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Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 2352

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, School of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito, 1-00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: cancer; nutrition; omega-3 fatty acids; antioxidants; phenolic compounds; inflammation; neurodegenerative diseases; nutrition; metabolic diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, School of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito, 1-00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: cancer; nutrition; omega-3 fatty acids; antioxidants; phenolic compounds; inflammation; neurodegenerative diseases; metabolic diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer is a noncommunicable disease characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of cells. It is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. Even though innovative strategies such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy are being largely used, in most cases, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are still the most predominantly used forms of therapy. However, since they mainly act by damaging the DNA of rapidly dividing cancer cells, they also affect other normal cells with high rates of proliferation, and thus can be associated with deleterious side effects. Moreover, drug resistance very frequently arises in treated patients. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy have also been associated with undesired side effects. As a result, there is growing interest in exploring new therapeutic approaches able to exert an efficacious antineoplastic effect, while being safe to normal cells. In recent years, natural compounds extracted from vegetables, fruits, and other dietary constituents, such as marine polyunsaturated fatty acids and minerals, have been widely studied for their potential to prevent cancer or for their use in combination with conventional or innovative anti-neoplastic therapies to improve their beneficial effects against cancer cells and reduce the concentration of drugs used.

This Special Issue will highlight results of preclinical and clinical studies currently focused on cancer and that are related to anti-neoplastic therapeutic strategies involving natural products. In particular, it will provide an overview of novel molecular pathways targeted by natural products that are crucial for cancer treatments. Hence, for this Special Issue, we are inviting researchers to contribute original articles and reviews on these topics.

Dr. Simona Serini
Dr. Gabriella Calviello
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • natural products
  • cancer
  • therapeutic strategies
  • novel molecular pathways

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3520 KiB  
Article
Stilbene Treatment Reduces Stemness Features in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Model
by Vittoria Livraghi, Alice Grossi, Anna Scopelliti, Giorgia Senise, Luciano Augusto Gamboa, Samantha Solito, Lucia Anna Stivala, Virginie Sottile and Monica Savio
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10390; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910390 - 27 Sep 2024
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Abstract
Lung cancer is among the most clinically challenging tumors because of its aggressive proliferation, metastasis, and the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Natural bioactive substances have been used for cancer prevention, and, in particular, resveratrol (RSV), a stilbene-based compound with wide biological [...] Read more.
Lung cancer is among the most clinically challenging tumors because of its aggressive proliferation, metastasis, and the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Natural bioactive substances have been used for cancer prevention, and, in particular, resveratrol (RSV), a stilbene-based compound with wide biological properties, has been proposed for chemoprevention. Its lesser-known analogue 4,4’-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene (DHS) has demonstrated superior activity both in cell-based assays and in mouse and zebrafish in vivo models. The present study analyzed the effects of DHS and RSV on A549 lung cancer cells, with a particular focus on stemness features and CSCs, isolated by sorting of the side population (SP). The results show that both stilbenes, especially DHS, strongly inhibited cell cycle progression. A reduction in the S phase was induced by DHS, whereas an increase in this phase was obtained with RSV. In addition, 50% reductions in the clonogenicity and soft agar colony formation were observed with the DHS treatment only. Finally, both stilbenes, especially DHS, reduced stemness marker expression in A549 cells and their sorted SP fraction. Spheroid formation, higher in SP cells than in the main population (MP), was significantly reduced after pretreatment with DHS, which was found to decrease SOX2 levels more than RSV. These findings indicate that stilbenes, and particularly DHS, affect stemness features of A549 cells and the SP fraction, suggesting their potential utility as anticancer agents, either alone or combined with chemotherapeutic drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment)
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Review

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15 pages, 2217 KiB  
Review
Potential Anticancer Effects of Isoflavone Prunetin and Prunetin Glycoside on Apoptosis Mechanisms
by Se Hyo Jeong, Hun Hwan Kim, Min Yeong Park, Pritam Bhangwan Bhosale, Abuyaseer Abusaliya, Kwang Hyun Hwang, Yeon Gyu Moon, Jeong Doo Heo, Je Kyung Seong, Meejung Ahn, Kwang Il Park, Chung Kil Won and Gon Sup Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11713; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111713 - 31 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Cancer is a deadly disease caused by cells that deviate from the normal differentiation and proliferation behaviors and continue to multiply. There is still no definitive cure, and many side effects occur even after treatment. However, apoptosis, one of the programs imprinted on [...] Read more.
Cancer is a deadly disease caused by cells that deviate from the normal differentiation and proliferation behaviors and continue to multiply. There is still no definitive cure, and many side effects occur even after treatment. However, apoptosis, one of the programs imprinted on cells, is becoming an important concept in controlling cancer. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds found in plants, are naturally bioactive compounds, have been studied for their anticancer effects, and have fewer side effects than chemical treatments. Isoflavones are phytoestrogens belonging to the flavonoid family, and this review discusses in depth the potential anticancer effects of prunetin, one of the many flavonoid families, via the apoptotic mechanism. In addition, a glycoside called prunetin glucoside has been investigated for its anticancer effects through apoptotic mechanisms. The primary intention of this review is to identify the effects of prunetin and its glycoside, prunetin glucoside, on cell death signaling pathways in various cancers to enhance the potential anticancer effects of these natural compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment)
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22 pages, 3994 KiB  
Review
NRF2 Modulators of Plant Origin and Their Ability to Overcome Multidrug Resistance in Cancers
by Piotr Wadowski, Michał Juszczak and Katarzyna Woźniak
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11500; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111500 - 26 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in the world. Despite the fact that there are many types of therapies available, cancer treatment remains a major challenge. The main reason for the ineffectiveness of chemotherapy is the acquisition of multidrug [...] Read more.
Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in the world. Despite the fact that there are many types of therapies available, cancer treatment remains a major challenge. The main reason for the ineffectiveness of chemotherapy is the acquisition of multidrug resistance (MDR) by cancer cells. One of the factors responsible for the acquisition of MDR is the NRF2 transcription factor, which regulates the expression of proteins such as HO-1, NQO1, MRP1, MRP2, and GST. In normal cells, NRF2 is the first line of defense against oxidative stress, thereby preventing carcinogenesis. Still, its hyperactivation in cancer cells causes them to acquire MDR, which significantly reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Considering the important role NRF2 plays in the acquisition of MDR, its modulators and, above all, inhibitors are being sought after, including among compounds of plant origin. NRF2 inhibition may prove to be a key element of anticancer therapy. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about plant NRF2 inhibitors and presents the effects of their use in overcoming MDR in cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products in Cancer Prevention and Treatment)
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