Exploiting Multi-Omics Profiling and Systems Biology to Investigate Functions of TOMM34

Although modern biology is now in the post-genomic era with vastly increased access to high-quality data, the set of human genes with a known function remains far from complete. This is especially true for hundreds of mitochondria-associated genes, which are under-characterized and lack clear functional annotation. However, with the advent of multi-omics profiling methods coupled with systems biology algorithms, the cellular role of many such genes can be elucidated. Here, we report genes and pathways associated with TOMM34, Translocase of Outer Mitochondrial Membrane, which plays role in the mitochondrial protein import as a part of cytosolic complex together with Hsp70/Hsp90 and is upregulated in various cancers. We identified genes, proteins, and metabolites altered in TOMM34^-/- HepG2 cells. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to study the functional capacity of TOMM34 using a multi-omics strategy. We demonstrate that TOMM34 affects various processes including oxidative phosphorylation, citric acid cycle, metabolism of purine, and several amino acids. Besides the analysis of already known pathways, we utilized de novo network enrichment algorithm to extract novel perturbed subnetworks, thus obtaining evidence that TOMM34 potentially plays role in several other cellular processes, including NOTCH-, MAPK-, and STAT3-signaling. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into TOMM34's cellular functions.

Cell Growth Inhibition, DNA Fragmentation and Apoptosis-Inducing Properties of Household-Processed Leaves and Seeds of Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Linn.) against HepG2, HCT-116, and MCF-7 Cancerous Cell Lines

Household processing of fenugreek seeds and leaves, including soaking, germination, and boiling of the seeds, and air-drying of the leaves, has improved the levels of human consumption of the bitter seeds and increased the shelf life of fresh leaves, respectively. The potential anticancer activity of either unprocessed or processed fenugreek seeds or leaves and the relative expression of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes of the studied cancerous cell lines exposed to IC50 crude extracts was investigated to observe the apoptotic-inducing property of this plant as an anticancer agent. The protein expression of IKK-α and IKK-β, as inhibitors of NF-KB which exhibit a critical function in the regulation of genes involved in chronic inflammatory disorders, were studied in the tested cancerous cell lines. In this study, the anticancer activity of household-processed fenugreek leaves and seeds against HepG2, HCT-116, MCF-7, and VERO cell lines was measured using an MTT assay. DNA fragmentation of both HepG2 and MCF-7 was investigated by using gel electrophoresis. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the relative expression of each p53, caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 genes, whereas ELISA assay determined the expression of caspase-3, TNF-α, and 8-OHDG genes. Western blotting analyzed the protein-expressing levels of IKK-α and IKK-β proteins in each studied cell line. Data showed that at 500 µg mL-1, ADFL had the highest cytotoxicity against the HepG2 and HCT-116 cell lines. Although, each UFS and GFS sample had a more inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cells than ADFL. Gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the IC50 of each ADFL, UFS, and GFS sample induced DNA fragmentation in HepG2 and MCF-7, contrary to untreated cell lines. Gene expression using RT-PCR showed that IC50 doses of each sample induced apoptosis through the up-regulation of the p53, caspase-3, and Bax genes and the down-regulation of the Bcl-2 gene in each studied cell line. The relative expression of TNF-α, 8-OHDG, and caspase-3 genes of each HepG2 and MCF-7 cell line using ELISA assays demonstrated that ADFL, UFS, and GFS samples reduced the expression of TNF-α and 8-OHDG genes but increased the expression of the caspase-3 gene. Protein-expressing levels of IKK-α and IKK-β proteins in each studied cell line, determined using Western blotting, indicated that household treatments decreased IKK-α expression compared to the UFS sample. Moreover, the ADFL and SFS samples had the most activity in the IKK-β expression levels. Among all studied samples, air-dried fenugreek leaves and unprocessed and germinated fenugreek seeds had the most anti-proliferative and apoptotic-inducing properties against human HepG2, MCF-7, and HCT-116 cell lines, as compared to the VERO cell line. So, these crude extracts can be used in the future for developing new effective natural drugs for the treatment of hepatocellular, breast, and colon carcinomas.

Mechanism of human peripheral blood-derived dendritic cells in the regulation of autophagy in carcinoma cells

INTRODUCTION

Dendritic cells (DC) are involved in immune recognition, response and immunomodulation mechanisms related to the onset of cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To explore DCs mechanism in the inhibition of autophagy in hepatoma cells.

METHODS

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation and induced into DCs, which were co-cultured with HepG2 cells by Transwell migration assay. HepG2 cell activity was determined using the CCK8 assay. LC3 autophagy index expression was measured with Western blot analysis, and the expression and secretion of cytokines, with qRT-PCR and ELISA.

RESULTS

In the co-culture system, DCs were able to reduce HepG2 cells viability; IL-2, IL-12, IL-10 and IFN-γ expression in DCs was also significantly inhibited, although IL-2 and IFN-γ were still expressed 0.6 and 0.53 more than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

DCs can regulate autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The mechanism may be related to the synthesis and release of cytokines such as IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-γ by DCs.

Colonic Coffee Phenols Metabolites, Dihydrocaffeic, Dihydroferulic, and Hydroxyhippuric Acids Protect Hepatic Cells from TNF-α-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Coffee presents beneficial health properties, including antiobesity effects. However, its effects on inflammation are controversial. Hydroxycinnamic acids are the main coffee phenolic bioactive compounds. In human bioavailability studies carried out with coffee, among the most abundant compounds found in urine and plasma were the colonic metabolites, dihydrocaffeic (DHCA), dihydroferulic (DHFA), and hydroxyhippuric (HHA) acids. To understand the hepato-protective potential of these three compounds, we tested whether treatment with realistic concentrations (0.5-10 µM) were effective to counteract inflammatory process and oxidative status induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). First, we established a novel model of inflammation/oxidation using TNF-α and HepG2 cells. Afterwards, we evaluated the activity of DHCA, DHFA, and HHA against the inflammatory/oxidative challenge through the determination of the inflammatory mediators, interleukins (IL)-6, and IL-8 and chemokines, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1, as well as the levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress, such as reactive oxygen species, reduced glutathione, and the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and reductase. Results showed that all three compounds have a potential hepato-protective effect against the induced inflammatory/oxidative insult.

Pulse Parameters and Thresholds for (ir)Reversible Electroporation on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells in Vitro

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a leading cause of cancer-related death in many parts of the world. Traditional treatment options are not always effective. During the promising minimally invasive electroporation-based therapies, biological cell membranes are exposed to an external, sufficiently high, pulsed electric field which creates so-called nanopores into the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane. These pores can either be permanent (irreversible electroporation (IRE)), leading to apoptosis, or repairable (reversible electroporation (RE)), with continued cell function. In tumor therapy, RE is used to increase the diffusion of a chemotherapeutic drug during electrochemotherapy. For both IRE and RE, the success of the treatment is dependent on application of the appropriate electric field. Therefore, this study aims to define the pulse parameters and thresholds for IRE and RE on hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells in-vitro.In a custom-made in-vitro setup, HepG2 cell viability (0, 5, 10, and 15 min), and the peak temperature were measured after electroporation with the different IRE and RE pulsing protocols, to determine the most successful settings for IRE and RE. A CAM/PI flow cytometric assay was performed to confirm cell permeabilization for the RE pulsing protocols with the highest cell viability.The results indicated that an IRE pulsing protocol (70 pulses, 100 µs pulse length, and 100 ms interval) with an electric field strength of 4000 V/cm was needed as threshold for almost complete cell death of HepG2 cells. A RE pulsing protocol (8 pulses, 100 µs pulse length, and 1000 ms interval) with an electric field strength of 1000 V/cm was needed as threshold for viable and permeabilized HepG2 cells. The low peak temperatures (max 30.1°C for IRE, max 23.1°C for RE) within this study indicated that the reduction in HepG2 cell viability was caused by the applied electric field and was not a result of Joule heating.

The Combination of Chrysin and Cisplatin Induces Apoptosis in HepG2 through Down-regulation of cFLIP and Activity of Caspase

AIM

The study aims to investigate the combined effects of chrysin and cisplatin on hepatoma(HepG2) cell lines in vivo and in vitro.

OBJECTIVE

Studies have suggested that chrysin can enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to apoptosis. Drug resistance in tumor cells reduced the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin. We investigated whether the combination of chrysin and cisplatin can induce more apoptosis than chrysin alone and cisplatin alone.

METHODS

HepG2 cells were pretreated with chrysin for 2 h, followed by the addition of cisplatin for another 24 h. The morphologic changes were observed under inverted microscope and the cell viability was measured using the MTT test. The protein and cleavage of caspase-3,8,9, PARP, and cFLIP were determined by Western blotting.

