Search

Abstract: Cancer has remained to be one of the major challenges in medicine and regarded as the second leading cause of death worldwide. Different types of cancer may resist anti-cancer drugs following certain mutations such as those in tumor suppressor genes, exhaustion of the immune system, and overexpression of drug resistance mediators, which increase the required concentration of anticancer drugs so as to overcome drug resistance. Moreover, treatment with a high dose of such drugs is highly associated with severe normal tissue toxicity. Administration of low-toxic agents has long been an intriguing idea to enhance tumor suppression. Naturally occurring agents e.g., herb-derived molecules have shown a dual effect on normal and malignant cells. On the one hand, these agents may induce cell death in malignant cells, while on the other hand reduce normal cell toxicity. Nobiletin, one of the well-known polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), has reportedly shown various beneficial effects on the suppression of cancer and the protection of normal cells against different toxic agents. Our review aims to explain the main mechanisms underlying nobiletin as an inhibitor of cancer. We have reviewed the mechanisms of cancer cell death caused by nobiletin, such as stimulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), modulation of immune evasion mechanisms, targeting tumor suppressor genes, and modulation of epigenetic modulators, among others; the inhibitory mechanisms of nobiletin affecting tumor resistance properties such as modulation of hypoxia, multidrug resistance, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) have been fully investigated. Also, the inhibition of anti-apoptotic and invasive mechanisms induced by nobiletin will later be discussed. In the end, protective mechanisms of nobiletin on normal cells/tissue, clinical trial results, and future perspectives are reviewed.

Abstract: Induction of cell death and inhibition of cell proliferation in cancer have been set as some of the main goals in anti-tumor therapy. Cancer cell resistance leads to less efficient cancer therapy, and consequently, to higher doses of anticancer drugs, which may eventually increase the risk of serious side effects in normal tissues. Apigenin, a nature-derived and herbal agent, which has shown anticancer properties in several types of cancer, can induce cell death directly and/or amplify the induction of cell death through other anti-tumor modalities. Although the main mechanism of apigenin in order to induce cell death is apoptosis, other cell death pathways, such as autophagic cell death, senescence, anoikis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, have been reported to be induced by apigenin. It seems that apigenin enhances apoptosis by inducing anticancer immunity and tumor suppressor genes, like p53 and PTEN, and also by inhibiting STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways. Furthermore, it may induce autophagic cell death and ferroptosis by inducing endogenous ROS generation. Stimulation of ROS production and tumor suppressor genes, as well as downregulation of drug-resistance mediators, may induce other mechanisms of cell death, such as senescence, anoikis, and necroptosis. It seems that the induction of each type of cell death is highly dependent on the type of cancer. These modulatory actions of apigenin have been shown to enhance anticancer effects by other agents, such as ionizing radiation and chemotherapy drugs. This review explains how cancer cell death may be induced by apigenin at the cellular and molecular levels.

Abstract: Cancer therapy through anticancer drugs and radiotherapy is associated with several side effects as well as tumor resistance to therapy. The genotoxic effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy may lead to genomic instability and increased risk of second cancers. Furthermore, some responses in the tumor may induce the exhaustion of antitumor immunity and increase the resistance of cancer cells to therapy. Administration of low-toxicity adjuvants to protect normal tissues and improve therapy efficacy is an intriguing strategy. Several studies have focused on natural-derived agents for improving the antitumor efficiency of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and novel anticancer drugs such as immunotherapy and targeted cancer therapy. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring substance with intriguing antioxidant, cardioprotective, anti-diabetes, and antitumor properties. Resveratrol has been demonstrated to modulate tumor resistance and mitigate normal tissue toxicity following exposure to various drugs and ionizing radiation. Compelling data suggest that resveratrol may be an appealing adjuvant in combination with various anticancer modalities. Although the natural form of resveratrol has some limitations, such as low absorption in the intestine and low bioavailability, several experiments have demonstrated that using certain carriers, such as nanoparticles, can increase the therapeutic efficacy of resveratrol in preclinical studies. This review highlights various effects of resveratrol that may be useful for cancer therapy. Consequently, we describe how resveratrol can protect normal tissue from genomic instability. In addition, the various mechanisms by which resveratrol exerts its antitumor effects are addressed. Moreover, the outcomes of combination therapy with resveratrol and other anticancer agents are reviewed.

