An-te-xiao capsule inhibits tumor growth in non-small cell lung cancer by targeting angiogenesis

PLA2G2D fosters angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer through aerobic glycolysis

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stands prominent among the prevailing and formidable oncological entities. The immune and metabolic-related molecule Phospholipase A2, group IID (PLA2G2D) exerts promotional effects on tumor progression. However, its involvement in cancer angiogenesis remains elusive. Therefore, this investigation delved into the functional significance of PLA2G2D concerning angiogenesis in NSCLC. This study analyzed the expression and enriched pathways of PLA2G2D in NSCLC tissues through bioinformatics analysis, and measured the expression of PLA2G2D in NSCLC cells using qRT-PCR and western blot (WB). Subsequently, the viability and angiogenic potential of NSCLC cells were assessed employing CCK-8 and angiogenesis assays, respectively. The expression profile of angiogenic factors was analyzed through WB. Finally, the expression of glycolysis pathway-related genes, extracellular acidification rate and oxygen consumption rate, and the levels of pyruvate, lactate, citrate, and malate were analyzed in NSCLC cells using qRT-PCR, Seahorse XF 96, and related kits. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the upregulation of PLA2G2D in NSCLC tissues and its association with VEGF and glycolysis signaling pathways. Molecular and cellular experiments demonstrated that upregulated PLA2G2D promoted the viability, angiogenic ability, and glycolysis pathway of NSCLC cells. Rescue assays revealed that the effects of high expression of PLA2G2D on the viability, angiogenic ability, and glycolysis of NSCLC cells were weakened after the addition of the glycolysis inhibitor 2-DG. In summary, PLA2G2D plays a key role in NSCLC angiogenesis through aerobic glycolysis, displaying great potential as a target for anti-angiogenesis therapy.

Alleviating early demyelination in ischaemia/reperfusion by inhibiting sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 could protect visual function from impairment

Retinal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common cause of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis and axonal degeneration, resulting in irreversible visual impairment. However, there are no available neuroprotective and neurorestorative therapies for retinal I/R injury, and more effective therapeutic approaches are needed. The role of the myelin sheath of the optic nerve after retinal I/R remains unknown. Here, we report that demyelination of the optic nerve is an early pathological feature of retinal I/R and identify sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2) as a therapeutic target for alleviating demyelination in a model of retinal I/R caused by rapid changes in intraocular pressure. Targeting the myelin sheath via S1PR2 protected RGCs and visual function. In our experiment, we observed early damage to the myelin sheath and persistent demyelination accompanied by S1PR2 overexpression after injury. Blockade of S1PR2 by the pharmacological inhibitor JTE-013 reversed demyelination, increased the number of oligodendrocytes, and inhibited microglial activation, contributing to the survival of RGCs and alleviating axonal damage. Finally, we evaluated the postoperative recovery of visual function by recording visual evoked potentials and assessing the quantitative optomotor response. In conclusion, this study is the first to reveal that alleviating demyelination by inhibiting S1PR2 overexpression may be a therapeutic strategy for retinal I/R-related visual impairment.

Research progress on chemical components and pharmacological action of Solanum lyratum Thunb

OBJECTIVES

Solanum lyratum Thunb (SLT) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae family, and is extensively used in the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Malaria, oedema, gonorrhoea, cancer, wind and fever, jaundiced hepatitis, cholecystitis and rheumatoid arthritis are among the diseases that it is used to treat. To offer a foundation for further development and usage of SLT, the pieces of literature about the chemical composition and pharmacological action of SLT were reviewed and analysed.

KEY FINDINGS

The chemical constituents of SLT mainly included steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, anthraquinones, phenylpropanoids and others. Pharmacological action mainly contains anti-tumour, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and other pharmacological actions, among them, the anti-tumour effect is particularly outstanding.

SUMMARY

At present, studies on the pharmacological effects of SLT mainly focus on alkaloids and steroidal saponins. In the follow-up studies, studies on the pharmacological activities of other chemical components in SLT, such as flavonoids and terpenoids, should be strengthened. It has the potential to pave the way for more research and development of novel SLT medicines.

