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Afshari AR, Sanati M, Ahmadi SS, Kesharwani P, Sahebkar A. Harnessing the capacity of phytochemicals to enhance immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy of cancers: A focus on brain malignancies. Cancer Lett 2024; 593:216955. [PMID: 38750720 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216955] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Brain cancers, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are challenging health issues with frequent unmet aspects. Today, discovering safe and effective therapeutic modalities for brain tumors is among the top research interests. Immunotherapy is an emerging area of investigation in cancer treatment. Since immune checkpoints play fundamental roles in repressing anti-cancer immunity, diverse immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been developed, and some monoclonal antibodies have been approved clinically for particular cancers; nevertheless, there are significant concerns regarding their efficacy and safety in brain tumors. Among the various tools to modify the immune checkpoints, phytochemicals show good effectiveness and excellent safety, making them suitable candidates for developing better ICIs. Phytochemicals regulate multiple immunological checkpoint-related signaling pathways in cancer biology; however, their efficacy for clinical cancer immunotherapy remains to be established. Here, we discussed the involvement of immune checkpoints in cancer pathology and summarized recent advancements in applying phytochemicals in modulating immune checkpoints in brain tumors to highlight the state-of-the-art and give constructive prospects for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir R Afshari
- Natural Products and Medicinal Plants Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sanati
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran; Experimental and Animal Study Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Seyed Sajad Ahmadi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Khatam-Ol-Anbia Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Prashant Kesharwani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India.
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India; Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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2
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Lu J, Liang W, Hu Y, Zhang X, Yu P, Cai M, Xie D, Zhou Q, Zhou X, Liu Y, Wang J, Guo J, Tang L. Metabolism characterization and toxicity of N-hydap, a marine candidate drug for lung cancer therapy by LC-MS method. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOPROSPECTING 2024; 14:33. [PMID: 38771401 PMCID: PMC11109052 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-024-00455-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
N-Hydroxyapiosporamide (N-hydap), a marine product derived from a sponge-associated fungus, has shown promising inhibitory effects on small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, there is limited understanding of its metabolic pathways and characteristics. This study explored the in vitro metabolic profiles of N-hydap in human recombinant cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), as well as human/rat/mice microsomes, and also the pharmacokinetic properties by HPLC-MS/MS. Additionally, the cocktail probe method was used to investigate the potential to create drug-drug interactions (DDIs). N-Hydap was metabolically unstable in various microsomes after 1 h, with about 50% and 70% of it being eliminated by CYPs and UGTs, respectively. UGT1A3 was the main enzyme involved in glucuronidation (over 80%), making glucuronide the primary metabolite. Despite low bioavailability (0.024%), N-hydap exhibited a higher distribution in the lungs (26.26%), accounting for its efficacy against SCLC. Administering N-hydap to mice at normal doses via gavage did not result in significant toxicity. Furthermore, N-hydap was found to affect the catalytic activity of drug metabolic enzymes (DMEs), particularly increasing the activity of UGT1A3, suggesting potential for DDIs. Understanding the metabolic pathways and properties of N-hydap should improve our knowledge of its drug efficacy, toxicity, and potential for DDIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jindi Lu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Weimin Liang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yiwei Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology/Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Ping Yu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Meiqun Cai
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Danni Xie
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qiong Zhou
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xuefeng Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology/Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - Yonghong Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology/Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - Junfeng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology/Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China.
