Anticancer drugs from traditional toxic Chinese medicines

Ethanolic extract of Brucea javanica inhibit proliferation of HCT-116 colon cancer cells via caspase activation

Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. is a well-known plant in Chinese System of Medicine. Its fruits and seeds have been reported to possess curative properties against various ailments. The chemical constituents and biological activity of this plant have been an interesting area in plant and chemistry medicine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of the B. javanica extract against a colon cancer cell line and identification of the chemical components derived from the extract. An ethanolic extract from B. javanica fruits was prepared by cold maceration method, subjected to LC-MS profiling to elucidate the composition abbreviated as BJEE. The extract was screened for the cytotoxicity effects on HCT-116 colon cancer cells via MTT and LDH methods. Additionally, AO/PI staining verified apoptosis features in HCT-116 cells through microscopic analysis. ROS, caspase activity, and gene expression has been performed to identify its possible mechanism of actions which contribute to apoptosis. Output data from this study showed BJEE inhibited the cell proliferation of HCT-116 colon cancer cells at IC50 value of 8.9 ± 1.32 (μg mL-1) and significantly increased the levels of caspase-8, 9, and 3/7 in treated cells in comparison to untreated. The changes in expression of caspase genes and some apoptosis genes like Bax and Bcl-2 were confirmed using RT-PCR. Phytochemical analysis by LC-MS identified six major active compounds (bruceine D, isobrucein A, quassimarin, C16 sphinganine, phytosphingosine, and enigmol) in BJEE that may play a key role in cell apoptosis. The current study showed BJEE could be a promising agent for colorectal cancer therapy by significant increase in caspase activity level, and up-regulation of the specific apoptotic genes.

A new agent developed by biotransformation of polyphyllin VII inhibits chemoresistance in breast cancer

Biotransformation by the endophytes of certain plants changes various compounds, and this ‘green’ chemistry becomes increasingly important for finding new products with pharmacological activity. In this study, polyphyllin VII (PPL7) was biotransformed by endophytes from the medicinal plant Paris polyphylla Smith, var. yunnanensis. This produced a new compound, ZH-2, with pharmacological activity in vitro and in vivo. ZH-2 was more potent than PPL7 in selectively killing more chemoresistant than chemosensitive breast cancer cells. ZH-2 also re-sensitized chemoresistant breast cancer cells, as evidenced by the improved anti-cancer activity of commonly-used chemotherapeutic agent in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical samples. This anti-chemoresistance effect of ZH-2 was associated with inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. Taken together, our findings are the first one to link biotransformation with a biomedicine. The results provide insights into developing new pharmacologically-active agents via biotransformation by endophytes.

Mechanisms of inhibiting human leukemia cell lines by serum of rats treated with compound banmao capsule

Compound banmao capsule (CBC) is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula composed of extracts from 11 organisms. The present study investigated the mechanism of CBC on the biological behavior of human leukemia cell lines using seropharmacological methods. CBC-containing rat serum was prepared by intragastrical administration of CBC to rats. The proliferation of human leukemia HL60 and K562 cell lines was assayed by measuring cell viability with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium method, while cell cycle distribution and the rate of apoptosis were evaluated with flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and chemotactic and inflammatory genes in human leukemia cell lines was examined using reverse transcription quantitative-polymerase chain reaction methods. It was revealed that the proliferation of K562 and HL60 cells was significantly inhibited by the CBC-containing rat serum at 72 h. The CBC-containing serum also promoted the apoptosis of K562 and HL60 cell lines. The CBC-containing serum altered the cell cycle progression of K562 and HL60, increasing the proportion of the cells in G1 phase and decreasing the proportion of the cells in S phase. Attenuated expression of VEGF-A and a decreasing trend in the expression of chemotactic and inflammatory genes were identified following treatment with CBC-containing serum in HL60 and K562 cells. In conclusion, CBC-containing serum exerted an inhibitory effect on the growth of K562 and HL60 cells by decreasing cellular proliferation, promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and decreasing the expression of VEGF-A, and chemotactic and inflammatory genes.

Properties of realgar bioleaching using an extremely acidophilic bacterium and its antitumor mechanism as an anticancer agent

Realgar is a naturally occurring arsenic sulfide (or Xionghuang, in Chinese). It contains over 90% tetra-arsenic tetra-sulfide (As4S4). Currently, realgar has been confirmed the antitumor activities, both in vitro and in vivo, of realgar extracted using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans). Bioleaching, a new technology to greatly improve the use rate of arsenic extraction from realgar using bacteria, is a novel methodology that addressed a limitation of the traditional method for realgar preparation. The present systematic review reports on the research progress in realgar bioleaching and its antitumor mechanism as an anticancer agent. A total of 93 research articles that report on the biological activity of extracts from realgar using bacteria and its preparation were presented in this review. The realgar bioleaching solution (RBS) works by inducing apoptosis when it is used to treat tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. When it is used to treat animal model organisms in vivo, such as mice and Caenorhabditis elegans, tumor tissues grew more slowly, with mass necrosis. Meanwhile, the agent also showed obvious inhibition of tumor cell growth. Bioleaching technology greatly improves the utilization of realgar and is a novel methodology to improve the traditional method.

