Cucumber-Derived Nanovesicles Containing Cucurbitacin B for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Purpose In recent years, a variety of nanoparticles with excellent anticancer and delivery properties have emerged for cancer therapy. However, potential toxicity, high production cost and complex preparation procedures have been obstacles to their use in biomedicine. Here, we obtained cucumber-derived nanovesicles (CDNVs) at high yield and low cost by simple juicing and ultracentrifugation. The anticancer effects of CDNVs were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Methods Transmission electron microscope, nanoparticle tracking analysis and laser particle size analysis were used to characterize the morphology, diameter and zeta potential of CDNVs, respectively. The anticancer effects of CDNVs in vitro were evaluated by MTT and apoptosis assays. The mechanism was further explored by measuring the protein levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway, reactive oxygen species, cell cycle distribution and caspase activity. In-vivo anticancer efficacy was evaluated by measuring tumor volume and weight of mice in three different treatment groups (CDNVs, cucurbitacin B and PBS). Results CDNVs inhibited proliferation of human non-small cell lung cancer cells by suppressing signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation, generating reactive oxygen species, promoting cell cycle arrest, and activating the caspase pathway. These CDNVs exhibited strong anticancer effects both in vitro and in vivo, and reduced the rate of tumor growth without obvious toxicity to mouse visceral organs. Compared with an equivalent dose of cucurbitacin B, CDNVs exerted stronger anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion These results demonstrate that CDNVs suppress tumor growth. This study addresses the development of cancer therapeutic drugs using plant-derived nanovesicles that are cost-efficient, simple to produce in high yields, and provide an alternative approach to drug isolation that may help advance sustainability of medicinal plants.

The Risk of Breast Cancer between Western and Mediterranean Dietary Patterns

“…Furthermore, the consumption of certain naturally derived dietary products at high levels may decrease the likelihood of tumor recurrence and enhance survival in breast cancer patients [73]. Many nutritional natural products found in the Mediterranean area, including pomegranate [74,75], edible mushrooms [76,77], marine algae [78,79], curcumin [80,81], whole-grain cereals [82,83], citrus fruit [84,85], grapes [86,87], and cucumber [88,89], have been shown in experimental studies to disrupt the development and progression of cancer via the application of anticancer or antineoplastic activity.…”

Engineered Plant-Derived Nanovesicles Facilitate Tumor Therapy: Natural Bioactivity Plus Drug Controlled Release Platform

“… HGC-27; HepG2; MDAMB-231 Inhibited the proliferation of human non-small cell lung cancer cells by inhibiting signal transduction and activation of transcriptional activator 3, generating ROS, promoting cell cycle arrest and activating the caspase pathway. [ 50 ] Sage Pro-apoptotic Differential ultracentrifugation NTA – MIA PaCa-2, MCF-7 – [ 51 ] Artemisia Anti-inflammatory Differential ultracentrifugation; density-gradient centrifugation. BCA protein assay kits ADNVs (25 mg/kg), administered alone or in combination with αPD-L1 antibody (10 mg/kg), were administered by instillation on day 7 following inoculation of tumor cells, with subsequent doses given every 3 days for a duration of 2 weeks.…”

“…Chen’s group found that centrifugation times of 20 minutes and at lower centrifugation speeds increased the yield of NVs while avoiding aggregation. 50 , 85 The use of buffers containing polyethylene glycol can maintain the integrity of NVs by wrapping them up to form a mesh network. Centrifugation methods based on polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG6000) can also greatly improve the yield of NVs, with the authors indicating that 60–90% of ginger-derived NVs can be collected.…”

Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery of STAT3 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Lung Cancer

“…Chen et al obtained cucumber-derived nanovesicles (CsDNVs) at high yield and low cost, which may be natural nanocarriers that contain Cucurbitacin B (CuB, STAT3 inhibitor). They demonstrated that these CsDNVs enhanced the anti-cancer effects of CuB by improving its bioavailability [119]. Notably, owing to the remarkable capability for penetration of the BBB, exosomes might improve the prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM).…”