Butein downregulates phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced COX-2 transcriptional activity in cancerous and non-cancerous breast cells. Eur J Pharmacol. 2010;648:24-30. [PMID: 20826149 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2010.08.015]

DeepFGRN: inference of gene regulatory network with regulation type based on directed graph embedding

The inference of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) from gene expression profiles has been a key issue in systems biology, prompting many researchers to develop diverse computational methods. However, most of these methods do not reconstruct directed GRNs with regulatory types because of the lack of benchmark datasets or defects in the computational methods. Here, we collect benchmark datasets and propose a deep learning-based model, DeepFGRN, for reconstructing fine gene regulatory networks (FGRNs) with both regulation types and directions. In addition, the GRNs of real species are always large graphs with direction and high sparsity, which impede the advancement of GRN inference. Therefore, DeepFGRN builds a node bidirectional representation module to capture the directed graph embedding representation of the GRN. Specifically, the source and target generators are designed to learn the low-dimensional dense embedding of the source and target neighbors of a gene, respectively. An adversarial learning strategy is applied to iteratively learn the real neighbors of each gene. In addition, because the expression profiles of genes with regulatory associations are correlative, a correlation analysis module is designed. Specifically, this module not only fully extracts gene expression features, but also captures the correlation between regulators and target genes. Experimental results show that DeepFGRN has a competitive capability for both GRN and FGRN inference. Potential biomarkers and therapeutic drugs for breast cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer and coronavirus disease 2019 are identified based on the candidate FGRNs, providing a possible opportunity to advance our knowledge of disease treatments.

Anticancer Potential of Natural Chalcones: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence

There is no doubt that significant progress has been made in tumor therapy in the past decades. However, the discovery of new molecules with potential antitumor properties still remains one of the most significant challenges in the field of anticancer therapy. Nature, especially plants, is a rich source of phytochemicals with pleiotropic biological activities. Among a plethora of phytochemicals, chalcones, the bioprecursors of flavonoid and isoflavonoids synthesis in higher plants, have attracted attention due to the broad spectrum of biological activities with potential clinical applications. Regarding the antiproliferative and anticancer effects of chalcones, multiple mechanisms of action including cell cycle arrest, induction of different forms of cell death and modulation of various signaling pathways have been documented. This review summarizes current knowledge related to mechanisms of antiproliferative and anticancer effects of natural chalcones in different types of malignancies including breast cancers, cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, lung cancers, renal and bladder cancers, and melanoma.

Antioxidant and anticancer potentials of edible flowers: where do we stand?

Edible flowers are attracting special therapeutic attention and their administration is on the rise. Edible flowers play pivotal modulatory roles on oxidative stress and related interconnected apoptotic/inflammatory pathways toward the treatment of cancer. In this review, we highlighted the phytochemical content and therapeutic applications of edible flowers, as well as their modulatory potential on the oxidative stress pathways and apoptotic/inflammatory mediators, resulting in anticancer effects. Edible flowers are promising sources of phytochemicals (e.g., phenolic compounds, carotenoids, terpenoids) with several therapeutic effects. They possess anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-depressant, anxiolytic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Edible flowers potentially modulate oxidative stress by targeting erythroid nuclear transcription factor-2/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (Nrf2/ERK/MAPK), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant response elements (AREs). As the interconnected pathways to oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), interleukins (ILs) as well as apoptotic pathways such as Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, caspase and cytochrome C are critical targets of edible flowers in combating cancer. In this regard, edible flowers could play promising anticancer effects by targeting oxidative stress and downstream dysregulated pathways.

