Frankincense essential oil suppresses melanoma cancer through down regulation of Bcl-2/Bax cascade signaling and ameliorates heptotoxicity via phase I and II drug metabolizing enzymes

Unlocking the Anticancer Potential of Frankincense Essential Oils (FEOs) Through Nanotechnology: A Review

Cancer is a group of heterogeneous diseases that occur when cells in the body proliferate and divide uncontrollably. As the current treatment modalities have pros and cons, the discovery of new chemotherapeutic agents with the least side effects is one of the most investigated research areas. In this context, plant-based natural products are a rich source of drugs and have served humanity for ages. Frankincense essential oils (FEOs) are among the most promising plant-based oils in Gulf countries. In addition to their high cultural value, FEOs are also famous for their engaging biological activities, including anti-cancerous. However, the practical application of FEOs is often hindered/by their low water solubility, limited bioavailability, high volatility, and sensitivity toward heat, humidity, light, or oxygen. Thus, a significant demand for technological advancement would improve their ability to target particular cells and tissues. Nanotechnology emerged as an exciting approach in this context. Through suitable nano-formulation (functionalization or encapsulation into a nanostructure), issues arising due to solubility, targeting capability, and delivery can be controlled.

Chemical Composition, In Vitro Antitumor Effect, and Toxicity in Zebrafish of the Essential Oil from Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist (Asteraceae)

The essential oil from Conyza bonariensis (Asteraceae) aerial parts (CBEO) was extracted by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and was characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antitumor potential was evaluated against human tumor cell lines (melanoma, cervical, colorectal, and leukemias), as well as non-tumor keratinocyte lines using the MTT assay. The effect of CBEO on the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) was evaluated by DCFH-DA assay, and a protection assay using the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was also performed. Moreover, the CBEO toxicity in the zebrafish model was assessed. The majority of the CBEO compound was (Z)-2-lachnophyllum ester (57.24%). The CBEO exhibited selectivity towards SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells (half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50 = 18.65 ± 1.16 µg/mL), and induced a significant increase in ROS production. In addition, the CBEO's cytotoxicity against SK-MEL-28 cells was reduced after pretreatment with NAC. Furthermore, after 96 h of exposure, 1.5 µg/mL CBEO induced death of all zebrafish embryos. Non-lethal effects were observed after exposure to 0.50-1.25 µg/mL CBEO. Additionally, significant alterations in the activity of enzymes associated with oxidative stress in zebrafish larvae were observed. These results provide evidence that CBEO has a significant in vitro antimelanoma effect by increasing ROS production and moderate embryotoxicity in zebrafish.

Biocompatible Alginate Hydrogel Film Containing Acetic Acid Manifests Broad-Spectrum Antiviral and Anticancer Activities

Acetic acid, a colourless liquid organic acid with a characteristic acrid smell, is obtained naturally and has applications in both the food and pharmaceutical industries. It has been reported to have beneficial uses for lifestyle-related diseases, and its efficient disinfectant properties are well known. In this study, an alginate crosslinked with Ca2+ hydrogel film was treated with acetic acid to explore its biological properties for biomedicine. The results showed that the novel calcium alginate/acetic acid film was biocompatible in vitro using human keratinocyte cells and in vivo with Caenorhabditis elegans. It also had antiviral properties against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses and anticancer properties against melanoma and colon cancer cells. This novel film thus showed promise for the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, with applications for fabricating broad-spectrum antiviral and anticancer materials.

Biocompatible Alginate Film Crosslinked with Ca2+ and Zn2+ Possesses Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Anticancer Activities

Alginate is a highly promising biopolymer due to its non-toxic and biodegradable properties. Alginate hydrogels are often fabricated by cross-linking sodium alginate with calcium cations and can be engineered with highly desirable enhanced physical and biological properties for biomedical applications. This study reports on the anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, in vitro, and in vivo toxicity, water absorption, and compound release properties of an alginate hydrogel crosslinked with calcium and different amounts of zinc cations. The results showed that the calcium alginate hydrogel film crosslinked with the highest amount of zinc showed similar water sorption properties to those of calcium alginate and released a suitable amount of zinc to provide anticancer activity against melanoma and colon cancer cells and has antibacterial properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and antiviral activity against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. This film is non-toxic in both in vitro in keratinocyte HaCaT cells and in vivo in the Caenorhabditis elegans model, which renders it especially promising for biomedical applications.

