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Cancer is one of the most serious human health issues. Drug therapy is the major common way to treat cancer. There is a growing interest in using natural compounds to overcome drug resistance, adverse reactions, and target specificity of certain types of drugs that may affect several targets with fewer side effects and be beneficial against various types of cancer. In this regard, the use of herbal medicines alone or in combination with the main anticancer drugs is commonly available. Berberine (BBR), a nature‐driven phytochemical component, is a well‐known nutraceutical due to its wide variety of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and hypolipidemic. In addition, BBR exerts anticancer activities. In present article, we summarized the information available on the therapeutic effects of BBR and its mechanisms on five types of the most prevalent gastrointestinal cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, hepatocarcinoma, and pancreatic cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination chemotherapy appears to be a preferable option for some cancer patients, especially when the medications target multiple pathways of oncogenesis; individuals treated with combination treatments may have a better prognosis than those treated with single agent chemotherapy. However, research has revealed that this is not always the case, and that this technique may just enhance toxicity while having little effect on boosting the anticancer effects of the medications. Cisplatin (CDDP) is a chemotherapeutic medicine that is commonly used to treat many forms of cancer. However, it has major adverse effects such as cardiotoxicity, skin necrosis, testicular toxicity, and nephrotoxicity. Many research have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of melatonin (MLT) as an anticancer medication. MLT operates in a variety of ways, including decreasing cancer cell growth, causing apoptosis, and preventing metastasis. We review the literature on the role of MLT as an adjuvant in CDDP-based chemotherapies and discuss how MLT may enhance CDDP's antitumor effects (e.g., by inducing apoptosis and suppressing metastasis) while protecting other organs from its adverse effects, such as cardio- and nephrotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that exist within the human gut, and which are also present in different food products and supplements. They have been investigated for some decades, due to their potential beneficial impact on human health. Probiotics compete with pathogenic microorganisms for adhesion sites within the gut, to antagonize them or to regulate the host immune response resulting in preventive and therapeutic effects. Therefore, dysbiosis, defined as an impairment in the gut microbiota, could play a role in various pathological conditions, such as lactose intolerance, gastrointestinal and urogenital infections, various cancers, cystic fibrosis, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, and can also be caused by antibiotic side effects. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that can regulate gene expression in a post-transcriptional manner. miRNAs are biochemical biomarkers that play an important role in almost all cellular signaling pathways in many healthy and disease states. For the first time, the present review summarizes current evidence suggesting that the beneficial properties of probiotics could be explained based on the pivotal role of miRNAs. -XWtzG6mL78JY_4WAyj9kz Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophageal cancer (EC) is regarded as the sixth highest contributor to all cancer‐related mortality, worldwide. In spite of advances in the treatment of EC, currently used methods remain ineffective. Quercetin, as a dietary antioxidant, is a plant flavonol from the flavonoid group of polyphenols, and can be found in numerous vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Quercetin can affect the processes of cancer‐related diseases via cell proliferation inhibitory effects, potential apoptosis effects, and antioxidant properties. Of the various types of cancer, the use of quercetin has now become prominent in the treatment of EC. In this review, we discuss how quercetin may be an important supplement for the prevention, treatment, and management of EC, owing to its natural origin, and low‐cost relative to synthetic cancer drugs. However, most findings cited in the current study are based on in vitro and in vivo studies, and thus, further human‐based research is necessitated. Practical applications: In spite of advances in the treatment of esophageal cancer, currently used methods remain ineffective, therefore, an alternative or complementary therapy is required. Quercetin, as a dietary antioxidant, can affect the processes of cancer‐related diseases via cell proliferation inhibitory effects, potential proapoptotic functions, and antioxidant properties. Quercetin may be an important supplement for the prevention, treatment, and management of EC, owing to its natural origin. The low cost of quercetin as supplement or dietary intake, relative to synthetic cancer drugs, is an advantage of the compound which should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is known as a leading cause of death worldwide. In the last two decades, the incidence of cancer has been dramatically increased mostly due to lifestyle changes. The importance of this issue has attracted further attention to discover novel therapies to prevent and treat cancers. According to previous studies, drugs used to treat cancer have shown significant limitations. Therefore, the role of herbal medicines alone or in combination with chemotherapy drugs has been extensively studied in cancer treatment. Cinnamon is a natural component showing a wide range of pharmacological functions including anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-cancer activities. Impaired apoptosis plays critical roles in the initiation and progression of cancer. Increasing evidence indicates that cinnamon, as a therapeutic agent, has anti-cancer effects via affecting numerous apoptosis-related pathways in cancer cells. Here, we highlighted anticancer properties