Xanthohumol: A Metabolite with Promising Anti-Neoplastic Potential

Author(s):  
Hardeep S. Tuli ◽  
Vaishali Aggarwal ◽  
Gaurav Parashar ◽  
Diwakar Aggarwal ◽  
Nidarshana C. Parashar ◽  
...  

: The overwhelming globalburden of cancer has posed numerous challenges and opportunities for developing anti-cancer therapies. Phytochemicalshave emerged as promising synergistic compounds with potential anti-cancer effects to supplement chemo- and immune-therapeutic regimens. Anti cancer synergistic effects have been investigated in the interaction between phytocompounds derived from flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol, hesperidin, emodin etc., and conventional drugs. Xanthohumol is one of the prenylatedphytoflavonoid that has demonstrated key anti-cancer activities in in vitro (anti proliferation of cancer cell lines) and in vivo(animal models of xenograft tumours)studies, and has been explored from different dimensions for targeting cancer subtypes. In the last decade, xanthohumol has been investigated how it induces the anti-cancer effects at cellular and molecular level.The different signalling cascades and targets of xanthohumolare summarized in thisreview.Overall, this reviewsummarizes the current advances made in the field of natural compounds with special reference to xanthohumol and its promising anti-cancer effectsto inhibit tumour progression.The present review hasalso touched upon the potential of xanthohumol transitioning into a lead candidate from nano-therapy viewpoint along with the challenges which need to be addressed for extensive pre-clinical and clinical anti-cancer studies.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Léonce Kouakanou ◽  
Christian Peters ◽  
Christine E. Brown ◽  
Dieter Kabelitz ◽  
Leo D. Wang

Vitamin C (VitC), in addition to its role as a general antioxidant, has long been considered to possess direct anti-cancer activity at high doses. VitC acts through oxidant and epigenetic mechanisms, which at high doses can exert direct killing of tumor cells in vitro and delay tumor growth in vivo. Recently, it has also been shown that pharmacologic-dose VitC can contribute to control of tumors by modulating the immune system, and studies have been done interrogating the role of physiologic-dose VitC on novel adoptive cellular therapies (ACTs). In this review, we discuss the effects of VitC on anti-tumor immune cells, as well as the mechanisms underlying those effects. We address important unanswered questions concerning both VitC and ACTs, and outline challenges and opportunities facing the use of VitC in the clinical setting as an adjunct to immune-based anti-cancer therapies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-142
Author(s):  
Priyanka Kriplani ◽  
Kumar Guarve

Background: Arnica montana, containing helenalin as its principal active constituent, is the most widely used plant to treat various ailments. Recent studies indicate that Arnica and helenalin provide significant health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, immunomodulatory, and most important, anti-cancer properties. Objective: The objective of the present study is to overview the recent patents of Arnica and its principal constituent helenalin, including new methods of isolation, and their use in the prevention of cancer and other ailments. Methods: Current prose and patents emphasizing the anti-cancer potential of helenalin and Arnica, incorporated as anti-inflammary agents in anti-cancer preparations, have been identified and reviewed with particular emphasis on their scientific impact and novelty. Results: Helenalin has shown its anti-cancer potential to treat multiple types of tumors, both in vitro and in vivo. It has also portrayed synergistic effects when given in combination with other anti- cancer drugs or natural compounds. New purification/isolation techniques are also developing with novel helenalin formulations and its synthetic derivatives have been developed to increase its solubility and bioavailability. Conclusion: The promising anti-cancer potential of helenalin in various preclinical studies may open new avenues for therapeutic interventions in different tumors. Thus clinical trials validating its tumor suppressing and chemopreventive activities, particularly in conjunction with standard therapies, are immediately required.


2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun-Seuk Moon

Background: It has been generally accepted that being overweight or obese is a risk factor for several types of cancers, including breast, thyroid, colon, pancreatic and liver. In fact, people who are obese have more fat tissues that can produce hormones, such as insulin or estrogen, which may cause cancer cells to grow. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is anorganosulfur compound derived from octanoic acid, which is produced in animals normally, and is essential for aerobic metabolism. Summary: Studies in both in vitro cells and in vivo animal models have shown that ALA inhibits the initiation and promotion stages of carcinogenesis, suggesting that ALA has considerable attention as a chemopreventive agent. This brief review collects the scattered data available in the literature concerning ALA and highlights its anti-cancer properties, intermediary metabolism and exploratory implications. Key Messages: Based on scientific evidences so far, ALA might be useful agents in the management or chemoprevention of obesity-related cancers.


