Demethylwedelolactone derivatives inhibit invasive growth in vitro and lung metastasis of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in nude mice

Coumarin as an Elite Scaffold in Anti-Breast Cancer Drug Development: Design Strategies, Mechanistic Insights, and Structure-Activity Relationships

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Currently, it poses a significant threat to the healthcare system due to the emerging resistance and toxicity of available drug candidates in clinical practice, thus generating an urgent need for the development of new potent and safer anti-breast cancer drug candidates. Coumarin (chromone-2-one) is an elite ring system widely distributed among natural products and possesses a broad range of pharmacological properties. The unique distribution and pharmacological efficacy of coumarins attract natural product hunters, resulting in the identification of numerous natural coumarins from different natural sources in the last three decades, especially those with anti-breast cancer properties. Inspired by this, numerous synthetic derivatives based on coumarins have been developed by medicinal chemists all around the globe, showing promising anti-breast cancer efficacy. This review is primarily focused on the development of coumarin-inspired anti-breast cancer agents in the last three decades, especially highlighting design strategies, mechanistic insights, and their structure-activity relationship. Natural coumarins having anti-breast cancer efficacy are also briefly highlighted. This review will act as a guideline for researchers and medicinal chemists in designing optimum coumarin-based potent and safer anti-breast cancer agents.

The mechanisms of multidrug resistance of breast cancer and research progress on related reversal agents

Chemotherapy is the mainstay in the treatment of breast cancer. However, many drugs that are commonly used in clinical practice have a high incidence of side effects and multidrug resistance (MDR), which is mainly caused by overexpression of drug transporters and related enzymes in breast cancer cells. In recent years, researchers have been working hard to find newer and safer drugs to overcome MDR in breast cancer. In this review, we provide the molecule mechanism of MDR in breast cancer, categorize potential lead compounds that inhibit single or multiple drug transporter proteins, as well as related enzymes. Additionally, we have summarized the structure-activity relationship (SAR) based on potential breast cancer MDR modulators with lower side effects. The development of novel approaches to suppress MDR is also addressed. These lead compounds hold great promise for exploring effective chemotherapy agents to overcome MDR, providing opportunities for curing breast cancer in the future.

Chinese Ecliptae herba (Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.) extract and its component wedelolactone enhances osteoblastogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via targeting METTL3-mediated m6A RNA methylation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chinese Ecliptae herba (Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.) is an ethnomedicinal herb, which is used mainly to nourish kidney and thus strengthen bones according to traditional Chinese medicine theory. Pharmacological studies have supported the ethnomedicine use, showing that Ecliptae herba extract has an anti-osteoporotic effect in vivo and promoted osteoblast proliferation and activity in vitro. However, the molecular mechanism of Ecliptae herba on osteoblast differentiation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC), the progenitors of osteoblasts, is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA epigenetic modification may play a key role in promoting osteoblastic differentiation, and thus treating osteoporosis. This study sought to assess the mechanism through which Eclipate herba and its component wedelolactone influence m6A modification during the process of osteoblastogenesis from BMSC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin red S (ARS) staining were applied to determine osteoblastogenesis from BMSC. Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR were performed. RNA sequencing analysis was used to determine the characteristics of m6A methylation. Stable knocking down of METTL3 using lentiviral-based shRNA was performed.

RESULTS

Upon 9 d treatment of BMSC with ethyl acetate extract of Ecliptae herba (MHL), ALP activity and ossification level increased in comparison with osteogenic medium (OS)-treated control. The expression of methyltransferase METTL3 and METTL14 was significantly increased, but WTAP expression had no change in response to MHL treatment. Knocking down of METTL3 resulted in a decrease in MHL-induced ALP activity, ossification level as well as mRNA expression of Osterix and Osteocalcin, two bone formation-related markers. The level of m6A increased when BMSC was treated with MHL for 9 d. RNA sequencing analysis indicated that MHL treatment altered mRNA m6A modification of genes associated with osteoblastogenesis. By kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, HIF-1α, PI3K/Akt, and Hippo signaling pathways were enriched and associated with m6A modification. The expression of m6A-modified genes including HIF-1α, VEGF-A, and RASSF1, was upregulated by MHL, but the upregulation was reversed after METTL3 knockdown. Additionally, the enhanced expression of METTL3 was also observed after treatment with wedelolactone, a component from MHL.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested a previously uncharacterized mechanism of MHL and wedelolactone on osteoblastogenesis, by which METTL3-mediated m6A methylation is involved and thus contributes to the enhancement of osteoblastogenesis.

