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Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Natural Products

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 23206

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The main reason for the high economic and social burden of cancer is the lack of effective drug agents and therapies. Therefore, the efforts of a large part of the scientific community are directed at identifying new anticancer compounds from natural sources (plants, algae or other organisms) as well as developing new formulations in order to increase the healing potential and minimize the side effects of currently used therapeutic agents. Thus, the search for new biologically active compounds is important for the discovery of new drugs relative to the treatment of cancer.

Evaluation of the anticancer activity is performing by detection of specific cytotoxicity of the test agent, affecting fundamental cellular functions of cancer cells causing their death. Changes in metabolic processes (eg, mitochondrial activity) and the level of ATP or free radicals are early indicators of cell damage. Disruption of the plasma membrane integrity increases the concentration of enzymes in the extracellular environment, which together with the DNA fragmentation are key parameters for assessing the cell damage. Therefore, anticancer activity is assessed on the basis of specific cytotoxicity observed by examining the basic parameters of cell damage.

This Special Issue aims to publish original research studies related to the isolation and characterization of natural products with anticancer activity as well as their molecular mechanisms of action or effects on a particular metabolic or signalling pathway. Authors are invited to submit their high-quality articles, reviews or short communications concerning this topic. Multidisciplinary studies involving in vitro and/or in vivo experiments that address specific delivery of anticancer drugs by using different novel technologies based on natural products are also welcome.

Importantly, the exact active ingredient of plant extract must be reported in the submitted research manuscript, since papers describing effects of mixed extraction from plants will not be accepted.

Prof. Dr. Balik Dzhambazov
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • natural products 
  • anticancer activity 
  • apoptosis 
  • immunomodulation 
  • free radicals 
  • proliferation 
  • phytomolecules 
  • nanoparticles 
  • drug delivery

Published Papers (11 papers)

