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Seminars in Cancer Biology May 2022The oleogum resins of Boswellia species known as frankincense have been used for ages in traditional medicine in India, China and the Arabian world independent of its... (Review)
Review
The oleogum resins of Boswellia species known as frankincense have been used for ages in traditional medicine in India, China and the Arabian world independent of its use for cultural and religious rituals in Europe. During the past two decades, scientific investigations provided mounting evidence for the therapeutic potential of frankincense. We conducted a systematic review on the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of Boswellia species and their chemical ingredients (e.g. 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β boswellic acid, α- and β-boswellic acids, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid and other boswellic acids, lupeolic acids, incensole, cembrenes, triterpenediol, tirucallic acids, and olibanumols). Frankincense acts by multiple mechanisms, e.g. by the inhibition of leukotriene synthesis, of cyclooxygenase 1/2 and 5-lipoxygenase, of oxidative stress, and by regulation of immune cells from the innate and acquired immune systems. Furthermore, frankincense modulates signaling transduction responsible for cell cycle arrest and inhibition of proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Clinical trials showed the efficacy of frankincense and its phytochemicals against osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, psoriasis and erythematous eczema, plaque-induced gingivitis and pain. Frankincense revealed beneficial effects towards brain tumor-related edema, but did not reduce glioma size. Even if there is no treatment effect on brain tumors itself, the management of glioma-associated edema may represent a desirable improvement. The therapeutic potential against other tumor types is still speculative. Experimental toxicology and clinical trials revealed only mild adverse side effects. More randomized clinical trials are required to estimate the full clinical potential of frankincense for cancer therapy.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Boswellia; Frankincense; Glioma; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Resins, Plant
PubMed: 32027979
DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.01.015 -
Nutrients Dec 2022Lycopene is a nutraceutical with health-promoting and anti-cancer activities, but due to a lack of evidence, there are no recommendations regarding its use and dosage.... (Review)
Review
Lycopene is a nutraceutical with health-promoting and anti-cancer activities, but due to a lack of evidence, there are no recommendations regarding its use and dosage. This review aimed to evaluate the benefits of lycopene supplementation in cancer prevention and treatment based on the results of in vivo studies. We identified 72 human and animal studies that were then analysed for endpoints such as cancer incidence, improvement in treatment outcomes, and the mechanisms of lycopene action. We concluded that the results of most of the reviewed in vivo studies confirmed the anti-cancer activities of lycopene. Most of the studies concerned prostate cancer, reflecting the number of in vitro studies. The reported mechanisms of lycopene action in vivo included regulation of oxidative and inflammatory processes, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of cell division, angiogenesis, and metastasis formation. The predominance of particular mechanisms seemed to depend on tumour organ localisation and the local storage capacity of lycopene. Finally, there is a need to look for predictive factors to identify a population that may benefit from lycopene supplementation. The potential candidates appear to be race, single nucleotide polymorphisms in carotene-cleaving enzymes, some genetic abbreviations, and insulin-like growth factor-dependent and inflammatory diseases.
Topics: Male; Animals; Humans; Lycopene; Carotenoids; Prostatic Neoplasms; Apoptosis; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 36501182
DOI: 10.3390/nu14235152 -
Advances in Therapy Dec 2023A systematic literature review (SLR) and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted to evaluate the comparative efficacy, durability and safety of faricimab, used in a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
A systematic literature review (SLR) and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted to evaluate the comparative efficacy, durability and safety of faricimab, used in a Treat & Extend (T&E) regime with intervals up to every 16 weeks (Q16W), relative to other therapies currently in use for treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME). Of particular interest were anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies applied in flexible dosing regimens such as Pro re nata (PRN) and T&E, which are the mainstay in clinical practice.
METHODS
An SLR identifying randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published before August 2021 was conducted, followed by a Bayesian NMA comparing faricimab T&E treatment to aflibercept, ranibizumab, bevacizumab, dexamethasone and laser therapy. Outcomes included in the analysis were change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), change in central subfield thickness (CST), injection frequency, ocular adverse events (AE) and all-cause discontinuation, all of which were evaluated at 12 months. Subgroup analyses including patients' naïve to anti-VEGF were conducted where feasible.
RESULTS
Twenty-six studies identified in the SLR were included in the NMA. Most importantly for decision making in clinical practise, faricimab T&E was associated with a statistically greater (95% credible intervals exclude zero) and clinically meaningful decrease in retinal thickness compared to all other flexible dosing regimens (greater retinal drying by 55-125 microns). Anatomical outcomes determine treatment efficacy and retreatment of patients. The NMA also showed a statistically greater increase in mean change in BCVA for faricimab T&E vs. flexible regimens using ranibizumab and bevacizumab (increase of 4.4-4.8 letters) as well as a numerical improvement vs. aflibercept PRN (two letters, 95% credible intervals including zero). Accordingly, the injection frequency was numerically lower versus other treatments using flexible dosing regimens (decrease by 0.92-1.43 injections). The analyses also indicated that the safety profile of faricimab T&E was comparable to those of ranibizumab and aflibercept, which have well-established safety profiles, with similar results for the number of all-cause discontinuations.
CONCLUSION
Faricimab provides a new treatment option in DME with dual-pathway inhibition of VEGF and angiopoeitin-2 (Ang-2). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first indirect comparison of faricimab T&E in DME. The analyses indicate that faricimab T&E is associated with superior retinal drying along with numerically fewer injections compared to all other treatments given in flexible dosing regimens. It also showed superior visual acuity outcomes compared to ranibizumab and bevacizumab.
Topics: Humans; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Bevacizumab; Diabetic Retinopathy; Intravitreal Injections; Macular Edema; Network Meta-Analysis; Ranibizumab; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
PubMed: 37751021
DOI: 10.1007/s12325-023-02675-y -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Jan 2023The presence or absence of damage to the liver organ is crucial to a person's health. Nutritional disorders, alcohol consumption, and drug abuse are the main causes of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The presence or absence of damage to the liver organ is crucial to a person's health. Nutritional disorders, alcohol consumption, and drug abuse are the main causes of liver disease. Liver transplantation is the last irrevocable option for liver disease and has become a serious economic burden worldwide. Andrographolide (AP) is one of the main active ingredients of Herba Andrographitis. It has several biological activities and has been reported to have protective and therapeutic effects against liver diseases. Earlier literature has been written on AP's role in treating inflammation and other diseases, and there has not been a systematic review on liver diseases. This review is dedicated to sorting out the research results of AP against liver diseases. Pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and nanotechnology to improve bioavailability are discussed. Finally, an outlook and assessment of its future are provided.
METHODS
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. PubMed and web of Science databases were used to search all relevant literature on AP for liver disease up to 2022.
RESULTS
Studies have shown that AP plays an important role in different liver disease phenotypes, mainly through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. AP regulates HO-1 and inhibits hepatitis virus replication. It affects the NF-κB pathway, downregulates inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and reduces liver damage. In preventing liver fibrosis, AP inhibits angiogenesis and activation of hepatic stellate cells and reduces oxidative stress involved in the Nrf2 and TGF-β1/Smad pathways. In addition, AP impedes the development of liver cancer by promoting apoptosis and autonomous phagocytosis in a cell-dependent way. Interestingly, miRNAs are involved in the therapeutic process of liver cancer and hepatic fibrosis. The poor solubility of AP limits the development of dosage forms. Therefore, the advent of nanoformulations has improved bioavailability. Although the effect of AP is dose- and time-dependent, the magnitude of its toxicity is not negligible. Some clinical trials have shown that AP has mild side effects.
CONCLUSIONS
AP, as an effective natural product, has a good effect on the liver disease through multiple pathways and targets. However, the dose reaches a certain level, leading to its toxicity and side effects. For better clinical application of AP, high-quality clinical and toxic intervention mechanisms are needed to validate current studies. In addition, modulation of miRNA-mediated hepatocellular carcinoma and liver fibrosis and synergistic action with drugs may be the future focus of AP. In conclusion, AP can be regarded as an important candidate for treating different liver diseases in the future.
Topics: Humans; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Diterpenes; NF-kappa B; Liver Neoplasms
PubMed: 36610122
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154537 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Oct 2023Neurovascular glial unit (NVGU) dysfunction has been reported to be an early and critical event in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia...
BACKGROUND
Neurovascular glial unit (NVGU) dysfunction has been reported to be an early and critical event in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). Although herbal medicines, with their favorable safety profiles and low adverse effects, have been suggested to be useful for the treatment of cognitive impairment, the potential role of the NVGU as the target of the effects of herbal medicines is still unclear.
PURPOSE
This review aimed to retrieve evidence from experimental studies of phytopharmaceuticals targeting the NVGU for the treatment of cognitive impairment in AD and VD, and discussed the potential of phytopharmaceuticals to improve cognitive impairment from the perspective of the NVGU.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CNKI. The keywords used for searching information on the NVGU in the treatment of cognitive impairments included "Alzheimer's disease," "Vascular dementia," "Herbal medicines," "Natural products," "Neurovascular," "Adverse reaction," and "Toxicity, etc." We selected studies on the basis of predefined eligibility criteria.
RESULTS
NVGU mainly consists of endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and neurons, and damage to these cells can induce cognitive impairment by impairing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) as well as neuronal function. The active components of herbal medicines, including Ginkgo biloba L., Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Epimedium Folium, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Carthami flos, and Acorus tatarinowii Schott, as well as traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions have shown the potential to improve BBB function and increase CBF to prevent cognitive impairment by inhibiting astrocyte and microglia activation, protecting oligodendrocyte myelin function, reducing neuronal apoptosis, and promoting angiogenesis.
CONCLUSIONS
Herbal medicines demonstrate great potential to prevent cognitive impairment. Multiple components from herbal medicines may function through different signaling pathways to target the NVGU. Future studies using novel drug-carrier or delivery systems targeting the NVGU will certainly facilitate the development of phytopharmaceuticals for AD and VD.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Cognitive Dysfunction; Dementia, Vascular; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Endothelial Cells; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Humans
PubMed: 37573807
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155009 -
Biomedicines Jan 2021pain is one of the main symptoms of endometriosis and it has a deleterious effect on a patients' personal and social life. To date, the clinical management of pain... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
pain is one of the main symptoms of endometriosis and it has a deleterious effect on a patients' personal and social life. To date, the clinical management of pain includes prolonged medication use and, in some cases, surgery, both of which are disruptive events for patients. Hence, there is an urgency for the development of a sufficient non-invasive medical treatment. Inflammation is one of the causative factors of pain in endometriosis. It is well established that inflammatory mediators promote angiogenesis and interact with the sensory neurons inducing the pain signal; the threshold of pain varies and it depends on the state and location of the disease. The inhibition of inflammatory mediators' synthesis might offer a novel and effective treatment of the pain that is caused by inflammation in endometriosis.
OBJECTIVES
patients with endometriosis experience chronic pelvic pain, which is moderate to severe in terms of intensity. The objective of this systematic review is to highlight the inflammatory mediators that contribute to the induction of pain in endometriosis and present their biological mechanism of action. In addition, the authors aim to identify new targets for the development of novel treatments for chronic pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis.
DATA SOURCES
three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Europe PMC) were searched in order to retrieve articles with the keywords 'inflammation, pain, and endometriosis' between the review period of 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020. This review has been registered with PROSPERO (registry number: CRD42020171018). Eligibility Criteria: only original articles that presented the regulation of inflammatory mediators and related biological molecules in endometriosis and their contribution in the stimulation of pain signal were included.
DATA EXTRACTION
two authors independently extracted data from articles, using predefined criteria.
RESULTS
the database search yielded 1871 articles, which were narrowed down to 56 relevant articles of interest according to the eligibility criteria.
CONCLUSIONS
inflammatory factors that promote angiogenesis and neuroangiogenesis are promising targets for the treatment of inflammatory pain in endometriosis. Specifically, CXC chemokine family, chemokine fractalkine, and PGE have an active role in the induction of pain. Additionally, IL-1β appears to be the primary interleukin (IL), which stimulates the majority of the inflammatory factors that contribute to neuroangiogenesis along with IL-6. Finally, the role of Ninj1 and BDNF proteins needs further investigation.
PubMed: 33435569
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9010054 -
Journal of Reproductive Immunology Feb 2022Endometriosis (EDT), a common estrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder, is characterized by endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. While its pathogenesis is poorly... (Review)
Review
Endometriosis (EDT), a common estrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder, is characterized by endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. While its pathogenesis is poorly understood, it is supposed that the immune system plays a role in its pathophysiology, and increased number of immune cells and changes in both cell-mediated and humoral immunity have been described. Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells (APC) of the immune system that recognize, capture, and process complex antigens and present them to T cells, conferring them a unique ability as mediators between the innate and adaptive immune systems. This systematic review aims to enlighten possible disturbances (systemically and locally) of DCs in the development and progression of endometriosis. A search using the strategy: ("dendritic cells" AND "immunology" AND "endometriosis") in databases resulted in 490 citations; after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 13 studies were assessed. The evaluated studies demonstrated that DCs are susceptible to pro-endometriotic changes which could inhibit immature DCs (imDCs) from their maturation and induce imDCs into a macrophage phenotype. In addition, the growth and vascularization of endometriosis requires the presence of endogenous DC, which infiltrate endometriotic lesions and enhance endothelial cell migration by secreting proangiogenic factors. Whereas DC maturation suppresses this response, imDC actively promote angiogenesis and growth, leading to a switch in their immunologic role from presenting antigens to support angiogenesis and EDT progression.
Topics: Animals; Antigen Presentation; Cell Differentiation; Dendritic Cells; Endometriosis; Endothelial Cells; Female; Humans; Neovascularization, Pathologic
PubMed: 34915278
DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103462 -
Phytotherapy Research : PTR Sep 2021Limonene (LIM) is a monoterpene, which is abundant in essential oils of Citrus fruits peels (Rutaceae). More recently, LIM, as a potential natural anticancer compound,... (Review)
Review
Limonene (LIM) is a monoterpene, which is abundant in essential oils of Citrus fruits peels (Rutaceae). More recently, LIM, as a potential natural anticancer compound, has attracted major attention and exerted a chemopreventive activity, stimulating the detoxification of carcinogenic compounds and limiting tumor growth and angiogenesis in various cancer models. Twenty-six (26) articles were selected based on previously established criteria. Anticancer activity of LIM was related to the inhibition of tumor initiation, growth, and angiogenesis and the induction of cancer cells apoptosis. LIM was able to increase Bax expression, release cytochrome c, and activate the caspase pathway. In addition, LIM increased the expression of p53 and decreased the activity of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways. LIM also decreased the expression of VEGF and increased the activities of the Man-6-P / IGF2R and TGF-βIIR receptors. These results highlight LIM as an abundant natural molecule with low toxicity and pleiotropic pharmacological activity in cancer cells, targeting various cell-signaling pathways critically involved in the initiation, growth, and chemoresistance of cancer cells.
Topics: Apoptosis; Humans; Limonene; Neoplasms; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 33864293
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7125 -
BMC Cancer Jan 2022Interleukin (IL)-17 family is a group of six cytokines that plays a central role in inflammatory processes and participates in cancer progression. Interleukin-17A has...
BACKGROUND
Interleukin (IL)-17 family is a group of six cytokines that plays a central role in inflammatory processes and participates in cancer progression. Interleukin-17A has been shown to have mainly a protumorigenic role, but the other members of the IL-17 family, including IL-17F, have received less attention.
METHODS
We applied systematic review guidelines to study the role of IL-17F, protein and mRNA expression, polymorphisms, and functions, in cancer. We carried out a systematic search in PubMed, Ovid Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane libraries, yielding 79 articles that met the inclusion criteria.
RESULTS
The findings indicated that IL-17F has both anti- and protumorigenic roles, which depend on cancer type and the molecular form and location of IL-17F. As an example, the presence of IL-17F protein in tumor tissue and patient serum has a protective role in oral and pancreatic cancers, whereas it is protumorigenic in prostate and bladder cancers. These effects are proposed to be based on multiple mechanisms, such as inhibition of angiogenesis, vasculogenic mimicry and cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and aggravating the inflammatory process. No solid evidence emerged for the correlation between IL-17F polymorphisms and cancer incidence or patients' prognosis.
CONCLUSION
IL-17F is a multifaceted cytokine. There is a clear demand for more well-designed studies of IL-17F to elucidate its molecular mechanisms in different types of cancer. The studies presented in this article examined a variety of different designs, study populations and primary/secondary outcomes, which unfortunately reduces the value of direct interstudy comparisons.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinogenesis; Cell Line, Tumor; Humans; Interleukin-17; Lymphocytes; Mice; Neoplasms; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Prognosis
PubMed: 35012470
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08969-0 -
Seminars in Oncology Apr 2017The last two decades have seen intensive efforts devoted to the development of compounds that target angiogenesis for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer... (Review)
Review
The last two decades have seen intensive efforts devoted to the development of compounds that target angiogenesis for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In this review, we describe supporting evidence and ongoing development of angiogenesis inhibitors in the second-line treatment of mCRC, and summarize relevant randomized trials to help therapeutic decision-making in daily practice.
Topics: Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bevacizumab; Colorectal Neoplasms; ErbB Receptors; Humans; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Phenylurea Compounds; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyridines; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Retreatment; Ramucirumab
PubMed: 28923209
DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2017.07.004