Antitumor Effects of Poplar Propolis on DLBCL SU-DHL-2 Cells

Regulation and therapy: the role of ferroptosis in DLBCL

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), up to 30%-40% of patients will relapse and 10%-15% of patients have primary refractory disease, so exploring new treatment options is necessary. Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic cell death mode discovered in recent years. Its occurrence pathway plays an essential impact on the therapeutic effect of tumors. Numerous studies have shown that modulating critical factors in the ferroptosis pathway can influence the growth of tumor cells in hematological malignancies including DLBCL. This review highlights recent advances in ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs), including STAT3, Nrf2, and ZEB1, and focuses on the clinical potential of ferroptosis inducers such as IKE, α-KG, DMF, and APR-246, which are currently being explored in clinical studies for their therapeutic effects in DLBCL. Correlational studies provide a novel idea for the research and treatment of ferroptosis in DLBCL and other hematological malignancies and lay a solid foundation for future studies.

Polyphenol Profile and Antioxidant, Antityrosinase, and Anti-Melanogenesis Activities of Ethanol Extract of Bee Pollen

Background/Objective: Bee pollen, a rich nutritional food, was employed to develop a raw material for skin whitening. Methods: The polyphenol profile and antioxidant, antityrosinase, and anti-melanogenesis activities of the ethanol extracts of five species of bee pollens (EEBPs) were determined. Results: The results showed that there were a total of 121 phenolic compounds in these EEBPs. Each type of bee pollen had unique substances. The best anti-melanogenesis activity was observed for sunflower EEBP, about 25% at a concentration of 25 μg/mL BEEP. The anti-melanogenesis activities of EEBPs from high to low were sunflower, apricot, camellia, rapeseed, and lotus EEBPs. The anti-melanogenesis activity in B16F10 cells was positively correlated with the antityrosinase activity and total phenol content, with coefficients of 0.987 and 0.940. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis results of untargeted proteomics revealed that sunflower EEBP inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 cells by reducing the expression of the proteins MAP2K1, NFKB2, RELB, RPS6KA3, CASP3, TRAF6, MAP2K5, MAPKAPK3, STRADA, CCNA2, and FASN involved in the cAMP, MAPK, and TNF signaling pathways, even though these pathways were not significantly different from the control group. Conclusions: The sunflower EEBP has high inhibition effect on melanogenesis than other species EEBPs. The results provide a basis for the future industrial development of a raw material for skin whitening.

Bibliometric analysis of research trends and topic areas in traditional Chinese medicine therapy for lymphoma

CONTEXT

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is effective as a cancer treatment modality. However, this is the first bibliometric analysis of TCM in lymphoma treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This study explores the current trends and research topics of TCM in treating lymphoma from 2000 to 2023.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched within the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) for publications on TCM in lymphoma treatment, spanning 2000 to 2023. Subsequently, we employed a comprehensive approach utilizing CiteSpace software and VOSviewer to visually analyze research trends, authors, institutions, co-cited references, and keywords.

RESULTS

From January 1, 2000, to August 31, 2023, annual scientific publications on TCM for lymphoma treatment have steadily increased. Among the leading institutions in this field, the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and the Fujian Medical University occupied the top positions. Regarding the authors, Jun Peng, Jiumao Lin, and Hongwei Chen emerged as the top three contributors. In the co-citation analysis of references, the top three co-cited references were authored by Hanahan D, Elmore S, and Livak KJ with citations numbered 13, 14, and 17, respectively. In particular, keywords reflecting current emerging trends included 'pathway', 'traditional Chinese medicine', 'oxidative stress', and 'macrophage polarization'.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of TCM for lymphoma treatment. This analysis identified the predominant trends and research topics in the field. The findings are expected to be of significant value for researchers who focus on TCM in lymphoma treatment, helping them better understand the development of this field.

