Hedyotis diffusa Willd extract suppresses Sonic hedgehog signaling leading to the inhibition of colorectal cancer angiogenesis

Hedyotis diffusa Willd. extract suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis via IL-6-inducible STAT3 pathway inactivation in human colorectal cancer cells

Recent studies have indicated that the inflammatory microenvironment plays a significant role in colorectal cancer (CRC). The interleukin-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling pathway mediates the proliferative and anti-apoptotic activities required for oncogenesis under inflammatory conditions; thus, suppressing tumor growth by targeting the IL-6/STAT3 pathway is a promising therapeutic strategy for CRC. Our previous study reported that the ethanol extract obtained from Hedyotis diffusa Willd. (EEHDW) can induce apoptosis, and inhibit the proliferation of colon cancer cells and tumor angiogenesis by modulating various signaling pathways; however, less is known regarding the activity of EEHDW in a cancer-promoting inflammatory environment. Therefore, the present study investigated whether EEHDW inhibits the growth of the CRC HT-29 cell line via the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. Pretreatment of HT-29 cells with IL-6 led to an increase in cell viability, colony formation and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) expression. Treatment of these cells with EEHDW prior to IL-6 stimulation resulted in a significant reduction in the IL-6-induced phosphorylation of STAT3. In addition, EEHDW treatment significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and upregulated the expression levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (P<0.05), which are important target genes of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway. These findings strongly indicated that EEHDW suppresses tumor cell growth and induces the apoptosis of human CRC cells via inactivation of the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Yi qi qing re gao attenuates podocyte injury and inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression in puromycin aminonucleoside rat model

Proteinuria is the hallmark of chronic kidney disease. Podocyte damage underlies the formation of proteinuria, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) functions as an autocrine/paracrine regulator. Yi Qi Qing Re Gao (YQQRG) has been used to treat proteinuria for more than two decades. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect and possible mechanisms of YQQRG on puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) rat model. Eighty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into sham group, PAN group, PAN + YQQRG group, and PAN + fosinopril group. Treatments were started 7 days before induction of nephrosis (a single intravenous injection of 40 mg/kg PAN) until day 15. 24 h urinary samples were collected on days 5, 9, and 14. The animals were sacrificed on days 3, 10, and 15, respectively. Blood samples and renal tissues were obtained for detection of biochemical and molecular biological parameters. YQQRG significantly reduced proteinuria, elevated serum albumin, and alleviated renal pathological lesions. YQQRG inhibited VEGF-A, nephrin, podocin, and CD2AP mRNA expression and elevated nephrin, podocin, and CD2AP protein levels starting on day 3. In conclusion, YQQRG attenuates podocyte injury in the rat PAN model through downregulation of VEGF-A and restoration of nephrin, podocin, and CD2AP protein expression.

Fuzheng Qingjie recipe induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells via P38 MAPK activation and the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway

Fuzheng Qingjie (FZQJ) recipe is a polyherbal Chinese medicine capable of suppressing tumor growth and is used as an adjuvant therapy for various types of cancer. However, its anticancer mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, we explored whether p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was involved in FZQJ-mediated mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were used to measure the viability of HepG2 cells. 4,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and Annexin-V fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were used to analyze the apoptosis of HepG2 cells. The mitochondrial membrane potential (∆ψ) and phosphorylated P38 MAPK protein were examined by a flow cytometer following 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro‑1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) and Alexa Fluor® 647 mouse anti-phosphorylated P38 MAPK antibody staining, respectively. The activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 were measured using colorimetric assays. Additionally, Bcl-2 and Bax expression were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that water extract of FZQJ was able to induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells in vitro. FZQJ-induced apoptosis was accompanied by the loss of ∆ψ, downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax expression, and the activation of caspase-3, -9 and P38 MAPK. These results indicated that FZQJ induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells at least via P38 MAPK activation and the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway.

Ursolic acid inhibits colorectal cancer angiogenesis through suppression of multiple signaling pathways

Angiogenesis plays a critical role in the development of solid tumors by supplying nutrients and oxygen to support continuous growth of tumor as well as providing an avenue for hematogenous metastasis. Tumor angiogenesis is highly regulated by multiple intracellular signaling transduction cascades such as Hedgehog, STAT3, Akt and p70S6K pathways that are known to malfunction in many types of cancer including colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, suppression of tumor angiogenesis through targeting these signaling pathways has become a promising strategy for cancer chemotherapy. Ursolic acid (UA) is a major active compound present in many medicinal herbs that have long been used in China for the clinical treatment of various types of cancer. Although previous studies have demonstrated an antitumor effect for UA, the precise mechanisms of its anti-angiogenic activity are not well understood. To further elucidate the mechanism(s) of the tumorcidal activity of UA, using a CRC mouse xenograft model, chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model, the human colon carcinoma cell line HT-29 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), in the present study we evaluated the efficacy of UA against tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that administration of UA significantly inhibited tumor volume but had no effect on body weight changes in CRC mice, suggesting that UA can suppress colon cancer growth in vivo without noticeable signs of toxicity. In addition, UA treatment reduced intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) in CRC mice, decreased the total number of blood vessels in the CAM model, and dose and time-dependently inhibited the proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs, demonstrating UA's antitumor angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, UA treatment inhibited the expression of critical angiogenic factors, such as VEGF-A and bFGF. Furthermore, UA suppressed the activation of sonic hedgehog (SHH), STAT3, Akt and p70S6K pathways. Collectively, our findings suggest that inhibition of tumor angiogenesis via suppression of multiple signaling pathways might be one of the mechanisms whereby UA can be effective in cancer treatment.