Anticarcinogenic effect of brucine in diethylnitrosamine initiated and phenobarbital-promoted hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

Chemical constituents, pharmacological action, antitumor application, and toxicity of Strychnine Semen from Strychnons pierriana A.W.Hill.: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The dried and mature seeds of Strychnons pierriana A.W.Hill. have been called Strychnine Semen(S. Semen). It have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for nearly 400 years. In recent decades, scholars at home and abroad have widely used S. Semen in the treatment of tumor diseases, showing good anti-tumor effects. In this paper, the modern research achievements of S. Semen are reviewed, including traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In recent years, the research on S. Semen has increased gradually, especially the research on its anti-tumor. This paper not only reviewed the traditional uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of S. Semen, but also comprehensively listed the mechanisms of Strychnos in the treatment of different tumors, providing a review for further research and development of Strychnos resources.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature on Fuzi was performed using several resources, namely classic books on Chinese herbal medicine and various scientific databases, such as PubMed, the Web of Science, and the China Knowledge Resource Integrated databases.

RESULTS

The main constituents of S. Semen include alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, and their glycosides. Modern studies have proved that S. Semen has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anti-thrombotic, myocardial cell protection, immune regulation, nerve excitation, and anti-tumor effects. Among them, the anti-tumor effect has been the focus of research in recent years. S. Semen have a certain therapeutic effect on many kinds of tumors, such as liver cancer, colon cancer, and stomach cancer in the digestive system, breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer in the reproductive system, myeloma and leukemia in the blood system, and those in the nervous system and the immune system.

CONCLUSION

Strychnine has an inhibitory effect on a variety of tumors. However, modern studies of strychnine are incomplete, and more in-depth studies are needed on its stronger bioactive constituents and potential pharmacological effects. The antitumor effect of Strychnine is worth further exploration.

Formulation of Transliposomal Nanocarrier Gel Containing Strychnine for the Effective Management of Skin Cancer

Strychnine (STCN) has demonstrated an exceptional anticancer effect against various cancers. However, the STCN clinical utility has been hampered by its low water solubility, restricted therapeutic window, short half-life, and significant toxicity. The objective of this investigation was to design and optimize a formulation of strychnine-loaded transliposomes (STCN-TLs) for dermal administration of STCN to treat skin cancer. The formulations of STCN-TL were examined in terms of vesicle size (VS), polydispersity index (PDI), entrapment efficiency (EE), and in vitro delivery. The improved STCN-TL formulation exhibited VS, PDI, EE, and in vitro delivery of 101.5 ± 2.14 nm, 0.218 ± 0.12, 81.74 ± 1.43%, and 85.39 ± 2.33%, respectively. In an ex vivo penetration, the created STCN-TL formulation demonstrated a 2.5-fold increase in permeability compared to the STCN solution. CLSM pictures of skin (rat) revealed that the rhodamine B-loaded transliposome preparation penetrated deeper than the rhodamine B hydroalcoholic mixture. Additionally, rat skin managed with STCN-TL nanogel exhibited a significant increase in Cskin max and AUC0-8 compared to rat skin treated with traditional STCN gel. The findings demonstrated that the transliposome preparation might be a suitable nanocarrier for the cutaneous distribution of STCN in the amelioration of skin cancer.

A Combination of In Silico ADMET Prediction, In Vivo Toxicity Evaluation, and Potential Mechanism Exploration of Brucine and Brucine N-oxide-A Comparative Study

Brucine (BRU) and brucine N-oxide (BNO) are prominent, bioactive, and toxic alkaloids in crude and processed Semen Strychni. Studies have demonstrated that BRU and BNO possess comprehensive pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic. In this context, a comparative study of BRU and BNO was performed by combination analysis of in silico ADMET prediction, in vivo toxicity evaluation, and potential action mechanism exploration. ADMET prediction showed that BRU and BNO might induce liver injury, and BRU may have a stronger hepatoxic effect. The prediction was experimentally verified using the zebrafish model. The BRU-induced hepatotoxicity of zebrafish larvae had a dose-response relationship. The mechanism of BRU-induced hepatotoxicity might relate to phosphorylation, kinase activity, and signal transduction. By comparison, signal transduction and gap junctions might involve BNO-induced hepatotoxicity. Our results provided a better understanding of BRU- and BNO-induced hepatotoxicity. We also built a foundation to elucidate the material base of the hepatotoxicity of traditional Chinese medicine Semen Strychni.

