Oxidative stress imposed in vivo anticancer therapeutic efficacy of novel imidazole-based oxidovanadium (IV) complex in solid tumor

Multifaceted antineoplastic curative potency of novel water-soluble methylimidazole-based oxidovanadium (IV) complex against triple negative mammary carcinoma

A bunch of complexes harboring vanadium as metal centers have been reported to exhibit a wide array of antineoplastic properties that come under non‑platinum metallodrug series and emerge to offer alternative therapeutic strategies from the mechanistic behaviors of platinum-drugs. Though antineoplastic activities of vanado-complexes have been documented against several animal and xenografted human cancers, the definite mechanism of action is yet to unveil. In present study, a novel water soluble 1-methylimidazole substituted mononuclear dipicolinic acid based oxidovanadium (IV) complex (OVMI) has been evaluated for its antineoplastic properties in breast carcinoma both in vitro and in vivo. OVMI has been reported to generate cytotoxicity in human triple negative breast carcinoma cells, MDA-MB-231 as well as in mouse 4T1 cells by priming them for apoptosis. ROS-mediated, mitochondria-dependent as well as ER-stress-evoked apoptotic death seemed to be main operational hub guiding the cytotoxicity of OVMI in vitro. Moreover, OVMI has been noticed to elicit antimetastatic effect in vitro. Therapeutic application of OVMI has been extended on 4T1-based mammary tumor of female Balb/c mice, where it has been found to reduce tumor size, volume and restore general tissue architecture successfully to a great extent. Apart from that, OVMI has been documented to limit 4T1-based secondary pulmonary metastasis along with being non-toxic and biocompatible in vivo.

Formulation of Carnosic-Acid-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles: An Attempt to Endorse the Bioavailability and Anticancer Efficacy of Carnosic Acid against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered to be one of the most difficult subtypes of breast cancer (BC) to treat. The sheer absence of certain receptors makes it very tough to target, leaving high-dose chemotherapy as probably the sole therapeutic option at the cost of nonspecific toxic effects. Carnosic acid (CA) has been established as a potential chemotherapeutic agent against a range of cancer cells. However, its in vivo chemotherapeutic potential is significantly challenged due to its poor pharmacokinetic attributes. In this study, poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) were formulated to circumvent the biopharmaceutical limitations of CA. CA-loaded polymeric NPs (CA-PLGA NPs) have been evaluated as a potential therapeutic option in the treatment of TNBC. Different in vitro studies exhibited that CA-PLGA NPs significantly provoked oxidative-stress-mediated apoptotic death in MDA-MB-231 cells. The improved anticancer potential of CA-PLGA NPs over CA was found to be associated with improved cellular uptake of the nanoformulation by TNBC cells. In vivo studies also established the improvement in the chemotherapeutic efficacy of CA-nanoformulation over that of free CA without showing any sign of systemic toxicity. Thus, CA-PLGA NPs emerge as a promising candidate to fix two bugs with a single code, resolving biopharmaceutical attributes of CA as well as introducing a treatment option for TNBC.

Isorhamnetin exerts anti-tumor activity in DEN + CCl4-induced HCC mice

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent type of liver cancer and the main cause of cancer death globally. The use of medicinal herbs as chemotherapeutic agents in cancer treatment is receiving attention as they possess no or minimum side effects. Isorhamnetin (IRN), a flavonoid, has been under attention for its anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties in a number of cancers, including colorectal, skin, and lung cancers. However, the in vivo mechanism of isorhamnetin to suppress liver cancer has yet to be explored.

METHODS AND RESULT

HCC was induced by N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄) in Swiss albino mice. Isorhamnetin (100 mg/kg body weight) was given to examine its anti-tumor properties in HCC mice model. Histological analysis and liver function assays were performed to assess changes in liver anatomy. Probable molecular pathways were explored using immunoblot, qPCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry techniques. Isorhamnetin inhibited various pro-inflammatory cytokines to suppress cancer-inducing inflammation. Additionally, it regulated Akt and MAPKs to suppress Nrf2 signaling. Isorhamnetin activated PPAR-γ and autophagy while suppressing cell cycle progression in DEN + CCl₄-administered mice. Additionally, isorhamnetin regulated various signaling pathways to suppress cell proliferation, metabolism, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HCC.

CONCLUSION

Regulating diverse cellular signaling pathways makes isorhamnetin a better anti-cancer chemotherapeutic candidate in HCC. Importantly, the anti-TNF-α properties of isorhamnetin could prove it a valuable therapeutic agent in sorafenib-resistant HCC patients. Additionally, anti-TGF-β properties of isorhamnetin could be utilized to reduce the EMT-inducing side effects of doxorubicin.

