Resveratrol Inhibits Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) by Targeting the MAPK Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND: With conventional cancer treatments facing limitations, interest in plant-derived natural products as potential alternatives is increasing. Although resveratrol has demonstrated antitumor effects in various cancers, its impact and mechanism on nasopharyngeal carcinoma remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systematically investigate the anti-cancer effects of resveratrol on nasopharyngeal carcinoma using a combination of experimental pharmacology, network pharmacology, and molecular docking approaches. METHODS: CCK-8, scratch wound, and transwell assays were employed to confirm the inhibitory effect of resveratrol on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. H&E and TUNEL stainings were used to observe the morphological changes and apoptosis status of resveratrol-treated cells. The underlying mechanisms were elucidated using a network pharmacology approach. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were utilized to validate key signaling pathways. RESULTS: Resveratrol inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, ultimately inducing apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that resveratrol may exert its anti-nasopharyngeal carcinoma effect mainly through the MAPK pathway. Immunohistochemistry results from clinical cases showed MAPK signaling activation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues compared to adjacent tissues. Western blotting validated the targeting effect of resveratrol, demonstrating significant inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, molecular docking supported its multi-target role with MAPK, TP53, PIK3CA, SRC, etc. Conclusion: Resveratrol has shown promising potential in inhibiting human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by primarily targeting the MAPK pathway. These findings position resveratrol as a potential therapeutic agent for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Melatonin in cancer biology: pathways, derivatives, and the promise of targeted delivery.

Melatonin, historically recognized for its primary role in regulating circadian rhythms, has expanded its influence particularly due to its wide range of biological activities. It has firmly established itself in cancer research. To highlight its versatility, we delved into how melatonin interacts with key signaling pathways, such as the Wnt/ß-Catenin, PI3K, and NF-κB pathways, which play foundational roles in tumor development and progression. Notably, melatonin can intricately modulate these pathways, potentially affecting various cellular functions such as apoptosis, metastasis, and immunity. Additionally, a comprehensive review of current clinical studies provides a dual perspective. These studies confirm melatonin's potential in cancer management but also underscore its inherent limitations, particularly its limited bioavailability, which often relegates it to a supplementary role in treatments. Despite this limitation, there is an ongoing quest for innovative solutions and current advancements include the development of melatonin derivatives and cutting-edge delivery systems. By synthesizing the past, present, and future, this review provides a detailed overview of melatonin's evolving role in oncology, positioning it as a potential cornerstone in future cancer therapeutics.

[Circadian rhythm and health: dialogue between traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine].

Circadian rhythm refers to the daily rhythmic variations in an organism. The irregular lifestyles of modern humans have led to a high incidence of chronic diseases, highlighting an inseparable relationship between disrupted circadian rhythm and disease development. TCM has long discussed rhythmic variations, with records dating back to the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon(Huang Di Nei Jing), which laid a rich theoretical foundation for the research on circadian rhythm. Modern medical research has provided a more comprehensive explanation of its molecular mechanisms. This article integrated the current understanding of circadian rhythm in both Chinese and western medicine, emphasizing the crucial relationship between rhythm regulation and disease treatment. By highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the two fields, it offers new directions for exploring the field of chronomedicine.