Mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in mammals

Exposure to Gynura japonica (Thunb.) Juel plants induces hepatoxicity in rats and Buffalo rat liver cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gynura japonica (Thunb.) Juel is often confused with the non-pyrrolizidine alkaloid-producing herbs, Tu-San-Qi (Sedum aizoon L.) and San-Qi (Panax notoginseng L.), due to similarities in name, appearance, and medicinal use. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which cause over 50% of cases of hepatic sinus obstruction syndrome. However, the mechanisms underlying G. japonica-induced hepatotoxicity remain poorly understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, we aimed to investigate the toxic effects of a G. japonica decoction on liver and Buffalo rat liver (BRL) cells and elucidate the associated mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study employed G. japonica decoction and examined its effects on liver function and tissue damage in Sprague-Dawley rats. Bioinformatics analysis was employed to identify gene expression and enriched pathways related to hepatotoxicity. Laser scanning confocal microscopy and flow cytometric annexin V/PI labeling assays were utilized to observe apoptosis in BRL cells induced by G. japonica. Transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining were used to determine the effects of G. japonica on mitochondrial ultrastructure and membrane potential in BRL cells. The bicinchoninic acid method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and caspase-3 activity, respectively.

RESULTS

Comparisons of body weight, liver histopathology, and serum liver function-related indices in rats, t showed that exposure to G. japonica may cause liver damage. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that hepatotoxicity might be related to apoptotic signaling pathways, the positive regulation of programmed cell death, and responses to toxic substances. BRL cells exposed to the G. japonica decoction exhibited mid-to late-stage apoptosis and necrosis, along with alterations in mitochondrial morphology and membrane potential. Furthermore, expression of cytochrome C (Cyt C) and pro-apoptotic proteins was increased, anti-apoptotic proteins decreased, and caspase-3 activity elevated.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that G. japonica-induced hepatotoxicity involves the activation of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Our research enhances the scientific and theoretical foundation for clinical therapy and improves public awareness of the potential toxicity of herbal remedies.

The involvement of lidocaine in amyloid-β1-42-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in hippocampal neurons via nerve growth factor-protein kinase B pathway

This project is conceived to reveal the role of lidocaine in the process of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its possible downstream targets. After the employment of AD cell model in mice hippocampal neuronal HT-22 cells in the presence of amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ1-42), Cell Counting Kit-8 method investigated cell viability. Oxidative damage was assayed based on a dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate fluorescent probe and commercially available kits. The 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolocarbocyanine iodide fluorescent probe estimated mitochondrial function. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling, western blotting, and immunofluorescence appraised the apoptotic level. Western blot also ascertained the alternations of nerve growth factors (NGF)-protein kinase B (Akt) pathway-related proteins. Aβ1-42 concentration dependently triggered the viability loss, oxidative damage, and apoptosis in HT-22 cells. Lidocaine promoted the viability and reduced the mitochondrial impairment and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in Aβ1-42-treated HT-22 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Besides, lidocaine activated the NGF-Akt pathway and NGF absence blocked NGF-Akt pathway, aggravated mitochondrial dysfunction as well as mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in lidocaine-administrated HT-22 cells in response to Aβ1-42. Altogether, these observations concluded that lidocaine might stimulate NGF-Akt pathway to confer protection against mitochondrial impairment and apoptosis in Aβ1-42-mediated cellular model of AD.

Trigonelline prevents high-glucose-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired angiogenic activity in human endothelial EA.hy926 cells

Trigonelline (TRIG) is a natural compound in an alkaloid family found in diverse plants. This compound exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-oxidative and anti-fibrotic activities in several disease models. However, its beneficial role in endothelial injury, especially induced by diabetes, is unclear. We, therefore, evaluated the effects of TRIG on the cellular proteome of human endothelial (EA.hy926) cells followed by functional validation in high-glucose (HG)-induced endothelial deteriorations. Label-free quantification using nanoLC-ESI-Qq-TOF MS/MS revealed 40 downregulated and 29 upregulated proteins induced by TRIG. Functional enrichment analysis using DAVID and REVIGO tools suggested the involvement of these altered proteins in several biological processes and molecular functions, particularly cell-cell adhesion, ATP metabolic process, cell redox homeostasis, cadherin binding, and ATP hydrolysis activity. Experimental validation showed that HG triggered endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) (as demonstrated by increased spindle index and mesenchymal markers, i.e., fibronectin and vimentin, and decreased endothelial markers, i.e., PECAM-1 and VE-cadherin), increased oxidized proteins, and reduced intracellular ATP, active mitochondria, endothelial tube/mesh formation and VEGF secretion. However, TRIG successfully abolished all these defects induced by HG. These data indicate that TRIG prevents HG-induced EndMT, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired angiogenic activity in human endothelial cells.

Flubendiamide provokes oxidative stress, inflammation, miRNAs alteration, and cell cycle deregulation in human prostate epithelial cells: The attenuation impact of synthesized nano-selenium using Trichodermaaureoviride

Flubendiamide (FBD) is a novel diamide insecticide extensively used with potential human health hazards. This research aimed to examine the effects of FBD on PrEC prostate epithelial cells, including Oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory responses, modifications in the expression of oncogenic and suppressor miRNAs and their target proteins, disruption of the cell cycle, and apoptosis. Additionally, the research investigated the potential alleviative effect of T-SeNPs, which are selenium nanoparticles biosynthesized by Trichoderma aureoviride, against the toxicity induced by FBD. Selenium nanoparticles were herein synthesized by Trichoderma aureoviride. The major capping metabolites in synthesized T-SeNPs were Isochiapin B and Quercetin 7,3',4'-trimethyl ether. T-SeNPs showed a spherical shape and an average size between 57 and 96.6 nm. FBD exposure (12 μM) for 14 days induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses via overexpression of NF-κB family members. It also distinctly caused upregulation of miR-221, miR-222, and E2F2, escorted by downregulation of miR-17, miR-20a, and P27kip1. FBD encouraged PrEC cells to halt at the G1/S checkpoint. Apoptotic cells were drastically increased in FBD-treated sets. Treatment of T-SeNPs simultaneously with FBD revealed its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities in counteracting FBD-induced toxicity. Our findings shed light on the potential FBD toxicity that may account for the neoplastic transformation of epithelial cells in the prostate and the mitigating activity of eco-friendly synthesized T-SeNPs.

Different Cytotoxicity Induced by Hexabromocyclododecanes on Mouse Neuroblastoma N2a Cells via Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathway

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is widely used in polystyrene foams, building materials, and electrical equipment as a brominated flame retardant (BFR) and persists in the environment and human body matrix. It has attracted increased attention since its neuroendocrine disorder effects have been observed in humans and animals. However, studies evaluating the neurotoxicity of HBCD diastereoisomers and the potential mechanisms involved are still limited. In this study, we compared the cytotoxicity induced by the three HBCD diastereoisomers (i.e., α-, β-, and γ-HBCD) in N2a cells and further investigated the underlying molecular mechanism. Our results showed that HBCD diastereoisomers decreased cell viability in the order of β-HBCD > α-HBCD > γ-HBCD. Moreover, α-HBCD and β-HBCD exposure led to different degrees of cell cycle disruption and oxidative stress of N2a cells, implying that oxidative stress-mediated differential cytotoxicity of HBCD diastereoisomers. The expressions of caspases and Bcl-2 were differentially regulated by α-HBCD and β-HBCD, suggesting that the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway may be critical in HBCDs-mediated N2a cell toxicity. Therefore, our studies provided novel evidence for the underlying mechanisms of the distinct cytotoxicity of HBCD diastereoisomers.

