Carotenoids may have different effects on cancer and its progression. The safety of carotenoid supplements was evaluated in vitro on human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) adenocarcinoma A549 cells by the administration of three different oleoresins containing lycopene and other lipophilic phytochemicals, such as tocochromanols. The oleoresins, obtained by the supercritical CO₂ green extraction technology from watermelon (Lyc W), gấc(Lyc G) and tomato (Lyc T) and chlatrated in α-cyclodextrins, were tested in comparison to synthetic lycopene (Lyc S), by cell cycle, Annexin V-FITC/PI, clonogenic test, Mytosox, intracellular ROS, Western Blot for NF-kB and RT-PCR and ELISA for IL-8. The extracts administered at the same lycopene concentration (10 µM) showed conflicting behaviors: Lyc W, with the highest lycopene/tocochromanols ratio, significantly increased cell apoptosis, mitochondrial stress, intracellular ROS, NF-kB and IL-8 expression and significantly decreased cell proliferation, whereas Lyc G and Lyc T significantly increased only cell proliferation. Lyc S treatment was ineffective. The highest amount of lycopene in Lyc W was able to counteract and revert the cell survival effect of tocochromanols supporting the importance of evaluating the lycopene bio-availability and the real effect of antioxidant tocochromanols’ supplementation which may not only have no anticancer benefits but may even increase cancer aggressivity.

Lung cancer is one of the leading forms of cancer in developed countries. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, exerts relevant effects in cancer growth and progression, including angiogenesis and metastasis in lung cancer. Mesoporous silica particles, functionalized with newly extracted fish oil (Omeg@Silica), are more effective than the fish oil alone in anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. The mechanisms that explain this efficacy are not yet understood. The aim of the present study is therefore to decipher the anti-cancer effects of a formulation of Omeg@Silica in aqueous ethanol (FOS) in adenocarcinoma (A549) and muco-epidermoid (NCI-H292) lung cancer cells, evaluating cell migration, as well as IL-8, NF-κB, and miRNA-21 expression. Results show that in both cell lines, FOS was more efficient than oil alone, in decreasing cell migration and IL-8 gene expression. FOS reduced IL-8 protein release in both cell lines, but this effect was only stronger than the oil alone in A549. In A549, FOS was able to reduce miRNA-21 and transcription factor NF-κB nuclear expression. Taken together, these data support the potential use of the Omeg@Silica as an add-on therapy for NSCLC. Dedicated studies which prove clinical efficacy are needed.

Airway epithelium represents a physical barrier against toxic substances and pathogens but also presents pattern recognition receptors on the epithelial cells that detect pathogens leading to molecule release and sending signals that activate both the innate and adaptive immune responses. Thus, impaired airway epithelial function and poor integrity may increase the recurrence of infections. Probiotic use in respiratory diseases as adjuvant of traditional therapy is increasingly widespread. There is growing interest in the use of non-viable heat-killed bacteria, such as tyndallized bacteria (TB), due to safety concerns and to their immunomodulatory properties. This study explores in vitro the effects of a TB blend on the immune activation of airway epithelium. 16HBE bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to different concentrations of TB. Cell viability, TB internalization, TLR2 expression, IL-6, IL-8 and TGF-βl expression/release, E-cadherin expression and wound healing were assessed. We found that TB were tolerated, internalized, increased TLR2, E-cadherin expression, IL-6 release and wound healing but decreased both IL-8 and TGF-βl release. In conclusion, TB activate TLR2 pathway without inducing a relevant pro-inflammatory response and improve barrier function, leading to the concept that TB preserve epithelial homeostasis and could be used as strategy to prevent and to manage respiratory infection, exacerbations included.

A new series of angular tricyclic pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline derivatives (PQs) was designed and synthesized to further explore the previously promising antiproliferative activity exhibited by the 4-benzodioxole-substituted hit 7d. Accordingly, several structural modifications mainly focused on the benzodioxole moiety were introduced, allowing us to gain new insights into the activity and biological profile. NCI antiproliferative screening (SRB colorimetric assay), together with MTS-based assay against six other tumour cell lines, enabled us a deeper understanding of the selectivity and potency patterns. This led to the identification of a new promising hit, compound 7p, which exhibited cytotoxic activity in the low micromolar range against MCF-7 and HeLa cells. Further biological evaluations, including apoptosis induction, clonogenic, and scratch tests, provided additional biological insights into the anticancer potential of these compounds, supporting the subsequent lead optimization process for more potent anticancer activity. The integrated in silico docking results evidenced a clear multi-target profile, as testified by the broad anticancer activity, and suggest a good potential for rational polypharmacology.

Mosquitoes are a family of the order Diptera, which includes more than 3500 species. Two groups able to suck human blood and transmit diseases: the anophelines and the culicines comprise several genera such as Culex, Aedes and Aedes communis (Ac). Previous study has demonstrated a significant relationship between Ac sensitization and either extract or single bee venom components suggesting a “bee-mosquito syndrome” occurrence. It is well known that CCD can interference with the measurement of quantitative IgE results. Hence, it has been hypnotized that the presence of sIgE to CCD could have a role in the Bee-Mosquito syndrome. Method Serum from 21 different Mosquito and Ape melifera allergic individuals were combined with extracts of Mosquito (in house) and Apis melifera. SDS-PAGE and Immunoblot (IB) were carried out without and with with CCD-Inhibitor. Results The data would suggest IgE binding to common bands between Culex male, Culex female and Aedes species mosquitos of approximate molecular weight ~21kDa, ~35kDa, ~40kDa and ~55kDa. Whilst IgE binding has been observed to protein bands from the Apis melifera extract, these bands do not align with any present in the mosquito extracts. The use of a CCD-Inhibitor results in differences in IgE binding. Specifically, bands that were previously observed in the Apis melifera venom sample without use of CCD-Inhibitor at 40kDa and 90kDa are no longer observed when CCD-Inhibitor is used. Two bands of the Apis melifera venom remain present between 15-20kDa. No major differences in banding pattern were observed for the mosquito samples with or without CCD-Inhibitor, although the blot appears cleaner with less background when CCD-Inhibitor is used. Conclusion Further experiments have to be done to determine whether the reactive bands from Apis melifera are unrelated proteins or whether the proteins are related homologues of varying molecular weight.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches¹. Citrus IntegroPectin is a new class of flavonoid-enriched pectin bioconjugates obtained by acoustic cavitation in water from citrus processing waste². Methods: A549 lung cancer cells were treated with IntegroPectin derived from lemon, red orange, and sweet orange. Cell viability and short-term proliferation were assessed by MTS assay, while long-term proliferation and migration were evaluated using clonogenic and wound-healing assays. Apoptosis, intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), and selected inflammation-related markers were analyzed. Comparative experiments were conducted in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Results: In A549 cells, all IntegroPectin formulations significantly inhibited migration and long-term proliferation. Lemon and red orange IntegroPectin showed stronger suppression of clonogenic activity than sweet orange. Treatments induced apoptosis, reduced intracellular and mitochondrial ROS, upregulated miR-146, and downregulated IL-8. In contrast, MCF-7 cells exhibited a selective response: only red orange IntegroPectin significantly inhibited proliferation, regulated oxidative metabolism, and induced apoptosis, whereas lemon and sweet orange were ineffective. Conclusions: Citrus IntegroPectin bioconjugates demonstrate cell-specific antitumor activity, with broad efficacy in lung cancer cells and selective sensitivity of breast cancer cells to red orange IntegroPectin. These findings highlight the importance of tumor-specific biology and support further preclinical and clinical investigation. 1: https://doi.org/10.3322/ 2: DOI:10.1111/1541-4337.12689