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17 pages, 5013 KiB  
Article
Oxidative Status Determines the Cytotoxicity of Ascorbic Acid in Human Oral Normal and Cancer Cells
by Wei-Zhi Huang, Ting-Ming Liu, Shu-Ting Liu, Ssu-Yu Chen, Shih-Ming Huang and Gunng-Shinng Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(5), 4851; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms24054851 - 02 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1513
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) can arise anywhere in the oral cavity. OSCC’s molecular pathogenesis is complex, resulting from a wide range of events that involve the interplay between genetic mutations and altered levels of transcripts, proteins, and metabolites. Platinum-based drugs are the [...] Read more.
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) can arise anywhere in the oral cavity. OSCC’s molecular pathogenesis is complex, resulting from a wide range of events that involve the interplay between genetic mutations and altered levels of transcripts, proteins, and metabolites. Platinum-based drugs are the first-line treatment for OSCC; however, severe side-effects and resistance are challenging issues. Thus, there is an urgent clinical need to develop novel and/or combinatory therapeutics. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of pharmacological concentrations of ascorbate on two human oral cell lines, the oral epidermoid carcinoma meng-1 (OECM-1) cell and the Smulow–Glickman (SG) human normal gingival epithelial cell. Our study examined the potential functional impact of pharmacological concentrations of ascorbates on the cell-cycle profiles, mitochondrial-membrane potential, oxidative response, the synergistic effect of cisplatin, and the differential responsiveness between OECM-1 and SG cells. Two forms of ascorbate, free and sodium forms, were applied to examine the cytotoxic effect and it was found that both forms had a similar higher sensitivity to OECM-1 cells than to SG cells. In addition, our study data suggest that the determinant factor of cell density is important for ascorbate-induced cytotoxicity in OECM-1 and SG cells. Our findings further revealed that the cytotoxic effect might be mediated through the induction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the reduction in cytosolic ROS generation. The combination index supported the agonistic effect between sodium ascorbate and cisplatin in OECM-1 cells, but not in SG cells. In summary, our current findings provide supporting evidence for ascorbate to serve as a sensitizer for platinum-based treatment of OSCC. Hence, our work provides not only repurposing of the drug, ascorbate, but also an opportunity to decrease the side-effects of, and risk of resistance to, platinum-based treatment for OSCC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Natural Products)
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15 pages, 44223 KiB  
Article
Exogenous Thymosin Beta 4 Suppresses IPF-Lung Cancer in Mice: Possibly Associated with Its Inhibitory Effect on the JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway
by Rui Yu, Dandi Gao, Jiali Bao, Ronghao Sun, Mengqi Cui, Yunyun Mao, Kai Li, Enbo Hu, Yanfang Zhai, Yanhong Liu, Yuemei Gao, Ting Xiao, Honggang Zhou, Cheng Yang and Junjie Xu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(4), 3818; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms24043818 - 14 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1717
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, fibrotic interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology. At present, the mortality rate of the deadly disease is still very high, while the existing treatments only delay the progression of the disease and improve the quality [...] Read more.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, fibrotic interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology. At present, the mortality rate of the deadly disease is still very high, while the existing treatments only delay the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of patients. Lung cancer (LC) is the most fatal disease in the world. In recent years, IPF has been considered to be an independent risk factor for the development of LC. The incidence of lung cancer is increased in the patients with IPF and the mortality is also significantly increased in the patients inflicted with the two diseases. In this study, we evaluated an animal model of pulmonary fibrosis complicated with LC by implanting LC cells orthotopically into the lungs of mice several days after bleomycin induction of the pulmonary fibrosis in the same mice. In vivo studies with the model showed that exogenous recombinant human thymosin beta 4 (exo-rhTβ4) alleviated the impairment of lung function and severity of damage of the alveolar structure by the pulmonary fibrosis and inhibited the proliferation of LC tumor growth. In addition, in vitro studies showed that exo-rhTβ4 inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 and Mlg cells. Furthermore, our results also showed that rhTβ4 could effectively inhibit the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway and this might exert an anti-IPF-LC effect. The establishment of the IPF-LC animal model will be helpful for the development of drugs for the treatment of IPF-LC. Exogenous rhTβ4 can be potentially used for the treatment of IPF and LC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Natural Products)
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15 pages, 2557 KiB  
Article
Therapeutic Effects of Saponins for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer by Ameliorating Inflammation and Angiogenesis and Inducing Antioxidant and Apoptotic Effects in Human Cells
by Muhammad Imran Khan, Gul Karima, Muhammad Zubair Khan, Jin Hyuk Shin and Jong Deog Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(18), 10665; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms231810665 - 14 Sep 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2738 | Correction
Abstract
Saponins are natural compounds found in plants and have a diverse range of applications. However, the therapeutic potential of saponins in regulating cytotoxicity, angiogenesis, and inflammation in mammalian cells is yet to be explored. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of saponins from [...] Read more.
Saponins are natural compounds found in plants and have a diverse range of applications. However, the therapeutic potential of saponins in regulating cytotoxicity, angiogenesis, and inflammation in mammalian cells is yet to be explored. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of saponins from green tea by exploring the cytotoxic effects of saponins by inducing apoptosis in the human cancer cell lines hepatocellular carcinoma (HEPG2) and colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT29). The anti-angiogenesis effect of saponins was also investigated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). We explored the ability of saponins to attenuate inflammation in a dose-dependent manner in normal human cells. It was found that saponins exhibit cytotoxic effects in cancer cells and not in normal cells at the same concentration. Cytotoxicity was measured by inducing apoptosis by enhancing caspase-3 (cas-3) activation and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (BAX) gene expression and suppressing the antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-2. The inhibition of HUVEC proliferation was due to the suppression of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). We also observed the antioxidant potential of green tea-derived saponins against free radicals in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced cells. Here we observed that the saponins exhibited free radical scavenging activities and activated nuclear factorerythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF-2) leading to the upregulation of antioxidant-related genes in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory effects were due to the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in HEK293 cells. The significance of the work is we are the first to report on the anti-cancer effects of saponins based on the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-angiogenesis, and apoptosis induction properties. In conclusion, green tea-derived saponins could be effective therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Natural Products)