Butein protects the nonalcoholic fatty liver through mitochondrial reactive oxygen species attenuation in rats

One of the worldwide metabolic health dilemma is nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). Researchers are searching effective drug to manage NAFLD patients. One of the best way to manage the metabolic imperfection is through natural principal isolated from different sources. Butein, a natural compound known to have numerous pharmacological application. In the current study we assessed the therapeutic effect of butein administration on liver function tests, oxidative stress, antioxidants, lipid abnormalities, serum inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels, in rats with methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet induced NAFLD. Male Wistar rats were treated with MCD diet with/without butein (200 mg/kg body wt. orally) for 6 weeks. The protective effect of butein, were evident from decreased transaminase activities, restoration of albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, and oxidants in serum (P < 0.01), further it improved liver antioxidant status (P < 0.01). Butein significantly lowered lipid profile parameters (P < 0.01), suppressed inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.01), and improved liver histology. Further to understand the possible mechanism behind the hepatoprotective and lipid lowering effect of butein, the activities of heme oxygenase (HO1), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. We found that butein supplementation significantly decreased the activity of HO1 (P < 0.001), and increased the activity of MPO (P < 0.001). Furthermore butein attenuated mitochondrial ROS produced in NAFLD condition. Present study shows that butein supplementation restore liver function by altering liver oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, vital defensive enzyme activities, and mitochondrial ROS. In summary, butein has remarkable potential to develop effective hepato-protective drug. © 2018 BioFactors, 44(3):289-298, 2018.

Molecular chemotherapeutic potential of butein: A concise review

Butein is a biologically active flavonoid isolated from the bark of Rhus verniciflua Stokes, which is known to have therapeutic potential against various cancers. Notably, butein inhibits cancer cell growth by inducing G₂/M phase arrest and apoptosis. Butein-induced G₂/M phase arrest is associated with increased phosphorylation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and Chk1/2, and consequently, with reduced cdc25C levels. In addition, butein-induced apoptosis is mediated through the activation of caspase-3, which is associated with changes in the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. Intriguingly, butein sensitizes cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-induced apoptosis via ERK-mediated Sp1 activation, which promotes the transcription of specific death receptor 5. Butein also inhibits the migration and invasion of human cancer cells by suppressing nuclear factor-κB- and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2-mediated expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Additionally, butein downregulates the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase and causes a concomitant decrease in telomerase activity. These findings provide the basis for the pharmaceutical development of butein. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of butein, with a special focus on its effects on different cellular signaling cascades.

STAT3 targeting by polyphenols: Novel therapeutic strategy for melanoma

Melanoma or malignant melanocytes appear with the low incidence rate, but very high mortality rate worldwide. Epidemiological studies suggest that polyphenolic compounds contribute for prevention or treatment of several cancers particularly melanoma. Such findings motivate to dig out novel therapeutic strategies against melanoma, including research toward the development of new chemotherapeutic and biologic agents that can target the tumor cells by different mechanisms. Recently, it has been found that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is activated in many cancer cases surprisingly. Different evidences supply the aspect that STAT3 activation plays a vital role in the metastasis, including proliferation of cells, survival, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis. This significant feature plays a vital role in various cellular processes, such as cell proliferation and survival. Here, we reviewed the mechanisms of the STAT3 pathway regulation and their role in promoting melanoma. Also, we have evaluated the emerging data on polyphenols (PPs) specifically their contribution in melanoma therapies with an emphasis on their regulatory/inhibitory actions in relation to STAT3 pathway and current progress in the development of phytochemical therapeutic techniques. An understanding of targeting STAT3 by PPs brings an opportunity to melanoma therapy. © 2016 BioFactors, 43(3):347-370, 2017.

Butein in health and disease: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

The risk of suffering from many chronic diseases seems to have made no improvement despite the advancement in medications available in the modern world. Moreover, the use of synthetic chemicals as medications has proved to worsen the scenario due to the various adverse side effects associated with them.

PURPOSE

Extensive research on natural medicines provides ample evidence on the safety and efficacy of phytochemicals and nutraceuticals against diverse chronic ailments. Therefore, it is advisable to use natural products in the management of such diseases. This article aims to present a comprehensive and critical review of known pharmacological and biological effects of butein, an important chalcone polyphenol first isolated from Rhus verniciflua Stokes, implicated in the prevention and treatment of various chronic disease conditions.