Development of a Novel Electrochemical Sensor for Determination of Matrine in Sophora flavescens

A simple and sensitive electrochemical sensor fabricated with graphene nanosheets (GNs) and a hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was developed for the determination of matrine (MT). The as-prepared electrode (GNs/HA/GCE) was verified to outperform bare a GCE and GNs-modified electrode with increased oxidation peak currents and the decreased over-potential in the redox process of MT, indicating the great enhancement of electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of MT by the composite of GNs and HA. Under the optimized conditions, the oxidation peak currents were related linearly with the concentration of MT, ranging from 2 μM to 3 mM, and the detection limit (S/N = 3) was 1.2 μM. In addition, the proposed electrochemical sensor can be successfully applied in the quantitative determination of MT in Sophora flavescens extract.

Phenylethanoid Glycosides from Cistanche tubulosa Inhibits the Growth of B16-F10 Cells both in Vitro and in Vivo by Induction of Apoptosis via Mitochondria-dependent Pathway

Cistanche tubulosa phenylethanoid glycosides (CTPG) have been shown various biological activities including anti-allergy, hepatoprotective activity and bone regeneration. However, the anti-tumor activity of CTPG needs to be investigated. CTPG was used to treat B16-F10 cells both in vitro and in vivo. We found that CTPG dramatically changed the morphology of B16-F10 cells, and significantly reduced the viability of B16-F10 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, which might be mediated by CTPG-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. After CTPG treatment, the expressions of BAX and BCL-2 were up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively. Moreover, mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced and ROS generation was increased. Consequently, the levels of cytochrome c and cleaved-caspase-3 and -9 were up-regulated by CTPG treatment but not for cleaved-caspase-8. We further observed that CTPG significantly inhibited the tumor growth in vivo and improved the survival rate of tumor mice. We also observed that CTPG promoted the proliferation of splenocytes and increased the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in spleens of tumor mice. The results showed that CTPG induced the apoptosis of B16-F10 cells through mitochondria-dependent pathway, suggesting that CTPG could be a potential candidate for treatment of cancer.

Inhibition of diethylnitrosamine-induced liver cancer in rats by Rhizoma paridis saponin

Rhizoma Paridis saponin (RPS) had been regarded as the main active components responsible for the anti-tumor effects of the herb Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis (Franch.) Hand.-Mazz. In the present research, we set up a rat model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced hepatoma to evaluate antitumor effect of RPS. After 20 weeks treatment, rats were sacrificed to perform histopathological examinations, liver function tests, oxidative stress assays and so forth. As a result, DEN-induced hepatoma formation. RPS alleviated levels of liver injury through inhibiting liver tissues of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) formation, increasing superoxide dismutases (SOD) production, and up-regulating expression of GST-α/μ/π in DEN-induced rats. All in all, RPS would be a potent agent inhibiting chemically induced liver cancer in the prospective application.

Antiproliferative Activity and Cellular Uptake of Evodiamine and Rutaecarpine Based on 3D Tumor Models

Evodiamine (EVO) and rutaecarpine (RUT) are promising anti-tumor drug candidates. The evaluation of the anti-proliferative activity and cellular uptake of EVO and RUT in 3D multicellular spheroids of cancer cells would better recapitulate the native situation and thus better reflect an in vivo response to the treatment. Herein, we employed the 3D culture of MCF-7 and SMMC-7721 cells based on hanging drop method and evaluated the anti-proliferative activity and cellular uptake of EVO and RUT in 3D multicellular spheroids, and compared the results with those obtained from 2D monolayers. The drugs’ IC₅₀ values were significantly increased from the range of 6.4–44.1 μM in 2D monolayers to 21.8–138.0 μM in 3D multicellular spheroids, which may be due to enhanced mass barrier and reduced drug penetration in 3D models. The fluorescence of EVO and RUT was measured via fluorescence spectroscopy and the cellular uptake of both drugs was characterized in 2D tumor models. The results showed that the cellular uptake concentrations of RUT increased with increasing drug concentrations. However, the EVO concentrations uptaken by the cells showed only a small change with increasing drug concentrations, which may be due to the different solubility of EVO and Rut in solvents. Overall, this study provided a new vision of the anti-tumor activity of EVO and RUT via 3D multicellular spheroids and cellular uptake through the fluorescence of compounds.

Nujiangexathone A, a novel compound from Garcinia nujiangensis, suppresses cervical cancer growth by targeting hnRNPK

Cervical cancer is among the most frequently diagnosed cancers in females worldwide. Nujiangexathone A (NJXA), a novel compound from Garcinia nujiangensis, has been shown to have anti-cancer potential. In this study, the anti-tumor effects and the underlying mechanisms of NJXA action were investigated. Our results suggested that NJXA induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in HeLa and SiHa cells by down-regulating cyclins B1, E1, and A and cyclin-dependent kinases 2, 4 and 6, while selectively restoring p27. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we showed that NJXA reduced the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNPK) by accelerating ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent hnRNPK degradation, which then induced cell cycle arrest through the c-Myc-cyclin/Cdk-Rb-E2F1 pathway. The loss-of-function study showed NJXA induced cell cycle arrest was mediated by down regulation of hnRNPK protein. In vivo results further confirmed the tumor inhibitory effect of NJXA via the down-regulation of hnRNPK, and NJXA induced no apparent toxicity. Our study suggests that NJXA may be a novel anti-cancer drug candidate, especially for treating cancers with abnormally high hnRNPK expression.

