Curcumin: A new candidate for melanoma therapy?

Melanoma remains among the most lethal cancers and, in spite of great attempts that have been made to increase the life span of patients with metastatic disease, durable and complete remissions are rare. Plants and plant extracts have long been used to treat a variety of human conditions; however, in many cases, effective doses of herbal remedies are associated with serious adverse effects. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol that shows a variety of pharmacological activities including anti-cancer effects, and only minimal adverse effects have been reported for this phytochemical. The anti-cancer effects of curcumin are the result of its anti-angiogenic, pro-apoptotic and immunomodulatory properties. At the molecular and cellular level, curcumin can blunt epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and affect many targets that are involved in melanoma initiation and progression (e.g., BCl2, MAPKS, p21 and some microRNAs). However, curcumin has a low oral bioavailability that may limit its maximal benefits. The emergence of tailored formulations of curcumin and new delivery systems such as nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles and phospholipid complexes has led to the enhancement of curcumin bioavailability. Although in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that curcumin and its analogues can be used as novel therapeutic agents in melanoma, curcumin has not yet been tested against melanoma in clinical practice. In this review, we summarized reported anti-melanoma effects of curcumin as well as studies on new curcumin formulations and delivery systems that show increased bioavailability. Such tailored delivery systems could pave the way for enhancement of the anti-melanoma effects of curcumin. © 2016 UIC

Diet and cancer prevention: Dietary compounds, dietary MicroRNAs, and dietary exosomes

Cancer is one of main health public problems worldwide. Several factors are involved in beginning and development of cancer. Genetic and internal/external environmental factors can be as important agents that effect on emerging and development of several cancers. Diet and nutrition may be as one of important factors in prevention or treatment of various cancers. A large number studies indicated that suitable dietary patterns may help to cancer prevention or could inhibit development of tumor in cancer patients. Moreover, a large numbers studies indicated that a variety of dietary compounds such as curcumin, green tea, folat, selenium, and soy isoflavones show a wide range anti-cancer properties. It has been showed that these compounds via targeting a sequence of cellular and molecular pathways could be used as suitable options for cancer chemoprevention and cancer therapy. Recently, dietary microRNAs and exosomes have been emerged as attractive players in cancer prevention and cancer therapy. These molecules could change behavior of cancer cells via targeting various cellular and molecular pathways involved in cancer pathogenesis. Hence, the utilization of dietary compounds which are associated with powerful molecules such as microRNAs and exosomes and put them in dietary patterns could contribute to prevention or treatment of various cancers. Here, we summarized various studies that assessed effect of dietary patterns on cancer prevention shortly. Moreover, we highlighted the utilization of dietary compounds, dietary microRNAs, and dietary exosomes and their cellular and molecular pathways in cancer chemoprevention. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Curcumin inhibits NF-kB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in cervical cancer cells

Curcumin is a natural non-toxic phenol which is isolated from Curcumin longa L. Mounting evidence has revealed the anticancer properties of curcumin in various tumors, but the underlying molecular mechanisms of this suppression in cervical cancer is still remained unclear. Here we assessed the antitumor effects of curcumin compared with 5-Fluorouracil in Hella cells in spheroids models and monolayer cell cultures. The anti-proliferative effects of curcumin and 5-Fluorouracil were as examined in spheroid and monolayer models. The expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin and NF-kB pathways as well as the influence of the cell cycle were evaluated. Curcumin inhibited cell growth in Hella cells through the regulation of NF-kB and Wnt pathways. Also, cells developed a G2/M cell cycle arrest followed by sub-G1 apoptosis with 5-Fluorouracil and curcumin. It was also shown that curcumin either considerably affects the Wnt/β-catenin and NF-kB pathways. We showed that curcumin inhibits invasion and proliferation of cervical cancer cells via impairment of NF-kB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, proposing further studies on the potential impacts of this compound on cancer therapy. © 2019 Elsevier Gmb

The Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Parameters of Mental Health, Glycemic Control, Markers of Cardiometabolic Risk, and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of melatonin supplementation on parameters of mental health, glycemic control, markers of cardiometabolic risk, and oxidative stress in diabetic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 60 diabetic HD patients, 18-80 years of age. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups to take either melatonin (2 x 5mg/day) (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) 1 hour before bedtime for 12 weeks. The effects of melatonin on mental health, metabolic status, and gene expression related to metabolic status were assessed using multiple linear regression adjusting for age and BMI. Results: Melatonin supplementation significantly decreased Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (P =.007), Beck Depression Inventory index (P =.001), and Beck Anxiety Inventory index (P =.01) compared with the placebo. Additionally, melatonin administration significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose (β = �21.77 mg/dL, 95 CI �33.22 to �10.33, P <.001), serum insulin levels (β = �1.89 μIU/mL, 95 CI �3.34 to �0.45, P =.01), and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (β = �1.45, 95 CI �2.10 to �0.80, P <.001), and significantly increased the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (β = 0.01, 95 CI 0.007-0.02, P <.001) compared with placebo treated subjects. In addition, melatonin administration resulted in a significant reduction in serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (β = �1.92 mg/L, 95 CI �3.02 to �0.83, P =.001) and plasma malondialdehyde (β = �0.21 μmol/L, 95 CI �0.36 to �0.06, P =.005); also, significant rises in plasma total antioxidant capacity (β = 253.87 mmol/L, 95 CI 189.18-318.56, P <.001) and nitric oxide levels (β = 2.99 μmol/L, 95 CI 0.71-5.28, P =.01) were observed compared with the placebo. Conclusion: Overall, melatonin supplementation for 12 weeks to diabetic HD patients had beneficial effects on mental health, glycemic control, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress. © 2019 National Kidney Foundation, Inc

Diet and cancer prevention: Dietary compounds, dietary MicroRNAs, and dietary exosomes

Cancer is one of main health public problems worldwide. Several factors are involved in beginning and development of cancer. Genetic and internal/external environmental factors can be as important agents that effect on emerging and development of several cancers. Diet and nutrition may be as one of important factors in prevention or treatment of various cancers. A large number studies indicated that suitable dietary patterns may help to cancer prevention or could inhibit development of tumor in cancer patients. Moreover, a large numbers studies indicated that a variety of dietary compounds such as curcumin, green tea, folat, selenium, and soy isoflavones show a wide range anti-cancer properties. It has been showed that these compounds via targeting a sequence of cellular and molecular pathways could be used as suitable options for cancer chemoprevention and cancer therapy. Recently, dietary microRNAs and exosomes have been emerged as attractive players in cancer prevention and cancer therapy. These molecules could change behavior of cancer cells via targeting various cellular and molecular pathways involved in cancer pathogenesis. Hence, the utilization of dietary compounds which are associated with powerful molecules such as microRNAs and exosomes and put them in dietary patterns could contribute to prevention or treatment of various cancers. Here, we summarized various studies that assessed effect of dietary patterns on cancer prevention shortly. Moreover, we highlighted the utilization of dietary compounds, dietary microRNAs, and dietary exosomes and their cellular and molecular pathways in cancer chemoprevention. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Phytosomal curcumin: A review of pharmacokinetic, experimental and clinical studies

Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol, is the principal constituent extracted from dried rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. (turmeric). Curcumin is known as a strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that has different pharmacological effects. In addition, several studies have demonstrated that curcumin is safe even at dosages as high as 8 g per day; however, instability at physiological pH, low solubility in water and rapid metabolism results in a low oral bioavailability of curcumin. The phytosomal formulation of curcumin (a complex of curcumin with phosphatidylcholine) has been shown to improve curcumin bioavailability. Existence of phospholipids in phytosomes leads to specific physicochemical properties such as amphiphilic nature that allows dispersion in both hydrophilic and lipophilic media. The efficacy and safety of curcumin phytosomes have been shown against several human diseases including cancer, osteoarthritis, diabetic microangiopathy and retinopathy, and inflammatory diseases. This review focuses on the pharmacokinetics as well as pharmacological and clinical effects of phytosomal curcumin. © 201

Comparison between biomarkers of kidney injury, inflammation, and oxidative stress in patients with diabetic nephropathy and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction. This study was conducted to compare parameters of kidney injury, oxidative stress and inflammation in people with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. In a cross-sectional study, 57 cases with DN and 57 cases with T2DM were included in the study. Fasting blood samples were obtained to determine parameters of kidney injury, oxidative stress and inflammation. Results. The current study showed that patients with DN had higher tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (167.0 ± 40.1 vs. 151.4 ± 37.4 ng/L, P .05). Furthermore, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) levels in patients with DN were higher than that of patients with T2DM (8511.7 ± 1799.9 vs. 7660.7 ± 1711.9 AU, P <.05), but the difference in malondialdehyde value was not significant. Finally, we found that total protein levels in cases with DN were enhanced compared with individuals with T2DM (7.1 ± 0.5 vs. 6.9 ± 0.6 mg/dL, P <.05); however, other markers of kidney injury did not change. Conclusions. In conclusion, the results of present study revealed that few markers of inflammation and oxidative stress including TNF-α, MMP-2, AGEs levels and total protein levels in patients with DN were significantly higher than that of patients with T2DN. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings. © 2020, Iranian Society of Nephrology. All rights reserved

