RETRACTED: Curcumin induces the degradation of cyclin E expression through ubiquitin-dependent pathway and up-regulates cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27 in multiple human tumor cell lines

Salidroside prevents gestational hypertension-induced impairment of offspring learning and memory via Wnt/Skp2 pathway

BACKGROUND

Salidroside (Sal) has been found to protect against multiple impairments caused by diabetes, and we designed this study to investigate the effect of Sal on gestational hypertension (GHP)-induced impairment of offspring learning and memory.

METHODS

We established a GHP rat model by intraperitoneal injection of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and treated with Sal by daily gavage. We used Morris Water Maze test to evaluate the learning and memory ability of offspring rats. HE staining was used to measured the pathological changes in hippocampus of offspring. Immunohistochemistry, cellular immunofluorescence and western blot were used to detect the protein expression.

RESULTS

The learning and memory abilities of GHP offspring rats were significantly lower than those of normal rat offspring, while Sal treatment could significantly improve the learning and memory abilities of GHP offspring rats. HE staining did not reveal pathological differences in the hippocampus of normal rats, GHP rats and Sal-treated GHP offspring rats. However, Sal treatment can significantly increase the expression of Wnt1 and Skp2 protein, and decrease the expression of P27kiwf and P21waf1 protein in the hippocampus of GHP offspring rats. In vitro, Sal significantly promoted the proliferation and differentiation on neural stem cell, while Wnt1 knockdown could reverse these promotions by Sal. In the hippocampus of GHP offspring rats, Sal treatment significantly increased the expression of Tuj1, SOX2, Ki67 and DCX protein.

CONCLUSION

Salidroside significantly improves the learning and memory impairment of offspring caused by GHP, and its mechanism may be related to the fact that Salidroside promotes the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells by activating the Wnt1/Skp2 signaling pathway.

Curcumin for Treating Breast Cancer: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms, Combinations with Anticancer Drugs, and Nanosystems

Breast cancer (BC) has become the fifth most prevalent cause of cancer-related morbidity, attracting significant attention from researchers due to its heightened malignancy and drug resistance. Conventional chemotherapy approaches have proven inadequate in addressing all BC subtypes, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches or drugs. Curcumin (CUR), a phytochemical derived from Curcuma longa (turmeric), has shown substantial potential in inhibiting BC cell migration, metastasis, and proliferation. However, the use of CUR in this context comes with challenges due to its dynamic and easily degradable nature, poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and swift systemic elimination, collectively limiting its clinical applications. As such, we provide an overview of the properties, synthesis, and characterization of the hybridization of CUR and its analogue with chemo-drug building blocks. We reviewed research from the last five years on CUR's biogenesis with respect to the regulation of BC, revealing that CUR participates in arresting BC cells in the cell cycle and significantly induces apoptosis in BC cells. Information on the chemotherapeutic and antitumor mechanisms of CUR in BC, including regulation of the cell cycle, increased cell apoptosis, and inhibition of multidrug resistance (MDR), was compiled. Additionally, we provide an overview of CUR loaded into nanomaterials that are cotreated with other chemotherapeutic drugs, such as paclitaxel, thymoquinone, and tamoxifen. In this review, we discuss different types of nanoparticles that can be used for CUR delivery, such as polymeric nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and liposomes. By comparing the size, entrapment efficiency, drug-loading capacity, release time, biocompatibility, pharmaceutical scale, and reproducibility of various nanomaterials, we aimed to determine which formulations are better suited for loading CUR or its analogue. Ultimately, this review is expected to offer inspiring ideas, promising strategies, and potential pathways for developing advanced anti-BC strategy nanosystems in clinical practice.

Turmeric extract alleviates endocrine-metabolic disturbances in letrozole-induced PCOS by increasing adiponectin circulation: A comparison with Metformin

One of the most common causes of female infertility is polycystic ovarian syndrome, which affects 6–21% of the population. Regrettably, the currently available treatments are mostly symptomatic and ineffective. As a result, safer options are needed now more than ever. In a letrozole PCOS albino mouse model, the current study compares the therapeutic advantages of Turmeric extract (Curcuma longa) to metformin. Adiponectin is a circulating protein generated by adipocytes that has been linked to metabolic diseases (MDs) in an inverse relationship. The effects of Turmeric Extract (Curcuma Longa) in contrast to Metformin, as well as the involvement of adiponectin in endocrine-metabolic abnormalities in experimentally induced PCOS mice model, were studied in this study. Letrozole (6 mg/kg) was administered orally (p.o) for 21 days to induce PCOS, followed by a dose of Turmeric Extract (Curcuma longa) (175 mg/kg and p.o) and Metformin (150 mg/kg) for 30 days, both with normal saline water (0.9%) as the carrier. The findings revealed that LET-treated mice displayed PCOS-like characteristics, such as higher LH levels, increased body weight growth, and ovarian morphology with numerous cysts, increase in fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, plasma lipid peroxidation (MDA) and IL-6, as well as a decrease in serum Progesterone, Estrogen, FSH, SOD and GSH levels in the ovary. These changes were linked to lower levels of circulating adiponectin and were reversed when treated Turmeric extract. By altering circulating androgen-adiponectin balance, the data implies that Turmeric extract alleviates endocrine-metabolic abnormalities and inflammation-related comorbidities associated with LET-induced PCOS.

Antitumoral Activities of Curcumin and Recent Advances to ImProve Its Oral Bioavailability

Curcumin, a main bioactive component of the Curcuma longa L. rhizome, is a phenolic compound that exerts a wide range of beneficial effects, acting as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer agent. This review summarizes recent data on curcumin's ability to interfere with the multiple cell signaling pathways involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and the migration of several cancer cell types. However, although curcumin displays anticancer potential, its clinical application is limited by its low absorption, rapid metabolism and poor bioavailability. To overcome these limitations, several curcumin-based derivatives/analogues and different drug delivery approaches have been developed. Here, we also report the anticancer mechanisms and pharmacokinetic characteristics of some derivatives/analogues and the delivery systems used. These strategies, although encouraging, require additional in vivo studies to support curcumin clinical applications.

