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Peng Z, Lu J, Liu K, Xie L, Wang Y, Cai C, Yang D, Xi J, Yan C, Li X, Shi M. Hypericin as a promising natural bioactive naphthodianthrone: A review of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and safety. Phytother Res 2023; 37:5639-5656. [PMID: 37690821 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Hypericin can be derived from St. John's wort, which is widely spread around the world. As a natural product, it has been put into clinical practice such as wound healing and depression for a long time. In this article, we review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and safety of hypericin, aiming to introduce the research advances and provide a full evaluation of it. Turns out hypericin, as a natural photosensitizer, exhibits an excellent capacity for anticancer, neuroprotection, and elimination of microorganisms, especially when activated by light, potent anticancer and antimicrobial effects are obtained after photodynamic therapy. The mechanisms of its therapeutic effects involve the induction of cell death, inhibition of cell cycle progression, inhibition of the reuptake of amines, and inhibition of virus replication. The pharmacokinetics properties indicate that hypericin has poor water solubility and bioavailability. The distribution and excretion are fast, and it is metabolized in bile. The toxicity of hypericin is rarely reported and the conventional use of it rarely causes adverse effects except for photosensitization. Therefore, we may conclude that hypericin can be used safely and effectively against a variety of diseases. We hope to provide researchers with detailed guidance and enlighten the development of it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaolei Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Long Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yulin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunyan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Dejun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingjing Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunmei Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingyi Shi
- School of Intelligent Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Woźniak M, Nowak-Perlak M. Hypericin-Based Photodynamic Therapy Displays Higher Selectivity and Phototoxicity towards Melanoma and Squamous Cell Cancer Compared to Normal Keratinocytes In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16897. [PMID: 38069219 PMCID: PMC10707231 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the potential of hypericin, a naturally occurring photosensi-tizer, for photodynamic therapy (PDT) in skin cancer, investigating its phototoxic effects and mechanisms of action in cancer cells compared to normal skin keratinocytes, squamous cell cancer (SCC-25) cells and melanoma (MUG-Mel2) cells. Hypericin was applied at concentrations ranging from 0.1-40 μM to HaCaT, SCC-25, and MUG-Mel2 cells. After 24 h of incubation, the cells were exposed to orange light at 3.6 J/cm2 or 7.2 J/cm2. Phototoxicity was assessed using MTT and SRB tests. Cellular uptake was measured by flow cytometry. Apoptosis-positive cells were estimated through TUNEL for apoptotic bodies' visualization. Hypericin exhibited a higher phototoxic reaction in cancer cells compared to normal keratinocytes after irradiation. Cancer cells demonstrated increased and selective uptake of hypericin. Apoptosis was observed in SCC-25 and MUG-Mel2 cells following PDT. Our findings suggest that hypericin-based PDT is a promising and less invasive approach for treating skin cancer. The higher phototoxic reaction, selective uptake by cancer cells, and observed proapoptotic properties support the promising role of hypericin-based PDT in skin cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Woźniak
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Division of General and Experimental Pathology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland;
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Gielecińska A, Kciuk M, Yahya EB, Ainane T, Mujwar S, Kontek R. Apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis as alternative cell death pathways induced by chemotherapeutic agents? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:189024. [PMID: 37980943 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
For decades, common chemotherapeutic drugs have been established to trigger apoptosis, the preferred immunologically "silent" form of cell death. The primary objective of this review was to show that various FDA-approved chemotherapeutic drugs, including cisplatin, cyclosporine, doxorubicin, etoposide, 5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, or vinblastine can trigger necroptosis and pyroptosis. We aimed to provide the advantages and disadvantages of the induction of the given type of cell death by chemotherapeutical agents. Moreover, we give a short overview of the molecular mechanism of each type of cell death and indicate the existing crosstalks between cell death types. Finally, we provide a comparison of cell death types to facilitate the exploration of cell death types induced by other chemotherapeutical agents. Understanding the cell death pathway induced by a drug can lessen side effects and assist the discovery of new combinations with synergistic effects and low systemic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gielecińska
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Banacha St. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland; University of Lodz, Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Banacha Street 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
| | - M Kciuk
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Banacha St. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - E-B Yahya
- Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, University Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
| | - T Ainane
- Superior School of Technology of Khenifra, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, P.O. Box 170, Khenifra 54000, Morocco
| | - S Mujwar
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, Punjab, India
| | - R Kontek
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Banacha St. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
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