Naturally occurring anti-cancer compounds: shining from Chinese herbal medicine

Oridonin inhibits bladder cancer survival and immune escape by covalently targeting HK1

BACKGROUND

Hexokinase I (HK1) is highly expressed in a variety of malignancies, regulates glycolytic pathway in cancer cells, and thus considered to be one of the promising molecular targets for cancer therapy. Nonetheless, the development of a specific inhibitor against HK1 remains elusive.

PURPOSE

This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which oridonin inhibits the proliferation and immune evasion of bladder cancer cells, specifically through the suppression of HK1.

METHODS

To examine the mechanisms by which oridonin directly binds to cysteines of HK1 and inhibits bladder cancer growth, this study utilized a variety of methods. These included the Human Proteome Microarray, Streptavidin-agarose affinity assay, Biolayer Interferometry (BLI) ainding analysis, Mass Spectrometry, Cellular Thermal Shift Assay, Extracellular Acidification Rate measurement, and Xenotransplant mouse models.

RESULTS

As indicated by our current findings, oridonin forms a covalent bond with Cys-813, located adjacently to glucose-binding domain of HK1. This suppresses the enzymatic activity of HK1, leading to an effective reduction of glycolysis, which triggers cell death via apoptosis in cells derived from human bladder cancer. Significantly, oridonin also inhibits lactate-induced PD-L1 expression in bladder cancer. Furthermore, pairing oridonin with a PD-L1 inhibitor amplifies the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells against bladder cancer.

CONCLUSION

This research strongly suggests that oridonin serves as a covalent inhibitor of HK1. Moreover, it indicates that functional cysteine residue of HK1 could operate as viable targets for selective inhibition. Consequently, oridonin exhibits substantial potential for the evolution of anti-cancer agents targeting the potential therapeutic target HK1 via metabolism immunomodulation.

Anti-breast cancer activity of the essential oil from grapefruit mint (Mentha suaveolens × piperita)

Grapefruit mint (Mentha suaveolens × piperita) is a hybrid, perennial, and aromatic plant widely cultivated all over the world and used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries mostly for its valuable essential oil. Herein, we evaluated the anticancer activity of the grapefruit mint essential oil, cultivated in Iran. For the chemical composition analysis of essential oil, GC-MS was used. MTT assay was utilized for assessing the cytotoxic activity of the essential oil. The type of cell death was determined by annexin V/PI staining. Essential oil effect on the expression of maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3), a regulatory lncRNA involved in cell growth, proliferation, and metastasis, was studied using qRT-PCR. Linalool (43.9%) and linalool acetate (40.1%) were identified as the dominant compounds of essential oil. Compared with MCF-7, the MDA-MB-231 cells were more sensitive to essential oil (IC50 = 7.6 μg/ml in MCF-7 and 5.9 μg/ml in MDA-MB-231 after 48 h). Essential oil induced cell death by apoptosis. Wound healing scratch assay confirmed the anti-invasive effect of essential oil. In addition, essential oil upregulated the tumor suppressor MEG3 in breast cancer cells. These results provide new insights into grapefruit mint essential oil potential application as an anticancer adjuvant in combination treatments for breast cancer patients.

Gaillardin exerts potent antileukemic effects on HL-60 cells and intensifies arsenic trioxide cytotoxicity: Providing new insight into sesquiterpene lactones in leukaemia treatment

The use of all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide resulted in favourable therapeutic responses in standard-risk acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) patients. However, resistance to these agents has made treating the high-risk subgroup more problematic, and possible side effects limit their clinical dosages. Numerous studies have proven the cytotoxic properties of Gaillardin, one of the Inula oculus-christi-derived sesquiterpene lactones. Due to the adverse effects of arsenic trioxide on the high-risk subgroup of APL patients, we aimed to assess the cytotoxic effect of Gaillardin on HL-60 cells as a single or combined-form approach. The results of the trypan blue and MTT assays outlined the potent cytotoxic properties of Gaillardin. The flow cytometric analysis and the mRNA expression levels revealed that Gaillardin attenuated the proliferative capacity of HL-60 cells through cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis via reactive oxygen species generation. Moreover, the results of synergistic experiments indicated that this sesquiterpene lactone sensitizes HL-60 cells to the cytotoxic effects of arsenic trioxide. Taken together, the findings of the present investigation highlighted the antileukemic characteristics of Gaillardin by inducing G1 cell cycle arrest and triggering apoptosis. Gaillardin acts as an antileukemic metabolite against HL-60 cells and this study provides new insight into treating APL patients, especially in the high-risk subgroup.

Traditional Chinese medicine and its active substances reduce vascular injury in diabetes via regulating autophagic activity

Due to its high prevalence, poor prognosis, and heavy burden on healthcare costs, diabetic vascular complications have become a significant public health issue. Currently, the molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying diabetes-induced vascular complications remain incompletely understood. Autophagy, a highly conserved process of lysosomal degradation, maintains intracellular homeostasis and energy balance via removing protein aggregates, damaged organelles, and exogenous pathogens. Increasing evidence suggests that dysregulated autophagy may contribute to vascular abnormalities in various types of blood vessels, including both microvessels and large vessels, under diabetic conditions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses the characteristics of "multiple components, multiple targets and multiple pathways," and its safety has been demonstrated, particularly with minimal toxicity in liver and kidney. Thus, TCM has gained increasing attention from researchers. Moreover, recent studies have indicated that Chinese herbal medicine and its active compounds can improve vascular damage in diabetes by regulating autophagy. Based on this background, this review summarizes the classification, occurrence process, and related molecular mechanisms of autophagy, with a focus on discussing the role of autophagy in diabetic vascular damage and the protective effects of TCM and its active compounds through the regulation of autophagy in diabetes. Moreover, we systematically elucidate the autophagic mechanisms by which TCM formulations, individual herbal extracts, and active compounds regulate diabetic vascular damage, thereby providing new candidate drugs for clinical treatment of vascular complications in diabetes. Therefore, further exploration of TCM and its active compounds with autophagy-regulating effects holds significant research value for achieving targeted therapeutic approaches for diabetic vascular complications.

Tianhuang formula ameliorates liver fibrosis by inhibiting CCL2-CCR2 axis and MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In the progression of chronic liver diseases, liver fibrosis is a reversible pathophysiologic event for liver diseases prognosis and risk of cirrhosis. Liver injury factors of different etiologies mediate this process. There is still a lack of effective medications for treating liver fibrosis. Additionally, the ameliorative effects of traditional herbs on liver fibrosis have been commonly reported. Tianhuang formula (THF) is a drug combination consisting of 2 traditional Chinese herbs, which has been showing significant improvement in metabolic liver diseases. However, the hepatoprotective effect and mechanism of THF in ameliorating liver fibrosis are still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the effects of THF on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced and methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced liver fibrosis model and to reveal the potential mechanisms. It can provide experimental evidence for THF as a therapeutic candidate for liver fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, CCl4-induced mice were treated with THF (80 mg/kg, 160 mg/kg) or Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY) capsules (4.8 g/kg) for 6 weeks. MCD-induced mice received the same doses of THF or FZHY for 4 weeks. FZHY is used as a comparative study in these two models. Following that, using kit reagents detected changes in relevant serum and liver biochemical indicators. Histological changes in mouse liver were measured by staining of H&E and Sirius Red. The markers expression of liver fibrosis and inflammation were detected using qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical staining analysis. The potential regulatory mechanism of THF to ameliorate liver fibrosis was performed by RNA-sequencing analysis. Finally, the analysis results were verified by immunofluorescence co-staining, qRT-PCR and western blotting.

RESULTS

Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels in CCl4 and MCD-induced liver fibrosis mice were significantly improved after THF treatment. Meanwhile, the expression of fibrosis and inflammation markers were significantly suppressed. Furthermore, THF downregulated the expression of the macrophage marker CD68. According to RNA-sequencing analysis, we found the CCL2-CCR2 axis and MAPK/NF-κB as the potential signaling pathway for THF against liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that THF ameliorated liver injury, inflammation and fibrotic process by inhibiting CCL2-CCR2 axis and its downstream MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Research progress in the preparation, structural characterization, and biological activities of polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicines are tremendous sources of polysaccharides, which are of great interest in the human welfare system as natural medicines, food, and cosmetics. This review aims to highlight the recent trends in extraction (conventional and non-conventional), purification and analytic techniques of traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharides (TCMPs), and the chemical structure, biological activities (anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, intestinal flora regulation, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, and other activities), and the underlying mechanisms of polysaccharides extracted from 76 diverse traditional Chinese medicines were compared and discussed. With this wide coverage, a total of 164 scientific articles were searched from the database including Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and China Knowledge Network. This comprehensive survey from previous reports indicates that TCMPs are non-toxic, highly biocompatible, and good biodegradability. Besides, this review highlights that TCMPs may be excellent functional factors and effective therapeutic drugs. Finally, the current problems and future research advances of TCMPs are also introduced. New valuable insights for the future researches regarding TCMPs are also proposed in the fields of therapeutic agents and functional foods.