Wedelolactone: A molecule of interests

BACKGROUND

The search for bioactive molecules from medicinal plants of the family Asteraceae has been one of the targets in various phytochemical and pharmacological investigations for many years. According to these studies, wedelolactone, a coumestan of the secondary metabolite type, is a key compound found in several Eclipta and Wedelia herbal plants. To date, numerous experimental studies with intention of highlighting its role in drug development programs were carried out, but an extensive review is not sufficient.

OBJECTIVE

The current review aims to fill the gaps in extensive knowledge about phytochemistry, synthesis, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of coumestan wedelolactone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The databases Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Medline, and CNKI were used to compile the list of references. In order to find references, "wedelolactone" was considered separately or in combination with "phytochemistry", "synthesis", "pharmacology", and "pharmacokinetics." Since the 1950s, >100 publications have been collected and reviewed.

RESULTS

Wedelolactone is likely to be a characteristic metabolite of two genera Eclipta and Wedelia, the family Asteraceae, while it could be synthetically derived from mono-phenol derivatives, through Sonogashira and cross-coupling reactions. Numerous biomedical investigations on wedelolactone revealed that its pharmacological values included anticancer, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, antiobesity, antimyotoxicity, antibacterial, antioxidant, antivirus, anti-aging, cardiovascular, serine protease inhibition, especially its protective health benefits to living organs such as liver, kidney, lung, neuron, eye, bone, and tooth. The combination of wedelolactone and potential agents is a preferential approach to improve its biomedical values. Pharmacokinetic study exhibited that wedelolactone was metabolized in rat plasma due to hydrolysis, open-ring lactone, methylation, demethylation, and glucuronidation.

CONCLUSIONS

Wedelolactone is a promising agent with the great pharmacological values. Molecular mechanisms of the actions of this compound at both in vitro and in vivo levels are now available. However, reports highlighting biosynthesis and structure-activity relationship are still not adequate. Moreover, chemo-preventive records utilizing nano-technological approaches to improve its bioavailability are needed since the solubility in the living body environment is still limited.

UPLC-MS/MS Assay for Quantification of Wedelolactone and Demethylwedelolactone in Rat Plasma and the Application to a Preclinical Pharmacokinetic Study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

Wedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone are the two major coumarin constituents of Herba Ecliptae. The objective of this work was to develop and validate a sensitive, rapid, and robust UPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of wedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone in rat plasma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone were extracted from rat plasma by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Electrospray ionization in negative mode and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) were used for wedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone at the transitions m/z 312.8→298.0 and m/z 299.1→270.6, respectively. Chromatographic separation was conducted on a Venusil C₁₈ column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 5 μm) with isocratic elution of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid in water (55:45, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. A linear range was observed over the concentration range of 0.25-100 ng/mL for wedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone.

RESULTS

They reached their maximum plasma concentrations (C_max, 74.9±13.4 ng/mL for wedelolactone and 41.3±9.57 ng/mL for demethylwedelolactone) at the peak time (T_max) of 0.633 h and 0.800 h, respectively. The AUC_0-t value of wedelolactone (260.8±141.8 ng h/mL) was higher than that of demethylwedelolactone (127.4±52.7 ng h/mL) by approximately 2-fold, whereas the terminal elimination half-life (t_1/2) of wedelolactone (2.20±0.59 h) showed the approximately same as that of demethylwedelolactone (2.08±0.69 h).

CONCLUSION

Based on full validation according to US FDA guidelines, this UPLC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rats.