RESULTS

The cell viability of the HepG2 cell can be reduced by the combination of chrysin pretreatment for 2 h and cisplatin addition for 24 h; Caspase-3,8,9 and PARP were cleaved after 12 h treatment with chrysin and cisplatin; Pancaspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-fmk, could reverse the apoptosis induced by chrysin and cisplatin in HepG2 cells; cFLIP was down-regulated by the combination of chrysin and cisplatin, and could be reversed by Z-VAD-fmk; the xenografted HepG2 cells formed a tumor in one week; At the end of the experiment, there were significant differences in relative tumor volume (RTV) and relative tumor proliferation rate between the combined group and the control group, the chrysin group and the cisplatin group; Western blotting showed that the levels of PARP, cFLIP, and caspase-3 proteins in isolated tumor tissues also decreased under the combined action of chrysin and cisplatin.

CONCLUSION

The combination of chrysin and cisplatin induces apoptosis of hepatic tumor in vivo and in vitro. It downregulates cFLIP and then activates caspase-8, which triggers caspase-mediated apoptosis of HepG2 cell.

Neutral Red Uptake Assay to Assess Cytotoxicity In Vitro

The neutral red uptake (NRU) assay is a cell viability assay that can be used for the assessment of compound-induced cytotoxicity. It is based on the ability of living cells to incorporate neutral red, a weak cationic dye, in lysosomes. The quantification of xenobiotic-induced cytotoxicity is expressed as a concentration-dependent reduction of the uptake of neutral red when compared to cells exposed to corresponding vehicle controls. The NRU assay is mainly used for hazard assessment in in vitro toxicology applications. Hence, this method has been incorporated in regulatory recommendations such as the OECD test guideline TG 432, in which an in vitro 3T3-NRU-phototoxicityassay is described to assess the cytotoxicity of compounds in the presence or absence of UV light.This book chapter describes a detailed protocol to carry out the NRU assay using the human hepatoma cell line HepG2, which is frequently employed as an alternative in vitro model for human hepatocytes. As an example, the cytotoxicity of acetaminophen and acetylsalicylic acid is assessed.

Dehydrocostus Lactone Reduced Malignancy of HepG2 Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via Down-Regulation of the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

We studied the effect of dehydrocostus lactone (DHL) on the biological characteristics of HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The inhibition of cell viability by different concentrations of DHL (10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 μmol/liter) was measured using MTT test. As the determined half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was 20.33 μmol/liter, DHL in a concentration of 20 μmol/liter was used in further experiments. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion ability, and apoptosis were assessed by Ki-67 immunofluorescence, Transwell assay, and TUNEL analysis. The level of p-AKT protein was determined by Western blotting. DHL significantly inhibited the viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of HepG2 cells in comparison with the control group, and induced cells apoptosis. DHL down-regulated the expression of p-AKT protein in the HepG2 cells in comparison with the control group. PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activator 740Y-P could block the above-mentioned effects of DHL. Thus, DHL inhibits the malignancy of HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells via down-regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

A Method for the In Vitro Cytotoxicity Assessment of Anti-cancer Compounds and Materials Using High Content Screening Analysis

To date, there is a large bottleneck associated with cancer drug design and development: a lack of appropriate methodologies for screening their potential toxicity. This issue not only causes a high attrition rate for these compounds but also slows down the drug discovery process in general. To overcome this problem, robust, accurate, and reproducible methodologies for assessing anti-cancer compounds are essential. Multiparametric technique and high-throughput analysis, in particular, are favored due to the time- and cost-effective way in which they assess large panels of materials, and due to their large informational output. Following extensive work within our group, we have developed a protocol for assessing the toxicity of anti-cancer compounds using a high-content screening and analysis (HCSA) platform, which is both time-effective and reproducible.

Near-Physiological Concentrations of Extracellular Pyruvate Stimulated Glucose Utilization along with Triglyceride Accumulation and Mitochondrial Activity in HepG2 Cells

Pyruvate, a key intermediate in energy and nutrient metabolism, probably plays important roles in these regulations. In previous reports using cell lines, extracellular pyruvate of supraphysiological concentrations inhibited the glucose uptake by myotubes while being stimulated by adipocytes. As the effect of pyruvate on the glucose utilization is unclear in cultured hepatocytes. We have investigated the effects of extracellular pyruvate on the glucose utilization and the subsequent metabolic changes using the cell line HepG2. In a 24 h culture, pyruvate enhanced the glucose consumption more potently than 1 μM insulin, and this enhancement was detectable at a near-physiological concentrations of ≤1 mM. For metabolic changes following glucose consumption, the conversion ratio of glucose and pyruvate to extracellular lactate was approximately 1.0 without extracellular pyruvate. The addition of pyruvate decreased the conversion ratio to approximately 0.7, indicating that the glycolytic reaction switched from being an anaerobic to a partially aerobic feature. Consistent with this finding, pyruvate increased the accumulation of intracellular triglycerides which are produced through substrate supply from the mitochondria. Furthermore, pyruvate stimulated mitochondria activity as evidenced by increases in ATP content, mitochondrial DNA copy number, enhanced mitochondria-specific functional imaging and oxygen consumption. Interestingly, 1 mM pyruvate increased oxygen consumption immediately after addition. In this study, we found that near-physiological concentrations of extracellular pyruvate exerted various changes in metabolic events, including glucose influx, lactate conversion rations, TG accumulation, and mitochondrial activity in HepG2 cells.

Influence of the physico-chemical bioink composition on the printability and cell biological properties in 3D-bioprinting of a liver tumor cell line

The selection of a suitable matrix material is crucial for the development of functional, biomimetic tissue and organ models. When these tissue models are fabricated with 3D-bioprinting technology, the requirements do not only include the biological functionality and physico-chemical properties, but also the printability. In our work, we therefore present a detailed study of seven different bioinks with the focus on a functional liver carcinoma model. Agarose, gelatin, collagen and their blends were selected as materials based on their benefits for 3D cell culture and Drop-on-Demand (DoD) bioprinting. The formulations were characterized for their mechanical (G' of 10-350 Pa) and rheological (viscosity 2-200 Pa*s) properties as well as albumin diffusivity (8-50 μm²/s). The cellular behavior was exemplarily shown for HepG2 cells by monitoring viability, proliferation and morphology over 14 days, while the printability on a microvalve DoD printer was evaluated by drop volume monitoring in flight (100-250 nl), camera imaging of the wetting behavior and microscopy of the effective drop diameter (700 µm and more). We did not observe negative effects on cell viability or proliferation, which is due to the very low shear stresses inside the nozzle (200-500 Pa). With our method, we could identify the strengths and weaknesses of each material, resulting in a material portfolio. By specifically selecting certain materials or blends, cell migration and possible interaction with other cells can be directed as indicated by the results of our cellular experiments.

Unveiling the therapeutic potential of cabozantinib-loaded poly D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid and polysarcosine nanoparticles in inducing apoptosis and cytotoxicity in human HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and in vivo anti-tumor activity in SCID female mice

Introduction

The study aimed to develop a nano-based drug delivery system for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer that accounts for 90% of all liver malignancies. The study focused on the use of cabozantinib (CNB), a potent multikinase inhibitor that targets the VEGF receptor 2, as the chemotherapeutic drug. We developed CNB-loaded nanoparticles made from Poly D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid, and Polysarcosine (CNB-PLGA-PSar-NPs) for use in human HepG2 cell lines.

Methods

By O/W solvent evaporation method, the polymeric nanoparticles were prepared. The various techniques, such as photon correlation spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used, to determine the formulation's particle size, zeta potential, and morphology. SYBR Green/ROX qPCR Master Mix and RT-PCR equipment used to measure liver cancer cell line and tissue mRNA expression and MTT assay to test HepG2 cell cytotoxicity. Cell cycle arrest analysis, annexin V assay, and ZE5 Cell Analyzer apoptosis assay were also performed.

Results

The results of the study showed that the particle diameters were 192.0 ± 3.67 nm with 0.128 PDI and -24.18 ± 3.34 mV zeta potential. The antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of CNB-PLGA-PSar-NPs were evaluated using MTT and flow cytometry (FCM). The IC50 value of CNB-PLGA-PSar-NPs was 45.67 µg/mL, 34.73 µg/mL, and 21.56 µg/mL for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The study also found that 11.20% and 36.77% of CNB-PLGA-PSar-NPs-treated cells were apoptotic at 60 µg/mL and 80 µg/mL, respectively, suggesting that the nanoparticles were effective in inducing apoptosis in the cancer cells. It can also conclude that, CNB-PLGA-PSar-NPs inhibit human HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells and kill them by upregulating the tumour suppressor genes MT1F, MT1X, and downregulating MTTP, APOA4. Further in vivo antitumor activity was well reported in SCID female mice.

Discussion

Overall, this study suggests that the CNB-PLGA-PSar-NPs are a promising drug delivery system for the treatment of HCC, and further research is needed to investigate their potential in clinical treatment.