Cell Death: Mechanisms and Potential Targets in Breast Cancer Therapy

Breast cancer (BC) has become the most life-threatening cancer to women worldwide, with multiple subtypes, poor prognosis, and rising mortality. The molecular heterogeneity of BC limits the efficacy and represents challenges for existing therapies, mainly due to the unpredictable clinical response, the reason for which probably lies in the interactions and alterations of diverse cell death pathways. However, most studies and drugs have focused on a single type of cell death, while the therapeutic opportunities related to other cell death pathways are often neglected. Therefore, it is critical to identify the predominant type of cell death, the transition to different cell death patterns during treatment, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms in BC. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of various forms of cell death, including PANoptosis (pyroptosis, apoptosis, necroptosis), autophagy, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis, and discuss their triggers and signaling cascades in BC, which may provide a reference for future pathogenesis research and allow for the development of novel targeted therapeutics in BC.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Glycogen Storage Disorders (GSDs)

Glycogen storage disorders (GSDs) are a group of inherited metabolic disorders characterized by defects in enzymes involved in glycogen metabolism. Deficiencies in enzymes responsible for glycogen breakdown and synthesis can impair mitochondrial function. For instance, in GSD type II (Pompe disease), acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency leads to lysosomal glycogen accumulation, which secondarily impacts mitochondrial function through dysfunctional mitophagy, which disrupts mitochondrial quality control, generating oxidative stress. In GSD type III (Cori disease), the lack of the debranching enzyme causes glycogen accumulation and affects mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis by disrupting the integrity of muscle fibers. Malfunctional glycogen metabolism can disrupt various cascades, thus causing mitochondrial and cell metabolic dysfunction through various mechanisms. These dysfunctions include altered mitochondrial morphology, impaired oxidative phosphorylation, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and defective mitophagy. The oxidative burden typical of GSDs compromises mitochondrial integrity and exacerbates the metabolic derangements observed in GSDs. The intertwining of mitochondrial dysfunction and GSDs underscores the complexity of these disorders and has significant clinical implications. GSD patients often present with multisystem manifestations, including hepatomegaly, hypoglycemia, and muscle weakness, which can be exacerbated by mitochondrial impairment. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to the progression of GSD-related complications, such as cardiomyopathy and neurocognitive deficits. Targeting mitochondrial dysfunction thus represents a promising therapeutic avenue in GSDs. Potential strategies include antioxidants to mitigate oxidative stress, compounds that enhance mitochondrial biogenesis, and gene therapy to correct the underlying mitochondrial enzyme deficiencies. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of GSDs. Recognizing and addressing this aspect can lead to more comprehensive and effective treatments, improving the quality of life of GSD patients. This review aims to elaborate on the intricate relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and various types of GSDs. The review presents challenges and treatment options for several GSDs.

Evaluation of the effect of GSK-3β on liver cancer based on the PI3K/AKT pathway

The PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in numerous physiological and pathological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and metabolic regulation. Aberrant activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway is intricately linked to development of tumor. GSK-3β, belonging to the serine/threonine protein kinase family, is crucial in the pathogenesis of liver cancer. As a key rate-limiting enzyme in the glucose metabolism pathway, GSK-3β significantly impacts the growth, proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis of liver cancer cells. It is also implicated in chemotherapy resistance. Elevated expression of GSK-3β diminishes the sensitivity of liver cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents, thereby playing a substantial role in the development of drug resistance. Consequently, targeting of GSK-3β, particularly within the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, is regarded as a promising therapeutic strategy for liver cancer. The precise identification and subsequent modulation of this pathway represent a substantial potential for innovative clinical interventions in the management of liver cancer.

Regulation of mitochondrial dysfunction by estrogens and estrogen receptors in Alzheimer's disease: A focused review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily manifests itself by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline, thus significantly affecting memory functions and quality of life. In this review, we proceed from the understanding that the canonical amyloid-β hypothesis, while significant, has faced setbacks, highlighting the need to adopt a broader perspective considering the intricate interplay of diverse pathological pathways for effective AD treatments. Sex differences in AD offer valuable insights into a better understanding of its pathophysiology. Fluctuation of the levels of ovarian sex hormones during perimenopause is associated with changes in glucose metabolism, as a possible window of opportunity to further understand the roles of sex steroid hormones and their associated receptors in the pathophysiology of AD. We review these dimensions, emphasizing the potential of estrogen receptors (ERs) to reveal mitochondrial functions in the search for further research and therapeutic strategies for AD pharmacotherapy. Understanding and addressing the intricate interactions of mitochondrial dysfunction and ERs potentially pave the way for more effective approaches to AD therapy.

SNP alleviates mitochondrial homeostasis dysregulation-mediated developmental toxicity in diabetic zebrafish larvae

The incidence of diabetes is increasing annually, and the disease is uncurable due to its complex pathogenesis. Therefore, understanding diabetes pathogenesis and developing new treatments are crucial. This study showed that the NO donor SNP (8 µM) significantly alleviated high glucose-induced developmental toxicity in zebrafish larvae. High glucose levels caused hyperglycemia, leading to oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage from excessive ROS accumulation. This promoted mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis and lipid peroxidation (LPO)-induced ferroptosis, along with immune inflammatory reactions that decreased mitochondrial function and altered intracellular grid morphology, causing imbalanced kinetics and autophagy. After SNP treatment, zebrafish larvae showed improved developmental toxicity and glucose utilization, reduced ROS accumulation, and increased antioxidant activity. The NO-sGC-cGMP signaling pathway, inhibited by high glucose, was significantly activated by SNP, improving mitochondrial homeostasis, increasing mitochondrial count, and enhancing mitochondrial function. It's worth noting that apoptosis, ferroptosis and immune inflammation were effectively alleviated. In summary, SNP improved high glucose-induced developmental toxicity by activating the NO-sGC-cGMP signaling pathway to reduce toxic effects such as apoptosis, ferroptosis and inflammation resulting from mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance.

Critical role of endoplasmic reticulum stress on bisphenol A-induced cytotoxicity in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in plastic and paper products, and its exposure can occur through skin contact or oral ingestion. The hazardous effects of BPA absorbed through the skin may be more severe; however, few studies have investigated the skin toxicity of BPA. This study investigated the effects of BPA on human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines, which is relevant for skin exposure. BPA treatment reduced cell viability in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and elevated oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an oxidative stress inhibitor, reduced BPA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. However, only 10% of the decreased cell viability was restored at the highest NAC concentration. Treatment with tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), which is an ER stress inhibitor, effectively countered the increase in ER stress-related proteins induced by BPA. Moreover, TUDCA treatment led to a reduction in oxidative stress, as demonstrated by the decrease in ROS levels, maintenance of mitochondrial membrane potential, and modulation of stress signaling proteins. Consequently, TUDCA significantly improved BPA-induced cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. Notably, combined treatment using TUDCA and NAC further reduced the BPA-induced ROS levels; however, no significant difference in cell viability was observed compared with that for TUDCA treatment alone. These findings indicated that the oxidative stress observed following BPA exposure was exacerbated by ER stress. Moreover, the principal factor driving BPA-induced cytotoxicity was indeed ER stress, which has potential implications for developing therapeutic strategies for diseases associated with similar stress responses.

Lindqvist-type Polyoxometalates Act as Anti-breast Cancer Drugs via Mitophagy-induced Apoptosis

OBJECTIVE

Lindqvist-type polyoxometalates (POMs) exhibit potential antitumor activities. This study aimed to examine the effects of Lindqvist-type POMs against breast cancer and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Using different cancer cell lines, the present study evaluated the antitumor activities of POM analogues that were modified at the body skeleton based on molybdenum-vanadium-centered negative oxygen ion polycondensations with different side strains. Cell colony formation assay, autophagy detection, mitochondrial observation, qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and animal model were used to evaluate the antitumor activities of POMs against breast cancer cells and the related mechanism.

RESULTS

MO-4, a Lindqvist-type POM linking a proline at its side strain, was selected for subsequent experiments due to its low half maximal inhibitory concentration in the inhibition of proliferation of breast cancer cells. It was found that MO-4 induced the apoptosis of multiple types of breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, MO-4 activated intracellular mitophagy by elevating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and resulting in apoptosis. In vivo, breast tumor growth and distant metastasis were significantly reduced following MO-4 treatment.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, the results of the present study demonstrated that the novel Lindqvist-type POM MO-4 may exhibit potential in the treatment of breast cancer.

Green synthesis and characterization of AgNPs, liposomal loaded AgNPs and ZnPcS4 photosensitizer for enhanced photodynamic therapy effects in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Breast cancer remains a formidable challenge in oncology despite significant advancements in treatment modalities. Conventional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy have been the mainstay in managing breast cancer for decades. However, a subset of patient's experiences treatment failure, leading to disease recurrence and progression. Therefore, this study investigates the therapeutic potential of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using an African medicinal plant (Dicoma anomala methanol root extract) as a reducing agent for combating breast cancer. AgNPs were synthesized using the bottom-up approach and later modified with liposomes (Lip) loaded with photosensitizer (PS) zinc phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (Lip@ZnPcS4) using thin film hydration method. The successful formation and Lip modification of AgNPs, alongside ZnPcS4, were confirmed through various analytical techniques including UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Following a 24 h treatment period, MCF-7 cells were assessed for viability using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT viability assay), cell death analysis using mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (ΔΨm), Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-propidium iodide (PI) kit, and caspase- 3, 8 and 9 activities. The experiments were repeated four times (n = 4), and the results were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 27, with a confidence interval set at 0.95. The synthesized nanoparticles and nanocomplex, including AgNPs, AgNPs-Lip, Lip@ZnPcS4, and AgNPs-Lip@ZnPcS4, exhibited notable cytotoxicity and therapeutic efficacy against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Notably, the induction of apoptosis, governed by the upregulation of apoptotic proteins i.e., caspase 8 and 9 activities. In addition, caspase 3 was not expressed by MCF-7 cells in both control and experimental groups. Given the challenging prognosis associated with breast cancer, the findings underscore the promise of liposomal nanoformulations in cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT), thus warranting further exploration in clinical settings.

