The Cucurbitaceae family produces a class of secondary metabolites known as cucurbitacins. The eight cucurbitacin subunits are cucurbitacin B, D, E, I, IIa, L glucoside, Q, and R with the most significant anticancer activity. They are reported to inhibit cell proliferation, invasion, and migration; induce apoptosis; and encourage cell cycle arrest, as some of their modes of action. The JAK-STAT3, Wnt, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways, which are essential for the survival and apoptosis of cancer cells, have also been shown to be suppressed by cucurbitacins. The goal of the current study is to summarize potential molecular targets that cucurbitacins could inhibit in order to suppress various malignant processes. The review is noteworthy since it presents all putative molecular targets for cucurbitacins in cancer on a single podium.
The Cucurbitaceae family, known for its bioactive compounds, is being studied for its potential in preventing and treating colorectal cancer (CRC).
Four different extracts from cucurbit leaves and seeds were tested on various CRC cell lines to evaluate their effects on tumor growth and cell health.
Cold ethanolic extracts showed significant anti-cancer properties, such as inhibiting cell proliferation and angiogenesis, and were linked to specific cell cycle changes and gene expression modifications, suggesting they could enhance CRC treatment strategies.
Oral cancer (OC) is a major health concern worldwide, with current treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy often leading to severe side effects and risk of recurrence.
Natural compounds from plants, such as quercetin and curcumin, are gaining traction for their potential to fight OC with less toxicity and effective targeting of cancer cell growth.
Recent research highlights the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in OC, suggesting that using natural products to regulate these miRNAs could be a promising approach for improving treatment outcomes.
Cucurbitacin B (CuB) is a natural compound known for its strong anticancer effects, but its effectiveness is limited due to poor absorption in the body when taken orally.
Researchers studied how CuB is metabolized in rats after oral administration, identifying 13 metabolites, with one key variant, CuB-Cys, showing similar anti-cancer activity as CuB but with less toxicity toward normal cells.
The study sheds light on CuB's metabolic pathways and suggests that using its metabolites, like CuB-Cys, could enhance its therapeutic effects while minimizing side effects in cancer treatment.
State Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer, Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, Tianjin Cancer Institute, Liver Cancer Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China.
- The persistence of HBV cccDNA poses a significant challenge in treating HBV infections, and the role of the transcription factor STAT3 in activating HBV replication is highlighted in this research.
- The study shows that cucurbitacin I limits HBV cccDNA stability and replication by inhibiting p-STAT3, leading to increased levels of APOBEC3B, an important factor in controlling HBV replication.
- The findings suggest that targeting the p-STAT3 and DTX4/MSL2 signaling pathways can potentially be therapeutic strategies against HBV cccDNA, enhancing the efficacy of treatments like pegylated interferon α (PEG-IFN α).
, also known as squirting cucumber, is a plant which is widespread in temperate regions of Europe, Africa and Asia. The plant is considered to be one of the oldest used drugs. In the last decades, has been widely studied as a source of triterpene metabolites named cucurbitacins, often found as glycosylated derivatives, used by the plant as defensive agents.