Author(s):  
Lauren Marshall ◽  
Isabel Löwstedt ◽  
Paul Gatenholm ◽  
Joel Berry

The objective of this study was to create 3D engineered tissue models to accelerate identification of safe and efficacious breast cancer drug therapies. It is expected that this platform will dramatically reduce the time and costs associated with development and regulatory approval of anti-cancer therapies, currently a multi-billion dollar endeavor [1]. Existing two-dimensional (2D) in vitro and in vivo animal studies required for identification of effective cancer therapies account for much of the high costs of anti-cancer medications and health insurance premiums borne by patients, many of whom cannot afford it. An emerging paradigm in pharmaceutical drug development is the use of three-dimensional (3D) cell/biomaterial models that will accurately screen novel therapeutic compounds, repurpose existing compounds and terminate ineffective ones. In particular, identification of effective chemotherapies for breast cancer are anticipated to occur more quickly in 3D in vitro models than 2D in vitro environments and in vivo animal models, neither of which accurately mimic natural human tumor environments [2]. Moreover, these 3D models can be multi-cellular and designed with extracellular matrix (ECM) function and mechanical properties similar to that of natural in vivo cancer environments [3].


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Fontana ◽  
Michela Raimondi ◽  
Monica Marzagalli ◽  
Roberta M. Moretti ◽  
Marina Montagnani Marelli ◽  
...  

Background: Tocotrienols (TTs) are vitamin E derivatives naturally occurring in several plants and vegetable oils. Like Tocopherols (TPs), they comprise four isoforms, α, β, γ and δ, but unlike TPs, they present an unsaturated isoprenoid chain. Recent studies indicate that TTs provide important health benefits, including neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, cholesterol lowering and immunomodulatory effects. Moreover, they have been found to possess unique anti-cancer properties.Objective:The purpose of this review is to present an overview of the state of the art of TTs role in cancer prevention and treatment, as well as to describe recent patents proposing new methods for TTs isolation, chemical modification and use in cancer prevention and/or therapy.Methods:Recent literature and patents focusing on TTs anti-cancer applications have been identified and reviewed, with special regard to their scientific impact and novelty.Results:TTs have demonstrated significant anti-cancer activity in multiple tumor types, both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, they have shown synergistic effects when given in combination with standard anti-cancer agents or other anti-tumor natural compounds. Finally, new purification processes and transgenic sources have been designed in order to improve TTs production, and novel TTs formulations and synthetic derivatives have been developed to enhance their solubility and bioavailability.Conclusion:The promising anti-cancer effects shown by TTs in several preclinical studies may open new opportunities for therapeutic interventions in different tumors. Thus, clinical trials aimed at confirming TTs chemopreventive and tumor-suppressing activity, particularly in combination with standard therapies, are urgently needed.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
Adrien Krug ◽  
Adriana Martinez-Turtos ◽  
Els Verhoeyen

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T and CAR NK cell therapies opened new avenues for cancer treatment. Although original successes of CAR T and CAR NK cells for the treatment of hematological malignancies were extraordinary, several obstacles have since been revealed, in particular their use for the treatment of solid cancers. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is competing for nutrients with T and NK cells and their CAR-expressing counterparts, paralyzing their metabolic effective and active states. Consequently, this can lead to alterations in their anti-tumoral capacity and persistence in vivo. High glucose uptake and the depletion of key amino acids by the TME can deprive T and NK cells of energy and building blocks, which turns them into a state of anergy, where they are unable to exert cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. This is especially true in the context of an immune-suppressive TME. In order to re-invigorate the T, NK, CAR T and CAR NK cell-mediated antitumor response, the field is now attempting to understand how metabolic pathways might change T and NK responses and functions, as well as those from their CAR-expressing partners. This revealed ways to metabolically rewire these cells by using metabolic enhancers or optimizing pre-infusion in vitro cultures of these cells. Importantly, next-generation CAR T and CAR NK products might include in the future the necessary metabolic requirements by improving their design, manufacturing process and other parameters. This will allow the overcoming of current limitations due to their interaction with the suppressive TME. In a clinical setting, this might improve their anti-cancer effector activity in synergy with immunotherapies. In this review, we discuss how the tumor cells and TME interfere with T and NK cell metabolic requirements. This may potentially lead to therapeutic approaches that enhance the metabolic fitness of CAR T and CAR NK cells, with the objective to improve their anti-cancer capacity.


