Study Shows Iberverin from Cabbage as a Potent Ally Against Liver Cancer Cells by Inducing Ferroptosis
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 06, 2024 13 hours, 21 minutes ago
Herbs And Phytochemicals: Natural Compound Iberverin Targets Liver Cancer Cells for Self-Destruction
A groundbreaking study by researchers from Jiangxi Medical College at Nanchang University and Shanxi Academy of Advanced Research and Innovation suggests that iberverin, a phytochemical compound derived from cabbage, might offer a potent treatment against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common type of liver cancer. The study found that iberverin triggers a unique type of cell death known as ferroptosis, potentially opening up a new front in cancer treatment. This
Herbs and Phytochemicals news report explores how iberverin acts at a cellular level to inhibit cancer growth and boost the efficacy of other anti-cancer treatments.
Study Shows Iberverin from Cabbage as a Potent Ally Against Liver Cancer Cells by Inducing Ferroptosis
What is Ferroptosis?
Ferroptosis is a type of programmed cell death that relies on the presence of iron and the accumulation of harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS). This form of cell death differs from others like apoptosis and necrosis due to its dependency on lipid (fat) peroxidation, which ultimately damages cell membranes. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells often exhibit high metabolic activity and oxidative stress, making them more susceptible to ferroptosis.
The main proteins involved in ferroptosis include SLC7A11 and GPX4. These proteins work to protect cells by neutralizing ROS and maintaining the stability of cell membranes. The study found that iberverin can disrupt this protective shield in liver cancer cells, leading to their destruction.
How Iberverin Works to Inhibit Liver Cancer
The researchers investigated the impact of iberverin on two types of liver cancer cells, HLE and HCCLM3. They discovered that the compound significantly reduced cell viability and triggered cell death in these cancerous cells. To determine whether iberverin specifically induces ferroptosis, the team added known inhibitors of ferroptosis, including ferrostatin-1 and deferoxamine mesylate.
When these inhibitors were present, iberverin’s cancer-killing effects were notably reduced, suggesting that ferroptosis is indeed the primary pathway through which iberverin operates.
Boosting Ferroptosis Sensitivity with Low Doses of Iberverin
One challenge in cancer treatment is balancing the potency of drugs with their potential side effects. High doses of any compound can be toxic, so the researchers explored whether low doses of iberverin could still effectively induce ferroptosis when combined with other agents. They tested this approach by combining iberverin with two known ferroptosis inducers, RSL3 and imidazole ketone erastin (IKE). The results were promising: low-dose iberverin significantly increased the cancer cells’ sensitivity to these inducers, enhancing cell death while potentially minimizing side effects.
Key Study Findings&
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-ROS Production: The study confirmed that iberverin increases ROS levels within liver cancer cells. By adding antioxidants like NAC and GSH, the researchers observed that these antioxidants could partially counteract iberverin’s effects. This demonstrated that the ROS generated by iberverin plays a crucial role in its anti-cancer activity.
-Downregulation of Protective Proteins: Iberverin was shown to decrease the expression of two important proteins, SLC7A11 and GPX4, which help cells neutralize oxidative stress. The reduction in these proteins left the liver cancer cells vulnerable to ferroptosis.
-Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway: The study also found that iberverin causes GPX4 degradation through a pathway called ubiquitination, where the protein is tagged for breakdown. This degradation process amplifies oxidative damage, pushing the cells towards ferroptosis.
-Enhanced Efficacy with Combination Therapy: Low-dose iberverin was shown to work well with other ferroptosis inducers. When paired with RSL3 or IKE, iberverin could enhance the cell death effect, pointing to a potential strategy for combination treatments in HCC therapy.
The Broader Implications for Liver Cancer Treatment
The insights from this study indicate that iberverin could be an effective natural option for treating HCC, particularly in combination with other ferroptosis inducers. As HCC is known for its resistance to conventional drugs like sorafenib, natural compounds like iberverin offer hope for more effective and less toxic treatment options. The team from Jiangxi Medical College and Shanxi Academy has shown that iberverin not only inhibits cancer cell growth but does so in a way that could complement existing therapies.
Conclusion
This research sheds light on a promising avenue in cancer treatment: using natural compounds to induce ferroptosis. By downregulating key protective proteins in liver cancer cells, iberverin effectively weakens the cells’ defenses and prompts their destruction. When combined with other ferroptosis-inducing drugs, low doses of iberverin may enhance treatment outcomes while reducing potential side effects. These findings underscore iberverin's potential as a valuable asset in the fight against liver cancer.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Biomolecules.
https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/14/11/1407
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