Resveratrol enhances anticancer effects of paclitaxel in HepG2 human liver cancer cells

Effects of Thyme, Cumin, and Sumac Extracts on Apoptosis and Paraptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Synergistic, Antagonistic, or Additive Properties

This study evaluated the effect of single, double, and triple combined doses of sumac, thyme, and cumin extracts on apoptosis and paraptosis in the HepG2 cell line. The effect of thyme and cumin extracts was higher in proteins (mTOR, caspase-8, caspase-9, Bax and bcl-2) other than caspase-3 protein. The expression of caspase-3 protein was higher in the sumac extract-treated groups. The expression levels of GRP78/Bip and DDIT3/Chop proteins, which are indicators of paraptosis, did not exert a significant difference between the extracts. Even though their protein expression is different, according to MTT results, sumac and thyme extracts showed an additive effect, thyme and cumin extracts showed an antagonistic effect, sumac and cumin extracts showed a synergistic effect, and sumac, thyme, and cumin extracts showed a synergistic effect. Sumac, thyme, and cumin extracts induced cell death by causing apoptosis in HepG2 cells, and they may have a supportive impact on the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

In Vitro Evaluation, Chemical Profiling, and In Silico ADMET Prediction of the Pharmacological Activities of Artemisia absinthium Root Extract

Artemisia absinthium L., is a plant with established pharmacological properties, but the A. absinthium root extract (AARE) remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the chemical composition of AARE and assess its biological activity, which included antidiabetic, antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. GC-MS was used to analyze the chemical components. The antioxidant activity of the total phenolic and flavonoid content was evaluated. Antibacterial activity and cytotoxic effects were identified. Enzyme inhibition experiments were performed to determine its antidiabetic potential. Molecular docking was utilized to evaluate the potential antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activities of the compounds from AARE using Maestro 11.5 from the Schrödinger suite. AARE exhibited moderate antioxidant activity in DPPH (IC50: 172.41 ± 3.15 μg/mL) and ABTS (IC50: 378.94 ± 2.18 μg/mL) assays. Cytotoxicity tests on MCF-7 and HepG2 cancer cells demonstrated significant anticancer effects, with IC50 values of 150.12 ± 0.74 μg/mL and 137.11 ± 1.33 μg/mL, respectively. Apoptotic studies indicated an upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes (caspase-3, 8, 9, Bax) and a downregulation of anti-apoptotic markers (Bcl-2 and Bcl-Xl). AARE also inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase, suggesting potential antidiabetic effects, with IC50 values of 224.12 ± 1.17 μg/mL and 243.35 ± 1.51 μg/mL. Antibacterial assays revealed strong activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Molecular docking and pharmacokinetic analysis identified promising inhibitory effects of key AARE compounds on NADPH oxidase, E. coli Gyrase B, and Topoisomerase IIα, with favorable drug-like properties. These findings suggest AARE's potential in treating cancer, diabetes, and bacterial infections, warranting further in vivo and clinical studies.

Cancer Prevention and Treatment with Polyphenols: Type IV Collagenase-Mediated Mechanisms

Polyphenols are natural compounds found in many plants and their products. Their high structural diversity bestows upon them a range of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, proapoptotic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic properties, and a growing body of research indicates that a polyphenol-rich diet can inhibit cancer development in humans. Polyphenolic compounds may modulate the expression, secretion, or activity of compounds that play a significant role in carcinogenesis, including type IV collagenases, such as matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), by suppressing cellular signaling pathways such as nuclear factor-kappa B. These enzymes are responsible for the degradation of the extracellular matrix, thus promoting the progression of cancer. This review discusses the current state of knowledge concerning the anti-cancer activity of polyphenols, particularly curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, genistein, and quercetin, with a specific focus on their anti-invasive and anti-metastatic potential, based on the most recent in vitro and in vivo studies. It appears that polyphenols may be valuable options for the chemoprevention and treatment of cancer via the inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and the suppression of signaling pathways regulating their expression and activity.

Natural Compounds for Preventing Age-Related Diseases and Cancers

Aging is a multifaceted process influenced by hereditary factors, lifestyle, and environmental elements. As time progresses, the human body experiences degenerative changes in major functions. The external and internal signs of aging manifest in various ways, including skin dryness, wrinkles, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Additionally, cancer, like aging, is a complex disease that arises from the accumulation of various genetic and epigenetic alterations. Circadian clock dysregulation has recently been identified as an important risk factor for aging and cancer development. Natural compounds and herbal medicines have gained significant attention for their potential in preventing age-related diseases and inhibiting cancer progression. These compounds demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic, and anti-angiogenic effects as well as circadian clock regulation. This review explores age-related diseases, cancers, and the potential of specific natural compounds in targeting the key features of these conditions.

In vitro and in silico evaluation of bioactivities and chemical composition of the aerial parts of Anchusa officinalis L. methanol extract

The main objective of the study is to evaluate the antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities of Anchusa officinalis L. in vitro and in silico. The dried aerial parts of A. officinalis L. were extracted with methanol. Total phenolic and flavonoid content was analyzed. Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects were tested against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 10 phytochemical compounds, and cyclobutane (26.07%) was identified as the major photochemical compound. The methanol extract exhibited the maximum amount of total phenolic content (118.24 ± 4.42 mg QE/g dry weight of the dry extract) (R2 = 0.994) and the total flavonoid content was 94 ± 2.34 mg QE/g dry weight of the dry extract (R2 = 0.999). The IC50 value for 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid was 107.12 ± 3.42 μg/mL, and it was high for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (123.94 ± 2.31 μg/mL). The IC50 value was 72.49 ± 3.14 against HepG2 cell lines, and a decreased value was obtained (102.54 ± 4.17 g/mL) against MCF-7 cell lines. The methanol extract increased the expression of caspase mRNA and Bax mRNA levels when compared to the control experiment (p < .05). The conclusions, A. officinalis L. aerial parts extract exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities.

