Advances in Natural Products and Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and Therapeutics

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural products, or phytochemicals, generally refer to as compounds that are exclusive to essential nutrients that have specific biological activities in humans. Studies have shown that natural phytochemicals derived from certain plants have the ability to prevent carcinogenesis. Therefore, new active compounds responsible for the anti-cancer characteristics of dietary plants, and new active compounds that exert novel anti-carcinogenesis functions are important topics in cancer research. We invite researchers to contribute original and review articles regarding the relationships between natural products, phytochemicals and cancers, including the discovery of novel anti-cancer phytochemicals, signalling pathways, and phytochemical signalling molecules for potential cancer treatment strategies. We are pleased to invite you to our Special Issue “Advances in Natural Products and Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and Therapeutics”. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Shun-Fa Yang
Dr. Ming-Hsien Chien
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Antioxidants antioxidants	7.0	8.8	2012	13.9 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Biomolecules biomolecules	5.5	8.3	2011	16.9 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Cancers cancers	5.2	7.4	2009	17.9 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Cells cells	6.0	9.0	2012	16.6 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	5.6	7.8	2000	16.3 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Pathogens pathogens	3.7	5.1	2012	16.4 Days	CHF 2700	Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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All Antioxidants Biomolecules Cancers Cells IJMS Pathogens

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15 pages, 4247 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

In Vitro and In Vivo Imaging-Based Evaluation of Doxorubicin Anticancer Treatment in Combination with the Herbal Medicine Black Cohosh

by Agata Płoska, Marcin Wozniak, Jamila Hedhli, Christian J. Konopka, Antonios Skondras, Sarah Matatov, Andrew Stawarz, Sarah Schuh, Andrzej Czerwinski, Lawrence W. Dobrucki, Leszek Kalinowski and Iwona T. Dobrucki

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(24), 17506; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417506 - 15 Dec 2023

Viewed by 774

Abstract

As a substitution for hormone replacement therapy, many breast cancer patients use black cohosh (BC) extracts in combination with doxorubicin (DOX)-based chemotherapy. In this study, we evaluated the viability and survival of BC- and DOX-treated MCF-7 cells. A preclinical model of MCF-7 xenografts [...] Read more.

As a substitution for hormone replacement therapy, many breast cancer patients use black cohosh (BC) extracts in combination with doxorubicin (DOX)-based chemotherapy. In this study, we evaluated the viability and survival of BC- and DOX-treated MCF-7 cells. A preclinical model of MCF-7 xenografts was used to determine the influence of BC and DOX administration on tumor growth and metabolism. The number of apoptotic cells after incubation with both DOX and BC was significantly increased (~100%) compared to the control. Treatment with DOX altered the potential of MCF-7 cells to form colonies; however, coincubation with BC did not affect this process. In vivo, PET-CT imaging showed that combined treatment of DOX and BC induced a significant reduction in both metabolic activity (29%) and angiogenesis (32%). Both DOX and BC treatments inhibited tumor growth by 20% and 12%, respectively, and combined by 57%, vs. control. We successfully demonstrated that BC increases cytotoxic effects of DOX, resulting in a significant reduction in tumor size. Further studies regarding drug transport and tumor growth biomarkers are necessary to establish the underlying mechanism and potential clinical use of BC in breast cancer patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Natural Products and Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and Therapeutics)

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14 pages, 3471 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Hypericin-Based Photodynamic Therapy Displays Higher Selectivity and Phototoxicity towards Melanoma and Squamous Cell Cancer Compared to Normal Keratinocytes In Vitro

by Marta Woźniak and Martyna Nowak-Perlak

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(23), 16897; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242316897 - 29 Nov 2023

Viewed by 667

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) [...] Read more.

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Natural Products and Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and Therapeutics)

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18 pages, 4537 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Pllans−II: Unveiling the Action Mechanism of a Promising Chemotherapeutic Agent Targeting Cervical Cancer Cell Adhesion and Survival Pathways

by Alejandro Montoya-Gómez, Fiorella Tonello, Barbara Spolaore, Maria Lina Massimino, Leonel Montealegre-Sánchez, Andrés Castillo, Nelson Rivera Franco, María José Sevilla-Sánchez, Luis Manuel Solano-Redondo, Mildrey Mosquera-Escudero and Eliécer Jiménez-Charris

Cells 2023, 12(23), 2715; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12232715 - 27 Nov 2023

Viewed by 856

Abstract

Despite advances in chemotherapeutic drugs used against cervical cancer, available chemotherapy treatments adversely affect the patient’s quality of life. For this reason, new molecules from natural sources with antitumor potential and few side effects are required. In previous research, Pllans−II, a phospholipase [...] Read more.