Jasmonates promote enhanced production of bioactive caffeoylquinic acid derivative in Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. hairy roots

Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. is widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of hepatitis, poisoning from snake bites and viral infections. Pharmacological studies confirmed its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. The efficacy of E. prostrata (L.) L. extracts has been correlated to phenylpropanoids such as flavonoids, coumestans and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives. In this work, the production of wedelolactone, demethylwedelolactone and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3,5-diCQA) in hairy root cultures of E. prostrata (L.) L. C19 clone was increased after addition of eliciting agents jasmonic acid (JA) or methyl jasmonate (MeJA) at multiple concentrations. Cultures elicited with 100 μM of JA saw a 5.2 fold increase in wedelolactone (from 0.72 to 3.72 mg/g d.w.), a 1.6 fold increase in demethylwedelolactone (from 5.54 to 9.04 mg/g d.w.) and a 2.47 fold increase in 3,5-diCQA (from 18.08 to 44.71 mg/g d.w.). Obtained data validate the potential of E. prostrata (L.) L. hairy root cultures as a production system of wedelolactone, demethylwedelolactone and especially 3,5-diCQA, which has recently been reported to possess activity against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) by in silico computational studies.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11240-021-02201-4.

Induction of Polyploidy and Metabolic Profiling in the Medicinal Herb Wedelia chinensis

Wedelia chinensis, which belongs to the Asteraceae family, is a procumbent, perennial herb. It has medicinal anti-inflammatory properties and has been traditionally used as folk medicine in East and South Asia for treating fever, cough and phlegm. In Taiwan, W. chinensis is a common ingredient of herbal tea. Previous studies showed that the plant leaves contain four major bioactive compounds, wedelolactone, demethylwedelolactone, luteolin and apigenin, that have potent antihepatoxic activity, and are thus used as major ingredients in phytopharmaceutical formulations. In this study, we set up optimal conditions for induction of ploidy in W. chinensis. Ploidy can be an effective method of increasing plant biomass and improving medicinal and ornamental characteristics. By using flow cytometry and chicken erythrocyte nuclei as a reference, the DNA content (2C) or genome size of W. chinensis was determined to be 4.80 picograms (pg) in this study for the first time. Subsequently, we developed the successful induction of five triploid and three tetraploid plants by using shoot explants treated with different concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 g/L) of colchicine. No apparent morphological changes were observed between these polyploid plants and the diploid wild-type (WT) plant, except that larger stomata in leaves were found in all polyploid plants as compared to diploid WT. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify the four index compounds (wedelolactone, demethylwedelolactone, luteolin, apigenin) in these polyploid plants, and fluctuating patterns were detected. This is the first report regarding polyploidy in the herbal plant W. chinensis.

Naturally occurring coumestans from plants, their biological activities and therapeutic effects on human diseases

Naturally occurring coumestans are known as a collection of plant-derived polycyclic aromatic secondary metabolites which are characterized by the presence of an oxygen heterocyclic four-ring system comprising a coumarin moiety and a benzofuran moiety sharing a C˭C bond. Recently, there is an increasing attention in excavating the medicinal potential of coumestans, particularly coumestrol, wedelolactone, psoralidin and glycyrol, in a variety of diseases. This review is a comprehensive inventory of the chemical structures of coumestans isolated from various plant sources during the period of 1956-2020, together with their reported biological activities. 120 molecules were collected and further classified as coumestans containing core skeleton, dimethylpyranocoumestans, furanocoumestans, O-glycosylated coumestans and others, which showed a wide range of pharmacological activities including estrogenic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoporotic, organ protective, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic and anti-obesity, antimicrobial, immunosuppressive, antioxidant and skin-protective activities. Furthermore, this review focuses on the counteraction of coumestans against bone diseases and organ damages, and the involved molecular mechanisms, which could provide important information to better understand the medicinal values of these compounds. This review is intended to be instructive for the rational design and development of less toxic and more effective drugs with a coumestan scaffold.