A Review of Advances in Molecular Imaging of Rheumatoid Arthritis: From In Vitro to Clinic Applications Using Radiolabeled Targeting Vectors with Technetium-99m

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder caused by inflammation of cartilaginous diarthrodial joints that destroys joints and cartilage, resulting in synovitis and pannus formation. Timely detection and effective management of RA are pivotal for mitigating inflammatory arthritis consequences, potentially influencing disease progression. Nuclear medicine using radiolabeled targeted vectors presents a promising avenue for RA diagnosis and response to treatment assessment. Radiopharmaceutical such as technetium-99m (99mTc), combined with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) combined with CT (SPECT/CT), introduces a more refined diagnostic approach, enhancing accuracy through precise anatomical localization, representing a notable advancement in hybrid molecular imaging for RA evaluation. This comprehensive review discusses existing research, encompassing in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies to explore the application of 99mTc radiolabeled targeting vectors with SPECT imaging for RA diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to highlight the potential of this strategy to enhance patient outcomes by improving the early detection and management of RA.

Natural products targeting macroautophagy signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy: Recent evidence and perspectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), presently the second leading cause of global cancer-related mortality, continues to pose significant challenges in the realm of medical oncology, impacting both clinical drug selection and mechanistic research. Recent investigations have unveiled autophagy-related signaling as a promising avenue for HCC treatment. A growing body of research has highlighted the pivotal role of autophagy-modulating natural products in inhibiting HCC progression. In this context, we provide a concise overview of the fundamental autophagy mechanism and delineate the involvement of autophagic signaling pathways in HCC development. Additionally, we review pertinent studies demonstrating how natural products regulate autophagy to mitigate HCC. Our findings indicate that natural products exhibit cytotoxic effects through the induction of excessive autophagy, simultaneously impeding HCC cell proliferation by autophagy inhibition, thereby depriving HCC cells of essential energy. These effects have been associated with various signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, MAPK, AMPK, Wnt/β-catenin, Beclin-1, and ferroautophagy. These results underscore the considerable therapeutic potential of natural products in HCC treatment. However, it is important to note that the present study did not establish definitive thresholds for autophagy induction or inhibition by natural products. Further research in this domain is imperative to gain comprehensive insights into the dual role of autophagy, equipping us with a better understanding of this double-edged sword in HCC management.

Resveratrol/Selenium Nanocomposite with Antioxidative and Antibacterial Properties

In this work, we synthesized a new composite material comprised of previously formulated resveratrol nanobelt-like particles (ResNPs) and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), namely ResSeNPs. Characterization was provided by FESEM and optical microscopy, as well as by UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, the last showing hydrogen bonds between ResNPs and SeNPs. DPPH, TBA, and FRAP assays showed excellent antioxidative abilities with ResNPs and SeNPs contributing mainly to lipid peroxidation inhibition and reducing/scavenging activity, respectively. The antibacterial effect against common medicinal implant colonizers pointed to notably higher activity against Staphylococcus isolates (minimal inhibitory concentrations 0.75-1.5%) compared to tested gram-negative species (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Antibiofilm activity against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and P. aeruginosa determined in a crystal violet assay was promising (up to 69%), but monitoring of selected biofilm-related gene expression (pelA and algD) indicated the necessity of the involvement of a larger number of genes in the analysis in order to further establish the underlying mechanism. Although biocompatibility screening showed some cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in MTT and alkaline comet assays, respectively, it is important to note that active antioxidative and antibacterial/antibiofilm concentrations were non-cytotoxic and non-genotoxic in normal MRC-5 cells. These results encourage further composite improvements and investigation in order to adapt it for specific biomedical purposes.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Anticancer, and Antibacterial Activities of Roots and Seeds of Ammi visnaga L. Methanol Extract

For centuries, plants and their components have been harnessed for therapeutic purposes, with Ammi visnaga L. (Khella) being no exception to this rich tradition. While existing studies have shed light on the cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties of seed extracts, there remains a noticeable gap in research about the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer potential of root extracts. This study seeks to address this gap by systematically examining methanol extracts derived from the roots of A. visnaga L. and comparing their effects with those of seed extracts specifically against breast cancer cells. Notably, absent from previous investigations, this study focuses on the comparative analysis of the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of both root and seed extracts. The methanol extract obtained from A. visnaga L. seeds demonstrated a notably higher level of total phenolic content (TPC) than its root counterpart, measuring 366.57 ± 2.86 and 270.78 ± 2.86 mg GAE/g dry weight of the dry extract, respectively. In the evaluation of antioxidant activities using the DPPH method, the IC50 values for root and seed extracts were determined to be 193.46 ± 17.13 μg/mL and 227.19 ± 1.48 μg/mL, respectively. Turning our attention to cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), both root and seed extracts displayed similar cytotoxic activities, with IC50 values of 92.45 ± 2.14 μg/mL and 75.43 ± 2.32 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, both root and seed extracts exhibited a noteworthy modulation of gene expression, upregulating the expression of caspase and Bax mRNA levels while concurrently suppressing the expression of anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-xL and Bcl-2), thereby reinforcing their potential as anticancer agents. A. visnaga L. seed extract outperforms the root extract in antimicrobial activities, exhibiting lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 3.81 ± 0.24 to 125 ± 7.63 μg/mL. This highlights the seeds' potential as potent antibacterial agents, expanding their role in disease prevention. Overall, this study underscores the diverse therapeutic potentials of A. visnaga L. roots and seeds, contributing to the understanding of plant-derived extracts in mitigating disease risks.

