Anthocyanin induces apoptosis of DU-145 cells in vitro and inhibits xenograft growth of prostate cancer

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and its derivative vitisin A alleviate androgenetic alopecia by exerting anti-androgen effect and inhibiting dermal papilla cell apoptosis

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), one of the most common forms of hair loss, lacks satisfactory treatment methods in modern society. This study employed an experimental design combining in vitro and in vivo approaches to explore the effects of Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) and Carboxypyranocyanidin-3-O-glucoside (Vitisin A) on AGA. In human dermal papilla cells (HDPCs), both anthocyanins demonstrated inhibitory effects on androgen receptors, significantly reduced dihydrotestosterone (DHT) induced apoptosis of HDPCs, and regulated the secretion of Fibroblast growth factor 7 and Transforming growth factor beta 1. In vitro transdermal experiment revealed that both C3G and Vitisin A could penetrate mice skin, aided by the application of cream. Furthermore, in vivo experiments with mice indicated that application of C3G or Vitisin A cream effectively improved hair follicles miniaturization, regression, and apoptosis caused by DHT. The repression of Wnt10b and β-catenin expression induced by DHT was prevented by C3G and Vitisin A in both cell and mouse model. Consequently, these findings suggest that C3G and Vitisin A could be considered as alternative methods for alleviating AGA.

Berries vs. Disease: Revenge of the Phytochemicals

Secondary metabolites and phytochemicals in plant-based diets are known to possess properties that inhibit the development of several diseases including a variety of cancers of the aerodigestive tract. Berries are currently of high interest to researchers due to their high dietary source of phytochemicals. Black raspberries (BRB), Rubus occidentalis, are of special interest due to their rich and diverse composition of phytochemicals. In this review, we present the most up-to-date preclinical and clinical data involving berries and their phytochemicals in the chemoprevention of a variety of cancers and diseases. BRBs possess a variety of health benefits including anti-proliferative properties, anti-inflammatory activity, activation of pro-cell-death pathways, modulation of the immune response, microbiome modulation, reduction in oxidative stress, and many more. However, little has been done in both preclinical and clinical settings on the effects of BRB administration in combination with other cancer therapies currently available for patients. With the high potential for BRBs as chemopreventive agents, there is a need to investigate their potential in combination with other treatments to improve therapeutic efficacy.

An updated overview of cyanidins for chemoprevention and cancer therapy

Anthocyanins are colored polyphenolic compounds that belong to the flavonoids family and are largely present in many vegetables and fruits. They have been used in traditional medicine in many cultures for a long time. The most common and abundant anthocyanins are those presenting an O-glycosylation at C-3 (C ring) of the flavonoid skeleton to form -O-β-glucoside derivatives. The present comprehensive review summarized recent data on the anticancer properties of cyanidings along with natural sources, phytochemical data, traditional medical applications, molecular mechanisms and recent nanostrategies to increase the bioavailability and anticancer effects of cyanidins. For this analysis, in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies published up to the year 2022 were sourced from scientific databases and search engines such as PubMed/Medline, Google scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, Wiley and TRIP database. Cyanidins' antitumor properties are exerted during different stages of carcinogenesis and are based on a wide variety of biological activities. The data gathered and discussed in this review allows for affirming that cyanidins have relevant anticancer activity in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. Future research should focus on studies that bring new data on improving the bioavailability of anthocyanins and on conducting detailed translational pharmacological studies to accurately establish the effective anticancer dose in humans as well as the correct route of administration.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals biosynthesis genes and transcription factors related to leaf anthocyanin biosynthesis in Aglaonema commutatum

BACKGROUND

Aglaonema commutatum 'Red Valentine', as a foliage ornamental plant, is widely used for interior and exterior decoration because of its easy cultivation and management. However, reduced proportion of red foliage during large-scale production of A. commutatum seedlings is a frequent occurrence, which has considerable implications on the plant's ornamental and market value. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear.

RESULTS

To explore the molecular basis of the variation in leaf color of A. commutatum Red Valentine, we performed transcriptome sequencing with the Illumina platform using two different varieties of A. commutatum, namely Red Valentine and a green mutant, at three different stages of leaf development. We annotated 63,621 unigenes and 14,186 differentially expressed genes by pairwise comparison. Furthermore, we identified 26 anthocyanin biosynthesis structural genes. The transcript per million (TPM) values were significantly higher for Red Valentine than for the green mutant in all three developmental stages, consistent with the high anthocyanin content of Red Valentine leaves. We detected positive transcription factors that may be involved in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis using BLAST and through correlation analysis. Downregulation of these transcription factors may downregulate the expression of anthocyanin genes. We obtained full-length cDNA of the anthocyanin biosynthesis and regulatory genes and constructed phylogenetic trees to ensure accuracy of the analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying leaf variation in A. commutatum Red Valentine and may be used to facilitate the breeding of ornamental cultivars with high anthocyanin levels.

