Ferulic acid / DRP1/DNM1L Cancer Research Results

FA, Ferulic acid: Click to Expand ⟱
Features:
Ferulic acid is an antioxidant found in some skin creams and serums.
Foods: popcorn, bamboo, whole-grain rye bread, whole-grain oat flakes, sweet corn (cooked)
Ferulic acid (FA) is a hydroxycinnamic acid abundant in plant cell walls (notably cereals/whole grains) with strong antioxidant and cytoprotective activity. Mechanistically, FA is frequently described as inducing Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant programs and suppressing NF-κB-linked inflammation, with additional model-dependent anticancer effects (cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis, reduced invasion). Oral exposure is variable because FA is rapidly metabolized (often as conjugates) and bioaccessibility depends on the food matrix.

-Ferulic acid found in dietary strand fractions, especially its free form, has important functions for protecting the human health.
-AChE inhibitor (AD)
-Cooking results in an increase in free ferulic acid quantity and in a reduction in bound ferulic acid quantity.
Bamboo shoots       243.6 mg/100g
Sugar-beet pulp     800 mg/100g
Popcorn             313 mg/100g
Wheat bran	    500–1500mg/100g
Whole wheat flour   100–300mg/100g
            
Type of corn p-coumaric acidferulic acid
   mg/kg, DW mg/kg, DW
Yellow dent 18.9 265
American blue N.D. 927
Mexican blue 1.3 202
white 6.6 2484
Pathway / Target	Modulation by FA / Direction
Aβ aggregation	         ↓ Inhibits fibril formation and destabilizes existing Aβ fibrils 
BACE‑1 & APP	         ↓ Reduces BACE-1 and APP expression; ↑ MMP‑2/‑9 expression promoting Aβ clearance
Tau hyperphosphorylation  Implicitly ↓ through modulation of Ca²⁺/CDK5/GSK3β pathways
Ca²⁺         	         ↓ FA lowers STEP levels via chelation of Ca²⁺, suppressing PP2B → restores synaptic plasticity
(AChE / BChE)	         ↓ Inhibition of AChE (FA IC₅₀~15 µM, derivatives IC₅₀ down to 0.006 µM); also BChE
(MAO‑A/B)	         ↓ Inhibits MAO‑B (derivatives IC₅₀ ~0.3–0.7 µM), reducing ROS
ROS                      ↓ Scavenges ROS, enhances antioxidant enzymes (e.g., catalase), ↓ MDA
(COX‑2, 5‑LOX, NLRP3)	 ↓ Derivatives inhibit COX‑2/5‑LOX; derivative 13a ↓ NLRP3 inflammasome
Iron/Cu²⁺ chelation	 ↓ Metal-induced Aβ aggregation via chelation by FA and derivatives
Autophagy & Aβ clearance  ↗ Suggested promotion of autophagy mechanisms targeting Aβ
Rank Pathway / Axis Cancer Cells Normal Cells TSF Primary Effect Notes / Interpretation
1 Nrf2 → HO-1 / ARE antioxidant response Stress adaptation modulation (context-dependent) Nrf2 ↑; HO-1 ↑; antioxidant defenses ↑ R, G Endogenous antioxidant upshift FA is repeatedly reported to promote Nrf2 nuclear translocation and HO-1 induction; this is one of the most defensible “core” mechanisms.
2 NF-κB inflammatory transcription (COX-2 / iNOS / cytokines) NF-κB ↓; COX-2/iNOS and pro-inflammatory cytokine programs ↓ (reported) Inflammation tone ↓ (tissue protective) R, G Anti-inflammatory signaling Often described as downstream of redox changes and upstream of reduced inflammatory mediators; direction is consistent across many inflammation models.
3 ROS / oxidative stress tone Oxidative stress ↓ (often); ROS direction can vary by tumor model Oxidative injury ↓ P, R, G Redox buffering (context-dependent) FA is classically antioxidant; in tumor systems, effects may be secondary to signaling changes and vary with baseline redox instability.
4 Cell-cycle control (Cyclin D1 / CDK4/6; checkpoints) Cell-cycle arrest ↑ (reported); Cyclin D1 ↓; proliferation ↓ ↔ G Cytostasis Frequently reported as later phenotype-level outcomes; direction and checkpoint phase (G1 vs G2/M) vary by model.
5 Apoptosis (intrinsic caspase-linked; p53 axis in some models) Apoptosis ↑; caspase activation ↑ (reported); p53/p21 ↑ (model-dependent) ↔ (generally less activation) G Cell death execution Apoptosis is commonly observed in cancer models but is not as “signature-direct” as for mitochondrial toxins; best treated as downstream/conditional.
6 MAPK re-wiring (ERK / JNK / p38) MAPK modulation (context-dependent) ↔ P, R, G Signal reprogramming MAPK direction depends on whether FA is acting primarily as anti-inflammatory/anti-stress vs antiproliferative; avoid hard arrows for p38/JNK/ERK unless model-specific.
7 PI3K → AKT (± mTOR) survival axis PI3K/AKT modulation (reported; model-dependent) ↔ R, G Survival/growth modulation Often listed in anticancer summaries; treat as “reported” rather than universal primary mechanism.
8 Invasion / metastasis programs (MMPs / migration) MMPs ↓; migration/invasion ↓ (reported) ↔ G Anti-invasive phenotype Observed as later outcomes (gene expression + phenotype assays) and commonly linked to NF-κB/MAPK context.
9 Radiation/chemo injury mitigation (supportive care framing) Adjunct potential: may reduce treatment-associated oxidative/inflammatory injury (context) Tissue protection ↑ (reported) G Cytoprotection Animal models report radioprotective/anti-inflammatory effects; present as supportive/adjunct rather than standalone anticancer therapy.
10 Bioavailability / metabolism constraint (conjugation; food-matrix dependence) Systemic exposure variable; much appears as glucuronide/sulfate conjugates — — Translation constraint FA is absorbed and rapidly metabolized; “bioavailability” varies widely with food matrix and binding to polysaccharides in grains.

