A new terpene coumarin microbial transformed by Mucor polymorphosporus induces apoptosis of human gastric cancer cell line MGC-803

Joining up the scattered anticancer knowledge on auraptene and umbelliprenin: a meta-analysis

Auraptene (AUR) and umbelliprenin (UMB) are naturally occurring prenylated coumarins that have demonstrated promising anticancer effects across various human cancer cell lines. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess, compare, and quantify the anticancer efficacy of AUR and UMB by synthesizing evidence from in vitro studies. A comprehensive literature search identified 27 eligible studies investigating AUR or UMB against cancer cells. Mixed-effects models revealed significant negative associations between coumarin dose and viability for AUR (est. = - 2.27) and UMB (est. = - 3.990), underscoring their dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Meta-regression indicated slightly higher potency for UMB over AUR, potentially due to increased lipophilicity imparted by additional isoprenyl units. Machine learning approaches identified coumarin dose and cancer type as the most influential determinants of toxicity, while treatment duration and the specific coumarin displayed weaker effects. Moderate (AUR) to substantial (UMB) between-study heterogeneity was detected, although the findings proved robust. In summary, this meta-analysis establishes AUR and UMB as promising natural anticancer candidates with clear dose-toxicity relationships across diverse malignancies. The structural insights and quantifications of anticancer efficacy can inform forthcoming efforts assessing therapeutic potential in pre-clinical models and human trials.

Monoterpenoids: An upcoming class of therapeutic agents for modulating cancer metastasis

Monoterpenoids, a sub-class of terpenoids, are secondary metabolites frequently extracted from the essential oils of aromatic plants. Their antitumor properties including antiproliferative, apoptotic, antiangiogenic, and antimetastatic effects along with other biological activities have been the subject of extensive study due to their diverse characteristics. In recent years, numerous investigations have been conducted to understand its potential anticancer impacts, specifically focusing on antiproliferative and apoptotic mechanisms. Metastasis, a malignancy hallmark, can exert either protective or destructive influences on tumor cells. Despite this, the potential antimetastatic and antiangiogenic attributes of monoterpenoids need further exploration. This review focuses on specific monoterpenoids, examining their effects on metastasis and relevant signaling pathways. The monoterpenoids exhibit a high level of complexity as natural products that regulate metastatic proteins through various signaling pathways, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin, mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/jun N-terminal kinase, nuclear factor kappa B, vascular endothelial growth factor, and epithelial mesenchymal transition process. Additionally, this review delves into the biosynthesis and classification of monoterpenoids, their potential antitumor impacts on cell lines, the plant sources of monoterpenoids, and the current status of limited clinical trials investigating their efficacy against cancer. Moreover, monoterpenoids depict promising potential in preventing cancer metastasis, however, inadequate clinical trials limit their drug usage. State-of-the-art techniques and technologies are being employed to overcome the challenges of utilizing monoterpenoids as an anticancer agent.

Anti-Obesity Potential of Ponciri Fructus: Effects of Extracts, Fractions and Compounds on Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

BACKGROUND

Ponciri Fructus, a crude drug consisting of the dried immature fruits of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf., is a popular folk medicine used for the treatment of allergy and gastrointestinal disorders in Korea and China. In this study, the anti-adipogenic activity of extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

METHODS

Dried immature fruits were extracted and fractionated into n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol and water-soluble fractions. The ethanol extract and fractions were tested for anti-adipogenic activity in the 3T3-L1 cell line. The active fractions (n-hexane and EtOAc fractions) were further subjected to chromatographic techniques to isolate and identify active compounds. Furthermore, the isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-adipogenic activity.

RESULTS

Altogether, seven compounds, including two flavonoids, one phytosteroid and four coumarin derivatives, were isolated. Ethanol extract, n-hexane fraction, EtOAc fraction and three isolated compounds (phellopterin, oxypeucedanin and poncirin) showed significant anti-adipogenic activity as observed by reduced lipid deposition in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. Further, oxypeucedanin downregulated the key adipogenic markers, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors proteins γ (PPAR-γ), sterol response element binding proteins-1 (SREBP-1), CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins-α (C/EBP-α), adipocyte-specific lipid binding proteins (FABP-4), adipocyte fatty acid binding proteins (aP2), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and leptin.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that the ethanol extract, hexane fraction and ethyl acetate fraction of P. trifoliata fruits possess strong anti-adipogenic activity, containing the active compounds such as phellopterin, oxypeucedanin and poncirin. Further research is recommended to explore their efficacy and safety in animal and clinical models.

Coumarins and Gastrointestinal Cancer: A New Therapeutic Option?

Cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are often life-threatening malignancies, which can be a severe burden to the health care system. Globally, the mortality rate from gastrointestinal tumors has been increasing due to the lack of adequate diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic measures to combat these tumors. Coumarin is a natural product with remarkable antitumor activity, and it is widely found in various natural plant sources. Researchers have explored coumarin and its related derivatives to investigate their antitumor activity, and the potential molecular mechanisms involved. These mechanisms include hormone antagonists, alkylating agents, inhibitors of angiogenesis, inhibitors of topoisomerase, inducers of apoptosis, agents with antimitotic activity, telomerase inhibitors, inhibitors of human carbonic anhydrase, as well as other potential mechanisms. Consequently, drug design and discovery scientists and medicinal chemists have collaborated to identify new coumarin-related agents in order to produce more effective antitumor drugs against GI cancers. Herein, we summarize the therapeutic effects of coumarin and its derivatives against GI cancer.

A Review of Auraptene as an Anticancer Agent

Auraptene is a bioactive monoterpene coumarin isolated from Citrus aurantium and Aegle marmelos that belong to the Rutaceae family. Auraptene can modulate intracellular signaling pathways that control cell growth, inflammation and apoptosis and can exert pharmacological properties such as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antileishmania and anti-oxidant activity. Auraptene had inhibitory and chemo-preventive effects on the proliferation, tumorigenesis and growth of several cancer cell lines through increase in the activity of glutathione S-transferase, formation of DNA adducts and reduction of the number of aberrant crypt foci. Auraptene exhibits anticancer effects via targeting different cell signaling pathways such as cytokines, genes modulating cellular proliferation, growth factors, transcription factors and apoptosis. The present review is a detailed survey of scientific researches on the cytotoxicity and anticancer activity of Auraptene on cancer cells and tumor bearing animals.