Rubus Occidentalis and its bioactive compounds against cancer: From molecular mechanisms to translational advances.

BACKGROUND: Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death globally, imposing a significant public health burden. The rise in cancer resistance to current therapeutic agents underscores the potential role of phytotherapy. Black raspberry (BRB, Rubus Occidentalis) is a fruit rich in anthocyanins, ellagic acid, and ellagitannins. Accumulating evidence suggests that BRB exhibits promising anticancer effects, positioning it as a viable candidate for phytotherapy. PURPOSE: This article aims to review the existing research on BRB regarding its role in cancer prevention and treatment. It further analyzes the effective components of BRB, their metabolic pathways, and the potential mechanisms underlying the fruit's anticancer effects. METHODS: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CENTRAL were searched through the terms of Black Raspberry, Raspberry, and Rubus Occidentali up to January 2023. Two reviewers performed the study selection by screening the title and abstract. Full texts of potentially eligible studies were retrieved to access the details. RESULTS: Out of the 767 articles assessed, 73 papers met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 63 papers investigated the anticancer mechanisms, while 10 conducted clinical trials focusing on cancer treatment or prevention. BRB was found to influence multiple cancer hallmarks by targeting various pathways. Decomposition of free radicals and regulation of estrogen metabolism, BRB can reduce DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species. BRB can also enhance the function of nucleotide excision repair to repair DNA lesions. Through regulation of epigenetics, BRB can enhance the expression of tumor suppressor genes, inducing cell cycle arrest, and promoting apoptosis and pyroptosis. BRB can reduce the energy and nutrients supply to the cancer nest by inhibiting glycolysis and reducing angiogenesis. The immune and inflammatory microenvironment surrounding cancer cells can also be ameliorated by BRB, inhibiting cancer initiation and progression. However, the limited bioavailability of BRB diminishes its anticancer efficacy. Notably, topical applications of BRB, such as gels and suppositories, have demonstrated significant clinical benefits. CONCLUSION: BRB inhibits cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis through diverse anticancer mechanisms while exhibiting minimal side effects. Given its potential, BRB emerges as a promising phototherapeutic agent for cancer treatment.

Curcumin and analogues in mitigating liver injury and disease consequences: From molecular mechanisms to clinical perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Liver injury is a prevalent global health concern, impacting a substantial number of individuals and leading to elevated mortality rates and socioeconomic burdens. Traditional primary treatment options encounter resource constraints and high costs, prompting exploration of alternative adjunct therapies, such as phytotherapy. Curcumin demonstrates significant therapeutic potential across various medical conditions, particularly emerging as a promising candidate for liver injury treatment. PURPOSE: This study aims to provide current evidence maps of curcumin and its analogs in the context of liver injury, covering aspects of biosafety, toxicology, and clinical trials. Importantly, it seeks to summarize the intricate mechanisms modulated by curcumin. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase up to July 2023. Titles and abstracts were reviewed to identify studies that met our eligibility criteria. The screening process involved three authors independently assessing the potential of curcumin mitigating liver injury and its disease consequences by reviewing titles, abstracts, and full texts. RESULTS: Curcumin and its analogs have demonstrated low toxicity in vitro and in vivo. However, the limited bioavailability has hindered their advanced use in liver injury. This limitation can potentially be addressed by nano-curcumin and emerging drug delivery systems. Curcumin plays a role in alleviating liver injury by modulating the antioxidant system, as well as cellular and molecular pathways. The specific mechanisms involve multiple pathways, such as NF-κB, p38/MAPK, and JAK2/STAT3, and the pro-apoptosis Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 axis in damaged cells. Additionally, curcumin targets nutritional metabolism, regulating the substance in liver cells and tissues. The microenvironment associated with liver injury, like extracellular matrix and immune cells and factors, is also regulated by curcumin. Initial evaluation of curcumin and its analogs through 12 clinical trials demonstrates their potential application in liver injury. CONCLUSION: Curcumin emerges as a promising phytomedicine for liver injury owing to its effectiveness in hepatoprotection and low toxicity profile. Nevertheless, in-depth investigations are warranted to unravel the complex mechanisms through which curcumin influences liver tissues and overall physiological milieu. Moreover, extensive clinical trials are essential to determine optimal curcumin dosage forms, maximizing its benefits and achieving favorable clinical outcomes.