51
|
Xu H, Piao L, Liu X, Jiang SN. Ursolic acid-enriched kudingcha extract enhances the antitumor activity of bacteria-mediated cancer immunotherapy. BMC Complement Med Ther 2022; 22:123. [PMID: 35509047 PMCID: PMC9066986 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-022-03612-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacteria-mediated cancer immunotherapy (BCI) robustly stimulates the immune system and represses angiogenesis, but tumor recurrence and metastasis commonly occur after BCI. The natural product Ilex kudingcha C. J Tseng enriched with ursolic acid has anti-cancer activity and could potentially augment the therapeutic effects of BCI. The objective of the present study was to determine potential additive effects of these modalities. METHODS We investigated the anti-cancer activity of KDCE (Kudingcha extract) combined with S.t△ppGpp in the mice colon cancer models. RESULTS In the present study, KDCE combined with S.t△ppGpp BCI improved antitumor therapeutic efficacy compared to S.t△ppGpp or KDCE alone. KDCE did not prolong bacterial tumor-colonizing time, but enhanced the antiangiogenic effect of S.t△ppGpp by downregulatingVEGFR2. We speculated that KDCE-induced VEGFR2 downregulation is associated with FAK/MMP9/STAT3 axis but not AKT or ERK. CONCLUSIONS Ursolic acid-enriched KDCE enhances the antitumor activity of BCI, which could be mediated by VEGFR2 downregulation and subsequent suppression of angiogenesis. Therefore, combination therapy with S.t△ppGpp and KDCE is a potential cancer therapeutic strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, No. 58 Renmin Avenue, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Linghua Piao
- Department of Physiology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiande Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, No. 58 Renmin Avenue, Haikou, 570228, China.
| | - Sheng-Nan Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Central South University, Xiangya School of Medicine, Affiliated Haikou Hospital, No. 43 Renmin Avenue, Haikou, 570208, China.
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Combined Targeting of AKT and mTOR Inhibits Tumor Formation of EpCAM+ and CD90+ Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells in an Orthotopic Mouse Model. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081882. [PMID: 35454789 PMCID: PMC9024696 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and Thy-1 cell surface antigen (CD90) have been implicated as cancer stem cell (CSC) markers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Expression of EpCAM and CD90 on HCC cells is associated with increased tumorigenicity, metastasis and poor prognosis. In this study, we demonstrate that combined treatment with AKT and mTOR inhibitors—i.e., MK2206 and RAD001—results in a synergistic reduction in proliferation of EpCAM+ and CD90+ HCC cells cultured either as adherent cells or as tumoroids in vitro. In addition, tumor growth was reduced by combined treatment with AKT and mTOR inhibitors in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model of an EpCAM+ HCC cell line (Huh7) and primary patient-derived EpCAM+ HCC cells (HCC1) as well as a CD90+ HCC-related cell line (SK-HEP1) in vivo. However, during AKT/mTOR treatment, outgrowth of therapy-resistant tumors was observed in all mice analyzed within a few weeks. Resistance was associated in most cases with restoration of AKT signaling in the tumors, intrahepatic metastases and distant metastases. In addition, an upregulation of the p38 MAPK pathway was identified in the AKT/mTOR inhibitor-resistant tumor cells by kinome profiling. The development of resistant cells during AKT/mTOR therapy was further analyzed by red-green-blue (RGB) marking of HCC cells, which revealed an outgrowth of a large number of Huh7 cells over a period of 6 months. In summary, our data demonstrate that combined treatment with AKT and mTOR inhibitors exhibits synergistic effects on proliferation of EpCAM+ as well as CD90+ HCC cells in vitro. However, the fast development of large numbers of resistant clones under AKT/mTOR therapy observed in vitro and in the orthotopic xenotransplantation mouse model in vivo strongly suggests that this therapy alone will not be sufficient to eliminate EpCAM+ or CD90+ cancer stem cells from HCC patients.
