Newly Synthesized CoFe2-xDyxO4 (x = 0; 0.1; 0.2; 0.4) Nanoparticles Reveal Promising Anticancer Activity against Melanoma (A375) and Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells.

The current study focuses on the synthesis via combustion of dysprosium-doped cobalt ferrites that were subsequently physicochemically analyzed in terms of morphological and magnetic properties. Three types of doped nanoparticles were prepared containing different Dy substitutions and coated with HPGCD for higher dispersion properties and biocompatibility, and were later submitted to biological tests in order to reveal their potential anticancer utility. Experimental data obtained through FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM confirmed the inclusion of Dy3+ ions in the nanoparticles' structure. The size of the newly formed nanoparticles ranged between 20 and 50 nm revealing an inverse proportional relationship with the Dy content. Magnetic studies conducted by VSM indicated a decrease in remanent and saturation mass magnetization, respectively, in Dy-doped nanoparticles in a direct proportionality with the Dy content; the decrease was further amplified by cyclodextrin complexation. Biological assessment in the presence/absence of red light revealed a significant cytotoxic activity in melanoma (A375) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cells, while healthy keratinocytes (HaCaT) remained generally unaffected, thus revealing adequate selectivity. The investigation of the underlying cytotoxic molecular mechanism revealed an apoptotic process as indicated by nuclear fragmentation and shrinkage, as well as by Western blot analysis of caspase 9, p53 and cyclin D1 proteins. The anticancer activity for all doped Co ferrites varied was in a direct correlation to their Dy content but without being affected by the red light irradiation.

The Antimelanoma Biological Assessment of Triterpenic Acid Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles.

One of several promising strategies for increasing the bioavailability and therapeutic potential of high-lipophilic biologically active compounds is gold nanoparticle formulation. The current study describes the synthesis and biological antimelanoma evaluation of three triterpen-functionalized gold nanoparticles, obtained using our previously reported antimelanoma benzotriazole-triterpenic acid esters. Functionalized gold nanoparticle (GNP) formation was validated through UV-VIS and FTIR spectroscopy. The conjugate's cytotoxic effects were investigated using HaCaT healthy keratinocytes and A375 human melanoma cells. On A375 cells, all three conjugates demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxic activity, but no significant cytotoxic effects were observed on normal HaCaT keratinocytes. GNP-conjugates were found to be more cytotoxic than their parent compounds. After treatment with all three GNP-conjugates, 4,6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining revealed morphological changes consistent with apoptosis in A375 melanoma cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis revealed that the triterpene-GNP conjugate treated A375 melanoma cells had a fold change increase in Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) expression and a fold change decrease in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression. In A735 melanoma cells, high-resolution respirometry studies revealed that all three GNP-conjugates act as selective inhibitors of mitochondrial function. Furthermore, by examining the effect on each mitochondrial respiratory rate, the results indicate that all three conjugates are capable of increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), an apoptosis trigger in cancer cells.

The C30-Modulation of Betulinic Acid Using 1,2,4-Triazole: A Promising Strategy for Increasing Its Antimelanoma Cytotoxic Potential.

Cancer, in all its types and manifestations, remains one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide; an important number of anticancer drugs have been developed from plants, fungi and animals, starting with natural compounds that were later derivatized in order to achieve an optimized pharmacokinetic/pharmacological profile. Betulinic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenic compound that was identified as an anticancer agent whose main advantage consists in its selective activity, which ensures the almost total lack of cytotoxic side effects. Conjugates of betulinic acid with substituted triazoles, scaffolds with significant pharmacological properties, were synthesized and tested as anticancer agents in order to achieve new therapeutic alternatives. The current paper aims to obtain a C30-1,2,4-triazole derivative of betulinic acid simultaneously acetylated at C3 whose biological activity was tested against RPMI melanoma cells. The compound revealed significant cytotoxic effects at the tested concentrations (2, 10 and 50 µΜ) by significantly decreasing the cell viability to 88.3%, 54.7% and 24.5%, respectively, as compared to the control. The compound's testing in normal HaCaT cells showed a lack of toxicity, which indicates its selective dose-dependent anticancer activity. The investigation of its underlying molecular mechanism revealed an apoptotic effect induced at the mitochondrial level, which was validated through high-resolution respirometry studies.

Structural Investigation of Betulinic Acid Plasma Metabolites by Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Betulinic acid (BA) has been extensively studied in recent years mainly for its antiproliferative and antitumor effect in various types of cancers. Limited data are available regarding the pharmacokinetic profile of BA, particularly its metabolic transformation in vivo. In this study, we present the screening and structural investigations by ESI Orbitrap MS in the negative ion mode and CID MS/MS of phase I and phase II metabolites detected in mouse plasma after the intraperitoneal administration of a nanoemulsion containing BA in SKH 1 female mice. Obtained results indicate that the main phase I metabolic reactions that BA undergoes are monohydroxylation, dihydroxylation, oxidation and hydrogenation, while phase II reactions involved sulfation, glucuronidation and methylation. The fragmentation pathway for BA and its plasma metabolites were elucidated by sequencing of the precursor ions by CID MS MS experiments.

The Anti-Melanoma Effect of Betulinic Acid Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: A Mechanistic In Vitro Approach.

Implementing metallic nanoparticles as research instruments for the transport of therapeutically active compounds remains a fundamentally vital work direction that can still potentially generate novelties in the field of drug formulation development. Gold nanoparticles (GNP) are easily tunable carriers for active phytocompounds like pentacyclic triterpenes. These formulations can boost the bioavailability of a lipophilic structure and, in some instances, can also enhance its therapeutic efficacy. In our work, we proposed a biological in vitro assessment of betulinic acid (BA)-functionalized GNP. BA-GNP were obtained by grafting BA onto previously synthesized citrate-capped GNP through the use of cysteamine as a linker. The nanoformulation was tested in HaCaT human keratinocytes and RPMI-7951 human melanoma cells, revealing selective cytotoxic properties and stronger antiproliferative effects compared to free BA. Further examinations revealed a pro-apoptotic effect, as evidenced by morphological changes in melanoma cells and supported by western blot data showing the downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression coupled with the upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax. GNP also significantly inhibited mitochondrial respiration, confirming its mitochondrial-targeted activity.

Semisynthetic Derivatives of Pentacyclic Triterpenes Bearing Heterocyclic Moieties with Therapeutic Potential.

Medicinal plants have been used by humans since ancient times for the treatment of various diseases and currently represent the main source of a variety of phytocompounds, such as triterpenes. Pentacyclic triterpenes have been subjected to numerous studies that have revealed various biological activities, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects, which can be employed in therapy. However, due to their high lipophilicity, which is considered to exert a significant influence on their bioavailability, their current use is limited. A frequent approach employed to overcome this obstacle is the chemical derivatization of the core structure with different types of moieties including heterocycles, which are considered key elements in medicinal chemistry. The present review aims to summarize the literature published in the last 10 years regarding the derivatives of pentacyclic triterpenes bearing heterocyclic moieties and focuses on the biologically active derivatives as well as their structure-activity relationships. Predominantly, the targeted positions for the derivatization of the triterpene skeleton are C-3 (hydroxyl/oxo group), C-28 (hydroxyl/carboxyl group), and C-30 (allylic group) or the extension of the main scaffold by fusing various heterocycles with the A-ring of the phytocompound. In addition, numerous derivatives also contain linker moieties that connect the triterpenic scaffold with heterocycles; one such linker, the triazole moiety, stands out as a key pharmacophore for its biological effect. All these studies support the hypothesis that triterpenoid conjugates with heterocyclic moieties may represent promising candidates for future clinical trials.

Novel Triterpenic Acid-Benzotriazole Esters Act as Pro-Apoptotic Antimelanoma Agents.

Pentacyclic triterpenes, such as betulinic, ursolic, and oleanolic acids are efficient and selective anticancer agents whose underlying mechanisms of action have been widely investigated. The introduction of N-bearing heterocycles (e.g., triazoles) into the structures of natural compounds (particularly pentacyclic triterpenes) has yielded semisynthetic derivatives with increased antiproliferative potential as opposed to unmodified starting compounds. In this work, we report the synthesis and biological assessment of benzotriazole esters of betulinic acid (BA), oleanolic acid (OA), and ursolic acid (UA) (compounds 1-3). The esters were obtained in moderate yields (28-42%). All three compounds showed dose-dependent reductions in cell viability against A375 melanoma cells and no cytotoxic effects against healthy human keratinocytes. The morphology analysis of treated cells showed characteristic apoptotic changes consisting of nuclear shrinkage, condensation, fragmentation, and cellular membrane disruption. rtPCR analysis reinforced the proapoptotic evidence, showing a reduction in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression and upregulation of the pro-apoptotic Bax. High-resolution respirometry studies showed that all three compounds were able to significantly inhibit mitochondrial function. Molecular docking showed that compounds 1-3 showed an increase in binding affinity against Bcl-2 as opposed to BA, OA, and UA and similar binding patterns compared to known Bcl-2 inhibitors.

Fe3O4-PAA-(HP-γ-CDs) Biocompatible Ferrimagnetic Nanoparticles for Increasing the Efficacy in Superparamagnetic Hyperthermia.

In this paper, we present the obtaining of Fe3O4-PAA-(HP-γ-CDs) ferrimagnetic nanobioconjugates (PAA: polyacrylic acid, HP-γ-CDs: hydroxypropyl gamma-cyclodextrins) in a hybrid core-shell biostructure (core: inorganic Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and shell: organic PAA-(HP-γ-CDs)) and their use in superparamagnetic hyperthermia without cellular toxicity and with increased efficacy for future alternative cancer therapy. In order to design the optimal experimental conditions for obtaining nanobioconjugates and then superparamagnetic hyperthermia (SPMHT), we used molecular docking simulation and computational assessment of the maximum specific loss power (SLP) that led to nanoparticles' heating. The nanoparticles and nanobioconjugates obtained were studied and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transformed-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and magnetic measurements (MMs). The cell viability of the nanoparticles and nanobioconjugates was assessed by means of the MTT assay using human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) as an in vitro model. Superparamagnetic hyperthermia with nanoparticles and nanobioconjugates was obtained experimentally in a magnetic field of 15.92 kA/m and frequency of 312.2 kHz for the magnetic nanoparticle core with a (average) diameter of 15.8 nm, which resulted in the maximum hyperthermic effect that led to a temperature of ~42.5 °C necessary in the therapy of tumors in a short time so as not to affect healthy tissues. The biological screening of Fe3O4-PAA nanoparticles and PAA-(HP-γ-CDs) nanobioconjugates showed no cytotoxic effect on HaCaT cells for a time interval of 24 h, both under standard (37 °C) and hyperthermia conditions (42.5 °C). Thus, Fe3O4-PA-(HP-γ-CDs) ferrimagnetic nanobioconjugates can be used successfully in superparamagnetic hyperthermia without toxicity and with increased efficiency due to the small layer thickness of the PAA-(HP-γ-CDs) shell, which is suitable in this alternative therapeutic technique.

Recent Advances Regarding the Molecular Mechanisms of Triterpenic Acids: A Review (Part II).

Triterpenic acids are a widespread class of phytocompounds which have been found to possess valuable therapeutic properties such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, lipolytic, antiviral, and antiparasitic effects. They are a subclass of triterpenes bearing a characteristic lipophilic structure that imprints unfavorable in vivo properties which subsequently limit their applications. The early investigation of the mechanism of action (MOA) of a drug candidate can provide valuable information regarding the possible side effects and drug interactions that may occur after administration. The current paper aimed to summarize the most recent (last 5 years) studies regarding the MOA of betulinic acid, boswellic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, madecassic acid, moronic acid, and pomolic acid in order to provide scientists with updated and accessible material on the topic that could contribute to the development of future studies; the paper stands as the sequel of our previously published paper regarding the MOA of triterpenic acids with therapeutic value. The recent literature published on the topic has highlighted the role of triterpenic acids in several signaling pathways including PI3/AKT/mTOR, TNF-alpha/NF-kappa B, JNK-p38, HIF-α/AMPK, and Grb2/Sos/Ras/MAPK, which trigger their various biological activities.

Recent Advances Regarding the Molecular Mechanisms of Triterpenic Acids: A Review (Part I).

Triterpenic acids are phytocompounds with a widespread range of biological activities that have been the subject of numerous in vitro and in vivo studies. However, their underlying mechanisms of action in various pathologies are not completely elucidated. The current review aims to summarize the most recent literature, published in the last five years, regarding the mechanism of action of three triterpenic acids (asiatic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid), corelated with different biological activities such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial. All three discussed compounds share several mechanisms of action, such as the targeted modulation of the PI3K/AKT, Nrf2, NF-kB, EMT, and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways, while other mechanisms that proved to only be specific for a part of the triterpenic acids discussed, such as the modulation of Notch, Hippo, and MALAT1/miR-206/PTGS1 signaling pathway, were highlighted as well. This paper stands as the first part in our literature study on the topic, which will be followed by a second part focusing on other triterpenic acids of therapeutic value.

The Optimized Delivery of Triterpenes by Liposomal Nanoformulations: Overcoming the Challenges.

The last decade has witnessed a sustained increase in the research development of modern-day chemo-therapeutics, especially for those used for high mortality rate pathologies. However, the therapeutic landscape is continuously changing as a result of the currently existing toxic side effects induced by a substantial range of drug classes. One growing research direction driven to mitigate such inconveniences has converged towards the study of natural molecules for their promising therapeutic potential. Triterpenes are one such class of compounds, intensively investigated for their therapeutic versatility. Although the pharmacological effects reported for several representatives of this class has come as a well-deserved encouragement, the pharmacokinetic profile of these molecules has turned out to be an unwelcomed disappointment. Nevertheless, the light at the end of the tunnel arrived with the development of nanotechnology, more specifically, the use of liposomes as drug delivery systems. Liposomes are easily synthesizable phospholipid-based vesicles, with highly tunable surfaces, that have the ability to transport both hydrophilic and lipophilic structures ensuring superior drug bioavailability at the action site as well as an increased selectivity. This study aims to report the results related to the development of different types of liposomes, used as targeted vectors for the delivery of various triterpenes of high pharmacological interest.

The Role of Cyclodextrins in the Design and Development of Triterpene-Based Therapeutic Agents.

Triterpenic compounds stand as a widely investigated class of natural compounds due to their remarkable therapeutic potential. However, their use is currently being hampered by their low solubility and, subsequently, bioavailability. In order to overcome this drawback and increase the therapeutic use of triterpenes, cyclodextrins have been introduced as water solubility enhancers; cyclodextrins are starch derivatives that possess hydrophobic internal cavities that can incorporate lipophilic molecules and exterior surfaces that can be subjected to various derivatizations in order to improve their biological behavior. This review aims to summarize the most recent achievements in terms of triterpene:cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and bioconjugates, emphasizing their practical applications including the development of new isolation and bioproduction protocols, the elucidation of their underlying mechanism of action, the optimization of triterpenes' therapeutic effects and the development of new topical formulations.

New Investigations with Lupane Type A-Ring Azepane Triterpenoids for Antimycobacterial Drug Candidate Design.

Twenty lupane type A-ring azepano-triterpenoids were synthesized from betulin and its related derivatives and their antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, mono-resistant MTB strains, and nontuberculous strains Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium avium were investigated in the framework of AToMIc (Anti-mycobacterial Target or Mechanism Identification Contract) realized by the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, NIAID, National Institute of Health. Of all the tested triterpenoids, 17 compounds showed antitubercular activity and 6 compounds were highly active on the H37Rv wild strain (with MIC 0.5 µM for compound 7), out of which 4 derivatives also emerged as highly active compounds on the three mono-resistant MTB strains. Molecular docking corroborated with a machine learning drug-drug similarity algorithm revealed that azepano-triterpenoids have a rifampicin-like antitubercular activity, with compound 7 scoring the highest as a potential M. tuberculosis RNAP potential inhibitor. FIC testing demonstrated an additive effect of compound 7 when combined with rifampin, isoniazid and ethambutol. Most compounds were highly active against M. avium with compound 14 recording the same MIC value as the control rifampicin (0.0625 µM). The antitubercular ex vivo effectiveness of the tested compounds on THP-1 infected macrophages is correlated with their increased cell permeability. The tested triterpenoids also exhibit low cytotoxicity and do not induce antibacterial resistance in MTB strains.

Biocompatible Magnetic Colloidal Suspension Used as a Tool for Localized Hyperthermia in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells: Physicochemical Analysis and Complex In Vitro Biological Profile.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are the most desired nanomaterials for biomedical applications due to their unique physiochemical properties. A facile single-step process for the preparation of a highly stable and biocompatible magnetic colloidal suspension based on citric-acid-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles used as an effective heating source for the hyperthermia treatment of cancer cells is presented. The physicochemical analysis revealed that the magnetic colloidal suspension had a z-average diameter of 72.7 nm at 25 °C with a polydispersity index of 0.179 and a zeta potential of -45.0 mV, superparamagnetic features, and a heating capacity that was quantified by an intrinsic loss power analysis. Raman spectroscopy showed the presence of magnetite and confirmed the presence of citric acid on the surfaces of the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. The biological results showed that breast adenocarcinoma cells (MDA-MB-231) were significantly affected after exposure to the magnetic colloidal suspension with a concentration of 30 µg/mL 24 h post-treatment under hyperthermic conditions, while the nontumorigenic (MCF-10A) cells exhibited a viability above 90% under the same thermal setup. Thus, the biological data obtained in the present study clearly endorse the need for further investigations to establish the clinical biological potential of synthesized magnetic colloidal suspension for magnetically triggered hyperthermia.

Melissa officinalis L. Aqueous Extract Exerts Antioxidant and Antiangiogenic Effects and Improves Physiological Skin Parameters.

Melissa officinalis (MO) is a medicinal plant well-known for its multiple pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer and beneficial effects on skin recovery. In this context, the present study was aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo safety profile of an MO aqueous extract by assessing cell viability on normal (HaCaT-human keratinocytes) and tumor (A375-human melanoma) cells and its impact on physiological skin parameters by a non-invasive method. In addition, the antioxidant activity and the antiangiogenic potential of the extract were verified. A selective cytotoxic effect was noted in A375 cells, while no toxicity was noticed in healthy cells. The MO aqueous extract safety profile after topical application was investigated on SKH-1 mice, and an enhanced skin hydration and decreased erythema and transepidermal water loss levels were observed. The in ovo CAM assay, performed to investigate the potential modulating effect on the angiogenesis process and the blood vessels impact, indicated that at concentrations of 100 and 500 µg/mL, MO aqueous extract induced a reduction of thin capillaries. No signs of vascular toxicity were recorded at concentrations as high as 1000 µg/mL. The aqueous extract of MO leaves can be considered a promising candidate for skin disorders with impaired physiological skin parameters.

Botanical Therapeutics (Part II): Antimicrobial and In Vitro Anticancer Activity against MCF7 Human Breast Cancer Cells of Chamomile, Parsley and Celery Alcoholic Extracts.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed as a continuation of a complex investigation about the phytochemical composition and biological activity of chamomile, parsley, and celery extracts against A375 human melanoma and dendritic cells. OBJECTIVE: The main aim was the evaluation of the antimicrobial potential of selected extracts as well as the in vitro anticancer activity against MCF7 human breast cancer cells. METHODS: In order to complete the picture regarding the phytochemical composition, molecular fingerprint was sketched out by the help of FTIR spectroscopy. The activity of two enzymes (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) after incubation with the three extracts was spectrophotometrically assessed. The antimicrobial potential was evaluated by disk diffusion method. The in vitro anticancer potential against MCF7 human breast cancer cells was appraised by MTT, LDH, wound healing, cell cycle, DAPI, Annexin-V-PI assays. RESULTS: The results showed variations between the investigated extracts in terms of inhibitory activity against enzymes, such as acetyl- and butyrilcholinesterase. Chamomile and parsley extracts were active only against tested Gram-positive cocci, while all tested extracts displayed antifungal effects. Among the screened samples at the highest tested concentration, namely 60µg/mL, parsley was the most active extract in terms of reducing the viability of MCF7 - human breast adenocarcinoma cell line and inducing the release of lactate dehydrogenase. On the other hand, chamomile and celery extracts manifested potent anti-migratory effects. Furthermore, celery extract was the most active in terms of total apoptotic events, while chamomile extract induced the highest necrosis rate. CONCLUSION: The screened samples containing phytochemicals belonging in majority to the class of flavonoids and polyphenols can represent candidates for antimicrobial and anticancer agents.

Design and Assessment of a Polyurethane Carrier Used for the Transmembrane Transfer of Acyclovir.

THE Herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2) are responsible for a wide variety of conditions, from cutaneous-mucosal to central nervous system (CNS) infections and occasional infections of the visceral organs, some of them with a lethal end. Acyclovir is often used intravenously, orally, or locally to treat herpetic infections but it must be administered with caution to patients with kidney disease and to children of early age. The main objectives of this study were to synthesize and evaluate new polyurethane nanoparticles that might be used as proper transmembrane carriers for acyclovir. Polyurethane particles were obtained by a polyaddition process: a mixture of two aliphatic diisocyanates used as organic phase was added to a mixture of butanediol and polyethylene glycol used as aqueous phase. Two different samples (with and without acyclovir, respectively) were synthesized and characterized by UV-Vis spectra in order to assess the encapsulation efficacy and the release profile, FT-IR, DSC, SEM, and SANS for structural characterization, as well as skin irritation tests. Nearly homogeneous samples with particle sizes between 78 and 91 nm have been prepared and characterized revealing a medium tendency to form clusters and a high resistance to heat up to 300 °C. The release profile of these nanoparticles is characteristic to a drug delivery system with a late discharge of the loaded active agents. Very slight increases in the level of transepidermal water loss and erythema were found in a 15-day evaluation on human skin. The results suggest the synthesis of a non-irritative carrier with a high encapsulation efficacy that can be successfully used for the transmembrane transfer of acyclovir.

Tetracyclic and Pentacyclic Triterpenes with High Therapeutic Efficiency in Wound Healing Approaches.

Wounds are among the most common skin conditions, displaying a large etiological diversity and being characterized by different degrees of severity. Wound healing is a complex process that involves multiple steps such as inflammation, proliferation and maturation and ends with scar formation. Since ancient times, a widely used option for treating skin wounds are plant- based treatments which currently have become the subject of modern pharmaceutical formulations. Triterpenes with tetracyclic and pentacyclic structure are extensively studied for their implication in wound healing as well as to determine their molecular mechanisms of action. The current review aims to summarize the main results of in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies conducted on lupane, ursane, oleanane, dammarane, lanostane and cycloartane type triterpenes as potential wound healing treatments.

Solid Polymeric Nanoparticles of Albendazole: Synthesis, Physico-Chemical Characterization and Biological Activity.

Albendazole is a benzimidazole derivative with documented antitumor activity and low toxicity to healthy cells. The major disadvantage in terms of clinical use is its low aqueous solubility which limits its bioavailability. Albendazole was incorporated into stable and homogeneous polyurethane structures with the aim of obtaining an improved drug delivery system model. Spectral and thermal analysis was used to investigate the encapsulation process and confirmed the presence of albendazole inside the nanoparticles. The in vitro anticancer properties of albendazole encapsulated in polyurethane structures versus the un-encapsulated compound were tested on two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, in terms of cellular viability and apoptosis induction. The study showed that the encapsulation process enhanced the antitumor activity of albendazole on the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-23 breast cancer lines. The cytotoxic activity manifested in a concentration-dependent manner and was accompanied by changes in cell morphology and nuclear fragmentation.

Natural Compounds in Sex Hormone-Dependent Cancers: The Role of Triterpenes as Therapeutic Agents.

Sex hormone-dependent cancers currently contribute to the high number of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The study and elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of these tumors was a double-edged sword, leading to the expansion and development of new treatment options, with the cost of triggering more aggressive, therapy resistant relapses. The interaction of androgen, estrogen and progesterone hormones with specific receptors (AR, ER, PR) has emerged as a key player in the development and progression of breast, ovarian, prostate and endometrium cancers. Sex hormone-dependent cancers share a common and rather unique carcinogenesis mechanism involving the active role of endogenous and exogenous sex hormones to maintain high mitotic rates and increased cell proliferation thus increasing the probability of aberrant gene occurrence and accumulation highly correlated with abnormal cell division and the occurrence of malignant phenotypes. Cancer related hormone therapy has evolved, currently being associated with the blockade of other signaling pathways often associated with carcinogenesis and tumor progression in cancers, with promising results. However, despite the established developments, there are still several shortcomings to be addressed. Triterpenes are natural occurring secondary metabolites biosynthesized by various pathways starting from squalene cyclization. Due to their versatile therapeutic potential, including the extensively researched antiproliferative effect, these compounds are most definitely a cornerstone in the research and development of new natural/semisynthetic anticancer therapies. The present work thoroughly describes the ongoing research related to the antitumor activity of triterpenes in sex hormone-dependent cancers. Also, the current review highlights both the biological activity of various triterpenoid compounds and their featured mechanisms of action correlated with important chemical structural features.