β-carotene regulates cancer stemness in colon cancer in vivo and in vitro

Flavonoids as Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agents in the Atopic Dermatitis Treatment

Eczema is a complex autoimmune condition characterised mainly by inflammation and skin lesions along with physical and psychological comorbidities. Although there have been significant advances in understanding the mechanisms behind atopic dermatitis, conventionally available treatments yield inconsistent results and have some unintended consequences. In today's digital age, where knowledge is just a click away, natural-based supplements have been on the rise for a more "natural" treatment towards any type of disease. Natural compounds, particularly derived from medicinal plants, have piqued significant interest in the development of herbal remedies for chronic inflammatory skin conditions. Among many compounds, flavonoids have shown promise in treating eczema due to their strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-allergic properties, making them helpful in preventing allergic reactions, inflammation, and skin irritation. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of flavonoid-based bioactive compounds to manage eczema, emphasising the mechanisms of action. Additionally, providing a comprehensive analysis of the potential of emerging and established compounds, while bridging a gap between traditional and modern medicine. Flavonoids offer a variety of opportunities for further research and innovative formulations that can maximise its full benefits. Further combination of flavonoids with various approaches such as nanoencapsulation for enhanced bioavailability, hydrogel-based delivery systems for a controlled release, and additive manufacturing for personalised topical formulations, could align with future precision medicine needs.

Molecular Mechanisms of Dietary Compounds in Cancer Stem Cells from Solid Tumors: Insights into Colorectal, Breast, and Prostate Cancer

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are known to be the main source of tumor relapse, metastasis, or multidrug resistance and the mechanisms to counteract or eradicate them and their activity remain elusive. There are different hypotheses that claim that the origin of CSC might be in regular stem cells (SC) and, due to accumulation of mutations, these normal cells become malignant, or the source of CSC might be in any malignant cell that, under certain environmental circumstances, acquires all the qualities to become CSC. Multiple studies indicate that lifestyle and diet might represent a source of wellbeing that can prevent and ameliorate the malignant phenotype of CSC. In this review, after a brief introduction to SC and CSC, we analyze the effects of phenolic and non-phenolic dietary compounds and we highlight the molecular mechanisms that are shown to link diets to CSC activation in colon, breast, and prostate cancer. We focus the analysis on specific markers such as sphere formation, CD surface markers, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and on the major signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, Notch, Hedgehog, and Wnt/β-catenin in CSC. In conclusion, a better understanding of how bioactive compounds in our diets influence the dynamics of CSC can raise valuable awareness towards reducing cancer risk.

The Antitumour Mechanisms of Carotenoids: A Comprehensive Review

Carotenoids, known for their antioxidant properties, have garnered significant attention for their potential antitumour activities. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the diverse mechanisms by which carotenoids exert antitumour effects, focusing on both well-established and novel findings. We explore their role in inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell cycle progression and preventing metastasis by affecting oncogenic and tumour suppressor proteins. The review also explores the pro-oxidant function of carotenoids within cancer cells. In fact, although their overall contribution to cellular antioxidant defences is well known and significant, some carotenoids can exhibit pro-oxidant effects under certain conditions and are able to elevate reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in tumoural cells, triggering mitochondrial pathways that would lead to cell death. The final balance between their antioxidant and pro-oxidant activities depends on several factors, including the specific carotenoid, its concentration and the redox environment of the cell. Clinical trials are discussed, highlighting the conflicting results of carotenoids in cancer treatment and the importance of personalized approaches. Emerging research on rare carotenoids like bacterioruberin showcases their superior antioxidant capacity and selective cytotoxicity against aggressive cancer subtypes, such as triple-negative breast cancer. Future directions include innovative delivery systems, novel combinations and personalized treatments, aiming to enhance the therapeutic potential of carotenoids. This review highlights the promising yet complex landscape of carotenoid-based cancer therapies, calling for continued research and clinical exploration.

Combination of oxaliplatin and β-carotene suppresses colorectal cancer by regulating cell cycle, apoptosis, and cancer stemness in vitro

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide with a high recurrence rate. Oxaliplatin (OXA) resistance is one of the major reasons hindering CRC therapy. β-Carotene (BC) is a provitamin A and is known to have antioxidant and anticancer effects. However, the combined effect of OXA and BC has not been investigated. Therefore, this study investigated the anticancer effects and mechanism of the combination of OXA and BC on CRC.

