1,8 Cineole and Ellagic acid inhibit hepatocarcinogenesis via upregulation of MiR-122 and suppression of TGF-β1, FSCN1, Vimentin, VEGF, and MMP-9

PLoS One. 2022 Jan 26;17(1):e0258998. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258998. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most burdened tumors worldwide, with a complex and multifactorial pathogenesis. Current treatment approaches involve different molecular targets. Phytochemicals have shown considerable promise in the prevention and treatment of HCC. We investigated the efficacy of two natural components, 1,8 cineole (Cin) and ellagic acid (EA), against diethylnitrosamine/2-acetylaminofluorene (DEN/2-AAF) induced HCC in rats. DEN/2-AAF showed deterioration of hepatic cells with an impaired functional capacity of the liver. In addition, the levels of tumor markers including alpha-fetoprotein, arginase-1, alpha-L-fucosidase, and ferritin were significantly increased, whereas the hepatic miR-122 level was significantly decreased in induced-HCC rats. Interestingly, treatment with Cin (100mg/kg) and EA (60mg/kg) powerfully restored these biochemical alterations. Moreover, Cin and EA treatment exhibited significant downregulation in transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), Fascin-1 (FSCN1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) key marker, vimentin, along with a restoration of histopathological findings compared to HCC group. Such effects were comparable to Doxorubicin (DOX) (2mg/kg); however, a little additive effect was evident through combining these phytochemicals with DOX. Altogether, this study highlighted 1,8 cineole and ellagic acid for the first time as promising phytochemicals for the treatment of hepatocarcinogenesis via regulating multiple targets.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / chemically induced
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / pathology
  • Carrier Proteins / drug effects
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Ellagic Acid* / administration & dosage
  • Ellagic Acid* / pharmacology
  • Eucalyptol* / administration & dosage
  • Eucalyptol* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / drug effects
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / drug effects
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Microfilament Proteins / drug effects
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Phytochemicals / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / drug effects
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / drug effects
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • Vimentin / drug effects
  • Vimentin / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Carrier Proteins
  • FSCN1 protein, human
  • MIRN122 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Phytochemicals
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vimentin
  • Ellagic Acid
  • MMP9 protein, human
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
  • Eucalyptol

Grants and funding

yes, This work was supported by a grant from the National Research Centre (NRC), Egypt (No. 11010330).