Resveratrol and Its Analogue 4,4'-Dihydroxy-trans-stilbene Inhibit Lewis Lung Carcinoma Growth In Vivo through Apoptosis, Autophagy and Modulation of the Tumour Microenvironment in a Murine Model.

Lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide. Despite advances in surgery and immune-chemotherapy, the therapeutic outcome remains poor. In recent years, the anticancer properties of natural compounds, along with their low toxic side effects, have attracted the interest of researchers. Resveratrol (RSV) and many of its derivatives received particular attention for their beneficial bioactivity. Here we studied the activity of RSV and of its analogue 4,4'-dihydroxystilbene (DHS) in C57BL/6J mice bearing cancers resulting from Lung Lewis Carcinoma (LLC) cell implantation, considering tumour mass weight, angiogenesis, cell proliferation and death, autophagy, as well as characterization of their immune microenvironment, including infiltrating cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). C57BL/6J mice started treatment with RSV or DHS, solubilised in drinking water, one week before LLC implantation, and continued for 21 days, at the end of which they were sacrificed, and the tumour masses collected. Histology was performed according to standard procedures; angiogenesis, cell proliferation and death, autophagy, infiltrating-immune cells, macrophages and fibroblasts were assessed by immunodetection assays. Both stilbenic compounds were able to contrast the tumour growth by increasing apoptosis and autophagy in LLC tumour masses. Additionally, they contrasted the tumour-permissive microenvironment by limiting the infiltration of tumour-associated immune-cells and, more importantly, by counteracting CAF maturation. Therefore, both stilbenes could be employed to synergise with conventional oncotherapies to limit the contribution of stromal cells in tumour growth.

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Friend or Foe?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by a massive neuroinflammatory reaction, which plays a key role in the progression of the disease. One of the major mediators of the inflammatory response is the pleiotropic cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), mainly released within the central nervous system (CNS) by reactive astrocytes and microglia. Increased levels of TNFα and its receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) have been described in plasma, serum, cerebrospinal fluid and CNS tissue from both ALS patients and transgenic animal models of disease. However, the precise role exerted by TNFα in the context of ALS is still highly controversial, since both protective and detrimental functions have been reported. These opposing actions depend on multiple factors, among which includes the type of TNFα receptor activated. In fact, TNFR2 seems to mediate a harmful role being involved in motor neuron cell death, whereas TNFR1 signaling mediates neuroprotective effects, promoting the expression and secretion of trophic factors. This suggests that a better understanding of the cytokine impact on ALS progression may enable the development of effective therapies aimed at strengthening the protective roles of TNFα and at suppressing the detrimental ones.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Bellevalia saviczii Root Extract and Its Isolated Homoisoflavonoid (Dracol) Are Mediated by Modification on Calcium Signaling.

Bellevalia saviczii is a medicinal plant used as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory herbal remedy in Iraqi-Kurdistan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of its extract and the isolated homoisoflavonoid (Dracol) by studying the Ca2+-dependent NF-kB pathway. Nuclear translocation of p65 NF-kB subunit, as parameter of NF-kB activation, was visualized in human leukemic monocytes by immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses, after cell treatment with B. saviczii root extract or Dracol followed by Lipopolysaccharide stimulation. In parallel, Ca2+ signals responsible for NF-kB activation and levels of inflammatory cytokines were investigated. LPS-induced p65 translocation was evident in monocytes and both treatments, in particular that with Dracol, were able to counteract this activation. Intracellular Ca2+ oscillations were halted and the cytokine release reduced. These results confirm the traditional anti-inflammatory efficacy of B. saviczii and identify one of the molecules in the extract which appears to be responsible of this action.