phycocyanobilin and Neoplasms

Phycocyanin (C-PC) is a constitutive chromoprotein of Arthrospira platensis, which exhibits promising efficacy against different types of cancer. In this study, we cleaved C-PC's chromophore phycocyanobilin (PCB) and demonstrated its ability as an anti-cancer drug for Colorectal cancer (CRC). PCB displayed an anti-cancer effect for CRC (HT-29) cells with IC50 of 108 µg/ml. Assessing the transcripts levels of some biomarkers revealed that the PCB caused an upregulation in the anti-metastatic gene NME1 level and downregulation of the COX-2 level. The flow cytometric results showed the effect of PCB on the arrest of the cell cycle's G1 phase. In addition, we successfully synthesized the UiO-66 (Zr-MOF). We incorporated the PCB into UiO-66 nanoparticles with a loading percentage of 46 %. Assessment of the cytotoxic effects of UiO-66@PCB showed a 2-fold improvement in the IC50 compared to the free PCB. In conclusion, we have shown that PCB displayed a promising potential as an anti-cancer agent. Yet, it is considered a safe and natural substance that can help to mitigate cancer spread and symptoms. In the meantime, UiO-66 can be used as a safe nano-delivery tool for PCB.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Humans; Metal-Organic Frameworks; Neoplasms; Phycobilins; Phycocyanin

The mechanisms underlying cancer cachexia - the proximate cause of at least 20% of cancer-related deaths - have until recently remained rather obscure. New research, however, clarifies that cancers evoking cachexia release microvesicles rich in heat shock proteins 70 and 90, and that these extracellular heat shock proteins induce cachexia by serving as agonists for toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in skeletal muscle, macrophages, and adipocytes. Hence, safe nutraceutical measures which can down-regulate TLR4 signaling can be expected to aid prevention and control of cancer cachexia. There is reason to suspect that phycocyanobilin, ferulic acid, glycine, long-chain omega-3s, green tea catechins, β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, carnitine, and high-dose biotin may have some utility in this regard.

Topics: 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; Adipocytes; Biotin; Cachexia; Carnitine; Catechin; Coumaric Acids; Dietary Supplements; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Glycine; Humans; Macrophages; Muscle, Skeletal; Neoplasms; Phycobilins; Phycocyanin; Signal Transduction; Tea; Toll-Like Receptor 4