Nivedita Banerjee

Resveratrol and quercetin in combination have anticancer activity in colon cancer cells and repress oncogenic microRNA-27a.

Resveratrol and quercetin (RQ) in combination (1:1 ratio) previously inhibited growth in human leukemia cells. This study investigated the anticancer activity of the same mixture in HT-29 colon cancer cells. RQ decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by up to 2.25-fold and increased the antioxidant capacity by up to 3-fold in HT-29 cells (3.8–60 μg/mL), whereas IC50 values for viability were 18.13, 18.73, and 11.85 μg/mL, respectively. RQ also induced caspase-3-cleavage (2-fold) and increased PARP cleavage. Specificity protein (Sp) transcription factors are overexpressed in colon and other cancers and regulate genes required for cell proliferation survival and angiogenesis. RQ treatment decreased the expression of Sp1, Sp3, and Sp4 mRNA and this was accompanied by decreased protein expression. Moreover, the Sp-dependent antiapoptotic survival gene survivin was also significantly reduced, both at mRNA and protein levels. RQ decreased microRNA-27a (miR-27a) and induced zinc finger protein ZBTB10, an Sp-repressor, suggesting that interactions of RQ with the miR-27a-ZBTB10-axis play a role in Sp downregulation. This was confirmed by transfection of cells with the specific mimic for miR-27a, which partially reversed the effects of RQ. These findings are consistent with previous studies on botanical anticancer agents in colon cancer cells.

Pomegranate polyphenolics suppressed azoxymethane-induced colorectal aberrant crypt foci and inflammation: possible role of miR-126/VCAM-1 and miR-126/PI3K/AKT/mTOR

The antitumorigenic activities of polyphenols such as ellagitannins and anthocyanins in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) have been previously studied where cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects were evident in various cancer models. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of miR-126/vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and miR-126/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in pomegranate-mediated anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic effects in vivo and in vitro. Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10 per group) received pomegranate juice (2504.74 mg gallic acid equivalents/l) or a polyphenol-free control beverage ad libitum for 10 weeks and were injected with azoxymethane (AOM) subcutaneously (15mg/kg) at weeks 2 and 3. Consumption of pomegranate juice suppressed the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and dysplastic ACF by 29 and 53.5% (P = 0.05 and 0.04), respectively, and significantly lowered proliferation of mucosa cells. Pomegranate juice significantly downregulated proinflammatory enzymes nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression. In addition, it suppressed nuclear factor-κB and VCAM-1 mRNA and protein expression in AOM-treated rats. Pomegranate also inhibited phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT and mTOR expression and increased the expression of miR-126. The specific target and functions of miR-126 were investigated in HT-29 colon cancer cell lines. In vitro, the involvement of miR-126 was confirmed using the antagomiR for miR-126, where pomegranate reversed the effects of the antagomiR on the expression of miR-126, VCAM-1 and PI3K p85β. In summary, therapeutic potentials of pomegranate in colon tumorigenesis were due in part to targeting miR-126-regulated pathways, which contributes in the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Comparison of anti-inflammatory mechanisms of mango (Mangifera Indica L.) and pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) in a preclinical model of colitis

SCOPE Tannin-rich fruits have been evaluated as alternative prevention strategies for colorectal cancer based on their anti-inflammatory properties. This study compared tannin-rich preparations from mango (rich in gallotannins) and pomegranate (rich in ellagitannins) in the dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis model. METHODS AND RESULTS In rats, mango and pomegranate beverages decreased intestinal inflammation and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mucosa and serum. The mango beverage suppressed the ratio of phosphorylated/total protein expression of the IGF-1R-AKT/mTOR axis and downregulated mRNA expression of Igf1, Insr, and pik3cv. Pomegranate decreased p70S6K and RPS6, as well as Rps6ka2, Map2k2, and Mapk1 mRNA. In silico modeling indicated a high binding of docked of gallic acid to the catalytic domain of IGF-1R, which may suppress the activity of the enzyme. Ellagic acid docked effectively into the catalytic domains of both IGF-1R and EGFR. In vitro assays with lipopolysaccharide-treated CCD-18Co cells using polyphenolic extracts from each beverage, as well as pure compounds, corroborated the predictions made in silico. CONCLUSION Mango polyphenols inhibited the IGF-1R- AKT/mTOR axis, and pomegranate polyphenols downregulate the mTOR downstream pathway through reductions in ERK1/2. These results suggest that extracts rich in gallo- and ellagitannins act on different molecular targets in the protection against ulcerative colitis.