Supercritical CO2 extracts of propolis inhibits tumor proliferation and Enhances the immunomodulatory activity via activating the TLR4-MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway

Propolis is a natural immunomodulator with anticancer activity. This study investigated the immunomodulatory mechanism and anti-tumor activity of supercritical CO2 extracts of propolis (SEP) in tumor-bearing immunosuppression mice. We used cyclophosphamide (CTX) to construct the immunosuppressive mice model and then inoculated them with CT26 cells to build the CT26 tumor-bearing immunosuppression mice model. Upon treatment with SEP, tumor proliferation in mice was markedly suppressed, with tumor volumes decreasing from 1881.43 mm3 to 1049.95 mm3 and weights reducing from 2.07 g to 1.13 g. Concurrently, the immune system recovered well, and the spleen and thymus indexes increased significantly. The total T lymphocyte (CD3+ T cell) contents in the spleen and blood recovered from 11.88 % to 21.19 % and 15.32 % to 22.19 %, respectively. In addition, the CD4+ /CD8+ ratio has returned to a healthy level, 3.12 in the spleen and 5.42 in the blood. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were increased by 2.17, 2.76, and 7.15 times in the spleen, 2.76, 1.92, and 3.02 times in the serum. Moreover, the western blot results showed that SEP treatment increased the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p65. These results indicated that SEP activated the immune activity of RAW 264.7 macrophages through the TLR4-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway to exert immunomodulatory function and inhibit tumor proliferation. This study facilitated the further application of SEP as a potential immunomodulatory and anti-tumor functional food.

Potential Antitumor Mechanism of Propolis Against Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma A431 Cells Based on Untargeted Metabolomics

Propolis is a sticky substance produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) through the collection of plant resins, which they mix with secretions from their palate and wax glands. Propolis can inhibit tumor invasion and metastasis, thereby reducing the proliferation of tumor cells and inducing cell apoptosis. Previous research has shown that propolis has an inhibitory effect on skin squamous cell carcinoma A431 cells. Nevertheless, its inhibitory mechanism is unclear because of many significantly different Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways between the ethanol extract of the propolis (EEP) group and the control group of cells. In this study, the main components of EEP and the antitumor mechanism at an IC50 of 29.04 μg/mL EEP were determined via untargeted metabolomics determined using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‒MS/MS), respectively. The results revealed 43 polyphenolic components in the EEP and 1052 metabolites, with 160 significantly upregulated and 143 significantly downregulated metabolites between cells treated with EEP and solvent. The KEGG enrichment results revealed that EEP significantly inhibited A431 cell proliferation via the steroid hormone biosynthesis and linoleic acid metabolism pathways. These findings may provide valuable insights for the development of targeted therapies for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Antitumor Effects and the Potential Mechanism of 10-HDA against SU-DHL-2 Cells

10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), which is a unique bioactive fatty acid of royal jelly synthesized by nurse bees for larvae and adult queen bees, is recognized for its dual utility in medicinal and nutritional applications. Previous research has indicated that 10-HDA exerts antitumor effects on numerous tumor cell lines, including colon cancer cells, A549 human lung cancer cells, and human hepatoma cells. The present study extends this inquiry to lymphoma, specifically evaluating the impact of 10-HDA on the SU-DHL-2 cell line. Our findings revealed dose-dependent suppression of SU-DHL-2 cell survival, with an IC50 of 496.8 μg/mL at a density of 3 × 106 cells/well after 24 h. For normal liver LO2 cells and human fibroblasts (HSFs), the IC50 values were approximately 1000 μg/mL and over 1000 μg/mL, respectively. The results of label-free proteomics revealed 147 upregulated and 347 downregulated differentially expressed proteins that were significantly enriched in the complement and coagulation cascades pathway (adjusted p-value = 0.012), including the differentially expressed proteins prothrombin, plasminogen, plasminogen, carboxypeptidase B2, fibrinogen beta chain, fibrinogen gamma chain, and coagulation factor V. The top three hub proteins, ribosomal protein L5, tumor protein p53, and ribosomal protein L24, were identified via protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. This result showed that the complement and coagulation cascade pathways might play a key role in the antitumor process of 10-HDA, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue for lymphoma treatment. However, the specificity of the effect of 10-HDA on SU-DHL-2 cells warrants further investigation.