Lasso-Logistic regression model for the identification of serum biomarkers of neurotoxicity induced by strychnos alkaloids

As a traditional Chinese medicine, strychnos alkaloids have wide effects including antitumor, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory. However, the therapeutic window of strychnos alkaloids is quite narrow due to potential neurotoxicity. Therefore, it is necessary to explore some efficient biomarkers to identify and predict the neurotoxicity induced by strychnos alkaloids and find a therapy to prevent the neurotoxicity of strychnos alkaloids. Based on the previous studies of our research team, 21 endogenous substances related to neurotoxicity were monitored in rats' serum with HPLC-MS/MS and ELISA. Starting from these fundamentals, a Lasso-Logistic regression model was used to select efficient biomarkers from 21 endogenous substances to predict brain injury and verify the neuroprotective effect of peonies. Under the processing of the Lasso-Logistic regression model, 12 biomarkers were identified from 21 endogenous substances to predict the neurotoxicity induced by strychnos alkaloids. At the same time, the neuroprotective effect of peonies was further confirmed by evaluating the level of 12 biomarkers. The results indicated that the development of the Lasso-Logistic regression model would provide a new, simple and efficient method for the prediction and diagnosis of the neurotoxicity induced by strychnos alkaloids.

Naturally derived indole alkaloids targeting regulated cell death (RCD) for cancer therapy: from molecular mechanisms to potential therapeutic targets

Regulated cell death (RCD) is a critical and active process that is controlled by specific signal transduction pathways and can be regulated by genetic signals or drug interventions. Meanwhile, RCD is closely related to the occurrence and therapy of multiple human cancers. Generally, RCD subroutines are the key signals of tumorigenesis, which are contributed to our better understanding of cancer pathogenesis and therapeutics. Indole alkaloids derived from natural sources are well defined for their outstanding biological and pharmacological properties, like vincristine, vinblastine, staurosporine, indirubin, and 3,3′-diindolylmethane, which are currently used in the clinic or under clinical assessment. Moreover, such compounds play a significant role in discovering novel anticancer agents. Thus, here we systemically summarized recent advances in indole alkaloids as anticancer agents by targeting different RCD subroutines, including the classical apoptosis and autophagic cell death signaling pathways as well as the crucial signaling pathways of other RCD subroutines, such as ferroptosis, mitotic catastrophe, necroptosis, and anoikis, in cancer. Moreover, we further discussed the cross talk between different RCD subroutines mediated by indole alkaloids and the combined strategies of multiple agents (e.g., 3,10-dibromofascaplysin combined with olaparib) to exhibit therapeutic potential against various cancers by regulating RCD subroutines. In short, the information provided in this review on the regulation of cell death by indole alkaloids against different targets is expected to be beneficial for the design of novel molecules with greater targeting and biological properties, thereby facilitating the development of new strategies for cancer therapy.

Pharmacological investigation of brucine anti-ulcer potential

Gastric ulcer is one of the most common chronic gastrointestinal diseases characterized by a significant defect in the mucosal barrier. The current study has been conducted to evaluate the brucine anti-ulcer effect. Brucine has binding energy values ranging from −2.99 to −8.11 kcal/mol against chosen targets, according to in silico research. Brucine exhibits an inhibitory effect against Helicobacter pylori. In vivo findings revealed that brucine (3 mg/kg) showed effective results in healing ethanol-induced ulcer lesions of the gastric region in rats. Brucine showed an inhibitory effect against H⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Levels of glutathione, glutathione-s-transferase, and catalase were enhanced in the gastric rat tissue with the use of brucine, while a significant decrease in lipid peroxide levels was seen. Histopathological evaluation showed improvement in cellular architecture and a decrease in inflammatory indicators like cyclooxygenase, tumor necrosis factor, and nuclear factor kappa B expression, validated through immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blot techniques. In the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, brucine decreased H⁺/K⁺-ATPase mRNA levels. This study reveals that brucine possesses stable binding affinities against selected targets. Brucine exhibits an anti-ulcer effect, mediated via anti-H. pylori, H⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibition, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways.

Anti-cancer activities of Schedule E1 drugs used in ayurvedic formulations

Schedule E1 is an important part of Drugs and Cosmetics Act (Government of India) that comprises the list of poisonous drugs from plant, animal and mineral origins to be consumed under medical supervision. Ayurveda, the world's oldest medicinal system has a list of drugs represented in schedule E1 that are used since thousands of years. This review reports the anti-cancer activities of fifteen toxic ayurvedic drugs from plant origin represented in Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The information was collected from the various authentic sources, compiled and summarised. The plant extracts, formulations, phytoconstituents and other preparations of these drugs have shown effective activities against mammary carcinoma, neuroblastoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, lymphocytic leukaemia, colorectal adenocarcinoma, Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, glioblastoma asterocytoma and other malignancies. They have various mechanisms of action including Bax upregulation, Bcl₂ downregulation, induction of cell cycle arrest at S phase, G2/M phase, inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factors, inhibition of Akt/mTOR signalling etc. Certain traditional ayurvedic preparations containing these plants are reported beneficial and the possibilities of these drugs as the alternative and adjuvant therapeutic agents in the current cancer care have been discussed. The studies suggest that these drugs could be utilised in future for the critical care of malignancies.