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23 pages, 6433 KiB  
Article
Natural Xylooligosaccharides Exert Antitumor Activity via Modulation of Cellular Antioxidant State and TLR4
by Tsvetelina Batsalova, Yordan Georgiev, Dzhemal Moten, Ivanka Teneva and Balik Dzhambazov
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(18), 10430; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms231810430 - 09 Sep 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1628
Abstract
It has been recently proven that xylooligosaccharides (XOS) with prebiotic properties have diverse beneficial biological effects including immunomodulatory and antitumor activities. The present article focused on the chemical and biological evaluation of corn-derived commercially available XOS and aimed to elucidate their cytotoxicity and [...] Read more.
It has been recently proven that xylooligosaccharides (XOS) with prebiotic properties have diverse beneficial biological effects including immunomodulatory and antitumor activities. The present article focused on the chemical and biological evaluation of corn-derived commercially available XOS and aimed to elucidate their cytotoxicity and inhibitory potential against tumor cells. Spectrophotometric chemical analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses were performed. Antioxidant activity was determined by measuring the oxygen radical absorbance capacity and hydroxyl radical averting capacity. In vitro cytotoxicity assays with human cell lines derived from normal and tumor tissues, assessments of ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential specific staining, cytokine assays, and molecular docking were used to evaluate the biological activity of XOS. The sample showed significant antioxidant activity, and it was determined that most xylose oligomers in it are composed of six units. XOS exhibited antitumor activity with pronounced inhibitory effect on lysosomes, but mitochondrial functionality was also affected. The production of proinflammatory cytokines by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated U-937 cells was reduced by XOS treatment, which suggested the involvement of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated signaling in the mechanism of XOS action. Molecular docking analyses confirmed the potential inhibitory interaction between the sample and TLR4. In addition, XOS treatment had significant tumor-cell-specific influence on the glutathione antioxidant system, affecting its balance and thus contributing to the inhibition of cellular viability. The present study elucidated the tumor-inhibitory potential of commercially available XOS that could be utilized in pharmaceutical and food industry providing disease-preventive and therapeutic benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Natural Products)
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21 pages, 4741 KiB  
Article
Curcumin Sensitises Cancerous Kidney Cells to TRAIL Induced Apoptosis via Let-7C Mediated Deregulation of Cell Cycle Proteins and Cellular Metabolism
by Ismael Obaidi, Alfonso Blanco Fernández and Tara McMorrow
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(17), 9569; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23179569 - 24 Aug 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1904
Abstract
Targeted therapies are the most attractive options in the treatment of different tumours, including kidney cancers. Such therapies have entered a golden era due to advancements in research, breakthroughs in scientific knowledge, and a better understanding of cancer therapy mechanisms, which significantly improve [...] Read more.
Targeted therapies are the most attractive options in the treatment of different tumours, including kidney cancers. Such therapies have entered a golden era due to advancements in research, breakthroughs in scientific knowledge, and a better understanding of cancer therapy mechanisms, which significantly improve the survival rates and life expectancy of patients. The use of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) as an anticancer therapy has attracted the attention of the scientific community and created great excitement due to its selectivity in targeting cancerous cells with no toxic impacts on normal tissues. However, clinical studies disappointingly showed the emergence of resistance against TRAIL. This study aimed to employ curcumin to sensitise TRAIL-resistant kidney cancerous ACHN cells, as well as to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of TRAIL sensitization. Curcumin deregulated the expression of apoptosis-regulating micro Ribonucleic Acid (miRNAs), most notably, let-7C. Transfecting ACHN cells with a let-7C antagomir significantly increased the expression of several cell cycle protein, namely beta (β)-catenin, cyclin dependent kinase (CDK)1/2/4/6 and cyclin B/D. Further, it overexpressed the expression of the two key glycolysis regulating proteins including hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1). Curcumin also suppressed the expression of the overexpressed proteins when added to the antagomir transfected cells. Overall, curcumin targeted ACHN cell cycle and cellular metabolism by promoting the differential expression of let-7C. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to mechanistically report the cancer chemosensitisation potential of curcumin in kidney cancer cells via induction of let-7C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Natural Products)
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18 pages, 4013 KiB  
Article
The Comparison of the Efficiency of Emodin and Aloe-Emodin in Photodynamic Therapy
by Martyna Nowak-Perlak, Mariusz A. Bromke, Piotr Ziółkowski and Marta Woźniak
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(11), 6276; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23116276 - 03 Jun 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2541
Abstract
Skin cancer (melanoma and non-melanoma) is the most frequent type of malignancy in the Caucasian population. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an interesting and unique strategy may potentially boost standard therapeutic approaches. In the present study, the potential of emodin and aloe-emodin as photosensitizers [...] Read more.
Skin cancer (melanoma and non-melanoma) is the most frequent type of malignancy in the Caucasian population. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an interesting and unique strategy may potentially boost standard therapeutic approaches. In the present study, the potential of emodin and aloe-emodin as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy has been investigated. The conducted research presents for the first-time comparison of the phototoxic and anti-cancerous effects of emodin and aloe-emodin on skin cancer cell lines, including SCC-25 representing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, MUG-Mel2 representing a melanoma cell line, and normal human keratinocytes HaCaT representing control normal skin cells. To assess the effectiveness of emodin and aloe-emodin as a photosensitizer in PDT on different skin cell lines, we performed MTT assay measuring cytotoxicity of natural compounds, cellular uptake, apoptosis with flow cytometry, and a wound-healing assay. Although emodin and aloe-emodin are isomers and differ only in the position of one hydroxyl group, our phototoxicity and apoptosis detection results show that both substances affect skin cancer cells (SSC-25 squamous cell carcinoma and MUG-Mel2 melanoma) and normal keratinocytes (HaCaT cell line) in other ways. In conclusion, our study provides evidence suggesting that emodin and aloe-emodin mediated PDT exhibits the potential for clinical development as a new effective and safe photosensitizer to treat skin cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Natural Products)
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19 pages, 2840 KiB  
Article
The Cooperative Anti-Neoplastic Activity of Polyphenolic Phytochemicals on Human T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cell Line MOLT-4 In Vitro