Ferroptosis mechanisms and its novel potential therapeutic targets for DLBCL

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a heterogeneous lymphoid malignancy, poses a significant threat to human health. The standard therapeutic regimen for patients with DLBCL is rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP), with a typical cure rate of 50-70%. However, some patients either relapse after complete remission (CR) or exhibit resistance to R-CHOP treatment. Therefore, novel therapeutic approaches are imperative for managing high-risk or refractory DLBCL. Ferroptosis is driven by iron-dependent phospholipid peroxidation, a process that relies on the transition metal iron, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and phospholipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids-containing phospholipids (PUFA-PLs). Research indicates that ferroptosis is implicated in various carcinogenic and anticancer pathways. Several hematological disorders exhibit heightened sensitivity to cell death induced by ferroptosis. DLBCL cells, in particular, demonstrate an increased demand for iron and an upregulation in the expression of fatty acid synthase. Additionally, there exists a correlation between ferroptosis-associated genes and the prognosis of DLBCL. Therefore, ferroptosis may be a promising novel target for DLBCL therapy. In this review, we elucidate ferroptosis mechanisms, its role in DLBCL, and the potential therapeutic targets in DLBCL. This review offers novel insights into the application of ferroptosis in treatment strategies for DLBCL.

New insights of propolis nanoformulation and its therapeutic potential in human diseases

Background and purpose

Scientific research is crucial to develop therapies for various disease severity levels, as modern drugs cause side effects and are difficult to predict. Researchers are exploring herbal alternatives with fewer side effects, particularly propolis, which has been validated through in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. This will focus on scientific evidence and its supporting technology for developing new bioactive compounds for chronic diseases. Nanotechnology can improve the delivery and absorption of herbal medicines, which often have poor bioavailability due to their high molecular weight and solubility in water, particularly in oral medicines. This technology can enhance propolis's effects through multi-target therapy and reduce side effects.

Experimental approach

All publications related to each section of this review were discovered using the search engines Google Scholar, Scopus, and Pubmed. This was only available for publication between 2013 and 2023. The selected publications were used as references in this review after being thoroughly studied.

Key results

Evaluation of propolis active compounds, the classification of propolis nano formulations, design concepts, and mechanisms of action of propolis nano formulation. Additionally, the challenges and prospects for how these insights can be translated into clinical benefits are discussed.

Conclusion

In the last ten years, a list of nanoformulation propolis has been reported. This review concludes the difficulties encountered in developing large-scale nanoformulations. To commercialize them, improvements in nano carrier synthesis, standardized evaluation methodology within the framework of strategy process improvement, and Good Manufacturing Practices would be required.

Effects of Natural Products on Enzymes Involved in Ferroptosis: Regulation and Implications

Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death that is characterized by the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides. The regulation of ferroptosis involves both non-enzymatic reactions and enzymatic mechanisms. Natural products have demonstrated potential effects on various enzymes, including GPX4, HO-1, NQO1, NOX4, GCLC, and GCLM, which are mainly involved in glutathione metabolic pathway or oxidative stress regulation, and ACSL3 and ACSL4, which mainly participate in lipid metabolism, thereby influencing the regulation of ferroptosis. In this review, we have provided a comprehensive overview of the existing literature pertaining to the effects of natural products on enzymes involved in ferroptosis and discussed their potential implications for the prevention and treatment of ferroptosis-related diseases. We also highlight the potential challenge that the majority of research has concentrated on investigating the impact of natural products on the expression of enzymes involving ferroptosis while limited attention is given to the regulation of enzyme activity. This observation underscores the considerable potential and scope for exploring the influence of natural products on enzyme activity.

Antitumor Effect of Poplar Propolis on Human Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma A431 Cells

Propolis is a gelatinous substance processed by western worker bees from the resin of plant buds and mixed with the secretions of the maxillary glands and beeswax. Propolis has extensive biological activities and antitumor effects. There have been few reports about the antitumor effect of propolis against human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) A431 cells and its potential mechanism. CCK-8 assays, label-free proteomics, RT-PCR, and a xenograft tumor model were employed to explore this possibility. The results showed that the inhibition rate of A431 cell proliferation by the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) was dose-dependent, with an IC50 of 39.17 μg/mL. There were 193 differentially expressed proteins in the EEP group compared with the control group (p < 0.05), of which 103 proteins (53.37%) were upregulated, and 90 proteins (46.63%) were downregulated. The main three activated and suppressed Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, amoebiasis, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, and Alzheimer's disease. The tumor volume of the 100 mg/kg EEP group was significantly different from that of the control group (p < 0.05). These results provide a theoretical basis for the potential treatment of human CSCC A431 cell tumors using propolis.

