Esculetin Induces Apoptosis Through EGFR/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway and Nucleophosmin Relocalization

Development of certain benzylidene coumarin derivatives as anti-prostate cancer agents targeting EGFR and PI3Kβ kinases

Novel coumarin derivatives were synthesised and tested for their cytotoxicity against human cancer cells (PC-3 and MDA-MB-231). Compounds 5, 4b, and 4a possessed potent cytotoxic activity against PC-3 cells with IC50 3.56, 8.99, and 10.22 µM, respectively. Compound 4c displayed cytotoxicity more than erlotinib in the MDA-MB-231 cells with IC50 8.5 µM. Moreover, compound 5 exhibited potent inhibitory activity on EFGR with IC50 0.1812 µM, as well as PI3Kβ inhibitory activity that was twofold higher than LY294002, suggesting that this compound has a dual EGFR and PI3Kβ inhibiting activity. Docking aligns with the in vitro results and sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying dual targeting. Furthermore, compound 5 decreased AKT and m-TOR expression in PC-3 cells, showing that it specifically targets these cells via the EGFR/PI3K/Akt/m-TOR signalling pathway. Simultaneously, compound 5 caused cell cycle arrest at S phase and induced activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways.

Exploiting new strategies in combating head and neck carcinoma: A comprehensive review on phytochemical approaches passing through PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Recently, malignant neoplasms have growingly caused human morbidity and mortality. Head and neck cancer (HNC) constitutes a substantial group of malignancies occurring in various anatomical regions of the head and neck, including lips, mouth, throat, larynx, nose, sinuses, oropharynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, and salivary glands. The present study addresses the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway as a possible therapeutic target in cancer therapy. Finding new multitargeting agents capable of modulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR and cross-linked mediators could be viewed as an effective strategy in combating HNC. Recent studies have introduced phytochemicals as multitargeting agents and rich sources for finding and developing new therapeutic agents. Phytochemicals have exhibited immense anticancer effects, including targeting different stages of HNC through the modulation of several signaling pathways. Moreover, phenolic/polyphenolic compounds, alkaloids, terpenes/terpenoids, and other secondary metabolites have demonstrated promising anticancer activities because of their diverse pharmacological and biological properties like antiproliferative, antineoplastic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The current review is mainly focused on new therapeutic strategies for HNC passing through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway as new strategies in combating HNC.

Application of Natural Medicinal Plants Active Ingredients in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant cancer of the head and neck, with high morbidity and mortality, ranking as the sixth most common cancer in the world. The treatment of OSCC is mainly radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, however, the prognosis of patients is still poor and the recurrence rate is high. This paper reviews the range of effects of natural medicinal plant active ingredients (NMPAIs) on OSCC cancer, including the types of NMPAIs, anti-cancer mechanisms, involved signaling pathways, and clinical trials. The NMPAIs include terpenoids, phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, coumarins, and volatile oils. These active ingredients inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and autophagy, inhibit migration and invasion of OSCC cells, and regulate cancer immunity to exert anti-cancer effects. The mechanism involves signaling pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B, nuclear factor kappa B, miR-22/WNT1/β-catenin and Nrf2/Keap1. Clinically, NMPAIs can inhibit the growth of OSCC, and the combined drug is more effective. Natural medicinal plants are promising candidates for the treatment of OSCC.

Esculetin unveiled: Decoding its anti-tumor potential through molecular mechanisms-A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

The growing complexity of cancer has made it a significant concern in the medical community. Although cancer research has advanced, it is still challenging to create new effective medications due to the limitations and side effects of existing treatment strategies. These are enforcing the development of some alternative drugs from natural compounds with fewer drawbacks and side effects.

AIM

Therefore, this review aims to provide up-to-date, crucial, and all-encompassing data on esculetin's anticancer activity, including all relevant molecular and cellular processes based on in vivo and in vitro investigations.

