Beta-Blockers and Berberine: A Possible Dual Approach to Contrast Neuroblastoma Growth and Progression. (13th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Calvani, Maura; Subbiani, Angela; Bruno, Gennaro; Favre, Claudio
• Other Names: Gil German Guest Editor.
• Is Part Of: Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity. Volume 2020(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08-13
• Subjects: Oxidative stress -- Periodicals; Cells -- Aging -- Periodicals; Cells -- Aging; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress -- Periodicals; Cell Aging -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 611.0181
• DOI: 10.1155/2020/7534693
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1942-0900

Abstract

Abstract : The use of nutraceuticals during cancer treatment is a long-lasting debate. Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline quaternary alkaloid extracted from a variety of medicinal plants. BBR has been shown to have therapeutic effects in different pathologies, particularly in cancer, where it affects pathways involved in tumor progression. In neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial childhood solid tumor, BBR, reduces tumor growth by regulating both stemness and differentiation features and by inducing apoptosis. At the same time, the inhibition of β -adrenergic signaling leads to a reduction in growth and increase of differentiation of neuroblastoma. In this review, we summarize the possible beneficial effects of BBR in counteracting tumor growth and progression in various types of cancer and, in particular, in neuroblastoma. However, BBR administration, besides its numerous beneficial effects, presents a few side effects due to inhibition of MAO A enzyme in neuroblastoma cells. Therefore, herein, we proposed a novel therapeutic strategy to overcome side effects of BBR administration consisting of concomitant administration of BBR together with β -blockers in neuroblastoma.