Processes

Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 2382 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effect of Rubus chingii Leaf Extract against Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma A549 Cells

by El-Sayed Khafagy, Ahmed Al Saqr, Hadil Faris Alotaibi and Amr Selim Abu Lila

Processes 2022, 10(8), 1537; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10081537 - 05 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1318

Abstract

Rubus chingii is a traditional Chinese medicinal herbal that has been used since ancient times for its great dietary and medicinal values. Recent reports have underscored the promising cytotoxic effect of R. chingii extracts against a wide variety of cancer cells. Therefore, in [...] Read more.

Rubus chingii is a traditional Chinese medicinal herbal that has been used since ancient times for its great dietary and medicinal values. Recent reports have underscored the promising cytotoxic effect of R. chingii extracts against a wide variety of cancer cells. Therefore, in the current study, we aim to explore the anticancer potential of the Rubus chingii ethanolic leaf extract (RcL-EtOH) against non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. RcL-EtOH efficiently exerted a cytotoxic effect against A549 cells in a dose dependent manner, whilst, it exhibited non-significant toxic effects on normal murine macrophage cells, signifying its safety against normal cells. The reduced viability of A549 cells was reaffirmed by the acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining, which confirmed the induction of apoptosis in RcL-EtOH-treated A549 cells. In addition, RcL-EtOH instigated the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) with mutual escalation in ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, RcL-EtOH increased caspase-3, caspase-9 levels in A549 cells post-exposure to RcL-EtOH, which was concomitantly followed by altered mRNA expression of apoptotic (anti-apoptotic: Bcl-2, Bcl_XL; pro-apoptotic: Bax, Bad). To sum up, the RcL-EtOH-instigated apoptotic cell death within A549 cells was assumed to be accomplished via targeting mitochondria, triggering increased ROS generation, with subsequent activation of caspase cascade and altering the expression of gene regulating apoptosis. Collectively, RcL-EtOH might represent a plausible therapeutic option for the management of lung cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Systems Biology and Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1169 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Analysis of Mutation-Based and Expressed Genes-Based Pathways in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

by Bhumsuk Keam, Jin-Young Park, Jin-Pyo Kim, Gun-Do Kim, Yun-Suk Yu, Sang-Hee Cho, Sangwoo Kim, Hee-Kyung Ahn, Sang-Hoon Chun, Jung-Hye Kwon, Tak Yun, Ji-Won Kim, Ji-Eun Kim, Myung-Ju Ahn, Joo-Hang Kim and Hwan-Jung Yun

Processes 2021, 9(5), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9050792 - 30 Apr 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1721

Abstract

Over- or under-expression of mRNA results from genetic alterations. Comprehensive pathway analyses based on mRNA expression are as important as single gene level mutations. This study aimed to compare the mutation- and mRNA expression-based signaling pathways in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [...] Read more.

Over- or under-expression of mRNA results from genetic alterations. Comprehensive pathway analyses based on mRNA expression are as important as single gene level mutations. This study aimed to compare the mutation- and mRNA expression-based signaling pathways in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to match these with potential drug or druggable pathways. Altogether, 93 recurrent/metastatic HNSCC patients were enrolled. We performed targeted gene sequencing using Illumina HiSeq-2500 for NGS, and nanostring nCounter^® for mRNA expression; mRNA expression was classified into over- or under-expression groups based on the expression. We investigated mutational and nanostring data using the CBSJukebox^® system, which is a big-data driven platform to analyze druggable pathways, genes, and protein-protein interaction. We calculated a Treatment Benefit Prediction Score (TBPS) to identify suitable drugs. By mapping the high score interaction genes to identify druggable pathways, we found highly related signaling pathways with mutations. Based on the mRNA expression and interaction gene scoring model, several pathways were found to be associated with over- and under-expression. Mutation-based pathways were associated with mRNA under-expressed genes-based pathways. These results suggest that HNSCCs are mainly caused by the loss-of-function mutations. TBPS found several matching drugs such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, EGFR inhibitors, and FGFR inhibitors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Systems Biology and Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1685 KiB

Open AccessArticle

α-Mangostin Synergizes the Antineoplastic Effects of 5-Fluorouracil Allowing a Significant Dose Reduction in Breast Cancer Cells

by Galia Lara-Sotelo, Lorenza Díaz, Rocío García-Becerra, Euclides Avila, Heriberto Prado-Garcia, Gabriela Morales-Guadarrama, María de Jesús Ibarra-Sánchez, José Esparza-López, Fernando Larrea and Janice García-Quiroz

Processes 2021, 9(3), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9030458 - 03 Mar 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2431

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Although 5-fluorouracil is a conventional chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer treatment, its use may result in severe side effects. Thus, there is widespread interest in lowering [...] Read more.