METHODS

An extensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science^TM core collections using key words followed by evaluation of the bibliographies of relevant articles.

RESULTS

Butein has been preclinically proven to be effective against several chronic diseases because it possesses a wide range of biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, hypotensive and neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, it has been shown to affect multiple molecular targets, including the master transcription factor nuclear factor-κB and its downstream molecules. Moreover, since it acts on multiple pathways, the chances of non-responsiveness and resistance development is reduced, supporting the use of butein as a preferred treatment option.

CONCLUSION

Based on numerous preclinical studies, butein shows significant therapeutic potential against various diseases. Nevertheless, well-designed clinical studies are urgently needed to validate the preclinical findings.

Butein, a tetrahydroxychalcone, suppresses pro-inflammatory responses in HaCaT keratinocytes

Up-regulation of cell adhesion molecules and proinflammatory cytokines contributes to enhanced monocyte adhesiveness and infiltration into the skin, during the pathogenesis of various inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis. In this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of butein, a tetrahydroxychalcone, and its action mechanisms using TNF-α-stimulated keratinocytes. Butein significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced ICAM-I expression and monocyte adhesion in human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Butein also decreased TNF-α-induced pro-inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, IP-10 and MCP-1, in HaCaT cells. Butein decreased TNF-α-induced ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner in HaCaT cells. In addition, treatment of HaCaT cells with butein suppressed TNF-α-induced MAPK activation. Furthermore, butein suppressed TNF-α-induced NF-kappaB activation. Overall, our results indicate that butein has immunomodulatory activities by inhibiting expression of proinflammatory mediators in keratinocytes. Therefore, butein may be used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(9): 495-500]

Prostaglandin E2 stimulates normal bronchial epithelial cell growth through induction of c-Jun and PDK1, a kinase implicated in oncogenesis

Background

Cyclooxygenase-2-derived prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), a bioactive eicosanoid, has been implicated in many biological processes including reproduction, inflammation and tumor growth. We previously showed that PGE₂ stimulated lung cancer cell growth and progression through PGE₂ receptor EP2/EP4-mediated kinase signaling pathways. However, the role of PGE₂ in controlling lung airway epithelial cell phenotype remains unknown. We evaluated the effects of c-Jun and 3-phosphoinositede dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) in mediating epithelial cell hyperplasia induced by PGE₂.

Method

The bronchial epithelial cell lines BEAS-2B and HBEc14-KT were cultured and then treated with PGE₂. PDK1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and a PDK1 inhibitor, an antagonist of the PGE₂ receptor subtype EP4 and EP4 siRNA, c-Jun siRNA, and overexpressions of c-Jun and PDK1 have been used to evaluate the effects on cell proliferation.

Results

We demonstrated that PGE₂ increased normal bronchial epithelial cell proliferation through induction of PDK1, an ankyrin repeat-containing Ser/Thr kinase implicated in the induction of apoptosis and the suppression of tumor growth. PDK1 siRNA and a PDK1 inhibitor blocked the effects of PGE₂ on normal cell growth. The PGE₂-induced PDK1 expression was blocked by an antagonist of the PGE₂ receptor subtype EP4 and by EP4 siRNA. In addition, we showed that induction of PDK1 by PGE₂ was associated with induction of the transcription factor, c-Jun protein. Silencing of c-Jun using siRNA and point mutations of c-Jun sites in the PDK1 gene promoter resulted in blockade of PDK1 expression and promoter activity induced by PGE₂. In contrast, overexpression of c-Jun induced PDK1 gene promoter activity and expression followed increased cell proliferation.

Conclusion

PGE₂ increases normal bronchial epithelial cell proliferation through increased PDK1 gene expression that is dependent on EP4 and induction of c-Jun. Therewith, our data suggest a new role of c-Jun and PDK1 in mediating epithelial cell hyperplasia induced by PGE₂.