Capabilities of Single Cell ICP-MS for the Analysis of Cell Suspensions from Solid Tissues

Single cell elemental (SC) analysis of isogenic cell cultures can be done using inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) detection. However, 2D cell cultures are just models to simplify the complexity of real tissue samples. Here, we show for the first time the capabilities of the technique (SC-ICP-MS) to analyze single cell suspensions of isolated cells from tissues. An optimized cocktail of proteolytic and collagenolytic enzymes was applied in a single preparation step with cellular yields up to 28% using 0.5 g of fresh rat spleen and liver, respectively. The retrieved cells revealed adequate morphology and stability to be examined by SC-ICP-MS. Quantitative elemental analysis of P, S, Cu, and Fe from disaggregated cells from rat spleen and liver tissues revealed levels of Fe of 7-16 fg/cell in the spleen and 8-12 fg/cell in the liver, while Cu was about 3-5 fg/cell in the spleen and 1.5-2.5 fg/cell in the liver. Evaluation of the transmembrane protein transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) expression levels in disaggregated cells was also conducted by using a Nd-labelled antibody against this cell surface biomarker. Quantitative results showed significantly lower expression in the disaggregated cells than in the cell model HepG2, in agreement with the overexpression of this biomarker in tumor cells. In this proof of concept study, the tissue disaggregation protocol has shown to maintain the elemental intracellular content of cells as well as the presence of relevant antigens. This opens a completely new area of research for SC-ICP-MS in tissue samples as a complementary strategy with validation capabilities.

Appraisal of the Antioxidant Activity, Polyphenolic Content, and Characterization of Selected Himalayan Herbs: Anti-Proliferative Potential in HepG2 Cells

Natural antioxidants derived from plants have played a vital role in preventing a wide range of human chronic conditions and provide novel bioactive leads for investigators in pharmacotherapy discovery. This work was designed to examine the ethnopharmacological role of Urtica dioica (UD), Capsella bursa-pastoris (CBP), and Inula racemosa (IR). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC) were illustrated through colorimetric assays, while the antioxidant activity was investigated through DPPH and ABTS assays. The evaluation of phytochemicals by FT-IR of UD and CBP revealed high contents of aliphatic amines, while IR showed a major peak for ketones. The antioxidant activity, TPC and TFC were highest in the ethanol extract of UD, followed by CBP, and IR showed the lowest activity. All of the extracts revealed significant antioxidant capacities along a dosage gradient. Through a HPLC analysis at a wavelength of 280 nm, UD leaves demonstrated an intense peak of quercetin, and the peak for rutin was less intense. CBP (whole plant), instead, demonstrated a major yield of rutin, and a peak for quercetin was not observed in CBP. IR (rhizomes) showed both quercetin and rutin. All of the extracts were significantly cytotoxic to HepG2 cells after 48 h with the trend IR > UD > CBP. The outcomes of this study may be effective in the selection of specific plants as realistic sources of the bioactive components that might be useful in the nutraceutical progression and other biomedical efficacies.

Jinlida granules ameliorate the high-fat-diet induced liver injury in mice by antagonising hepatocytes pyroptosis

CONTEXT

Jinlida (JLD) as a traditional Chinese medicine formula has been used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and studies have shown its anti-obesity effect.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the therapeutic effects of JLD in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups and fed a low-diet diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD + JLD (3.8 g/kg) for 16 weeks, respectively. The free fatty acids-induced lipotoxicity in HepG2 cells were used to evaluate the anti-pyroptotic effects of JLD. The pharmacological effects of JLD on NAFL were investigated by pathological examination, intraperitoneal glucose and insulin tolerance tests, western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

In vivo studies showed that JLD ameliorated HFD-induced liver injury, significantly decreased body weight and enhanced insulin sensitivity and improved glucose tolerance. Furthermore, JLD suppressed both the mRNA expression of caspase-1 (1.58 vs. 2.90), IL-1β (0.93 vs. 3.44) and IL-18 (1.34 vs. 1.60) and protein expression of NLRP3 (2.04 vs. 5.71), pro-caspase-1 (2.68 vs. 4.92) and IL-1β (1.61 vs. 2.60). In vitro, JLD inhibited the formation of lipid droplets induced by 2 mM FFA (IC₅₀ = 2.727 mM), reduced the protein expression of NLRP3 (0.74 vs. 2.27), caspase-1 (0.57 vs. 2.68), p20 (1.67 vs. 3.33), and IL-1β (1.44 vs. 2.41), and lowered the ratio of p-IKB-α/IKB-α (0.47 vs. 2.19).

CONCLUSION

JLD has a protective effect against NAFLD, which may be related to its anti-pyroptosis, suggesting that JLD has the potential as a novel agent in the treatment of NAFLD.

Pitavastatin-loaded bilosomes for oral treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a repurposing approach

Albeit its established efficacy as an anti-hyperlipidemic agent, pitavastatin (PIT) has been shown to have other various therapeutic effects. One of these effects is the anti-cancer activity against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This effect has been evaluated in this study for the first time via its oral delivery loaded in bilosomes both in vitro in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line; HepG2 and in vivo in an Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model. Moreover, the impact of surface modification of bilosomes with lactoferrin (LF) as an active targeting ligand for HCC was investigated. Bilosomes were prepared by thin-film hydration and different molar phospholipid to bile salt ratios were used to optimize the bilosomal formulation. The molar phospholipid to bile salt ratio was adjusted to 4:1 at pH 7.4. LF-coated bilosomes possessed a particle size, PDI, entrapment efficiency, and zeta potential of 112.28 nm ± 6.35, 0.229 ± 0.06, 90.56% ± 3.22, and −7.86 mV ± 1.13, respectively. LF-coated bilosomes also increased permeation of PIT when tested on Caco-2 cells by 3.1-folds (compared to uncoated ones or free PIT solution). It also improved the cytotoxicity of HepG2 spheroids 44-folds more than PIT-free solution. RT-PCR analysis showed that LF-coated PIT-loaded bilosomes caused an improvement (2-fold increase) in the apoptotic potential of PIT mediated by caspase-3. In conclusion, the optimized LF-coated PIT-loaded bilosomes were cytotoxic to HCC with improved hepatocytes permeation and cellular uptake. Thus, the proposed formula could be a promising treatment for HCC.

Oxygen Gradient Induced in Microfluidic Chips Can Be Used as a Model for Liver Zonation

Availability of oxygen plays an important role in tissue organization and cell-type specific metabolism. It is, however, difficult to analyze hypoxia-related adaptations in vitro because of inherent limitations of experimental model systems. In this study, we establish a microfluidic tissue culture protocol to generate hypoxic gradients in vitro, mimicking the conditions found in the liver acinus. To accomplish this, four microfluidic chips, each containing two chambers, were serially connected to obtain eight interconnected chambers. HepG2 hepatocytes were uniformly seeded in each chamber and cultivated under a constant media flow of 50 µL/h for 72 h. HepG2 oxygen consumption under flowing media conditions established a normoxia to hypoxia gradient within the chambers, which was confirmed by oxygen sensors located at the inlet and outlet of the connected microfluidic chips. Expression of Hif1α mRNA and protein was used to indicate hypoxic conditions in the cells and albumin mRNA and protein expression served as a marker for liver acinus-like zonation. Oxygen measurements performed over 72 h showed a change from 17.5% to 15.9% of atmospheric oxygen, which corresponded with a 9.2% oxygen reduction in the medium between chamber1 (inlet) and 8 (outlet) in the connected microfluidic chips after 72 h. Analysis of Hif1α expression and nuclear translocation in HepG2 cells additionally confirmed the hypoxic gradient from chamber1 to chamber8. Moreover, albumin mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced from chamber1 to chamber8, indicating liver acinus zonation along the oxygen gradient. Taken together, microfluidic cultivation in interconnected chambers provides a new model for analyzing cells in a normoxic to hypoxic gradient in vitro. By using a well-characterized cancer cell line as a homogenous hepatocyte population, we also demonstrate that an approximate 10% reduction in oxygen triggers translocation of Hif1α to the nucleus and reduces albumin production.

Phytochemical Profile of the Ethanol Extract of Malvaviscus arboreus Red Flower and Investigation of the Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Cytotoxic Activities

Flowers are rich sources of bioactive antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer components. This study aimed to determine the constituents of the ethanol extract of Malvaviscus arboreus red flower (ERF) by GC-MS analysis and HPLC identification of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, in addition to the 1HNMR fingerprint. The antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of the ERF were investigated. The GC-MS analysis revealed twenty-one components, while HPLC analysis revealed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The ERF showed antifungal and antibacterial activity. The highest antibacterial activity was found against Vibrio damsela where a time-kill assay revealed a decline in the amount of viable V. damsela. For fungi, the highest activity was observed against Aspergillus terreus. Using the SRB test on HepG2, the anti-proliferative efficacy of the ERF was evaluated. Cell cycle analysis was utilized to determine autophagic cell death. The ERF prevented the proliferation of the HepG2 cell line with an IC50 of 67.182 µg/µL. The extract primarily promoted apoptosis in HepG2 cells by accumulating hypodiploid cells in the sub-G0/G1 phase, increased caspase 3/7 activity, and caused considerable autophagic cell death in apoptosis-deficient cells. Finally, the observed elevation of cancer cell death indicated that ERF had substantial anticancer potential against HepG2 cells.

