Effect of Curcuma zedoaria crude extract against tumor progression and immunomodulation

The Effect and Related Mechanism of Action of Astragalus Compatible with Curcumin against Colon Cancer Metastasis in Mice

Colon cancer (CC) is the third most common tumor worldwide. Colon carcinogenesis is strongly linked to inflammation. The initiation and progression of colon cancer may be influenced by epigenetic processes. Cancer metastasis is a multistep process involving several genes and their products. During tumor metastasis, cancer cells first enhance their proliferative capacity by lowering autophagy and apoptosis, and then, their capacity is stimulated by boosting tumors' ability to take nutrients from the outside via angiogenesis. Traditional treatment focuses on eliminating tumor cells by triggering cell death or activating the immune system, which often results in side effects or chemoresistance recurrence. On the contrary, Chinese medicine theory considers the patient's entire inner system and aids in tumor shrinkage while also taking into account the mouse' general health. Because many Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) are consumed as food, using edible CHMs as a diet resource therapy for colon cancer treatment is a viable option. Two traditional Chinese herbs, Astragalus membranaceus and Curcuma zedoaria, are commonly utilized jointly in colon cancer preventive therapy. As a result, the anticancer effect of astragalus and curcumin (AC) on colon cancer suppression in an 18-week AOM-DSS colon cancer mouse model is investigated in this research. These findings may offer a scientific foundation for investigating colon cancer diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic application of AC in colon cancer treatment. These studies also highlighted the potential effect and mechanism of AC in the treatment of colon cancer, as well as providing insight into how to effectively use it.

Immunomodulatory Effects and Mechanisms of Curcuma Species and Their Bioactive Compounds: A Review

Curcuma species (family: Zingiberaceae) are widely utilized in traditional medicine to treat diverse immune-related disorders. There have been many scientific studies on their immunomodulating effects to support their ethnopharmacological uses. In this review, the efficacy of six Curcuma species, namely, C. longa L., C. zanthorrhiza Roxb., C. mangga Valeton & Zijp, C. aeruginosa Roxb. C. zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe, and C. amada Roxb., and their bioactive metabolites to modulate the immune system, their mechanistic effects, and their potential to be developed into effective and safe immunomodulatory agents are highlighted. Literature search has been carried out extensively to gather significant findings on immunomodulating activities of these plants. The immunomodulatory effects of Curcuma species were critically analyzed, and future research strategies and appropriate perspectives on the plants as source of new immunomodulators were discussed. Most of the pharmacological investigations to evaluate their immunomodulatory effects were in vivo and in vitro experiments on the crude extracts of the plants. The extracts were not chemically characterized or standardized. Of all the Curcuma species investigated, the immunomodulatory effects of C. longa were the most studied. Most of the bioactive metabolites responsible for the immunomodulating activities were not determined, and mechanistic studies to understand the underlying mechanisms were scanty. There are limited clinical studies to confirm their efficacy in human. Of all the bioactive metabolites, only curcumin is undergoing extensive clinical trials based on its anti-inflammatory properties and main use as an adjuvant for the treatment of cancer. More in-depth studies to understand the underlying mechanisms using experimental in vivo animal models of immune-related disorders and elaborate bioavailability, preclinical pharmacokinetics, and toxicity studies are required before clinical trials can be pursued for development into immunomodulatory agents.

Ultrastructural Changes in Hepatocytes and Chemopreventive Effects of Short-Term Administration of Curcuma longa L. against Oxidative Stress-Induced Toxicity: Improvement Mechanisms of Liver Detoxification

The rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. (CL) have been widely used in herbal medicines worldwide. It has been shown to possess prophylactic effects against oxidative stress. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the protective role of CL against oxidative stress in the absence of toxic agents. The aim of the study was to elucidate the antioxidative stress pharmacodynamics of CL. Eighteen 12-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 300 ± 25 gm were divided equally into six groups. Four of the groups were supplemented with CL at 100 mg/kg b.w./day orally (P.O.) and labeled as 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, and 6^th day groups. The PCx (positive control) group was given distilled water orally, and the NCx (negative control) group rats were provided with food and water ad libitum. Blood samples were collected, and rats were sacrificed on days 1, 3, 5, and 6 (2 h) posttreatment. The blood was used for oxidative stress enzyme analysis (SOD, GSH-Px, and MDA) and liver (ALT) and kidney (creatinine) function assay, and the liver was dissected for histology. The results revealed that CL exhibited an antioxidative stress effect in the liver and kidneys as indicated by the low levels of ALT and creatinine. In response to antioxidant enzymes, especially that of the 3^rd-day treatment group, an increase in SOD and GSH-Px indirectly caused an alleviation of oxidative stress, leading to a much lower level of MDA. It was concluded that treatment with CL at 100 mg/kg b.w./per day for three consecutive days demonstrated the highest efficacy in abating oxidative stress in rats.

