Low-polar extract from seed of Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala modulates initiation and promotion stages of chemically-induced carcinogenesis in rats

Thai Fermented Soybean (Thua-Nao) Prevents Early Stages of Colorectal Carcinogenesis Induced by Diethylnitrosamine and 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine Through Modulations of Cell Proliferation and Gut Microbiota in Rats

BACKGROUND

Thua-nao is a traditional fermented soybean product widely consumed in the northern areas of Thailand. There has been little research on the biological activity of Thua-nao, particularly its anticancer properties.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to examine the cancer chemopreventive effects of dried Thua-nao on liver and colorectal carcinogenesis induced by carcinogens in rats.

METHODS

Rats were injected with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) to induce preneoplastic lesions. Rats orally received dried Thua-nao for 13 weeks. The preneoplastic lesions, including glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci and aberrant crypt foci (ACF), were evaluated in the liver and colon, respectively. The cancer chemopreventive mechanisms of dried Thua-nao on liver and colorectal carcinogenesis were examined.

RESULTS

Dried Thua-nao administration suppressed colorectal aberrant crypt foci. Moreover, dried Thua-nao reduced proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells in the colon. Interestingly, dried Thua-nao modulated the gut microbiota in DEN- and DMH-induced rats. Isoflavones, including genistein and daidzein, represent promising chemopreventive agents in dried Thua-nao.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, these results highlight the cancer chemopreventive effect of dried Thua-nao in DEN and DMH-induced colorectal carcinogenesis through cell proliferation reduction and gut microbiota modulation.

Cancer Chemopreventive Effect of 2',4'-Dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone on Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Early Stages of Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rats

2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC) is a major compound in Cleistocalyx nervosum seed extract (CSE), which has been reported to have various biological activities, including anti-cancer activity. Therefore, this study attempted to evaluate whether DMC is a chemopreventive compound in CSE. Moreover, the preventive mechanisms of CSE and DMC in the DEN-induced early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis in rats were investigated. Male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with DEN 50 mg/kg bw once a week for 8 weeks. Rats received CSE and DMC orally throughout the experiment. The number of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci in the liver was measured. Furthermore, the preventive mechanisms of CSE and DMC on DEN-induced HCC, including cell proliferation and apoptosis, were investigated. Administering CSE at a dosage of 400 mg/kg bw and DMC at a dosage of 10 mg/kg bw significantly decreased the number and size of GST-P-positive foci and GST-P expression. In addition, DMC inhibited the development of preneoplastic lesions by decreasing cell proliferation and causing cell apoptosis; however, CSE inhibited the development of preneoplastic lesions by inducing cell apoptosis. In conclusion, DMC exhibited a cancer chemopreventive effect on the early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis by increasing cell apoptosis and reducing cell proliferation.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Lipophilic Fraction from Liriope platyphylla Seeds Using Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and In Vitro Experiments

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms counteract the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, aging, and cancer. Therefore, enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions may help manage these pathological conditions. This study aimed to assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of lipophilic fraction of Liriope platyphylla seeds (LLPS) using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments. Here GC-MS analysis tentatively identified forty-three lipophilic compounds in LLPS. LLPS exhibited powerful antioxidant activity, according to the results from chemical-based antioxidant assays on DPPH, ABTS+, superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, and hydroxyl radicals scavenging, lipid peroxidation, reducing antioxidant powers, and total antioxidant capacity. Additionally, LLPS enhanced cellular antioxidant capacity by inhibiting reactive oxygen species formation and elevating antioxidant enzyme levels, including catalase and heme oxygenase-1. Moreover, LLPS attenuated inflammatory response by reducing nitric oxide secretion and downregulating the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and interleukin-1β in lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses showed that key compounds in LPPS, particularly phytosterols and fatty acid esters, exerted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties through regulating NFKB1, PTGS1, PTGS2, TLR4, PRKCA, PRKCD, KEAP1, NFE2L2, and NR1l2. Overall, these data suggest that LLPS may be a potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent for developing functional foods.

2,4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone from Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala seeds attenuated the early stage of diethylnitrosamine and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colorectal carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND

Dichloromethane extract of Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala seeds exhibited an anticarcinogenicity against chemically-induced the early stages of carcinogenesis in rats. This study aimed to identify anticarcinogenic compounds from C. nervosum seed extract (CSE).