Isatin Counteracts Diethylnitrosamine/2-Acetylaminofluorene-Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Male Wistar Rats by Upregulating Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Detoxification Pathways

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents around 85% of all known types of liver cancers and is estimated to be the fifth most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The current study assessed the preventive efficacy of isatin on diethylnitrosamine (DENA)/2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male Wistar rats and investigated the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. HCC was initiated by intraperitoneal injection of DENA (150 mg/kg/week) for two weeks, followed by oral 2-AAF (20 mg/kg) every other day for three successive weeks. Oral isatin or vehicle (control) was administered at 25 mg/kg for 20 weeks during and following HCC induction. Isatin ameliorated the deleterious effects of DENA/2-AAF on liver function as evidenced by reduced serum levels of AST, ALT, total bilirubin, albumin, and liver tumor biomarkers (CA19.9 and AFP) compared to control DENA/2-AAF-treated rats. Histopathological evaluations demonstrated that isatin-mediated protection against hepatocarcinogenesis was accompanied by a decline in hepatic lipid peroxidation, a marker of oxidative stress, and enhanced antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by increased glutathione and superoxide dismutase expression. Isatin treatment also upregulated expression of the major stress-response transcription factor Nrf2 and the detoxifying enzymes NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase and glutathione-S-transferase alpha 2 and downregulated expression of the proliferation marker Ki67. Moreover, isatin significantly reduced the DENA/2-AAF-induced decrease in hepatic expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 and the DENA/2-AAF-induced increases in pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic factors (TNF-α, NF-κB p50, NF-κB p65, p53, and caspase 3). Thus, it can be concluded that isatin may protect against chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis by enhancing cellular antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification mechanisms, in part through upregulation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Molecular alterations that precede the establishment of the hallmarks of cancer: An approach on the prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis

Chronic liver injury promotes the molecular alterations that precede the establishment of cancer. Usually, several decades of chronic insults are needed to develop the most common primary liver tumor known as hepatocellular carcinoma. As other cancer types, liver cancer cells are governed by a common set of rules collectively called the hallmarks of cancer. Although those rules have provided a conceptual framework for understanding the complex pathophysiology of established tumors, therapeutic options are still ineffective in advanced stages. Thus, the molecular alterations that precede the establishment of cancer remain an attractive target for therapeutic interventions. Here, we first summarize the chemopreventive interventions targeting the early liver carcinogenesis stages. After an integrative analysis on the plethora of molecular alterations regulated by anticancer agents, we then underline and discuss that two critical processes namely oxidative stress and genetic alterations, play the role of 'dirty work laborer' in the initial cell damage and drive the transformation of preneoplastic into neoplastic cells, respectively; besides, the activation of cellular senescence works as a key mechanism in attempting to prevent the onset and establishment of liver cancer. Whereas the detrimental effects of the binomial made up of oxidative stress and genetic alterations are either eliminated or reduced, senescence activation is promoted by anticancer agents. We argue that collectively, oxidative stress, genetic alterations, and senescence are key events that influence the fate of initiated cells and the establishment of the hallmarks of cancer.

An Overview of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Emphasis on Dietary Products and Herbal Remedies

The most common principal malignant tumor that accounts for ∼80% of cases of liver cancer across the world is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is a multifacetedillness that is caused by several risk factors and often progresses in the context of underlying cirrhosis. It is tremendously difficult and essential for the screening of novel therapeutic medications to establish HCC preclinical models that are equivalent to clinical diseases settings, i.e., representing the tumor microenvironment of HCC. In the progress of HCC, numerous molecular cascades have been supposed to play a part. Sorafenib is the only drug permitted by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of HCC. Yet because of the increasing resistance to the drug and its toxicity, clinical treatment methods are not completely adequate. Newer treatment therapy options are essential for the management of HCC in patients. Natural compounds can be afforded by the patients with improved results with less toxicity and fewer side effects, among different methods of liver cancer treatment. The treatment and management of HCC with natural drugs and their phytoconstituents are connected to several paths that can prevent the occurrence and progress of HCC in several ways. The present review summarizes the etiology of HCC, molecular pathways, newer therapeutic approaches, natural dietary products, herbal plants and phytoconstituents for HCC treatment.

Brucine-loaded transliposomes nanogel for topical delivery in skin cancer: statistical optimization, in vitro and dermatokinetic evaluation

The aim of the present study was to develop, optimize brucine-loaded transliposomes (BRC-TL) formulation for dermal delivery of brucine for skin cancer. The BRC-TL formulations were evaluated for vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release. The optimized formulation was further evaluated for skin penetration by confocal laser microscopy and dermatokinetic study. The optimized BRC-TL formulation presented sealed lamellar shaped vesicles, with vesicles size, polydispersity index, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release of 136.20 ± 2.87 nm, 0.354 ± 0.02, 86.01 ± 1.27%, and 83.09 ± 2.07%, respectively. Ex vivo permeation study showed that, developed BRC-TL formulation had a 2.4-fold increment in permeation as compared to BRC suspension. Texture analysis showed that the BRC-TL gel presented firmness of 158.91 g, consistency of 615.03 g/s, cohesiveness of  - 115.26 g and a viscosity index of  - 472.05 g/s. The confocal images of rat skin clearly showed the deeper penetration of rhodamine B-loaded TL formulation as compared to the Rhodamine B-hydro alcoholic solution. The optimized BRC-TL formulation demonstrated significantly higher cytotoxicity than placebo liposome and BRC suspension (P < 0.05). Further, the BRC-TL nanogel treated rat skin showed a substantial increase in C_{Skin max} and AUC_0-8 in comparison to rat skin treated with BRC conventional gel (P < 0.05). The data revealed that the developed TLs formulation could be a promising drug nanocarrier for brucine dermal delivery in the treatment of skin cancer.