The mycelium of the Trametes versicolor synn. Coriolus versicolor (Turkey tail mushroom) exhibit anti-melanoma activity in vitro

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer and is characterized by high metastatic potential. Despite improvements in early diagnosis and treatment, the mortality rate among metastatic melanoma patients continues to represent a significant clinical challenge. Therefore, it is imperative that we search for new forms of treatment. Trametes versicolor is a mushroom commonly used in Chinese traditional medicine due to its numerous beneficial properties. In the present work, we demonstrate T. versicolor fruiting body and mycelium ethanol extracts exhibit potent cytotoxic activity towards A375 (IC₅₀ = 663.3 and 114.5 µg/mL respectively) and SK-MEL-5 (IC₅₀ = 358.4 and 88.6 µg/mL respectively) human melanoma cell lines. Further studies revealed that T. versicolor mycelium extract induced apoptotic cell death and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, upregulated the expression of autophagy-associated marker LC3-II, increased the presentation of major histocompatibility complex II and expression of programmed death-ligand receptor, and inhibited cell migration in SK-MEL-5 cells. Therefore, our present findings highlight the therapeutic potential of T. versicolor mycelium extract for the treatment of melanoma and merit further study.

Human Lung Cancer (A549) Cell Line Cytotoxicity and Anti-Leishmania major Activity of Carissa macrocarpa Leaves: A Study Supported by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS Metabolites Profiling and Molecular Docking

Lung cancer and cutaneous leishmaniasis are critical diseases with a relatively higher incidence in developing countries. In this research, the activity of Carissa macrocarpa leaf hydromethanolic extract and its solvent-fractions (n-hexane, EtOAc, n-butanol, and MeOH) against the lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) and Leishmania major was investigated. The MeOH fraction exhibited higher cytotoxic activity (IC₅₀ 1.57 ± 0.04 μg/mL) than the standard drug, etoposide (IC₅₀ 50.8 ± 3.16 μg/mL). The anti-L. major results revealed strong growth inhibitory effects of the EtOAc fraction against L. major promastigotes (IC₅₀ 27.52 ± 0.7 μg/mL) and axenic amastigotes (29.33 ± 4.86% growth inhibition at 100 μg/mL), while the butanol fraction exerted moderate activity against promastigotes (IC₅₀ 73.17 ± 1.62), as compared with miltefosine against promastigotes (IC₅₀ 6.39 ± 0.29 μg/mL) and sodium stibogluconate against axenic amastigotes (IC₅₀ 22.45 ± 2.22 μg/mL). A total of 102 compounds were tentatively identified using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of the total extract and its fractions. The MeOH fraction was found to contain several flavonoids and flavan-3-ol derivatives with known cytotoxic properties, whereas the EtOAc fractions contained triterpene, hydroxycinnamoyl, sterol, and flavanol derivatives with known antileishmanial activity. Molecular docking of various polyphenolics of the MeOH fraction with HDAC6 and PDK3 enzymes demonstrates high binding affinity of the epicatechin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and catechin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside toward HDAC6, and procyanidin C2, procyanidin B5 toward PDK3. These results are promising and encourage the pursuit of preclinical research using C. macrocarpa's MeOH fraction as anti-lung cancer and the EtOAc fraction as an anti-L. major drug candidates.

Frankincense oil-loaded nanoemulsion formulation of paclitaxel and erucin: A synergistic combination for ameliorating drug resistance in breast cancer: In vitro and in vivo study

Nanoformulation-based combinational drug delivery systems are well known to overcome drug resistance in cancer management. Among them, nanoemulsions are well-known and thermodynamically stable drug delivery systems suitable for carrying hydrophobic drugs and phytoconstituents to tackle drug-resistant cancers. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of paclitaxel in combination with erucin (natural isothiocyanate isolated from the seeds of Eruca sativa) loaded in the frankincense oil-based nanoemulsion formulation. The choice of frankincense oil for the current study was based on reported research investigations stating its magnificient therapeutic potential against breast cancer. Optimized nanoemulsion of paclitaxel (PTX) and erucin (ER) combination (EPNE) provided sustained release and exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity towards human epithelial breast cancer cells (T-47D) as compared to individual ER and PTX. EPNE was further assessed for its antitumor activity in the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer mice model. EPNE significantly decreased the levels of hepatic and renal parameters along with oxidative stress in breast cancer mice. Furthermore, EPNE also showed decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6. Histopathological examinations revealed restoration of the tumorous breast to normal tissues in EPNE-treated breast cancer mice. Therefore, EPNE can act as a viable lead and therapeutic option for drug-resistant breast cancer.