Dual Topoisomerase I/II Inhibition-Induced Apoptosis and Necro-Apoptosis in Cancer Cells by a Novel Ciprofloxacin Derivative via RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL Activation

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are synthetic broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents that have been recently repurposed to anticancer candidates. Designing new derivatives of FQs with different moieties to target DNA topoisomerases could improve their anticancer efficacy. The present study aimed to synthesize a novel ciprofloxacin derivative, examine its anticancer activity against HepG2 and A549 cancer cells, and investigate the possible molecular mechanism underlying this activity by examining its ability to inhibit the topo I/II activity and to induce the apoptotic and necro-apoptotic pathways. Molecular docking, cell viability, cell migration, colony formation, cell cycle, Annexin V, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, ELISA, and western blotting assays were utilized. Molecular docking results showed that this novel ciprofloxacin derivative exerted dual topo I and topo II binding and inhibition. It significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549 and HepG2 cancer cells and decreased their cell migration and colony formation abilities. In addition, it significantly increased the % of apoptotic cells, caused cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, and elevated the LDH release levels in both cancer cells. Furthermore, it increased the expression of cleaved caspase 3, RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL proteins. This novel ciprofloxacin derivative exerted substantial dual inhibition of topo I/II enzyme activities, showed antiproliferative activity, suppressed the cell migration and colony formation abilities for A549 and HepG2 cancer cells and activated the apoptotic pathway. In addition, it initiated another backup deadly pathway, necro-apoptosis, through the activation of the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL pathway.

Emodin lows NPC1L1-mediated cholesterol absorption as an uncompetitive inhibitor

Emodin (EM) is one of the active components of the traditional Chinese medicine rhubarb, and there is evidence of its hypolipidemic activity, though the exact mechanism is unknown. NPC1L1 is a key protein in human cholesterol uptake that is primarily expressed in hepatocytes and gastrointestinal epithelial cells. Our findings suggest that rhodopsin inhibits cellular cholesterol uptake by influencing NPC1L1 cholesterol transport. The results showed that NBD-cholesterol uptake in human HepG2 cells was 27 %, 31.3 %, 33.6 %, 41.6 %, and 52.6 % of control after treatment with 100, 75, 50, 25, and 12.5 % M EM, respectively, compared to 50 % for 100 M Ezetimibe. Kinetic studies revealed that EM inhibited cellular uptake of cholesterol through anti-competitive inhibition. Furthermore, using confocal fluorescence quantification, we discovered that after cholesterol deprivation treatment reintroduced cholesterol supply, cholesterol uptake was significantly higher in HepG2 cells highly expressing NPC1L1 than in U2OS cells with low NPC1L1 expression. As a result, we hypothesize that EM may inhibit cholesterol uptake via NPC1L1 in human hepatocytes in an anti-competitive manner. Overall, as a dietary supplement or lipid-modifying drug, EM has the potential to lower cholesterol.

Value of biomarkers in epithelial-mesenchymal transition models of liver cancer under different interventions: a meta-analysis

Aim: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of crucial biomarkers in HepG2 cells during epithelial-mesenchymal transformation induced by multiple interventions. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wan Fang Data and VIP databases were systematically searched from inception to 14 June 2020, by two independent reviewers. Results: A total of 58 studies were included in the meta-analysis. E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin performed well under medicinal interventions. E-cadherin worked well under genetic interventions. E-cadherin and N-cadherin also performed significantly well under tumor microenvironment interventions. Under ncRNA interventions, the expression of E-cadherin significantly changed. Conclusion: Different sets of biomarkers should be selected under various interventions based on their performance.

[Identification and functional characterization of circular RNAs in the liver of whitespotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)]

This study aims to identify the circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the liver of whitespotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) and to explore the effect of the overexpression of circRNAs on the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. We conducted high-throughput sequencing for prediction of the circRNAs and then designed forward and reverse primers to verify them. Further, we constructed overexpression vectors for transient transfection of circRNAs into HepG2 cells. Finally, we employed CCK-8 assay and scratch assay to measure the proliferation and migration of the treated HepG2 cells. A total of 4 558 circRNAs were predicted, among which 14 circRNAs were confirmed. The qRT-PCR showed that circRNA 13-566, circRNA 4-475, circRNA 5-402, circRNA 294-177, and circRNA 30-219 were transiently overexpressed in HepG2 cells. The overexpression of these five circRNAs inhibited the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells to varying degrees, and circRNA 4-475 and circRNA 294-177 had especially notable effect. This study provided a basic database of circRNA genes that particularly active in whitespotted bamboo shark liver and demonstrated with functional studies of these circRNAs potentially involved in normal and malignant liver cells.

In vitro toxicological assessment of PhSeZnCl in human liver cells

Phenylselenenylzinc chloride (PhSeZnCl) is an air-stable selenolate, easily synthesizable through oxidative insertion of elemental zinc into the Se-halogen bond of the commercially available phenylselenyl chloride. PhSeZnCl was shown to possess a marked GPx-like activity both in NMR and in vitro tests, and to effectively react with cellular thiols, and was supposed for a potential use in the chemotherapy of drug-resistant cancers. However, activity of PhSeZnCl in hepatic cells has never been tested before now. In this in vitro approach, we evaluated the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and apoptotic activities, as well as the effects on cell cycle of PhSeZnCl in two preclinical hepatic models, namely HepG2 and HepaRG cells. Results showed that cell viability of HepG2 and HepaRG cells decreased in a dose-dependent manner, with a more marked effect in HepG2 tumour cells. Moreover, treatment with 50 µg/mL PhSeZnCl caused an increase of primary DNA damage (4 h) and a statistically significant increase of HepG2 cells arrested in G₂/M phase. In addition, it altered mitochondrial membrane potential and induced chromosomal DNA fragmentation (24 h). In HepaRG cells, PhSeZnCl was able to determine a cell cycle-independent induction of apoptosis. Particularly, 50 µg/mL induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization after 24 h and apoptosis after 4 h treatment. Futhermore, all PhSeZnCl concentrations tested determined a significant increase of apoptotic cells after 24 h. Apoptosis was also highlighted by the detection of active Caspase-3 by Western Blot analysis after 24 h exposure. In conclusion, this first toxicological assessment provides new insights into the biological activity of PhSeZnCl in preclinical hepatic models that will be useful in future safety assessment investigation of this compound as a potential pharmaceutical.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43188-022-00148-y.

Nicotinonitrile-derived apoptotic inducers: Design, synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and Pim kinase inhibition

Although a plethora of targeted anticancer small molecule drugs became available, the low response rate and drug resistance imply the continuous need for expanding the anticancer chemical space. In this study, a novel series of nicotinonitrile derivatives was designed, synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activities in HepG2 and MCF-7 cells. All derivatives showed high to moderate cytotoxic activity against both cell lines, with cell-type and chemotype-dependent cytotoxic potential. The normal HEK-293 T cells were ca. 50-fold less susceptible to the cytotoxic effect of the inhibitors. The in vitro enzyme inhibitory activity of selected active cytotoxic derivatives 8c, 8e, 9a, 9e and 12 showed that they have sub- to one digit micromolar 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) against the three Pim kinase isoforms, with 8e being the most potent (IC₅₀ ≤ 0.28 μM against three Pim kinases), comparable to the pan kinase inhibitor, Staurosporine. In HepG2, 8e induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Apoptotic mechanistic studies with 8c and 8e in HepG2 cells, indicated a significant upregulation in both P53 and caspase-3 relative gene expression, as well as increased Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression level. Further, docking studies combined with molecular dynamic simulation showed a stable complex with high binding affinity of 8e to Pim-1 kinase; exploiting a negative electrostatic potential surface interaction with the added dimethyl amino group in the new compounds. Moreover, in silico ADME profile prediction indicated that all compounds are orally bioavailable and most of them can penetrate the blood-brain barrier. This study presents novel nicotinonitrile derivatives as auspicious hits for further optimization as antiproliferative agents against liver cancer cells and promising pan Pim kinase inhibitors at submicromolar concentrations.

Ruthana date extract inhibited proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells by modulation of BAX gene

Cancer response to chemotherapeutic agents and its side effects remain a challenge for the development of new anticancer compounds. Dates are consumed worldwide due to their high nutritional value. We investigated the cytotoxicity and expression of the proapoptotic BAX gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells treated with Ruthana date ethanolic extract (RDE). The RDE ingredients analyzed by GC/MS and HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of RDE for 24, 48, and 72 h. Cytotoxicity, cell viability, DNA fragmentation, and BAX expression were determined. The GC/MS analysis of RDE showed its high content of quercetin, myricetin kaempferol, thymine, and catechol as the most active ingredients. HepG2 treated with RDE showed a significant change in morphological characteristics related to cell death. The antiproliferative activity determined by WST-1 demonstrated that RDE significantly reduced cell viability. Cells treated with RDE (10-60 mg) showed gradual DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner. Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of BAX at 30 mg/ml of RDE (p < 0.001). However, it showed downregulation at (40-60 mg/ml) as compared to control. Our findings indicated that RDE exert cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells due to its high content of flavonoids. This effect through DNA fragmentation and activation of the proapoptotic BAX gene.

