Implication of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in the targeted therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma using aptamer-labeled viramidine nanoparticles

Anti-colorectal cancer activity of constructed oleogels based on encapsulated bioactive canola extract in lecithin for edible semisolid applications

Globally, colorectal cancer ranks second in women and third in men. Hydrophilic anticancer agents have limited use in lipid systems due to their weak solubility. Therefore, this study aimed to develop oleogels based on pumpkin seed oil (R1) and hydrophilic bioactive canola extract (BCE or R2) that were extracted from canola meal by-products. BCE was effectively dispersed in oleogels through the encapsulation of BCE with various concentrations (0.08, 0.2, and 0.4%) in soy lecithin to form BCE gelling agents. Four formulations (F1 as plain, F2-F4 with different concentrations of BCE) were produced using two gelators (BCE gelling agent and beeswax). The oxidative stability, microstructure, FTIR, antioxidant activity, and time-dependent experiment were investigated. The cytotoxicity against colorectal HCT116 and Caco-2 cancer cell lines in vitro was evaluated. The anti-apoptotic PI3k and COX-2 protein expressions were also assessed. The peroxide, p-anisidine, and total oxidation values of F4 were 7.85, 26.66, and 42.35, respectively, during 60 days at 60 ± 2 °C. The antioxidant activity values of F4 were 74.40% for DPPH, 54.28% for ABTS, and 5.77 mg/g for FRAP. F4 demonstrated the highest significant cytotoxic effects on cancerous cells, particularly in the Caco-2 cells with 1.40- and 1.41-fold increases compared to R2 and the positive control doxorubicin, respectively. PI3k and COX-2 expression levels were down-regulated while iNOS activity was up-regulated in both cells, with very high down-regulation recorded for F4 in Caco-2 cells. This study developed a method for producing stable lipid products loaded with hydrophilic antioxidants that may be used as an anti-colorectal platform.

Modulation of PI3K/AKT signaling and DFT modeling via selected pharmaceutical compounds attenuates carrageenan-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in rats

The main goal of the current study is to estimate the in vivo anti-inflammatory/antioxidant ability of four selected pharmaceutical compounds: bisoprolol (Biso), piracetam (Pirc), clopidogrel (Clop), and cinnarizine (Cinna). Indomethacin (Indo) was used as a reference drug to perform a realistic comparison between the four compounds and the Indo in vivo through tracking PI3K/AKT signaling and computational chemistry via density functional theory (DFT) modeling to analyze the electrostatic potential across the molecule and provide insight into the regions for receptor binding of the studied compounds. To achieve the safe dose of these compounds, cytotoxicity was performed against isolated adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) using MTT assay. In vivo determination of anti-inflammatory/antioxidant biochemical and genetic parameters of the tested compounds against rats' paw carrageenan (Carg)-induced inflammation was assessed. The data showed that there was no significant different in cell viability of ADMSCs until dose 10 µg/ml, so we used this concentration for in vivo experiments. Carg high significantly increased the volume of the paw edema at 120 min and 180 min compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Cinna (10 mg/kg), relatively similar to Indo, was the most anti-inflammatory compound among others, followed by Clop and Pirc, where they decreased the volume of the paw edema significantly (p < 0.01) at 120 min and 180 min compared to the Carg-group. Microscopic examination confirmed the above results indicating that paw tissue of Carg-group shows edema formation and massive inflammation compared with control. In comparison to the control group, Carg high significantly increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p < 0.01), whereas, at the concentration 10 mg/kg of the tested compounds, the MDA concentrations significantly reduced, especially the Clop, Cinna, and Indo-treated groups. On the contrary, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOP) concentrations were significantly decreased in Carg-group (p < 0.01) compared with control. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3k), and protein kinase B (AKT) gene expressions were high and significantly upregulated in Carg-group compared to control, while the tested compounds downregulated their expressions compared to the Carg-group. Moreover, COX-2, interleukins (IL-10/IL-6/IL-4), PI3k, and AKT protein concentrations were high and significantly increased in Carg-group compared to control, however the tested compounds were high and significantly decreased their concentrations compared to the Carg-group. DFT modeling aligned with the biochemical data and indicated that Cinna emerges as the most reactive drug with high polarizability (302.741 a.u.), a relative small FMOs energy gap (ΔE 5.002 eV), relative low molecular hardness (2.501 eV), relative high softness (0.400 eV-1), and distinct nucleophilic/electrophilic interaction sites, indicating strong specific interactions with biological receptor. In conclusion, this study revealed the ability of Cinna to potentially suppress inflammation in in vivo Carg-induced rat paw inflammation model through inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling and DFT modeling mediated by oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators.

