Icariside II suppresses cervical cancer cell migration through JNK modulated matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 inhibition in vitro and in vivo

Cancer-Related Therapeutic Potential of Epimedium and Its Extracts

Epimedium is a Chinese herb known as "yin and yang fire," first mentioned in the Compendium of Materia Medica. Many of the proprietary Chinese medicines used in clinical practice contain Epimedium as an ingredient, and its main active constituents include icariin, icaritin, and icariside II, among others. In addition to its traditional use in treating fatigue and sexual problems, modern research has confirmed that the main bioactive compounds in Epimedium have pharmacological effects such as antidepressant, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as inhibiting bone destruction, promoting bone growth, improving immune regulation and protecting the cardio-cerebral vascular system. With the continuous development of extraction and purification techniques, the development and use of bioactive compounds in Epimedium have significantly progressed, and the anticancer effect has received widespread attention. Since natural herbs have few side effects on the human body and do not easily develop drug resistance, they have long been the direction of research in cancer treatment. This review summarizes the latest research on the anticancer effects of Epimedium and its extracts, describes the bioactive compounds, pharmacological efficacy, and antitumor mechanism of Epimedium, and gives a new view on the administration and development of Epimedium.

Icariside II in NSCLC and COVID-19: Network pharmacology and molecular docking study

BACKGROUND

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are susceptible to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), but current treatments are limited. Icariside II (IS), a flavonoid compound derived from the plant epimedin, showed anti-cancer,anti-inflammation and immunoregulation effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the possible effect and underlying mechanisms of IS on NSCLC patients with COVID-19 (NSCLC/COVID-19).

METHODS

NSCLC/COVID-19 targets were defined as the common targets of NSCLC (collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas database) and COVID-19 targets (collected from disease database of Genecards, OMIM, and NCBI). The correlations of NSCLC/COVID-19 targets and survival rates in patients with NSCLC were analyzed using the survival R package. Prognostic analyses were performed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. Furthermore, the targets in IS treatment of NSCLC/COVID-19 were defined as the overlapping targets of IS (predicted from drug database of TMSCP, HERBs, SwissTarget Prediction) and NSCLC/COVID-19 targets. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis of these treatment targets were performed aiming to understand the biological process, cellular component, molecular function and signaling pathway. The hub targets were analyzed by a protein-protein interaction network and the binding capacity with IS was characterized by molecular docking.

RESULTS

The hub targets for IS in the treatment of NSCLC/COVID-19 includes F2, SELE, MMP1, MMP2, AGTR1 and AGTR2, and the molecular docking results showed that the above target proteins had a good binding degree to IS. Network pharmacology showed that IS might affect the leucocytes migration, inflammation response and active oxygen species metabolic process, as well as regulate the interleukin-17, tumor necrosus factor and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signaling pathway in NSCLC/COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

IS may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of current clinical anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer therapy to benefit patients with NSCLC combined with COVID-19.

Selenium nanoparticles stabilized by Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides: Synthesis, characterization and bioactivity

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are a potential tumor therapeutic drug and have attracted widespread attention due to their high bioavailability and significant anticancer activity. However, the poor water solubility and degradability of selenium nanoparticles severely limit their application. In this study, spherical selenium nanoparticles with a particle size of approximately 50 nm were prepared by using Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide (SFPS) as a modifier and Tween-80 as a stabilizer. The results of in vitro experiments showed that Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide-Tween-80-Selenium nanoparticles (SFPS-Tw-SeNPs) had a significant inhibitory effect on A549 cells, with an IC50 value of 6.14 μg/mL, and showed antitumor cell migration and invasion ability against A549 cells in scratch assays and cell migration and invasion assays (transwell assays). Western blot experiments showed that SFPS-Tw-SeNPs could inhibit the expression of tumor migration- and invasion-related proteins. These results suggest that SFPS-Tw-SeNPs may be potential tumor therapeutic agents, especially for the treatment of human lung cancer.

Baohuoside I inhibits resistance to cisplatin in ovarian cancer cells by suppressing autophagy via downregulating HIF-1α/ATG5 axis

Since chemotherapy's therapeutic impact is diminished by drug resistance, treating ovarian cancer is notably challenging. Thereafter, it is critical to develop cutting-edge approaches to treating ovarian cancer. Baohuoside I (derived from Herba Epimedii) is reported to have antitumor properties in various malignancies. It is unknown, however, what role Baohuoside I plays in cisplatin (DDP)-resistant ovarian cancer cells. 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT), colony formation, and flow cytometry assay were used to investigate the impact of Baohuoside I on ovarian cancer A2780 cells and DDP-resistant A2780 (A2780/DDP) cells. The level of microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) was determined using immunofluorescence staining. Utilizing the mRFP-GFP-LC3B tandem fluorescent probe allowed us to analyse the autophagy flux. Analysis of mRNA and protein level was performed using RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. The interaction between hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF-1α) and autophagy related 5 (ATG5) promoter was investigated by dual luciferase and ChIP assay. Additionally, evaluation of Baohuoside I's role in ovarian cancer was performed using a nude mouse xenograft model. Baohuoside I decreased the viability and proliferation and triggered the apoptosis of both A2780 and A2780/DDP cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Baohuoside I also increased the sensitivity of A2780/DDP cells to DDP. Concurrently, HIF-1α could promote A2780/DDP cells resistance to DDP. In addition, HIF-1α could induce the autophagy of A2780/DDP cells through transcriptionally activating ATG5, and Baohuoside I imporved the chemosensitivity of A2780/DDP cells to DDP by downregulating HIF-1α. Moreover, Baohuoside I could inhibit the chemoresistance to DDP in ovarian cancer in vivo. Baohuoside I sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to DDP by suppressing autophagy via downregulating the HIF-1α/ATG5 axis. Consequently, Baohuoside I might be evaluated as a new agent for enhancing the chemotherapeutic efficacy of drug treatment for ovarian cancer.