Brazilian Berry Extract Differentially Induces Inflammatory and Immune Responses in Androgen Dependent and Independent Prostate Cancer Cells

Jaboticaba is a Brazilian berry, which is rich in fibers and bioactive compounds and shows high antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common type of cancer among men and its progression is influenced by androgens and inflammation. Previous studies reported the ability of the jaboticaba to modulate pathways involved in prostate diseases. The main objective of this study was to provide significant data about molecular targets of the jaboticaba peel extract (JPE) and its mechanisms of action in PCa cell lines with different androgenic status (LNCaP and PC-3). The results showed that JPE was able to decrease cell viability in both cell lines. LNCaP showed more sensitivity to JPE exposure, indicating the efficacy of the JPE treatment in terms of androgen responsiveness. JPE showed a distinct hormone dependent effect on the NF-κB signaling, with reduced NF-κB levels for LNCaP and increased NF-κB levels in PC-3 cells. Mechanisms related to cell death by apoptosis were stimulated after the JPE treatment, modulating B-cell lymphoma 2 and BAX for LNCaP and PC-3. Particularly for PC-3, the JPE treatment resulted in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction activation mostly by up regulating pro-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic, immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive genes. Also, a set of genes related to angiogenesis and metastasis were down-regulated by JPE. In conclusion, JPE exerted an antitumor effect on PCa for both cell lines which can be enhanced if androgenic reliance is considered.

Combination Anticancer Therapies Using Selected Phytochemicals

Cancer is still one of the most widespread diseases globally, it is considered a vital health challenge worldwide and one of the main barriers to long life expectancy. Due to the potential toxicity and lack of selectivity of conventional chemotherapeutic agents, discovering alternative treatments is a top priority. Plant-derived natural products have high potential in cancer treatment due to their multiple mechanisms of action, diversity in structure, availability in nature, and relatively low toxicity. In this review, the anticancer mechanisms of the most common phytochemicals were analyzed. Furthermore, a detailed discussion of the anticancer effect of combinations consisting of natural product or natural products with chemotherapeutic drugs was provided. This review should provide a strong platform for researchers and clinicians to improve basic and clinical research in the development of alternative anticancer medicines.

AcMYB1 Interacts With AcbHLH1 to Regulate Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Aglaonema commutatum

Aglaonema commutatum is one of the most popular foliage plants with abundant leaf phenotypes; therefore, anthocyanin coloration is a vital economic trait in A. commutatum. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying anthocyanin biosynthesis and its regulation remain unclear. In this study, AcMYB1 and AcbHLH1, transcription factor genes related to an R2R3-myeloblast (MYB) and a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH), respectively, were isolated from A. commutatum "Red Valentine" and functionally characterized. AcMYB1 and AcbHLH1 were found to interact by Y2H and BiFC assay. AcMYB1 was grouped into the AN2 subgroup and shared high homology with the known regulators of anthocyanin biosynthesis. Gene expression analysis showed that both AcMYB1 and AcbHLH1 have similar expression patterns to anthocyanin structural genes and correlate with anthocyanin distribution in different tissues of A. commutatum. Light strongly promoted anthocyanin accumulation by upregulating the expression of anthocyanin-related genes in A. commutatum leaves. Ectopic expression of AcMYB1 in tobacco remarkably increased anthocyanin accumulation in both vegetative and reproductive tissues at various developmental stages. These results provide insights into the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in A. commutatum and are useful for breeding new A. commutatum cultivars with enhanced ornamental value.

R2R3-MYB gene family: Genome-wide identification provides insight to improve the content of proanthocyanidins in Trifolium repens

The R2R3-MYB family is one of largest transcription factor families in plants playing significant roles in regulating anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis. Proanthocyanidins are one of major objectives to improve the quality of white clover (Trifolium repens L.), which have a beneficial effect on ruminant to prevent the lethal pasture bloat. A total of 133 TrR2R3-MYB genes were identified and distributed on all 16 chromosomes based on the whole genome information of white clover. Also, by exploring the gene structure, motifs and duplication events of TrR2R3-MYBs, as well as the evolutionary relationship with TrR2R3-MYB genes of other species, 10 TrR2R3-MYB genes with the potential to regulate the anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins biosynthesis were screened. These TrR2R3-MYB genes responded significantly to low temperature in white clover. In addition, they have different expression patterns in leaves, petioles and inflorescences of white clover. Importantly, TrMYB116 and TrMYB118 may positively regulate anthocyanin accumulation and low temperature response in white clover. TrMYB118 may also be associated with anthocyanin pigmentation pattern in Purple leaves. This study provides a basis for verifying the function of TrR2R3-MYB and breeding white clover cultivars with high proanthocyanidins.