Exploring the tumor-suppressive role of miRNA-200c in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Potential and mechanisms of exosome-mediated delivery for therapeutic applications

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a challenging malignancy due to its high rates of recurrence, metastasis, and resistance to conventional therapies. microRNA-200c (miRNA-200c) has emerged as a critical tumor suppressor in HNSCC, with the potential to inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is considered as a key process in cancer metastasis and progression. Interestingly, there are also controversial findings in HNSCC characterizing miRNA-200c as oncogenic factor. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of miRNA-200c's general role in cancer, and particularly in HNSCC, highlighting its mechanisms of action, including the regulation of EMT and other oncogenic pathways. Additionally, the review explores the innovative approach of exosome-mediated delivery of miRNA-200c as a therapeutic strategy. Exosomes, as natural nanocarriers, offer a promising vehicle for the targeted delivery of miRNA-200c to tumor cells, potentially overcoming the limitations of traditional delivery methods and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. The review also discusses the challenges and future directions in the clinical application of miRNA-200c, particularly focusing on its potential to improve outcomes for HNSCC patients. This article seeks to provide valuable insights for researchers and clinicians working towards innovative treatments for this aggressive cancer type.

Aptamer-functionalized nanomaterials (AFNs) for therapeutic management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents one of the deadliest cancers globally, making the search for more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches particularly crucial. Aptamer-functionalized nanomaterials (AFNs), an innovative nanotechnology, have paved new pathways for the targeted diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Initially, we outline the epidemiological background of HCC and the current therapeutic challenges. Subsequently, we explore in detail how AFNs enhance diagnostic and therapeutic efficiency and reduce side effects through the specific targeting of HCC cells and the optimization of drug delivery. Furthermore, we address the challenges faced by AFNs in clinical applications and future research directions, with a particular focus on enhancing their biocompatibility and assessing long-term effects. In summary, AFNs represent an avant-garde therapeutic approach, opening new avenues and possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Induction of breast cancer cell apoptosis by novel thiouracil-fused heterocyclic compounds through boosting of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and DFT study

Breast cancer is a common public health disease causing mortality worldwide. Thus, providing novel chemotherapies that tackle breast cancer is of great interest. In this investigation, novel pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives 3,4,(6a-c),(8a,b),9-20 were synthesized and characterized using a variety of spectrum analyses. The geometric and thermal parameters of the novel thiouracil derivatives 3,4,6a,(8a,b),11,12,17,18, 19 were measured using density functional theory (DFT) via DFT/B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p) basis set. All synthesized compounds were evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) method using MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancerous cells, compound 17 had the maximum anticancer activity against both breast cancerous cells, recording the lowest half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values (56.712 μg/mL for MCF-7 cells and 48.743 μg/mL for MDA-MB-231 cells). The results were confirmed in terms of the intrinsic mechanism of apoptosis, where compound 17 had the highest percentage in the case of both cancer cells and recorded Bax (Bcl-2 associated X)/Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) ratio 17.5 and 96.667 for MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, while compound 19 came after 17 in the ability for induction of apoptosis, where the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was 15.789 and 44.273 for both cancerous cells, respectively. Also, compound 11 recorded a high Bax/Bcl-2 ratio for both cells. The safety of the synthesized compounds was applied on normal WI-38 cells, showing minimum cytotoxic effect with undetectable IC50. Compounds 17, 11, and 19 recorded a significant increase of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) expression levels in the cancerous cells. The DFT method was also used to establish a connection between the experimentally determined values of the present investigated compounds and their predicted quantum chemical parameters. It was concluded that Compounds 17, 11, and 19 had anti-breast cancer potential through the induction of apoptotic Bax/Bcl-2 and PUMA expression levels.

