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Krishnan J, Poomalai P, Ravichandran A, Reddy A, Sureshkumar R. A Concise Review on Effect of PEGylation on the Properties of Lipid-Based Nanoparticles. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2024. [PMID: 38828531 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2024.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have emerged as promising platforms for enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. Among various strategies employed to optimize these systems, polyethylene glycol (PEG) modification, known as PEGylation-the covalent attachment of PEG to nanoparticles, has gained considerable attention for its ability to impart stealth properties to nanoparticles while also extending circulation time and improving biocompatibility. PEGylation extends to different drug delivery systems, in specific, nanoparticles for targeting cancer cells, where the concentration of drug in the cancer cells is improved by virtue of PEGylation. The primary challenge linked to PEGylation lies in its confirmation. Numerous research findings provide comprehensive insights into selecting PEG for various PEGylation methods. In this review, we have endeavored to consolidate the outcomes concerning the choice of PEG and diverse PEGylation techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janesha Krishnan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Center for Nano Engineering Science & Technology (C-NEST), JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty, India
| | - Praveena Poomalai
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Center for Nano Engineering Science & Technology (C-NEST), JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty, India
| | - Ashwin Ravichandran
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Center for Nano Engineering Science & Technology (C-NEST), JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty, India
| | - Aishwarya Reddy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Center for Nano Engineering Science & Technology (C-NEST), JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty, India
| | - Raman Sureshkumar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Center for Nano Engineering Science & Technology (C-NEST), JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty, India
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Nisha R, Kumar P, Mishra N, Maurya P, Ahmad S, Singh N, Saraf SA. Appraisal of folate functionalized bosutinib cubosomes against hepatic cancer cells: In-vitro, In-silico, and in-vivo pharmacokinetic study. Int J Pharm 2024; 654:123975. [PMID: 38452833 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.123975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Targeted therapies enhance the efficacy of tumour screening and management while lowering side effects. Multiple tumours, including liver cancer, exhibit elevated levels of folate receptor expression. This research attempted to develop surface-functionalised bosutinib cubosomes against hepatocellular carcinoma. The novelty of this work is the anti-hepatic action of bosutinib (BST) and folic acid-modified bosutinib cubosomes (BSTMF) established through proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase (SrC)/ focal adhesion kinase(FAK), reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and cell cytotoxicity. Later, the in-vivo pharmacokinetics of BSTMF were determined for the first time. The strong affinity of folic acid (FA) for folate receptors allows BSTMF to enter cells via FA receptor-mediated endocytosis. The particle size of the prepared BSTMF was 188.5 ± 2.25 nm, and its zeta potential was -20.19 ± 2.01 mV, an encapsulation efficiency of 90.31 ± 3.15 %, and a drug release rate of 76.70 ± 2.10 % for 48 h. The surface architecture of BSTMF was identified using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cell-line studies demonstrated that BSTMF substantially lowered the viability of Hep G2 cells compared to BST and bosutinib-loaded cubosomes (BSTF). BSTMF demonstrated an elevated BST concentration in tumour tissue than in other organs and also displayed superior pharmacokinetics, implying that they hold potential against hepatic cancers. This is the first study to show that BSTMF may be effective against liver cancer by targeting folate receptors and triggering SrC/FAK-dependent apoptotic pathways. Multiple parameters demonstrated that BSTMF enhanced anticancer targeting, therapeutic efficacy, and safety in NDEA-induced hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquibun Nisha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, India
| | - Pranesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, India; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226031, India
| | - Nidhi Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, India
| | - Priyanka Maurya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, India; Faculty of Pharmacy, Babu Banarasi Das Northern India Institute of Technology, Sector II, Dr Akhilesh Das Nagar, Faizabad Road, Lucknow, 226028, India
| | - Shakir Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Neelu Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, India
| | - Shubhini A Saraf
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, India; National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Raebareli, Transit Campus: NIPER-Raebareli, Sarojini Nagar, Near CRPF Base Camp, Lucknow 226002, India.