High-glucose-induced hyperosmolar stress sensitizes HepG2 cell lines to sorafenib

Sorafenib is an FDA approved chemotherapeutic against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) yet associated with various resistance mechanisms. The role of high glucose status on sorafenib action is still to be elucidated. This study clarifies such interaction, taking HepG2 cell lines as HCC models, MALAT1 and H19 as molecular players. HepG2 cell lines were purchased and classified into 8 groups. High glucose status was set by using d-glucose (33 mM) with insulin (1 µM). Mannitol (27.5 mM) was used as a negative osmotic control. Sorafenib was prepared at 15 µM and 20 µM. Cellular viability was assessed with MTT viability assay. Then, with trypan blue viability assay, the results were double checked and HepG2 morphology was examined by optical microscopy. MALAT1 and H19 RQs were assessed by real time PCR (RT-PCR). Results show that in comparison with sorafenib impact on HepG2, high glucose status drops cellular viability to 83.13 % (p < 0.01). With hyperosmolar mannitol, it decreases cellular viability to 72.89 % (p < 0.001). Regarding the molecular impact, hyperosmolar mannitol with sorafenib elevates both MALAT1 and H19 RQs. Yet, high glucose status elevates MALAT1and declines H19 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 for MALAT1 and H19 comparisons respectively). Therefore, the impact of high glucose status could be, in part, attributed to the hyperosmolar stress it induces on HepG2. Also, hyperosmolar mannitol, owing to its cytotoxic impact, is recommended for further confirmatory studies either as a separate therapeutic or as an adjuvant to sorafenib.

Metabolic profiling as a powerful tool for the analysis of cellular alterations caused by 20 mycotoxins in HepG2 cells

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites which exhibit toxic effects in low concentrations. Several mycotoxins are described as carcinogenic or immunosuppressive, but their underlying modes of action especially on molecular level have not yet been entirely elucidated. Metabolic profiling as part of the omics methods is a powerful tool to study the toxicity and the mode of action of xenobiotics. The use of hydrophilic interaction chromatography in combination with targeted mass spectrometric detection enables the selective and sensitive analysis of more than 100 polar and ionic metabolites and allows the evaluation of metabolic alterations caused by xenobiotics such as mycotoxins. For metabolic profiling, the hepato-cellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was treated with sub-cytotoxic concentrations of 20 mycotoxins. Moniliformin and citrinin significantly affected target elements of the citric acid cycle, but also influenced glycolytic pathways and energy metabolism. Penitrem A, zearalenone, and T2 toxin mainly interfered with the urea cycle and the amino acid homeostasis. The formation of reactive oxygen species seemed to be influenced by T2 toxin and gliotoxin. Glycolysis was altered by ochratoxin A and DNA synthesis was affected by several mycotoxins. The observed effects were not limited to these metabolic reactions as the metabolic pathways are closely interrelated. In general, metabolic profiling proved to be a highly sensitive tool for hazard identification in comparison to single-target cytotoxicity assays as metabolic alterations were already observed at sub-toxic concentrations. Metabolic profiling could therefore be a powerful tool for the overall evaluation of the toxic properties of xenobiotics.

Etodolac Fortified Sodium Deoxycholate Stabilized Zein Nanoplatforms for Augmented Repositioning Profile in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Assessment of Bioaccessibility, Anti-Proliferation, Pro-Apoptosis and Oxidant Potentials in HepG2 Cells

This work aimed to enhance the purposing profile of Etodolac (ETD) in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) HepG2 cells using sodium deoxycholate stabilized zein nanospheres (ETD-SDZN NSs). ETD-SDZN NSs were formulated using the nan-precipitation method and were characterized, in particular, in terms of mean particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, colloidal stability and bioaccessibility. Estimations of cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, cell cycle progression, Annexin-V staining, mRNA expression of apoptotic genes and oxidative stress evaluations were conducted. The ETD-SDZN NSs selected formula obtained an average particle size of 113.6 ± 7.4 nm, a zeta potential value of 32.7 ± 2.3 mV, an encapsulation efficiency of 93.3 ± 5.2%, enhanced bioaccessibility and significantly reduced IC50 against HepG2 cells, by approximately 13 times. There was also enhanced cellular uptake, accumulation in G2-M phase and elevated percentage cells in pre-G1 phase, significant elevated mRNA expression of P53, significant reduced expression of Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with enhanced oxidative stress by reducing glutathione reductase (GR) level, ameliorated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lipid peroxidation outputs. ETD-SDZN NSs obtained a supreme cell death-inducing profile toward HepG2 cells compared to free ETD. The method of formulation was successful in acquiring the promising profile of ETD in HCC as a therapeutic molecule due to ameliorated cellular uptake, proapoptotic and oxidant potentials.

Cucurbitacin I exhibits anticancer efficacy through induction of apoptosis and modulation of JAK/STAT3, MAPK/ERK, and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways in HepG2 cell line

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common cancer type, especially among men. Although cucurbitacin I (CuI), widely found in plants belonging to the Ecballium elaterium (E. L) plant family, has been shown to have antitumorigenic properties in many cancer types, its anticancer effect, molecular mechanism, and apoptotic effect mediated by signal pathways on hepatocellular carcinoma have not been fully clarified. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer effect of CuI treated at different doses on the HepG2 cell line and the underlying mechanism in vitro. High-purity CuI was obtained from the E. elaterium plant with the aid of HPLC. The effects of this substance on the viability of cells were studied by the MTT assay. The effects of CuI on cell cycle progression and apoptosis were studied with flow cytometry. DNA breaks were analyzed by the Comet assay method. The proteins and genes involved in the JAK/STAT3, MAPK/ERK, and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways were investigated using Western blot and qRT-PCR, respectively. The results of this study demonstrated that CuI significantly reduced HepG2 cell growth in vitro, induced antiproliferation, and G2/M phase of the cell cycle was interrupted. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: CuI administration was shown to downregulate the levels of proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK, and JAK2/STAT3 cascades in HepG2 cells. CuI also reduced the expression of MAPK, STAT3, mTOR, JAK2, and Akt genes in different concentrations. DNA breaks are formed as a result of this effect. CuI, by reducing cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis, was found to have potential as a chemotherapeutic agent of hepatocellular carcinoma.

A simplified strategy to assess the cytotoxicity of new psychoactive substances in HepG2 cells using a high content screening assay - Exemplified for nine compounds

New psychoactive substances (NPS) are an issue of global concern posing a serious threat to the healthcare systems. Consumption of some NPS has been associated with toxic effects on the liver amongst others. However, data concerning their (cyto-)toxicity are usually not available. For a straightforward assessment of their cytotoxic potential, a simplified strategy measuring six different cytotoxicity indicating parameters simultaneously by a high content screening assay (HCSA) was developed. Its applicability was further investigated using nine NPS from heterogeneous chemical classes. HepG2 cells were incubated with NPS for 48 h at a low and high concentration (7.81 and 125 µM), respectively. To study metabolism-mediated effects on their cytotoxicity, cells were additionally incubated with the unspecific cytochrome (CYP) P450 inhibitor 1-aminobenzotriazole. Four fluorescence dyes were used to monitor cell count, nuclear size, and nuclear intensity (all Hoechst33342), mitochondrial membrane potential (TMRM), cytoplasmic calcium levels (CAL-520), and plasma membrane integrity (TOTO-3). Amongst the investigated NPS, ephylone, CUMYL-CBMICA, and dibutylone showed a strong cytotoxic potential, affecting two parameters at 7.81 µM. 5-MeO-MiPT showed moderate effects by impairing one parameter at 7.81 and one at 125 µM. Furthermore, at the high concentration of 5-MeO-MiPT, an effect of metabolism on cytotoxicity was observed. The HCSA confirmed the cytotoxic potential of ephylone and 5-MeO-MiPT, as the investigated concentrations were in the range of their published blood concentrations which induced liver damages after intake. The mitochondrial membrane potential was the parameter with the highest sensitivity and thus considered as suitable "cytobiomarker". In turn, parameters showing a high variability or unexpected effects such as cytosolic calcium levels and plasma membrane integrity might be omitted in the future. Even though 5-MeO-MiPT showed metabolism-based effects, HepG2 are known to have limited metabolic activity compared to cell lines such as HepaRG. Therefore, in further experiments cell lines with higher CYP-expression needs to be included and findings compared. Nevertheless, the simplified HCSA-based strategy allowed to screen NPS from diverse chemical groups for a first assessment of the cytotoxic properties of the parent compound. This information is crucial for a thorough risk assessment of NPS not only for public health authorities.

