Curcumin attenuates carcinogenesis by down regulating proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1α and IL-1β) via modulation of AP-1 and NF-IL6 in lymphoma bearing mice

Molecular Dynamics and In Vitro Studies Elucidating the Tunable Features of Reconfigurable Nanodiscs for Guiding the Optimal Design of Curcumin Formulation

In this study, we advance our exploration of Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) peptide analogs (APAs) for their application in nanodisc (ND) assembly, focusing on the dynamic conformational characteristics and the potential for drug delivery. We explore APA-ND interactions with an emphasis on curcumin encapsulation, utilizing molecular dynamic simulations and in vitro assessments to evaluate the efficacy of various APA-ND formulations as drug carriers. The methodological approach involved the generation of three unique apoA-I α-11/3 helical mimics, resulting in fifteen distinct APAs. Their structural integrity was rigorously assessed using ColabFold-AF2, with particular attention to pLDDT and pTM scores. Extensive molecular dynamics simulations, covering 1.7 μs across 17 ND systems, were conducted to investigate the influence of APA sequence variations on ND stability and interactions. This study reveals that the composition of APAs, notably the presence of Proline, Serine, and Tryptophan, significantly impacts ND stability and morphology. Oligomeric APAs, in particular, demonstrated superior stability and distinct interaction patterns compared to their monomeric counterparts. Additionally, hydrodynamic diameter measurements over eight weeks indicated sequence-dependent stability, highlighting the potential of specific APA configurations for sustained colloidal stability. In vitro study successfully encapsulated curcumin in [AA]3/DMPC ND formulations, revealing concentration-dependent stability and interaction dynamics. The findings underscore the remarkable capability of APA-NDs to maintain structural integrity and efficient drug encapsulation, positioning them as a promising platform for drug delivery. The study concludes by emphasizing the tunability and versatility of APA-NDs in drug formulation, potentially revolutionizing nanomedicine by enabling customized APA sequences and ND properties for targeted drug delivery.

Novel one-pot strategy for fabrication of a pH-Responsive bone-targeted drug self-frame delivery system for treatment of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic metabolic orthopedic disorder prevalent in elderly people, that is characterized by a decrease in bone mass. Although many therapeutics have been adopted for OP treatment, many of them are still not well satisfied clinical requirements and therefore development of novel therapeutics is of great significance. In this work, a novel bone-targeting drug self-frame delivery system (DSFDS) with high drug loading efficiency and pH responsive drug release was fabricated by condensation of curcumin (Cur), amino group terminated polyethylene glycol (NH₂-PEG), and alendronate (ALN) using hexachlorocyclotriphosphonitrile (HCCP) as the linker. The final product named as HCCP-Cur-PEG-ALN (HCPA NPs) displayed excellent water dispersity with small size (181.9 ​± ​25.9 ​nm). Furthermore, the drug loading capacity of Cur can reach 25.8%, and Cur can be released from HCPA NPs under acidic environment. Owing to the introduction of ALN, HCPA NPs exhibited strong binding to HAp in vitro and excellent bone-targeting effect in vivo. Results from cellular and biochemical analyses revealed that HCPA NPs could effectively inhibit the formation and differentiation function of osteoclasts. More importantly, we also demonstrated that HCPA NPs could effectively reduce bone loss in OVX mice with low toxicity to major organs. The above results clearly demonstrated that HCPA NPs are promising for OP treatment. Given the simplicity and well designability of fabrication strategy, explicit therapy efficacy and low toxicity of HCPA NPs, we believe that this work should be of great interest for fabrication of various DSFDS to deal with many diseases.

Role of curcumin and its nanoformulations in the treatment of neurological diseases through the effects on stem cells

Curcumin from turmeric is a natural phenolic compound with a promising potential to regulate fundamental processes involved in neurological diseases, including inflammation, oxidative stress, protein aggregation, and apoptosis at the molecular level. In this regard, employing nanoformulation can improve curcumin efficiency by reducing its limitations, such as low bioavailability. Besides curcumin, growing data suggest that stem cells are a noteworthy candidate for neurodegenerative disorders therapy due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and neuronal-differentiation properties, which result in neuroprotection. Curcumin and stem cells have similar neurogenic features and can be co-administered in a cell-drug delivery system to achieve better combination therapeutic outcomes for neurological diseases. Based on the evidence, curcumin can induce the neuroprotective activity of stem cells by modulating their related signalling pathways. The present review is about the role of curcumin and its nanoformulations in the improvement of neurological diseases alone and through the effect on different categories of stem cells by discussing the underlying mechanisms to provide a roadmap for future investigations.

