HY253, a novel compound isolated from Aralia continentalis, induces apoptosis via cytochrome c-mediated intrinsic pathway in HeLa cells

A Comprehensive Review of Traditional Medicinal Uses, Geographical Distribution, Botanical Characterization, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of Aralia continentalis Kitag

Aralia continentalis Kitag. (A. continentalis) holds significant medicinal value among the Aralia genus. It has traditionally been employed in ethnomedicine to address a wide range of conditions, including wind-cold-dampness arthralgia; rheumatic pain in the waist and lower extremities; lumbar muscular strain; injuries resulting from falls, fractures, contusions, and strains; headache; toothache; and abscesses. Modern pharmacological research has validated its therapeutic potential, encompassing anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, insecticidal, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, and cytotoxic properties, among other pharmacological effects. To compile comprehensive knowledge on A. continentalis, a rigorous literature search was undertaken utilizing databases like SciFinder, PubMed, and Web of Science. This review seeks to delve into the plant's traditional applications, geographical distribution, botanical characteristics, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. The objective is to lay a foundation and propose novel research directions for exploring the plant's potential applications. Currently, one hundred and fifty-nine compounds have been isolated and identified from A. continentalis, encompassing diterpenoids, steroids, triterpenoids, volatile components, phenolics, vitamins, trace elements, and other compounds. Notably, diterpenoids, steroids, triterpenoids, volatile components, and phenolics have exhibited pronounced pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities. However, despite the extensive research conducted, further studies are imperative to unravel new components and mechanisms of action, necessitating more in-depth investigations. This comprehensive exploration could pave the way for advancing and harnessing the potential of A. continentalis.

Possible Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for the Management of Cervical Cancer

Introduction:

Cervical cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world due to unusual extension of cervical cell. Cervical cancer occurs due to exposure of HPV (Human papillomavirus). According to WHO, it is the 4th most ordinary cancer in women. In 2018, approx 6.6% of population was affected around the world and 570,000 new cases were reported. In low and middle-income countries, 90% of cervical cancer deaths occur.

Methods:

Despite various factors that cause cervical cancer are included exposure to HPV, dysregulation of CASPASE enzyme, elevated expression of IAPs (Inhibitor apoptotic protein), E6 and E7 gene of HPV, inhibition of p53, BAK, p16 upregulation, CDK-inactivation causing cervical cancer, role of VEGF, role of estrogen and its receptor in cervical cancer.

Results:

Cervical cancer can be screened by Pep test. There are various therapies that can be used to treat cervical cancer. As these therapies have various side effects, so the world is moving to herbal formulations to treat cervical cancer.

Conclusion:

In this study, we will discuss cervical cancer, its cause, symptoms, pathophysiology and treatments. Early screening and detection can help in reducing the overall burden of cervical cancer in the near future.

Three new diterpenoids from Aralia dumetorum

Three new diterpenoids, dumetoranes A (1) and B (2), melanocane B (3), together with four known ones including melanocane A (4), ent-15S,16-dihydroxypimar-8(14)-en-19-oic acid (5), ent-pimara-8(14),15-diene-19-oic acid (6), and ent-pimara-8(14),15-diene-19-ol (7) were obtained from the ethanol extract of the roots of Aralia dumetorum. Their structure elucidation was achieved by the methods of spectroscopic HRMS, IR, NMR, and by comparison with literature. The cytotoxicities of compounds 1-3 and 5 were assayed by in vitro MTT methods.