Review Deciphering the Anticancer Efficacy of Resveratrol and their Associated Mechanisms in Human Carcinoma

The scientific world has recently shown wider attention to elucidating the anticancerous potential of numerous plant-based bioactive compounds. Many research studies have suggested that consuming foods high in polyphenols, which are present in large amounts in grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits, may delay the onset of various illnesses, including cancer. Normal cells with genetic abnormalities begin the meticulously organized path leading to cancer, which causes the cells to constantly multiply, colonize, and metastasize to other organs like the liver, lungs, colon, and brain. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring stilbene and non-flavonoid polyphenol, a phytoestrogen with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and anticancer properties. Resveratrol makes cancer cells more susceptible to common chemotherapeutic treatments by reversing multidrug resistance in cancer cells. This is especially true when combined with clinically used medications. Several new resveratrol analogs with enhanced anticancer effectiveness, absorption, and pharmacokinetic profile have been discovered. The present emphasis of this review is the modulation of intracellular molecular targets by resveratrol in vivo and in vitro in various malignancies. This review would help future researchers develop a potent lead candidate for efficiently managing human cancers.

Research Advances in Clinical Applications, Anticancer Mechanism, Total Chemical Synthesis, Semi-Synthesis and Biosynthesis of Paclitaxel

Paclitaxel, a natural secondary metabolite isolated and purified from the bark of the Taxus tree, is considered one of the most successful natural anticancer drugs due to its low toxicity, high potency and broad-spectrum anticancer activity. Taxus trees are scarce and slow-growing, and with extremely low paclitaxel content, the contradiction between supply and demand in the market is becoming more and more intense. Therefore, researchers have tried to obtain paclitaxel by various methods such as chemical synthesis, artificial culture, microbial fermentation and tissue cell culture to meet the clinical demand for this drug. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of paclitaxel extraction, combination therapy, total synthesis, semi-synthesis and biosynthesis in recent years and provides an outlook, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and reference for further research on the production and application of paclitaxel in the future.

Effects and mechanisms of resveratrol for prevention and management of cancers: An updated review

Cancer is a severe public health problem. Resveratrol is a famous natural compound that has various bioactivities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antiaging activities. Especially, resveratrol could prevent and treat various cancers, such as oral, thyroid, breast, lung, liver, pancreatic, gastric, colorectal, bladder, prostate and ovarian cancers. The underlying mechanisms have been widely studied, such as inhibiting cell proliferation, suppressing metastasis, inducing apoptosis, stimulating autophagy, modulating immune system, attenuating inflammation, regulating gut microbiota and enhancing effects of other anticancer drugs. In this review, we summarize effects and mechanisms of resveratrol on different cancers. This paper is helpful to develop resveratrol, crude extract containing resveratrol, or foods containing resveratrol into functional food, dietary supplements or auxiliary agents for prevention and management of cancers.

Long-circulating gambogic acid-loaded nanodiamond composite nanosystem with inhibition of cell migration for tumor therapy

Herein, ultra dispersed and stably suspended nanodiamonds (NDs) were demonstrated to have a high load capacity, sustained release, and ability to serve as a biocompatible vehicle for delivery anticancer drugs. NDs with size of 50-100 nm exhibited good biocompatibility in normal human liver (L-02) cells. In particular, 50 nm ND not only promoted the noticeable proliferation of the L-02 cells but also can effectively inhibited the migration of human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells. The gambogic acid-loaded nanodiamond (ND/GA) complex assembled by π-π stacking exhibits ultrasensitive and apparent suppression efficiency on the proliferation of HepG2 cells through high internalization and less efflux compared to free GA. More importantly, the ND/GA system can significantly increase the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in HepG2 cells and thus induce the cell apoptosis. The increase in intracellular ROS levels causes damage to the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and activates cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (Caspase-3) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 9 (Caspase-9), which leads to the occurrence of apoptosis. In vivo experiments also confirmed that the ND/GA complex has a much higher anti-tumor capability than free GA. Thus, the current ND/GA system is promising for cancer therapy.

Efficacy of resveratrol against breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the anti-cancer effect of resveratrol on Michigan cancer foundation-7 (MCF-7) and hepatoblastoma cell line (HepG2) cells.

METHODS

The study was carried out at the Department of Botany and Microbiology, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-kharj, Saudi Arabia, from August 2022 to October 2022. Different concentrations of resveratrol were added to the MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines. Cell death and proliferation were measured with MTT and Trypan blue exclusion assays. Apoptosis markers were assessed by using a quantitative PCR assay (qPCR).

RESULTS

The resveratrol was shown to suppress the proliferation of MCF-7 and HepG2 cells at dose- and time-dependent. The cytotoxic effect of resveratrol was observed even at 100 μM after 24 hours. In comparison to untreated cells, resveratrol treatment reduced the viability of MCF-7 cells to roughly 57.5% with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 51.18 μM and HepG2 cells to 56.2% with an IC50 of 57.4 μM. Furthermore, in the tested cell lines, resveratrol was able to induce apoptosis mediated by elevated apoptosis markers.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol appears to be an excellent candidate agent in anticancer therapy in various human cancers.

