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Prasad K, Saggam A, Guruprasad KP, Tillu G, Patwardhan B, Satyamoorthy K. Molecular mechanisms of Asparagus racemosus willd. and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal as chemotherapeutic adjuvants for breast cancer treatment. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 331:118261. [PMID: 38685363 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Despite various treatment modalities, the progression and metastasis of breast cancer (BC) are grave concerns due to the alarming disease-free survival rate (DFS) and overall survival rate (OS) of affected patients. Over the years, many antibiotics, synthetic compounds, medicinal plant isolates and polyherbal combinations have been used as adjuvants in therapy for the management of primary and secondary tumors. Paclitaxel (PTX)-based chemotherapy for breast cancer causes multiple adverse side effects in patients. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS) and Asparagus racemosus Willd. (AR) as Ayurveda-inspired plant-based adjuvants were investigated for their anticancer effects on MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells in mouse model systems. AIM OF THE STUDY This study focused on evaluating the adjuvant properties of WS and AR plant extracts with PTX and their effectiveness over PTX alone in terms of tumor inhibition. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effects of WS and AR on DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), senescence induction and mitochondrial functions were evaluated in BC cells in vitro. The potential for cancer stem cell (CSC) inhibition was evaluated via mammosphere formation assays and CD44/CD24 immunostaining. In vivo tumor growth studies were conducted in athymic BALB/c mice for MDA-MB-231 cells and in BALB/c mice for 4T1 cells. RESULTS Induction of senescence was evident due to DSBs induced by the WS and AR extracts. Mammosphere formation and CD44/CD24 CSC markers were reduced after treatment with WS, AR or the combination of both in MCF-7 cells. WS or AR inhibited epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In vivo studies demonstrated that tumor growth inhibition was more pronounced in the treated group than in the PTX alone group and the untreated control group. CONCLUSION Our study showed that the use of WS or AR plant hydroalcoholic extracts in combination with paclitaxel (PTX) has better effects on sensitivity and efficacy than PTX alone, as demonstrated in in vitro BC cells and mouse models with BC cell grafts. Hence, scheduling adjuvant therapy with WS or AR alone or combined with PTX can be advantageous for the management of triple-negative BC (TNBC). Further studies are warranted in human clinical conditions to ascertain the efficacy of these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshava Prasad
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India.
| | - Akash Saggam
- Ayush Center of Excellence, Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India.
| | - Kanive Parashiva Guruprasad
- Centre for Ayurvedic Biology, Department of Ageing Research, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India.
| | - Girish Tillu
- Ayush Center of Excellence, Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India.
| | - Bhushan Patwardhan
- Ayush Center of Excellence, Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India.
| | - Kapaettu Satyamoorthy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India; SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) University, Manjushree Nagar, Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka, 580009, India.
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Devabattula G, Panda B, Yadav R, Godugu C. The Potential Pharmacological Effects of Natural Product Withaferin A in Cancer: Opportunities and Challenges for Clinical Translation. PLANTA MEDICA 2024; 90:440-453. [PMID: 38588695 DOI: 10.1055/a-2289-9600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the biggest health concerns with a complex pathophysiology. Currently, available chemotherapeutic drugs are showing deleterious side effects, and tumors often show resistance to treatment. Hence, extensive research is required to develop new treatment strategies to fight against cancer. Natural resources from plants are at the forefront of hunting novel drugs to treat various types of cancers. Withaferin A (WA) is a naturally occurring withanolide, a biologically active component obtained from the plant Ashwagandha. Various in vitro and in vivo oncological studies have reported that Withaferin A (WA) has shown protection from cancer. WA shows its activity by inhibiting the growth and proliferation of malignant cells, apoptosis, and inhibiting angiogenesis, metastasis, and cancer stem cells (CSCs). In addition, WA also showed chemo- and radio-sensitizing properties. Besides the beneficiary pharmacological activities of WA, a few aspects like pharmacokinetic properties, safety, and toxicity studies are still lacking, hindering this potent natural product from entering clinical development. In this review, we have summarized the various pharmacological mechanisms shown by WA in in vitro and in vivo cancer studies and the challenges that must be overcome for this potential natural product's clinical translation to be effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetanjali Devabattula
- Pharamacology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Balanagar, India
| | - Biswajit Panda
- Pharamacology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Balanagar, India
| | - Rachana Yadav
- Pharamacology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Balanagar, India
| | - Chandraiah Godugu
- Pharamacology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Balanagar, India
