The involvement of the noradrenergic system in the antinociceptive effect of cucurbitacin D on mice with paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain

Uncovering the anti-cancer mechanism of cucurbitacin D against colorectal cancer through network pharmacology and molecular docking

Colorectal cancer is a significant global health challenge due to chemoresistance, necessitating new treatments. Cucurbitacin D, with its anti-cancer properties, shows promise, but its effects on colorectal cancer are not well understood. We investigated the impact of cucurbitacin D on colorectal cancer cell lines using MTT assays and Annexin V/7-AAD staining followed by flow cytometry for apoptosis analysis. Public databases helped identify cucurbitacin D and colorectal cancer-related gene targets for network pharmacology analysis. Protein-protein interaction networks were constructed using STRING and analyzed in Cytoscape. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed using ClueGo. Molecular docking studies were conducted via Autodock Vina and visualized in Discovery Studio. Western blot assessed protein expression changes in key targets under cucurbitacin D. Cucurbitacin D dose-dependently reduced colorectal cancer cell viability and induced apoptosis. Network pharmacology pinpointed crucial targets like STAT3, AKT1, CCND1, and CASP3. Molecular docking confirmed strong interactions with these targets. Enrichment analysis highlighted involvement in the 'PI3K-AKT,' 'JAK-STAT,' and 'ErbB' signaling pathways. These findings suggest cucurbitacin D as a potential anti-colorectal cancer agent, demonstrating significant effects on cell viability and apoptosis, and engaging critical cancer-related pathways, making it a promising candidate for further colorectal cancer therapeutic research.

Paclitaxel in colon cancer management: from conventional chemotherapy to advanced nanocarrier delivery systems

Paclitaxel, a potent chemotherapeutic agent derived from the bark of the Pacific yew tree, has demonstrated significant efficacy in the treatment of various cancers, including colon cancer. This comprehensive review delves into the conventional treatments for colon cancer, emphasizing the crucial role of paclitaxel in contemporary management strategies. It explores the intricate process of sourcing and synthesizing paclitaxel, highlighting the importance of its structural properties in its anticancer activity. The review further elucidates the mechanism of action of paclitaxel, its pharmacological effects, and its integration into chemotherapy regimens for colon cancer. Additionally, novel drug delivery systems, such as nanocarriers, liposomes, nanoparticles, microspheres, micelles, microemulsions, and niosomes, are examined for their potential to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel. The discussion extends to recent clinical trials and patents, showcasing advancements in paclitaxel formulations aimed at improving treatment outcomes. The review concludes with prospects in the field underscoring the ongoing innovation and potential breakthroughs in colon cancer therapy.

Therapeutic Effects of Natural Products on Human Diseases

Natural products have long served as potential sources of therapeutic drugs [...].

Centralizing the Knowledge and Interpretation of Pain in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Paradigm Shift towards Brain-Centric Approaches

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a side effect of cancer treatment, often linked with pain complaints. Patients report mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity that may emerge during chemotherapy treatment and may persist after cancer remission. Whereas the latter situation disturbs the quality of life, life itself may be endangered by the appearance of CIPN during cancer treatment. The causes of CIPN have almost entirely been ascribed to the neurotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs in the peripheral nervous system. However, the central consequences of peripheral neuropathy are starting to be unraveled, namely in the supraspinal pain modulatory system. Based on our interests and experience in the field, we undertook a review of the brain-centered alterations that may underpin pain in CIPN. The changes in the descending pain modulation in CIPN models along with the functional and connectivity abnormalities in the brain of CIPN patients are analyzed. A translational analysis of preclinical findings about descending pain regulation during CIPN is reviewed considering the main neurochemical systems (serotoninergic and noradrenergic) targeted in CIPN management in patients, namely by antidepressants. In conclusion, this review highlights the importance of studying supraspinal areas involved in descending pain modulation to understand the pathophysiology of CIPN, which will probably allow a more personalized and effective CIPN treatment in the future.

