Angiopreventive efficacy of pure flavonolignans from milk thistle extract against prostate cancer: targeting VEGF-VEGFR signaling.

The role of neo-angiogenesis in prostate cancer (PCA) growth and metastasis is well established, but the development of effective and non-toxic pharmacological inhibitors of angiogenesis remains an unaccomplished goal. In this regard, targeting aberrant angiogenesis through non-toxic phytochemicals could be an attractive angiopreventive strategy against PCA. The rationale of the present study was to compare the anti-angiogenic potential of four pure diastereoisomeric flavonolignans, namely silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A and isosilybin B, which we established previously as biologically active constituents in Milk Thistle extract. Results showed that oral feeding of these flavonolignans (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) effectively inhibit the growth of advanced human PCA DU145 xenografts. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that these flavonolignans inhibit tumor angiogenesis biomarkers (CD31 and nestin) and signaling molecules regulating angiogenesis (VEGF, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, phospho-Akt and HIF-1α) without adversely affecting the vessel-count in normal tissues (liver, lung, and kidney) of tumor bearing mice. These flavonolignans also inhibited the microvessel sprouting from mouse dorsal aortas ex vivo, and the VEGF-induced cell proliferation, capillary-like tube formation and invasiveness of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro. Further studies in HUVEC showed that these diastereoisomers target cell cycle, apoptosis and VEGF-induced signaling cascade. Three dimensional growth assay as well as co-culture invasion and in vitro angiogenesis studies (with HUVEC and DU145 cells) suggested the differential effectiveness of the diastereoisomers toward PCA and endothelial cells. Overall, these studies elucidated the comparative anti-angiogenic efficacy of pure flavonolignans from Milk Thistle and suggest their usefulness in PCA angioprevention.

Generation of reactive oxygen species by grape seed extract causes irreparable DNA damage leading to G2/M arrest and apoptosis selectively in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) accounts for 6% of all malignancies in USA and unfortunately the recurrence of secondary primary tumors and resistance against conventional treatments decrease the overall 5 year survival rate in HNSCC patients. Thus, additional approaches are needed to control HNSCC. Here, for the first time, employing human HNSCC Detroit 562 and FaDu cells as well as normal human epidermal keratinocytes, we investigate grape seed extract (GSE) efficacy and associated mechanism in both cell culture and nude mice xenografts. GSE selectively inhibited the growth and caused cell cycle arrest and apoptotic death in both Detroit 562 and FaDu cells by activating DNA damage checkpoint cascade, including ataxia telangiectasia mutated/ataxia telangiectasia-Rad3-related-checkpoint kinase 1/2-cell division cycle 25C as well as caspases 8, 9 and 3. Consistent with these results, GSE treatment resulted in a strong DNA damage and a decrease in the levels of DNA repair molecules breast cancer gene 1 and Rad51 and DNA repair foci. GSE-caused accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species was identified as a major mechanism of its effect for growth inhibition, DNA damage and apoptosis, which was remarkably reversed by antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. GSE feeding to nude mice decreased Detroit 562 and FaDu xenograft tumor growth by 67 and 65% (P < 0.001), respectively. In immunohistochemical analysis, xenografts from GSE-fed groups showed decreased proliferation but increased DNA damage and apoptosis. Together, these findings show that GSE targets both DNA damage and repair and provide mechanistic insights for its efficacy selectively against HNSCC both in cell culture and mouse xenograft, supporting its translational potential against HNSCC.

Glucuronidation and methylation of procyanidin dimers b2 and 3,3″-di-o-galloyl-b2 and corresponding monomers epicatechin and 3-o-galloyl-epicatechin in mouse liver.

PURPOSE: The 3,3″-di-O-galloyl ester of procyanidin B2 (B2G2) is a component of grape seed extract that inhibits growth of human prostate carcinoma cell lines. In preparation for studies in mice, its hepatic metabolism was examined in vitro and compared to B2 and the corresponding monomers, epicatechin (EC) and 3-O-galloyl-epicatechin (ECG). METHODS: Compounds were incubated with liver microsomes or cytosol containing cofactors for glucuronidation, sulfation or methylation, and products analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). B2G2 was administered orally to mice and plasma analyzed by LC-MS for unmodified procyanidin and metabolites. RESULTS: Glucuronides and methyl ethers of B2 and B2G2 were formed in small amounts. In contrast, EC and ECG were largely or completely converted to glucuronides, sulfates and methyl ethers under the same incubation conditions. B2G2 given orally to mice was partially absorbed intact; no significant metabolites were detected in plasma. CONCLUSIONS: Glucuronidation and methylation of procyanidins B2 and B2G2 occurred but were minor processes in vitro. B2G2 was partially absorbed intact in mice after oral dosing and did not undergo significant metabolism. Unlike the flavanol monomers EC and ECG, therefore, B2G2 bioavailability should not be limited by metabolism. These results paved the way for ongoing pharmacokinetic and efficacy studies.