Anticancer activity of glycoalkaloids from Solanum plants: A review

Cancer is still one of the main causes of death worldwide. For this reason, new compounds that have chemotherapeutic potential have been identified. One such group of substances is Solanaceae glycoalkaloids (GAs). They are natural compounds produced by plants widely used in traditional medicine for healing many disorders. Among others, GAs exhibit significant antitumor properties, for example, a strong inhibitory effect on cancer cell growth. This activity can result in the induction of tumor cell apoptosis, which can occur via different molecular pathways. The molecular mechanisms of the action of GAs are the subject of intensive research, as improved understanding could lead to the development of new cancer therapies. The genetic basis for the formation of neoplasms are mutations in protooncogenes, suppressors, and apoptosis-controlling and repair genes; therefore, substances with antineoplastic properties may affect the levels of their expression or the levels of their expression products. Therapeutic compounds can be applied separately or in combination with other drugs to increase the efficiency of cancer therapy; they can act on the cell through various mechanisms at different stages of carcinogenesis, inducing the process of apoptosis, blocking cell proliferation and migration, and inhibiting angiogenesis. This review summarizes the newest studies on the anticancer properties of solanine (SN), chaconine (CH), solasonine (SS), solamargine (SM), tomatine (TT) and their extracts from Solanum plants.

Phytochemical and pharmacological studies on Solanum lyratum: a review

Solanum lyratum is one of the temperate plants, broadly distributed in Korea, China, Japan, India, and South-East Asia and well-documented in those oriental ethnic medicine systems for curing cancers, jaundice, edema, gonorrhea, cholecystitis, phlogosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. This review systematically summarized the research progress on S. lyratum respecting the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology to increase people's in-depth understanding of this plant, by data retrieval in a series of online or off-line electronic databases as far as we can reach. Steroidal saponins and alkaloids, terpenoids, nitrogenous compounds, and flavonoid compounds are the main chemical constituents in S. lyratum. Among them, steroidal alkaloids and saponins are the major active ingredients ever found in S. lyratum, exerting activities of anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-microbial, anti-allergy, and anti-oxidation in vivo or in vitro. As a result, S. lyratum has been frequently prescribed for the abovementioned therapeutic purposes, and there are substantial traditional and modern shreds of evidence of its use.

Natural Products with Activity against Lung Cancer: A Review Focusing on the Tumor Microenvironment

Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Despite the undeniable progress in lung cancer research made over the past decade, it is still the leading cause of cancer-related deaths and continues to challenge scientists and researchers engaged in searching for therapeutics and drugs. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is recognized as one of the major hallmarks of epithelial cancers, including the majority of lung cancers, and is associated with tumorigenesis, progression, invasion, and metastasis. Targeting of the TME has received increasing attention in recent years. Natural products have historically made substantial contributions to pharmacotherapy, especially for cancer. In this review, we emphasize the role of the TME and summarize the experimental proof demonstrating the antitumor effects and underlying mechanisms of natural products that target the TME. We also review the effects of natural products used in combination with anticancer agents. Moreover, we highlight nanotechnology and other materials used to enhance the effects of natural products. Overall, our hope is that this review of these natural products will encourage more thoughts and ideas on therapeutic development to benefit lung cancer patients.

In vitro cytotoxic potential of Solanum nigrum against human cancer cell lines

Plants have natural products which use to possess antiproliferative potential against many cancers. In the present study, six isolated fractions (ethyl acetate, petroleum ether, chloroform, n-butanol, ethanol and aqueous) from Solanum nigrum were evaluated for their cytotoxic effect on different cell lines. Hepatic carcinoma cell line (HepG2), cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and baby hamster kidney (BHK) used as normal non-cancerous cells were evaluated for cytotoxicity against isolated fractions. Cell viability assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of all fractions on different cell lines followed by the lactate dehydrogenase and vascular endothelial growth factor assays of most active fraction among all screened for cytotoxic analysis. HPLC analysis of most active fractions against cytotoxicity was performed to check the biological activity of compounds. Results displayed the potent cytotoxic activity of ethyl acetate fraction of S. nigrum against HepG2 cells with IC50 value of 7.89 μg/ml. Other fractions exhibited potent anticancer activity against HepG2 cells followed by HeLa cells. Fractions in our study showed no cytotoxicity in BHK cells. Cytotoxic activity observed in our current study exposed high antiproliferative potential and activity of ethyl acetate fraction against HepG2 cells. The results demonstrated that S. nigrum fractions exhibited anticancer activity against hepatic and cervical cancer cell lines with non-toxic effect in normal cells. These results reveal significant potential of S. nigrum for the therapeutic of cancers across the globe in future.