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Kumar P, Banik SP, Goel A, Chakraborty S, Bagchi M, Bagchi D. Revisiting the Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential of Withaferin A (WA), a Novel Steroidal Lactone, W-ferinAmax Ashwagandha, from Withania Somnifera (L) Dunal. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN NUTRITION ASSOCIATION 2024; 43:115-130. [PMID: 37410676 DOI: 10.1080/27697061.2023.2228863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, abundant in the Indian subcontinent as Ashwagandha or winter cherry, is a herb of unprecedented therapeutic value. The number of ailments for which crude Ashwagandha extract can be used as a preventive or curative is practically limitless; and this explains why its use has been in vogue in ancient Ayurveda since at-least about four thousand years. The therapeutic potential of Ashwagandha mainly owes from its reservoir of alkaloids (isopelletierine, anaferine), steroidal lactones (withanolides) and saponins with an extra acyl group (sitoindoside VII and VIII). Withaferin A is an exceptionally potent withanolide which is found in high concentrations in W. somnifera plant extracts. The high reactivity of Withaferin A owes to the presence of a C-28 ergostane network with multiple sites of unsaturation and differential oxygenation. It interacts with the effectors of multiple signaling pathways involved in inflammatory response, oxidative stress response, cell cycle regulation and synaptic transmission and has been found to be significantly effective in inducing programmed cell death in cancer cells, restoring cognitive health, managing diabetes, alleviating metabolic disorders, and rejuvenating the overall body homeostasis. Additionally, recent studies suggest that Withaferin A (WA) has the potential to prevent viral endocytosis by sequestering TMPRSS2, the host transmembrane protease, without altering ACE-2 expression. The scope of performing subtle structural modifications in this multi-ring compound is believed to further expand its pharmacotherapeutic horizon. Very recently, a novel, heavy metal and pesticide free formulation of Ashwagandha whole herb extract, with a significant amount of WA, termed W-ferinAmax Ashwagandha, has been developed. The present review attempts to fathom the present and future of this wonder molecule with comprehensive discussion on its therapeutic potential, safety and toxicity.Key teaching pointsWithania somnifera (L.) Dunal is a medicinal plant with versatile therapeutic values.The therapeutic potential of the plant owes to the presence of withanolides such as Withaferin A.Withaferin A is a C-28 ergostane based triterpenoid with multiple reactive sites of therapeutic potential.It is effective against a broad spectrum of ailments including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, inflammatory and oxidative stress disorders and it also promotes cardiovascular and sexual health.W-ferinAmax Ashwagandha, is a heavy metal and pesticide free Ashwagandha whole herb extract based formulation with significant amount of Withaferin A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Kumar
- Research and Development Department, Chemical Resources (CHERESO), Panchkula, Haryana, India
| | - Samudra P Banik
- Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad College, Kolkata, India
| | - Apurva Goel
- Regulatory Department, Chemical Resources (CHERESO), Panchkula, India
| | - Sanjoy Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Sciences, New York City College of Technology/CUNY, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Manashi Bagchi
- Research & Development Department, Dr. Herbs LLC, Concord, California, USA
| | - Debasis Bagchi
- Department of Biology, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas, USA
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Abeesh P, Guruvayoorappan C. The Therapeutic Effects of Withaferin A against Cancer: Overview and Updates. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:404-418. [PMID: 37076466 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230418094708] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a rapidly rising health problem among the global population, and this burden causes a significant challenge for public health. Current chemotherapeutic agents have different limitations, including drug resistance and severe side effects, and it demands a robust approach to accessing promising anti-cancer therapeutics. The natural compounds have been extensively studied to identify improved therapeutic agents for cancer therapy. Withaferin A (WA) is a steroidal lactone found in Withania somnifera and possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-angiogenesis, and anticancer properties. Multiple studies have shown that WA treatment attenuated various cancer hallmarks by inducing apoptosis and reducing angiogenesis and metastasis with reduced side effects. WA is a promising agent for the treatment of various cancer, and it targets various signaling pathways. With recent updates, the current review highlights the therapeutic implications of WA and its molecular targets in different cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prathapan Abeesh
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, (Research Centre, University of Kerala), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Chandrasekaran Guruvayoorappan
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, (Research Centre, University of Kerala), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
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Zhang Z, Yang Y, Xu Y, Liu Y, Li H, Chen L. Molecular targets and mechanisms of anti-cancer effects of withanolides. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 384:110698. [PMID: 37690745 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Withanolides are a class of natural products with a steroidal lactone structure that exhibit a broad spectrum of anti-cancer effects. To date, several studies have shown that their possible mechanisms in cancer development and progression are associated with the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Withanolides can also attenuate inflammatory responses, as well as modulate the genomic instability and energy metabolism of cancer cells. In addition, they may improve the safety and efficacy of cancer treatments as adjuvants to traditional cancer therapeutics. Herein, we summarize the molecular targets and mechanisms of withanolides in different cancers, as well as their current clinical studies on them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiruo Zhang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Yueying Yang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Hua Li
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China; Institute of Structural Pharmacology & TCM Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
| | - Lixia Chen
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China.