Perspectives on natural compounds in chemoprevention and treatment of cancer: an update with new promising compounds

Cancer is the second deadliest disease worldwide. Although recent advances applying precision treatments with targeted (molecular and immune) agents are promising, the histological and molecular heterogeneity of cancer cells and huge mutational burdens (intrinsic or acquired after therapy) leading to drug resistance and treatment failure are posing continuous challenges. These recent advances do not negate the need for alternative approaches such as chemoprevention, the pharmacological approach to reverse, suppress or prevent the initial phases of carcinogenesis or the progression of premalignant cells to invasive disease by using non-toxic agents. Although data are limited, the success of several clinical trials in preventing cancer in high-risk populations suggests that chemoprevention is a rational, appealing and viable strategy to prevent carcinogenesis. Particularly among higher-risk groups, the use of safe, non-toxic agents is the utmost consideration because these individuals have not yet developed invasive disease. Natural dietary compounds present in fruits, vegetables and spices are especially attractive for chemoprevention and treatment because of their easy availability, high margin of safety, relatively low cost and widespread human consumption. Hundreds of such compounds have been widely investigated for chemoprevention and treatment in the last few decades. Previously, we reviewed the most widely studied natural compounds and their molecular mechanisms, which were highly exploited by the cancer research community. In the time since our initial review, many promising new compounds have been identified. In this review, we critically review these promising new natural compounds, their molecular targets and mechanisms of anticancer activity that may create novel opportunities for further design and conduct of preclinical and clinical studies.

Coumarins as Modulators of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway

The Keap1/Nrf2/ARE system is a central defensive mechanism against oxidative stress which plays a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of many diseases. Nrf2 is a redox-sensitive transcription factor controlling a variety of downstream antioxidant and cytodefensive genes. Nrf2 has a powerful anti-inflammatory activity mediated via modulating NF-κB. Therefore, pharmacological activation of Nrf2 is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment/prevention of several diseases that are underlined by both oxidative stress and inflammation. Coumarins are natural products with promising pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory efficacies. Coumarins are found in many plants, fungi, and bacteria and have been widely used as complementary and alternative medicines. Some coumarins have shown an ability to activate Nrf2 signaling in different cells and animal models. The present review compiles the research findings of seventeen coumarin derivatives of plant origin (imperatorin, visnagin, urolithin B, urolithin A, scopoletin, esculin, esculetin, umbelliferone, fraxetin, fraxin, daphnetin, anomalin, wedelolactone, glycycoumarin, osthole, hydrangenol, and isoimperatorin) as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, emphasizing the role of Nrf2 activation in their pharmacological activities. Additionally, molecular docking simulations were utilized to investigate the potential binding mode of these coumarins with Keap1 as a strategy to disrupt Keap1/Nrf2 protein-protein interaction and activate Nrf2 signaling.

The combined effect of oleonuezhenide and wedelolactone on proliferation and osteoblastogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND

Regulation of the survival and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells is an essential consideration in the development of targeted drugs for treatment of osteoporosis.

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of wedelolactone and oleonuezhenide, two compounds from Chinese formula Er-Zhi-Wan, on osteoblastogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

MTT assay was taken to evaluate cell proliferation. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay was used to determine the activity of ALP. Alizarin red S (ARS) staining was taken to indicate the intensity of the calcium deposits. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to the levels of Runx2, Osteocalcin, and Osterix expression in mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Ovariectomized mouse model and bone histomorphometric analysis were also used to research the effects of wedelolactone and oleonuezhenide on bone loss caused by ovariectomy.

RESULTS

Wedelolactone combined with oleonuezhenide enhanced osteoblast differentiation and bone mineralization. Osteoblastogenesis-related marker genes including osteocalcin, Runx2, and osteorix were upregulated in the presence of wedelolactone and oleonuezhenide. At the molecular level, oleonuezhenide did not affect GSK-3β phosphorylation induced by wedelolactone, but elevated casein kinase 2-alpha (CK2α) expression, resulting in β-catenin and Runx2 nuclear translocation. In addition, 30 µM wedelolactone-induced cytotoxicity in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was relieved by 9 µM oleonuezhenide. These cells were protected by oleonuezhenide and maintained osteoblastic activity. Oleonuezhenide increased Wnt5a and CK2α expression. Wedelolactone-reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation was reversed by oleonuezhenide. In ovariectomized mice, administration of wedelolactone and oleonuezhenide prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss by enhancing osteoblastic activity.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that oleonuezhenide enhanced the effects of wedelolactone on osteoblastogenesis. These two compounds could be developed as a combined therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