Mango polyphenolics suppressed tumor growth in breast cancer xenografts in mice: role of the PI3K/AKT pathway and associated microRNAs

The cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties of mango polyphenolics including gallic acid and gallotannins have been demonstrated in numerous types of cancers. We hypothesized that the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway and the expression of related miRNAs are involved in the chemotherapeutic activities of mango polyphenolics in a mouse xenograft model for breast cancer. The objectives of this research were to determine the tumor-cytotoxic activities of mango polyphenolics and the underlying molecular mechanisms involving posttranscriptional targets in BT474 breast cancer cells and xenografts in mice. In vitro findings showed cytotoxic effects of mango polyphenolics in BT474 breast cancer cells within a concentration range of 2.5 to 20 mg/L gallic acid equivalents. Mango polyphenolics suppressed the expression of PI3K, AKT, hypoxia inducible factor-1α, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA, and pAKT, AKT, pPI3K (p85), VEGF and nuclear factor-kappa B protein levels. The involvement of miR-126 was verified by using antagomiR for miR-126, where mango reversed the effect of the antagomiR of miR-126. In vivo, the intake of mango polyphenolics decreased the tumor volume by 73% in BT474 xenograft-bearing mice compared with the control group. In addition, mango reduced the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (p65), pAKT, pPI3K, mammalian target of rapamycin, hypoxia inducible factor-1α, and VEGF protein in athymic nude mice. A screening for miRNA expression changes confirmed that mango polyphenolics modulated the expression of cancer-associated miRNAs including miR-126 in the xenografted tumors. In summary, mango polyphenolics have a chemotherapeutic potential against breast cancer that at least in part is mediated through the PI3K/AKT pathway and miR-126.

Mango polyphenolics reduce inflammation in intestinal colitis—involvement of the miR‐126/PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis in vitro and in vivo

This study sought to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the anti‐inflammatory effect of mango (Mangifera Indica L.) polyphenolics containing gallic acid and gallotanins, and the role of the miR‐126/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis in vitro and in vivo. Polyphenolics extracted from mango (var. Keitt) were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated CCD‐18Co cells. Rats received either a beverage with mango polyphenolics or a control beverage, and were exposed to three cycles of 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) followed by a 2‐wk recovery period. The mango extract (10 mg GAE/L) suppressed the protein expression of NF‐κB, p‐NF‐κB, PI3K (p85β), HIF‐1α, p70S6K1, and RPS6 in LPS‐treated CCD‐18Co cells. LPS reduced miR‐126 expression, whereas, the mango extract induced miR‐126 expression in a dose‐dependent manner. The relationship between miR‐126 and its target, PI3K (p85β), was confirmed by treating cells with miR‐126 antagomiR where mango polyphenols reversed the effects of the antagomiR. In vivo, mango beverage protected against DSS‐induced colonic inflammation (47%, P = 0.05) and decreased the Ki‐67 labeling index in the central and basal regions compared to the control. Mango beverage significantly attenuated the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and iNOS at the mRNA and protein level. Moreover, the expression of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR was reduced, whereas, miR‐126 was upregulated by the mango treatment. These results suggest that mango polyphenols attenuated inflammatory response by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway at least in part through upregulation of miRNA‐126 expression both in vitro and in vivo; thus, mango polyphenolics might be relevant as preventive agents in ulcerative colitis.

