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Combination chemotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer commonly employs gemcitabine with an EGFR inhibitor such as erlotinib. Here, we show that the retinoic acid derivative, ABPN, exhibits more potent anticancer effects than erlotinib, while exhibiting less toxicity toward noncancerous human control cells. Low micromolar concentrations of ABPN induced apoptosis in BxPC3 and HPAC pancreatic cancer cell lines, concomitant with a reduction in phosphorylated EGFR as well as decreased ErbB3, Met and BRUCE protein levels. The degradation of ErbB3 is a result of proteasomal degradation, possibly due to the ABPN-dependent upregulation of Nrdp1. Administration of ABPN showed significant reductions in tumor size when tested using a mouse xenograft model, with higher potency than erlotinib at the same concentration. Analysis of the tumors demonstrated that ABPN treatment suppressed ErbB3 and Met and induced Nrdp1 in vivo. The data suggest that ABPN may be more suitable in combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine than the more widely used EGFR inhibitor, erlotinib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaempferol (KF), which is a natural dietary flavonoid, has potential beneficial effects as a chemopreventive agent for critical health conditions, such as cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of KF remain unknown. We report on the inhibition of neoplastic cell transformation by KF through the suppression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity. Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced neoplastic transformation of mouse epidermal JB6 P+ cells was inhibited by 40 μM KF. The activation of activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-κB induced by EGF was also attenuated by KF. The EGF-induced phosphorylation of Akt (protein kinase B) was completely suppressed by KF, although extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase were unaffected by KF. Kinase assay data revealed that KF bound directly to PI3K, which is upstream of Akt, and suppressed its activity. Furthermore, KF inhibited ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced PI3K activity and attenuated UVB-induced phosphorylation of Akt. Our results suggest that KF docks at the adenosine triphosphate-binding site of PI3K, which is located between the N-lobe and C-lobe of the kinase domain. Inhibition by KF of PI3K, which is an important factor in carcinogenesis, and its downstream effects may explain the chemopreventive action of KF. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Myricetin is one of the principal phytochemicals in onions, berries and red wine. Previous studies showed that myricetin exhibits potent anticancer and chemopreventive effects. The present study examined the effect of myricetin on ultraviolet (UV) B-induced angiogenesis in an SKH-1 hairless mouse skin tumorigenesis model. Topical treatment with myricetin inhibited repetitive UVB-induced neovascularization in SKH-1 hairless mouse skin. The induction of vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and MMP-13 expression by chronic UVB irradiation was significantly suppressed by myricetin treatment. Immunohistochemical and western blot analyses revealed that myricetin inhibited UVB-induced hypoxia inducible factor-1α expression in mouse skin. Western blot analysis and kinase assay data revealed that myricetin suppressed UVB-induced phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI-3) kinase activity and subsequently attenuated the UVB-induced phosphorylation of Akt/p70S6K in mouse skin lysates. A pull-down assay revealed the direct binding of PI-3 kinase and myricetin in mouse skin lysates. Our results indicate that myricetin suppresses UVB-induced angiogenesis by regulating PI-3 kinase activity in vivo in mouse skin. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims: Abnormal migration and proliferation of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) to the intima causes intimal thickening of the aorta, which is strongly related to the development of atherosclerosis. Previous studies have suggested that red wine polyphenols, particularly resveratrol, have great protective effects against cardiovascular diseases. Here, we compared the anti-atherosclerotic effect of piceatannol, a metabolite of resveratrol, and its underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a key mediator of inflammation, and its product, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), enhance carcinogenesis, particularly in skin. Ultraviolet (UV) B is the most carcinogenic component of solar irradiation, and a crucial role of COX-2 in UVB-mediated skin carcinogenesis has been reported. Here, we investigated the effects of delphinidin, an abundant dietary anthocyanin, on UVB-induced COX-2 upregulation and the underlying molecular mechanism. We found that delphinidin suppressed UVB-induced COX-2 expression in JB6 P+ mouse epidermal cells. COX-2 promoter activity and PGE2 production were also suppressed by delphinidin treatment within non-cytotoxic concentrations. Activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-κB, crucial transcription factors involved in COX-2 expression, were activated by UVB and delphinidin abolished this activation. UVB-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, p38 kinase and Akt was inhibited by delphinidin. The activities of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) 4 and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3K) were inhibited markedly by delphinidin. A pull-down assay using delphinidin–Sepharose beads revealed that delphinidin binds directly with MAPKK4 or PI-3K in a manner that was competitive with adenosine triphosphate. Moreover, in vivo investigations using mouse skin revealed that the upregulation of COX-2 expression, MAPKK4 activity and PI-3K activity induced by UVB was abolished with delphinidin treatment. Collectively, our results demonstrated that delphinidin targets MAPKK4 and PI-3K directly to suppress COX-2 overexpression, suggesting a potential protective role for delphinidin against UVB-mediated skin carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid) is a well-known phenolic phytochemical present in many foods, including coffee. Recent studies suggested that caffeic acid exerts anticarcinogenic effects, but little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms and specific target proteins. In this study, we found that Fyn, one of the members of the non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase family, was required for ultraviolet (UV) B-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, and caffeic acid suppressed UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis by directly inhibiting Fyn kinase activity. Caffeic acid more effectively suppressed UVB-induced COX-2 expression and subsequent prostaglandin E2 production in JB6 P+ mouse skin epidermal (JB6 P+) cells compared with chlorogenic acid (5-O-caffeoylquinic acid), an ester of caffeic acid with quinic acid. Data also revealed that caffeic acid more effectively induced the downregulation of COX-2 expression at the transcriptional level mediated through the inhibition of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-κB transcription activity compared with chlorogenic acid. Fyn kinase activity was suppressed more effectively by caffeic acid than by chlorogenic acid, and downstream mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were subsequently blocked. Pharmacological Fyn kinase inhibitor (3-(4-chlorophenyl)1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine and leflunomide) data also revealed that Fyn is involved in UVB-induced COX-2 expression mediated through the phosphorylation of MAPKs in JB6 P+ cells. Pull-down assays revealed that caffeic acid directly bound with Fyn and non-competitively with adenosine triphosphate. In vivo data from mouse skin also supported the idea that caffeic acid suppressed UVB-induced COX-2 expression by blocking Fyn kinase activity. These results suggested that this compound could act as a potent chemopreventive agent against skin cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims: Expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 play pivotal roles in the migration and invasion of human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) originating from normal human tissue, which is strongly linked to atherosclerosis. The present study investigated the possible inhibitory effects of cocoa procyanidin on thrombin-induced expression and activation of MMP-2 in VSMC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been reported to inhibit mouse skin carcinogenesis, particularly in the promotion stage, but underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Since persistent induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is frequently implicated in carcinogenesis, we investigated the effect of cis-9,trans-11-CLA (9Z,11E-CLA) on the tumor promoter-induced COX-2 expression in HR-1 hairless mouse skin in vivo. Topical application of 9Z,11E-CLA caused significant inhibition of COX-2 expression at 6 h induced by 10 nmol 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in HR-1 mouse skin. Since NF-κB is known to regulate COX-2 gene expression, we determined the effect of 9Z,11E-CLA on TPA-induced activation of this transcription factor. Treatment of mouse skin with 9Z,11E-CLA reduced TPA-induced DNA binding as well as nuclear translocation of NF-κB by blocking phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of IκBα. In addition, 9Z,11E-CLA attenuated TPA-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt. To further elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the inactivation of NF-κB by 9Z,11E-CLA, we investigated its effect on TPA-induced activation of IκB kinase (IKK), an upstream kinase that regulates NF-κB via phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. 9Z,11E-CLA treatment down-regulated phosphorylation and catalytic activities of IKKα/β in TPA-treated mouse skin. Co-treatment of mouse skin with the IKKβ-specific inhibitor SC-514 (1 μmol) attenuated TPA-induced activation of Akt and NF-κB, and also the expression of COX-2 in hairless mouse skin. Taken together, 9Z,11E-CLA inhibits NF-κB driven-COX-2 expression by blocking the IKK and PI3K-Akt signaling in TPA-treated hairless mouse skin in vivo, which may account for its previously reported anti-tumor promoting effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the potential benefits of isoflavone extract with the use of rat models by researchers from Seoul, Korea. Evaluation on the preventive effect of isoflavone extract on bone loss in ovariectomized rats; Examination on the potential role of the soybean phytoestrogens in postmenopausal bone loss; Assertion from the researchers on the capability of soybean isoflavone in preventing postmenopausal bone loss.

Evidence suggests that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) plays a role in cell transformation and tumor development and might be a significant target for chemoprevention. 3,5,4′-Trihydroxy-trans-stilbene (resveratrol), a non-flavonoid polyphenol found in various foods and beverages, including red wines, is reported to be a natural chemopreventive agent. However, the concentrations required to exert these effects might be difficult to achieve by drinking only one or two glasses of red wine a day. On the other hand, the flavonol content of red wine is ∼30 times higher than that of resveratrol. Here we demonstrated that 3,3′,4′,5,5′,7-hexahydroxyflavone (myricetin), one of the major flavonols in red wine, is a novel inhibitor of MEK1 activity and transformation of JB6 P+ mouse epidermal cells. Myricetin (10 μM) inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced cell transformation by 76 or 72%, respectively, compared with respective reductions of 26 or 19% by resveratrol (20 μM). A combination of myricetin and resveratrol exerted additive but not synergistic effects on either TPA- or EGF-induced transformation. Myricetin, but not resveratrol, attenuated tumor promoter-induced activation of c-fos or activator protein-1. Myricetin strongly inhibited MEK1 kinase activity and suppressed TPA- or EGF-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) or p90 ribosomal S6 kinase, downstream targets of MEK. Moreover, myricetin inhibited H-Ras-induced cell transformation more effectively than either PD098059, a MEK inhibitor, or resveratrol. Myricetin directly bound with glutathione S-transferase-MEK1 but did not compete with ATP. Overall, these results indicated that myricetin has potent anticancer-promoting activity and mainly targets MEK signaling, which may contribute to the chemopreventive potential of several foods including red wines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]