Chronotoxicity of Semen Strychni is associated with circadian metabolism and transport in mice

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the circadian responses of mice to Semen Strychni and to investigate the role of pharmacokinetics in generating chronotoxicity.

METHODS

Total extract of Semen Strychni was administered by oral gavage to wild-type (WT) and Bmal1-/- (a circadian clock-deficient model) mice at different circadian time points for toxicity (including survival) and pharmacokinetic characterization. Nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity were evaluated by measuring plasma creatinine and creatine kinase BB (CK-BB), respectively. Drug metabolism and transport assays were performed using liver/intestine microsomes and everted gut sacs, respectively.

KEY FINDINGS

Semen Strychni nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity as well as animal survival displayed significant circadian rhythms (the highest level of toxicity was observed at ZT18 and the lowest level at ZT2 to ZT6). According to pharmacokinetic experiments, herb dosing at ZT18 generated higher plasma concentrations (and systemic exposure) of strychnine and brucine (two toxic constituents) compared with ZT6 dosing. This was accompanied by reduced formation of both dihydroxystrychnine and strychnine glucuronide (two strychnine metabolites) at ZT18. Bmal1 ablation sensitized mice to Semen Strychni-induced toxicity (with increased levels of plasma creatinine and CK-BB) and abolished the time dependency of toxicity. Metabolism of Semen Strychni (strychnine and brucine) in the liver and intestine microsomes of WT mice was more extensive at ZT6 than at ZT18. These time differences in hepatic and intestinal metabolism were lost in Bmal1-/- mice. Additionally, the intestinal efflux transport of Semen Strychni (strychnine and brucine) was more extensive at ZT6 than ZT18 in WT mice. However, the time-varying transport difference was abolished in Bmal1-/- mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Circadian responses of mice to Semen Strychni are associated with time-varying efflux transport and metabolism regulated by the circadian clock (Bmal1). Our findings may have implications for optimizing phytotherapy with Semen Strychni via timed delivery.

Brucine inhibits proliferation of glioblastoma cells by targeting the G-quadruplexes in the c-Myb promoter

The proto-oncogene c-Myb plays an important role in cell proliferation, and its upregulation affects the development of glioblastomas. G-quadruplexes are secondary DNA or RNA structures that usually form in the promoter region of oncogenes, including c-Myb, and regulate the expression of these genes. The traditional Chinese medicine, brucine, is a ligand of the G-quadruplexes located in the promoter region of c-Myb. The present study investigated the therapeutic effects and mechanism of action of brucine in U87, LN18, and LN229 cells in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that brucine suppressed the growth of these cells in vitro by arresting the cell cycle and reducing c-Myb expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that brucine inhibited c-Myb expression by targeting the guanine-rich sequence that forms G-quadruplexes in the c-Myb promoter. Moreover, U87 tumors were suppressed by brucine in a tumor xenograft nude mouse model. Therefore, brucine is potentially effective for treating glioblastomas.

Alkaloids from Traditional Chinese Medicine against hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become one of the major diseases that are threatening human health in the 21st century. Currently there are many approaches to treat liver cancer, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Among various methods of treating liver cancer, natural medicine treatment has achieved promising results because of their superiorities of high efficiency and availability, as well as low side effects. Alkaloids, as a class of natural ingredients derived from traditional Chinese medicines, have previously been shown to exert prominent anti-hepatocarcinogenic effects, through various mechanisms including inhibition of proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis, changing cell morphology, promoting apoptosis and autophagy, triggering cell cycle arrest, regulating various cancer-related genes as well as pathways and so on. As a consequence, alkaloids suppress the development and progression of liver cancer. In this study, the mechanisms of representative alkaloids against hepatocarcinoma in each class are described systematically according to the structure classification, which mainly divides alkaloids into piperidine alkaloids, isoquinoline alkaloids, indole alkaloids, terpenoids alkaloids, steroidal alkaloids and other alkaloids. Besides using them alone, synergistic effects created together with other chemotherapy drugs and some special preparation methods also have been demonstrated. In this review, we have summarized the potential roles of several common alkaloids in the prevention and treatment of HCC, by revising the preclinical studies, highlighting the potential applications of alkaloids when they function as a therapeutic choice for HCC treatment, and integrating them into clinical practices.