Inulin-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: A Theranostic Platform for Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging of Acute Hepatic Failure

The present study introduces a superparamagnetic nanocomposite, Fe-Si-In, as a T2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent with a core of iron oxide nanoparticles and a nonporous silica inner shell/carboxymethyl inulin outer shell. Due to its core/shell properties, the structure characterization, biocompatibility, and performance in MRI, as well as its potential as a drug delivery system, were thoroughly evaluated. The results have shown that the synthesized nanocomposite possesses excellent biocompatibility and acceptable magnetization (M_s = 20 emu g^-1). It also has the potential to be a nanocarrier for drug delivery purposes, as evidenced by the results of curcumin administration studies. The developed nanocomposite has shown excellent performance in MRI, while the in vitro relaxivity measurements reveal a stronger T2 relaxivity (r₂ = 223.2 ms) compared to the commercial samples available in the market. Furthermore, the in vivo MRI studies demonstrate an excellent contrast between injured livers and normal ones in rats which again upholds the high performance of Fe-Si-In in MRI diagnostics.

Design of New Improved Curcumin Derivatives to Multi-targets of Cancer and Inflammation

BACKGROUND

Curcumin is a major active principle of Curcuma longa. There are more than 1700 citations in the Medline, reflecting various biological effects of curcumin. Most of these biological activities are associated with the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity of the molecule. Several reports suggest various targets of natural curcumin that include growth factors, growth factor receptor, cytokines, enzymes and gene regulators of apoptosis. This review focuses on the improved curcumin derivatives that target the cancer and inflammation.

METHODOLOGY

In this present review, we explored the anticancer drugs with curcumin-based drugs under pre-clinical and clinical studies with critical examination. Based on the strong scientific reports of patentable and non-patented literature survey, we have investigated the mode of the interactions of curcumin-based molecules with the target molecules.

RESULTS

Advanced studies have added new dimensions of the molecular response of cancer cells to curcumin at the genomic level. However, poor bioavailability of the molecule seems to be the major limitation of the curcumin. Several researchers have been involved to improve the curcumin derivatives to overcome this limitation. Sufficient data of clinical trials to various cancers that include multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer, have also been discussed.

CONCLUSION

The detailed analysis of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and common synthesis of curcumin-based derivatives have been discussed in the review. Utilising the predictions of in silico coupled with validation reports of in vitro and in vivo studies have concluded many targets for curcumin. Among them, cancer-related inflammation genes regulating curcumin-based molecules are a very promising target to overcome hurdles in the multimodality therapy of cancer.

Curcumin analog B14 has high bioavailability and enhances the effect of anti-breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Curcumin has a variety of anticancer properties, but low bioavailability prevents its use in chemotherapeutic applications. To address this problem, we tested the efficacy of the synthetic curcumin analog B14 in breast cancer cells and explored the mechanism by which B14 inhibits proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells. We used the breast cancer cell line MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 to study the anticancer effects of B14 and assessed cell viability, cell migration and invasion, cell cycle, and apoptosis, in addition, the antitumor effect of B14 in vivo was examined in mice bearing MDA-MB-231 cells. We found that, as the concentration of B14 increased, cell viability decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Compound B14 exerted the best antitumor activity and selectivity for MCF-7 and MDA-M-231 cells (IC₅₀  = 8.84 μmol/L and 8.33 μmol/L, respectively), while its IC₅₀ value for MCF-10A breast epithelial cells was 34.96 μmol/L. B14 has been shown to be a multi-targeted drug that alters the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E1, and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), and ultimately induces G1 phase cell cycle arrest. At the same time, B14 activates the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, B14 was more effective than curcumin in inhibiting cell migration, invasion, and colony formation. In tumor-bearing mice, analog B14 significantly reduced tumor growth and inhibited cell proliferation and angiogenesis. The pharmacokinetic test found that B14 was more stable than curcumin in vivo. Our data reveal the therapeutic potential of the curcumin analog B14 and the underlying mechanisms to fight breast cancer cells.

Curcumin-loaded super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle affects on apoptotic factors expression and histological changes in a prepubertal mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome-induced by dehydroepiandrosterone - A molecular and stereological study

AIMS

This study investigated the effects of curcumin-loaded super-paramagnetic iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (NPs) (SPIONs) on histological parameters and apoptosis-inducing factors (AIFs) in an experimental mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total number of 40 female prepuberal BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 was selected as control and Group 2 was considered as a vehicle taking sesame oil, in the form of a curcumin carrier. Moreover, Group 3 was administered with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) at 6 mg/100 g of the body weight and Group 4 received the DHEA plus the NPs of curcumin (5.4 mg/100 g) for twenty consecutive days. Finally, histology, stereology, and apoptosis of the ovary were evaluated.

KEY FINDINGS

The results revealed that the NPs of curcumin had reduced ovarian volume (p < 0.05) and a total number of primary, secondary, antral, and primordial follicles in comparison with the PCOS and vehicle groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, curcumin treatment following administration of the DHEA resulted in a significant decrease in BAX (p < 0.001) and levels of expression of Caspase3 (CASP3) protein, increased levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) expression (p < 0.05), and moderated apoptosis in granulosa cells in comparison with the ones seen in the PCOS group.

SIGNIFICANCE

Ovarian injuries and DHEA-induced apoptosis were efficiently suppressed by curcumin, indicating the probable protective property of NPs of curcumin against PCOS.

