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Pan J, Jia Y, Shi J, Yao R, Guo J. The efficacy and safety of compound kushen injection for adults with esophageal cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 322:117604. [PMID: 38113988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117604] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Compound Kushen injection (CKI), derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Sophora flavescens, has been widely prescribed to treat a variety of cancers including esophageal cancer (ESCA) in China. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CKI for ESCA systematically. METHODS The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database with No. CRD42022320503. PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Database, Clinicaltrials, and Chi-CTR were searched to select RCTs that compared CKI with other interventions for ESCA with outcome measures including clinical efficacy, complete response, quality of life (QoL), adverse events (AEs), and serious AEs (SAEs). The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB2) tool was used to assess the quality of RCT. The overall effect sizes were estimated with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) on binary outcome data. Meta-analyses were conducted to estimate effect sizes. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses on characteristics of RCTs were performed to test the robustness. Publication bias was also detected with different methods. The evidence strength was assessed with the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method. RESULTS This study finally included 35 RCTs with 2491 ESCA patients. The RoB of RCTs was some concern. The effect size of OR was 2.92 (95% CI [2.39, 3.57]) on clinical efficacy, 2.27 (95% CI [1.84, 2.81]) on complete response, 3.71 (95% CI [2.86, 4.80]) on QoL, 0.39 (95% CI [0.30, 0.50]) on AEs, and 0.13 (95% CI [0.07, 0.27]) on SAEs where the statistical significances (P < 0.00001) were found for all outcome measures. These overall effect sizes showed that CKI was more efficacious and safety for ESCA. Moreover, subgroup and sensitivity analyses found consistent results. Most publication bias analyses showed insignificant differences. The evidence strengths were moderate. CONCLUSION The moderate evidence from this comprehensive PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis suggested that CKI may be a valuable alternative for adult patients with ESCA on its significant efficacy and safety. However, more RCTs of high quality with low RoB, large sample sizes, and long follow-up periods are still warranted to update the ESCA clinical guideline for physicians and policymakers in further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangpeng Pan
- The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China; Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
| | - Yongliang Jia
- BGI College & Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
| | - Jianxiang Shi
- BGI College & Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
| | - Ruinan Yao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
| | - Jiancheng Guo
- The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
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Wang W, Renquan Z. Acacetin restrains the malignancy of esophageal squamous carcinoma cells via regulating JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 102:564-573. [PMID: 37402626 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Acacetin is a natural flavonoid compound found in diverse plants, which has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. This work aimed at investigating how acacetin functions on esophageal squamous carcinoma cells. In this work, esophageal squamous carcinoma cell lines were subjected to increasing doses of acacetin, and the proliferative, migrative, invasive and apoptotic phenotypes were evaluated by a series of in vitro experiments. Genes related to acacetin and esophageal cancer were predicted by bioinformatics analysis. The levels of apoptosis-relevant proteins and JAK2/STAT3 pathway-relevant proteins in esophageal squamous carcinoma cells were probed by Western blot. It was revealed that acacetin could block the growth and aggressiveness of TE-1 and TE-10 cells and promote the apoptosis. Acacetin treatment induced bax's expression and repressed bcl-2's expression. Notably, acacetin inhibits JAK2/STAT3 pathway in esophageal squamous carcinoma cells. In summary, acacetin inhibits the malignant progression of esophageal squamous carcinoma via restraining JAK2/STAT3 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, An Hui, China
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, China
| | - Zhang Renquan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, An Hui, China
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3
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An J, An S, Choi M, Jung JH, Kim B. Natural Products for Esophageal Cancer Therapy: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13558. [PMID: 36362345 PMCID: PMC9657766 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most malignant types of cancer worldwide and has a high incidence and mortality rate in Asian countries. When it comes to treating EC, although primary methods such as chemotherapy and surgery exist, the prognosis remains poor. The purpose of this current research is to review the range of effects that natural products have on cancer by analyzing studies conducted on EC. Fifty-seven studies were categorized into four anti-cancer mechanisms, as well as clinical trials. The studies that were scrutinized in this research were all reported within five years. The majority of the substances reviewed induced apoptosis in EC, acting on a variety of mechanisms. Taken together, this study supports the fact that natural products have the potential to act as a candidate for treating EC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Bonglee Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
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4
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Screening of four key genes in esophageal carcinoma based on TCGA and GEO data and verification of anti-proliferative effect of LAPTM4B knockdown in esophageal carcinoma cells invitro. Arch Biochem Biophys 2022; 728:109352. [PMID: 35863479 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) is one of the most prevalent and aggressive malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract and constitutes sixth primary cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It is urgently needed to identify effective therapeutic targets. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in ESCA were identified via bioinformatics analysis. Four DEGs were selected for further analysis using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, Human Protein Atlas, UALCAN web portal, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation and cell counting kit-8 assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein levels of lysosomal-associated transmembrane protein 4B (LAPTM4B), Notch1, hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1), and hairy and enhancer of split-related with YRPW motif 1 (Hey1). Results showed that LAPTM4B, Bcl-2 homology domain 3 (BH3)-interacting domain death agonist (BID), epithelial cell transforming sequence 2 (ECT2), and aurora kinase A (AURKA) were upregulated in several types of tumors including ESCA and correlated with tumor stage and tumor histology based on bioinformatics analysis. KEGG pathway analysis suggested that LAPTM4B-associated genes were significantly enriched in Notch pathway. Meanwhile, BID-, ECT2-, and AURKA-correlated genes were particularly enriched in p53 signaling pathway. Additionally, we found that LAPTM4B silencing inhibited cell proliferation and Notch pathway in ESCA cells. Notch1 overexpression abrogated LAPTM4B knockdown-induced proliferation reduction in ESCA cells. In conclusion, LAPTM4B silencing inhibited proliferation in ESCA cells by inactivating the Notch pathway.
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Chen F, Pan Y, Xu J, Liu B, Song H. Research progress of matrine's anticancer activity and its molecular mechanism. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 286:114914. [PMID: 34919987 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND and ethnopharmacological relevance: Matrine (MT), a type of alkaloid extracted from the Sophora family of traditional Chinese medicine, has been documented to exert a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-viral, anti-fibrosis, and cardiovascular protection. Sophora flavescens Aiton is a traditional Chinese medicine that is bitter and cold. Additionally, it also exhibits the effects of clearing heat, eliminating dampness, expelling insects, and promoting urination. Malignant tumors are the most important medical issue and are also the second leading cause of death worldwide. Numerous natural substances have recently been revealed to have potent anticancer properties, and several have been used in clinical trials. AIMS OF THE STUDY To summarize the antitumor effects and associated mechanisms of MT, we compiled this review by combining a huge body of relevant literature and our previous research. MATERIALS AND METHODS As demonstrated, we grouped the pharmacological effects of MT via a PubMed search. Further, we described the mechanism and current pharmacological research on MT's antitumor activity. RESULTS Additionally, extensive research has demonstrated that MT possesses superior antitumor properties, including accelerating cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor cell growth and proliferation, inducing cell cycle arrest, inhibiting cancer metastasis and invasion, inhibiting angiogenesis, inducing autophagy, reversing multidrug resistance and inhibiting cell differentiation, thus indicating its significant potential for cancer treatment and prognosis. CONCLUSION This article summarizes current advances in research on the anticancer properties of MT and its molecular mechanism, to provide references for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyuan Chen
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Yunxia Pan
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Jing Xu
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University/Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, China.
| | - Hang Song
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, 230012, China.
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The Anti-Proliferative and Apoptotic Effects of Rutaecarpine on Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line CE81T/VGH In Vitro and In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052843. [PMID: 35269987 PMCID: PMC8911365 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052843] [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: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The overall five-year survival rate for patients with esophageal cancer is low (15 to 25%) because of the poor prognosis at earlier stages. Rutaecarpine (RTP) is a bioalkaloid found in the traditional Chinese herb Evodia rutaecarpa and has been shown to exhibit anti-proliferative effect on tumor cells. However, the mechanisms by which RTP confer these effects and its importance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treatment remain unclear. Thus, in the present study, we first incubated human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line, CE81T/VGH, with RTP to evaluate RTP’s effects on tumor cell growth and apoptosis. We also performed a xenograft study to confirm the in vitro findings. Furthermore, we determined the expression of p53, Bax, bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PCNA in CE81T/VGH cells or the tumor tissues to investigate the possible mechanisms. All the effects of TRP were compared with that of cisplatin. The results showed that RTP significantly inhibits CE81T/VGH cell growth, promotes arrest of cells in the G2/M phase, and induces apoptosis. Consistently, the in vivo study showed that tumor size, tumor weight, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expression in tumor tissue are significantly reduced in the high-dose RTP treatment group. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo studies showed that RTP increases the expression of p53 and Bax proteins, while inhibiting the expression of Bcl-2 in cancer cells. In addition, RTP significantly increases the expression of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in tumor tissues in mice. These results suggest that RTP may trigger the apoptosis and inhibit growth in CE81T/VGH cells by the mechanisms associated with the regulation of the expression of p53, Bax, Bcl-2, as well as caspase-9 and caspase-3.
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7
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Cao L, Wang X, Zhu G, Li S, Wang H, Wu J, Lu T, Li J. Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Esophageal Cancer: A Literature Review. Integr Cancer Ther 2021; 20:15347354211061720. [PMID: 34825600 PMCID: PMC8649093 DOI: 10.1177/15347354211061720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Western medicine has played a leading role in its treatment, but its prognosis remains unsatisfactory. Therefore, the development of effective therapies is important. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been practiced for thousands of years, and involves taking measures before diseases occur, deteriorate, and recur. Interestingly, there is growing evidence that TCM can improve the therapeutic effects in reversing precancerous lesions, inhibiting the recurrence and metastasis of EC. In this article, we review traditional Chinese herbs and formulas that have preventive and therapeutic effects on EC, summarize the application and research status of TCM in patients with EC, and discuss its shortcomings and prospects in the context of translational, evidence-based, and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luchang Cao
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinmiao Wang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guanghui Zhu
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shixin Li
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Heping Wang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Wu
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Taicheng Lu
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Li
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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8
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Zhou W, Wu C, Zhao C, Huang Z, Lu S, Fan X, Tan Y, Stalin A, You R, Liu X, Zhang J, Wu Z, Wu J. An Advanced Systems Pharmacology Strategy Reveals AKR1B1, MMP2, PTGER3 as Key Genes in the Competing Endogenous RNA Network of Compound Kushen Injection Treating Gastric Carcinoma by Integrated Bioinformatics and Experimental Verification. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:742421. [PMID: 34646828 PMCID: PMC8502965 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.742421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric carcinoma (GC) is a severe tumor of the digestive tract with high morbidity and mortality and poor prognosis, for which novel treatment options are urgently needed. Compound Kushen injection (CKI), a classical injection of Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat various tumors in clinical practice for decades. In recent years, a growing number of studies have confirmed that CKI has a beneficial therapeutic effect on GC, However, there are few reports on the potential molecular mechanism of action. Here, using systems pharmacology combined with proteomics analysis as a core concept, we identified the ceRNA network, key targets and signaling pathways regulated by CKI in the treatment of GC. To further explore the role of these key targets in the development of GC, we performed a meta-analysis to compare the expression differences between GC and normal gastric mucosa tissues. Functional enrichment analysis was further used to understand the biological pathways significantly regulated by the key genes. In addition, we determined the significance of the key genes in the prognosis of GC by survival analysis and immune infiltration analysis. Finally, molecular docking simulation was performed to verify the combination of CKI components and key targets. The anti-gastric cancer effect of CKI and its key targets was verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. The analysis of ceRNA network of CKI on GC revealed that the potential molecular mechanism of CKI can regulate PI3K/AKT and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways by interfering with hub genes such as AKR1B1, MMP2 and PTGERR3. In conclusion, this study not only partially highlighted the molecular mechanism of CKI in GC therapy but also provided a novel and advanced systems pharmacology strategy to explore the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhou
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Wu
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chongjun Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihong Huang
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Lu
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaotian Fan
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yingying Tan
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Antony Stalin
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rongli You
- Shanxi Zhendong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shanxi, China
| | - Xinkui Liu
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhishan Wu
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jiarui Wu
- Department of Clinical Chinese Pharmacy, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Zhang H, Chen L, Sun X, Yang Q, Wan L, Guo C. Matrine: A Promising Natural Product With Various Pharmacological Activities. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:588. [PMID: 32477114 PMCID: PMC7232545 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Matrine is an alkaloid isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Sophora flavescens Aiton. At present, a large number of studies have proved that matrine has an anticancer effect can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, arrest cell cycle, induce apoptosis, and inhibit cancer cell metastasis. It also has the effect of reversing anticancer drug resistance and reducing the toxicity of anticancer drugs. In addition, studies have reported that matrine has a therapeutic effect on Alzheimer's syndrome, encephalomyelitis, asthma, myocardial ischemia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and the like, and its mechanism is mainly related to the inhibition of inflammatory response and apoptosis. Its treatable disease spectrum spans multiple systems such as the nervous system, circulatory system, and immune system. The antidisease effect and mechanism of matrine are diverse, so it has high research value. This review summarizes recent studies on the pharmacological mechanism of matrine, with a view to providing reference for subsequent research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Linlin Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xipeng Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quanjun Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lili Wan