The alternative analog plasticizer BPS displays similar phenotypic and metabolomic responses to BPA in HepG2 and INS-1E cells

Bisphenols A (BPA) and S (BPS) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that affect energy metabolism, leading to impairment of glucose and lipid homeostasis. We aimed at identifying metabolic pathways regulated by both compounds in human liver cells and rat pancreatic β-cells that could impair energy homeostasis regulation. We assessed the effects on growth, proliferation, and viability of hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) and insulinoma (INS-1E) cells exposed to either BPA or BPS in a full range concentration between 0.001 and 100 μM. Both the dose and duration of exposure caused a differential response on growth and viability of both cells. Effects were more pronounced on HepG2, as these cells exhibited non-linear dose-responses following exposure to xenobiotics. For INS-1E, effect was observed only at the highest concentration. In addition, we profiled their intracellular state by untargeted metabolomics at 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure. This analysis revealed time- and dose-dependently molecular changes for HepG2 and INS-1E that were similar between BPA and BPS. Both increased levels of inflammatory mediators, such as metabolites pertaining to linolenic and linoleic acid metabolic pathway. In summary, this study shows that BPS also disrupts molecular functions in cells that regulate energy homeostasis, displaying similar but less pronounced responses than BPA.

Pre-clinical 2D and 3D toxicity response to a panel of nanomaterials; comparative assessment of NBM-induced liver toxicity

Nanobiomaterials, or NBMs, have been used in medicine and bioimaging for decades, with wide-reaching applications ranging from their uses as carriers of genes and drugs, to acting as sensors and probes. When developing nanomedicine products, it is vitally important to evaluate their safety, ensuring that both biocompatibility and efficacy are achieved so their applications in these areas can be safe and effective. When discussing the safety of nanomedicine in general terms, it is foolish to make generalised statements due to the vast array of different manufactured nanomaterials, formulated from a multitude of different materials, in many shapes and sizes; therefore, NBM pre-clinical screening can be a significant challenge. Outside of their distribution in the various tissues, organs and cells in the body, a key area of interest is the impact of NBMs on the liver. A considerable issue for researchers today is accurately predicting human-specific liver toxicity prior to clinical trials, with hepatotoxicity not only the most cited reasons for withdrawal of approved drugs, but also a primary cause of attrition in pre-launched drug candidates. To date, no simple solution to adequately predict these adverse effects exists prior to entering human experimentation. The limitations of the current pre-clinical toolkit are believed to be one of the main reasons for this, with questions being raised on the relevance of animal models in pre-clinical assessment, and over the ability of conventional, simplified in vitro cell–based assays to adequately assess new drug candidates or NBMs. Common 2D cell cultures are unable to adequately represent the functions of 3D tissues and their complex cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions, as well as differences found in diffusion and transport conditions. Therefore, testing NBM toxicity in conventional 2D models may not be an accurate reflection of the actual toxicity these materials impart on the body. One such method of overcoming these issues is the use of 3D cultures, such as cell spheroids, to more accurately assess NBM-tissue interaction. In this study, we introduce a 3D hepatocellular carcinoma model cultured from HepG2 cells to assess both the cytotoxicity and viability observed following treatment with a variety of NBMs, namely a nanostructured lipid carrier (in the specific technical name = LipImage^™ 815), a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) and a panel of polymeric (in the specific technical name = PACA) NBMs. This model is also in compliance with the 3Rs policy of reduction, refinement and replacement in animal experimentation [1], and meets the critical need for more advanced in vitro models for pre-clinical nanotoxicity assessment.

MgAl and ZnAl-Hydrotalcites as Materials for Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Formulations: Study of Their Cytotoxicity on Different Cell Lines

The knowledge about the effect of hydrotalcites (HTlcs), largely used in pharmaceutics, on non-malignant cell lines is limited. The effect of MgAl-HTlc-and ZnAl-HTlc- (NO3−/Cl−/CO32−) on the cell viability of HaCat, fibroblasts and HepG2 was studied by MTT assay. Cells were incubated either with HTlc suspensions in the culture media and with the supernatant obtained from the suspension being centrifuged. MgAl-HTlcs suspensions resulted in being cytotoxic. As SEM and TEM analyses showed the presence of sub-micrometric particles in all the MgAl-HTlc examined, it could be hypothesized that this fraction can be internalized into cells reducing the viability. MgAl-HTlc-NO3 is the most cytotoxic probably due to the additional effect of NO3− anions. ZnAl-HTlcs are cytotoxic, especially for HaCat and HepG2 cells (viability <60% at all the concentrations assayed). The effect is attributable both to the sub-micrometric fraction (identified by TEM) and to the high Zn2+ levels found in the culture medium by ICP-OES analysis, suggesting that ZnAl-HTlcs are less stable than MgAl-HTlc in the used media. The obtained results suggest that it is very important to perform ad hoc studies in order to evaluate HTlc safety before to be introduced in a formulation.

In vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity assessment of glyphosate and imazethapyr-based herbicides and their association

Resistance to glyphosate herbicide has initiated usage of combined application of herbicides as a weed control measure. Imazethapyr-based herbicides associated with glyphosate herbicide seem to be an alternative to suppress weed resistance. The aim of this study was to examine the adverse effects of Glyphosate Atanor 48® (ATN) and Imazethapyr Plus Nortox® (IMZT) formulations in both single forms and mixtures using HepG2 cells and zebrafish early-life stages models. Data demonstrated cytotoxicity due to exposure to ATN, IMZT for both models, as follows: (1) ATN (0.5 mg/L), IMZT (5 mg/L), and M3 (0.05 mg/L ATN + 5 mg/L IMZT) increased cytotoxicity by disturbing the mitochondrial activity of HepG2 cells 24 hr after exposure; (2) ATN and IMZT (5 mg/L), and M3 (0.05 mg/L ATN + 5 mg/L IMZT) also decreased the integrity of the membrane of HepG2 cells after 24 hr incubation; (3) only ATN and IMZT (5 mg/L) in their single forms diminished the mitochondrial potential of zebrafish; (4) ATN (single form) at 0.5 mg/L induced apoptosis in zebrafish larvae. In conclusion, these herbicides in their single forms appeared to produce greater cytotoxicity to HepG2 cells and zebrafish compared to the herbicide mixtures.

Anticancer Cytotoxic Activity of Bispidine Derivatives Associated with the Increasing Catabolism of Polyamines

Polyamine (PA) catabolism is often reduced in cancer cells. The activation of this metabolic pathway produces cytotoxic substances that might cause apoptosis in cancer cells. Chemical compounds able to restore the level of PA catabolism in tumors could become potential antineoplastic agents. The search for activators of PA catabolism among bicyclononan-9-ones is a promising strategy for drug development. The aim of the study was to evaluate the biological activity of new 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one derivatives that have antiproliferative properties by accelerating PA catabolism. Eight bispidine derivatives were synthetized and demonstrated the ability to activate PA catabolism in regenerating rat liver homogenates. However, only three of them demonstrated a potent ability to decrease the viability of cancer cells in the MTT assay. Compounds 4c and 4e could induce apoptosis more effectively in cancer HepG2 cells rather than in normal WI-38 fibroblasts. The lead compound 4e could significantly enhance cancer cell death, but not the death of normal cells if PAs were added to the cell culture media. Thus, the bispidine derivative 4e 3-(3-methoxypropyl)-7-[3-(1H-piperazin-1-yl)ethyl]-3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane could become a potential anticancer drug substance whose mechanism relies on the induction of PA catabolism in cancer cells.

Antioxidant mechanism of a newly found phenolic compound from adlay (NDPS) in HepG2 cells via Nrf2 signalling

An in-depth understanding of the bioactive mechanism of phytochemicals has a good guiding value for the design of related functional foods. Herein, the effect of N¹, N⁵- di-[(E)-p-coumaroyl]-spermidine (NDPS) originated from adlay on protecting HepG2 cells from oxidative stress was evaluated by MTT assay, western blot and qRT-PCR. After pre-treatment of NDPS, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase and heme oxygenase-1) were increased, as well as the level of proteins and gene expressions were elevated. Moreover, the γ-GCS, HO-1, SOD and GPx protein level were enhanced for the cells with NDPS treatment compared to both positive control and negative control groups. These findings suggested that NDPS could protect HepG2 cells from oxidative stress by increasing the antioxidant enzymes regulated by Nrf2/ARE pathway.

Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP): A flame retardant in solid waste display hepatotoxic and carcinogenic risks for humans

Recent reports have confirmed that tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP), an organophosphorous flame retardants (OPFRs), profoundly detected in the dust from solid waste (SW), e-waste dumping sites, landfills, and wastewater treatment facilities. Herein, we evaluated the hepatotoxic and carcinogenic potential of TBEP in human liver cells (HepG2). HepG2 cells exhibited cytotoxicity after 3 days of exposure, especially at greater concentrations (100-400 μM). TBEP induced severe DNA damage and cell cycle disturbances that trigger apoptosis in HepG2. TBEP treated cells showed an elevated level of esterase, nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and influx of Ca²⁺ in exposed cells. Thereby, causing oxidative stress and proliferation inhibition. TBEP exposed HepG2 cells exhibited dysfunction in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated cytoplasmic and nucleolar localization of DNA damage (P53) and apoptotic (caspase 3 and 9) proteins in HepG2 grown in the presence of TBEP for 3 days. Within the cohort of 84 genes of cancer pathway, 10 genes were upregulated and 3 genes were downregulated. The transcriptomic and toxicological data categorically emphasize that TBEP is hepatotoxic, and act as a putative carcinogenic agent. Thereby, direct or indirect ingestion of TBEP containing dusts by workers involved in handling and disposal of SW, as well as residents living nearby the disposal areas are prone to its adverse health risks.

