Rejuvenating, Geroprotective and Cytoprotective Activities of Natural and Synthetic Compounds: Proofs of Concept, Associated Mechanisms and Applications

A topical collection in Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This collection belongs to the section "Cell Signaling".

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Editors


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Team "Biochemistry of the Peroxisome, Inflammation and Lipid Metabolism", Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
Interests: lipids; oxysterols; fatty acids; polyphenols; oils; oxidation; inflammation; mitochondria; peroxisomes; lysosomes; apoptosis; autophagy; natural products; synthethic molecules; biomarkers; neurodegeneration; neurodegenerative diseases; aging; age-related diseases; nanoparticles; targeted therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin at San Luigi Hospital, 10042 Orbassano (Turin), Italy

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Collection Editor
Université de Monastir, Faculté de Médecine, LR12ES05 ‘Nutrition Aliment Fonctionnels et Santé’ Av Avicenne 5019 Monastir, Tunisia

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Biochemistry Laboratory, LR12ES05 LR-NAFS ‘Nutrition - Functional Food & Vascular Health’ Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
Interests: lipid metabolism; inflammation; oxidative stress; aging; age-related diseases; biomarker
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Societal changes lead to more and more interest in natural or synthetic molecules in order to consider healthy aging. In this context, it is becoming increasingly interesting to identify molecules that are capable of either promoting rejuvenation, preventing aging, or protecting against exogenous or endogenous cytotoxic compounds. The identification of such molecules is made possible through various studies on humans, animals or cells. It is important to know the possible target genes of these molecules and the relevant signaling pathways to lead to applications that improve human health. In this context, the proposed articles will refer to molecules evaluated in humans, animals or cellular models with rejuvenating, geroprotective or cytoprotective effects.

Prof. Gérard Lizard
Prof. Guiseppe Poli
Prof. Mohamed Hammami
Dr. Amira Zarrouk
Collection Editors

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Keywords

  • rejuvenation
  • geroprotection
  • cytoprotection
  • natural products
  • synthetic molecules
  • signaling pathways

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

2023

Jump to: 2022, 2021

25 pages, 5288 KiB  
Article
Chrysin-Induced Regression of Angiogenesis via an Induction of DNA Damage Response and Oxidative Stress in In Vitro and In Vivo Models of Melanoma
by Aicha Sassi, Maxime Fredon, Alexia K. Cotte, Camille Fuselier, Christophe Schneider, Laurent Martiny, David Monchaud, Leila Chekir-Ghedira, Virginie Aires and Dominique Delmas
Cells 2023, 12(12), 1561; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12121561 - 6 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1997
Abstract
Despite the progress made in treatments, melanoma is one of the cancers for which its incidence and mortality have increased during recent decades. In the research of new therapeutic strategies, natural polyphenols such as chrysin could be good candidates owing to their capacities [...] Read more.
Despite the progress made in treatments, melanoma is one of the cancers for which its incidence and mortality have increased during recent decades. In the research of new therapeutic strategies, natural polyphenols such as chrysin could be good candidates owing to their capacities to modulate the different fundamental aspects of tumorigenesis and resistance mechanisms, such as oxidative stress and neoangiogenesis. In the present study, we sought to determine whether chrysin could exert antitumoral effects via the modulation of angiogenesis by acting on oxidative stress and associated DNA damage. For the first time, we show a link between chrysin-induced antiproliferative effects, the activation of the DNA damage pathway, and its ability to limit angiogenesis. More specifically, herein, we show that chrysin induces single- and double-stranded DNA breaks via the activation of the DNA damage response pathway: ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated)/Chk2 (checkpoint kinase 2) and ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related)/Chk1 (checkpoint kinase 1) pathways. Strong activation of this DNA damage response was found to be partly involved in the ability of chrysin to limit angiogenesis and may partly involve a direct interaction between the polyphenol and DNA G-quadruplex structures responsible for the replication fork collapse. Moreover, these events were associated with a marked reduction in melanoma cells’ capacity to secrete proangiogenic factor VEGF-A. The disruption of these key protein actors in tumor growth by chrysin was also confirmed in a syngeneic model of B16 melanoma. This last point is of importance to further consider the use of chrysin as a new therapeutic strategy in melanoma treatment. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2023, 2021