Recent advances in nuclear receptors-mediated health benefits of blueberry

BACKGROUND

Blueberry is rich in bioactive substances and has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, and other activities. Blueberry has been shown to treat diseases by mediating the transcription of nuclear receptors. However, evidence for nuclear receptor-mediated health benefits of blueberry has not been systematically reviewed.

PURPOSE

This review aims to summarize the nuclear receptor-mediated health benefits of blueberry.

METHODS

This study reviews all relevant literature published in NCBI PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar by January 2022. The relevant literature was extracted from the databases with the following keyword combinations: "biological activities" OR "nuclear receptors" OR "phytochemicals" AND "blueberry" OR "Vaccinium corymbosum" as well as free-text words.

RESULTS

In vivo and in vitro experimental results and clinical evidence have demonstrated that blueberry has health-promoting effects. Supplementing blueberry is beneficial to the treatment of cancer, the alleviation of metabolic syndrome, and liver protection. Blueberry can regulate the transcription of PPARs, ERs, AR, GR, MR, LXRs, and FXR and mediate the expressions of Akt, CYP 1Al, p53, and Bcl-2.

CONCLUSION

Blueberry can be targeted to treat various diseases by mediating the transcription of nuclear receptors. Nevertheless, further human research is needed.

The Promising Therapeutic and Preventive Properties of Anthocyanidins/Anthocyanins on Prostate Cancer

As water-soluble flavonoid derivatives, anthocyanidins and anthocyanins are the plants pigments mostly rich in berries, pomegranate, grapes, and dark color fruits. Many bioactivity properties of these advantageous phytochemicals have been reported; among them, their significant abilities in the suppression of tumor cells are of the promising therapeutic features, which have recently attracted great attention. The prostate malignancy, is considered the 2nd fatal and the most distributed cancer type in men worldwide. The present study was designated to gather the preclinical and clinical studies evaluating potencies of anthocyanidins/anthocyanins for the treatment and prevention of this cancer type for the first time. In general, findings confirm that the anthocyanins (especifically cyanidin-3-O-glucoside) indicated higher activity against prostatic neoplasms compared to their correlated anthocyanidins (e.g., delphinidin); in which potent anti-inflammatory, apoptosis, and anti-proliferative activities were analyzed. Complementary anti-prostate cancer assessment of diverse naturally occurred anthocyanidins/anthocyanins and their synthetically optimized derivatives through preclinical experiments and eventually confirmed by clinical trials can promisingly lead to discover natural-based chemotherapeutic drug options.

Dietary Effects of Anthocyanins in Human Health: A Comprehensive Review

In recent years, the consumption of natural-based foods, including beans, fruits, legumes, nuts, oils, vegetables, spices, and whole grains, has been encouraged. This fact is essentially due to their content in bioactive phytochemicals, with the phenolic compounds standing out. Among them, anthocyanins have been a target of many studies due to the presence of catechol, pyrogallol, and methoxy groups in their chemical structure, which confer notable scavenging, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities, being already recommended as supplementation to mitigate or even attenuate certain disorders, such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular and neurological pathologies. The most well-known anthocyanins are cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside. They are widespread in nature, being present in considerable amounts in red fruits and red vegetables. Overall, the present review intends to discuss the most recent findings on the potential health benefits from the daily intake of anthocyanin-rich foods, as well as their possible pharmacological mechanisms of action. However, before that, some emphasis regarding their chemical structure, dietary sources, and bioavailability was done.

The effect of whey protein concentration and preheating temperature on the color and stability of purple corn, grape and black carrot anthocyanins in the presence of ascorbic acid

Our objective was to explore the effects of whey protein (WP) concentration and preheating temperature on anthocyanin color expression and stability over time in the presence of ascorbic acid. Anthocyanins from purple corn, grape or black carrot were mixed with native WP or preheated WP (40-80°C) in various concentrations (0-10 mg/mL) in pH 3 buffer containing 0.05% ascorbic acid and stored in the dark at 25 °C for 5 days. WP addition increased anthocyanin absorbance and protected anthocyanin from ascorbic acid-mediated degradation. Increasing WP concentration resulted in lower lightness and higher chroma, hue angle and color stability. The color loss of anthocyanin solutions decreased by 40%-50% when 10 mg/mL WP was added. Native WP showed more color enhancement and protection than thermally-induced WP. Increasing the WP preheating temperature resulted in less absorbance increase and more absorbance loss. Anthocyanin' half-life was improved by addition of WP in a dose dependent manner. Native WP addition (10 mg/mL) extended anthocyanin half-life by about 2 times for purple corn and grape, and 1.31 times for black carrot anthocyanin solutions. Preheating temperature did not significantly affect anthocyanin protection by WP. WP addition might enhance anthocyanin stability in beverages containing ascorbic acid, expanding anthocyanin application in foods.