α-Pinene inhibits the growth of cervical cancer cells through its proapoptotic activity by regulating the miR-34a-5p/Bcl-2 signaling axis

Among gynecological tumors, cervical cancer (CC) has the second-highest prevalence and mortality rate. α-Pinene is a bicyclic monoterpenoid compound extracted from pine needles that carried promising anticancer properties. Nevertheless, its effect on CC and the underlying mechanism has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the effect of α-Pinene on apoptosis in CC via in vitro assays of flow cytometry (FCW), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot. Following that, we detected the proapoptotic function of α-Pinene on HeLa cells in vivo by TUNEL assay and immunofluorescence staining. Our results displayed that the α-Pinene inhibited the growth of HeLa cells and stalled the cells in the G0/G1 phase. Interestingly, we also detected that α-Pinene induced HeLa cells to apoptosis. The results investigated that α-Pinene induced HeLa cells apoptosis along with up-regulating the expression of Bax, Bid, caspase-9, caspase-3, miR-34a-5p, and down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 in vitro. At the same time, the expression levels of target genes in vivo were consistent with those in vitro. Our experiment proved that α-Pinene promoted apoptosis, which will be used to hopefully maximize the therapeutic strategies in clinical studies in CC.

How Should the Worldwide Knowledge of Traditional Cancer Healing Be Integrated with Herbs and Mushrooms into Modern Molecular Pharmacology?

Traditional herbal medicine (THM) is a “core” from which modern medicine has evolved over time. Besides this, one third of people worldwide have no access to modern medicine and rely only on traditional medicine. To date, drugs of plant origin, or their derivates (paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine, etoposide, camptothecin, topotecan, irinotecan, and omacetaxine), are very important in the therapy of malignancies and they are included in most chemotherapeutic regimes. To date, 391,000 plant and 14,000 mushroom species exist. Their medical and biochemical capabilities have not been studied in detail. In this review, we systematized the information about plants and mushrooms, as well as their active compounds with antitumor properties. Plants and mushrooms are divided based on the regions where they are used in ethnomedicine to treat malignancies. The majority of their active compounds with antineoplastic properties and mechanisms of action are described. Furthermore, on the basis of the available information, we divided them into two priority groups for research and for their potential of use in antitumor therapy. As there are many prerequisites and some examples how THM helps and strengthens modern medicine, finally, we discuss the positive points of THM and the management required to transform and integrate THM into the modern medicine practice.

An Ex vivo Apoptotic and Cytotoxic Effects of Frankincense on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is accounting for almost 90% of oropharyngeal cancer diagnoses. Natural herbal medicine can use as an alternative, or complementary, or adjunctive for cancer treatment. Frankincense and its combination with myrrh have anticancer effects on different cancer types. METHODS: In this research, aqueous and methanolic extracts of frankincense and the combination of aqueous extract of frankincense and myrrh were applied on tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line to study their cytotoxic and apoptotic effect by the assessment of cell viability and cytotoxicity, caspase 3 and 8 activation, reactive oxygen species activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, morphological changes, and nuclear area factor measurements. RESULTS: The result showed that aqueous and methanolic extracts of frankincense have cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 21.05 ± 1.27 μM for aqueous extract, 36.72 ± 2.07 μM for methanolic extract, and IC50 value of 1.31 ± 0.04 μM for combination of aqueous extract of frankincense and myrrh extract after 24 h. CONCLUSION: Different extracts of frankincense and the combination of aqueous extract of frankincense and myrrh extract exhibited cytotoxic and apoptotic effects by reducing the cell viability and activating caspases 3 and 8 causing intrinsic- and extrinsic-mediated apoptosis pathways activation with the involvement of oxidative stress that was conceivable with cytonuclear morphological alterations results.

Molecular evidences on anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and memory-boosting effects of frankincense

Chemical diversity of natural products with drug-like features has attracted much attention from medicine to develop more safe and effective drugs. Their anti-inflammatory, antitumor, analgesic, and other therapeutic properties are sometimes more successful than chemical drugs in controlling disease due to fewer drug resistance and side effects and being more tolerable in a long time. Frankincense, the oleo gum resin extracted from the Boswellia species, contains some of these chemicals. The anti-inflammatory effect of its main ingredient, boswellic acid, has been traditionally used to treat many diseases, mainly those target memory functions. In this review, we have accumulated research evidence from the beneficial effect of Frankincense consumption in memory improvement and the prevention of inflammation and cancer. Besides, we have discussed the molecular pathways mediating the therapeutic effects of this natural supplement.

