The apoptotic efficacy of succinic acid on renal cancer cell lines

Comprehensive overview of different medicinal parts from Morus alba L.: chemical compositions and pharmacological activities

Morus alba L., a common traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with a centuries-old medicinal history, owned various medicinal parts like Mori folium, Mori ramulus, Mori cortex and Mori fructus. Different medical parts exhibit distinct modern pharmacological effects. Mori folium exhibited analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic action and lipid-regulation effects. Mori ramulus owned anti-bacterial, anti-asthmatic and diuretic activities. Mori cortex showed counteraction action of pain, inflammatory, bacterial, and platelet aggregation. Mori fructus could decompose fat, lower blood lipids and prevent vascular sclerosis. The main chemical components in Morus alba L. covered flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and amino acids. This article comprehensively analyzed the recent literature related to chemical components and pharmacological actions of M. alba L., summarizing 198 of ingredients and described the modern activities of different extracts and the bioactive constituents in the four parts from M. alba L. These results fully demonstrated the medicinal value of M. alba L., provided valuable references for further comprehensive development, and layed the foundation for the utilization of M. alba L.

Mechanism of Preventing Recurrence of Stage II-III Colorectal Cancer Metastasis with Immuno-inflammatory and Hypoxic Microenvironment by a Four Ingredients Chinese Herbal Formula: A Bioinformatics and Network Pharmacology Analysis

BACKGROUND

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the top three malignancies with the highest incidence and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to identify the effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on postoperative patients with stage II-III CRC and explore the core herb combination and its mechanism.

METHODS

An observational cohort study was conducted on patients diagnosed with stage II-III CRC from January 2016 to January 2021. The primary outcome was disease-free survival, which was compared between the patients who received TCM or not, and the secondary outcome was the hazard ratio. The relevance principle was used to obtain the candidate herb combinations, and the core combination was evaluated through an assessment of efficacy and representativeness. Then, biological processes and signaling pathways associated with CRC were obtained by Gene Ontology function, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes pathway, and Wikipathway. Furthermore, hub genes were screened by the Kaplan-Meier estimator, and molecular docking was employed to predict the binding sites of key ingredients to hub genes. The correlation analysis was employed for the correlations between the hub genes and tumor-infiltrating immune cells and hypoxiarelated genes. Ultimately, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to verify the regulation of hub genes by their major ingredients.

RESULTS

A total of 707 patients were included. TCM could decrease the metastatic recurrence associated with stage II-III CRC (HR: 0.61, log-rank P < 0.05). Among those patients in the TCM group, the core combination was Baizhu → Yinchen, Chenpi, and Fuling (C combination), and its antitumor mechanism was most likely related to the regulation of BCL2L1, XIAP, and TOP1 by its key ingredients, quercetin and tangeretin. The expression of these genes was significantly correlated with both tumor-infiltrating immune cells and hypoxia- related genes. In addition, quercetin and tangeretin down-regulated the mRNA levels of BCL2L1, XIAP, and TOP1, thereby inhibiting the growth of HCT116 cells.

CONCLUSION

Overall, a combination of four herbs, Baizhu → Yinchen, Chenpi, and Fuling, could reduce metastatic recurrence in postoperative patients with stage II-III CRC. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of BCL2L1, XIAP, and TOP1 by its key ingredients quercetin and tangeretin.

Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles from Cyperus conglomeratus Root Extract Inhibit Osteogenic Differentiation of Immortalized Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

BACKGROUND

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are a focus of huge interest in biological research, including stem cell research. AgNPs synthesized using Cyperus conglomeratus root extract have been previously reported but their effects on mesenchymal stromal cells have yet to be investigated.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of C. conglomeratus-derived AgNPs on adipogenesis and osteogenesis of mesenchymal stromal cells.