by Patrycja Koszałka, Grzegorz Stasiłojć, Natalia Miękus-Purwin, Maciej Niedźwiecki, Maciej Purwin, Szymon Grabowski and Tomasz Bączek
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(9), 4753; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23094753 - 26 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1997
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common hematological malignancy affecting pediatric patients. ALL treatment regimens with cytostatics manifest substantial toxicity and have reached the maximum of well-tolerated doses. One potential approach for improving treatment efficiency could be supplementation of the current regimen [...] Read more.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common hematological malignancy affecting pediatric patients. ALL treatment regimens with cytostatics manifest substantial toxicity and have reached the maximum of well-tolerated doses. One potential approach for improving treatment efficiency could be supplementation of the current regimen with naturally occurring phytochemicals with anti-cancer properties. Nutraceuticals such as quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol, and genistein have been studied in anti-cancer therapy, but their application is limited by their low bioavailability. However, their cooperative activity could potentially increase their efficiency at low, bioavailable doses. We studied their cooperative effect on the viability of a human ALL MOLT-4 cell line in vitro at the concentration considered to be in the bioavailable range in vivo. To analyze their potential side effect on the viability of non-tumor cells, we evaluated their toxicity on a normal human foreskin fibroblast cell line (BJ). In both cell lines, we also measured specific indicators of cell death, changes in cell membrane permeability (CMP), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Even at a low bioavailable concentration, genistein and curcumin decreased MOLT-4 viability, and their combination had a significant interactive effect. While resveratrol and quercetin did not affect MOLT-4 viability, together they enhanced the effect of the genistein/curcumin mix, significantly inhibiting MOLT-4 population growth in vitro. Moreover, the analyzed phytochemicals and their combinations did not affect the BJ cell line. In both cell lines, they induced a decrease in MMP and correlating CMP changes, but in non-tumor cells, both metabolic activity and cell membrane continuity were restored in time. (4) Conclusions: The results indicate that the interactive activity of analyzed phytochemicals can induce an anti-cancer effect on ALL cells without a significant effect on non-tumor cells. It implies that the application of the combinations of phytochemicals an anti-cancer treatment supplement could be worth further investigation regardless of their low bioavailability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Natural Products)
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15 pages, 2586 KiB  
Article
The Anti-Proliferative and Apoptotic Effects of Rutaecarpine on Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line CE81T/VGH In Vitro and In Vivo
by Li-Yu Wang, Shu-Lan Yeh, Shih-Tien Hsu, Chao-Hsiang Chen, Chien-Chih Chen and Cheng-Hung Chuang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(5), 2843; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23052843 - 05 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1731
Abstract
The overall five-year survival rate for patients with esophageal cancer is low (15 to 25%) because of the poor prognosis at earlier stages. Rutaecarpine (RTP) is a bioalkaloid found in the traditional Chinese herb Evodia rutaecarpa and has been shown to exhibit anti-proliferative [...] Read more.
The overall five-year survival rate for patients with esophageal cancer is low (15 to 25%) because of the poor prognosis at earlier stages. Rutaecarpine (RTP) is a bioalkaloid found in the traditional Chinese herb Evodia rutaecarpa and has been shown to exhibit anti-proliferative effect on tumor cells. However, the mechanisms by which RTP confer these effects and its importance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treatment remain unclear. Thus, in the present study, we first incubated human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line, CE81T/VGH, with RTP to evaluate RTP’s effects on tumor cell growth and apoptosis. We also performed a xenograft study to confirm the in vitro findings. Furthermore, we determined the expression of p53, Bax, bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PCNA in CE81T/VGH cells or the tumor tissues to investigate the possible mechanisms. All the effects of TRP were compared with that of cisplatin. The results showed that RTP significantly inhibits CE81T/VGH cell growth, promotes arrest of cells in the G2/M phase, and induces apoptosis. Consistently, the in vivo study showed that tumor size, tumor weight, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expression in tumor tissue are significantly reduced in the high-dose RTP treatment group. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo studies showed that RTP increases the expression of p53 and Bax proteins, while inhibiting the expression of Bcl-2 in cancer cells. In addition, RTP significantly increases the expression of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in tumor tissues in mice. These results suggest that RTP may trigger the apoptosis and inhibit growth in CE81T/VGH cells by the mechanisms associated with the regulation of the expression of p53, Bax, Bcl-2, as well as caspase-9 and caspase-3. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Natural Products)
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11 pages, 1807 KiB  
Article
Niclosamide Suppresses Migration and Invasion of Human Osteosarcoma Cells by Repressing TGFBI Expression via the ERK Signaling Pathway
by Liang-Tsai Yeh, Chiao-Wen Lin, Ko-Hsiu Lu, Yi-Hsien Hsieh, Chao-Bin Yeh, Shun-Fa Yang and Jia-Sin Yang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(1), 484; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23010484 - 01 Jan 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2085
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is a highly common malignant bone tumor. Its highly metastatic properties are the leading cause of mortality for cancer. Niclosamide, a salicylanilide derivative, is an oral antihelminthic drug of known anticancer potential. However, the effect of niclosamide on osteosarcoma cell migration, invasion [...] Read more.
Osteosarcoma is a highly common malignant bone tumor. Its highly metastatic properties are the leading cause of mortality for cancer. Niclosamide, a salicylanilide derivative, is an oral antihelminthic drug of known anticancer potential. However, the effect of niclosamide on osteosarcoma cell migration, invasion and the mechanisms underlying have not been fully clarified. Therefore, this study investigated niclosamide’s underlying pathways and antimetastatic effects on osteosarcoma. In this study, U2OS and HOS osteosarcoma cell lines were treated with niclosamide and then subjected to assays for determining cell migration ability. The results indicated that niclosamide, at concentrations of up to 200 nM, inhibited the migration and invasion of human osteosarcoma U2OS and HOS cells and repressed the transforming growth factor beta-induced protein (TGFBI) expression of U2OS cells, without cytotoxicity. After TGFBI knockdown occurred, cellular migration and invasion behaviors of U2OS cells were significantly reduced. Moreover, niclosamide significantly decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in U2OS cells and the combination treatment of the MEK inhibitor (U0126) and niclosamide resulted in the intensive inhibition of the TGFBI expression and the migratory ability in U2OS cells. Therefore, TGFBI derived from osteosarcoma cells via the ERK pathway contributed to cellular migration and invasion and niclosamide inhibited these processes. These findings indicate that niclosamide may be a powerful preventive agent against the development and metastasis of osteosarcoma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Natural Products)
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Review