Utilization of metabonomics to identify serum biomarkers in murine H22 hepatocarcinoma and deduce antitumor mechanism of Rhizoma Paridis saponins

Murine H22 hepatocarcinoma model is so popular to be used for the preclinical anticancer candidate's evaluation. However, the metabolic biomarkers of this model were not identified. Meanwhile, Rhizoma Paridis saponins (RPS) as natural products have been found to show strong antitumor activity, while its anti-cancer mechanism is not clear. To search for potential metabolite biomarkers of this model, serum metabonomics approach was applied to detect the variation of metabolite biomarkers and the related metabolism genes and signaling pathway were used to deduce the antitumor mechanisms of RPS. As a result, ten serum metabolites were identified in twenty-four mice including healthy mice, non-treated cancer mice, RPS-treated cancer mice and RPS-treated healthy mice. RPS significantly decreased tumor weight correlates to down-regulating lactate, acetate, N-acetyl amino acid and glutamine signals (p < 0.05), which were marked metabolites screened according to the very important person (VIP), loading plot and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) tests. For the analysis of metabolic enzyme related genes, RPS reversed the aerobic glycolysis through activating tumor suppressor p53 and PTEN, and suppressed FASN to inhibit lipogenesis. What's more, RPS repressed Myc and GLS expression and decreased glutamine level. The regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR and HIF-1α/Myc/Ras networks also participated in these metabolic changes. Taken together, RPS suppressed ATP product made the tumor growth slow, which indicated a good anti-cancer effect and new angle for understanding the mechanism of RPS. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the utility of (1)H NMR metabolic profiles taken together with tumor weight and viscera index was a promising screening tool for evaluating the antitumor effect of candidates. In addition, RPS was a potent anticancer agent through inhibiting cancer cellular metabolism to suppress proliferation in hepatoma H22 tumor murine, which promoted the application of RPS in the future.

Aqueous Extract of Paris polyphylla (AEPP) Inhibits Ovarian Cancer via Suppression of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Gamma Coactivator (PGC)-1alpha

Chemotherapy, a major approach was used in carcinoma treatment, always involves the development of drug resistance as well as side-effects that affect the quality of patients’ lives. An association between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and chemotherapy resistance was established recently. We demonstrate in this paper that the aqueous extract of Paris polyphylla (AEPP)—a traditional Chinese medicine—can be used in various cancer types for suppression of carcinogenesis. We evaluated the suppressions of EMT and mitochondrial activity by AEPP treatment in a high-glucose (HG) induced-human ovarian carcinoma cell line (OVCAR-3 cells). The mitochondrial morphology was investigated using MitoTracker Deep Red FM staining. Our results indicated that AEPP reduced the viability of OVCAR-3 cells considerably through induction of apoptosis. However, this inhibitory potential of AEPP was attenuated by HG induction in OVCAR-3 cells. The levels of estrogen-related receptor (ERR)-alpha activator and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1alpha were elevated by HG induction, but were suppressed by AEPP treatment. Down-regulations of cell survival and EMT were oberved in OVCAR-3 cells through suppression of PGC-1alpha by AEPP treatment. These results were confirmed through PGC-1alpha knockdown and overexpression in OVCAR-3 cells. Thus, AEPP can be beneficial for treating ovarian cancer and has potential for development of an integrative cancer therapy against ovarian cancer proliferation, metastasis, and migration.

Novel cycloartane triterpenoid from Cimicifuga foetida (Sheng ma) induces mitochondrial apoptosis via inhibiting Raf/MEK/ERK pathway and Akt phosphorylation in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells

Background

Cycloartane triterpenoids exhibited anticancer effects. This study aims to identify any potential novel anticancer cycloartane triterpenoids from Cimicifuga foetida L. rhizome (Sheng ma) and the mode of actions.

Methods

Cycloartane triterpenoids were isolated from the C. foetida rhizome by a series of column chromatography and identified by IR, MS and NMR. Their anticancer effects on several human cancer cell lines, MCF-7, HepG2, HepG2/ADM, HeLa, and PC3, and normal human mammary epithelial cells MCF10A were investigated by colony formation and MTT assays. Morphological analysis of apoptosis induction was performed by acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual-staining and Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining. The cell-cycle profile and annexin V staining were evaluated by flow cytometry. Apoptosis were investigated by measuring changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and analyzing expression of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related proteins in MCF-7 cells by Western blotting.