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Nandi S, Nag A, Khatua S, Sen S, Chakraborty N, Naskar A, Acharya K, Calina D, Sharifi-Rad J. Anticancer activity and other biomedical properties of β-sitosterol: Bridging phytochemistry and current pharmacological evidence for future translational approaches. Phytother Res 2024; 38:592-619. [PMID: 37929761 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Sterols, including β-sitosterol, are essential components of cellular membranes in both plant and animal cells. Despite being a major phytosterol in various plant materials, comprehensive scientific knowledge regarding the properties of β-sitosterol and its potential applications is essential for scholarly pursuits and utilization purposes. β-sitosterol shares similar chemical characteristics with cholesterol and exhibits several pharmacological activities without major toxicity. This study aims to bridge the gap between phytochemistry and current pharmacological evidence of β-sitosterol, focusing on its anticancer activity and other biomedical properties. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of β-sitosterol's potential for future translational approaches. A thorough examination of the literature was conducted to gather relevant information on the biological properties of β-sitosterol, particularly its anticancer therapeutic potential. Various databases were searched, including PubMed/MedLine, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science using appropriate keywords. Studies investigating the effects of β-sitosterol on different types of cancer were analyzed, focusing on mechanisms of action, pharmacological screening, and chemosensitizing properties. Modern pharmacological screening studies have revealed the potential anticancer therapeutic properties of β-sitosterol against various types of cancer, including leukemia, lung, stomach, breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer. β-sitosterol has demonstrated chemosensitizing effects on cancer cells, interfering with multiple cell signaling pathways involved in proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, survival, metastasis invasion, angiogenesis, and inflammation. Structural derivatives of β-sitosterol have also shown anti-cancer effects. However, research in the field of drug delivery and the detailed mode of action of β-sitosterol-mediated anticancer activities remains limited. β-sitosterol, as a non-toxic compound with significant pharmacological potential, exhibits promising anticancer effects against various cancer types. Despite being relatively less potent than conventional cancer chemotherapeutics, β-sitosterol holds potential as a safe and effective nutraceutical against cancer. Further comprehensive studies are recommended to explore the biological properties of β-sitosterol, including its mode of action, and develop novel formulations for its potential use in cancer treatment. This review provides a foundation for future investigations and highlights the need for further research on β-sitosterol as a potent superfood in combating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudeshna Nandi
- Molecular and Applied Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Anish Nag
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India
| | - Somanjana Khatua
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
| | - Surjit Sen
- Department of Botany, Fakir Chand College, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Arghya Naskar
- Molecular and Applied Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Krishnendu Acharya
- Molecular and Applied Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
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Chen Y, Yin S, Liu R, Yang Y, Wu Q, Lin W, Li W. β-Sitosterol activates autophagy to inhibit the development of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating the complement C5a receptor 1/alpha fetoprotein axis. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 957:175983. [PMID: 37598926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly refractory. β-Sitosterol has been reported to suppress proliferation and migration as well as interfere with cell metabolism in tumors. However, there is limited information on the effects of β-sitosterol on HCC. Herein, we used a xenograft mouse model to investigate the effects of β-sitosterol on HCC tumor growth. The molecular mechanism was elucidated using quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, lentiviral transfection, CCK8, scratch, Transwell, and Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3B assays. The results showed that HepG2 cells highly expressed complement C5a receptor 1. β-Sitosterol antagonized complement component 5a and exerted inhibitory effects on the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells. The inhibitory effect of β-sitosterol was reversed by the knockdown of complement C5a receptor 1. Bioinformatics analysis suggested alpha fetoprotein (AFP) as a downstream factor of complement C5a receptor 1. β-Sitosterol inhibited AFP expression, which was reversed by complement C5a receptor 1 knockdown. The inhibitory effects of β-sitosterol on cell proliferation and migration were weakened by AFP overexpression. Furthermore, β-sitosterol induced autophagy in HepG2 cells, which was reversed by complement C5a receptor 1 knockdown and AFP overexpression. Blockade of autophagy by 3-MA attenuated β-sitosterol inhibition of proliferation and migration in HepG2 cells. Moreover, β-sitosterol inhibited HCC progression in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that β-sitosterol inhibits HCC advancement by activating autophagy through the complement C5a receptor 1/AFP axis. These findings recommend β-sitosterol as a promising therapy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuankun Chen
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan, Haikou 570100, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Health, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Song Yin
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, Hefei 230001, China; Wannan Medical College, Anhui, Wuhu 241002, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan, Haikou 570100, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Health, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Yijun Yang
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan, Haikou 570100, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Health, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Qiuping Wu
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan, Haikou 570100, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Health, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Wenyu Lin
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Wenting Li
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan, Haikou 570100, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Health, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, Haikou 571199, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei 230022, China.