Time-Scale Flag (TSF): P / R / G

  • P: 0–30 min (primary/rapid effects; early redox interactions / rapid signaling shifts)
  • R: 30 min–3 hr (acute stress-response + transcription signaling shifts)
  • G: >3 hr (gene-regulatory adaptation and phenotype-level outcomes)
DRP1/DNM1L, DRP1 / DNM1L — mitochondrial fission regulator: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type:

DRP1 / DNM1L

Item Description
Target name DRP1 / DNM1L
Full name Dynamin-related protein 1; Dynamin-1-like protein
Gene DNM1L
Primary function Core GTPase regulator of mitochondrial fission; also involved in peroxisomal division, mitosis-linked mitochondrial remodeling, mitophagy, apoptosis regulation, and mitochondrial quality control.
Target class Mitochondrial dynamics / mitochondrial fission / metabolic stress response target
Main disease logic Pathological DRP1 activation can drive excessive mitochondrial fragmentation, impaired oxidative phosphorylation, ROS production, calcium stress, mitophagy imbalance, inflammatory signaling, and cell survival adaptation.
Preferred modulation direction Inhibit excessive DRP1 activation or disrupt pathological DRP1-FIS1 signaling; avoid complete suppression of basal mitochondrial fission.
Key adaptors / related targets FIS1, MFF, MiD49, MiD51, OPA1, MFN1, MFN2, PINK1, PRKN/Parkin
Major caution DRP1 is required for normal mitochondrial maintenance, mitosis, neuronal function, and stress adaptation. Global inhibition could impair normal mitochondrial quality control.

Cancer relevance

Aspect Cancer relevance Likely Desired Direction
Proliferation Many cancer models show increased DRP1-mediated fission supporting mitochondrial redistribution, mitosis, and rapid growth. Down / inhibit excessive DRP1
Metabolic adaptation DRP1 can support metabolic remodeling, mitochondrial fragmentation, altered oxidative phosphorylation, glycolytic adaptation, and survival under stress. Down in DRP1-dependent tumors
Migration / invasion / metastasis DRP1-driven mitochondrial fission can support motility and invasive behavior by changing mitochondrial distribution and energy availability. Down
Cancer stemness / tumor-initiating cells DRP1 and the DRP1-FIS1 axis are implicated in tumor-initiating cell expansion and aggressive phenotypes in some cancers. Down
Therapy resistance Excessive mitochondrial fission may contribute to resistance to chemotherapy, radiation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis depending on tumor type. Down or context-specific
Apoptosis caveat DRP1 can also participate in apoptosis-associated mitochondrial fragmentation. Therefore, indiscriminate DRP1 blockade could theoretically reduce apoptosis in some contexts. Context-dependent
Database cancer rating High mechanistic relevance; strongest as a mitochondrial-stress, invasion, tumor stemness, and therapy-resistance target. Translational status remains preclinical. Add as cancer target