Results

A novel cycloartane triterpenoid, 25-O-acetyl-7,8-didehydrocimigenol-3-O-β-d-(2-acetyl)xylopyranoside (ADHC-AXpn), together with the known 7,8-didehydrocimigenol-3-O-β-d-xylopyranoside (DHC-Xpn) were isolated. MCF-7 growth was significantly inhibited by ADHC-AXpn in a dose- and time-dependent manner (IC₅₀: 27.81 µM at 48 h; P = 0.004 vs. control at 25 μM for 48 h treatment), and ADHC-AXpn was selectively cytotoxic for cancerous cells (MCF-7, HepG2/ADM, HepG2 and HELA cells) based on its higher IC₅₀ values for normal cells MCF10A (IC₅₀: 78.63 µM at 48 h) than for tumor cells. In MCF-7 cells, ADHC-AXpn induced G₂/M cell cycle arrest by mediating cyclin-B1, and CDK1 and its phosphorylation; and induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway, with inhibition of Akt activation. As ADHC-AXpn suppressed phosphorylation of ERK1/2, Raf and Akt proteins in MCF-7 cells, its apoptotic effect might be associated with Raf/MEK/ERK signaling and Akt activation.

Conclusions

ADHC-AXpn significantly suppressed the growth of MCF-7 cells, induced mitochondrial apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest, and inhibited Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway and Akt phosphorylation.

Synthesis of the aglycon of aspafiliosides E and F based on cascade reactions

Herein, we describe an efficient synthesis of C17α-OH-tigogenin, which is the aglycon of aspafiliosides E and F. The synthesis features three cascade processes, which involve the iodo-lactonization of furostan-26-acid, a cascade hydrolysis/intramolecular S_N2 process, and a cascade intramolecular redox-ketalization process.

Toxicological risks of Rhizoma paridis saponins in rats involved NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling

The aim of the study is to evaluate the safety of long-term use of Rhizoma paridis saponins (RPS).

Recent highlights of experimental research for inhibiting tumor growth by using Chinese medicine

To give an overview of contemporary experimental research using Chinese medicine (CM) for the treatment of cancer. As an integral part of mainstream medicine in the People's Republic of China, CM emphasizes improvements in holistic physical condition instead of merely killing tumor cells, which is consistent with the current medical model that advocates patient-oriented treatment. Great progress has been made in experimental research, and the principle aspects include anti-tumor angiogenesis, inducing apoptosis and differentiation, reversing multidrug resistance, and improving immune function. As a current hot topic in cancer research, tumor microenvironment (TME) highlights the mutual and interdependent interaction between tumor cells and their surrounding tissues, and the CM treatment concept bears a striking resemblance to it. To date, primary points of TME include extracellular matrix remodeling, inflammation, hypoxia, and angiogenesis, but trials using CM with a focus on TME are rare. Despite considerable recent development, experimental research on CM for solving cancer issues appears insufficient. Greater efforts in this field are urgently needed.

Inhibition of pulmonary adenoma in diethylnitrosamine-induced rats by Rhizoma paridis saponins

Nowadays, people pay more and more attention to the natural products based on their multiple targets in the antitumor treatment. In our previous research, Rhizoma paridis saponins (RPS) were regarded as potent anticancer agent that elicits programmed cell death and inhibits metastases in murine lung adenocarcinoma in vivo. In the present study, we set up a rat model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced pulmonary adenoma to evaluate the antitumor effects of RPS again. After 20 weeks treatment, rats were sacrificed in order to perform histopathological examinations, blood biochemistry, immunohistochemistry, western blot, PCR and metabonomics. As a result, DEN induced pulmonary adenoma generation in the lungs and damaged hepatocytes and hepatoma formation in the livers. RPS effectively attenuated hepatotoxic and inhibited pulmonary adenoma through down-regulating expression of MMP-9 and up-regulating level of TIMP-2 in DEN-induced rats. Meanwhile, RPS remarkably decreased energy metabolism, and glycine, serine and threonine metabolism to block the tumor growth. In conclusion, RPS would be a potent anticancer agent used in the prospective application.

Turmeric enhancing anti-tumor effect of Rhizoma paridis saponins by influencing their metabolic profiling in tumors of H22 hepatocarcinoma mice

Rhizoma Paridis saponins combined with turmeric (RT) showed well anti-hepatocarcinoma activities in our previous research. The aim of this study was to investigate the progression of the biochemical response to RT and capture metabolic variations during intragastric administration of their compatibility. In the experiment, histopathological examination and (1)H NMR method were developed and validated for the metabolic profiling of RT intervention in H22 tumor growth. Data were analyzed with principal components analysis (PCA) and partial least-squares discrimination analysis (PLS-DA). As a result, Rhizoma paridis saponins (RPS) or RT induced inflammatory cell infiltration in tumors. RT also mediated the tumor microenvironment to promote anti-tumor immunity of mice. RT significantly inhibited tumor growth rate through suppressing levels of amino acids containing alanine, asparagine, glutamine, putrescine, and sarcosine, lipid compounds, and carbohydrates like myo-inositol and arabinose in the tumor tissues. In conclusion, these results uncovered unexpectedly poor nutritional conditions in the RT-treated tumor tissues whose effect was stronger than RPS's. Therefore, RT could be a novel anticancer agent that targets on cancer metabolism through starving tumors reducing viability of cancer cells.