Nanoparticles characterization using the CAM assay

The current chapter highlights the use of chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of fertilized chicken egg for the characterization of nanoparticles applied in cancer nanomedicine. The CAM assay represents a promising alternative to mouse models in term of costs, ease of use, rapidity and ethical issues in particular for the screening of nanoformulations. Hence, the features of nanoparticles including blood retention, biocompatibility, active targeting or tumor accumulation, angiogenic activity, drug delivery and tumor elimination might be simply evaluated via the CAM model. In particular, in this model, embryo organs and morphology, CAM vasculature and blood cells, transplanted tumors on CAM were typically monitored and used for the evaluation of the nanomaterials. With the above advantages, the CAM assay, as highly valuable in vivo model, could be used regularly in pharmaceutical industries.

Lichen sclerosus: the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of the disease and its possible transformation into carcinoma

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disease usually involving the anogenital skin of both sexes; more rarely LS exclusively involves extragenital areas. As a chronic inflammatory disease, in most cases, LS evolves and progresses causing scleroatrophy of the skin or scars which may cause stenosis in the affected areas. A few LS patients are at risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma in their lifetime, but appropriate long-term treatment diminishes the possibility of a malignant evolution. Oxidative stress (OS) has been proven to play a role not only in the pathogenesis of LS, but also in the development and progression of the disease. OS, by causing DNA damage and lipid peroxidation, contributes directly to the possible malignant transformation of LS. Moreover, the increase in oxidative DNA damage is associated with mutations in tumor suppressor genes. Considering the role that OS plays in LS, therapeutic use of antioxidants appears to be rational and possible, in association with other treatments. Antioxidants would counteract the oxidative DNA damage, which is the most important factor for the progression of LS and its malignant transformation.

Developments in the anticancer activity of structurally modified curcumin: An up-to-date review

Curcumin is a pharmacologically active polyphenol derived from the popular spice element-Turmeric. The therapeutic activity of curcumin has been extensively investigated over the last few decades and reports suggest the role of curcumin in a large number of biological activities, particularly its prominent anticancer activity. Curcumin, being a pleiotropic molecule, is a regulator of multiple molecular targets which play crucial roles in various cell signaling pathways. It is known to suppress transformation, inhibit proliferation as well as induce apoptosis. However, despite all these benefits, the efficacy of curcumin remains limited due to its poor bioavailability, poor absorption within the systemic circulation and rapid elimination from the body. To overcome these limiting factors, researchers all around the world are working towards designing a synthetic and superior curcuminoid by making suitable structural modifications to the parent skeleton. These curcuminoids, mainly analogues and derivatives, will not only improve the physicochemical properties but also enhance the efficacy simultaneously. The present review will provide a comprehensive account of the analogues and derivatives of curcumin that have been reported since 2014 which have indicated a better anticancer activity than curcumin.

Curcumin Down-Regulates Toll-Like Receptor-2 Gene Expression and Function in Human Cystic Fibrosis Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common lethal inherited disorder caused by mutation in the gene encoding the CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR), is characterized by chronic inflammation that ultimately leads to death from respiratory failure. In CF patients, up-regulation of toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2), a pattern recognition receptor that senses CF-pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan (PGN), in airway epithelial cells is observed, and enhanced proinflammatory responses towards PGN may result in detrimental effects in CF patients. Here, we showed that curcumin, a well known anti-inflammatory agent derived from the curry spice turmeric, inhibits TLR2 expression in CF bronchial epithelial cell line, CFBE41o- cells. Strong suppression of TLR2 gene and protein expression was observed at more than 40 µM of curcumin treatment in CFBE41o- cells. Consistent with decreased expression of TLR2, PGN-dependent interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene up-regulation was markedly reduced by 40 µM of curcumin treatment. Strong reductions of TLR2 gene expression and function were also observed in primary human CF bronchial epithelial cells, but not in human non-CF primary cells. Interestingly, curcumin treatment decreased nuclear expression of transcription factor specificity protein 1 (SP1), a factor that is critical for increased basal TLR2 expression in CF cell line and primary cells. Finally, curcumin-dependent SP1 reduction was diminished by anti-oxidant N-acetylcystein (NAC) and proteasomal inhibitor MG-132, suggesting the crucial roles of oxidative and proteasomal degradation pathways. Taken together, our study shows that curcumin down-regulates TLR2 gene expression and function in CF bronchial epithelial cells possibly by accelerating SP1 degradation via an oxidative process.

Curcumin prevented human autocrine growth hormone (GH) signaling mediated NF-κB activation and miR-183-96-182 cluster stimulated epithelial mesenchymal transition in T47D breast cancer cells

Autocrine growth hormone (GH) signaling is a promoting factor for breast cancer via triggering abnormal cell growth, proliferation, and metastasis, drug resistance. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a polyphenol derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa), has anti-proliferative, anti-carcinogenic, anti-hormonal effect via acting on PI3K/Akt, NF-κB and JAK/STAT signaling. Forced GH expression induced epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) through stimulation of miR-182-96-183 cluster expression in breast cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate the role of NF-κB signaling and miR-182-96-183 cluster expression profile on autocrine GH-mediated curcumin resistance, which was prevented by time-dependent curcumin treatment in T47D breast cancer cells. Dose- and time-dependent effect of curcumin on T47D wt and GH+ breast cancer cells were evaluated by MTT cell viability and trypan blue assay. Apoptotic effect of curcumin was determined by PI and Annexin V/PI FACS flow analysis. Immunoblotting performed to investigate the effect of curcumin on PI3K/Akt/MAPK, NF-κB signaling. miR182-96-183 cluster expression profile was observed by qRT-PCR. Overexpression of GH triggered resistant profile against curcumin (20 µM) treatment for 24 h, but this resistance was accomplished following 48 h curcumin exposure. Concomitantly, forced GH induced invasion and metastasis through EMT and NF-κB activation were prevented by long-term curcumin exposure in T47D cells. Moreover, 48 h curcumin treatment prevented the autocrine GH-mediated miR-182-96-183 cluster expression stimulation in T47D cells. In consequence, curcumin treatment for 48 h, prevented autocrine GH-triggered invasion-metastasis, EMT activation through inhibiting NF-κB signaling and miR-182-96-183 cluster expression and induced apoptotic cell death by modulating Bcl-2 family members in T47D breast cancer cells.

