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Crithmum maritimum Improves Sorafenib Sensitivity by Decreasing Lactic Acid Fermentation and Inducing a Pro-Hepatocyte Marker Profile in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

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Abstract

Edible plants are gaining importance as an integrative therapy for many chronic diseases, including cancer. We first reported that the edible wild plant Crithmum maritimum L. inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells by exerting a multitarget action on cellular metabolism and bioenergetic profile. Here, we show that Crithmum maritimum ethyl acetate extract significantly increases the responsiveness of HCC cells to the chemotherapeutic drug sorafenib by reducing lactic acid fermentation and inducing a pro-hepatocyte biomarker profile. Our findings strengthen the role of Crithmum maritimum L. as a valuable nutraceutical tool to support pharmacological therapeutic interventions in HCC.

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All data presented in this study are available upon request.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Ms Loredana Angela Acquaro for her technical support.

Funding

This work was supported by Agenzia Regionale Strategica per la Salute ed il Sociale (ARESS) Puglia (Project "The Apulian Lifestyle" – Delibera di Giunta n. 556 (18/04/2017).

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D.G. performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript, C.S. revised the manuscript, A.M. conceived the article, wrote and revised the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Antonio Mazzocca.

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Gnocchi, D., Sabbà, C. & Mazzocca, A. Crithmum maritimum Improves Sorafenib Sensitivity by Decreasing Lactic Acid Fermentation and Inducing a Pro-Hepatocyte Marker Profile in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 78, 230–232 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-022-01037-3

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