Wogonoside induces apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells by promoting mitochondria dysfunction

The dual effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress in digestive system tumors and intervention of Chinese botanical drug extracts: a review

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis is essential for maintaining human health, and once imbalanced, it will trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), which participates in the development of digestive system tumors and other diseases. ERS has dual effect on tumor cells, activating adaptive responses to promote survival or inducing apoptotic pathways to accelerate cell death of the tumor. Recent studies have demonstrated that Chinese botanical drug extracts can affect the tumor process of the digestive system by regulating ERS and exert anticancer effects. This article summarizes the dual effect of ERS in the process of digestive system tumors and the intervention of Chinese botanical drug extracts in recent years, as reference for the combined treatment of digestive system tumors with Chinese and modern medicine.

Endoplasmic Reticulum as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer: Is there a Role for Flavonoids?

Flavonoids are classified into subclasses of polyphenols, a multipurpose category of natural compounds which comprises secondary metabolites extracted from vascular plants and are plentiful in the human diet. Although the details of flavonoid mechanisms are still not realized correctly, they are generally regarded as antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative; anti-mutagenic; anti-neoplastic; anti-aging; anti-diabetic, cardio-protective, etc. The anti-cancer properties of flavonoids are evident in functions such as prevention of proliferation, metastasis, invasion, inflammation and activation of cell death. Tumors growth and enlargement expose cells to acidosis, hypoxia, and lack of nutrients which result in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress; it triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR), which reclaims homeostasis or activates autophagy. Steady stimulation of ER stress can switch autophagy to apoptosis. The connection between ER stress and cancer, in association with UPR, has been explained. The signals provided by UPR can activate or inhibit anti-apoptotic or apoptotic pathways depending on the period and grade of ER stress. In this review, we will peruse the link between flavonoids and their impact on the endoplasmic reticulum in association with cancer therapy.

Electrostimulation improves plant growth and modulates the flavonoid profile in aeroponic culture of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is a valuable medicinal plant of the Lamiaceae family. The roots, Scutellariae baicalensis radix, are valued in the traditional medicine of East Asia and are also listed in several pharmacopeias, such as the Chinese and European versions. The roots contain a high amount of flavones, such as baicalein, wogonin and their glucuronides, baicalin and wogonoside, respectively, with rare structures of unsubstituted B-ring. These major constituents are responsible for its pharmacological activity, mainly anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antitumor, as well as BDZ-receptor modulating. There is a fast-growing demand for both the crude drug and the individual flavonoids obtained from it. However, the variability of content and composition of flavonoids in the roots is significant and affects pharmaceutical use, and little is known about the influence of various factors on root quality. In our experiments, we use aeroponics to determine the effect of electroporation as an abiotic stressor on plant growth, development, and root mass, as well as on its metabolic profile.

RESULTS

Electroporation significantly impacted plant growth and the content of flavonoids, especially baicalein and wogonin, depending on the treatment parameters. Concentrations of aglycones were increased in at least half of the treatment conditions. The greatest amounts (a 2.5-fold increase compared to controls) were recorded after applying an electrical field characterized by the following parameters: E = 3 kV/cm, t = 100 μs, and N = 10. In conclusion, electrostimulation is an innovative and efficient way to increase plant growth and yield in an aeroponic system, as well as modulate the profile and content of bioactive flavones in the roots. However, the fine-tuning of these parameters, such as the electrical field strength (E), length (t), and number (N) of impulses delivered, is of great importance. It was also shown that cultivation of the experimental plants in aeroponics had a positive impact on their survival and development while being a sustainable and efficient horticultural practice.

Ursolic acid augments the chemosensitivity of drug-resistant breast cancer cells to doxorubicin by AMPK-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction

Multidrug resistance remains the major obstacle to successful therapy for breast carcinoma. Ursolic acid (UA), a triterpenoid compound, has been regarded as a potential neoplasm chemopreventive drug in some preclinical studies since it exerts multiple biological activities. In this research, we investigated the role of UA in augmenting the chemosensitivity of drug-resistant breast carcinoma cells to doxorubicin (DOX), and we further explored the possible molecular mechanisms. Notably, we found that UA treatment led to inhibition of cellular proliferation and migration and cell cycle arrest in DOX-resistant breast cancers. Furthermore, combination treatment with UA and DOX showed a stronger inhibitory effect on cell viability, colony formation, and cell migration; induced more cell apoptosis in vitro; and generated a more potent inhibitory effect on the growth of the MCF-7/ADR xenograft tumor model than DOX alone. Mechanistically, UA effectively increased p-AMPK levels and concomitantly reduced p-mTOR and PGC-1α protein levels, resulting in impaired mitochondrial function, such as mitochondrial respiration inhibition, ATP depletion, and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In addition, UA induced a DNA damage response by increasing intracellular ROS production, thus causing cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. UA also suppressed aerobic glycolysis by prohibiting the expression and function of Glut1. Considered together, our data demonstrated that UA potentiated the susceptibility of DOX-resistant breast carcinoma cells to DOX by targeting energy metabolism through the AMPK/mTOR/PGC-1α signaling pathway, and it is a potential adjuvant chemotherapeutic candidate in MDR breast cancer.

