Clinical case report of patients with osteosarcoma and anticancer benefit of calycosin against human osteosarcoma cells

Exploring the multi-targeting phytoestrogen potential of Calycosin for cancer treatment: A review

Cancer remains a significant challenge in the field of oncology, with the search for novel and effective treatments ongoing. Calycosin (CA), a phytoestrogen derived from traditional Chinese medicine, has garnered attention as a promising candidate. With its high targeting and low toxicity profile, CA has demonstrated medicinal potential across various diseases, including cancers, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. Studies have revealed that CA possesses inhibitory effects against a diverse array of cancers. The underlying mechanism of action involves a reduction in tumor cell proliferation, induction of tumor cell apoptosis, and suppression of tumor cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, CA has been shown to enhance the efficacy of certain chemotherapeutic drugs, making it a potential component in treating malignant tumors. Given its high efficacy, low toxicity, and multi-targeting characteristics, CA holds considerable promise as a therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. The objective of this review is to present a synthesis of the current understanding of the antitumor mechanism of CA and its research progress.

Unveiling the potential anti-cancer activity of calycosin against multivarious cancers with molecular insights: A promising frontier in cancer research

BACKGROUND

Calycosin may be a potential candidate regarding chemotherapeutic agent, because already some studies against multivarious cancer have been made with this natural compound.

AIM

This review elucidated a brief overview of previous studies on calycosin potential effects on various cancers and its potential mechanism of action.

METHODOLOGY

Data retrieved by systematic searches of Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Scopus by using keywords including calycosin, cancer types, anti-cancer mechanism, synergistic, and pharmacokinetic and commonly used tools are BioRender, ChemDraw Professional 16.0, and ADMETlab 2.0.

RESULTS

Based on our review, calycosin is available in nature and effective against around 15 different types of cancer. Generally, the anti-cancer mechanism of this compound is mediated through a variety of processes, including regulation of apoptotic pathways, cell cycle, angiogenesis and metastasis, oncogenes, enzymatic pathways, and signal transduction process. These study conducted in various study models, including in silico, in vitro, preclinical and clinical models. The molecular framework behind the anti-cancer effect is targeting some oncogenic and therapeutic proteins and multiple signaling cascades. Therapies based on nano-formulated calycosin may make excellent nanocarriers for the delivery of this compound to targeted tissue as well as particular organ. This natural compound becomes very effective when combined with other natural compounds and some standard drugs. Moreover, proper use of this compound can reverse resistance to existing anti-cancer drugs through a variety of strategies. Calycosin showed better pharmacokinetic properties with less toxicity in human bodies.

CONCLUSION

Calycosin exhibits excellent potential as a therapeutic drug against several cancer types and should be consumed until standard chemotherapeutics are available in pharma markets.

Calycosin: a Review of its Pharmacological Effects and Application Prospects

Introduction: Calycosin (CA), a typical phytoestrogen extracted from root of Astragalus membranaceus. On the basis of summarizing the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic studies of CA in recent years, we hope to provide useful information for CA about treating different diseases and to make suggestions for future research.Areas covered: We collected relevant information (January 2014 to March 2020) on CA via the Internet database. Keywords searched includ pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicology, and the number of effective references was 118. CA is a phytoestrogen with wide range of pharmacological activities. By affecting PI3K/Akt/mTOR, WDR7-7-GPR30, Rab27B-β-catenin-VEGF, etc. signaling pathway, CA showed the effect of anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoporosis, neuroprotection, hepatoprotection, etc. Therefore, CA is prospective to be used in the treatment of many diseases.Expert opinion: Research shows that CA has a therapeutic effect on a variety of diseases. We think CA is a promising natural medicine. Therefore, we propose that the research directions of CA in the future include the following. Carrying out clinical research trials in order to find the most suitable medicinal concentration for different diseases; Exploring the synergistic mechanism of CA in combination with other drugs; Exploring ways to increase the blood circulation concentration of CA.

Calycosin induces apoptosis via p38‑MAPK pathway‑mediated activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in human osteosarcoma 143B cells

Previous studies have demonstrated that calycosin is a natural phytoestrogen with a similar structure to estrogen, which can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in a variety of tumors. Calycosin exerts potential pharmacological effects on osteosarcoma cells by inducing apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the specific molecular mechanism of calycosin-induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Cell proliferation was determined by an MTT assay. Annexin V/PI and JC-1 staining were used to detect apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, respectively, by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of caspases or mitochondrial proteins. The results revealed that calycosin reduced the cell viability of human osteosarcoma 143B cells, induced apoptosis and increased the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). In addition, calycosin increased the expression of the proapoptotic antiapoptotic proteins cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and decreased the expression of the antiapoptotic proapoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), thus altering the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. In addition, the expression levels of cytochrome c were markedly decreased in the mitochondria and increased in the cytoplasm following calycosin treatment. Furthermore, calycosin treatment induced p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, whereas the p38-MAPK inhibitor BIRB 796 markedly reversed cell viability, apoptosis and loss of MMP in 143B cells. These results suggested that calycosin inhibited osteosarcoma 143B cell growth via p38-MAPK regulation of mitochondrial-dependent intrinsic apoptotic pathways.

Calycosin enhances the bactericidal efficacy of polymyxin B by inhibiting MCR-1 in vitro

AIM

To examine the synergistic effect of calycosin combined with polymyxin B against various mcr-1-positive bacterial strains.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, we found a potential inhibitor of MCR-1, calycosin, that could significantly restore the antibacterial activity of polymyxin B. The synergistic effect of calycosin combined with polymyxin B against various mcr-1-positive bacterial strains was confirmed by checkerboard minimum inhibitory concentration assays, time-kill curve assays and disk diffusion assays. The fractional inhibitory concentration indexes ranged from 0·15 ± 0·03 to 0·28 ± 0·05, and the zones of inhibition increased from 13·33 ± 0·47 to 17·67 ± 0·47 mm with the combined therapy of calycosin and polymyxin B. In addition, the combined therapy significantly reduced the number of bacteria in the medium. However, at the concentrations required for the synergistic effect with polymyxin B, calycosin alone showed no effect on bacterial growth or MCR-1 production. Calycosin treatment exhibited no cytotoxicity to HeLa cells or A549 cells at calycosin concentrations below 32 µg ml^-1 .

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, our results suggested that calycosin could be used as a potential MCR-1 inhibitor to restore the bactericidal effect of polymyxin B without affecting bacterial viability or existing cytotoxicity.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The synergistic effect of calycosin combined with polymyxin B against various mcr-1-positive bacterial strains paves the way for future pharmaceutical applications of calycosin in fighting mcr-1-positive bacterial infections.

Integrative findings indicate anti-tumor biotargets and molecular mechanisms of calycosin against osteosarcoma

Calycosin is reportedly evidenced with pharmacologically treating bone cells. However, the comprehensive anti-osteosarcoma (OS) mechanisms of calycosin have not been uncovered. By using a systemic method of network pharmacology, the present study aimed to reveal potential anti-OS biotargets and molecular mechanisms played by calycosin. Moreover, human and animal experiments were conducted to verify the core biotargets of calycosin against OS. As results, all primary and core biotargets, biological processes, molecular pathways of calycosin against OS were revealed. Additionally, top 20 biological processes and pathways of calycosin against OS were identified. In human study, the OS sections resulted in reduced expressions of tumor protein p53 (TP53), Caspase-3 (CASP3), and elevated X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) expression in comparison with OS-free controls. As shown in cell culture study, calycosin-treated OS cells showed reduced cell proliferation, and promoted cell apoptosis. In TUNEL stains, calycosin resulted in elevated apoptotic cells. As showed in immunostaining, calycosin-treated OS cells exhibited intracellular up-regulation of TP53, CASP3 expressions, and decreased XIAP expressions. Taken together, the biological informational findings manifest the candidate and core biotargets, molecular functions and pathways of calycosin against OS. Attractively, these core biotargets may be used for effectively detecting and treating human OS.

Calycosin Influences the Metabolism of Five Probe Drugs in Rats

Background

Calycosin (CAL), a type of O-methylated isoflavone extracted from the herb Astralagusmembranaceus (AM), is a bioactive chemical with antioxidative, antiphlogistic and antineoplastic activities commonly used in traditional alternative Chinese medicine. AM has been shown to confer health benefits as an adjuvant in the treatment of a variety of diseases.

Aim

The main objective of this study was to determine whether CAL influences the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system involved in drug metabolism.

Methods

Midazolam, tolbutamide, omeprazole, metoprolol and phenacetin were selected as probe drugs. Rats were randomly divided into three groups, specifically, 5% Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) for 8 days (Control), 5% CMC for 7 days + CAL for 1 day (single CAL) and CAL for 8 days (conc CAL), and metabolism of the five probe drugs evaluated using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).

Results

No significant differences were observed for omeprazole and midazolam, compared to the control group. T_max and t_1/2 values of only one probe drug, phenacetin, in the conc CAL group were significantly different from those of the control group (T_max h: 0.50±0.00 vs 0.23±0.15; control vs conc CAL). C_max of tolbutamide was decreased about two-fold in the conc CAL treatment group (conc vs control: 219.48 vs 429.56, P<0.001).

Conclusion

Calycosin inhibits the catalytic activities of CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP2C9. Accordingly, we recommend caution, particularly when combining CAL as a modality therapy with drugs metabolized by CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP2C9, to reduce the potential risks of drug accumulation or ineffective treatment.

Antimetastatic effects of calycosin on osteosarcoma and the underlying mechanism

Osteosarcoma (OS) refers to a malignant tumor with potential invasiveness and metastasis; however, the current chemotherapy of OS is lacking. Thus, the alternative drug for treating OS is urgent to explore. Calycosin (CC) is evidenced in our previous study to play the anti-OS benefits for suppressing cancer cell proliferation. Consequently, further investigation of CC-medicated anti-invasive and metastatic effects against OS is needed. In the current study, the clinical samples of OS patients were collected for biological and staining assays, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction. Meanwhile, the cell line and tumor-bearing nude mice were employed in assessing antimetastatic effects of CC against OS through biochemical tests and immunoassays. As a result, the OS patients exhibited upregulated neoplastic expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cellular mRNAs and proteins of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B alpha (IκBα), and epithelial cell transforming sequence 2 (ECT2). In cell-line study, CC-treated human OS cells exhibited induced cell apoptosis, reduced cell proliferation, and cellular MMP2 and PCNA concentration, inhibited cell migration, lowered expressions of IκBα ECT2 mRNAs, and proteins. In tumor-bearing nude mice study, CC-treated mice resulted in the dose-dependent reductions of tumor weights and intracellular MMP2 contents. As shown in further assays, neoplastic expressions of interleukin 6 protein, IκBα, ECT2 mRNAs, and proteins were downregulated dose-dependently in CC-treated tumor-bearing mice. In conclusion, these investigative findings suggest that CC may play the potential anti-invasive benefits against OS through suppressing metastasis-associated IκBα/ECT2 molecular pathway.