscope. Combination index (CI) analysis was used to evaluate the combinatorial effects of celastrol/cisplatin treatment. Western blotting was used to quantify the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins. It was identified that celastrol/cisplatin inhibited the growth of U-2OS cells in a dose-dependent manner. CI analysis revealed that combined celastrol/cisplatin demonstrated a synergistic effect in U-2OS cells, with CIs ranging from 0.80 to 0.97 at effect levels from IC₁₀ to IC₇₀. In addition, it was observed that celastrol/cisplatin upregulated the expression of Bcl-associated X protein, cytochrome c, caspase-3 and C/EBP homologous protein, and downregulated the expression of Bcl-2, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein and caspase-9, whereas the expression of caspase-8 remained unchanged. To conclude, celastrol/cisplatin induced apoptosis in U-2OS cells via the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum pathways, particularly in the former. Celastrol/cisplatin therefore exhibits potential as a novel therapeutic combination for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

The Potential and Action Mechanism of Polyphenols in the Treatment of Liver Diseases

Liver disease, involving a wide range of liver pathologies from fatty liver, hepatitis, and fibrosis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, is a serious health problem worldwide. In recent years, many natural foods and herbs with abundant phytochemicals have been proposed as health supplementation for patients with hepatic disorders. As an important category of phytochemicals, natural polyphenols have attracted increasing attention as potential agents for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. The striking capacities in remitting oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and inflammation put polyphenols in the spotlight for the therapies of liver diseases. It has been reported that many polyphenols from a wide range of foods and herbs exert therapeutic effects on liver injuries via complicated mechanisms. Therefore, it is necessary to have a systematical review to sort out current researches to help better understand the potentials of polyphenols in liver diseases. In this review, we aim to summarize and update the existing evidence of natural polyphenols in the treatment of various liver diseases by in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, while special attention is paid to the action mechanisms.

Hesperetin inhibits Eca-109 cell proliferation and invasion by suppressing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and synergistically enhances the anti-tumor effect of 5-fluorouracil on esophageal cancer in vitro and in vivo

Previously, we reported that hesperetin exhibited pro-apoptotic activity against esophageal cancer in vitro and in vivo. Here, we examined whether hesperetin inhibits cell proliferation and invasion and synergistically enhances the anti-tumor effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in esophageal cancer. Flow cytometry, EdU staining, and transwell invasion assays using Eca-109 cells showed that hesperetin induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and inhibited cell proliferation and invasion significantly. Moreover, hesperetin suppressed the expression of phosphorylated PI3K/AKT, cyclin D1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 and increased phosphorylated PTEN and p21 in Eca-109 cells. Hesperetin combined with 5-FU inhibited cell growth more effectively than did either drug alone in Eca-109 cells and in a xenograft mouse model. Hoechst 33258, Annexin V-PE/7-ADD double staining and TUNEL assay showed more apoptotic cells in the combination treatment group than in either individual treatment group. The combination down-regulated protein levels of Bcl-2 and up-regulated those of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-9 more effectively than did either drug alone. These data suggest that hesperetin inhibited esophageal cancer cell proliferation and invasion by suppressing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, 5-FU and hesperetin exerted synergistic antitumor effects in vivo and in vitro and could constitute a novel therapeutic approach for esophageal cancer.

Effects of hesperetin on the proliferation and invasion of esophageal cancer cells and its synergistic anti-cancer effect with 5-FU.

Effects of baicalein on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of Ewing's sarcoma cells

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a rare tumor that is more frequent in pediatric and adolescent age groups. In the past few decades, long-term survival in affected patients has improved due to the success of multimodal therapy. However, long-term survival is inevitably restricted by the late side-effects of chemotherapy. Besides, early metastasis also contributes to the poor prognosis of ES. Recently, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have increasingly attracted interest due to the promising clinical results and fewer side-effects for the treatment of cancers. Among the various TCMs, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis exerts anti-inflammatory properties as a well-known herb in traditional Chinese medicine. Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone) derived from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis is a bioactive compound, which possesses a powerful pro-apoptotic activity in various cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma and myeloma. However, the effects of baicalein on ES cells remain still unknown. We anticipated that baicalein also has apoptotic activity in ES. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of baicalein on viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion of ES cells, and further to elaborate the molecular mechanism of baicalein-induced ES cell apoptosis. We found that baicalein markedly inhibited ES cells viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner, especially SK-ES-1 cells and could promote the apoptosis of ES cells. Additionally, baicalein was capable of upregulating the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and cytochrome c, reducing the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, elevating the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and triggering the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, which led to caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation and PARP cleavage. Meanwhile, the activation of caspase-8 and the death receptor pathway was also observed. Besides, baicalein could reduce ES migration and invasion in vitro, which showed its potential to inhibit ES metastasis, besides contributing to the decrease in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. In conclusion, baicalein has a potent tumor-suppressor activity by inducing cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and the death receptor pathway in ES cells, thus it may serve as a novel and effective candidate agent for ES treatment.