MATERIALS/METHODS

In the present study, the effects of the combination of OXA and BC on cell viability, cell cycle arrest, and cancer stemness were investigated using HCT116, HT29, OXA-resistant cells, and human CRC organoids.

RESULTS

The combination of OXA and BC enhanced apoptosis, G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, and inhibited cancer cell survival in human CRC resistant cells and CRC organoids without toxicity in normal organoids. Cancer stem cell marker expression and self-replicating capacity were suppressed by combined treatment with OXA and BC. Moreover, this combined treatment upregulated apoptosis and the stem cell-related JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest a novel potential role of BC in reducing resistance to OXA, thereby enhances the anticancer effects of OXA. This enhancement is achieved through the regulation of cell cycle, apoptosis, and stemness in CRC.

β‑carotene attenuates muscle wasting in cancer cachexia by regulating myogenesis and muscle atrophy

Cancer cachexia is a metabolic disease involving multiple organs, which is accompanied by the depletion of muscle tissue and is associated with ~20% of cancer‑related deaths. Muscle wasting is a critical factor in cancer cachexia. β‑carotene (BC) has been shown to increase muscle mass and hypertrophy in healthy mice. However, its effects on muscle tissue dysregulation in cancer cachexia have yet to be studied. In the present study, 5‑week‑old male C57BL/6J mice were injected with 1x106 Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells to induce cancer cachexia; then the mice were administered BC (4 or 8 mg/kg) for 22 days to assess its effects on muscle atrophy in the gastrocnemius muscles. The effects of BC on inflammatory cytokines, myogenesis and muscle atrophy were evaluated using C2C12 myotubes treated with LLC‑conditioned media. BC supplementation significantly suppressed tumor growth, inflammatory cytokines, and hepatic gluconeogenesis in the LLC‑induced cancer cachexia mouse model, while also improving muscle weight and grip strength. These effects are considered to be mediated by the PI3K/Akt pathway and through regulation of muscle atrophy. Moreover, BC treatment was associated with the recovery of LLC‑conditioned media‑induced muscle differentiation deficits and muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes. These findings indicate BC as a potential novel therapeutic agent for cancer cachexia.

Challenges and prospects of yeast-based microbial oil production within a biorefinery concept

Biodiesel, unlike to its fossil-based homologue (diesel), is renewable. Its use contributes to greater sustainability in the energy sector, mainly by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Current biodiesel production relies on plant- and animal-related feedstocks, resulting in high final costs to the prices of those raw materials. In addition, the production of those materials competes for arable land and has provoked a heated debate involving their use food vs. fuel. As an alternative, single-cell oils (SCOs) obtained from oleaginous microorganisms are attractive sources as a biofuel precursor due to their high lipid content, and composition similar to vegetable oils and animal fats. To make SCOs competitive from an economic point of view, the use of readily available low-cost substrates becomes essential. This work reviews the most recent advances in microbial oil production from non-synthetic sugar-rich media, particularly sugars from lignocellulosic wastes, highlighting the main challenges and prospects for deploying this technology fully in the framework of a Biorefinery concept.

Rhodotorula sp. as a cell factory for production of valuable biomolecules

Rhodotorula sp. are well-known for their ability to biosynthesize a diverse range of valuable biomolecules, including carotenoids, lipids, enzymes, and polysaccharides. Despite the high number of studies conducted using Rhodotorula sp. at the laboratory scale, most of these do not address all processual aspects necessary for scaling up these processes for industrial applications. This chapter explores the potential of Rhodotorula sp. as a cell factory for the production of distinct biomolecules, with a particular emphasis on exploring their use from a biorefinery perspective. Through in-depth discussions of the latest research and insights into non-conventional applications, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of Rhodotorula sp.'s ability to produce biofuels, bioplastics, pharmaceuticals, and other valuable biochemicals. This book chapter also examines the fundamentals and challenges associated with the optimizing upstream and downstream processing of Rhodotorula sp-based processes. We believe that through this chapter, readers with different levels of expertise will gain insights into strategies for enhancing the sustainability, efficiency, and effectiveness of producing biomolecules using Rhodotorula sp.