Suppression of human hepatocellular cancer cell proliferation by Brucea javanica oil-loaded liposomes via induction of apoptosis

INTRODUCTION

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of malignancy with high incidence and poor prognosis. Brucea javanica is extracted from Simaroubaceae plants. It is found to have low toxicity but high anti-cancer efficiency. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of Brucea javanica oil-loaded liposomes (BJOL) on human hepatocellular cancer cell line HepG2. The related molecular mechanisms were determined.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Morphologic changes of HepG2 cells were observed by transmission electron microscope after treatment with BJOL in vitro. Cell proliferation was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay after cell treatment with different doses of BJOL. Flow cytometry was performed. Nude mice were divided into 4 groups randomly and treated with different doses of BJOL. The apoptosis hepatocellular carcinoma was detected by TUNEL.

RESULTS

Proliferation of HepG2 was inhibited significantly by BJOL in a dose-dependent manner (2.5 mg/l or 5 mg/l). Compared with the animal models treated with the negative control, the animal models in the BJOL group had higher weight and lower metastasis rates (p < 0.01). The rate of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue of the BJOL groups was increased when compared with the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Brucea javanica oil-loaded liposomes inhibits proliferation of HepG2. The effect appears to be dose-dependent, possibly by inducing apoptosis of cancer cells.

Oblongifolin C inhibits metastasis by up-regulating keratin 18 and tubulins

Tumor metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related patient death. In this study, we performed a wound healing migration screen to search for a metastatic inhibitor within our library of natural compounds. We found that oblongifolin C (OC), a natural compound extracted from Garcinia yunnanensis Hu, is an effective inhibitor of metastasis in human esophageal squamous carcinoma Eca109 cells. The transwell migration and matrigel invasion assay results also showed that OC inhibits the migration of Eca109 cells and HepG2 cells. OC can increase the expression of tubulin, indicating that OC inhibits metastasis via tubulin aggregation. In addition, the Western blotting, real-time PCR, and immunostaining results indicated that OC increases the expression of keratin18. Furthermore, the knockdown of keratin 18 by small interfering RNAs inhibited the expression of tubulin and increased the metastasis of cancer cells, suggesting that keratin 18 is the upstream signal of tubulin and plays a vital role in metastasis. A subsequent study in a tail vein injection metastasis model showed that OC can significantly inhibit pulmonary metastasis, as revealed by immunohistochemistry staining. Taken together, our results suggest that OC inhibits metastasis through the induction of the expression of keratin 18 and may be useful in cancer therapy.

Study on Molecular Recognition betweenEuphorbia FactorL713283 andβ-Tubulin via Molecular Simulation Methods

Euphorbia factorL713283 is a new lathyrane diterpene isolated fromEuphorbia lathyrisand shows strong anticancer activity. By using molecular similarity analysis,β-tubulin was identified as one of the possible targets of L713283. We further investigated the binding modes of L713283 withβ-tubulin using molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods. The results indicated that the binding site betweenβ-tubulin and L713283 was composed of the four regions, that is, residues Phe20~Glu27, Leu225~Thr232, Phe270~Gly277, and Ile356~Met363. MM/GBSA method was used to calculate the binding free energy and determine the key residues for the association of L713283 withβ-tubulin. It was found that nonpolar interactions made the major contributions for the binding. In addition, we compared the binding pocket and motion modes of L713283-free and L713283-boundβ-tubulin systems. It is proposed that L713283 may bind toβ-tubulin and favor the formation ofαβ-tubulin dimmer. This work provides possible explanation for molecular mechanism of the anticancer agent L713283, and the strategy used here could benefit the investigation of possible target profile for those bioactive agents with unknown mechanisms.

Anti-inflammatory diterpenoids from the root bark of Acanthopanax gracilistylus

Five new ent-pimarane (1-3, 7, and 8) and three new ent-kaurane diterpenoids (4-6) and a new oleanane triterpene acid (9), together with 22 known compounds, were isolated from the root bark of the medicinal herb Acanthopanax gracilistylus. The structures of 1-9 were established based on the interpretation of high-resolution MS and 1D- and 2D-NMR data. The absolute configurations of 7 and 11 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism analysis. Compounds 7 and 8 represent rare naturally occurring structures based on the devinyl ent-pimarane skeleton. Compounds 3, 10, 14, 16, and 17 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the release of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Anti-tumor effect of Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue decoction in breast cancer is related to the inhibition of aromatase and steroid sulfatase expression

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue Decoction (SGLXD), a traditional Chinese herbal formula used to ameliorate the hot flushes in breast cancer patients, was reported to have anti-tumor effect on breast cancer. Estrogen plays a critical role in the genesis and evolution of breast cancer. Aromatase and steroid sulfatase (STS) are key estrogen synthesis enzymes that predominantly contribute to the high local hormone concentrations. The present study was to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of SGLXD on estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer cell line ZR-75-1, and to investigate its underlying mechanisms both in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-tumor activity of SGLXD in vitro was investigated using the MTT assay. The in vivo anti-tumor effect of SGLXD was evaluated in non-ovariectomized and ovariectomized athymic nude mice. The effect of SGLXD on enzymatic activity of aromatase and STS was examined using the dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) based on bioluminescent measurements. Aromatase and STS protein level were assessed using Western blot assay.