A comparison between the effects of flaxseed oil and fish oil supplementation on cardiovascular health in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

This study compared the effects of flaxseed and fish oil supplementation on cardiovascular risk parameters in diabetic patients with coronary heart disease. Participants were randomly allocated into three intervention groups to receive either 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil or 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil or placebo (n = 30 each group) twice a day for 12 weeks. A significant reduction in insulin levels (.04) was observed following flaxseed oil and fish oil supplementation compared with the placebo. In addition, a significant reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (.02) was seen after flaxseed oil supplementation compared with the placebo and a significant increase in total nitrite (.001) was seen after flaxseed oil and fish oil intake compared with placebo. Additionally, a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (p <.001) after consuming flaxseed oil and fish oil compared with placebo and glutathione levels (.001) after consuming fish oil compared with flaxseed oil and placebo was observed. Overall, our study revealed the beneficial effects of flaxseed oil and fish oil supplementation on few metabolic profiles. This study suggests that the effect of flaxseed oil in reducing insulin and increasing total nitrite and total antioxidant capacity is similar to fish oil. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

The Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Parameters of Mental Health, Glycemic Control, Markers of Cardiometabolic Risk, and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of melatonin supplementation on parameters of mental health, glycemic control, markers of cardiometabolic risk, and oxidative stress in diabetic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 60 diabetic HD patients, 18-80 years of age. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups to take either melatonin (2 x 5mg/day) (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) 1 hour before bedtime for 12 weeks. The effects of melatonin on mental health, metabolic status, and gene expression related to metabolic status were assessed using multiple linear regression adjusting for age and BMI. Results: Melatonin supplementation significantly decreased Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (P = .007), Beck Depression Inventory index (P = .001), and Beck Anxiety Inventory index (P = .01) compared with the placebo. Additionally, melatonin administration significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose (β = �21.77 mg/dL, 95 CI �33.22 to �10.33, P < .001), serum insulin levels (β = �1.89 μIU/mL, 95 CI �3.34 to �0.45, P = .01), and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (β = �1.45, 95 CI �2.10 to �0.80, P < .001), and significantly increased the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (β = 0.01, 95 CI 0.007-0.02, P < .001) compared with placebo treated subjects. In addition, melatonin administration resulted in a significant reduction in serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (β = �1.92 mg/L, 95 CI �3.02 to �0.83, P = .001) and plasma malondialdehyde (β = �0.21 μmol/L, 95 CI �0.36 to �0.06, P = .005); also, significant rises in plasma total antioxidant capacity (β = 253.87 mmol/L, 95 CI 189.18-318.56, P < .001) and nitric oxide levels (β = 2.99 μmol/L, 95 CI 0.71-5.28, P = .01) were observed compared with the placebo. Conclusion: Overall, melatonin supplementation for 12 weeks to diabetic HD patients had beneficial effects on mental health, glycemic control, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress. © 2019 National Kidney Foundation, Inc

Diet and cancer prevention: Dietary compounds, dietary MicroRNAs, and dietary exosomes

Cancer is one of main health public problems worldwide. Several factors are involved in beginning and development of cancer. Genetic and internal/external environmental factors can be as important agents that effect on emerging and development of several cancers. Diet and nutrition may be as one of important factors in prevention or treatment of various cancers. A large number studies indicated that suitable dietary patterns may help to cancer prevention or could inhibit development of tumor in cancer patients. Moreover, a large numbers studies indicated that a variety of dietary compounds such as curcumin, green tea, folat, selenium, and soy isoflavones show a wide range anti-cancer properties. It has been showed that these compounds via targeting a sequence of cellular and molecular pathways could be used as suitable options for cancer chemoprevention and cancer therapy. Recently, dietary microRNAs and exosomes have been emerged as attractive players in cancer prevention and cancer therapy. These molecules could change behavior of cancer cells via targeting various cellular and molecular pathways involved in cancer pathogenesis. Hence, the utilization of dietary compounds which are associated with powerful molecules such as microRNAs and exosomes and put them in dietary patterns could contribute to prevention or treatment of various cancers. Here, we summarized various studies that assessed effect of dietary patterns on cancer prevention shortly. Moreover, we highlighted the utilization of dietary compounds, dietary microRNAs, and dietary exosomes and their cellular and molecular pathways in cancer chemoprevention. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc