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Zhang Y, Bejaoui M, Linh TN, Arimura T, Isoda H. A novel amphiphilic squalene-based compound with open-chain polyethers reduces malignant melanoma metastasis in-vitro and in-vivo. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:437. [PMID: 39261954 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01813-5] [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: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Squalene (SQ) is a well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that provides promising anti-aging and UV-protective roles on human skin. However, its strong hydrophobic nature, accompanied by issues such as poor solubility and limited tissue permeation, has created challenges for scientists to investigate its untapped potential in more complex conditions, including cancer progression. The present study assessed the potent anti-metastatic properties of a newly synthesized amphiphilic ethylene glycol SQ derivative (SQ-diEG) in melanoma, the most fatal skin cancer. In vitro and in vivo experiments have discovered that SQ-diEG may exert its potential on melanoma malignancy through the mitochondria-mediated caspase activation apoptotic signaling pathway. The potent anti-metastatic effect of SQ-diEG was observed in vitro using highly proliferative and aggressive melanoma cells. Administration of SQ-diEG (25 mg/kg) significantly decreased the tumor burden on the lung and inhibited the metastasis-associated proteins and gene markers in B16F10 lung colonization mice model. Furthermore, global gene profiling also revealed a promising role of SQ-diEG in tumor microenvironment. We anticipated that the amphiphilic nature of the SQ compound bearing ethylene glycol oligomers could potentially augment its ability to reach the pathology site, thus enhancing its therapeutic potential in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaman Zhang
- Tsukuba Life Science Innovation Program (T-LSI), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Meriem Bejaoui
- Open Innovation Laboratory for Food and Medicinal Resource Engineering (FoodMed-OIL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
- Alliance for Research On the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tran Ngoc Linh
- Open Innovation Laboratory for Food and Medicinal Resource Engineering (FoodMed-OIL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Takashi Arimura
- Open Innovation Laboratory for Food and Medicinal Resource Engineering (FoodMed-OIL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hiroko Isoda
- Tsukuba Life Science Innovation Program (T-LSI), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
- Open Innovation Laboratory for Food and Medicinal Resource Engineering (FoodMed-OIL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan.
- Alliance for Research On the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
- Institution of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
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2
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Bai SC, Wang YC, Li XZ, Li G. Inhibiting the Aggregation of Aβ by Natural Product Molecules. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202400223. [PMID: 38807345 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202400223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The abnormal aggregation of Aβ has been considered one of the primary causative factors for Alzheimer's disease. Diverse molecular entities have been developed to mitigate the formation of toxic Aβ aggregates within the brain by inhibiting Aβ aggregation. Recognizing that many FDA-approved drugs are derived from natural products, we present a summary of recent discoveries involving natural product molecules with inhibitory effects on Aβ aggregation. By consolidating these findings, our review offers researchers a concise overview of the latest advancements in natural product-based interventions for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Cong Bai
- School of Future Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Ye-Cheng Wang
- Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
- College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Xin-Zhong Li
- Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Gao Li
- Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
- Fujian-Taiwan-Hongkong-Macao Science and Technology Co-operation Base of Intelligent Pharmaceutics, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
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3
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Shaikh S, Lee EJ, Ahmad K, Choi I. Therapeutic potential and action mechanisms of licochalcone B: a mini review. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1440132. [PMID: 39021879 PMCID: PMC11251949 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1440132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Licochalcone B (LicB), a chalcone derived from Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra, has received considerable attention due to its diverse pharmacological properties. Accumulated data indicates that LicB has pharmacological effects that include anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. The action mechanism of LicB has been linked to several molecular targets, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin, p53, nuclear factor-κB, and p38, and the involvements of caspases, apoptosis, mitogen-activated protein kinase-associated inflammatory pathways, and anti-inflammatory nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathways highlight the multifaceted therapeutic potential of LicB. This review systematically updates recent findings regarding the pharmacological effects of LicB, and the mechanistic pathways involved, and highlights the potential use of LicB as a promising lead compound for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibhghatulla Shaikh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ju Lee
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Khurshid Ahmad
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Inho Choi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
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Choudhury SD, Kumar P, Choudhury D. Bioactive nutraceuticals as G4 stabilizers: potential cancer prevention and therapy-a critical review. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:3585-3616. [PMID: 38019298 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02857-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4) are non-canonical, four-stranded, nucleic acid secondary structures formed in the guanine-rich sequences, where guanine nucleotides associate with each other via Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding. These structures are widely found near the functional regions of the mammalian genome, such as telomeres, oncogenic promoters, and replication origins, and play crucial regulatory roles in replication and transcription. Destabilization of G4 by various carcinogenic agents allows oncogene overexpression and extension of telomeric ends resulting in dysregulation of cellular growth-promoting oncogenesis. Therefore, targeting and stabilizing these G4 structures with potential ligands could aid cancer prevention and therapy. The field of G-quadruplex targeting is relatively nascent, although many articles have demonstrated the effect of G4 stabilization on oncogenic expressions; however, no previous study has provided a comprehensive analysis about the potency of a wide variety of nutraceuticals and some of their derivatives in targeting G4 and the lattice of oncogenic cell signaling cascade affected by them. In this review, we have discussed bioactive G4-stabilizing nutraceuticals, their sources, mode of action, and their influence on cellular signaling, and we believe our insight would bring new light to the current status of the field and motivate researchers to explore this relatively poorly studied arena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satabdi Datta Choudhury
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab, 147004, India
| | - Prateek Kumar
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, 175005, India
| | - Diptiman Choudhury
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab, 147004, India.
- Centre for Excellence in Emerging Materials, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab, 147004, India.