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Kumar S, Mathew SO, Aharwal RP, Tulli HS, Mohan CD, Sethi G, Ahn KS, Webber K, Sandhu SS, Bishayee A. Withaferin A: A Pleiotropic Anticancer Agent from the Indian Medicinal Plant Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:160. [PMID: 37259311 PMCID: PMC9966696 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer represents the second most deadly disease and one of the most important public health concerns worldwide. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immune therapy are the major types of treatment strategies that have been implemented in cancer treatment. Unfortunately, these treatment options suffer from major limitations, such as drug-resistance and adverse effects, which may eventually result in disease recurrence. Many phytochemicals have been investigated for their antitumor efficacy in preclinical models and clinical studies to discover newer therapeutic agents with fewer adverse effects. Withaferin A, a natural bioactive molecule isolated from the Indian medicinal plant Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, has been reported to impart anticancer activities against various cancer cell lines and preclinical cancer models by modulating the expression and activity of different oncogenic proteins. In this article, we have comprehensively discussed the biosynthesis of withaferin A as well as its antineoplastic activities and mode-of-action in in vitro and in vivo settings. We have also reviewed the effect of withaferin A on the expression of miRNAs, its combinational effect with other cytotoxic agents, withaferin A-based formulations, safety and toxicity profiles, and its clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneel Kumar
- Bio-Design Innovation Centre, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur 482 001, India
| | - Stephen O. Mathew
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | | | - Hardeep Singh Tulli
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala 133 207, India
| | | | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Kwang-Seok Ahn
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Kassidy Webber
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
| | - Sardul Singh Sandhu
- Bio-Design Innovation Centre, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur 482 001, India
| | - Anupam Bishayee
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
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Singh KB, Hahm ER, Kim SH, Singh SV. Withaferin A Inhibits Fatty Acid Synthesis in Rat Mammary Tumors. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2023; 16:5-16. [PMID: 36251722 PMCID: PMC9812931 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-22-0193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Withaferin A (WA), which is a small molecule derived from a medicinal plant (Withania somnifera), inhibits growth of human breast cancer xenografts and mammary tumor development in rodent models without any toxicity. However, the mechanism underlying inhibition of mammary cancer development by WA administration is not fully understood. Herein, we demonstrate that the fatty acid synthesis pathway is a novel target of WA in mammary tumors. Treatment of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells with WA resulted in suppression of fatty acid metabolizing enzymes, including ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A). Expression of FASN and CPT1A was significantly higher in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary tumors in rats when compared with normal mammary tissues. WA-mediated inhibition of mammary tumor development in rats was associated with a statistically significant decrease in expression of ACC1 and FASN and suppression of plasma and/or mammary tumor levels of total free fatty acids and phospholipids. WA administration also resulted in a significant increase in percentage of natural killer cells in the spleen. The protein level of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) was decreased in MDA-MB-231 cells after WA treatment. Overexpression of SREBP1 in MDA-MB-231 cells conferred partial but significant protection against WA-mediated downregulation of ACLY and ACC1. In conclusion, circulating and/or mammary tumor levels of fatty acid synthesis enzymes and total free fatty acids may serve as biomarkers of WA efficacy in future clinical trials. PREVENTION RELEVANCE The present study shows that breast cancer prevention by WA in rats is associated with suppression of fatty acid synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna B. Singh
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Eun-Ryeong Hahm
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Su-Hyeong Kim
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Shivendra V. Singh
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Prajapati KS, Shuaib M, Gupta S, Kumar S. Withaferin A mediated changes of miRNA expression in breast cancer-derived mammospheres. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:876-889. [PMID: 35770722 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease consisting of atypical cell populations that share stem cell-like characteristics associated with therapeutic resistance, disease relapse, and poor clinical outcome. MicroRNAs (miRNA), and small noncoding RNA, are pivotal in the regulation of self-renewal, stemness, and cellular differentiation. Withaferin A (WA), a steroidal lactone, is a major bioactive constituent of Withania somnifera (Solanaceae) known for its anticancer properties. In this study, the effect of WA on modulation of miRNA expression in breast cancer-derived mammosphere was assessed utilizing small RNA sequencing. Treatment with WA inhibited MCF-7 and T47D cells derived mammosphere formation with a significant decrease in CD44, EpCAM, Nanog, OCT4, and SOX2 as markers of self-renewal and stemness. Small RNA sequencing demonstrated a total of 395 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) including 194 upregulated