Immune system interactions within the tumour have a key role in the resistance or sensitization of cancer cells to anti-cancer agents. On the other hand, activation of the immune system in normal tissues following chemotherapy or radiotherapy is associated with acute and late effects such as inflammation and fibrosis. Some immune responses can reduce the efficiency of anti-cancer therapy and also promote normal tissue toxicity. Modulation of immune responses can boost the efficiency of anti-tumour therapy and alleviate normal tissue toxicity. Melatonin is a natural body agent that has shown promising results for modulating tumour response to therapy and also alleviating normal tissue toxicity. This review tries to focus on the immunomodulatory actions of melatonin in both tumour and normal tissues. We will explain how anti-cancer drugs may cause toxicity for normal tissues and how tumours can adapt themselves to ionizing radiation and anti-cancer drugs. Then, cellular and molecular mechanisms of immunoregulatory effects of melatonin alone or combined with other anti-cancer agents will be discussed.

The field of tissue engineering exploits living cells in a variety of ways to restore, maintain, or enhance tissues and organs. Between stem cells, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), are very important due to their wide abilities. Growth factors can support proliferation, differentiation, and migration of hiPSCs. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) could be used as the source of growth factors for hiPSCs. In the present study, proliferation and neural differentiation of hiPSCs on surface-modified nanofibrous Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) coated with platelet-rich plasma was investigated. The results of in vitro analysis showed that on the surface, which was modified nanofibrous scaffolds coated with platelet-rich plasma, significantly enhanced hiPSCs proliferation and neural differentiation were observed. Whereas the MTT ([3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide]) results showed biocompatibility of surface-modified nanofibrous scaffolds coated with platelet-rich plasma and the usage of these modified nanoscaffolds in neural tissue engineering in vivo is promising for the future.

Background and Objective: The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a series of physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms with various severities, and disturbs social and personal relationships. The syndrome appears during luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and is a common disorder of reproductive age. Different treatments have been introduced for the syndrome due to its unknown complicated causes. Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) may reduce symptoms of the syndrome through affecting the performance of coenzymes in the metabolism of carbohydrates and main branch of amino acid that plays an important role in appearance of physical and mental symptoms of the PMS. Vitamin B1 is the first water-soluble discovered vitamin. As it is effective in neural activity and muscle tonus in different body activities, including hematopoiesis, metabolism of carbohydrates, activities of the central nervous system and neuromuscular system, etc., it can be effective in this dysmenorrhea that is a disorder resulting from uterine muscular contraction. There are no enough studies and research on the effect of vitamin B1 on the symptoms of PMS, therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of vitamin B1 on the symptoms of PMS in students residing at dormitories of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences in 2013. Methods: In this double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 80 students with PMS residing at dormitories of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences were divided randomly into two groups, vitamin B1 and placebo. The severity of the symptoms of PMS in two cycles, before the intervention and during the intervention, was recorded by the students. The data were collected using an information collection form, PMS provisional diagnosis form, daily status record form, Beck Depression Inventory. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: There was no significant difference among the studied variables in terms of confounding variables. The comparison of vitamin B1 group before the intervention with that after the intervention showed that vitamin B1 reduced mean mental (35.08%) and physical (21.2%) symptoms significantly (P < 0.0001). Moreover, there was a significant difference between vitamin B1 and placebo groups in terms of mean mental and physical symptoms, as mean symptoms in vitamin B1 group was significantly lower than that in the placebo group (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: It seems that vitamin B1 is effective in recovery of mental and physical symptoms of PMS. Therefore, this vitamin can be used to reach a major goal of midwifery, that is, reduction of symptom severity of PMS, without any side effects.