RESULTS

SGLXD showed dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of ZR-75-1 cells with IC50 value of 3.40 mg/mL. It also suppressed the stimulating effect on cell proliferation of testosterone and estrogen sulfates (E1S). Oral administration of 6 g/kg of SGLXD for 25 days resulted in a reduction in tumor volume in non-ovariectomized and ovariectomized nude mice. The bioluminescent measurements confirmed that SGLXD has a dual-inhibitory effect on the activity of aromatase and STS. Western blot assay demonstrated that the treatment of SGLXD resulted in a decrease in aromatase and STS protein levels both in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that SGLXD showed anti-tumor effect on breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. The anti-tumor activity of SGLXD is related to inhibition of aromatase and STS via decreasing their expression. SGLXD may be considered as a novel treatment for ER positive breast cancer.

Regeneration of Solanum nigrum by somatic embryogenesis, involving frog egg-like body, a novel structure

A new protocol was established for the regeneration of Solanum nigrum by frog egg-like bodies (FELBs), which are novel somatic embryogenesis (SE) structures induced from the root, stem, and leaf explants. The root, stem, and leaf explants (93.33%, 85.10%, and 100.00%, respectively) were induced to form special embryonic calli on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 1.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, under dark condition. Further, special embryonic calli from the root, stem, and leaf explants (86.97%, 83.30%, and 99.47%, respectively) were developed into FELBs. Plantlets of FELBs from the three explants were induced in vitro on MS medium supplemented with 5.0 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.1 mg/L gibberellic acid, and 100.00% plantlet induction rates were noted. However, plantlet induction in vivo on MS medium supplemented with 20 mg/L thidiazuron showed rates of 38.63%, 15.63%, and 61.30% for the root, stem, and leaf explants, respectively, which were lower than those of the in vitro culture. Morphological and histological analyses of FELBs at different development stages revealed that they are a novel type of SE structure that developed from the mesophyll (leaf) or cortex (stem and root) cells of S. nigrum.

New treatments for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited kidney disease and results from mutations in PKD1 or PKD2. Cyst initiation and expansion arise from a combination of abnormal cell proliferation, fluid secretion and extracellular matrix defects and results in kidney enlargement and interstitial fibrosis. Since its first description over 200 years ago, ADPKD has been considered an untreatable condition and its management is limited to blood pressure reduction and symptomatic treatment of disease complications. Results of the recently reported TEMPO 3/4 trial thus represent a paradigm shift in demonstrating for the first time that cystic disease and loss of renal function can be slowed in humans. In this paper, we review the major therapeutic strategies currently being explored in ADPKD including a range of novel approaches in preclinical models. It is anticipated that the clinical management of ADPKD will undergo a revolution in the next decade with the translation of new treatments into routine clinical use.

Estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activities of hispolon from Phellinus lonicerinus (Bond.) Bond. et sing

Hispolon was the main antitumor active ingredient in Phellinus sensu lato species. In order to confirm the dual regulating estrogenic ingredient and obtain more effective natural estrogen replacement drugs, hispolon was separated from Phellinus lonicerinus (Bond.) Bond. et sing. Hispolon exhibited significant anti-proliferative effect against estrogen-sensitive ER (+) MCF-7 cells in the absence of estrogen, and exhibits antagonistic effects on 17β-estradiol (E2)-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation when E2 and the different concentrations of hispolon were treated simultaneously. Hispolon also inhibited the proliferation of estrogen-negative ER (-) MDA-MB-231 cells at the concentration of 5.00×10(-5) M. The yeast two-hybrid experiments showed that hispolon had strong and non-selective effects on the estrogen receptor (ER) α and ERβ at a concentration of 1.00×10(-6) M. The ERβ-binding ability of hispolon was larger than ERα in the concentration range of 1.00×10(-9) M and 1.00×10(-7) M. Hispolon could increase the body weight coefficient, serum E2 and progesterone contents in immature female mice at dose of 9.10×10(-6) mol/kg, and increase coefficient of thymus and spleen in mice. The Gscores of hispolon-ERα and hispolon-ERβ docked complexes were -7.93 kcal/mol and -7.79 kcal/mol in docking simulations. Hispolon presented dual regulating estrogenic activities, which showed estrogenic agonist activity at low concentration or lack of endogenous estrogen, and the estrogenic antagonistic effect was stimulated at high concentrations or too much endogenous estrogen. Hispolon could be used for treating the estrogen deficiency-related disease with the benefit of non-toxic to normal cells, good antitumor effects and estrogenic activity.

The natural compound oblongifolin C inhibits autophagic flux and enhances antitumor efficacy of nutrient deprivation

Metabolic stress induces autophagy as an alternative source of energy and metabolites. Insufficient autophagy in nutrient-deprived cancer cells would be beneficial for cancer therapy. Here, we performed a functional screen in search of novel autophagy regulators from natural products. We showed that oblongifolin C (OC), a natural small molecule compound extracted from Garcinia yunnanensis Hu, is a potent autophagic flux inhibitor. Exposure to OC results in an increased number of autophagosomes and impaired degradation of SQSTM1/p62. Costaining of GFP-LC3B with LysoTracker Red or LAMP1 antibody demonstrates that autophagosome-lysosome fusion is blocked by OC treatment. Furthermore, OC inhibits lysosomal proteolytic activity by altering lysosomal acidification and downregulating the expression of lysosomal cathepsins. Importantly, OC can eliminate the tolerance of cancer cells to nutrient starvation. Starvation dramatically increases the susceptibility of cancer cells to OC-induced CASP3-dependent apoptosis in vitro. Subsequent studies in xenograft mouse model showed that OC has anticancer potency as revealed by increased staining of cleaved CASP3, LC3 puncta, and SQSTM1, as well as reduced expression of lysosomal cathepsins. Combined treatment with OC and caloric restriction potentiates anticancer efficacy of OC in vivo. Collectively, these data demonstrated that OC is a novel autophagic flux inhibitor and might be useful in anticancer therapy.