METHODS

Salmonella mutation assay was performed to determine mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of partially purified and purified compounds of CSE. The anticarcinogenic enzyme-inducing activity was measured in Hepa1c1c7. Moreover, the anticancer potency was examined on various human cancer cell lines. The anticarcinogenicity of DMC was investigated using dual-organ carcinogenicity model. The number of preneoplastic lesions was evaluated in the liver and colon. The inhibitory mechanisms of DMC on liver- and colorectal carcinogenesis were investigated.

RESULTS

Six partially purified fractions (MK1 - MK6) and purified compounds, including 2,4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC) and hariganetin, were obtained from CSE. Among these fractions, MK4 and DMC presented the greatest antimutagenicity against indirect mutagens in bacterial model. Moreover, MK5 possessed an effective anticarcinogenic enzyme inducer in Hepa1c1c7. The MK4, DMC and CSE showed greater anticancer activity on all cell lines and exhibited the most effective toxicity on colon cancer cells. Furthermore, DMC inhibited the formation of colonic preneoplastic lesions in carcinogens-treated rats. It reduced PCNA-positive cells and frequency of BCAC in rat colon. DMC also enhanced the detoxifying enzyme, GST, in rat livers.

CONCLUSIONS

DMC obtained from CSE may be a promising cancer chemopreventive compound of colorectal cancer process in rats. It could increase detoxifying enzymes and suppress the cell proliferation process resulting in prevention of post-initiation stage of colorectal carcinogenesis.

Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala Berry Seed Protects against TNF-α-Stimulated Neuroinflammation by Inducing HO-1 and Suppressing NF-κB Mechanism in BV-2 Microglial Cells

Sustained inflammatory responses have been implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala (CN), an indigenous berry, has been reported to exhibit several health-beneficial properties. However, investigation of CN seeds is still limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of ethanolic seed extract (CNSE) and mechanisms in BV-2 mouse microglial cells using an inflammatory stimulus, TNF-α. Using LC-MS, ferulic acid, aurentiacin, brassitin, ellagic acid, and alpinetin were found in CNSE. Firstly, we examined molecular docking to elucidate its bioactive components on inflammation-related mechanisms. The results revealed that alpinetin, aurentiacin, and ellagic acid inhibited the NF-κB activation and iNOS function, while alpinetin and aurentiacin only suppressed the COX-2 function. Our cell-based investigation exhibited that cells pretreated with CNSE (5, 10, and 25 μg/mL) reduced the number of spindle cells, which was highly observed in TNF-α treatment (10 ng/mL). CNSE also obstructed TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA levels and repressed the TNF-α and IL-6 releases in a culture medium of BV-2 cells. Remarkably, CNSE decreased the phosphorylated forms of ERK, p38MAPK, p65, and IκB-α related to the inhibition of NF-κB binding activity. CNSE obviously induced HO-1 protein expression. Our findings suggest that CNSE offers good potential for preventing inflammatory-related NDDs.

In Vitro Evaluation of Antidiabetic Potential of Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala Fruit Extract

Diabetes mellitus is a complex global public health condition. Medicinal plants are significant resources in the research of alternative new drug active compounds. Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala (C. nervosum) is an indigenous berry fruit widely grown in Southeast Asia. The fruit of C. nervosum exhibit various medicinal properties and health benefits. This study aimed to investigate antidiabetic properties of C. nervosum fruit extract by in vitro assays and in vitro models. C. nervosum fruit extracted using three different solvents (hexane, ethanol, and distilled water) were tested for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, followed by glucose uptake in HepG2 and L6 myoblasts. Lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells treated with C. nervosum fruit extracts was then examined. The results revealed that ethanolic extract of C. nervosum fruit showed better inhibition against α-amylase (IC₅₀ of 0.42 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ of 0.23 μg/mL) compared with other extracts. Furthermore, ethanolic extract showed higher glucose uptake potential than the standard antidiabetic drug, metformin, in HepG2 cells. The ethanolic extracts resulted in enhanced glucose utilization in L6 myoblasts compared to untreated control. All extractions showed no significantly increased lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells compared to the untreated control cells. The investigation confirmed that the ethanolic extract exhibited the highest antidiabetic activity among all extracts. These results imply that C. nervosum fruit extract has antidiabetic properties and therefore they may be used as useful therapeutic agents for treating diabetes.