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Although 5-fluorouracil is a conventional chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer treatment, its use may result in severe side effects. Thus, there is widespread interest in lowering 5-fluorouracil drawbacks, without affecting its therapeutic efficacy by the concomitant use with natural products. Herein, we aimed at evaluating whether α-mangostin, a natural antineoplastic compound, could increase the anticancer effect of 5-fluorouracil in different breast cancer cell lines, allowing for dose reduction. Cell proliferation was evaluated by sulforhodamine-B assays, inhibitory concentrations and potency were calculated by dose-response curves, followed by analysis of their pharmacological interaction by the combination-index method and dose-reduction index. Cell cycle distribution was evaluated by flow cytometry. Each compound inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, the triple negative breast cancer cells being the most sensitive. When 5-fluorouracil and α-mangostin were used concomitantly, synergistic antiproliferative effect was observed. The calculated dose-reduction index suggested that this combination exhibits therapeutic potential for reducing 5-fluorouracil dosage in breast cancer. Mechanistically, the cotreatment induced cell death in a greater extent than each drug alone. Therefore, α-mangostin could be used as a potent co-adjuvant for 5-fluorouracil in breast cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Systems Biology and Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

7 pages, 1178 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Effects of Lung-Moistening Herbal Medicines on Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis Mouse Model

by Junmo Ahn, Hyejin Joo, Jihye Park, Jae-Woo Park, Kwan-Il Kim, Hee-Jae Jung, Youngmin Bu and Beom-Joon Lee

Processes 2020, 8(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8010102 - 12 Jan 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4168

Abstract

In traditional medicine, lung-moistening herbal medicines (LMHM) are regarded as a major option for treating symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) including dry cough and dyspnea. As PF agents are being applied to the development of lung cancer agents, PF and lung cancer are [...] Read more.

In traditional medicine, lung-moistening herbal medicines (LMHM) are regarded as a major option for treating symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) including dry cough and dyspnea. As PF agents are being applied to the development of lung cancer agents, PF and lung cancer are reported to have high pathological and pharmacological relationships. This study was proposed to identify candidates for the treatment of PF via investigating the effect of LMHM on PF mouse model. PF was induced by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. Six water extracts of LMHM such as Farfarae Flos (FAF), Trichosanthis Semen (TRS), Lilii Bulbus (LIB), Adenophorae Radix (ADR), Asteris Radix (ASR), and Scrophulariae Radix (SCR) were prepared and administered (300 mg/kg) orally for 10 days after induction. The changes in body weight, histopathology, and immune cell of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were investigated. Among those, LIB and ADR significantly decreased the deposition of collagen and septal thickness of alveolar and terminal bronchiole. Moreover, SCR, TRS, LIB, and ADR decreased total cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes in BALF. Taken together, ADR and LIB could be the candidates to reduce PF. Further studies on their effects at different doses and analysis of their underlying molecular mechanisms are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Systems Biology and Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 4321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Baicalein-Enriched Fraction Extracted from Oroxylum indicum (L.) Benth. ex Kurz Leaves Exerts Antioxidant and Inhibitory Effects Against Glioblastoma Multiforme

by In Nee Kang, Nik Nur Hakimah Nik Salleh, Wan Jie Chung, Chong Yew Lee and Suat Cheng Tan

Processes 2019, 7(12), 963; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr7120963 - 16 Dec 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3880

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant subtype of primary brain cancer. To date, standard clinical treatment for GBM is limited in effectiveness and could impose additional side effects. Recently, numerous bioactive compounds isolated from natural plants appear to have beneficial anti-cancer properties. [...] Read more.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant subtype of primary brain cancer. To date, standard clinical treatment for GBM is limited in effectiveness and could impose additional side effects. Recently, numerous bioactive compounds isolated from natural plants appear to have beneficial anti-cancer properties. Here, the GBM inhibitory effect of baicalein, a bioactive flavonoid extracted from Oroxylum indicum (L.) Benth. ex Kurz, was evaluated. Firstly, three solvents were used to extract the baicalein. We found that the binary extraction system, using a combination of petroleum ether and methanol (PM), yielded the highest amount of baicalein (15%) compared to the mono extraction system using methanol (13%) or aqueous (0.04%) only. In order to further enhance the baicalein yield in PM crude extract, it was subjected to an enrichment fractionation procedure, which successfully increased the baicalein by nearly two-fold from the initial crude extract (15%) to the enriched fraction 5 (F5) (29%). The enriched F5 not only showed significantly higher (~2.5-fold) antioxidant properties as compared to the crude extract, it was also found to significantly suppress GBM cell proliferation ~2.5-fold better than the crude extract. In conclusion, this study successfully optimized an extraction procedure for increased yield of baicalein metabolite from O. indicum leaves and enhanced its therapeutic potential for GBM treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Systems Biology and Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

