Shikonin in breast cancer treatment: a comprehensive review of molecular pathways and innovative strategies

Gasdermin E as a potential target and biomarker for CRISPR-Cas9-based cancer therapy

Gasdermin E (GSDME), a protein pivotal in mediating pyroptosis, has gained significant attention due to its role in cancer pathogenesis and its potential as a therapeutic target. The advent of CRISPR-Cas9, a precise genome editing tool, has revolutionized cancer therapy by enabling the manipulation of GSDME expression and function. This review explores the interplay of GSDME and CRISPR-Cas9 in cancer, emphasizing GSDME's unique mechanism of cleavage-dependent pore formation in the cell membrane and its emerging applications as both a therapeutic target and a diagnostic biomarker. We discuss the potential and challenges of using GSDME-induced pyroptosis as a therapeutic strategy and how can enhance its efficacy and specificity. We conclude by highlighting promising future research directions in this emerging field.

Herbal Medicine: Enhancing the Anticancer Potential of Natural Products in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy Through Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive and prevalent liver cancer with a poor prognosis. Nanotechnology combined with natural products has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance HCC treatment efficacy. This review assesses the current literature on the application of nanotechnology in delivering natural products for HCC therapy. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published up to the present articles focusing on nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems using natural products for HCC therapy, including different nanoparticle (NP) formulations and therapeutic interventions, were included. Natural products with anticancer properties have been encapsulated using various nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and quantum dots, which have improved drug stability, prolonged circulation time, and enhanced targeted delivery to HCC cells. These advancements have led to increased therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects. Additionally, combining multiple natural products or integrating them with conventional therapies via nanocarriers enables personalized treatment approaches based on patient characteristics and molecular profiles. The integration of nanotechnology with natural products shows great potential for improving HCC treatment outcomes, representing a significant advancement in precision medicine for liver cancer and paving the way for more effective and personalized therapeutic strategies.

The role of long non-coding RNAs in developing paclitaxel-resistant triple negative breast cancer: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Recent evidence supports the idea that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are significantly involved in chemoresistance of breast cancer. This study aimed to systematically review the emerging role of lncRNAs in paclitaxel (PTX) resistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Furthermore, the review summarized potential targets and the underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs to induce or reverse the resistance of TNBC cells to PTX.

METHODS

The PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched for studies on lncRNAs involved in the resistance of TNBC cells to PTX using specific terms related to TNBC, lncRNAs, resistance, and paclitaxel. Relevant English articles published until November 2023, were systematically reviewed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the Würzburg Methodological Quality Score (W-MeQS) by two independent authors.

RESULTS

A total of 95 publications were initially identified, and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 articles were included in this systematic review. These studies investigated the role of critical lncRNAs in PTX-resistant TNBC. Regulating the cell cycle and apoptosis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, autophagy, and angiogenesis are the main mechanisms through which lncRNAs affect the resistance to PTX in TNBC.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review highlights the significant role of lncRNAs in promoting or inhibiting the resistance of TNBC cells to PTX. The lncRNAs with upregulated or downregulated expression in PTX-resistant TNBC may provide promising therapeutic targets to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy.

Synergistic Effect of Ribitol and Shikonin Promotes Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells

The mortality rate of breast cancer remains high, despite remarkable advances in chemotherapy. Therefore, it is imperative to identify new treatment options. In the present study, we investigated whether the metabolite ribitol enhances the cytotoxic effect of shikonin against breast cancer in vitro. Here, we screened a panel of small molecules targeting energy metabolism against breast cancer. The results of the study revealed that ribitol enhances shikonin's growth-inhibitory effects, with significant synergy. A significant (p < 0.01) increase in the percentage (56%) of apoptotic cells was detected in the combined treatment group, compared to shikonin single-treatment group (38%), respectively. The combined ribitol and shikonin treatment led to significant arrest of cell proliferation (40%) (p < 0.01) compared to untreated cells, as well as the induction of apoptosis. This was associated with upregulation of p53 (p < 0.05) and downregulation of c-Myc (p < 0.01), Bcl-xL (p < 0.001), and Mcl-1 (p < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis supports the premise that inhibition of the Warburg effect is involved in shikonin-induced cell death, which is likely further enhanced by dysregulation of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, afflicted by ribitol treatment. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that the metabolite ribitol selectively enhances the cytotoxic effect mediated by shikonin against breast cancer in vitro.

Investigating the Role of Shikonin in Enhancing Osteogenesis and Angiogenesis for the Treatment of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, characterized by an increased risk of fractures, represents a significant global public health issue. Natural compounds have emerged as promising candidates for addressing this condition. Shikonin, derived from Lithospermum erythrorhizon as a purple-red naphthoquinone pigment, exhibits a diverse array of biological activities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Despite the well-documented bone-protective properties of shikonin, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its role in the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into osteoblasts, along with its implications on angiogenesis, are not fully elucidated. Our study showcases shikonin's ability to stimulate the differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblasts, leading to an upregulation of osteoblast-specific marker genes such as OC, Runx2, BMP2, and ALP. Furthermore, shikonin intervention triggers the upregulation of phosphorylation of p38, ERK, and JNK in the MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, shikonin has been shown to enhance the migration and angiogenic capabilities of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Notably, the augmentation of HUVEC migration by shikonin can be counteracted by the addition of a JNK inhibitor. Furthermore, our findings indicate that shikonin effectively improves osteoporosis in aged mice by promoting osteoblast differentiation. In summary, our study elucidates the molecular mechanisms through which shikonin exerts its beneficial effects in the treatment of osteoporosis, highlighting its potential as a novel therapeutic option for both the prevention and management of this condition.

Shikonin Stimulates Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptosis by Enhancing Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species Production and DNA Damage in Oral Cancer Cells

Phytotherapy has rendered a new insight towards the treatment of various cancers, including oral cancer with fewer side effects, over the traditional chemotherapeutic drugs to overcome chemoresistance. Shikonin (Shk) is a natural biologically active alkaloid found in the Lithospermum erythrorhizon plant's root. It has potent cytotoxic activities against various cancers. Our study revealed the release time and anticancer potential of Shk on the SCC9 and H357 oral cancer cell lines. We investigated the antiproliferative, antimigratory, cell cycle arresting and apoptosis promoting activity of Shk in oral cancer cells by performing MTT and morphological assay, colony, and tumor sphere formation assay, AO/EtBr and DAPI staining, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, assay for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) measurement, comet assay, qRT-PCR, and western blot analysis. We also checked the interaction of DNA and Shk by docking and CD spectroscopy and EtBr displacement assay. As a result, we found that Shk reduced the viability, proliferation, and tumorigenicity of SCC9 and H357 cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner. We obtained half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) at 0.5 µM for SCC9 and 1.25 µM for H357. It promotes apoptosis via overexpressing proapoptotic Bax and caspase 3 via enhancing ROS that leads to MMP depletion and DNA damage and arrests cells at the G2/M & G2/S phase. The antimigratory activity of Shk was performed by analyzing the expression of markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition like E-cadherin, ZO-1, N-cadherin, and vimentin. These overall results recommended that Shk shows potent anticancer activity against oral cancer cell lines in both in vitro and ex vivo conditions. So, it could be an excellent agent for the treatment of oral cancer.