Enriched Riceberry Bran Oil Exerts Chemopreventive Properties through Anti-Inflammation and Alteration of Gut Microbiota in Carcinogen-Induced Liver and Colon Carcinogenesis in Rats

Riceberry has recently been acknowledged for its beneficial pharmacological effects. Riceberry bran oil (RBBO) exhibited anti-proliferation activity in various cancer cell lines. However, animal studies of RBBO on anti-carcinogenicity and its molecular inhibitory mechanism have been limited. This study purposed to investigate the chemopreventive effects of RBBO on the carcinogen-induced liver and colorectal carcinogenesis in rats. Rats were injected with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and further orally administered with RBBO equivalent to 100 mg/kg body weight of γ-oryzanol 5 days/week for 10 weeks. RBBO administration suppressed preneoplastic lesions including hepatic glutathione S-transferase placental form positive foci and colorectal aberrant crypt foci. Accordingly, RBBO induced hepatocellular and colorectal cell apoptosis and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Interestingly, RBBO effectively promoted the alteration of gut microbiota in DEN- and DMH-induced rats, as has been shown in the elevated Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. This outcome was consistent with an increase in butyrate in the feces of carcinogen-induced rats. The increase in butyrate reflects the chemopreventive properties of RBBO through the mechanisms of its anti-inflammatory properties and cell apoptosis induction in preneoplastic cells. This would indicate that RBBO containing γ-oryzanol, phytosterols, and tocols holds significant potential in the prevention of cancer.

Dietary inclusion of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) seed to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in biofloc system: Impacts on growth, immunity, and immune-antioxidant gene expression

An eight-week feeding trial was carried out to determine the effects of rambutan seed (RS) as a feed additive on the growth, skin mucus, serum immune parameters, and gene expression of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) raised under a biofloc system. Nile tilapia fingerlings (14.77 ± 0.80 g fish^-1) were fed five experimental diets containing 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 g kg^-1 of RS, corresponding to five treatments (RS0, RS5, RS10, RS20, and RS40) with three replications per treatment. The results showed that fish consuming the RS10 and RS20 diets presented a substantial (P < 0.05) improvement in specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) after eight weeks. The highest values were recorded in the RS10 diet; however, there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences exhibited in the fish survival rates between treatments. The RS supplementation diets demonstrated greater immunological parameters, particularly skin mucus and serum immune responses (P < 0.05), than that of the control after eight the eight-week feeding trial. The highest level was seen in fish fed the RS10; followed by the RS20, RS40 (P > 0.05), and RS5 diets. Regarding gene expressions, IL1, IL8, LBP, GSTa, and GSR genes were significantly up-regulated in fish provided the RS10 diet in comparison to the control and other supplemented diets (P < 0.05). However, no significant up-regulation was found in these genes among the RS0, RS5, RS20, and RS40 diets, with the exception of the GPX gene. Similarly, up-regulation of IL-8, LBP, GSTa, GPX, and GSR were noted in fish fed the RS10 diet (P < 0.05). Notably, no significant differences were evident in these genes among the RS5, RS20, and RS40 diets. In conclusion, fish fed RS10 (10 g kg^-1) significantly enhanced growth, skin mucus, serum immunities, and immune-antioxidants related gene expressions of Nile tilapia raised under biofloc system.

An Overview of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Emphasis on Dietary Products and Herbal Remedies

The most common principal malignant tumor that accounts for ∼80% of cases of liver cancer across the world is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is a multifacetedillness that is caused by several risk factors and often progresses in the context of underlying cirrhosis. It is tremendously difficult and essential for the screening of novel therapeutic medications to establish HCC preclinical models that are equivalent to clinical diseases settings, i.e., representing the tumor microenvironment of HCC. In the progress of HCC, numerous molecular cascades have been supposed to play a part. Sorafenib is the only drug permitted by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of HCC. Yet because of the increasing resistance to the drug and its toxicity, clinical treatment methods are not completely adequate. Newer treatment therapy options are essential for the management of HCC in patients. Natural compounds can be afforded by the patients with improved results with less toxicity and fewer side effects, among different methods of liver cancer treatment. The treatment and management of HCC with natural drugs and their phytoconstituents are connected to several paths that can prevent the occurrence and progress of HCC in several ways. The present review summarizes the etiology of HCC, molecular pathways, newer therapeutic approaches, natural dietary products, herbal plants and phytoconstituents for HCC treatment.