Molecular mechanism of ferulic acid and its derivatives in tumor progression

Abstract

Cancer is a significant disease that poses a major threat to human health. The main therapeutic methods for cancer include traditional surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and new therapeutic methods such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which have been developed rapidly in recent years. Recently, the tumor antitumor effects of the active ingredients of natural plants have attracted extensive attention. Ferulic acid (FA), (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyl cinnamic), with the molecular formula is C10H10O4, is a phenolic organic compound found in ferulic, angelica, jujube kernel, and other Chinese medicinal plants but is also, abundant in rice bran, wheat bran, and other food raw materials. FA has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-radiation, and immune-enhancing effects and also shows anticancer activity, as it can inhibit the occurrence and development of various malignant tumors, such as liver cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer. FA can cause mitochondrial apoptosis by inducing the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). FA can also interfere with the cell cycle of cancer cells, arrest most cancer cells in G0/G1 phase, and exert an antitumor effect by inducing autophagy; inhibiting cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis; and synergistically improving the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and reducing adverse reactions. FA acts on a series of intracellular and extracellular targets and is involved in the regulation of tumor cell signaling pathways, including the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and tumor protein 53 (P53) pathways and other signaling pathways. In addition, FA derivatives and nanoliposomes, as platforms for drug delivery, have an important regulatory effect on tumor resistance. This paper reviews the effects and mechanisms of antitumor therapies to provide new theoretical support and insight for clinical antitumor therapy.

in silico Computational Studies of phenolic compounds from Pinaropappus roseus Less leaves extract against BCL-2 and BCL-XL proteins Associated with Cancer Cell Survival and Resistance

“…The ferulic, caffeic and chlorogenic acids are able to modulate the apoptosis pathway of cancer cells [50,51,52]. The available information indicates that these phenolic acids induce the apoptosis down-regulating the expression of BCL-2 anti apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins, at the same time that it up-regulating the expression of the BCL-2 pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and the caspase-3 protein.…”

“…The available information indicates that these phenolic acids induce the apoptosis down-regulating the expression of BCL-2 anti apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins, at the same time that it up-regulating the expression of the BCL-2 pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and the caspase-3 protein. [50] Bao et al indicate that the cellular apoptosis mediated by the action of phenolic acids (ferulic acid) occurs by upregulating the expression of P53, reducing the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6, up-regulating the caspase 9, 3 (unequivocal characteristic of the activation of the cellular apoptosis process). At the same time, the expression of Mir-43a RNA-m was up-regulated, which inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic protein.…”

Effects of Tongluo Jiedu prescription on immune function and oxidative stress in patients with oral cancer

“…Therefore, the location of oral cancer is related to the choroid, and the basic treatment method is collaterals and detoxification. Among the drugs used in the method of collaterals and detoxification, jujube kernel can nourish the heart, and astragalus can invigorate the spleen and kidney, replenish the heart fire to produce stomach soil, replenish the qi of liver and gallbladder and soothe the mind[ 15 ]. Cistanche moistens and nourishes the kidney, nourishes the innate spleen and stomach, and the ophiopogon is good for nourishing the stomach, heart and lung Yin[ 16 ].…”

Characterization and Hydrolysis Studies of a Prodrug Obtained as Ester Conjugate of Geraniol and Ferulic Acid by Enzymatic Way

“…Natural compounds are currently considered a potential source for novel therapeutic agents. For example, efficacious antibacterial, anticancer, or neuroprotective activities were evidenced for some polyphenols [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] and main components of essential oils [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Among the polyphenols, ferulic acid (Fer) was proposed for the management of diabetes and its complications [ 7 ] or to control cancer progression [ 2 ].…”

“…For example, efficacious antibacterial, anticancer, or neuroprotective activities were evidenced for some polyphenols [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] and main components of essential oils [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Among the polyphenols, ferulic acid (Fer) was proposed for the management of diabetes and its complications [ 7 ] or to control cancer progression [ 2 ]. Moreover, the usefulness of Fer against neurodegenerative diseases has been recognized [ 8 ].…”