25 pages, 1360 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Review of Natural Compounds for the Management and Prevention of Lymphoma

by Yongmin Cho, Moon Nyeo Park, Seungjin Noh, Seog Young Kang and Bonglee Kim

Processes 2020, 8(9), 1164; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8091164 - 16 Sep 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2946

Abstract

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that can be categorized into two types-Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). A total of 509,590 and 79,990 cases of NHL and HL were newly diagnosed in 2018, respectively. Although conventional therapy has stridden forward [...] Read more.

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that can be categorized into two types-Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). A total of 509,590 and 79,990 cases of NHL and HL were newly diagnosed in 2018, respectively. Although conventional therapy has stridden forward over recent decades, its adverse effects are still a hurdle to be solved. Thus, to help researchers develop better lymphoma treatment, this study aims to review the systematic anticancer data for natural products and their compounds. A variety of natural products showed anticancerous effects on lymphoma by regulation of intracellular mechanisms including apoptosis as well as cell cycle arrest. As these results shed light on the potential to substitute conventional therapy with natural products, it may become a promising strategy for lymphoma treatment in the near future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Systems Biology and Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

13 pages, 229 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Effect of Oxaliplatin on Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels in Peripheral Neuropathic Pain

by Woojin Kim

Processes 2020, 8(6), 680; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8060680 - 09 Jun 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2583

Abstract

Oxaliplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug widely used to treat various types of tumors. However, it can induce a serious peripheral neuropathy characterized by cold and mechanical allodynia that can even disrupt the treatment schedule. Since the approval of the agent, many laboratories, including [...] Read more.

Oxaliplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug widely used to treat various types of tumors. However, it can induce a serious peripheral neuropathy characterized by cold and mechanical allodynia that can even disrupt the treatment schedule. Since the approval of the agent, many laboratories, including ours, have focused their research on finding a drug or method to decrease this side effect. However, to date no drug that can effectively reduce the pain without causing any adverse events has been developed, and the mechanism of the action of oxaliplatin is not clearly understood. On the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons, oxaliplatin is reported to modify their functions, such as the propagation of the action potential and induction of neuropathic pain. Voltage-gated sodium channels in the DRG neurons are important, as they play a major role in the excitability of the cell by initiating the action potential. Thus, in this small review, eight studies that investigated the effect of oxaliplatin on sodium channels of peripheral neurons have been included. Its effects on the duration of the action potential, peak of the sodium current, voltage–response relationship, inactivation current, and sensitivity to tetrodotoxin (TTX) are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Systems Biology and Natural Products)

19 pages, 2422 KiB

Open AccessReview

Microbial Natural Products in Drug Discovery

by Ahmed S. Abdel-Razek, Mehrez E. El-Naggar, Ahmed Allam, Osama M. Morsy and Sarah I. Othman

Processes 2020, 8(4), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8040470 - 16 Apr 2020

Cited by 90 | Viewed by 15099

Abstract

Over a long period of time, humans have explored many natural resources looking for remedies of various ailments. Traditional medicines have played an intrinsic role in human life for thousands of years, with people depending on medicinal plants and their products as dietary [...] Read more.

Over a long period of time, humans have explored many natural resources looking for remedies of various ailments. Traditional medicines have played an intrinsic role in human life for thousands of years, with people depending on medicinal plants and their products as dietary supplements as well as using them therapeutically for treatment of chronic disorders, such as cancer, malaria, diabetes, arthritis, inflammation, and liver and cardiac disorders. However, plant resources are not sufficient for treatment of recently emerging diseases. In addition, the seasonal availability and other political factors put constrains on some rare plant species. The actual breakthrough in drug discovery came concurrently with the discovery of penicillin from Penicillium notatum in 1929. This discovery dramatically changed the research of natural products and positioned microbial natural products as one of the most important clues in drug discovery due to availability, variability, great biodiversity, unique structures, and the bioactivities produced. The number of commercially available therapeutically active compounds from microbial sources to date exceeds those discovered from other sources. In this review, we introduce a short history of microbial drug discovery as well as certain features and recent research approaches, specifying the microbial origin, their featured molecules, and the diversity of the producing species. Moreover, we discuss some bioactivities as well as new approaches and trends in research in this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Systems Biology and Natural Products)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Cancer Systems Biology and Natural Products

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI