Complementary Cancer Therapy Research Articles

Miracle drink supplemented with Lactobacillus bulgaricus loaded-chitosan/alginate nanoparticles as a medicinal food for control of MCF7 cancer cells

BackgroundCancer continues to be one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine and is second only to cardiovascular disease as the main cause of death. Breast cancer in particular is responsible for 15% of deaths in women. In this study, Lactobacillus bulgaricus was microencapsulated using a chitosan/alginate mixture. Parameters such as chitosan, alginate, and L. bulgaricus populations were optimized using Design Expert software. The responses were loading efficiency, particle size, release, and ζ-potential. Subsequently, the cytotoxicity of the optimized ratio of chitosan/alginate nanoparticles was investigated on MCF-7 cancer cells. ResultsThe research revealed that optimal conditions for the mentioned variables were a chitosan concentration of 1% w/w, an alginate concentration of 1% w/w, and a L. bulgaricus count of 8.15 CFU/ml. Following numerical optimization, the loading efficacy = 91.15%, the release = 71.55%, the polydispersity index = 0.11, and the ζ-potential = 61.94 based on numerical optimization. Findings revealed that miracle drinks with L. bulgaricus-loaded chitosan/alginate microcapsule ratios exhibited toxic and potential apoptotic effects on MCF-7 cancer cells. This study showed that a miracle drink prepared with the optimal ratio of probiotic nanoparticles stops cells in the S and G2/M phases. ConclusionsThe results show that Miracle drink supplemented with L. bulgaricus loaded-chitosan/alginate nanoparticles has a toxic and lethal effect on MCF-7 cancer cells. This compound can be suggested and used as an alternative candidate or complementary cancer therapy.How to cite: Jovaini K, Mortazavian Farsani SAM, Aghaee-Bakhtiari SH, et al. Miracle drink supplemented with L.bulgaricus loaded-chitosan/alginate nanoparticles as a medicinal food for control of MCF7 cancer cells. Electron J Biotechnol 2024;70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2024.04.002.

A comprehensive review on phytochemicals in the treatment and prevention of pancreatic cancer: Focusing on their mechanism of action.

Pancreatic cancer develops in the normal tissues of the pancreas from malignant cells. The chance of recovery is not good, and the chance of survival 5 years following diagnosis is quite low. Pancreatic cancer treatment strategies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy had relatively low success rates. Therefore, the present study aims to explore new therapies for treating pancreatic cancer. The present study searched for information about pancreatic cancer pathophysiology, available treatment options; and their comparative benefits and challenges. Aiming to identify potential alternative therapeutics, this comprehensive review analyzed information from renowned databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. In recent years, there has been a rise in interest in the possibility that natural compounds could be used as treatments for cancer. Cannabinoids, curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, and triptolide are some of the anticancer phytochemicals now used to manage pancreatic cancer. The above compounds are utilized by inhibiting or stimulating biological pathways such as apoptosis, autophagy, cell growth inhibition or reduction, oxidative stress, epithelial-mesenchymal transformation, and increased resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs in the management of pancreatic cancer. Right now, surgery is the only therapeutic option for patients with pancreatic cancer. However, most people who get sick have been diagnosed too late to benefit from potentially effective surgery. Alternative medications, like natural compounds and herbal medicines, are promising complementary therapies for pancreatic cancer. Therefore, we recommend large-scale standardized clinical research for the investigation of natural compounds to ensure their consistency and comparability in pancreatic cancer treatment.

Geraniol and citral: recent developments in their anticancer credentials opening new vistas in complementary cancer therapy.

About 10 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Globally, it is the second leading cause of death after heart disease, and by 2035, the death toll could reach 14.6 million. Several drugs and treatments are available to treat cancer, but survival rates remain low. Many studies in recent years have shown that plant-derived monoterpenes, particularly geraniol and citral, are effective against various cancers, including breast, liver, melanoma, endometrial, colon, prostate, and skin cancers. This trend has opened new possibilities for the development of new therapeutics or adjuvants in the field of cancer therapy. These monoterpenes can improve the efficacy of chemotherapy by modulating many signaling molecules and pathways within tumors. Analysis of reports on the anticancer effects published in the past 5 years provided an overview of the most important results of these and related properties. Also, the molecular mechanisms by which they exert their anticancer effects in cell and animal studies have been explained. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the scope of geraniol and citral as complementary or alternative treatment options in cancer therapy.

Heat shock factor 1 inhibition enhances the effects of modulated electro hyperthermia in a triple negative breast cancer mouse model

Female breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer worldwide. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type and there is no existing endocrine or targeted therapy. Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) is a non-invasive complementary cancer therapy using an electromagnetic field generated by amplitude modulated 13.56 MHz frequency that induces tumor cell destruction. However, we have demonstrated a strong induction of the heat shock response (HSR) by mEHT, which can result in thermotolerance. We hypothesized that inhibition of the heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) can synergize with mEHT and enhance tumor cell-killing. Thus, we either knocked down the HSF1 gene with a CRISPR/Cas9 lentiviral construct or inhibited HSF1 with a specific small molecule inhibitor: KRIBB11 in vivo. Wild type or HSF1-knockdown 4T1 TNBC cells were inoculated into the mammary gland’s fat pad of BALB/c mice. Four mEHT treatments were performed every second day and the tumor growth was followed by ultrasound and caliper. KRIBB11 was administrated intraperitoneally at 50 mg/kg daily for 8 days. HSF1 and Hsp70 expression were assessed. HSF1 knockdown sensitized transduced cancer cells to mEHT and reduced tumor growth. HSF1 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in the KO group when compared to the empty vector group, and consequently mEHT-induced Hsp70 mRNA upregulation diminished in the KO group. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed the inhibition of Hsp70 upregulation in mEHT HSF1-KO group. Demonstrating the translational potential of HSF1 inhibition, combined therapy of mEHT with KRIBB11 significantly reduced tumor mass compared to either monotherapy. Inhibition of Hsp70 upregulation by mEHT was also supported by qPCR and IHC. In conclusion, we suggest that mEHT-therapy combined with HSF1 inhibition can be a possible new strategy of TNBC treatment with great translational potential.

Ginsenoside Rg3: A Review of its Anticancer Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Applications.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history of treating various diseases and is increasingly being recognized as a complementary therapy for cancer. A promising natural compound extracted from the Chinese herb ginseng is ginsenoside Rg3, which has demonstrated significant anticancer effects. It has been tested in a variety of cancers and tumors and has proven to be effective in suppressing cancer. This work covers various aspects of the role of ginsenoside Rg3 in cancer treatment, including its biological functions, key pathways, epigenetics, and potential for combination therapies, all of which have been extensively researched and elucidated. The study aims to provide a reference for future research on ginsenoside Rg3 as an anticancer agent and a support for the potential application of ginsenoside Rg3 in cancer treatment.

Ippia Alba Essential Oil: A Promising Complementary Therapy for Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer remains a pressing global health issue, spurring exploration into innovative therapies. This review focuses on Lippia alba (Mill.) essential oil's potential as a complementary breast cancer treatment. With growing interest in natural approaches, Lippia alba shows promise in breast cancer management. The review will explore Lippia alba's multifaceted role in treatment, highlighting its anticancer effects on breast cancer cells, potential synergy with conventional treatments, safety profiles, and existing clinical evidence. It will also address knowledge gaps, stressing the need for further research to unlock Lippia alba's full therapeutic potential in breast cancer therapy. In a field craving novel therapies, this review offers a timely analysis. Despite the lack of existing reviews on this topic, Lippia alba's significance cannot be understated. As research progresses, this article will be a valuable resource for researchers and healthcare practitioners seeking to augment breast cancer management through complementary therapies.

Therapeutic targets and molecular mechanisms of Huangqin decoction in liver cancer: a network pharmacology and molecular docking approach

IntroductionHuangqin decoction (HD) is a traditional Chinese medicine used for complementary therapy of liver cancer. However, its molecular mechanism of action is still unclear. MethodsAfter determining the active ingredients and targets of HD and identifying the genes related to liver cancer, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the overlapping genes. The Metascape platform was used to perform gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and the PubChem database, SwissADME database, PyMOL software, and AutoDock software were used to perform molecular docking. The Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and Human Protein Atlas (HPA ) database were used to evaluate the expression levels, survival analysis, and pathological stage. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to extract the clinical and RNA-seq data of liver cancer patients. The R packages were used to analyse clinical data. ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking revealed the potential molecular mechanisms of HD in the treatment of liver cancer. The active components of HD were quercetin, kaempferol, wogonin, baicalein, naringenin, formononetin, isorhamnetin, and medicarpin. HD modulated the expression of AKT1, TP53, TNF, IL6, CTNNB1, VEGFA, and ESR1. ConclusionHD treats liver cancer in a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway manner. Our findings encourage further studies on the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of HD in liver cancer. The proof-of-concept approach enable future studies on the molecular mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine and contribute to the development of novel therapeutic targets.

Annona Muricata: Unveiling its Potential as a Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapy

Background: Soursop (Annona muricata) is a tropical fruit that has recently been under scrutiny for its supposedly appreciable health benefits. The plant is rich in phytochemicals and the medicinal value of the fruit has been under study in treating cancer, diabetes, oxidative stress, hypertension, haemorrhagic disease, and reduction of bad cholesterol. Purpose: The review serves to discuss the potential use of the Annona muricata in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical development. The discussion below is based on the use of soursop pulp, seeds, and leaf extracts as functional ingredients in food products and their implications for pharmaceutical industries. Methods: Recent literatures have been surveyed from PUBMED, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, etc. like search engines, for summarising detailed ongoing research on Annona muricata, which could be used in complementary and alternative cancer therapy. Conclusion: The high nutritional value and pharmacological potential of Annona muricata turn it into a very good candidate for different health-related applications. There exist promising benefits of phytochemicals present in soursop for the treatment and prevention of a number of health conditions, underscoring its importance in functional foods and medicines development.

Cosmos caudatus Kunth. Leaf Extract Herbal Nanosuspension Formulations, Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Approach Against MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Kenikir leaves (Cosmos caudatus Kunth.) contain quercetin, which has anticancer properties. To provide more effective complementary therapy for breast cancer, nanotechnology was applied to develop preparations containing kenikir leaf extract. This research aimed to formulate a nanosuspension containing kenikir leaf extract with cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Nanosuspension of kenikir leaf extract was prepared using the ionic gelation method with 3%, 4%, and 5% PVP K-30 stabilizer. The nanosuspension formula with the highest entrapment efficiency was further characterised, including particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, pH, and particle morphology. Cytotoxic activity was tested against MCF-7 cells by the MTT assay. The results showed that the formula with 5% PVP has the highest entrapment efficiency value of 85.04±0.08%, a particle size of 221.9 nm, a PDI of 0.211, a zeta potential of -21.7 mV, a pH of 4.08±0.0, and a spherical morphology. The kenikir leaf extract at a concentration of 1 mg/mL inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells by 23.4% (p<0.05), whereas the nanosuspension at 10 μg/mL inhibited proliferation by 23.7%. It can be concluded that kenikir leaf extract can be formulated into a nanosuspension that meets the physical criteria and has cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells.

Turicibacter fermentation enhances the inhibitory effects of Antrodia camphorata supplementation on tumorigenic serotonin and Wnt pathways and promotes ROS-mediated apoptosis of Caco-2 cells.

Introduction: Diet-induced obesity has been shown to decrease the abundance of Turicibacter, a genus known to play a role in the serotonin signaling system, which is associated with colorectal tumorigenesis, making the presence of Turicibacter potentially influential in the protection of intestinal tumorigenesis. Recently, Antrodia camphorata (AC), a medicinal fungus native to Taiwan, has emerged as a promising candidate for complementary and alternative cancer therapy. Small molecules and polysaccharides derived from AC have been reported to possess health-promoting effects, including anti-cancer properties. Methods: Bacterial culture followed with cell culture were used in this study to determine the role of Turicibacter in colorectal tumorigenesis and to explore the anti-cancer mechanism of AC with Turicibacter fermentation. Results: Turicibacter fermentation and the addition of AC polysaccharide led to a significant increase in the production of nutrients and metabolites, including α-ketoglutaric acid and lactic acid (p < 0.05). Treatment of Turicibacter fermented AC polysaccharide was more effective in inhibiting serotonin signaling-related genes, including Tph1, Htr1d, Htr2a, Htr2b, and Htr2c (p < 0.05), and Wnt-signaling related protein and downstream gene expressions, such as phospho-GSK-3β, active β-catenin, c-Myc, Ccnd1, and Axin2 (p < 0.05). Additionally, it triggered the highest generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which activated PI3K/Akt and MAPK/Erk signaling and resulted in cleaved caspase-3 expression. In comparison, the treatment of AC polysaccharide without Turicibacter fermentation displayed a lesser effect. Discussion: Our findings suggest that AC polysaccharide effectively suppresses the tumorigenic serotonin and Wnt-signaling pathways, and promotes ROS-mediated apoptosis in Caco-2 cells. These processes are further enhanced by Turicibacter fermentation.

Natural Anthraquinones as Promising MAPK3 Inhibitors for Complementary Cancer Therapy

Objective. MAPK3 activates several nuclear transcription factors, including c-Jun and c-fos, by phosphorylating its downstream cytoplasmic protein, thereby contributing to cell proliferation and survival. Different carcinomas’ initiation, progression, cancer cell metastasis, and drug resistance have been associated with MAPK3 overexpression. Given the need for new and potent MAPK3 inhibitors, this study aimed to explore the potential of anthraquinones (AQs) as organic compounds capable of inhibiting MAPK3. Methods. Using AutoDock 4.0 software, the binding affinity of 21 AQs to the receptor’s active site was evaluated. AQs were ranked based on their ΔGbinding values to the receptor’s active site, with the highest rankings receiving the most favorable scores. The Discovery Studio Visualizer tool was used to demonstrate the interaction modes between the highest-ranked AQs and the MAPK3 catalytic site. Furthermore, a 100-nanosecond molecular dynamics (MD) computer simulation was performed to assess the stability of the docked pose of the most potent enzyme inhibitor identified in this study. Results. The binding affinity of emodin-8-glucoside, aloe-emodin 8-glucoside, pulmatin, rhodoptilometrin, and hypericin to the receptor’s ATP binding cleft was noteworthy, as the ΔGbinding values were &lt; − 10 kcal/mol. In addition, emodin-8-glucoside, aloe-emodin 8-glucoside, and pulmatin were found to have inhibition constant values at the picomolar concentration. According to our computer simulation results, the docked pose of emodin-8-glucoside within the active site of MAPK3 achieved a stable state after 70 ns. In other words, the root mean square deviation (RMSD) graph indicated stability within the 70–100 ns timeframe. Conclusion. Inhibition of MAPK3 by emodin-8-glucoside, aloe-emodin 8-glucoside, pulmatin, rhodoptilometrin, and hypericin may have therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.

The Viral Knock: Ameliorating Cancer Treatment with Oncolytic Newcastle Disease Virus.

The prospect of cancer treatment has drastically transformed over the last four decades. The side effects caused by the traditional methods of cancer treatment like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy through the years highlight the prospect for a novel, complementary, and alternative cancer therapy. Oncolytic virotherapy is an evolving treatment modality that utilizes oncolytic viruses (OVs) to selectively attack cancer cells by direct lysis and can also elicit a strong anti-cancer immune response. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) provides a very high safety profile compared to other oncolytic viruses. Extensive research worldwide concentrates on experimenting with and better understanding the underlying mechanisms by which oncolytic NDV can be effectively applied to intercept cancer. This review encapsulates the potential of NDV to be explored as an oncolytic agent and discusses current preclinical and clinical research scenarios involving various NDV strains.

Chromatographic (LC-MS and GC-MS) and biological (antiproliferative) evaluation of a naturalized plant in Jordan: Parkinsonia aculeata L.

IntroductionParkinsonia aculeata L. (Caesalpiniaceae), native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of southwestern USA and northern Mexico, has been introduced and successfully propagated in Jordan within the Greening the Desert Project. No phytochemical or biological studies have been carried out with this species grown in Jordan. MethodsThe hydrodistilled essential oils of P. aculeata, from the fresh leaves and flowers (fully grown and at the pre-flowering stage), as well as their spontaneous emitted volatiles, were determined by Solid-Phase-Micro-Extraction (SPME), and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Water and ethanol extracts were screened by LC-MS and evaluated for their antiproliferative activities on two colorectal- (Caco2 and HCT116) and two breast cancer- (MCF7 and T47D) cell lines. ResultsThe monoterpene trans-ocimene appeared as the major compound of the aroma profile of all the studied organs while the hydro-distilled oils contained larger percentages of non-terpenoid volatile substances. LC-MS analyses of the water extract of the aerial parts revealed the presence of sixteen compounds, with 4-methylumbelliferone, succinic acid, vitexin, and hyperoside being the major identified compounds. In the ethanol extract of the aerial parts eleven compounds were identified, with iso-orientin and chrysoeriol-7-glucoside as the major compounds. Biologically, the water extract of the P. aculeata showed promising antiproliferative activity against the four tested cell lines with IC50s ranging between 17.5 and 77 μg/mL. ConclusionFindings encourage future studies to isolate the water extract components of P. aculeata to investigate their anticancer activities against different cancer cell lines and to consider it as a complementary therapy for colorectal cancer.

Syzygiumaromaticum Antioxidant, Anticancer, and Antibacterial Activities of Clove: Review Article

Because of its curative properties, Syzygiumaromaticum has long been used in conventional, holistic medicine. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and cancer-fighting properties. Clove oil, also known as the essential oil of the Syzygiumaromaticum tree, contains a wide variety of compounds, including the methyl salicylate, tannins like bicorningallotannic acid, acetyl eugenol, beta-caryophyllene, vanillin, catholic acid, and the flavonoids eugenin and hesperetin., kaempferol, and rhamnetin are some of the bioactive compounds found in eucalyptus., and eugenic Using the MTT assay, we were able to determine the cytotoxicity of the stable oil and found that it inhibited the growth of cancer cells, suggesting that this formulation may be helpful as a complementary therapy for cancer. Also tested was the oil's efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. According to membrane permeability studies, it is highly effective in passing through cell membranes and themes, increasing the leakage of cytoplasmic contents.

Abstract P3-07-26: Anti-cancer activity of naturally formulated Trigonella foenum graecum (Fenugreek) PLGA hyaluronic acid-coated nanoparticles for treatment of breast cancer cell lines

Abstract There are several growing evidences of anticancer complementary and alternative medicines worldwide. Trigonella foenum graecum (Fenugreek) is traditionally applied to treat several disorders such as diabetes, inflammation, and gastrointestinal ailments. Previously, we reported that Fenugreek has anticancer properties against liver cancer due to its active beneficial chemical constituents. Herein, Fenugreek-loaded poly (l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated nanoparticles have been formulated to improve and enhance the anticancer potential of Fenugreek against human breast cancer cell lines. The cytotoxic effects, physicochemical characterization in vitro and pharmacodynamic study of optimized formulation of the FCE-loaded (PLGA)-(HA)-coated nanoparticles in vivo were investigated in (ER-positive) and (triple-negative), breast cancer cell lines, ZR-75-1 and MDA-MB-231, respectively. The particle size, PDI, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and loading capacity of FCE-loaded nanoparticles were 188.5 ± 3.1 d.nm, 0.198 ± 0.114, −.118 mV, 38.41 ± 1.4%, and 6.37 ± 1.08%, respectively. The in vitro cytotoxicity study of FCE-loaded NPs by Wst-1 proliferation assay on both tested breast cancer cell lines showed an anti-cancer activity after 48 h of treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the anticancer effect of FCE-loaded nanoparticles was examined by the morphological cell changes, histone release, caspase-3 activity, and modulation of the oncogenic signal pathways of m-tor, β-catenin, cyclin D-1 and STAT3 that are constitutively active in wide variety of breast cancer cell lines which in turn could be important as therapeutic targets in breast cancer. 66 μg/mL FCE-loaded PLGA nanoparticles induced 67.3% apoptosis in both tested cell lines after 48 h that was associated with increased expression of caspase 3, Bax, Bak, p53, and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 in a time-and dose-dependent manner compared to unloaded-nanoparticles or untreated cells. Moreover, there were significant inhibition in m-tor, β-catenin, cycline-D1, and STAT3 expression levels in both tested cell lines compared to un-loaded-nanoparticles or untreated cells. All in all, our results showed that the formulated FCE-loaded (PLGA)-(HA)-coated nanoparticles induced apoptosis in both ER-positive and triple-negative breast cancer cell lines respectively by increase the expression of pro-apoptotic genes and inhibited several oncogenic genes that might hold a promise for the complementary therapy for human breast cancer. Citation Format: Islam Yahiya, Rana Saeed, Ahmed Sultan. Anti-cancer activity of naturally formulated Trigonella foenum graecum (Fenugreek) PLGA hyaluronic acid-coated nanoparticles for treatment of breast cancer cell lines [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-07-26.

On the Mechanism of Membrane Permeabilization by Tamoxifen and 4-Hydroxytamoxifen.

Tamoxifen (TMX), commonly used in complementary therapy for breast cancer, also displays known effects on the structure and function of biological membranes. This work presents an experimental and simulation study on the permeabilization of model phospholipid membranes by TMX and its derivative 4-hydroxytamoxifen (HTMX). TMX induces rapid and extensive vesicle contents leakage in phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes, with the effect of HTMX being much weaker. Fitting of the leakage curves for TMX, yields two rate constants, corresponding to a fast and a slow process, whereas in the case of HTMX, only the slow process takes place. Interestingly, incorporation of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) protects PC membranes from TMXinduced permeabilization. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) shows that, in the presence of TMX there is a shift in the νCH2 band frequency, corresponding to an increase in gauche conformers, and a shift in the νC=O band frequency, indicating a dehydration of the polar region. A preferential association of TMX with PC, in mixed PC/PE systems, is observed by differential scanning calorimetry. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations support the experimental results, and provide feasible explanations to the protecting effect of PG and PE. These findings add new information to explain the various mechanisms of the anticancer actions of TMX, not related to the estrogen receptor, and potential side effects of this drug.

Auricularia polytricha: A promising medicinal mushroom for combination therapy of colorectal cancer and understanding its potential mechanism of action

The Global Burden of Cancer (GLOBOCAN) revealed that there were 1,931,590 new cases and 935,173 deaths due to colorectal cancer in 2020. Treatment for colorectal cancer tends to be invasive and costly. Therefore, further research is needed on non-invasive complementary therapies that are safe and can be used to reduce the probability of recurrence in colorectal cancer patients at an affordable cost. The systematic literature review synthesized resources and presented them in a narrative review. Four databases, including PubMed, Research Gate, ProQuest, and Science Direct, were used to conduct the systematic reviews by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) criteria. In this review, 36 articles were analyzed descriptively to help describe and summarize the data constructively. The results showed that complementary colorectal cancer therapy with Auricularia polytricha which contains active compounds, such as flavonoids, phenols, and beta-glucans, can increase the expression of miRNA-9, miRNA-217, miRNA-210, miRNA200c, and miRNA-132 which can improve the prognosis of colorectal cancer.

Anticancer Activity of the Bioactive Extract of the Morel Mushroom (Morchella elata, Ascomycetes) from Kashmir Himalaya (India) and Identification of Major Bioactive Compounds.

Morel mushrooms, Morchella species are highly nutritional, excellently edible and medicinal. Anticancer activity of M. elata, growing in forests of Kashmir Himalaya was studied. Ethyl acetate extract of fruiting bodies of M. elata (MEAE) was evaluated for cytotoxicity by MTT assay using Daltons lymphoma ascites (DLA), human colon cancer (HCT-116) and normal cell lines. Anti-carcinogenic and antiangiogenic activities of MEAE were tested using mouse models. Proapoptotic activity was detected by double staining of acridine orange-ethidium bromide assay. MEAE was partially purified by column chromatography and the bioactive compounds were identified by LC-MS analysis. The bioactive extract of M. elata showed significant cytotoxicic activity against DLA (P < 0.05), HCT-116 cell lines (P < 0.05) and did not possess appreciable adverse effect on the viability of normal cells. At a concentration of 100 µg/mL, 60% cell death was observed in HCT-116 cell line while 80% cell death was found in DLA cell line. The extract also possessed profound anticarcinogenic, antiangiogenic and proapoptotic activities. LC-MS analysis showed celastrol (RT 9.504, C29H38O4, MW 450.27), convallatoxin (RT 9.60, C29H42O10, MW 550.27), cucurbitacin A (RT 11.97, C32H46O9, MW 574.71) and madecassic acid (RT 14.35, C30H48O6, MW 504.70) as the major bioactive components. Current experimental studies indicated that bioactive extract of M. elata possessed significant anticancer activity. Being an excellently edible mushroom, the potential therapeutic use of M. elata and its bioactive extract in complementary therapy of cancer is envisaged.

Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland:Viscum album

AbstractThis account presents information on all aspects of the biology ofViscum albumL. (Mistletoe) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of theBiological Flora of Britain and Ireland: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history, and conservation.Viscum albumis a widespread obligate hemiparasite on a wide range of angiosperm and gymnosperm trees. Once thought to take just water and nutrients from its host via a haustorium, it is now suggested to also take carbon. Heavy infestations can reduce host vitality through prolific water use and carbon removal.Flowers are highly reduced but are primarily pollinated by flies, ants and bees. Seeds are dispersed by birds. Removal of the epicarp is necessary for successful seedling establishment, and seeds have a sticky viscin coat, adhering it to the host bark. Vegetative spread also happens under the bark of its host resulting in densities of &gt;700 Mistletoe plants per host.Viscum albumis a lowland species, most frequent in open human‐made habitats extending into woodlands in Europe. It has been widely planted for folklore use centred around Christmas. Despite conservation concerns following removal of Mistletoe‐laden old orchards, the species is thriving and needs control in some areas. Viscotoxins and lectins in leaves and shoots have been widely used in herbal medicine and now potentially in complementary cancer therapy.

Viscum album mother tinctures: Harvest conditions and host trees influence the plant metabolome and the glycolytic pathway of breast cancer cells.

Viscum album is a semi-parasitic plant used for over one hundred years in complementary cancer therapy. The main commercial drugs used in cancer patients' treatment are derived from the aqueous V. album extracts, whose cytotoxic potential is mostly attributed to the aqueous soluble antitumoral metabolites. On the counterpart, ethanol solvents must be used to obtain V. album mother tinctures. This methodology permits better solubilization of phenolic compounds, among others, which present antitumoral bioactivity. Recently, the metabolomics approach revealed the influence of the host tree on the V. album subspecies differentiation. To increase the scientific information about the chemical differences related to the host trees and to clarify the seasonal influences, in this study, the metabolome of 50V. album mother tinctures from three subspecies (abietis, album, austriacum) and five host trees (Malus domestica, Quercus sp., Ulmus carpinifolia, Pinus sylvestris, Abies alba) was evaluated using summer and winter plant harvests. The in vitro cytotoxic activities were investigated in breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and immortalized normal human keratinocytes (HaCaT). The summer V. album mother tinctures presented higher cytotoxic activity than winter ones. Among the summer samples, those prepared with V. album subsp. album were more cytotoxic than V. album subsp. abietis and subsp. V. album subsp. austriacum. The V. album harvested from Quercus petraea and Abies alba inhibited the key-glycolytic enzymes: hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase (PK). This activity was related to a reduction in glucose uptake and lactate production, which were host-tree-time-dose-dependent. The untargeted metabolomic approach was able to discriminate the mother tinctures according to respective botanical classes and harvest season. A total of 188 metabolites were annotated under positive and negative modes. Fourteen compounds were responsible for the samples differentiation, and, to the best of our knowledge, eight were described in the Viscum album species for the first time. Our study shows the interruption of the Warburg effect as a novel antitumoral mechanism triggered by V. album mother tinctures, which is related to their metabolite profile. These results bring scientific evidence that encourages the use of V. album mother tinctures as a natural product for cancer therapy.