| | - Jiayin Guo
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Lan Tang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Yu Q, Li X, Wang J, Guo L, Huang L, Gao W. Recent Advances in Reprogramming Strategy of Tumor Microenvironment for Rejuvenating Photosensitizers-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2305708. [PMID: 38018311 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202305708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has recently been considered a potential tumor therapy due to its time-space specificity and non-invasive advantages. PDT can not only directly kill tumor cells by using cytotoxic reactive oxygen species but also induce an anti-tumor immune response by causing immunogenic cell death of tumor cells. Although it exhibits a promising prospect in treating tumors, there are still many problems to be solved in its practical application. Tumor hypoxia and immunosuppressive microenvironment seriously affect the efficacy of PDT. The hypoxic and immunosuppressive microenvironment is mainly due to the abnormal vascular matrix around the tumor, its abnormal metabolism, and the influence of various immunosuppressive-related cells and their expressed molecules. Thus, reprogramming the tumor microenvironment (TME) is of great significance for rejuvenating PDT. This article reviews the latest strategies for rejuvenating PDT, from regulating tumor vascular matrix, interfering with tumor cell metabolism, and reprogramming immunosuppressive related cells and factors to reverse tumor hypoxia and immunosuppressive microenvironment. These strategies provide valuable information for a better understanding of the significance of TME in PDT and also guide the development of the next-generation multifunctional nanoplatforms for PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
| | - Xia Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
| | - Juan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
| | - Lanping Guo
- National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Luqi Huang
- National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Wenyuan Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
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Sun J, Wang X, Nie Z, Ma L, Sai H, Cheng J, Liu Y, Duan J. Characterization of the interactions between Fulvic acid and Trypsin with Spectroscopic and Molecular Docking technology. Chem Biodivers 2024; 21:e202301366. [PMID: 38073179 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202301366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The interaction mechanism between trypsin and fulvic acid was analyzed by multispectral method and molecular docking simulation. The fluorescence spectra showed that fulvic acid induced static quenching of trypsin. The validity of this conclusion was further substantiated through the computation of the binding constants. The thermodynamic parameters show that the reaction is mainly controlled by van der Waals force and hydrogen bond force, and the reaction is spontaneous. In addition, based on the obtained binding distance, there may be a non-radiative energy transfer between the two. The ultraviolet spectrum showed that fulvic acid could shift the absorption peak of trypsin, indicating that fulvic acid had an effect on the secondary structure of trypsin. According to the synchronous fluorescence spectrum results, fulvic acid primarily interacts with tryptophan residues in trypsin and induces alterations in their microenvironment. Three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum and circular dichroism further proves this conclusion. The molecular docking simulation reveals that the interaction between the two groups primarily arises from hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces. The findings suggest that FA has the ability to induce conformational changes in trypsin's secondary structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisheng Sun
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, 014010, China
| | - Xiaoxia Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, 014010, China
- Innermongolia Engineering Research Center of Comprehensive Utilization of Bio-coal Chemical Industry, Baotou, 014010, China
| | - Zhihua Nie
- School of life sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Litong Ma
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, 014010, China
- Innermongolia Engineering Research Center of Comprehensive Utilization of Bio-coal Chemical Industry, Baotou, 014010, China
| | - Huazheng Sai
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, 014010, China
| | - Jianguo Cheng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, 014010, China
| | - Yunying Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, 014010, China
| | - Jianguo Duan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, 014010, China
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Zhou Y, Liu T, Wu Q, Wang H, Sun Y. Baohuoside I inhibits resistance to cisplatin in ovarian cancer cells by suppressing autophagy via downregulating HIF-1α/ATG5 axis. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:1474-1486. [PMID: 37283234 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Since chemotherapy's therapeutic impact is diminished by drug resistance, treating ovarian cancer is notably challenging. Thereafter, it is critical to develop cutting-edge approaches to treating ovarian cancer. Baohuoside I (derived from Herba Epimedii) is reported to have antitumor properties in various malignancies. It is unknown, however, what role Baohuoside I plays in cisplatin (DDP)-resistant ovarian cancer cells. 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT), colony formation, and flow cytometry assay were used to investigate the impact of Baohuoside I on ovarian cancer A2780 cells and DDP-resistant A2780 (A2780/DDP) cells. The level of microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) was determined using immunofluorescence staining. Utilizing the mRFP-GFP-LC3B tandem fluorescent probe allowed us to analyse the autophagy flux. Analysis of mRNA and protein level was performed using RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. The interaction between hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF-1α) and autophagy related 5 (ATG5) promoter was investigated by dual luciferase and ChIP assay. Additionally, evaluation of Baohuoside I's role in ovarian cancer was performed using a nude mouse xenograft model. Baohuoside I decreased the viability and proliferation and triggered the apoptosis of both A2780 and A2780/DDP cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Baohuoside I also increased the sensitivity of A2780/DDP cells to DDP. Concurrently, HIF-1α could promote A2780/DDP cells resistance to DDP. In addition, HIF-1α could induce the autophagy of A2780/DDP cells through transcriptionally activating ATG5, and Baohuoside I imporved the chemosensitivity of A2780/DDP cells to DDP by downregulating HIF-1α. Moreover, Baohuoside I could inhibit the chemoresistance to DDP in ovarian cancer in vivo. Baohuoside I sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to DDP by suppressing autophagy via downregulating the HIF-1α/ATG5 axis. Consequently, Baohuoside I might be evaluated as a new agent for enhancing the chemotherapeutic efficacy of drug treatment for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University and Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongyu Liu
