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Guo J, Huang M, Hou S, Yuan J, Chang X, Gao S, Zhang Z, Wu Z, Li J. Therapeutic Potential of Terpenoids in Cancer Treatment: Targeting Mitochondrial Pathways. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024; 7:e70006. [PMID: 39234662 PMCID: PMC11375335 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.70006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent decades, natural compounds have been considered a significant source of new antitumor medicines due to their unique advantages. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have focused on the effect of terpenoids on apoptosis mediated by mitochondria in malignant cells. RECENT FINDINGS In this review article, we focused on six extensively studied terpenoids, including sesquiterpenes (dihydroartemisinin and parthenolide), diterpenes (oridonin and triptolide), and triterpenes (betulinic acid and oleanolic acid), and their efficacy in targeting mitochondria to induce cell death. Terpenoid-induced mitochondria-related cell death includes apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, autophagy, and necrosis caused by mitochondrial permeability transition. Apoptosis and autophagy interact in meaningful ways. In addition, in view of several disadvantages of terpenoids, such as low stability and bioavailability, advances in research on combination chemotherapy and chemical modification were surveyed. CONCLUSION This article deepens our understanding of the association between terpenoids and mitochondrial cell death, presenting a hypothetical basis for the use of terpenoids in anticancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxin Guo
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ming Huang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shuang Hou
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jianfeng Yuan
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaoyue Chang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shuang Gao
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhenhan Zhang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhongbing Wu
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jing Li
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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Raphela-Choma PP, Lukhwareni R, Simelane MBC, Motadi LR, Choene MS. Antitumor effect of Iso-mukaadial acetate on MCF-7 breast cancer mice xenograft model. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13744. [PMID: 38877067 PMCID: PMC11178819 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64474-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Antitumor drugs used today have shown significant efficacy and are derived from natural products such as plants. Iso-mukaadial acetate (IMA) has previously been shown to possess anticancer properties by inducing apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of IMA in the breast cancer xenograft mice model. Female athymic nude mice were used and inoculated with breast cancer cells subcutaneously. Untreated group one served as a negative control and positive control group two (cisplatin) was administered intravenously. IMA was administered orally to group three (100 mg/kg) and group four (300 mg/kg). Blood was collected (70 μL) from the tail vein on day zero, day one and day three. Tumor regression was measured every second day and body mass was recorded each day. Estimation of serum parameters for renal indices was examined using a creatinine assay. Histopathological analysis was conducted to evaluate morphological changes of liver, kidney, and spleen tissues before and after compound administration under a fluorescence light microscope. Histopathological analysis of tumors was conducted before and after compound administration. Apoptotic analysis using the TUNEL system was conducted on liver, kidney, and spleen tissues. Tumor shrinkage and reduction in body mass were observed after treatment with IMA. Serum creatinine was slightly elevated after treatment with IMA at a dosage of 100 and 300 mg/kg. Histopathological results of the liver exhibited no changes before and after IMA while the kidney and spleen tissues showed changes in the cellular structure. IMA showed no cytotoxic effect on the tumor cells, and cell proliferation was observed. Apoptotic assay stain with TUNEL showed apoptotic cells in spleen tissue and kidney but no apoptotic cells were observed in liver tissue section treated with IMA. IMA showed clinical toxic signs that resulted in the suffering and death of the mice immediately after IMA administration. Histopathology of tumor cells showed that IMA did not inhibit cell proliferation and no cellular damage was observed. Therefore, based on the results obtained, we cannot make any definitive conclusion on the complete effect of IMA in vivo. IMA is toxic, poorly soluble, and not safe to use in animal studies. The objective of the study was not achieved, and the hypothesis was rejected.
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Affiliation(s)
- P P Raphela-Choma
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Corner Kingsway and University Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa.
| | - R Lukhwareni
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Corner Kingsway and University Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
| | - M B C Simelane
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Corner Kingsway and University Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
| | - L R Motadi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Corner Kingsway and University Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
| | - M S Choene
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Corner Kingsway and University Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
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Batheja S, Gupta S, Tejavath KK, Gupta U. TPP-based conjugates: potential targeting ligands. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103983. [PMID: 38641237 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondria are one of the major sources of energy as well as regulators of cancer cell metabolism. Thus, they are potential targets for the effective treatment and management of cancer. Research has explored triphenylphosphonium (TPP) derivatives as potent cancer-targeting ligands because of their lipophilic nature and mitochondrial affinity. In this review, we summarize the utility of TPP-based conjugates targeting mitochondria in different types of cancer and other diseases, such as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disorders. Such conjugates offer versatile therapeutic potential by modulating membrane potential, influencing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and coupling of molecular modifications (such as ATP metabolism and energy metabolism). Thus, we highlight TPP conjugates as promising mitochondria-targeting agents for use in targeted drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanya Batheja
- Nanopolymeric Drug Delivery Lab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, India
| | - Shruti Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, India
| | - Kiran Kumar Tejavath
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, India; Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, BIBINAGAR, Hyderabad Metropolitan Region (HMR), Telangana 508126, India.
| | - Umesh Gupta
- Nanopolymeric Drug Delivery Lab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, India.
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da Silva Lopes FF, Luís Eloi Silva J, de Morais Pereira Eloi N, Moreira Rodrigues AL, da Silva MVF, Montes RA, Gomes Barbosa SIC, Ribeiro Alves D, Soares Frota L, de Morais SM. Chemical Characterization, Phenolic Compounds Quantification, and Assessment of Antioxidant and Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Activities of Byrsonima sericea DC fruits. Chem Biodivers 2024; 21:e202301760. [PMID: 38217459 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202301760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Byrsonima sericea is a species native to Brazil that is widely used in traditional medicine. The seed ethanol extract (SEE) had the highest content of total phenols (179.35 mg GAE g-1 extract) and flavonoids (10.42 mg QE g-1 extract) and was the most active in relation to antioxidant activity (DPPH: IC50 =4.25 μg mL-1 and ABTS: IC50 =4.82 μg mL-1 ). The peel/pulp ethanol extract (PEE) had the best anticholinesterase activity (IC50 =6.02 μg mL-1 ). Chromatographic investigation identified gallic acid, isoquercitrin, quercetin and amentoflavone in SEE, and gallic acid, isoquercitrin, quercetin and rutin in PEE. Six fatty acid methyl esters and seven triterpenes were identified, highlighting oleic acid in the seed hexane extract (61.85 %) and in the peel/pulp hexane extract (52.61 %), and betulin in the peel/pulp hexane extract (5.25 %). The substances and biological activities identified in B. sericea characterize this fruit as a functional food for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Flávio da Silva Lopes
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Ceará State University, Itaperi Campus s/N° CEP, 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Jorge Luís Eloi Silva
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Chemistry Course, Ceará State University, Itaperi Campus s/N° CEP, 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Natália de Morais Pereira Eloi
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Chemistry Course, Ceará State University, Itaperi Campus s/N° CEP, 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Ana Lívya Moreira Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Ceará State University, Itaperi Campus s/N° CEP, 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinicius Ferreira da Silva
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Chemistry Course, Ceará State University, Itaperi Campus s/N° CEP, 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Renato Almeida Montes
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Chemistry Course, Ceará State University, Itaperi Campus s/N° CEP, 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Sara Ingrid Caetano Gomes Barbosa
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Chemistry Course, Ceará State University, Itaperi Campus s/N° CEP, 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Daniela Ribeiro Alves
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Postgraduate Program in Natural Sciences, Ceará State University, Itaperi Campus s/N° CEP, 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Lucas Soares Frota
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Postgraduate Program in Natural Sciences, Ceará State University, Itaperi Campus s/N° CEP, 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Selene Maia de Morais
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Ceará State University, Itaperi Campus s/N° CEP, 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Chemistry Course, Ceará State University, Itaperi Campus s/N° CEP, 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Postgraduate Program in Natural Sciences, Ceará State University, Itaperi Campus s/N° CEP, 60714-903, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
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Fernandes S, Vieira M, Prudêncio C, Ferraz R. Betulinic Acid for Glioblastoma Treatment: Reality, Challenges and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2108. [PMID: 38396785 PMCID: PMC10889789 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid is a naturally occurring compound that can be obtained through methanolic or ethanolic extraction from plant sources, as well as through chemical synthesis or microbial biotransformation. Betulinic acid has been investigated for its potential therapeutic properties, and exhibits anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimalarial, and antioxidant activities. Notably, its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier addresses a significant challenge in treating neurological pathologies. This review aims to compile information about the impact of betulinic acid as an antitumor agent, particularly in the context of glioblastoma. Importantly, betulinic acid demonstrates selective antitumor activity against glioblastoma cells by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis, consistent with observations in other cancer types. Compelling evidence published highlights the acid's therapeutic action in suppressing the Akt/NFκB-p65 signaling cascade and enhancing the cytotoxic effects of the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide. Interesting findings with betulinic acid also suggest a focus on researching the reduction of glioblastoma's invasiveness and aggressiveness profile. This involves modulation of extracellular matrix components, remodeling of the cytoskeleton, and secretion of proteolytic proteins. Drawing from a comprehensive review, we conclude that betulinic acid formulations as nanoparticles and/or ionic liquids are promising drug delivery approaches with the potential for translation into clinical applications for the treatment and management of glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia Fernandes
- Center for Translational Health and Medical Biotechnology Research (TBIO), School of Health (ESS), Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (S.F.); (C.P.)
- Center for Research on Health and Environment (CISA), School of Health (ESS), Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Vieira
- Center for Translational Health and Medical Biotechnology Research (TBIO), School of Health (ESS), Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (S.F.); (C.P.)
| | - Cristina Prudêncio
- Center for Translational Health and Medical Biotechnology Research (TBIO), School of Health (ESS), Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (S.F.); (C.P.)
- Ciências Químicas e das Biomoléculas, School of Health (ESS), Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Ferraz
- Center for Translational Health and Medical Biotechnology Research (TBIO), School of Health (ESS), Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (S.F.); (C.P.)