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17 pages, 1097 KiB  
Review
Natural Products of Marine Origin for the Treatment of Colorectal and Pancreatic Cancers: Mechanisms and Potential
by Nasrin Fares Amer and Tal Luzzatto Knaan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(14), 8048; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23148048 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2777
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancer refers to malignancy of the accessory organs of digestion, and it includes colorectal cancer (CRC) and pancreatic cancer (PC). Worldwide, CRC is the second most common cancer among women and the third most common among men. PC has a poor prognosis [...] Read more.
Gastrointestinal cancer refers to malignancy of the accessory organs of digestion, and it includes colorectal cancer (CRC) and pancreatic cancer (PC). Worldwide, CRC is the second most common cancer among women and the third most common among men. PC has a poor prognosis and high mortality, with 5-year relative survival of approximately 11.5%. Conventional chemotherapy treatments for these cancers are limited due to severe side effects and the development of drug resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new and safe drugs for effective treatment of PC and CRC. Historically, natural sources—plants in particular—have played a dominant role in traditional medicine used to treat a wide spectrum of diseases. In recent decades, marine natural products (MNPs) have shown great potential as drugs, but drug leads for treating various types of cancer, including CRC and PC, are scarce. To date, marine-based drugs have been used against leukemia, metastatic breast cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, and ovarian cancer. In this review, we summarized existing studies describing MNPs that were found to have an effect on CRC and PC, and we discussed the potential mechanisms of action of MNPs as well as future prospects for their use in treating these cancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Natural Products)
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Other

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3 pages, 1200 KiB  
Correction
Correction: Khan et al. Therapeutic Effects of Saponins for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer by Ameliorating Inflammation and Angiogenesis and Inducing Antioxidant and Apoptotic Effects in Human Cells. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 10665
by Muhammad Imran Khan, Gul Karima, Muhammad Zubair Khan, Jin Hyuk Shin and Jong Deog Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(20), 15235; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms242015235 - 16 Oct 2023
Viewed by 696
Abstract
In the original publication by Khan et al [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Natural Products)
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