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Ouyang JY, Lin WJ, Dong JM, Yang Y, Yang HK, Zhou ZL, Wang RQ. Exploring the pharmacological mechanism of Wuzhuyu decoction on hepatocellular carcinoma using network pharmacology. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:6327-6343. [PMID: 37900230 PMCID: PMC10601014 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i27.6327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wuzhuyu decoction, a traditional Chinese medicinal formula, is effective in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AIM To explore the potential mechanism of action of Wuzhuyu decoction against HCC. METHODS The active components of each Chinese herbal medicinal ingredient in Wuzhuyu decoction and their targets were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform. HCC was used as a search query in GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Malacards, DisGeNET, Therapeutic Target Database, and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. The overlapping targets of the Wuzhuyu decoction and HCC were defined, and then protein-protein interaction, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed. CytoHubba was used to select hub genes, and their binding activities and key active components were verified using molecular docking. RESULTS A total of 764 compounds, 77 active compounds, and 204 potential target genes were identified in Wuzhuyu decoction. For HCC, 9468 potential therapeutic target genes were identified by combining the results from the six databases and removing duplicates. A total of 179 overlapping targets of Wuzhuyu decoction and HCC were defined, including 10 hub genes (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, AKT1, TP53, caspase-3, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1, epidermal growth factor receptor, MYC, mitogen-activated protein kinase 8, and JUN). There were six main active components (quercetin, kaempferol, ginsenoside Rh2, rutaecarpine, β-carotene, and β-sitosterol) that may act on hub genes to treat HCC in Wuzhuyu decoction. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis mainly involved the mitogen-activated protein kinase, p53, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase-Akt, Janus kinase-signal transducer of activators of transcription, and Hippo signaling pathways. Further verification based on molecular docking results showed that the small molecule compounds (quercetin, kaempferol, ginsenoside Rh2, rutaecarpine, β-carotene, and β-sitosterol) contained in Wuzhuyu decoction generally have excellent binding affinity to the macromolecular target proteins encoded by the top 10 genes. CONCLUSION This study revealed that Wuzhuyu decoction may be a latent multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway treatment for HCC. It provided novel insights for verifying the mechanism of Wuzhuyu decoction in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ying Ouyang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei-Jie Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jia-Mei Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hai-Kui Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhi-Ling Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Rui-Qi Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
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Evtyugin DD, Evtuguin DV, Casal S, Domingues MR. Advances and Challenges in Plant Sterol Research: Fundamentals, Analysis, Applications and Production. Molecules 2023; 28:6526. [PMID: 37764302 PMCID: PMC10535520 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant sterols (PS) are cholesterol-like terpenoids widely spread in the kingdom Plantae. Being the target of extensive research for more than a century, PS have topped with evidence of having beneficial effects in healthy subjects and applications in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. However, many gaps in several fields of PS's research still hinder their widespread practical applications. In fact, many of the mechanisms associated with PS supplementation and their health benefits are still not fully elucidated. Furthermore, compared to cholesterol data, many complex PS chemical structures still need to be fully characterized, especially in oxidized PS. On the other hand, PS molecules have also been the focus of structural modifications for applications in diverse areas, including not only the above-mentioned but also in e.g., drug delivery systems or alternative matrixes for functional foods and fats. All the identified drawbacks are also superimposed by the need of new PS sources and technologies for their isolation and purification, taking into account increased environmental and sustainability concerns. Accordingly, current and future trends in PS research warrant discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry D. Evtyugin
- CICECO, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (D.D.E.); (D.V.E.)