Anthocyanin supplement as a dietary strategy in cancer prevention and management: A comprehensive review

Anthocyanins are natural pigments proven to be beneficial in the vast majority of health problems with no side effects. In this review, the latest progress on the cancer prevention and management of anthocyanins in treating cancers ranked in the top 5 of incidence and mortality was summarized, and the interaction and corresponding mechanisms were established based on a systematic review of electronic libraries. Several studies have revealed that anthocyanins have positive impact on human health with anti-cancer capacity. This review aimed to accumulate the evidence on the anti-cancer effects of anthocyanins, corresponding mechanisms and limitation of anthocyanins on cancer prevention and management. Notably, this review updated the latest studies on cancer prevention and management of anthocyanins and also inputted the future perspectives and the demanding questions for the possible contribution of anthocyanins as anti-cancer adjuvant.

The main anthocyanin monomer of Lycium ruthenicum Murray induces apoptosis through the ROS/PTEN/PI3K/Akt/caspase 3 signaling pathway in prostate cancer DU-145 cells

Anthocyanins have been reported to have effective chemopreventive activity. Lycium ruthenicum Murray is rich in anthocyanins and exhibits many biological activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and possible biological mechanism of the main anthocyanin monomer (Pt3G) of Lycium ruthenicum Murray on prostate cancer DU-145 cells. The cell proliferation was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The cell apoptosis rates were assessed by flow cytometric analysis and TUNEL assay. The expressions of apoptosis related proteins were evaluated by western blotting. Our data demonstrated that Pt3G inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and promoted cell cycle arrest at the S phase in a concentration-dependent manner (0, 100, 200 and 400 μg mL^-1). Furthermore, it was shown that Pt3G decreased the mitochondrial membrane permeability through regulating the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2. Western blot analysis indicated that Pt3G significantly increased the expression of PTEN and then activated the PI3K/Akt-mediated caspase 3 pathway. In addition, our results also suggested that Pt3G activated the PTEN gene to induce the apoptosis of DU-145 cells by stimulating the overproduction of ROS. To sum up, these results indicate that Pt3G inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis through the ROS/PTEN/PI3K/Akt/caspase 3 signaling pathway in prostate cancer DU-145 cells. Therefore, Pt3G of Lycium ruthenicum Murray may be a potential anti-proliferative agent for the prevention or treatment of prostate cancer.

Monitoring the Interaction between Thermally Induced Whey Protein and Anthocyanin by Fluorescence Quenching Spectroscopy

The color stability of anthocyanins was shown to improve with addition of whey proteins (WP). The goal of this study was to investigate the binding mechanisms of purple corn, grape and black carrot anthocyanin extracts to native and preheated WP (40-80 °C, 3.6 μM) at a pH of 3 using fluorescence quenching spectroscopy. The fluorescence spectra were collected with an excitation wavelength of 280 nm at 25 °C, 35 °C and 45 °C. The quenching data were analyzed by using the Stern-Volmer equation. The fluorescence intensity of WP decreased (up to 73%) and its λmax increased (by ~5 nm) with increasing anthocyanin concentration (0-100 μM). The quenching data showed that the interaction between anthocyanin extracts and WP was a static quenching process. Thermodynamic analysis showed their binding was mainly through hydrophobic interactions. Their binding affinity was higher for preheated WP than native WP and decreased gradually with increasing preheating temperature. Black carrot anthocyanin extract had the lowest binding affinity with WP, likely due to the larger molecular structure. These results help better understand the protection mechanism of native and preheated WP on anthocyanin color stability, expanding the application of anthocyanins as food colorants that better withstand processing and storage.

Attenuation of benign prostatic hyperplasia by hydrophilic active compounds from pigmented rice in a testosterone implanted rat model

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic disease in aging men. The present study aimed to identify the active fraction of a purple rice extract and determine its anti-prostatic hyperplasia effect in a testosterone implanted rat model. The hexane insoluble fraction (HIF) which mainly contains hydrophilic phytochemicals from the purple rice crude ethanolic extract was defined as the active fraction, due to a potent effect on the downregulation of androgen receptor (AR) expression in malignant prostate cells, in addition to low toxicity for normal fibroblast cells. To induce BPH, subcutaneous implanting of a testosterone containing tube was performed in the castrated rats. Oral administration of HIF of at least 0.1 g kg-1 retarded prostate enlargement and improved histological changes induced by testosterone, without any effects on the serum testosterone levels. A lower proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labelling index and the downregulated expression of AR, cyclinD1, and fatty acid synthase were clearly observed in the prostates of HIF-fed rats. Additionally, the mRNA levels of inflammation-related cytokines and enzymes in the prostate tissues significantly decreased after HIF treatment. Taken together, these findings demonstrate molecular mechanisms underlying the potential protective effects of the purple rice active fraction against testosterone-induced BPH in rats.

