Recent Advancements in Natural Products Research for the Treatment and Prevention of Solid Tumors

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2024) | Viewed by 4280

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA
Interests: intestinal microbiome; atopic dermatitis; gardenia jasminoides; interleukin-17; Firmicutes; bacteroidetes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Although natural products have long been recognized for their potential benefits, recent advancements have led to a renewed interest in exploring their therapeutic potential in various diseases, including cancer.

Solid tumors are abnormal masses of cancerous tissues that can occur in the bones, tissues or organs. While several attempts such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have been made throughout hiwstory to battle cancer, a perfect treatment for solid tumors is yet to be discovered.

To find a safe and effective way to treat solid tumors, we should extensively understand their nature. Solid tumors are heterotypic aggregates of cancer cells, cancer stem cells, connective-tissue cells, endothelial cells and immune cells. These cells communicate to maintain an ecosystem known as the tumor microenvironment. Natural products have always been an attractive source of anticancer drugs since they are capable to regulate multiple hallmark traits of not only cancer cells, but the surrounding microenvironment as well.

In this Special Issue, we aim to publish high-quality evidence-based research on the potential of natural products in treating and preventing solid tumors. We welcome both original articles and reviews.

Dr. Hyo In Kim
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • natural products
  • phytochemicals
  • cancer
  • solid tumor
  • tumor microenvironment

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 9190 KiB  
Article
Parishin A Inhibits Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma via the AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway
by Lei Ma, Zhibin Liu, Eungyung Kim, Ke Huang, Chae Yeon Kim, Hyeonjin Kim, Kanghyun Park, Woo-Sung Kwon, Sang In Lee, Yong-Gun Kim, Youngkyun Lee, So-Young Choi, Haibo Zhang and Myoung Ok Kim
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(10), 1277; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17101277 - 26 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1210
Abstract
Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options. Parishin A, a natural compound derived from Gastrodia elata, possesses multiple therapeutic properties. However, its effects on OSCC remain unexplored. Purpose: This study explores the anti-cancer potential of [...] Read more.
Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options. Parishin A, a natural compound derived from Gastrodia elata, possesses multiple therapeutic properties. However, its effects on OSCC remain unexplored. Purpose: This study explores the anti-cancer potential of Parishin A on OSCC and its mechanisms. Methods: OSCC cell lines YD-10B and Ca9-22 were treated with varying Parishin A concentrations. Cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 assay, and colony formation was evaluated in agarose gel. Migration and invasion ability were assessed through wound healing and Matrigel invasion assays. The protein expression levels involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were examined via Western blotting. Results: Parishin A inhibited OSCC cell viability in both dose- and time-dependent manners, with significant reductions at 20, 40, 60, and 80 μM, without affecting normal human gingival fibroblasts. Colony formation decreased substantially at ≥40 μM higher Parishin A concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. Also, migration and invasion assays showed significant suppression by Parishin A treatment concentration ≥40 μM in a dose-dependent manner, as evidenced by decreased wound closure and invasion. Western blot analyses revealed increased E-cadherin levels and decreased N-cadherin and vimentin levels, suggesting EMT inhibition. Parishin A also decreased the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. Conclusion: Collectively, these findings support the potential of Parishin A as an anti-OSCC agent. Full article
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22 pages, 15847 KiB  
Article
Dual Role of Alchemilla vulgaris L. Extract in Breast Cancer Regression: Reestablishment of Effective Immune Response
by Sanja Jelača, Ivan Jovanovic, Dijana Bovan, Marina Z. Jovanovic, Milena M. Jurisevic, Duško Dunđerović, Zora Dajic-Stevanovic, Nebojsa Arsenijevic, Sanja Mijatović and Danijela Maksimović-Ivanić
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(3), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17030286 - 23 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2567
Abstract
Ethnomedicinal records have long mentioned the historical usage of Alchemilla vulgaris L. in folk medicine, particularly for the treatment of gynecological issues. Building on this ethnomedicinal knowledge regarding female illnesses, the aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of ethanolic extract [...] Read more.
Ethnomedicinal records have long mentioned the historical usage of Alchemilla vulgaris L. in folk medicine, particularly for the treatment of gynecological issues. Building on this ethnomedicinal knowledge regarding female illnesses, the aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of ethanolic extract of A. vulgaris on mouse breast cancer cells (4T1) in vitro and in vivo, in addition to its effect on the immune compartment in the tumor microenvironment. Behind viability decrease of 4T1 cells induced by treatment with A. vulgaris extract was strong inhibition of cell proliferation accompanied by caspase-dependent apoptosis and autophagic cell death. Observed changes in 4T1 cell culture after treatment were well orchestrated and led to a reduction in metastatic potential through weakened adhesion, invasion, migration, and colony-forming abilities in vitro. Enhanced intracellular production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species promoted by the treatment might interfere with all the observed effects. Apart from the direct effect on tumor cells, the A. vulgaris extract significantly reduced tumor growth in the solid orthotropic mammary carcinoma model through restitution of efficient local and systemic immune response reflected in enhanced antigen-presenting potential of dendritic cells (DCs) as well as the extent and activity of effector T cells. Full article
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