Network pharmacology analysis of Icariside II against bladder cancer

As a global health threat, bladder cancer (BC) is a common urological disease characterized by a high risk of progression and recurrence. Icariside II (ICA-II), a flavonol glycoside, exhibits antitumor ability in various tumors. However, there is no systematic study exploring the pharmacological mechanism of ICA-II in BC. We used public databases to obtain potential targets of ICA-II and related genes in BC. Bioinformatics analysis and molecular docking were used to identify potential targets and signaling pathways. Then, MTT, cell cycle assays and western blot (WB) were used to validate the predicted pathways in bladder cell lines, and in situ bladder cancer models were also established to verify the effect of ICA-II. Our research demonstrated that these ICA-II hub genes were related to the cell cycle. Then, our molecular docking analysis confirmed the interaction between ICA-II and CCNB1. In addition, our in vitro experiment demonstrated that ICA-II restrained the proliferation of BC cells mainly by blocking the cell cycle. WB also verified that ICA-II decreased the expression levels of CCNB1. In situ BC models showed that ICA-II had no hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity and could suppress the growth of in situ BC. In summary, during this study, we found that ICA-II had low toxicity in the kidney and liver. Network pharmacology was used, and both cell and animal experiments verified that ICA-II has a good therapeutic effect on bladder cancer, which may inhibit the proliferation and progression of bladder cancer by blocking the cell cycle of BC cells.

Synthesis, evaluation of anti-breast cancer activity in vitro of ICS II derivatives and summary of the structure-activity relationship

A series of Icariside II (ICS II) derivatives were synthesized, and their structure-activity relationships (SARs) were studied in this paper. The in vitro antitumor activities towards human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8 kit). Preliminary results showed that, compared with ICS II, most of the derivatives displayed good micromole level activities. Among the series of derivatives, the S27, which totally acetylated hydroxyl of ICS II, possessed highest cytotoxicity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.70 ± 0.08 μM. Furthermore, compound S27 showed better selectivity than ICS II for cancer cells over normal cells. Our findings indicate that compound S27 may be a promising anticancer lead candidate drug.

Integrated miRNA and mRNA omics reveal dioscin suppresses migration and invasion via MEK/ERK and JNK signaling pathways in human endometrial carcinoma in vivo and in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Polygonatum sibiricum Redouté (PS, also called Huangjing in traditional Chinese medicine), is a perennial herb as homology of medicine and food. According to the traditional Chinese medicine theory "Special Records of Famous Doctors", its functions include invigorating qi and nourishing yin, tonifying spleen and kidney. Traditionally, qi and blood therapy has been believed as most applicable to the treatment of uterine disease. The current research has focused on the effect and mechanism of dioscin, the main active component of PS, on Endometrial carcinoma (EC).

AIM OF THE STUDY

To study the efficacy of dioscin on proliferation and migration of Endometrial carcinoma cell line, we conducted experiments by using xenograft model and Ishikawa cells, and explored the potential molecular mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

mRNA and miRNA omics techniques were employed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of dioscin on EC Ishikawa cells. Based on in vivo and in vitro experiments, cell clone formation, cell scratching, Transwell, H&E staining, immunohistochemistry, q-PCR, and Western blot techniques were used to determine the molecular effects and mechanisms of dioscin on cell migration.

RESULTS

Integrated miRNA and mRNA omics data showed that 513 significantly different genes marked enrichment in MAPK signaling pathway. The in vivo data showed that dioscin (24 mg/kg) significantly inhibited tumor growth. The in vitro proliferation and invasiveness of dioscin on Ishikawa cells showed that dioscin could significantly decrease the colony numbers, and suppress the Ishikawa cell wound healing, migration and invasion. Molecular data revealed that dioscin decreased the MMP2 and MMP9 expression in vitro and in vivo. The p-MEK, p-ERK, and p-JNK expression levels were also confirmed to be significantly reduced. Key regulators in the MAPK signaling pathway were further validated in xenograft tumors.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicated that dioscin inhibited Ishikawa cell migration and invasion mediated through MEK/ERK and JNK signaling. More importantly, screened hub miRNAs and genes can be regarded as potential molecular targets for future EC treatment.