Potential of butein, a tetrahydroxychalcone to obliterate cancer

BACKGROUND

Despite the major advances made in the field of cancer biology, it still remains one of the most fatal diseases in the world. It is now well established that natural products are safe and efficacious and have high potential in the prevention and treatment of different diseases including cancer. Butein is one such compound which is now found to have anti-cancer properties against various malignancies.

PURPOSE

To thoroughly review the literature available on the anti-cancer properties of butein against different cancers and its molecular targets.

METHODS

A thorough literature search has been done in PubMed for butein, its biological activities especially cancer and its molecular targets.

RESULTS

Our search retrieved several reports on the various biological activities of butein in which around 43 articles reported that butein shows potential anti-proliferative effect against a wide range of neoplasms and the molecular target varies with cancer types. Most often it targets NF-κB and its downstream pathways. In addition, butein induces the expression of genes which mediate the cell death and apoptosis in cancer cells. It also inhibits tumor angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis in prostate, liver and bladder cancers through the inhibition of MMPs, VEGF etc. Moreover, it inhibits the overexpression of several proteins and enzymes such as STAT3, ERK, CXCR4, COX-2, Akt, EGFR, Ras etc. involved in tumorigenesis.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, all these findings suggest the enormous potential and efficacy of butein as a multitargeted chemotherapeutic, chemopreventive and chemosensitizing agent against a wide range of cancers with minimal or no adverse side effects.

Suppression of A549 cell proliferation and metastasis by calycosin via inhibition of the PKC‑α/ERK1/2 pathway: An in vitro investigation

The migration and invasion of lung cancer cells into the extracellular matrix contributes to the high mortality rates of lung cancer. The protein kinase C (PKC) and downstream signaling pathways are important in the invasion and migration of lung cancer cells. Calycosin (Cal), an effector chemical from Astragalus has been reported to affect the recurrence and metastasis of cancer cells via the regulation of the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The inhibition of Cal on the migration and invasion of A549 cells was investigated in the present study. Cell viability and apoptosis assays were performed using MTT and flow cytometric analyses. A wound healing assay and Transwell invasion assay were performed to evaluate the effect of Cal on A549 cell migration and invasion. Invasion-associated proteins, including MMP-2, MMP-9, E-cadherin (E-cad), integrin β1, PKC-α and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) were detected using western blotting. In addition, PKC-α inhibitor, AEB071, and ERK1/2 inhibitor, PD98059, were used to determine the association between the suppression of PKC-α/ERK1/2 and invasion, MMP-2, MMP-9, E-cad and integrin β1. Cal was observed to suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. There were significant differences between the phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA)-induced A549 cells treated with Cal and the untreated cells in the rates of migration and invasion. The levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, E-cad and integrin β1 in the TPA-induced A549 cells changed markedly, compared with the untreated cells. In addition, the suppression of Cal was affected by the PKC inhibitor, AEB071, an ERK1/2 inhibitor, PD98059. The results of the present study indicated that Cal inhibited the proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion of the TPA-induced A549 cells. The Cal-induced repression of PKC-α/ERK1/2, increased the expression of E-Cad and inhibited the expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and integrin β1, which possibly demonstrates the mechanism underlying the biological anticancer effects of Cal.