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Dmitry V. Evtuguin
- CICECO, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (D.D.E.); (D.V.E.)
| | - Susana Casal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Rosário Domingues
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- CESAM, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Basu A, Namporn T, Ruenraroengsak P. Critical Review in Designing Plant-Based Anticancer Nanoparticles against Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1611. [PMID: 37376061 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for 85% of liver cancer cases, continues to be the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although various forms of chemotherapy and immunotherapy have been investigated in clinics, patients continue to suffer from high toxicity and undesirable side effects. Medicinal plants contain novel critical bioactives that can target multimodal oncogenic pathways; however, their clinical translation is often challenged due to poor aqueous solubility, low cellular uptake, and poor bioavailability. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery presents great opportunities in HCC therapy by increasing selectivity and transferring sufficient doses of bioactives to tumor areas with minimal damage to adjacent healthy cells. In fact, many phytochemicals encapsulated in FDA-approved nanocarriers have demonstrated the ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment. In this review, information about the mechanisms of promising plant bioactives against HCC is discussed and compared. Their benefits and risks as future nanotherapeutics are underscored. Nanocarriers that have been employed to encapsulate both pure bioactives and crude extracts for application in various HCC models are examined and compared. Finally, the current limitations in nanocarrier design, challenges related to the HCC microenvironment, and future opportunities are also discussed for the clinical translation of plant-based nanomedicines from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aalok Basu
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya Rd., Rajathevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Thanaphon Namporn
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya Rd., Rajathevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Pakatip Ruenraroengsak
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya Rd., Rajathevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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Zhang CY, Liu S, Yang M. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents in chronic liver diseases: Molecular mechanisms and therapy. World J Hepatol 2023; 15:180-200. [PMID: 36926234 PMCID: PMC10011909 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v15.i2.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a continuous process that causes a reduction of liver function lasting more than six months. CLD includes alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chronic viral infection, and autoimmune hepatitis, which can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer. Liver inflammation and oxidative stress are commonly associated with the development and progression of CLD. Molecular signaling pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), C-Jun N-terminal kinase, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of CLD. Therefore, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents from natural products are new potent therapies for ALD, NAFLD, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this review, we summarize some powerful products that can be potential applied in all the stages of CLD, from ALD/NAFLD to HCC. The selected agents such as β-sitosterol, curcumin, genistein, and silymarin can regulate the activation of several important molecules, including AMPK, Farnesoid X receptor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2, PPARs, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, and lysyl oxidase-like proteins. In addition, clinical trials are undergoing to evaluate their efficacy and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ye Zhang
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - Shuai Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
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Systems Pharmacology-Based Strategy to Investigate the Mechanism of Ruangan Lidan Decoction for Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:2940654. [PMID: 36578460 PMCID: PMC9791079 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2940654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
epatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading contributors to cancer mortality worldwide. Currently, the prevention and treatment of HCC remains a major challenge. As a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, Ruangan Lidan decoction (RGLD) has been proved to own the effect of relieving HCC symptoms. However, due to its biological effects and complex compositions, its underlying mechanism of actions (MOAs) have not been fully clarified yet. In this study, we proposed a pharmacological framework to systematically explore the MOAs of RGLD against HCC. We firstly integrated the active ingredients and potential targets of RGLD. We next highlighted 25 key targets that played vital roles in both RGLD and HCC disease via a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Furthermore, an ingredient-target network of RGLD consisting of 216 ingredients with 306 targets was constructed, and multilevel systems pharmacology analyses indicated that RGLD could act on multiple biological processes related to the pathogenesis of HCC, such as cellular response to hypoxia and cell proliferation. Additionally, integrated pathway analysis of RGLD uncovered that RGLD might treat HCC through regulating various pathways, including MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and ERBB signaling pathway. Survival analysis results showed that HCC patients with low expression of VEGFA, HIF1A, CASP8, and TOP2A were related with a higher survival rate than those with high expression, indicating the potential clinical significance for HCC. Finally, molecular docking results of core ingredients and targets further proved the feasibility of RGLD in the treatment of HCC. Overall, this study indicates that RGLD may treat HCC through multiple mechanisms, which also provides a potential paradigm to investigate the MOAs of TCM prescription.