RING1 and YY1 binding protein suppresses breast cancer growth and metastasis

Evidence suggests that RING1 and YY1 binding protein (RYBP) functions as a tumor suppressor. However, its role in breast cancer remains unclear. In the present study, the expression of RYBP was assessed in breast cancer patients and cell lines. Disease-free survival durations of breast cancer patients with high RYBP expression were determined based on the ATCG dataset. The effects of RYBP overexpression on cell growth, migration and invasive potency were also assessed. Nude mouse xenograft and lung metastasis models were also used to confirm the role of RYBP. The involvement of SRRM3 in RYBP-mediated breast cancer suppression was explored using SRRM3 siRNA. The potential relationship between RYBP, SRRM3, and REST-003 was examined by qPCR. The results showed that RYBP was downregulated in breast cancer patients and in several breast cancer cell lines. Breast cancer patients with high expression levels of RYBP displayed better disease-free survival. Overexpression of RYBP in MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 cells significantly decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion ability, and increased the proportion of cells arrested in S-phase compared with the negative control cells. Additionally, upregulation of proliferation-related cell cycle proteins (cyclin A and cyclin B1) and E-cadherin, and downregulation of snail were observed in RYBP-overexpressing cells. Overexpression of RYBP reduced tumor volume and weight as well as metastatic foci in the lungs of nude mice. SRRM3 knockdown by siRNA, which is downregulated after RYBP overexpression, suppressed cell growth and metastasis in MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 cells. Furthermore, qPCR analysis revealed that REST-003 ncRNA was downregulated in cells overexpressing RYBP and in SRRM3-inhibited cells. Moreover, cell invasion ability and growth were increased after SRRM3 upregulation in RYBP-overexpressing cells, but they were decreased following si-REST-003 transfection. In conclusion, overexpression of RYBP suppresses breast cancer growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. SRRM3 and REST-003, which are downregulated in cells overexpressing RYBP, may be involved in RYBP-mediated breast cancer progression.

Wedelolactone enhances osteoblastogenesis by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway but suppresses osteoclastogenesis by NF-κB/c-fos/NFATc1 pathway

Bone homeostasis is maintained by formation and destruction of bone, which are two processes tightly coupled and controlled. Targeting both stimulation on bone formation and suppression on bone resorption becomes a promising strategy for treating osteoporosis. In this study, we examined the effect of wedelolactone, a natural product from Ecliptae herba, on osteoblastogenesis as well as osteoclastogenesis. In mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC), wedelolactone stimulated osteoblast differentiation and bone mineralization. At the molecular level, wedelolactone directly inhibited GSK3β activity and enhanced the phosphorylation of GSK3β, thereafter stimulated the nuclear translocation of β-catenin and runx2. The expression of osteoblastogenesis-related marker gene including osteorix, osteocalcin and runx2 increased. At the same concentration range, wedelolactone inhibited RANKL-induced preosteoclastic RAW264.7 actin-ring formation and bone resorption pits. Further, wedelolactone blocked NF-kB/p65 phosphorylation and abrogated the NFATc1 nuclear translocation. As a result, osteoclastogenesis-related marker gene expression decreased, including c-src, c-fos, and cathepsin K. In ovariectomized mice, administration of wedelolactone prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss by enhancing osteoblast activity and inhibiting osteoclast activity. Together, these data demonstrated that wedelolactone facilitated osteoblastogenesis through Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway and suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis through NF-κB/c-fos/NFATc1 pathway. These results suggested that wedelolacone could be a novel dual functional therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

Wedelolactone mitigates UVB induced oxidative stress, inflammation and early tumor promotion events in murine skin: plausible role of NFkB pathway