Phase II study on safety and efficacy of Yadanzi® (Javanica oil emulsion injection) combined with chemotherapy for patients with gastric cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of Yadanzi® (Javanica oil emulsion injection) combined with chemotherapy for treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

METHODS

From January 2011 to December 2012, we recruited 75 patients with advanced gastric cancer, who received javanica oil emulsion injection together with chemotherapy. After two cycles of treatment, efficacy and safety of the combined therapies were evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall response rate of 75 patients after treatment was 85.3% (CR+PR+SD). Treatment related side effects were recorded. No treatment related death occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Javanica oil emulsion injection combined with chemotherapy could be considered as a safe and effective regimen in treating patients with advanced gastric cancer. Further randomized clinical trials should be conducted to confirm whether the addition of Yadanzi® to chemotheraphy could be associated with reduced toxicity, enhanced tolerability and improved quality of life for patients with advanced gastric cancer.

A new flavonoid regulates angiogenesis and reactive oxygen species production

The tumor vascular system, which is critical to the survival and growth of solid tumors, has been an attractive target for anticancer research. Building on studies that show that some flavonoids have anticancer vascular effects, we developed and analyzed the flavonoid derivative R24 [3, 6-bis (2-oxiranylmethoxy)-9H-xanthen-9-one]. A CAM assay revealed that R24 disrupted neovascular formation; fewer dendrites were detected and overall dendritic length was shorter in the R24-treated chicken embryos. The antiproliferative effect of R24 was measured by MTT assay in A549 (lung cancer), AsPC-1 (pancreatic cancer), HCT-116 (colorectal cancer), and PC-3 (prostate cancer) cell lines. R24 reduced proliferation with an IC50 of 3.44, 3.59, 1.22, and 11.83 μM, respectively. Cell-cycle analysis and Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining showed that R24 induced apoptosis. In addition, R24 regulated intracellular ROS production in a dose-dependent manner. CM-H2DCFDA staining indicated that intracellular ROS production increased with the R24 dose. In summary, we found that R24 exhibits potent antiangiogenic and antiproliferative effects, induces apoptosis, and promotes ROS production.

A study on the inhibitory effect of Radix Semiaquilegiae extract on human hepatoma HEPG-2 and SMMC-7721 cells

The main objective of this paper was to investigate the extraction process of ethanol extract of Radix Semiaquilegiae, as well as its inhibitory activity on human hepatoma HepG-2 and SMMC-7721 cells, and to compare the inhibitory effects of different concentrations of ethanol extracts against these two hepatoma cells. Ethanol reflux extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction with ethanol at room temperature were used in the extraction process, and MTT assay was mainly used in the activity experiment to perform in-vitro anti HepG-2 and SMMC-7721 cell activity screening of ethanol extract, and to calculate the cell inhibition rates of the extracts. The results showed that among the two types of extracts, ethanol reflux extract had more superior antitumour activity to that of the ultrasonic extract, but all of the extracts obtained had certain anti-cancer activities, and the anti-proliferative activity increased with the increase of concentration.

Extracts of medicinal herb Sanguisorba officinalis inhibit the entry of human immunodeficiency virus type one

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been successful in reducing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-associated morbidity and mortality since its introduction in 1996. However, it fails to eradicate HIV-1 infection. The high cost of life-long highly active antiretroviral therapy and the emergence of drug resistance among HIV-1-infected individuals have brought renewed pressure for the discovery of novel antivirals and alternative medicines. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a complementary and alternative medicine, and serves as a rich resource for new drug development. Despite the almost 100 plant-derived compounds that are in clinical trials, few target HIV-1 infection. In this study, we discovered that Sanguisorba officinalis extract (SOE) has anti-HIV-1 properties. Using a cell-based assay and single-cycle luciferase reporter viruses pseudotyped with envelopes from HIV-1 or control viruses, we found that SOE exhibited significant inhibitory ability against both CCR5 and CXCR4 tropic HIV-1 (ADA and HXB2), with respective IC₅₀ values of 1.91 ± 0.16 μg/mL and 3.70 ± 0.53 μg/mL. SOE also inhibited simian immunodeficiency virus infection but failed to block vesicular stomatitis virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and influenza H5N1 pseudoviruses. Furthermore, we showed that SOE had no effect on postentry events of HIV-1 replication. Because SOE pretreatment with the virus but not with cell lines expressing viral receptors showed the maximal inhibitory activity, we can state that SOE probably blocks entry by acting on the viral envelope directly. In addition, SOE was able to inhibit reverse transcriptase inhibitor resistant viruses (K103N, Y188L, and K103N/Y188L/G190A) and a protease inhibitor resistant strain (PI-2840). Our findings demonstrate SOE as a novel and specific entry inhibitor, which sheds light on the discovery of anti-HIV-1 drugs from traditional herbal medicines.