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiaoling Wu
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Huihui Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
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He XL, Chen JY, Feng YL, Song P, Wong YK, Xie LL, Wang C, Zhang Q, Bai YM, Gao P, Luo P, Liu Q, Liao FL, Li ZJ, Jiang Y, Wang JG. Single-cell RNA sequencing deciphers the mechanism of sepsis-induced liver injury and the therapeutic effects of artesunate. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:1801-1814. [PMID: 37041228 PMCID: PMC10462669 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01065-y] [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: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver, as an immune and detoxification organ, represents an important line of defense against bacteria and infection and a vulnerable organ that is easily injured during sepsis. Artesunate (ART) is an anti-malaria agent, that also exhibits broad pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, immune-regulation and liver protection. In this study, we investigated the cellular responses in liver to sepsis infection and ART hepatic-protective mechanisms against sepsis. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis model was established in mice. The mice were administered ART (10 mg/kg, i.p.) at 4 h, and sacrificed at 12 h after the surgery. Liver samples were collected for preparing single-cell RNA transcriptome sequencing (scRNA-seq). The scRNA-seq analysis revealed that sepsis-induced a dramatic reduction of hepatic endothelial cells, especially the subtypes characterized with proliferation and differentiation. Macrophages were recruited during sepsis and released inflammatory cytokines (Tnf, Il1b, Il6), chemokines (Ccl6, Cd14), and transcription factor (Nfkb1), resulting in liver inflammatory responses. Massive apoptosis of lymphocytes and abnormal recruitment of neutrophils caused immune dysfunction. ART treatment significantly improved the survival of CLP mice within 96 h, and partially relieved or reversed the above-mentioned pathological features, mitigating the impact of sepsis on liver injury, inflammation, and dysfunction. This study provides comprehensive fundamental proof for the liver protective efficacy of ART against sepsis infection, which would potentially contribute to its clinical translation for sepsis therapy. Single cell transcriptome reveals the changes of various hepatocyte subtypes of CLP-induced liver injury and the potential pharmacological effects of artesunate on sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ling He
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Jia-Yun Chen
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Yu-Lin Feng
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, China
| | - Ping Song
- China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yin Kwan Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Lu-Lin Xie
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yun-Meng Bai
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Peng Gao
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Piao Luo
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Regenerative Biomaterials Laboratory, and Cardiovascular Pharmacology Division of Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Fu-Long Liao
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Zhi-Jie Li
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
| | - Yong Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Proteomics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Ji-Gang Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, China.
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Guo S, Chen M, Li S, Geng Z, Jin Y, Liu D. Natural Products Treat Colorectal Cancer by Regulating miRNA. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1122. [PMID: 37631037 PMCID: PMC10459054 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Diseases are evolving as living standards continue to improve. Cancer is the main cause of death and a major public health problem that seriously threatens human life. Colorectal cancer is one of the top ten most common malignant tumors in China, ranking second after gastric cancer among gastrointestinal malignant tumors, and its incidence rate is increasing dramatically each year due to changes in the dietary habits and lifestyle of the world's population. Although conventional therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have profoundly impacted the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), drug resistance and toxicity remain substantial challenges. Natural products, such as dietary therapeutic agents, are considered the safest alternative for treating CRC. In addition, there is substantial evidence that natural products can induce apoptosis, inhibit cell cycle arrest, and reduce the invasion and migration of colon cancer cells by targeting and regulating the expression and function of miRNAs. Here, we summarize the recent research findings on the miRNA-regulation-based antitumor mechanisms of various active ingredients in natural products, highlighting how natural products target miRNA regulation in colon cancer prevention and treatment. The application of natural drug delivery systems and predictive disease biomarkers in cancer prevention and treatment is also discussed. Such approaches will contribute to the discovery of new regulatory mechanisms associated with disease pathways and provide a new theoretical basis for developing novel colon cancer drugs and compounds and identifying new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ye Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China; (S.G.); (M.C.); (S.L.); (Z.G.)
| | - Da Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China; (S.G.); (M.C.); (S.L.); (Z.G.)