Specific Irreversible Cell-Cycle Arrest and Depletion of Cancer Cells Obtained by Combining Curcumin and the Flavonoids Quercetin and Fisetin

Background: Induced senescence could be exploited to selectively counteract the proliferation of cancer cells and target them for senolysis. We examined the cellular senescence induced by curcumin and whether it could be targeted by fisetin and quercetin, flavonoids with senolytic activity. Methods: Cell-cycle profiles, chromosome number and structure, and heterochromatin markers were evaluated via flow cytometry, metaphase spreads, and immunofluorescence, respectively. The activation of p21^waf1/cip1 was assessed via RT-qPCR and immunoblotting. Senescent cells were detected via SA-β-Galactosidase staining. Results: We report that curcumin treatment specifically triggers senescence in cancer cells by inducing mitotic slippage and DNA damage. We show that curcumin-induced senescence is p21^waf1/cip1-dependent and characterized by heterochromatin loss. Finally, we found that flavonoids clear curcumin-induced senescent cancer cells. Conclusions: Our findings expand the characterization of curcumin-induced cellular senescence in cancer cells and lay the foundation for the combination of curcumin and flavonoids as a possible anti-cancer therapy.

Natural Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Oral Mucositis-A Review

Cancer, a major world public health problem, is associated with chemotherapy treatments whose administration leads to secondary concerns, such as oral mucositis (OM). The OM disorder is characterized by the presence of ulcers in the oral mucosa that cause pain, bleeding, and difficulty in ingesting fluids and solids, or speaking. Bioactive compounds from natural sources have arisen as an effective approach for OM. This review aims to summarize the new potential application of different natural products in the prevention and treatment of OM in comparison to conventional ones, also providing a deep insight into the most recent clinical studies. Natural products, such as Aloe vera, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Camellia sinensis, Calendula officinalis, or honeybee crops, constitute examples of sources of bioactive compounds with pharmacological interest due to their well-reported activities (e.g., antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, or wound healing). These activities are associated with the bioactive compounds present in their matrix (such as flavonoids), which are associated with in vivo biological activities and minimal or absent toxicity. Finally, encapsulation has arisen as a future opportunity to preserve the chemical stability and the drug bioa vailability of bioactive compounds and, most importantly, to improve the buccal retention period and the therapeutic effects.

Curcumin encapsulation in functional PLGA nanoparticles: A promising strategy for cancer therapies

Nanoparticles have emerged as promising drug delivery systems for the treatment of several diseases. Novel cancer therapies have exploited these particles as alternative adjuvant therapies to overcome the traditional limitations of radio and chemotherapy. Curcumin is a natural bioactive compound found in turmeric, that has been reported to show anticancer activity against several types of tumors. Despite some biological limitations regarding its absorption in the human body, curcumin encapsulation in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), a non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible polymer, represents an effective strategy to deliver a drug to a tumor site. Furthermore, PLGA nanoparticles can be engineered with targeting moieties to reach specific cancer cells, thus enhancing the antitumor effects of curcumin. We herein aim to bring an up-to-date summary of the recently developed strategies for curcumin delivery to different types of cancer cells through encapsulation in PLGA nanoparticles, correlating their effects with those of curcumin on the biological capabilities acquired by cancer cells (cancer hallmarks). We discuss the targeting strategies proposed for advanced curcumin delivery and the respective improvements achieved for each cancer cell analyzed, in addition to exploring the encapsulation techniques employed. The conjugation of correct encapsulation techniques with tumor-oriented targeting design can result in curcumin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles that can successfully integrate the elaborate network of development of alternative cancer treatments along with traditional ones. Finally, the current challenges and future demands to launch these nanoparticles in oncology are comprehensively examined.