Biochemical studies evaluating the chemopreventive potential of brucine in chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis of rats

The present study was aimed to investigate the dose dependent chemopreventive activity of brucine against 7, 12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene induced mammary gland tumorigenesis in rats. The mammary tumor was induced by a single dose of DMBA (25 mg/rat) injected subcutaneously near the mammary gland. We observed reduced body weight and increase in tumor incidence, the total number of tumors, and tumor volume in DMBA alone injected rats and also observed decreased antioxidant status (SOD, CAT, GPX, and GSH) and increased lipid peroxidation (TBARS and LOOH) in plasma and mammary tissues. Increased levels of CYP450, Cyt-b5 and decreased levels of phase II (GST and GR) biotransformation enzymes were noticed in the liver and mammary tissues. Further, increased levels of lipid profile (TC, TG, PL, and FFA) and lipoprotein (LDL and VLDL) were noticed. Whereas, decrease in the levels of HDL in plasma and decreased levels of PL and FFA in mammary tissues were observed. Oral administration of brucine in different doses (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg bw) inhibited the tumor incidence and restored the levels of biochemical markers near to normal in dose responsive manner. Biochemical findings are supported by histopathological studies. The results suggest that brucine at a dose of 8 mg/kg bw shows more significant chemopreventive activity in DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in regulating the migration by an effective natural compound brucine in LoVo cells

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer remains the third most common malignancies and migration is one of the main factors for its high mortality rate. Brucine, a natural plant alkaloid, has been proved to possess a variety of pharmacological functions including anti-tumor activities.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of brucine on the colorectal cancer and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

In this study, colony formation assay and transwell assay were used to investigate the effect of brucine on LoVo cells viability and migration. Immunofluorescence assay, western blot assay and Gelatin zymography assay were used to study the mechanism of brucine. Xenograft model in nude mice was induced to investigate the in vivo effect of brucine on LoVo cells.

RESULTS

Brucine could significantly decrease the viability, inhibit the colony formation and induce the apoptosis of LoVo cells. Brucine could also suppress the migration of LoVo cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis elucidated that the inhibition of migration was associated with the decreasing expression of matrix metalloproteinases including MMP2, MMP3 and MMP9. Moreover, we found that treatment of brucine could downregulate the expression of Frizzled-8, Wnt5a, APC and GSNK1A1, and increase the expression of AXIN1. Meanwhile, brucine also decreased the phosphorylation level of LRP5/6 and GSK3β, and increased the level of p-β-catenin. Xenografted model in nude mice study also revealed that oral administration of brucine could inhibit the growth and migration of LoVo cells by activating the expression of AXIN1 and p-β-catenin.

CONCLUSION

Brucine could suppress the migration of the colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo and the effect was associated with the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicity of Strychnos nux-vomica L.: A Review

Strychnos nux-vomica L. belongs to the genus Strychnos of the family Loganiaceae and grows in Sri Lanka, India and Australia. The traditional medicinal component is its seed, called Nux vomica. This study provides a relevant and comprehensive review of S. nux-vomica L., including its botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, thus providing a foundation for future studies. Up to the present day, over 84 compounds, including alkaloids, iridoid glycosides, flavonoid glycosides, triterpenoids, steroids and organic acids, among others, have been isolated and identified from S. nux-vomica. These compounds possess an array of biological activities, including effects on the nervous system, analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions, antitumor effects, inhibition of the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and regulation of immune function. Furthermore, toxicity and detoxification methods are preliminarily discussed toward the end of this review. In further research on S. nux-vomica, bioactivity-guided isolation strategies should be emphasized. Its antitumor effects should be investigated further and in vivo animal experiments should be performed alongside in vitro testing. The pharmacological activity and toxicology of strychnine [Formula: see text]-oxide and brucine [Formula: see text]-oxide should be studied to explore the detoxification mechanism associated with processing more deeply.

Renoprotective Effects of Total Glucosides from Paeony against Nephrotoxicity Induced by Total Alkaloids from Semen Strychni

Semen Strychni have been shown to have therapeutic effect in improving blood circulation, relieving rheumatic pain, and treating cancer. However, Semen Strychni could cause severe nephrotoxicity. The present study was designed to evaluate whether treatment with total glucosides from paeony (TGP) has renoprotective effect against nephrotoxicity induced by total alkaloids from Semen Strychni (TAS). The levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were determined and histopathological changes were also examined to evaluate renal injury. Moreover, a HPLC-MS method was developed and validated to investigate the comparative toxicokinetics of strychnine and brucine in rats plasma after oral administration of TAS and pretreatment with TGP. Results demonstrated that the levels of BUN and Cr were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in TAS group, together with tubule epithelium cloudy swelling, degeneration, and glomerular atrophy in rats' kidneys. The TAS-induced kidney damage was alleviated after pretreatment with TGP. Besides, T_max of strychnine and brucine were increased and T_1/2 of strychnine and brucine were decreased after pretreatment with TGP. The toxicokinetics study showed that pretreatment with TGP could attenuate the absorption of strychnine and brucine, as well as accelerate their elimination. These results suggest that TGP possesses renoprotective effects.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of novel NGR-modified liposomes containing brucine

