Bilberry extract, its major polyphenolic compounds, and the soy isoflavone genistein antagonize the cytostatic drug erlotinib in human epithelial cells

In Vitro Inhibitory Potential of Different Anthocyanin-Rich Berry Extracts in Murine CT26 Colon Cancer Cells

Anti-oxidant, -inflammatory, and -carcinogenic activities of bioactive plant constituents, such as anthocyanins, have been widely discussed in literature. However, the potential interaction of anthocyanin-rich extracts with routinely used chemotherapeutics is still not fully elucidated. In the present study, anthocyanin-rich polyphenol extracts of blackberry (BB), bilberry (Bil), black currant (BC), elderberry (EB), and their respective main anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, and cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside) were investigated concerning their cytotoxic and DNA-damaging properties in murine CT26 cells either alone or in combination with the chemotherapeutic agent SN-38. BB exerted potent cytotoxic effects, while Bil, BC, and EB only had marginal effects on cell viability. Single anthocyanins comprised of the extracts could not induce comparable effects. Even though the BB extract further pronounced SN-38-induced cytotoxicity and inhibited cell adhesion at 100-200 µg/mL, no effect on DNA damage was observed. In conclusion, anti-carcinogenic properties of the extracts on CT26 cells could be ranked BB >> BC ≥ Bil ≈ EB. Mechanisms underlying the potent cytotoxic effects are still to be elucidated since the induction of DNA damage does not play a role.

In vitro anticancer properties of anthocyanins: A systematic review

Anthocyanins have been associated with beneficial effects on human health. Cancer has been one of the main public health issues due to its aggressiveness and high mortality rate. This systematic review aimed to address recent research (from January 2000 to September 2021) on the anticancer activity of anthocyanins assessed by in vitro assays. The selected studies revealed that anthocyanins have anticancer potential by inhibiting cancer cell viability and proliferation, controlling cell cycle, and promoting apoptosis.

Polyphenol Extracts from Grape Seeds and Apple Can Reactivate Latent HIV-1 Transcription through Promoting P-TEFb Release from 7SK snRNP

The principal barrier for the eradication of HIV/AIDS is the virus latency. One of the effective strategies so called “shock and kill” is to use latency-reversing agents (LRAs) to activate the latent HIV reservoirs and then combine them with the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to eradicate the virus. However, most of the current LRAs are too toxic; therefore, they have not been used clinically. Our preliminary data indicated that polyphenols from grape seeds can activate HIV in latently infected Jurkat T cells. Owing to a lot of food containing polyphenols and based on a reasoning whether all of these kinds of polyphenols contain the latency-reversing function, in this study, we screened 22 fruits/vegetables to see whether polyphenols from these can reactivate latent HIV-1 transcription. We finally proved that the polyphenols from grape seeds, apple, pomegranate, and bilberry can reactivate latent HIV-1 transcription. The activation of which can be detected on the level of protein and mRNA. The activation of which is in a dose- and time-dependent manner, while the activated polyphenol extracts have the effects to stimulate Tat-independent HIV-1 transcription. The mechanism shows that polyphenol extracts from grape seeds and apple can stimulate P-TEFb's release from 7SK snRNP to induce HIV gene transcription. These results indicate that using a few food of high-content polyphenols as latent activators and combining HARRT may be of great use for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in the future.

Physiologically Active Molecules and Functional Properties of Soybeans in Human Health-A Current Perspective

In addition to providing nutrients, food can help prevent and treat certain diseases. In particular, research on soy products has increased dramatically following their emergence as functional foods capable of improving blood circulation and intestinal regulation. In addition to their nutritional value, soybeans contain specific phytochemical substances that promote health and are a source of dietary fiber, phospholipids, isoflavones (e.g., genistein and daidzein), phenolic acids, saponins, and phytic acid, while serving as a trypsin inhibitor. These individual substances have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing chronic diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, cardiac diseases, diabetes, and senile dementia, as well as in treating cancer and suppressing osteoporosis. Furthermore, soybean can affect fibrinolytic activity, control blood pressure, and improve lipid metabolism, while eliciting antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, and antibacterial effects. In this review, rather than to improve on the established studies on the reported nutritional qualities of soybeans, we intend to examine the physiological activities of soybeans that have recently been studied and confirm their potential as a high-functional, well-being food.

Combinatory effects of cereulide and deoxynivalenol on in vitro cell viability and inflammation of human Caco-2 cells