Oral Administration of a Chemically Modified Curcumin, TRB-N0224, Reduced Inflammatory Cytokines and Cartilage Erosion in a Rabbit ACL Transection Injury Model

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of TRB-N0224, a chemically modified curcumin (CMC) with zinc binding properties and improved pharmacokinetics, in a rabbit anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection injury-induced model of osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

Thirty-eight skeletally mature New Zealand white rabbits were studied in 4 groups: a sham with arthrotomy (n = 6), control with ACL transection (n = 6), and 2 treatment groups with ACL transection and administration of TRB-N0224 at low (25 mg/kg/day) (n = 13) and high (50 mg/kg/day) (n = 13) doses. After euthanization at 12 weeks, outcomes were measured by post-necropsy gross morphology, biomechanics, and cartilage and synovium histology. Rabbit blood ELISA quantified cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) concentrations at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Both treatment doses had fewer distal femoral condyle erosive defects than the control; the low dose demonstrated a mean 78% decrease (P < 0.01). Histologically, the low- and high-dose treatment groups had fewer cartilage pathologic changes and less severe synovitis than the control. CMC alone did not have a major effect on the biomechanics of healthy cartilage or cartilage in the ACL transection model, as demonstrated in 5 of the 6 measured properties/regions (P < 0.05). ELISA results suggested that the key mediators of OA, (interleukin) IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα (tumor necrosis factor-α), MMP-9, and MMP-13, had decreased concentrations with TRB-N0224 treatment at different time points between weeks 4 to 12 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In the pathogenesis of OA, an imbalance exists between catabolic and anabolic mediators. These results suggest the potential of TRB-N0224 to modulate MMP and cytokine levels, slowing the macroscopic and histopathological progression of OA.

The Role of Chronic Inflammation in Various Diseases and Anti-inflammatory Therapies Containing Natural Products

Chronic inflammation represents a long-term reaction of the body's immune system to noxious stimuli. Such a sustained inflammatory response sometimes results in lasting damage to healthy tissues and organs. In fact, chronic inflammation is implicated in the development and progression of various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and even cancers. Targeting nonresolving inflammation thus provides new opportunities for treating relevant diseases. In this review, we will go over several chronic inflammation-associated diseases first with emphasis on the role of inflammation in their pathogenesis. Then, we will summarize a number of natural products that exhibit therapeutic effects against those diseases by acting on different markers in the inflammatory response. We envision that natural products will remain a rich resource for the discovery of new drugs treating diseases associated with chronic inflammation.

Molecular targets for the management of cancer using Curcuma longa Linn. phytoconstituents: A Review

Medicinal plants are being used for therapeutic purposes since the dawn of human civilization. The therapeutic efficacy of medicinal plants is due to the presence of wide range phytochemical constituents or secondary metabolites. The medicinal plants are traditionally used for several types of ailments. Even in those pathological conditions where other methods of treatment fail to work. Curcuma longa Linn is very common ingredient used as spice in foods as preservative and coloring material in different part of the world. It has been used as a home remedy for a variety of diseases. Curcuma longa and its isolated constituent curcumin are widely evaluated for anticancer activity. Curcumin possesses broad remedial potential due to its multi-targeting effect against many different carcinoma including leukemia, genitourinary cancers, gastrointestinal cancers and breast cancer etc. Hence, Curcumin has potential for the development of new medicine for the treatment of several diseases.

B14 ameliorates bone cancer pain through downregulating spinal interleukin-1β via suppressing neuron JAK2/STAT3 pathway

Curcumin has several pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activities. B14 is a curcumin analogue and is considered to be a more potent compound with preserved pharmacodynamic activities. Based on the previous research studies, janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway plays a remarkable role in inflammation, chronic pain, and even contributes to the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. Pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β is a downstream factor of JAK2/STAT3 signal transition pathway, which participates in neuron injury and inflammation. We hypothesized that this signal transition pathway played an indispensable role in bone cancer pain. We herein established a bone cancer pain model to monitor the variation of JAK2/STAT3 signal transduction pathway and measured the effect of B14. The results in bone cancer pain model showed that (i) the levels of interleukin-1β were elevated, and the ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 were increased; (ii) double immunostaining showed that p-JAK2, p-STAT3, and interleukin-1β were colocalized primarily with neurons, rather than with astrocytes or microglial cells; (iii) B14 injection (intraperitoneally) markedly eased bone cancer pain; (iv) Western blotting showed that B14 injection lowered p-JAK2, p-STAT3, and interleukin-1β levels, meanwhile the ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 was reduced; (v) immunofluorescence results also confirmed decreased levels of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, and interleukin-1β in B14 treatment group. These findings suggested that B14 injection attenuated bone cancer pain in rats. This intervention inhibited JAK2/STAT3 cascade activation, downregulating interleukin-1β expression in spinal dorsal horn.