Licochalcone A induces apoptosis in KB human oral cancer cells via a caspase-dependent FasL signaling pathway

Licochalcone A (Lico-A) is a natural phenol licorice compound with multiple bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and osteogenesis-inducing properties. In the present study, we investigated the Lico-A-induced apoptotic effects and examined the associated apoptosis pathway in KB human oral cancer cells. Lico-A decreased the number of viable KB oral cancer cells. However, Lico-A did not have an effect on primary normal human oral keratinocytes. In addition, the IC₅₀ value of Lico-A was determined to be ~50 μM following dose-dependent stimulation. KB oral cancer cells stimulated with Lico-A for 24 h showed chromatin condensation by DAPI staining, genomic DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis and a gradually increased apoptotic cell population by FACS analysis. These data suggest that Lico-A induces apoptosis in KB oral cancer cells. Additionally, Lico-A-induced apoptosis in KB oral cancer cells was mediated by the expression of factor associated suicide ligand (FasL) and activated caspase-8 and −3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Furthermore, in the KB oral cancer cells co-stimulation with a caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-fmk) and Lico-A significantly abolished the apoptotic phenomena. Our findings demonstrated that Lico-A-induced apoptosis in KB oral cancer cells involves the extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway, which involves a caspase-dependent FasL-mediated death receptor pathway. Our data suggest that Lico-A be developed as a chemotherapeutic agent for the management of oral cancer.

Plants and cervical cancer: an overview

INTRODUCTION

Cervical cancer, the second most common gynecological malignant tumor seriously harmful to the health of women, remains a leading cause of cancer-related death for women in developing countries. Although a large amount of scientific research has been reported on plants as a natural source of treatment agents for cervical cancer, it is currently scattered across various publications. A systematic summary and knowledge of future prospects are necessary to facilitate further plant studies for anti-cervical cancer agents.

AREAS COVERED

This review generalizes and analyzes the current knowledge on the anti-cervical cancer properties and mechanisms involved for plants, and discusses the future prospects for the application of these plants.

EXPERT OPINION

This review mainly focuses on the plants which have been scientifically tested in vitro and/or in vivo and proved as potential agents for the treatment of cervical cancer. The failure of conventional chemotherapy to reduce mortality as well as serious side effects involved makes natural products ideal candidates for exerting synergism and attenuation effects on anticancer drugs. Although the chemical components and mechanisms of action of natural plants with anti-cervical cancer potential have been investigated, many others remain unknown. More investigations and clinical trials are necessary to make use of these medical plants reasonably.

HY253, a novel decahydrofluorene analog, from Aralia continentalis, induces cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and cytochrome c-mediated apoptosis in human lung cancer A549 cells

AIM OF THE STUDY

In the course of our screening for novel modulators on cell cycle progression and apoptosis as anticancer drug candidates, we isolated a novel compound HY253 with the molecular structure of 7,8a-divinyl-2,4a,4b,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-fluorene-2,4a,4b,9a-tetraol from the roots of Aralia continentalis. This study was designed to evaluate the detailed mechanisms of cell cycle arrest and the apoptotic induction of HY253 in human lung cancer A549 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To investigate the effects of HY253 on cell cycle progression in A549 cells, we measured DNA content of A549 cells treated with 35 microM of HY253 using flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, TUNEL assay was used to examine apoptotic induction in A549 cells treated with 70 microM of HY253 for 24 and 48 h. The effects of HY253 on apoptosis-associated and cell cycle regulatory proteins in A549 cells were examined using Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

The flow cytometric analysis revealed an appreciable G(1) phase arrest in A549 cells treated with 35 microM of HY253. This HY253-induced G(1) phase arrest is associated with decreased expression of cyclin D and up-regulation of p21(CIP1), via p53 phosphorylation at Ser-15, which resulted in increased hypophosphorylated pRb in A549 cells. Furthermore, TUNEL assay and Western blot analysis revealed an appreciable apoptotic induction in A549 cells treated with 70 microM of HY253 for 48 h. This apoptotic induction in HY253-treated A549 cells is also associated with cytochrome c release from mitochondria which in turn resulted in the activation of caspase-9 and -3, and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP).

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that HY253, a novel antiproliferative compound isolated from the roots of Aralia continentalis, induces cell cycle arrest at the G(1) phase and apoptosis in A549 cells. Based on these results, we suggest that HY253 may be a potent cancer chemotherapeutic candidate for use in treating human lung cancer cells via up-regulation and activation of p53 gene.