Rosmarinic Acid Alleviates Doxorubicin-Induced Cellular Senescence And Cardiotoxicity By Targeting The 14-3-3/Foxo1 Signaling Axis
Chemotherapy, while crucial for fighting cancer, can sometimes have unwelcome side effects, such as damaging the heart. This heart damage, known as cardiotoxicity, is a major challenge for cancer patients receiving certain treatments, including a common drug called doxorubicin. A key factor contributing to this heart damage is “cellular senescence,” a process where heart cells essentially stop dividing and begin to age prematurely, negatively impacting heart function.
Recent research has shed light on a potential protective agent: rosmarinic acid. This natural compound, found in herbs like rosemary, has been investigated for its ability to counteract these detrimental effects. The findings suggest that rosmarinic acid can significantly reduce the premature aging of heart cells and improve heart function in the presence of doxorubicin. It does this by influencing a specific internal communication system within the cells, often referred to as a “signaling pathway.”
Specifically, rosmarinic acid helps regulate the interaction between two proteins, 14-3-3 and Foxo1. In damaged cells, Foxo1 can enter the cell’s control center, the nucleus, and trigger processes that lead to cell aging and harm. Rosmarinic acid intervenes by promoting the activity of 14-3-3, which then helps keep Foxo1 out of the nucleus, preventing it from initiating these harmful aging pathways. This protective mechanism offers a promising new approach to safeguard the hearts of patients undergoing life-saving chemotherapy.
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