Molecular targets of curcumin in breast cancer (Review)

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), an orange‑yellow component of turmeric or curry powder, is a polyphenol natural product isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma longa. For centuries, curcumin has been used in medicinal preparations and as a food colorant. In recent years, extensive in vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that curcumin possesses activity against cancer, viral infection, arthritis, amyloid aggregation, oxidation and inflammation. Curcumin exerts anticancer effects primarily by activating apoptotic pathways in cancer cells and inhibiting pro‑cancer processes, including inflammation, angiogenesis and metastasis. Curcumin targets numerous signaling pathways associated with cancer therapy, including pathways mediated by p53, Ras, phosphatidylinositol‑3‑kinase, protein kinase B, Wnt‑β catenin and mammalian target of rapamycin. Clinical studies have demonstrated that curcumin alone or combined with other drugs exhibits promising anticancer activity in patients with breast cancer without adverse effects. In the present review, the chemistry and bioavailability of curcumin and its molecular targets in breast cancer are discussed. Future research directions are discussed to further understand this promising natural product.

Fibronectin Promotes the Malignancy of Glioma Stem-Like Cells Via Modulation of Cell Adhesion, Differentiation, Proliferation and Chemoresistance

Glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) are regarded as the sources of oncogenesis, recurrence, invasion and chemoresistance in malignant gliomas. Growing evidence suggests that the microenvironment surrounding GSCs interacts with tumor cells to influence biological behavior; however, the functional mechanisms involved are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the modulation of GSCs triggered by fibronectin (FN), a main component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), in terms of cell adhesion, differentiation, proliferation and chemoresistance. We demonstrated that pre-coated FN prompted increased adherence by GSCs, with increased matrix metallopeptidases (MMPs)-2 and -9 expression, in a concentration-dependent manner. Decreases in sox-2 and nestin levels, and increased levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and β-tubulin were also found in GSCs, indicating cell differentiation driven by FN. Further investigation revealed that FN promoted cell growth, as demonstrated by the elevation of Ki-67, with the activation of p-ERK1/2 and cyclin D1 also evident. In addition, FN suppressed p53-mediated apoptosis and upregulated P-glycoprotein expression, making GSCs more chemoresistant to alkylating agents such as carmustine. In contrast, this effect was reversed by an integrin inhibitor, cilengitide. Activation of the focal adhesion kinase/paxillin/AKT signaling pathway was involved in the modulation of GSCs by FN. Focusing on the interactions between tumor cells and the ECM may be an encouraging aspect of research on novel chemotherapeutic therapies in future.

Targeted therapy of intracranial glioma model mice with curcumin nanoliposomes

Background

Glioma is the most aggressive and lethal brain tumor in humans, it comprises about 30 per cent of all brain tumors and central nervous system tumors.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to create novel brain-targeting nanoliposomes to encapsulate curcumin as a promising option for glioma therapy.

Patients and methods

Human glioma cells (U251MG) were used to determine cell uptake efficiency and possible internalization mechanism of the curcumin-loaded nanoliposomes modified by a brain-targeting peptide RDP. In addition, intracranial glioma mice model was prepared by transplantation of U251MG cells into the mice striatum, and then the liposomes were intravenously administered into the glioma-bearing mice to evaluate the anti-glioma activity.

Results

RDP-modified liposomes (RCL) could enter the brain and glioma region, and were internalized by the glioma cells perhaps through acetylcholine receptor-mediated endocytosis pathway. Furthermore, the RCL prolonged the survival time of the glioma-bearing mice from 23 to 33 days, and the inhibition mechanism of the RCL on glioma cell was partly due to cell cycle arrest at the S phase and induction of cell apoptosis.

Conclusion

This study would provide a potential approach for targeted delivery of drug-loaded liposomes for glioma treatment.

Kinase-targeted cancer therapies: progress, challenges and future directions

The human genome encodes 538 protein kinases that transfer a γ-phosphate group from ATP to serine, threonine, or tyrosine residues. Many of these kinases are associated with human cancer initiation and progression. The recent development of small-molecule kinase inhibitors for the treatment of diverse types of cancer has proven successful in clinical therapy. Significantly, protein kinases are the second most targeted group of drug targets, after the G-protein-coupled receptors. Since the development of the first protein kinase inhibitor, in the early 1980s, 37 kinase inhibitors have received FDA approval for treatment of malignancies such as breast and lung cancer. Furthermore, about 150 kinase-targeted drugs are in clinical phase trials, and many kinase-specific inhibitors are in the preclinical stage of drug development. Nevertheless, many factors confound the clinical efficacy of these molecules. Specific tumor genetics, tumor microenvironment, drug resistance, and pharmacogenomics determine how useful a compound will be in the treatment of a given cancer. This review provides an overview of kinase-targeted drug discovery and development in relation to oncology and highlights the challenges and future potential for kinase-targeted cancer therapies.

Cucurmin, anticancer, & antitumor perspectives: A comprehensive review

Cucurmin, a naturally yellow component isolated from turmeric, ability to prevent various life-style related disorders. The current review article mainly emphasizes on different anticancer perspectives of cucurmin, i.e., colon, cervical, uterine, ovarian, prostate head and neck, breast, pulmonary, stomach and gastric, pancreatic, bladder oral, oesophageal, and bone cancer. It holds a mixture of strong bioactive molecule known as cucurminoids that has ability to reduce cancer/tumor at initial, promotion and progression stages of tumor development. In particular, these compounds block several enzymes required for the growth of tumors and may therefore involve in tumor treatments. Moreover, it modulates an array of cellular progressions, i.e., nitric oxide synthetase activity, protein kinase C activity, epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor intrinsic kinase activity, nuclear factor kappa (NF-kB) activity, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and production of reactive oxygen species. However, current manuscript summarizes most of the recent investigations of cucurmin but still further research should be conducted to explore the role of curcumin to mitigate various cancers.