Gene expression profile analysis of ileum transcriptomes in pigs fed Gelsemium elegans plants

Gelsemium elegans is a flowering plant in the Loganiaceae. Because it can promote the growth of pigs and sheep, it is widely used, including in veterinary clinics, but little information is available about its biological effects. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing to characterize the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the ileums of pigs between a control group and a group fed Gelsemium elegans for 45 days. We found that Gelsemium elegans affected many inflammatory and immune pathways, including biological processes such as defense responses, inflammation and immune responses. Moreover, this study identified several important genes related to the anti-inflammatory activity of Gelsemium elegans (e.g., CXCL-8, IL1A, and CSF2), which will be beneficial for further study of the pharmacological mechanisms and clinical applications of Gelsemium elegans.

Curcumin and Cancer

Curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from Curcuma longa in 1815, has gained attention from scientists worldwide for its biological activities (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral), among which its anticancer potential has been the most described and still remains under investigation. The present review focuses on the cell signaling pathways involved in cancer development and proliferation, and which are targeted by curcumin. Curcumin has been reported to modulate growth factors, enzymes, transcription factors, kinase, inflammatory cytokines, and proapoptotic (by upregulation) and antiapoptotic (by downregulation) proteins. This polyphenol compound, alone or combined with other agents, could represent an effective drug for cancer therapy.

Curc-mPEG454, a PEGylated Curcumin Derivative, Improves Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities: a Comparative Study

We previously demonstrated that a PEGylated curcumin (Curc-mPEG454) significantly inhibited cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression and improved the progression of liver fibrosis. The current study systematically evaluates its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in vitro in a comparative study with curcumin, aspirin, NS-398, and vitamin C. RAW264.7 murine macrophages were pretreated with Curc-mPEG454, curcumin, aspirin, NS-398, or vitamin C at the indicated concentration for 2 h; then, the cells were stimulated with 1 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, including IL-6, TNF-α, PGE2, NO, and GSH, and the activities of COX-2, SOD, and CAT, and the transcription factors involved in inflammation, such as NF-κB, c-Jun, and Nrf2, were measured. Curc-mPEG454 showed lower cytotoxicity (IC50 57.8 μM) when compared with that of curcumin (IC50 32.6 μM) and inhibited the release of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and MCP-1 in a concentration-dependent manner. At 16 μM, Curc-mPEG454 was most potent in the suppression of COX-2 expression at a transcriptional level rather than in the suppression of the catalytic activity of COX-2. Like curcumin, Curc-mPEG454 significantly reduced intracellular ROS production and enhanced the activities of SOD and CAT and the level of GSH to protect cells from LPS-induced oxidative injury. Further, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidation mechanisms are related to inhibition of NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and c-Jun phosphorylation and to activation of Nrf2. Taken together, these findings indicate that PEGylation of curcumin not only improves its biological properties but also interferes with multiple targets involved in the inflammatory response. Curc-mPEG454 is a powerful and beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent that merits further investigation. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Recent development in antihyperalgesic effect of phytochemicals: anti-inflammatory and neuro-modulatory actions

INTRODUCTION

Pain is an unpleasant sensation triggered by noxious stimulation. It is one of the most prevalent conditions, limiting productivity and diminishing quality of life. Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used as pain relievers in present day practice as pain is mostly initiated due to inflammation. However, due to potentially serious side effects, long term use of these antihyperalgesic drugs raises concern. Therefore there is a demand to search novel medicines with least side effects. Herbal products have been used for centuries to reduce pain and inflammation, and phytochemicals are known to cause fewer side effects. However, identification of active phytochemicals of herbal medicines and clear understanding of the molecular mechanism of their action is needed for clinical acceptance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this review, we have briefly discussed the cellular and molecular changes during hyperalgesia via inflammatory mediators and neuro-modulatory action involved therein. The review includes 54 recently reported phytochemicals with antihyperalgesic action, as per the literature available with PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus.