Echinatin inhibits tumor growth and synergizes with chemotherapeutic agents against human bladder cancer cells by activating p38 and suppressing Wnt/β-catenin pathways

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the urinary system. Due to the poor prognosis and high mortality rate of the disease, it is urgent to develop new drugs with high efficacy and low toxicity to treat BC. Echinatin (Ecn) is a bioactive natural flavonoid oflicorice that has attracted special attention for its promising anti-tumor potential. Herein, we explored the inhibitory effects of Echinatin on BC cells and probed the possible molecular mechanism. We found that Ecnin vitro inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion, arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, and promoted apoptosis in BC cells. Besides, Ecn had no notable cytotoxicity towards human normal cells. We subsequently confirmed that Ecn restrained xenograft tumor growth and metastasis of BC cells in vivo. Mechanistically, Ecn activated the p38 signaling pathway but inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, while over-expression of β-catenin and the p38 inhibitor both attenuated the inhibitory effects of Ecn on BC cells. Remarkably, Ecn combined with cisplatin (DDP) or gemcitabine (Gem) had synergistic inhibitory effects on BC cells. In summary, our results validate that Ecn inhibits the tumor growth of human BC cells via p38 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. More meaningfully, our results suggest a potential strategy to enhance DDP- or Gem-induced inhibitory effects on BC cells by combining with Ecn.

Novel nano-drug delivery system for natural products and their application

The development of natural products for potential new drugs faces obstacles such as unknown mechanisms, poor solubility, and limited bioavailability, which limit the broadened applicability of natural products. Therefore, there is a need for advanced pharmaceutical formulations of active compounds or natural products. In recent years, novel nano-drug delivery systems (NDDS) for natural products, including nanosuspensions, nanoliposomes, micelle, microemulsions/self-microemulsions, nanocapsules, and solid lipid nanoparticles, have been developed to improve solubility, bioavailability, and tissue distribution as well as for prolonged retention and enhanced permeation. Here, we updated the NDDS delivery systems used for natural products with the potential enhancement in therapeutic efficiency observed with nano-delivery systems.

Medicarpin suppresses lung cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo by inducing cell apoptosis

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Surgery, chemoradiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are considered dominant treatment strategies for LC in the clinic. However, drug resistance and meta-stasis are two major challenges in cancer therapies. Medicarpin (MED) is an isoflavone compound isolated from alfalfa, which is usually used in traditional medicine. This study was de sig ned to evaluate the anti-LC effect and reveal the underlying mechanisms of MED in vivo and in vitro. We found that MED could significantly inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest of A549 and H157 cell lines. Basically, MED induced cell apoptosis of LC cells by upregu lating the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins BAX and Bak1, leading to the cleavage of caspase-3 (Casp3). Moreover, MED inhibited the proliferation of LC cells via downregulating the expression of proliferative protein Bid. Overall, MED inhibited LC cell growth in vitro and in vivo via suppressing cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis, suggesting the therapeutic potential of MED in treating LC.

ThermomiR-377-3p-induced suppression of Cirbp expression is required for effective elimination of cancer cells and cancer stem-like cells by hyperthermia

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the development of adjunctive therapeutic hyperthermia for cancer therapy has received considerable attention. However, the mechanisms underlying hyperthermia resistance are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the roles of cold‑inducible RNA binding protein (Cirbp) in regulating hyperthermia resistance and underlying mechanisms in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS

CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, tumor sphere formation assay, qRT-PCR, Western blot were employed to examine the effects of hyperthermia (HT), HT + oridonin(Ori) or HT + radiotherapy (RT) on the proliferation and stemness of NPC cells. RNA sequencing was applied to gain differentially expressed genes upon hyperthermia. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments were used to evaluate the effects of RNAi-mediated Cirbp silencing or Cirbp overexpression on the sensitivity or resistance of NPC cells and cancer stem-like cells to hyperthermia by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, tumorsphere formation assay and apoptosis assay, and in subcutaneous xenograft animal model. miRNA transient transfection and luciferase reporter assay were used to demonstrate that Cirbp is a direct target of miR-377-3p. The phosphorylation levels of key members in ATM-Chk2 and ATR-Chk1 pathways were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

Our results firstly revealed that hyperthermia significantly attenuated the stemness of NPC cells, while combination treatment of hyperthermia and oridonin dramatically increased the killing effect on NPC cells and cancer stem cell (CSC)‑like population. Moreover, hyperthermia substantially improved the sensitivity of radiation‑resistant NPC cells and CSC‑like cells to radiotherapy. Hyperthermia noticeably suppressed Cirbp expression in NPC cells and xenograft tumor tissues. Furthermore, Cirbp inhibition remarkably boosted anti‑tumor‑killing activity of hyperthermia against NPC cells and CSC‑like cells, whereas ectopic expression of Cirbp compromised tumor‑killing effect of hyperthermia on these cells, indicating that Cirbp overexpression induces hyperthermia resistance. ThermomiR-377-3p improved the sensitivity of NPC cells and CSC‑like cells to hyperthermia in vitro by directly suppressing Cirbp expression. More importantly, our results displayed the significantly boosted sensitization of tumor xenografts to hyperthermia by Cirbp silencing in vivo, but ectopic expression of Cirbp almost completely counteracted hyperthermia-mediated tumor cell-killing effect against tumor xenografts in vivo. Mechanistically, Cirbp silencing-induced inhibition of DNA damage repair by inactivating ATM-Chk2 and ATR-Chk1 pathways, decrease in stemness and increase in cell death contributed to hyperthermic sensitization; conversely, Cirbp overexpression-induced promotion of DNA damage repair, increase in stemness and decrease in cell apoptosis contributed to hyperthermia resistance.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these findings reveal a previously unrecognized role for Cirbp in positively regulating hyperthermia resistance and suggest that thermomiR-377-3p and its target gene Cirbp represent promising targets for therapeutic hyperthermia.

Determination of Medicago orbicularis Antioxidant, Antihemolytic, and Anti-Cancerous Activities and Its Augmentation of Cisplatin-Induced Cytotoxicity in A549 Lung Cancer Cells

The anti-lung cancer properties of the plant Medicago orbicularis have not been explored yet. Therefore, we identified its phytochemical composition and investigated the antioxidant, anti-hemolytic, and anti-cancerous properties of extracts of this plant in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. The results show that all parts of M. orbicularis (stems, leaves, and fruits) exhibit remarkable hemolytic activities and modest antioxidant capacity. In addition, all extracts showed a dose-dependent anti-cancerous cytotoxic activity against A549 cells, with fruit extracts being the most potent. This cytotoxic effect could be related, at least partly, to the induction of apoptosis, where M. orbicularis fruit extracts reduced the ratio of anti-apoptotic BCL-2/pro-apoptotic BAX, thereby promoting cellular death. Furthermore, the use of M. orbicularis, in combination with a conventional chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin, was assessed. Indeed, the combination of cisplatin and M. orbicularis fruit extracts was more cytotoxic and induced more aggregation of A549 cells than either treatment alone. GC-MS analysis and total polyphenol and flavonoid content determination indicated that M. orbicularis is rich in compounds that have anti-cancerous effects. We propose M. orbicularis as a potential source of anti-cancerous agents to manage the progression of lung cancer and its resistance to therapy.

Mechanism of gambogic acid repressing invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer by regulating macrophage polarization via tumor cell-derived extracellular vesicle-shuttled miR-21

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Gambogic acid (GA) is a promising antitumor drug for treating CRC. We aimed to elucidate its mechanism in CRC invasion/metastasis via tumor cell-derived extracellular vesicle (EV)-carried miR-21. Nude mice peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) model was subjected to GA treatment liver collection, followed by observation/counting of metastatic liver tissues/liver metastatic nodules by hematoxylin and eosin staining. miR-21 expression in metastatic liver tissues/CD68 + CD86, CD68 + CD206 cell percentages and M2 macrophage marker CD206 level in tumor tissues/interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-10 levels were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)/flow cytometry/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HT-29 cells were treated with GA/miR-21 mimics/negative control for 48 h. miR-21 expression/cell proliferation/migration/invasion/apoptosis were assessed by RT-qPCR/cell counting kit-8/scratch assay/transwell assay/flow cytometry. EVs were extracted from HT-29 cells and identified by transmission electron microscope/nanoparticle tracking analysis/Western blot. IL-4/IL-13-induced macrophages/PC nude mice were treated with GA and EVs, with the internalization of EVs by macrophages assessed through the uptake test. After intraperitoneal injection of GA, PC nude mice exhibited decreased tumor cell density/irregular cell number/liver metastatic nodule number/miR-21 expression, and CRC cells manifested reduced CD68 + CD206 cells/IL-10/miR-21/proliferation/migration/invasion and increased CD68 + CD86 cells/IL-12/apoptosis, while these trends were opposite after miR-21 overexpression, implying that GA curbed CRC/cell invasion/metastasis and macrophage polarization by diminishing miR-21 levels. miR-21 was encapsulated in HT-29 cell-derived EVs. M2 polarization elevated CD206 cells/IL-10, which were decreased by simultaneous GA treatment. EVs could be uptaken by macrophages. CRC cell-EV-miR-21 annulled the suppression effects of GA on macrophage M2 polarization. GA suppressed macrophage M2 polarization by lessening tumor cell derived-EV-shuttled miR-21, thereby weakening CRC invasion/metastasis.