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Alavi SE, Raza A, Koohi Moftakhari Esfahani M, Akbarzadeh A, Abdollahi SH, Ebrahimi Shahmabadi H. Carboplatin Niosomal Nanoplatform for Potentiated Chemotherapy. J Pharm Sci 2022; 111:3029-3037. [PMID: 35675875 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize a stable nano-niosome formulation, which could reduce the adverse effects of carboplatin (CB) and improve its therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of breast cancer. For this purpose, CB-loaded polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated niosome nanoparticles (PEG-NS-CB) were synthesized using the reverse-phase evaporation method. PEG-NS-CB (226.0 ± 10.6 nm) could release CB in a controlled manner and, compared to CB and CB-loaded non-PEGylated niosome (NS-CB), caused higher cytotoxicity effects against mouse breast cancer 4T1 cells (IC50: 83.4, 26.6, and 22.5 µM for CB, NS-CB, and PEG-NS-CB, respectively). Also, PEG-NS-CB demonstrated higher stability, in which its profile of drug release, cytotoxicity, and LE% did not change significantly three months after preparation compared to those at the production time. In addition, the in vivo results demonstrated that PEG-NS-CB caused higher therapeutic (the number of alive mice: 12, 15, and 17 out of 20 in CB, NS-CB, and PEG-NS-CB receiver groups, respectively) and less toxicity effects (weight loss of 17, 12.5, and 10% in CB, NS-CB, and PEG-NS-CB receiver groups, respectively), compared to NS-CB and CB in breast cancer-bearing mice. Overall, the results of this study suggest that PEG-NS-CB could be a promising formulation for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Ebrahim Alavi
- Immunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran; Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Aun Raza
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba 4102, Australia
| | - Maedeh Koohi Moftakhari Esfahani
- Immunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran; Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Azim Akbarzadeh
- Department of Pilot Nanobiotechnology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Hossein Abdollahi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran; Molecular Medicine Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hasan Ebrahimi Shahmabadi
- Immunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran; Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
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Gautam AK, Kumar P, Maity B, Routholla G, Ghosh B, Chidambaram K, Begum MY, Al Fatease A, Rajinikanth P, Singh S, Saha S, M. R. V. Synthesis and appraisal of dalbergin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles modified with galactose against hepatocellular carcinoma: In-vitro, pharmacokinetic, and in-silico studies. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1021867. [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1021867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy which affects a substantial number of individuals all over the globe. It is the third primary cause of death among persons with neoplasm and has the fifth largest mortality rate among men and the seventh highest mortality rate among women. Dalbergin (DL) is described to be effective in breast cancer via changing mRNA levels of apoptosis-related proteins. DL belongs to neoflavonoids, a drug category with low solubility and poor bioavailability. We created a synthetic version of this naturally occurring chemical, DL, and then analyzed it using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and LC-MS. We also made PLGA nanoparticles and then coated them with galactose. The design of experiment software was used to optimize DL-loaded galactose-modified PLGA nanoparticles. The optimized DL-nanoformulations (DLF) and DL-modified nanoformulations (DLMF) were analyzed for particle size, polydispersity index, shape, and potential interactions. In-vitro experiments on liver cancer cell lines (HepG2) are used to validate the anti-proliferative efficacy of the modified DLMF. The in-vitro research on HepG2 cell lines also demonstrated cellular accumulation of DLF and DLMF by FITC level. The in-vitro result suggested that DLMF has high therapeutic effectiveness against HCC. In-vivo pharmacokinetics and bio-distribution experiments revealed that DLMF excelled pristine DL in terms of pharmacokinetic performance and targeted delivery, which is related to galactose’s targeting activity on the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) in hepatic cells. Additionally, we performed an in-silico study of DL on caspase 3 and 9 proteins, and the results were found to be −6.7 kcal/mol and −6.6 kcal/mol, respectively. Our in-silico analysis revealed that the DL had strong apoptotic properties against HCC.