Evaluating nanobiomaterial-induced DNA strand breaks using the alkaline comet assay

Due to their unique chemical and physical properties, nanobiomaterials (NBMs) are extensively studied for applications in medicine and drug delivery. Despite these exciting properties, their small sizes also make them susceptible to toxicity. Whilst nanomaterial immunotoxicity and cytotoxicity are studied in great depth, there is still limited data on their potential genotoxicity or ability to cause DNA damage. In the past years, new medical device regulations, which came into place in 2020, were developed, which require the assessment of long-term NBM exposure; therefore, in recent years, increased attention is being paid to genotoxicity screening of these materials. In this article, and through an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) study conducted within the Horizon 2020 REFINE project, we assess five different NBM formulations, each with different uses, namely, a bio-persistent gold nanoparticle (AuNP), an IR-780 dye-loaded liposome which is used in deep tissue imaging (LipImage™815), an unloaded PACA polymeric nanoparticle used as a drug delivery system (PACA), and two loaded PACA NBMs, i.e. the cabazitaxel drug-loaded PACA (CBZ-PACA) and the NR668 dye-loaded PACA (NR668 PACA) for their potential to cause DNA strand breaks using the alkaline comet assay and discuss the current state of genotoxicity testing for nanomaterials. We have found through our interlaboratory comparison that the alkaline comet assay can be suitably applied to the pre-clinical assessment of NBMs, as a reproducible and repeatable methodology for assessing NBM-induced DNA damage.

Investigation and Biological Assessment of Rumex vesicarius L. Extract: Characterization of the Chemical Components and Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, and Anti-Dengue Vector Activity

The objective of this study was to assess the biological potency and chemical composition of Rumex vesicarius aboveground parts using GC-MS. In this approach, 44 components were investigated, comprising 99.99% of the total volatile compounds. The major components were classified as fatty acids and lipids (51.36%), oxygenated hydrocarbons (33.59%), amines (7.35%), carbohydrates (6.06%), steroids (1.21%), and alkaloids (0.42%). The major components were interpreted as 1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yl oleate (oxygenated hydrocarbons, 18.96%), ethyl 2-hydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylate (ester of fatty acid, 17.56%), and 2-propyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-ol (oxygenated hydrocarbons, 11.18%). The DPPH antioxidant activity of the extracted components of R. vesicarius verified that the shoot extract was the most potent with IC₅₀ = 28.89 mg/L, with the percentages of radical scavenging activity at 74.28% ± 3.51%. The extracted plant, on the other hand, showed substantial antibacterial activity against the diverse bacterial species, namely, Salmonella typhi (23.46 ± 1.69), Bacillus cereus (22.91 ± 0.96), E. coli (21.07 ± 0.80), and Staphylococcus aureus (17.83 ± 0.67). In addition, the extracted plant was in vitro assessed as a considerable anticancer agent on HepG2 cells, in which MTT, cell proliferation cycle, and DNA fragmentation assessments were applied on culture and treated cells. The larvicidal efficacy of the extracted plant was also evaluated against Aedes aegypti, the dengue disease vector. As a result, we may infer that R. vesicarius extract increased cytocompatibility and cell migratory capabilities, and that it may be effective in mosquito control without causing harm.

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Provoke Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Knocking Down the STAT3 Activated Signaling Pathway: In Vivo and In Vitro Study

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common type of liver cancer and is a leading cause of death worldwide. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is involved in HCC progression, migration, and suppression of apoptosis. This study investigates the apoptotic effect of the dietary antioxidant (n-3 PUFAs) on HepG2 cells and analyzes the underlying molecular mechanisms of this effect both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo study: Seventy-five adult male albino rats were divided into three groups (n = 25): Group I (control): 0.9% normal saline, intraperitoneal. Group II: N-Nitrosodiethylamine (200 mg/kg b.wt) intraperitoneal, followed by phenobarbital 0.05% in drinking water. Group III: as group II followed by n-3 PUFAs intubation (400 mg/kg/day). In vivo study: liver specimens for biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examination. In vitro study: MTT assay, cell morphology, PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis. n-3 PUFAs significantly improved the histopathologic features of HCC and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins. Further, HepG2 cells proliferation was suppressed through inhibition of the STAT3 signaling pathway, cyclin D1, and Bcl-2 activity. Here we report that n-3 PUFAs may be an ideal cancer chemo-preventive candidate by targeting STAT3 signaling, which is involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Identification of seven undescribed cucurbitacins in Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and their cytotoxic activity

Cucurbitacin C-type cucurbitacins that are only identified in Cucumis sativus (cucumber) are, in part, responsible for the health benefits and bitter flavor. Nevertheless, detailed information about those functional ingredients in cucumber is scarce. In this study, ten cucurbitacin C analogues including seven undescribed ones have been isolated from the bitter leaves of cucumber, in which six compounds showed growth inhibition capabilities against tumor cell lines HepG2, A549, DU145 and HCT116. Intriguingly, cucurbitacin C6 and C7 exhibited a significant inhibition effect compared to the positive control taxol (IC₅₀ = 1.86 ± 0.17 μM) on HepG2 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 10.06 ± 0.34 μM and 4.16 ± 0.42 μM, respectively. The mechanism of cucurbitacin-induced apoptosis is likely down-regulating the expression of caspase-related proteins. This work enlarges the knowledge of the cucurbitacins in cucumber and highlights the importance of cucumber as a source of specialized metabolites in the food and medicinal industries.

Livogrit Prevents Methionine-Cystine Deficiency Induced Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis by Modulation of Steatosis and Oxidative Stress in Human Hepatocyte-Derived Spheroid and in Primary Rat Hepatocytes

The prevalence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), characterized by fatty liver, oxidative injury, and inflammation, has considerably increased in the recent years. Due to the complexity of NASH pathogenesis, compounds which can target different mechanisms and stages of NASH development are required. A robust screening model with translational capability is also required to develop therapies targeting NASH. In this study, we used HepG2 spheroids and rat primary hepatocytes to evaluate the potency of Livogrit, a tri-herbal Ayurvedic prescription medicine, as a hepatoprotective agent. NASH was developed in the cells via methionine and cystine-deficient cell culture media. Livogrit at concentration of 30 µg/mL was able to prevent NASH development by decreasing lipid accumulation, ROS production, AST release, NFκB activation and increasing lipolysis, GSH (reduced glutathione), and mitochondrial membrane potential. This study suggests that Livogrit might reduce the lipotoxicity-mediated ROS generation and subsequent production of inflammatory mediators as evident from the increased gene expression of FXR, FGF21, CHOP, CXCL5, and their normalization due to Livogrit treatment. Taken together, Livogrit showed the potential as a multimodal therapeutic formulation capable of attenuating the development of NASH. Our study highlights the potential of Livogrit as a hepatoprotective agent with translational possibilities.

Probing the Mechanism of Action of Cry41Aa on HepG2 through the Establishment of a Resistant Subline

Cry41Aa, also called parasporin-3, belongs to a group of toxins from the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis that show activity against human cancer cells. Cry41Aa exhibits preferential cytocidal activity towards HL-60 (human promyelocytic leukaemia cells) and HepG2 (human liver cancer cells) cell lines after being proteolytically activated. To better understand the mechanism of action of Cry41Aa, we evolved resistance in HepG2 cells through repeated exposure to increasing doses of the toxin. Concentrations of Cry41Aa that killed over 50% of the parental HepG2 cells had no significant effect on the viability of the resistant cells and did not induce either pore formation or p38 phosphorylation (both characteristic features of pore-forming toxins). Preliminary RNA sequencing data identified AQP9 as a potential mediator of resistance, but extensive investigations failed to show a causal link and did not support an enhanced cell repair process as the resistance mechanism.

