Molecular targets of curcumin for cancer therapy: An updated review

In recent years, natural edible products have been found to be important therapeutic agents for the treatment of chronic human diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration. Curcumin is a well-known diarylheptanoid constituent of turmeric which possesses anticancer effects under both pre-clinical and clinical conditions. Moreover, it is well known that the anticancer effects of curcumin are primarily due to the activation of apoptotic pathways in the cancer cells as well as inhibition of tumor microenvironments like inflammation, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis. In particular, extensive studies have demonstrated that curcumin targets numerous therapeutically important cancer signaling pathways such as p53, Ras, PI3K, AKT, Wnt-β catenin, mTOR and so on. Clinical studies also suggested that either curcumin alone or as combination with other drugs possess promising anticancer effect in cancer patients without causing any adverse effects. In this article, we critically review the available scientific evidence on the molecular targets of curcumin for the treatment of different types of cancer. In addition, we also discuss its chemistry, sources, bioavailability, and future research directions. © International Society of Oncology and BioMarkers (ISOBM) 2016

Apigenin and Breast Cancers: from Chemistry to Medicine

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of the death among women worldwide. Metabolic disorders, alcohol consumption, hormone replacement therapy, genetic susceptibility, not having children are well known breast cancer risk factors. Surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are limited treatment options for breast cancer. Thus, there is growing need to find new chemopreventive agents that may be effective in prevention or management of breast cancer. Natural products such as flavonoids provide a variety of anticancer compounds which can be useful for prevention or treatment of breast cancer. The usefulness of dietary phytochemicals in prevention of breast cancers is supported by a plethora of experimental and epidemiological studies. Apigenin, a well-known flavone, is found in several dietary plant foods, such as parsley, celery, thyme, celeriac, chamomile, onions, lemon balm, and oranges. Extensive studies have shown that apigenin have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties. The aim of the present work is to review the available data obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies on the promising role of apigenin against breast cancer. We also review molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects, natural sources, bioavailability, as well as the chemistry of apigenin

Protective role of gallic acid on sodium fluoride induced oxidative stress in rat brain

Gallic acid is known as a potent antioxidant active compound of the edible and medicinal plant Peltiphyllum peltatum. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of gallic acid against sodium fluoride induced oxidative stress in rat brain. Gallic acid (10 and 20 mg/kg) and vitamin C (10 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administrated for 1 week prior to sodium fluoride intoxication. After the treatment period, brain tissues were collected and homogenized, and antioxidant parameters were measured in the homogenates. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in sodium fluoride intoxicated rats (42.04 ± 2.14 nmol MDA eq/g tissue, p 0.05 vs. normal). This increasing in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level was accompanied with a decrease in the level of reduced glutathione (6.74 ± 0.28 μg/mg of protein, p 0.05 vs. normal) in rat brain. However, gallic acid at 20 mg/kg was significantly more effective in retrieving superoxide dismutase (124.78 ± 5.7 U/mg of protein) activity than vitamin C (115.5 ± 4.97 U/mg of protein)

Evaluation of the Antipsychotic effects of 2-(dimethylamino)- and 2-(methylamino)-7H naphtho[1,2,3-de]quinolin-7-one Derivatives in Experimental Model of Psychosis in Mice.

Research into novel therapeutic strategies for schizophrenia with high efficacy and low side effects has been progressed in recent years. In the present study, anti-schizophrenia activities of 2-(dimethylamino)- and 2-(methylamino)- 7H-naphtho[1,2,3-de]quinolin-7-one derivatives (D1-D10) have been evaluated in ketamine-induced experimental schizophrenia model in mice. For this aim, experimental animals was submitted to ketamine intraperitoneal injection at 100 mg/kg/day. Then, D1-D10 were administrated intra-cerebroventricularly to mice and in next step, animals depressive-like behaviors have been examined by despair swimming test. The obtained results demonstrate that 7H-naphtho[1,2,3- de]quinolin-7-one derivatives, specifically D9, reduced depressive-like behaviors via the decrease of the immobility time and the increase of the swim and climb times. Overall, these results showed that these alkaloids have anti-schizophrenia efficacy and due to their low side effects, they can be used as a new strategy for the treatment of depressive symptoms of schizophrenia patients

Blessings in disguise: A review of phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of plants belonging to the genus Eryngium

Medicinal and edible plants play a crucial role in the prevention and/or mitigation of different human diseases from ancient times to today. In folk medicine, there are different plants used for infectious disease treatment. During the past two decades, much attention has been paid to plants as novel alternative therapeutic agents for the treatment of infectious diseases due to their bioactive natural compounds such as phenol, flavonoids, tannins, etc. The genus Eryngium (Apiaceae) contains more than 250 flowering plant species, which are commonly used as edible and medicinal plants in different countries. In fact, some genus Eryngium species are used as spices and are cultivated throughout the world and others species are used for the treatment of hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, asthma, burns, fevers, diarrhea, malaria, etc. Phytochemical analysis has shown that genus Eryngium species are a rich source of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and triterpenoids. Moreover, eryngial, one the most important and major compounds of genus Eryngium plant essential oil, possesses a significant antibacterial effect. Thus, the objective of this review is to critically review the scientific literature on the phytochemical composition and antibacterial effects of the genus Eryngium plants. In addition, we provide some information about traditional uses, cultivation, as well as phytochemistry

Molecular targets of omega-3 fatty acids for cancer therapy

Nowadays, dietary guidelines acknowledge the therapeutic role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as the most important class of fatty acids, against different human diseases. During the last two decades, the average level of consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has increased from 0.1 to 0.2 g per day. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are a group of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which are identified in different foods such as fatty fish, shellfish, and vegetable oils. A growing body of epidemiological and experimental evidence supports the anticancer effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which led to the identification of their molecular targets in several cancer models. The present review focuses on the basic evidence supporting the potential applications of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in cancer therapy

Targeting mTOR signaling by polyphenols: A new therapeutic target for ageing

Current ageing research is aimed not only at the promotion of longevity, but also at improving �health span� through the� discovery and development� of new therapeutic strategies��� by investigating �molecular and �cellular �pathways involved in cellular senescence.� Understanding the mechanism of action �of �polyphenolic compounds targeting mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) and related pathways opens up new directions ��to revolutionize ways to slow down the �onset and development of age-dependent degeneration. Herein, we will �discuss the mechanisms by which polyphenols can delay the� molecular �pathogenesis of ageing via manipulation or more specifically inhibition of mTOR-signaling pathways. We will also discuss the implications of polyphenols in targeting mTOR and its related �pathways�� on �health life span extension and longevity.� © 2016 Elsevier B.V