The efficacy of natural bioactive compounds for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

: The death toll associated with cancer worldwide is constantly on the increase. Efforts to combat and treat the different forms of this disease is also evolving. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a lethal form of cancer which is prevalent in Southern China that is normally treated by using radiotherapy. Here we review products obtained from natural sources that have potential cytotoxic and apoptotic properties against NPC. These include grifolin, dihydroartemisinin, luteolin, honokiol, indole-3-carbinol, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, 6-O-angeloylenolin, cucurbitacin E, genistein, helenalin, celastrol, coronarin D, quercetin, trans-cinnamaldehyde, 5'-epimer episilvestrol, silvestrol, arnicolide D, brevilin A and baicalin hydrate. Ethyl acetate extracts of Wedelia chinensis and aqueous extracts of Ajuga bracteosa are also included although the bioactive compounds involved have yet to be identified. The known mechanism of action of these products are discussed. It is anticipated that one or more of these substances may provide the general population with alternative and cost effective ways to combat this fatal disease.

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Flavones and Their Analogues as Bioactive Compounds – An Overview

Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1570193x15666180418154510 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 377-391 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B.S. Jayashree ◽

H. Venkatachalam ◽

Sanchari Basu Mallik

Keyword(s):

Biological Activity ◽

Free Radical ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Free Radical Scavenging ◽

Polyphenolic Compounds ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

Poor Solubility

Flavonoids constitute a large group of polyphenolic compounds that are known to have antioxidant properties, through their free radical scavenging abilities. They possess a chromone (γ- benzopyrone) moiety, responsible for eliciting many pharmacological activities. Even though, natural flavonoids are highly potent, owing to their poor solubility, they are less used. Therefore, attempts have been made to improve their stability, solubility, efficacy and kinetics by introducing various substituents on the flavone ring. For nearly the last two decades, flavones were synthesized in our laboratory by simple, convenient and cost-effective methods, with the knowledge of both synthetic and semi-synthetic chemistry. In this direction, it was considered worthwhile to present an overview on the synthesized flavonoids. This review creates a platform for highlighting various modifications done on the flavone system along with their biological activity.

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Nutraceuticals from Marine Bionetworks

Current Nutrition & Food Science ◽

10.2174/1573401314666180109153825 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 338-344

Author(s):

Abhitav Tiwari ◽

Shambhawi Pritam ◽

Keerti Mishra ◽

Mehshara Khan ◽

Neeraj Upmanyu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dietary Supplements ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Daily Basis ◽

Marine Organisms ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Natural Sources ◽

Nutraceutical Compounds ◽

Potential Sources ◽

Immense Potential ◽

Potential Use

“Nutrition” and “Pharmaceutical” together build up the perception of “Nutraceuticals” that refer to the food or dietary supplements that help to incorporate additional health benefits to the fundamental sustenance accomplished on daily basis. Each nutraceutical contains one or more bioactive molecules that are usually obtained by chemical and/ or biotechnological synthesis or by extraction from natural sources. Among the natural sources, marine bionetwork possess immense potential for the presence of bioactive compounds. Some of these bioactive compounds as isolated from marine sources, have potential use as nutraceuticals. This mini review provides a brief overview of nutraceutical compounds from marine sources that are currently under research and/or have been commercialized. A detailed discussion on the biochemical categories of compounds and the marine organisms that play as potential sources of these bioactive nutraceutical compounds have been included.

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Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Properties of Lonicera caerulea Berries: Evaluation of 11 Cultivars

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10040624 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 624

Author(s):

Laima Česonienė ◽

Juozas Labokas ◽

Ina Jasutienė ◽

Antanas Šarkinas ◽

Vilma Kaškonienė ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Vitamin C ◽

Organic Acids ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Aqueous Extracts ◽

Lonicera Caerulea ◽

Phenolic Contents ◽

Total Phenolic Contents ◽

Ethanolic Extracts

The aim of the study was to evaluate 11 cultivars of blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) for bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and the antibacterial activity of berries. Total phenolic contents (TPCs) and total anthocyanin contents (TACs) were established by using ethanolic extracts. For contents of organic acids and saccharides, aqueous extracts were used, and vitamin C was determined by using oxalic acid solution. DPPH• radical scavenging capacity was evaluated by using ethanolic extracts; antibacterial activity was assessed by using both ethanolic and aqueous extracts. The TPC varied from 364.02 ± 0.41 mg/100 g in ‘Vostorg’ to 784.5 ± 0.3 mg/100 g in ‘Obilnaja’, and TAC ranged from 277.8 ± 1.1 mg/100 g in ‘Čelnočnaja’ to 394.1 ± 8.4 mg/100 g in ‘Nimfa’. Anthocyanins comprised 53.8% of total phenolic contents on average. Among organic acids, citric acid was predominant, averaging 769.41 ± 5.34 mg/100 g, with malic and quinic acids amounting to 289.90 ± 2.64 and 45.00 ± 0.37 mg/100 g on average, respectively. Contents of vitamin C were 34.26 ± 0.25 mg/100 g on average. Organic acids were most effective in the inhibition of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria tested. In conclusion, berries of L. caerulea are beneficial not only for fresh consumption, but also as a raw material or ingredients of foods with high health-promoting value.

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Current Status and Future Perspectives about Molecular Biomarkers of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13143490 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 3490

Author(s):

Pui Yan Siak ◽

Alan Soo-Beng Khoo ◽

Chee Onn Leong ◽

Boon-Peng Hoh ◽

Shiau-Chuen Cheah

Keyword(s):

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽

Biomarker Discovery ◽

Southern China ◽

Disease Diagnosis ◽

Late Presentation ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Current Status ◽

Complex Nature ◽

Epstein Barr Virus Infection ◽

Potential Biomarker

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial malignancy that shows a remarkable ethnic and geographical distribution. It is one of the major public health problems in some countries, especially Southern China and Southeast Asia, but rare in most Western countries. Multifactorial interactions such as Epstein–Barr virus infection, individual’s genetic susceptibility, as well as environmental and dietary factors may facilitate the pathogenesis of this malignancy. Late presentation and the complex nature of the disease have led it to become a major cause of mortality. Therefore, an effective, sensitive, and specific molecular biomarker is urgently needed for early disease diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of metastasis and recurrence after treatment. In this review, we discuss the recent research status of potential biomarker discovery and the problems that need to be explored further for better NPC management. By studying the aberrant pattern of these candidate biomarkers that promote NPC development and progression, we are able to understand the complexity of this malignancy better, hence positing our stands better towards strategies that may provide a way forward to the discovery of more reliable and specific biomarkers for diagnosis and targeted therapeutic development.

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Plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a prospective seropositive population

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-021-08408-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wen-Jie Chen ◽

Wen-Na Xu ◽

Hai-Yun Wang ◽

Xiao-Xia Chen ◽

Xue-Qi Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽

Epstein Barr Virus ◽

Screening Program ◽

Southern China ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Barr Virus ◽

Ebv Dna ◽

Epstein Barr

Abstract Objective Plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA is considered a biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, its long-term role in NPC development is unclear. Materials and methods A total of 1363 participants seropositive for EBV VCA-IgA and EBNA1-IgA in a community-based NPC screening program in southern China were tested for plasma EBV DNA levels by real-time qPCR between 2008 and 2015. New NPC cases were confirmed by active follow-up approach and linkage to local cancer registry through the end of 2016. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) for NPC risk with plasma EBV DNA. Results Thirty patients were newly diagnosed during a median 7.5 years follow-up. NPC incidence increased with the plasma EBV DNA load ranging from 281.46 to 10,074.47 per 100,000 person-years in participants with undetectable and ≥ 1000 copies/ml levels; the corresponding cumulative incidence rates were 1.73 and 50%. Furthermore, plasma EBV DNA loads conferred an independent risk for NPC development after adjustment for other risk factors, with HRs of 7.63 for > 3–999 copies/ml and 39.79 for ≥1000 copies/ml. However, the HRs decreased gradually after excluding NPC cases detected in the first 2 to 3 years and became statistically nonsignificant by excluding cases detected during the first 4 years. Conclusion Elevated plasma EBV DNA can predict NPC risk over 3 years. Monitoring plasma EBV DNA can be used as a complementary approach to EBV serological antibody-based screening for NPC.

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Transcriptional patterns, biomarkers and pathways characterizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma of Southern China

Journal of Translational Medicine ◽

10.1186/1479-5876-6-32 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 32 ◽

Cited By ~ 111

Author(s):

Weiyi Fang ◽

Xin Li ◽

Qingping Jiang ◽

Zhen Liu ◽

Huiling Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽

Southern China

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Src-1 and SP2 promote the proliferation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Open Medicine ◽

10.1515/med-2021-0248 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 1061-1069

Author(s):

Jingjing Zhang ◽

Yuanyuan Yang ◽

Hongyu Liu ◽

Hongyi Hu

Keyword(s):

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Colony Formation ◽

Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Southern China ◽

Mrna Level ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Steroid Receptor Coactivator

Abstract Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high morbidity and morality, especially in Southern China. Transcription factors intensively participate in the initiation and development of NPC. This study aimed to investigate the roles of Src-1 in NPC. mRNA level was determined by qRT-PCR. Western blot was carried out for the protein level. CCK-8 assay was performed to determine cell viability, colony formation for NPC cell proliferation, and transwell for cell migration and invasion ability. The results showed Steroid receptor coactivator 1 (Src-1) was overexpressed in SNE-2 and 6-10B. The expression of Src-1 and SP2 was in positive correlation. Overexpression of Src-1 promoted the cell viability, colony formation, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), manifested by the increase of migration and invasion ability, while knockdown of Src-1 exerted opposite effects. Additionally, knockdown or overexpression of SP2 reversed the effects of overexpressed or downregulated Src-1, which was reversed by the depletion of SP2. Moreover, Src-1 interacted with SP2 to regulate EMT-related genes such as E-cad, N-cad, Vimentin, and ZEB1, and proliferation- and apoptosis-related genes, such as bax, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase3 and bcl-2. Thus, blocking the interaction between Src-1 and SP2 may be a therapeutic target for inhibiting the metastasis of NPC.

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Medicinal Plants and Its Pharmacological Values

10.5772/intechopen.99848 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Smita G. Bhat

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plants ◽

Natural Resources ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Biological Diversity ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Chemical Compounds ◽

Natural Sources ◽

Plant Parts ◽

New Drug ◽

Important Chemical

Plants have been used as a source of medicine for the treatment of different diseases from thousands of years ago. There is numerous evidences are available for use of plants as a medicine in the treatment of diseases in Indian, Egyptian, Chinese, Greek and Roman system of medicine. Pharmacognosy is the study of medicines derived from natural sources, mainly from plants which may further lead to development of new drug. The exploration, extraction and screening of biological diversity such as herbs, spices, microbes and other natural resources is the worldwide activity in recent years. Phytochemicals are the naturally available bioactive compounds which are derived from different plant parts and are primarily responsible for biological activities. The most important chemical compounds which are present in the plants are alkaloids, phenols, saponins, carbohydrates, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids and tannins etc.

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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: molecular pathogenesis and therapeutic developments

Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1462399407000312 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 1-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 177

Author(s):

Qian Tao ◽

Anthony T.C. Chan

Keyword(s):

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽

Cell Function ◽

Southern China ◽

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy ◽

Tumour Suppressor Genes ◽

Barr Virus ◽

Ebv Dna ◽

Epstein Barr ◽

New Biomarkers ◽

Multiple Tumour

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a prevalent tumour in southern China and southeast Asia, particularly in the Cantonese population, where its incidence has remained high for decades. Recent studies have demonstrated that the aetiology of NPC is complex, involving multiple factors including genetic susceptibility, infection with the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and exposure to chemical carcinogens. During development of the disease, viral infection and multiple somatic genetic and epigenetic changes synergistically disrupt normal cell function, thus contributing to NPC pathogenesis. NPC is highly radiosensitive and chemosensitive, but treatment of patients with locoregionally advanced disease remains problematic. New biomarkers for NPC, including EBV DNA copy number or methylation of multiple tumour suppressor genes, which can be detected in serum and nasopharyngeal brushings, have been developed for the molecular diagnosis of this tumour. Meanwhile, new therapeutic strategies such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy and immuno- and epigenetic therapies might lead to more specific and effective treatments.

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