The Crosstalk between Prostate Cancer and Microbiota Inflammation: Nutraceutical Products Are Useful to Balance This Interplay?

The human microbiota shows pivotal roles in urologic health and disease. Emerging studies indicate that gut and urinary microbiomes can impact several urological diseases, both benignant and malignant, acting particularly on prostate inflammation and prostate cancer. Indeed, the microbiota exerts its influence on prostate cancer initiation and/or progression mechanisms through the regulation of chronic inflammation, apoptotic processes, cytokines, and hormonal production in response to different pathogenic noxae. Additionally, therapies' and drugs' responses are influenced in their efficacy and tolerability by microbiota composition. Due to this complex potential interconnection between prostate cancer and microbiota, exploration and understanding of the involved relationships is pivotal to evaluate a potential therapeutic application in clinical practice. Several natural compounds, moreover, seem to have relevant effects, directly or mediated by microbiota, on urologic health, posing the human microbiota at the crossroad between prostatic inflammation and prostate cancer development. Here, we aim to analyze the most recent evidence regarding the possible crosstalk between prostate, microbiome, and inflammation.

The Therapeutic Potential of Anthocyanins: Current Approaches Based on Their Molecular Mechanism of Action

Anthocyanins are natural phenolic pigments with biological activity. They are well-known to have potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity, which explains the various biological effects reported for these substances suggesting their antidiabetic and anticancer activities, and their role in cardiovascular and neuroprotective prevention. This review aims to comprehensively analyze different studies performed on this class of compounds, their bioavailability and their therapeutic potential. An in-depth look in preclinical, in vitro and in vivo, and clinical studies indicates the preventive effects of anthocyanins on cardioprotection, neuroprotection, antiobesity as well as their antidiabetes and anticancer effects.

Interventions of natural and synthetic agents in inflammatory bowel disease, modulation of nitric oxide pathways

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO) in serum and affected tissues; mainly synthesized by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) enzyme; can exacerbate GI inflammation and is one of the major biomarkers of GI inflammation. Various natural and synthetic agents are able to ameliorate GI inflammation and decrease iNOS expression to the extent comparable with some IBD drugs. Thereby, the purpose of this study was to gather a list of natural or synthetic mediators capable of modulating IBD through the NO pathway. Electronic databases including Google Scholar and PubMed were searched from 1980 to May 2018. We found that polyphenols and particularly flavonoids are able to markedly attenuate NO production and iNOS expression through the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. Prebiotics and probiotics can also alter the GI microbiota and reduce NO expression in IBD models through a broad array of mechanisms. A number of synthetic molecules have been found to suppress NO expression either dependent on the NF-κB signaling pathway (i.e., dexamethasone, pioglitazone, tropisetron) or independent from this pathway (i.e., nicotine, prednisolone, celecoxib, β-adrenoceptor antagonists). Co-administration of natural and synthetic agents can affect the tissue level of NO and may improve IBD symptoms mainly by modulating the Toll like receptor-4 and NF-κB signaling pathways.

The Prevention and Inhibition Effect of Anthocyanins on Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Anthocyanins are a type of flavonoids that are natural water soluble glycosidic pigments with efficacious anti-cancer effects, which have good biological activity against many cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the exact molecular mechanism used by anthocyanins against cancer is unclear; it is also unclear what a reasonable dosage might be for their use against colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, MTT assay, xenograft model, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining were used to perform the experiments.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, anthocyanins could significantly inhibit the cell viability and proliferation and promote the apoptosis of human colon cancer HT29 cells. Furthermore, anthocyanins reduced tumor weight and volume in a colon tumor mouse model and downregulated the expression of PI3K protein, inhibited AKT expression and phosphorylation, decreased the Bcl-2 and Bax ratio and reduced survivin protein expression in the tumor tissue.

CONCLUSION

Anthocyanins promoted apoptosis of CRC cells and inhibited colon cancer growth of xenografted tumors. Mechanistically, anthocyanins enhanced the Bcl-2/Bax and caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways through targeting the PI3K/AKT/survivin pathway, resulting in impairment of growth of CRC.