Calotropis gigantea stem bark extracts inhibit liver cancer induced by diethylnitrosamine

Several fractions of Calotropis gigantea extracts have been proposed to have potential anticancer activity in many cancer models. The present study evaluated the anticancer activity of C. gigantea stem bark extracts in liver cancer HepG2 cells and diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced primary liver cancer in rats. The carcinogenesis model induced by DEN administration has been widely used to study pathophysiological features and responses in rats that are comparable to those seen in cancer patients. The dichloromethane (CGDCM), ethyl acetate, and water fractions obtained from partitioning crude ethanolic extract were quantitatively analyzed for several groups of secondary metabolites and calactin contents. A combination of C. gigantea stem bark extracts with doxorubicin (DOX) was assessed in this study to demonstrate the enhanced cytotoxic effect to cancer compared to the single administration. The combination of DOX and CGDCM, which had the most potential cytotoxic effect in HepG2 cells when compared to the other three fractions, significantly increased cytotoxicity through the apoptotic effect with increased caspase-3 expression. This combination treatment also reduced ATP levels, implying a correlation between ATP and apoptosis induction. In a rat model of DEN-induced liver cancer, treatment with DOX, C. gigantea at low (CGDCM-L) and high (CGDCM-H) doses, and DOX + CGDCM-H for 4 weeks decreased the progression of liver cancer by lowering the liver weight/body weight ratio and the occurrence of liver hyperplastic nodules, fibrosis, and proliferative cells. The therapeutic applications lowered TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β, and α-SMA inflammatory cytokines in a similar way, implying that CGDCM had a curative effect against the inflammation-induced liver carcinogenesis produced by DEN exposure. Furthermore, CGDCM and DOX therapy decreased ATP and fatty acid synthesis in rat liver cancer, which was correlated with apoptosis inhibition. CGDCM reduced cleaved caspase-3 expression in liver cancer rats when used alone or in combination with DOX, implying that apoptosis-inducing hepatic carcinogenesis was suppressed. Our results also verified the low toxicity of CGDCM injection on the internal organs of rats. Thus, this research clearly demonstrated a promising, novel anticancer approach that could be applied in future clinical studies of CGDCM and combination therapy.

Therapeutic potential of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in lung cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Globally, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer associated mortalities. The current conventional chemotherapy remains the preferred treatment option for lung cancer, as surgical resection plays little role in the treatment of over 75% of lung cancer patients. Therefore, there is a need to develop novel potential therapeutic drugs or adjuvants with a high efficiency and safety against lung cancer. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a common Chinese medicinal herb that has been in use for more than 2000 years, has recently been shown to possess significant activities against lung cancer. However, current research progress on pharmacological effects and relevant molecular mechanisms of S. baicalensis in lung cancer therapy have not been systematically summarized.

PURPOSE

This review aimed at elucidating on the anti-lung cancer mechanisms and antitumor efficacies of S. baicalensis as well as its active ingredients, and providing a valuable reference for further investigation in this field.

METHODS

We used "Scutellaria baicalensis" or the name of the compound in S. baicalensis, in combination with "lung cancer" as key words to systematically search for relevant literature from the Web of Science and PubMed databases. Publications that investigated molecular mechanisms were the only ones selected for analysis. The PRISMA guidelines were followed.

RESULTS

Fifty-four publications met the inclusion criteria for this study. Five anti-lung cancer mechanisms of S. baicalensis and its constituent components are discussed. These mechanisms include apoptosis induction, cell-cycle arrest, suppression of proliferation, blockade of invasion and metastasis, and overcoming drug-resistance. These compounds exhibited high antitumor efficacies and safety against lung cancer xenografts.

CONCLUSION

Studies should aim at elucidating on the anti-cancer mechanisms of S. baicalensis to achieve the ultimate goal of lung cancer therapy.