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Lee G, Lee YJ, Kim YJ, Park Y. Synthesis of Au-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles using Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) root extract for chemo-photothermal anticancer therapy. Arch Pharm Res 2023; 46:659-678. [PMID: 37592169 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-023-01457-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Green synthesis strategies have been widely applied for the preparation of versatile nanomaterials. Gold nanospheres with an average size of 6.95 ± 2.25 nm were green synthesized by using a 70% ethanol extract of Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) root as a reducing agent. A seed-mediated synthesis was conducted to prepare Au-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles using gold nanospheres as seeds. Remarkably, Au-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles with an average size of 80.4 ± 11.9 nm were synthesized. Scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and elemental mappings revealed bimetallic nanoparticles with Au-Ag alloy core and Au-rich shells. A face-centered cubic structure of Au-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. For Au-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles, the ratio of Ag/Au was 0.20 which was detected and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Gold nanospheres and Au-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles were functionalized by PEGylation, folic acid conjugation and grafting onto graphene oxide. Finally, docetaxel was loaded for evaluating the in vitro cell viability on cancer cells. Successful functionalization was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectra. The anticancer activity of the docetaxel-loaded nanoparticles was higher than that of their non-docetaxel-loaded counterparts. The highest anticancer activity on human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS) was observed in the docetaxel-loaded gold nanospheres that were functionalized by PEGylation, folic acid conjugation and grafting onto graphene oxide. Additionally, grafting onto graphene oxide and docetaxel loading induced high intracellular reactive oxygen species generation. For chemo-photothermal (PTT) anticancer therapy, cell viability was investigated using near-infrared laser irradiation at 808 nm. The highest chemo-PTT anticancer activity on AGS cells was observed in the docetaxel-loaded Au-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles. Therefore, the newly prepared docetaxel-loaded Au-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles in the current report have potential applications in chemo-PTT anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayeon Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Inje Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Inje University, 197 Inje-ro, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, 50834, Republic of Korea
| | - You Jeong Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Inje Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Inje University, 197 Inje-ro, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, 50834, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon-Jeong Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Inje Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Inje University, 197 Inje-ro, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, 50834, Republic of Korea
| | - Youmie Park
- College of Pharmacy and Inje Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Inje University, 197 Inje-ro, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, 50834, Republic of Korea.
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Immunopotentiating Activity of Fucoidans and Relevance to Cancer Immunotherapy. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:md21020128. [PMID: 36827169 PMCID: PMC9961398 DOI: 10.3390/md21020128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fucoidans, discovered in 1913, are fucose-rich sulfated polysaccharides extracted mainly from brown seaweed. These versatile and nontoxic marine-origin heteropolysaccharides have a wide range of favorable biological activities, including antitumor, immunomodulatory, antiviral, antithrombotic, anticoagulant, antithrombotic, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering activities. In the early 1980s, fucoidans were first recognized for their role in supporting the immune response and later, in the 1990s, their effects on immune potentiation began to emerge. In recent years, the understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of fucoidan has expanded significantly. The ability of fucoidan(s) to activate CTL-mediated cytotoxicity against cancer cells, strong antitumor property, and robust safety profile make fucoidans desirable for effective cancer immunotherapy. This review focusses on current progress and understanding of the immunopotentiation activity of various fucoidans, emphasizing their relevance to cancer immunotherapy. Here, we will discuss the action of fucoidans in different immune cells and review how fucoidans can be used as adjuvants in conjunction with immunotherapeutic products to improve cancer treatment and clinical outcome. Some key rationales for the possible combination of fucoidans with immunotherapy will be discussed. An update is provided on human clinical studies and available registered cancer clinical trials using fucoidans while highlighting future prospects and challenges.
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Liu L, Zheng J, Xia H, Wu Q, Cai X, Ji L, Sun Y. Construction and comprehensive analysis of a curoptosis-related lncRNA signature for predicting prognosis and immune response in cervical cancer. Front Genet 2023; 14:1023613. [PMID: 36777734 PMCID: PMC9911828 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1023613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cuproptosis (copper-ion-dependent cell death) is an unprogrammed cell death, and intracellular copper accumulation, causing copper homeostasis imbalance and then leading to increased intracellular toxicity, which can affect the rate of cancer cell growth and proliferation. This study aimed to create a newly cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature that can be used to predict survival and immunotherapy in patients with cervical cancer, but also to predict prognosis in patients treated with radiotherapy and may play a role in predicting radiosensitivity. First of all, we found lncRNAs associated with cuproptosis between cervical cancer tumor tissues and normal tissues. By LASSO-Cox analysis, overlapping lncRNAs were then used to construct lncRNA signatures associated with cuproptosis, which can be used to predict the prognosis of patients, especially the prognosis of radiotherapy patients, ROC curves and PCA analysis based on cuprotosis-related lncRNA signature and clinical signatures were developed and demonstrated to have good predictive potential. In addition, differences in immune cell subset infiltration and differences in immune checkpoint expression between high-risk and low-risk score groups were analyzed, and we investigated the relationship between this signature and tumor mutation burden. In summary, we constructed a lncRNA prediction signature associated with cuproptosis. This has important clinical implications, including improving the predictive value of cervical cancer patients and providing a biomarker for cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Zheng