- Ciências Químicas e das Biomoléculas, School of Health (ESS), Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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Wang Y, Wang T, Liu W, Luo G, Lu G, Zhang Y, Wang H. Anticancer effects of solasonine: Evidence and possible mechanisms. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116146. [PMID: 38198952 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine's active ingredients in anti-tumor effects have attracted widespread attention worldwide. Solasonine is the main anti-tumor component of the traditional Chinese medicine Solanum nigrum L, which can inhibit tumor cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, induce ferroptosis in tumor cells, and inhibit of tumor cell metastasis, thereby inhibiting tumor progression. Therefore, we summarized anti-tumor mechanisms and targets of solasonine to provide new ideas and theoretical basis for its further development and application.
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Affiliation(s)
- YingZheng Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province 250355, China
| | - Tong Wang
- School of Nursing, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China
| | - WeiDong Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province 250355, China
| | - GuangZhi Luo
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province 250355, China
| | - GuangYing Lu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province 250355, China
| | - YaNan Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province 250355, China.
| | - HuaXin Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province 250355, China.
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Wang S, Zhang Y, Yang X, Wang K, Yang X, Zhang B, Zhang B, Bie Q. Betulinic acid arrests cell cycle at G2/M phase by up-regulating metallothionein 1G inhibiting proliferation of colon cancer cells. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23833. [PMID: 38261922 PMCID: PMC10797151 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA) is a pentacyclic triterpene found in many plant species and has a broad-spectrum anti-tumor effect in various cancers, including colon cancer (CRC). However, its anticancer mechanism in CRC is no clear. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis showed BA up-regulated 378 genes and down-regulated 137 genes in HT29 cells, while 2303 up-regulated and 1041 down-regulated genes were found in SW480 cells. KEGG enrichment analysis showed BA significantly stimulated the expression of metallothionein 1 (MT1) family genes in both HT29 and SW480 cells. Metallothionein 1G (MT1G) was the gene with the highest upregulation of MT1 family genes induced by BA dose-dependently. High MT1G expression enhanced the sensitivity of CRC cells to BA, whereas, MT1G knockdown had the opposite effect in vitro and in vivo. GSEA and GSCA showed genes affected by BA treatment were involved in cell cycle and G2/M checkpoint in CRC. Flow cytometry further exhibited BA reduced the percentage of G0/G1 cells and increased the percentage of G2/M cells in a dose-dependent manner, which could be rescued by MT1G knockdown. Moreover, MT1G also counteracted the BA-induced changes in cell cycle-related proteins (CDK2 and CDK4) and p-Rb. In summary, we have revealed a new anti-tumor mechanism that BA altered the cell cycle progression of CRC cells by upregulating MT1G gene, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of CRC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
- Postdoctoral Mobile Station of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuqin Zhang
- Blood Transfusion Department, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaxia Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Kexin Wang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Baogui Zhang
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Qingli Bie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
- Postdoctoral Mobile Station of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Raphela-Choma P, Motadi L, Simelane M, Choene M. Anticancer Activity of Iso-Mukaadial Acetate on Pancreatic and Colon Cancer Cells. Rep Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 12:586-595. [PMID: 39086588 PMCID: PMC11288242 DOI: 10.61186/rbmb.12.4.586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Background Pancreatic cancer and colon cancer pose significant challenges in treatment, with poor prognoses. Natural products have long been explored for their potential as anticancer agents. Iso-mukaadial acetate has shown promise in inducing apoptosis in breast and ovarian cancer cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Iso-mukaadial acetate on pancreatic (MIA-PACA2) and colon (HT29) cancer cell lines. Methods Pancreatic (MIA-PACA2) cancer cells, colon (HT29) cancer cells, normal embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293), and normal lung cells (MRC5) were cultured and treated with Iso-mukaadial acetate (IMA) for 24 hours. The viability assays were conducted using Alamarblue reagent and a real-time cell viability monitoring system, xCELLigence. The IC50 values were determined, followed by assessments of ATP production, caspase 3/7 activation, mitochondrial function, morphological changes using a light microscope, and gene expression changes via RT-PCR. Results This study indicates that Iso-mukaadial acetate exhibited concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects, slowing cellular proliferation in both cancer cell lines. Activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and caspase 3/7 suggests induction of apoptosis. Reduced ATP production and altered gene expression further support its anticancer properties. Morphological changes after treatment with Iso-mukaadial acetate showed apoptotic characteristics which may suggest that apoptosis was induced. Conclusions According to the results obtained, Iso-mukaadial acetate shows potential as an anticancer agent, evidenced by its effects on cellular viability, mitochondrial function, ATP production, caspase activation, and gene expression in pancreatic and colon cancer cells. These findings highlight its promise for further investigation and potential in the development of therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Portia Raphela-Choma
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Corner Kingsway and University Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa.
| | - Lesetja Motadi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Corner Kingsway and University Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa.
| | - Mthokosizi Simelane
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Corner Kingsway and University Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa.
| | - Mpho Choene
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Corner Kingsway and University Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa.
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Deshmukh R, Prajapati M, Harwansh RK. Management of Colorectal Cancer Using Nanocarriers-based Drug Delivery for Herbal Bioactives: Current and Emerging Approaches. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2024; 25:599-622. [PMID: 38807329 DOI: 10.2174/0113892010242028231002075512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex and multifactorial disorder in middle-aged people. Several modern medicines are available for treating and preventing it. However, their therapeutic uses are limited due to drawbacks, such as gastric perforation, diarrhea, intestinal bleeding, abdominal cramps, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and adverse reactions. Hence, there is a continuous quest for safe and effective medicines to manage human health problems, like CRC. In this context, herbal medicines are considered an alternative disease control system. It has become popular in countries, like American, European, and Asian, due to its safety and effectiveness, which has been practiced for 1000 years. During the last few decades, herbal medicines have been widely explored through multidisciplinary fields for getting active compounds against human diseases. Several herbal bioactives, like curcumin, glycyrrhizin, paclitaxel, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, catechin, berberine, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, chrysin, resveratrol, quercetin, etc., have been found to be effective against CRC. However, their pharmacological applications are limited due to low bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy apart from their several health benefits. An effective delivery system is required to increase their bioavailability and efficacy. Therefore, targeted novel drug delivery approaches are promising for improving these substances' solubility, bioavailability, and therapeutic effects. Novel carrier systems, such as liposomes, nanoparticles, micelles, microspheres, dendrimers, microbeads, and hydrogels, are promising for delivering poorly soluble drugs to the target site, i.e., the colon. Thus, the present review is focused on the pathophysiology, molecular pathways, and diagnostic and treatment approaches for CRC. Moreover, an emphasis has been laid especially on herbal bioactive-based novel delivery systems and their clinical updates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohitas Deshmukh
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, India
| | - Mahendra Prajapati
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, India
| | - Ranjit K Harwansh
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, India
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Zhang P, Liu W, Wang Y. The mechanisms of tanshinone in the treatment of tumors. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1282203. [PMID: 37964867 PMCID: PMC10642231 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1282203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tanshinone is a lipophilic compound that is present in traditional Chinese medicine and is derived from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen). It has been proven to be highly effective in combating tumors in various parts of the body, including liver carcinoma, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, cervix carcinoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer. Tanshinone can efficiently prevent the reproduction of cancerous cells, induce cell death, and inhibit the spread of cancerous cells, which are mainly involved in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, NF-κB pathway, Bcl-2 family, Caspase cascades, MicroRNA, MAPK signaling pathway, p21, STAT3 pathway, miR30b-P53-PTPN11/SHP2 axis, β-catenin, and Skp2. However, the properties and mechanisms of tanshinone's anti-tumor effects remain unclear currently. Thus, this study aims to review the research progress on tumor prevention and mechanisms of tanshinone to gain new perspectives for further development and clinical application of tanshinone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyu Zhang
- The Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Wendi Liu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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11
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Wang Y, Wang T, Wang H, Liu W, Li X, Wang X, Zhang Y. A mechanistic updated overview on Cepharanthine as potential anticancer agent. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115107. [PMID: 37423171 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The antitumor effects of traditional drugs have received increasing attention and active antitumor components extracted from traditional drugs have shown good efficacy with minimal adverse events. Cepharanthine(CEP for short) is an active component derived from the Stephania plants of Menispermaceae, which can regulate multiple signaling pathways alone or in combination with other therapeutic drugs to inhibit tumor cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, regulate autophagy, and inhibit angiogenesis, thereby inhibiting tumor progression. Therefore, we retrieved studies concerning CEP's antitumor effects in recent years and summarized the antitumor mechanism and targets, in order to gain new insights and establish a theoretical basis for further development and application of CEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- YingZheng Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province 250355, China
| | - Tong Wang
- School of Nursing, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China
| | - HuaXin Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province 250355, China
| | - WeiDong Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province 250355, China
| | - Xiao Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province 250355, China
| | - XiaoYan Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province 250355, China
| | - YaNan Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province 250355, China.
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12
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Lu G, Wang X, Cheng M, Wang S, Ma K. The multifaceted mechanisms of ellagic acid in the treatment of tumors: State-of-the-art. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115132. [PMID: 37423169 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Ellagic acid (EA) is a kind of polyphenol compound extracted from a variety of herbs, such as paeoniae paeoniae, raspberry, Chebule, walnut kernel, myrrh, loquat leaf, pomegranate bark, quisquite, and fairy herb. It has anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutation, anti-bacterial, anti-allergic and multiple pharmacological properties. Studies have shown its anti-tumor effect in gastric cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and other malignant tumors, mainly through inducing tumor cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, inhibiting tumor cell metastasis and invasion, inducing autophagy, affecting tumor metabolic reprogramming and other forms of anti-tumor efficacy. Its molecular mechanism is mainly reflected in inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells through VEGFR-2 signaling pathway, Notch signaling pathway, PKC signaling pathway and COX-2 signaling pathway. PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, JNK (cJun) signaling pathway, mitochondrial pathway, Bcl-2 / Bax signaling pathway, TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway induced apoptosis of tumor cells and blocked EMT process and MMP SDF1α/CXCR4 signaling pathway inhibits the metastasis and invasion of tumor cells, induces autophagy and affects tumor metabolic reprogramming to produce anti-tumor effects. At present, the analysis of the anti-tumor mechanism of ellagic acid is slightly lacking, so this study comprehensively searched the literature on the anti-tumor mechanism of ellagic acid in various databases, reviewed the research progress of the anti-tumor effect and mechanism of ellagic acid, in order to provide reference and theoretical basis for the further development and application of ellagic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangying Lu
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Xuezhen Wang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Ming Cheng
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Shijun Wang
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.
| | - Ke Ma
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.
