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Phytochemicals and Cancer, 2nd Edition
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Phytochemicals and Cancer, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioorganic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 10701

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Won Sup Lee

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 660-702, Republic of Korea
Interests: tumor suppressor gene; oncogene; phytochemials; targeted approach; cell death; molecular mechanisms; cancer therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer is a deadly disease. Not only can it take the life of the patient, but it can also destroy the lives of family and friends who try to be caregivers for the patient. This disease starts with the accumulation of genetic changes in cells that affect cell growth and survival. Cancer cells acquire the ability to grow uncontrollably, invade normal tissues, and then spread into nearby or distant organs. Then, the cells can destroy multiple organs and finally take the life of a person.
Phytochemicals are chemicals of plant origin. They generally help plants resist competitors, pathogens, or predators. Evidence suggests that some of them show anticancer effects in terms of proliferation, survival, invasion, and metastasis of cancer. We also know that phytochemicals are very important resources for anticancer drug development.

Therefore, this Special Issue is dedicated to original research articles, short communications, and reviews, which cover the latest findings on the role of phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

The scope of the Special Issue:

  • The role of phytochemicals in carcinogenesis;
  • The role of phytochemicals in chemoprevention;
  • The role of phytochemicals in cancer treatment as anticancer agents;
  • The role of phytochemicals in cancer treatment as an enhancer of certain chemotherapeutic agents;
  • Characterized bioactive components from a natural plant extract showing anticancer effects.

Authors are invited to submit original articles, short communications, and reviews related to the abovementioned topics.

Dr. Won Sup Lee
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Issues in Molecular Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cancer
  • phytochemicals
  • chemoprevention
  • anticancer effects
  • signaling mechanisms

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 3859 KiB  
Article
Polydatin-Induced Shift of Redox Balance and Its Anti-Cancer Impact on Human Osteosarcoma Cells
by Alessio Cimmino, Magda Gioia, Maria Elisabetta Clementi, Isabella Faraoni, Stefano Marini and Chiara Ciaccio
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47010021 - 31 Dec 2024
Viewed by 968
Abstract
Cancer cells demonstrate remarkable resilience by adapting to oxidative stress and undergoing metabolic reprogramming, making oxidative stress a critical target for cancer therapy. This study explores, for the first time, the redox-dependent anticancer effects of Polydatin (PD), a glucoside derivative of resveratrol, on [...] Read more.
Cancer cells demonstrate remarkable resilience by adapting to oxidative stress and undergoing metabolic reprogramming, making oxidative stress a critical target for cancer therapy. This study explores, for the first time, the redox-dependent anticancer effects of Polydatin (PD), a glucoside derivative of resveratrol, on the human Osteosarcoma (OS) cells SAOS-2 and U2OS. Using cell-based biochemical assays, we found that cytotoxic doses of PD (100–200 µM) promote ROS production, deplete glutathione (GSH), and elevate levels of both total iron and intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA), which are key markers of ferroptosis. Notably, the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) partially reverse PD’s cytotoxic effects. Interestingly, PD’s ability to hinder cell adhesion and migration appears independent of its pro-oxidant effect. Analysis of the oxidative stress regulators SIRT1 and Nrf2 at the gene and protein levels using real-time PCR and Western blot indicates an early oxidative response to PD treatment. PD remains effective under tumor-like conditions of hypoxia and serum starvation, and sensitizes OS cells to ROS-inducing chemotherapeutics like doxorubicin (DOX) and cisplatin (CIS). Importantly, PD exhibits minimal toxicity to non-tumorigenic cells (hFOB), suggesting a favorable therapeutic profile. Overall, our findings underscore that PD-induced redox imbalance plays a crucial role in its anti-OS effects, warranting further exploration into the molecular mechanisms behind its pro-oxidant activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals and Cancer, 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 4155 KiB  
Article
Phytocannabinoids CBD, CBG, and their Derivatives CBD-HQ and CBG-A Induced In Vitro Cytotoxicity in 2D and 3D Colon Cancer Cell Models
by Dorota Bęben, Oliwia Siwiela, Anna Szyjka, Michał Graczyk, Daniel Rzepka, Ewa Barg and Helena Moreira
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(4), 3626-3639; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46040227 - 19 Apr 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3467
Abstract
Phytocannabinoids, compounds found in Cannabis sativa L., are used in oncology and palliative care to reduce the adverse reactions of standard therapies. Cancer patients use formulations of Cannabis sativa L. to manage the anxiety, pain, and nausea associated with cancer treatment, and there [...] Read more.
Phytocannabinoids, compounds found in Cannabis sativa L., are used in oncology and palliative care to reduce the adverse reactions of standard therapies. Cancer patients use formulations of Cannabis sativa L. to manage the anxiety, pain, and nausea associated with cancer treatment, and there is growing evidence that some of them may exhibit anticancer properties. In this study, we tested the anticancer potential of selected cannabinoids CBD (cannabidiol) and its quinone derivative CBD-HQ (cannabidiol hydroquinone), CBG (cannabigerol) and its acid derivative CBG-A (cannabigerolic acid), as well as a combination of CBD+CBG on the colon cancer cell line SW-620. The MTT assay was used to determine the cannabinoids’ ability to induce colon cancer cell death. All cannabinoids were cytotoxic at the lowest concentration (3 μg/mL). The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) ranged from 3.90 to 8.24 μg/mL, depending on the substance. Cytotoxicity was confirmed in a 3D spheroidal cell culture with calcein and propidium iodide staining. The amount of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was examined using a DCF-DA assay. CBG showed the lowest antioxidant activity of all the cannabinoids tested. The level of intracellular ROS decreased only by 0.7–18%. However, CBG-A induced the strongest reduction in ROS level by 31–39%. Our results suggest that cannabinoids represent an interesting research direction with great implementation potential. These preliminary results represent the beginning of research into the potential of these substances for anticancer treatment and underscore the potential for further research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals and Cancer, 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 13539 KiB  
Article
Anticancer Effect by Combined Treatment of Artemisia annua L. Polyphenols and Docetaxel in DU145 Prostate Cancer Cells and HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells
by Eun Joo Jung, Hye Jung Kim, Sung Chul Shin, Gon Sup Kim, Jin-Myung Jung, Soon Chan Hong, Ky Hyun Chung, Choong Won Kim and Won Sup Lee
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(2), 1621-1634; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46020105 - 19 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2890
Abstract
Docetaxel (DTX), a semi-synthetic analogue of paclitaxel (taxol), is known to exert potent anticancer activity in various cancer cells by suppressing normal microtubule dynamics. In this study, we examined how the anticancer effect of DTX is regulated by polyphenols extracted from Korean Artemisia [...] Read more.
Docetaxel (DTX), a semi-synthetic analogue of paclitaxel (taxol), is known to exert potent anticancer activity in various cancer cells by suppressing normal microtubule dynamics. In this study, we examined how the anticancer effect of DTX is regulated by polyphenols extracted from Korean Artemisia annua L. (pKAL) in DU145 prostate cancer cells (mutant p53) and HCT116 colorectal cancer cells (wild-type p53). Here, we show that the anticancer effect of DTX was enhanced more significantly by pKAL in HCT116 cells than in DU145 cells via phase-contrast microscopy, CCK-8 assay, Western blot, and flow cytometric analysis of annexin V/propidium iodide-stained cells. Notably, mutant p53 was slightly downregulated by single treatment of pKAL or DTX in DU145 cells, whereas wild-type p53 was significantly upregulated by pKAL or DTX in HCT116 cells. Moreover, the enhanced anticancer effect of DTX by pKAL in HCT116 cells was significantly associated with the suppression of DTX-induced p53 upregulation, increase of DTX-induced phospho-p38, and decrease of DTX-regulated cyclin A, cyclin B1, AKT, caspase-8, PARP1, GM130, NF-κB p65, and LDHA, leading to the increased apoptotic cell death and plasma membrane permeability. Our results suggest that pKAL could effectively improve the anticancer effect of DTX-containing chemotherapy used to treat various cancers expressing wild-type p53. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals and Cancer, 2nd Edition)
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Review