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongmei Xia
- Department of Gynecology, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qiaoling Wu
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xintong Cai
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Liyan Ji
- Geneplus-Beijing Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Gynecology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China,*Correspondence: Yang Sun,
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11
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Gao Z, Chen Y, Nie Y, Chen K, Cao X, Ke S. Structural diversity-guided optimization of carbazole derivatives as potential cytotoxic agents. Front Chem 2023; 11:1104868. [PMID: 36742033 PMCID: PMC9890180 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1104868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbazole alkaloids, as an important class of natural products, have been widely reported to have extensive biological activities. Based on our previous three-component reaction to construct carbazole scaffolds, we introduced a methylene group to provide a rotatable bond, and designed series of carbazole derivatives with structural diversity including carbazole amide, carbazole hydrazide and carbazole hydrazone. All synthesized carbazole derivatives were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against 7901 (gastric adenocarcinoma), A875 (human melanoma) and MARC145 (African green monkey kidney) cell lines. The preliminary results indicated that compound 14a exhibited high inhibitory activities on 7901 and A875 cancer cells with the lowest IC50 of 11.8 ± 1.26 and 9.77 ± 8.32 μM, respectively, which might be the new lead compound for discovery of novel carbazole-type anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilin Gao
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China,National Biopesticide Engineering Research Centre, Hubei Biopesticide Engineering Research Centre, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Chen
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yufei Nie
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Keming Chen
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiufang Cao
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Xiufang Cao, ; Shaoyong Ke,
| | - Shaoyong Ke
- National Biopesticide Engineering Research Centre, Hubei Biopesticide Engineering Research Centre, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Xiufang Cao, ; Shaoyong Ke,
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12
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Liu Q, Yang Y, Cheng M, Cheng F, Chen S, Zheng Q, Sun Y, Chen L. The marine natural product, dicitrinone B, induces apoptosis through autophagy blockade in breast cancer. Int J Mol Med 2022; 50:130. [PMID: 36052845 PMCID: PMC9448296 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2022.5186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Being a highly conserved catabolic process, autophagy is induced by various forms of cellular stress, and its modulation has considerable potential as a cancer therapeutic approach. In the present study, it was demonstrated that dicitrinone B (DB), a rare carbon-bridged citrinin dimer, may exert anticancer effects by blocking autophagy at a late stage, without disrupting lysosomal function in MCF7 breast cancer and MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Furthermore, it was discovered that DB significantly enhanced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and that the removal of ROS was followed by the attenuation of autophagy inhibition. In addition, DB exerted notable inhibitory effects on the proliferation and promoting effects on the apoptosis of MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. In combination with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, DB exhibited a further enhanced synergistic effect than when used as a single agent. Overall, the data of the present study demonstrate that DB may prove to be a promising autophagy inhibitor with anticancer activity against breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinying Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital and Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
| | - Yi Yang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Instrument and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P.R. China
| | - Miaomiao Cheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Instrument and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P.R. China
| | - Fangting Cheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Instrument and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P.R. China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital and Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
| | - Qiuhong Zheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital and Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
| | - Yang Sun
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital and Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
| | - Li Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Instrument and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P.R. China
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13
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Lv F, Li X, Wang Y. Lycorine inhibits angiogenesis by docking to PDGFRα. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:873. [PMID: 35948939 PMCID: PMC9364594 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09929-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lycorine (Lyc) is a natural alkaloid derived from medicinal plants of the Amaryllidaceae family. Lyc has been reported to inhibit the recurrence and metastasis of different kinds of tumors. However, Lyc’s effect on angiogenesis and its specific mechanism are still not clear. This study was designed to test the antiangiogenesis effect of Lyc and to explore the possible mechanisms. We performed cell experiments to confirm Lyc’s inhibitory effect on angiogenesis and employed sunitinib as a positive control. Moreover, the synergistic effect of Lyc and sunitinib was also explored. Next, we conducted bioinformatics analyses to predict the potential targets of Lyc and verified them by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Molecular docking, kinase activity assays, Biacore assays and cellular thermal shift assays (CETSAs) were applied to elucidate the mechanism by which Lyc inhibited target activity. Lyc inhibited angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Employing bioinformatics, we found that Lyc’s target was PDGFRα and that Lyc attenuated PDGFRα phosphorylation. We also found that Lyc inhibited PDGFRα activation by docking to it to restrain its activity. Additionally, Lyc significantly inhibited PDGF-AA-induced angiogenesis. This study provides new insights into the molecular functions of Lyc and indicates its potential as a therapeutic agent for tumor angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Lv
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110000, Liaoning Province, China
| | - XiaoQi Li
- Department of Oncology III, People's Hospital of Liaoning Provinve, Shenyang, , Liaoning, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110000, Liaoning Province, China.
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