Isogarcinol inhibits nasopharyngeal carcinoma growth through mitochondria-mediated autophagic cell death

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Isogarcinol, a natural compound extracted from the fruits of Garcinia oblongifolia, has potential chemopreventive activity. This study aimed to elucidate the anti-tumor effects and mechanism of action of isogarcinol on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS

Isogarcinol was isolated from Garcinia oblongifolia by using chromatographic separation. The anti-tumor effects of isogarcinol in NPC cells were tested by MTT assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, western blotting, transwell assay, colony formation assay, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The anti-tumor efficacy in vivo was evaluated in NPC cells xenograft models.

RESULTS

Functional studies revealed that isogarcinol inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion abilities of NPC cells in vitro. Isogarcinol caused mitochondrial damage to overproduce reactive oxygen species through reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential and ΔΨm. Isogarcinol also substantially inhibited NPC cells growth in a xenograft tumor model without any obvious toxicity when compared with paclitaxel (PTX). Mechanistic studies have illustrated that isogarcinol increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cleaved caspase-3, and cytoplasmic cytochrome C levels to induce mitochondrial apoptosis. The ROS overproduction by isogarcinol could suppress EMT pathway via decreasing the levels of p-Akt and Snail. Furthermore, isogarcinol promoted the conversion of LC3-Ⅰ to LC3-Ⅱ, but increased p62 level to block autophagic flux, resulting in the accumulation of damaged mitochondria to promote autophagic cell death in NPC cells.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a new theoretical foundation for the anti-tumor application of Garcinia oblongifolia and confirms that isogarcinol could be developed as a candidate drug for NPC treatment with low toxicity.

A glimpse into viral warfare: decoding the intriguing role of highly pathogenic coronavirus proteins in apoptosis regulation

Coronaviruses employ various strategies for survival, among which the activation of endogenous or exogenous apoptosis stands out, with viral proteins playing a pivotal role. Notably, highly pathogenic coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV exhibit a greater array of non-structural proteins compared to low-pathogenic strains, facilitating their ability to induce apoptosis via multiple pathways. Moreover, these viral proteins are adept at dampening host immune responses, thereby bolstering viral replication and persistence. This review delves into the intricate interplay between highly pathogenic coronaviruses and apoptosis, systematically elucidating the molecular mechanisms underpinning apoptosis induction by viral proteins. Furthermore, it explores the potential therapeutic avenues stemming from apoptosis inhibition as antiviral agents and the utilization of apoptosis-inducing viral proteins as therapeutic modalities. These insights not only shed light on viral pathogenesis but also offer novel perspectives for cancer therapy.

Sesquilignans PD from Zanthoxylum nitidum var. tomentosum exerts antitumor effects via the ROS/MAPK pathway in liver cancer cells

Sesquilignans PD is a natural phenylpropanoid compound that was isolated from Zanthoxylum nitidum var. tomentosum. In this study, we assessed the antitumor effect of PD on SK-Hep-1 and HepG2 cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. The results revealed that PD markedly inhibited the proliferation and migration of both liver cancer cells. Moreover, PD induced apoptosis, autophagy, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in liver cancer cells. Notably, PD increased the protein levels of p-p38 MAPK and p-ERK1/2 in liver cancer cells. This is the first report on the anticancer effect of PD, which is mediated via increased ROS production and MAPK signaling activation.

Short-term immunotoxicity induced by florpyrauxifen-benzyl herbicide exposure in the spleen of male albino mice

Florpyrauxifen-benzyl (FPB) is a new arylpicolinate systemic herbicide that has been used to control or suppress the majority of herbicide-resistant biotype weeds in rice. To our knowledge, the impact of FPB on the immune system remains undetected thus far. Hence, this work aimed to address the toxic effects of FPB and the possible related mechanisms on the spleen of exposed mice. Initially, an acute toxicological test was performed to ascertain the median lethal dose (LD50) of FPB for 24 h which was found to be 371.54 mg/kg b.wt. For mechanistic evaluation of FPB toxicity, three sublethal doses (1/20th, 1/10th, and 1/5th LD50) were orally administered to mice for 21 consecutive days. Changes in spleen relative weight, oxidative status, apoptotic and inflammatory markers, histopathological alterations were evaluated. Following the FPB exposure, significant (p < 0.05) decline in spleen index, apoptotic features, histolopathological changes were observed. Additionally, excessive oxidative stress in spleen tissues was monitored by downregulating antioxidant enzymes and upregulating the oxidant parameters. Furthermore, exposure to FPB resulted in notable activation of the NF-қB signaling pathway, accompanied by elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (namely, IL-1β and TNF-α) as well as CD3 and CD19 levels have decreased significantly in spleen tissues. Collectively, FPB exposure exhibited apoptosis, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and inflammatory response in a dose-dependent manner, leading to spleen tissue damage and immunotoxicity. Further studies on FPB is recommended to outstand its hazards on ecosystems.

Network pharmacology and untargeted metabolomic-based investigation of anti-osteoporotic effects of viscozyme-assisted polysaccharide from Portulaca oleracea L

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease closely associated with oxidative stress. We had previously confirmed that the Viscozyme-assisted polysaccharide from Portulaca oleracea L (VPOP1) protects against antioxidant stress and evaluated the structure of VPOP1. In this study, we aimed to explore the anti-osteoporotic effects of VPOP1 on H2O2-induced osteoblast apoptosis. In addition, untargeted zebrafish metabolomics based on UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS was used to investigate the potential anti-osteoporotic mechanisms of VPOP1. The levels of Bcl-2 decreased significantly and those of caspase-3, Bax, and cytochrome C increased after treatment with H2O2. VPOP1 inhibited apoptosis in H2O2-induced MC3T3 cells. Metabolomic analyses showed that 28 potential biomarkers were gradually restored to normal levels after treatment with VPOP1 compared with that in the model group. Among them, leukotrienes D4 and A4, L-dopa, and L-tyrosine are important biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Pathway analysis revealed that arachidonic acid, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and sphingolipid metabolism were the major intervening pathways. Collectively, these results help us understand the protective activity of large molecular weight compounds, such as VPOP1, against osteoporosis.

Honghua Xiaoyao tablet combined with estradiol improves ovarian function in D-galactose-induced aging mice by reducing apoptosis and affecting the release of reproductive hormones: an in vivo study

Context: It is very necessary to delay ovarian aging and prevent age-related health problems. The active ingredient in Honghua Xiaoyao tablet (HHXYT) has the effects of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, immune regulation and so on. Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism of Honghua Xiaoyao tablet on aging model mice. Materials and methods: The aging model was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose in model mice. The mice in the HHXYT-L,M,H group were given 0.3 g/kg, 0.6 g/kg and 1.2 g/kg Honghua Xiaoyao tablet suspension respectively, and the HHXYT-M + E2 group was given 0.6 g/kg HHXYT +0.13 mg/kg estradiol valerate for 30 days. In this study, ELISA, HE, Western blot, IH and TUNEL were used. Results: HHXYT + E2 can improve the gonadal index, estrous cycle of aging mice. In HHXYT-M + E2 group, the level of FSH and LH decreased, while E2 and AMH increased significantly. The number of growing follicles in HHXYT-M + E2 group increased, which was better than that of HHXYT alone. Western blot results showed that HHXYT-M + E2 group decreased the expression of Bax, cleaved-Parp, cleaved-Casp-3 and CytC molecules and increased the expression of Bcl-2 in ovarian tissue. FSHR expression decreased in model group and increased in HHXYT group. TUNEL staining showed that the number of apoptotic cells in HHXYT group was reduced, and the HHXYT-M + E2 group was the most significantly. Discussion and conclusion: HHXYT can improve the level of sex hormones and increase the number of growing follicles in aging mice. HHXYT-M + E2 group has the best effect, and its mechanism may be related to reducing ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis.