Rhodotorula mucilaginosa-alternative sources of natural carotenoids, lipids, and enzymes for industrial use

Biotechnologically useful yeast strains have been receiving important attention worldwide for the demand of a wide range of industries. Rhodotorula mucilaginosa is recognized as a biotechnologically important yeast that has gained great interest as a promising platform strain, owing to the diverse substrate appetites, robust stress resistance, and other gratifying features. Due to its attractive properties, R. mucilaginosa has been regarded as an excellent candidate for the biorefinery of carotenoids, lipids, enzymes, and other functional bioproducts by utilizing low-cost agricultural waste materials as substrates. These compounds have aroused great interest as the potential alternative sources of health-promoting food products, substrates for so-called third-generation biodiesel, and dyes or functional ingredients for cosmetics. Furthermore, the use of R. mucilaginosa has rapidly increased as a result of advancements in fermentation for enhanced production of these valuable bioactive compounds. This review focuses on R. mucilaginosa in these advancements and summarizes its potential prospects as alternative sources of natural bioproducts.

Phytogenic Blend Improves Intestinal Health and Reduces Obesity, Diabetes, Cholesterol and Cancers: A Path toward Customised Supplementation

Poultry production is among the most challenging industries for pathogen control. High animal density and abundance of faecal material demand strict biosecurity measures and continual vigilance in monitoring animal health parameters. Despite this vigilance, dealing with disease outbreaks is a part of farmers’ routines. Phytogenic feed additives comprised of herbs, spices, essential oils, and oleoresins have potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions. Related studies are gaining substantial interest in human and animal health worldwide. In this study, a commercial blend phytogenic feed additive was supplemented to layers in an industrial free-range production system with 20,000 birds in both control and treatment groups. At the end of the trial, the ileum tissue was sampled for RNAseq transcriptomic analysis to study the host reaction to the supplement. Phytogenic supplement significantly inhibited four cholesterol-related pathways and reduced the Arteriosclerosis disease category towards improved cardiovascular health. The supplemented birds exhibited reduced disease susceptibility for 26 cancer categories with p-values in the range from 5.23 × 10⁻⁴ to 1.02 × 10⁻²⁵. Major metabolic shifts in Lipid metabolism in combination with Carbohydrate metabolism have resulted in a decrease in the Obesity category, altering the ratio of fat and carbohydrate metabolism toward lower fat storage.

β-carotene genetically-enriched lyophilized orange juice increases antioxidant capacity and reduces β-amyloid proteotoxicity and fat accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans

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β-carotene content of genetically modified orange was 33-fold higher.

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β-carotene-enriched LOJ provided greater antioxidant capacity and stress resistance.

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β-carotene-enriched LOJ reduced β-amyloid proteotoxicity.

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β-carotene-enriched LOJ showed higher hypolipidemic activity in glucose rich diet.

Citrus sinensis orange juice is an excellent dietary source of β-carotene, a well-known antioxidant. However, β-carotene concentrations are relatively low in most cultivars. We developed a new orange through metabolic engineering strategy (GS) with 33.72-fold increase in β-carotene content compared to its conventional counterpart (CV). Using Caenorhabditis elegans, we found that animals treated with GS showed a greater reduction in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) which is associated with a greater resistance to oxidative stress and induction of the expression of antioxidant genes. Moreover, animals treated with GS orange showed a more effective protection against β-amyloid proteotoxicity and greater hypolipidemic effect under high glucose diet compared to animals treated with CV. These data demonstrate that the increased amount of β-carotene in orange actually provides a greater beneficial effect in C. elegans and a valuable proof of principle to support further studies in mammals and humans.

Nano-delivery systems for food bioactive compounds in cancer: prevention, therapy, and clinical applications

Bioactive compounds represent a broad class of dietary metabolites derived from fruits and vegetables, such as polyphenols, carotenoids and glucosinolates with potential for cancer prevention. Curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, and β-carotene have been the most widely applied bioactive compounds in chemoprevention. Lately, many approaches to encapsulating bioactive components in nano-delivery systems have improved biomolecules' stability and targeted delivery. In this review, we critically analyze nano-delivery systems for bioactive compounds, including polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), liposomes, niosomes, and nanoemulsions (NEs) for potential use in cancer therapy. Efficacy studies of the nanoformulations using cancer cell lines and in vivo models and updated human clinical trials are also discussed. Nano-delivery systems were found to improve the therapeutic efficacy of bioactive molecules against various types of cancer (e.g., breast, prostate, colorectal and lung cancer) mainly due to the antiproliferation and pro-apoptotic effects of tumor cells. Furthermore, some bioactive compounds have promised combination therapy with standard chemotherapeutic agents, with increased tumor efficiency and fewer side effects. These opportunities were identified and developed to ensure more excellent safety and efficacy of novel herbal medicines enabling novel insights for designing nano-delivery systems for bioactive compounds applied in clinical cancer therapy.