Urolithin A, induces apoptosis and autophagy crosstalk in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma via mTOR /AKT/ERK1/2 pathway.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent malignancy in the world with an alarming rate of mortality. Despite the advancement in treatment strategies and drug developments, the overall survival rate remains poor. Therefore, it is imperative to develop alternative or complimentary anti cancer drugs with minimum off target effects.

27-Hydroxycholesterol represses G9a expression via oestrogen receptor alpha in breast cancer.

27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC) is a cholesterol metabolite and the first discovered endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that has been shown to have proliferative and metastatic activity in breast cancer. However, whether 27-HC metabolite modulates the epigenetic signatures in breast cancer and its progression remains unclear. The current study, reports that 27-HC represses the expression of euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase G9a, further reducing di-methylation at H3K9 in a subset of genes.

Urolithin A: A promising selective estrogen receptor modulator and 27-hydroxycholesterol attenuator in breast cancer.

27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC) is an oxysterol that acts as an endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), and its adverse effects on breast cancer via the estrogen receptor (ER) have provided new insights into the pathology of cholesterol-linked breast cancer. Our earlier in vitro experiments showed that the methanolic extract of pomegranate could exhibit SERM properties and compete with 27-HC. The major constituents of pomegranate are ellagitannins and ellagic acid, which are converted into urolithins by the colonic microbiota.

27-Hydroxycholesterol, The Estrogen Receptor Modulator, Alters DNA Methylation in Breast Cancer.

27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC) is the first known endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), and its elevation from normal levels is closely associated with breast cancer. A plethora of evidence suggests that aberrant epigenetic signatures in breast cancer cells can result in differential responses to various chemotherapeutics and often leads to the development of resistant cancer cells. Such aberrant epigenetic changes are mostly dictated by the microenvironment.

Urolithins: The Colon Microbiota Metabolites as Endocrine Modulators: Prospects and Perspectives.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been used in hormone related disorders, and their role in clinical medicine is evolving. Tamoxifen and raloxifen are the most commonly used synthetic SERMs, and their long-term use are known to create side effects. Hence, efforts have been directed to identify molecules which could retain the beneficial effects of estrogen, at the same time produce minimal side effects.

New insights into the functions of progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms and progesterone signaling.

Progesterone, the ovarian steroid hormone, regulates a plentitude of biological processes in tissues ranging from the brain to bones. Recognizing the role of progesterone and its receptors in physiological processes and maladies can prevent and treat various diseases. Apart from its physiological functions, its role in developing diseases, especially breast cancer, is a recent topic of deliberation.

VDAC1 and SERCA3 Mediate Progesterone-Triggered Ca2 Signaling in Breast Cancer Cells.

Progesterone is a biphasic hormone whose confounding role in breast cancer cells involves an initial proliferative surge, followed by sustained growth arrest. Recently we reported that progesterone induces a time- and concentration-dependent release of reactive oxygen species and thus regulates the antiproliferative activity in the breast cancer cell line. Furthermore, the expression of p27, a crucial cell cycle control protein, was regulated by binding of progesterone on progesterone receptor B, thus leading to antiproliferative signaling via multiple signaling pathways including p53, PTEN, and antioxidant systems.

Evidence of pomegranate methanolic extract in antagonizing the endogenous SERM, 27-hydroxycholesterol.

The direct relationship between obesity and breast cancer has been elucidated recently with the identification of a cholesterol derivative 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), an endogenous SERM that can act through estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated mechanisms. Our recent research shed light on the possible SERM-like property of methanol extract of pericarp of pomegranate (PME) by using human breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231), endometrial (HEC-1A), cervical (SiHa, HeLa), ovarian (SKOV3) cancer cell lines, normal breast fibroblasts (MCF-10A) and also by in vivo models (ovariectomized Swiss albino mice). Our findings demonstrated that PME binds to ER and downregulates the Estrogen response elements (ERE)-mediated transcription in breast cancer cells without being agonistic in the uterine endometrium and has cardioprotective effects comparable to that of 17-β-estradiol.

Punica granatum and its therapeutic implications on breast carcinogenesis: A review.

Punica granatum has a recorded history of pharmacological properties which can be attributed to its rich reservoir of phytochemicals. Investigations in recent years have established its tremendous potential as an antitumorogenic agent against various cancers including breast cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. The plausible role of Punica as a therapeutic agent, as an adjuvant in chemotherapy, and its dietary implications as chemopreventive agent in breast cancer have been explored.

Synthesis and larvicidal activity of low-temperature stable silver nanoparticles from psychrotolerant Pseudomonas mandelii.

Applications based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are limited by low temperatures, which cause aggregation of the nanoparticle fraction, leading to reduced efficacy of their products. We aimed at studying AgNP synthesis by psychrotolerant bacteria, its stability under long-term storage, and larvicidal activity under low-temperature conditions. Electron and atomic force microscopy studies revealed that 6 among 22 psychrotolerant isolates synthesized AgNPs with an average diameter of 1.