Plant-derived natural products and combination therapy in liver cancer

Liver cancer is one of the malignant cancers globally and seriously endangers human health because of its high morbidity and mortality. Plant-derived natural products have been evaluated as potential anticancer drugs due to low side effects and high anti-tumor efficacy. However, plant-derived natural products also have defects of poor solubility and cumbersome extraction process. In recent years, a growing numbers of plant derived natural products have been used in combination therapy of liver cancer with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, which has improved clinical efficacy through multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of tumor growth, induction of apoptosis, suppression of angiogenesis, enhancement of immunity, reversal of multiple drug resistance and reduction of side effects. The therapeutic effects and mechanisms of plant-derived natural products and combination therapy on liver cancer are reviewed to provide references for developing anti-liver-cancer strategies with high efficacy and low side effects.

Anti-Arthritic and Anti-Cancer Activities of Polyphenols: A Review of the Most Recent In Vitro Assays

Polyphenols have gained widespread attention as they are effective in the prevention and management of various diseases, including cancer diseases (CD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They are natural organic substances present in fruits, vegetables, and spices. Polyphenols interact with various kinds of receptors and membranes. They modulate different signal cascades and interact with the enzymes responsible for CD and RA. These interactions involve cellular machinery, from cell membranes to major nuclear components, and provide information on their beneficial effects on health. These actions provide evidence for their pharmaceutical exploitation in the treatment of CD and RA. In this review, we discuss different pathways, modulated by polyphenols, which are involved in CD and RA. A search of the most recent relevant publications was carried out with the following criteria: publication date, 2012-2022; language, English; study design, in vitro; and the investigation of polyphenols present in extra virgin olive, grapes, and spices in the context of RA and CD, including, when available, the underlying molecular mechanisms. This review is valuable for clarifying the mechanisms of polyphenols targeting the pathways of senescence and leading to the development of CD and RA treatments. Herein, we focus on research reports that emphasize antioxidant properties.

Arachidin-1, a Prenylated Stilbenoid from Peanut, Enhances the Anticancer Effects of Paclitaxel in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the deadliest forms of breast cancer. Investigating alternative therapies to increase survival rates for this disease is essential. To this end, the cytotoxic effects of the prenylated stilbenoids arachidin-1 (A-1) and arachidin-3 (A-3), and non-prenylated resveratrol (RES) were evaluated in human TNBC cell lines as potential adjuvants for paclitaxel (Pac). A-1, alone or in combination with Pac, showed the highest cytotoxicity in TNBC cells. Apoptosis was further evaluated by measuring key apoptosis marker proteins, cell cycle arrest, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effect of A-1 combined with Pac was also evaluated in a 3D spheroid TNBC model. The results showed that A-1 decreased the Pac IC50 approximately 2-fold in TNBC cells. The synergistic combination of A-1 and Pac arrested cells in G2/M phase and activated p53 expression. In addition, the combined treatment increased intracellular ROS generation and induced apoptosis. Importantly, the combination of A-1 with Pac inhibited TNBC spheroid growth. Our results demonstrated that A-1 in combination with Pac inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis through mitochondrial oxidative stress, and reduced TNBC spheroid growth. These findings underscore the impactful effects of the prenylated stilbenoid A-1 as a novel adjuvant for Pac chemotherapy in TNBC treatment.

The beneficial therapeutic effects of plant-derived natural products for the treatment of sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is an age-related muscle disorder typically associated with a poor quality of life. Its definition has evolved over time, and several underlying causes of sarcopenia in the elderly have been proposed. However, the exact mechanisms involved in sarcopenia, as well as effective treatments for this condition, are not fully understood. The purpose of this article was to conduct a comprehensive review of previous evidence regarding the definition, diagnosis, risk factors, and efficacy of plant-derived natural products for sarcopenia. The methodological approach for the current narrative review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, as well as Google Scholar (up to March 2021) in order to satisfy our objectives. The substantial beneficial effects along with the safety of some plant-derived natural products including curcumin, resveratrol, catechin, soy protein, and ginseng on sarcopenia are reported in this review. Based on clinical studies, nutraceuticals and functional foods may have beneficial effects on physical performance, including handgrip and knee-extension strength, weight-lifting capacity, time or distance travelled before feeling fatigued, mitochondrial function, muscle fatigue, mean muscle fibre area, and total number of myonuclei. In preclinical studies, supplementation with herbs and natural bioactive compounds resulted in beneficial effects including increased plantaris mass, skeletal muscle mass and strength production, increased expression of anabolic factors myogenin, Myf5 and MyoD, enhanced mitochondrial capacity, and inhibition of muscle atrophy and sarcopenia. We found that several risk factors such as nutritional status, physical inactivity, inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine system dysfunction, insulin resistance, history of chronic disease, mental health, and genetic factors are linked or associated with sarcopenia. The substantial beneficial effects of some nutraceuticals and functional foods on sarcopenia, including curcumin, resveratrol, catechin, soy protein, and ginseng, without any significant side effects, are reported in this review. Plant-derived natural products might have a beneficial effect on various components of sarcopenia. Nevertheless, due to limited human trials, the clinical benefits of plant-derived natural products remain inconclusive. It is suggested that comprehensive longitudinal clinical studies to better understand risk factors over time, as well as identifying a treatment strategy for sarcopenia that is based on its pathophysiology, be undertaken in future investigations.