Comprehensive Insights into Medicinal Research on Imidazole-Based Supramolecular Complexes

The electron-rich five-membered aromatic aza-heterocyclic imidazole, which contains two nitrogen atoms, is an important functional fragment widely present in a large number of biomolecules and medicinal drugs; its unique structure is beneficial to easily bind with various inorganic or organic ions and molecules through noncovalent interactions to form a variety of supramolecular complexes with broad medicinal potential, which is being paid an increasing amount of attention regarding more and more contributions to imidazole-based supramolecular complexes for possible medicinal application. This work gives systematical and comprehensive insights into medicinal research on imidazole-based supramolecular complexes, including anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory aspects as well as ion receptors, imaging agents, and pathologic probes. The new trend of the foreseeable research in the near future toward imidazole-based supramolecular medicinal chemistry is also prospected. It is hoped that this work provides beneficial help for the rational design of imidazole-based drug molecules and supramolecular medicinal agents and more effective diagnostic agents and pathological probes.

pH-responsive and targeted delivery of chrysin via folic acid-functionalized mesoporous silica nanocarrier for breast cancer therapy

Cancer is a disease of global importance. In order to mitigate conventional chemotherapy-related side effects, phytochemicals with inherent anticancer efficacy have been opted. However, the use of nanotechnology is essential to enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of these phytochemicals. Herein, we have formulated folic acid conjugated polyacrylic acid capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (∼47.6 nm in diameter) for pH-dependent targeted delivery of chrysin to breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. Chrysin loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Chr- mSiO2@PAA/FA) have been noted to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through oxidative insult and mitochondrial dysfunction with subsequent G1 arrest. Further, in tumor bearing mice, intravenous incorporation of Chr-mSiO2@PAA/FA has been noticed to enhance the anti-neoplastic effects of chrysin via tumor site-specific accumulation. Enhanced cytotoxicity of chrysin contributed towards in vivo tumor regression, restoration of normalized tissue architecture and maintenance of healthy body weight. Besides, no serious systemic toxicity was manifested in response to Chr-mSiO2@PAA/FA administration in vivo. Thus, the study evokes about the anticancer potentiality of chrysin and its increased therapeutic activity via incorporation into folic acid conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles, which may hold greater impact in field of future biomedical research.

Glycobiology of cellular expiry: Decrypting the role of glycan-lectin regulatory complex and therapeutic strategies focusing on cancer

Often the outer leaflets of living cells bear a coat of glycosylated proteins, which primarily regulates cellular processes. Glycosylation of such proteins occurs as part of their post-translational modification. Within the endoplasmic reticulum, glycosylation enables the attachment of specific oligosaccharide moieties such as, 'glycan' to the transmembrane receptor proteins which confers precise biological information for governing the cell fate. The nature and degree of glycosylation of cell surface receptors are regulated by a bunch of glycosyl transferases and glycosidases which fine-tune attachment or detachment of glycan moieties. In classical death receptors, upregulation of glycosylation by glycosyl transferases is capable of inducing cell death in T cells, tumor cells, etc. Thus, any deregulated alternation at surface glycosylation of these death receptors can result in life-threatening disorder like cancer. In addition, transmembrane glycoproteins and lectin receptors can transduce intracellular signals for cell death execution. Exogenous interaction of lectins with glycan containing death receptors signals for cell death initiation by modulating downstream signalings. Subsequently, endogenous glycan-lectin interplay aids in the customization and implementation of the cell death program. Lastly, the glycan-lectin recognition system dictates the removal of apoptotic cells by sending accurate signals to the extracellular milieu. Since glycosylation has proven to be a biomarker of cellular death and disease progression; glycans serve as specific therapeutic targets of cancers. In this context, we are reviewing the molecular mechanisms of the glycan-lectin regulatory network as an integral part of cell death machinery in cancer to target them for successful therapeutic and clinical approaches.

Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor activity of asiatic acid-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles: A strategy of treating breast cancer

Asiatic acid (AA), an aglycone of pentacyclic triterpene glycoside, obtained from the leaves of Centella asiatica exerts anticancer effects by inhibiting cellular proliferation and inducing apoptosis in a wide range of carcinogenic distresses. However, its chemotherapeutic efficacy is dampened by its low bioavailability. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit therapeutic efficacy and compliance by improving tissue penetration and lowering toxicity. Thus, to increase the therapeutic effectiveness of AA in the treatment of breast cancer, AA-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) NPs (AA-PLGA NPs) have been formulated. The AA-PLGA NPs were characterized on the basis of their average particle size, zeta potential, electron microscopic imaging, drug loading, and entrapment efficiency. The NPs exhibited sustained drug release profile in vitro. Developed NPs exerted dose-dependent cytotoxicity to MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells without damaging normal cells. The pro-oxidant and pro-apoptotic properties of AA-PLGA NPs were determined by the study of the cellular levels of SOD, CAT, GSH-GSSG, MDA, protein carbonylation, ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential, and FACS analyses on MCF-7 cells. Immunoblotting showed that AA-PLGA NPs elicited an intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. In vivo studies on female BALB/c mice exhibited reduced volume of mammary pad tumor tissues and augmented expression of caspase-3 when administered with AA-PLGA NPs. No systemic adverse effect of AA-PLGA NPs was observed in our studies. Thus, AA-PLGA NPs can act as an efficient drug delivery system against breast cancer.