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13
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Tsepaeva OV, Salikhova TI, Ishkaeva RA, Kundina AV, Abdullin TI, Laikov AV, Tikhomirova MV, Idrisova LR, Nemtarev AV, Mironov VF. Bifunctionalized Betulinic Acid Conjugates with C-3-Monodesmoside and C-28-Triphenylphosphonium Moieties with Increased Cancer Cell Targetability. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:1939-1949. [PMID: 37497692 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
A convenient synthesis is presented for a new class of bioactive bifunctionalized conjugates of lupane-type triterpenoids with triphenylphosphonium (TPP) and glycopyranosyl targeting moieties. The main synthesis steps include glycosylation of haloalkyl esters of the triterpene acid at the C-3 position by the imidate derivatives of glycopyranose followed by the product modification at the C-28 position with triphenylphosphine. The conjugates of betulinic acid (BetA) with TPP and d-glucose, l-rhamnose, or d-mannose moieties were thus synthesized as potential next-generation BetA-derived anticancer compounds. LC-MS/MS analysis in glucose-free physiological solution indicated that the glycosides showed better accumulation in PC-3 prostate cancer cells than both BetA and TPP-BetA conjugate, while the transporting effect of monosaccharide residues increased as follows: d-mannose < l-rhamnose ≈ d-glucose. At saturated concentrations, the glycosides caused a disturbing effect on mitochondria with a more drastic drop in transmembrane potential but weaker overproduction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to TPP-BetA conjugate. Cytotoxicity of the glycosides in culture medium was comparable with or higher than that of the nonglycosylated conjugate, depending on the cancer cell line, whereas the compounds were less active toward primary fibroblasts. Glycosylation tended to increase pro-apoptotic and decrease pro-autophagic activities of the BetA derivatives. Cytotoxicity of the synthesized glycosides was considered in comparison with the summarized data on the natural and modified BetA glycosides. The results obtained are important for the development of bifunctionalized conjugates of triterpenoids with an increased cancer cell targetability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V Tsepaeva
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, 8 Arbuzov Street, 420088 Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - Taliya I Salikhova
- Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 18 Kremlevskaya Street, 420008 Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - Rezeda A Ishkaeva
- Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 18 Kremlevskaya Street, 420008 Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - Alexandra V Kundina
- Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 18 Kremlevskaya Street, 420008 Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - Timur I Abdullin
- Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 18 Kremlevskaya Street, 420008 Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander V Laikov
- Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 18 Kremlevskaya Street, 420008 Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - Mariya V Tikhomirova
- Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 18 Kremlevskaya Street, 420008 Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - Leysan R Idrisova
- Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 18 Kremlevskaya Street, 420008 Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - Andrey V Nemtarev
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, 8 Arbuzov Street, 420088 Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir F Mironov
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, 8 Arbuzov Street, 420088 Kazan, Russian Federation
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14
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Bao X, Hu J, Zhao Y, Jia R, Zhang H, Xia L. Advances on the anti-tumor mechanisms of the carotenoid Crocin. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15535. [PMID: 37404473 PMCID: PMC10315134 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Saffron is located in the upper part of the crocus stigma of iridaceae, which has a long history of medicinal use. Crocin (molecular formula C44H64O24) is a natural floral glycoside ester compound extracted from saffron, which is a type carotenoid. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that crocin has multiple therapeutic effects including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-stone effects. In recent years, crocin has been widely noticed due to its considerable anti-tumor effects manifested by the induction of tumor cell apoptosis, inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, inhibition of tumor cell invasion and metastasis, enhancement of chemotherapy sensitivity and improvement of immune status. The anti-tumor effects have been shown in various malignant tumors such as gastric cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. In this review, we compiled recent studies on the anti-tumor effects of crocin and summarized its anti-tumor mechanism for developing ideas of treating malignancies and exploring anti-tumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxun Bao
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jinhua Hu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- The Third Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, China
| | - Ruixue Jia
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | | | - Lei Xia
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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15
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Zeng A, Yu X, Chen B, Hao L, Chen P, Chen X, Tian Y, Zeng J, Hua H, Dai Y, Zhao J. Tetrahydrocurcumin regulates the tumor immune microenvironment to inhibit breast cancer proliferation and metastasis via the CYP1A1/NF-κB signaling pathway. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:12. [PMID: 36707875 PMCID: PMC9881278 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02850-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The NF-κB signaling pathway is overactivated in tumor cells, and the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway releases a large number of inflammatory factors, which enhance tumor immunosuppression and promote tumor metastasis. The cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system consists of important metabolic enzymes present in different tissues and progressive tumors, which may lead to changes in the pharmacological action of drugs in inflammatory diseases such as tumors. In this study, the anticancer effect of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), an active metabolite of curcumin, on breast cancer cells and the underlying mechanism were investigated. Result showed that THC selectively inhibited proliferation and triggered apoptosis in breast cancer cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, THC-induced cell apoptosis via a mitochondria-mediated pathway, as indicated by the upregulated ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction. In addition, THC could affect the CYP450 enzyme metabolic pathway and inhibit the expression of CYP1A1 and activation of the NF-κB pathway, thereby inhibiting the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, after overexpression of CYP1A1, the inhibitory effects of THC on the proliferation, metastasis, and induction of apoptosis in breast cancer cells were weakened. The knockdown of CYP1A1 significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of THC on the proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis induction of breast cancer cells. Notably, THC exhibited a significant tumor growth inhibition and anti-pulmonary metastasis effect in a tumor mouse model of MCF-7 and 4T1 cells by regulating the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Collectively, these results showed that TH could effectively trigger apoptosis and inhibit the migration of breast cancer cells via the CYP1A1/NF-κB signaling pathway, indicating that THC serves as a potential candidate drug for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Zeng
- grid.496711.cSichuan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China ,Sichuan Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China ,grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Xinyue Yu
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Bao Chen
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 Sichuan China
| | - Lu Hao
- Sichuan Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Ping Chen
- grid.496711.cSichuan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China ,Sichuan Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Xue Chen
- grid.496711.cSichuan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China ,Sichuan Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Yuan Tian
- grid.496711.cSichuan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China ,Sichuan Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Jing Zeng
- grid.496711.cSichuan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China ,Sichuan Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Hua Hua
- grid.496711.cSichuan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China ,Sichuan Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Ying Dai
- grid.496711.cSichuan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China ,Sichuan Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Junning Zhao
- grid.496711.cSichuan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China ,Sichuan Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China ,grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
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16
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Mioc M, Mioc A, Racoviceanu R, Ghiulai R, Prodea A, Milan A, Barbu Tudoran L, Oprean C, Ivan V, Șoica C. The Antimelanoma Biological Assessment of Triterpenic Acid Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles. Molecules 2023; 28:421. [PMID: 36615613 PMCID: PMC9823439 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
One of several promising strategies for increasing the bioavailability and therapeutic potential of high-lipophilic biologically active compounds is gold nanoparticle formulation. The current study describes the synthesis and biological antimelanoma evaluation of three triterpen-functionalized gold nanoparticles, obtained using our previously reported antimelanoma benzotriazole-triterpenic acid esters. Functionalized gold nanoparticle (GNP) formation was validated through UV-VIS and FTIR spectroscopy. The conjugate's cytotoxic effects were investigated using HaCaT healthy keratinocytes and A375 human melanoma cells. On A375 cells, all three conjugates demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxic activity, but no significant cytotoxic effects were observed on normal HaCaT keratinocytes. GNP-conjugates were found to be more cytotoxic than their parent compounds. After treatment with all three GNP-conjugates, 4,6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining revealed morphological changes consistent with apoptosis in A375 melanoma cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis revealed that the triterpene-GNP conjugate treated A375 melanoma cells had a fold change increase in Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) expression and a fold change decrease in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression. In A735 melanoma cells, high-resolution respirometry studies revealed that all three GNP-conjugates act as selective inhibitors of mitochondrial function. Furthermore, by examining the effect on each mitochondrial respiratory rate, the results indicate that all three conjugates are capable of increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), an apoptosis trigger in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Mioc
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alexandra Mioc
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Roxana Racoviceanu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Roxana Ghiulai
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Pharmacology-Pharmacotherapy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alexandra Prodea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Andreea Milan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Lucian Barbu Tudoran
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory “Prof. C. Craciun”, Faculty of Biology & Geology, “Babes-Bolyai” University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Electron Microscopy Integrated Laboratory, National Institute for R & D of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Camelia Oprean
- Department of Chemistry and Toxicology, OncoGen Centre, County Hospital ‘Pius Branzeu’, Blvd. Liviu Rebreanu 156, 300736 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Drug Analysis, Food and Environmental Chemistry, Legislation, Management and Pharmaceutical Marketing, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Viviana Ivan
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Codruța Șoica
- Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Pharmacology-Pharmacotherapy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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17
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Liao W, Zhang L, Chen X, Xiang J, Zheng Q, Chen N, Zhao M, Zhang G, Xiao X, Zhou G, Zeng J, Tang J. Targeting cancer stem cells and signalling pathways through phytochemicals: A promising approach against colorectal cancer. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 108:154524. [PMID: 36375238 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are strongly associated with high tumourigenicity, chemotherapy or radiotherapy resistance, and metastasis and recurrence, particularly in colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, targeting CSCs may be a promising approach. Recently, discovery and research on phytochemicals that effectively target colorectal CSCs have been gaining popularity because of their broad safety profile and multi-target and multi-pathway modes of action. PURPOSE This review aimed to elucidate and summarise the effects and mechanisms of phytochemicals with potential anti-CSC agents that could contribute to the better management of CRC. METHODS We reviewed PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid, ScienceDirect and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases from the original publication date to March 2022 to review the mechanisms by which phytochemicals inhibit CRC progression by targeting CSCs and their key signalling pathways. Phytochemicals were classified and summarised based on the mechanisms of action. RESULTS We observed that phytochemicals could affect the biological properties of colorectal CSCs. Phytochemicals significantly inhibit self-renewal, migration, invasion, colony formation, and chemoresistance and induce apoptosis and differentiation of CSCs by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway (e.g., diallyl trisulfide and genistein), the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway (e.g., caffeic acid and piperlongumine), the neurogenic locus notch homolog protein pathway (e.g., honokiol, quercetin, and α-mangostin), the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway (e.g., curcumin, morin, and ursolic acid), and other key signalling pathways. It is worth noting that several phytochemicals, such as resveratrol, silibinin, evodiamine, and thymoquinone, highlight multi-target and multi-pathway effects in restraining the malignant biological behaviour of CSCs. CONCLUSIONS This review demonstrates the potential of targeted therapies for colorectal CSCs using phytochemicals. Phytochemicals could serve as novel therapeutic agents for CRC and aid in drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Liao
- Department of Oncology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Lanlan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Basis of Xinjiang Indigenous Medicinal Plants Resource Utilization, Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry in Arid Regions, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xian Chen
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Juyi Xiang
- Center for drug evaluation, National Medical Products Administration, Beijing 100022, China
| | - Qiao Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Nianzhi Chen
- Department of Oncology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Maoyuan Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Gang Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Xiaolin Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Gang Zhou
- Center for drug evaluation, National Medical Products Administration, Beijing 100022, China.
| | - Jinhao Zeng
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China; Department of Geriatrics, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China.
| | - Jianyuan Tang
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China.