Preparation and Evaluation of rhINF-α-2b Sodium Hyaluronate Cross-Linked Porous Microspheres: Characterization, Sustained-Release Properties, and Antitumor Activity

Recombinant human interferon α-2b (rhINF-α-2b), like most proteins, has several shortcomings such as relatively short half-life, low therapeutic index, high circulating drug fluctuations, and rapid degradation which could hinder its effective delivery. Novel electrostatic spray and ion exchange drug-loading techniques were combined to formulate rhINF-α-2b sodium hyaluronate cross-linked porous sustained-release microspheres (rhINF-α-2b-SHCPM), a protein delivery system. The different properties of rhINF-α-2b-SHCPM including the physicochemical nature, in vitro release behavior, and antitumor activity were evaluated. The loading rate (10.31 ± 0.94%) and encapsulation efficiency (89.09 ± 2.37%) of rhINF-α-2b-SHCPM produced acceptable values. The in vitro cumulative release rate of rhINF-α-2b-SHCPM within 24 h was also 86.26 ± 2.11% with a much better sustained release effect. Thus, the half-life (10.763 h) and retention time (14.067 h) of rhIFNα-2b-SHCPM were significantly prolonged with enhanced bioavailability (43,198.387 ng/L*h) and decreased peak concentration (15,266.4 ngL^-1) compared with the free rhIFNα-2b protein (0.912 h, 0.952 h, 34,749.048 ng/L*h, and 48,870.2 ngL^-1, respectively). The in vitro anti-proliferative activity and in vivo tumor inhibitory rate of rhIFNα-2b-SHCPM also increased by 90 and 55.86%, respectively, compared with the free rhIFNα-2b solution. The findings significantly supported a well-developed protein delivery system with improved sustained release, acceptable bioavailability, and increased antitumor activities. Graphical Abstract.

Wogonoside inhibits TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) mediated-tumor microenvironment and prognosis of pancreatic cancer

Background

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the worst prognostic cancers. Here, we probed the anti-cancer activity of wogonoside (Wog), a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, on PC, as well as potential molecular mechanism.

Methods

Following Wog stimulation, the viability, proliferation, apoptosis, stem cell-like transition, and mesenchymal transition were detected in PC cells. Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify possible signaling pathways involved in the anti-PC activity of Wog. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) was overexpressed and TRAF6 activator IL-1β was used in PC cells to confirm whether Wog exerted anti-PC activity via modulating TRAF6. In vivo, an experiment was conducted to further confirm our supposition.

Results

Wog inhibited PC cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, limited PC cell stem cell-like transition and mesenchymal transition. TNF signaling pathway was activated in PC. Besides, Wog inactivated TRAF6/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/p65 pathway in PC cells. TRAF6, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1), CD44, and matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) expressions were upregulated in PC tissues and negatively correlated with PC survival and prognosis. Finally, Wog suppressed TRAF6 overexpression-induced PC cell stem cell-like transition and mesenchymal transition in vitro and tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusions

Wog exerted anti-cancer activity on PC and suppressed the TRAF6 mediated-tumor microenvironment of PC, thereby regulating PC's prognosis.

Calotropis gigantea stem bark extract induced apoptosis related to ROS and ATP production in colon cancer cells

Conventional chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal cancer (CRC) cause systemic side effects and eventually become less efficacious owing to the development of drug resistance in cancer cells. Therefore, new therapeutic regimens have focused on the use of natural products. The anticancer activity of several parts of Calotropis gigantea has been reported; however, the effects of its stem bark extract on inhibition of cancer cell proliferation have not yet been examined. In this study, the anticancer activity of C. gigantea stem bark extract, both alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), was evaluated. A crude ethanolic extract was prepared from dry, powdered C. gigantea barks using 95% ethanol. This was then partitioned to obtain dichloromethane (CGDCM), ethyl acetate, and water fractions. Quantitative analysis of the constituent secondary metabolites and calotropin was performed. These fractions exhibited cytotoxicity in HCT116 and HT-29 cells, with CGDCM showing the highest potency in both the cell lines. A combination of CGDCM and 5-FU significantly enhanced the cytotoxic effect. Moreover, the resistance of normal fibroblast, HFF-1, cells to this combination demonstrated its safety in normal cells. The combination significantly enhanced apoptosis through the mitochondria-dependent pathway. Additionally, the combination reduced adenosine triphosphate production and increased the production of reactive oxygen species, demonstrating the mechanisms involved in the induction of apoptosis. Our results suggest that CGDCM is a promising anti-cancer agent and may enhance apoptosis induction by 5-FU in the treatment of CRC, while minimizing toxicity toward healthy cells.

Scutellaria baicalensis and Their Natural Flavone Compounds as Potential Medicinal Drugs for the Treatment of Nicotine-Induced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Asthma

Flavonoids as the largest group of natural phytochemical compounds have received significant attention, as demonstrated by clinical trials, due to their chemotherapeutic and/or pharmacological effects against non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and asthma. Scutellaria baicalensis (S. baicalensis), known as one of the most popular medicinal plants and used in several countries, contains natural active flavone constituents, with the major compounds of the roots being baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, wogonoside and oroxylin A. S. baicalensis and their compounds are proven to have inhibitory effects on NSCLC cells when used at different concentrations. However, the exact mechanisms by which these compounds exert their therapeutic effects against asthma remain unexplored. Indeed, the mechanisms by which S. baicalensis and its flavone compounds exert a protective effect against nicotine-induced NSCLC and asthma are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this review explores the mechanisms involved in the therapeutic potential of flavone-rich extracts from S. baicalensis in nicotine-induced NSCLC and asthma.