Butein sensitizes HeLa cells to cisplatin through the AKT and ERK/p38 MAPK pathways by targeting FoxO3a

Drug resistance remains a major challenge in cancer therapy. Butein, a polyphenolic compound, has been shown to exhibit anticancer activity through the inhibition of the activation of the protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, which are two pathways known to be involved in resistance to cisplatin. Hence, we hypotheiszed that butein may be a chemosensitizer to cisplatin. In the present study, we demonstrated that butein synergistically enhanced the growth inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of cisplatin on HeLa cells. Moreover, the combination of butein and cisplatin led to G1 phase arrest. We then aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms. We found that butein inhibited the activation of AKT, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERKs) and p38 kinases in the presence of cisplatin. The use of the AKT inhibitor, LY294002, in combination with cisplatin, induced an increase in apoptosis compared to treatment with cisplatin alone, although this effect was not as prominent as that exerted by butein in combination with cisplatin. Of note, the inhibition of ERK or p38 MAPK by U0126 or SB203580, respectively, decreased the apoptosis induced by cisplatin; however, enhanced apoptotic effects were observed with the use of ERK/p38 MAPK inhibitor in combination with butein. These data suggest that the AKT and ERK/p38 MAPK pathways are involved in the synergistic effects of butein and cisplatin. Furthermore, co-treatment with butein and cisplatin promoted the nuclear translocation and expression of forkhead box O3a (FoxO3 or FoxO3a). FoxO3a may be the key molecule on which these pathways converge and is thus implicated in the synergistic effects of butein and cisplatin. This was further confirmed by the RNAi-mediated suppression of FoxO3a. FoxO3a target genes involved in cell cycle progression and apoptosis were also investigated, and combined treatment with butein and cisplatin resulted in the downregulation of cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 and the upregulation of p27 and Bax. In addition, the combination of both agents markedly inhibited tumor growth and increased the expression of FoxO3a in mouse tumor xenograft models of cervical cancer. Taken together, to the best of our knowledge, our results reveal for the first time that butein sensitizes cervical cancer cells to cisplatin in vitro and in vivo, and these effects of butien may be related to the inhibition of the activation of the AKT and ERK/p38 MAPK pathways by targeting FoxO3a.

Butein effects in colitis and interleukin-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 expression

AIM: To evaluate the effects of butein on inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and colitis in interleukin (IL)-10^-/- mice.

METHODS: To synchronize colitis, 8- to 10-wk-old IL-10^-/- mice were fed pellet-chow containing piroxicam for 2 wk. Subsequently, phosphate-buffered saline or butein (1 mg/kg per day, ip) was injected for 4 wk. Histologic scores, inflammatory cytokines, MMP-9 and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) expressions were analyzed in IL-10^-/- mice and in Colo 205 cells.

RESULTS: Butein reduced the colonic inflammatory score by > 50%. Expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, interferon (IFN)-γ and MMP-9 were decreased in the colons of mice exposed to butein, whereas other inflammatory cytokines (IL-17A, IL-21 and IL-22) were unchanged. Immunohistochemical staining for pSTAT3 and MMP-9 was significantly decreased in the butein-treated groups compared with the controls. Butein inhibited IL-6-induced activation of STAT3 in Colo 205 cells.

CONCLUSION: Butein ameliorated colitis in IL-10^-/- mice by regulating IL-6/STAT3 and MMP-9 activation.

Butein, a novel dual inhibitor of MET and EGFR, overcomes gefitinib-resistant lung cancer growth

Lung cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and MET amplification is a major therapeutic limitation in acquired-resistance lung cancer. We hypothesized that butein, a phytochemical, can overcome gefitinib-induced resistance by targeting both EGFR and MET in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To investigate the ability of butein to target EGFR and MET, we used in silico docking, a library of natural compounds and kinase assays. The effects of butein on growth, induction of apoptosis and expression of EGFR/MET signaling targets were examined in HCC827 (gefitinib-sensitive) and HCC827GR (gefitinib-resistant) NSCLC cells. Results were confirmed in vivo by a HCC827 or HCC827GR cell xenograft mouse model, each treated with vehicle, butein or gefitinib. Butein inhibited phosphorylation and kinase activity of EGFR and MET as well as soft agar colony formation and decreased viability of HCC827 and HCC827GR cells. Butein increased apoptosis-related protein expression in these cells. Results were confirmed by co-treatment with inhibitors of EGFR/MET or double knock-down. Finally, xenograft study results showed that butein strongly suppressed HCC827 and HCC827GR tumor growth. Immunohistochemical data suggest that butein inhibited Ki-67 expression. These results indicate that butein has potent anticancer activity and targets both EGFR and MET in acquired-resistance NSCLC.