UVB (Ultra-violet B) radiation is one of the major etiological factors in various dermal pathology viz. dermatitis, actinic folliculitis, solar urticaria, psoriasis and cancer among many others. UVB causes toxic manifestation in tissues by inciting inflammatory and tumor promoting events. We have designed this study to assess the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor promotion effect of Wedelolactone (WDL) a specific IKK inhibitor. Results indicate significant restoration of anti-oxidative enzymes due to WDL treatments. We also found that WDL was effective in mitigating inflammatory markers consisting of MPO (myeloperoxidase), Mast cells trafficking, Langerhans cells suppression and COX 2 expression up regulation due to UVB exposure. We also deduce that WDL presented a promising intervention in attenuating early tumor promotion events caused by UVB exposure as indicated by the results of ODC (Ornithine Decarboxylase), Thymidine assay, Vimentin and VEGF (Vascular-endothelial growth factor) expression. This study was able to provide substantial cues for the therapeutic ability of Wedelolactone against inflammatory and tumor promoting events in murine skin depicting plausible role of NFkB pathway.

Preventive effects of Ecliptae Herba extract and its component, ecliptasaponin A, on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ecliptae Herba, a nourishing traditional Chinese medicine, is also a folk medicine for the treatment of lung diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-fibrosis effects and the underlying mechanism of the extract of Ecliptae Herba and its potential active components.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The resulting extract (EXT) was prepared from the 80% ethanol extract of Ecliptae Herba. After intratracheally administrated with bleomycin (BLM, 5mg/kg), mice were orally treated with EXT at 2.5, 1.25, 0.625 g/kg and eclipta saponin A (ESA) at 80 mg/kg once daily for 28 day. The bodyweight, survival rate, pathological changes of lung and levels of hydroxyproline (HYP) were used to evaluate the anti-fibrotic effects. The malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxidae dismutase (SOD) activity, and the protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, 9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in lung tissue were analyzed by kits or western blot.

RESULTS

Compared with BLM group, EXT administration could significantly ameliorated the pathological changes of lung, decreased the HYP content, enhanced the SOD activity, and reduced the MDA content of lung tissues. In mechanism, EXT significantly alleviated the levels of COX-2, TGF-β1, MMP-2 and α-SMA, as well as elevated the ratio value of MMP-9/TIMP-1. Additionally, the anti-fibrosis effects of ESA, a large amount of saponins isolated from Eclipta prostrata , was also evaluated by the BLM-induced model. The results showed that ESA could block BLM-induced histological changes of lung tissue and decrease the high levels of TGF-β1 and α-SMA.

CONCLUSIONS

Ecliptae Herba has protective effects against the pulmonary fibrosis induced by BLM via reducing the oxidative stress, lung tissue inflammation, and the subsequent epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The active chemical constituents may be involved with triterpenoid saponins, such as ESA.

Wedelolactone induces growth of breast cancer cells by stimulation of estrogen receptor signalling

Wedelolactone, a plant coumestan, was shown to act as anti-cancer agent for breast and prostate carcinomas in vitro and in vivo targeting multiple cellular proteins including androgen receptors, 5-lipoxygenase and topoisomerase IIα. It is cytotoxic to breast, prostate, pituitary and myeloma cancer cell lines in vitro at μM concentrations. In this study, however, a novel biological activity of nM dose of wedelolactone was demonstrated. Wedelolactone acts as agonist of estrogen receptors (ER) α and β as demonstrated by transactivation of estrogen response element (ERE) in cells transiently expressing either ERα or ERβ and by molecular docking of this coumestan into ligand binding pocket of both ERα and ERβ. In breast cancer cells, wedelolactone stimulates growth of estrogen receptor-positive cells, expression of estrogen-responsive genes and activates rapid non-genomic estrogen signalling. All these effects can be inhibited by pretreatment with pure ER antagonist ICI 182,780 and they are not observed in ER-negative breast cancer cells. We conclude that wedelolactone acts as phytoestrogen in breast cancer cells by stimulating ER genomic and non-genomic signalling pathways.