The ameliorating effects of anthocyanins on the cross-linked signaling pathways of cancer dysregulated metabolism

Cancer cells underlie the dysregulated metabolism of carbohydrate, lipid and protein and thereby, employ interconnected cross-linked signaling pathways to supply adequate energy for growth and related biosynthetic procedures. In the present study, a comprehensive review of cancer metabolism and anthocyanin's effect was conducted using the existing electronic databases, including Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, as well as related articles in the field. Such keywords as "cancer", and "cancer metabolism" in the title/abstract/keyword and all the "anthocyanins" in the whole text were used. Data were collected without time restriction until February 2020. The results indicated the involvement of several signaling pathways, including inflammatory PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, Bax/Bcl-2/caspases as apoptosis modulators, and NF-κB/Nrf2 as oxidative stress mediators in the cancer dysregulated metabolism. Compelling studies have shown that targeting these pathways, as critical hallmarks of cancer, plays a critical role in combating cancer dysregulated metabolism. The complexity of cancer metabolism signaling pathways, along with toxicity, high costs, and resistance to conventional drugs urge the need to investigate novel multi-target agents. Increasing evidence has introduced plant-derived secondary metabolites as hopeful anticancer candidates which target multiple dysregulated cross-linked pathways of cancer metabolism. Amongst these metabolites, anthocyanins have demonstrated positive anticancer effects by targeting inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptotic signaling pathways. The current study revealed the cross-linked signaling pathways of cancer metabolism, as well as the promising pharmacological mechanisms of anthocyanins in targeting the aforementioned signaling mediators. To overcome the pharmacokinetic limitations of anthocyanins in cancer treatment, their interactions with gut microbiota and the need to develop related nano-formulations were also considered.

Dietary Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids as Potential Anti-Cancer Agents: Current State of the Art and Future Perspectives

Background:

Cancer is a rapidly growing disease and the second most leading cause of death worldwide. Breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer are the most diagnosed types of cancer among the majority of the population. The prevalence of these cancers is increasing rapidly due to the lack of effective drugs. The search for anti-cancer bioactive components from natural plant sources is gaining immense significance. The aim of the paper is to introduce the readers about the in vitro and in vivo biochemical mechanisms of phenolic acids and flavonoids in these four types of cancers.

Methods:

A literature search was carried out in databases, including Scopus, SciFinder, Springer, Science direct and Google. The main keywords used were fruits & vegetables, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anticancer, bioavailability, etc. The data obtained were integrated and analyzed.

Results:

The study revealed the potential molecular mechanisms of phenolic acids and flavonoids, which include the induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, cell-cycle arrest, induction of Poly ADP ribose polymerase cleavage, downregulation of Matrix metalloproteinases-2 and Matrix metalloproteinases-9 activities, decreased levels of B-cell lymphoma-2, etc. Promising effects of phenolic acids and flavonoids have been observed against breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers.

Conclusion:

The in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer mechanisms of phenolic acids and flavonoids have been revealed in this study. With the knowledge of specific molecular targets and the structural-functional relationship of bioactive compounds, the current review will open a new gateway for the scientific community and provide them a viable option to exploit more of these compounds for the development of novel and efficacious anticancer compounds.

The Polyphenols as Potential Agents in Prevention and Therapy of Prostate Diseases

In recent years, the progress of science and medicine greatly has influenced human life span and health. However, lifestyle habits, like physical activity, smoking cessation, moderate alcohol consumption, diet, and maintaining a normal body weight represent measures that greatly reduce the risk of various diseases. The type of diet is very important for disease development. Numerous epidemiological clinical data confirm that longevity is linked to predominantly plant-based diets and it is related to a long life; whereas the western diet, rich in red meat and fats, increases the risk of oxidative stress and thus the risk of developing various diseases and pre-aging. This review is focused on the bioavailability of polyphenols and the use of polyphenols for the prevention of prostate diseases. Special focus in this paper is placed on the isoflavonoids and flavan-3-ols, subgroups of polyphenols, and their protective effects against the development of prostate diseases.

Purple rice extract inhibits testosterone-induced rat prostatic hyperplasia and growth of human prostate cancer cell line by reduction of androgen receptor activation

The preventive effects of purple rice crude ethanolic extract (PRE) were firstly investigated on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in castrated rats. As compared to vehicle-treated rats, lower prostate weights were found in the BPH rats that received PRE 1 g/kg bw. In addition, the PRE treatment down-regulated the androgen receptor (AR) expression in the dorsolateral prostate of those rats. In human prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP, PRE could reduce the cell growth, down-regulate the expression of AR and suppress prostate-specific antigen (PSA) secretion. Moreover, PRE also inhibited an activity of 5α-reductase from rat liver microsomes and the mutagenicity of Salmonella Typhimurium induced by standard mutagen. These results demonstrate that PRE altered testosterone-induced BPH in rats and retarded prostate cancer cell growth by modulating AR expression. It is therefore recommended that further investigation is undertaken into the chemopreventive potential of PRE in androgen-AR mediated diseases. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study revealed the mechanisms of purple rice extract on testosterone-induced rat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Such information, purple rice components show promise as an effective chemopreventive agent for prostatic hyperplasia prevention by alternating the influence of testosterone through its receptor. Thus, purple rice might be developed as food supplement for reduction of prostatic hyperplasia or cancer in elder men.