Combinatorial treatment with natural compounds in prostate cancer inhibits prostate tumor growth and leads to key modulations of cancer cell metabolism

High-throughput screening of a natural compound library was performed to identify the most efficacious combinatorial treatment on prostate cancer. Ursolic acid, curcumin and resveratrol were selected for further analyses and administered in vivo via the diet, either alone or in combination, in a mouse allograft model of prostate cancer. All possible combinations of these natural compounds produced synergistic effects on tumor size and weight, as predicted in the screens. A subsequent untargeted metabolomics and metabolic flux analysis using isotopically labeled glutamine indicated that the compound combinations modulated glutamine metabolism. In addition, ASCT2 levels and STAT3, mTORC1 and AMPK activity were modulated to a greater extent by the combinations compared to the individual compounds. Overall, this approach can be useful for identifying synergistic combinations of natural compounds for chemopreventive and therapeutic interventions.

Evaluation of intracavitary administration of curcumin for the treatment of sarcomatoid mesothelioma

A rat model of sarcomatoid mesothelioma, mimicking some of the worst clinical conditions encountered, was established to evaluate the therapeutic potential of intracavitary curcumin administration.

The M5-T1 cell line, selected from a collection established from F344 rats induced with asbestos, produces tumors within three weeks, with extended metastasis in normal tissues, after intraperitoneal inoculation in syngeneic rats. The optimal concentration/time conditions for killing M5-T1 cells with curcumin were first determined in vitro. Secondly, the potential of intraperitoneal curcumin administration to kill tumor cells in vivo was evaluated in tumor-bearing rats, in comparison with a reference epigenetic drug, SAHA.

Both agents administered at days 21 and 26 after tumor challenge produced necrosis within the solid tumors at day 28. However, tumor tissue necrosis induced with curcumin was much more extensive than with SAHA, and was characterized by infiltration with mononuclear phagocytic cells. In contrast, tumor tissue treated with SAHA contained foci of resistant cells and was infiltrated by many isolated CD8+ cells. The treatment of tumor-bearing rats with 1.5 mg/kg curcumin on days 7, 9, 11 and 14 after tumor challenge dramatically reduced the mean total tumor mass at day 16. Clusters of CD8+ T lymphocytes were observed at the periphery of small residual tumor masses in the peritoneal cavity, which presented a significant reduction in mitotic index, IL6 and vimentin expression compared with tumors in untreated rats.

These data open up interesting new prospects for the therapy of sarcomatoid mesothelioma with curcumin and its derivatives.

Effects of 5,6-Dihydroxy-2,4-Dimethoxy-9,10-Dihydrophenanthrene on G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Lung Carcinoma Cells

5,6-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (HMP) is an active compound isolated from the rhizome extracts of Dioscorea membranacea Pierre, a Thai medicinal plant. This study aimed to investigate the growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of HMP in human lung cancer A549 cells. The antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of HMP were analyzed by a Sulforhodamine B assay. Cell division, cell cycle distribution and membrane asymmetry changes were each performed with different fluorescent dyes and then analyzed by flow cytometry. Real-time PCR and immunoblotting were used to detect cell cycle- and apoptosis-related mRNA levels and proteins, respectively. The nuclear morphology of the cells stained with DAPI and DNA fragmentation were detected by fluorescence microscopy and gel electrophoresis, respectively. The results showed that HMP exerted strong antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities in A549 cells with the highest selectivity index. It halted the cell cycle in [Formula: see text]/M phase via down-regulation of the expression levels of regulatory proteins Cdc25C, Cdk1 and cyclinB1. In addition, HMP induced early apoptotic cells with externalized phosphatidylserine and subsequent apoptotic cells in sub-[Formula: see text] phase. HMP increased caspase-3 activity and levels of the cleaved (active) form of caspase-3 whose actions were supported by the cleavage of its target PARP, nuclear condensation and DNA apoptotic ladder. Moreover, HMP significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of proapoptotic Bax as well as promoted subsequent caspase-9 activation and BID cleavage, indicating HMP-induced apoptosis via both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. These data support, for the first time, the potential role of HMP as a cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis-inducing agent for lung cancer treatment.

Evaluation of Curcumin Capped Copper Nanoparticles as Possible Inhibitors of Human Breast Cancer Cells and Angiogenesis: a Comparative Study with Native Curcumin

Synthesis of metal nanoparticles for improving therapeutic index and drug delivery is coming up as an attractive strategy in the mainstream of cancer therapeutic research. In the present study, curcumin-capped copper nanoparticles (CU-NPs) were evaluated as possible inhibitors of in vivo angiogenesis, pro-angiogenic cytokines involved in promoting tumor angiogenesis along with inhibition of cell proliferation and migration of breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The antiangiogenic potential was assessed using in vivo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)-based cytotoxicity assay was used to assess the effect of CU-NPs against proliferation of breast cancer cell line. The wound healing migration assay was used to evaluate the effects of CU-NPs on the migration ability of breast cancer cell line. Native curcumin (CU) was used as a reference compound for comparison purpose. The result of the present investigation indicates that CU-NPs could not demonstrate impressive antiangiogenic or anticancer activities significantly as compared to native CU. The possible mechanisms of experimental outcomes are discussed in the light of the methods of nanoparticle synthesis in concert with the current state of the art literature.

Anticancer Properties of Chrysin on Colon Cancer Cells, In vitro and In vivo with Modulation of Caspase-3, -9, Bax and Sall4

BACKGROUND

The SALL4/Sall4 is constitutively expressed in human and mice. SALL4 mRNA could be used as a marker for the diagnosis of different types of cancers. On the other hand, chrysin has diverse biological properties.