Search for new biologically active compounds: in vitro studies of antitumor and antimicrobial activity of dirhodium(II,II) paddlewheel complexes

Four neutral Rh1-Rh4 complexes of the general formula [Rh2(CH3COO)4L2], where L is an N-alkylimidazole ligand, were synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques, and in the case of Rh4 the crystal structure was confirmed. Investigation of the interactions of these complexes with HSA by fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that the binding constants Kb are moderately strong (∼104 M-1), and site-marker competition experiments showed that the complexes bind to Heme site III (subdomain IB). Competitive binding studies for CT DNA using EB and HOE showed that the complexes bind to the minor groove, which was also confirmed by viscosity experiments. Molecular docking confirmed the experimental data for HSA and CT DNA. Antimicrobial tests showed that the Rh2-Rh4 complexes exerted a strong inhibitory effect on G+ bacteria B. cereus and G- bacteria V. parahaemolyticus as well as on the yeast C. tropicalis, which showed a higher sensitivity compared to fluconazole. The cytotoxic activity of Rh1-Rh4 complexes tested on three cancer cell lines (HeLa, HCT116 and MDA-MB-231) and on healthy MRC-5 cells showed that all investigated complexes elicited more efficient cytotoxicity on all tested tumor cells than on control cells. Investigation of the mechanism of action revealed that the Rh1-Rh4 complexes inhibit cell proliferation via different mechanisms of action, namely apoptosis (increase in expression of the pro-apoptotic Bax protein and caspase-3 protein in HeLa and HCT116 cells; changes in mitochondrial potential and mitochondrial damage; release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria; cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase in both HeLa and HCT116 cells together with a decrease in the expression of cyclin A and cyclin B) and autophagy (reduction in the expression of the protein p62 in HeLa and HCT116 cells).

LONP1 regulation of mitochondrial protein folding provides insight into beta cell failure in type 2 diabetes

Proteotoxicity is a contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but it is unknown whether protein misfolding in T2D is generalized or has special features. Here, we report a robust accumulation of misfolded proteins within the mitochondria of human pancreatic islets in T2D and elucidate its impact on β cell viability. Surprisingly, quantitative proteomics studies of protein aggregates reveal that human islets from donors with T2D have a signature more closely resembling mitochondrial rather than ER protein misfolding. The matrix protease LonP1 and its chaperone partner mtHSP70 were among the proteins enriched in protein aggregates. Deletion of LONP1 in mice yields mitochondrial protein misfolding and reduced respiratory function, ultimately leading to β cell apoptosis and hyperglycemia. Intriguingly, LONP1 gain of function ameliorates mitochondrial protein misfolding and restores human β cell survival following glucolipotoxicity via a protease-independent effect requiring LONP1-mtHSP70 chaperone activity. Thus, LONP1 promotes β cell survival and prevents hyperglycemia by facilitating mitochondrial protein folding. These observations may open novel insights into the nature of impaired proteostasis on β cell loss in the pathogenesis of T2D that could be considered as future therapeutic targets.

Identification of a Novel Mitochondrial tRNA Mutation in Chinese Family with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background

Mutations in mitochondrial tRNA (mt-tRNA) could be the origin of some type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cases, but the mechanism remained largely unknown.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a novel mitochondrial tRNACys/tRNATyr A5826G mutation on the development and progression of T2DM.

Methods

A four-generation Han Chinese family with maternally inherited diabetes underwent clinical, genetic and biochemical analyses. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations of three matrilineal relatives were screened by PCR-Sanger sequencing. Furthermore, to see whether m.A5826G mutations affected mitochondrial functions, the cybrid cell lines were derived from three subjects with m.A5826G mutation and three controls without this mutation. ATP was evaluated by luminescent cell viability assay, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by flow cytometry. The student's two-tailed, unpaired t-test was used to assess the statistical significance between the control and mutant results.

Results

The age at onset of diabetes in this pedigree varied from 40 to 63 years, with an average of 54 years. Mutational analysis of mitochondrial genomes revealed the presence of a novel m.A5826G mutation. Interestingly, the m.A5826G mutation occurred at the conjunction between tRNACys and tRNATyr, a very conserved position that was critical for tRNAs processing and functions. Using trans-mitochondrial cybrid cells, we found that mutant cells carrying the m.A5826G showed approximately 36.5% and 22.4% reductions in ATP and MMP, respectively. By contrast, mitochondrial ROS levels increased approximately 33.3%, as compared with the wild type cells.

Conclusion

A novel m.A5826G mutation was identified in a pedigree with T2DM, and this mutation would lead to mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, the genetic spectrum of mitochondrial diabetes was expanded by including m.A5826G mutation in tRNACys/tRNATyr, our study provided novel insight into the molecular pathogenesis, early diagnosis, prevention and clinical treatment for mitochondrial diabetes.

Nanoplatform-based strategies for enhancing the lethality of current antitumor PDT

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) exhibits great application prospects in future clinical oncology due to its spatiotemporal controllability and good biosafety. However, the antitumor efficacy of PDT is seriously hindered by many factors, including tumor hypoxia, limited light penetration ability, and strong defense mechanisms of tumors. Considering that it is difficult to completely solve the first two problems, enhancing the lethality of antitumor PDT has become a good idea to extend its clinical application. Herein, we summarize the nanoplatform-involved strategies to effectively amplify the tumoricidal capability of current PDT and then discuss the present bottlenecks and prospects of the nanoplatform-based PDT sensitization strategies in tumor therapy. We hope this review will provide some references for others to design high-performance PDT nanoplatforms for tumor therapy.

TREM2 deficiency impairs the energy metabolism of Schwann cells and exacerbates peripheral neurological deficits

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2) has been implicated in susceptibility to neurodegenerative disease. Schwann cells (SCs), the predominant glial cell type in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), play a crucial role in myelination, providing trophic support for neurons and nerve regeneration. However, the function of TREM2 in SCs has not been fully elucidated. Here, we found that TREM2 is expressed in SCs but not in neurons in the PNS. TREM2 deficiency leads to disruption of glycolytic flux and oxidative metabolism in SCs, impairing cell proliferation. The energy crisis caused by TREM2 deficiency triggers mitochondrial damage and autophagy by activating AMPK and impairing PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling. Combined metabolomic analysis demonstrated that energic substrates and energy metabolic pathways were significantly impaired in TREM2-deficient SCs. Moreover, TREM2 deficiency impairs energy metabolism and axonal growth in sciatic nerve, accompanied by exacerbation of neurological deficits and suppression of nerve regeneration in a mouse model of acute motor axonal neuropathy. These results indicate that TREM2 is a critical regulator of energy metabolism in SCs and exerts neuroprotective effects on peripheral neuropathy. TREM2 deficiency impairs glycolysis and oxidative metabolism in Schwann cells, resulting in compromised cell proliferation. The energy crisis caused by TREM2 deficiency induces mitochondrial damage and autophagy by activating AMPK and impairing PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling. Moreover, TREM2 deficiency disrupts the energy metabolism of the sciatic nerve and impairs support for axonal regeneration, accompanied by exacerbation of neurological deficits and suppression of nerve regeneration in a mouse model of acute motor axonal neuropathy (by FigDraw).

Role and regulation of FOXO3a: new insights into breast cancer therapy

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in the world, particularly affecting female cancer patients. Enhancing the therapeutic strategies for breast cancer necessitates identifying molecular drug targets that effectively eliminate tumor cells. One of these prominent targets is the forkhead and O3a class (FOXO3a), a member of the forkhead transcription factor subfamily. FOXO3a plays a pivotal role in various cellular processes, including apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle regulation, and drug resistance. It acts as a tumor suppressor in multiple cancer types, although its specific role in cancer remains unclear. Moreover, FOXO3a shows promise as a potential marker for tumor diagnosis and prognosis in breast cancer patients. In addition, it is actively influenced by common anti-breast cancer drugs like paclitaxel, simvastatin, and gefitinib. In breast cancer, the regulation of FOXO3a involves intricate networks, encompassing post-translational modification post-translational regulation by non-coding RNA (ncRNA) and protein-protein interaction. The specific mechanism of FOXO3a in breast cancer urgently requires further investigation. This review aims to systematically elucidate the role of FOXO3a in breast cancer. Additionally, it reviews the interaction of FOXO3a and its upstream and downstream signaling pathway-related molecules to uncover potential therapeutic drugs and related regulatory factors for breast cancer treatment by regulating FOXO3a.