Realgar induces apoptosis in the chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell line MEC‑1

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of realgar on the viability, proliferation and apoptosis in the human chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cell line, MEC‑1. Potential mechanisms mediating the effect were also explored in the experiment. Cultured MEC‑1 cells were incubated with various concentrations of realgar for 24, 48 and 72 h. A WST‑8 assay was employed to evaluate the effect on cell viability. Inhibitory effects on cell proliferation were determined using a 5‑bromodeoxyuridine cell proliferation ELISA. The apoptotic effect on MEC‑1 cells was evaluated by annexin V‑fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide dual staining, followed by flow cytometry. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the mRNA expression levels of BCL2‑associated X protein (BAX), BCL2‑like 1 (Bcl-xL), v‑myc myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (avian; c‑Myc) and cyclin‑dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21). It was found that viability and proliferation were significantly reduced while apoptotic rates increased in MEC‑1 cells following exposure to realgar. Furthermore, mRNA expression of BAX and c‑Myc was upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in realgar‑treated MEC‑1 cells. In conclusion, the results showed that realgar inhibits viability and prolife-ration and induces apoptosis of MEC‑1 cells in a dose‑ and time‑dependent manner. The effect may depend on the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. The results of the present study may be beneficial in the identification of a new target therapy for CLL.

Relationship between podophyllotoxin accumulation and soil nutrients and the influence of Fe2+ and Mn2+ on podophyllotoxin biosynthesis in Podophyllum hexandrum tissue culture

Podophyllotoxin (PDT) and its derivatives, which are isolated from the Podophyllum species, are widely used in the clinical setting. The present study was designed to analyze the correlation between PDT levels in the rhizomes of Podophyllum hexandrum (P. hexandrum) and Dysosma versipellis (D. versipellis) and the nutrients in soil. We also aimed to investigate the influence of Fe(2+) and Mn(2+) on the enzyme activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), cinnamyl alcohol-dehydrogenase (CAD), and deoxypodophyllotoxin 6-hydroylase (DOP6H) and PDT accumulation via P. hexandrum tissue culture. The results showed that PDT accumulation was positively correlated with the NO3(-), PO4(3-), Na(+), Fe, and Mn levels and was negatively correlated with the SO4(2-) and K(+) levels, while the correlation with the Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Cu and Zn levels was not significant. The Fe(2+) and Mn(2+) levels were associated with the increased activity of PAL and CAD at 3-18 days; Fe(2+) enhanced the activity levels by 2.66- and 1.76-fold, respectively, and Mn(2+) was associated with a 1.68- and 1.10-fold increase in activity levels, respectively, compared with the control (CK) at 18 days. DOP6H activity was enhanced by Mn(2+), but it was not significantly affected by Fe(2+). Finally, PDT production was enhanced approximately 60% and 34% by Fe(2+) and Mn(2+), respectively, compared with CK at 16 days. These observations may be useful for the generation of PDT and related lignans via commercial cultivation as well as cell and tissue culture of P. hexandrum and other related plant resources.

Design and synthesis of 6,7-methylenedioxy-4-substituted phenylquinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives as novel anticancer agents that induce apoptosis with cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase

Novel 6,7-methylenedioxy-4-substituted phenylquinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives 12a-n were designed and prepared through an intramolecular cyclization reaction and evaluated for in vitro anticancer activity. Among the synthesized compounds, 6,7-methylenedioxy-4-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)quinolin-2(1H)-one (12e) displayed potent cytotoxicity against several different tumor cell lines at a sub-micromolar level. Furthermore, results of fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis suggested that 12e induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase accompanied by apoptosis in HL-60 and H460 cells. This action was confirmed by Hoechst staining and caspase-3 activation. Due to their easy synthesis and remarkable biological activities, 4-phenylquinolin-2(1H)-one analogs (4-PQs) are promising new anticancer leads based on the quinoline scaffold. Accordingly, compound 12e was identified as a new lead compound that merits further optimization and development as an anticancer candidate.

The classification and application of toxic Chinese materia medica

Many important drugs in the Chinese materia medica (CMM) are known to be toxic, and it has long been recognized in classical Chinese medical theory that toxicity can arise directly from the components of a single CMM or may be induced by an interaction between combined CMM. Traditional Chinese Medicine presents a unique set of pharmaceutical theories that include particular methods for processing, combining and decocting, and these techniques contribute to reducing toxicity as well as enhancing efficacy. The current classification of toxic CMM drugs, traditional methods for processing toxic CMM and the prohibited use of certain combinations, is based on traditional experience and ancient texts and monographs, but accumulating evidence increasingly supports their use to eliminate or reduce toxicity. Modern methods are now being used to evaluate the safety of CMM; however, a new system for describing the toxicity of Chinese herbal medicines may need to be established to take into account those herbs whose toxicity is delayed or otherwise hidden, and which have not been incorporated into the traditional classification. This review explains the existing classification and justifies it where appropriate, using experimental results often originally published in Chinese and previously not available outside China.