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5
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Wang Z, Chen H, Liang T, Hu Y, Xue Y, Wu Y, Zeng Q, Zheng Y, Guo Y, Zheng Z, Zhai D, Liang P, Shen C, Jiang C, Liu L, Shen Q, Zhu H, Liu Q. The implications of lipid mobility, drug-enhancers (surfactants)-skin interaction, and TRPV1 activation on licorice flavonoid permeability. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024; 14:1582-1600. [PMID: 37980702 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01473-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Licorice flavonoids (LFs) are derived from perennial herb licorice and have been attaining a considerable interest in cosmetic and skin ailment treatments. However, some LFs compounds exhibited poor permeation and retention capability, which restricted their application. In this paper, we systematically investigated and compared the enhancement efficacy and mechanisms of different penetration enhancers (surfactants) with distinct lipophilicity or "heat and cool" characteristics on ten LFs compounds. Herein, the aim was to unveil how seven different enhancers modified the stratum corneum (SC) surface and influence the drug-enhancers-skin interaction, and to relate these effects to permeation enhancing effects of ten LFs compounds. The enhancing efficacy was evaluated by enhancement ratio (ER)permeation, ERretention, and ERcom, which was conducted on the porcine skin. It was summarized that heat capsaicin (CaP) and lipophilic Plurol® Oleique CC 497 (POCC) caused the most significance of SC lipid fluidity, SC water loss, and surface structure alterations, thereby resulting in a higher permeation enhancing effects than other enhancers. CaP could completely occupied drug-skin interaction sites in the SC, while POCC only occupied most drug-skin interactions. Moreover, the enhancing efficacy of both POCC and CaP was dependent on the log P values of LFs. For impervious LFs with low drug solubility, enhancing their drug solubility could help them permeate into the SC. For high-permeation LFs, their permeation was inhibited ascribed to the strong drug-enhancer-skin strength in the SC. More importantly, drug-surfactant-skin energy possessed a good negative correlation with the LFs permeation amount for most LFs molecules. Additionally, the activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) could enhance LFs permeation by CaP. The study provided novel insights for drug permeation enhancement from the viewpoint of molecular pharmaceutics, as well as the scientific utilization of different enhancers in topical or transdermal formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuxian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hongkai Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Tao Liang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yi Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yaqi Xue
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yufan Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Quanfu Zeng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yixin Zheng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yinglin Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zeying Zheng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Dan Zhai
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Peiyi Liang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Chunyan Shen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Cuiping Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Li Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qun Shen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hongxia Zhu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Qiang Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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6
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Ahmad B, Tian C, Tang JX, Dumbuya JS, Li W, Lu J. Anticancer activities of natural abietic acid. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1392203. [PMID: 38633616 PMCID: PMC11021724 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1392203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the main cause of death in the world. There are several therapies that are in practice for cancer cure including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Among the chemotherapies, natural products are considered comparable safe, easily available and cost effective. Approximately 60% of cancer approved FDA drugs are natural products including vinblastine, doxorubicin, and paclitaxel. These natural products have complex structures due to which they work against cancer through different molecular pathways, STAT3, NF-kB, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial dependent pathway, extrinsic apoptosis pathway, autophagy, mitophagy and ferroptosis. AA is a natural abietane diterpenoid compound from Pinus palustris and Pimenta racemose var. grissea with different pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant, anti-obesity and anti-allergic. Recently it has been reported with its anticancer activities through different molecular mechanisms including NF-kB, PI3K/AKT, call cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, mitochondrial dependent pathway, extrinsic apoptosis pathway, AMPK pathway and ferroptosis pathways. The literature survey reveals that there is no review on AA anticancer molecular mechanisms, therefore in current review, we summarize the anticancer molecular mechanisms of AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashir Ahmad
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Chuan Tian
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Ji-Xin Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Autophagy and Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, Institute of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - John Sieh Dumbuya
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
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7
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Guo F, Yang X, Hu C, Li W, Han W. Network Pharmacology Combined with Machine Learning to Reveal the Action Mechanism of Licochalcone Intervention in Liver Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15935. [PMID: 37958916 PMCID: PMC10649909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
There are reports indicating that licochalcones can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells by promoting the expression of autophagy-related proteins, inhibiting the expression of cell cycle proteins and angiogenic factors, and regulating autophagy and apoptosis. This study aims to reveal the potential mechanisms of licochalcone A (LCA), licochalcone B (LCB), licochalcone C (LCC), licochalcone D (LCD), licochalcone E (LCE), licochalcone F (LCF), and licochalcone G (LCG) inhibition in liver cancer through computer-aided screening strategies. By using machine learning clustering analysis to search for other structurally similar components in licorice, quantitative calculations were conducted to collect the structural commonalities of these components related to liver cancer and to identify key residues involved in the interactions between small molecules and key target proteins. Our research results show that the seven licochalcones molecules interfere with the cancer signaling pathway via the NF-κB signaling pathway, PDL1 expression and PD1 checkpoint pathway in cancer, and others. Glypallichalcone, Echinatin, and 3,4,3',4'-Tetrahydroxy-2-methoxychalcone in licorice also have similar structures to the seven licochalcones, which may indicate their similar effects. We also identified the key residues (including ASN364, GLY365, TRP366, and TYR485) involved in the interactions between ten flavonoids and the key target protein (nitric oxide synthase 2). In summary, we provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer effects of licorice flavonoids, providing new ideas for the design of small molecules for liver cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Wannan Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China; (F.G.); (X.Y.); (C.H.)
| | - Weiwei Han
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China; (F.G.); (X.Y.); (C.H.)
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8
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Lu Q, Huang H, Wang X, Luo L, Xia H, Zhang L, Xu J, Huang Y, Luo X, Luo J. Echinatin inhibits the growth and metastasis of human osteosarcoma cells through Wnt/β-catenin and p38 signaling pathways. Pharmacol Res 2023; 191:106760. [PMID: 37023991 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly aggressive malignant bone tumor that mainly occurs in adolescents. At present, chemotherapy is the most commonly used method in clinical practice to treat OS. However, due to drug resistance, toxicity and long-term side effects, chemotherapy can't always provide sufficient benefits for OS patients, especially those with metastasis and recurrence. Natural products have long been an excellent source of anti-tumor drug development. In the current study, we evaluated the anti-OS activity of Echinatin (Ecn), a natural active component from the roots and rhizomes of licorice, and explored the possible mechanism. We found that Ecn inhibited the proliferation of human OS cells and blocked cell cycle at S phase. In addition, Ecn suppressed the migration and invasion, while induced the apoptosis of human OS cells. However, Ecn had less cytotoxicity against normal cells. Moreover, Ecn inhibited the xenograft tumor growth of OS cells in vivo. Mechanistically, Ecn inactivated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway while activated p38 signaling pathway. β-catenin over-expression and the p38 inhibitor SB203580 both attenuated the inhibitory effect of Ecn on OS cells. Notably, we demonstrated that Ecn exhibited synergistic inhibitory effect with cisplatin (DDP) on OS cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, our results suggest that Ecn may exert anti-OS effects at least partly through regulating Wnt/β-catenin and p38 signaling pathways. Most meaningfully, the results obtained suggest a potential strategy to improve the DDP-induced tumor-killing effect on OS cells by combining with Ecn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuping Lu
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 40016, China
| | - Huakun Huang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 40016, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 40016, China
| | - Lijuan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 40016, China
| | - Haichao Xia
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 40016, China
| | - Lulu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 40016, China
| | - Jingtao Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 40016, China
| | - Yanran Huang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 40016, China
| | - Xiaoji Luo
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 40016, China
| | - Jinyong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 40016, China.
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Wang Z, Hu Y, Xue Y, Wu Y, Zeng Q, Chen H, Guo Y, Liang P, Liang T, Shen C, Jiang C, Liu L, Shen Q, Zhu H, Liu Q. 4'-OH as the Action Site of Lipids and MRP1 for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of Flavonoids. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 36913526 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c18086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
To date, the transdermal delivery study mainly focused on the drug delivery systems' design and efficacy evaluation. Few studies reported the structure-affinity relationship of the drug with the skin, further revealing the action sites of the drugs for enhanced permeation. Flavonoids attained a considerable interest in transdermal administration. The aim is to develop a systematic approach to evaluate the substructures that were favorable for flavonoid delivery into the skin and understand how these action sites interacted with lipids and bound to multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) for enhanced transdermal delivery. First, we investigated the permeation properties of various flavonoids on the porcine skin or rat skin. We found that 4'-OH (hydroxyl group on the carbon 4' position) rather than 7-OH on the flavonoids was the key group for flavonoid permeation and retention, while 4'-OCH3 and -CH2═CH2-CH-(CH3)2 were unfavorable for drug delivery. 4'-OH could decrease flavonoids' lipophilicity to an appropriate log P and polarizability for better transdermal drug delivery. In the stratum corneum, flavonoids used 4'-OH as a hand to specifically grab the C═O group of the ceramide NS (Cer), which increased the miscibility of flavonoids and Cer and then disturbed the lipid arrangement of Cer, thereby facilitating their penetration. Subsequently, we constructed overexpressed MRP1 HaCaT/MRP1 cells by permanent transfection of human MRP1 cDNA in wild HaCaT cells. In the dermis, we observed that 4'-OH, 7-OH, and 6-OCH3 substructures were involved in H-bond formation within MRP1, which increased the flavonoid affinity with MRP1 and flavonoid efflux transport. Moreover, the expression of MRP1 was significantly enhanced after the treatment of flavonoids on the rat skin. Collectively, 4'-OH served as the action site for increased lipid disruption and enhanced affinity for MRP1, which facilitate the transdermal delivery of flavonoids, providing valuable guidelines for molecular modification and drug design of flavonoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuxian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yi Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yaqi Xue
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yufan Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Quanfu Zeng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hongkai Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yinglin Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Peiyi Liang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Tao Liang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chunyan Shen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Cuiping Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Li Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qun Shen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hongxia Zhu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China
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10
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Kwak AW, Kim WK, Lee SO, Yoon G, Cho SS, Kim KT, Lee MH, Choi YH, Lee JY, Park JW, Shim JH. Licochalcone B Induces ROS-Dependent Apoptosis in Oxaliplatin-Resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells via p38/JNK MAPK Signaling. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12030656. [PMID: 36978904 PMCID: PMC10045364 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12030656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Licochalcone B (LCB) exhibits anticancer activity in oral cancer, lung cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. However, little is known about its antitumor mechanisms in human oxaliplatin-sensitive and -resistant colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antitumor potential of LCB against human colorectal cancer in vitro and analyze its molecular mechanism of action. The viability of CRC cell lines was evaluated using the MTT assay. Flow cytometric analyses were performed to investigate the effects of LCB on apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) dysfunction, and multi-caspase activity in CRC cells. The results demonstrated that LCB induced a reduction in cell viability, apoptosis, G2/M cell cycle arrest, ROS generation, MMP depolarization, activation of multi-caspase, and JNK/p38 MAPK. However, p38 (SB203580) and JNK (SP600125) inhibitors prevented the LCB-induced reduction in cell viability. The ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibited LCB-induced reduction in cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, ROS generation, MMP depolarization, and multi-caspase and JNK/p38 MAPK activities. Taken together, LCB has a potential therapeutic effect against CRC cells through the ROS-mediated JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, we expect LCB to have promising potential as an anticancer therapeutic and prophylactic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ah-Won Kwak
- Biosystem Research Group, Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Keun Kim
- Biosystem Research Group, Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-On Lee
- Department of Biomedicine, Health & Life Convergence Sciences, BK21 Four, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Goo Yoon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Sik Cho
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Taek Kim
- Department of Biomedicine, Health & Life Convergence Sciences, BK21 Four, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee-Hyun Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju 58245, Republic of Korea
| | - Yung Hyun Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Korean Medicine, Dong-Eui University, Busan 47227, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Young Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Woo Park
- Department of Biomedicine, Health & Life Convergence Sciences, BK21 Four, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (J.W.P.); or (J.-H.S.); Tel.: +82-61-450-2704 (J.W.P.); +82-61-450-2684 (J.-H.S.)
| | - Jung-Hyun Shim
- Department of Biomedicine, Health & Life Convergence Sciences, BK21 Four, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Republic of Korea
- The China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou 450008, China
- Correspondence: (J.W.P.); or (J.-H.S.); Tel.: +82-61-450-2704 (J.W.P.); +82-61-450-2684 (J.-H.S.)
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11
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Deng N, Qiao M, Li Y, Liang F, Li J, Liu Y. Anticancer effects of licochalcones: A review of the mechanisms. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1074506. [PMID: 36755942 PMCID: PMC9900005 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1074506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease with a high fatality rate representing a serious threat to human health. Researchers have tried to identify effective anticancer drugs. Licorice is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine with various pharmacological properties, and licorice-derived flavonoids include licochalcones like licochalcone A, licochalcone B, licochalcone C, licochalcone D, licochalcone E, and licochalcone H. By regulating the expression in multiple signaling pathways such as the EGFR/ERK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, p38/JNK, JAK2/STAT3, MEK/ERK, Wnt/β-catenin, and MKK4/JNK pathways, and their downstream proteins, licochalcones can activate the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and death receptor pathway, promote autophagy-related protein expression, inhibit the expression of cell cycle proteins and angiogenesis factors, regulate autophagy and apoptosis, and inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. Among the licochalcones, the largest number of studies examined licochalcone A, far more than other licochalcones. Licochalcone A not only has prominent anticancer effects but also can be used to inhibit the efflux of antineoplastic drugs from cancer cells. Moreover, derivatives of licochalcone A exhibit strong antitumor effects. Currently, most results of the anticancer effects of licochalcones are derived from cell experiments. Thus, more clinical studies are needed to confirm the antineoplastic effects of licochalcones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Deng
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Mingming Qiao
- Chongqing Institute for Food and Drug Control, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Li
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fengyan Liang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfeng Liu
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Yanfeng Liu,
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12
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Wang Z, Hu Y, Xue Y, Zhu Z, Wu Y, Zeng Q, Wang Y, Han H, Zhang H, Shen C, Yi K, Jiang C, Liu L, Zhu H, Li H, Liu Q, Shen Q. Mechanism insight on licorice flavonoids release from Carbopol hydrogels: Role of “release steric hindrance” and drug solubility in the release medium. Eur J Pharm Sci 2022; 179:106307. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2022.106307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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13
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Tuli HS, Garg VK, Mehta JK, Kaur G, Mohapatra RK, Dhama K, Sak K, Kumar A, Varol M, Aggarwal D, Anand U, Kaur J, Gillan R, Sethi G, Bishayee A. Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra L.)-Derived Phytochemicals Target Multiple Signaling Pathways to Confer Oncopreventive and Oncotherapeutic Effects. Onco Targets Ther 2022; 15:1419-1448. [PMID: 36474507 PMCID: PMC9719702 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s366630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a highly lethal disease, and its incidence has rapidly increased worldwide over the past few decades. Although chemotherapeutics and surgery are widely used in clinical settings, they are often insufficient to provide the cure for cancer patients. Hence, more effective treatment options are highly needed. Although licorice has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times, the knowledge about molecular mechanisms behind its diverse bioactivities is still rather new. In this review article, different anticancer properties (antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects) of various bioactive constituents of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) are thoroughly described. Multiple licorice constituents have been shown to bind to and inhibit the activities of various cellular targets, including B-cell lymphoma 2, cyclin-dependent kinase 2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, mammalian target of rapamycin, nuclear factor-κB, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, vascular endothelial growth factor, and matrix metalloproteinase-3, resulting in reduced carcinogenesis in several in vitro and in vivo models with no evident toxicity. Emerging evidence is bringing forth licorice as an anticancer agent as well as bottlenecks in its potential clinical application. It is expected that overcoming toxicity-related obstacles by using novel nanotechnological methods might importantly facilitate the use of anticancer properties of licorice-derived phytochemicals in the future. Therefore, anticancer studies with licorice components must be continued. Overall, licorice could be a natural alternative to the present medication for eradicating new emergent illnesses while having just minor side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardeep Singh Tuli
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to Be University), Mullana-Ambala, Haryana, India
| | - Vivek Kumar Garg
- Department of Medical Lab Technology, University Institute of Applied Health Sciences, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Jinit K Mehta
- Department of Pharmacology, Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ginpreet Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ranjan K Mohapatra
- Department of Chemistry, Government College of Engineering, Keonjhar, Odisha, India
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Mehmet Varol
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey
| | - Diwakar Aggarwal
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to Be University), Mullana-Ambala, Haryana, India
| | - Uttpal Anand
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Jagjit Kaur
- Centre of Excellence in Nanoscale Biophotonics, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ross Gillan
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL, USA
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Anupam Bishayee
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL, USA
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14
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Peng F, Liao M, Qin R, Zhu S, Peng C, Fu L, Chen Y, Han B. Regulated cell death (RCD) in cancer: key pathways and targeted therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:286. [PMID: 35963853 PMCID: PMC9376115 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01110-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 113.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulated cell death (RCD), also well-known as programmed cell death (PCD), refers to the form of cell death that can be regulated by a variety of biomacromolecules, which is distinctive from accidental cell death (ACD). Accumulating evidence has revealed that RCD subroutines are the key features of tumorigenesis, which may ultimately lead to the establishment of different potential therapeutic strategies. Hitherto, targeting the subroutines of RCD with pharmacological small-molecule compounds has been emerging as a promising therapeutic avenue, which has rapidly progressed in many types of human cancers. Thus, in this review, we focus on summarizing not only the key apoptotic and autophagy-dependent cell death signaling pathways, but the crucial pathways of other RCD subroutines, including necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, parthanatos, entosis, NETosis and lysosome-dependent cell death (LCD) in cancer. Moreover, we further discuss the current situation of several small-molecule compounds targeting the different RCD subroutines to improve cancer treatment, such as single-target, dual or multiple-target small-molecule compounds, drug combinations, and some new emerging therapeutic strategies that would together shed new light on future directions to attack cancer cell vulnerabilities with small-molecule drugs targeting RCD for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Peng
- West China School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Minru Liao
- West China School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Rui Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Shiou Zhu
- West China School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Leilei Fu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China.
| | - Yi Chen
- West China School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Bo Han
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
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15
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Wang M, Yu B, Wang J, Wang Y, Liang L. Exploring the role of Xingren on
COVID
‐19 based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. J Food Biochem 2022; 46:e14363. [PMID: 35933696 PMCID: PMC9539046 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.14363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Since the outbreak of novel Coronavirus Pneumonia 2019 (COVID‐19), the role of Almonds (Xingren) in the protection and treatment of COVID‐19 is not clear. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to explore the potential mechanism and potential key targets of Xingren on COVID‐19. A total of nine common targets between them were obtained, and these targets were involved in multiple related processes of GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Molecular docking showed that licochalcone B has the best binding energy (−9.33 kJ·mol−1) to PTGS2. They are maybe the important ingredient and key potential target. Its possible mechanism is to intervene anxiety disorder in the process of disease development, such as regulation of blood pressure, reactive oxygen species metabolic process, leishmaniasis peroxisome, and IL‐17 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoru Wang
- Drug Dispensing Department The Third Hospital of Mianyang, Sichuan Mental Health Center Mianyang China
| | - Bin Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, Mianyang Central Hospital School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Mianyang China
| | - Jisheng Wang
- Drug Dispensing Department The Third Hospital of Mianyang, Sichuan Mental Health Center Mianyang China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Mianyang Central Hospital School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Mianyang China
| | - Libo Liang
- Drug Dispensing Department The Third Hospital of Mianyang, Sichuan Mental Health Center Mianyang China
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16
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Log P Determines Licorice Flavonoids Release Behaviors and Classification from CARBOMER Cross-Linked Hydrogel. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071333. [PMID: 35890229 PMCID: PMC9322780 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic drug release mechanisms from Carbomer 940 (CP) hydrogels have not been systematically explored elsewhere. This study aimed to investigate the quantitative structure−activity relationship of licorice flavonoids (LFs) compounds on their drug release from CP hydrogels based on LFs-CP interactions and drug solubility in the release medium. Ten LFs-CP hydrogels were formulated, and their in vitro release study was conducted. The intermolecular forces of LFs-CP systems were characterized by FTIR, molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation. Ten LFs compounds were classified into I (high-release capability) LFs and II (low-release capability) LFs according to the different negative correlations between drug release percent at 48 h and intermolecular forces of drugs-CP, respectively. Moreover, high-release LFs possessed significantly lower log P and higher drug solubility in the release medium than low-release LFs. All I LFs release behaviors best followed the first-order equation, while II LFs release characteristics best fitted the zero-order equation except for isoliquiritigenin. Log P mainly affect the hydrogel relaxation process for I drugs release and the drug diffusion process for II drugs release. Higher log P values for LFs resulted in higher intermolecular strength for I drugs-CP systems and lower drug solubility in the release medium for II drugs, which hindered drug release. Hydrophobic association forces in drug-CP hydrogel played a more and more dominant role in hindering I LFs release with increasing release time. On the other hand, lower drug solubility in the release medium restricted II LFs release, and the dominant role of drug solubility in the release medium increased in 24 h followed by a significant decline after 36 h. Collectively, log P of LFs served as a bridge to determine LFs compound release behaviors and classification from CP hydrogels, which provided guidelines for reasonable design of LFs hydrogels in pharmaceutical topical formulations.
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17
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Quadri M, Marconi A, Sandhu SK, Kiss A, Efimova T, Palazzo E. Investigating Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in vitro and in vivo: Novel 3D Tools and Animal Models. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:875517. [PMID: 35646967 PMCID: PMC9131878 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.875517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) represents the second most common type of skin cancer, which incidence is continuously increasing worldwide. Given its high frequency, cSCC represents a major public health problem. Therefore, to provide the best patients’ care, it is necessary having a detailed understanding of the molecular processes underlying cSCC development, progression, and invasion. Extensive efforts have been made in developing new models allowing to study the molecular pathogenesis of solid tumors, including cSCC tumors. Traditionally, in vitro studies were performed with cells grown in a two-dimensional context, which, however, does not represent the complexity of tumor in vivo. In the recent years, new in vitro models have been developed aiming to mimic the three-dimensionality (3D) of the tumor, allowing the evaluation of tumor cell-cell and tumor-microenvironment interaction in an in vivo-like setting. These models include spheroids, organotypic cultures, skin reconstructs and organoids. Although 3D models demonstrate high potential to enhance the overall knowledge in cancer research, they lack systemic components which may be solved only by using animal models. Zebrafish is emerging as an alternative xenotransplant model in cancer research, offering a high-throughput approach for drug screening and real-time in vivo imaging to study cell invasion. Moreover, several categories of mouse models were developed for pre-clinical purpose, including xeno- and syngeneic transplantation models, autochthonous models of chemically or UV-induced skin squamous carcinogenesis, and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of cSCC. These models have been instrumental in examining the molecular mechanisms of cSCC and drug response in an in vivo setting. The present review proposes an overview of in vitro, particularly 3D, and in vivo models and their application in cutaneous SCC research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Quadri
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Marconi
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Simran K Sandhu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States.,The George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States.,Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Alexi Kiss
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States.,The George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Tatiana Efimova
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States.,The George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States.,Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Elisabetta Palazzo
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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18
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Hu Y, Wu Y, Jiang C, Wang Z, Shen C, Zhu Z, Li H, Zeng Q, Xue Y, Wang Y, Liu L, Yi Y, Zhu H, Liu Q. Investigative on the Molecular Mechanism of Licorice Flavonoids Anti-Melanoma by Network Pharmacology, 3D/2D-QSAR, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation. Front Chem 2022; 10:843970. [PMID: 35308797 PMCID: PMC8924370 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.843970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Licorice flavonoids (LCFs) are natural flavonoids isolated from Glycyrrhiza which are known to have anti-melanoma activities in vitro. However, the molecular mechanism of LCF anti-melanoma has not been fully understood. In this study, network pharmacology, 3D/2D-QSAR, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were used to explore the molecular mechanism of LCF anti-melanoma. First of all, we screened the key active components and targets of LCF anti-melanoma by network pharmacology. Then, the logIC50 values of the top 20 compounds were predicted by the 2D-QSAR pharmacophore model, and seven highly active compounds were screened successfully. An optimal 3D-QSAR pharmacophore model for predicting the activity of LCF compounds was established by the HipHop method. The effectiveness of the 3D-QSAR pharmacophore was verified by a training set of compounds with known activity, and the possible decisive therapeutic effect of the potency group was inferred. Finally, molecular docking and MD simulation were used to verify the effective pharmacophore. In conclusion, this study established the structure–activity relationship of LCF and provided theoretical guidance for the research of LCF anti-melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yufan Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - CuiPing Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuxian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunyan Shen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoming Zhu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Quanfu Zeng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaqi Xue
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yankui Yi
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongxia Zhu
- Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hongxia Zhu, ; Qiang Liu,
| | - Qiang Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hongxia Zhu, ; Qiang Liu,
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19
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Park KH, Joo SH, Seo JH, Kim J, Yoon G, Jeon YJ, Lee MH, Chae JI, Kim WK, Shim JH. Licochalcone H Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Skin Cancer Cells by Modulating JAK2/STAT3 Signaling. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2022; 30:72-79. [PMID: 34873073 PMCID: PMC8724845 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2021.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Licochalcone H (LCH) is a phenolic compound synthetically derived from licochalcone C (LCC) that exerts anticancer activity. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of LCH in human skin cancer A375 and A431 cells. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) cell viability assay was used to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of LCH. Cell cycle distribution and the induction of apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blotting assays were performed to detect the levels of proteins involved in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. LCH inhibited the growth of cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. The annexin V/propidium iodide double staining assay revealed that LCH induced apoptosis, and the LCH-induced apoptosis was accompanied by cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. Western blot analysis showed that the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 was decreased by treatment with LCH. The inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway by pharmacological inhibitors against JAK2/STAT3 (cryptotanshinone (CTS) and S3I-201) simulated the antiproliferative effect of LCH suggesting that LCH induced apoptosis by modulating JAK2/STAT3 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Ho Park
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Joo
- College of Pharmacy, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongsan 38430, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Seo
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Jumi Kim
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Goo Yoon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Joo Jeon
- Stem Cell Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee-Hyun Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju 58245, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Il Chae
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Keun Kim
- Biosystem Research Group, Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Shim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan 58554, Republic of Korea.,The China -US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China
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20
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Constantinescu T, Lungu CN. Anticancer Activity of Natural and Synthetic Chalcones. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11306. [PMID: 34768736 PMCID: PMC8582663 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a condition caused by many mechanisms (genetic, immune, oxidation, and inflammatory). Anticancer therapy aims to destroy or stop the growth of cancer cells. Resistance to treatment is theleading cause of the inefficiency of current standard therapies. Targeted therapies are the most effective due to the low number of side effects and low resistance. Among the small molecule natural compounds, flavonoids are of particular interest for theidentification of new anticancer agents. Chalcones are precursors to all flavonoids and have many biological activities. The anticancer activity of chalcones is due to the ability of these compounds to act on many targets. Natural chalcones, such as licochalcones, xanthohumol (XN), panduretin (PA), and loncocarpine, have been extensively studied and modulated. Modification of the basic structure of chalcones in order to obtain compounds with superior cytotoxic properties has been performed by modulating the aromatic residues, replacing aromatic residues with heterocycles, and obtaining hybrid molecules. A huge number of chalcone derivatives with residues such as diaryl ether, sulfonamide, and amine have been obtained, their presence being favorable for anticancer activity. Modification of the amino group in the structure of aminochalconesis always favorable for antitumor activity. This is why hybrid molecules of chalcones with different nitrogen hetercycles in the molecule have been obtained. From these, azoles (imidazole, oxazoles, tetrazoles, thiazoles, 1,2,3-triazoles, and 1,2,4-triazoles) are of particular importance for the identification of new anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora Constantinescu
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Iuliu Hatieganu University, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Claudiu N. Lungu
- Department of Surgery, Country Emergency Hospital Braila, 810249 Braila, Romania
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21
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New insights into binding of natural chalcones to Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 anti-apoptotic proteins. J Mol Struct 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.130700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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22
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Husain I, Bala K, Khan IA, Khan SI. A review on phytochemicals, pharmacological activities, drug interactions, and associated toxicities of licorice (
Glycyrrhiza
sp.). FOOD FRONTIERS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/fft2.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Islam Husain
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
| | - Kiran Bala
- Department of P.G. Studies and Research in Biological Science Rani Durgavati University Jabalpur India
| | - Ikhlas A. Khan
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
| | - Shabana I. Khan
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 USA
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23
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Microbial Conjugation Studies of Licochalcones and Xanthohumol. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136893. [PMID: 34206985 PMCID: PMC8268106 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial conjugation studies of licochalcones (1-4) and xanthohumol (5) were performed by using the fungi Mucor hiemalis and Absidia coerulea. As a result, one new glucosylated metabolite was produced by M. hiemalis whereas four new and three known sulfated metabolites were obtained by transformation with A. coerulea. Chemical structures of all the metabolites were elucidated on the basis of 1D-, 2D-NMR and mass spectroscopic data analyses. These results could contribute to a better understanding of the metabolic fates of licochalcones and xanthohumol in mammalian systems. Although licochalcone A 4'-sulfate (7) showed less cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines compared to its substrate licochalcone A, its activity was fairly retained with the IC50 values in the range of 27.35-43.07 μM.
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24
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Michalkova R, Mirossay L, Gazdova M, Kello M, Mojzis J. Molecular Mechanisms of Antiproliferative Effects of Natural Chalcones. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112730. [PMID: 34073042 PMCID: PMC8198114 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite the important progress in cancer treatment in the past decades, the mortality rates in some types of cancer have not significantly decreased. Therefore, the search for novel anticancer drugs has become a topic of great interest. Chalcones, precursors of flavonoid synthesis in plants, have been documented as natural compounds with pleiotropic biological effects including antiproliferative/anticancer activity. This article focuses on the knowledge on molecular mechanisms of antiproliferative action of chalcones and draws attention to this group of natural compounds that may be of importance in the treatment of cancer disease. Abstract Although great progress has been made in the treatment of cancer, the search for new promising molecules with antitumor activity is still one of the greatest challenges in the fight against cancer due to the increasing number of new cases each year. Chalcones (1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one), the precursors of flavonoid synthesis in higher plants, possess a wide spectrum of biological activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer. A plethora of molecular mechanisms of action have been documented, including induction of apoptosis, autophagy, or other types of cell death, cell cycle changes, and modulation of several signaling pathways associated with cell survival or death. In addition, blockade of several steps of angiogenesis and proteasome inhibition has also been documented. This review summarizes the basic molecular mechanisms related to the antiproliferative effects of chalcones, focusing on research articles from the years January 2015–February 2021.
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25
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Ahmad B, Gamallat Y, Khan MF, Din SR, Israr M, Ahmad M, Tahir N, Azam N, Rahman KU, Xin W, Zexu W, Linjie P, Su P, Liang W. Natural Polyphyllins (I, II, D, VI, VII) Reverses Cancer Through Apoptosis, Autophagy, Mitophagy, Inflammation, and Necroptosis. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:1821-1841. [PMID: 33732000 PMCID: PMC7956893 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s287354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Conventional therapies, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, have limited success because of secondary resistance. Therefore, safe, non-resistant, less toxic, and convenient drugs are urgently required. Natural products (NPs), primarily sourced from medicinal plants, are ideal for cancer treatment because of their low toxicity and high success. NPs cure cancer by regulating different pathways, such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, ER stress, JNK, Wnt, STAT3, MAPKs, NF-kB, MEK-ERK, inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, mitophagy, and necroptosis. Among the NPs, steroid saponins, including polyphyllins (I, II, D, VI, and VII), have potent pharmacological, analgesic, and anticancer activities for the induction of cytotoxicity. Recent research has demonstrated that polyphyllins (PPs) possess potent effects against different cancers through apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, and necroptosis. This review summarizes the available studies on PPs against cancer to provide a basis for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashir Ahmad
- Department of Biology, University of Haripur, KPK, I. R. Pakistan.,College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaser Gamallat
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Syed Riaz Din
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Israr
- Department of Biology, University of Haripur, KPK, I. R. Pakistan.,Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Manzoor Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, Malakand University, Chakdara, KPK, I. R. Pakistan
| | - Naeem Tahir
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Nasir Azam
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Khalil Ur Rahman
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Wang Xin
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Wang Zexu
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Linjie
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengyu Su
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Wang Liang
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, 116011, People's Republic of China
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26
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Zhang Z, Yang L, Hou J, Tian S, Liu Y. Molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer activities of licorice flavonoids. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 267:113635. [PMID: 33246112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Licorice has been commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of gastric, liver, and respiratory disease conditions for more than two thousand years. It is a major component of several Chinese patent medicines certificated by National Medical Products Administration that possess great anticancer activities. AIM OF THE STUDY To comprehensively summarize the anticancer activities of licorice flavonoids, explain the underlying molecular mechanisms, and assess their therapeutic potentials and side-effects. METHODS PubMed, Research Gate, Web of Science, Google Scholar, academic journals, and Science Direct were used as information sources, with the key words of "anticancer", "licorice", "flavonoids", and their combinations, mainly from 2000 to 2019. RESULTS Sixteen licorice flavonoids are found to possess anticancer activities. These flavonoids inhibit cancer cells through blocking cell cycle and regulating multiple signaling pathways. The major pathways targeted by licorice flavonoids include: the MAPK pathway, PI3K/AKT pathway, NF-κB pathway, death receptor - dependent extrinsic signaling pathway, and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. CONCLUSION Licorice flavonoids are a group of versatile molecules that have pleiotropic effects on cell growth, survival and cell signaling. Many of the flavonoids possess inhibitory activities toward cancer cell growth and hence have a great therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. However, additional preclinical studies are still needed to assess their in vivo efficacy and possible toxicities. It is also imperative to evaluate the effects of licorice flavonoids on the metabolism of other drugs and explore the potential synergistic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixin Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Lin Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Jiaming Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Shaokai Tian
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Ying Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
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27
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Wang J, Wang CY. Integrated miRNA and mRNA omics reveal the anti-cancerous mechanism of Licochalcone B on Human Hepatoma Cell HepG2. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 150:112096. [PMID: 33647349 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
To unravel the potential of Licochalcone B as an anti-tumour phytochemical agent and evaluate its underlying mechanisms, we analyzed the mRNAs and miRNAs expression profiles of HepG2 cells in response to Licochalcone B (120 μM). mRNA and miRNA expression libraries were conducted and functional analysis for differential expression mRNAs was carried out utilizing Clue GO. We found 763 Licochalcone B -responsive differently expressed genes, among them, 572 mRNAs were up-regulated and 191 mRNAs were down-regulated, many of which were related to the MAPK signaling pathway. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed to discover the hub genes, and IL6, FOS, JUN, NOTCH1, UBC, UBB, CXCL8, CDKN1A, IL1B, ATF3, and GATA3 genes were screened out. Additionally, miRNAs engaged in Licochalcone B -mediated regulation on HepG2 cells were also studied. 85 differential expression miRNAs were identified, including 39 up-regulated miRNAs and 46 down-regulated miRNAs. Co-expression of miRNA-mRNA network was created and two key miRNAs (hsa-miR-29b-3p and hsa-miR-96-5p) were identified. These recognized key genes, miRNA, and the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network may provide clues to understand the molecular mechanism of Licochalcone B as an apoptotic inducer which may offer hint for its application as a functional food component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- School of Biological Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, 230601, China.
| | - Chu-Yan Wang
- School of Biological Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, 230601, China.
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28
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Synthetic methods and biological applications of retrochalcones isolated from the root of Glycyrrhiza species: A review. RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2021.100216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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29
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Anunciato Casarini TP, Frank LA, Pohlmann AR, Guterres SS. Dermatological applications of the flavonoid phloretin. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 889:173593. [PMID: 32971088 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Botanical molecules are known to have the ability to counteract ultraviolet radiation-induced skin damage. The interest in the development of natural compound-based products for the prevention of solar ultraviolet radiation-induced skin photoaging, melasma, and photocarcinogenesis has been increasing. Recently, the flavonoid phloretin has attracted the attention of researchers in the dermatological field for application in cosmetics and therapeutics. In addition to its antioxidant activity, phloretin has been shown to have properties such as anti-aging and depigmenting effects. In this study, we review the dermatological treatments with phloretin for conditions such as melasma, photoaging, acne, and melanoma. Phloretin has been shown to inhibit elastase and matrix metalloproteinase-1 activity, to reduce cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content, and induce apoptosis in B16 mouse melanoma 4A5 cells. An in vivo study showed that phloretin, applied topically to the dorsal skin of mice, suppressed the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate-induced expression of COX-2, a critical molecular target of many chemopreventive, as well as anti-inflammatory agents. Phloretin can penetrate the skin; nevertheless, its penetration profile in different skin layers has not yet been evaluated. Despite its health benefits, phloretin application has been limited because of its photoinstability and poor aqueous solubility, among other limitations. Therefore, we reviewed the recent advances in pharmaceutical applications such as the use of nanotechnology, in order to improve the cutaneous availability of phloretin. In this review, we also focus on the oral application, product development challenges, and recent progress and future research directions on phloretin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talita Pizza Anunciato Casarini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Luiza Abrahão Frank
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Adriana Raffin Pohlmann
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Silvia Stanisçuaski Guterres
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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30
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Physical Plasma-Treated Skin Cancer Cells Amplify Tumor Cytotoxicity of Human Natural Killer (NK) Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123575. [PMID: 33265951 PMCID: PMC7761052 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Natural killer (NK)-cells are known to have antitumor potential. Cold physical plasma generates ROS exogenously to be utilized as a novel anticancer agent, especially in skin cancer. However, it is unknown whether plasma-treated skin cancer cells promote or inhibit NK-cell-mediated toxicity. To this end, we analyzed NK-cell-activating receptors on plasma-treated skin cancer cells and demonstrated an enhanced NK-cell activity augmenting tumor cell death upon plasma treatment. Abstract Skin cancers have the highest prevalence of all human cancers, with the most lethal forms being squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Besides the conventional local treatment approaches like surgery and radiotherapy, cold physical plasmas are emerging anticancer tools. Plasma technology is used as a therapeutic agent by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Evidence shows that inflammation and adaptive immunity are involved in cancer-reducing effects of plasma treatment, but the role of innate immune cells is still unclear. Natural killer (NK)-cells interact with target cells via activating and inhibiting surface receptors and kill in case of dominating activating signals. In this study, we investigated the effect of cold physical plasma (kINPen) on two skin cancer cell lines (A375 and A431), with non-malignant HaCaT keratinocytes as control, and identified a plasma treatment time-dependent toxicity that was more pronounced in the cancer cells. Plasma treatment also modulated the expression of activating and inhibiting receptors more profoundly in skin cancer cells compared to HaCaT cells, leading to significantly higher NK-cell killing rates in the tumor cells. Together with increased pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and IL-8, we conclude that plasma treatment spurs stress responses in skin cancer cells, eventually augmenting NK-cell activity.
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31
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Yi C, Li X, Chen S, Liu M, Lu W, Ye X. Natural product corynoline suppresses melanoma cell growth through inducing oxidative stress. Phytother Res 2020; 34:2766-2777. [PMID: 32430958 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Natural product corynoline is a unique isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Corydalis bungeana Turcz, whereas its anticancer properties have not been investigated. In this study, we found that corynoline potently impairs the growth of melanoma cells, B16F10, and A375 in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment of melanoma cells with corynoline results in G2 cell arrest accompanied by reduced cdc2 activation. Furthermore, corynoline triggers apoptosis of melanoma cells, which is associated with increased expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Mechanistic study indicates that corynoline strongly induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and subsequent DNA damage as evidenced by γ-H2AX accumulation. Notably, the effect of corynoline on melanoma cell cycle and apoptosis is abolished by a ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), indicating a ROS-dependent mechanism. Finally, corynoline significantly inhibits in vivo B16F10 melanoma tumor growth accompanied by reduced expression of Ki-67 in tumor tissue. Taken together, our data suggest that corynoline suppresses melanoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo by inducing oxidative stress and represents a potential therapeutic agent for melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyang Yi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolong Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Si Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingyao Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqiang Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiyun Ye
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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32
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Natural Chalcones in Chinese Materia Medica: Licorice. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:3821248. [PMID: 32256642 PMCID: PMC7102474 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3821248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Licorice is an important Chinese materia medica frequently used in clinical practice, which contains more than 20 triterpenoids and 300 flavonoids. Chalcone, one of the major classes of flavonoid, has a variety of biological activities and is widely distributed in nature. To date, about 42 chalcones have been isolated and identified from licorice. These chalcones play a pivotal role when licorice exerts its pharmacological effects. According to the research reports, these compounds have a wide range of biological activities, containing anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidative, antiviral, antidiabetic, antidepressive, hepatoprotective activities, and so on. This review aims to summarize structures and biological activities of chalcones from licorice. We hope that this work can provide a theoretical basis for the further studies of chalcones from licorice.
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33
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Song M, Yoon G, Choi JS, Kim E, Liu X, Oh HN, Chae JI, Lee MH, Shim JH. Janus kinase 2 inhibition by Licochalcone B suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth. Phytother Res 2020; 34:2032-2043. [PMID: 32144852 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the leading causes to cancer death in the worldwide and major population of EC is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Still, ESCC-targeted therapy has not been covered yet. In the present study we have identified that Licochalcone B (Lico B) inhibited the ESCC growth by directly blocking the Janus kinase (JAK) 2 activity and its downstream signaling pathway. Lico B suppressed KYSE450 and KYSE510 ESCC cell growth, arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase and induced apoptosis. Direct target of Lico B was identified by kinase assay and verified with in vitro and ex vivo binding. Computational docking model predicted for Lico B interaction to ATP-binding pocket of JAK2. Furthermore, treatment of JAK2 clinical medicine AZD1480 to ESCC cells showed similar tendency with Lico B. Thus, JAK2 downstream signaling proteins phosphorylation of STAT3 at Y705 and S727 as well as STAT3 target protein Mcl-1 expression was decreased with treatment of Lico B. Our results suggest that Lico B inhibits ESCC cell growth, arrests cell cycle and induces apoptosis, revealing the underlying mechanism involved in JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways after Lico B treatment. It might provide potential role of Lico B in the treatment of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqiu Song
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Goo Yoon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Seok Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunae Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Xuejiao Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ha-Na Oh
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Il Chae
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, BK21 Plus, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee-Hyun Lee
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, China.,College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, 85 Geonjae-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do 58245, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Shim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Republic of Korea
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34
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Kwak AW, Choi JS, Liu K, Lee MH, Jeon YJ, Cho SS, Yoon G, Oh HN, Chae JI, Shim JH. Licochalcone C induces cell cycle G1 arrest and apoptosis in human esophageal squamous carcinoma cells by activation of the ROS/MAPK signaling pathway. J Chemother 2020; 32:132-143. [DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2020.1721175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ah-Won Kwak
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Seok Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Kangdong Liu
- The Pathophysiology Department, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China
- The China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Mee-Hyun Lee
- The China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Young-Joo Jeon
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Stem Cell Convergence Research Center, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seung-Sik Cho
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Goo Yoon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Na Oh
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Il Chae
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, BK21 Plus, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Shim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
- The China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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35
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Wang C, Chen L, Xu C, Shi J, Chen S, Tan M, Chen J, Zou L, Chen C, Liu Z, Liu X. A Comprehensive Review for Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Biosynthesis Studies on Glycyrrhiza spp. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2020; 48:17-45. [PMID: 31931596 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x20500020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Licorice is extensively applied in food as well as herbal medicine across the world, possessing a substantial share in the global market. It has made great progress in chemical and pharmacological research in recent years. Currently, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat., and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. were officially used as Gan-Cao according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Accumulating evidence demonstrated three varieties of licorice have their own special compounds except for two quality markers set by Pharmacopoeia, providing great possibility for better understanding their characteristics, evaluating quality of each species and studying biosynthesis mechanisms of species-specific compounds. As a special "guide drug" in clinic, licorice plays an important role in Chinese herbal formulas. The interaction between licorice with other ingredients and their metabolism in vivo should also be taken into consideration. In addition, draft genome annotation, and success of the final step of glycyrrhizin biosynthesis have paved the way for biosynthesis of other active constituents in licorice, a promising beginning of solving source shortage. Accordingly, we comprehensively explored the nearly 400 chemical compounds found in the three varieties of licorice so far, systematically excavated various pharmacological activities, including metabolism via CYP450 system in vivo, and introduced the complete biosynthesis pathway of glycyrrhizin in licorice. The review will facilitate the further research toward this herbal medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Lihong Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Chaoqie Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jingjing Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Shuyu Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Mengxia Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jiali Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Lisi Zou
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Cuihua Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zixiu Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Xunhong Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese, Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.,National and Local Collaborative Engineering, Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
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36
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Ahmad B, Khan S, Liu Y, Xue M, Nabi G, Kumar S, Alshwmi M, Qarluq AW. Molecular Mechanisms of Anticancer Activities of Puerarin. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:79-90. [PMID: 32021425 PMCID: PMC6956866 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s233567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Medicinal plants are a vital source of natural products (NPs) that can cure cancer through modulation of different pathways, including oxidative stress, extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis, cell cycle, inflammation, NF-kB, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, AMPK (JNK), MEK/ERK (Raf)-MEK-ERK and autophagy. Puerarin (Pue), an important NP belonging to the isoflavone glycoside group, is derived from Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, Pueraria thomsonii Benth, and Pueraria tuberosa (Willd.). This NP was approved by the Chinese Ministry of Health for the treatment of different diseases in 1993, but it was also later reported to exhibit anticancer activity. Pue causes cancer cells death through modulation of different mechanisms including oxidative stress, intrinsic and extrinsic, Survivin and XIAP, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK, JNK, cell cycle, AMPK, NF-kB, inflammation and autophagy pathways. Therefore, this review compiles for the first time the studies about the anticancer mechanism of Pue and provides comprehensive information about the anticancer effects of Pue. This review may serve as a basis for future research and clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashir Ahmad
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Suliman Khan
- The Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.,Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Translational Cerebrovascular Diseases, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Liu
- The Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.,Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Translational Cerebrovascular Diseases, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengzhou Xue
- The Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.,Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Translational Cerebrovascular Diseases, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ghulam Nabi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, People's Republic of China
| | - Sunjeet Kumar
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Mohammed Alshwmi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Abdul Wakeel Qarluq
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, People's Republic of China
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Microbial Transformation of Licochalcones. Molecules 2019; 25:molecules25010060. [PMID: 31878031 PMCID: PMC6982849 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial transformation of licochalcones B (1), C (2), D (3), and H (4) using the filamentous fungi Aspergillus niger and Mucor hiemalis was investigated. Fungal transformation of the licochalcones followed by chromatographic separations led to the isolation of ten new compounds 5–14, including one hydrogenated, three dihydroxylated, three expoxidized, and three glucosylated metabolites. Their structures were elucidated by combined analyses of UV, IR, MS, NMR, and CD spectroscopic data. Absolute configurations of the 2″,3″-diols in the three dihydroxylated metabolites were determined by ECD experiments according to the Snatzke’s method. The trans-cis isomerization was observed for the metabolites 7, 11, 13, and 14 as evidenced by the analysis of their 1H-NMR spectra and HPLC chromatograms. This could be useful in better understanding of the trans-cis isomerization mechanism of retrochalcones. The fungal transformation described herein also provides an effective method to expand the structural diversity of retrochalcones for further biological studies.
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Retrochalcone Echinatin Triggers Apoptosis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma via ROS- and ER Stress-Mediated Signaling Pathways. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24224055. [PMID: 31717502 PMCID: PMC6891341 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24224055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a poor prognostic cancer with a low five-year survival rate. Echinatin (Ech) is a retrochalone from licorice. It has been used as a herbal medicine due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. However, its anticancer activity or underlying mechanism has not been elucidated yet. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the anti-tumor activity of Ech on ESCC by inducing ROS and ER stress dependent apoptosis. Ech inhibited ESCC cell growth in anchorage-dependent and independent analysis. Treatment with Ech induced G2/M phase of cell cycle and apoptosis of ESCC cells. It also regulated their related protein markers including p21, p27, cyclin B1, and cdc2. Ech also led to phosphorylation of JNK and p38. Regarding ROS and ER stress formation associated with apoptosis, we found that Ech increased ROS production, whereas its increase was diminished by NAC treatment. In addition, ER stress proteins were induced by treatment with Ech. Moreover, Ech enhanced MMP dysfunction and caspases activity. Furthermore, it regulated related biomarkers. Taken together, our results suggest that Ech can induce apoptosis in human ESCC cells via ROS/ER stress generation and p38 MAPK/JNK activation.
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Kwak AW, Cho SS, Yoon G, Oh HN, Lee MH, Chae JI, Shim JH. Licochalcone H Synthesized by Modifying Structure of Licochalcone C Extracted from Glycyrrhiza inflata Induces Apoptosis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells. Cell Biochem Biophys 2019; 78:65-76. [PMID: 31707583 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-019-00892-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer is one of the malignant cancers with a low 5-year survival rate. Licochalcone (LC) H, a chemically synthesized substance, is a regioisomer of LCC extracted from licorice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether LCH might have anticancer effect on human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines via apoptosis signaling pathway. After 48 h of treatment, IC50 of LCH in KYSE 30, KYSE 70, KYSE 410, KYSE 450, and KYSE 510 cells were 15, 14, 18, 15, and 16 μM, respectively. This study demonstrated that LCH potently suppressed proliferation of ESCC cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. LCH triggered G2/M-phase arrest by modulating expression levels of cdc2, cyclin B1, p21, and p27. LCH also induced apoptosis of ESCC cells through reactive oxygen species-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via JNK/p38 activation pathways. The anticancer effect of LCH was associated with ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. It also affected protein levels of Mcl-1, tBid, Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, Apaf-1, PARP, cleaved-PARP, and ER stress-related proteins (GRP78 and CHOP). Our findings provide the first demonstration that LCH has anticancer effect on ESCC. Thus, LCH might have potential for preventing and/or treating human ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ah-Won Kwak
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Sik Cho
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Goo Yoon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Na Oh
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee-Hyun Lee
- Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.,The China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, PR China
| | - Jung-Il Chae
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, BK21 Plus, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Shim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, 58554, Republic of Korea. .,The China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, PR China.
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40
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Oh HN, Lee MH, Kim E, Yoon G, Chae JI, Shim JH. Licochalcone B inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human non-small-cell lung cancer cells by dual targeting of EGFR and MET. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 63:153014. [PMID: 31323446 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene alterations are associated with sensitization to tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as gefitinib in lung cancer. Some patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have difficulty in treating the cancer due to resistance acquired to gefitinib with MET amplification. Therefore EGFR and MET may be attractive targets for lung cancer therapy. PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the anti-cancer activity of Licochalcone (LC)B extracted from Glycyrrhiza inflata, in gefitinib-sensitive or gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells, and to define its mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN We investigated the mechanism of action of LCB by targeting EGFR and MET in human NSCLC cells. METHODS We used the HCC827 and HCC827GR lines as gefitinib-sensitive and -resistant cells respectively, and determined the effects of LCB on both, by performing cell proliferation assay, flow cytometry analysis and Western blotting. Targets of LCB were identified by pull-down/kinase assay and molecular docking simulation. RESULTS LCB inhibited both EGFR and MET kinase activity by directly binding to their ATP-binding pockets. The ability of this interaction was verified by computational docking and molecular dynamics simulations. LCB suppressed viability and colony formation of both HCC827 and HCC827GR cells while exhibiting no cytotoxicity to normal cells. The induction of G2/M cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis by LCB was confirmed by Annexin V/7-AAD double staining, ER stress and reactive oxygen species induction, mitochondrial membrane potential loss and caspase activation as well as related-proteins regulation. Inhibition of EGFR and MET by LCB decreased ERBB3 and AKT axis activation. CONCLUSION We provide insights into the LCB-mediated mechanisms involved in reducing cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis in NSCLC cells. This occurs through dual inhibition of EGFR and MET in NSCLC cells regardless of their sensitivity or resistance to gefitinib. LCB may be a promising novel therapeutic medicine for gefitinib-sensitive or resistant NSCLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha-Na Oh
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee-Hyun Lee
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, PR China; Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Eunae Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Goo Yoon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Il Chae
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, BK21 Plus, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jung-Hyun Shim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam 58554, Republic of Korea; China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, PR China.
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41
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Cao Y, Xu W, Huang Y, Zeng X. Licochalcone B, a chalcone derivative from Glycyrrhiza inflata, as a multifunctional agent for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Nat Prod Res 2018; 34:736-739. [PMID: 30345819 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2018.1496429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Cao
- Department of Phase I Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenxing Xu
- Department of Phase I Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiyou Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing Zeng
- Department of Phase I Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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42
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iCellular uptake of [1–9-NαC]-linusorb B2 and [1–9-NαC]-linusorb B3 isolated from flaxseed, and their antitumor activities in human gastric SGC-7901 cells. J Funct Foods 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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43
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Polini B, Digiacomo M, Carpi S, Bertini S, Gado F, Saccomanni G, Macchia M, Nieri P, Manera C, Fogli S. Oleocanthal and oleacein contribute to the in vitro therapeutic potential of extra virgin oil-derived extracts in non-melanoma skin cancer. Toxicol In Vitro 2018; 52:243-250. [PMID: 29959992 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2018.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Although the anticancer properties of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) extracts have been recognized, the role of single compounds in non-melanoma skin cancer is still unknown. The in vitro chemopreventive and anticancer action of EVOO extracts and oil-derived compounds in non-melanoma skin cancer models were evaluated on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells and on immortalized human keratinocytes stimulated with epidermal growth factor. Preparation of EVOO extracts and isolation of single compounds was carried out by chromatographic methods. Antitumor activity was assessed by cell-based assays (cell viability, migration, clonogenicity, and spheroid formation) and apoptosis documented by internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Finally, inhibition of key oncogenic signaling nodes involved in the progression from actinic keratosis to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma was studied by western blot. EVOO extracts reduced non-melanoma skin cancer cell viability and migration, prevented colony and spheroid formation, and inhibited proliferation of atypical keratinocytes stimulated with epidermal growth factor. Such a pharmacological activity was promoted by oleocanthal and oleacein through the inhibition of Erk and Akt phosphorylation and the suppression of B-Raf expression, whereas tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol did not have effect. The current study provides in vitro evidence for new potential clinical applications of EVOO extracts and/or single oil-derived compounds in the prevention and treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Digiacomo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Carpi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Marco Macchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Nieri
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Clementina Manera
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Fogli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Zhao Y, Lv B, Feng X, Li C. Perspective on Biotransformation and De Novo Biosynthesis of Licorice Constituents. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2017; 65:11147-11156. [PMID: 29179542 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b04470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Licorice, an important herbal medicine, is derived from the dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza genus plants. It has been widely used in food, pharmaceutical, tobacco, and cosmetics industries with high economic value. However, overexploitation of licorice resources has severely destroyed the local ecology. Therefore, producing bioactive compounds of licorice through the biotransformation and bioengineering methods is a hot spot in recent years. In this perspective, we comprehensively summarize the biotransformation of licorice constituents into high-value-added derivatives by biocatalysts. Furthermore, successful cases and the strategies for de novo biosynthesizing compounds of licorice in microbes have been summarized. This paper will provide new insights for the further research of licorice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Zhao
- Institute for Biotransformation and Synthetic Biosystem, Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology , Beijing 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Lv
- Institute for Biotransformation and Synthetic Biosystem, Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology , Beijing 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Xudong Feng
- Institute for Biotransformation and Synthetic Biosystem, Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology , Beijing 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun Li
- Institute for Biotransformation and Synthetic Biosystem, Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology , Beijing 100081, People's Republic of China
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