Hyaluronated nanoparticles deliver raloxifene to CD44-expressed colon cancer cells and regulate lncRNAs/miRNAs epigenetic cascade

Background

Colorectal malignant cells (CRC) are one of the world’s main causes of cancer mortality and morbidity. Notwithstanding the plenty of anti-CRC therapeutics, its prognosis remains not selective owing to cancer resistance to these therapeutics. Raloxifene (RX), a medication firstly used to treat osteoporosis, was recently licenced for the prevention of CRC. Unfortunately, due to medication resistance, many RX-based therapies are likely to become ineffective. Recently, we identified a novel method of administration to lengthen the half-life of RX by mixing it with chitosan (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA). Thus, the rationale of the current study was to investigate how colon cancer cells were affected by RX-HA-CS nanoparticles (RX NPs) in terms of targetability, cytotoxicity, and epigenetic cascade alteration.

Results

RX NP had an entrapment efficiency (EE%) of 90.0 ± 8.12%. Compared to HCT 116 cells, Caco-2 cells were more susceptible to the cytotoxic effects of RX and its NP as well as they had a higher binding affinity to CD44 receptors compared to normal WI-38 cells. In comparison to the free RX, the RX NP’s cytotoxic fold changes in HCT 116 and Caco-2 cells were 2.16 and 2.52, respectively. Furthermore, the epigenetic cascade of some noncoding RNAs was examined. Moreover, particular protein concentrations were investigated in all tested cells after application of the proposed therapies. Our results showed that the RX NP recorded higher remarkable cytotoxic impact on CRC cells compared to the free RX. Intriguingly, it was hypothesized that RX nanoparticles attacked colon cancerous cells by up-regulating miR-944 and E-cadherin (ECN) expressions, while down-regulating the expressions of PPARγ, YKL-40, VEGF, H-19, LINC00641, HULC, HOTTIP, miR-92a, miR-200, and miR-21.

Conclusions

We may conclude that the RX NP effectively targets CRC cells in vitro via altering lncRNAs and miRNAs epigenetic cascade as well as cellular uptake through CD44-expressed CRC cells.

Harnessing function of EMT in hepatocellular carcinoma: From biological view to nanotechnological standpoint

Management of cancer metastasis has been associated with remarkable reduction in progression of cancer cells and improving survival rate of patients. Since 90% of mortality are due to cancer metastasis, its suppression can improve ability in cancer fighting. The EMT has been an underlying cause in increasing cancer migration and it is followed by mesenchymal transformation of epithelial cells. HCC is the predominant kind of liver tumor threatening life of many people around the world with poor prognosis. Increasing patient prognosis can be obtained via inhibiting tumor metastasis. HCC metastasis modulation by EMT and HCC therapy by nanoparticles are discussed here. First of all, EMT happens during progression and advanced stages of HCC and therefore, its inhibition can reduce tumor malignancy. Moreover, anti-cancer compounds including all-trans retinoic acid and plumbaging, among others, have been considered as inhibitors of EMT. The EMT association with chemoresistance has been evaluated. Moreover, ZEB1/2, TGF-β, Snail and Twist are EMT modulators in HCC and enhancing cancer invasion. Therefore, EMT mechanism and related molecular mechanisms in HCC are evaluated. The treatment of HCC has not been only emphasized on targeting molecular pathways with pharmacological compounds and since drugs have low bioavailability, their targeted delivery by nanoparticles promotes HCC elimination. Moreover, nanoparticle-mediated phototherapy impairs tumorigenesis in HCC by triggering cell death. Metastasis of HCC and even EMT mechanism can be suppressed by cargo-loaded nanoparticles.