Synthesis, characterization and discovery of multiple anticancer mechanisms of dibutyltin complexes based on salen-like ligands

A series of novel dibutyltin complexes based on salen-like ligands (S01-S03) were synthesized and characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectra，infrared spectra, 1H, 13C, and 119Sn nuclear magnetic resonance, high-resolution mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, and thermogravimetric analysis. Complex S03 had excellent anticancer activity in vitro (IC50 = 1.5 ± 0.2 μM in CAL-27 cell lines), which highly activated ROS expression levels and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Interestingly, complex S03 induced cancer cell death through multiple mechanisms (mitochondrial pathway, ER-stress pathway, and DNA damage pathway). This study reveals new mechanisms of organotin complexes and provides new insights into the development of organotin metal complexes as anticancer drugs in the future, and compounds with multiple anticancer mechanisms may be a new strategy for delaying or overcoming drug resistance to chemotherapy and target therapy.

A novel photosensitizer DTPP-mediated photodynamic therapy induces oxidative stress and apoptosis through mitochondrial pathways in LA795 cells

OBJECTIVE

Investigation of the effects of 5-5- (4-N, N-diacetoxylphenyl)-10,15,20- tetraphenylporphyrin (DTPP)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on oxidative stress and mitochondrial apoptosis in LA795 lung cancer cells.

METHODS

Proteomics was used to identify differentially expressed proteins after PDT treatment. The apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry. Morphologic observation of apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, antioxidant indices, nitric oxide (NO) content, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and Caspase- 9 and Caspase-3 were determined by assays; apoptosis-related protein levels of Cytochrome (Cyto) c, Bcl- 2, Bax were determined by Western blot.

RESULTS

Typical apoptosis morphology of LA795 cells was observed after PDT. The cells were mainly in the apoptosis death pathway with high cell apoptosis rates. The proteomics study observed the apoptosis-associated proteins, oxidative stress proteins, antioxidant proteins, the cytoskeletal protein and mitochondrial dysfunction in LA 795 cells. Additional results indicated that PDT could increase levels of ROS, NO; decrease glutathione (GSH) content and MMP; upregulated Bax, Cyto c, and Caspase-3 protein expression, inhibited Bcl-2 protein expression, and further induced cell apoptosis. The effect of DTPP-PDT on lung cancer was: first, mitochondrial Cyto c is released into the cytoplasm, then Caspase- 9 / Caspase-3 was activated, Bcl-2 decreased/Bax increased, initiating cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

DTPP-PDT could induce oxidative stress and apoptosis via mitochondrial pathways in LA795 cells.

Mitochondria-derived methylmalonic acid aggravates ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating reactive oxygen species-dependent ferroptosis

Ferroptosis is a regulatory cell death process pivotal in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the precise mechanism underlying myocardial ferroptosis remains less known. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiological mechanisms of methylmalonic acid (MMA) associated with ferroptosis activation in cardiomyocytes after I/R. We found an increase level of MMA in patients with acute myocardial injury after reperfusion and AC16 cells under hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) condition. MMA treatment was found to be associated with excessive oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes, leading to ferroptosis-related myocardial injury. In mice with I/R injury, MMA treatment aggravated myocardial oxidative stress and ferroptosis, which amplified the myocardial infarct size and cardiac dysfunction. Mechanistically, MMA promoted NOX2/4 expression to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cardiomyocytes, aggravating myocardial injury. Notably, the increased ROS further activated ferroptosis by inhibiting solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression. In addition, MMA decreased the ectopic nuclear distribution of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) by increasing the interaction between NRF2 and kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1). This impeded the activation of GPX4/SLC7A11, downstream of NRF2, activating ferroptosis and aggravating myocardial cell injury. Collectively, our study indicates that MMA activates oxidative stress and ROS generation, which induces ferroptosis to exacerbate cardiomyocyte injury in an I/R model. These findings may provide a new perspective for the clinical treatment of I/R injury and warrant further investigation.

Autophagy in spinal muscular atrophy: from pathogenic mechanisms to therapeutic approaches

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating neuromuscular disorder caused by the depletion of the ubiquitously expressed survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. While the genetic cause of SMA has been well documented, the exact mechanism(s) by which SMN depletion results in disease progression remain elusive. A wide body of evidence has highlighted the involvement and dysregulation of autophagy in SMA. Autophagy is a highly conserved lysosomal degradation process which is necessary for cellular homeostasis; defects in the autophagic machinery have been linked with a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The pathway is particularly known to prevent neurodegeneration and has been suggested to act as a neuroprotective factor, thus presenting an attractive target for novel therapies for SMA patients. In this review, (a) we provide for the first time a comprehensive summary of the perturbations in the autophagic networks that characterize SMA development, (b) highlight the autophagic regulators which may play a key role in SMA pathogenesis and (c) propose decreased autophagic flux as the causative agent underlying the autophagic dysregulation observed in these patients.

Physiological response of thiamethoxam and ulexite in rainbow trout: A neural network-mediated approach

Fish, which are in constant contact with water, serve as an important ecological indicator of aquatic environment health. Therefore, in this study, in the name of neural degeneration, thiamethoxam (TMX) insecticide in the cerebral tissue of Oncorhynchus mykiss; neurotoxic endpoints such as biomarkers of oxidative stress, DNA damage and the status of antioxidant enzymes have been identified. Antioxidant enzyme (CAT, SOD, GPx, GSH) activities were significantly inhibited by TMX administration, and MDA and MPO values increased as a result of the stimulation of ROS (p < 0.05). It was interpreted that ulexite (UX) added to the medium was effective in favor of antioxidants and tried to prevent MDA and MPO levels. It was determined that Nrf-2, one of the inflammation parameters, was inhibited as a result of TMX application, and the supplementation of UX to the medium created merits similar to the no treatment group. In the 48th and 96th hour analyses of cerebral tissue, it was determined that IL-6 and TNF-α values were induced in TMX applied groups and UX tried to inhibit this situation. It was commented that TMX induced DNA damage and apoptosis at 48th-96th h, whereas UX suppressed this situation. The results provide possible in vivo evidence that UX supplements can reduce TMX-mediated oxidative stress and brain damage in O. mykiss brain tissue.

Roles of Cyt-c/Caspase-9/Caspase-3/Bax/Bcl-2 pathway in Cd-induced testicular injury in rats and the protective effect of quercetin

Cadmium (Cd) exposure causes oxidative damage to mitochondria, which would adversely affect rat testicular tissue. Quercetin (Que) is a natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. However, the mechanism by which Que inhibits Cd-induced apoptosis of testicular cells remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway (Cyt-c/Caspase-9/Caspase-3/Bax/Bcl-2 pathway) in inhibiting Cd-induced apoptosis of testicular cells by Que. We used SD rats to simulate Cd chloride exposure by treating all sides of the rats with CdCl2 and/or Que. The levels of GSH and MDA in rat testis were detected using reagent kits. The effects of CdCl2 and/or Que on tissue damage, apoptosis, and gene and protein expression of the Cyt-c/Caspase-9/Caspase-3/Bax/Bcl-2 pathway in rat testis were examined by HE, TUNEL, RNA extraction and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blot (Wb). The results show that Cd significantly increased the contents of GSH and MDA in rat testis (P < 0.01); conversely, Que significantly reduced the contents of GSH and MDA (P < 0.01). Cd inflicted damage to testicular tissue, and Que addition significantly reduced the damage. Cd increased the number of apoptosis of testicle cells, and Que inhibited testicle-cell apoptosis. In addition, the results of reverse transcription PCR and Wb assays confirmed that, as expected, Cd increased the expression levels of Cyt-c, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and Bax mRNAs as well as proteins. And at the same time decreased the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 in the cells. Surprisingly, these effects were reversed when Que was added. Therefore, Que can play an antioxidant and anti-apoptotic role in reducing the testicular tissue damage caused by Cd exposure. This provides a conceptual basis for the later development and utilization of Que as well as the prevention and treatment of tissue damage caused by Cd exposure.

Systematic analysis of apoptosis-related genes in the prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma: a combined single-cell RNA sequencing study

Background

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) has a poor prognosis and lacks appropriate diagnostic and treatment strategies. Apoptosis dysregulation is associated with tumor occurrence and drug resistance, but the prognostic value of apoptosis-related genes (ARGs) in LUSC remains unclear.