11 pages, 9624 KiB  
Review
Revealing the Roles of MOAP1 in Diseases: A Review
by Yanfang Su, Weixia Wang and Xianfang Meng
Cells 2022, 11(5), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11050889 - 4 Mar 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3231
Abstract
Modulator of apoptosis protein1 (MOAP1), also known as MAP1 and PNMA4, belongs to the PNMA gene family consisting of at least 15 genes located on different chromosomes. MOAP1 interacts with the BAX protein, one of the most important apoptosis regulators. [...] Read more.
Modulator of apoptosis protein1 (MOAP1), also known as MAP1 and PNMA4, belongs to the PNMA gene family consisting of at least 15 genes located on different chromosomes. MOAP1 interacts with the BAX protein, one of the most important apoptosis regulators. Due to its critical role in a few of disease-associated pathways, MOAP1 is associated with many diseases such as cancers and neurological diseases. In this study, we introduced MOAP1 and its biological functions and reviewed the associations between MOAP1 and a few diseases including cancers, neurological diseases, and other diseases such as inflammation and heart diseases. We also explained possible biological mechanisms underlying the associations between MOAP1 and these diseases, and discussed a few future directions regarding MOAP1, especially its potential roles in neurodegenerative disorders. In summary, MOAP1 plays a critical role in the development and progression of cancers and neurological diseases by regulating a few genes related to cellular apoptosis such as BAX and RASSF1A and interacting with disease-associated miRNAs, including miR-25 and miR1228. Full article
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21 pages, 3155 KiB  
Article
Whole and Purified Aqueous Extracts of Nigella sativa L. Seeds Attenuate Apoptosis and the Overproduction of Reactive Oxygen Species Triggered by p53 Over-Expression in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
by Wafa Mihoubi, Emna Sahli, Fatma Rezgui, Najeh Dabebi, Rabiaa Sayehi, Hajer Hassairi, Najla Masmoudi-Fourati, Kamel Walha, Khalifa ben Khadhra, Mohamed Baklouti, Imen Ghzaiel, Sami Fattouch, Hela Menif, Raja Mokdad-Gargouri, Gérard Lizard and Ali Gargouri
Cells 2022, 11(5), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11050869 - 3 Mar 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2461
Abstract
Plants are an important source of pharmacologically active compounds. In the present work, we characterize the impact of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) aqueous extracts on a yeast model of p53-dependent apoptosis. To this end, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae recombinant strain over-expressing p53 [...] Read more.
Plants are an important source of pharmacologically active compounds. In the present work, we characterize the impact of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) aqueous extracts on a yeast model of p53-dependent apoptosis. To this end, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae recombinant strain over-expressing p53 was used. The over-expression of p53 triggers the expression of apoptotic markers: the externalization of phosphatidylserine, mitochondrial defect associated with cytochrome-c release and the induction of DNA strand breaks. These different effects were attenuated by Nigella sativa L. aqueous extracts, whereas these extracts have no effect on the level of p53 expression. Thus, we focus on the anti-apoptotic molecules present in the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa L. These extracts were purified and characterized by complementary chromatographic methods. Specific fluorescent probes were used to determine the effect of the extracts on yeast apoptosis. Yeast cells over-expressing p53 decrease in relative size and have lower mitochondrial content. The decrease in cell size was proportional to the decrease in mitochondrial content and of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). These effects were prevented by the purified aqueous fraction obtained by fractionation with different columns, named C4 fraction. Yeast cell death was also characterized by reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. In the presence of the C4 fraction, ROS overproduction was strongly reduced. We also noted that the C4 fraction promotes the cell growth of control yeast cells, which do not express p53, supporting the fact that this purified extract acts on cellular mediators activating cell proliferation independently of p53. Altogether, our data obtained on yeast cells over-expressing p53 demonstrate that anti-apoptotic molecules targeting p53-induced apoptosis associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS overproduction are present in the aqueous extracts of Nigella seeds and in the purified aqueous C4 fraction. Full article
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14 pages, 1097 KiB  
Review
Role of Bioactive Compounds in the Regulation of Mitochondrial Dysfunctions in Brain and Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases
by Khadidja Kessas, Zhor Chouari, Imen Ghzaiel, Amira Zarrouk, Mohamed Ksila, Taoufik Ghrairi, Adil El Midaoui, Gérard Lizard and Omar Kharoubi
Cells 2022, 11(2), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11020257 - 13 Jan 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3686
Abstract
Mitochondria are multifunctional organelles that participate in a wide range of metabolic processes, including energy production and biomolecule synthesis. The morphology and distribution of intracellular mitochondria change dynamically, reflecting a cell’s metabolic activity. Oxidative stress is defined as a mismatch between the body’s [...] Read more.
Mitochondria are multifunctional organelles that participate in a wide range of metabolic processes, including energy production and biomolecule synthesis. The morphology and distribution of intracellular mitochondria change dynamically, reflecting a cell’s metabolic activity. Oxidative stress is defined as a mismatch between the body’s ability to neutralise and eliminate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS). A determination of mitochondria failure in increasing oxidative stress, as well as its implications in neurodegenerative illnesses and apoptosis, is a significant developmental process of focus in this review. The neuroprotective effects of bioactive compounds linked to neuronal regulation, as well as related neuronal development abnormalities, will be investigated. In conclusion, the study of secondary components and the use of mitochondrial features in the analysis of various neurodevelopmental diseases has enabled the development of a new class of mitochondrial-targeted pharmaceuticals capable of alleviating neurodegenerative disease states and enabling longevity and healthy ageing for the vast majority of people. Full article
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2021

Jump to: 2023, 2022

20 pages, 1615 KiB  
Review
Impact of Oxysterols on Cell Death, Proliferation, and Differentiation Induction: Current Status
by Fábio Alessandro de Freitas, Débora Levy, Amira Zarrouk, Gérard Lizard and Sérgio Paulo Bydlowski
Cells 2021, 10(9), 2301; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10092301 - 3 Sep 2021
Cited by 40 | Viewed by 4713
Abstract
Oxysterols are oxidized derivatives of cholesterol produced by enzymatic activity or non-enzymatic pathways (auto-oxidation). The oxidation processes lead to the synthesis of about 60 different oxysterols. Several oxysterols have physiological, pathophysiological, and pharmacological activities. The effects of oxysterols on cell death processes, especially [...] Read more.
Oxysterols are oxidized derivatives of cholesterol produced by enzymatic activity or non-enzymatic pathways (auto-oxidation). The oxidation processes lead to the synthesis of about 60 different oxysterols. Several oxysterols have physiological, pathophysiological, and pharmacological activities. The effects of oxysterols on cell death processes, especially apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis, and oxiapoptophagy, as well as their action on cell proliferation, are reviewed here. These effects, also observed in several cancer cell lines, could potentially be useful in cancer treatment. The effects of oxysterols on cell differentiation are also described. Among them, the properties of stimulating the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells while inhibiting adipogenic differentiation may be useful in regenerative medicine. Full article
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