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18
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Farooqi AA, Turgambayeva A, Tashenova G, Tulebayeva A, Bazarbayeva A, Kapanova G, Abzaliyeva S. Multifunctional Roles of Betulinic Acid in Cancer Chemoprevention: Spotlight on JAK/STAT, VEGF, EGF/EGFR, TRAIL/TRAIL-R, AKT/mTOR and Non-Coding RNAs in the Inhibition of Carcinogenesis and Metastasis. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 28:molecules28010067. [PMID: 36615262 PMCID: PMC9822120 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The pursual of novel anticancer molecules from natural sources has gained worthwhile appreciation, and a significant fraction of conceptual knowledge has revolutionized our understanding about heterogeneous nature of cancer. Betulinic acid has fascinated interdisciplinary researchers due to its tremendous pharmacological properties. Ground-breaking discoveries have unraveled previously unprecedented empirical proof-of-concept about momentous chemopreventive role of betulinic acid against carcinogenesis and metastasis. Deregulation of cell signaling pathways has been reported to play a linchpin role in cancer progression and colonization of metastatically competent cancer cells to the distant organs for the development of secondary tumors. Importantly, betulinic acid has demonstrated unique properties to mechanistically modulate oncogenic transduction cascades. In this mini-review, we have attempted to provide a sophisticated compendium of regulatory role of betulinic acid in cancer chemoprevention. We have partitioned this multi-component review into different sections in which we summarized landmark research-works which highlighted betulinic acid mediated regulation of JAK/STAT, VEGF, EGF/EGFR, TRAIL/TRAIL-R, AKT/mTOR and ubiquitination pathways in the inhibition of cancer. In parallel, betulinic acid mediated regulation of signaling cascades and non-coding RNAs will be critically analyzed in cell culture and animal model studies. Better comprehension of the pharmaceutical features of betulinic acid and mapping of the existing knowledge gaps will be valuable in the translatability of preclinical studies into rationally designed clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammad Ahmad Farooqi
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), Islamabad 54000, Pakistan
- Correspondence:
| | - Assiya Turgambayeva
- Department of Public Health and Management, NJSC “Astana Medical University”, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Gulnara Tashenova
- Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
- Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | - Aigul Tulebayeva
- Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
- Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | - Aigul Bazarbayeva
- Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | - Gulnara Kapanova
- Scientific Center of Anti-Infectious Drugs, 75 al-Faraby Ave, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
- Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 al-Farabi Ave, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
| | - Symbat Abzaliyeva
- Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 al-Farabi Ave, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
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19
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Pan X, Hou X, Zhang F, Tang P, Wan W, Su Z, Yang Y, Wei W, Du Z, Deng J, Hao E. Gnetum montanum extract induces apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of AKT in SW480 human colon cancer cells. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2022; 60:915-930. [PMID: 35587342 PMCID: PMC9122364 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2063340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Gnetum montanum Markgr. (Gnetaceae) is used to treat rheumatic arthralgia and bruises in the clinic. OBJECTIVE To exam the activity and mechanism of G. montanum extract (GME) against colon cancer cells SW480. MATERIALS AND METHODS The anti-proliferative activity of GME (0-120 μg/mL) on SW480 cells was determined using MTS assay at 24, 48, and 72 h. The in vitro activity of GME (0-120 μg/mL) on SW480 cells was investigated using flow cytometry and western blotting analysis. The in vivo activity of GME was evaluated using xenograft tumour model of zebrafish and nude mice. The chemical composition of GME was detected by using HPLC-MS/MS. RESULTS The IC50 value SW480 cells viability by GME were 126.50, 78.25, and 50.77 μg/mL, respectively, for 24, 48, and 72 h. The experiments showed that apoptotic cells and G2/M phase cells increased from 20.81 to 61.53% (p < 0.01) and 25.76 to 34.93% with 120 μg/mL GME, respectively. GME also down-regulated the protein expression of P-AKT, P-GSK-3β, P-PDK1, P-c-Raf, caspase-3, and Bcl-2, and up-regulated the expression cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP, and Bax. In vivo study found that GME can significantly inhibit the growth and migration of SW480 cells in xenograft zebrafish. GME reduced the nude mice tumour weight to approximately 32.19% at 28 mg/kg/day and to 53.17% (p < 0.01) at 56 mg/kg/day. Forty-two compounds were identified from the GME. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS GME has a significant antitumor effect on colon cancer cells SW480, and it has the potential to be developed as an anticancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianglong Pan
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Sino-Canada Joint Zebrafish Lab for Chinese Herbal Drug Screening, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaotao Hou
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Sino-Canada Joint Zebrafish Lab for Chinese Herbal Drug Screening, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of TCM Formulas Theory and Transformation for Damp Diseases, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Sino-Canada Joint Zebrafish Lab for Chinese Herbal Drug Screening, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of TCM Formulas Theory and Transformation for Damp Diseases, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peiling Tang
- Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wanruo Wan
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Sino-Canada Joint Zebrafish Lab for Chinese Herbal Drug Screening, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zixia Su
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Sino-Canada Joint Zebrafish Lab for Chinese Herbal Drug Screening, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yeguo Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Sino-Canada Joint Zebrafish Lab for Chinese Herbal Drug Screening, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Wei
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Sino-Canada Joint Zebrafish Lab for Chinese Herbal Drug Screening, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of TCM Formulas Theory and Transformation for Damp Diseases, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhengcai Du
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Sino-Canada Joint Zebrafish Lab for Chinese Herbal Drug Screening, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of TCM Formulas Theory and Transformation for Damp Diseases, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiagang Deng
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Sino-Canada Joint Zebrafish Lab for Chinese Herbal Drug Screening, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of TCM Formulas Theory and Transformation for Damp Diseases, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Erwei Hao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Sino-Canada Joint Zebrafish Lab for Chinese Herbal Drug Screening, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of TCM Formulas Theory and Transformation for Damp Diseases, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
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20
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The C30-Modulation of Betulinic Acid Using 1,2,4-Triazole: A Promising Strategy for Increasing Its Antimelanoma Cytotoxic Potential. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27227807. [PMID: 36431906 PMCID: PMC9697306 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer, in all its types and manifestations, remains one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide; an important number of anticancer drugs have been developed from plants, fungi and animals, starting with natural compounds that were later derivatized in order to achieve an optimized pharmacokinetic/pharmacological profile. Betulinic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenic compound that was identified as an anticancer agent whose main advantage consists in its selective activity, which ensures the almost total lack of cytotoxic side effects. Conjugates of betulinic acid with substituted triazoles, scaffolds with significant pharmacological properties, were synthesized and tested as anticancer agents in order to achieve new therapeutic alternatives. The current paper aims to obtain a C30-1,2,4-triazole derivative of betulinic acid simultaneously acetylated at C3 whose biological activity was tested against RPMI melanoma cells. The compound revealed significant cytotoxic effects at the tested concentrations (2, 10 and 50 μΜ) by significantly decreasing the cell viability to 88.3%, 54.7% and 24.5%, respectively, as compared to the control. The compound's testing in normal HaCaT cells showed a lack of toxicity, which indicates its selective dose-dependent anticancer activity. The investigation of its underlying molecular mechanism revealed an apoptotic effect induced at the mitochondrial level, which was validated through high-resolution respirometry studies.
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21
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Pharmaco-Toxicological Assessment of the Combined Cytotoxic Effects of Digoxin and Betulinic Acid in Melanoma Cells. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12111855. [PMID: 36430989 PMCID: PMC9694166 DOI: 10.3390/life12111855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Betulinic acid, a small molecule from pentacyclic triterpenes class, has been widely studied for its antitumor activity, revealing that it induces the apoptosis of tumor cells in a selective manner. In recent years, digoxin, a cardiac glycoside found particularly in the plant species Digitalis lanata, has drawn interest for its potential antitumor properties. The present study was designed to evaluate the antimelanoma potential of betulinic acid (BA), digoxin (DG), and their association (DG + BA). In vitro assessments were performed 24 h post-treatment on two human melanoma cell lines (SK-Mel-28 and RPMI-7951). In addition, the potential irritant effects of the test samples were evaluated using the chorioallantoic membrane of hen's eggs. BA and DG exhibit a concentration-dependent cytotoxic activity, with the combination of the two having a more marked effect on the decrease in cell viability (~17% for SK-Mel-28 cells and ~23% for RPMI-7951 cells). Further, morphological changes (rounding of the cells and their separation from the plaque) and alterations in the nucleus and actin fibers (condensation of chromatin and actin fibers, formation of apoptotic bodies) were observed, indicating an apoptotic-like process. Moreover, no irritating effects were observed in ovo. As a result, DG + BA acid may have synergistic potential in the antitumor treatment of melanoma, but future studies are needed in order to clarify the biological mechanisms involved.