CONCLUSION

Compounds of high interest as potential antihyperalgesic agents are: curcumin, resveratrol, capsaicin, quercetin, eugenol, naringenin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Current knowledge about molecular targets of pain and their regulation by these phytochemicals is elaborated and the scope of further research is discussed.

Curcumin Suppresses IL-1β Secretion and Prevents Inflammation through Inhibition of the NLRP3 Inflammasome

Turmeric is traditionally used as a spice and coloring in foods. Curcumin is the primary active ingredient in the turmeric, and compelling evidence has shown that it has the ability to inhibit inflammation. However, the mechanism mediating its anti-inflammatory effects are not fully understood. We report that curcumin inhibited caspase-1 activation and IL-1β secretion through suppressing LPS priming and the inflammasome activation pathway in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. The inhibitory effect of curcumin on inflammasome activation was specific to the NLRP3, not to the NLRC4 or the AIM2 inflammasomes. Curcumin inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome by preventing K⁺ efflux and disturbing the downstream events, including the efficient spatial arrangement of mitochondria, ASC oligomerization, and speckle formation. Reactive oxygen species, autophagy, sirtuin-2, or acetylated α-tubulin was ruled out as the mechanism by which curcumin inhibits the inflammasome. Importantly, in vivo data show that curcumin attenuated IL-1β secretion and prevented high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in wide-type C57BL/6 mice but not in Nlrp3-deficient mice. Curcumin also repressed monosodium urate crystal-induced peritoneal inflammation in vivo. Taken together, we identified curcumin as a common NLRP3 inflammasome activation inhibitor. Our findings reveal a mechanism through which curcumin represses inflammation and suggest the potential clinical use of curcumin in NLRP3-driven diseases.

Chemopreventive effects of Ku-jin tea against AOM-induced precancerous colorectal lesions in rats and metabolomic analysis

Ku-jin tea (KJT) is a health beverage prepared from the leaves of the plant Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala that has been consumed in some regions of China for thousands of years. KJT contains high levels of anti-inflammatory and antioxidative compounds such as ginnalins, but little is known about the chemopreventive effect of KJT on colon cancer. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of KJT on colon carcinogenesis using the azoxymethane (AOM)-induced precancerous colorectal lesion model in rats. The results showed that the number of aberrant crypts, aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and crypts/focus in rats of the KJT + AOM group were significantly decreased compared with rats of the AOM group (p < 0.01). Further exploration of the prevention mechanism of KJT by UPLC-QTOF/MS-based urinary metabolomics showed that 5 metabolic pathways were modulated, including purine metabolism and amino acid metabolism, in the group with KJT. In addition, the levels of the immunomodulatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-10 were significantly decreased, and the levels of IL-2 in the serum of AOM rats increased after KJT treatment. Our present data suggest that KJT can inhibit AOM-induced colonic ACF formation and might be a useful chemopreventive agent against colorectal carcinogenesis.

Curcumin mediates anticancer effects by modulating multiple cell signaling pathways

Curcumin, a component of a spice native to India, was first isolated in 1815 by Vogel and Pelletier from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and, subsequently, the chemical structure of curcumin as diferuloylmethane was reported by Milobedzka et al. [(1910) 43., 2163-2170]. Since then, this polyphenol has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. The current review primarily focuses on the anticancer potential of curcumin through the modulation of multiple cell signaling pathways. Curcumin modulates diverse transcription factors, inflammatory cytokines, enzymes, kinases, growth factors, receptors, and various other proteins with an affinity ranging from the pM to the mM range. Furthermore, curcumin effectively regulates tumor cell growth via modulation of numerous cell signaling pathways and potentiates the effect of chemotherapeutic agents and radiation against cancer. Curcumin can interact with most of the targets that are modulated by FDA-approved drugs for cancer therapy. The focus of this review is to discuss the molecular basis for the anticancer activities of curcumin based on preclinical and clinical findings.