Aggravation of hepatic ischemia‑reperfusion injury with increased inflammatory cell infiltration is associated with the TGF‑β/Smad3 signaling pathway

Ischemia‑reperfusion (IR) injury is a major challenge influencing the outcomes of hepatic transplantation. Transforming growth factor‑β (TGF‑β) and its downstream gene, SMAD family member 3 (Smad3), have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatic injuries, such as hepatic fibrosis. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the role of the TGF‑β/Smad3 signaling pathway on hepatic injury induced by IR in vivo. In total, 20 129S2/SvPasCrl wild‑type (WT) mice were randomized into two groups; 10 mice underwent IR injury surgery and 10 mice were sham‑operated. Histopathological changes in liver tissues and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were examined to confirm hepatic injury caused by IR surgery. The expression levels of TGF‑β1, Smad3 and phosphorylated‑Smad3 (p‑Smad3) were detected via western blotting. Furthermore, a total of five Smad3^‑/‑ 129S2/SvPasCrl mice (Smad3^‑/‑ mice) and 10 Smad3^+/+ littermates received IR surgery, while another five Smad3^‑/‑ mice and 10 Smad3^+/+ littermates received the sham operation. Histopathological changes in liver tissues and serum levels of ALT were then compared between the groups. Furthermore, hepatic apoptosis and inflammatory cell infiltration after IR were evaluated in the liver tissues of Smad3^‑/‑ mice and Smad3^+/+ mice. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of TGF‑β1, Smad3 and p‑Smad3 were elevated in hepatic tissue from WT mice after IR injury. Aggravated hepatic injury, increased apoptosis and enhanced inflammatory cell infiltration induced by hepatic IR injury were observed in the Smad3^‑/‑ mice compared with in Smad3^+/+ mice. Collectively, the current findings suggested that activation of the TGF‑β/Smad3 signaling pathway was present alongside the hepatic injury induced by IR. However, the TGF‑β/Smad3 signaling pathway may have an effect on protecting against liver tissue damage caused by IR injury in vivo.

Anti-angiogenic activity of ShengMaBieJia decoction in vitro and in acute myeloid leukaemia tumour-bearing mouse models

Context: ShengMaBieJia decoction (SMBJD) is used to treat solid and hematological tumours; however, its anti-angiogenesis activity remains unclear.Objective: This study verified the anti-angiogenic effects of SMBJD in vitro and in tumour-bearing acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) mouse models.Materials and methods: In vivo, the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and BALB/c null mouse xenograft models were treated with SMBJD (0, 2, 4, and 8 mg/mL) for 48 h and for 2 weeks, respectively. Anti-angiogenic activity was assessed according to microvessel density (MVD) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) targeting CD31 and VEGFR2. In vitro, proliferation viability, migratory activity and tube formation were measured. Western blots and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to examine the levels of PI3K, Akt, and VEGF.Results: HPLC analyses revealed the active constituents of SMBJD such as liquiritin, cimifugin, ferulic, isoferulic, and glycyrrhizic acids. In vitro, SMBJD treatment decreased cellular migration, chemotaxis, and tube formation at non-cytotoxic concentrations (2, 4, and 8 mg/mL) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The dosage of less than IC₂₀ is considered safe. In vivo, CAM models exhibited a decrease in MVD, and the tissues of xenografted mice possessed reduced CD31 and VEGFR2 expression. Conditioned media (CM) from AML cells (HL60 and NB4 cells) treated with non-cytotoxic doses of SMBJD inhibited chemotactic migration and tube formation in vitro. Both CM (HL60) and CM (NB4) exhibited downregulated expression of PI3K, Akt, and VEGF.Discussion and conclusions: SMBJD inhibited angiogenesis in AML through the PI3K/AKT pathway, which might be combined with targeted therapy to provide more effective treatment.