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22
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Structural Investigation of Betulinic Acid Plasma Metabolites by Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27217359. [PMID: 36364186 PMCID: PMC9656950 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA) has been extensively studied in recent years mainly for its antiproliferative and antitumor effect in various types of cancers. Limited data are available regarding the pharmacokinetic profile of BA, particularly its metabolic transformation in vivo. In this study, we present the screening and structural investigations by ESI Orbitrap MS in the negative ion mode and CID MS/MS of phase I and phase II metabolites detected in mouse plasma after the intraperitoneal administration of a nanoemulsion containing BA in SKH 1 female mice. Obtained results indicate that the main phase I metabolic reactions that BA undergoes are monohydroxylation, dihydroxylation, oxidation and hydrogenation, while phase II reactions involved sulfation, glucuronidation and methylation. The fragmentation pathway for BA and its plasma metabolites were elucidated by sequencing of the precursor ions by CID MS MS experiments.
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23
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Aswathy M, Vijayan A, Daimary UD, Girisa S, Radhakrishnan KV, Kunnumakkara AB. Betulinic acid: A natural promising anticancer drug, current situation, and future perspectives. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2022; 36:e23206. [PMID: 36124371 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Natural products serve as the single most productive source for the discovery of drugs and pharmaceutical leads. Among the various chemicals derived from microbes, plants, and animals, phytochemicals have emerged as potential candidates for the development of anticancer drugs due to their structural diversities, complexities, and pleiotropic effects. Herein, we discuss betulinic acid (BA), a ubiquitously distributed lupane structured pentacyclic triterpenoid, scrutinized as a promising natural agent for the prevention, suppression, and management of various human malignancies. Ease of availability, common occurrences, cell-specific cytotoxicity, and astonishing selectivity are the important factors that contribute to the development of BA as an anticancer agent. The current review delineates the mechanistic framework of BA-mediated cancer suppression through the modulation of multiple signaling pathways and also summarizes the key outcomes of BA in preclinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maniyamma Aswathy
- Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Ajesh Vijayan
- Department of Chemistry, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India
| | - Uzini D Daimary
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Sosmitha Girisa
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Kokkuvayil V Radhakrishnan
- Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam, India
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24
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Ataş MN, Ertuğrul B, İplik ES, Çakmakoğlu B, Ergen A. The inhibitory effect of betulinic acid on epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway in renal cell carcinoma. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:170. [PMID: 35972672 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01775-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Renal cancer is the most lethal urological cancer and characterized by high metastasis rate at initial diagnosis and drug resistance to current chemotherapeutics. Betulinic acid is a pentacyclic triterpene with broad biological activity that occurs naturally in variety of plants. Even though the anti-cancer efficacy of betulinic acid have been reported by many studies, the information about the pathways and the molecules which are affected by betulinic acid in renal cancer are limited. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered as the initial step of metastasis and contributes to drug resistance of cancer cells. Depending on the role of EMT in cancer progression and drug resistance, targeting EMT may represent an effective strategy in this context. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the anti-metastatic effects of betulinic acid on renal cell carcinoma cells by evaluating two EMT markers, SNAIL-1, and SDC-2. Following the treatment of betulinic acid at determined doses by WST-1 cytotoxicity assay in our previous study, SDC-2 expression level was decreased in both cell lines. Additionally, in correlation with this result, we also found a reduction in SDC-2 and SNAIL-1 protein levels which are measured by ELISA. Furthermore, the migration and invasion capacities were suppressed by betulinic acid treatment in metastatic renal adenocarcinoma ACHN cells. Taken together, our findings indicate that betulinic acid may constitute a potential treatment approach for renal cancer with further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Nur Ataş
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Barış Ertuğrul
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Elif Sinem İplik
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Health and Technology University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bedia Çakmakoğlu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Arzu Ergen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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25
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Recent Advances Regarding the Molecular Mechanisms of Triterpenic Acids: A Review (Part II). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168896. [PMID: 36012159 PMCID: PMC9408012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Triterpenic acids are a widespread class of phytocompounds which have been found to possess valuable therapeutic properties such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, lipolytic, antiviral, and antiparasitic effects. They are a subclass of triterpenes bearing a characteristic lipophilic structure that imprints unfavorable in vivo properties which subsequently limit their applications. The early investigation of the mechanism of action (MOA) of a drug candidate can provide valuable information regarding the possible side effects and drug interactions that may occur after administration. The current paper aimed to summarize the most recent (last 5 years) studies regarding the MOA of betulinic acid, boswellic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, madecassic acid, moronic acid, and pomolic acid in order to provide scientists with updated and accessible material on the topic that could contribute to the development of future studies; the paper stands as the sequel of our previously published paper regarding the MOA of triterpenic acids with therapeutic value. The recent literature published on the topic has highlighted the role of triterpenic acids in several signaling pathways including PI3/AKT/mTOR, TNF-alpha/NF-kappa B, JNK-p38, HIF-α/AMPK, and Grb2/Sos/Ras/MAPK, which trigger their various biological activities.
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26
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Tian L, Wang Y, Qing J, Zhou W, Sun L, Li R, Li Y. A review of the pharmacological activities and protective effects of Inonotus obliquus triterpenoids in kidney diseases. OPEN CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/chem-2022-0168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Kidney diseases are common health problems worldwide. Various etiologies ultimately lead to the development of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. Natural compounds from herbs or medicinal plants are widely used for therapy and prevention of various ailments, among which is Inonotus obliquus. I. obliquus is rich in triterpenoids and the main active ingredients include betulinic acid, trametenolic acid, inotodiol, and ergosterol. New evidence suggests that I. obliquus triterpenes may be an effective drug for the treatment and protection of various kidney diseases. The aim of this review is to highlight the pharmacological activities and potential role of I. obliquus triterpenes in the kidney disease treatment and protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Tian
- The Third Clinical College, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine , Taiyuan , Shanxi, 030001 , China
| | - Yi Wang
- The Third Clinical College, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine , Taiyuan , Shanxi, 030001 , China
| | - Jianbo Qing
- Department of Nephrology, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital (Fifth Hospital) of Shanxi Medical University , Taiyuan , 030001 , China
- The Fifth Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University , Taiyuan , Shanxi, 030001 , China
| | - Wenjing Zhou
- School of Medical Sciences, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine , jinzhong , 030619 , China
| | - Lin Sun
- College of Taditional Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine , jinzhong , 030619 , China
| | - Rongshan Li
- Department of Nephrology, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital (Fifth Hospital) of Shanxi Medical University ; Taiyuan , 030001 , China
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital (Fifth Hospital) of Shanxi Medical University , Taiyuan, 030012 , Shanxi , China
| | - Yafeng Li
- Department of Nephrology, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital (Fifth Hospital) of Shanxi Medical University , Taiyuan , 030001 , China
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital (Fifth Hospital) of Shanxi Medical University , Taiyuan , 030012, Shanxi , China
- Core Laboratory, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital (Fifth Hospital) of Shanxi Medical University , Taiyuan , 030001 , China
- Academy of Microbial Ecology, Shanxi Medical University , Taiyuan , 030001 , China
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27
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Bao X, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Xia L. Molecular Mechanism of β-Sitosterol and its Derivatives in Tumor Progression. Front Oncol 2022; 12:926975. [PMID: 35756648 PMCID: PMC9213880 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.926975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Sitosterol (SIT), a white powdery organic substance with a molecular formula of C29H50O, is one of the most abundant naturally occurring phytosterols in plants. With a chemical composition similar to that of cholesterol, SIT is applied in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, and chemical industries, owing to its unique biological and physicochemical properties. Modern pharmacological studies have elucidated good anti-tumor therapeutic effect activity of SIT, which mainly manifests as pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic, anti-invasive, and chemosensitizing on tumor cells. In addition, SIT exerts an anti-tumor effect on multiple malignant tumors such as breast, gastric, lung, kidney, pancreatic, prostate, and other cancers. Further, SIT derivatives with structural modifications are promising anti-tumor drugs with significant anti-tumor effects. This review article focuses on recent studies relevant to the anti-tumor effects of SIT and summarizes its anti-tumor mechanism to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of malignant tumors and the development of novel anti-tumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxun Bao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Hairong Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Lei Xia
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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28
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Wang XZ, Xia L, Zhang XY, Chen Q, Li X, Mou Y, Wang T, Zhang YN. The multifaceted mechanisms of Paeoniflorin in the treatment of tumors: State-of-the-Art. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 149:112800. [PMID: 35279012 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Paeoniflorin is a water-soluble monoterpenoid glycoside that can be derived from multiple herbaceous plants, such as Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Paeonia suffruticosa and Cimicifugae Foetidae. Multiple studies have suggested that Paeoniflorin possesses an excellent anti-tumor effect in variety of tumors, including liver cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer and bladder cancer. It can induce cell apoptosis, inhibit proliferation, invasion and metastasis via different molecular mechanisms, which are mainly involved in nuclear transcription factor kappα (NF-κB), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) family, MicroRNA, neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 4(NEDD4) signaling pathway, transcription activating factor (STAT3), p21, p53/14-3-3 signaling pathway, transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)/Smads signaling pathway, Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and Notch-1. Current studies on anti-tumor effect and mechanism of action of Paeoniflorin remain unclear. Therefore, this study reviews the research progress in the anti-tumor effect and mechanism of Paeoniflorin in an attempt to provide a new thought and theoretical basis for further development and clinical application of Paeoniflorin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhen Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China; Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China.
| | - Lei Xia
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China; Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China
| | - Xiao Yu Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China; Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China
| | - Qian Chen
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China; Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China
| | - Xiao Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China
| | - Yue Mou
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China; Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China
| | - Tong Wang
- School of Nursing, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China.
| | - Ya Nan Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China; Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong Province 250355, China.