Exploring the Therapeutic Potentials of Exopolysaccharides Derived From Lactic Acid Bacteria and Bifidobacteria: Antioxidant, Antitumor, and Periodontal Regeneration

The metabolites of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria (Bb) have recently received a lot of attention due to their ability to protect interactions in blood and tissues, as well as their biodegradability and biocompatibility in human tissue. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) derived from bacteria have a long history of use in therapeutic and other industrial applications with no adverse effects. In this regard, EPSs were isolated and characterized from LAB and Bb culture supernatants to determine their antioxidant, antitumor, and periodontal regeneration properties. The antioxidant capacity of the EPSs varied with concentration (0.625-20 mg/ml). The highest antioxidant activity was found in LAB: Streptococcus thermophiles DSM 24731-EPS1, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus DSM 20081T-EPS5, Limosilactobacillus fermentum DSM 20049-EPS6, and Bb; Bifidobacterium longum ssp. longum DSM 200707-EPS10. Human breast cancer cells (MCF7), human colon cancer cells (CaCo2), human liver cancer cells (HepG2), and human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells were used as controls to assess the antitumor properties of the selected EPSs. According to the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide (MTT) assay, EPS5 had the highest cytotoxicity against MCF7, CaCo2, and HepG2, with IC50 values of 7.91, 10.69, and 9.12 mg/ml, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was significantly higher in cell lines treated with EPS5-IC50 values compared to other EPSs-IC50 values (p < 0.05). Real time (RT)-PCR results showed that EPS5 treatment increased Bax, Caspase 8, Caspase 3, and p53 gene expression. The expression of the BCL2, MCL1, and Vimentin genes, on the other hand, was reduced. The MTT test was used to examine the effect of EPS5 on the viability of human periodontal ligament fibroblast cells (hPDLFCs), and it was discovered that EPS5 increased hPDLFC viability. According to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, galactose made up 12.5% of EPS5. The findings of this study pave the way for the use of EPS, which hold great promise for a variety of therapeutic purposes such as antioxidant, antitumor, and periodontal regeneration.

In vitro galactose-targeted study of RSPP050-loaded micelles against liver hepatocellular carcinoma

Andrographolide is in a group of diterpenoid lactone isolated from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) NEES. One of the analogs is 19-O-triphenylmethylandrographolide (RSPP050) which possesses anticancer activity. In seeking to capitalise on the last property, we have investigated the in vitro tumour targeting capabilities and MRI imaging for hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, we have designed galactose-targeted and non-targeted micelles comprised of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide) that enveloped RSPP050 as an anticancer agent and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) as a contrast agent. The targeting abilities were endeavored by examining the cellular uptake with MTT assay, fluorescence microscopy, Prussian blue staining, and in vitro MRI. Targeted SPIO micelles as a T₂* contrast agent decreased the relative T2* MRI intensity at 3 h. Results revealed that galactose micelles displayed 10.91 ± 0.19% drug loading content, -37.17 ± 0.63 mV zeta potential, and these micelles at the concentration of 0.5 µg/ml exhibited higher cytotoxicity than non-targeted micelles and free RSPP050 after incubation for 24 h. Fluorescence microscopy and Prussian blue staining at 3 h demonstrated significant cellular uptake by HepG2 cells. Thus, anticancer activity of RSPP050 could be improved using galactose as a targeting ligand and theranostic function was achieved using SPIO.

Metformin reduces lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells via downregulation of miR-33b

INTRODUCTION

Here, we aimed to investigate whether the beneficial effects of metformin on lipid accumulation is mediated through regulation of miR-33b.

METHODS

The expression of the genes and miRNAs and protein levels were evaluated using real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. To investigate the potential role of miR-33b in lipid accumulation, the mimic of the miR-33b was transfected into HepG2 cells.

RESULTS

We found that metformin reduces high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells through inhibiting of SREBP1c and FAS and increasing the expression of CPT1 and CROT. Overexpression of miR-33b significantly prevented the decreasing effect of metformin on lipid content and intra and extra triglyceride levels. Importantly, miR-33b mimic inhibited the increasing effects of metformin on the expression of CPT1 and CROT.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that metformin attenuates high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cell by downregulating the expression of miR-33b.

[Sagittaria sagittifolia polysaccharides regulates Nrf2/HO-1 to relieve liver injury caused by multiple heavy metals in vivo and in vitro]

This study explored whether Sagittaria sagittifolia polysaccharides(SSP) activates the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) signaling pathway to protect against liver damage jointly induced by multiple heavy metals. First, based on the proportion of dietary intake of six heavy metals in rice available in Beijing market, a heavy metal mixture was prepared for inducing mouse liver injury and HepG2 cell injury. Forty male Kunming mice were divided into five groups: control group, model group, glutathione positive control group, and low-and high-dose SSP groups, with eight mice in each group. After 30 days of intragastric administration, the liver injury in mice was observed by HE staining. In the in vitro experiment, MTT assay was conducted to detect the effects of SSP at 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg·mL~(-1) on HepG2 cell survival at different time points. The content of alanine transaminase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) in the 48-h cell culture fluid was measured using micro-plate cultivation method, followed by the detection of the change in reactive oxygen species(ROS) content by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 in cells were determined by RT-PCR, and their protein expression by Western blot. HE staining results showed that compared with the model group, the SSP administration groups exhibited significantly alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and fatty infiltration in the liver, with better outcomes observed in the high-dose SSP group. In the in vitro MTT assay, compared with the model group, SSP at four concentrations all significantly increased the cell survival rate, decreased the ALT, AST, and ROS content(P&lt;0.05), and down-regulated Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA and protein expression(P&lt;0.05). SSP significantly improves inflammatory infiltration in the liver tissue of mice exposed to a variety of heavy metals and corrects the liver fat degeneration, which may be related to its regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, reduction of ROS, and alleviation of oxidative damage.

Rational deuteration of dronedarone attenuates its toxicity in human hepatic HepG2 cells

Deuteration is a chemical modification strategy that has recently gained traction in drug development. The replacement of one or more hydrogen atom(s) in a drug molecule with its heavier stable isotope deuterium can enhance its metabolic stability and pharmacokinetic properties. However, it remains uninterrogated if rational deuteration at bioactivation "hot-spots" could attenuate its associated toxicological consequences. Here, our preliminary screening with benzofuran antiarrhythmic agents first revealed that dronedarone and its major metabolite N-desbutyldronedarone elicited a greater loss of viability and cytotoxicity in human hepatoma G2 (HepG2) cells as compared with amiodarone and its corresponding metabolite N-desethylamiodarone. A comparison of dronedarone and its in-house synthesized deuterated analogue (termed poyendarone) demonstrated that deuteration could attenuate its in vitro toxicity in HepG2 cells by modulating the extent of mitochondrial dysfunction, reducing the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, and evoking a distinct apoptotic kinetic signature. Furthermore, although pretreatment with the CYP3A inducer rifampicin or the substitution of glucose with galactose in the growth media significantly augmented the loss of cell viability elicited by dronedarone and poyendarone, a lower loss of cell viability was consistently observed in poyendarone across all concentrations. Taken together, our preliminary investigations suggested that the rational deuteration of dronedarone at its benzofuran ring reduces aberrant cytochrome P450 3A4/5-mediated bioactivation, which attenuated its mitochondrial toxicity in human hepatic HepG2 cells.

Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes improves glucose and lipid metabolism and liver injury in high fructose-induced mice

Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes, as a traditional medicinal and edible plant used in Tibet, China, is used to treat hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and liver diseases. In recent decades, excessive fructose intake with diet has greatly increased the occurrence of a series of metabolic diseases including obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of an ethanol extract of M. toringoides (EMT) on glucose and lipid metabolism and liver injury in high fructose-induced mice. The C57BL/6J male mice were orally administrated with 30% fructose solution for 8 weeks, and EMT was given orally for another 8 weeks. The level of liver lipids related parameters, hepatic oxidative stress, and inflammatory mediators was detected by the kits. The improving effects of EMT on liver injury and lipid accumulation of mice were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and Oil Red O staining. In vitro, the hypolipidemic effect of EMT on palmitic acid-induced HepG2 cells was detected by the kits and Oil Red O staining. Our results showed that EMT has the hypolipidemic effect in vivo and in vitro, and can improve liver injury caused by fructose intake though ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Thus, we suggested that EMT may be a candidate therapeutic agent to improve a series of metabolic diseases including obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Our study was aimed to find a novel candidate drug for liver diseases using natural products. We assessed the protective effects of Malus toringoides (Rehd.) Hughes in the pathogenesis of glucose and lipid metabolism. In vivo, the plant significantly improved the disorder of blood lipid and blood glucose, and liver injury in mice induced by fructose, and in vitro, this plant significantly improved the lipid accumulation of HepG2 cells induced by palmitic acid. To sum up, our studies suggested that the plant may be beneficial in the prevention and management of diet-induced abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism and liver diseases. Therefore, it will be a candidate therapeutic agent to improve liver diseases.

A rare isoflavone-quinone and a new flavanone from the roots of Dalbergia stipulacea Roxb

Two previously undescribed compounds, namely dalpulapans F and G (1 and 2), along with 11 known compounds were isolated from the MeOH crude extract of the roots of Dalbergia stipulacea. Dalpulapan F was found as a rare isoflavone-quinone derivative. Their structures and absolute configurations were supported by extensive spectroscopic data analysis, including 1 D and 2 D NMR, HRESIMS data, specific rotation data, and comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD data. Cytotoxicity evaluation of the isolated compounds against HepG2 and KKU-M156 cell lines revealed that isoflavonoid 9 and rotenoid 13 exhibited the most activity against the two cell lines.