Trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis through inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway

Flavonoidal alkaloids from the flowers of Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob

A pair of epimers of flavonoid alkaloids, with a pyrrolidone moiety, 2S,5''R-eupodoratin A (1), 2S,5''S-eupodoratin A (2), together with two known analogues, drahebephin A (3), drahebephin B (4), were isolated from the flowers of Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of HR-ESI-MS, 1D/2D NMR spectral analyses. The absolute configuration of compounds (1) and (2) was determined by its experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. All compounds were isolated from the Asteraceae family for the first time. The ABTS·+ scavenging activity of compound (4) reached 93.56% at a concentration of 0.5 mM, while the scavenging capacity of positive control Trolox was 55.94%. In addition, all compounds show moderate antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC, 337304), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC, 337371) and Candida albicans (ATCC, 186382) with a MIC value of more than 50 µg/mL.

Trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate from Sphagneticola trilobata acts by inducing oxidative stress, metabolic changes and apoptosis-like processes by caspase 3/7 activation of human lung cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer, a chronic and heterogeneous disease, is the leading cause of cancer-related death on a global scale. Presently, despite a variety of available treatments, their effectiveness is limited, often resulting in considerable toxicity and adverse effects. Additionally, the development of chemoresistance in cancer cells poses a challenge. Trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate (TBB), a natural sesquiterpene lactone extracted from Sphagneticola trilobata, has exhibited antitumor effects. Its pharmacological properties in NSCLC lung cancer, however, have not been explored.

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the impact of TBB on the A549 and NCI-H460 tumor cell lines in vitro, examining its antiproliferative properties and initial mechanisms of cell death.

METHODS

TBB, obtained at 98 % purity from S. trilobata leaves, was characterized using chromatographic techniques. Subsequently, its impact on inhibiting tumor cell proliferation in vitro, TBB-induced cytotoxicity in LLC-MK2, THP-1, AMJ2-C11 cells, as well as its effects on sheep erythrocytes, and the underlying mechanisms of cell death, were assessed.

RESULTS

In silico predictions have shown promising drug-likeness potential for TBB, indicating high oral bioavailability and intestinal absorption. Treatment of A549 and NCI-H460 human tumor cells with TBB demonstrated a direct impact, inducing significant morphological and structural alterations. TBB also reduced migratory capacity without causing toxicity at lower concentrations to LLC-MK2, THP-1 and AMJ2-C11 cell lines. This antiproliferative effect correlated with elevated oxidative stress, characterized by increased levels of ROS, superoxide anion radicals and NO, accompanied by a decrease in antioxidant markers: SOD and GSH. TBB-stress-induced led to changes in cell metabolism, fostering the accumulation of lipid droplets and autophagic vacuoles. Stress also resulted in compromised mitochondrial integrity, a crucial aspect of cellular function. Additionally, TBB prompted apoptosis-like cell death through activation of caspase 3/7 stressors.

CONCLUSION

These findings underscore the potential of TBB as a promising candidate for future studies and suggest its viability as an additional component in the development of novel anticancer drugs prototypes.

Trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate exerts anti-tumor effects on cholangiocarcinoma cells through inhibiting JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway

Trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate exhibits significant antitumor effects on cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells by effectively inhibiting the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying the antitumor properties of trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate, and to explore its potential as a therapeutic agent for CCA. This study illustrates that trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate efficiently suppresses CCA cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative stress and initiation of apoptosis via the activation of the mitochondrial pathway. Data from xenograft tumor assays in nude mice confirms that TBB inhibits tumor growth, and that there are no obvious toxic effects or side effects in vivo. Mechanistically, trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate exerts antitumor effects by inhibiting STAT3 transcriptional activation, reducing PCNA and Bcl-2 expression, and increasing P21 expression. These findings emphasizes the potential of trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate as a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of CCA.

Design, Synthesis, and Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Evaluation of Sesquiterpene Lactone Epimers Trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate Analogs

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common malignant cancers with a low 5-year survival rate, is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The finding of novel agents and strategies for the treatment of HCC is an urgent need. Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) have attracted extensive attention because of their potent antitumor activity. In this study, a new series of SL derivatives (3-18) were synthesized using epimers 1 and 2 as parent molecules, isolated from Sphagneticola trilobata, and evaluated for their anti-HCC activity. Furthermore, the structures of 4, 6, and 14 were confirmed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analyses. The cytotoxic activities of 3-18 on two HCC cell lines, including HepG2 and Huh7, were evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. Among them, compound 10 exhibited the best activity against the HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines. Further studies showed that 10 induced cell apoptosis, arrested the cell cycle at the S phase, and induced the inhibition of cell proliferation and migration in HepG2 and Huh7. In addition, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties prediction showed that 10 may possess the properties to be a drug candidate. Thus, 10 may be a promising lead compound for the treatment of HCC.

Multifunctional roles of inflammation and its causative factors in primary liver cancer: A literature review

Primary liver cancer is a severe and complex disease, leading to 800000 global deaths annually. Emerging evidence suggests that inflammation is one of the critical factors in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, and steatohepatitis symptoms are at higher risk of developing HCC. However, not all inflammatory factors have a pathogenic function in HCC development. The current study describes the process and mechanism of hepatitis development and its progression to HCC, particularly focusing on viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, and steatohepatitis. Furthermore, the roles of some essential inflammatory cytokines in HCC progression are described in addition to a summary of future research directions.

Structure modification and anti-tumor activity evaluation on sesquiterpene lactones TBA and TBB from Sphagneticola trilobata

Thirteen sesquiterpene lactone derivatives were designed and synthesised using the sesquiterpene lactone epimers TBA and TBB as the parent molecules, isolated from Sphagneticola trilobata. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic studies and chemical evidence. Furthermore, the structures of 1a, 4b and 5a were confirmed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analyses. All of the compounds were further examined for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against human cancer cell lines HeLa and MCF-7. Unfortunately, the activity of all derivatives were weaker than that of the parental compounds.

Anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory eudesmanolides from the flowers of Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski

Twenty-six eudesmanolides including six undescribed compounds were isolated from the flowers of Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski. Their structures were elucidated based on the interpretation of spectroscopic techniques, NMR calculation, and DP4+ analysis. The stereochemistry of (1S,4S,5R,6S,7R,8S,9R,10S,11S)-1,4,8- trihydroxy-6-isobutyryloxy-11-methyleudesman-9,12-olide (1) was demonstrated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All eudesmanolides were evaluated for their anti-proliferative activities against four human tumor cell lines (HepG2, HeLa, SGC-7901, and MCF-7). 1α,4β-Dihydroxy-6α-methacryloxy-8β-isobutyryloxyeudesman-9,12-olide (3) and wedelolide B (8) showed pronounced cytotoxic effects against AGS cell line with IC₅₀ values of 1.31 and 0.89 μM, respectively. Their anti-proliferative activities against AGS cells were exerted through a dose-dependent apoptosis pathway, as verified by cell and nucleus morphological assessment, clone formation assay, and Western blot analysis. Furthermore, 1α,4β,8β-trihydroxy-6β-methacryloxyeudesman-9,12-olide (2) and 1α,4β,9β-trihydroxy-6α-isobutyryloxy- 11α-13-methacryloxyprostatolide (7) performed significant inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages with IC₅₀ values of 11.82 and 11.05 μM, respectively. Moreover, compounds 2 and 7 could block the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and reduce the expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, and IL-6 to exert anti-inflammatory effects. This study provides evidence for the utilization of the eudesmanolides from S. trilobata as lead compounds for further research due to their cytotoxic potential.

Genes Modulating Butyrate Metabolism for Assessing Clinical Prognosis and Responses to Systematic Therapies in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Butyrate, one of the major products of the gut microbiota, has played notable roles in diverse therapies for multiple tumors. Our study aimed to determine the roles of genes that modulate butyrate metabolism (BM) in predicting the clinical prognosis and responses to systemic therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The genes modulating BM were available from the GeneCard database, and gene expression and clinical information were obtained from TCGA-LIHC, GEO, ICGC-JP, and CCLE databases. Candidate genes from these genes that regulate BM were then identified by univariate Cox analysis. According to candidate genes, the patients in TCGA were grouped into distinct subtypes. Moreover, BM- related gene signature (BMGs) was created via the LASSO Cox algorithm. The roles of BMGs in identifying high-risk patients of HCC, assessing the prognoses, and predicting systematic therapies were determined in various datasets. The statistical analyses were fulfilled with R 4.1.3, GraphPad Prism 8.0 and Perl 5.30.0.1 software. In the TCGA cohort, most butyrate-related genes were over-expressed in the B cluster, and patients in the B cluster showed worse prognoses. BMGs constructed by LASSO were composed of eight genes. BMGs exhibited a strong performance in evaluating the prognoses of HCC patients in various datasets, which may be superior to 33 published biomarkers. Furthermore, BMGs may contribute to the early surveillance of HCC, and BMGs could play active roles in assessing the effectiveness of immunotherapy, TACE, ablation therapy, and chemotherapeutic drugs for HCC. BMGs may be served as novel promising biomarkers for early identifying high-risk groups of HCC, as well as assessing prognoses, drug sensitivity, and the responses to immunotherapy, TACE, and ablation therapy in patients with HCC.