Development of a standardized and effect-optimized herbal extract of Wedelia chinensis for prostate cancer

Herbal medicine is a popular complementary or alternative treatment for prostate cancer. Wedelia chinensis has at least three active compounds, wedelolactone, luteolin, and apigenin synergistically inhibiting prostate cancer cell growth in vitro. Here, we report a systematic study to develop a standardized and effect-optimized herbal extract, designated as W. chinensis extract (WCE) to facilitate its future scientific validation and clinical use. Ethanolic extract of dried W. chinensis plant was further condensed, acid hydrolyzed, and enriched with preparative chromatography. The chemical compositions of multiple batches of the standardized preparation WCE were quantified by LC/MS/MS, and biological activities were analyzed by in vitro and in vivo assays. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics of the holistic WCE were compared with the combination of the equivalent principal active compounds through oral administration. The results indicated that quantitative chemical assay and PSA (prostate-specific antigen)-reporter assay together are suitable to measure the quality and efficacy of a standardized Wedelia extract on a xenograft tumor model. The presence of minor concomitant compounds in WCE prolonged the systemic exposure to the active compounds, thus augmented the anti-tumor efficacy of WCE. In conclusion, a combination of LC/MS/MS and PSA reporter assay is suitable to qualify a standardized preparation of WCE. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of active compounds demonstrate that holistic WCE exerted additional pharmacological synergy beyond the multi-targeted therapeutic effects caused by more than one active compound. WCE merits a higher priority to be studied for use in prostate cancer treatment.

Ethyl acetate extract of Wedelia chinensis inhibits tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced damage in PC12 cells and D-galactose-induced neuronal cell loss in mice

BACKGROUND

Wedelia chinensis is traditionally used as a hepatoprotective herb in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of W. chinensis.

METHODS

An ethyl acetate extract of W. chinensis (EAW) was prepared and analyzed by HPLC. The neuroprotective potential of EAW was assessed by tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced damage in PC12 cells and D-galactose-induced damage in mouse cortex.

RESULTS

EAW exhibited potent radical scavenging property and highly contained luteolin and wedelolactone. EAW decreased t-BHP-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, cytotoxicity and apoptosis in PC12 cells. EAW and its major constituents blocked t-BHP-induced cytochrome C release and Bcl-2 family protein ratio change. EAW and its major constituents increased the endogenous antioxidant capacity evaluated by the binding activity assay of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to antioxidant response element (ARE) and nuclear translocation of Nrf2 respectively in PC12 cells. Finally, EAW inhibited D-galactose-induced lipid peroxidation, apoptosis and neuron loss in the cerebral cortex of mice.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that W. chinensis has neuroprotective potential through blocking oxidative stress-induced damage and that luteolin and wedelolactone contribute to the protective action.

Anti-metastatic and anti-tumor growth effects of Origanum majorana on highly metastatic human breast cancer cells: inhibition of NFκB signaling and reduction of nitric oxide production

Background

We have recently reported that Origanummajorana exhibits anticancer activity by promoting cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of the metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Here, we extended our study by investigating the effect of O. majorana on the migration, invasion and tumor growth of these cells.

Results

We demonstrate that non-cytotoxic concentrations of O. majorana significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of the MDA-MB-231 cells as shown by wound-healing and matrigel invasion assays. We also show that O. majorana induce homotypic aggregation of MDA-MB-231 associated with an upregulation of E-cadherin protein and promoter activity. Furthermore, we show that O. majorana decrease the adhesion of MDA-MB-231 to HUVECs and inhibits transendothelial migration of MDA-MB-231 through TNF-α-activated HUVECs. Gelatin zymography assay shows that O. majorana suppresses the activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9). ELISA, RT-PCR and Western blot results revealed that O. majorana decreases the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), ICAM-1 and VEGF. Further investigation revealed that O. majorana suppresses the phosphorylation of IκB, downregulates the nuclear level of NFκB and reduces Nitric Oxide (NO) production in MDA-MB-231 cells. Most importantly, by using chick embryo tumor growth assay, we also show that O. majorana promotes inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis in vivo.

Conclusion

Our findings identify Origanummajorana as a promising chemopreventive and therapeutic candidate that modulate breast cancer growth and metastasis.