Anthocyanins from black soybean seed coat prevent radiation-induced skin fibrosis by downregulating TGF-β and Smad3 expression

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of anthocyanins from the black soybean seed coat against radiation injury in dermal fibroblasts and mouse skin. Dermal fibroblasts treated with 50 and 100 µg/mL anthocyanins were irradiated with single doses of 20 Gy. Cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mRNA expression were measured. A total of 60 mice were used for an in vivo study. A dose of 100 µg/mL anthocyanins was administered daily for 5 days before or after radiation therapy. Following irradiation (45 Gy), mice were inspected for gross pathology twice per wk for 8 weeks. At 4 and 8 weeks post-irradiation, dorsal skin was harvested for histopathologic examination and protein isolation. In dermal fibroblasts, treatment with 50 and 100 µg/mL anthocyanins significantly reduced radiation-induced apoptosis at 72 h and intracellular reactive oxygen species generation at 48 h. Furthermore, 100 µg/mL anthocyanins markedly decreased Smad3 mRNA expression and increased Smad7 mRNA expression at 72 h post-irradiation. In mice, treatment with 100 µg/mL anthocyanins resulted in a significant reduction in the level of skin injury, epidermal thickness, and collagen deposition after irradiation. Treatment with 100 µg/mL anthocyanins significantly decreased the number of α-SMA-, TGF-β-, and Smad3-positive cells after irradiation. Our study demonstrated that black soybean anthocyanins inhibited radiation-induced fibrosis by downregulating TGF-β and Smad3 expression. Therefore, anthocyanins may be a safe and effective candidate for the prevention of radiation-induced skin fibrosis.

Expression of p53 and its mechanism in prostate cancer

The present study aimed to investigate the expression of tumor protein p53 (p53), and its mechanism of function, in prostate cancer (PC). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to interfere with p53 expression in the PC cell line, DU145. Cell viability and p53 expression were analyzed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and western blotting. The effects of p53 expression on the proliferation, migration and adhesion abilities of PC cells were analyzed using Cell Counting kit-8, Transwell and adhesion assays. Changes in cell proliferation, migration and adhesion ability were observed following treatment with extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor, PD184352, and janus kinase (JNK) inhibitor, SP60012. The expression level of p53 declined 24 h after siRNA transfection (P<0.05). Furthermore, JNK and ERK, downstream proteins of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-Src proto-oncogene, non-receptor tyrosine kinase (Src) signaling pathway, were activated. These effects were associated with reduced proliferation, migration and adhesion abilities of PC cells compared with untransfected control cells (P<0.05). PD184352 and SP600125 treatments also resulted in reduced proliferation, migration and adhesion abilities of PC cells (P<0.05). In conclusion, PC cells exhibited low p53 expression, and the proliferation, migration and adhesion abilities of PC cells were promoted by inhibiting the activation of JNK and ERK. Together, these results suggest that p53 has potential as a therapeutic target in PC.

Effects of anthocyanins on the prevention and treatment of cancer

Anthocyanins are a class of water-soluble flavonoids, which show a range of pharmacological effects, such as prevention of cardiovascular disease, obesity control and antitumour activity. Their potential antitumour effects are reported to be based on a wide variety of biological activities including antioxidant; anti-inflammation; anti-mutagenesis; induction of differentiation; inhibiting proliferation by modulating signal transduction pathways, inducing cell cycle arrest and stimulating apoptosis or autophagy of cancer cells; anti-invasion; anti-metastasis; reversing drug resistance of cancer cells and increasing their sensitivity to chemotherapy. In this review, the latest progress on the anticancer activities of anthocyanins and the underlying molecular mechanisms is summarized using data from basic research in vitro and in vivo, from clinical trials and taking into account theory and practice.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed section on Principles of Pharmacological Research of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.11/issuetoc.