OBJECTIVES

In the present study, the effect of the chrysin was investigated on the CT26 colon cancer in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the expression levels of the stem cell markers; sall4 and Bax was analyzed, as well.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cytotoxic effects and the type of cell death induced by chrysin were evaluated using a number of biological assays. The apoptotic pathway was examined by caspase-3and caspase-9 assay. The in vivo antitumor efficacy of chrysin on transplanted CT26 tumor cells in BALB/c mice was investigated. In addition, mRNA expression of sall4, Bax was analyzed with RT-PCR.

RESULTS

MTT assay and morphological characteristics showed that chrysin exerted a cytotoxic effect on CT26 cells in a dose dependent manner with IC₅₀= 80 μg.mL^-1. The biological assays have indicated that chrysin administrated cytotoxicity on colon cancer cells through recruitment of the apoptosis. Caspase-3 and caspase-9 colorimetric assays, in addition to Bax expression analysis, have indicated the involvement of intrinsic apoptotic pathway in the cytotoxic effect of the chrysin. The in vivo assay revealed a remarkable reduction of the colon tumor volume in treated mice (8, 10 mg.kg ^-1) as compared to the untreated mice. RT-PCR elucidated that chrysin attenuated tumor volume through down regulation of the sall4 and up-regulation of the Bax.

CONCLUSIONS

It was demonstrated that chrysin accomplishes anti-cancer effect on colon cancer cells via induction of the apoptosis and attenuation of the sall4 the expression. These findings introduce chrysin as an efficient apoptosis based therapeutic agent against colon cancer.

Molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive potential of curcumin: Current challenges and future perspectives

In recent years, natural compounds have received considerable attention in preventing and curing most dreadful diseases including cancer. The reason behind the use of natural compounds in chemoprevention is associated with fewer numbers of side effects than conventional chemotherapeutics. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane, PubMed CID: 969516), a naturally occurring polyphenol, is derived from turmeric, which is used as a common Indian spice. It governs numerous intracellular targets, including proteins involved in antioxidant response, immune response, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation and tumor progression. A huge mass of available studies strongly supports the use of Curcumin as a chemopreventive drug. However, the main challenge encountered is the low bioavailability of Curcumin. This extensive review covers various therapeutic interactions of Curcumin with its recognized cellular targets involved in cancer treatment, strategies to overcome the bioavailability issue and adverse effects associated with Curcumin consumption.

Theracurmin® efficiently inhibits the growth of human prostate and bladder cancer cells via induction of apoptotic cell death and cell cycle arrest

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the anticancer properties of Theracurmin®, a novel form of the yellow curry pigment curcumin, as well as explore the molecular mechanisms of the potential anticancer effects of Theracurmin® on human prostate cancer and bladder cancer cells in vitro. The proliferation of cancer cells was examined by using the Cell Counting Kit-8. The clonogenic growth potential was determined by clonogenic assay. Cell cycle distribution was evaluated by flow cytometry using propidium iodide staining. Western blot analysis was applied to explore the expression patterns of molecules associated with apoptotic cell death and cell cycle checkpoint. We noted that Theracurmin® and curcumin exhibited similar anticancer effects in both androgen-dependent and -independent human prostate cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These agents reduced cell viability and clonogenic growth potential by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle disturbance in human prostate cancer cells. Theracurmin® and curcumin also exerted marked anticancer effects on human bladder cancer cells, even in cisplatin-resistant T24R2 cells, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, Theracurmin® and curcumin treatment decreased cell viability and clonogenicity via induction of apoptotic cell death and cell cycle dysregulation in human bladder cancer cells. In conclusion, our study suggests that Theracurmin® has potential as an anticancer agent in complementary and alternative medicine for these urological cancers.

Nuclear Localization of DNAJB6 Is Associated With Survival of Patients With Esophageal Cancer and Reduces AKT Signaling and Proliferation of Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The DnaJ (Hsp40) homolog, subfamily B, member 6 (DNAJB6) is part of a family of proteins that regulates chaperone activities. One of its isoforms, DNAJB6a, contains a nuclear localization signal and regulates β-catenin signaling during breast cancer development. We investigated the role of DNAJB6 in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

We performed immunohistochemical analyses of primary ESCC samples and lymph node metastases from a cohort of 160 patients who underwent esophagectomy with no preoperative chemoradiotherapy at Hong Kong Queen Mary Hospital. Data were collected on patient outcomes over a median time of 12.1 ± 2.9 months. Retrospective survival association analyses were performed. Wild-type and mutant forms of DNAJB6a were overexpressed in cancer cell lines (KYSE510, KYSE 30TSI, KYSE140, and KYSE70TS), which were analyzed in proliferation and immunoblot assays, or injected subcutaneously into nude mice. Levels of DNAJB6 were knocked down in ESCC cell lines (KYSE450 and T.Tn), immortalized normal esophageal epithelial cell lines (NE3 and NE083), and other cells with short hairpin RNAs, or by genome engineering. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation was used to study interactions between proteins in living cells.