A review of natural products targeting tumor immune microenvironments for the treatment of lung cancer

Lung cancer (LC) produces some of the most malignant tumors in the world, with high morbidity and mortality. Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), a component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), are critical in tumor development, immune escape, and drug resistance. The TIME is composed of various immune cells, immune cytokines, etc, which are important biological characteristics and determinants of tumor progression and outcomes. In this paper, we reviewed the recently published literature and discussed the potential uses of natural products in regulating TIME. We observed that a total of 37 natural compounds have been reported to exert anti-cancer effects by targeting the TIME. In different classes of natural products, terpenoids are the most frequently mentioned compounds. TAMs are one of the most investigated immune cells about therapies with natural products in TIME, with 9 natural products acting through it. 17 natural products exhibit anti-cancer properties in LC by modulating PD-1 and PD-L1 protein activity. These natural products have been extensively evaluated in animal and cellular LC models, but their clinical trials in LC patients are lacking. Based on the current review, we have revealed that the mechanisms of LC can be treated with natural products through TIME intervention, resulting in a new perspective and potential therapeutic drugs.

Infection of PRRSV inhibits CSFV C-strain replication by inducing macrophages polarization to M1

It is a common sense that porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection could cause immune failure of classical swine fever (CSF) vaccine, and porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) are the target cells of both. To elucidate the role of macrophage polarization in PRRSV infection induced CSF vaccine failure, an immortal porcine alveolar macrophage line PAM39 cell line was used to investigate the effect of PRRSV or/and CSFV C-strain (CSFV-C) infection on macrophage polarization in vitro. Interestingly, PRRSV single infection or PRRSV co-infection with CSFV-C promoted PAM39 cells to M1, while CSFV-C single infection induced PAM39 cells to M2. After the construction of M1 and M2 PAM39 cells polarization models, M1 polarized PAM39 cells were found to inhibit the replication of CSFV-C, and Chinese medicine such as matrine, ginsenosides and astragalus polysaccharides could alleviate the polarization of PAM39 cells and the replication of CSFV-C. Furthermore, interferon (IFN)-γ and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) co-stimulation induced NF-κB activation while matrine treatment blocked M1 polarization-induced NF-κB pathway activation. These findings provided a theoretical basis for designing a new strategy to improve the immune effect of CSFV-C based on porcine alveolar macrophage polarization subtypes.

Enhancing the therapeutic potential of curcumin: a novel nanoformulation for targeted anticancer therapy to colorectal cancer with reduced miR20a and miR21 expression

Curcumin (Cur) possesses remarkable pharmacological properties, including cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. However, the utilization of Cur in pharmaceuticals faces constraints owing to its inadequate water solubility and limited bioavailability. To overcome these hurdles, there has been notable focus on exploring innovative formulations, with nanobiotechnology emerging as a promising avenue to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of these complex compounds. We report a novel safe, effective method for improving the incorporation of anticancer curcumin to induce apoptosis by reducing the expression levels of miR20a and miR21. The established method features three aspects that, to our knowledge, have not been formally verified: (1) use of a novel formula to incorporate curcumin, (2) use of all biocompatible biodegradable materials to produce this formula without leaving harmful residues, and (3) an incorporation process at temperatures of approximately 50 °C. The formula was prepared from lecithin (LE), and chitosan (CH) with an eco-friendly emulsifying agent and olive oil as the curcumin solvent. The formula was converted to nanoscale through ultrasonication and probe sonication at a frequency of 20 kHz. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the nano formula was spherical in shape with sizes ranging between 49.7 nm in diameter and negative zeta potentials ranging from 28 to 34 mV. Primers miR20a and miR21 were designed for molecular studies. Nearly complete curcumin with an encapsulation efficiency of 91.1% was established using a straight-line equation. The nano formula incorporated with curcumin was used to prepare formulations that exhibited anticancer activities. The apoptosis pathway in cancer cells was activated by the minimum inhibitory concentration of the nano formula. These findings suggest the potential of this nanoformulation as an effective and selective cancer treatment that does not affect the normal cells.

Network pharmacology combined with experimental verification to explore the potential mechanism of naringenin in the treatment of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Traditional treatment methods have become limited. Naringenin, a flavonoid abundant in various fruits and herbal medicines, has demonstrated anti-tumor properties among other effects. This research undertook to elucidate the mechanism of naringenin in the context of cervical cancer treatment by leveraging network pharmacology and performing experimental validation. Initial steps involved predicting potential naringenin targets and subsequently screening for overlaps between these targets and those related to cervical cancer, followed by analysis of their interrelationships. Molecular docking was subsequently utilized to verify the binding effect of the central target. Within the framework of network pharmacology, it was discovered that naringenin might possess anti-cancer properties specific to cervical cancer. Following this, the anti-tumor effects of naringenin on Hela cell viability, migration, and invasion were assessed employing CCK-8, transwell, wound healing assays, and western blotting. Experimental data indicated that naringenin attenuates the migration and invasion of Hela cells via downregulation EGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Thus, our findings suggest that naringenin has therapeutic impacts on cervical cancer via multiple mechanisms, primarily by inhibiting the migration and invasion through the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. This study offers fresh insights for future clinical studies.

Computational studies and structural insights for discovery of potential natural aromatase modulators for hormone-dependent breast cancer

Introduction

The aromatase enzyme plays an important role in the progress of hormone-dependent breast cancer, especially in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers. In case of postmenopausal women, the aromatization of androstenedione to estrone in adipose tissue is the most important source of estrogen. Generally 60%-75% of pre- and post-menopausal women suffer from estrogen-dependent breast cancer, and thus suppressing estrogen has been recognized to be a successful therapy. Hence, to limit the stimulation of estrogen, aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are used in the second-line treatment of breast cancer.

Methods

The present computational study employed an in silico approach in the identification of natural actives targeting the aromatase enzyme from a structurally diverse set of natural products. Molecular docking, QSAR studies and pharmacophore modeling were carried out using the VLife Molecular Design Suite (version 4.6). The stability of the compounds was confirmed by molecular dynamics.

Results

From molecular docking and analysis of interactions with the amino acid residues of the binding cavity, it was found that the amino acid residues interacting with the non-steroidal inhibitors exhibited π-stacking interactions with PHE134, PHE 221, and TRP 224, while the steroidal drug exemestane lacked π-stacking interactions. QSAR studies were performed using the flavonoid compounds, in order to identify the structural functionalities needed to improve the anti-breast cancer activity. Molecular dynamics of the screened hits confirmed the stability of compounds with the target in the binding cavity. Moreover, pharmacophore modelling presented the pharmacophoric features of the selected scaffolds for aromatase inhibitory activity.

Conclusion

The results presented 23 hit compounds that can be developed as anti-breast cancer modulating agents in the near future. Additionally, anthraquinone compounds with minor structural modification can also serve to be potential aromatase inhibitors. The in silico protocol utilised can be useful in the drug discovery process for development of new leads from structurally diverse set of natural products that are comparable to the drugs used clinically in breast cancer therapy.

Silibinin suppresses glioblastoma cell growth, invasion, stemness, and glutamine metabolism by YY1/SLC1A5 pathway

Background

Silibinin has been found to inhibit glioblastoma (GBM) progression. However, the underlying molecular mechanism by which Silibinin regulates GBM process remains unclear.

Methods

GBM cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and stemness are assessed by cell counting kit-8 assay, EdU assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay, and sphere formation assay. Western blot is used to measure the protein expression levels of apoptosis-related markers, solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5), and Yin Yang-1 (YY1). Glutamine consumption, glutamate production, and α-ketoglutarate production are detected to evaluate glutamine metabolism in cells. Also, SLC1A5 and YY1 mRNA levels are examined using quantitative real-time PCR. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay are used to detect the interaction between YY1 and SLC1A5. Mice xenograft models are constructed to explore Silibinin roles in vivo.