Aerosol Delivery of Curcumin Reduced Amyloid-β Deposition and Improved Cognitive Performance in a Transgenic Model of Alzheimer's Disease

We report a novel approach for the delivery of curcumin to the brain via inhalation of the aerosol for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The percentage of plaque fraction in the subiculum and hippocampus reduced significantly when young 5XFAD mice were treated with inhalable curcumin over an extended period of time compared to age-matched nontreated counterparts. Further, treated animals demonstrated remarkably improved overall cognitive function, no registered systemic or pulmonary toxicity associated with inhalable curcumin observed during the course of this work.

Curcumin ameliorates neuropathic pain by down-regulating spinal IL-1β via suppressing astroglial NALP1 inflammasome and JAK2-STAT3 signalling

Curcumin has been shown to possess strong anti-inflammatory activity in many diseases. It has been demonstrated that the janus kinase 2 (JAK2)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) cascade and the NAcht leucine-rich-repeat protein 1 (NALP1) inflammasome are important for the synthesis of Pro-Interleukin (IL)-1β and the processing of the inactive protein to its mature form, which plays an active role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. The present study showed that repeated intraperitoneal injection of curcumin ameliorated SNI-induced mechanical and cold allodynia in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited the elevation of spinal mature IL-1β protein levels. Additionally, repeated curcumin treatment significantly inhibited the aggregation of the NALP1 inflammasome and the activation of the JAK2-STAT3 cascade in spinal astrocytes. Furthermore, the genetic down-regulation of NALP1 inflammasome activation by NALP1 siRNA and the pharmacological inhibition of the JAK2-STAT3 cascade by AG490 markedly inhibited IL-1β maturation and Pro-IL-1β synthesis, respectively, and reduced SNI-induced pain hypersensitivity. Our results suggest that curcumin attenuated neuropathic pain and down-regulated the production of spinal mature IL-1β by inhibiting the aggregation of NALP1 inflammasome and the activation of the JAK2-STAT3 cascade in astrocytes.

Antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of genkwanin on colorectal cancer in the APC(Min/+) mice

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality. To evaluate the antitumor effect of genkwanin on colorectal cancer enhanced by western high-fat diet, we investigated the activity of genkwanin on HT-29 and SW-480 human colorectal cancer lines in vitro and on the APC(Min/+) mice in vivo. In a cell culture system, six different inflammatory cytokines obviously stimulated two cancer cells growth in a concentration-dependent manner, while genkwanin significantly inhibited HT-29 and SW-480 human colorectal cancer cells proliferation and inflammatory cytokine IL-8 secretion. In the APC(Min/+) mice, the body weights, spleen and thymus indexes and immunity cytokine secretions were significantly improved after oral administration 12.5 and 25mg/kg/day of genkwanin. Besides, the tumor multiplicity changes and inflammatory cytokine levels were markedly reduced in two genkwanin-treated groups. The dysplastic adenomatous changes were also obviously ameliorated in gut histopathology. Taken together, our results indicated that genkwanin had a better antitumor activity partly via enhancing host immunity and decreasing the inflammatory cytokine levels. Genkwanin may be an effective chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Berberine attenuates CCN2-induced IL-1β expression and prevents cartilage degradation in a rat model of osteoarthritis

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF; also known as CCN2) is an inflammatory mediator that is abundantly expressed in osteoarthritis (OA). Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) plays a pivotal role in OA pathogenesis. Berberine exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect, but the mechanisms by which it modulates CCN2-induced IL-1β expression in OA synovial fibroblasts (OASFs) remain unknown. We showed that CCN2-induced IL-1β expression is mediated by the activation of αvβ3/αvβ5 integrin-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and subsequent activation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), p38/JNK, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. This IL-1β expression in OASFs is attenuated by N-acetylcysteine (NAC), inhibitors of ASK1, p38, or JNK, or treatment with berberine. Furthermore, berberine also reverses cartilage damage in an experimental model of collagenase-induced OA (CIOA). We observed that CCN2 increased IL-1β expression via αvβ3/αvβ5 integrins, ROS, and ASK1, p38/JNK, and NF-κB signaling pathways. Berberine was found to inhibit these signaling components in OASFs in vitro and prevent cartilage degradation in vivo. We suggest a novel therapeutic strategy of using berberine for managing OA.

