Oleanolic acid derivatives induce apoptosis in human leukemia K562 cell involved in inhibition of both Akt1 translocation and pAkt1 expression

Shenqu xiaoshi oral solution enhances digestive function and stabilizes the gastrointestinal microbiota of juvenile rats with infantile anorexia

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Massa Medicata Fermentata ("Shenqu") has long been applied in the treatment of indigestion in China; in fact, it is the active ingredient in the medicine Shenqu xiaoshi oral solution (SQXSOS). Based on robust clinical evidence, SQXSOS has shown efficacy in treating infantile anorexia (IFA).

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the underlying mechanisms by which SQXSOS treats IFA.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The pharmacodynamic efficacy of SQXSOS was validated through a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced IFA model of juvenile rats, which share physiological similarities to two-year-old humans. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-TOF MS) was utilized to analyze the blood-dissolved components of SQXSOS in rats. After identification of the blood-dissolved components, the key components and target genes were predicted through network pharmacology analysis. To further validate the predicted key targets of the blood-dissolved components, RT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to measure the changes in their concentrations. Meanwhile, the efficacy of SQXSOS on the structure of gastrointestinal microbiota (GM) in IFA rats was investigated.

RESULTS

SQXSOS, when administered to the IFA rats at a dosage equivalent to its clinical dose in humans (3.78 mL/kg/day), induced a significant increase in the gastric emptying rate (+1.9-fold) and small intestine advancement rate (+0.5-fold) compared to the IFA rats. Additionally, SQXSOS reversed the pathological changes observed in the serum levels of digestive functioning biochemicals (-32.4%～+250% compared to the model group, p < 0.05). A total of 40 blood-dissolved components were identified by UHPLC-TOF MS. Berberine, oleanolic acid, ganolucidic acid A, slicyluric acid, and glycyrrhetinic acid were identified as the key components of SQXSOS, while AKT1, STAT3, TP53, JUN, and MAPK1 were identified as the key targets enabling the therapeutic efficacy of SQXSOS in treating IFA. In a target validation study, the mRNA transcript levels of the abovementioned target genes were found to be significantly higher in the gastric antrum of IFA rats. However, SQXSOS administration (3.78 and 7.56 mL/kg/day) reduced the elevated mRNA transcript levels of the abovementioned target genes (41.1-77.3% compared to model group, p < 0.05). GM analysis revealed a significant increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio (F/B ratio, +214.2%) in the IFA fecal samples compared to normal rats, but the high dosage of SQXSOS induced a marked decrease in the F/B ratio (-44.1%) compared to IFA rats. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of SQXSOS against IFA might be attributed to the increase in Muribaculaceae abundance and the decrease in Prevotellaceae_UCG_003 abundance.

CONCLUSION

Mechanistic investigations indicated that the efficacy of SQXSOS in treating IFA could be manifested by regulating the transcription and expression levels of AKT1, MAPK1, STAT3, and TP53 genes in the gastric antrum as well as modulating the abundance of Muribaculaceae and Prevotellaceae_UCG_003 family. Furthermore, there are still some limitations: the contents of the key biochemicals remained to be determined, similar STAT3 transcription levels were observed in both normal rats and IFA rats, and it is crucial to further validate the potential target GM when transitioning from animal populations to humans.

Phytochemical Investigation of Egyptian Riverhemp: A Potential Source of Antileukemic Metabolites

As part of our research group’s continuous efforts to find alternative treatments for cancer, the aqueous ethanol extract of Sesbania sesban L. Merr. (SS, Egyptian riverhemp) demonstrated an antileukemic activity against K562 cell line. Bioguided fractionation of SS leaves hydroethanolic extract resulted in the isolation of one new compound (33) named as hederatriol 3-O-β-D-glucuronic acid methyl ester as well as 34 known compounds. Seven compounds ((34), (22), (20), (24), (21), (19), and (35)) showed high antiproliferative effects (IC50 = 22.3, 30.8, 31.3, 33.7, 36.6, 37.5, and 41.5 μM, respectively), while four compounds ((32), (5), (29), and (1)) showed milder activities (IC50 = 56.4, 67.6, 83.3, and 112.3 μM, respectively). A mechanistic study was further carried out on a molecular genetics level against several transcription factors signaling pathways that are incorporated in the incidence of cancer. The results showed that compounds (22) and (21) demonstrated a specific inhibition of Wnt pathway (IC50 = 3.8 and 4.6 μM, respectively), while compound (22) showed a specific inhibition of Smad pathway (IC50 = 3.8 μM). Compound (34) strongly altered the signaling of Smad and E2F pathways (IC50 = 5 μM). The bioactive metabolites were further investigated in silico by docking against several targets related to K562 cell line. The results showed that compounds (22) and (34) exhibited a strong binding affinity towards topoisomerase (docking score = −7.81 and −9.30 Kcal/Mole, respectively). Compounds (22) and (34) demonstrated a strong binding affinity towards EGFR-tyrosine kinase (docking score = −7.12 and −7.35 Kcal/Mole, respectively). Moreover, compound (34) showed a strong binding affinity towards Abl kinase (docking score = −7.05 Kcal/Mole).

Tyrosol Derivatives, Bearing 3,5-Disubstituted Isoxazole and 1,4-Disubstituted Triazole, as Potential Antileukemia Agents by Promoting Apoptosis

In the present study, we assess tyrosol derivatives bearing 3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles and 1,4-disubstituted triazoles for their ability to inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells derived from leukemia as well as primary chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells obtained from the peripheral blood of 15 CML patients including 10 patients with untreated chronic phase and 5 patients with resistance against imatinib or multiple TKI. Our results showed that most derivatives displayed significant anti-proliferative activity against K562 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Among them, compounds 3d and 4a exhibited greater potent anticancer activity with respective IC₅₀ values of 16 and 18 µg/mL (45 µM and 61 µM). Interestingly, compound 3d inhibited CML cell proliferation not only in newly diagnosed but also in imatinib-resistant patients. We demonstrated that the anti-proliferative effect of this compound is mediated by a pro-apoptotic activity by promoting oxidative stress and modulating the activity of the Akt, p38 MAPK and Erk 1/2 pathways. In conclusion, our data highlight the potential of this class of derivative as a novel promising therapeutic agent for CML therapy.

Mechanistic investigations of antitumor activity of a Rhodamine B‑oleanolic acid derivative bioconjugate

Cancer remains a major health problem worldwide due to its high mortality rate. New therapeutic options highlight the importance of discovering new compounds that target the tumor microenvironment, interrupt angiogenesis and act selectively. The present study assessed the antitumor effect and investigated the mechanism of action of a rhodamine B-conjugated oleanolic acid derivative (RhodOA). Consequently, the compound was tested on different human tumor cell lines (A375 melanoma, A549 lung adenocarcinoma and MDA-MB-231 breast adenocarcinoma) and on a non-tumor cell line HaCaT human keratinocyte. RhodOA produced a dose-dependent decrease in tumor cell viability especially in the melanoma cells while affecting the keratinocytes less. In melanoma cells, RhodOA reduced cell migration and produced condensation of cell nuclei and of actin fibers. Furthermore, an impairment in melanoma cell mitochondrial function was observed, while the mitochondrial function of keratinocytes was left intact. In the in ovo chorioallantoic membrane model, RhodOA elicited antiangiogenic effect, without showing irritation effect on the membrane. The study provides information on the selective antitumor effect of the derivative and its ability to inhibit cellular respiration, therefore RhodOA can be classified as ‘MITOCAN’.

A Natural Combination Extract of Viscum album L. Containing Both Triterpene Acids and Lectins Is Highly Effective against AML In Vivo

Aqueous Viscum album L. extracts are widely used in complementary cancer medicine. Hydrophobic triterpene acids also possess anti-cancer properties, but due to their low solubility they do not occur in significant amounts in aqueous extracts. Using cyclodextrins we solubilised mistletoe triterpenes (mainly oleanolic acid) and investigated the effect of a mistletoe whole plant extract on human acute myeloid leukaemia cells in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Single Viscum album L. extracts containing only solubilised triterpene acids (TT) or lectins (viscum) inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in vitro and ex vivo. The combination of viscum and TT extracts (viscumTT) enhanced the induction of apoptosis synergistically. The experiments demonstrated that all three extracts are able to induce apoptosis via caspase-8 and -9 dependent pathways with down-regulation of members of the inhibitor of apoptosis and Bcl-2 families of proteins. Finally, the acute myeloid leukaemia mouse model experiment confirmed the therapeutic effectiveness of viscumTT-treatment resulting in significant tumour weight reduction, comparable to the effect in cytarabine-treated mice. These results suggest that the combination viscumTT may have a potential therapeutic value for the treatment AML.