METHODS

AgNPs were synthesized using C. conglomeratus root extract, and the phytochemicals involved in AgNPs synthesis were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). The cytotoxicity of the AgNPs was tested on telomerase-transformed immortalized human bone marrow-derived MSCs-hTERT (iMSC3) and human osteosarcoma cell line (MG-63) using MTT and apoptosis assays. The uptake of AgNPs by both cells was confirmed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Furthermore, the effect of AgNPs on iMSC3 adipogenesis and osteogenesis was analyzed using stain quantification and reverse transcription- quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

RESULTS

The phytochemicals predominately identified in both the AgNPs and C. conglomeratus root extract were carbohydrates. The AgNP concentrations tested using MTT and apoptosis assays (0.5-64 µg/ml and 1,4 and 32 µg/ml, respectively) showed no significant cytotoxicity on iMSC3 and MG-63. The AgNPs were internalized in a concentration-dependent manner in both cell types. Additionally, the AgNPs exhibited a significant negative effect on osteogenesis but not on adipogenesis.

CONCLUSION

C. conglomeratus-derived AgNPs had an impact on the differentiation capacity of iMSC3. Our results indicated that C. conglomeratus AgNPs and the associated phytochemicals could exhibit potential medical applications.

Synergistic interactions of cytarabine-adavosertib in leukemic cell lines proliferation and metabolomic endpoints

Drug synergy allows reduced dosing, side effects and tolerance. Optimization of drug synergy chemotherapy is fundamental in acute lymphocytic leukemia and other cancers. This study aimed to analyze the pharmacodynamic synergy between the anti-metabolite cytarabine and WEE1 inhibitor adavosertib on acute leukemia cell lines CCRF-CEM and Jurkat. In both cell lines analysis of concentration-inhibition curves of adavosertib-cytarabine combinations and synergy matrixes supported mutually synergistic drug interactions. Overall mean ( ± SD) synergy scores were higher in Jurkat than CCRF-CEM: Jurkat, ZIP 22.51 ± 1.1, Bliss 22.49 ± 1.1, HSA 23.44 ± 1.0, Loewe 14.16 ± 1.2; and, CCRF-CEM, ZIP 9.17 ± 1.9, Bliss 8.13 ± 2.1, HSA 11.48 ± 1.9 and Loewe 4.99 ± 1.8. Jurkat also surpassed CCRF-CEM in high-degree synergistic adavosertib-cytarabine interactions with mean across-models synergy values of ∼89.1% ± 2.9 for 63 nM cytarabine-97 nM adavosertib (91.4% inhibition synergy barometer). Combination sensitivity scores scatter plots confirmed combination's synergy efficacy. This combined approach permitted identification and prioritization of 63 nM cytarabine-97 nM adavosertib for multiple endpoints analysis. This combination did not affect PBMC viability, while exhibiting Jurkat selective synergy. Immunoblots also revealed Jurkat selective synergistically increased γH2AX phosphorylation, while CDC2 phosphorylation effects were attributed to adavosertib's WEE1 inhibition. In conclusion, the high synergistic efficacy combination of cytarabine (63 nM) and adavosertib (97 nM) was associated with remarkable alterations in metabolites related to the Krebs cycle in Jurkat. The metabolic pathways and processes are related to gluconeogenesis, amino acids, nucleotides, glutathione, electron transport and Warburg effect. All above relate to cell survival, apoptosis, and cancer progression. Our findings could pave the way for novel biomarkers in treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis of leukemia and other cancers.

Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of 13C-Labeled Succinic Acid in Mice

Succinic acid is widely used as a food additive, and its effects on sepsis, cancer, ataxia, and obesity were recently reported. Dietary drug exposure studies have been conducted to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of succinic acid, but limited pharmacokinetic information is available. Therefore, this study evaluated the pharmacokinetic profiles and tissue distribution of succinic acid following a single intravenous or oral dose. A surrogate analyte, succinic acid-¹³C₄ (¹³C₄SA), was administrated to distinguish endogenous and exogenous succinic acid. The concentration of ¹³C₄SA was determined by a validated analytical method using mass spectrometry. After a 10 mg/kg intravenous dose, non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis in plasma illustrated that the clearance, volume of distribution, and terminal half-life of ¹³C₄SA were 4574.5 mL/h/kg, 520.8 mL/kg, and 0.56 h, respectively. Oral ¹³C₄SA was absorbed and distributed quickly (bioavailability, 1.5%) at a dose of 100 mg/kg. In addition, ¹³C₄SA exposure was the highest in the liver, followed by brown adipose tissue, white adipose tissue, and the kidneys. This is the first report on the pharmacokinetics of succinic acid after a single dose in mice, and these results could provide a foundation for selecting dosing regimens for efficacy studies.