Multidisciplinary strategies to enhance therapeutic effects of flavonoids from Epimedii Folium: Integration of herbal medicine, enzyme engineering, and nanotechnology

Flavonoids such as baohuoside I and icaritin are the major active compounds in Epimedii Folium (EF) and possess excellent therapeutic effects on various diseases. Encouragingly, in 2022, icaritin soft capsules were approved to reach the market for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China. Moreover, recent studies demonstrate that icaritin can serve as immune-modulating agent to exert anti-tumor effects. Nonetheless, both production efficiency and clinical applications of epimedium flavonoids have been restrained because of their low content, poor bioavailability, and unfavorable in vivo delivery efficiency. Recently, various strategies, including enzyme engineering and nanotechnology, have been developed to increase productivity and activity, improve delivery efficiency, and enhance therapeutic effects of epimedium flavonoids. In this review, the structure-activity relationship of epimedium flavonoids is described. Then, enzymatic engineering strategies for increasing the productivity of highly active baohuoside I and icaritin are discussed. The nanomedicines for overcoming in vivo delivery barriers and improving therapeutic effects of various diseases are summarized. Finally, the challenges and an outlook on clinical translation of epimedium flavonoids are proposed.

Transcriptome and proteomics conjoint analysis reveal metastasis inhibitory effect of 6-shogaol as ferroptosis activator through the PI3K/AKT pathway in human endometrial carcinoma in vitro and in vivo

Endometrial cancer remains as one of the widespread female malignancies despite the existing treatment measures mainly surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In recent times, studies have focused on medicinal plants such as ginger due to its multifaceted characteristics compared to conventional medicine. 6-Shogaol is regarded as the main active compound of ginger participating in pharmacological activities and combating various health disorders, especially cancer. In our study, we compared the effects of 6-gingerol, 6-paradol, and 6-shogaol on Ishikawa cells, and found 6-shogaol as a more effective ingredient against Ishikawa cell proliferation. Moreover, its promoted ferroptosis, as a result, triggered mitochondrial morphologic alternation, as well as changed iron concentration, GSH and MDA levels. Furthermore, 6-Shogaol inhibited cell metastasis by influencing cell invasion and migration. Finally, 6-shogaol could trigger PI3K/AKT signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo confirmed by western blotting assay and immunohistochemical evaluation. These findings suggest that 6-shogaol can be used as promising functional food component in health diet and in drug target methods for endometrial cancer therapy.

β-Caryophyllene oxide inhibits metastasis by downregulating MMP-2, p-p38 and p-ERK in human fibrosarcoma cells

When cancer cells transform into malignant tumors, they gain the ability to ignore growth-inhibiting signals, have endless reproduction potential, resist apoptosis, and induce angiogenesis and invade other tissues. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) allow tumor cells to move into surrounding tissues in many malignancies, but metastasis is blocked by MMPs inhibitors. Therefore, the effect of β-caryophyllene oxide (CPO) contained in Piper nigrum on Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) related to MMPs signaling pathways in human fibrosarcoma was examined in HT1080 cells. The effect of CPO on cell viability was performed using the MTT assay. Cytotoxicity was observed in the presence of CPO above 16 μM. Next, gelatin zymography was performed in the cells activated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). It was found that CPO at 32 μM reduced MMP-9 activity by 28% and MMP-2 activity by 60%. To confirm the effect of CPO on MMPs, Western blot analyses for MMP-2, MAPKs were carried out in this study. The expression level of MMP-2 was reduced by 45% in the presence of CPO at 32 μM, but those of p-p38 and p-ERK were reduced by 50% and 40%, respectively. CPO decreased the expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the immunofluorescence staining assay. Finally, an invasion assay was performed in PMA-treated human fibrosarcoma cells. It was demonstrated that CPO reduced cell invasion of HT1080 cells in a dose-dependent manner starting at a concentration of 2 μM. The above results suggest that CPO could be used as a potential candidate for the treatment of metastasis by inhibiting MMP-2, p-p38 and p-ERK. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Cancer makes it easier for cells to spread to other tissue via blood and lymph systems. Tumor cells deplete nutrients and induce angiogenesis, which penetrates and spreads to other parts of the body. As a result, the effect of CPO against cell invasion was evaluated in this study. CPO reduced cancer cell invasion by inactivating p-ERK and p-p38, according to the findings. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activation and protein expression were also decreased by CPO. As a result, CPO might be used as an alternate treatment agent for preventing metastasis.

Isorhamnetin Induces Apoptosis and Suppresses Metastasis of Human Endometrial Carcinoma Ishikawa Cells via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Promotion and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2/9 Inhibition In Vitro and In Vivo

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a very common female cancer which has attracted more and more attention. According to the individual patient's condition, the current treatment of EC patients is mainly based on surgery, which is supplemented by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and endocrine intervention. However, these existing treatment strategies also have some inevitable limitations. Therefore, it is particularly important to find an active ingredient with low toxicity and a high safety profile against EC. Isorhamnetin is a flavonoid known to be present in a variety of plants, such as sea buckthorn, dry willow, and wolfberry. In recent years, the anti-tumor effects of isorhamnetin have been reported. In our study, isorhamnetin was shown to induce apoptosis in Ishikawa cells by inducing the endogenous mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and exogenous death receptor pathway, promoting the endoplasmic reticulum stress-related pathway, and activating the corresponding markers of UPR response. In addition, isorhamnetin affected the expression of MMP2 and MMP9-related proteins in vitro and in vivo and eventually repressed metastasis. Therefore, isorhamnetin can be used as a promising medicinal material for the treatment of EC.