Methods

Using univariate Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and multivariate Cox regression analysis based on differentially expressed ARGs, we constructed an ARG-related prognostic model for LUSC survival rates. We conducted correlation analysis of prognostic ARGs by incorporating the dataset of normal lung tissue from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database. We then constructed a risk model, and the predictive ability of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Subsequently, these data were subjected to single-cell analysis. Cell subgroups were determined and annotated by dimensionality reduction clustering, and the cell subgroups in disease development were identified via pseudotemporal analysis with the Monocle 2 algorithm.

Results

We identified four significantly prognostic ARGs and constructed a stable prognostic risk model. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the high-risk group had a poorer prognosis (P<0.05). Furthermore, the ROC analysis of 3-, 5- and 7-year survival rates confirmed that the model had good predictive value for patients with LUSC. Single-cell RNA sequencing showed the prognostic ARGS were enriched in epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and T cells. Pseudotime analysis was used to infer the differentiation process and time sequence of cells.

Conclusions

This study identified ARGs that are associated with prognosis in LUSC, and a risk model based on these prognostic genes was constructed that could accurately predict the prognosis of LUSC. Single-cell sequencing analysis provided new insights into the cellular-level development of tumors. These findings provide more guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with LUSC.

Curcumin alleviates bisphenol AF-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in caprine endometrial epithelial cells via the Nrf2 signaling pathway

Bisphenol AF (BPAF), a BPA-substitute, has been widely used in industrial compounds throughout the world. Several studies have shown that BPAF has endocrine interference and reproductive toxicity. However, the toxic effects of BPAF on pregnancy and placenta of goats are still unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to reveal the toxic effect of BPAF by using an in vitro culture model of caprine endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) and further attempted to alleviate the toxicity by curcumin pretreatment. The results showed that BPAF induces significant effects on EECs, including decreased cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential (△ψm), elevating intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), promoting cell apoptosis through upregulating the expression of Bax, Cytochrome c, and downregulating the expression of Bcl-2. Meanwhile, BPAF induced dysregulation of oxidative stress by increasing the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) but decreasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, curcumin pretreatment could significantly attenuate BPAF-induced toxic effects in EECs. Further study revealed that BPAF treatment could activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression, but curcumin pretreatment significantly inhibited the activation of MAPK signal pathway and Nrf2 expression induced by BPAF. Overall, this study indicated that curcumin could prevent BPAF-induced EECs cytotoxicity, which provides a potential therapeutic strategy for female infertility associated with BPAF exposure.

Targeting mitochondria with antioxidant nutrients for the prevention and treatment of postweaning diarrhea in piglets

Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets poses a significant challenge and presents a grave threat to the global swine industry, resulting in considerable financial losses and compromising the welfare of animals. PWD is commonly associated with gut homeostatic imbalance, including oxidative stress, excessive inflammation, and microbiota dysbiosis. Antibiotic use has historically been a common initiative to combat PWD, but concerns about the development of antibiotic resistance have led to increased interest in alternative strategies. Mitochondria are key players in maintaining cellular homeostasis, and their dysfunction is intricately linked to the onset and progression of PWD. Accumulating evidence suggests that targeting mitochondrial function using antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and polyphenolic compounds, may represent a promising approach for preventing and treating PWD. Moreover, nutrients based on antioxidant strategies have been shown to improve mitochondrial function, restore intestinal redox balance, and reduce oxidative damage, which is a key driver of PWD. The present review begins with an overview of the potential interplay between mitochondria and gut homeostasis in the pathogenesis of PWD in piglets. Subsequently, alternative strategies to prevent and treat PWD using antioxidant nutrients to target mitochondria are described and discussed. Ultimately, we delve into potential limitations and suggest future research directions in this field for further advancement. Overall, targeting mitochondria using antioxidant nutrients may be a promising approach to combat PWD and provides a potential nutrition intervention strategy for regulating gut homeostasis of weaned piglets.

Role of APR3 in cancer: apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress, and cancer therapy

APR3 (Apoptosis-related protein 3) is a gene that has recently been identified to be associated with apoptosis. The gene is located on human chromosome 2p22.3 and contains both transmembrane and EGF (epidermal growth factor)-like domains. Additionally, it has structural sites, including AP1, SP1, and MEF2D, that indicate NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) and NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-B) may be transcription factors for this gene. Functionally, APR3 participates in apoptosis due to the induction of mitochondrial damage to release mitochondrial cytochrome C. Concurrently, APR3 affects the cell cycle by altering the expression of Cyclin D1, which, in turn, affects the incidence and growth of malignancies and promotes cell differentiation. Previous reports indicate that APR3 is located in lysosomal membranes, where it contributes to lysosomal activity and participates in autophagy. While further research is required to determine the precise role and molecular mechanisms of APR3, earlier studies have laid the groundwork for APR3 research. There is growing evidence supporting the significance of APR3 in oncology. Therefore, this review aims to examine the current state of knowledge on the role of the newly discovered APR3 in tumorigenesis and to generate fresh insights and suggestions for future research.

Fenpropathrin induces neurotoxic effects in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Fenpropathrin (FEN) is a synthetic pyrethroid that has been frequently detected in aquatic environments, yet the neurotoxic impacts and underlying mechanisms on nontarget organisms are lacking. In this experiment, common carp were exposed to 0.45 and 1.35 μg/L FEN for 14 d and exhibited abnormal locomotor behaviour. Biochemical and molecular analysis results indicated that FEN altered the contents of tight junction proteins (claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1), disturbed Na+-K+-ATPase and AChE activities, caused abnormal expression of neurotransmitters (ACh, DA, GABA, 5-HT, and glutamate) and caused histological damage in the brain, suggesting that FEN may damage the blood-brain barrier and induce neurotoxicity in carp. Furthermore, FEN also promoted an increase in ROS, changed SOD and CAT activities, and generally upregulated the contents of MDA, 8-OHdG, and protein carbonyl in the brain, indicating that FEN can induce oxidative stress and cause damage to lipids, DNA, and proteins. Moreover, inflammation-related indicators (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10), mitophagy-related genes (PINK1, parkin, ulk1, beclin1, LC3, p62, tfeb, and atg5), and apoptosis-related parameters (p53, bax, bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9) were also significantly changed, suggesting that inflammation, mitophagy, and apoptosis may participate in FEN-induced neurotoxicity in carp. This study refines the understanding of the toxicity mechanism of FEN and thus provides data support for the risk assessment of FEN.

Cell starvation regulates ceramide-induced autophagy in mouse preimplantation embryo development

Ceramide induces autophagy upon starvation via downregulation of nutrient transporters. To elucidate the mechanism by which starvation regulates autophagy in mouse embryos, the present study investigated nutrient transporter expression and the effect of C2-ceramide on in vitro embryo development, apoptosis, and autophagy. The transcript levels of the glucose transporters Glut1 and Glut3 were high at the 1- and 2-cell stages, and gradually decreased at the morula and blastocyst (BL) stages. Similarly, expression of the amino acid transporters L-type amino transporter-1 (LAT-1) and 4F2 heavy chain (4F2hc) gradually decreased from the zygote to the BL stage. Upon ceramide treatment, expression of Glut1, Glut3, LAT-1, and 4F2hc was significantly reduced at the BL stage, while expression of the autophagy-related genes Atg5, LC3, and Gabarap and synthesis of LC3 were significantly induced. Ceramide-treated embryos exhibited significantly reduced developmental rates and total cell numbers per blastocyst, and increased levels of apoptosis and expression of Bcl2l1 and Casp3 at the BL stage. Ceramide treatment significantly decreased the average mitochondrial DNA copy number and mitochondrial area at the BL stage. In addition, ceramide treatment significantly decreased mTOR expression. These results suggest that ceramide-induced autophagy promotes apoptosis by following downregulation of nutrient transporters during mouse embryogenesis.

The regulatory roles of Fasciola hepatica GSTO1 protein in inflammatory cytokine expression and apoptosis in murine macrophages

Fascioliasis, a global zoonotic parasitic disease, is mainly caused by Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) parasitizing in the livers of hosts, mainly humans and herbivores. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is one of the important excretory- secretory products (ESPs) from F. hepatica, however, the regulatory roles of its Omega subtype in the immunomodulatory effects remain unknown. Here, we expressed F. hepatica recombinant GSTO1 protein (rGSTO1) in Pichia pastoris and analyzed its antioxidant properties. Then, the interaction between F. hepatica rGSTO1 and RAW264.7 macrophages and its effects on inflammatory responses and cell apoptosis were further explored. The results revealed that GSTO1 of F. hepatica owned the potent ability to resist oxidative stress. F. hepatica rGSTO1 could interact with RAW264.7 macrophages and inhibit its cell viability, furthermore, it may suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, but promote the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In addition, F. hepatica rGSTO1 may down-regulate the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and increase the expression of pro-apoptotic protein caspase-3, thereby eliciting the apoptosis of macrophages. Notably, F. hepatica rGSTO1 inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen‑activated protein kinases (MAPKs p38, ERK and JNK) pathways in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells, exerting potent modulatory effects on macrophages. These findings suggested that F. hepatica GSTO1 can modulate the host immune response, which provided new insights into the immune evasion mechanism of F. hepatica infection in host.

Piperlongumine Induces Apoptosis and Cytoprotective Autophagy via the MAPK Signaling Pathway in Human Oral Cancer Cells

Oral cancer is a malignant tumor that primarily affects areas such as the lips, tongue, buccal mucosa, salivary gland, and gingiva and has a very high malignancy. Piperlongumine (PL), isolated from long pepper (Piper longum L.), is a natural alkaloid with pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects. The effect and mechanism of PL in oral cancer cell lines has not been explored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mechanism of anticancer effects of PL in the human oral cancer cell lines MC-3 and HSC-4 in vitro. This study demonstrated that PL inhibits cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and autophagy in human oral cancer cell lines, which was confirmed by the levels of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins through Western blotting. Moreover, the pharmacological blockade of autophagy activation by hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an autophagy inhibitor, significantly improved PL-induced apoptosis in MC-3 cells, suggesting a cytoprotective effect. In addition, activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway contributed to PL-induced apoptosis. Collectively, the study suggested that combining an autophagy inhibitor with PL treatment can exert effective anticancer properties in oral cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and cytoprotective autophagy via the JNK-mediated MAPK pathway.

The Mechanism of Anti-Tumor Activity of 6-Morpholino- and 6-Amino-9-Sulfonylpurine Derivatives on Human Leukemia Cells

The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism of antitumor effect of (E)-6-morpholino-9-(styrylsulfonyl)-9H-purine (6-Morpholino-SPD) and (E)-6-amino-9-(styrylsulfonyl)-9H-purine (6-Amino-SPD). The effects on apoptosis induction, mitochondrial potential, and accumulation of ROS in treated K562 cells were determined by flow cytometry. The RT-PCR method was used to measure the expression of Akt, CA IX, caspase 3, and cytochrome c genes, as well as selected miRNAs. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression of Akt, cytochrome c, and caspase 3. The results demonstrate the potential of the tested derivatives as effective antitumor agents with apoptotic-inducing properties. In leukemic cells treated with 6-Amino-SPD, increased expression of caspase 3 and cytochrome c genes was observed, indicating involvement of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway in the induction of apoptosis. Conversely, leukemic cells treated with 6-Morpholino-SPD showed reduced expression of these genes. The observed downregulation of miR-21 by 6-Morpholino-SPD may contribute to the induction of apoptosis and disruption of mitochondrial function. In addition, both derivatives exhibited increased expression of Akt and CA IX genes, suggesting activation of the Akt/HIF pathway. However, the exact mechanism and its relations to the observed overexpression of miR-210 need further investigation. The acceptable absorption and distribution properties predicted by ADMET analysis suggest favorable pharmacokinetic properties for these derivatives.

Long Noncoding RNAs in Taxane Resistance of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a common cancer in women and a leading cause of mortality. With the early diagnosis and development of therapeutic drugs, the prognosis of breast cancer has markedly improved. Chemotherapy is one of the predominant strategies for the treatment of breast cancer. Taxanes, including paclitaxel and docetaxel, are widely used in the treatment of breast cancer and remarkably decrease the risk of death and recurrence. However, taxane resistance caused by multiple factors significantly impacts the effect of the drug and leads to poor prognosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play a significant role in critical cellular processes, and a number of studies have illustrated that lncRNAs play vital roles in taxane resistance. In this review, we systematically summarize the mechanisms of taxane resistance in breast cancer and the functions of lncRNAs in taxane resistance in breast cancer. The findings provide insight into the role of lncRNAs in taxane resistance and suggest that lncRNAs may be used to develop therapeutic targets to prevent or reverse taxane resistance in patients with breast cancer.

Aging induced testicular damage: analyzing the ameliorative potential of Mucuna pruriens seed extract

Mucuna pruriens Linn. (M. pruriens), a leguminous plant, was used extensively in Ayurveda, to treat male-related infertility. Previous studies have demonstrated antioxidant, androgenic, aphrodisiac, and spermatogenic properties of M. pruriens seed extract. Surprisingly, the biological activities of M. pruriens on aging-induced pathological changes in the testis microenvironment have never been explored and the present study was focused on the testing therapeutic efficacy of M. pruriens on aged rat testis. Male Wistar albino rats were grouped as; adult (3 months), aged (24 months), aged + M. pruriens and adult + M. pruriens (N = 6/group). The extract was administrated at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight (dosage determined in our previous study) daily by gavage for 60 days. The total and free testosterone, FSH and LH levels were considerably increased in aged + M. pruriens. The diameter & volume of the seminiferous tubules, the height & volume of the epithelium, and the number of Leydig cells number were significantly decreased in aged rat testis, concomitantly connective tissue proportion was increased compared to adult rats. The seminiferous epithelium indicates significant rejuvenation or restoration of spermatogenic cells in aged + M. pruriens rat testis. The highlighting observations in aged + M. pruriens was increased in the following parameters i.e., tubular diameter (25%), number of tubules (35%), epithelial height (25%) & volume (20%), and number of Leydig cells (35%) when compared to untreated aged rat testis. The TNFα, NF-κB, cytochrome c, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, PARP iNOS, and inflammatory and apoptotic factors were downregulated in aged + M. pruriens. M. pruriens was able to restore spermatogenesis and enhance the activity of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells and improve the pituitary-gonadal axis in aged rat testis and observations indicate the therapeutic activity of M. pruriens in aged rat testis.

Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Supplementation on Ovarian Cumulus Cells following In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)/Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) Treatment-A Systematic Review

Despite many studies exploring the effects of DHEA supplementation, its application in IVF procedure continues to be a subject of debate owing to the inconsistent findings and the lack of rigorously designed, large-scale, randomized trials. Our review aims to explore the effectiveness of DHEA supplementation in ovarian cumulus cells following IVF/ICSI treatment. We conducted a literature search of Pub-Med, Ovid MEDLINE, and SCOPUS (inception to June 2022) for all relevant articles, including the keywords of "dehydroepiandrosterone/DHEA", "oocyte", and "cumulus cells". From the preliminary search, 69 publications were identified, and following a thorough screening process, seven studies were ultimately incorporated into the final review. Four hundred twenty-four women were enrolled in these studies, with DHEA supplementation being administered exclusively to women exhibiting poor ovarian response/diminished ovarian reserve or belonging to an older age demographic. The intervention in the studies was DHEA 75-90 mg daily for at least 8-12 weeks. The only randomized controlled trial showed no difference in clinical or cumulus cell-related outcomes between the control and treatment groups. However, the remaining six studies (two cohorts, four case-controls) showed significant beneficial effects of DHEA in cumulus cell-related outcomes compared to the group (older age or POR/DOR) without DHEA supplementation. All studies revealed no significant difference in stimulation and pregnancy outcomes. Our review concludes that DHEA supplementation did show beneficial effect on ovarian cumulus cells in improving oocyte quality for women of advanced age or with poor ovarian responders.

Mitochondria Have Made a Long Evolutionary Path from Ancient Bacteria Immigrants within Eukaryotic Cells to Essential Cellular Hosts and Key Players in Human Health and Disease

Mitochondria have made a long evolutionary path from ancient bacteria immigrants within the eukaryotic cell to become key players for the cell, assuming crucial multitasking skills critical for human health and disease. Traditionally identified as the powerhouses of eukaryotic cells due to their central role in energy metabolism, these chemiosmotic machines that synthesize ATP are known as the only maternally inherited organelles with their own genome, where mutations can cause diseases, opening up the field of mitochondrial medicine. More recently, the omics era has highlighted mitochondria as biosynthetic and signaling organelles influencing the behaviors of cells and organisms, making mitochondria the most studied organelles in the biomedical sciences. In this review, we will especially focus on certain 'novelties' in mitochondrial biology "left in the shadows" because, although they have been discovered for some time, they are still not taken with due consideration. We will focus on certain particularities of these organelles, for example, those relating to their metabolism and energy efficiency. In particular, some of their functions that reflect the type of cell in which they reside will be critically discussed, for example, the role of some carriers that are strictly functional to the typical metabolism of the cell or to the tissue specialization. Furthermore, some diseases in whose pathogenesis, surprisingly, mitochondria are involved will be mentioned.

2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Breast Cancer

Cholesterol accumulation is documented in various malignancies including breast cancer. Consequently, depleting cholesterol in cancer cells can serve as a viable treatment strategy. We identified the potency of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), a cholesterol-depletor in vitro against two breast cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (Oestrogen-receptor positive, ER+) and MDA-MB-231 (Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)). The results were then compared against two non-cancerous cell lines using cytotoxic-, apoptosis-, and cholesterol-based assays. Treatment with HPβCD showed preferential and significant cytotoxic potential in cancer cells, inducing apoptosis in both cancer cell lines (p < 0.001). This was mediated due to significant depletion of cholesterol (p < 0.001). We further tested HPβCD in a MF-1 mice (n = 14) xenograft model and obtained 73.9%, 94% and 100% reduction in tumour size for late-, intermediate-, and early-stage TNBC, respectively. We also detected molecular-level perturbations in the expression patterns of several genes linked to breast cancer and cholesterol signalling pathways using RT2-PCR arrays and have identified SFRP1 as a direct binding partner to HPβCD through SPR drug interaction analysis. This work unravels mechanistic insights into HPβCD-induced cholesterol depletion, which leads to intrinsic apoptosis induction. Results from this study potentiate employing cholesterol depletion as a promising unconventional anticancer therapeutic strategy, which warrants future clinical investigations.

Interrelation between Programmed Cell Death and Immunogenic Cell Death: Take Antitumor Nanodrug as an Example

Programmed cell death (PCD, mainly including apoptosis, necrosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy) and immunogenic cell death (ICD), as important cell death mechanisms, are widely reported in cancer therapy, and understanding the relationship between the two is significant for clinical tumor treatments. Considering that vast nanodrugs are developed to induce tumor PCD and ICD simultaneously, in this review, the interrelationship between PCD and ICD is described using nanomedicines as examples. First, an overview of PCD patterns and focus on the morphological differences and interconnections among them are provided. Then the interrelationship between apoptosis and ICD in terms of endoplasmic reticulum stress is described by introducing various cancer treatments and the recent developments of nanomedicines with inducible immunogenicity. Next, the crosstalk between non-apoptotic (including necrosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy) signaling pathways and ICD is introduced and their relationship through various nanomedicines as examples is further illustrated. Finally, the relationship between PCD and ICD and its application prospects in the development of new ICD nanomaterials are summarized. This review is believed to deepen the understanding of the relationship between PCD and ICD, extend the biomedical applications of various nanodrugs, and promote the progress of clinical tumor therapy.

Construction of a multifunctional peptide nanoplatform for nitric oxide release and monitoring and its application in tumor-bearing mice

As a "star molecule", nitric oxide (NO) either promotes or inhibits many physiological processes depending on its concentration. The in situ generation and monitoring of therapeutic gas molecules has been a problem that many researchers have been working to address due to the stochastic nature of gas molecule movement. There are still relatively few studies using short peptides as NO storage systems, and there are still challenges in monitoring NO release in situ with real-time imaging over long periods of time. In this work, a morphologically transformable NO release, diagnosis and treatment integrated multifunctional nanoplatform was fabricated. A new NO-activated probe (DPBTD) with emission in the first near infrared (NIR-I) region was encapsulated into the hydrophobic domains of Ac-KLVFFAL-NH₂ peptide derivatives as a biosensor for NO release. Peptide scaffolds were endowed with the capacity of controlled NO release by the introduction of NO donor (organic nitrates). Interestingly, morphology of the nanoplatform could be transformed from one-dimensional (1D) nanowires to two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets via nanorods transition state under tip sonication, which was allowed for better cell uptake. Eventually, this nanocarrier was used for stimuli-responsive NO release, real-time imaging and treatment in tumor tissues of 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. This strategy expands the application potential of peptide-based nanomaterials and provides ideas for monitoring the progress of gas-mediated cancer therapy.

Colorectal cancer inhibitory properties of polysaccharides and their molecular mechanisms: A review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the three major malignant tumors in the world. The major treatments currently recommended for it are surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, all of which are frequently accompanied by a poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. To limit cell proliferation and metastasis, trigger cell apoptosis, and regulate tumor microenvironment (TME), researchers are focusing attention on investigating highly effective and non-toxic natural medicines. According to the research reported in 89 pieces of related literature, between 2018 and 2021, specialists extracted 48 different types of polysaccharides with CRC inhibitory actions from various plants, including Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo., Nostoc commune Vaucher, and Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. ex Fr.) Karst. The novel founded mechanisms mainly include: inhibiting cancer cell proliferation by acting on IRS1/PI3K/Akt and IL-6/STAT3 pathways; inducing cancer cell apoptosis by acting on LncRNA HOTAIR/Akt mediated-intrinsic apoptosis, or regulating the TNF-α-mediated extrinsic apoptosis; inducing cancer cell autophagy by acting on endoplasmic reticulum stress or mTOR-TFEB pathway; inhibiting cancer cell metastasis by regulating Smad2/3 and TLR4/JNK pathways; regulating TME in CRC; and maintaining the intestinal barrier. This review will provide more novel research strategies and a solid literature basis for the application of polysaccharides in the treatment of CRC.

MitomiR-504 alleviates the copper-induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by suppressing Bak1 expression in porcine jejunal epithelial cells

Copper (Cu), an environmental heavy metal pollutant, has been widely researched in its toxicology. Recently, an increasing number of mitochondrial microRNAs (mitomiRs) have been shown to involve in the metabolic regulation. However, the underlying mechanisms of mitomiRs on regulating apoptosis under Cu exposure are still unclear. Here, we proved that Cu induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in porcine jejunal epithelial cells, concomitant with distinct reduction of mitomiR-504 in vivo and in vitro. The miR-504 mimic notably enhanced the mRNA and protein expressions of Bak1, Bax, Cleaved-caspase3 and Caspase-9, and significantly decreased the apoptosis rate and Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels, indicating that overexpression of mitomiR-504 attenuated the Cu-induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Besides, Bak1 was confirmed as a direct target of mitomiR-504 by the bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Subsequently, transfection of siRNA targeting Bak1 significantly enhanced the alleviating effect of miR-504 mimic on the Cu-induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Overall, these suggested that overexpression of mitomiR-504 alleviated the Cu-induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in jejunal epithelial cells by suppressing Bak1 expression. These findings are conducive to elucidating the mechanism of Cu-induced jejunal epithelial pathologies, providing a new research idea for the Cu toxicology.

Xanthones from Gentianella acuta (Michx.) Hulten Ameliorate Colorectal Carcinoma via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a kind of malignant tumor closely related to ulcerative colitis. Xanthone derivatives are one of the most promising therapeutic drugs which have been used in phase I/II clinical trials for cancer therapy. Our previous study indicated that the aerial parts of Gentianella acuta Michx. Hulten (GA) was rich in xanthones and showed a good therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis in mice, suggesting that GA xanthones might have some therapeutic or ameliorative effects on CRC. However, no relevant study has been reported. This study aims to find the effective substances of GA inhibiting CRC and clarify their mechanism. Solvent extraction, column chromatographic separation, and LC-MS analysis were used to characterize the 70% EtOH extract of GA and track xanthones abundant fraction XF. MTT assay was carried out to clarify the activity of GA fractions; the result showed XF to be the main active fraction. LC-MS analysis was executed to characterize XF, 38 xanthones were identified. Network pharmacology prediction, in vitro activity screening, and molecular docking assay were combined to predict the potential mechanism; the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was found to be most important. Western blot assay on the main active xanthones 1,3,5-trihydroxyxanthone (16), 1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxyxanthone (17), 1,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (18), and 1,7-dihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyxanthone (19) was used to verify the above prediction; these xanthones were found to inhibit the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and 17 played a significant role among them through Western blot assay using PI3K/AKT/mTOR agonist IGF-1. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that GA xanthones were effective compounds of GA inhibiting CRC by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway transduction, at least. Importantly, 1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxyxanthone (17), the most abundant active xanthone in GA, might be a candidate drug for CRC.