Frontier progress of the combination of modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, accounting for 90% of primary liver cancer) was the sixth most common cancer in the world and the third leading cause of cancer death in 2020. The number of new HCC patients in China accounted for nearly half of that in the world. HCC was of occult and complex onset, with poor prognosis. Clinically, at least 15% of patients with HCC had strong side effects of interventional therapy (IT) and have poor sensitivity to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a multi-target adjuvant therapy, had been shown to play an active anti-tumor role in many previous studies. This review systematically summarized the role of TCM combined with clinically commonly used drugs for the treatment of HCC (including mitomycin C, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, sorafenib, etc.) in the past basic research, and summarized the efficacy of TCM combined with surgery, IT and conventional therapy (CT) in clinical research. It was found that TCM, as an adjuvant treatment, played many roles in the treatment of HCC, including enhancing the tumor inhibition, reducing toxic and side effects, improving chemosensitivity and prolonging survival time of patients. This review summarized the advantages of integrated traditional Chinese and modern medicine in the treatment of HCC and provides a theoretical basis for clinical research.

Applications of resveratrol in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer

Natural product compounds have lately attracted interest in the scientific community as a possible treatment for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, due to their anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. There are many preclinical, clinical, and epidemiological studies, suggesting that the consumption of polyphenol compounds, which are abundant in vegetables, grains, fruits, and pulses, may help to prevent various illnesses and disorders from developing, including several GI cancers. The development of GI malignancies follows a well-known path, in which normal gastrointestinal cells acquire abnormalities in their genetic composition, causing the cells to continuously proliferate, and metastasize to other sites, especially the brain and liver. Natural compounds with the ability to affect oncogenic pathways might be possible treatments for GI malignancies, and could easily be tested in clinical trials. Resveratrol is a non-flavonoid polyphenol and a natural stilbene, acting as a phytoestrogen with anti-cancer, cardioprotective, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Resveratrol has been shown to overcome resistance mechanisms in cancer cells, and when combined with conventional anticancer drugs, could sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy. Several new resveratrol analogs and nanostructured delivery vehicles with improved anti-GI cancer efficacy, absorption, and pharmacokinetic profiles have already been developed. This present review focuses on the in vitro and in vivo effects of resveratrol on GI cancers, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms of action.

Alsahli M, S. M. Aljohani A, Alhumaydhi FA, Babiker AY, Khan AA, Rahmani AH. Potential Therapeutic Targets of Resveratrol, a Plant Polyphenol, and Its Role in the Therapy of Various Types of Cancer

Cancer is among the most prominent causes of mortality worldwide. Different cancer therapy modes employed, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, have been reported to be significant in cancer management, but the side effects associated with these treatment strategies are still a health problem. Therefore, alternative anticancer drugs based on medicinal plants or their active compounds have been generating attention because of their less serious side effects. Medicinal plants are an excellent source of phytochemicals that have been recognized to have health-prompting effects through modulating cell signaling pathways. Resveratrol is a well-known polyphenolic molecule with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and health-prompting effects among which its anticancer role has been best defined. Additionally, this polyphenol has confirmed its role in cancer management because it activates tumor suppressor genes, suppresses cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, inhibits angiogenesis, and modulates several other cell signaling molecules. The anticancer potential of resveratrol is recognized in numerous in vivo and in vitro studies. Previous experimental data suggested that resveratrol may be valuable in cancer management or improve the efficacy of drugs when given with anticancer drugs. This review emphasizes the potential role of resveratrol as an anticancer drug by modulating numerous cells signaling pathways in different types of cancer.

Genetic, biochemical and histopathological evaluations of thymoquinone on male reproduction system damaged by paclitaxel in Wistar rats

This study was aimed to evaluate therapeutic effects of thymoquinone on male reproductive damages induced by paclitaxel. Forty-eight male rats were divided; control, paclitaxel (4 mg/kg), paclitaxel + thymoquinone (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg) and thymoquinone (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg). Paclitaxel and thymoquinone were administrated intraperitoneally for 4 and 14 days respectively. Then, the testes were removed for H&E staining, sperm parameters and apoptotic genes expression assessments. Serum levels of nitric oxide, total antioxidant capacity and testosterone were evaluated, and sperm DNA fragmentation was assessed. Paclitaxel significantly (p < .05) increased nitric oxide, decreased total antioxidant capacity and reduced testosterone levels than control group. Sperm motility, viability and count were significantly (p < .05) reduced in paclitaxel group than control. Co-administration of thymoquinone + paclitaxel caused decreased levels of nitric oxide and increased total antioxidant capacity, testosterone levels and reproductive parameters than paclitaxel group significantly (p < .05). Paclitaxel significantly (p < .05) increased caspase-3 and p-53 and decreased Bcl-2 genes expression than control. Sperm DNA fragmentation index was also increased significantly (p < .05) in paclitaxel group than control, and this value was decreased in whole doses of paclitaxel + thymoquinone groups than paclitaxel. Thymoquinone can alleviate the side effects of paclitaxel on the male reproductive system.