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29
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Chen S, Lin B, Gu J, Yong T, Gao X, Xie Y, Xiao C, Zhan JY, Wu Q. Binding Interaction of Betulinic Acid to α-Glucosidase and Its Alleviation on Postprandial Hyperglycemia. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27082517. [PMID: 35458714 PMCID: PMC9032457 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27082517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting the intestinal α-glucosidase can effectively control postprandial hyperglycemia for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatment. In the present study, we reported the binding interaction of betulinic acid (BA), a pentacyclic triterpene widely distributed in nature, on α-glucosidase and its alleviation on postprandial hyperglycemia. BA was verified to exhibit a strong inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase with an IC50 value of 16.83 ± 1.16 μM. More importantly, it showed a synergistically inhibitory effect with acarbose. The underlying inhibitory mechanism was investigated by kinetics analysis, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and binding free energy calculation. BA showed a non-competitive inhibition on α-glucosidase. SPR revealed that it had a strong and fast affinity to α-glucosidase with an equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) value of 5.529 × 10−5 M and a slow dissociation. Molecular docking and MD simulation revealed that BA bound to the active site of α-glucosidase mainly due to the van der Waals force and hydrogen bond, and then changed the micro-environment and secondary structure of α-glucosidase. Free energy decomposition indicated amino acid residues such as PHE155, PHE175, HIE277, PHE298, GLU302, TRY311 and ASP347 of α-glucosidase at the binding pocket had strong interactions with BA, while LYS153, ARG210, ARG310, ARG354 and ARG437 showed a negative contribution to binding affinity between BA and α-glucosidase. Significantly, oral administration of BA alleviated the postprandial blood glucose fluctuations in mice. This work may provide new insights into the utilization of BA as a functional food and natural medicine for the control of postprandial hyperglycemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaodan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.C.); (T.Y.); (X.G.); (Y.X.); (C.X.)
| | - Bing Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China;
| | - Jiangyong Gu
- Research Centre for Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China;
| | - Tianqiao Yong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.C.); (T.Y.); (X.G.); (Y.X.); (C.X.)
| | - Xiong Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.C.); (T.Y.); (X.G.); (Y.X.); (C.X.)
| | - Yizhen Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.C.); (T.Y.); (X.G.); (Y.X.); (C.X.)
| | - Chun Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.C.); (T.Y.); (X.G.); (Y.X.); (C.X.)
| | - Janis Yaxian Zhan
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China;
- Correspondence: (J.Y.Z.); (Q.W.)
| | - Qingping Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.C.); (T.Y.); (X.G.); (Y.X.); (C.X.)
- Correspondence: (J.Y.Z.); (Q.W.)
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Tuli HS, Sak K, Gupta DS, Kaur G, Aggarwal D, Chaturvedi Parashar N, Choudhary R, Yerer MB, Kaur J, Kumar M, Garg VK, Sethi G. Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Properties of Birch Bark-Derived Betulin: Recent Developments. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:plants10122663. [PMID: 34961132 PMCID: PMC8705846 DOI: 10.3390/plants10122663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Birch tree bark-derived betulin has attracted scientific interest already for several centuries, being one of the first natural products identified from plants. However, the cellular events regulated by betulin and precise molecular mechanisms under these processes have been begun to be understood only recently. Today, we know that betulin can exert important anticancer activities through modulation of diverse cellular pathways. In this review article, betulin-regulated molecular signaling is unraveled and presented with a special focus on its participation in anti-inflammatory processes, especially by modulating nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), prostaglandin/COX, and nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated cascades. By regulating these diverse pathways, betulin can not only affect the development and progression of different cancers, but also enhance the antitumor action of traditional therapeutic modalities. It is expected that by overcoming the low bioavailability of betulin by encapsulating it into nanocarriers, this promising natural compound may provide novel possibilities for targeting inflammation-related cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardeep Singh Tuli
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala 133207, Haryana, India; (D.A.); (N.C.P.); (R.C.)
- Correspondence: (H.S.T.); (G.S.)
| | | | - Dhruv Sanjay Gupta
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’s NMIMS, Mumbai 40056, Maharashtra, India; (D.S.G.); (G.K.)
| | - Ginpreet Kaur
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’s NMIMS, Mumbai 40056, Maharashtra, India; (D.S.G.); (G.K.)
| | - Diwakar Aggarwal
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala 133207, Haryana, India; (D.A.); (N.C.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Nidarshana Chaturvedi Parashar
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala 133207, Haryana, India; (D.A.); (N.C.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Renuka Choudhary
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala 133207, Haryana, India; (D.A.); (N.C.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Mukerrem Betul Yerer
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey;
| | - Jagjit Kaur
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Nanoscale Biophotonics (CNBP), Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia;
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Sadopur 134007, Haryana, India;
| | - Vivek Kumar Garg
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University Institute of Applied Health Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India;
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
- Correspondence: (H.S.T.); (G.S.)
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Yurasakpong L, Nantasenamat C, Nobsathian S, Chaithirayanon K, Apisawetakan S. Betulinic Acid Modulates the Expression of HSPA and Activates Apoptosis in Two Cell Lines of Human Colorectal Cancer. Molecules 2021; 26:6377. [PMID: 34770786 PMCID: PMC8588033 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA) is a pentacyclic triterpene usually isolated from botanical sources. Numerous studies have reported the inhibitory effect of BA against human colorectal cancer cells (CRC). However, its effect on the expression of the molecular chaperone HSPA is unclear. The aim of this research is to investigate the anti-cancer activities of BA purified from Piper retrofractum and study its effect on the expression of HSPA in colorectal cancer HCT116 and SW480 cells. The viability of both cancer cells was reduced after they were treated with an increasing dosage of BA. Flow cytometry assay revealed that levels of cell apoptosis significantly increased after incubation with BA in both cancer cells. Pro-apoptotic markers including Bax, cleaved-caspase-3 and cleaved-caspase-9 were increased while anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2 was decreased after BA treatment. Western blot also showed that the expression of HSPA fluctuated upon BA treatment, whereby HSPA was increased at lower BA concentrations while at higher BA concentrations HSPA expression was decreased. Preliminary molecular docking assay showed that BA can bind to the nucleotide binding domain of the HSP70 at its ADP-bound state of the HSP70. Although further research is needed to comprehend the BA-HSPA interaction, our findings indicate that BA can be considered as potential candidate for the development of new treatment for colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laphatrada Yurasakpong
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (L.Y.); (K.C.)
| | - Chanin Nantasenamat
- Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand;
| | | | - Kulathida Chaithirayanon
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (L.Y.); (K.C.)
| | - Somjai Apisawetakan
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
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Design and Synthesis of Novel Betulin Derivatives Containing Thio-/Semicarbazone Moieties as Apoptotic Inducers through Mitochindria-Related Pathways. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216356. [PMID: 34770765 PMCID: PMC8587101 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Two new series of betulin derivatives with semicarbazone (7a-g) or thiosemicarbazone (8a-g) groups at the C-28 position were synthesized. All compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicities in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2), human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7), human lung carcinoma cells (A549), human colorectal cells (HCT-116) and normal human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1). Among these compounds, 8f displayed the most potent cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of 5.86 ± 0.61 μM against MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the preliminary mechanism studies in MCF-7 cells showed that compound 8f could trigger the intracellular mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway by losing MMP level, which was related with the upregulation of Bax, P53 and cytochrome c expression; the downregulation of Bcl-2 expression; activation of the expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9; and an increase in the amounts of intracellular reactive oxygen species. These results indicated that compound 8f may be used as a valuable skeleton structure for developing novel antitumor agents.
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33
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Wu J, Wang J, Han Y, Lin Y, Wang J, Bu M. Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of Novel Betulin Derivatives Containing Hydrazide-Hydrazone Moieties. Nat Prod Commun 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x211055345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of novel betulin derivatives containing hydrazide-hydrazone moieties were synthesized. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against four human carcinoma cell lines (HepG2, A549, MCF-7 and HCT-116) and a normal human gastric epithelial cell line (GES-1). Among them, compound 6i was the most potent against HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines, with IC50 values of 9.27 and 8.87 μM, respectively. The results suggest that the incorporation of a hydrazide-hydrazone side chain at the C-28 position of betulin is beneficial for compounds to display significant cytotoxicity. Compound 6i may be used as a promising skeleton for antitumor agents with improved efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Wu
- College of Pharmacy, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Jiafeng Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Yinglong Han
- College of Pharmacy, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Yu Lin
- College of Pharmacy, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Jing Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Ming Bu
- College of Pharmacy, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
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34
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Ferreira NH, Cunha NL, de Melo MRS, Fernandes FS, de Freitas KS, do Nascimento S, Ribeiro AB, de A E Silva ML, Cunha WR, Tavares DC. Betulinic acid exerts antigenotoxic and anticarcinogenic activities via inhibition of COX-2 and PCNA in rodents. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2021; 35:e22917. [PMID: 34541749 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Phytochemicals have been suggested as an effective strategy for cancer prevention. Within this context, triterpene betulinic acid (BA) exhibits several biological properties but its chemopreventive effect has not been fully demonstrated. The present study investigated the antigenotoxic potential of BA against doxorubicin (DXR)-induced genotoxicity using the mouse peripheral blood micronucleus assay, as well as its anticarcinogenic activity against 1,2dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal lesions in rats. Micronuclei (MN) assay and aberrant crypt foci assay were used to assess the antigenotoxic and the anticarcinogenic potential, respectively. The molecular mechanisms underlying the anticarcinogenic activity of BA were evaluated by assessing anti-inflammatory (COX-2) and antiproliferative (PCNA) pathways. The results demonstrated that BA at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight exerted antigenotoxic effects against DXR, with a reduction of 70.2% in the frequencies of chromosomal damage. Animals treated with BA showed a 64% reduction in the number of preneoplastic lesions when compared to those treated with the carcinogen alone. The levels of COX-2 and PCNA expression in the colon were significantly lower in animals treated with BA and DMH compared to those treated with the carcinogen alone. The chemopreventive effect of BA is related, at least in part, to its antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activity, indicating a promising potential of this triterpene in anticancer therapies, especially for colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália H Ferreira
- Mutagenesis Laboratory and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nayanne L Cunha
- Mutagenesis Laboratory and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matheus R S de Melo
- Mutagenesis Laboratory and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda S Fernandes
- Mutagenesis Laboratory and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karoline S de Freitas
- Mutagenesis Laboratory and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samuel do Nascimento
- Mutagenesis Laboratory and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arthur B Ribeiro
- Mutagenesis Laboratory and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Márcio L de A E Silva
- Mutagenesis Laboratory and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wilson R Cunha
- Mutagenesis Laboratory and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Denise C Tavares
- Mutagenesis Laboratory and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
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35
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Yun BD, Son SW, Choi SY, Kuh HJ, Oh TJ, Park JK. Anti-Cancer Activity of Phytochemicals Targeting Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 Alpha. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189819. [PMID: 34575983 PMCID: PMC8467787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is overexpressed in cancer, leading to a poor prognosis in patients. Diverse cellular factors are able to regulate HIF-1α expression in hypoxia and even in non-hypoxic conditions, affecting its progression and malignant characteristics by regulating the expression of the HIF-1α target genes that are involved in cell survival, angiogenesis, metabolism, therapeutic resistance, et cetera. Numerous studies have exhibited the anti-cancer effect of HIF-1α inhibition itself and the augmentation of anti-cancer treatment efficacy by interfering with HIF-1α-mediated signaling. The anti-cancer effect of plant-derived phytochemicals has been evaluated, and they have been found to possess significant therapeutic potentials against numerous cancer types. A better understanding of phytochemicals is indispensable for establishing advanced strategies for cancer therapy. This article reviews the anti-cancer effect of phytochemicals in connection with HIF-1α regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ba Da Yun
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (B.D.Y.); (S.W.S.); (S.Y.C.)