RESULTS

According to the literature review, esculetin is available in nature and is effective against 16 different types of cancer. The general mechanism shown by esculetin is modulating signaling cascades and its related pathways, like cell proliferation, cell growth, autophagy, apoptosis, necrosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, metastasis, invasion, and DNA damage. Nanoformulation of esculetin improves this natural product's efficacy by improving water solubility. Esculetin's synergistic effects with both natural substances and conventional treatments have been shown, and this method aids in reversing resistance mechanisms by modulating resistance-related proteins. In addition, it has fewer side effects on humans than other phytochemicals and standard drugs with some good pharmacokinetic features.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, until standard chemotherapeutics are available in pharmaceutical markets, esculetin should be used as a therapeutic drug against various cancer types.

Pharmacological activities of esculin and esculetin: A review

Esculin and esculetin are 2 widely studied coumarin components of Cortex Fraxini, which is a well-known herbal medicine with a 2000-year history. In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that both have a variety of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, anti-atherosclerotic, and so on. Their underlying mechanisms of action and biological activities include scavenging free radicals, modulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway, regulating the cell cycle, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and migration, promoting mitochondrial pathway apoptosis, inhibiting the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, regulating CD4+ T cells differentiation and associated cytokine release, inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cells, etc. This review aims to provide comprehensive information on pharmacological studies of esculin and esculetin, which is of noteworthy importance in exploring the therapeutic potential of both coumarin compounds.

Nuciferine Inhibits Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Partially through Suppressing the STAT3 Signaling Pathway

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) poses a significant obstacle to the worldwide healthcare system. Discovering efficient and non-toxic medications is crucial for managing OSCC. Nuciferine, an alkaloid with an aromatic ring, is present in the leaves of Nelumbo nucifera. It has been proven to play a role in multiple biological processes, including the inhibition of inflammation, regulation of the immune system, formation of osteoclasts, and suppression of tumors. Despite the demonstrated inhibitory effects of nuciferine on different types of cancer, there is still a need for further investigation into the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of nuciferine in OSCC. Through a series of in vitro experiments, it was confirmed that nuciferine hindered the growth, movement, and infiltration, while enhancing the programmed cell death of OSCC cells. Furthermore, the administration of nuciferine significantly suppressed the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in comparison to other signaling pathways. Moreover, the activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway by colivelin resulted in the reversal of nuciferine-suppressed OSCC behaviors. In vivo, we also showed the anti-OSCC impact of nuciferine using the cell-based xenograft (CDX) model in nude mice. Nonetheless, colivelin diminished the tumor-inhibiting impact of nuciferine, suggesting that nuciferine might partially impede the advancement of OSCC by suppressing the STAT3 signaling pathway. Overall, this research could offer a fresh alternative for the pharmaceutical management of OSCC.

Cathepsins Trigger Cell Death and Regulate Radioresistance in Glioblastoma

Treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) remains very challenging, and it is particularly important to find sensitive and specific molecular targets. In this work, we reveal the relationship between the expression of cathepsins and radioresistance in GBM. We analyzed cathepsins (cathepsin B, cathepsin D, cathepsin L, and cathepsin Z/X), which are highly associated with the radioresistance of GBM by regulating different types of cell death. Cathepsins could be potential targets for GBM treatment.

Integrated network pharmacology and experimental analysis unveil multi-targeted effect of 18α- glycyrrhetinic acid against non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most malignant types of cancer with soaring incidence rates worldwide, attributed to its heterogeneity and complex etiology. Evidently, alternative anti-cancer therapies comprising traditional medicines and natural products have gained attention for their ability to act as chemopreventive agents with minimal toxicities, either alone or in combination. Accumulating studies have substantiated the inevitability of network pharmacology studies for effectively mapping molecular targets of natural products against multifaceted diseases, including cancer. The 18α-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18α-GA), a triterpenoid found in licorice plants, has shown promising medicinal properties, although, its mechanism of action against NSCLC yet remains elusive. The present study was conducted to explore the anti- NSCLC potential of 18α-GA, employing integrative network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental research. Initially, network analysis revealed 181 common targets of 18α-GA in NSCLC as shown in the “compound-target- disease” network employing Cytoscape 3.8.2. Further analyses identified EGFR, AKT1, PI3KR1, MAPK1, IGF1, and SRC as the most crucial hub targets of 18α-GA against NSCLC. Moreover, molecular docking simulations and functional enrichment analyses indicated the involvement of multiple signaling pathways in suppressing NSCLC. Subsequent in-vitro studies verified the antiproliferative effect of 18α-GA on two NSCLC cancer cell lines, H1299 and A549. Mechanistically, 18α-GA arrested cell cycle at the G1 phase, induced apoptosis, decreased migratory potential, and protein expression levels of EGFR-PI3K/AKT, as examined by flow cytometry, morphological assessment, RT-PCR, and western blot. In conclusion, this study delineates the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism(s) of 18α-GA as a putative novel drug against NSCLC. However, further studies are warranted to elucidate the complete molecular mechanism(s) using animal models of NSCLC.