Deoxynivalenol (DON), one of the most abundant mycotoxins in cereal products, was recently detected with other mycotoxins and the emetic bacterial toxin cereulide (CER) in maize porridge. Within a cereal-based diet, co-exposure to these toxins is likely, hence raising the question of combinatory toxicological effects. While the toxicological evaluation of DON has quite progressed, consequences of chronic, low-dose CER exposure are still insufficiently explored. Information about the combinatory toxicological effects of these toxins is lacking. In the present study, we investigated how CER (0.1-100 ng/mL) and DON (0.01-10 µg/mL) alone and in a constant ratio of 1:100 (CER:DON) affect the cytotoxicity and immune response of differentiated human intestinal Caco-2 cells. While DON alone reduced cell viability only in the highest concentration (10 µg/mL), CER caused severe cytotoxicity upon prolonged incubation (starting from 10 ng/mL after 24 h and 48 h, 2.5 ng/mL and higher after 72 h). After 72 h, synergistic effects were observed at 2.5 ng/mL CER and 0.25 µg/mL DON. Different endpoints of inflammation were investigated in interleukin-1β-stimulated Caco-2 cells. Notably, DON-induced interleukin-8 transcription and secretion were diminished by the presence of 10 and 25 ng/mL CER after short-term (5 h) incubation, indicating immunosuppressive properties. We hypothesise that habitual consumption of cereal-based foods co-contaminated with CER and DON may cause synergistic cytotoxic effects and an altered immune response in the human intestine. Therefore, further research concerning effects of co-occurring bacterial toxins and mycotoxins on the impairment of intestinal barrier integrity, intestinal inflammation and the promotion of malnutrition is needed.

Molecular Insights into Potential Contributions of Natural Polyphenols to Lung Cancer Treatment

Naturally occurring polyphenols are believed to have beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of a myriad of disorders due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antineoplastic, cytotoxic, and immunomodulatory activities documented in a large body of literature. In the era of molecular medicine and targeted therapy, there is a growing interest in characterizing the molecular mechanisms by which polyphenol compounds interact with multiple protein targets and signaling pathways that regulate key cellular processes under both normal and pathological conditions. Numerous studies suggest that natural polyphenols have chemopreventive and/or chemotherapeutic properties against different types of cancer by acting through different molecular mechanisms. The present review summarizes recent preclinical studies on the applications of bioactive polyphenols in lung cancer therapy, with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms that underlie the therapeutic effects of major polyphenols on lung cancer. We also discuss the potential of the polyphenol-based combination therapy as an attractive therapeutic strategy against lung cancer.

Combinatorial Epigenetics Impact of Polyphenols and Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Polyphenols are potent micronutrients that can be found in large quantities in various food sources and spices. These compounds, also known as phenolics due to their phenolic structure, play a vital nutrient-based role in the prevention of various diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, liver disease, and cancers. However, the function of polyphenols in disease prevention and therapy depends on their dietary consumption and biological properties. According to American Cancer Society statistics, there will be an expected rise of 23.6 million new cancer cases by 2030. Due to the severity of the increased risk, it is important to evaluate various preventive measures associated with cancer. Relatively recently, numerous studies have indicated that various dietary polyphenols and phytochemicals possess properties of modifying epigenetic mechanisms that modulate gene expression resulting in regulation of cancer. These polyphenols and phytochemicals, when administrated in a dose-dependent and combinatorial-based manner, can have an enhanced effect on epigenetic changes, which play a crucial role in cancer prevention and therapy. Hence, this review will focus on the mechanisms of combined polyphenols and phytochemicals that can impact various epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and histone modifications as well as regulation of non-coding miRNAs expression for treatment and prevention of various types of cancer.

Extracellular Vesicles as Vehicles for the Delivery of Food Bioactives

The nutritional value of food can be improved by the addition of bioactive compounds. However, most of these favorable food additives demonstrate low bioavailability because of their limited stability, solubility, and structural transformations upon digestion and absorption. One strategy to combat these limitations is to integrate bioactives into nanoparticles, although the mostly used artificial materials may result in immune system activation and fast clearing times. Therefore, novel, more biocompatible delivery systems are required. Extracellular vesicles are communication tools designed by evolution to transfer information between cells, organs, and whole organisms. Hence, these vesicles offer enormous potential for targeted bioactive compound delivery.

Delphinidin protects colon carcinoma cells against the genotoxic effects of the mycotoxin altertoxin II

Alternaria spp. are ubiquitous molds that are able to produce toxic secondary metabolites which may contaminate food globally. One of those is the mycotoxin altertoxin II (ATX-II), a genotoxic and mutagenic compound. In recent years, different flavonoids that may co-occur with mycotoxins in food were demonstrated to temper toxic effects of molds, mostly through their anti-oxidant properties. Thus, in this study, we assessed the influence of the berry anthocyanidin delphinidin on the toxicity of ATX-II in HT-29 colon carcinoma cells. We performed coupled SRB/WST-1 cytotoxicity assays which revealed only weak antagonistic interactions, and single-cell gel electrophoresis ("comet") assays, where we observed a potent protective effect of delphinidin on the DNA-damaging properties of ATX-II. Furthermore, we investigated the mechanism for this interaction. In the DCF assay delphinidin was found to reduce intracellular oxidative stress levels, which might contribute partly to the latter protection. However, LC-MS experiments showed that co-incubation of the mycotoxin with either delphinidin or its potential degradation product phloroglucinol aldehyde significantly decreased ATX-II concentrations in aqueous solutions, indicating that a direct chemical reaction of ATX-II with these components is likely responsible for the observed loss of toxicity. Our results indicate that delphinidin - and possibly other anthocyanins as well - might play a role in the protection of the gut from Alternaria-induced genotoxicity.