Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent malignancy worldwide. In the early stages, the development of prostate cancer is dependent on androgens. Over time with androgen deprivation therapy, 20% of prostate cancers progress to a castration-resistant form. Novel treatments for prostate cancers are still urgently needed. Erianin is a plant-derived bibenzyl compound. We report herein that erianin exhibits anti-tumor effects in androgen-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer cells through different mechanisms. Erianin induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated apoptosis in androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells. It also triggers pro-survival autophagic responses, as inhibition of autophagy predisposes to apoptosis. In contrast, erianin fails to induce apoptosis in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. Instead, it results in cell cycle arrest at the M phase. Mechanistically, C16 ceramide dictates differential responses of androgen-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer cells to erianin. Erianin elevates C16 ceramide level in androgen-sensitive but not castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. Overexpression of ceramide synthase 5 that specifically produces C16 ceramide enables erianin to induce apoptosis in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. Our study provides both experimental evidence and mechanistic data showing that erianin is a potential treatment option for prostate cancers.

BackgroundMedicinal dendrobiums are used popularly in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of diabetes, while their active compounds and mechanism remain unclear. This review aimed to evaluate the mechanism and active compounds of medicinal dendrobiums in diabetes management through a systematic approach.MethodsA systematic approach was conducted to search for the mechanism and active phytochemicals in Dendrobium responsible for anti-diabetic actions using databases PubMed, Embase, and SciFinder.ResultsCurrent literature indicates polysaccharides, bibenzyls, phenanthrene, and alkaloids are commonly isolated in Dendrobium genusin which polysaccharides and bibenzyls are most aboundant. Many animal studies have shown that polysaccharides from the species of Dendrobium provide with antidiabetic effects by lowering glucose level and reversing chronic inflammation of T2DM taken orally at 200 mg/kg. Dendrobium polysaccharides protect pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in liver. Dendrobium polysaccharides up-regulate the abundance of short-chain fatty acid to stimulate GLP-1 secretion through gut microbiota. Bibenzyls also have great potency to inhibit the progression of the chronic inflammation in cellular studies.ConclusionPolysaccharides and bibenzyls are the major active compounds in medicinal dendrobiums for diabetic management through the mechanisms of lowering glucose level and reversing chronic inflammation of T2DM by modulating pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in liver as a result from gut microbita regulation.

Infeksi Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), baik tipe 1 yang tersebar ke seluruh dunia maupun tipe 2 yang terisolasi di Afrika, masih menjadi tantangan di bidang kesehatan dunia termasuk Indonesia. Angka HIV yang tinggi ini penting untuk ditangani karena bahaya komplikasi yang mengintai. Penatalaksanaan dan terapi HIV yang ada saat ini dengan penggunaan antiretroviral memiliki keterbatasan dilihat dari efek terapi dan efek samping yang ditimbulkan. Pengembangan dan penemuan modalitas terapi yang memiliki potensi efek terapi yang lebih optimal merupakan suatu tantangan yang terus diupayakan dalam penanganan HIV ini. Salah satunya adalah pengembangan imunoterapi berbasis sel dendritik. Literature review ini ditulis secara sistematis mengenai laporan studi terkait hal di atas dari berbagai sumber termasuk Google Scholar, PubMed, Research Gate untuk menguraikan potensi sel dendritik sebagai imunomodulator pada penderita HIV-1. Modalitas imunoterapi ini dikonstruksi dalam bentuk vaksin berbasis sel dendritik, sel yang berperan pada patogenesis HIV, yang diadministrasikan secara intradermal. Vaksin yang diberikan akan menstimulasi respon imun dan dapat digunakan tidak saja sebagai upaya terapi pada penderita tapi berpotensi digunakan sebagai pencegahan.

ObjectiveElectronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) use among youth in Indonesia is rising, and there is no regulation surrounding sale of e-cigarettes. This study aims to map the distribution and density of vape stores and their proximity to schools and cafes as well as assess selling of e-cigarettes to youth under 18 years in Denpasar, Bali.MethodsUsing QGIS V.3.18.1 software, we conducted a geographic mapping of all vape stores followed by a survey of the retailers (n=107). Data were collected in April 2022. Several measures explored included retailers’ density based on the size and population of subdistricts, retailers’ proximity to school. Retailers were asked about selling to youth under 18 years, then its association with distance to schools and other variables were explored.ResultsWe mapped 122 vape stores across Denpasar city with a density of 1.56 per km2of the occupied land for housing, 0.16 stores per 1000 total population and 1.06 stores per 1000 youth population. More than a quarter of the schools (28.3%) and the universities (25.6%) had at least one vape store in 250 m radius, while 97.2% of the stores were within 500 m of a café. Of the 107 vape store retailers interviewed, almost half (43.9%) reported selling vapes to youth under 18 years.ConclusionsRetail availability of e-cigarettes will contribute to the increasing use of this product, especially without a minimum legal sales age. The government should urgently prohibit selling to youth, regulate e-cigarette advertising, promotion and sponsorship and prohibit e-cigarette use where conventional smoking is prohibited.