Uncoupling tumor necrosis factor-αand interleukin-10 at tumor immune microenvironment of breast cancer through miR-17-5p/MALAT-1/H19 circuit

Triple Negative Breast Cancer(TNBC)immunotherapy has recently shown promising approach.However,some TNBC patients presented with resistance.One of the reasons was attributed to the excessive release of cytokines at the tumor microenvironment(TME)such as Tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)and Interleukin-10(IL-10).Fine regulation of these cytokines’levels via non-coding RNAs(ncRNAs)might alleviate the immune quiescent nature of TME at TNBC tumors.However,the extrapolation of ncRNAs as therapeutic tools is highly challenging.Therefore,disentanglement the nature for the isolation of natural compounds that could modulate the ncRNAs and their respective targets is an applicable translational therapeutic approach.Hence,this study aimed to targeting the chief immune suppressive cytokines at the TME(TNF-αand IL-10)via ncRNAs and to examine the effects of Rosemary aerial parts extract on the expression levels of these ncRNAs in TNBC.Results revealed miR-17-5p as a dual regulator of TNF-αand IL-10.Moreover,an intricate interaction has been shown between miR-17-5p and the oncogenic lncRNAs:MALAT1 and H19.Knocking down of MALAT1 and/or H19 caused an induction in miR-17-5p and reduction in TNF-αand IL-10 expression levels.miR-17-5p was found to be down-regulated,while TNF-α,IL-10,MALAT1 and H19 were up-regulated in BC patients.Forced expression of miR-17-5p in MDA-MB-231 cells reduced TNF-α,IL-10,MALAT1 and H19 expression levels,as well as several BC hallmarks.In a translational approach,ursolic acid(UA)isolated from rosemary induced the expression of miR-17-5p,MALAT1 and decreased H19 expression levels.In conclusion,this study suggests miR-17-5p as a tumor suppressor and an immune-activator miRNA in BC through tuning up the immunological targets TNF-α,IL-10 at the TME and the oncological mediators MALAT1 and H19 lncRNAs.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Moroccan medicinal plants:Phytochemistry,in vitro and in vivo investigations,mechanism insights,clinical evidences and perspectives

Moroccan medicinal plants exhibit several pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial,anticancer,antidiabetic,analgesic,and anti-inflammatory effects,which are related to the presence of numerous bioactive compounds,including phenolic acids,flavonoids,and terpenoids.In the present review,we systematically evaluate previously published reports on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Moroccan medicinal plants.The in vitro investigations revealed that Moroccan medicinal plants inhibit several enzymes related to inflammatory processes,whereas in vivo studies noted significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects as demonstrated using different experimental models.Various bioactive compounds exhibiting in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects,with diverse mechanisms of action,have been identified.Some plants and their bioactive compounds reveal specific secondary metabolites that possess important anti-inflammatory effects in clinical investigations.Our review proposes the potential applications of Moroccan medicinal plants as sources of anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents.

Research and development of Cordyceps in Taiwan

Cordyceps is treasured entomopathogenic fungi that have been used as antitumor,immunomodulating,antioxidant,and pro-sexual agent.Cordyceps,also called DongChongXiaCao in Chinese,Yartsa Gunbu(Tibetan),means winter worm-summer grass.Natural Cordyceps sinensis with parasitic hosts is difficult to be collected and the recent findings on its potential pharmacological functions,resulted in skyrocketing prices.Therefore,finding a mass-production method or an alternative for C.sinensis products is a top-priority task.In this review,we describe current status of Cordyceps research and its recent developments in Taiwan.The content and pharmacological activities of four major industrial species of Cordyceps(C.sinensis,Cordyceps militaris,Cordyceps cicadae and Cordyceps sobolifera)used in Taiwan,were reviewed.Moreover,we highlighted the effect of using different methods of fermentation and production on the morphology and chemical content of Cordyceps sp.Finally,we summarized the bottle-necks and challenges facing Cordyceps research as well as we proposed future road map for Cordyceps industry in Taiwan.