| | - Seung Wan Son
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (B.D.Y.); (S.W.S.); (S.Y.C.)
| | - Soo Young Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (B.D.Y.); (S.W.S.); (S.Y.C.)
| | - Hyo Jeong Kuh
- Department of Medical Life Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea;
| | - Tae-Jin Oh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Biotechnology, SunMoon University, 70 Sunmoon-ro 221, Tangjeong-myeon, Asan-si 31460, Korea;
| | - Jong Kook Park
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (B.D.Y.); (S.W.S.); (S.Y.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-33-248-2114
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36
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Betulinic acid in the treatment of tumour diseases: Application and research progress. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:111990. [PMID: 34388528 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA) is a pentacyclic triterpene compound that can be obtained by separation, chemical synthesis and biotransformation from birch. BA has antitumour activity, and its mechanisms of action mainly include the induction of mitochondrial oxidative stress; the regulation of specificity protein transcription factors, and the inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and nuclear factor-κB signalling pathways. In addition, BA can increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to other chemotherapy drugs. Recent studies have shown that BA plays an anticancer role in several kinds of tumour diseases. In this article, the anticancer mechanism of BA and its application in the treatment of tumour diseases are reviewed.
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Aswathy M, Banik K, Parama D, Sasikumar P, Harsha C, Joseph AG, Sherin DR, Thanathu MK, Kunnumakkara AB, Vasu RK. Exploring the Cytotoxic Effects of the Extracts and Bioactive Triterpenoids from Dillenia indica against Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Scientific Interpretation and Validation of Indigenous Knowledge. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:834-847. [PMID: 33860206 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Triterpenoids are ubiquitously distributed secondary metabolites, primarily scrutinized as a source of medication and preventive measures for various chronic diseases. The ease of isolation and excellent pharmacological properties of triterpenoids are notable reasons behind the exponential rise of extensive research on the bioactive triterpenoids over the past few decades. Herein, we attempted to explore the anticancer potential of the fruit extract of the ethnomedicinal plant Dillenia indica against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and have exclusively attributed the efficacy of the extracts to the presence of two triterpenoids, namely, betulinic acid (BA) and koetjapic acid (KA). Preliminary in vitro screening of both BA and KA unveiled that the entities could impart cytotoxicity and induce apoptosis in OSCC cell lines, which were further well-supported by virtual screening based on ligand binding affinity and molecular dynamic simulations. Additionally, the aforementioned metabolites could significantly modulate the critical players such as Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways involved in the regulation of important hallmarks of cancer like cell survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The present findings provide insight and immense scientific support and integrity to a piece of indigenous knowledge. However, in vivo validation is a requisite for moving to clinical trials and developing it as a commercial drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maniyamma Aswathy
- Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram 695019, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Kishore Banik
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati 781 039, Assam, India
| | - Dey Parama
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati 781 039, Assam, India
| | - Parameswaran Sasikumar
- Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram 695019, India
| | - Choudhary Harsha
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati 781 039, Assam, India
| | - Anuja Gracy Joseph
- Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram 695019, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Daisy R Sherin
- Centre for Computational Modeling and Data Engineering, Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management-Kerala (IIITM-K), Thiruvananthapuram 695581, India
| | - Manojkumar K Thanathu
- Centre for Computational Modeling and Data Engineering, Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management-Kerala (IIITM-K), Thiruvananthapuram 695581, India
| | - Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara
- Cancer Biology Laboratory and DBT-AIST International Center for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER), Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati 781 039, Assam, India
| | - Radhakrishnan Kokkuvayil Vasu
- Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram 695019, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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38
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Betulinic Acid Restricts Human Bladder Cancer Cell Proliferation In Vitro by Inducing Caspase-Dependent Cell Death and Cell Cycle Arrest, and Decreasing Metastatic Potential. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26051381. [PMID: 33806566 PMCID: PMC7961550 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid and generally found in the bark of birch trees (Betula sp.). Although several studies have been reported that BA has diverse biological activities, including anti-tumor effects, the underlying anti-cancer mechanism in bladder cancer cells is still lacking. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of BA in human bladder cancer cell lines T-24, UMUC-3, and 5637, and identify the underlying mechanism. Our results showed that BA induced cell death in bladder cancer cells and that are accompanied by apoptosis, necrosis, and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, BA decreased the expression of cell cycle regulators, such as cyclin B1, cyclin A, cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 2, cell division cycle (Cdc) 2, and Cdc25c. In addition, BA-induced apoptosis was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction that is caused by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which led to the activation of mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathway. BA up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2-accociated X protein (Bax) and cleaved poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), and subsequently activated caspase-3, -8, and -9. However, pre-treatment of pan-caspase inhibitor markedly suppressed BA-induced apoptosis. Meanwhile, BA did not affect the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), indicating BA-mediated apoptosis was ROS-independent. Furthermore, we found that BA suppressed the wound healing and invasion ability, and decreased the expression of Snail and Slug in T24 and 5637 cells, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in UMUC-3 cells. Taken together, this is the first study showing that BA suppresses the proliferation of human bladder cancer cells, which is due to induction of apoptosis, necrosis, and cell cycle arrest, and decrease of migration and invasion. Furthermore, BA-induced apoptosis is regulated by caspase-dependent and ROS-independent pathways, and these results provide the underlying anti-proliferative molecular mechanism of BA in human bladder cancer cells.
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39
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Plant-Derived Anticancer Compounds as New Perspectives in Drug Discovery and Alternative Therapy. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26041109. [PMID: 33669817 PMCID: PMC7922180 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26041109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the recent advances in the field of chemically synthetized pharmaceutical agents, nature remains the main supplier of bioactive molecules. The research of natural products is a valuable approach for the discovery and development of novel biologically active compounds possessing unique structures and mechanisms of action. Although their use belongs to the traditional treatment regimes, plant-derived compounds still cover a large portion of the current-day pharmaceutical agents. Their medical importance is well recognized in the field of oncology, especially as an alternative to the limitations of conventional chemotherapy (severe side effects and inefficacy due to the occurrence of multi-drug resistance). This review offers a comprehensive perspective of the first blockbuster chemotherapeutic agents of natural origin’s (e.g. taxol, vincristine, doxorubicin) mechanism of action using 3D representation. In addition is portrayed the step-by-step evolution from preclinical to clinical evaluation of the most recently studied natural compounds with potent antitumor activity (e.g. resveratrol, curcumin, betulinic acid, etc.) in terms of anticancer mechanisms of action and the possible indications as chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agents and sensitizers. Finally, this review describes several efficient platforms for the encapsulation and targeted delivery of natural compounds in cancer treatment
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Anticancer activities of TCM and their active components against tumor metastasis. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 133:111044. [PMID: 33378952 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of multiple targets, slight side effects and good therapeutic effects. Good anti-tumor effects are shown by Traditional Chinese Medicine prescription, Chinese patent medicine, single Traditional Chinese Medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine monomer compound. Clinically, TCM prolonged the survival time of patients and improved the life quality of patients, due to less side effects. Cancer metastasis is a complex process involving numerous steps, multiple genes and their products. During the process of tumor metastasis, firstly, cancer cell increases its proliferative capacity by reducing autophagy and apoptosis, and then the cancer cell capacity is stimulated by increasing the ability of tumors to absorb nutrients from the outside through angiogenesis. Both of the two steps can increase tumor migration and invasion. Finally, the purpose of tumor metastasis is achieved. By inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis of tumor cells, angiogenesis and EMT outside the tumor can inhibit the invasion and migration of cancer, and consequently achieve the purpose of inhibiting tumor metastasis. This review explores the research achievements of Traditional Chinese Medicine on breast cancer, lung cancer, hepatic carcinoma, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and other cancer metastasis in the past five years, summarizes the development direction of TCM on cancer metastasis research in the past five years and makes a prospect for the future.