Collapse
|
53
|
Stefkó D, Kúsz N, Szemerédi N, Barta A, Spengler G, Berkecz R, Hohmann J, Vasas A. Unique Phenanthrenes from Juncus ensifolius and Their Antiproliferative and Synergistic Effects with the Conventional Anticancer Agent Doxorubicin against Human Cancer Cell Lines. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030608. [PMID: 35335985 PMCID: PMC8949129 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenanthrenes are the main special metabolites of Juncaceae species from phytochemical, pharmacological, and chemotaxonomical points of view. The present study focused on the isolation, structure determination, and pharmacological investigation of phenanthrenes from Juncus ensifolius. Nineteen compounds, including 17 phenanthrenes, were identified from the methanol extract of the plant. Thirteen compounds, namely, ensifolins A−M (1−13), were obtained for the first time from natural sources. Four phenanthrenes [2-hydroxy-1,7-dimethyl-5-vinyl-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (14), juncuenin B (15), juncatrin B (16), and sylvaticin A (17)], 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (18) and luteolin (19) were isolated for the first time from J. ensifolius. Ensifolins A (1) and B (2) are structurally unique phenanthrenes, considering that they are flavonoid- (1) or benzaldehyde-adducts (2). The antiproliferative activity of all isolated compounds against HeLa, COLO 205, and COLO 320 cancer cells and a non-tumor (MRC-5) cell line was tested using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) viability assay. The luteolin-substituted phenanthrene ensifolin A (1) proved to be the most active against all three cancer cell lines (IC50 values 3.9−12.7 μM) and showed good selectivity (SI = 4.95) in the case of COLO 205. The best selectivity was recorded for ensifolins D (4, SI > 5.15, HeLa), H (8, SI > 8.13, HeLa), and 17 (SI > 9.43, HeLa). The synergistic activity of the compounds with doxorubicin was also tested on HeLa cells, and ensifolins E (5) and H (8) exhibited very strong synergism (CI < 0.1). In conclusion, these phenanthrenes are worthy of further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dóra Stefkó
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.S.); (N.K.); (A.B.); (J.H.)
| | - Norbert Kúsz
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.S.); (N.K.); (A.B.); (J.H.)
| | - Nikoletta Szemerédi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary; (N.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Anita Barta
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.S.); (N.K.); (A.B.); (J.H.)
| | - Gabriella Spengler
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary; (N.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Róbert Berkecz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Analysis, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Judit Hohmann
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.S.); (N.K.); (A.B.); (J.H.)
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Natural Products, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Andrea Vasas
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (D.S.); (N.K.); (A.B.); (J.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-62-546451
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Curcumin Inhibits Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cell Proliferation by Regulating lncRNA LINC00691. Anal Cell Pathol 2022; 2022:5946670. [PMID: 35256924 PMCID: PMC8898135 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5946670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a type of epithelial-derived differentiated TC that reportedly accounts for a majority of TCs. Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound and a member of the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family derived from turmeric plants, can exhibit anticancer effects. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin on PTC and elucidate underlying mechanisms. Accordingly, PTC B-CPAP cells were treated with curcumin, in combination with/without long noncoding RNA LINC00691 inhibition, to determine the effect of curcumin and its relationship with LINC00691 in PTC cells. We observed that curcumin treatment decreased B-CPAP cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Curcumin inhibited LINC00691 expression in B-CPAP cells. Curcumin administration or si-LINC00691 transfection alone promoted ATP levels, inhibited glucose uptake and lactic acid levels, and inhibited lactate dehydrogenase A and hexokinase 2 protein expression in B-CPAP cells, which were further enhanced by combination treatment. Moreover, curcumin administration or si-LINC00691 transfection alone inhibited p-Akt activity, further suppressed by combination treatment. Akt inhibition promoted apoptosis and suppressed the Warburg effect in B-CPAP cells. In conclusion, our findings indicate that curcumin promotes apoptosis and suppresses proliferation and the Warburg effect by inhibiting LINC00691 in B-CPAP cells. The precise molecular mechanism might be mediated through the Akt signaling pathway, providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of PTC with curcumin.
Collapse
|
55
|
Zou L, Liu Z, Li X, Liu L, Zhu Y. Knockdown of G1P3 inhibits cell proliferation and enhances the cytotoxicity of dexamethasone in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Open Life Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Drug resistance contributes to treatment failure and relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). G1P3 (also known as IFI6, interferon, alpha-inducible protein 6) has been regarded as an antiapoptotic protein in myeloma cells and contributes to chemoresistance in breast cancer. However, the role of G1P3 in the proliferation and chemosensitivity of ALL is largely unknown. Data from colony formation and bromo-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assays showed that siRNA-mediated downregulation of G1P3 repressed cell proliferation of glucocorticoids-resistant human leukemic cells (CEM-C1), while overexpression of G1P3 promoted the cell proliferation. Cell apoptosis of CEM-C1 was suppressed by G1P3 overexpression accompanied by a decrease in cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9. Knockdown of G1P3 increased protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9 to promote the cell apoptosis of CEM-C1. Moreover, silencing of G1P3 reduced cell viability and promoted cell apoptosis of CEM-C1 exposed to dexamethasone. The proapoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) was enhanced by the interference of G1P3 in CEM-C1. Silencing of Bim attenuated G1P3 interference-induced decrease in cell viability and increase in cell apoptosis in CEM-C1 exposed to dexamethasone. Conclusively, knockdown of G1P3 inhibited cell proliferation of ALL and sensitized glucocorticoid-resistant ALL cells to dexamethasone through upregulation of Bim-mediated cell apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liping Zou