In this study, a novel NGR (Asn-Gly-Arg) peptide-modified liposomal brucine was prepared by using spray-drying method. The surface morphology of the liposomes, encapsulation efficiency and particle size were investigated. The data showed that the addition of NGR did not produce any significant influence on brucine liposomes in terms of particle size or zeta potential. In addition, after 3 months of storage, no dramatic change such as visible aggregation, drug content changes or precipitation in the appearance of NGR-brucine liposomes occurred. The in vitro release results indicated that the release of brucine from NGR liposomes was similar to that of liposomes, demonstrating that the NGR modification did not affect brucine release. The in vitro drug-release kinetic model of NGR-brucine liposomes fitted well with the Weibull's equation. In vivo, NGR-brucine liposomes could significantly extend the bioavailability of brucine; however, there was no significant difference observed in the pharmacokinetic parameters between liposomes and NGR liposomes after intravenous administration. Antitumor activity results showed that NGR-modified liposomes exhibited less toxicity and much higher efficacy in HepG2-bearing mice compared with non-modified liposomes. The enhanced antitumor activity might have occurred because brucine was specifically recognized by NGR receptor on the surface of tumor cells, which enhanced the intracellular uptake of drugs.

Troxerutin with copper generates oxidative stress in cancer cells: Its possible chemotherapeutic mechanism against hepatocellular carcinoma

Troxerutin (TXER) a rutin derivative is known for its anticancer effect against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As part of large study, recently we have shown TXER interact with genetic material and its anti-mutagenic property. In the present study we have explored its possible mode of action in HCC. Since TXER alone did not show significant anticancer effect on Huh-7 cells, in vitro biochemical assays were performed for determining anticancer efficacy of TXER + metal complex using transition metals such as Cu, Zn, and Fe. The anticancer efficacy of TXER + Cu on Huh-7 cells were evaluated using MTT assay, DCFDA, JC-1 staining, comet assay, cell cycle analysis, immunocytochemistry, and Western blotting. Non-toxic nature of TXER was analyzed on primary rat hepatocytes. The in vivo efficacy of TXER was tested in N-nitrosodiethylamine initiated and γ-benzene hexachloride and partial hepatectomy promoted rat liver cancer. Liver markers, transition metal levels, histopathological examination, and expression levels of GST-P, 8-OHdG and Ki-67 were studied to assess the in vivo anticancer effect of TXER. We observed that TXER + Cu induced extensive cellular death on Huh-7 cells through generating free radicals and did not possess any toxic effect on normal hepatocytes. The in vivo studies revealed that TXER possess significant anti-cancer effect as assessed through improved liver markers and suppressed GST-P, 8-OHdG, and Ki-67 expression. TXER treatment reduced the hepatic Cu level in cancer bearing animals. Current study brings the putative mechanism involved in anti-cancer effect of TXER, further it will help to formulate phytoconstituents coupled anti-cancer drug for effective treatment of HCC.

Evaluation of the antitumor activity of platinum nanoparticles in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma induced in rats

This study aimed to evaluate the antitumor activity of platinum nanoparticles compared with cis-platin both in vitro and in vivo in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma induced in rats. The treatment efficacy of platinum nanoparticles was evaluated by measuring antioxidant activities against oxidative stress caused by diethylnitrosamine in liver tissue. The measurements included reduced glutathione content and superoxide dismutase activity, as well as malondialdehyde level. Liver function tests were also determined, in addition to the evaluation of serum alpha-fetoprotein, caspase-3, and cytochrome c in liver tissue. Total RNA extraction from liver tissue samples was also done for the relative quantification of B-cell lymphoma 2, matrix metallopeptidase 9, and tumor protein p53 genes. Histopathological examination was also performed for liver tissue. Results showed that platinum nanoparticles are more potent than cis-platin in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by diethylnitrosamine in rats as it ameliorated the investigated parameters toward normal control animals. These findings were well appreciated with histopathological studies of diethylnitrosamine group treated with platinum nanoparticles, suggesting that platinum nanoparticles can serve as a good therapeutic agent for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma which should attract further studies.

Resveratrol inhibits age-dependent spontaneous tumorigenesis by SIRT1-mediated post-translational modulations in the annual fish Nothobranchius guentheri

Resveratrol, SIRT1 activator, inhibits carcinogenesis predominantly performed in transgenic animal models, orthotopic cancers of nude mice or different cancer cell lines, but its effects during process of spontaneous tumors using vertebrate models remain untested. Spontaneous liver neoplasm is an age-related disease and is inhibited by resveratrol in the annual fish Nothobranchius guentheri, which indicates that the fish can act as an excellent model to study spontaneous tumorigenesis. Totally, 175 fish were fed with resveratrol and another 175 fish for controls. Treated fish were fed with resveratrol (25 μg/fish/day) from sexual maturity (4-month-old) until they were sacrificed at 6-, 9- and 12-month-old. Immunoblot, immunohistochemistry and co-immunoprecipitation were employed to investigate the underlying mechanisms that resveratrol inhibited age-dependent spontaneous tumorigenesis in the fish. Results showed that resveratrol increased protein level of SIRT1 and alleviated age-associated tumorigenesis in liver. With SIRT1 up-regulation, resveratrol reduced proliferation by deacetylating K-Ras and inactivating K-Ras/PI3K/AKT pathway; and promoted apoptosis through deacetylation and dephosphorylation of FoxOs, up-regulation of DLC1 and interaction between SIRT1 and DLC1, and dephosphorylation of DLC1 in spontaneous neoplasms. We established a novel short-lived fish model for understanding the molecular mechanisms of drugs on age-dependent spontaneous tumorigenesis.