Icariside II suppresses the tumorigenesis and development of ovarian cancer by regulating miR-144-3p/IGF2R axis

Ovarian cancer is one of the three major gynecological malignancies. It has been reported that Icariside II was able to block the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer. However, the detailed mechanism by which Icariside II regulates the development of ovarian cancer is widely unknown. EdU staining and transwell assays were applied to detect the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Next, the relationship between miR-144-3p and IGF2R was verified by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, in vivo animal model was constructed to verify the effect of Icariside II on the development of ovarian cancer. Icariside II notably inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. Additionally, Icariside II markedly increased the level of miR-144-3p in ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, IGF2R was targeted by miR-144-3p directly. Icariside II significantly decreased the expression of IGF2R and the phosphorylation level of AKT and mTOR in ovarian cancer cells, which were partially reversed by miR-144-3p inhibitor. Meanwhile, Icariside II remarkably promoted the autophagy of ovarian cancer cells, as confirmed by the increased expression of Beclin-1 and ATG-5 and decreased expression of p62; however, co-treatment with miR-144-3p inhibitor notably decreased autophagy. Furthermore, the result of animal study suggested Icariside II notably inhibited ovarian tumor growth as well. Collectively, Icariside II could suppress the tumorigenesis and development of ovarian cancer by promoting autophagy via miR-144-3p/IGF2R axis. These results may be beneficial for future studies on the use of Icariside II to treat ovarian cancer.

Bioavailability Improvement Strategies for Icariin and Its Derivates: A Review

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in icariin (ICA) and its derivates, icariside II (ICS) and icaritin (ICT), due to their wide range of potential applications in preventing cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, delaying the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, treating erectile dysfunction, etc. However, their poor water solubility and membrane permeability, resulting in low bioavailability, dampens their potential beneficial effects. In this regard, several strategies have been developed, such as pharmaceutical technologies, structural transformations, and absorption enhancers. All these strategies manage to improve the bioavailability of the above-mentioned flavonoids, thus increasing their concentration in the desired places. This paper focuses on gathering the latest knowledge on strategies to improve bioavailability for enhancing the efficacy of icariin, icariside II, and icaritin. We conclude that there is an opportunity for many further improvements in this field. To the best of our knowledge, no such review articles scoping the bioavailability improvement of icariin and its derivates have been published to date. Therefore, this paper can be a good starting point for all those who want to deepen their understanding of the field.

Angelol-A exerts anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic effects on human cervical carcinoma cells by modulating the phosphorylated-ERK/miR-29a-3p that targets the MMP2/VEGFA axis

AIMS

Angelol-A (Ang-A), a kind of coumarins, is isolated from the roots of Angelica pubescens f. biserrata. However, AA exerts antitumor effects and molecular mechanism on cervical cancer cells is unknown.

MAIN METHODS

Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay, and the cell cycle phase was assessed by PI staining with flow cytometry. Ang-A-treated cells with/without Antago-miR-29a-3p (miR-29a-3p inhibitor) or U0126 (MEK inhibitor) were assessed for the expression of miR-29a-3p, in vitro migration/invasion, and angiogenesis using qRT-PCR, a chemotaxis assay, and tube formation assay, respectively. The expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases/MMP2/MMP9/VEGFA was determined by western blot analysis with applicable antibodies.

KEY FINDINGS

Ang-A significantly inhibited MMP2 and VEGFA expression, cell migration, and invasive motility in human cervical cancer cells. Conditioned medium inhibited tube formation in HUVECs. Ang-A principally inhibited invasive motility and angiogenesis by upregulating the expression of miR-29a-3p that targets the VEGFA-3' UTR. The role of miR-29a-3p was confirmed using Antago-miR-29a-3p, which reversed the Ang-A-inhibited expression of MMP2 and VEGFA, invasive motility, and angiogenesis in human cervical cancer cells. The ERK pathway was implicated in mediating the metastatic and angiogenic action of Ang-A. Combined treatment with Ang-A treated and U0126 exerted a synergistic inhibitory effect on the expression of MMP2 and VEGFA and the metastatic and angiogenic properties of human cervical cancer cells.

SIGNIFICANCE

These findings are the first to indicate that in human cervical cancer cells, Ang-A exerts anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic effects via targeting the miR-29a-3p/MMP2/VEGFA axis, mediated through the ERK pathway.

Sinapic Acid Attenuates Rheumatoid Arthritis Through Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress by Downregulating IκB Kinase

Sinapic acid (SA) was reported to protect against inflammation in various types of diseases. However, the role of SA in rheumatoid arthritis remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate the role of SA on rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis mouse model was established by collagen immunization [collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)]. Histological analysis of articular cartilage tissue was carried out by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oxidative damage indexes such as superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde detection, glutathione detection, and catalase were determined by biochemical analysis. The protein levels of related genes were determined using Western blot. In CIA model, SA treatment attenuated paw swelling and clinical score of arthritis, attenuated articular cartilage tissues edema and infiltration of inflammatory cells, suppressed inflammatory cytokines release, and attenuated oxidative damage indexes. Mechanically, SA suppressed immune responses through inhibiting the IκB kinase (IKKs). SA attenuates rheumatoid arthritis through reducing inflammation and oxidative stress by downregulating IKKs.