Results

Silibinin inhibits GBM cell proliferation, invasion, stemness, and glutamine metabolism, while promotes apoptosis. SLC1A5 is upregulated in GBM and its expression is decreased by Silibinin. SLC1A5 overexpression abolishes the anti-tumor effect of Silibinin in GBM cells. Transcription factor YY1 binds to SLC1A5 promoter region to induce SLC1A5 expression, and the inhibition effect of YY1 knockdown on GBM cell growth, invasion, stemness, and glutamine metabolism can be reversed by SLC1A5 overexpression. In addition, Silibinin reduces GBM tumor growth by regulating YY1/SLC1A5 pathway.

Conclusion

Silibinin plays an anti-tumor role in GBM process, which may be achieved via inhibiting YY1/SLC1A5 pathway.

Rapid identification of the compounds of Bushen Huoxue Prescription based on offline two-dimensional liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry and molecular network technology

The comprehensive and efficient characterization of components in traditional Chinese medicine is crucial for elucidating its active constituents and uncovering its mechanism. Identifying the compounds of the Bushen Huoxue Prescription (BHP) is difficult because of its complex composition and the large difference in concentration among its compounds. In this study, a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with reversed-phase LC (HILIC × RPLC) offline 2D-LC tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry method was established to analyze the total compounds of the BHP. Database screening and molecular networking were performed to identify the compounds. In contrast to conventional 1D chromatography, 2D chromatography increased peak capacity, enriched trace ingredients, and prevented the masking of high-abundance compounds. A total of 165 compounds were identified, and 14 potential compounds needed to be further identified. This study provided an effective method for comprehensively analyzing the complex system of traditional Chinese medicine compounds.

Shikonin Suppresses Cell Tumorigenesis in Gastric Cancer Associated with the Inhibition of c-Myc and Yap-1

AIM

The study aimed to study the potential roles and mechanisms of shikonin in gastric cancer by network pharmacology and biological experiments.

METHODS

The key genes and targets of shikonin in gastric cancer were predicted by network pharmacology and molecular docking study. The effect of shikonin on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells was detected by the CCK8 method, and wound healing and transwell assays. The expression levels of c-Myc and Yap-1 were detected via western blotting in gastric cancer cells after shikonin intervention.

RESULTS

The results of network pharmacology revealed the key target genes of shikonin on gastric cancer cells to be c-Myc, Yap-1, AKT1, etc. GO and KEGG analysis showed regulation of cell migration, proliferation, adhesion, and other biological processes, including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, necroptosis, and other cancer pathways. Molecular docking showed shikonin to be most closely combined with protooncogenes c-Myc and Yap-1. In vitro experiments showed that the proliferation rate, migration, and invasion ability of the gastric cancer cell group decreased significantly after shikonin intervention for 24h. The expression levels of c-Myc and Yap-1 in gastric cancer cells were found to be significantly decreased after shikonin intervention.

CONCLUSION

This study showed protooncogenes c-Myc and Yap-1 to be the core target genes of shikonin on gastric cancer cells. Shikonin may suppress gastric cancer cells by inhibiting the protooncogenes c-Myc and Yap-1. This suggests that shikonin may be a good candidate for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Evaluation of the Mechanism of Yishan Formula in Treating Breast Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification

BACKGROUND

Yishan formula (YSF) has a significant effect on the treatment of breast cancer, which can improve the quality of life and prolong the survival of patients with breast cancer; however, its mechanism of action is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, network pharmacology and molecular docking methods have been used to explore the potential pharmacological effects of the YSF, and the predicted targets have been validated by in vitro experiments.

METHODS

Active components and targets of the YSF were obtained from the TCMSP and Swiss target prediction website. Four databases, namely GeneCards, OMIM, TTD, and DisGeNET, were used to search for disease targets. The Cytoscape v3.9.0 software was utilized to draw the network of drug-component-target and selected core targets. DAVID database was used to analyze the biological functions and pathways of key targets. Finally, molecular docking and in vitro experiments have been used to verify the hub genes.

RESULTS

Through data collection from the database, 157 active components and 618 genes implicated in breast cancer were obtained and treated using the YSF. After screening, the main active components (kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, dinatin, luteolin, and tamarixetin) and key genes (AKT1, TP53, TNF, IL6, EGFR, SRC, VEGFA, STAT3, MAPK3, and JUN) were obtained. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis indicated that the YSF could affect the progression of breast cancer by regulating biological processes, such as signal transduction, cell proliferation and apoptosis, protein phosphorylation, as well as PI3K-Akt, Rap1, MAPK, FOXO, HIF-1, and other related signaling pathways. Molecular docking suggested that IL6 with isorhamnetin, MAPK3 with kaempferol, and EGFR with luteolin have strong binding energy. The experiment further verified that YSF can control the development of breast cancer by inhibiting the expression of the hub genes.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that resistance to breast cancer may be achieved by the synergy of multiple active components, target genes, and signal pathways, which can provide new avenues for breast cancer-targeted therapy.

Melinjo Seeds (Gnetum gnemon L.) Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxic Effects on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells: A Study Based on Tracing of Resveratrol Compound

Introduction

Breast cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. One of the polyphenols, namely, resveratrol, has been proven to have anticancer activity. Melinjo seeds which contain resveratrol need to be tested for their potential as an anti-breast cancer agent. This study aims to determine the antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effect of melinjo seeds based on solvent variations and resveratrol tracing.

Methods

Extraction of melinjo seeds was performed using the soxhletation method. Antioxidant test was performed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil method. The in vitro cytotoxic test was carried out using the microtetrazolium method. Cytotoxic test was carried out on MCF-7 breast cancer cells using a concentration range of melinjo seeds between 31,25 and 1000 μg/mL. Antioxidant and anticancer potentials are expressed in inhibitory concentration (IC)50 values. Resveratrol was traced using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (Prep-HPLC).

Results

Melinjo seed ethanol extract provided the largest total phenolics (126,154 ± 0,865 mg GAE/g sample) and total flavonoids (44,576 ± 0,611 mg QE/g sample) among all solvent fractions. The antioxidant activity of melinjo seeds from ethanol extract, n-hexane fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, and ethanol fraction was 263,307 ppm, 317,595 ppm, 160,878 ppm, and 181,159 ppm, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction of melinjo seeds showed the strongest cytotoxic effect (94.6 μg/mL) among all extracts and solvent fractions. Prep-HPLC showed that the ethanol extract of melinjo seeds contained resveratrol, while the ethanol and ethyl acetate fractions of melinjo seeds were thought to contain resveratrol derivatives.

Conclusion

The antioxidant activity of melinjo seeds showed a cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells, which varied based on solvent polarity and total phenolic and total flavonoid. The ethyl acetate fraction which is thought to contain resveratrol derivatives provides the most potent antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effect. These results indicate that melinjo seeds containing resveratrol and its derivatives have the potential for anticancer of the breast. Further studies are still needed in determining the structure of resveratrol compounds and their derivatives to ensure their biological activity and mechanism of action.

Regulation of the Notch signaling pathway by natural products for cancer therapy

The Notch signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that modulates normal biological processes involved in cellular differentiation, apoptosis, and stem cell self-renewal in a context-dependent fashion. Attributed to its pleiotropic physiological roles, both overexpression and silencing of the pathway are associated with the emergence, progression, and poorer prognosis in various types of cancer. To decrease disease incidence and promote survival, targeting Notch may have chemopreventive and anti-cancer effects. Natural products with profound historical origins have distinguished themselves from other therapies due to their easy access, high biological compatibility, low toxicity, and reliable effects at specific physiological sites in vivo. This review describes the Notch signaling pathway, particularly its normal activation process, and some main illnesses related to Notch signaling pathway dysregulation. Emphasis is placed on the effects and mechanisms of natural products targeting the Notch signaling pathway in diverse cancer types, including curcumin, ellagic acid (EA), resveratrol, genistein, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), quercetin, and xanthohumol and so on. Existing evidence indicates that natural products are feasible solution to fight against cancer by targeting Notch signaling, either alone or in combination with current therapeutic agents.

β-elemene enhances cisplatin sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer cells via the miR-17-5p/STAT3 axis

In China, β-elemene, a sesquiterpene compound derived from Curcuma wenyujin, is clinically used to treat many human malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nonetheless, the role of β-elemene in regulating cisplatin sensitivity of NSCLC cells and the related mechanisms are not clear. This study was conducted to investigate the role of β-elemene in sensitizing NSCLC cells to cisplatin. In this work, cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cell lines were constructed. CCK-8, colony formation, and flow cytometry assays were executed to examine cell viability, growth, and apoptosis. MiR-17-5p and STAT3 expression levels in cells were detected by qRT-PCR. Western blot was executed to determine the expression levels of STAT3 and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2) in the cells. Dual-luciferase reporter gene experiments were performed to verify the targeting relationship between miR-17-5p and STAT3. Herein, we report that, β-elemene inhibits the viability, and induces the apoptosis of cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells. Additionally, β-elemene induces the upregulation miR-17-5p and downregulation of STAT3. STAT3 is validated to be a target of miR-17-5p in NSCLC cells. Additionally, the role of β-elemene to repress the viability of cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells is partially counteracted by miR-17-5p inhibitor or STAT3 overexpression. In summary, our study suggests that β-elemene enhances cisplatin sensitivity of NSCLC cells by modulating miR-17-5p/STAT3 axis, and it may be a choice for the complementary treatment of NSCLC patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Chinese Medicines as a Complementary Therapy Combined With Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

BACKGROUND

In China, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), as a complementary therapy combined with chemotherapy, is widely used in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). In order to systematically evaluate and synthesize existing evidence to provide a scientific basis for the efficacy and safety of this complementary therapy, we present an overview of systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) on the topic of TCMs as a complementary therapy in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of GC.