and 201 downregulated miRNAs in WA-treated MCF-7 mammospheres. Bioinformatics analysis utilizing the KEGG pathway, Gene Ontology enrichment, protein-protein, and miRNA-mRNA interaction network identified altered expression in a few hub genes viz. AKT1, PTEN, MYC, CCND1, VEGFA, NOTCH1, and IGFR1 associated with DEMs in WA-treated mammospheres. Further quantitative RT-PCR analysis validated the expression of DEMs including miR-549a-5p, miR-1247-5p, miR-124-5p, miR-137-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-99a-5p, miR-181a-5p, let-7c-5p, and let-7a-5p. In particular, let-7c-5p is designated as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. An increase in miR-let-7c-5p expression was noted after WA treatment, with a simultaneous decrease in CCND1 and c-MYC at mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, our study demonstrated WA-mediated miRNA expression, in particular, upregulation of miR-let-7c-5p, leads to the inhibition of breast cancer cells derived mammospheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Sunita Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Signaling & Drug Discovery Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Mohd Shuaib
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Signaling & Drug Discovery Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Sanjay Gupta
- Department of Urology, Nutrition, Pharmacology and Pathology, The James and Eilleen Dicke Research Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Shashank Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Signaling & Drug Discovery Laboratory, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
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Prajapati KS, Shuaib M, Kushwaha PP, Singh AK, Kumar S. Identification of cancer stemness related miRNA(s) using integrated bioinformatics analysis and in vitro validation. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:446. [PMID: 34631347 PMCID: PMC8460704 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02994-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The stemness property of cells allows them to sustain their lineage, differentiation, proliferation, and regeneration. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs known to regulate the stemness property of cells by regulating the expression of stem cell signaling pathway proteins at mRNA level. Dysregulated miRNA expression and associated stem cell signaling pathways in normal stem cells give rise to cancer stem cells. Thus, the present study was aimed to identify the miRNAs involved in the regulation of major stem cell signaling pathways. The proteins (n = 36) involved in the signaling pathways viz., Notch, Wnt, JAK-STAT, and Hedgehog which is associated with the stemness property was taken into the consideration. The miRNAs, having binding sites for the targeted protein-encoding gene were predicted using an online tool (TargetScan) and the common miRNA among the test pathways were identified using Venn diagram analysis. A total of 22 common miRNAs (including 8 non-studied miRNAs) were identified which were subjected to target predictions, KEGG pathway, and gene ontology (GO) analysis to study their potential involvement in the stemness process. Further, we studied the clinical relevance of the non-studied miRNAs by performing the survival analysis and their expression levels in clinical breast cancer patients using the TCGA database. The identified miRNAs showed overall poor survival in breast cancer patients. The miR-6844 showed significantly high expression in various clinical subgroups of invasive breast cancer patients compared with the normal samples. The expression levels of identified miRNA(s) were validated in breast normal, luminal A, triple-negative, and stem cells in vitro models using qRT-PCR analysis. Further treatment with the phytochemical showed excellent down regulation of the lead miRNA. Overall the study first time reports the association of four miRNAs (miR-6791, miR-4419a, miR-4251 and miR-6844) with breast cancer stemness. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02994-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Sunita Prajapati
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Development Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401 India
| | - Mohd Shuaib
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Development Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401 India
| | - Prem Prakash Kushwaha
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Development Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401 India
| | - Atul Kumar Singh
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Development Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401 India
| | - Shsahank Kumar
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Development Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401 India
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Targeting cancer stem cells by nutraceuticals for cancer therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 85:234-245. [PMID: 34273521 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an essential role in tumor progression and reoccurrence and drug resistance. Multiple signaling pathways have been revealed to be critically participated in CSC development and maintenance. Emerging evidence indicates that numerous chemopreventive compounds, also known as nutraceuticals, could eliminate CSCs in part via regulating several signaling pathways. Therefore, in this review, we will describe the some natural chemopreventive agents that target CSCs in a variety of human malignancies, including soy isoflavone, curcumin, resveratrol, tea polyphenols, sulforaphane, quercetin, indole-3-carbinol, 3,3'-diindolylmethane, withaferin A, apigenin, etc. Moreover, we discuss that eliminating CSCs by nutraceuticals might be a promising strategy for treating human cancer via overcoming drug resistance and reducing tumor reoccurrence.
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