O2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) diazeniumdiolate derivative induces G2/M arrest via PTEN-mediated inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to investigate whether G2/M arrest caused by O2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) diazeniumdiolate derivative (JS-K) was related to PTEN-mediated inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

METHODS

The cell apoptosis was detected by DAPI staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI dual staining. The cell cycle was analysed by PI staining. The expressions of cell cycle-related proteins, PTEN and PI3K/AKT pathway were measured by Western blot. The rat model of primary hepatic carcinoma was established with diethylnitrosamine to verify the antitumour effects of JS-K.

KEY FINDINGS

The morphological features of apoptosis were obviously reversed when the cells were pre-treated with bpv(pic), followed by treatment with JS-K. JS-K mediated G2/M arrest and down-regulated expressions of cyclin B1. Meanwhile, it up-regulated the expression of p-Cdk1, p-Chk2 and p-CDC25C while down-regulated that of Cdk1 and CDC25C. Furthermore, JS-K also enhanced the expressions of p21 and p27, PTEN and p53 while decreased the expressions of p-PTEN, PI3K and p-AKT. However, bpv(pic) and Carboxy-PTIO could reverse JS-K-induced G2/M cell arrest and PTEN-mediated inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway. The same results were also testified in the rat model of primary hepatic carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

JS-K caused G2/M arrest through PTEN-mediated inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway involving Chk2/CDC25C/Cdk1 checkpoint.

Methanolic Extract from Sea Cucumber, Holothuria scabra, Induces Apoptosis and Suppresses Metastasis of PC3 Prostate Cancer Cells Modulated by MAPK Signaling Pathway

Sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra, is a well-known traditional Asian medicine that has been used for suppressing inflammation, promoting wound healing, and improving immunity. Moreover, previous studies demonstrated that the extract from H. scabra contains many bioactive compounds with potent inhibitory effect on tumor cell survival and progression. However, the effect of the methanolic extract from the body wall of H. scabra (BWMT) on human prostate cancer cells has not yet been investigated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of BWMT on prostate cancer cell viability and metastasis. BWMT was obtained by maceration with methanol. The effect of BWMT on cell viability was assessed by MTT and colony formation assays. The intracellular ROS accumulation was evaluated using a DCFH-DA fluorescence probe. Hoechst 33342 staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining were used to examine the apoptotic-inducing effect of the extract. A transwell migration assay was performed to determine the anti-metastasis effect. BWMT significantly reduced cell viability and triggered cellular apoptosis by accumulating intracellular ROS resulting in the upregulation of JNK and p38 signaling pathways. In addition, BWMT also inhibited the invasion of PC3 cells by downregulating MMP-2/-9 expression via the ERK pathway. Consequently, our study provides BWMT from H. scabra as a putative therapeutic agent that could be applicable against prostate cancer progression.

CD155 Promotes the Progression of Cervical Cancer Cells Through AKT/mTOR and NF-κB Pathways

Expression of the immunoglobulin superfamily member CD155 was increased in a variety of human malignancies, but the role of CD155 in tumorigenesis and tumor development in cervical cancer has not been elucidated. In this study, immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses showed that CD155 expression gradually increases with the degree of cervical lesions. In vitro and in vivo, reducing the expression of CD155 inhibited cell proliferation, cell viability and tumor formation and arrested the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. Antibody array-based profiling of protein phosphorylation revealed that CD155 knockdown can inhibited the AKT/mTOR/NF-κB pathway and activated autophagy and apoptosis; the opposite effects were observed upon CD155 has overexpression. We proved that there is an interaction between CD155 and AKT by immunoprecipitation. We further confirmed the mechanism between CD155 and AKT/mTOR/NF-κB through rescue experiments. AKT knockdown reversed the anti-apoptotic effects and activation of the AKT/mTOR/NF-κB pathway induced by CD155 overexpression. Our research demonstrated that CD155 can interact with AKT to form a complex, activates the AKT/mTOR/NF-κB pathway and inhibit autophagy and apoptosis. Thus, CD155 is a potential screening and therapeutic biomarker for cervical cancer.

Pinosylvin inhibits migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cancer cells via regulation of epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and inhibition of MMP‑2

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a tumor located in the nasopharynx with highly invasive and metastatic properties. Metastasis is a primary cause of mortality in patients with NPC. The terpenoid polyphenol pinosylvin is a known functional compound of the Pinus species that exhibits anti‑inflammatory effects; however, the effect of pinosylvin on human NPC cell migration and invasion is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the functional role of pinosylvin in NPC cells (NPC‑039, NPC‑BM and RPMI 2650). Gap closure and Transwell assay indicated that pinosylvin at increasing concentrations inhibited migration and invasion of NPC‑039 and NPC‑BM cells. In addition to inhibiting the enzyme activity of MMP‑2, pinosylvin also decreased the protein expression levels of MMP‑2 and MMP‑9. Pinosylvin decreased the expression of vimentin and N‑cadherin and significantly increased the expression of zonula occludens‑1 and E‑cadherin in NPC cells. Additionally, pinosylvin suppressed the invasion and migration ability of NPC‑039 and NPC‑BM cells by mediating the p38, ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 pathways. The present results revealed that pinosylvin inhibited migration and invasion in NPC cells.