Synthesis of Resveratrol Loaded Hybrid Silica-PAMAM Dendrimer Nanoparticles With Emphases on Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase and Cytotoxicity

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound exhibiting therapeutic activities. However, the stability can be altered by UV light, pH and changes in temperature. Encapsulation would be an ideal strategy to improve the stability and bioavailability. Thus, trans-resveratrol (Res) was encapsulated within hybrid nanoparticles consisted with silica and G4 polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM) by sol-gel method. The diameters of synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were at a range of 212-574 nm and the encapsulation efficiency was 86 %. RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line induced with endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide was treated with free resveratrol and Res-loaded NPs for assessing inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), where IC₅₀ values of free resveratrol and Res-loaded NPs were 122.68 µM and 249.74 µM. As for cytotoxicity, IC₅₀ values of free resveratrol were found as 176.57 µM and 201.54 µM for MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, whereas 197.16 µM and 219.07 µM for Res-loaded NPs for the respective cell lines. Overall, sol-gel technique proved to be an ideal technology as can be carried out under mild conditions and Res-loaded NPs have potential to be utilized in the industry.

Cellular senescence and cancer: Focusing on traditional Chinese medicine and natural products

Cancer is the principal cause of death and a dominant public health problem which seriously threatening human life. Among various ways to treat cancer, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and natural products have outstanding anti‐cancer effects with their unique advantages of high efficiency and minimal side effects. Cell senescence is a physiological process of cell growth stagnation triggered by stress, which is an important line of defence against tumour development. In recent years, active ingredients of TCM and natural products, as an interesting research hotspot, can induce cell senescence to suppress the occurrence and development of tumours, by inhibiting telomerase activity, triggering DNA damage, inducing SASP, and activating or inactivating oncogenes. In this paper, the recent research progress on the main compounds derived from TCM and natural products that play anti‐cancer roles by inducing cell senescence is systematically reviewed, aiming to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of pro‐senescent cancer.

Alkaloids from Traditional Chinese Medicine against hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become one of the major diseases that are threatening human health in the 21st century. Currently there are many approaches to treat liver cancer, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Among various methods of treating liver cancer, natural medicine treatment has achieved promising results because of their superiorities of high efficiency and availability, as well as low side effects. Alkaloids, as a class of natural ingredients derived from traditional Chinese medicines, have previously been shown to exert prominent anti-hepatocarcinogenic effects, through various mechanisms including inhibition of proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis, changing cell morphology, promoting apoptosis and autophagy, triggering cell cycle arrest, regulating various cancer-related genes as well as pathways and so on. As a consequence, alkaloids suppress the development and progression of liver cancer. In this study, the mechanisms of representative alkaloids against hepatocarcinoma in each class are described systematically according to the structure classification, which mainly divides alkaloids into piperidine alkaloids, isoquinoline alkaloids, indole alkaloids, terpenoids alkaloids, steroidal alkaloids and other alkaloids. Besides using them alone, synergistic effects created together with other chemotherapy drugs and some special preparation methods also have been demonstrated. In this review, we have summarized the potential roles of several common alkaloids in the prevention and treatment of HCC, by revising the preclinical studies, highlighting the potential applications of alkaloids when they function as a therapeutic choice for HCC treatment, and integrating them into clinical practices.

Traditional Chinese medicine combined with hepatic targeted drug delivery systems: A new strategy for the treatment of liver diseases

Liver diseases are clinically common and present a substantial public health issue. Many of the currently available drugs for the treatment of liver diseases suffer from limitations that include low hepatic distribution, lack of target effects, poor in vivo stability and adverse effects on other organs. Consequently, conventional treatment of hepatic diseases is ineffective. TCM is commonly used in the treatment of liver diseases worldwide, particularly in China, and has advantages over conventional therapy. HTDDS can be designed to enhance clinical efficacy in the treatment of liver diseases. We have conducted an extensive review of 335 studies reported since 1964. These included about 166 references involving the treatment of liver diseases with TCM (covering active components of TCM, single TCM and Chinese medicine formulas), 169 reports on HTDDS and background studies on liver-related diseases. Here we review the long history of TCM in the treatment of liver diseases.We have also reviewed the status of studies on active components of TCM using nanotechnology-based targeted delivery systems to provide support for further research and development of TCM-based targeted preparations for the treatment of liver disease.

Traditional Chinese medicine-combination therapies utilizing nanotechnology-based targeted delivery systems: a new strategy for antitumor treatment

Cancer is a major public health problem, and is now the world’s leading cause of death. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-combination therapy is a new treatment approach and a vital therapeutic strategy for cancer, as it exhibits promising antitumor potential. Nano-targeted drug-delivery systems have remarkable advantages and allow the development of TCM-combination therapies by systematically controlling drug release and delivering drugs to solid tumors. In this review, the anticancer activity of TCM compounds is introduced. The combined use of TCM for antitumor treatment is analyzed and summarized. These combination therapies, using a single nanocarrier system, namely codelivery, are analyzed, issues that require attention are determined, and future perspectives are identified. We carried out a systematic review of >280 studies published in PubMed since 1985 (no patents involved), in order to provide a few basic considerations in terms of the design principles and management of targeted nanotechnology-based TCM-combination therapies.