METHODS

SRs/MAs on TCMs combined with chemotherapy for GC were comprehensively searched in 8 databases. Methodological quality, risk of bias, reporting quality, and quality of evidence were assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2), the Risk of Bias in Systematic (ROBIS) scale, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 (PRISMA 2020), as well as the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system.

RESULTS

Thirteen published SRs/MAs were included in our study. In terms of methodology, all SRs/MAs were considered to be of very low quality. Only 3 SRs/MAs has been assessed as low risk of bias. None of the SRs/MAs has been fully reported on the checklist. A total of 97 outcome indicators extracted from the included SRs/MAs were evaluated, and only 1 item was assessed as high quality.

CONCLUSIONS

TCMs may be an effective and safe complementary therapy in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of GC. However, this conclusion must be treated with caution as the quality of the evidence provided by SRs/MAs is generally low.

Bioactive compounds from Actinidia arguta fruit as a new strategy to fight glioblastoma

In recent years, there has been a significant demand for natural products as a mean of disease prevention or as an alternative to conventional medications. The driving force for this change is the growing recognition of the abundant presence of valuable bioactive compounds in natural products. On recent years Actinia arguta fruit, also known as kiwiberry, has attracted a lot of attention from scientific community due to its richness in bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds, organic acids, vitamins, carotenoids and fiber. These bioactive compounds contribute to the fruit's diverse outstanding biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer properties. Due to these properties, the fruit may have the potential to be used in the treatment/prevention of various types of cancer, including glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain cancer, displaying 90 % of recurrence rate within a span of 2 years. Despite the employment of an aggressive approach, the prognosis remains unfavorable, emphasizing the urgent requirement for the development of new effective treatments. The preclinical evidence suggests that kiwiberry has potential impact on glioblastoma by reducing the cancer self-renewal, modulating the signaling pathways involved in the regulation of the cell phenotype and metabolism, and influencing the consolidation of the tumor microenvironment. Even though, challenges such as the imprecise composition and concentration of bioactive compounds, and its low bioavailability after oral administration may be drawbacks to the development of kiwiberry-based treatments, being urgent to ensure the safety and efficacy of kiwiberry for the prevention and treatment of glioblastoma. This review aims to highlight the potential impact of A. arguta bioactive compounds on glioblastoma, providing novel insights into their applicability as complementary or alternative therapies.

Therapeutic effect and metabolic fingerprinting of triple-negative breast cancer cells following exposure to a novel pH-responsive, gambogic acid-loaded micelle

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with a poor prognosis and lacks effective therapeutic targets. The use of gambogic acid (GA), a class of active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine with anti-tumour potential, is limited in tumour therapy owing to its drawbacks and unclear organ toxicity. In this study, we used the pH-responsive amphiphilic block copolymer, PEOz-PCL, to create nanodrugs for GA delivery to MDA-MB-231 cells. The pH-responsive GA-loaded micelles were prepared through nanoprecipitation with a more homogeneous size. The average particle size was 42.29 ± 1.74 nm, and the zeta potential value was 9.88 ± 0.17 mV. The encapsulation rate was 85.06%, and the drug loading rate was 10.63%. The process was reproducible, and sustained release reached 80% in 96 h at acid pH 5.0. Furthermore, cellular tests using CCK-8, TUNEL, and flow cytometry revealed that pH-responsive GA-loaded micelles killed MDA-MB-231 cells more effectively and had much higher activity and targeting compared with free drugs. Metabolomic analysis of the changes in differential metabolites revealed that pH-responsive GA-loaded micelles may inhibit TNBC cells by causing amino acid anabolism, nucleotide metabolism, and glucose metabolism, as well as by affecting their energy sources. The study outcomes will help understand the mechanism of action and the therapeutic efficacy of pH-responsive GA-loaded micellesin vivo.

Drug monomers from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. promoting tight junction protein expression for therapeutic effects on lung cancer

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been used for treatment of various diseases, including cancer by activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Tanshinone (TanIIA) and cryptotanshinone (CPT) are major lipophilic compounds extracted from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., which are considered to be the effective compounds affecting the efficacy of the anti-tumor therapy of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. We have explored the mechanism of CPT and TanIIA exerting inhibition in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to provide experimental data support for guiding the translational development and clinical application of anti-tumor components of TCM. The subcutaneous tumor model and in vitro culture model of A549 cells was constructed to evaluate CPT and TanIIA's tumour-inhibitory effect respectively. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and bioinformatics analysis were conducted to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and signalling pathways related to CPT and TanIIA treatment. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to explore the mechanism of CPT and TanIIA intervention on NSCLC. Both CPT and TanIIA significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549 tumor cells and tumor growth in animal models. After intervention, the migration ability decreased and the level of apoptosis increased. RNA-seq results showed that both CPT and TanIIA could cause gene differential expression, miR-21-5p as one of the most significant gene expression differences between the two groups, and could act on cell connectivity. CPT and TanIIA play a regulatory role in regulating tight junction proteins (Occludin and ZO1), and Occludin mRNA and protein levels were reduced in an in vitro miR-21-5p overexpression A549 cell model. The mechanisms may be related to the reduction of miR-21-5p expression to increase the level of promoted tight junction protein expression for the purpose of inhibiting proliferation and invasion of NSCLC.

Improved Solubility and Activity of Natural Product in Nanohydrogel

With the development of technology, natural material components are widely used in various fields of science. Natural product components in phytochemical compounds are secondary metabolites produced by plants; they have been shown to have many pharmacological activities. Phytochemical compounds obtained from plants have an important role in herbal medicine. Herbal medicine is safer and cheaper than synthetic medicine. However, herbal medicines have weaknesses, such as low solubility, less stability, low bioavailability, and experiencing physical and chemical degradation, reducing their pharmacological activity. Recent herbal nano-delivery developments are mostly plant-based. A nanotechnology-based system was developed to deliver herbal therapies with better bioavailability, namely the nanohydrogel system. Nanohydrogel is a delivery system that can overcome the disadvantages of using herbal compounds because it can increase solubility, increase pharmacological activity and bioavailability, reduce toxicity, slow delivery, increase stability, improve biodistribution, and prevent physical or chemical degradation. This review article aimed to provide an overview of recent advances in developing nanohydrogel formulations derived from natural ingredients to increase solubility and pharmacological activity, as well as a summary of the challenges faced by delivery systems based on nanohydrogel derived from natural materials. A total of 25 phytochemicals derived from natural products that have been developed into nanohydrogel were proven to increase the activity and solubility of these chemical compounds.

Potential of cucurbitacin as an anticancer drug

In Chinese medicine, the Cucurbitaceae family contains many compounds known as cucurbitacins, which have been categorized into 12 classes ranging from A to T and more than 200 derivatives. Cucurbitacins are a class of highly oxidized tetracyclic triterpenoids with potent anticancer properties. The eight components of cucurbitacins with the strongest anticancer activity are cucurbitacins B, D, E, I, IIa, L-glucoside, Q, and R. Cucurbitacins have also been reported to suppress JAK-STAT 3, mTOR, VEGFR, Wnt/β-catenin, and MAPK signaling pathways, all of which are crucial for the survival and demise of cancer cells. In this paper, we review the progress in research on cucurbitacin-induced apoptosis, autophagy, cytoskeleton disruption, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of cell proliferation, inhibition of invasion and migration, inhibition of angiogenesis, epigenetic alterations, and synergistic anticancer effects in tumor cells. Recent studies have identified cucurbitacins as promising molecules for therapeutic innovation with broad versatility in immune response. Thus, cucurbitacin is a promising class of anticancer agents that can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the treatment of many types of cancer.Therefore, based on the research reports in the past five years at home and abroad, we further summarize and review the structural characteristics, chemical and biological activities, and studies of cucurbitacins based on the previous studies to provide a reference for further development and utilization of cucurbitacins.