Silencing TAK1 reduces MAPKs-MMP2/9 expression to reduce inflammation-driven neurohistological disruption post spinal cord injury

Microglia activation post traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) provokes accumulation of inflammatory metabolites, leading to increasing neurological disruption. Our previous studies demonstrated that blocking MAPKs pathway mitigated microglia inflammatory activation and prevented cords from neuroinflammation-induced secondary injury. Transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is an upstream gate regulating activation of MAPKs signaling. To validate the therapeutic effect of TAK1 inhibition in neuroinflammation post SCI, in the current study, cultures of microglia BV2 line was undergone lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in the presence of TAK1 inhibitor 5Z-7-Oxozeaenol (ZO), LPS, or control. LPS triggered inflammatory level, cell migration, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2/9 production, which was reduced in ZO-treated cultures. TAK1 inhibition by ZO also decreased activation of MAPKs pathway, indicating that ZO-mediated alleviation of neuroinflammation is likely modulated via TAK1/MAPKs axis. In vivo, neuroinflammatory level and tissue destruction were assessed in adult male mice that were undergone SCI by mechanical trauma, and treated with ZO by intraperitoneal injection. Compared with SCI mice, ZO-treated mice exhibited less microglia pro-inflammatory activation and accumulation adjacent to injured core linked to reduced MMP2/9 expression, leading to minor tissue damage and better locomotor recovery. To sum up, the obtained data proved that in the early phase post SCI, TAK1 inhibition impedes microglia biological activities including activation, enzymatic synthesis, and migration via downregulation of MAPKs pathway, and the effects may be accurately characterized as potent anti-inflammation.

Icariside II: Anticancer Potential and Molecular Targets in Solid Cancers

Icariside II, an active flavonoid, is extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Epimedii. It possesses multiple biological and pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-osteoporotic properties. In recent years, apoptosis has become the hot spot in anticancer therapies. Icariside II exerts positive effects on inducing apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation in various cancers. The antitumorigenic activity of Icariside II was also proven through cell cycle arrest, triggering autophagy, reducing cellular metabolism, and inhibiting cancer metastasis and tumor-associated angiogenesis. Additionally, Icariside II, as a natural product, contributed to a synergistic effect alongside chemotherapeutic drugs. Due to its poor aqueous solubility and permeability, more strategies were developed to improve its therapeutic effects. This review aimed to summarize the chemopreventive properties of Icariside II in solid tumors and reveal its underlying molecular mechanisms.

Asparanin A inhibits cell migration and invasion in human endometrial cancer via Ras/ERK/MAPK pathway

Asparanin A (AA), a natural compound present in vegetables and medicinal herbs like Asparagus officinalis L., has been investigated extensively for its pharmacological attributes. So far, the effect of AA on endometrial cancer (EC) cell migration and invasion has not been explored. Herein, we elucidated the anti-metastasis mechanism of AA on Ishikawa cells based on miRNA-seq and mRNA-seq integrated analyses. AA treatment led to altered miRNAs expression in Ishikawa cells and inhibited the cell wound healing, cell migration and invasion. Gene Ontology and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that the target genes of different expression miRNAs were significantly enriched in Ras, Rap1 and MAPK signaling pathways. Further verification of these changes via qRT-PCR and Western blot assays in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that AA could suppress human EC cell migration and invasion through Ras/ERK/MAPK pathway. Furthermore, top two miRNAs (miR-6236-p5 and miR-12136_R+8) and top three target genes (KITLG, PDGFD, and NRAS) were identified as functional hub miRNAs and genes through miRNA-target gene network analysis. Our data presented a holistic approach to comprehend the anti-metastatic role of AA in EC after in vitro and in vivo analyses.

Selective inhibition of CDK4/6: A safe and effective strategy for developing anticancer drugs

The sustained cell proliferation resulting from dysregulation of the cell cycle and activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) is a hallmark of cancer. The inhibition of CDKs is a highly promising and attractive strategy for the development of anticancer drugs. In particular, third-generation CDK inhibitors can selectively inhibit CDK4/6 and regulate the cell cycle by suppressing the G1 to S phase transition, exhibiting a perfect balance between anticancer efficacy and general toxicity. To date, three selective CDK4/6 inhibitors have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and 15 CDK4/6 inhibitors are in clinical trials for the treatment of cancers. In this perspective, we discuss the crucial roles of CDK4/6 in regulating the cell cycle and cancer cells, analyze the rationale for selectively inhibiting CDK4/6 for cancer treatment, review the latest advances in highly selective CDK4/6 inhibitors with different chemical scaffolds, explain the mechanisms associated with CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance and describe solutions to overcome this issue, and briefly introduce proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC), a new and revolutionary technique used to degrade CDK4/6.

Multi-omics reveals the anticancer mechanism of asparagus saponin-asparanin A on endometrial cancer Ishikawa cells

Multi-omics reveals that AA not only induced apoptosis, but also triggered autophagy in Ishikawa cells through ER stress and DNA damage-related pathways.

Dioscin inhibits human endometrial carcinoma proliferation via G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial-dependent signaling pathway

The present study emphasized on the anti-cancerous effects of dioscin and its underlying molecular mechanism in human endometrial cancer Ishikawa cells. Dioscin significantly suppressed the proliferation of Ishikawa cells at IC₅₀ of 2.37 μM. Besides, dioscin could inhibit the proliferation of Ishikawa cells by blocking the G0/G1 cell cycle through up-regulation of p16, p21, and p27 and down-regulation of cycle-cellular protein (Cyclin A/D/E) and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK2/4/6). Also, it promoted apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway, including the regulation of Bcl family proteins, the increase of ROS levels, the activation of caspases (Caspase 9/3), and the decrease of mitochondrial membrane permeability. Whereas dioscin also effectively activated the marker genes and proteins (Fas, TNF-R1, and Caspase 8) related to the death receptor-mediated pathway which confirmed the involvement of both the pathways for dioscin-induced apoptosis. The current results demonstrated that dioscin possessed potential health benefits with respect to endometrial cancer prevention and treatment.

Eldecalcitol induces apoptosis and autophagy in human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells by accumulating ROS to suppress the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Eldecalcitol (ED-71) is a new type of vitamin D analog, and vitamin D has been reported to have therapeutic effects in infectious disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer. However, the anti-cancer effect of ED-71 remains unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the anti-cancer effect of ED-71 in human osteosarcoma cells and to identify the related mechanism. The CCK8 assay results showed that ED-71 inhibited MG-63 cell viability in dose and time dependent manners. Cloning and Transwell invasion assays showed that ED-71 inhibited clonal and invasion ability of MG-63 cells. Flow cytometry results showed ED-71 the G2/M cycle arrest rate, apoptosis, and intracellular ROS. Western blot was used to detect cleaved-caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, LC3-II/LC3-I, and P62 levels and the mTOR pathway. The increase of LC3-II and P62 indicated that ED-71 induced the formation of autophagosomes and inhibited autophagy flux. Furthermore, ED-71-induced apoptosis was weakened after adding 3-methyladenine and ED-71-induced early autophagy was weakened by caspase-3 inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK), which indicated the two processes active each other in the presence of ED-71. Furthermore, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) pretreatment reversed the ED-71-treatment outcomes, including increased apoptosis and autophagy and inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. In conclusion, our results reveal that ED-71 induced G2/M arrest, apoptosis and autophagy in MG-63 cells by accumulating ROS to suppress the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Apigenin 7-O-glucoside promotes cell apoptosis through the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibits cell migration in cervical cancer HeLa cells

Epidemiologic evidence promote the inclusion of flavones in diet due to their inhibitory effects on certain types of cancers, particularly in women. Among the naturally occurring plant flavonoids, Apigenin 7-O-glucoside (AGL) is endowed with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer activities. However, its mechanism of action on cervical cancer, the fourth largest cancer in women, has not yet been clarified. In the current study, we have determined the effect of AGL on human cervical cancer cells and studied its molecular mechanism against cervical cancer. The results showed that AGL inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells (IC₅₀ was 47.26 μM at 48 h) by inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, AGL treatment caused G0/G1 phase arrest, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and upgraded intracellular ROS production. AGL could promote the release of cytochrome c by regulating Bcl-2 family proteins, and then activated caspase 9/3 to promote cell apoptosis. Moreover, AGL treatment promoted the expression of p16 INK4A, while inhibited the expression of Cyclin A/D/E and CDK2/6. At the same time in HeLa cells treated with AGL, the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner, and cell migration was also impeded correspondingly through the matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9. Our study may provide a new research direction for harnessing the novel natural compounds in cervical cancer treatment.

Verteporfin Promotes the Apoptosis and Inhibits the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Cervical Cancer Cells by Downregulating SULT2B1 Expression

Background

Cervical cancer threatens women’s health worldwide. Verteporfin (VP), a small-molecule YAP1 inhibitor, inhibits cancer cell growth. This study investigated whether VP could inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by decreasing SULT2B1 expression.

Material/Methods

Normal and cancerous cervical cell proliferation after VP treatment was detected by CCK-8 assay. HeLa cell migration, invasion, and apoptosis after VP treatment and transfection were analyzed by wound healing assay, transwell assay, and TUNEL assay, respectively. The expression of related proteins was determined by western blot analysis. Western blot and RT-qPCR analysis detected mRNA and protein expression of SULT2B1.