Despite advances in chemotherapeutic drugs used against cervical cancer, available chemotherapy treatments adversely affect the patient’s quality of life. For this reason, new molecules from natural sources with antitumor potential and few side effects are required. In previous research, Pllans−II, a phospholipase A₂ type-Asp49 from Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii snake venom, has shown selective attack against the HeLa and Ca Ski cervical cancer cell lines. This work suggests that the cytotoxic effect generated by Pllans−II on HeLa cells is triggered without affecting the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane or depolarizing the mitochondrial membranes. The results allow us to establish that cell death in HeLa is related to the junction blockage between α₅β₁ integrins and fibronectin of the extracellular matrix. Pllans−II reduces the cells’ ability of adhesion and affects survival and proliferation pathways mediated by intracellular communication with the external environment. Our findings confirmed Pllans−II as a potential prototype for developing a selective chemotherapeutic drug against cervical cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Natural Products and Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and Therapeutics)

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12 pages, 2465 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

New Copper-Based Metallodrugs with Anti-Invasive Capacity

by Alessia Garufi, Francesca Scarpelli, Loredana Ricciardi, Iolinda Aiello, Gabriella D’Orazi and Alessandra Crispini

Biomolecules 2023, 13(10), 1489; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13101489 - 07 Oct 2023

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Abstract

While metal-based complexes are deeply investigated as anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs, fewer studies are devoted to their anti-invasive activity. Herein, two copper (Cu)(II) tropolone derivatives, [Cu(Trop)Cl] and [Cu(Trop)Sac], both containing the N,N-chelated 4,4′-bishydroxymethyl-2,2′-bipyridne ligand, were evaluated for their anticancer and anti-invasive properties. RKO (RKO-ctr) [...] Read more.

While metal-based complexes are deeply investigated as anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs, fewer studies are devoted to their anti-invasive activity. Herein, two copper (Cu)(II) tropolone derivatives, [Cu(Trop)Cl] and [Cu(Trop)Sac], both containing the N,N-chelated 4,4′-bishydroxymethyl-2,2′-bipyridne ligand, were evaluated for their anticancer and anti-invasive properties. RKO (RKO-ctr) colon cancer cells and their derivatives undergoing stable small interference (si) RNA for HIPK2 protein (RKO-siHIPK2) with acquisition of pro-invasive capacity were used. The results demonstrate that while [Cu(Trop)Sac] did not show cytotoxic activity, [Cu(Trop)Cl] induced cell death in both RKO-ctr and RKO-siHIPK2 cells, indicating that structural changes on substituting the coordinated chloride ligand with saccharine (Sac) could be a key factor in suppressing mechanisms of cellular death. On the other hand, both [Cu(Trop)Sac] and [Cu(Trop)Cl] complexes counteracted RKO-siHIPK2 cell migration in the wound healing assay. The synergic effect exerted by the concomitant presence of both tropolone and saccharin ligands in [Cu(Trop)Sac] was also supported by its significant inhibition of RKO-siHIPK2 cell migration compared to the free Sac ligand. These data suggest that the two Cu(II) tropolone derivatives are also interesting candidates to be further tested in in vivo models as an anti-invasive tumor strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Natural Products and Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and Therapeutics)

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36 pages, 4927 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Potential Role of Natural Antioxidant Products in Oncological Diseases

by Pasquale Marino, Giacomo Pepe, Manuela Giovanna Basilicata, Vincenzo Vestuto, Stefania Marzocco, Giuseppina Autore, Alfredo Procino, Isabel Maria Gomez-Monterrey, Michele Manfra and Pietro Campiglia

Antioxidants 2023, 12(3), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12030704 - 12 Mar 2023

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3013

Abstract

Nutrition has a significant effect and a crucial role in disease prevention. Low consumption of fruit and vegetables and a sedentary lifestyle are closely related with the onset and development of many types of cancer. Recently, nutraceuticals have gained much attention in cancer [...] Read more.

Nutrition has a significant effect and a crucial role in disease prevention. Low consumption of fruit and vegetables and a sedentary lifestyle are closely related with the onset and development of many types of cancer. Recently, nutraceuticals have gained much attention in cancer research due to their pleiotropic effects and relatively non-toxic behavior. In fact, although in the past there have been conflicting results on the role of some antioxidant compounds as allies against cancer, numerous recent clinical studies highlight the efficacy of dietary phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment of cancer. However, further investigation is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the potential anticancer capacities of dietary phytochemicals as well as the mechanisms of their action. Therefore, this review examined the current literature on the key properties of the bioactive components present in the diet, such as carotenoids, polyphenols, and antioxidant compounds, as well as their use in cancer therapy. The review focused on potential chemopreventive properties, evaluating their synergistic effects with anticancer drugs and, consequently, the side effects associated with current cancer treatments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Natural Products and Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and Therapeutics)

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