Chemical Composition and Anti-Urolithiatic Activity of Extracts from Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels Press-Cake and Acacia senegal (L.) Willd

Ethnobotanical studies have reported the traditional medicinal uses of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. and Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels against kidney stone formation and other chronic kidney diseases. The present work is undertaken to study the litholytic activity and the inhibiting activity of calcium oxalate crystallization by bioactive compounds identified in Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels press-cake (residue of Argan oil) and in Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. The litholytic activity was studied in vitro on cystine and uric acid stones using a porous bag and an Erlenmeyer glass. The study of the inhibiting activity of calcium oxalate crystallization, was based on temporal measurements of the optical density, registered at a 620 nm wavelength for 30 min using an ultraviolet−visible spectrophotometer. The silylation method was performed to identify phytochemicals, followed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrophotometry (GC/MS) analysis. The results show significant litholytic activity of Argania Spinosa press-cake hydro-ethanolic extract on uric acid and cystine stones, respectively, with dissolution rates (DR) of 86.38% and 60.42% versus 3.23% and 9.48% for the hydro-ethanolic extract of Acacia senegal exudate. Furthermore, the percentages of nucleation inhibition are 83.78% and 43.77% (p ˂ 0.05) for Argania spinosa and Acacia senegal, respectively. The results point to the detection of 17 phytochemicals in Argania spinosa press-cake extract, the majority of which are phenolic acids and have potent anti-urolithiatic action.

Hibiscus syriacus L. cultivated in callus culture exerts cytotoxicity in colorectal cancer via Notch signaling-mediated cholesterol biosynthesis suppression

BACKGROUND

In our previous study, Hibiscus syriacus leaf tissue was successfully cultivated in an optimized callus culture system, and subsequently extracted with 70% ethanol to prepare H. syriacus callus extract (HCE). The previous study suggested that the callus culture is useful method for obtaining the anti-inflammatory ingredients from H. syriacus.

PURPOSE

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of HCE on the colorectal cancer (CRC) and its underlying mechanism of action using HT-29 cells and thymus-deficient mice bearing HT-29 xenografts.

METHODS

The cytotoxicity of HCE was investigated by MTT and colonies formation. The underling mechanism by which HCE regulates specific proteins in HT-29 cells was evaluated by the proteomic analysis. These putative proteins were validated using qRT-PCR and immunoblotting analyses. Subsequently, oral administration of HCE for 15 days further evaluating the anti-tumor activity by mRNA and protein expressions levels and tumor histopathology.

RESULTS

Results of cell viability and colony formation assays revealed a significant cytotoxic effect of HCE at doses below 100 μg/ml against HT-29 cells, but not against normal cells. Through differential protein expression analysis, signaling pathways underlying anti-CRC activity were predicted in HCE-treated HT-29 cells: Notch signaling, cholesterol biosynthesis, and AMPK signaling pathways. qRT-PCR and immunoblotting analyses indicated that the cytotoxic effect of HCE against HT-29 cells might be associated with the suppression of Notch signaling, which positively contributes to cholesterol biosynthesis. To our knowledge, this can be presented as the first study to demonstrate the detailed relationship between Notch signaling and cholesterol-AMPK signaling. Our in vivo result further corroborated the in vitro finding that 100 and 200 mg/kg HCE for 15 days exerts its anti-cancer effect via Notch signaling-mediated suppression of cholesterol synthesis without systemic toxicity.

CONCLUSION

Our findings can serve as a starting point for developing the novel anti-CRC agent using HCE, as a targeted medicine acting on regulating Notch signaling and cholesterol synthesis.