Essential oils as anticancer agents: Potential role in malignancies, drug delivery mechanisms, and immune system enhancement

Cancer retains a central place in fatality rates among the wide variety of diseases known world over, and the conventional synthetic medicaments, albeit used until now, produce numerous side effects. As a result, newer, better, and safer alternatives such as natural plant products, are gravely required. Essential oils (EOs) offer a plethora of bioactivities including antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, therefore, the use of EOs in combination with synthetic drugs or aromatherapy continues to be popular in many settings. In view of the paramount importance of EOs and their potential bioactivities, this review summarizes the current knowledge on the interconnection between EOs and cancer treatment. In particular, the current review presents an updated summary of the chemical composition of EOs, their current applications in cancer treatments based on clinical studies, and the mechanism of action against the cancer cell lines. Similarly, an overview of using EOs in aromatherapy and enhancing immunity during cancer treatment is provided. Further, this review focuses on the recent technological advancements such as the loading of EOs using protein microspheres, ligands, or nanoemulsions/nanoencapsulation, which offer multiple benefits in cancer treatment via site-specific and target-oriented delivery of drugs. The continuing clinical studies of EOs implicate that their pharmacological applications are a rewarding research area.

Essential Oils and Their Main Chemical Components: The Past 20 Years of Preclinical Studies in Melanoma

Simple Summary

In the last years, targeted therapy and immunotherapy modified the landscape for metastatic melanoma treatment. These therapeutic approaches led to an impressive improvement in patients overall survival. Unfortunately, the emergence of drug resistance and side effects occurring during therapy strongly limit the long-term efficacy of such treatments. Several preclinical studies demonstrate the efficacy of essential oils as antitumoral agents, and clinical trials support their use to reduce side effects emerging during therapy. In this review we have summarized studies describing the molecular mechanism through which essential oils induce in vitro and in vivo cell death in melanoma models. We also pointed to clinical trials investigating the use of essential oils in reducing the side effects experienced by cancer patients or those undergoing anticancer therapy. From this review emerged that further studies are necessary to validate the effectiveness of essential oils for the management of melanoma.

Abstract

The last two decades have seen the development of effective therapies, which have saved the lives of a large number of melanoma patients. However, therapeutic options are still limited for patients without BRAF mutations or in relapse from current treatments, and severe side effects often occur during therapy. Thus, additional insights to improve treatment efficacy with the aim to decrease the likelihood of chemoresistance, as well as reducing side effects of current therapies, are required. Natural products offer great opportunities for the discovery of antineoplastic drugs, and still represent a useful source of novel molecules. Among them, essential oils, representing the volatile fraction of aromatic plants, are always being actively investigated by several research groups and show promising biological activities for their use as complementary or alternative medicine for several diseases, including cancer. In this review, we focused on studies reporting the mechanism through which essential oils exert antitumor action in preclinical wild type or mutant BRAF melanoma models. We also discussed the latest use of essential oils in improving cancer patients’ quality of life. As evidenced by the many studies listed in this review, through their effect on apoptosis and tumor progression-associated properties, essential oils can therefore be considered as potential natural pharmaceutical resources for cancer management.

Tambuwala M. Dietary Crocin is Protective in Pancreatic Cancer while Reducing Radiation-Induced Hepatic Oxidative Damage

Pancreatic cancer is one of the fatal causes of global cancer-related deaths. Although surgery and chemotherapy are standard treatment options, post-treatment outcomes often end in a poor prognosis. In the present study, we investigated anti-pancreatic cancer and amelioration of radiation-induced oxidative damage by crocin. Crocin is a carotenoid isolated from the dietary herb saffron, a prospect for novel leads as an anti-cancer agent. Crocin significantly reduced cell viability of BXPC3 and Capan-2 by triggering caspase signaling via the downregulation of Bcl-2. It modulated the expression of cell cycle signaling proteins P53, P21, P27, CDK2, c-MYC, Cyt-c and P38. Concomitantly, crocin treatment-induced apoptosis by inducing the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol. Microarray analysis of the expression signature of genes induced by crocin showed a substantial number of genes involved in cell signaling pathways and checkpoints (723) are significantly affected by crocin. In mice bearing pancreatic tumors, crocin significantly reduced tumor burden without a change in body weight. Additionally, it showed significant protection against radiation-induced hepatic oxidative damage, reduced the levels of hepatic toxicity and preserved liver morphology. These findings indicate that crocin has a potential role in the treatment, prevention and management of pancreatic cancer.

Biological Activity of Some Aromatic Plants and Their Metabolites, with an Emphasis on Health-Promoting Properties

The biological activities of four aromatic plants, namely frankincense, myrrh, ginger, and turmeric, were reviewed in the current study. The volatile fraction (essential oil) as well as the nonvolatile fraction of these four plants showed different promising biological activities that are displayed in detail. These activities can include protection from and/or alleviation of some ailment, which is supported with different proposed mechanisms of action. This review aimed to finally help researchers to get a handle on the importance of considering these selected aromatic plants, which have not been thoroughly reviewed before, as a potential adjuvant to classical synthetic drugs to enhance their efficiency. Moreover, the results elicited in this review encourage the consumption of these medicinal plants as an integrated part of the diet to boost the body's overall health based on scientific evidence.