Inhibitory effect of silibinin against azoxymethane-induced colon tumorigenesis in A/J mice.

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-associated deaths, which suggests that more effort is needed to prevent/control this disease. Herein, for the first time, we investigate in vivo the efficacy of silibinin against azoxymethane-induced colon tumorigenesis in A/J mice. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Five-week-old male mice were gavaged with vehicle or silibinin (250 and 750 mg/kg) for 25 weeks starting 2 weeks before initiation with azoxymethane (pretreatment regime) or for 16 weeks starting 2 weeks after the last azoxymethane injection (posttreatment regime). The mice were then sacrificed, and colon tissues were examined for tumor multiplicity and size, and molecular markers for proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis. RESULTS: Silibinin feeding showed a dose-dependent decrease in azoxymethane-induced colon tumorigenesis with stronger efficacy in pretreatment versus posttreatment regimen. Mechanistic studies in tissue samples showed that silibinin inhibits cell proliferation as evident by a decrease (P < 0.001) in proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin D1, and increased Cip1/p21 levels. Silibinin also decreased (P < 0.001) the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor, suggesting its anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic potential in this model. Further, silibinin increased cleaved caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase levels, indicating its apoptotic effect. In other studies, colonic mucosa and tumors expressed high levels of ß-catenin, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptorß, phospho Glycogen synthase kinase-3ß, and phospho protein kinase B/pAkt proteins in azoxymethane-treated mice, which were strongly lowered (P < 0.001) by silibinin treatment. Moreover, azoxymethane reduced insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 protein level, which was enhanced by silibinin. CONCLUSIONS: Silibinin targets ß-catenin and IGF-1Rß pathways for its chemopreventive efficacy against azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in A/J mice. Overall, these results support the translational potential of silibinin in colorectal cancer chemoprevention.

Grape seed extract inhibits in vitro and in vivo growth of human colorectal carcinoma cells.

PURPOSE: Accumulating evidences suggest the beneficial effects of fruit-and-vegetable consumption in lowering the risk of various cancers, including colorectal cancer. Herein, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects and associated mechanisms of grape seed extract (GSE), a rich source of proanthocyanidins, against colorectal cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Effects of GSE were examined on human colorectal cancer HT29 and LoVo cells in culture for proliferation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. The in vivo effect of oral GSE was examined on HT29 tumor xenograft growth in athymic nude mice. Xenografts were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for proliferation and apoptosis. The molecular changes associated with the biological effects of GSE were analyzed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: GSE (25-100 microg/mL) causes a significant dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cell growth with concomitant increase in cell death. GSE induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest along with a marked increase in Cip1/p21 protein level and a decrease in G1 phase-associated cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases. GSE-induced cell death was apoptotic and accompanied by caspase-3 activation. GSE feeding to mice at 200 mg/kg dose showed time-dependent inhibition of tumor growth without any toxicity and accounted for 44% decrease in tumor volume per mouse after 8 weeks of treatment. GSE inhibited cell proliferation but increased apoptotic cell death in tumors. GSE-treated tumors also showed enhanced Cip1/p21 protein levels and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. CONCLUSIONS: GSE may be an effective chemopreventive agent against colorectal cancer, and that growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of GSE against colorectal cancer could be mediated via an up-regulation of Cip1/p21.

Dietary feeding of silibinin prevents early biomarkers of UVB radiation-induced carcinogenesis in SKH-1 hairless mouse epidermis.

Solar radiation is the causal etiologic factor in the development of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer leads to an increase in ambient UV radiation loads, which are expected to further raise skin cancer incidence in many temperate parts of the world, including the United States, suggesting that skin cancer chemopreventive approaches via biomarker efficacy studies or vice versa are highly warranted. Based on our recent study reporting strong efficacy of silibinin against photocarcinogenesis, we assessed here the protective effects of its dietary feeding on UVB-induced biomarkers involved in NMSC providing a mechanistic rationale for an early-on silibinin efficacy in skin cancer prevention. Dietary feeding of silibinin at 1% dose (w/w) to SKH-1 hairless mice for 2 weeks before a single UVB irradiation at 180 mJ/cm(2) dose resulted in a strong and significant (P < 0.001) decrease in UVB-induced thymine dimer-positive cells and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling, and apoptotic sunburn cells together with an increase (P < 0.001) in p53 and p21/cip1-positive cell population in epidermis. These findings suggest that dietary feeding of silibinin affords strong protection against UVB-induced damages in skin epidermis by (a) either preventing DNA damage or enhancing repair, (b) reducing UVB-induced hyperproliferative response, and (c) inhibiting UVB-caused apoptosis and sunburn cell formation, possibly via silibinin-caused up-regulation of p53 and p21/cip1 as major UVB-damage control sensors.