Molecular characterization of antitumor effects of the rhizome extract from Curcuma zedoaria on human esophageal carcinoma cells

Curcuma zedoaria has been used as a traditional agent against malignant diseases. To elucidate detailed mechanisms producing such an activity, characterization and determination of molecular mechanisms of its antitumor effects was conducted. Inhibiting activities against cell proliferation, invasion and colony formation, and expression levels of corresponding molecules were investigated using human esophageal cancer TE-8 cells treated with the rhizome extract from C. zedoaria. Antitumor effect of the extract administered orally was also examined in tumor-bearing mice. The extract possessed strong anti-proliferation and invasion activities against TE-8 cells. Further, upregulated PTEN and downregulated phosphorylated Akt, mTOR and STAT3 expressions in the cells were induced shortly after treatment with the extract, followed by attenuation of FGFR1 and MMP-2, activation of caspase-9, caspase-3 and PARP, and suppression of Bcl-2 expressions, which led the cells to apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, tumor formation in mice was significantly suppressed through the oral administration of the extract. Taken together, these results suggest that the C. zedoaria extract could be a promising agent against esophageal cancer.

Photodynamic activity of plant extracts from Sarawak, Borneo

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment that involves the irradiation of an administered photosensitizing drug with light of a particular wavelength to activate the photosensitizer to kill abnormal cells. To date, only a small number of photosensitizers have been clinically approved for PDT, and researchers continue to look for new molecules that have more desirable properties for clinical applications. Natural products have long been important sources of pharmaceuticals, and there is a great potential for discovery of novel chemotypes from under-explored biodiversities in the world. The objective of this study is to mine the terrestrial plants in Sarawak, Borneo Island, for new photosensitizers for PDT. In a screening program from 2004 to 2008, we prepared and studied 2,400 extracts from 888 plants for their photosensitizing activities. This report details the bioprospecting process, preparation and testing of extracts, analysis of the active samples, fractionation of four samples, and isolation and characterization of photosensitizers.

The curcumin analog DM-1 induces apoptotic cell death in melanoma

The main difficulty in the successful treatment of metastatic melanoma is that this type of cancer is known to be resistant to chemotherapy. Chemotherapy remains the treatment of choice, and dacarbazine (DTIC) is the best standard treatment. The DM-1 compound is a curcumin analog that possesses several curcumin characteristics, such as antiproliferative, antitumor, and antimetastatic properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the signaling pathways involved in melanoma cell death after treatment with DM-1 compared to the standard agent for melanoma treatment, DTIC. Cell death was evaluated by flow cytometry for annexin V and iodide propide, cleaved caspase 8, and TNF-R1 expression. Hoechst 33342 staining was evaluated by fluorescent microscopy; lipid peroxidation and cell viability (MTT) were evaluated by colorimetric assays. The antiproliferative effects of the drugs were evaluated by flow cytometry for cyclin D1 and Ki67 expression. Mice bearing B16F10 melanoma were treated with DTIC, DM-1, or both therapies. DM-1 induced significant apoptosis as indicated by the presence of cleaved caspase 8 and an increase in TNF-R1 expression in melanoma cells. Furthermore, DM-1 had antiproliferative effects in this the same cell line. DTIC caused cell death primarily by necrosis, and a smaller melanoma cell population underwent apoptosis. DTIC induced oxidative stress and several physiological changes in normal melanocytes, whereas DM-1 did not significantly affect the normal cells. DM-1 antitumor therapy in vivo showed tumor burden decrease with DM-1 monotherapy or in combination with DTIC, besides survival rate increase. Altogether, these data confirm DM-1 as a chemotherapeutic agent with effective tumor control properties and a lower incidence of side effects in normal cells compared to DTIC.