An analytical strategy to investigate Semen Strychni nephrotoxicity based on simultaneous HILIC-ESI-MS/MS detection of Semen Strychni alkaloids, tyrosine and tyramine in HEK 293t cell lysates

A Previous metabolomics study has demonstrated that tyrosine metabolism might be disrupted by treating with Semen Strychni on the cell nephrotoxicity model. To investigate the relationship between Semen Strychni alkaloids (SAs) and endogenous tyrosine, tyramine under the nephrotoxicity condition, an HILIC-ESI-MS/MS based analytical strategy was applied in this study. Based on the established Semen Strychni nephrotoxicity cell model, strychnine and brucine were identified and screened as the main SAs by an HPLC-Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole Orbitrap mass system. Then, a sensitive HILIC-ESI-MS/MS method was developed to simultaneously monitor strychnine, brucine, tyrosine and tyramine in cell lysate. The analytes were separated by a Shiseido CAPCELL CORE PC (150mm×2.1mm, 2.7μm) HILIC column in an acetonitrile/0.1% formic acid gradient system. All the calibration curves were linear with regression coefficients above 0.9924. The absolute recoveries were more than 80.5% and the matrix effects were between 91.6%-107.0%. With the developed method, analytes were successfully determined in cell lysates. Decreased levels of tyrosine and tyramine were observed only in combination with increased levels of SAs, indicating that the disturbance of tyrosine metabolism might be induced by the accumulation of SAs in kidney cell after exposure of Semen Strychni. The HILIC-ESI-MS/MS based analytical strategy is a useful tool to reveal the relationships between the toxic herb components and the endogenous metabolite profiling in the toxicity investigation of herb medicines.

The in vivo antineoplastic and therapeutic efficacy of troxerutin on rat preneoplastic liver: biochemical, histological and cellular aspects

PURPOSE

Troxerutin (TXER), a trihydroxyethylated derivative of the natural bioflavonoid rutin, abundantly found in tea, various fruits and vegetables, is known to exhibit ample pharmacological properties. In the present investigation, we examined the antineoplastic, therapeutic efficacy and furthermore the possible mechanisms of action of TXER against NAFLD/NASH progression to hepatocarcinogenesis.

METHODS

The effect of TXER (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg b.w/day) was evaluated on the nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) model of hepatocarcinogenesis in rats, after 16 weeks of oral treatment, with special focus on liver specific enzymes, xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation profile, DNA damage, fibrosis, cell proliferation and inflammatory status.

RESULTS

Administration of TXER to hepatocellular carcinoma-bearing rats restored the enzyme activities and the hepatic architecture. Furthermore, TXER significantly curtailed NDEA-induced DNA damage, cell proliferation, inflammation, fibrosis and hepatic hyperplasia.

CONCLUSION

This study provides the evidence that troxerutin exerts a significant therapeutic effect against liver cancer by modulating liver function enzymes, xenobiotic enzymes, oxidative damage, inhibiting cell proliferation, suppressing inflammatory response and induction of apoptosis.

Effect of resveratrol analogue, DMU-212, on antioxidant status and apoptosis-related genes in rat model of hepatocarcinogenesis

The aim of the study was to examine whether antioxidant properties of 3,4,4',5-tetramethoxystilbene (DMU-212) contribute to its anticarcinogenic activity and whether DMU-212 affects the expression of apoptosis-related genes. Two-stage model of hepatocarcinogenesis was used; male Wistar rats were challenged with N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), 200 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), intraperitoneal, then phenobarbital (PB) in drinking water (0.05%) was administered. Simultaneously, DMU-212 was given per os at a dose 20 or 50 mg/kg b.w. two times a week for 16 weeks. DMU-212 caused a moderate decrease in hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyls concentration elevated in rats treated with NDEA/PB. The activity of antioxidant enzymes examined reduced by NDEA/PB treatment was not restored in rats coadministered with DMU-212. Effects of DMU-212 on messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of antioxidant enzymes in rats challenged with NDEA/PB were diversified; no changes in their protein expression were noted in any of the groups. The expression of 17,000 genes was analyzed by Affymetrix® Rat Gene 1.1 ST Array; 15 apoptosis-related genes were selected and validated by RT-q PCR. The combined treatment with NDEA/PB and DMU-212 increased the mRNA level of some genes driving mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, whereas the mRNA expression of some anti-apoptotic genes triggering receptor-mediated apoptosis was reduced. The expression of genes encoding caspases-4, -8, -9, and -12 was also increased in rats treated with DMU-212. Although antioxidant effect of DMU-212 in rats challenged with NDEA/PB was moderate, its potential anticarcinogenic properties were demonstrated as evidenced by modulation of apoptosis-related genes.

Integrative investigation of Semen Strychni nephrotoxicity and the protective effect of Radix Glycyrrhizae by a UPLC-MS/MS method based cell metabolomics strategy in HEK 293t cell lysates

Scheme of the cell metabolomics strategy workflow.

Apoptotic effects of dipyrido [3,2-a:2',3'-c] phenazine (dppz) Au(III) complex against diethylnitrosamine/phenobarbital induced experimental hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

We evaluated the effects of dipyrido [3,2-a:2',3'-c] phenazine (dppz) Au(III) complex ([Au(dppz)Cl2]Cl) on apoptosis during chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma. 48 male Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into six groups; group I (control), group II [Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)], group III ([Au(dppz)Cl2]Cl), group IV [diethylnitrosamine + Phenobabital (DEN + PB)], group V (DEN + PB + [Au(dppz)Cl2]Cl (2nd week)), and group VI (DEN + PB + [Au(dppz)Cl2]Cl (7th week). The rats in groups IV through VI were administrated with DEN in a single dose of intraperitoneal 175 mg/kg. After 2 weeks of DEN administration, these groups of rats were given daily PB in a dose of 500 ppm. In group V, after two weeks of DEN administration, [Au(dppz)Cl2]Cl complex (2 mg/kg) was given once a week by intraperitoneal injection. In the group VI, the rats were given a dose of 2 mg/kg [Au(dppz)Cl2]Cl complex once a week, 7 weeks after DEN administration. At the end of the study, blood and tissue samples were collected from the rats to determine levels of serum AST, ALT, and LDH, and caspase 3, p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and DNA fragmentation in liver. AST, ALT, LDH, and Bcl-2 levels were higher in group IV, compared to group I, but caspase 3 and p53 levels were lower. In group V, caspase 3, p53, Bax, and DNA fragmentation levels were higher than those of group IV. Caspase 3 and p53 levels increased in group VI compared with group IV. In conclusion, [Au(dppz)Cl2]Cl complex induced apoptosis by elevating levels of caspase 3, p53, Bax, and DNA fragmentation.

Determination of 12 potential nephrotoxicity biomarkers in rat serum and urine by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and its application to renal failure induced by Semen Strychni

In previous nephrotoxicity metabonomic studies, several potential biomarkers were found and evaluated. To investigate the relationship between the nephrotoxicity biomarkers and the therapeutic role of Radix Glycyrrhizae extract on Semen Strychni-induced renal failure, 12 typical biomarkers are selected and a simple LC-MS method has been developed and validated. Citric acid, guanidinosuccinic acid, taurine, guanidinoacetic acid, uric acid, creatinine, hippuric acid, xanthurenic acid, kynurenic acid, 3-indoxyl sulfate, indole-3-acetic acid, and phenaceturic acid were separated by a Phenomenex Luna C18 column and a methanol/water (5 mM ammonium acetate) gradient program with a runtime of 20 min. The prepared calibration curves showed good linearity with regression coefficients all above 0.9913. The absolute recoveries of analytes from serum and urine were all more than 70.4%. With the developed method, analytes were successfully determined in serum and urine samples within 52 days. Results showed that guanidinosuccinic acid, guanidinoacetic acid, 3-indoxyl sulfate, and indole-3-acetic acid (only in urine) were more sensitive than the conventional renal function markers in evaluating the therapeutic role of Radix Glycyrrhizae extract on Semen Strychni-induced renal failure. The method could be further used in predicting and monitoring renal failure cause by other reasons in the following researches.

A study of Semen Strychni-induced renal injury and herb-herb interaction of Radix Glycyrrhizae extract and/or Rhizoma Ligustici extract on the comparative toxicokinetics of strychnine and brucine in rats

Recently, the renal injury caused by Semen strychni and its major toxic constituents, strychnine and brucine, was reported in many clinical cases. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the renal injury induced by Semen Strychni and the protective effects of Radix Glycyrrhizae and Rhizoma Ligustici. The protective mechanisms were related to the comparative toxicokinetics of strychnine and brucine. Serum and urine uric acid and creatinine were used as renal function markers to evaluate the condition of kidney, and renal injury was directly reflected by histopathological changes. Compared with rats in blank group and protective herb groups, rats in Semen Strychni high-dose group showed significant differences in the results of renal function markers, and various glomerular and tubular degenerations were found in the histopathological study. The decreased AUC (only strychnine) and Cmax, the increased Tmax by Radix Glycyrrhizae and the decreased T1/2 by Radix Glycyrrhizae and Rhizoma Ligustici were found in model groups. Results indicated that high dose of Semen Strychni might induce renal injury. Radix Glycyrrhizae and Rhizoma Ligustici might work together and have effects on the elimination of strychnine and brucine. The protective effects of Radix Glycyrrhizae might also be explained by the slow absorption of the alkaloids.