Propolis Enhances 5-Fluorouracil Mediated Antitumor Efficacy and Reduces Side Effects in Colorectal Cancer: An in Vitro and in Vivo Study

In this study, we investigated the combined treatment of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and Anatolian propolis extract (PE) on colorectal cancer (CRC)using in vitro and in vivo studies. We exposed luciferase-transfected (Lovo-Luc CRC) cells and healthy colon cells (CCD-18Co) to varying concentrations of 5-FU and PE to assess their genotoxic, apoptotic, and cytotoxic effects, as well as their intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS) levels. We also developed a xenograft model in nude mice and evaluated the anti-tumor effects of PE and 5-FU using various methods. Our findings showed that the combination of PE and 5-FU had selectivity against cancer cells, particularly at higher doses, and enhanced the anti-tumor effectiveness of 5-FU against colon CRC. The results suggest that PE can reduce side effects and increase the effectiveness of 5-FU through iROS generation in a dose-dependent manner.

Development, Physicochemical Properties, and Antibacterial Activity of Propolis Microcapsules

Propolis is a well-known natural antibacterial substance with various biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. However, applications of propolis are limited due to its low water solubility. In this study, propolis microcapsules were developed with a core material of ethanol extract of propolis and shell materials of gum arabic and β-cyclodextrin using a spray-drying technique. The optional processing formula, particle size distribution, morphology, dissolution property, and antibacterial activity of propolis microcapsules were determined. The results showed that the optional processing obtained an embedding rate of 90.99% propolis microcapsules with an average particle size of 445.66 ± 16.96 nm. The infrared spectrogram and thermogravimetric analyses showed that propolis was embedded in the shell materials. The propolis microcapsules were continuously released in water and fully released on the eighth day, and compared to propolis, the microcapsules exhibited weaker antibacterial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of propolis microcapsules against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were 0.15 and 1.25 mg/mL, and their minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were 0.3 and 1.25 mg/mL, respectively. This water-soluble propolis microcapsule shows the potential for use as a sustained-release food additive, preservative, or drug.

Antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Apis laboriosa honey against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is a common food-borne pathogen that commonly causes gastroenteritis in humans and animals. Apis laboriosa honey (ALH) harvested in China has significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis. We hypothesize that ALH has antibacterial activity against S. Typhimurium. The physicochemical parameters, minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) and the possible mechanism were determined. The results showed that there were significantly different physicochemical parameters, including 73 phenolic compounds, among ALH samples harvested at different times and from different regions. Their antioxidant activity was affected by their components, especially total phenol and flavonoid contents (TPC, TFC), which had a high correlation with antioxidant activities except for the O₂- assay. The MIC and MBC of ALH against S. Typhimurium were 20-30% and 25-40%, respectively, which were close to those of UMF5+ manuka honey. The proteomic experiment revealed the possible antibacterial mechanism of ALH1 at IC₅₀ (2.97%, w/v), whose antioxidant activity reduced the bacterial reduction reaction and energy supply, mainly by inhibiting the citrate cycle (TCA cycle), amino acid metabolism pathways and enhancing the glycolysis pathway. The results provide a theoretical basis for the development of bacteriostatic agents and application of ALH.

Ferroptosis in Haematological Malignancies and Associated Therapeutic Nanotechnologies

Haematological malignancies are heterogeneous groups of cancers of the bone marrow, blood or lymph nodes, and while therapeutic advances have greatly improved the lifespan and quality of life of those afflicted, many of these cancers remain incurable. The iron-dependent, lipid oxidation-mediated form of cell death, ferroptosis, has emerged as a promising pathway to induce cancer cell death, particularly in those malignancies that are resistant to traditional apoptosis-inducing therapies. Although promising findings have been published in several solid and haematological malignancies, the major drawbacks of ferroptosis-inducing therapies are efficient drug delivery and toxicities to healthy tissue. The development of tumour-targeting and precision medicines, particularly when combined with nanotechnologies, holds potential as a way in which to overcome these obstacles and progress ferroptosis-inducing therapies into the clinic. Here, we review the current state-of-play of ferroptosis in haematological malignancies as well as encouraging discoveries in the field of ferroptosis nanotechnologies. While the research into ferroptosis nanotechnologies in haematological malignancies is limited, its pre-clinical success in solid tumours suggests this is a very feasible therapeutic approach to treat blood cancers such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukaemia.