1
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Chen K, Cheng X, Xue S, Chen J, Zhang X, Qi Y, Chen R, Zhang Y, Wang H, Li W, Cheng G, Huang Y, Xiong Y, Chen L, Mu C, Gu M. Albumin conjugation promotes arsenic trioxide transport through alkaline phosphatase-associated transcytosis in MUC4 wildtype pancreatic cancer cells. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 257:128756. [PMID: 38092098 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128756] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a poor prognosis due to chemotherapy resistance and unfavorable drug transportation. Albumin conjugates are commonly used as drug carriers to overcome these obstacles. However, membrane-bound glycoprotein mucin 4 (MUC4) has emerged as a promising biomarker among the genetic mutations affecting albumin conjugates therapeutic window. Human serum albumin-conjugated arsenic trioxide (HSA-ATO) has shown potential in treating solid tumors but is limited in PC therapy due to unclear targets and mechanisms. This study investigated the transport mechanisms and therapeutic efficacy of HSA-ATO in PC cells with different MUC4 mutation statuses. Results revealed improved penetration of ATO into PC tumors through conjugated with HSA. However, MUC4 mutation significantly affected treatment sensitivity and HSA-ATO uptake both in vitro and in vivo. Mutant MUC4 cells exhibited over ten times higher IC50 for HSA-ATO and approximately half the uptake compared to wildtype cells. Further research demonstrated that ALPL activation by HSA-ATO enhanced transcytosis in wildtype MUC4 PC cells but not in mutant MUC4 cells, leading to impaired uptake and weaker antitumor effects. Reprogramming the transport process holds potential for enhancing albumin conjugate efficacy in PC patients with different MUC4 mutation statuses, paving the way for stratified treatment using these delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaidi Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Xiao Cheng
- Huzhou Institute for Food and Drug Control, Huzhou 313000, PR China
| | - Shuai Xue
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Junyan Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Zhejiang Heze Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yuwei Qi
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Rong Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Hangjie Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Wei Li
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Guilin Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Ye Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial Dermatology Hospital, Huzhou 313200, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yang Xiong
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, PR China; Department of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Liping Chen
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325001, Zhejiang, PR China; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Chaofeng Mu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, PR China.
| | - Mancang Gu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, PR China; Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, PR China.
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2
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Liu Y, Yang H, Xiong J, Zhao J, Guo M, Chen J, Zhao X, Chen C, He Z, Zhou Y, Xu L. Icariin as an emerging candidate drug for anticancer treatment: Current status and perspective. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 157:113991. [PMID: 36370524 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Icariin (ICA) is a kind of natural flavonoid compound monomer, which is derived from the extract of dried stems and leaves of Epimedium. Modern pharmacological studies have found that ICA has broad bioactive function in affecting the biological processes of a variety of cancers, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, esophageal cancer and other cancers, which indicates that ICA has promising application value in the treatment of cancer patients in the future. Nevertheless, the targets and molecular mechanisms of ICA in cancer treatment have not been elucidated in detail. Therefore, in this review, we systematically summarizes the current research progress of ICA in a series of cancers. In particular, an emphasis is placed on the mechanism of ICA and its future development direction, aiming at providing relevant theoretical basis for the development and application of ICA in the future cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufang Liu
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Han Yang
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Jie Xiong
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Juanjuan Zhao
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Mengmeng Guo
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Xu Zhao
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Chao Chen
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Zhixu He
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Ya Zhou
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China.
| | - Lin Xu
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection &Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China.
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3
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Khan F, Khan H, Khan A, Yamasaki M, Moustaid-Moussa N, Al-Harrasi A, Rahman SM. Autophagy in adipogenesis: Molecular mechanisms and regulation by bioactive compounds. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 155:113715. [PMID: 36152415 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
White adipose tissue expands rapidly due to increased adipocyte number (hyperplasia) and size (hypertrophy), which results in obesity. Adipogenesis is a process of the formation of mature adipocytes from precursor cells. Additionally, obesity-related metabolic complications, such as fatty liver and insulin resistance, are linked to adipogenesis. On the contrary, autophagy is a catabolic process; essential to maintain cellular homeostasis via the degradation or recycling of unnecessary or damaged components. Importantly, autophagy dictates obesity and adipogenesis. Hence, a clear understanding of how autophagy regulates adipogenesis is crucial for drug development and the prevention and treatment of obesity and its associated disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In this review, we highlighted recent findings regarding the crosstalk between adipogenesis and autophagy, as well as the molecules involved. Furthermore, the review discussed how bioactive compounds regulate adipogenesis by manipulating autophagy and underlying molecular mechanisms. Based on in vitro and animal studies, we summarized the effects of bioactive compounds on adipogenesis and autophagy. Hence, human studies are necessary to validate the effectiveness and optimal dosage of these bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faizullah Khan
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa 616, Sultanate of Oman; Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Ajmal Khan
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa 616, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Masao Yamasaki
- Department of Biochemistry and Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Naima Moustaid-Moussa
- Texas Tech University, Nutritional Sciences, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; Obesity Research Institute, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Ahmed Al-Harrasi
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa 616, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Shaikh Mizanoor Rahman
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa 616, Sultanate of Oman.
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4
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Gupta M, Mishra Y, Mishra V, Tambuwala MM. Current update on anticancer effects of icariin: A journey of the last ten years. EXCLI JOURNAL 2022; 21:680-686. [PMID: 35721576 PMCID: PMC9203989 DOI: 10.17179/excli2022-4848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mukta Gupta
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab)-144411, India
| | - Yachana Mishra
- Department of Zoology, Shri Shakti Degree College, Sankhahari, Ghatampur,Kanpur Nagar (UP)-209206, India
| | - Vijay Mishra
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab)-144411, India,*To whom correspondence should be addressed: Vijay Mishra, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab)-144411, India, E-mail:
| | - Murtaza M. Tambuwala
- School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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5
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Zheng Y, Zhang W, Xu L, Zhou H, Yuan M, Xu H. Recent Progress in Understanding the Action of Natural Compounds at Novel Therapeutic Drug Targets for the Treatment of Liver Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 11:795548. [PMID: 35155196 PMCID: PMC8825370 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.795548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related death following lung and stomach cancers. As a highly lethal disease, liver cancer is diagnosed frequently in less developed countries. Natural compounds extracted from herbs, animals and natural materials have been adopted by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practices and reported to be effective in the development of new medications for the treatment of diseases. It is important to focus on the mechanisms of action of natural compounds against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly in terms of cell cycle regulation, apoptosis induction, autophagy mediation and cell migration and invasion. In this review, we characterize novel representative natural compounds according to their pharmacologic effects based on recently published studies. The aim of this review is to summarize and explore novel therapeutic drug targets of natural compounds, which could accelerate the discovery of new anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannan Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) New Drug Discovery, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) New Drug Discovery, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) New Drug Discovery, Shanghai, China.,School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hua Zhou
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Man Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) New Drug Discovery, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongxi Xu
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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6
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Sun L, Zhang J. Icariin inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation and induces apoptosis via inhibiting the NF-κB and PI3K/AKT pathways. Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:942. [PMID: 34306206 PMCID: PMC8281471 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), one of the most common types of human cancer, has a high mortality rate and a poor prognosis due to its high rates of recurrence and metastasis. In recent years, icariin (ICA) has been reported to play an important role in a variety of malignancies, such as gastric, colorectal, pancreatic and ovarian cancer. However, its role and mechanism in OSCC remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of ICA in OSCC cells and to reveal its underlying mechanisms. The OSCC cell lines SCC9 and Cal 27 were used to explore the effect of different concentrations of ICA on the biological behavior of OSCC cells. The effect of ICA on OSCC cell proliferation and apoptosis was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide and flow cytometric assays, respectively. Subsequently, the protein expression levels of caspase-3 and cleaved-caspase-3 were detected using western blot analysis. Additionally, the protein and mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway-related factors were determined using western blot analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, respectively. The results demonstrated that ICA inhibited OSCC cell proliferation and significantly increased the apoptosis rate in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, treatment of OSCC cells with ICA upregulated the protein expression of cleaved-caspase-3 and increased the cleaved-caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio. The protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-p65, p-PI3K and p-AKT were decreased in OSCC cells treated with ICA. The aforementioned findings revealed that ICA could attenuate the proliferation of OSCC cells and induce apoptosis via inhibiting the NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Therefore, the current study provided a new insight into the clinical treatment of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224005, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Yancheng No. 1 People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224006, P.R. China
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7
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Zhang LY, Zhang JG, Yang X, Cai MH, Zhang CW, Hu ZM. Targeting Tumor Immunosuppressive Microenvironment for the Prevention of Hepatic Cancer: Applications of Traditional Chinese Medicines in Targeted Delivery. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 20:2789-2800. [PMID: 33076809 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666201019111524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the ancient and most accepted alternative medicinal systems in the world for the treatment of health ailments. World Health Organization recognizes TCM as one of the primary healthcare practices followed across the globe. TCM utilizes a holistic approach for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers. The tumor microenvironment (TME) surrounds cancer cells and plays pivotal roles in tumor development, growth, progression, and therapy resistance. TME is a hypoxic and acidic environment that includes immune cells, pericytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, various cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular matrix components. Targeting TME using targeted drug delivery and nanoparticles is an attractive strategy for the treatment of solid tumors and recently has received significant research attention under precise medicine concept. TME plays a pivotal role in the overall survival and metastasis of a tumor by stimulating cell proliferation, preventing the tumor clearance by the immune cells, enhancing the oncogenic potential of the cancer cells, and promoting tumor invasion. Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of cancer-associated deaths affecting millions of individuals worldwide each year. TCM herbs contain several bioactive phytoconstituents with a broad range of biological, physiological, and immunological effects on the system. Several TCM herbs and their monomers have shown inhibitory effects in HCC by controlling the TME. This study reviews the fundamentals and applications of targeting strategies for immunosuppressing TME to treat cancers. This study focuses on TME targeting strategies using TCM herbs and the molecular mechanisms of several TCM herbs and their monomers on controlling TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le-Yi Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Chun’an First People’s Hospital (Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital Chun’an
Branch), Hangzhou 311700, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Gang Zhang
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China,Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Xue Yang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Mao-Hua Cai
- Department of General Surgery, Chun’an First People’s Hospital (Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital Chun’an
Branch), Hangzhou 311700, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Cheng-Wu Zhang
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China,Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Ming Hu
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China,Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
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Deep eutectic solvent combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction as high efficient extractive media for extraction and quality evaluation of Herba Epimedii. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2020; 185:113228. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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9
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Li X, Sun D, Zhao T, Zhang Z. Long non-coding RNA ROR confers arsenic trioxide resistance to HepG2 cells by inhibiting p53 expression. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 872:172982. [PMID: 32017938 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.172982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic trioxide is an effective drug in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, but it has no obvious therapeutic effect on liver cancer. Long non-coding RNA ROR is a newly found long-noncoding RNA that has been reported to get involved in the regulation of chemo-resistance in multiple cancers. However, whether and how long non-coding RNA ROR gets involved in the resistance to arsenic trioxide in liver cancer has not been explored. In this study, We found that cellular apoptosis was increased by arsenic trioxide in liver cancer HepG2 cells; P53 expression was also increased by arsenic trioxide at both mRNA level and protein level, indicating that P53-dependent apoptosis is the main mechanism for arsenic trioxide to induce cytotoxicity in liver cancer HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, we found an obvious increase in the level of long non-coding RNA ROR in arsenic trioxide-treated HepG2 cells. By measuring the level of reactive oxygen species, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde, the product of lipid peroxidation, we further demonstrated that oxidative stress was a potential factor for both the activation of P53 expression and the increase in long non-coding RNA ROR expression. Through the knock-down of long non-coding RNA ROR by siRNA, we revealed that the activated long non-coding RNA ROR ameliorated arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis by inhibiting P53 expression. Together, our study reported that long non-coding RNA ROR conferred arsenic trioxide resistance to liver cancer cells through inhibiting P53 expression, and long non-coding RNA ROR might be a novel sensitizing target for liver cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Li
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Donglei Sun
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianhe Zhao
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zunzhen Zhang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Wu X, Kong W, Qi X, Wang S, Chen Y, Zhao Z, Wang W, Lin X, Lai J, Yu Z, Lai G. Icariin induces apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma cells by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Life Sci 2019; 239:116879. [PMID: 31682849 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the largest cause of morbidity and mortality among tumor diseases. Traditional first-line chemotherapeutic drugs are frequently accompanied by serious side effects when used to treat tumors, thus, novel drugs with reduced toxic effects may improve a patients' quality of life. Icariin, an extract of herba epimedii, has been demonstrated to exhibit multiple antitumor effects with low toxicity. In the present study, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis assays, DAPI staining, CCK8 assays, xenograft tumor models, mitochondrial membrane potential analysis, western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were performed to determine the molecular mechanism underlying icariin activity in the human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, A549 and H1975. The results showed that icariin reduced proliferation of A549 and H1975 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner in vitro to a greater degree than the control BEAS-2B cells, and this was associated with increased apoptosis, but not with cell cycle progression. In vivo experiments showed that icariin treatment significantly decreased proliferation of H1975 cells in a xenograft mouse model. Mechanistically, icariin activated the mitochondrial pathway by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway-associated kinase, Akt, resulting in the activation of members of the caspase family of proteins, and thus inducing apoptosis of A549 cells. Taken together, the results revealed that icariin has anti-cancer properties in lung cancer in vitro and in vivo without any noticeable toxic effects on normal lung epithelial cells. Icariin in combination with conventional anti-cancer agents may be an effective therapeutic strategy for treatment of lung carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team Support Force, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, PR China
| | - Wencui Kong
- Department of Medical Oncology, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team Support Force, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Qi
- Department of Oncology, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, Shandong Province, 255020, PR China
| | - Shuiliang Wang
- Department of Urology, 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team Support Force, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, PR China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Transplant Biology, Affiliated Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University School of Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, PR China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team Support Force, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, PR China
| | - Zhongquan Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team Support Force, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, PR China
| | - Wenwu Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team Support Force, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, PR China
| | - Xiandong Lin
- Laboratory of Radiation Oncology and Radiobiology, Fujian Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350014, PR China
| | - Jinhuo Lai
- Department of Oncology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350001, PR China
| | - Zongyang Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team Support Force, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, PR China; Fujian Medical University Affiliated Dongfang Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, PR China; Xiamen University School of Medicine, Xiamen, Fujian Province, 361102, PR China; Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350122, PR China.
| | - Guoxiang Lai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team Support Force, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, PR China.
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11
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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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12
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Jung YY, Lee JH, Nam D, Narula AS, Namjoshi OA, Blough BE, Um JY, Sethi G, Ahn KS. Anti-myeloma Effects of Icariin Are Mediated Through the Attenuation of JAK/STAT3-Dependent Signaling Cascade. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:531. [PMID: 29899697 PMCID: PMC5989039 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Because of the essential role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in proliferation, anti-apoptosis, and chemoresistance of multiple myeloma (MM), we investigated whether icariin, a prenylated flavonol glycoside, inhibits both constitutive and inducible STAT3 activation in human myeloma cell lines. We noted that icariin could block constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation as well as its nuclear translocation and DNA binding ability in U266 cells. Icariin also suppressed IL-6-induced STAT3 activation through the inhibition of upstream kinases (Janus activated kinase-1 and -2, and c-Src). We found that icariin downregulated the protein expression of STAT3 downstream target gene products such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, survivin, IAP-1/2, COX-2, VEGF, and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, this flavonoid also exhibited the capacity to significantly induce apoptosis and suppress proliferation of MM cells. Interestingly, this agent also significantly potentiated the apoptotic effects of bortezomib through the suppression of STAT3 activation in MM cells. Altogether, our data indicates that the potential application of icariin as a STAT3 blocker in myeloma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Yun Jung
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong Hyun Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dongwoo Nam
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Ojas A Namjoshi
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Bruce E Blough
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jae-Young Um
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
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13
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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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14
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Xia Y, Liu X, Liu B, Zhang X, Tian G. Enhanced antitumor activity of combined megestrol acetate and arsenic trioxide treatment in liver cancer cells. Exp Ther Med 2018; 15:4047-4055. [PMID: 29581752 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.5905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is an aggressive malignancy with a very high fatality rate. Although megestrol acetate (MA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) have shown an antitumor effect in liver cancer cells, the therapeutic benefits of MA or ATO alone in patients with liver cancer were limited. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the co-treatment of MA/ATO could enhance antitumor efficacy in liver cancer cell lines (Hep G2 and BEL 7402) and explore the underlying anti-cancer mechanisms. The cell viability, apoptotic response and expression levels of associated proteins were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry and western blotting, respectively. An xenograft model in nude mice bearing a Hep G2 tumor was used to estimate tumor growth in vivo. Co-treatment with MA/ATO markedly improved the inhibition of cell viability, enhanced apoptosis, and increased the phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 on liver cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the tumor growth in the murine Hep G2 cancer xenograft model was significantly inhibited by combined treatment with MA/ATO. The results indicated that MA/ATO combined treatment enhanced antitumor efficacy and possessed potential application for treating liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xia
- Department of Biotherapy Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China.,Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Xianhao Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Beibei Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoshi Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Geng Tian
- Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
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15
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Wang L, Liang W, Peng N, Hu X, Xu Y, Liu Z. The synergistic antitumor effect of arsenic trioxide combined with cytotoxic T cells in pulmonary metastasis model of colon cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:109609-109618. [PMID: 29312633 PMCID: PMC5752546 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapy, including cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), represents a promising non-toxic anticancer strategy. The effects of this therapy can be impaired by tumor-infiltrated regulatory T cells (Tregs). Autologous murine CTLs acquired using cryopreservation exhibited a cytotoxic effect equivalent to that of conventional CTLs. The killing activity of CTLs was enhanced significantly using arsenic trioxide (ATO), accompanied by reduction in Tregs in vitro. Results using a pulmonary metastasis model of colon cancer indicated that compared with the control group, ATO group, and CTLs group, metastatic node number decreased significantly (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively) and survival time was prolonged (p<0.001, p=0.669, p=0.158, respectively) in the ATO plus CTLs group. The number of infiltrated Foxp3+ Tregs decreased in the tumor center, but increased in the peri-tumor tissue. Our results indicate that this approach represents a practical protocol for acquiring autologous CTLs and a feasible strategy that uses a synergistic combination of ATO plus CTLs to treat pulmonary metastases of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, China
| | - Wentao Liang
- Institute of General Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Na Peng
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantation, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xiang Hu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Yingxin Xu
- Institute of General Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Zhong Liu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
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16
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Gu ZF, Zhang ZT, Wang JY, Xu BB. Icariin exerts inhibitory effects on the growth and metastasis of KYSE70 human esophageal carcinoma cells via PI3K/AKT and STAT3 pathways. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2017; 54:7-13. [PMID: 28667862 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2017.06.004] [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] [Received: 01/29/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related mortality across the globe. The current treatment options are insufficient and are associated with number of side effects. Therefore there is a pressing need to develop effective and more efficient strategies for the treatment of esophageal cancer. Consistently, natural products are considered potential candidates for develop of cancer chemotherapy. Icariin is a naturally occurring flavonol glucoside and has been reported to possess tremendous pharmacological potential ranging from neuroprotection to anticancer activity. However, the pharmacological role of icariin in esophageal cancer is still largely unclear. Here in the present study, icariin was evaluated for its anticancer activity against KYSE70 esophageal cancer cells and the possible underlying mechanism was determined. Icariin induced cytotoxicity with an IC50 of 40μM in esophageal cancer cells. These inhibitory effects were due to apoptosis through reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The results indicated that icariin enhanced the accretion of ROS upto 260% and reduced the MMP upto 48% at 100μM. Icariin also induced G2/M cell cycle arrest as evident from the significant increase in the G2 cell populations of KYSE70 esophageal cancer cells. Additionally, icariin inhibited esophageal cancer cell migration, invasion and metastasis by regulating the expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Results also indicated that icariin reduced cell viability and migration in part through suppression of the PI3K/AKT and STAT3 pathways. Taken together, our results indicate that icariin may prove a potential natural anticancer molecule against esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Fang Gu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272000, China
| | - Zi-Teng Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272000, China
| | - Jun-Ye Wang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272000, China
| | - Bao-Bin Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272000, China.
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17
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Rao CV, Pal S, Mohammed A, Farooqui M, Doescher MP, Asch AS, Yamada HY. Biological effects and epidemiological consequences of arsenic exposure, and reagents that can ameliorate arsenic damage in vivo. Oncotarget 2017; 8:57605-57621. [PMID: 28915699 PMCID: PMC5593671 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Through contaminated diet, water, and other forms of environmental exposure, arsenic affects human health. There are many U.S. and worldwide "hot spots" where the arsenic level in public water exceeds the maximum exposure limit. The biological effects of chronic arsenic exposure include generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and DNA damage, epigenetic DNA modification, induction of genomic instability, and inflammation and immunomodulation, all of which can initiate carcinogenesis. High arsenic exposure is epidemiologically associated with skin, lung, bladder, liver, kidney and pancreatic cancer, and cardiovascular, neuronal, and other diseases. This review briefly summarizes the biological effects of arsenic exposure and epidemiological cancer studies worldwide, and provides an overview for emerging rodent-based studies of reagents that can ameliorate the effects of arsenic exposure in vivo. These reagents may be translated to human populations for disease prevention. We propose the importance of developing a biomarker-based precision prevention approach for the health issues associated with arsenic exposure that affects millions of people worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinthalapally V Rao
- Center for Cancer Prevention and Drug Development, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Section, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Sanya Pal
- Center for Cancer Prevention and Drug Development, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Section, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Altaf Mohammed
- Center for Cancer Prevention and Drug Development, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Section, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Mudassir Farooqui
- Center for Cancer Prevention and Drug Development, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Section, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Mark P Doescher
- Stephenson Cancer Center and Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Adam S Asch
- Stephenson Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Section, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Hiroshi Y Yamada
- Center for Cancer Prevention and Drug Development, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Section, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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18
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Li H, Yuan Y, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Gao L, Xu R. Icariin Inhibits AMPK-Dependent Autophagy and Adipogenesis in Adipocytes In vitro and in a Model of Graves' Orbitopathy In vivo. Front Physiol 2017; 8:45. [PMID: 28243204 PMCID: PMC5303717 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Graves' orbitopathy (GO), an extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease, is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder of the orbit that involves the differentiation of precursor cells into mature adipocytes and retro-orbital adipose tissue accumulation. Here, we examined the involvement of autophagy in adipogenesis and explored the effects of icariin, a flavonoid isolated from the genus Epimedium with a wide range of biological and pharmacological effects, on autophagy and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and in a mouse model of GO. Microscopic examination of autophagosome formation and lipid droplet accumulation by Oil Red O staining, and western blot assessment of autophagic markers in the presence of the autophagy inhibitors Asn and 3-MA showed that autophagy is essential for adipogenesis. Icariin inhibited the differentiation of preadipocytes into mature adipocytes by suppressing autophagy, and these effects were mediated by the inhibition of AMPK/mTOR pathway activation. In a mouse model of thyroid stimulating hormone receptor induced GO, icariin reduced orbital muscle adipose tissue expansion and lipid droplet accumulation by inhibiting AMPK/mTOR mediated autophagy. Collectively, these results reveal a potential mechanism underlying the protective effects of icariin against autophagy induced adipogenesis and suggest that icariin could be developed as a new therapeutic candidate for the prevention and treatment of GO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shanghai, China
| | - Yifei Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University Shanghai, China
| | - Yali Zhang
- Institute of Spleen and Stomach Disease, Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shanghai, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shanghai, China
| | - Long Gao
- Department of Endocrinology, Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shanghai, China
| | - Rongjuan Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shanghai, China
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19
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Abstract
Although As2O3 (ATO) has been recommended as the front-line agent for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), particularly for relapsed or refractory APL, it has been associated with profound toxicity. Icariin is a natural compound with activity against a variety of cancers. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Icariin on APL cells and to determine whether Icariin can potentiate the antitumor activity of ATO in APL cells. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured using MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression of apoptosis and proliferation-related molecules was detected by Western blotting. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were determined with florescence staining. Icariin inhibited proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis in both of the tested APL cell lines. Icariin enhanced the in vitro antitumor activity of ATO against APL. The antitumor activity of Icariin and its enhancement of the antitumor activity of ATO correlated with the increase in accumulation of intracellular ROS. Our results showed that Icariin, by increasing intracellular ROS, exhibited antitumor activity and potentiated the antitumor activity of ATO against APL. Therefore, combination treatment with Icariin and ATO might offer a novel therapeutic option for patients with APL, although further studies are needed.
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20
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Arsenic trioxide is an immune adjuvant in liver cancer treatment. Mol Immunol 2017; 81:118-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Chen M, Wu J, Luo Q, Mo S, Lyu Y, Wei Y, Dong J. The Anticancer Properties of Herba Epimedii and Its Main Bioactive Componentsicariin and Icariside II. Nutrients 2016; 8:nu8090563. [PMID: 27649234 PMCID: PMC5037548 DOI: 10.3390/nu8090563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicines have been an important source of anticancer drugs and adjuvant agents to potentiate the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs and improve the side effects of chemotherapy. HerbaEpimedii is one of most popular herbs used in China traditionally for the treatment of multiple diseases, including osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, hypertension and common inflammatory diseases. Studies show HerbaEpimedii also possesses anticancer activity. Flavonol glycosides icariin and icariside II are the main bioactive components of HerbaEpimedii. They have been found to possess anticancer activities against various human cancer cell lines in vitro and mouse tumor models in vivo via their effects on multiple biological pathways, including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis, and a variety of signaling pathways including JAK2-STAT3, MAPK-ERK, and PI3k-Akt-mTOR. The review is aimed to provide an overview of the current research results supporting their therapeutic effects and to highlight the molecular targets and action mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meixia Chen
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Jinfeng Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Qingli Luo
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Shuming Mo
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Yubao Lyu
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Ying Wei
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Jingcheng Dong
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
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22
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Tan HL, Chan KG, Pusparajah P, Saokaew S, Duangjai A, Lee LH, Goh BH. Anti-Cancer Properties of the Naturally Occurring Aphrodisiacs: Icariin and Its Derivatives. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:191. [PMID: 27445824 PMCID: PMC4925704 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epimedium (family Berberidaceae), commonly known as Horny Goat Weed or Yin Yang Huo, is commonly used as a tonic, aphrodisiac, anti-rheumatic and anti-cancer agent in traditional herbal formulations in Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea. The major bioactive compounds present within this plant include icariin, icaritin and icariside II. Although it is best known for its aphrodisiac properties, scientific and pharmacological studies suggest it possesses broad therapeutic capabilities, especially for enhancing reproductive function and osteoprotective, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and immunoprotective effects. In recent years, there has been great interest in scientific investigation of the purported anti-cancer properties of icariin and its derivatives. Data from in vitro and in vivo studies suggests these compounds demonstrate anti-cancer activity against a wide range of cancer cells which occurs through various mechanisms such as apoptosis, cell cycle modulation, anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastasis and immunomodulation. Of note, they are efficient at targeting cancer stem cells and drug-resistant cancer cells. These are highly desirable properties to be emulated in the development of novel anti-cancer drugs in combatting the emergence of drug resistance and overcoming the limited efficacy of current standard treatment. This review aims to summarize the anti-cancer mechanisms of icariin and its derivatives with reference to the published literature. The currently utilized applications of icariin and its derivatives in cancer treatment are explored with reference to existing patents. Based on the data compiled, icariin and its derivatives are shown to be compounds with tremendous potential for the development of new anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Li Tan
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University MalaysiaBandar Sunway, Malaysia; Biomedical Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University MalaysiaBandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Kok-Gan Chan
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Priyia Pusparajah
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Surasak Saokaew
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University MalaysiaBandar Sunway, Malaysia; Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety (Cohorts), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of PhayaoPhayao, Thailand; Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research Center, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan UniversityPhitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Acharaporn Duangjai
- Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety (Cohorts), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of PhayaoPhayao, Thailand; Division of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of PhayaoPhayao, Thailand
| | - Learn-Han Lee
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University MalaysiaBandar Sunway, Malaysia; Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety (Cohorts), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of PhayaoPhayao, Thailand
| | - Bey-Hing Goh
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Monash University MalaysiaBandar Sunway, Malaysia; Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety (Cohorts), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of PhayaoPhayao, Thailand
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Lang M, Wang X, Wang H, Dong J, Lan C, Hao J, Huang C, Li X, Yu M, Yang Y, Yang S, Ren H. Arsenic trioxide plus PX-478 achieves effective treatment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Lett 2016; 378:87-96. [PMID: 27212442 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been selected as a promising treatment not only in leukemia but also in solid tumors. Previous studies showed that the cytotoxicity of ATO mainly depends on the induction of reactive oxygen species. However, ATO has only achieved a modest effect in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, suggesting that the existing radical scavenging proteins, such as hypoxia inducible factor-1, attenuate the effect. The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of combination treatment of ATO plus PX-478 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1 inhibitor) and its underlying mechanism. Here, we showed that PX-478 robustly strengthened the anti-growth and pro-apoptosis effect of ATO on Panc-1 and BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Meanwhile, in vivo mouse xenograft models also showed the synergistic effect of ATO plus PX-478 compared with any single agent. Further studies showed that the anti-tumor effect of ATO plus PX-478 was derived from the reactive oxygen species-induced apoptosis. We next confirmed that Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 cleared reactive oxygen species by its downstream target, forkhead box O transcription factors, and this effect may justify the strategy of ATO plus PX-478 in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxiao Lang
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiuchao Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongwei Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Dong
- School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chungen Lan
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jihui Hao
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chongbiao Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ming Yu
- School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanhui Yang
- 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development (Ministry of Health), Metabolic Diseases Hospital & Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shengyu Yang
- Department of Tumor Biology and Comprehensive Melanoma Research Center, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - He Ren
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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24
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Icariin displays anticancer activity against human esophageal cancer cells via regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptotic signaling. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21145. [PMID: 26892033 PMCID: PMC4759694 DOI: 10.1038/srep21145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the antitumor activity of icariin (ICA) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in vitro and in vivo and explored the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) signaling in this activity. ICA treatment resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in the viability of human EC109 and TE1 ESCCs. Additionally, ICA exhibited strong antitumor activity, as evidenced by reductions in cell migration, adhesion, and intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels and by increases in the EC109 and TE1 cell apoptotic index, Caspase 9 activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity. Furthermore, ICA treatments upregulated the levels of ERS-related molecules (p-PERK, GRP78, ATF4, p-eIF2α, and CHOP) and a pro-apoptotic protein (PUMA) and simultaneously downregulated an anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl2) in the two ESCC cell lines. The downregulation of ERS signaling using eIF2α siRNA desensitized EC109 and TE1 cells to ICA treatment, and the upregulation of ERS signaling using thapsigargin sensitized EC109 and TE1 cells to ICA treatment. In summary, ERS activation may represent a mechanism of action for the anticancer activity of ICA in ESCCs, and the activation of ERS signaling may represent a novel therapeutic intervention for human esophageal cancer.
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Yun SM, Woo SH, Oh ST, Hong SE, Choe TB, Ye SK, Kim EK, Seong MK, Kim HA, Noh WC, Lee JK, Jin HO, Lee YH, Park IC. Melatonin enhances arsenic trioxide-induced cell death via sustained upregulation of Redd1 expression in breast cancer cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 422:64-73. [PMID: 26607805 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Revised: 10/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin is implicated in various physiological functions, including anticancer activity. However, the mechanism(s) of its anticancer activity is not well understood. In the present study, we investigated the combined effects of melatonin and arsenic trioxide (ATO) on cell death in human breast cancer cells. Melatonin enhanced the ATO-induced apoptotic cell death via changes in the protein levels of Survivin, Bcl-2, and Bax, thus affecting cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol. Interestingly, we found that the cell death induced by co-treatment with melatonin and ATO was mediated by sustained upregulation of Redd1, which was associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Combined treatment with melatonin and ATO induced the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 MAP kinase downstream from Redd1 expression. Rapamycin and S6K1 siRNA enhanced, while activation of mTORC1 by transfection with TSC2 siRNA suppressed the cell death induced by melatonin and ATO treatment. Taken together, our findings suggest that melatonin enhances ATO-induced apoptotic cell death via sustained upregulation of Redd1 expression and inhibition of mTORC1 upstream of the activation of the p38/JNK pathways in human breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Mi Yun
- Division of Radiation Cancer Research, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hyeok Woo
- Division of Radiation Cancer Research, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706, Republic of Korea; KIRAMS Radiation Biobank, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-709, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Taek Oh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Eun Hong
- Division of Radiation Cancer Research, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Boo Choe
- Department of Microbiological Engineering, Kon-Kuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Kyu Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu Seoul 110-799, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Kyu Kim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyenggi-do 463-707, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Ki Seong
- Department of Surgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, 215-4 Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-A Kim
- Department of Surgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, 215-4 Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Chul Noh
- Department of Surgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, 215-4 Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Kyung Lee
- KIRAMS Radiation Biobank, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-709, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Ok Jin
- KIRAMS Radiation Biobank, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-709, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Han Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea.
| | - In-Chul Park
- Division of Radiation Cancer Research, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706, Republic of Korea.
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Activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in the activity of icariin against human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Apoptosis 2016; 20:1229-41. [PMID: 26049256 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-015-1142-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of icariin (ICA) against human lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo and explored the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (ERS) signaling in this process. ICA treatment resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in the viability of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Additionally, ICA exhibited potent anticancer activity, as evidenced by reductions in A549 cell adhesion, migration and intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels and increases in the apoptotic index, Caspase 3 activity, and reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, ICA treatment increased the expression of ERS-related molecules (p-PERK, ATF6, GRP78, p-eIF2α, and CHOP), up-regulated the apoptosis-related protein PUMA and down-regulated the anti-apoptosis-related protein Bcl2. The down-regulation of ERS signaling using PERK siRNA desensitized lung adenocarcinoma cells to ICA treatment, whereas the up-regulation of ERS signaling using thapsigargin (THA) sensitized lung adenocarcinoma cells to ICA treatment. Additionally, ICA inhibited the growth of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell xenografts by increasing the expression of ERS-related molecules (p-PERK and CHOP), up-regulating PUMA, and down-regulating Bcl2. These data indicate that ICA is a potential inhibitor of lung adenocarcinoma cell growth by targeting ERS signaling and suggest that the activation of ERS signaling may represent a novel therapeutic intervention for lung adenocarcinoma.
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Jiang J, Zhao BJ, Song J, Jia XB. Pharmacology and Clinical Application of Plants in Epimedium L. CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s1674-6384(16)60003-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Li C, Li Q, Mei Q, Lu T. Pharmacological effects and pharmacokinetic properties of icariin, the major bioactive component in Herba Epimedii. Life Sci 2015; 126:57-68. [PMID: 25634110 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Herba Epimedii is an important medicinal plant which has been used in various traditional Chinese formulations for thousands of years as well as in modern proprietary traditional Chinese medicine products. It has extensive clinical indications, especially for the treatment of sexual dysfunction and osteoporosis. There have been more than 260 chemical moieties identified in the genus Epimedium most of which belong to flavonoids. Icariin is the most abundant constituent in Herba Epimedii. Icariin is pharmacologically bioactive and demonstrates extensive therapeutic capacities such as osteoprotective effect, neuroprotective effect, cardiovascular protective effect, anti-cancer effect, anti-inflammation effect, immunoprotective effect and reproductive function. Particularly, the significant osteogenic effect of icariin made it a promising drug candidate in bone tissue engineering. The current review paper aims to summarize the literatures reporting the pharmacological effects of icariin. The pharmacokinetic properties of bioactive ingredients in Herba Epimedii have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenrui Li
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences & Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qibing Mei
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences & Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tingli Lu
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences & Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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Cotylenin A and arsenic trioxide cooperatively suppress cell proliferation and cell invasion activity in human breast cancer cells. Int J Oncol 2014; 46:841-8. [PMID: 25405645 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is an approved treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). It has also shown potential for treatment of multiple myeloma and various solid tumors including breast cancer. The requirement of high, toxic concentrations for the induction of apoptosis in non-APL and solid tumor cells is a major limitation for its use in other hematological malignancies and solid tumors. We have examined whether inducers of differentiation of leukemia cells can control the growth of solid tumor cells. In the present study, we found that cotylenin A, a plant growth regulator and a potent inducer of differentiation in myeloid leukemia cells, significantly potentiated both ATO-induced inhibition of cell growth in a liquid culture, and ATO-induced inhibition of anchorage-independent growth in a semi-solid culture in human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. ISIR-005 (a synthetic cotylenin A-derivative) was also able to enhance ATO-induced growth inhibition. The combined treatment with cotylenin A and ATO induced cleaved caspase-7 in MCF-7 cells at the concentrations which ATO alone scarcely induced and cotylenin A alone only weakly induced. Expression of survivin in MCF-7 cells was markedly decreased with the presence of both cotylenin A and ATO, although the expression of survivin was only slightly decreased by cotylenin A or ATO alone. The pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine significantly reduced the combination treatment-induced cell growth inhibition. These data suggest that induction of cleaved caspase-7, inhibition of survivin and oxidative responses are important events in the corporative inhibition in the growth of MCF-7 cells induced by both cotylenin A and ATO. Furthermore, we found that the combined treatment with cotylenin A and ATO also could be effective in suppressing the invasive capacity of MDA-MB-231 cells determined with the impedance-based xCELLigence Real-Time Cell Analysis technology. These results suggest that cotylenin A is an attractive enhancer for the ATO-induced anticancer activities in human breast cancer.
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