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41
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Examination of the apoptotic effects of betulinic acid on renal cancer cell lines. MARMARA MEDICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.5472/marumj.815542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Liao L, Liu C, Xie X, Zhou J. Betulinic acid induces apoptosis and impairs migration and invasion in a mouse model of ovarian cancer. J Food Biochem 2020; 44:e13278. [PMID: 32412117 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.13278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA) was verified to possess plenty of biological activities including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and so on. In our research, we studied the growth inhibition, apoptosis promotion and metastasis resistance of ovarian cancer cells by BA. The result showed that BA showed a time- and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on ovarian cancer cell lines. SKOV3 cell line proliferation has a concentration- and time-dependently, which may be inhibited by BA. Furthermore, BA inhibited the metastasis of tumor cells remarkably by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. Beyond that, the weight and volume of subcutaneous tumor was distinctly suppressed by administration of BA in tumor-bearing mice of SKOV3 cells. Pathological and immunohistochemical tests showed that Ki-67+ and MMP-2+ cells were dramatically decreased after BA administration, indicating that BA can not only suppress proliferation, but also inhibit migration of tumor cells. Taken together, BA can be a valuable candidate drug for the treatment of ovarian cancer. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Betulinic acid (BA) isolated from natural plants such as fenugreek, eucalyptus bulb and mulberry has been reported with many biological activities. Results from this study revealed that in vitro and in vivo BA-induced apoptosis and inhibited migration and invasion of human ovarian cancer cells. Therefore, BA from natural plants may be developed as a potential drug for inhibition the development of ovarian cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyun Liao
- Department of obstetrics and gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College, Ganzhou, P.R. China
| | - Chi Liu
- College of Medical & Life Sciences, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoying Xie
- Department of obstetrics and gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College, Ganzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jieli Zhou
- Department of obstetrics and gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College, Ganzhou, P.R. China
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Cao S, Han Y, Li Q, Chen Y, Zhu D, Su Z, Guo H. Mapping Pharmacological Network of Multi-Targeting Litchi Ingredients in Cancer Therapeutics. Front Pharmacol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00451
expr 967555229 + 995954239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
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Cao S, Han Y, Li Q, Chen Y, Zhu D, Su Z, Guo H. Mapping Pharmacological Network of Multi-Targeting Litchi Ingredients in Cancer Therapeutics. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:451. [PMID: 32390834 PMCID: PMC7193898 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Considerable pharmacological studies have demonstrated that the extracts and ingredients from different parts (seeds, peels, pulps, and flowers) of Litchi exhibited anticancer effects by affecting the proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, metastasis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy sensitivity, stemness, metabolism, angiogenesis, and immunity via multiple targeting. However, there is no systematical analysis on the interaction network of “multiple ingredients-multiple targets-multiple pathways” anticancer effects of Litchi. In this study, we summarized the confirmed anticancer ingredients and molecular targets of Litchi based on published articles and applied network pharmacology approach to explore the complex mechanisms underlying these effects from a perspective of system biology. The top ingredients, top targets, and top pathways of each anticancer function were identified using network pharmacology approach. Further intersecting analyses showed that Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), Gallic acid, Kaempferol, Luteolin, and Betulinic acid were the top ingredients which might be the key ingredients exerting anticancer function of Litchi, while BAX, BCL2, CASP3, and AKT1 were the top targets which might be the main targets underling the anticancer mechanisms of these top ingredients. These results provided references for further understanding and exploration of Litchi as therapeutics in cancer as well as the application of “Component Formula” based on Litchi’s effective ingredients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Cao
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yaoyao Han
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Qiaofeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,School of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yanjiang Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Dan Zhu
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhiheng Su
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Hongwei Guo
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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Omar A, Kalra RS, Putri J, Elwakeel A, Kaul SC, Wadhwa R. Soyasapogenol-A targets CARF and results in suppression of tumor growth and metastasis in p53 compromised cancer cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6323. [PMID: 32286347 PMCID: PMC7156697 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62953-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We screened some phytochemicals for cytotoxic activity to human cancer cells and identified Soyasapogenol-A (Snol-A) as a potent candidate anti-cancer compound. Interestingly, Soyasapogenin-I (Snin-I) was ineffective. Viability assays endorsed toxicity of Snol-A to a wide variety of cancer cells. Of note, wild type p53 deficient cancer cells (SKOV-3 and Saos-2) also showed potent growth inhibitory effect. Molecular analyses demonstrated that it targets CARF yielding transcriptional upregulation of p21WAF1 (an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases) and downregulation of its effector proteins, CDK2, CDK-4, Cyclin A and Cyclin D1. Targeting of CARF by Snol-A also caused (i) downregulation of pATR-Chk1 signaling leading to caspase-mediated apoptosis and (ii) inactivation of β-catenin/Vimentin/hnRNPK-mediated EMT signaling resulting in decrease in migration and invasion of cancer cells. In in vivo assays, Snol-A caused suppression of tumor growth in subcutaneous xenograft model and inhibited lung metastasis in tail vein injection model. Taken together, we demonstrate that Snol-A is a natural inhibitor of CARF and may be recruited as a potent anti-tumor and anti-metastasis compound for treatment of p53-deficient aggressive malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Omar
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, DBT-AIST International Center for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305 8565, Japan.,School of Integrative & Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Rajkumar Singh Kalra
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, DBT-AIST International Center for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305 8565, Japan
| | - Jayarani Putri
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, DBT-AIST International Center for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305 8565, Japan
| | - Ahmed Elwakeel
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, DBT-AIST International Center for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305 8565, Japan.,School of Integrative & Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Sunil C Kaul
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, DBT-AIST International Center for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305 8565, Japan. .,School of Integrative & Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
| | - Renu Wadhwa
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, DBT-AIST International Center for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305 8565, Japan. .,School of Integrative & Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
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Chen Y, Wu X, Liu C, Zhou Y. Betulinic acid triggers apoptosis and inhibits migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells by impairing EMT progress. Cell Biochem Funct 2020; 38:702-709. [PMID: 32283563 PMCID: PMC7496801 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent types of malignancies. Betulinic acid (BA) is a natural pentacyclic triterpene with a lupine structure. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no research study on the anti‐tumour and anti‐metastasis effect of BA on GC. In this study, we assessed the anti‐cancer effect of BA on human GC cells in vitro and in vivo. We first investigated the cytotoxicity and anti‐proliferation effect of BA on GC cells of SNU‐16 and NCI‐N87. The results indicated that BA had significant cytotoxic and inhibitory effects on GC cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. To further study the cytotoxic action of BA on GC cells, we assessed the apoptotic induction effect of BA on SNU‐16 cells and found that BA distinctly induced apoptosis in SNU‐16 cells. In addition, BA inhibited the migratory and invasive abilities of SNU‐16 cells. Western‐blot analysis revealed that BA suppressed the migration and invasion of GC cells by impairing epithelial‐mesenchymal transition progression. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that BA could delay tumour growth and inhibit pulmonary metastasis, which is consistent with the results of in vitro studies. Overall, we evaluated the anti‐cancer effect of BA on human GC cells in vivo and in vitro, and the present study provides new evidence on the use of BA as a potential anti‐cancer drug for GC treatment. Significance of the study BA significantly suppressed proliferation and triggered apoptosis in GC cells. Additionally, BA remarkably inhibited migration and invasion of GC cells by impairing the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition signalling pathway. It is worth noting that BA drastically retarded tumour growth in the xenograft mouse model of GC. Our results indicated that BA can be considered a candidate drug for GC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Chen
- Digestive System Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiongjian Wu
- Digestive System Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chi Liu
- School of Medical & Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Zhou
- Digestive System Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, People's Republic of China
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Wu L, Liu C, Zhang Z. Knockdown of lncRNA MIAT inhibits proliferation and cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer cells by increasing miR-184 expression. Oncol Lett 2019; 19:533-541. [PMID: 31897168 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.11084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the important role of long non-coding RNA myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT) in tumorigenesis as a potential oncogene. However, the function of MIAT in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has yet to be completely elucidated. The present study demonstrated that MIAT expression was significantly upregulated in NSCLC tissues, particularly in aggressive cases, and was highly associated with a poor prognosis. In addition, the upregulated expression of MIAT was observed in cisplatin (CDDP)-resistant H1299 cells. Knockdown of MIAT inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells and enhanced the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to CDDP in vitro and in vivo. Further functional analysis demonstrated that MIAT partially exerted its oncogenic effect by upregulating the expression of splicing factor 1 (SF1), by serving as a microRNA (miR)-184 sponge. In conclusion, the present study identified that MIAT functions as a competitive endogenous RNA of miR-184to modulate SF1 expression in NSCLC, which provides a novel insight into the potential therapeutic application of MIAT in NSCLC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longqiu Wu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China
| | - Chi Liu
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Zuxiong Zhang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China
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Lu H, Shu Q, Lou H, Chen Q. Mitochondria-Mediated Programmed Cell Death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Induced by Betulinic Acid Is Accelerated by the Deletion of PEP4 Gene. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7110538. [PMID: 31703462 PMCID: PMC6920885 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7110538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model, we showed that BetA could inhibit cell proliferation and lead to lethal cytotoxicity accompanying programmed cell death (PCD). Interestingly, it was found that vacuolar protease Pep4p played a pivotal role in BetA-induced S. cerevisiae PCD. The presence of Pep4p reduced the damage of BetA-induced cells. This work implied that BetA may induce cell death of S. cerevisiae through mitochondria-mediated PCD, and the deletion of Pep4 gene possibly accelerated the effect of PCD. The present investigation provided the preliminary research for the complicated mechanism of BetA-induced cell PCD regulated by vacular protease Pep4p and lay the foundation for understanding of the Pep4p protein in an animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Qihe Chen
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-0571-8698-4316
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49
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Gan C, Li Y, Yu Y, Yu X, Liu H, Zhang Q, Yin W, Yu L, Ye T. Natural product pectolinarigenin exhibits potent anti-metastatic activity in colorectal carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:115089. [PMID: 31540827 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most common cancers with high metastatic potential, explaining why identifying new drug candidates that inhibit tumour metastasis is an urgent need. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological activities of pectolinarigenin (PEC, a natural flavonoid present in Cirsium chanroenicum) in CRC in vitro and in vivo and to determine its underlying mechanism of action. Here, we observed that treatment with PEC could inhibit cell viability and induce apoptosis in cancer cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The occurrence of apoptosis was associated with activation of caspase-3 and Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2. In addition, PEC markedly impaired CRC cell migration and invasion by downregulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) and phosphorylated-Stat3Tyr705. Moreover, our studies showed that PEC inhibited abdominal metastasis models of murine colorectal cancer. In addition, histological and immunohistochemical analyses revealed a decrease in Ki67-positive cells, MMP9-positive cells and p-Stat3Tyr705 cells upon treatment with PEC compared to control samples. Furthermore, PEC reduced the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the blood and tumours, which was accompanied by the increased infiltration of CD8+T cells in the blood. Taken together, our findings suggested that PEC could be used as a natural drug to inhibit CRC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cailing Gan
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, Oxford University-Sichuan University Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Yali Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Yu
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, Oxford University-Sichuan University Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Xi Yu
- Carey Business School, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Hongyao Liu
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, Oxford University-Sichuan University Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Qianyu Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenya Yin
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Luoting Yu
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, Oxford University-Sichuan University Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
| | - Tinghong Ye
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, Oxford University-Sichuan University Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
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