International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Stefania Crispi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute of Biosciences and BioResources CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
Interests: natural molecules; apoptosis; cell death; gene expression; miRNA; transcriptomics; biomarkers; cancer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, life expectancy has grown, and consequently, aged population is strongly increasing. However, aging is strictly correlated with diseases and cancer. Indeed, aging is known to be a major risk factor for cancer and disease. Starting from birth, cells in the body accumulate damages that alter organ function and allow the development of age-related diseases or cancer.

Over the last few decades, interest in natural drugs has greatly increased, since they can exert preventive effects against chronic and degenerative diseases, including cancer. In addition, these molecules play an important role in neuroprotection by modulating different cellular functions. Natural bioctive compounds can be isolated from plants, marine organisms, and from bacteria.

Natural products normally introduced with diet have been demonstrated to be able to reduce accumulation of damages and delay the onset of age-related diseases or reduce risk of developing cancer. In addition, these compounds have been shown to also be active in neurodegenerative diseases.

The pharmacological potential of natural products is related to their bioavailability that is enhanced by interaction with gut microbiota, the most dynamic populated microbial ecosystems that contribute to individual health and whose composition, strictly related to diet, changes with age.

This Special Issue will collect original research articles and review papers highlighting the different mechanisms modulated by natural products able to act against aging, cancer, and age-related diseases.

Dr. Stefania Crispi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

natural bioactive compounds
oxidative stress
neuroprotection
bioactivity
metabolism
gut microbiota
molecular pathway
cancer
age-related diseases

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 7522 KiB

Open AccessArticle

4-Acetylantroquinonol B Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis by Inhibiting the Autophagy Pathway in a Simulated Microgravity Model

by Chia-Hsin Wu, Ching-Huei Ou, I-Chuan Yen and Shih-Yu Lee

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(18), 6971; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21186971 - 22 Sep 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3603

Abstract

Astronauts suffer from 1–2% bone loss per month during space missions. Targeting osteoclast differentiation has been regarded as a promising strategy to prevent osteoporosis in microgravity (μXg). 4-acetylantroquinonol B (4-AAQB), a ubiquinone from Antrodia cinnamomea, has shown anti-inflammatory and anti-hepatoma activities. However, the effect of 4-AAQB on μXg-induced osteoclastogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanistic impact of 4-AAQB on osteoclast formation under μXg conditions. The monocyte/macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7 was exposed to simulated μXg (Rotary Cell Culture System; Synthecon, Houston, TX, USA) for 24 h and then treated with 4-AAQB or alendronate (ALN) and osteoclast differentiation factor receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL). Osteoclastogenesis, bone resorption activity, and osteoclast differentiation-related signaling pathways were analyzed using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, actin ring fluorescent staining, bone resorption, and western blotting assays. Based on the results of TRAP staining, actin ring staining, and bone resorption assays, we found that 4-AAQB significantly inhibited μXg-induced osteoclast differentiation. The critical regulators of osteoclast differentiation, including nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, and dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP), were consistently decreased. Meanwhile, osteoclast apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were also observed along with autophagy suppression. Interestingly, the autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and chloroquine (CQ) showed similar effects to 4-AAQB. In conclusion, we suggest that 4-AAQB may serve as a potential agent against μXg-induced osteoclast formation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disease, Ageing and Cancer Prevention by Natural Products)

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Review

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21 pages, 663 KiB

Open AccessReview

Cancer Prevention by Natural Products Introduced into the Diet—Selected Cyclitols

by Karol Wiśniewski, Marcin Jozwik and Joanna Wojtkiewicz

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(23), 8988; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21238988 - 26 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3077

Abstract

Cancer is now the second leading cause of death worldwide. It is estimated that every year, approximately 9.6 million people die of oncologic diseases. The most common origins of malignancy are the lungs, breasts, and colorectum. Even though in recent years, many new drugs and therapeutic options have been introduced, there are still no safe, effective chemopreventive agents. Cyclitols seem poised to improve this situation. There is a body of evidence that suggests that their supplementation can decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer, lower the risk of metastasis occurrence, lower the proliferation index, induce apoptosis in malignant cells, enhance natural killer (NK) cell activity, protect cells from free radical damage, and induce positive molecular changes, as well as reduce the side effects of anticancer treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery. Cyclitol supplementation appears to be both safe and well-tolerated. This review focuses on presenting, in a comprehensive way, the currently available knowledge regarding the use of cyclitols in the treatment of different malignancies, particularly in lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disease, Ageing and Cancer Prevention by Natural Products)

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