Suppression of AMF/PGI-mediated tumorigenic activities by ursolic acid in cultured hepatoma cells and in a mouse model

Metabolomic Profile and Cytotoxic Activity of Cissus incisa Leaves Extracts

Cissus incisa leaves have been traditionally used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat certain cancerous illness. This study explored the metabolomic profile of this species using untargeted technique. Likewise, it determined the cytotoxic activity and interpreted all data by computational tools. The metabolomic profile was developed through UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS for dereplication purposes. MetaboAnalyst database was used in metabolic pathway analysis and the network topological analysis. Hexane, chloroform/methanol, and aqueous extracts were evaluated on HepG2, Hep3B, HeLa, PC3, A549, and MCF7 cancer cell lines and IHH immortalized hepatic cells, using Cell Titer proliferation assay kit. Hexane extract was the most active against Hep3B (IC50 = 27 ± 3 μg/mL), while CHCl3/MeOH extract was the most selective (SI = 2.77) on the same cell line. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed similar profiles between the extracts, while a Venn diagram revealed 80 coincident metabolites between the bioactive extracts. The sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis pathway was the most significant identified. The Network Pharmacology (NP) approach revealed several targets for presqualene diphosphate, phytol, stearic acid, δ-tocopherol, ursolic acid and γ-linolenic acid, involved in cellular processes such as apoptosis. This work highlights the integration of untargeted metabolomic profile and cytotoxic activity to explore plant extracts, and the NP approach to interpreting the experimental results.

Digging deeper through glucose metabolism and its regulators in cancer and metastasis

Glucose metabolism enzymes and transporters play major role in cancer development and metastasis. In this study, we discuss glucose metabolism, transporters, receptors, hormones, oncogenes and tumor suppressors which interact with glucose metabolism and we try to discuss their major role in cancer development and cancer metabolism. We try to highlight the. Metabolic changes in cancer and metastasis upregulation of glycolysis is observed in many primary and metastatic cancers and aerobic glycolysis is the most favorable mechanism for glucose metabolism in cancer cells, and it is a kind of evolutionary change. The question that is posed at this juncture is: Can we use aerobic glycolysis phenotype and enzymes beyond this mechanism in estimating cancer prognosis and metastasis? Lactate is a metabolite of glucose metabolism and it is a key player in cancer and metastasis in both normoxic and hypoxic condition so lactate dehydrogenase can be a good prognostic biomarker. Furthermore, monocarboxylic transporter which is the main lactate transporter can be good target in therapeutic studies. Glycolysis enzymes are valuable enzymes in cancer and metastasis diagnosis and can be used as therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. Designing a diagnostic and prognostic profile for cancer metastasis seems to be possible base on glycolysis enzymes and glucose transporters. Also, glucose metabolism enzymes and agents can give us a clear vision in estimating cancer metastasis. We can promote a panel of genes that detect genetic changes in glucose metabolism agents to diagnose cancer metastasis.

Autocrine motility factor promotes endometrial cancer progression by targeting GPER-1

Background

Autocrine motility factor (AMF) is a critical factor regulating aggressiveness of endometrial cancer (EC). Multiple pieces of evidence indicate that it is through G protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) signaling pathway that some growth factors promoted the migration and proliferation of tumor cells. The aim of this study is to explore the role of GPER-1 in AMF mediated regulatory mechanisms of EC recurrence and progression.

Methods

Real-Time Cell Analysis (RTCA) assays were performed to assess whether AMF depends on Autocrine motility factor recepter (AMFR) signaling in EC cells. A genome-wide expression microarray and Yeast Two-Hybrid assay were used to detect AMF and GPER-1 interaction in the context of AMFR depletion, and co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence experiments were performed to confirm the physical interaction. Isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantification (iTRAQ) analysis was used for the identification of the target pathway activated by AMF-GPER-1 interaction. Cohorts of mice harboring xenografts derived from modified SPEC2 cell lines were treated with or without exogenous AMF to validate the results of previous experiments. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess AMF and GPER-1 expression in endometrial cancer specimens and normal endometrium.

Results

Our data showed that GPER-1 binds to AMF and the formed complex translocates from the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that interaction between AMF and GPER-1 triggers phosphoinositide-3-kinase signaling and promotes EC cell growth. More importantly, through animal experiments and human tissue experiments, we found that AMF contributes to GPER-1-mediated EC progression, which is consistent with the above observations.

Conclusions

Our work not only delineated the regulatory mechanisms of endometrial cancer progression by AMF-GPER-1-AKT signaling cascade but also laid the foundation of targeting this pathway for treating endometrial cancer.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-019-0336-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Efficacy of ursolic acid against Echinococcus granulosus in vitro and in a murine infection model

BACKGROUND

Cystic echinococcosis is a global public health problem; however, the drugs (albendazole and mebendazole) currently recommended by WHO for its treatment, have limited efficacy. Therefore, novel drugs are required to provide more choices for the treatment of this disease.

METHODS

The anthelmintic effects of ursolic acid (UA) were tested on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces, germinal cells and metacestodes in vitro. The in vivo efficacy of UA was investigated in mice following secondary infection with E. granulosus. Furthermore, the corresponding ultrastructural damage induced by UA was evaluated by electron microscopy.

RESULTS

In vitro, 45.95 ± 5.30% of protoscoleces were killed by UA at 40 μg/ml, while the growth of more than 90% of germinal cells was inhibited by UA at 10 to 40 μg/ml. The same effect was observed in metacestodes 7 days after treatment with UA at 10, 20 and 40 μg/ml, and more than 50% of metacestodes showed loss of integrity at the end of the experiment. In vivo, metacestode weight was significantly reduced following oral administration of UA at 200 and 100 mg/kg (39.5 and 38.3%, respectively). Additionally, ultrastructural damage, such as alternations in germinal cell morphology and formation of vacuoles and lipid granules were observed in parasites treated with UA in vitro, while detachment of the germinal layer from the laminated layer was also seen in metacestodes in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

UA was demonstrated to exert parasiticidal activity against E. granulosus in vitro and in vivo, thus implicating UA as a potential anti-echinococcosis agent.

Ursolic acid derivatives for pharmaceutical use: a patent review (2012-2016)

INTRODUCTION

Ursolic acid (UA), belongs to a group of pentacyclic triterpenoids and is known to possess some very interesting biological properties. Protocols have been developed in order to synthesize bioactive UA analogs which have resulted in numerous ursolic acid analogs being synthesized during the period 2012-2016. Ursolic acid and its analogues can be employed to treat various cancers, inflammatory diseases, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and AIDS to mention but a few. Areas covered: This review covers patents on therapeutic activities of ursolic acid (UA) and its synthetic derivatives published during the four year period 2012-2016. A discussion about structure-activity relationships (SAR) of these analogs is also included. Expert opinion: Ursolic acid and its synthetic derivatives demonstrated excellent anticancer, antidiabetic, antiarrhythmic, anti-hyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, anti-hypercholesterolemic, and anti-cardiovascular properties. Additionally, various ursolic acid analogues have been synthesized through modification at positions C2-OH, C3-OH and C17-CO2H. It is noteworthy that the C-17 amide and amino analogs of UA possessed better anticancer activity compared to the parent compound (UA). Most importantly, UA has the potential to conjugate with other anticancer drugs or be transformed into its halo derivatives since this will greatly facilitate scientists to get lead compounds in cancer drug discovery.

pH-Sensitive mesoporous silica nanoparticles anticancer prodrugs for sustained release of ursolic acid and the enhanced anti-cancer efficacy for hepatocellular carcinoma cancer

Ursolic acid (UA) as a nature product exhibits good anti-cancer activity, low toxicity, and good liver protection features. However, the low-solubility and poor bioavailability restrict its further clinical application. To overcome this problem, a pH-sensitive prodrug delivery system (UA@MSN-UA) that incorporated acid-sensitive linkage between drug and silica-based mesoporous nanosphere (MSN) was successfully designed and synthesized. The physicochemical properties of the UA@MSN-UA nanoparticles were investigated for shape, particle size, zeta potential, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The nanoparticles were further evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity, including proliferation inhibition, cell cycle distribution and apoptotic effects against human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. The TEM image showed that the size of synthesized MSN nanoparticle was a near-spherical shape with ~100nm diameter. In vitro cytotoxicity testing demonstrated that UA@MSN-UA nanoparticles prodrug exhibited higher proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and significantly caused the early and late apoptosis in HepG2 cells, which would be contributed to high loading capacity, high cellular uptake and sustained release of UA. Overall, the UA-modified MSN prodrug delivery system can be a promising drug carrier for improving the bioavailability of UA, and further enhance its anti-cancer efficacy.

Ursolic Acid--A Pentacyclic Triterpenoid with a Wide Spectrum of Pharmacological Activities

Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural terpene compound exhibiting many pharmaceutical properties. In this review the current state of knowledge about the health-promoting properties of this widespread, biologically active compound, as well as information about its occurrence and biosynthesis are presented. Particular attention has been paid to the application of ursolic acid as an anti-cancer agent; it is worth noticing that clinical tests suggesting the possibility of practical use of UA have already been conducted. Amongst other pharmacological properties of UA one can mention protective effect on lungs, kidneys, liver and brain, anti-inflammatory properties, anabolic effects on skeletal muscles and the ability to suppress bone density loss leading to osteoporosis. Ursolic acid also exhibits anti-microbial features against numerous strains of bacteria, HIV and HCV viruses and Plasmodium protozoa causing malaria.

Anxiolytic-like effects of ursolic acid in mice

Ursolic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid that possesses several biological and neuropharmacological effects including antidepressant-like activity. Anxiety disorders represent common and disability psychiatric conditions that are often associated with depressive symptoms. This work investigated the anxiolytic-like effects of ursolic acid administration in different behavioral paradigms that evaluate anxiety in mice: open field test, elevated plus maze test, light/dark box test and marble burying test. To this end, mice were administered with ursolic acid (0.1, 1 and 10mg/kg, p.o.) or diazepam (2mg/kg, p.o.), positive control, and submitted to the behavioral tests. The results show that ursolic acid (10mg/kg) elicited an anxiolytic-like effect observed by the increased total time in the center and decreased number of rearings responses in the open field test and an increased percentage of entries and total time spent in the open arms of elevated plus maze, similarly to diazepam. No significant effects of ursolic acid were shown in the light/dark box and marble burying test. These data indicate that ursolic acid exhibits anxiolytic-like effects in the open field and elevated plus maze test, but not in the light/dark box and marble burying test, showing the relevance of testing several behavioral paradigms in the evaluation of anxiolytic-like actions. Of note, the results extend the understanding on the effects of ursolic acid in the central nervous system and suggest that it may be a novel approach for the management of anxiety-related disorders.

Extending in silico mechanism-of-action analysis by annotating targets with pathways: application to cellular cytotoxicity readouts

Background: An in silico mechanism-of-action analysis protocol was developed, comprising molecule bioactivity profiling, annotation of predicted targets with pathways and calculation of enrichment factors to highlight targets and pathways more likely to be implicated in the studied phenotype. Results: The method was applied to a cytotoxicity phenotypic endpoint, with enriched targets/pathways found to be statistically significant when compared with 100 random datasets. Application on a smaller apoptotic set (10 molecules) did not allowed to obtain statistically relevant results, suggesting that the protocol requires modification such as analysis of the most frequently predicted targets/annotated pathways. Conclusion: Pathway annotations improved the mechanism-of-action information gained by target prediction alone, allowing a better interpretation of the predictions and providing better mapping of targets onto pathways.

MEF2 transcription factors promotes EMT and invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma through TGF-β1 autoregulation circuitry

Invasion and metastasis is the main causes leading to the death of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, the underlying mechanism is still to be explored. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a stronger inducer of HCC cell invasion. However, the downstream effector of TGF-β1 that promotes HCC invasion is still unknown. In this study, we found that PI3K/Akt activation takes place following the stimulation of TGF-β1. The inhibition of PI3K/Akt activation abolished epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion of HCC cells induced by TGF-β1. Myocyte enhancer factors 2 (MEF2) family proteins were found to be overexpressed in HCC cells under the treatment of TGF-β1 in a PI3K/Akt-dependent way. Silencing the expression of MEF2s was able to prevent the effect of TGF-β1 on HCC EMT and invasion. Unexpectedly, MEF2 proteins were able to promote the expression of TGF-β1 in HCC cells, suggesting the existence of regulatory circuitry consisting of TGF-β1, PI3K/Akt, and MEF2. A natural compound, oleanolic acid, was demonstrated to suppress the invasion and EMT of HCC cells by downregulating MEF2, showing that targeting this pathway is an effective therapeutic strategy for HCC invasion. We believe that our findings can contribute to better understanding of the involved mechanism of HCC invasion and the development of preventive and therapeutic strategy.

Ursolic acid suppresses growth and adrenocorticotrophic hormone secretion in AtT20 cells as a potential agent targeting adrenocorticotrophic hormone-producing pituitary adenoma

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-producing pituitary adenoma leads to excess ACTH secretion, which is associated with significant mortality and impaired quality of life. Thus far, the first line therapy is the transphenoidal microsurgery. Considering the high recurrence rate and complications of surgery, novel agents, which directly target on pituitary ACTH-producing adenoma and suppress ACTH secretion are urgently required. In the present study, the effect of ursolic acid (UA) as a candidate agent targeting ACTH-producing AtT20 cells was investigated. It was demonstrated that UA inhibited the viability and induced apoptosis of AtT20 cells and decreased ACTH secretion. The process of apoptosis involved a decrease of the B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl2-associated X protein ratio followed by a release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol with subsequent activation of caspase-9, -3/7 and -8. The potential signaling pathway involved the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but not extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. The JNK pathway participated in UA-induced mitochondrial apoptotic signaling transduction via increasing the phosphorylation and degradation of Bcl-2, which may be partly attenuated by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. In conclusion, the present study indicates that UA may be a promising candidate agent for the management of ACTH-producing pituitary adenoma.