Antinociceptive Effect of Dendrobii caulis in Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Mice

Paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain (PINP) is a serious adverse effect of chemotherapy. Dendrobii caulis (D. caulis) is a new food source used as herbal medicine in east Asia. We examined the antinociceptive effects of D. caulis extract on PINP and clarified the mechanism of action of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor (TRPV1) in the spinal cord. PINP was induced in male mice using multiple intraperitoneal injections of paclitaxel (total dose, 8 mg/kg). PINP was maintained from D10 to D21 when assessed for cold and mechanical allodynia. Oral administration of 300 and 500 mg/kg D. caulis relieved cold and mechanical allodynia. In addition, TRPV1 in the paclitaxel group showed increased gene and protein expression, whereas the D. caulis 300 and 500 mg/kg groups showed a significant decrease. Among various substances in D. caulis, vicenin-2 was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography, and its administration (10 mg/kg, i.p.) showed antinociceptive effects similar to those of D. caulis 500 mg/kg. Administration of the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine also showed antinociceptive effects similar to those of D. caulis, and D. caulis is thought to exhibit antinociceptive effects on PINP by modulating the spinal TRPV1.

Phlomidis Radix Extract Alleviates Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain by Modulating Spinal TRPV1 in Mice

Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic drug reported to have excellent activity against tumors; however, various side effects, including peripheral neuropathy, limit its use in some cases. In this study, the effect of Phlomidis radix (P.Radix) extract was assessed on paclitaxel-induced cold and mechanical peripheral neuropathy in mice. Multiple paclitaxel injections (accumulative dose of 8 mg/kg, i.p.) induced increased behavioral responses to cold and mechanical stimuli in mice from D10 to D21 after the first paclitaxel injection. Cold and mechanical stimuli were performed by acetone drop and von Frey filament, respectively. Oral administrations of 25% ethanol extract of P.Radix (300 and 500 mg/kg) relieved cold and mechanical pain in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, among the various transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel subfamilies, paclitaxel upregulated the spinal gene expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and melastatin 4 (TRPM4), but not ankyrin 1 (TRPA1). However, 500 mg/kg but not 300 mg/kg of P.Radix extract significantly downregulated the gene expression of TRPV1 but not TRPM4. Among the components of P.Radix, sesamoside was identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the administration of sesamoside (7.5 mg/kg, i.p.) showed a similar analgesic effect to 300 mg/kg P.Radix. These results suggest that P.Radix and sesamoside should be considered when treating paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.

Involvement of the Spinal Serotonergic System in the Analgesic Effect of [6]-Shogaol in Oxaliplatin-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Mice

Oxaliplatin is a chemotherapy drug that can induce severe acute neuropathy in patients within hours of treatment. In our previous study, 10 mg/kg [6]-shogaol (i.p.) significantly alleviated cold and mechanical allodynia induced by a 6 mg/kg oxaliplatin injection (i.p.); however, the precise serotonin-modulatory effect has not been investigated. In this study, we showed that intrathecal injections of NAN-190 (5-HT1A receptor antagonist, 1 µg) and MDL-72222 (5-HT3 receptor antagonist, 15 µg), but not ketanserin (5-HT2A receptor antagonist, 1 µg), significantly blocked the analgesic effect of [6]-shogaol (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Furthermore, the gene expression of the serotonin-synthesizing enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) and serotonin levels in the spinal cord and serum were significantly downregulated (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0002) and upregulated (p = 0.0298 and p = 0.0099) after oxaliplatin and [6]-shogaol administration, respectively. Moreover, both the gene and protein expression of the spinal serotonin receptors 5-HT1A and 5-HT3 significantly increased after [6]-shogaol injections (p < 0.0001). Finally, intrathecal injections of both receptor agonists (8-OH-DPAT; 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 10 µg and m-CPBG; 5-HT3 receptor agonist, 15 µg) mimicked the effects of [6]-shogaol in oxaliplatin-injected mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate that [6]-shogaol attenuates oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain by modulating the spinal serotoninergic system.