Antagonistic anticancer effect of paclitaxel and digoxin combination

Despite the growing interest in the antitumor effect of cardiotonic steroids, combination treatments with well-established chemotherapy drugs like paclitaxel have been rarely investigated. Moreover, paclitaxel has been suggested as a Na⁺ /K⁺ -ATPase inhibitor. Here we investigated the effect of paclitaxel and digoxin alone or in combination on the viability of human lung (A549) and cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines and the inhibitory effect of paclitaxel on several mammalian Na⁺ /K⁺ -ATPases. Although the viability of both tumor cell lines was concentration-dependently affected by digoxin treatment after 48 hours (A549 IC₅₀  = 31 nM and HeLa IC₅₀  = 151 nM), a partial effect was observed for paclitaxel, with a maximal inhibitory effect of 45% at 1000 nM with A549 and around 70% with HeLa cells (IC₅₀  = 1 nM). Although the two drugs were cytotoxic, their combined effect in HeLa cells was revealed to be antagonistic, as estimated by the combination index. No direct inhibitory effect of paclitaxel was detected in human, pig, rat, and mouse Na⁺ /K⁺ -ATPase enzymes, but high concentrations of paclitaxel decreased the Na⁺ /K⁺ -ATPase activity in HeLa cells after 48 hours without affecting protein expression. Our findings demonstrate that, under our conditions, paclitaxel and digoxin cotreatment produce antagonistic cytotoxic effects in HeLa cells, and the mechanism of action of paclitaxel does not involve a direct inhibition of Na⁺ /K⁺ -ATPase. More studies shall be designed to evaluate the consequences of the interaction of cardiotonic steroids and chemotherapy drugs.

Resveratrol Enhances Apoptotic and Oxidant Effects of Paclitaxel through TRPM2 Channel Activation in DBTRG Glioblastoma Cells

Numerous studies have reported a strong association between increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the pathobiology of several diseases, and cancer in particular. Therefore, manipulation of cellular oxidative stress levels represents an important therapeutic target. Recently, resveratrol (RESV), a naturally occurring phytochemical, has been shown to sensitize several cell lines to the anticancer effects of other chemotherapeutic agents, including paclitaxel (PAX). However, the molecular mechanisms of action of RESV through oxidative sensitive TRPM2 channel activation remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combination therapy of RESV and PAX on activation of TRPM2 in DBTRG glioblastoma cells. DBTRG cells were divided into four treatment groups: control, RESV (50 μM), PAX (50 μM), and PAX + RESV for 24 hours. Our data shows that markers for apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and mitochondrial function, intracellular steady-state ROS levels, caspase 3 activity, TRPM2 current density, and Ca²⁺ florescence intensity were significantly increased in DBTRG cells following treatment with PAX and RESV, respectively, although cell viability was also decreased by these treatments. These biochemical markers were further increased to favor the anticancer effects of PAX in DBTRG cells in combination with RESV. The PAX and RESV-mediated increase in current density and Ca²⁺ florescence intensity was decreased with a TRPM2 blocker. This suggests that for this combination therapy to have a substantial effect on apoptosis and cell viability, the TRPM2 channel must be stimulated.

Potentiation of paclitaxel effect by resveratrol in human breast cancer cells by counteracting the 17β-estradiol/estrogen receptor α/neuroglobin pathway

Neuroglobin (NGB), an antiapoptotic protein upregulated by 17β-estradiol (E2), is part of E2/estrogen receptor α (ERα) pathway pointed to preserve cancer cell survival in presence of microenvironmental stressors including chemotherapeutic drugs. Here, the possibility that resveratrol (Res), an anticancer plant polyphenol, could increase the susceptibility of breast cancer cells to paclitaxel (Pacl) by affecting E2/ERα/NGB pathway has been evaluated. In MCF-7 and T47D (ERα-positive), but not in MDA-MB 231 (ERα-negative) nor in SK-N-BE (ERα and ERβ positive), Res decreases NGB levels interfering with E2/ERα-induced NGB upregulation and with E2-induced ERα and protein kinase B phosphorylation. Although Res treatment does not reduce cell viability by itself, this compound potentiates Pacl proapoptotic effects. Notably, the increase of NGB levels by NGB expression vector transfection prevents Pacl or Res/Pacl effects. Taken together, these findings indicate a new Res-based mechanism that acts on tumor cells impairing the E2/ERα/NGB signaling pathways and increasing cancer cell susceptibility to chemotherapeutic agent.

Resveratrol suppresses colon cancer growth by targeting the AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway

Colon cancer is a common type of cancer worldwide and accounts for a significant number of cancer‑related deaths. Although surgical techniques and treatment strategies for colon cancer have advanced over the past two decades, the prognosis has not improved considerably. Resveratrol, a natural stilbene compound, possesses antioxidant, cardioprotective and anticancer properties. However, the role of resveratrol in colon cancer has not been fully elucidated. The present study demonstrated that resveratrol inhibited cell proliferation and colony growth in DLD1 and HCT15 colon cancer cells, but did not affect normal colon epithelial cells. The resveratrol‑mediated inhibition of cell proliferation correlated with an induction of apoptosis and with G1 phase cell cycle arrest in colon cancer cells. Additionally, resveratrol treatment decreased the protein expression levels of cyclin D1, cyclin E2 and BCL2 apoptosis regulator, while it increased BCL2 associated X and tumor protein p53, all of which are involved in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. Notably, the results obtained from in silico computational screening identified AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1) and AKT2 as novel targets of resveratrol. Computational docking suggested that there are three or four possible hydrogen bonds in the active pocket of AKT1 and AKT2 that contribute to the mode of action of resveratrol. The present study confirmed that resveratrol bound to AKT1 and AKT2 with a pull‑down assay. Furthermore, knockdown of AKT1 and AKT2 inhibited cell proliferation and colony growth, by attenuating cell cycle progression and increasing apoptosis in colon cancer cells, effects that were similar to those caused by resveratrol treatment. Taken together, the present results suggest that the targeting effects of resveratrol to AKT1 and AKT2 may be a potent strategy for chemoprevention or therapy for colon cancer.