Alzheimer's disease relevance

Aspect Alzheimer's disease relevance Likely Desired Direction
Aβ toxicity Aβ has been reported to interact with DRP1 and promote excessive mitochondrial fission, ROS generation, energetic failure, and synaptic dysfunction. Down / inhibit excessive DRP1
Tau pathology Hyperphosphorylated tau is linked to abnormal mitochondrial dynamics and may worsen DRP1-associated mitochondrial fragmentation. Down
Synaptic function Excessive DRP1 activation can impair mitochondrial transport, ATP availability, and synaptic maintenance. Down
Oxidative stress DRP1-associated mitochondrial fragmentation can increase ROS and reduce mitochondrial membrane potential and respiratory efficiency. Down
Neuroinflammation Altered DRP1 activation has been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammatory signaling, including NLRP3-related pathways in AD models. Down / normalize
Therapeutic strategy Selective inhibition of pathological DRP1-FIS1 interaction, such as with P110-like strategies, is more attractive than complete DRP1 inhibition. Normalize fission
Database AD rating High mechanistic relevance; strong preclinical rationale for AD mitochondrial dysfunction, Aβ/tau toxicity, ROS, synaptic failure, and neuroinflammation. No established clinical DRP1-directed AD therapy. Add as AD target

Modulators / tool compounds

Compound / Strategy Mechanism Database Note
P110 peptide Selective inhibitor of pathological DRP1-FIS1 interaction; designed to reduce excessive fission while sparing basal fission. Useful reference tool compound; preclinical, not a general supplement or approved therapy.
Mdivi-1 Historically used as a DRP1/fission inhibitor, but has important off-target effects including mitochondrial complex I inhibition. Use cautiously in database notes; not a clean DRP1-specific probe.
Genetic DNM1L knockdown / inhibition Reduces DRP1 expression or activity and can suppress mitochondrial fission in experimental systems. Mechanistic research tool only.
Targeting DRP1-FIS1 axis Blocks a pathological receptor interaction involved in excessive fission. Probably the most attractive disease-modifying approach for AD and some cancers.

Overall conclusion

In cancer, DRP1 is mainly relevant to proliferation, invasion, tumor-initiating cells, metabolic adaptation, and therapy resistance. In Alzheimer's disease, DRP1 is mainly relevant to excessive mitochondrial fission, Aβ/tau toxicity, oxidative stress, synaptic dysfunction, energetic failure, and neuroinflammation. The preferred therapeutic logic is normalization or selective inhibition of pathological DRP1 activation, especially DRP1-FIS1 signaling, rather than complete blockade of mitochondrial fission.



Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
6416- CUR,  QC,  FA,  RES,  EGCG  Natural products targeting mitochondria: emerging therapeutics for age-associated neurological disorders
- Review, AD, NA
*DRP1/DNM1L↓, *FIS1↓, *MFN2↑, *OPA1↑, *DRP1/DNM1L↓, *FIS1↓, *OPA1↑, *MFN1↑, *MFN2↑, *DRP1/DNM1L↓, *FIS1↓, *MFN1↑, *MFN2↑, *memory↑, *mtDam↓, *DRP1/DNM1L↓, *FIS1↓,

Showing Research Papers: 1 to 1 of 1

* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 1

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Total Targets: 0

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


NA, unassigned ⓘ

DRP1/DNM1L↓, 4,   FIS1↓, 4,   MFN1↑, 2,   MFN2↑, 3,   OPA1↑, 2,  

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics ⓘ

mtDam↓, 1,  

Functional Outcomes ⓘ

memory↑, 1,  
Total Targets: 7

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: DRP1/DNM1L, DRP1 / DNM1L — mitochondrial fission regulator
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells

Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:77  Target#:1487  State#:%  Dir#:%
  wNotes=0  sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

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