Targeting tumor microenvironment by curcumin

Xiao Fu, Yingni He, Mu Li, Zezhi Huang and Masoud Najafi

To achieve the appropriate therapeutic response, we must kill cancer cells and suppress the release of immunosuppressive molecules. The balance between anti-tumor immunity and immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, plays a key role in the suppression or promotion of cancer cells. Curcumin is a plant-derived agent that has shown interesting properties for cancer therapy. It has shown that not only directly inhibit the growth of cancer cells but can also modulate the growth and activity of immunosuppressant and tumor-promoting cells. In this review, we explain how curcumin modulates interactions within TME in favor of tumor treatment.

914

Biological effects of ginger and its bioactive components in cardiovascular disease

Nazanin Momeni Roudsari, Naser-Aldin Lashgari, Saeideh Momtaz, Basil Roufogalis, Amir Hossein Abdolghaffari and Amirhossein Sahebkar

Inflammation and oxidative stress play critical roles in progression of cardiovascular disease. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of ginger (the rhizome of Zingiber officinale) and its bioactive components have been confirmed in many studies. Ginger blocks pro-inflammatory cytokines and the activation of the immune system and suppresses the activity of oxidative molecules. Ginger has been shown to have potent inhibitory effects against NF-κB; signal transducer and activator of transcription; NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing proteins; toll-like receptors; MAPK; and mTOR signaling pathways. We summarize the biochemical pathologies underpinning a variety of cardiovascular diseases and the effects of ginger and its bioactive components, including 6-shogaol, 6-gingerol, and 10-dehydrogingerdione.

933

Therapeutic studies and biological properties of Teucrium polium Golgi stress response

Fatma Rahmouni, Mongi Saoudi and Tarek Rebai

Teucrium polium has been used in traditional medicine as antifungal, antipyretic, antispasmodic, and antibacterial. The effects of this plant have been investigated in kidney, liver, and brain. Its antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects have been introduced. Polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, monoterpenes, alkanoides, and essential oils were identified. Several studies revealed that this plant has a hypoglycemic effect and can help to control blood sugar. In addition, T. polium has secondary effects on different organs, namely liver, kidney and at high doses this plant becomes toxic. In conclusion, this review investigates many pharmacological properties and side effects of T. polium.

952

Biological and pharmacological activities of noscapine

Fahimeh Nourbakhsh and Vahid Reza Askari

With few side effects and amazing capabilities, noscapine can be considered different from other opioids-like structure compounds. Since 1930, extensive studies have been conducted in the field of pharmacological treatments for malaria to control cough and cancer treatment. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that noscapine and some analogues, like 9-bromonoscapine, amino noscapine, and 9-nitronoscapine, can be used to treat polycystic ovaries syndrome, stroke, and other diseases. Given the numerous results presented in this field and the role of different receptors in the therapeutic effects of noscapine, we review the properties, therapeutic effects, and the role of receptors in the treatment of noscapine.

975

REFERENCES

1Xiao Fu, Yingni He, Mu Li, Zezhi Huang and Masoud Najafi. Targeting tumor microenvironment by curcumin. BioFactors. 2021; 47: 914– 932. 2Nazanin Momeni Roudsari, Naser-Aldin Lashgari, Saeideh Momtaz, Basil Roufogalis, Amir Hossein Abdolghaffari and Amirhossein Sahebkar. BioFactors. 2021; 47: 933– 951. 3Fatma Rahmouni, Mongi Saoudi and Tarek Rebai. Therapeutic studies and biological properties of Teucrium polium Golgi stress response. BioFactors. 2021; 47: 952– 963. 4Fahimeh Nourbakhsh and Vahid Reza Askari. Biological and pharmacological activities of noscapine. BioFactors. 2021; 47: 975– 991.