of cinnamon, particularly through targeting apoptosis-related mechanisms. Image 1 • Cinnamon and its analogues shows anti-cancer impacts via affecting on numerous cancer-related pathways such as apoptosis. • Inhibition of apoptosis is very common mechanism for escaping cancer cells from death. • Cinnamon and its analogues exert anti—apoptosis impacts on cancer cells via targeting Fas/CD95, caspase-3, and Bcl-XL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different cancer types have been shown to have down-regulated expression levels of miR-195 as an anti-tumor agent. MiR-195 family members can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastases, immunosuppression, glycolysis, drug resistance, and cancer stem cell development by targeting the 3′-UTR of the mRNA of different pro-tumor genes. MiR-195 identified as a tumor suppressor miR in a variety of cancers, most notably gynecological malignancies such as cervical, endometrial, and ovarian carcinoma. As a result, restoring miR-195 expression should be regarded as a potential therapy for either prevention or treatment of gynecological cancers. This review will present the most recent data about miR-195-mediated anti-tumor effects in gynecological malignancies, emphasizing its downstream signaling pathways and target genes, as well as prospective treatment techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their high prevalence, gastrointestinal cancers are one of the key causes of cancer-related death globally. The development of drug-resistant cancer cell populations is a major factor in the high mortality rate, and it affects about half of all cancer patients. Because of advances in our understanding of cancer molecular biology, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as critical factors in the initiation and development of gastrointestinal cancers. Gene expression can be controlled in several ways by ncRNAs, including through epigenetic changes, interactions between microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and proteins, and the function of lncRNAs as miRNA precursors or pseudogenes. As lncRNAs may be detected in the blood, circulating ncRNAs have emerged as a promising new class of non-invasive cancer biomarkers for use in the detection, staging, and prognosis of gastrointestinal cancers, as well as in the prediction of therapy efficacy. In this review, we assessed the role lncRNAs play in the progression, and maintenance of colorectal cancer, and how they might be used as therapeutic targets in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silymarin contains a group of closely-related flavonolignan compounds including silibinin, and is extracted from Silybum marianum species, also called milk thistle. Silymarin has been shown to protect the liver in both experimental models and clinical studies. The chemopreventive activity of silymarin has shown some efficacy against cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Silymarin can modulate apoptosis in vitro and survival in vivo, by interfering with the expression of cell cycle regulators and apoptosis-associated proteins. In addition to its anti-metastatic activity, silymarin has also been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. The chemoprotective effects of silymarin and silibinin (its major constituent) suggest they could be applied to reduce the side effects and increase the anti-cancer effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in various cancer types, especially in gastrointestinal cancers. This review examines the recent studies and summarizes the mechanistic pathways and down-stream targets of silymarin in the therapy of gastrointestinal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Melanoma tends to aggressively invade adjoining tissue and spread to distant organs e.g. liver lung, bone and brain. • Resveratrol significantly decreased angiogenesis and frequency of regulatory T cells in the lungs. • Resveratrol significantly increased tumor cell apoptosis and trafficking of activated T cells to lungs. Resveratrol is an anticancer phytochemical polyphenol isolated from a natural origin, without any significant side effects. Resveratrol was investigated in immunocompetent mice with regards to its possible effect on lung cancer metastasis. Cytotoxicity was assessed in three melanoma cell lines (B16F10, B6, and A375) by administration of 20 and 40 μM resveratrol. B16F10 cells were transfected with pT-tdTomato vector to express red fluorescent protein (RFP). RFP-B16F10 cells were injected IV into 3 groups of 20 C57BL/6 mice (ten for tests and others for survival). The three groups include PBS, no treatment, and resveratrol 40 mg/kg IP (4X/week for 3 weeks). Lung tissues were analyzed by TUNEL assay, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. The in vitro growth of all melanoma cell lines was significantly suppressed by 40 μM resveratrol for 3 days. The mean survival rate of mice was enhanced and the lung tumor growth was inhibited by in vivo IP injection of 40 mg/kg resveratrol. Increased CXCL10 and IFN-γ levels and decreased angiogenesis and less tumor infiltration by Tregs were found in the lung tumors. In conclusion, lung metastasis of melanoma was effectively inhibited by resveratrol treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have recommended that probiotics may have blood pressure (BP)-lowering effects. However, they examined all probiotic strains (multi/single probiotics) simultaneously. In respect to strain specificity properties of probiotic, the aim of the present study was to systematically investigate the role of Lactobacillus plantarum as an anti-hypertensive agent by performing a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were used from inception until October 2018 to identify eligible trials. We used random-effects model as the preferable method to assess the combined treatment effect. We further conducted sensitivity analysis and stratified analysis. Seven studies with 653 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) with the random effects model showed a significant effects of Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation on improvement of SBP with no statistically significant heterogeneity (WMD: -1.58 mmHg, 95 % CI: -3.05 to 0.11) (heterogeneity P = 0.14; I² = 36 %). The overall effect in the DBP showed significant pooled estimates (WMD: -0.92 mmHg, 95 % CI: -1.49 to -0.35) with a complete homogeneity between the studies (heterogeneity P = 0.46; I² = 0 %). The findings of the present meta-analysis study support the use of Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation for lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The clinical significance of blood pressure-lowering effect of Lactobacillus Plantarum supplementation is not considerable; however, given the overarching benefits evident and concurrent lack of specific side effects, further trials are warranted to clarify the effects of Lactobacillus Plantarum probiotics particularly for hypertensive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin (MLT) is an endogenous hormone produced by pineal gland which possess promising anti-tumor effects. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of MLT, along with its immunomodulatory, proapoptotic, and anti-angiogenic properties, are often referred to the main mechanisms of its anti-tumor effects. Recent evidence has suggested that epigenetic alterations are also involved in the anti-tumor properties of MLT. Among these MLT-induced epigenetic alterations is modulation of the expression of several oncogenic and tumor suppressor microRNAs(miRNAs). MiRNAs are among the most promising and potential therapeutic and diagnostic tools in different diseases and enhanced the development of better therapeutic drugs. Suppression of oncomicroRNAs such as microRNA-21, − 20a, and − 27a as well as, up-regulation of microRNA-34 a/c are among the most important effects of MLT on microRNAs homeostasis. Recently, miR-21 has attracted the attention of scientists due to the its wide range of effects on different cancers and diseases. Regulation of this RNA may be a key to the development of better therapeutic targets. The present review will summarize the findings of in vitro and experimental studies of MLT-induced impacts on the expression of microRNAs which are involved in different models and numerous stages of tumor initiation, growth, metastasis, and chemo-resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LncRNAs, or long non-coding RNAs, are a subset of RNAs that play a regulatory role in a wide range of biological functions, including RNA processing, epigenetic regulation, and signal transduction. Recent research indicates that lncRNAs play a key role in the development and spread of cancer by being dysregulated in the disease. In addition, lncRNAs have been linked to the overexpression of certain proteins that are involved in tumor development and progression. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties that it exerts through regulating different lncRNAs. By the regulation of tumor-supportive and tumor-suppressive lncRNAs, resveratrol acts as an anti-cancer agent. By downregulating the tumor-supportive lncRNAs DANCR, MALAT1, CCAT1, CRNDE, HOTAIR, PCAT1, PVT1, SNHG16, AK001796, DIO3OS, GAS5 and H19, and upregulating MEG3, PTTG3P, BISPR, PCAT29, GAS5, LOC146880, HOTAIR, PCA3, NBR2, this herbal remedy causes apoptosis and cytotoxicity. For the purpose of using polyphenols in cancer therapy, it would be helpful to have more in-depth knowledge about lncRNA modulation via resveratrol. Here, we discuss the current knowledge and future promise of resveratrol as modulators of lncRNAs in different cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteosarcoma is the most frequent type of bone cancer found in children and adolescents, and commonly arises in the metaphyseal region of tubular long bones. Standard therapeutic approaches, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, are used in the management of osteosarcoma. In recent years, the mortality rate of osteosarcoma has decreased due to advances in treatment methods. Today, the scientific community is investigating the use of different naturally derived active principles against various types of cancer. Natural bioactive compounds can function against cancer cells in two ways. Firstly they can act as classical cytotoxic compounds by non-specifically affecting macromolecules, such as DNA, enzymes, and microtubules, which are also expressed in normal proliferating cells, but to a greater extent by cancer cells. Secondly, they can act against oncogenic signal transduction pathways, many of which are activated in cancer cells. Some bioactive plant-derived agents are gaining increasing attention because of their anti-cancer properties. Moreover, some naturally-derived compounds can significantly promote the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy drugs, and in certain cases are able to ameliorate drug-induced adverse effects caused by chemotherapy. In the present review we summarize the effects of various naturally-occurring bioactive compounds against osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is a natural phytochemical polyphenol with significant anti-cancer effects and negligible side effects. In this study, the therapeutic capacity of nanomicellar-curcumin for treating lung metastasis was evaluated in an immunocompetent mouse model of metastatic melanoma. Two doses of nanomicellar-curcumin (i.e. 10 and 20 μM) were used to induce cytotoxicity in 3 melanoma cell lines. A total of 60 mice were allocated to 20 mice in each of three groups (10 for survival and 10 for assays). Groups were no treatment control, PBS control, nanomicellar-curcumin 20 mg/kg IP 4 times a week, for three weeks). Immunohistochemistry, TUNEL assay, and Western blots were used on lung samples. Nanomicellar-curcumin inhibited the in vitro growth of B16 F10 melanoma cells at 20 μM over 72 h. In vivo , 20 mg/kg nanomicellar-curcumin injected IP, delayed tumor cell growth and significantly extended mouse survival rate. Tumor infiltration of regulatory T cells and angiogenesis were reduced, while IFN-γ and CXCL10 were increased. Nanomicellar-curcumin can inhibit lung metastasis and growing melanoma via activation of apoptosis, activated T cells and inhibition of angiogenesis, tumor growth and regulatory T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]