A Critical Review on Polyphenols and Health Benefits of Black Soybeans

Polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites containing antioxidant properties, which help to protect chronic diseases from free radical damage. Dietary polyphenols are the subject of enhancing scientific interest due to their possible beneficial effects on human health. In the last two decades, there has been more interest in the potential health benefits of dietary polyphenols as antioxidant. Black soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr) are merely a black variety of soybean containing a variety of phytochemicals. These phytochemicals in black soybean (BSB) are potentially effective in human health, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Taking into account exploratory study, the present review aims to provide up-to-date data on health benefit of BSB, which helps to explore their therapeutic values for future clinical settings. All data of in vitro and in vivo studies of BSB and its impact on human health were collected from a library database and electronic search (Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar). The different pharmacological information was gathered and orchestrated in a suitable spot on the paper.

Metabolic engineering of anthocyanins in dark tobacco varieties

In this study, we investigate the metabolic engineering of anthocyanins in two dark tobacco crops (Narrow Leaf Madole and KY171) and evaluate the effects on physiological features of plant photosynthesis. Arabidopsis PAP1 (production of anthocyanin pigment 1) gene (AtPAP1) encodes a R2R3-type MYB transcript factor that is a master component of regulatory complexes controlling anthocyanin biosynthesis. AtPAP1 was introduced to Narrow Leaf Madole and KY171 plants. Multiple transgenic plants developed red/purple pigmentation in different tissues. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the expression levels of six pathway genes were increased two- to eight-fold in AtPAP1 transgenic plants compared with vector control plants. Dihydroflavonol reductase and anthocyanidin synthase genes that were not expressed in wild-type plants were activated. Spectrophotometric measurement showed that the amount of anthocyanins in AtPAP1 transgenic plants were 400-800 µg g-1 fresh weight (FW). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that one main anthocyanin molecule accounted for approximately 98% of the total anthocyanins. Tandem MS/MS analysis using HPLC coupled to electrospray ionization and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry identified the main anthocyanin as cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside, an important medicinal anthocyanin. Analysis of photosynthesis rate, chlorophylls and carotenoids contents showed no differences between red/purple transgenic and control plants, indicating that this metabolic engineering did not alter photosynthetic physiological traits. This study shows that AtPAP1 is of significance for metabolic engineering of anthocyanins in crop plants for value-added traits.

Chemical Characterization and Cytotoxic Activity of Blueberry Extracts (cv. Misty) Cultivated in Brazil

Vaccinium corymbosum (L.) varieties cultivation is relatively recent in Brazil, but its production has been intensified given its good adaptability to the Southern Brazil climate. Blueberries are a rich source of phenolic compounds and contain significant levels of anthocyanins, flavonols, chlorogenic acids, and procyanidins, which lead to different biological activities. Chemical identification of skin and whole hydroalcoholic blueberry extracts (ExtSB and ExtWB) revealed the presence of anthocyanins concentrated in the skin and others chemicals compounds as quercetin glycosides, proanthocyanins dimers, citric, and chlorogenic acid in the pulp. Selectivity for tumor cell lines (Hep-2, HeLa, HT-29) using ExtSB and ExtWB extracts was observed through MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay after 24 h of treatment when compared to nontumor cells (MRC-5). Morphological changes and late stages of apoptotic and necrosis process were seen in HT-29 cell line after ExtWB treatment, compared to nontumor cell line MRC-5. These results are in agreement with other studies that indicate the activity of compounds such as anthocyanins and other molecules found in Southern Highbush blueberry variety, attributed to promote beneficial effects on health that may respond as cytotoxic natural agent and contribute to cancer treatment.

Enhanced stability of anthocyanin-based color in model beverage systems through whey protein isolate complexation

Anthocyanins are often used in functional foods and beverages as colorants and nutraceuticals. However, these natural compounds may undergo chemical degradation during storage leading to color fading and loss of bioactivity. In particular, vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) is known to accelerate anthocyanin degradation. In this study, the influence of various food-grade biopolymers on the physical and chemical stability of model beverages containing anthocyanin (0.025%), ascorbic acid (0 or 0.05%), and calcium salt (0 or 0.01%) was examined under accelerated conditions (40°C for 7days). Four biopolymers (1%) were examined for their potential to inhibit anthocyanin degradation: native whey protein; denatured whey protein; citrus pectin; and beet pectin. The physical stability was determined by measuring changes in absorbance, color, and visual appearance. Solutions containing anthocyanin and calcium salt (0 or 0.01%) were stable throughout storage, while those with added ascorbic acid were the least stable. The addition of biopolymers, particularly heat denatured whey protein, significantly enhanced the stability of the anthocyanin during storage. Fluorescence quenching studies showed that the anthocyanin may have formed complexes with the whey protein through hydrogen bonding that resulted in their enhanced stability in the presence of ascorbic acid. This study provides information that may improve the stability of anthocyanins in food and beverage systems.