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Advancements in Utilizing Natural Compounds for Modulating Autophagy in Liver Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets

Authors :
Md Ataur Rahman
S M Rakib-Uz-Zaman
Somdeepa Chakraborti
Sujay Kumar Bhajan
Rajat Das Gupta
Maroua Jalouli
Md. Anowar Khasru Parvez
Mushfiq H. Shaikh
Ehsanul Hoque Apu
Abdel Halim Harrath
Seungjoon Moon
Bonglee Kim
Source :
Cells, Vol 13, Iss 14, p 1186 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Autophagy, an intrinsic catabolic mechanism that eliminates misfolded proteins, dysfunctional organelles, and lipid droplets, plays a vital function in energy balance and cytoplasmic quality control, in addition to maintaining cellular homeostasis. Liver cancer such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths globally and shows resistance to several anticancer drugs. Despite the rising incidence and poor prognosis of malignant HCC, the underlying molecular mechanisms driving this aggressive cancer remain unclear. Several natural compounds, such as phytochemicals of dietary and non-dietary origin, affect hepatocarcinogenesis signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo, which may help prevent and treat HCC cells. Current HCC cells treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. However, these standard therapies have substantial side effects, and combination therapy enhances side effects for an acceptable therapeutic benefit. Therefore, there is a need to develop treatment strategies for HCC cells that are more efficacious and have fewer adverse effects. Multiple genetic and epigenetic factors are responsible for the HCC cells to become resistant to standard treatment. Autophagy contributes to maintain cellular homeostasis, which activates autophagy for biosynthesis and mitochondrial regulation and recycling. Therefore, modifying autophagic signaling would present a promising opportunity to identify novel therapies to treat HCC cells resistant to current standard treatments. This comprehensive review illustrates how natural compounds demonstrate their anti-hepatocellular carcinoma function through autophagy.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20734409
Volume :
13
Issue :
14
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Cells
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.108dbc7cdf0140ba958295c0d2648cc8
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13141186