- Department of Blood Transfusion, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University , Zhanggong District , Ganzhou , Jiangxi Province, 341000 , China
| | - Zhirui Liu
- Human Aging Research Institute (HARI), Nanchang University , Nanchang , Jiangxi Province, 330031 , China
| | - Xueer Li
- Human Aging Research Institute (HARI), Nanchang University , Nanchang , Jiangxi Province, 330031 , China
| | - Liping Liu
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University , Ganzhou , Jiangxi Province, 341000 , China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University , Zhanggong District , Ganzhou , Jiangxi Province, 341000 , China
- Human Aging Research Institute (HARI), School of Life Science, Nanchang University , Nanchang , Jiangxi Province, 330031 , China
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Li Y, Li Y, Zhang J, Ji L, Li M, Sun X, Feng H, Yu Z, Gao Y. Current Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicines and Active Ingredients in the Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:41-56. [PMID: 35178363 PMCID: PMC8843800 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s346047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading lethal tumors worldwide, and the treatment remains a great medical challenge. Surgery and chemotherapy are current standard curative methods for patients with HCC, but the prognosis is still dismal. Based on unique medical theories and rich practical experience, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been broadly employed to effectively treat HCC for a long history. Recently, systematic clinical trials have been well designed to study the efficacy of TCMs in the treatment of HCC, and the underlying antitumor mechanisms were also deeply explored. Here, we reviewed the published clinical evaluation of some commonly used TCMs in the treatment of HCC, and the related anti-HCC mechanisms through in vitro and in vivo study, promoting the modernization of TCM study in oncology for achieving a substantial reduction of HCC burden in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuyao Li
- Institute of Infectious Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Li
- Institute of Infectious Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinghao Zhang
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Longshan Ji
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Man Li
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuehua Sun
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai Feng
- Institute of Infectious Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhuo Yu
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Zhuo Yu; Yueqiu Gao, Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 528 Zhangheng Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 21 2025 6507, Fax +86 21 20256699, Email ;
| | - Yueqiu Gao
- Institute of Infectious Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Villa-Jaimes GS, Aguilar-Mora FA, González-Ponce HA, Avelar-González FJ, Martínez Saldaña MC, Buist-Homan M, Moshage H. Biocomponents from Opuntia robusta and Opuntia streptacantha fruits protect against diclofenac-induced acute liver damage in vivo and in vitro. J Funct Foods 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2022.104960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
|
58
|
Ragab EM, El Gamal DM, Mohamed TM, Khamis AA. Study of the inhibitory effects of chrysin and its nanoparticles on mitochondrial complex II subunit activities in normal mouse liver and human fibroblasts. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2022; 20:15. [PMID: 35089446 PMCID: PMC8795958 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-021-00286-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitochondrial complex ΙΙ has a unique biological role owing to its participation in both the citric acid cycle and the electron transport chain. Our goal was to evaluate the succinate dehydrogenase and ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity of mitochondrial complex II in the presence of chrysin and chrysin-chitosan nanoparticles. Chrysin chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using ultraviolet spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, drug release, and zeta potential. The binding affinity of chrysin to complex II subunits was assessed by molecular docking. The IC50 values were measured in a suspension of mouse mitochondria, and the inhibitory effect of chrysin and chrysin chitosan nanoparticles on mitochondrial complex ΙΙ was determined. RESULTS The free energy of binding between chrysin and complex ΙΙ subunits A, B, C, and D was -4.9, -5, -8.2, and -8.4 kcal/mol, respectively. The characteristic peak of chrysin was confirmed at 348 nm. The chrysin chitosan nanoparticles contained characteristic bands of both chrysin and chitosan. The crystalline nature of chrysin chitosan nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction measurements showing the characteristic Bragg peaks of (11.2°), (32.2°), (19.6°), (27.6°), and (31.96°). Transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed their spherical shape and an average particle size of 49.7 ± 3.02 nm. Chrysin chitosan nanoparticles showed a burst release within the initial 2 h followed by a steady release at 8 h. Their zeta potential was positive, between +35.5 and +80 mV. The IC50 of chrysin, chitosan nanoparticles, chrysin chitosan nanoparticles, and 5-fluorouracil was 34.66, 184.1, 12.2, and 0.05 μg/mL, respectively, in adult mice liver and 129, 311, 156, and 8.07 μg/mL, respectively, in normal human fibroblasts. When comparing the inhibitory effects on complex ΙΙ activity, application of the IC50 of chrysin, chitosan nanoparticles, chrysin chitosan nanoparticles, and 5-fluorouracil resulted in 40.14%, 90.9%, 86.7%, and 89% decreases in SDH activity and 70.09%, 86.74%, 60.8%, and 80.23% decreases in ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity in normal adult mice, but 80.9%, 89.06%, and 90% significant decreases in SDH activity, and 90%, 85%, and 95% decreases in ubiquinone reductase after treatment with chrysin, chrysin chitosan nanoparticles, and 5-fluorouracil, in normal human fibroblasts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Chrysin and CCNPs exhibit potent inhibitory effects on SDH activity ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eman M Ragab
- Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Doaa M El Gamal
- Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Tarek M Mohamed
- Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Abeer A Khamis
- Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|