Pomegranate polyphenolics reduce inflammation and ulceration in intestinal colitis—involvement of the miR-145/p70S6K1/HIF1α axis in vivo and in vitro

This study investigated the potential role of the p70S6K1/HIF1α axis in the anti-inflammatory activities of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) polyphenolics in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in Sprague-Dawley rats and in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated CCD-18Co colon-myofibroblastic cells. Rats were administered either control (CT) or pomegranate beverage (PG), containing ellagic acid and ellagitannins, then exposed to three cycles of 3% DSS followed by a 2-week recovery period. PG protected against DSS-induced colon inflammation and ulceration (50% and 66.7%, P=.05 and .045, respectively), and decreased the Ki-67 proliferative index in the central and basal regions compared to the control. PG also significantly reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β), COX-2, and iNOS at mRNA and protein levels. In addition, the expression of p70S6K1 and HIF1α was reduced, while the tumor suppressor miR-145 was induced by PG. The intestinal microbiota of rats treated with PG showed a significant increase in Ruminococcaceae that include several butyrate producing bacteria (P=.03). In vitro, PG reduced the expression of p70S6K1 and HIF1α and induced miR-145 in a dose-dependent manner. The involvement of miR-145/p70S6K1 was confirmed by treating LPS-treated CCD-18Co cells with miR-145 antagomiR, where the pomegranate polyphenolics reversed the effects of the antagomiR for p70S6K1 mRNA and protein levels. These results suggest that pomegranate polyphenols attenuated DSS-induced colitis by modulating the miR-145/p70S6K/HIF1α axis, indicating potential use in therapeutic treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Plum polyphenols inhibit colorectal aberrant crypt foci formation in rats: potential role of the miR-143/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin axis

The nutritional prevention of aberrant crypt foci by polyphenols may be a crucial step to dietary cancer prevention. The objective of this study was to determine the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the anti-inflammatory and antitumorigenic properties of plum (Prunus salicina L.) polyphenols, including chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid, in azoxymethane (AOM)-treated rats. The hypothesis was that plum polyphenolics suppress AOM-induced aberrant crypt foci formation through alterations in the protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and relative micro-RNA expressions. Sprague-Dawley rats (n=10/group) received plum beverage (1346mg gallic acid equivalents/L) or a control beverage ad libitum for 10 weeks with subcutaneous injections of AOM (15mg/kg) at weeks 2 and 3. Results show that the consumption of the plum beverage decreased the number of dysplastic aberrant crypt foci by 48% (P<.05) and lowered proliferation of mucosal cells by 24% (P<.05). The plum beverage decreased the activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in mucosal scrapings, as well as the superoxide dismutase activity in serum. The results were accompanied by a down-regulation of proinflammatory enzymes nuclear factor κB, nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 messenger RNA. Plum inhibited the expression of AKT and mTOR messenger RNA, phosphorylated AKT, mTOR, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α protein levels, and the ratio of the phosphorylated/total protein expression of mTOR. Also, the plum beverage increased the expression of miR-143, which is involved in the regulation of AKT. These results suggest that plum polyphenols may exhibit a chemopreventive potential against colon carcinogenesis by impacting the AKT/mTOR pathway and miR-143.

Abstract P5-07-03: Gallotannins and Gallic acid From Mango Fruit (Mangifera Indica L) Suppress Breast Cancer Tumor Growth by Targeting Phosphatidylinositol3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-NF-kB Pathway and Associated microRNAs

The cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenolics have been demonstrated in numerous types of cancer and the objective of this research was to understand the post-transcriptional targets involved in anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic pathways in the breast cancer cell line BT474, treated with a polyphenolic extract (2.5–40µg/ml) rich in gallotannins and gallic acid from mango fruit in vitro and in athymic nude mice bearing BT474 cells as xenografts. Results show that cell proliferation as well as tumor size and weight in vivo was decreased by polyphenolics 60% and 70% in vitro and vivo, respectively. NF-kB protein and mRNA expression as well as activation were decreased in a dose-dependent manner (0.6 fold). The extract also inhibited PI3K-dependent phosphorylation of AKT and expression and this was accompanied by down-regulation of miRNA 126 of BT474 (2.25 fold) and in vivo. NFκB-dependent genes involved in apoptosis-inhibition, metastasis and angiogenesis, such as survivin, VCAM-1, and VEGF were also decreased, in vitro and in vivo. A microRNA-array was also used to investigate whether microRNAs with target regions within affected genes were affected by the polyphenolic extract and results show that in addition to miR-126, miR-let-7a and miR-let-7b among others were significantly increased by the extract. In summary the anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory activity of mango polyphenolics in breast cancer cells were at least in part due to targeting miR-126 -Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-NF-kB which plays an important role in the proliferative/ inflammatory phenotype exhibited in this breast cancer cell line. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-07-03.