RESULTS

In primary ESCC samples, patients whose tumors had high nuclear levels of DNAJB6 had longer overall survival times (19.2 ± 1.8 months; 95% confidence interval [CI], 15.6-22.8 mo) than patients whose tumors had low nuclear levels of DNAJB6 (12.6 ± 1.4 mo; 95% CI, 9.8-15.4 mo; P = .004, log-rank test). Based on Cox regression analysis, patients whose tumors had high nuclear levels of DNAJB6 had a lower risk of death than patients with low levels (hazard ratio, 0.562; 95% CI, 0.379-0.834; P = .004). Based on log-rank analysis and Cox regression analysis, the combination of the nuclear level of DNAJB6 and the presence of lymph node metastases at diagnosis could be used to stratify patients into groups with good or bad outcomes (P < .0005 for both analyses). There was a negative association between the nuclear level of DNAJB6 and the presence of lymph node metastases (P = .022; Pearson χ(2) test). Cancer cell lines that overexpressed DNAJB6a formed tumors more slowly in nude mice than control cells or cells that expressed a mutant form of DNAJB6a that did not localize to the nucleus. DNAJB6 knockdown in cancer cell lines promoted their growth as xenograft tumors in mice. A motif of histidine, proline, and aspartic acid in the J domain of DNAJB6a was required for its tumor-suppressive effects and signaling via AKT1. Loss of DNAJB6a resulted in up-regulation of AKT signaling in cancer cell lines and immortalized esophageal epithelial cells. Expression of a constitutively active form of AKT1 restored proliferation to tumor cells that overexpressed DNAJB6a, and DNAJB6a formed a complex with AKT1 in living cells. The expression of DNAJB6a reduced the sensitivity of ESCC to AKT inhibitors; the expression level of DNAJB6a affected AKT signaling in multiple cancer cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

Nuclear localization of DNAJB6 is associated with longer survival times of patients with ESCC. DNAJB6a reduces AKT signaling, and DNAJB6 expression in cancer cells reduces their proliferation and growth of xenograft tumors in mice. DNAJB6a might be developed as a biomarker for progression of ESCC.

Curcumin and tumor immune-editing: resurrecting the immune system

Curcumin has long been known to posses medicinal properties and recent scientific studies have shown its efficacy in treating cancer. Curcumin is now considered to be a promising anti-cancer agent and studies continue on its molecular mechanism of action. Curcumin has been shown to act in a multi-faceted manner by targeting the classical hallmarks of cancer like sustained proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, sustained angiogenesis, insensitivity to growth inhibitors, tissue invasion and metastasis etc. However, one of the emerging hallmarks of cancer is the avoidance of immune system by tumors. Growing tumors adopt several strategies to escape immune surveillance and successfully develop in the body. In this review we highlight the recent studies that show that curcumin also targets this process and helps restore the immune activity against cancer. Curcumin mediates several processes like restoration of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cell populations, reversal of type-2 cytokine bias, reduction of Treg cell population and suppression of T cell apoptosis; all these help to resurrect tumor immune surveillance that leads to tumor regression. Thus interaction of curcumin with the immune system is also an important feature of its multi-faceted modes of action against cancer. Finally, we also point out the drawbacks of and difficulties in curcumin administration and indicate the use of nano-formulations of curcumin for better therapeutic efficacy.

Efficient separation of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin from turmeric using supercritical fluid chromatography: From analytical to preparative scale

Curcumin is the major constituent of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). It has attracted widespread attention for its anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. The separation of curcumin and its two close analogs, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, has been challenging by conventional techniques. In this study, an environmentally friendly method based on supercritical fluid chromatography was established for the rapid and facile separation of the three curcuminoids directly from the methanol extract of turmeric. The method was first developed and optimized by ultra performance convergence chromatography, and was then scaled up to preparative supercritical fluid chromatography. Eluted with supercritical fluid CO2 containing 8-15% methanol (containing 10 mM oxalic acid) at a flow rate of 80 mL/min, curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin could be well separated on a Viridis BEH OBD column (Waters, 250 mm × 19 mm, 5 μm) within 6.5 min. As a result, 20.8 mg of curcumin (97.9% purity), 7.0 mg of demethoxycurcumin (91.1%), and 4.6 mg of bisdemethoxycurcumin (94.8%) were obtained after a single step of supercritical fluid chromatography separation with a mean recovery of 76.6%. Showing obvious advantages in low solvent consumption, large sample loading, and easy solvent removal, supercritical fluid chromatography was proved to be a superior technique for the efficient separation of natural products.

Inhibition of lung cancer cells A549 and H460 by curcuminoid extracts and nanoemulsions prepared from Curcuma longa Linnaeus

The objectives of this study were to explore the inhibition mechanism of lung cancer cells A549 and H460 by curcuminoid extracts and nanoemulsions prepared from Curcuma longa Linnaeus. In addition, human bronchus epithelial cell line BEAS-2B (normal cell) was selected for comparison. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed to separate and quantify the various curcuminoids in C. longa extract, including curcumin (1,714.5 μg/mL), demethoxycurcumin (1,147.4 μg/mL), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (190.2 μg/mL). A high-stability nanoemulsion composed of Tween 80, water, and curcuminoid extract was prepared, with mean particle size being 12.6 nm. The cell cycle was retarded at G2/M for both the curcuminoid extract and nanoemulsion treatments; however, the inhibition pathway may be different. H460 cells were more susceptible to apoptosis than A549 cells for both curcuminoid extract and nanoemulsion treatments. Growth of BEAS-2B remained unaffected for both the curcuminoid extract and nanoemulsion treatments, with a concentration range from 1 to 4 μg/mL. Also, the activities of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 followed a dose-dependent increase for both A549 and H460 cells for both the treatments, accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in cytochrome C expression and a dose-dependent decrease in CDK1 expression. Interestingly, a dose-dependent increase in cyclin B expression was shown for A549 cells for both the treatments, while a reversed trend was found for H460 cells. Both mitochondria and death receptor pathways may be responsible for apoptosis of both A549 and H460 cells.

Curcumin inhibits proliferation–migration of NSCLC by steering crosstalk between a Wnt signaling pathway and an adherens junction via EGR-1

Crosstalk between Wnt pathways and adherens junction is associated with NSCLC. Curcumin blocks cell proliferation and migration in non-small cell cancer by regulating EGR-1.

The differential susceptibilities of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells to the cytotoxic effects of curcumin are associated with the PI3K/Akt-SKP2-Cip/Kips pathway

Background

The mechanism underlying the differential cytotoxicity of curcumin in various cancer types, however, remains largely unclear. The aims of this study is to examine the concentration- and time-related effects of curcumin on two different breast cancer cells, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, and investigated the functional changes induced by curcumin treatment, as well as their relationship to the PI3K/Akt-SKP2-Cip/Kips pathway.