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Ni B, Song X, Shi B, Wang J, Sun Q, Wang X, Xu M, Cao L, Zhu G, Li J. Research progress of ginseng in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1036498. [PMID: 36313365 PMCID: PMC9603756 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1036498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer has become one of the major causes of human death. Several anticancer drugs are available; howeve their use and efficacy are limited by the toxic side effects and drug resistance caused by their continuous application. Many natural products have antitumor effects with low toxicity and fewer adverse effects. Moreover, they play an important role in enhancing the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, reducing toxic side effects, and reversing chemoresistance. Consequently, natural drugs are being applied as potential therapeutic options in the field of antitumor treatment. As natural medicinal plants, some components of ginseng have been shown to have excellent efficacy and a good safety profile for cancer treatment. The pharmacological activities and possible mechanisms of action of ginseng have been identified. Its broad range of pharmacological activities includes antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-stress, anti-fibrotic, central nervous system modulating, cardioprotective, and immune-enhancing effects. Numerous studies have also shown that throuth multiple pathways, ginseng and its active ingredients exert antitumor effects on gastrointestinal (GI) tract tumors, such as esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers. Herein, we introduced the main components of ginseng, including ginsenosides, polysaccharides, and sterols, etc., and reviewed the mechanism of action and research progress of ginseng in the treatment of various GI tumors. Futhermore, the pathways of action of the main components of ginseng are discussed in depth to promote the clinical development and application of ginseng in the field of anti-GI tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyi Ni
- Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaotong Song
- Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bolun Shi
- Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Hongqi Hospital of Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Qianhui Sun
- Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinmiao Wang
- Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Manman Xu
- Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Luchang Cao
- Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Jie Li
- Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Li,
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pH-Responsive PEGylated Niosomal Nanoparticles as an Active-Targeting Cyclophosphamide Delivery System for Gastric Cancer Therapy. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175418. [PMID: 36080186 PMCID: PMC9457647 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A PEGylated niosomal formulation of cyclophosphamide (Nio-Cyclo-PEG) was prepared using a central composite design and characterized in terms of drug loading, size distribution, and average size. The stability of formulations was also studied at different conditions. In vitro cytotoxicity of drug delivery formulations was assessed on gastric cancer cells using MTT assay. The mechanism of cytotoxicity was studied at the transcriptional level by real-time PCR on Caspase3, Caspase9, CyclinD, CyclinE, MMP-2, and MMP-9 genes, while apoptosis was investigated with flow cytometry. The anti-metastatic property was evaluated using the scratch method. Propidium iodide staining was used to study the cell cycle. The results indicated that the as-designed nanocarrier exhibited a controlled drug release pattern with improved nanoparticle stability. It was found that the living cancer cells treated with Nio-Cyclo-PEG showed a significant decrease in number when compared with the niosomal carrier without PEG (Nio-Cyclo) and free drug (Cyclo). Moreover, the drug-loaded nanocarrier induced planned death (apoptosis) in the cancer cells through the regulation of Caspase3, Caspase9, CyclinD, CyclinE, MMP-9, and MMP-2 gene expression, indicating that the Nio-Cyclo-PEG formulation could significantly inhibit the cell cycle at the sub G1 phase as well as prevent the migration of cancer cells. In conclusion, Nio-Cyclo-PEG as developed in this study could serve as an active-targeting drug delivery nanocarriers for gastric cancer therapy with high efficacy and minimal side effects on healthy tissues/cells.