Herba Patriniae and its component Isovitexin show anti-colorectal cancer effects by inducing apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest via p53 activation

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most prevalent cancer of the digestive tract. Herba Patriniae (also known as Bai Jiang Cao, HP) have been widely used to manage diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, and several cancers, including CRC. Nonetheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying the pharmacological action of HP on CRC remain unclear. This study investigated the underlying mechanisms of HP against CRC using network pharmacology analysis and in vitro and in vivo experiments. The results revealed nine bioactive compounds of HP. Furthermore, 3460 CRC-related targets of the identified active compounds were predicted from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Furthermore, 65 common targets were identified through the intersection of two related targets. Moreover, ten hub genes, including CDK4, CDK2, CDK1, CCND1, CCNB1, CCNA2, MYC, E2F1, CHEK1, and CDKN1A were identified through the topological analysis. Meanwhile, the GO and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the core target genes were majorly enriched in the p53 and HIF-1 signaling pathways. Moreover, HP promoted apoptosis and suppressed cell proliferation by activating the p53 signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner, while a similar effect was observed for Isovitexin (the primary component of HP). Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of HP and its component Isovitexin against CRC, providing a theoretical foundation for additional experimental verification of its clinical application.

A review on the mechanisms underlying the antitumor effects of natural products by targeting the endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptosis pathway

Cancer poses a substantial risk to human life and wellbeing as a result of its elevated incidence and fatality rates. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is an important pathway that regulates cellular homeostasis. When ERS is under- or overexpressed, it activates the protein kinase R (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-, inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)- and activating transcription Factor 6 (ATF6)-related apoptotic pathways to induce apoptosis. Tumor cells and microenvironment are susceptible to ERS, making the modulation of ERS a potential therapeutic approach for treating tumors. The use of natural products to treat tumors has substantially progressed, with various extracts demonstrating antitumor effects. Nevertheless, there are few reports on the effectiveness of natural products in inducing apoptosis by specifically targeting and regulating the ERS pathway. Further investigation and elaboration of its mechanism of action are still needed. This paper examines the antitumor mechanism of action by which natural products exert antitumor effects from the perspective of ERS regulation to provide a theoretical basis and new research directions for tumor therapy.

The signaling pathways and targets of natural products from traditional Chinese medicine treating gastric cancer provide new candidate therapeutic strategies

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the severe malignancies with high incidence and mortality, especially in Eastern Asian countries. Significant advancements have been made in diagnosing and treating GC over the past few decades, resulting in tremendous improvements in patient survival. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has garnered considerable attention as an alternative therapeutic approach for GC due to its multicomponent and multitarget characteristics. Consequently, natural products found in TCM have attracted researchers' attention, as growing evidence suggests that these natural products can impede GC progression by regulating various biological processes. Nevertheless, their molecular mechanisms are not systematically uncovered. Here, we review the major signaling pathways involved in GC development. Additionally, clinical GC samples were analyzed. Moreover, the anti-GC effects of natural products, their underlying mechanisms and potential targets were summarized. These summaries are intended to facilitate further relevant research, and accelerate the clinical applications of natural products in GC treatment.

Anti-Aging Activity and Modes of Action of Compounds from Natural Food Sources

Aging is a natural and inescapable phenomenon characterized by a progressive deterioration of physiological functions, leading to increased vulnerability to chronic diseases and death. With economic and medical development, the elderly population is gradually increasing, which poses a great burden to society, the economy and the medical field. Thus, healthy aging has now become a common aspiration among people over the world. Accumulating evidence indicates that substances that can mediate the deteriorated physiological processes are highly likely to have the potential to prolong lifespan and improve aging-associated diseases. Foods from natural sources are full of bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, carotenoids, sterols, terpenoids and vitamins. These bioactive compounds and their derivatives have been shown to be able to delay aging and/or improve aging-associated diseases, thereby prolonging lifespan, via regulation of various physiological processes. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the anti-aging activities of the compounds, polysaccharides, polyphenols, carotenoids, sterols, terpenoids and vitamins from natural food sources, and their modes of action in delaying aging and improving aging-associated diseases. This will certainly provide a reference for further research on the anti-aging effects of bioactive compounds from natural food sources.

Anticancer perspective of 6-shogaol: anticancer properties, mechanism of action, synergism and delivery system

Cancer is a malignant disease that has plagued human beings all the time, but the treatment effect of commonly used anticancer drugs in clinical practice is not ideal by reason of their drug tolerance and Strong adverse reactions to patients. Therefore, it is imperative to find effective and low-toxic anticancer drugs. Many research works have shown that natural products in Chinese herbal medicine have great anticancer potential, such as 6-shogaol, a monomer composition obtained from Chinese herbal ginger, which has been confirmed by numerous in vitro or vivo studies to be an excellent anti-cancer active substance. In addition, most notably, 6-shogaol has different selectivity for normal and cancer cells during treatment, which makes it valuable for further research and clinical development. Therefore, this review focus on the anti-cancer attributes, the mechanism and the regulation of related signaling pathways of 6-shogaol. In addition, its synergy with commonly used anticancer drugs, potential drug delivery systems and prospects for future research are discussed. This is the first review to comprehensively summarize the anti-cancer mechanism of 6-shogaol, hoping to provide a theoretical basis and guiding significance for future anti-cancer research and clinical development of 6-shogaol.

Exploring the material basis and mechanism of action of clinacanthus nutans in treating renal cell carcinoma based on metabolomics and network pharmacology

BACKGROUND

Clinacanthus nutans (for abbreviation thereafter) is often used as medicine in the form of fresh juice in the folk to treat many kinds of cancers, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It is speculated that its active ingredient may have heat sensitivity, but there are currently no reports on this aspect. Therefore, based on the folk application for fresh juice of C nutans, this study used metabonomics and network pharmacology to explore the material basis and mechanism of action of C nutans against RCC.

METHODS

Firstly, untargeted metabolomics profiling was performed by Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to screen the metabolites down-regulated by heat in the extract of C nutans. Secondly, we collected the targets of metabolites in the Swiss Target Prediction platform. In addition, the targets of RCC were obtained in the GeneCards database. The "component-target-disease" network was established by Cytoscape3.9.0 software. Then we constructed a protein-protein interaction network in the STRING network platform to screen core targets. The gene ontology and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis of core targets were carried out to predict the relevant pathway of C nutans in the treatment of RCC. Finally, the molecular docking verification of the core targets were carried out.

RESULTS

In this study, 35 potential active ingredients and 125 potential targets were obtained. And the core targets were Cellular tumor antigen p53, Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and so on. Then, 48 biological processes, 30 cell components, and 36 molecular functions were obtained by gene ontology enrichment analysis. Besides, 44 pathways were obtained by Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis, including Pathway in cancer, PI3K-Akt signal pathway, P53 signal pathway, and so on. The docking model between the core target and its corresponding components was stable.

CONCLUSION

This research is based on the folk application of C nutans, showed its potential active ingredients by metabonomics, and predicted the potential mechanism of C nutans in the treatment of RCC by network pharmacology. It provides new references for follow-up research and new drug development.

Ginsenosides: a potential natural medicine to protect the lungs from lung cancer and inflammatory lung disease

Lung cancer is the malignancy with the highest morbidity and mortality. Additionally, pulmonary inflammatory diseases, such as pneumonia, acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis (PF), also have high mortality rates and can promote the development and progression of lung cancer. Unfortunately, available treatments for them are limited, so it is critical to search for effective drugs and treatment strategies to protect the lungs. Ginsenosides, the main active components of ginseng, have been shown to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. In this paper, we focus on the beneficial effects of ginsenosides on lung diseases and their molecular mechanisms. Firstly, the molecular mechanism of ginsenosides against lung cancer was summarized in detail, mainly from the points of view of proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, metastasis, drug resistance and immunity. In in vivo and in vitro lung cancer models, ginsenosides Rg3, Rh2 and CK were reported to have strong anti-lung cancer effects. Then, in the models of pneumonia and acute lung injury, the protective effect of Rb1 was particularly remarkable, followed by Rg3 and Rg1, and its molecular mechanism was mainly associated with targeting NF-κB, Nrf2, MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways to alleviate inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. Additionally, ginsenosides may also have a potential health-promoting effect in the improvement of COPD, asthma and PF. Furthermore, to overcome the low bioavailability of CK and Rh2, the development of nanoparticles, micelles, liposomes and other nanomedicine delivery systems can significantly improve the efficacy of targeted lung cancer treatment. To conclude, ginsenosides can be used as both anti-lung cancer and lung protective agents or adjuvants and have great potential for future clinical applications.

Hotspots and future trends of autophagy in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Bibliometric analysis

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the hotspots and future trends of autophagy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and provide a reference for researchers in this field.

METHOD

Using visual analysis tools, metrological statistics and visual research on the pertinent literature in the area of autophagy use in TCM were undertaken in the core collection database of the Web of Science. By examining the authors, keywords, research circumstances, research hotspots, and trends of linked research, the use of autophagy in TCM was investigated.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

A total of 916 studies were included, among which Beijing University Chinese Medicine was the largest number of advantageous research institutions, followed by Shanghai University Traditional Chinese Medicine and Guangzhou University Chinese Medicine.The keywords of literature research primarily comprise apoptosis, activation, inhibition, pathway, mechanism, oxidative stress, proliferation, NF-κB, cancer, mtor, etc. At present, the research on autophagy in the field of TCM is increasing on a year-to-year basis. The research has focused on the role played by TCM in malignant tumors, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease through autophagy, and the regulation of autophagy signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, TLR4 signaling pathway,nrf2 signaling pathway and NF-κB signaling pathway). In the future, the therapeutic effect of TCM on chemotherapy-resistant tumor cells through autophagy pathway, the role of TCM mediating mitophagy and activating autophagy function, and the therapeutic effect of TCM components represented by luteolin on tumors, asthma, myocardial injury and other diseases through autophagy mechanism will be the research hotspots in the future.

Functional anti-bone tumor biomaterial scaffold: construction and application

Bone tumors, including primary bone tumors and bone metastases, have been plagued by poor prognosis for decades. Although most tumor tissue is removed, clinicians are still confronted with the dilemma of eliminating residual cancer cells and regenerating defective bone tissue after surgery. Therefore, functional biomaterial scaffolds are considered to be the ideal candidates to bridge defective tissues and restrain cancer recurrence. Through functionalized structural modifications or coupled therapeutic agents, they provide sufficient mechanical strength and osteoinductive effects while eliminating cancer cells. Numerous novel approaches such as photodynamic, photothermal, drug-conjugated, and immune adjuvant-assisted therapies have exhibited remarkable efficacy against tumors while exhibiting low immunogenicity. This review summarizes the progress of research on biomaterial scaffolds based on different functionalization strategies in bone tumors. We also discuss the feasibility and advantages of the combined application of multiple functionalization strategies. Finally, potential obstacles to the clinical translation of anti-tumor bone bioscaffolds are highlighted. This review will provide valuable references for future advanced biomaterial scaffold design and clinical bone tumor therapy.

Systemic administration of Shikonin ameliorates cognitive impairment and neuron damage in NPSLE mice

Shikonin is an anti-inflammatory natural herbal drug extracted from Lithospermum erythrorhizon and its therapeutic effect on neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is yet unknown. In our study, Shikonin significantly reversed the cognitive impairment and alleviated the brain tissue damage in NPSLE mice. The permeability of blood-brain barrier was also verified to be repaired in Shikonin-treated NPSLE mice. In particular, we found that Shikonin alleviated neuroinflammation through inhibiting β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby depressing the activation of microglia and the loss of neuronal synapses. Overall, Shikonin may be a promising candidate drug for NPSLE through diminishing neuroinflammation and repairing neuron damage.

Anti-Aging Potential of Plants of the Anak Dalam Tribe, Jambi, Indonesia

The process of skin aging is a physiological phenomenon that can not be avoided. According to global population data, the rate of aging increases by approximately 13% every year. The impact of skin aging has become a significant concern and challenge for developed countries. Consequently, there has been a search for potential new anti-aging agents. This review aims to provide an overview of the current research status of plants of the Anak Dalam Tribe (Indonesian: Suku Anak Dalam [SAD]; referred to as SAD henceforth) in Jambi Province, Indonesia, for the development of potential new anti-aging agents. One such discovery is a product derived from natural ingredients with the ability to prevent premature aging. These new anti-aging plants have been used for centuries by the Anak Dalam tribe, for treating skin diseases and maintaining skin health through traditional remedies. Recent research on herbal formulations used by the SAD community in Indonesia for skin beauty treatments, reported by Research on Medicinal Plants and Herbs or RISTOJA, indicates that 64 plant species are used for skin care. Among these plants, Toona sinensis, Curcuma heyneana, Curcuma zedoaria, Curcuma longa, and Kaempferia rotunda are the most commonly used medicinal plants with anti-aging properties. T. sinensis is a tree, while the others are herbs. T. sinensis shows the highest potential for development as an anti-aging agent, with its extracts, active fractions, and bioactive quercetin isolates known to possess strong anti-aging activities both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, C. heyneana, C. longa, C. zedoaria, and K. rotunda also show potential for further research, and three of them have demonstrated good potential for in vivo anti-aging activities. Only K. rotunda demonstrates relatively weaker antioxidant activity compared to T. sinensis, C. heyneana, C. longa, and C. zedoaria. Nevertheless, K. rotunda can still be developed to search for potential opportunities as agents with other activities, while T. sinensis, C. heyneana, C. longa, and C. zedoaria in the findings could be an opportunity to explore the potential of new anti-aging agents. In conclusion, of the five medicinal plants traditionally used by the SAD in Jambi, Indonesia, C. longa has received the most extensive research and shows potential for the development of anti-aging solutions. C. zedoaria, C. heyneana and K. rotunda show good potential for in vivo anti-aging activity. T. sinensis is the least-studied medicinal plant. Nevertheless, it has potential for development, as it is widely used by the SAD community for both traditional medicine and skin care.

Anticancer Effects of Fucoxanthin through Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis Induction, and Angiogenesis Inhibition in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

The absence of progesterone receptors, estrogen receptors, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 restricts the therapy choices for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Moreover, conventional medication is not highly effective in treating TNBC, and developing effective therapeutic agents from natural bioactive compounds is a viable option. In this study, the anticancer effects of the natural compound fucoxanthin were investigated in two genetically different models of TNBC cells: MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. Fucoxanthin had a significant anticancer effect in both cell lines at a concentration range of 1.56-300 µM. The compound decreased cell viability in both cell lines with higher potency in MDA-MB-468 cells. Meanwhile, proliferation assays showed similar antiproliferative effects in both cell lines after 48 h and 72 h treatment periods. Flow cytometry and Annexin V-FITC apoptosis assay revealed the ability of fucoxanthin to induce apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 only. Cell cycle arrest analysis showed that the compound also induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase in both cell lines, accompanied by more cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells at S-phase and a higher cell cycle arrest in the MDA-MB-468 cells at G2-phase. Wound healing and migration assay showed that in both cell lines, fucoxanthin prevented migration, but was more effective in MDA-MB-231 cells in a shorter time. In both angiogenic cytokine array and RT-PCR studies, fucoxanthin (6.25 µM) downregulated VEGF-A and -C expression in TNF-α-stimulated (50 ng/mL) MDA-MB-231, but not in MDA-MB-468 cells on the transcription and protein levels. In conclusion, this study shows that fucoxanthin was more effective in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, where it can target VEGF-A and VEGF-C, inhibit cell proliferation and cell migration, and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis-the most crucial cellular processes involved in breast cancer development and progression.

Facilitated Drug Repurposing with Artemisinin-Derived PROTACs: Unveiling PCLAF as a Therapeutic Target

Artemisinin, a prominent anti-malaria drug, is being investigated for its potential as a repurposed cancer treatment. However, its effectiveness in tumor cell lines remains limited, and its mechanism of action is unclear. To make more progress, the PROteolysis-TArgeting chimera (PROTAC) technique has been applied to design and synthesize novel artemisinin derivatives in this study. Among them, AD4, the most potent compound, exhibited an IC50 value of 50.6 nM in RS4;11 cells, over 12-fold better than that of its parent compound, SM1044. This was supported by prolonged survival of RS4;11-transplanted NOD/SCID mice. Meanwhile, AD4 effectively degraded PCLAF in RS4;11 cells and thus activated the p21/Rb axis to exert antitumor activity by directly targeting PCLAF. The discovery of AD4 highlights the great potential of using PROTACs to improve the efficacy of natural products, identify therapeutic targets, and facilitate drug repurposing. This opens a promising avenue for transforming other natural products into effective therapies.

Jatrophone: a cytotoxic macrocylic diterpene targeting PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway, inducing apoptosis and autophagy in resistant breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor that affects women worldwide. The primary challenge in treating breast cancer is combating drug resistance, which contributes to relapse and metastasis. Jatrophone is a unique macrocyclic jatrophane diterpene found in various Jatropha and Euphorbia species. It possesses diverse biological and pharmacological activities, including anticancer activity. However, it is unclear whether jatrophone can overcome drug resistance in breast cancer.

METHODS

This study includes the investigation of the cytotoxicity of jatrophone on doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells (MCF-7ADR) and the underlying molecular mechanisms. The effects of jatrophone on cell viability were determined using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, while flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and autophagy. A scratch assay was conducted to observe cell migration, and western blotting was used to measure downstream protein levels (PI3K, AKT, and NF-κB). Unpaired Student's t-tests were used for comparison between the two groups and the results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey- Kremer post hoc test.

RESULTS

It was shown that jatrophone exhibited potent cytotoxic activity on MCF-7ADR cells in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 1.8 µM. It also significantly induced cell cycle S and G/M phase arrest. Interestingly, jatrophone induced both early and late apoptotic cell death, as well as autophagic cell death, with negligible necrosis. Furthermore, jatrophone treatment diminished the migration of MCF-7ADR cells. At the molecular level, jatrophone treatment significantly down-regulated the expression levels of PI3K, AKT, and NF-κB. β.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study suggest that jatrophone decreases the proliferation of MCF-7/ADR cells at a low micromolar concentration; induces cell cycle arrest; promotes apoptotic, and autophagic cell death; inhibits migration and EMT; and works on resistance by a mechanism involving the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/ NF-κB pathway. These findings provide evidence of the potential of jatrophone to be a promising lead compound for targeting doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells and could be further investigated for its clinical application as a chemotherapy adjuvant.

Moringa oleifera: A Review on the Antiproliferative Potential in Breast Cancer Cells

The global burden of female breast cancer and associated deaths has become a major concern. Many chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin, have been shown to have adverse side effects. The development of multi-drug resistance is a common occurrence, contributing to chemotherapeutic failure. The resistance of breast cancer cells to drug treatment leads to a decline in the treatment efficacy and an increase in cancer recurrence. Therefore, action is required to produce alternative drug therapies, such as herbal drugs. Herbal drugs have been proven to be beneficial in treating illnesses, including cancer. This review aims to highlight the antiproliferative potential of Moringa oleifera (MO), a medicinal tree native to India and indigenous to Africa, in breast cancer cells. Although MO is not yet considered a commercial chemopreventive drug, previous studies have indicated that it could become a chemotherapeutic agent. The possible antiproliferative potential of MO aqueous leaf extract has been previously proven through its antioxidant potential as well as its ability to induce apoptosis. This review will provide an increased understanding of the effect that MO aqueous leaf extract could potentially have against breast cancer.

The anti-cancer effect and mechanism of animal scale-derived extract on malignant melanoma cells

Melanoma is a type of cancer with abnormal proliferation of melanocytes and is one of the most diagnosed cancer types. In traditional Chinese medicine, pangolin scales have been used to treat various diseases, including human cancers. However, its efficacy has not been scientifically proven. Here we studied the anticancer effect and mechanism of pangolin scale extract (PSE) on melanoma cell lines using scientific approaches. Our cell viability assay shows that PSE exhibits up to approximately 50-80% inhibition on SK-MEL-103 and A375 melanoma cell lines. Mechanically, PSE inhibits melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and causes changes in cell morphology. The apoptosis assay showed a significant chromosomal condensation inside the PSE-treated melanoma cells. The sequencing and analysis of A375 melanoma cell transcriptomes revealed 3077 differentially expressed genes in the 6 h treatment group and 8027 differentially expressed genes in the 72 h treatment group. Transcriptome analysis suggests that PSE may cause cell cycle arrest in melanoma cells and promote apoptosis mainly by up-regulating the p53 signaling pathway and down-regulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. In this study, the anticancer effect of PSE was demonstrated by molecular biological means. PSE shows a significant inhibition effect on melanoma cell proliferation and cell migration in vitro, causes cell cycle arrest and promotes apoptosis through p53 and PI3K-AKT pathways. This study provides better insights into the anti-cancer efficacy and underlying mechanism of PSE and a theoretical basis for mining anticancer compounds or the development of new treatments for melanoma in the future. It is worth noting that this study does not advocate the use of the pangolin scale for disease treatment, but only to confirm its usefulness from a scientific research perspective and to encourage subsequent research around the development of active compounds to replace pangolin scales to achieve the conservation of this endangered species.

Brevilin A exerts anti-colorectal cancer effects and potently inhibits STAT3 signaling invitro

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related morbidity worldwide, with an estimated of 1.85 million new cases and 850,000 deaths every year. Nevertheless, the current treatment regimens for CRC have many disadvantages, including toxicities and off-targeted side effects. STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) has been considered as a promising molecular target for CRC therapy. Brevilin A, a sesquiterpene lactone compound rich in Centipedae Herba has potent anticancer effects in nasopharyngeal, prostate and breast cancer cells by inhibiting the STAT3 signaling. However, the anti-CRC effect of brevilin A and the underlying mechanism of action have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of STAT3 signaling in the anti-CRC action of brevilin A. Here, HCT-116 and CT26 cell models were used to investigate the anti-CRC effects of brevilin A in vitro. HCT-116 cells overespressing with STAT3 were used to evaluate the involvement of STAT3 signaling in the anti-CRC effect of brevilin A. Screening of 49 phosphorylated tyrosine kinases in the HCT-116 cells after brevilin A treatment was performed by using the human phospho-receptor tyrosine kinase (phospho-RTK) array. Results showed that brevilin A inhibited cell proliferation and cell viability, induced apoptosis, reduced cell migration and invasion, inhibited angiogenesis, lowered the protein expression levels of phospho-Src (Tyr416), phospho-JAK2 (Y1007/1008) and phospho-STAT3 (Tyr705), and inhibited STAT3 activation and nuclear localization. Brevilin A also significantly reduced the protein expression levels of STAT3 target genes, such as MMP-2, VEGF and Bcl-xL. More importantly, over-activation of STAT3 diminished brevilin A's effects on cell viability. All these results suggest that brevilin A exerts potent anti-CRC effects, at least in part, by inhibiting STAT3 signaling. Our findings provide a strong pharmacological basis for the future exploration and development of brevilin A as a novel STAT3-targeting phytotherapeutic agent for CRC treatment.

Alternations of NF-κB Signaling by Natural Compounds in Muscle-Derived Cancers

The NF-κB-signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cancer progression, including muscle-derived cancers such as rhabdomyosarcoma or sarcoma. Several natural compounds have been studied for their ability to alter NF-κB signaling in these types of cancers. This review paper summarizes the current knowledge on the effects of natural compounds, including curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and berberine, on NF-κB signaling in muscle-derived cancers. These compounds have been shown to inhibit NF-κB signaling in rhabdomyosarcoma cells through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting the activation of the IKK complex and the NF-κB transcription factor. These findings suggest that natural compounds could be potential therapeutic agents for muscle-derived cancers. However, further research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms of action and potential clinical applications.

Chinese herbal compound SanHuang decoction reverses axitinib resistance in ccRCC through regulating immune cell infiltration by affecting ADAMTS18 expression

This investigation aims to study the reversal effect of the Chinese herbal compound SanHuang decoction on axitinib resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cells and its mechanistic role by employing cellular and mouse models. Axitinib-resistant ccRCC cell lines (A498-DR and 786-O-DR) were cultured and treated with SanHuang decoction. The apoptosis and migration of tumor cells were observed by flow cytometry and wound healing assays, respectively, and the expression of a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif 18 (ADAMTS18) was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB). In addition, A498-DR cells were inoculated into mice to establish tumorigenic models, and the models were treated with normal saline, axitinib, or different concentrations of SanHuang decoction plus axitinib. Then, the tumor diameter in each group was measured, and the expression of ADAMTS18 was evaluated by RT-PCR, WB and immunohistochemistry. In addition, the distribution of T cells (CD45+, CD4+, CD8+) and PD-L1 expression was analyzed by flow cytometry to evaluate the level of immune cell infiltration. SanHuang decoction significantly reduced the proliferative activity of axitinib-resistant tumor cells and enhanced the sensitivity of tumors to axitinib in vitro (cell lines) and in mice. In the SanHuang decoction group, the expression level of ADAMTS18 was increased to some extent, and several phenomena were observed, including (1) subcutaneous transplanted tumors grew slower, (2) the CD45+/PD-L1 ratio was decreased and (3) the proportions of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells were increased. Overexpression of ADAMTS18 was synergistic with SanHuang decoction treatment to jointly improve tumor immune infiltration and inhibit immune escape. Pearson correlation analysis of sample data showed that there was a negative correlation between the expression of ADAMTS18 and PD-L1 in tumor tissues. In conclusion, the Chinese herbal compound SanHuang decoction can reverse axitinib resistance in ccRCC cells by regulating immune cell infiltration and affecting ADAMTS18 expression.

Pharmacological Activity of Cepharanthine

Cepharanthine, a natural bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloid isolated from the plant Stephania Cephalantha Hayata, is the only bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid approved for human use and has been used in the clinic for more than 70 years. Cepharanthine has a variety of medicinal properties, including signaling pathway inhibitory activities, immunomodulatory activities, and antiviral activities. Recently, cepharanthine has been confirmed to greatly inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, we aimed to describe the pharmacological properties and mechanisms of cepharanthine, mainly including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-pathogen activities, inhibition of bone resorption, treatment of alopecia, treatment of snake bite, and other activities. At the same time, we analyzed and summarized the potential antiviral mechanism of cepharanthine and concluded that one of the most important anti-viral mechanisms of cepharanthine may be the stability of plasma membrane fluidity. Additionally, we explained its safety and bioavailability, which provides evidence for cepharanthine as a potential drug for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Finally, we further discuss the potential new clinical applications of cepharanthine and provide direction for its future development.