Hesperetin-etoposide combinations induce cytotoxicity in U2OS cells: Implications on therapeutic developments for osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma chemotherapy has improved survival rates, however, chemoresistance and drug toxicity still limit therapy. Drug combinations may overcome these limitations by allowing fewer chemoresistant cells to survive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of hesperetin to osteosarcoma and to analyze the cell cycle effects of combinations of hesperetin with chemotherapeutic agents. For this, the U2OS human osteosarcoma cell line was exposed to hesperetin or hesperetin combined with etoposide or doxorubicin in defined proportions. Hesperetin was less cytotoxic compared to chemotherapeutic agents, as shown by cell growth, viability and clonogenic assays. Notwithstanding, hesperetin combined with etoposide showed additive effects on the inhibition of cell growth. Furthermore, hesperetin induced G2-phase arrest, associated with decreased gene expression of cyclins B1 and E1 and cyclin-dependent kinases 1 and 2. The combination with higher additive effect resulted in higher percentage of cells in G2-phase, showing that G2-phase arrest is associated with cytotoxicity. Moreover, hesperetin induced cytostatic effects. In conclusion, our results suggest that G2-phase arrest is an important step for hesperetin-induced cytotoxicity in U2OS cells. Hesperetin shows potential cytotoxicity when combined with etoposide, which may have implications on therapeutic developments for osteosarcoma.

Chemopreventive Agents and Inhibitors of Cancer Hallmarks: May Citrus Offer New Perspectives?

Fruits and vegetables have long been recognized as potentially important in the prevention of cancer risk. Thus, scientific interest in nutrition and cancer has grown over time, as shown by increasing number of experimental studies about the relationship between diet and cancer development. This review attempts to provide an insight into the anti-cancer effects of Citrus fruits, with a focus on their bioactive compounds, elucidating the main cellular and molecular mechanisms through which they may protect against cancer. Scientific literature was selected for this review with the aim of collecting the relevant experimental evidence for the anti-cancer effects of Citrus fruits and their flavonoids. The findings discussed in this review strongly support their potential as anti-cancer agents, and may represent a scientific basis to develop nutraceuticals, food supplements, or complementary and alternative drugs in a context of a multi-target pharmacological strategy in the oncology.

Hesperetin induces apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells via mitochondrial pathway mediated by the increased intracellular reactive oxygen species

Esophageal cancer is of high prevalence and poor prognosis. Hesperetin has been reported to exert antitumor ability by inducing apoptosis in many cancers in vitro and in vivo without obvious toxicity. However, there is no study concerning about the effect of hesperetin on esophageal cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether hesperetin could induce apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells and explore its potential mechanism. We found that hesperetin induced esophageal cancer cells apoptosis in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner compared with the untreated cells. Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry analysis showed more apoptotic cells in the hesperetin-treated group (p < 0.05, respectively). The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased significantly, and glutathione (GSH) was depleted. The loss of △Ψ m was more tremendous in the hesperetin-treated cells. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduced the proapoptotic ability of hesperetin, while DL-buthionine-S, R-sulfoximine (BSO) enhanced the anticancer effect. Western blotting showed that the expression levels of cytochrome C (Cyt C) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) decreased in mitochondria and increased in cytoplasm (p < 0.05). The levels of intracellular cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, Apaf-1, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and suppressor of fused (SuFu) increased, while B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Survivin decreased. What is more, in xenograft tumor model, hesperetin inhibited the tumor growth significantly via induction of cell apoptosis which was detected by TUNEL assay (p < 0.05). Taken together, our study demonstrated that hesperetin could induce cell apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells via mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathway by accumulation of ROS.

Celastrol induces apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cells via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway

Celastrol is an active compound extracted from the root bark of Triptergium wilfordii Hook F., also known as 'Thunder of God Vine'. It is a well-known Chinese medicinal herb that was found to inhibit tumor cell growth and promote apoptosis in several tumor cell lines. However, research into its effects on osteosarcoma cell apoptosis is still extremely limited. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of celastrol on viability and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells and furthermore, to illuminate the molecular mechanism of celastrol-induced osteosarcoma cell apoptosis. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the viability of the cells following treatment with celastrol. The effect of celastrol on the apoptotic rate of the cells was evaluated by flow cytometry using Annexin V-PE/7-AAD staining assay. Fluorescence microscopy was used to detect the morphological changes in the human osteosarcoma U-2OS cell lines. The expression of Bcl-2 family proteins, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, cytochrome c and PARP was measured by western blotting. We found that celastrol significantly inhibited the growth of osteosarcoma cells in a dose-dependent manner, particularly U-2OS cells. Furthermore, we observed that celastrol upregulated the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and cytochrome c and altered the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and triggered the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, resulting in caspase-3 and -9 activation and PARP cleavage. To conclude, the results indicate that celastrol inhibits the proliferation of human osteosarcoma cancer cells by inducing apoptosis via the mitochondrial-dependent pathway.