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Bao X, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Xia L. Molecular Mechanism of β-Sitosterol and its Derivatives in Tumor Progression. Front Oncol 2022; 12:926975. [PMID: 35756648 PMCID: PMC9213880 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.926975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Sitosterol (SIT), a white powdery organic substance with a molecular formula of C29H50O, is one of the most abundant naturally occurring phytosterols in plants. With a chemical composition similar to that of cholesterol, SIT is applied in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, and chemical industries, owing to its unique biological and physicochemical properties. Modern pharmacological studies have elucidated good anti-tumor therapeutic effect activity of SIT, which mainly manifests as pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic, anti-invasive, and chemosensitizing on tumor cells. In addition, SIT exerts an anti-tumor effect on multiple malignant tumors such as breast, gastric, lung, kidney, pancreatic, prostate, and other cancers. Further, SIT derivatives with structural modifications are promising anti-tumor drugs with significant anti-tumor effects. This review article focuses on recent studies relevant to the anti-tumor effects of SIT and summarizes its anti-tumor mechanism to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of malignant tumors and the development of novel anti-tumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxun Bao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Hairong Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Lei Xia
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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15
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Nisha R, Kumar P, Kumar U, Mishra N, Maurya P, Singh P, Tabassum H, Alka, Singh S, Guleria A, Saraf SA. Assessment of hyaluronic acid-modified imatinib mesylate cubosomes through CD44 targeted drug delivery in NDEA-induced hepatic carcinoma. Int J Pharm 2022; 622:121848. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.121848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Pavani M, Singha P, Dash DR, Asaithambi N, Singh SK. Novel encapsulation approaches for phytosterols and their importance in food products: A review. J FOOD PROCESS ENG 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jfpe.14041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mekala Pavani
- Department of Food Process Engineering National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela Rourkela India
| | - Poonam Singha
- Department of Food Process Engineering National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela Rourkela India
| | - Dibya Ranjan Dash
- Department of Food Process Engineering National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela Rourkela India
| | - Niveditha Asaithambi
- Department of Food Process Engineering National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela Rourkela India
| | - Sushil Kumar Singh
- Department of Food Process Engineering National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela Rourkela India
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Determining the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Syndrome with the Best Prognosis of HBV-Related HCC and Exploring the Related Mechanism Using Network Pharmacology. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:9991533. [PMID: 34306165 PMCID: PMC8263254 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9991533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), TCM syndrome is a key guideline, and Chinese materia medicas are widely used to treat hepatitis B virus- (HBV-) related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) according to different TCM syndromes. However, the prognostic value of TCM syndromes in HBV-related HCC patients has never been studied. Methods A retrospective cohort of HBV-related HCC patients at Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from December 2005 to October 2017 was analyzed. The prognostic value of TCM syndromes in HBV-related HCC patients was assessed by Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox analysis, and the TCM syndrome with the best prognosis of HBV-related HCC patients was determined. To further study the relevant mechanisms, key Chinese materia medicas (KCMMs) for the TCM syndrome with the best prognosis were summarized, and network pharmacology was also performed. Results A total of 207 HBV-related HCC patients were included in this research, and we found that HBV-related HCC patients with TCM excess syndrome had better OS. Then, a total of eight KCMMs for TCM excess syndrome were identified, whose crucial ingredients included quercetin, beta-sitosterol, kaempferol, luteolin, and XH-14, and KCMMs could play a therapeutic role through MAPK, JAK-STAT, Wnt, Hippo, and other pathways. Moreover, TP53, SRC, STAT3, MAPK3, PIK3R1, HRAS, VEGFA, HSP90AA1, EGFR, and JAK2 were determined as the key targets. Conclusion We propose a new research method of “prognosis of TCM syndromes-KCMMs-network pharmacology” to reveal the prognostic value of TCM syndromes and the potential mechanism by which TCM syndromes affect prognosis.
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