Long term effect of curcumin in restoration of tumour suppressor p53 and phase-II antioxidant enzymes via activation of Nrf2 signalling and modulation of inflammation in prevention of cancer

Inhibition of carcinogenesis may be a consequence of attenuation of oxidative stress via activation of antioxidant defence system, restoration and stabilization of tumour suppressor proteins along with modulation of inflammatory mediators. Previously we have delineated significant role of curcumin during its long term effect in regulation of glycolytic pathway and angiogenesis, which in turn results in prevention of cancer via modulation of stress activated genes. Present study was designed to investigate long term effect of curcumin in regulation of Nrf2 mediated phase-II antioxidant enzymes, tumour suppressor p53 and inflammation under oxidative tumour microenvironment in liver of T-cell lymphoma bearing mice. Inhibition of Nrf2 signalling observed during lymphoma progression, resulted in down regulation of phase II antioxidant enzymes, p53 as well as activation of inflammatory signals. Curcumin potentiated significant increase in Nrf2 activation. It restored activity of phase-II antioxidant enzymes like GST, GR, NQO1, and tumour suppressor p53 level. In addition, curcumin modulated inflammation via upregulation of TGF-β and reciprocal regulation of iNOS and COX2. The study suggests that during long term effect, curcumin leads to prevention of cancer by inducing phase-II antioxidant enzymes via activation of Nrf2 signalling, restoration of tumour suppressor p53 and modulation of inflammatory mediators like iNOS and COX2 in liver of lymphoma bearing mice.

Quercetin regresses Dalton's lymphoma growth via suppression of PI3K/AKT signaling leading to upregulation of p53 and decrease in energy metabolism

Various oncogenes are associated with deregulation in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell survival, which ultimately cause cancerous growth. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) mediated signaling plays a key role in malignant transformation. Cell proliferation and cell survival of tumor cell are induced by hyper activation of PI3K, AKT1, glycolytic enzyme LDH-A, and inactivation of tumor suppressor gene p53. Dietary flavonoids such as quercetin are considered a powerful modulator of different cellular signaling pathways. The present study is focused on the role of quercetin on regulation of PI3K/AKT pathways in Dalton's lymphoma mice. Effect of quercetin was analyzed in ascite cells in terms of cell viability, glycolytic metabolism as well as expression, and level of PI3K (regulatory and catalytic subunit), AKT1, and p53 using standard methods. Results reflect hyperactivation of PI3K signaling in ascite cells of Dalton's lymphoma mice, leading to activation of AKT1 and inactivation of p53. Quercetin modulates the pathway toward suppression of lymphoma. Glycolytic metabolism was also downregulated by quercetin. Its tumor suppressor activity was confirmed by morphological parameters and longevity of mice. The findings suggest that quercetin may contribute to lymphoma prevention by downregulating PI3K-AKT1-p53 pathway as well as by glycolytic metabolism.

Long term effect of curcumin in regulation of glycolytic pathway and angiogenesis via modulation of stress activated genes in prevention of cancer

Oxidative stress, an important factor in modulation of glycolytic pathway and induction of stress activated genes, is further augmented due to reduced antioxidant defense system, which promotes cancer progression via inducing angiogenesis. Curcumin, a naturally occurring chemopreventive phytochemical, is reported to inhibit carcinogenesis in various experimental animal models. However, the underlying mechanism involved in anticarcinogenic action of curcumin due to its long term effect is still to be reported because of its rapid metabolism, although metabolites are accumulated in tissues and remain for a longer time. Therefore, the long term effect of curcumin needs thorough investigation. The present study aimed to analyze the anticarcinogenic action of curcumin in liver, even after withdrawal of treatment in Dalton's lymphoma bearing mice. Oxidative stress observed during lymphoma progression reduced antioxidant enzyme activities, and induced angiogenesis as well as activation of early stress activated genes and glycolytic pathway. Curcumin treatment resulted in activation of antioxidant enzyme super oxide dismutase and down regulation of ROS level as well as activity of ROS producing enzyme NADPH:oxidase, expression of stress activated genes HIF-1α, cMyc and LDH activity towards normal level. Further, it lead to significant inhibition of angiogenesis, observed via MMPs activity, PKCα and VEGF level, as well as by matrigel plug assay. Thus findings of this study conclude that the long term effect of curcumin shows anticarcinogenic potential via induction of antioxidant defense system and inhibition of angiogenesis via down regulation of stress activated genes and glycolytic pathway in liver of lymphoma bearing mice.