Two spurge species, Euphorbia resinifera O. Berg and Euphorbia officinarum subsp. echinus (Hook.f. & Coss.) Vindt inhibit colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colon cancer, a prominent contributor to global cancer-related deaths, prompts the need for innovative treatment strategies. Euphorbia resinifera O. Berg (E. resinifera) and Euphorbia officinarum subsp. echinus Hook. f. & Coss Vindt (E. echinus) and their bee-derived products have been integral to traditional Moroccan medicine due to their potential health benefits. These plants have historical use in addressing various health issues, including cancer. However, their effects against colon cancer remain unclear, and the specific mechanisms underlying their anti-cancer effects lack comprehensive investigation. METHODS: The study aimed to assess the potential anti-cancer effects of Euphorbia extract on colon cancer cell lines (DLD-1) through various techniques. The apoptosis, migration, and proliferation of DLD-1 cells were measured in DLD-1 cells. In addition, we conducted High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis to identify the profile of phenolic compounds present in the studied extracts. RESULTS: The extracts demonstrated inhibition of colon cancer cell migration. E. resinifera flower and E. echinus stem extracts show significant anti-migratory effects. Regarding anti-proliferative activity, E. resinifera flower extract hindered proliferation, whereas E. echinus flower extract exhibited dose-dependent inhibition. Apoptosis assays revealed E. resinifera flower extract inducing early-stage apoptosis and E. echinus flower extract promoting late-stage apoptosis. While apoptotic protein expression indicated, E. resinifera stem and propolis extracts had minimal impact on apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The findings provide evidence supporting the beneficial effects of E resinifera and E. echinus extracts on colon cancer and exerting anti-cancer properties.

Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz against Human Gastric Cancer.

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK) is a traditional herbal medicine used for thousands of years in East Asia to improve a variety of illnesses and conditions, including cancers. This study explored the effect of AMK extract on apoptosis and tumor-grafted mice using AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. We investigated the compounds, target genes, and associated diseases of AMK using the Traditional Chinese Medical Systems Pharmacy (TCMSP) database platform. Cell viability assay, cell cycle and mitochondrial depolarization analysis, caspase activity assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and wound healing and spheroid formation assay were used to investigate the anti-cancer effects of AMK extract on AGS cells. Also, in vivo studies were conducted using subcutaneous xenografts. AMK extract reduced the viability of AGS cells and increased the sub-G1 cell fraction and the mitochondrial membrane potential. Also, AMK extract increased the production of ROS. AMK extract induced the increased caspase activities and modulated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). In addition, AMK extract effectively inhibited AGS cell migration and led to a notable reduction in the growth of AGS spheroids. Moreover, AMK extract hindered the growth of AGS xenograft tumors in NSG mice. Our results suggest that AMK has anti-cancer effects by promoting cell cycle arrest and inhibiting the proliferation of AGS cancer cells and a xenograft model through apoptosis. This study could provide a novel approach to treat gastric cancer.

The lysosome as a novel therapeutic target of EGFR-mediated tumor inflammation.

EGFR-mediated tumors have been targeted to overcome several different malignant cancers. EGFR overexpression and mutations are directly related to the malignancy, which makes the therapy more complicated. One reason for the malignancy is the induction of AP1 followed by inflammation via IL-6 secretion. Current therapeutic strategies to overcome EGFR-mediated tumors are tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies, and the combination of these two agents with classic chemotherapy or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Although the strategies are straightforward and have shown promising efficacy in several studies, there are still hurdles to overcoming the adverse effects and limited efficacy. This study reviews the current therapeutic strategies to target EGFR family members, how they work, and their effects and limitations. We also suggest developing novel strategies to target EGFR-mediated tumors in a novel approach. A lysosome is the main custodial staff to discard unwanted amounts of EGFR and other receptor tyrosine kinase molecules. Targeting this organelle may be a new approach to overcoming EGFR-mediated cancers.

Effects of simvastatin and taurine on delayed cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits.

The aim of the current study was to observe the effects of simvastatin and taurine on delayed cerebral vasospasm (DCVS) following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rabbits. A total of 48 New Zealand white rabbits were allocated at random into four groups (control, SAH, SAH + simvastatin and SAH + taurine groups; n=12 each). The rabbit model of DCVS was established using a double hemorrhage method, which involved injecting autologous arterial blood into the cisterna magna in the SAH groups. The SAH + simvastatin group was administered oral simvastatin (5 mg/kg) daily between days 0-6. The SAH + taurine group was administered oral taurine (50 mg/kg) daily between days 0-6. Starch (50 mg/kg) was administered orally to the animals in the other two groups (control and SAH groups). The control group were not subjected to any other injections or treatment. The internal diameter and internal diameter/wall thickness of the basilar artery (BA) were measured. The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 were determined using immunohistochemical and quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods following the sacrifice of all animals on day 7. The activity of nuclear factor (NF)-κB in the BA was also measured using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The BA walls in the SAH + simvastatin and SAH + taurine groups exhibited reduced narrowing and corrugation of the tunica elastica interna compared with the SAH group. At the protein and cDNA levels, it was found that cerebral vasospasm of the BA in the SAH + simvastatin and SAH + taurine groups was alleviated, as indicated by the reduced expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and NF-κB compared with the SAH group (P<0.05). In conclusion, simvastatin and taurine reduced DCVS following SAH in rabbits, which suggests that these compounds may exert anti-inflammatory effects.