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Efferth T, Oesch F. Repurposing of plant alkaloids for cancer therapy: Pharmacology and toxicology. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 68:143-163. [PMID: 31883912 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Drug repurposing (or repositioning) is an emerging concept to use old drugs for new treatment indications. Phytochemicals isolated from medicinal plants have been largely neglected in this context, although their pharmacological activities have been well investigated in the past, and they may have considerable potentials for repositioning. A grand number of plant alkaloids inhibit syngeneic or xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Molecular modes of action in cancer cells include induction of cell cycle arrest, intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis, autophagy, inhibition of angiogenesis and glycolysis, stress and anti-inflammatory responses, regulation of immune functions, cellular differentiation, and inhibition of invasion and metastasis. Numerous underlying signaling processes are affected by plant alkaloids. Furthermore, plant alkaloids suppress carcinogenesis, indicating chemopreventive properties. Some plant alkaloids reveal toxicities such as hepato-, nephro- or genotoxicity, which disqualifies them for repositioning purposes. Others even protect from hepatotoxicity or cardiotoxicity of xenobiotics and established anticancer drugs. The present survey of the published literature clearly demonstrates that plant alkaloids have the potential for repositioning in cancer therapy. Exploitation of the chemical diversity of natural alkaloids may enrich the candidate pool of compounds for cancer chemotherapy and -prevention. Their further preclinical and clinical development should follow the same stringent rules as for any other synthetic drug as well. Prospective randomized, placebo-controlled clinical phase I and II trials should be initiated to unravel the full potential of plant alkaloids for drug repositioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Franz Oesch
- Institute of Toxicology, Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
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Matrine Exerts Hepatotoxic Effects via the ROS-Dependent Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway and Inhibition of Nrf2-Mediated Antioxidant Response. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:1045345. [PMID: 31737162 PMCID: PMC6815593 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1045345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Matrine, an alkaloid isolated from Sophora flavescens, possesses a wide range of pharmacological properties. However, the use of matrine in clinical practice is limited due to its toxic effects. The present study investigated the roles of mitochondria and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in matrine-induced liver injury. Our results showed that treatment of HL-7702 cells with matrine led to significant and concentration- and time-dependent reductions in their viability, as well as significant and concentration-dependent increases in the number of apoptotic cells and supernatant lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. The treatment led to significant increases in the population of cells in S phase and significant reduction of cell proportion in G0/G1 and G2/M phases. It also significantly and concentration-dependently increased the levels of ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) but significantly and concentration-dependently reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, level of reduced glutathione (GSH), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Matrine treatment significantly and concentration-dependently upregulated the expressions of Bax, p53, p-p53, p21, cyclin E, Fas, cleaved caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 proteins and downregulated the expressions of Bcl-2, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), and cyclin A. It also significantly promoted the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP), upregulated Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) expression, and downregulated the expressions of cellular total and nuclear Nrf2. Matrine significantly inhibited the expressions of downstream oxidoreductases (Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductases 1 (NQO-1)) and enhanced the formation of Keap1/Nrf2 protein complex. These results show that the hepatotoxic effect of matrine is exerted via inhibition of Nrf2 pathway, activation of ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, and cell cycle arrest at S phase. Pretreatment with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) partially reversed matrine-induced hepatotoxicity.
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Abbasi BA, Iqbal J, Ahmad R, Bibi S, Mahmood T, Kanwal S, Bashir S, Gul F, Hameed S. Potential phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment of esophagus cancer: A green therapeutic approach. Pharmacol Rep 2019; 71:644-652. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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13
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Research advances on anticancer activities of matrine and its derivatives: An updated overview. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 161:205-238. [PMID: 30359819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality, only overcome by cardiovascular diseases, and has caused more than 8.7 million deaths in 2015 all over the world. This figure is expected to rise to about 13.1 million by 2030. In order to prevent or cure this fatal illness, substantial efforts have been devoted to develop and discover new anticancer drugs with same or better antitumor activity but lesser toxicity. Matrine is an alkaloid isolated from Sophora flavescens Ait. For decades, matrine and its derivatives have been studied as antineoplastic agents which predominantly work by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of cancer cells. The mechanism responsible for the anticancer activity of matrine can be recognized via up-regulating or down-regulating expression of the cancer related molecules, eventually causing tumor cell death. This review summarizes research developments of matrine and its derivatives as anticancer agents. A few possible research directions, suggestions and clues for future work on the development of novel matrine-based anticancer agents with improved expected activities and lesser toxicity have also been provided.
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Pu J, Tang X, Zhuang X, Hu Z, He K, Wu Y, Dai T. Matrine induces apoptosis via targeting CCR7 and enhances the effect of anticancer drugs in non-small cell lung cancer in vitro. Innate Immun 2018; 24:394-399. [PMID: 30236029 PMCID: PMC6830874 DOI: 10.1177/1753425918800555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study mainly investigated the effects of matrine on cell apoptosis and the
effects of anticancer drugs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines
(A549 and LK2 cells). The results showed that matrine (≥10 μM) caused a
significant inhibition on cell viability and 10 and 100 μM matrine induced cell
apoptosis via influencing p53, bax, casp3, and bcl-2 expressions in A549 cells.
In addition, matrine significantly down-regulated C-C chemokine receptor type 7
(CCR7) expression, and blocking the down-regulation of CCR7 by exogenous
chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) treatment alleviated matrine-caused effects of
apoptosis genes in A549 cells. The results were further validated in LK2 cells
that matrine regulated apoptosis gene expressions, which were reversed by CCL21
treatment. Furthermore, matrine enhances the effects of cisplatin,
5-fluorouracil, and paclitaxel in A549 cells, and the anticancer effects exhibit
a dosage-dependent manner. In summary, matrine induced cell apoptosis and
enhanced the effects of anticancer drugs in NSCLC cells; the mechanism might be
associated with the CCR7 signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangtao Pu
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The
Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Jiangtao Pu, Department of Thoracic and
Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University,
Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xiaojun Tang
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The
Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiang Zhuang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital,
Chengdu, China
| | - Zhi Hu
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The
Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Kaiming He
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The
Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yunfei Wu
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The
Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Tianyang Dai
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The
Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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15
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Zhang W, Liu MW, Li M, Xiao W, Zhang XW, He HJ, Chen YB, Ding L, Luo KJ. Unexpected link between insect innexins and apoptosis of HeLa cells. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 99:e21473. [PMID: 29862562 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about how mammalian cells respond to the expression of innexins (Inxs), which are known to mediate cell-to-cell communication that causes apoptosis in the cells of the insect Spodoptera litura. The mammalian expression system, p3xFLAG tag protein, containing the CMV promoter, allowed us to construct two C-terminally elongated innexins (Cte-Inxs), SpliInx2 (Inx2-FLAG), and SpliInx3 (Inx3-FLAG), which were predicted to have the same secondary topological structures as the native SpliInx2 and SpliInx3. Here, we found that only the mRNAs of the two Cte-Inxs were expressed under the control of the CMV promoter in HeLa cells. Unexpectedly, mRNA expression of the two Cte-Inxs enhanced apoptosis of HeLa cells. The two Cte-Inx mRNAs were associated with a significant decrease in Akt phosphorylation in HeLa cells undergoing apoptosis. Furthermore, Inx3-FLAG mRNA expression in nonapoptotic HCT116 cells was also associated with a significant decrease in the levels of phosphorylated Akt. Intriguingly, expression of the mRNAs of the two Cte-Inxs did not activate caspase 3, but it markedly reduced Bid levels in HeLa cells undergoing apoptosis. These results suggest that mRNA expression of the two Cte-Inxs may activate a Bid-dependent apoptotic pathway in HeLa cells. Our study demonstrates that invertebrate gap junction mRNAs can function in vertebrate cancer cells as tumor suppressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Diversity and Evolution of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
| | - Meng-Wei Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
| | - Ming Li
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Diversity and Evolution of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
| | - Wei Xiao
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
| | - Xue-Wen Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Diversity and Evolution of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
| | - Hao-Juan He
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Diversity and Evolution of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
| | - Ya-Bin Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
| | - Lei Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
| | - Kai-Jun Luo
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Diversity and Evolution of High Education in Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, P.R. China
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16
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Zhu X, Li Z, Li T, Long F, Lv Y, Liu L, Liu X, Zhan Q. Osthole inhibits the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway via activation of PTEN and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 102:502-509. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.03.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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17
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Tetik Vardarlı A, Düzgün Z, Erdem C, Kaymaz BT, Eroglu Z, Çetintas VB. Matrine induced G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis in human acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2018; 18:141-149. [PMID: 29045804 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2017.2457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Matrine, a natural product extracted from the root of Sophora flavescens, is a promising alternative drug in different types of cancer. Here, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of matrine on human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell line, CCRF-CEM. Cell viability and IC50 values were determined by WST-1 cell cytotoxicity assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rates were analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression patterns of 44 selected miRNAs and 44 RNAs were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using the Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System. Matrine inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis of CCRF-CEM cells in a dose-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that matrine-treated CCRF-CEM cells significantly accumulated in the G0/G1 phase compared with the untreated control cells. hsa-miR-376b-3p (-37.09 fold, p = 0.008) and hsa-miR-106b-3p (-16.67 fold, p = 0.028) expressions were decreased, whereas IL6 (95.47 fold, p = 0.000011) and CDKN1A (140.03 fold, p = 0.000159) expressions were increased after matrine treatment. Our results suggest that the downregulation of hsa-miR-106b-3p leads to the upregulation of target p21 gene, CDKN1A, and plays a critical role in the cell cycle progression by arresting matrine-treated cells in the G0/G1 phase.
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18
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Ying J, Zhang M, Qiu X, Lu Y. The potential of herb medicines in the treatment of esophageal cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 103:381-390. [PMID: 29674273 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.04.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 04/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of common malignant neoplasms in the world. Due to dietary habits, environmental factors, stress and so on, larger numbers of person are diagnose with EC every year. Currently, the clinical treatment of EC mainly includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgical resection alone or combined strategy. These treatment options are insufficient and often associated with a number of side effects. Medicinal herbs containing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been used as an adjunct treatment for alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy and for improving the quality of life of cancer patients. The monomer compounds obtained from medicinal herbs also exhibit potential anti-cancer activity against various type cancer cell lines including esophageal cancer, and have the ability to enhance cancer cells sensitizing to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In this review, we summarize some monomers and composite of medicinal herbs with anti-cancer activity for EC, and elaborate their mechanism of action. Understanding the exact mechanism of their actions may provide valuable information for their possible application in cancer therapy and prevention. This is beneficial for the use and development of medicinal herbs for diseases therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ying
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Xuyi People's Hospital, PR China
| | - Miaomiao Zhang
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Xuyi People's Hospital, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Qiu
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Xuyi People's Hospital, PR China
| | - Yu Lu
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Xuyi People's Hospital, PR China.
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19
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Li D, Zhang Y, Liu K, Zhao Y, Xu B, Xu L, Tan L, Tian Y, Li C, Zhang W, Cao H, Zhan YY, Hu T. Berberine inhibits colitis-associated tumorigenesis via suppressing inflammatory responses and the consequent EGFR signaling-involved tumor cell growth. J Transl Med 2017; 97:1343-1353. [PMID: 28759012 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2017.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects of berberine, a traditional Chinese medicine, were separately discovered in pathological intestinal tissues. However, whether the anti-inflammatory effect of berberine contributes to its anti-tumor effect on colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CACRC) remains unknown. In the present study, we found that berberine effectively inhibited colitis-associated tumorigenesis and colonic epithelium hyperproliferation in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated ApcMin/+ mice. A mechanistic study identified that these inhibitory effects of berberine occurred through blocking interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression in colonic macrophages. An in vitro study on cell lines identified that berberine treatment of Raw 264.7 macrophages resulted in conditioned media with fewer proliferative effects on a cell line with a heterozygous Apc mutation (Immorto-Min colonic epithelium, IMCE). EGFR-ERK signaling act downstream of berberine/pro-inflammatory cytokines axis to regulate CACRC cell proliferation. Furthermore, in vivo administration of IL-6 to DSS-treated ApcMin/+ mice effectively weakened the inhibitory effects of berberine on tumorigenesis and EGFR-ERK signaling in colon tissues. Altogether, the results of our studies have revealed that berberine inhibits the development of CACRC by interfering with inflammatory response-driven EGFR signaling in tumor cell growth. The findings of this study support the possibility that berberine and other anti-inflammatory drugs may be beneficial in the treatment of CACRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Youyu Zhang
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Yujie Zhao
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Beibei Xu
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Liang Xu
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Li Tan
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Cunxi Li
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China.,Jiaen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wenqing Zhang
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Hanwei Cao
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Yan-Yan Zhan
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Tianhui Hu
- Cancer Research Center, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
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20
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Matrine induces RIP3-dependent necroptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells. Cell Death Discov 2017; 3:16096. [PMID: 28179994 PMCID: PMC5253620 DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2016.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of acquired resistance to pro-apoptotic antitumor agents is a major impediment to the cure of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Antitumor drugs inducing non-apoptotic cell death are considered as a new approach to overcome such drug resistance. Here, we reported for the first time that matrine-induced necroptosis in CCA cell lines, differing from its classical role to induce apoptosis in many other kinds of cancer cells. CCA cells under matrine treatment exhibited typical necrosis-like but not apoptotic morphologic change. These matrine-induced morphologic change and cell death in CCA cells were greatly attenuated by necroptosis inhibitor necrostatin-1, but not apoptosis inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. Unlike many cancer cells with negative receptor-interacting protein 3 (RIP3) expression, moderate expression of RIP3 in CCA cells was observed and was required for matrine to induce necroptosis, which was switched to apoptosis after knocking down endogenous RIP3. Moreover, matrine could increase RIP3 expression level, which may facilitate the necroptosis process. Translocation of mixed lineage kinase-domain like (MLKL) from cytoplasm to plasma membrane as a downstream event of RIP3, as well as the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by RIP3/MLKL, was critical for matrine to induce necroptosis. In clinical study, we found RIP3 was lower but still moderately expressed in most CCA tissue samples compared with adjacent normal tissues. Taken together, we identified matrine as a necroptosis inducer in CCA by enhancing RIP3 expression and the following RIP3/MLKL/ROS signaling pathway, which provided new individualized strategies based on RIP3 expression to overcome chemoresistance in CCA therapy.