Methods

First, WST-1 and clonogenic assay were performed to determine the cytotoxicity of curcumin in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Then, the expression of CDK interacting protein/Kinase inhibitory protein (Cip/Kips) members (p27, p21 and p57) and S-phase kinase-associated protein-2 (SKP2) was investigated by QRT PCR and Western Blotting. Curcumin’s effect on PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) /Akt and its substrates Foxo1 and Foxo3a were then studied by Western Blotting. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting SKP2 was used to explore the relationship between SKP2 and Cip/Kips members. Finally, WST-1 assay was tested to explore the concomitant treatment with curcumin and the inhibition of PKB or SKP2 signaling on curcumin sensitivity in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells.

Results

We demonstrated MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited differential responses to curcumin by WST-1 and clonogenic assay (MDA-MB-231 cells was sensitive, and MCF-7 cells was resistant), which were found to be related to the differential curcumin-mediated regulation of SKP2-Cip/Kips (p21 and p27 but not p57) signaling. The differential cellular responses were further linked to the converse effects of curcumin on PI3K/Akt and its substrates Foxo1 and Foxo3a. Importantly, PI3K inhibitor wortmannin could counteract both curcumin-induced phosphorylation of Akt and up-regulation of SKP2 in MCF-7 cells. Subsequent WST-1 assay demonstrated concomitant treatment with curcumin and wortmannin or SKP2 siRNA not only further augmented curcumin sensitivity in MDA-MB-231 cells but also overcame curcumin resistance in MCF-7 cells.

Conclusions

Our study established PI3K/Akt-SKP2-Cip/Kips signaling pathway is involved in the mechanism of action of curcumin and revealed that the discrepant modulation of this pathway by curcumin is responsible for the differential susceptibilities of these two cell types to curcumin.

A curcumin-based TPA four-branched copper(II) complex probe for in vivo early tumor detection

A multibranched Cu(II) complex CuL2 curcumin-based was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The photophysical properties of the complex have been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The results show that the target complex exhibits higher quantum yield and larger two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-section in the near infrared (NIR) region compared with its free ligand. The cell imaging studies in vitro and in vivo reveal that the complex shows good photostability and excellent tumor targeting capability to tested cancerous cells, which can be potentially used for early tumor detection.

Curcumin promotes KLF5 proteasome degradation through downregulating YAP/TAZ in bladder cancer cells

KLF5 (Krüppel-like factor 5) plays critical roles in normal and cancer cell proliferation through modulating cell cycle progression. In this study, we demonstrated that curcumin targeted KLF5 by promoting its proteasome degradation, but not by inhibiting its transcription in bladder cancer cells. We also demonstrated that lentivirus-based knockdown of KLF5 inhibited cancer cell growth, while over-expression of a Flag-tagged KLF5 could partially reverse the effects of curcumin on cell growth and cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, we found that curcumin could down-regulate the expression of Hippo pathway effectors, YAP and TAZ, which have been reported to protect KLF5 protein from degradation. Indeed, knockdown of YAP by small interfering RNA caused the attenuation of KLF5 protein, but not KLF5 mRNA, which was reversed by co-incubation with proteasome inhibitor. A xenograft assay in nude mice finally proved the potent inhibitory effects of curcumin on tumor growth and the pro-proliferative YAP/TAZ/KLF5/cyclin D1 axis. Thus, our data indicates that curcumin promotes KLF5 proteasome-dependent degradation through targeting YAP/TAZ in bladder cancer cells and also suggests the therapeutic potential of curcumin in the treatment of bladder cancer.

Synthesis and crystal structure of a novel copper(ii) complex of curcumin-type and its application in in vitro and in vivo imaging

The results of TPEF imaging in a tumor-bearing mouse model demonstrated the potential of the obtained complex for in vivo tumor diagnosis.

Chemosensitization of IκBα-overexpressing glioblastoma towards anti-cancer agents

Mode of action of 5-FU and curcumin nanoconjugates in U87-IκBα cells.

The molecular basis for the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of curcumin and its metabolites in relation to cancer

This review addresses the oncopharmacological properties of curcumin at the molecular level. First, the interactions between curcumin and its molecular targets are addressed on the basis of curcumin's distinct chemical properties, which include H-bond donating and accepting capacity of the β-dicarbonyl moiety and the phenylic hydroxyl groups, H-bond accepting capacity of the methoxy ethers, multivalent metal and nonmetal cation binding properties, high partition coefficient, rotamerization around multiple C-C bonds, and the ability to act as a Michael acceptor. Next, the in vitro chemical stability of curcumin is elaborated in the context of its susceptibility to photochemical and chemical modification and degradation (e.g., alkaline hydrolysis). Specific modification and degradatory pathways are provided, which mainly entail radical-based intermediates, and the in vitro catabolites are identified. The implications of curcumin's (photo)chemical instability are addressed in light of pharmaceutical curcumin preparations, the use of curcumin analogues, and implementation of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics of curcumin and its most important degradation products are detailed in light of curcumin's poor bioavailability. Particular emphasis is placed on xenobiotic phase I and II metabolism as well as excretion of curcumin in the intestines (first pass), the liver (second pass), and other organs in addition to the pharmacokinetics of curcumin metabolites and their systemic clearance. Lastly, a summary is provided of the clinical pharmacodynamics of curcumin followed by a detailed account of curcumin's direct molecular targets, whereby the phenotypical/biological changes induced in cancer cells upon completion of the curcumin-triggered signaling cascade(s) are addressed in the framework of the hallmarks of cancer. The direct molecular targets include the ErbB family of receptors, protein kinase C, enzymes involved in prostaglandin synthesis, vitamin D receptor, and DNA.