Deoxypodophyllotoxin Induces ROS-Mediated Apoptosis by Modulating the PI3K/AKT and p38 MAPK-Dependent Signaling in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT), a naturally occurring flavonolignan, possesses several pharmacological properties, including anticancer property. However, the mechanisms underlying DPT mode of action in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the anticancer effects of DPT on OSCC and the underlying mechanisms. Results of the MTT assay revealed that DPT significantly reduced the cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that DPT induces apoptosis in OSCC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, DPT enhanced the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in OSCC cells. Mechanistically, DPT induced apoptosis in OSCC cells by suppressing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway while activating the p38 MAPK signaling to regulate the expression of apoptotic proteins. Treatment with SC79, an AKT activator, reversed the effects of DPT on AKT signaling in OSCC cells. Taken together, these results provide the basis for the use of DPT in combination with conventional chemotherapy for the treatment of oral cancer.

Esculetin: A review of its pharmacology and pharmacokinetics

Esculetin is a natural dihydroxy coumarin; it is mainly extracted from twig skin and the trunk bark of the Chinese herbal medicine Fraxinus rhynchophylla Hance. Emerging evidence suggests that esculetin has a wide range of pharmacological activities. Based on its fundamental properties, including antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antiapoptotic, anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective activities, as well as antibacterial activity, among others, esculetin is expected to be a therapeutic drug for specific disease indications, such as cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and other diseases. The oral bioavailability of esculetin was shown by studies to be low. The extensive glucuronidation was described to be the main metabolic pathway of esculetin and C-7 phenolic hydroxyl to be its major metabolic site. With the development of scientific research technology, the pharmacological effects of esculetin are identified and its potential for the treatment of diseases is demonstrated. The underlining mechanisms of action and biological activities as well as the pharmacokinetic data of the analyzed compound reported so far are highlighted in this review with the aim of becoming a proven, and applicable insight and reference for further studies on the utilization of esculetin.

Phytocompounds Targeting Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer: An Assessment of Role, Mechanisms, Pathways, and Therapeutic Relevance

The metabolism of cancer is remarkably different from that of normal cells and confers a variety of benefits, including the promotion of other cancer hallmarks. As the rewired metabolism is a near-universal property of cancer cells, efforts are underway to exploit metabolic vulnerabilities for therapeutic benefits. In the continued search for safer and effective ways of cancer treatment, structurally diverse plant-based compounds have gained substantial attention. Here, we present an extensive assessment of the role of phytocompounds in modulating cancer metabolism and attempt to make a case for the use of plant-based compounds in targeting metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer. We discuss the pharmacological interactions of phytocompounds with major metabolic pathways and evaluate the role of phytocompounds in the regulation of growth signaling and transcriptional programs involved in the metabolic transformation of cancer. Lastly, we examine the potential of these compounds in the clinical management of cancer along with limitations and challenges.

Molecular mechanism and pharmacokinetics of flavonoids in the treatment of resistant EGF receptor-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer: A narrative review

Here, we review the molecular mechanism and pharmacokinetics of flavonoids in the treatment of resistant EGF receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and particularly the possible mechanism(s) of delicaflavone, a biflavonoid extracted from Selaginella doederleinii Hieron. EGFR TK inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) are ubiquitously used in the treatment of NSCLC bearing EGFR mutations. However, patients treated with EGFR-TKI inevitably and continuously develop resistance. In laboratory studies, flavonoids, as potential adjuvants for cancer chemotherapy, exhibited anti-cancer properties such as inhibition of chemoresistance by interference with ABC transporters-induced drug efflux, curbing of c-MET amplification, or reversal of T790M mutation-mediated resistance. The current review aims at summarizing the association between the anti-cancer potentials of flavonoids and their possible regulatory roles in certain types of mutation that could trigger EGFR-TKI resistance in NSCLC. Potential practical applications of these phytochemicals, as well as the relevant pharmacokinetics, are also discussed.

What are the mechanisms of action of the different contraceptive methods to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer?

OBJECTIVE

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is the deadliest gynaecologic malignancy. Knowing that OvCa, as a disease, has different origins has allowed us to relate them to the mechanisms of action of different contraceptive methods with the aim of evaluating the possibility of their use in reducing risk.

STUDY DESIGN

This commentary review article will instead focus on the recent findings on the role of contraceptive methods in preventing of OvCa.

RESULTS

Combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) use is an effective method of chemoprevention for OvCa in the general population and in women with genetic disorders. Salpingectomy, better than tubal ligation, should be offered for ovarian/tubal/peritoneal cancer prevention. Progestogen-only methods can decrease the risk of OvCa via reduced menstrual bleeding and by changes in the hormonal environment that surrounds the ovary. IUDs of any type, through different mechanisms, decrease the risk of OvCa. Barrier methods prevent the passage of germs into the tubes and ovaries and the inflammatory state they produce.

CONCLUSIONS

Most contraceptive methods have a mechanism of action that may favour a reduction in the risk of OvCa. The theories of incessant ovulation, retrograde menstruation, and that the fallopian tubes are the site of origin of a proportion of high-grade serous OvCa, have led to the recommendation that anovulatory methods, those that decrease menstrual bleeding, and those that blocked tubes, or even better, 'opportunistic salpingectomy' are a current approach to prevent OvCa in the population general and, above all, in the population at risk.

Disparities in Head and Neck Cancer: A Case for Chemoprevention with Vitamin D

Blacks experience disproportionate head and neck cancer (HNC) recurrence and mortality compared to Whites. Overall, vitamin D status is inversely associated to HNC pointing to a potential protective linkage. Although hypovitaminosis D in Blacks is well documented it has not been investigated in Black HNC patients. Thus, we conducted a prospective pilot study accessing vitamin D status in newly diagnosed HNC patients stratified by race and conducted in vitro studies to investigate mechanisms associated with potential cancer inhibitory effects of vitamin D. Outcome measures included circulating levels of vitamin D, related nutrients, and risk factor characterization as well as dietary and supplemental estimates. Vitamin D-based in vitro assays utilized proteome and microRNA (miR) profiling. Nineteen patients were enrolled, mean circulating vitamin D levels were significantly reduced in Black compared to White HNC patients, 27.3 and 20.0 ng/mL, respectively. Whites also supplemented vitamin D more frequently than Blacks who had non-significantly higher vitamin D from dietary sources. Vitamin D treatment of HNC cell lines revealed five significantly altered miRs regulating genes targeting multiple pathways in cancer based on enrichment analysis (i.e., negative regulation of cell proliferation, angiogenesis, chemokine, MAPK, and WNT signaling). Vitamin D further altered proteins involved in cancer progression, metastasis and survival supporting a potential role for vitamin D in targeted cancer prevention.

Esculetin inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of clear cell renal cell carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

Esculetin, the main active ingredient in the Chinese herbal medicineCortex Fraxini, has been shown to possess antitumor activity. However, the effect of esculetin on clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has not been investigated.

METHODS

MTS assays and colony formation assays were used to study the cytotoxicity of esculetin. The effects of esculetin on cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect cell cycle-, apoptosis-, and EMT-related proteins. Wound-healing assays and transwell assays were performed to study the effect of esculetin on cell migration and invasion in the ccRCC cell lines 786-O and SN12-PM6.

RESULTS

Esculetin exerted cytotoxic activities in 786-O and SN12-PM6 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The compound arrested the cell cycle in G0/G1 and G2/M phase with down-regulation of Cyclin D1, CDK4, CDK6, and c-Myc expression. Esculetin also induced apoptosis and the expression of cleaved caspase 3 increased. Additionally, esculetin significantly inhibited 786-O and SN12-PM6 cell migration and invasion, the expression of E-Cadherin increased, and the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin decreased.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these results suggest that esculetin inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of ccRCC and is a potential novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of ccRCC.

Esculetin Inhibits Proliferation, Invasion, and Migration of Laryngeal Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo by Inhibiting Janus Kinas (JAK)-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (STAT3) Activation

BACKGROUND Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the head and neck. Natural compounds in traditional Chinese medicine provide many valuable potential compounds for tumor chemotherapy. Esculetin, a coumarin derivative from several herbs, inhibits proliferation of many types of cancer cells, but its anticancer effect in laryngeal cancer is still not clear. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed in vitro proliferation assay, invasion assay, and migration assay to assess the effect of esculetin against LC, and in vivo nude mouse xenograft animal model was used as well. Flow cytometry was conducted to analyze the effect of esculetin on cell cycle of LC cells, and Western blot analysis was used to assess the effect esculetin on the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. RESULTS Esculetin remarkably inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of LC cells, and reduces in vivo xenograft tumor growth and tumor weight in a dose-dependent manner. Our molecular mechanism study demonstrated that esculetin significantly inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation and blocks translocation of STAT3 into the nucleus, and esculetin also blocks the cell cycle in G1/S phase. CONCLUSIONS In a summary, by inhibiting the STAT3 activation, esculetin shows potential anticancer effects against the laryngeal cancer.

Esculetin regulates the phenotype switching of airway smooth muscle cells

Airway remodeling is one important feature of childhood asthma, which is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. Phenotype switching of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), defined as a reversible switching between contractile and proliferative phenotypes, plays an important role in the process of airway remodeling. Esculetin has shown antiinflammatory action in animal models of asthma; however, the effects of esculetin on ASMC phenotype switching have not been investigated. In the present study, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was used to induce the phenotype modulation of ASMCs. The results demonstrated that esculetin pretreatment mitigated the PDGF-caused inhibitory effects on expressions of contractile phenotype protein markers, including calponin and SM22α. Esculetin also inhibited PDGF-induced migration and proliferation of ASMCs. Besides, the PDGF-induced expressions of extracellular matrix components, collagen I and fibronectin, were attenuated by esculetin pretreatment. Furthermore, PDGF-caused activation of PI3K/Akt pathway in ASMCs was inhibited by esculetin. These findings suggest that esculetin might exert its inhibitory effect on PDGF-induced ASMC phenotype switching through inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway.

Esculetin suppresses tumor growth and metastasis by targeting Axin2/E-cadherin axis in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common malignant disease worldwide due to its metastasis via the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. E-cadherin and Wnt signaling are emerging as potential targets for suppressing the EMT. In this context, Axin2 has been recognized as a negative regulator that inhibits glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β)-mediated degradation of Snail1, a transcriptional repressor of E-cadherin. However, Axin2 can also impede Wnt signaling via β-catenin degradation. Therefore, Axin2 may serve as either a promoter or suppressor of tumors, and the effects of its inhibition on the cell proliferation and metastasis of CRC require further elucidation. Here, esculetin (ES), a coumarin, was found to have the most potential effects on both β-catenin-responsive transcriptional and E-cadherin promoter activities. ES also showed anti-proliferative and anti-invasive activities in CRC cells. Mechanistically, Axin2 suppression by ES contributed to E-cadherin-mediated Wnt signaling inhibition. Moreover, the ability of ES to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis via Axin2 suppression was further supported in an HCT116-implanted orthotopic mouse model. Collectively, these findings suggest that targeting the Axin2/E-cadherin axis by ES may be an attractive therapeutic strategy for the treatment of metastatic CRC.

Chemopreventive potential of esculetin in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis is widely preferred to assess the tumor-inhibiting efficacy of the medicinal plants or their constituents. The present study explores the tumor-inhibiting potential of esculetin by utilizing the status of lipid peroxidation by products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), antioxidants (vitamin E, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), and phase I and phase II detoxification agents as biochemical end points and by using histopathological studies as well in DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Oral tumors developed in the buccal pouch were subjected to histopathological studies, and were confirmed as oral squamous cell carcinoma. Hamsters treated with DMBA alone showed an abnormal pattern of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, and detoxification agents as compared to control hamsters. The status of the above-mentioned biochemical markers and histopathological abnormalities were found to be reversed in DMBA + esculetin-treated hamsters. The result of the present study thus indicates the tumor preventive potential of esculetin in DMBA-induced oral carcinogenesis.

Bioinformatics analysis of RNA sequencing data reveals multiple key genes in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma

In the present study, the RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) samples were collected and analyzed using bioinformatics tools to identify potential genes associated with the development of UCEC. UCEC RNA-seq data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Differential analysis was performed using edgeR software. A false discovery rate <0.01 and |log₂(fold change)|>1 were set as the cut-off criteria to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Differential gene co-expression analysis was performed using R/EBcoexpress package in R. DEGs in the gene co-expression network were subjected to Gene Ontology analysis using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integration Discovery. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis was also performed on the DEGs using KOBAS 2.0 software. The ConnectivityMap database was used to identify novel drug candidates. A total of 3,742 DEGs were identified among the 552 UCEC samples and 35 normal controls, and comprised 2,580 upregulated and 1,162 downregulated genes. A gene co-expression network consisting of 129 DEGs and 368 edges was constructed. Genes were associated with the cell cycle and the tumor protein p53 signaling pathway. Three modules were identified, in which genes were associated with the mitotic cell cycle, nuclear division and the M phase of the mitotic cell cycle. Multiple key hub genes were identified, including cell division cycle 20, cyclin B2, non-SMC condensin I complex subunit H, BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase, cell division cycle associated 8, maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase, MYB proto-oncogene like 2, TPX2, microtubule nucleation factor and non-SMC condensin I complex subunit G. In addition, the small molecule drug esculetin was implicated in the suppression of UCEC progression. Overall, the present study identified multiple key genes in UCEC and clinically relevant small molecule agents, thereby improving our understanding of UCEC and expanding perspectives on targeted therapy for this type of cancer.

Esculetin Attenuates the Growth of Lung Cancer by Downregulating Wnt Targeted Genes and Suppressing NF-κB

INTRODUCTION

Esculetin was identified to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis or cell cycle arrest in several cancer cell lines. However, the effect of esculetin on lung cancer remains elusive.

METHODS

The anti-proliferative role of esculetin in murine Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony formation assays. BALB/c mice were subcutaneously injected with LLC cells to investigate the inhibitory effect of esculetin on the growth of lung cancer xenograft. Invasive ability was detected in esculetin treated and untreated LLC cells by transwell assay. The association between esculetin and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, as well as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), was confirmed by testing the expression of c-myc, Cyclin D1 and NF-κB using Western blot.

RESULTS

Esculetin treatment in LLC cells led to significant decrease of cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After injection of LLC cells into mice, reduced size and weight of tumors were observed in esculetin treated mice compared to untreated mice. However, no difference in cell invasion was observed between the treated and untreated LLC cells. Notably decreased expression of c-myc, Cyclin D1 and NF-κB were observed in LLC cells with esculetin treatment compared to untreated cells.

CONCLUSION

Esculetin plays an inhibitory role in the growth of lung cancer by down-regulating c-myc, Cyclin D1 and NF-κB.

Esculetin exerts antitumor effect on human gastric cancer cells through IGF-1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

In this study, we aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of esculetin, a coumarin derivative extracted from natural plants, on human gastric cancer cells, and to illustrate the potential mechanisms. The results showed that esculetin exhibited anti-proliferative effects against gastric cancer cells and induced their apoptosis in a dose dependent manner with lower toxicity against normal gastric epithelial cells. Mechanism study indicated that esculetin induced gastric cancer MGC-803 cells apoptosis by triggering the activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway through reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), increasing Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, activating caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity, and increasing cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Further study showed that the pro-apoptotic effects of esculetin were associated with down-regulation of insulin-like growth factor-1/ phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (IGF-1/PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway. Activation of IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway by IGF-1 abrogated the pro-apoptotic effects of esculetin, while inhibition of IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway by triciribine or LY294002 enhanced the pro-apoptotic effects of esculetin. In addition, esculetin inhibited in vivo tumor growth with no obvious toxicity following subcutaneous inoculation of MGC-803 cells in nude mice, and inhibited activation of IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway in tumor tissue.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that esculetin could inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells through IGF-1/PI3K/Akt mediated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, and may be a novel effective chemotherapeutic agent against gastric cancer.

Esculetin induces apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells through IGF-1/PI3K/Akt-mediated mitochondrial pathways

Esculetin (6,7-dihydroxycoumarin) is a coumarin derivative extracted from natural plants and has been reported to have anticancer activity. However, the mechanism by which esculetin prevents human hepatic cancer cell growth is still largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of esculetin on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) SMMC-7721 cells and explored the cell signal mechanism. Our data indicated that esculetin induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells, which were supported by DAPI staining and Annexin V/PI staining. Meanwhile, esculetin increased the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9, promoted bax expression, decreased bcl-2 expression, and triggered collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased cytochrome c release from mitochondria. In addition, the inactivation of IGF-1, PI3K, and Akt was observed after esculetin administration. Furthermore, pretreatment with IGF-1 before esculetin administration abrogated the pro-apoptotic effects of esculetin, while PI3K inhibitor increased the pro-apoptotic effects of esculetin. These results indicated that esculetin induced the apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells through IGF-1/PI3K/Akt-regulated mitochondrial dysfunction.

Effect of dark-colored maple syrup on cell proliferation of human gastrointestinal cancer cell

Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that is commonly consumed worldwide. While maple syrup mainly comprises sucrose, it also contains phytochemicals that present various biological effects. Maple syrup is made by boiling down sap, and its color and composition vary in accordance with the sap collection season. Typically, seasonal progression is associated with darker syrup color, and antioxidant activity is proportional to the increasingly dark color. The authors previously reported that maple syrup demonstrated inhibitory effects on colorectal cancer cell growth and invasion, which correlated with darker maple syrup color. In the present study, they examined the effects of two different grades of maple syrup on gastrointestinal cancer cell proliferation, to investigate whether the dark-color maple syrup was suitable as a phytomedicine for gastrointestinal cancer treatment. Administration of dark-color maple syrup significantly inhibited gastrointestinal cancer cell growth as compared to non-treated cancer cells. Moreover, administration of dark-color maple syrup clearly inhibited protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation and did not impact mitogen-associated protein kinase phosphorylation. These data suggested that dark-color maple syrup may inhibit cell proliferation through suppression of AKT activation and, thus, may be suitable as a phytomedicine for gastrointestinal cancer treatment.

Transcriptomic characterization of differential gene expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis of publicly available microarray data sets

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly prevalent cancer worldwide, and OSCC often goes undiagnosed until advanced disease is present, which contributes to a low survival rate for OSCC patients. The identification of biomarkers for the early detection OSCC and novel therapeutic targets for OSCC treatment is an important research objective. We performed bioinformatics analyses of the gene expression profile of OSCC using microarray data to identify genes that contribute to the development of OSCC. We also predicted the transcription factors involved in the regulation of differential gene expression in OSCC. Our results showed that PI3K, EGFR, STAT1, and CPBP are important contributors to the changes in cellular physiology that occur during the development of OSCC. Therefore, these genes represent potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for OSCC.