Wogonoside promotes apoptosis and ER stress in human gastric cancer cells by regulating the IRE1α pathway

Gastric cancer is a disease that occurs in the digestive system of humans and remains a problem in the medical field. Wogonoside, a natural flavonoid, has been reported to exert antitumor effects on various types of tumors. However, the effects of wogonoside on gastric cancer remain elusive. The aim of the present study was to detect whether wogonoside treatment could induce apoptosis and ER stress in gastric cancer cells. In the present study, CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell viability, Annexin V/PI staining was used to detect the cells apoptosis, western blot analysis and real-time PCR analysis was used to detect the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the AGS and MKN-45 gastric cancer cell lines. Wogonoside treatment reduced the viability of AGS and MKN-45 cells and induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression level of caspase-3 and -9 significantly increased following wogonoside treatment compared with that in non-treated cells, and the protein expression levels of proapoptotic Bax and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 increased and decreased, respectively compared with that in the control group. In addition, the phosphorylated protein expression levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 5 (ASK1) and JNK increased following wogonoside treatment, and the protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) and serine/threonine-protein kinase/endoribonuclease IRE1 (IRE1α) were also increased following treatment with 50 µM wogonoside for 48 h. Furthermore, the interactions between IRE1α, TRAF2 and ASK1 significantly increased following wogonoside treatment, suggesting that wogonoside induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the AGS and MKN-45 cell lines. In addition, small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of IRE1α suppressed the activity of the IRE1α-TRAF2-ASK1 complex and prevented wogonoside-induced cell apoptosis. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that wogonoside exhibited antitumor activity by inducing ER stress-associated cell death through the IRE1α-TRAF2-ASK1 pathway.

Investigation of the pharmacodynamic substances in dahuang zhechong pill that inhibit energy metabolism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dahuang Zhechong pill (DHZCP) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of hepatocarcinoma.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Previous studies have found that DHZCP can exert anti-hepatocarcinoma effects and reverse drug resistance by inhibiting energy metabolism. The goal of this study was to further explore the pharmacodynamic substances that inhibit energy metabolism.

METHODS

The components of DHZCP absorbed into plasma were identified by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The Swiss and STITCH databases were used for target collection. The DAVID database was used for pathway enrichment analysis. Cytoscape software was used for network construction. The CCK-8 method detected cell viability. Chemiluminescence was used to detect ATP levels.

RESULTS

A total of 89 components absorbed into plasma were identified by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Based on this, 24 potential pharmacodynamic substances were selected by network pharmacology. Among them, 11 components such as rhein can significantly inhibit ATP levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, hypoxanthine, baicalein, baicalin, wogonoside, acteoside, formononetin, isoliquiritigenin, and glycyrrhizic acid were the pharmacodynamic substances responsible for inhibition of energy metabolism of DHZCP.

Wogonoside inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in endometrial cancer via ER stress-Hippo signaling axis

Wogonoside, a bioactive flavonoid component derived from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been reported to inhibit tumor growth in mice bearing various types of cancer cells such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia cells. However, whether wogonoside could inhibit tumor growth of endometrial cancer has not been elucidated. In this study, we explored the function of wogonoside on tumor growth and the underlying mechanism on endometrial cancer. Firstly, we investigated the effect of wogonoside on endometrial cancer cells and found that wogonoside could significantly decrease cell proliferation and metastasis. Mechanistically, wogonoside could aggravate the extent of ER stress and upregulate the phosphorylation level of Mammalian Ste20-like kinase 1, leading to the activation of the Hippo signaling pathway. Taken together, in vitro and in vivo data demonstrated that wogonoside could be a potent inducer of ER stress and could be further developed into a promising therapy for endometrial cancer.

Wogonoside promotes apoptosis in gastric cancer AGS and SGC-7901 cells through induction of mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress

Wogonoside (Wg), a natural flavonoid, has anticancer effects against several human cancers. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antitumor effects and underlying mechanisms of Wg on gastric cancer (GC) cell lines. We report that Wg treatment inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in human GC cell lines AGS and SGC-7901, and also retarded GC tumor growth in xenograft mice in vivo. We also found that the Wg exerted its antitumor effects against GC cells via induction of reaction oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Furthermore, C/EBP homologous protein knockdown inhibited apoptosis and increased the viability of Wg-treated GC cells. Our findings may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of GC.