2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 1057-1063 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Graham ◽  
A. M. Brichta ◽  
R. J. Callister

Neurons in the superficial dorsal horn (SDH) of the spinal cord play a critical role in processing potentially painful or noxious signals from skin, muscle, and viscera. Many acute pain therapies are based on the notion that altering the excitability of SDH neurons can block or gate these signals and reduce pain. This same notion also underlies treatments for certain chronic pain states. Basic scientists are now beginning to identify a number of potential molecular targets for spinal cord–based pain therapies with a focus on ion channels and receptors that can alter neuronal excitability. The current challenge in pain research is to identify which are the most promising targets and how their manipulation alters pain processing. In this review, we propose that our understanding of spinal pain processing mechanisms and translation of these discoveries into pain therapies could be improved by 1) better appreciating and understanding neuronal heterogeneity in the SDH; 2) establishing connectivity patterns among SDH neuron types; and 3) testing and extending findings made in vitro to intact (in vivo) animal models. As this information becomes available, it will be possible to determine the precise distribution of potential therapeutic targets on various SDH neuron types within specific circuits known to be functionally important in spinal pain processing.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea M Tomko ◽  
Erin G Whynot ◽  
Denis J Dupre

Introduction: With the legalization of cannabis in multiple jurisdictions throughout the world, a larger proportion of the population consumes cannabis. Several studies have demonstrated anti-tumor effects of components present in cannabis in different models. Unfortunately, little is known about the potential anti-tumoral effects of cannabinoids in bladder cancer, and how cannabinoids could potentially synergize with chemotherapeutic agents. Our study aims to identify whether a combination of cannabinoids, like cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol with agents commonly used to treat bladder cancer, such as gemcitabine and cisplatin, is able to produce desirable synergistic effects. We also evaluated whether co-treatment of different cannabinoids also generated synergistic effects. Materials and Methods: We generated concentration curves with different drugs to identify the range at which they could exert anti-tumor effects. We also evaluated the activation of the apoptotic cascade and whether cannabinoids have the ability to reduce invasion. Results: Cannabidiol, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids reduce cell viability of bladder cancer cell lines, and their combination with gemcitabine or cisplatin may induce differential responses: from antagonistic to additive and synergistic effects, depending on the concentrations used. Cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol were also shown to induce caspase 3 cleavage and reduce invasion in a Matrigel assay. Cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol also display synergistic properties with other cannabinoids like cannabichromene or cannabivarin. Discussion: Our results indicate that cannabinoids can reduce human bladder transitional cell carcinoma cell viability, and that they can potentially exert synergistic effects when combined with other agents. Our in vitro results will form the basis for future studies in vivo and in clinical trials for the development of new therapies that could be beneficial for the treatment of bladder cancer in the future.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 6239
Author(s):  
Yu-Jiao Liu ◽  
Xiao-Yang Fan ◽  
An-Dong Wang ◽  
Yin-Zheng Xia ◽  
Wen-Rong Fu ◽  
...  

Based on the potential therapeutic value in targeting metabolism for the treatment of cancer, an organic arsenical PDT-BIPA was fabricated, which exerted selective anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo via targeting lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) to remodel the metabolic pathway. In details, the precursor PDT-BIPA directly inhibited the function of LDHA and converted the glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation causing ROS burst and mitochondrial dysfunction. PDT-BIPA also altered several gene expression, such as HIF-1α and C-myc, to support the metabolic remodeling. All these changes lead to caspase family-dependent cell apoptosis in vivo and in vitro without obvious side effect. Our results provided this organic arsenical precursor as a promising anticancer candidate and suggested metabolism as a target for cancer therapies.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 91
Author(s):  
Steffen Braune ◽  
Anne Krüger-Genge ◽  
Sarah Kammerer ◽  
Friedrich Jung ◽  
Jan-Heiner Küpper

The application of cytostatic drugs or natural substances to inhibit cancer growth and progression is an important and evolving subject of cancer research. There has been a surge of interest in marine bioresources, particularly algae, as well as cyanobacteria and their bioactive ingredients. Dried biomass products of Arthrospira and Chlorella have been categorized as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Of particular importance is an ingredient of Arthrospira: phycocyanin, a blue-red fluorescent, water-soluble and non-toxic biliprotein pigment. It is reported to be the main active ingredient of Arthrospira and was shown to have therapeutic properties, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory and anti-cancer activities. In the present review, in vitro and in vivo data on the effects of phycocyanin on various tumor cells and on cells from healthy tissues are summarized. The existing knowledge of underlying molecular mechanisms, and strategies to improve the efficiency of potential phycocyanin-based anti-cancer therapies are discussed.


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