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21
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Shi H, Shi D, Wu Y, Shen Q, Li J. Qigesan inhibits migration and invasion of esophageal cancer cells via inducing connexin expression and enhancing gap junction function. Cancer Lett 2016; 380:184-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Yang X, Jiang J, Yang X, Han J, Zheng Q. Licochalcone A induces T24 bladder cancer cell apoptosis by increasing intracellular calcium levels. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:911-9. [PMID: 27221781 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Licochalcone A (LCA) has been reported to significantly inhibit cell proliferation, increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and induce apoptosis of T24 human bladder cancer cells via mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-triggered signaling pathways. Based on these findings, the present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which LCA induces apoptosis of T24 cells. Cultured T24 cells were treated with LCA, and cell viability was measured using the sulforhodamine B assay. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with Annexin V/propidium iodide staining, and by fluorescent microscopy with Hoechst 33258 staining. The levels of intracellular free calcium ions were determined using Fluo-3 AM dye marker. Intracellular ROS levels were assessed using the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate probe assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethyl benzimidazole carbocyanine iodide. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of B‑cell lymphoma (Bcl)‑extra large, Bcl‑2‑associated X protein, Bcl‑2‑interacting mediator of cell death, apoptotic protease activating factor‑1 (Apaf‑1), calpain 2, cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (caspase)‑3, caspase‑4 and caspase‑9 were determined using reverse transcription semiquantitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses. Treatment with LCA inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of T24 cells, and increased intracellular Ca2+ levels and ROS production. Furthermore, LCA induced mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased the mRNA expression levels of Apaf‑1, caspase‑9 and caspase‑3. Exposure of T24 cells to LCA also triggered calpain 2 and caspase‑4 activation, resulting in apoptosis. These findings indicated that LCA increased intracellular Ca2+ levels, which may be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, the ER stress pathway may be considered an important mechanism by which LCA induces apoptosis of T24 bladder cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhui Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic Phytomedicine Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Jiangtao Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic Phytomedicine Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Xinyan Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic Phytomedicine Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Jichun Han
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic Phytomedicine Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Qiusheng Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic Phytomedicine Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
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23
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Li Q, Lai Y, Wang C, Xu G, He Z, Shang X, Sun Y, Zhang F, Liu L, Huang H. Matrine inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration of castration-resistant prostate cancer cells through regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Oncol Rep 2015; 35:375-81. [PMID: 26497618 PMCID: PMC4735691 DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Matrine is a naturally occurring alkaloid extracted from the Chinese herb Sophora flavescens. It has been demonstrated to exhibit antiproliferative properties, promote apoptosis and inhibit cell invasion in a number of cancer cell lines. It has also been shown to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy when it is combined with other chemotherapy drugs. However, the therapeutic efficacy of matrine for prostate cancer remains poorly understood. In the present study, we showed that matrine inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of both DU145 and PC-3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. It also reduced the cell population at S phase and increased the cell population at sub-G1 phase. The increases in both the apoptotic cell population and cell population at S and sub-G1 phases consistently indicated a pro-apoptotic effect of matrine. Decreases in levels of P65, p-P65, IKKα/β, p-IKKα/β, IKBα and p-IKBα as detected by immunoblot analysis in the matrine-treated DU145 and PC-3 cells suggested an involvement of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, it is a novel promising addition to the current arsenal of chemotherapy drugs for the treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Yiming Lai
- Department of Urology, The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, P.R. China
| | - Chengbin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Guibin Xu
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zheng He
- Beijing Center for Physical and Chemical Analysis, Beijing 100094, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohong Shang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, P.R. China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Leyuan Liu
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hai Huang
- Department of Urology, The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, P.R. China
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24
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Ma L, Zhu Z, Jiang L, Sun X, Lu X, Zhou M, Qian S, Jianyong L. Matrine suppresses cell growth of human chronic myeloid leukemia cells via its inhibition of the interleukin-6/Janus activated kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling cohort. Leuk Lymphoma 2015; 56:2923-30. [PMID: 25629992 DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2015.1007507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Matrine, alkaloid isolated from Sophora flavescens, is known to be pleiotropic by exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, as well as anti-cancer effects. However, the precise molecular targets or pathways responsible for its activities still remain unclear. The present study aimed to determine the underlying mechanisms of matrine in inhibiting the chronic myeloid leukemia cells (CML). It was observed that matrine treatment significantly suppressed CML cells proliferation, induced apoptosis and resulted in the accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase, accompanied by a significant decrease in Bcl-xL, Cyclin D1, and c-Myc expression. Western blot analyses revealed that matrine treatment resulted in the down-regulation in phospho-STAT3 and phospho-JAK2 without significantly effects on STAT3 and JAK2 protein levels. Matrine significantly reduced the expression of IL-6, a potent upstream activating factor of STAT3. These results strongly suggested the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway play an important role in matrine's anti-leukemia effects in K562 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingdi Ma
- a Laboratory Center, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University , Changzhou , China
| | - Zhichao Zhu
- a Laboratory Center, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University , Changzhou , China
| | - Lijia Jiang
- a Laboratory Center, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University , Changzhou , China
| | - Xiao Sun
- a Laboratory Center, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University , Changzhou , China
| | - Xuzhang Lu
- b Department of Hematology , Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University , Changzhou , China
| | - Min Zhou
- b Department of Hematology , Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University , Changzhou , China
| | - Sixuan Qian
- c Department of Hematology , People Hospital of Jiangsu Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Li Jianyong
- c Department of Hematology , People Hospital of Jiangsu Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
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25
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Meng G, Wang W, Chai K, Yang S, Li F, Jiang K. Combination treatment with triptolide and hydroxycamptothecin synergistically enhances apoptosis in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells through PP2A-regulated ERK, p38 MAPKs and Akt signaling pathways. Int J Oncol 2015; 46:1007-17. [PMID: 25573072 PMCID: PMC4324588 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.2814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Recently, two plant-derived drugs triptolide (TP) and hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) both have shown broad-spectrum anticancer activities. Our previous study documented that combination treatment with these two drugs acted more effectively than mono-therapy, however, the molecular basis underlying the synergistic cytotoxicity remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to clarify the molecular mechanism of TP/HCPT anticancer effect in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells, by investigating the involvement of phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and PP2A-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and Akt signaling pathways. The results showed that TP and HCPT synergistically exerted cytotoxicity in the growth of A549 cells. Combinatorial TP/HCPT treatment significantly enhanced the activation of caspase-3 and -9, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, release of cytochrome c from mitochondrial and subsequent apoptosis. While the Akt survival pathway was inhibited, ERK and p38 MAPKs were dramatically activated. Furthermore, the activity of PP2A was significantly augmented. Regulation of p38, ERK and Akt by PP2A was demonstrated, by using a specific PP2A inhibitor okadaic acid (OA). Finally, pharmacological inhibitors OA, SB203580, SP600125 and PD98059 confirm the role of PP2A and its substrates ERK, p38 MAPK and Akt in mediating TP/HCPT-induced apoptosis. Taken together, this study provides the first evidence for a synergistic TP/HCPT anti-cancer activity in A549 cells and also supports a critical role of PP2A and PP2A-regulated signaling pathways, providing new insight into the mode of action of TP/HCPT in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanmin Meng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, P.R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, P.R. China
| | - Kequn Chai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, P.R. China
| | - Suwen Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, P.R. China
| | - Fangqiong Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, P.R. China
| | - Kai Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, P.R. China
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Caspase-9 is the apoptotic initiator protease of the intrinsic or mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, which is activated at multi-protein activation platforms. Its activation is believed to involve homo-dimerization of the monomeric zymogens. It binds to the apoptosome to retain substantial catalytic activity. Variety of apoptotic stimuli can regulate caspase-9. However, the mechanism of action of various regulators of caspase-9 has not been summarized and compared yet. In this article, we elucidate the regulators of caspase-9 including microRNAs, natural compounds that are related to caspase-9 and ongoing clinical trials with caspase-9 to better understand the caspase-9 in suppressing cancer. AREAS COVERED In this study, the basic mechanism of apoptosis pathways, regulators of caspase-9 and the development of drugs to regulate caspase-9 are reviewed. Also, ongoing clinical trials for caspase-9 are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Apoptosis has crucial role in cancer, brain disease, aging and heart disease to name a few. Since caspase-9 is an initiator caspase of apoptosis, it is an important therapeutic target of various diseases related to apoptosis. Therefore, a deep understanding on the roles as well as regulators of caspase-9 is required to find more effective ways to conquer apoptosis-related diseases especially cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonglee Kim
- Kyunghee University, College of Korean Medicine, Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center , 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-ku, Seoul 131-701 , South Korea
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