Results

Different VP concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, and 5 μM) inhibited the viability of HeLa cells and had no obvious effect on H8 cells. Therefore, 5 μM VP was selected for subsequent experiments. VP inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HeLa cells and promoted their apoptosis. Bcl-2 expression decreased, and expression of Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 in VP-treated HeLa cells increased. SULT2B1 expression increased in cervical cancer cells compared with normal cervical cells. Furthermore, SULT2B1 expression increased in HeLa cells and VP suppressed SULT2B1 expression. SULT2B1 overexpression reduced the inhibiting effect of VP on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of HeLa cells, and reduced VP effect on apoptosis of HeLa cells. SULT2B1 overexpression upregulated the Bcl-2 expression and downregulated the expression of Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 in VP-treated HeLa cells.

Conclusions

VP inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by decreasing SULT2B1 expression.

Hsa_circ_0084927 Regulates Cervical Cancer Advancement via Regulation of the miR-634/TPD52 Axis

Background

Cervical cancer (CC) is a common gynecological tumor that affects women’s health. Circular RNA hsa_circ_0084927 (hsa_circ_0084927) has been reported to be upregulated in CC. However, the role and regulatory mechanism of hsa_circ_0084927 in CC are unclear.

Methods

Expression of hsa_circ_0084927, microRNA (miR)-634, and tumor protein D52 (TPD52) mRNA in CC tissues and cells was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of CC cells were determined with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), plate clone, flow cytometry, or transwell assays. The levels of cyclin D1, cleaved-caspase-3 (c-caspase 3), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and TPD52 protein were evaluated with Western blotting. The targeting relationship between hsa_circ_0084927 or TPD52 and miR-634 was verified via dual-luciferase reporter and/or RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Xenograft assay was conducted to confirm the role of hsa_circ_0084927 in vivo.

Results

Hsa_circ_0084927 and TPD52 were upregulated while miR-634 was downregulated in CC tissues and cells. Hsa_circ_0084927 silencing reduced tumor growth in vivo and induced cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and curbed proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of CC cells in vitro. Hsa_circ_0084927 regulated TPD52 expression through sponging miR-634. MiR-634 inhibitor reversed hsa_circ_0084927 knockdown-mediated impact on the malignancy of CC cells. TPD52 elevation abolished the repressive influence of miR-634 mimics on the malignancy of CC cells.

Conclusion

Hsa_circ_0084927 accelerated CC advancement via upregulating TPD52 via sponging miR-634, offering a new evidence to support hsa_circ_0084927 as a promising target for CC treatment.

MicroRNA-155 Participates in the Expression of LSD1 and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Rheumatoid Synovial Cells

MicroRNA-155 (miRNA-155) is abundant in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) has been found that it can ameliorate the severity of RA. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 are key proinflammatory cytokines implicated in the pathogenesis of RA. In our study, we investigated whether miRNA-155 participates in the expression of LSD1 and proinflammatory cytokines in rheumatoid synovial cells. First of all, flow cytometry and cell counting kit-8 analysis were employed to explore the apoptosis and proliferation of FLS, respectively. Subsequently, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was applied to probe into the level of miRNA-155 in FLS when stimulated by miRNA-155 molecules. Moreover, RT-qPCR was used to explore the relative LSD1 miRNA expression in FLS when stimulated by miRNA-155 molecules, and Western blot and immunofluorescence assay were applied to probe into the expression level of LSD1. Finally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to analyze the secreting level of proinflammatory cytokines in FLS when stimulated by miRNA-155 molecules. RA-FLS showed a higher apoptosis rate than normal FLS. The cell proliferation of both HFLS and MH7A cells was promoted by miRNA-155 upregulation. Meanwhile, the expression of LSD1 and proinflammatory cytokines in the FLS of RA was also changed by miRNA-155 regulation. In conclusion, miRNA-155 participates in the expression of LSD1 and proinflammatory cytokines in rheumatoid synovial cells. These findings imply a potential function and interaction of miRNA-155 and LSD1.

Periplocin induces apoptosis and inhibits inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes via nuclear factor kappa B pathway

Apoptotic resistance and excessive proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLSs) stimulated by inflammation could lead to distal joint destruction and bone damage. Periplocin could promote apoptosis, resist proliferation, and reduce inflammation. However, the effect and mechanism toward periplocin in proliferation and inflammation of RA-FLSs remain unclear. The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induced proliferation and expression of inflammatory cytokines in RA-FLSs was established. Our studies noted that cell viability of TNF-α-induced RA-FLSs was inhibited in periplocin treatment via dose-response, whereas cell apoptosis of RA-FLSs was triggered by dose-dependent effect of periplocin. Bcl-2 protein, one of the apoptotic regulators, was downregulated, while other regulators of apoptosis, including BAX, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-9, were upregulated in RA-FLSs under periplocin treatment. In addition, periplocin decreased the TNF-α-induced mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in RA-FLSs in a dose-dependent way. Finally, the increased levels of phospho (p)-inhibitor of kappa B (IκBα)/IκBα and p-NF (nuclear factor)-κB/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) ratio of RA-FLSs stimulated by TNF-α were decreased by periplocin treatment. Taken together, periplocin treatment decreased cell viability and cytokines expression and promoted cell apoptosis of TNF-α-induced RA-FLSs through inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway, providing a potential therapeutic approach for RA.