RPV-modified epirubicin and dioscin co-delivery liposomes suppress non-small cell lung cancer growth by limiting nutrition supply

Chemotherapy for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is far from satisfactory, mainly due to poor targeting of antitumor drugs and self‐adaptations of the tumors. Angiogenesis, vasculogenic mimicry (VM) channels, migration, and invasion are the main ways for tumors to obtain nutrition. Herein, RPV‐modified epirubicin and dioscin co‐delivery liposomes were successfully prepared. These liposomes showed ideal physicochemical properties, enhanced tumor targeting and accumulation in tumor sites, and inhibited VM channel formation, tumor angiogenesis, migration and invasion. The liposomes also downregulated VM‐related and angiogenesis‐related proteins in vitro. Furthermore, when tested in vivo, the targeted co‐delivery liposomes increased selective accumulation of drugs in tumor sites and showed extended stability in blood circulation. In conclusion, RPV‐modified epirubicin and dioscin co‐delivery liposomes showed strong antitumor efficacy in vivo and could thus be considered a promising strategy for NSCLC treatment.

Steroidal glycoalkaloids from Solanum lyratum inhibit the pro-angiogenic activity of A549-derived exosomes

In this study, seven previously undescribed steroidal glycoalkaloids, compounds 1-7, were isolated from Solanum lyratum, along with two known ones (8 and 9). Comprehensive spectroscopy techniques were used to determine their structures. Although 1-8 only showed a weak inhibitory effect on the proliferation of the tumor-derived vascular endothelial cells, however, in a former study we found both total steroidal glycoalkaloids from Solanum lyratum (TSGS) and 9 significantly inhibited tumor angiogenesis and its mechanism was linked to its ability to interfere with cell membrane lipid rafts. Lipid rafts are closely related to the functions of tumor-derived exosomes, a vital factor in cancer progression. Thus, we investigated the impacts of TSGS and 9 on the functions of A549-derived exosomes. Our results indicated that A549-derived exosomes can significantly enhance the angiogenesis abilities of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, whereas the intervention of TSGS or 9 significantly inhibited this activity of A549-derived exosomes. These findings suggest that TSGS and 9 exert anti-tumor angiogenesis by inhibiting the pro-angiogenic activity of A549-derived exosomes.

Developing a Quantitative Ultrasound Image Feature Analysis Scheme to Assess Tumor Treatment Efficacy Using a Mouse Model

The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of identifying and applying quantitative imaging features computed from ultrasound images of athymic nude mice to predict tumor response to treatment at an early stage. A computer-aided detection (CAD) scheme with a graphic user interface was developed to conduct tumor segmentation and image feature analysis. A dataset involving ultrasound images of 23 athymic nude mice bearing C26 mouse adenocarcinomas was assembled. These mice were divided into 7 treatment groups utilizing a combination of thermal and nanoparticle-controlled drug delivery. Longitudinal ultrasound images of mice were taken prior and post-treatment in day 3 and day 6. After tumor segmentation, CAD scheme computed image features and created four feature pools including features computed from (1) prior treatment images only and (2) difference between prior and post-treatment images of day 3 and day 6, respectively. To predict tumor treatment efficacy, data analysis was performed to identify top image features and an optimal feature fusion method, which have a higher correlation to tumor size increase ratio (TSIR) determined at Day 10. Using image features computed from day 3, the highest Pearson Correlation coefficients between the top two features selected from two feature pools versus TSIR were 0.373 and 0.552, respectively. Using an equally weighted fusion method of two features computed from prior and post-treatment images, the correlation coefficient increased to 0.679. Meanwhile, using image features computed from day 6, the highest correlation coefficient was 0.680. Study demonstrated the feasibility of extracting quantitative image features from the ultrasound images taken at an early treatment stage to predict tumor response to therapies.