Reversing Epigenetic Alterations Caused by Alcohol: A Promising Therapeutic Direction for Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), a liver function disorder caused by excessive alcohol intake, is a serious threat to global public health and social development. Toxic metabolites and reactive oxygen species produced during the metabolism of alcohol can alter the epigenetic state including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and expression of microRNAs. Epigenetic alterations can conversely involve various signaling pathways, which could contribute to the initiation and progression of ALD. To elucidate the relationship between epigenetic alterations and alcohol damage not only reinforces our understanding on pathogenesis of ALD, but also provides novel targets for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and drug research of ALD. In this review, we have summarized the research progress of epigenetic alterations and related mechanisms caused by alcohol in the pathogenesis of ALD. Considering the invertibility of epigenetic alterations, treatment of ALD through epigenetic modification with common less harmful compounds is also related.

Lactobacillus casei Strain Shirota Enhances the In Vitro Antiproliferative Effect of Geniposide in Human Oral Squamous Carcinoma HSC-3 Cells

This study investigated the enhanced antiproliferative effect of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) on geniposide actions in human oral squamous carcinoma HSC-3 cells. An MTT assay, flow cytometry, qPCR assay, western blot and HPLC were used for this study. The concentration of 1.0 × 10⁶ CFU/mL of LcS had no effect on the HOK normal oral epithelial cells and HSC-3 cancer cells. The 25 and 50 µg/mL geniposide concentrations also had no impact on HOK normal oral epithelial cells, but they had remarkable inhibitory effects on the growth of HSC-3 cancer cells, which are enhanced in the presence of LcS. By the flow cytometry assay, the LcS-geniposide-H (1.0 × 10⁶ CFU/mL LcS and 50 µg/mL geniposide)-treated HSC-3 cancer cells had the largest number of cells undergoing apoptosis compared to cells treated with other combinationsand obviously more than cells treated with only geniposide-H (50 µg/mL geniposide). Geniposide-H could increase the mRNA and protein expressions of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, Bax, p53, p21, IκB-α, Fas, FasL, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 as well as decrease those of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, HIAP-1, HIAP-2, NF-κB, COX-2, iNOS, MMP-2, and MMP-9 compared to other groups of cells, and LcS further enhanced these changes, with results that are greater than for the cells treated with only a high concentration of geniposide. The results of this study show thatLcS enhanced the antiproliferative effect of geniposide in HSC-3 cancer cells.

Albumin-assisted exfoliated ultrathin rhenium disulfide nanosheets as a tumor targeting and dual-stimuli-responsive drug delivery system for a combination chemo-photothermal treatment

Herein, we prepared an ultrathin rhenium disulfide nanosheet (utReS2) through the bovine serum albumin (BSA)-assisted ultrasonic exfoliation method, which showed great biocompatibility and high near-infrared (NIR) absorbance. The large surface specific area and the presence of BSA facilitate a high loading ratio and modification of multifunctional molecules. The low solubility anti-cancer drug resveratrol (RSV) was loaded onto the utReS2 surface to form a biocompatible nanocomposite (utReS2@RSV). A targeting molecule, folic acid (FA), was then conjugated to the BSA molecule of utReS2@RSV, resulting in utReS2@RSV-FA. The utReS2@RSV-FA exhibited a photothermal effect under an 808 nm laser irradiation. At pH = 6.5, about 16.5% of the RSV molecules was released from utReS2@RSV-FA over 24 h, while the value reached 55.3% after six cycles of NIR irradiation (5 min, 1 W cm-2). In vitro experiments of utReS2@RSV-FA showed that it had low cytotoxicity and an excellent HepG2 cells targeting effect. Upon pH/temperature dual-stimuli, utReS2@RSV-FA showed an enhanced cytotoxic effect. In vivo experiments of utReS2@RSV-FA intravenously injected into tumor-bearing mice showed that at 24 h post-injection, it could actively target and was largely accumulated in tumor tissue. When the injection was further accompanied by three cycles of NIR irradiation for 5 min, once a day, the tumor was efficiently suppressed, without relapse after 30 days. These findings demonstrate that utReS2@RSV-FA has a remarkable targeting ability while providing a dual-stimuli-responsive drug delivery system, and could effectively be used in a combination chemo-photothermal cancer treatment.

Preparation of β-CD-Ellagic Acid Microspheres and Their Effects on HepG2 Cell Proliferation

OBJECTIVE

In this study, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was chosen as the coating for ellagic acid to prepare ellagic acid microspheres, and the effect of microspheres on the growth of HepG2 cells was observed.

METHODS

Scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and release rate analysis were used to identify the formation of ellagic acid microspheres. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to detect the effect of different concentrations of ellagic acid microspheres on tumor cell proliferation at 6, 12, 24 and 36 h, and cell morphology and quantity were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Single-cell gel electrophoresis was used to observe the effect of ellagic acid microspheres on the DNA damage of HepG2 cells, and the Olive tail moment and the mRNA expression of tumor suppressor protein gene p53 was measured.

RESULTS

β-CD could be used as wrapping material of ellagic acid to prepare ellagic acid microspheres. HepG2 cell proliferation could be inhibited by 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 g/L of ellagic acid microspheres in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the mechanism of proliferation inhibition was related to DNA damage and cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Preparing ellagic acid microspheres with β-CD is feasible, and ellagic acid microspheres have potential therapeutic value (anticancer).