Bcl-2 family proteins and cytoskeleton changes involved in DM-1 cytotoxic effect on melanoma cells

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer and its incidence rate is still increasing. All existing treatments are minimally effective. Consequently, new therapeutic agents for melanoma treatment should be developed. The DM-1 compound is a curcumin analog that possesses several curcumin characteristics, such as antiproliferative, antitumor, and anti-metastatic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the different signaling pathways involved in the cytotoxic effect of DM-1 on melanoma cells. The apoptotic process and cytoskeletal changes were evaluated by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, respectively, in melanoma cells. After DM-1 treatment, SK-MEL-5 melanoma cells showed actin filament disorganization with spicule formation throughout the cytoskeleton and significant reduction of focal adhesion as well as they were present only at cell extremities, conferring a poor connection between the cell and the substrate. Besides this, there was significant filopodium retraction and loss of typical cytoskeleton scaffold. These modifications contributed to cell detachment followed by cell death. Furthermore, DM-1-induced apoptosis was triggered by multiple Bcl-2 proteins involved in both the extrinsic and the intrinsic apoptotic pathways. SK-MEL-5 cells showed a death mechanism mainly by Bcl-2/Bax ratio decrease, whereas A375 cells presented apoptosis induction by Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL downregulation. In SK-MEL-5 and A375 melanoma cells, there was a significant increase in the active form of caspase 9, and the inactive form of the effector caspase 3 was decreased in both cell lines. Expression of cleaved poly ADP ribose polymerase was increased after DM-1 treatment in these melanoma cell lines, demonstrating that the apoptotic process occurred. Altogether, these data elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the cytotoxicity induced by the antitumor agent DM-1 in melanoma cells.

DM-1, sodium 4-[5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-penta-1,4-dienyl]-2-methoxy-phenolate: a curcumin analog with a synergic effect in combination with paclitaxel in breast cancer treatment

This paper describes a new method for the preparation of sodium 4-[5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-penta-1,4-dienyl]-2-methoxy-phenolate, DM-1, and 3-oxo-penta-1,4-dienyl-bis (2-methoxy-phenolate), DM-2. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antitumor effects of DM-1 in adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment. Mice bearing mammary adenocarcinomas (Ehrlich ascites tumors) were treated with paclitaxel alone, DM-1 alone, and paclitaxel + DM-1. Tumor samples were used to perform cytological analysis by the Papanicolaou method and apoptosis analysis by annexin V and phosphorylated caspase 3. The paclitaxel + DM-1 group had decreased tumor areas and tumor volumes, and the frequency of metastasis was significantly reduced. This caused a decrease in cachexia, which is usually caused by the tumor. Furthermore, treatment with paclitaxel + DM-1 and DM-1 alone increased the occurrence of apoptosis up to 40% in tumor cells, which is 35% more than in the group treated with paclitaxel alone. This cell death was mainly caused through phosphorylated caspase 3 (11% increase in paclitaxel + DM-1 compared to the paclitaxel group), as confirmed by reduced malignancy criteria in the ascitic fluid. DM-1 emerges as a potential treatment for breast cancer and may act as an adjuvant in chemotherapy, enhancing antitumor drug activity with reduced side effects.

Uji Antikanker Isolat Bioaktif L-asparaginase dari Kunyit (Curcuma domestica Val) terhadap Sel Kanker Serviks

Kanker serviks merupakan penyebab kematian terbesar pada wanita di negara berkembang. Berbagai metode terapi penyakit ini telah dilakukan, di antaranya dengan penggunaan senyawa bioaktif sebagai agen antikanker, salah satunya adalah kunyit (Curcuma domestica Val). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengisolasi, memurnikan, menentukan nilai aktivitas spesifik tertinggi, nilai LC50 dan potensi antikanker enzim L-asparaginase dari kunyit pada kultur sel kanker serviks (HeLa). Enzim L-asparaginase diisolasi dengan metode ekstraksi kemudian dimurnikan dengan fraksinasi dan dialisis. Uji aktivitas L-asparaginase menggunakan metode Nessler, sedangkan penentuan kadar protein dilakukan dengan metode Lowry. Aktivitas spesifik ditentukan melalui perbandingan unit aktivitas terhadap kadar protein. Fraksi enzim L-asparaginase yang memiliki aktivitas spesifik tertinggi diuji sitotoksisitasnya terhadap sel HeLa dengan metode MTT (3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-difeniltetrazoliumbromida) dan potensi antikankernya ditentukan dengan menghitung nilai LC50. Hasil penelitian disimpulkan bahwa enzim L-asparaginase dapat diisolasi dan dimurnikan dari kunyit dengan aktivitas spesifik tertinggi pada fraksi 4 sebesar 284,040 unit/mg protein. Uji sitotoksisitas pada sel HeLa menunjukkan nilai LC50 sebesar 91,833 μg/mL, sehingga isolat enzim L-asparaginase fraksi 4 dari kunyit mampu menghambat pertumbuhan sel HeLa, tetapi kurang berpotensi sebagai agen antikanker berdasarkan standar NCI (National Cancer Institute).