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Jung YY, Baek SH, Um JY, Ahn KS. Fangchinoline targets human renal cell carcinoma cells through modulation of apoptotic and non‑apoptotic cell deaths. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 260:155445. [PMID: 38996614 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
The process of apoptosis is one of the essential processes involved in maintenance of homeostasis in the human body. It can aid to remove misfolded proteins or cellular organelles. This sequence is especially necessary in cancer cells. However, specifically targeting already apoptotic pathways can induce drug resistance in cancer cells and hence drugs can induce cell death by alternative mechanism. We investigated whether fangchinoline (FCN) can target renal carcinoma cells by inducing multiple cell death mechanisms. Both paraptosis, autophagy, and apoptosis were induced by FCN through stimulation of diverse molecular signaling pathways. FCN induced ROS production with GSH/GSSG imbalance, and ER stress. In addition, formation of autophagosome and autophagy related markers were stimulated by FCN. Moreover, FCN induced cell cycle arrest and PARP cleavage. Except for blocking protein synthesis, these three cell death pathways were found to be complementarily working together with each other. FCN also exhibited synergistic effects with paclitaxel in inducing programmed cell death in RCC cells. Our data indicates that FCN could induce apoptotic cell death and non-apoptotic cell death pathways and can be con-tribute to development of novel cancer prevention or therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Yun Jung
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, the Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ho Baek
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 10326, the Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Young Um
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, the Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, the Republic of Korea.
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Su G, Yang X, Lin Q, Su G, Liu J, Huang L, Chen W, Wei W, Chen J. Fangchinoline Inhibits African Swine Fever Virus Replication by Suppressing the AKT/mTOR/NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Porcine Alveolar Macrophages. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7178. [PMID: 39000284 PMCID: PMC11241579 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF), caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), is one of the most important infectious diseases that cause high morbidity and mortality in pigs and substantial economic losses to the pork industry of affected countries due to the lack of effective vaccines. The need to develop alternative robust antiviral countermeasures, especially anti-ASFV agents, is of the utmost urgency. This study shows that fangchinoline (FAN), a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid found in the roots of Stephania tetrandra of the family Menispermaceae, significantly inhibits ASFV replication in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) at micromolar concentrations (IC50 = 1.66 µM). Mechanistically, the infection of ASFV triggers the AKT/mTOR/NF-κB signaling pathway. FAN significantly inhibits ASFV-induced activation of such pathways, thereby suppressing viral replication. Such a mechanism was confirmed using an AKT inhibitor MK2206 as it inhibited AKT phosphorylation and ASFV replication in PAMs. Altogether, the results suggest that the AKT/mTOR pathway could potentially serve as a treatment strategy for combating ASFV infection and that FAN could potentially emerge as an effective novel antiviral agent against ASFV infections and deserves further in vivo antiviral evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanming Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou 510642, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiaoqun Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou 510642, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Qisheng Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou 510642, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Guoming Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou 510642, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jinyi Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou 510642, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Li Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China
| | - Weisan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Wenkang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, Agro-Biological Gene Research Center of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jianxin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou 510642, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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Zhang M, Wang Z, Li K, Li Q, Yu K, Li J, Feng J, Yang B, Liu L, Cai W. The visualization of the spatial distribution of Cocculus orbiculatus based on air flow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging. Fitoterapia 2024; 173:105785. [PMID: 38122856 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Cocculus orbiculatus (C. orbiculatus), the root of plants belonging to the Menispermaceae family, has been extensively used to treat various diseases, including malaria and rheumatism. The main chemicals in these plants are alkaloids; however, the spatial distribution of these compounds within the plant roots remains undefined. This study aimed to visualize the spatial distribution of C. orbiculatus using air flow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI). In total, the spatial distribution of four aporphine alkaloids, five benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids, six bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, and one morphinane alkaloid in the cork layer, xylem, and ray of the root of C. orbiculatus was observed; the distribution characteristics of the different compounds in C. orbiculatus were significantly different. This study provides a visualized spatial distribution analysis method for the characterization of metabolites in the root tissue of C. orbiculatus and also provides valuable information for the specificity of the root of C. orbiculatus, which is beneficial for understanding its chemical separation, biosynthesis, and pharmacological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Ziming Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China; School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Kailin Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China; Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Qing Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Kaiquan Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Jinglin Feng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Biao Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Lianghong Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China.
| | - Wei Cai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China.
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Yang MH, Ha IJ, Ahn J, Kim CK, Lee M, Ahn KS. Potential function of loliolide as a novel blocker of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal and breast cancer cells. Cell Signal 2023; 105:110610. [PMID: 36707041 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Loliolide (LL), a naturally occurring monoterpenoid lactone isolated from Vicia tenuifolia Roth, can exhibit numerous pharmacological effects such as those related to anti-Parkinson, anti-oxidant, anti-cholinesterase, and anti-depressant. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a pivotal role in regulating tumor metastasis. CXCR4 and CXCR7 are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPRs), which can be stimulated by CXCL12. CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCXR7 axis can cause activation of multiple pathways including MAPKs, JAK/STAT pathway, and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) signaling. These events can initiate EMT process and induce cell invasion and migration. Here, we investigated whether LL can modulate the CXCR4 and CXCR7 and EMT process in colon cancer and breast cancer cells. We found that LL suppressed levels of CXCR4 and CXCR7, and exerted an inhibitory effect on these chemokines even after stimulation by CXCL12. LL suppressed expression of MnSOD and mesenchymal markers, whereas induced epithelial markers. In addition, LL significantly attenuated cellular invasion, migration, and metastasis. We noted that LL inhibited CXCR4/7 and EMT process even after stimulation of CXCL12 and MnSOD overexpression. Therefore, in this study, we provide evidences that targeting CXCR4/7 and MnSOD could inhibit the invasion, migration, and metastasis of cancer cells as well as negatively regulate the EMT process. Overall, our study suggested that LL might act as a potent suppressor of EMT process against colon and breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Hee Yang
- KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology and Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - In Jin Ha
- Korean Medicine Clinical Trial Center (K-CTC), Korean Medicine Hospital, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongjun Ahn
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungangno, Suncheon-si, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chang-Kwon Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungangno, Suncheon-si, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea.
| | - Mina Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungangno, Suncheon-si, Jeonnam 57922, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology and Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.
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Kim NY, Ha IJ, Um JY, Kumar AP, Sethi G, Ahn KS. Loganic acid regulates the transition between epithelial and mesenchymal-like phenotypes by alleviating MnSOD expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Life Sci 2023; 317:121458. [PMID: 36731649 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Cancer metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related deaths. There are few prior studies reported on molecules targeting C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR) family and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). CXCRs are known to involve in angiogenesis, metastasis, cell survival and MnSOD is reported to be related in Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). MAIN METHODS Cell viability and cell proliferation were measured by MTT and BrdU assay. Protein expression level of CXCR4/7, MMP-2/9, MnSOD, and EMT markers were evaluated by Western blot analysis. mRNA levels of Snail and Occludin were analyzed by Real-time RT-qPCR. Expression of EMT markers in cells was observed by immunocytochemistry. Cell invasion and migrations were evaluated by wound healing assay and boyden chamber assay. KEY FINDINGS We noticed that LGA abolished proliferation, invasive ability, and cellular migration. LGA down-regulated the protein levels of mesenchymal markers such as Twist, Snail, Fibronectin, and Vimentin in CXCL12-treated HCC cells. It also suppressed the gelatinolytic activity of MMP-9/2. The amplification of MnSOD increased EMT-like phenotypes but with LGA treatment, these phenotypes were markedly attenuated. The overexpression of MnSOD increased the ROS levels significantly but ROS levels were decreased upon exposure to LGA and deletion of MnSOD suppressed the levels of various mesenchymal proteins. SIGNIFICANCE LGA could function as a novel anti-metastatic agent by suppressing metastasis and EMT process via attenuation of MnSOD expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Young Kim
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - In Jin Ha
- Korean Medicine Clinical Trial Center (K-CTC), Korean Medicine Hospital, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Young Um
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore.
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.
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Jung YY, Um JY, Sethi G, Ahn KS. Fangchinoline abrogates growth and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma by negative regulation of c-met/HGF and its associated downstream signaling pathways. Phytother Res 2022; 36:4542-4557. [PMID: 35867025 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Among all cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a lethal disease with limited treatment options. In this study, we have analyzed the possible inhibitory effects of Fangchinoline (FCN) on c-Met, a protein known to regulate the rapid phosphorylation of downstream signals, as well as mediate aberrant growth, metastasis, survival, and motility in cancer. FCN inhibited the activation of c-Met and its downstream signals PI3K, AKT, mTOR, MEK, and ERK under in vitro settings. Moreover, c-Met gene silencing lead to suppression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MEK/ERK signaling pathways, and induced apoptotic cell death upon exposure to FCN. In addition, FCN markedly inhibited the expression of the various oncogenic proteins such as Bcl-2/xl, survivin, IAP-1/2, cyclin D1, and COX-2. In vivo studies in HepG2 cells xenograft mouse model showed that FCN could significantly attenuate the tumor volume and weight, without affecting significant loss in the body weight. Similar to in vitro studies, expression level of c-Met and PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MEK/ERK signals was also suppressed by FCN in the tissues obtained from mice. Therefore, the novel findings of this study suggest that FCN can potentially function as a potent anticancer agent against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Yun Jung
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae-Young Um
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
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Hashemi M, Hajimazdarany S, Mohan CD, Mohammadi M, Rezaei S, Olyaee Y, Goldoost Y, Ghorbani A, Mirmazloomi SR, Gholinia N, Kakavand A, Salimimoghadam S, Ertas YN, Rangappa KS, Taheriazam A, Entezari M. Long non-coding RNA/epithelial-mesenchymal transition axis in human cancers: Tumorigenesis, chemoresistance, and radioresistance. Pharmacol Res 2022; 186:106535. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Jung YY, Um JY, Sethi G, Ahn KS. Potential Application of Leelamine as a Novel Regulator of Chemokine-Induced Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179848. [PMID: 36077241 PMCID: PMC9456465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
CXCR7 and CXCR4 are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that can be stimulated by CXCL12 in various human cancers. CXCR7/4–CXCL12 binding can initiate activation of multiple pathways including JAK/STAT and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) signaling, and initiate epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. It is established that cancer cell invasion and migration are caused because of these events. In particular, the EMT process is an important process that can determine the prognosis for cancer. Since the antitumor effect of leelamine (LEE) has been reported in various previous studies, here, we have evaluated the influence of LEE on the CXCR7/4 signaling axis and EMT processes. We first found that LEE suppressed expression of CXCR7 and CXCR4 both at the protein and mRNA levels, and showed inhibitory effects on these chemokines even after stimulation by CXCL12 ligand. In addition, LEE also reduced the level of MnSOD and inhibited the EMT process to attenuate the invasion and migration of breast cancer cells. In addition, phosphorylation of the JAK/STAT pathway, which acts down-stream of these chemokines, was also abrogated by LEE. It was also confirmed that LEE can induce an imbalance of GSH/GSSG and increases ROS, thereby resulting in antitumor activity. Thus, we establish that targeting CXCR7/4 in breast cancer cells can not only inhibit the invasion and migration of cancer cells but also can affect JAK/STAT, EMT process, and production of ROS. Overall, the findings suggest that LEE can function as a novel agent affecting the breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Yun Jung
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Korea
| | - Jae-Young Um
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Korea
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (K.S.A.); Tel.: +65-6516-3267 (G.S.); +82-2-961-2316 (K.S.A.)
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Korea
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (K.S.A.); Tel.: +65-6516-3267 (G.S.); +82-2-961-2316 (K.S.A.)
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