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28 pages, 6624 KiB  
Review
Phytochemicals in Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment: A Comprehensive Review
by Adil Farooq Wali, Jayachithra Ramakrishna Pillai, Sirajunisa Talath, Pooja Shivappa, Sathvik Belagodu Sridhar, Mohamed El-Tanani, Imran Rashid Rangraze, Omnia Ibrahim Mohamed and Nowar Nizar Al Ani
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47010030 - 6 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2705
Abstract
Extensive investigation has been conducted on plant-based resources for their pharmacological usefulness, including various cancer types. The scope of this review is wider than several studies with a particular focus on breast cancer, which is an international health concern while studying sources of [...] Read more.
Extensive investigation has been conducted on plant-based resources for their pharmacological usefulness, including various cancer types. The scope of this review is wider than several studies with a particular focus on breast cancer, which is an international health concern while studying sources of flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols, saponins, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and glycosides apart from focusing on nursing. Important findings from prior studies are synthesized to explore these compounds’ sources, mechanisms of action, complementary and synergistic effects, and associated side effects. It was reviewed that the exposure to certain doses of catechins, piperlongumine, lycopene, isoflavones and cucurbitacinfor a sufficient period can provide profound anticancer benefits through biological events such as cell cycle arrest, cells undergoing apoptosis and disruption of signaling pathways including, but not limited to JAK-STAT3, HER2-integrin, and MAPK. Besides, the study also covers the potential adverse effects of these phytochemicals. Regarding mechanisms, the widest attention is paid to Complementary and synergistic strategies are discussed which indicate that it would be realistic to alter the dosage and delivery systems of liposomes, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and films to enhance efficacy. Future research directions include refining these delivery approaches, further elucidating molecular mechanisms, and conducting clinical trials to validate findings. These efforts could significantly advance the role of phytocompounds in breast cancer management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals and Cancer, 2nd Edition)
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