Protective effect of a Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. flowers extract against skin inflammation: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and matrix metalloproteinases inhibitory activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taubert (Syn. Butea frondosa; family Fabaceae) is a common plant of the Indian continent (Das et al., 2011; Sharma and Deshwal, 2011). The brightly orange flowers of this plant are widely used in traditional medicine and more particularly for inflammatory disease.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In vitro anti-inflammatory mechanism of a hydroethanolic extract of B. monosperma flowers (BME) and more specifically of an enriched fraction in butrin and isobutrin (BI) was studied using cell culture of Normal Human Keratinocyte, cells involved in the skin inflammatory.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dried and crushed B. monosperma flowers were extracted with Ethanol/H2O (70/30 v/v). The butrin/isobutrin fraction was obtained by centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC). Experiments were conducted on UV-B treated normal human epidermis keratinocytes, cells involved in the skin inflammatory response. To evaluate extract anti-inflammatory activity, cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, prostaglandin E2 and metalloproteinases MMP-1, -2, -9 and -10 were measured in the cells supernatant.

RESULTS

Our data clearly showed that hydroalcoholic B. monosperma flower extract was able to decrease the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 pro-inflammatory cytokines of -32, -33 and -18% respectively. Interestingly, Prostaglandin E2 production and the secretion of MMP-1, -2, -9 and -10 were also inhibited. Same results were observed in presence of enriched fraction in butrin and isobutrin and confirmed the participation of these molecules in the anti-inflammatory activity.

CONCLUSION

These results explain the anti-inflammatory activity of B. monosperma and confirm the interest to use it in traditional Indian medicine. Moreover, its metalloproteinases inhibitory activities coupled with its anti-inflammatory action also give anti-aging property to this plant.

Impact of Standardized Allergen-Removed Rhus verniciflua Stokes Extract on Advanced Adenocarcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater: A Case Series

Background. Adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (AAV) is a rare malignancy that has a better prognosis than other periampullary cancers. However, the standard treatment for patients with relapsed or metastatic AAV has not been established. We investigated the clinical feasibility of standardized allergen-removed Rhus verniciflua stokes (aRVS) extract for advanced or metastatic AAV. Patients and Methods. From July 2006 to April 2011, we retrospectively reviewed all patients with advanced AAV treated with aRVS extract alone. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 12 patients were eligible for the final analysis. We assessed the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of these patients during the follow-up period. Results. The median aRVS administration period was 147.0 days (range: 72–601 days). The best tumor responses according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors were as follows: two with complete response, two with stable disease, and eight with progressive disease. The median OS was 15.1 months (range: 4.9–25.1 months), and the median PFS was 3.0 months (range: 1.6–11.4 months). Adverse reactions to the aRVS treatment were mostly mild and self-limiting. Conclusions. Prolonged survival was observed in patients with advanced AAV under the treatment of standardized aRVS extract without significant adverse effects.

Potential prognostic biomarker CD73 regulates epidermal growth factor receptor expression in human breast cancer

CD73, an ecto-enzyme overexpressed in breast-cancer cells, catalyzes the dephosphorylation of adenosine monophosphates into adenosine. Anti-CD73 slows breast cancer growth and its spread both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we investigated the relation of CD73 to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression using tissue array and breast cancer cell lines. We found that CD73 expression correlated positively to EGFR expression in vivo (n = 80, r = 0.425, P < 0.01) and in vitro. EGFR expression can be decreased by suppressing CD73 with an inhibitor or small shRNA, and this effect was reversed by adenosine and NECA (adenosine A2 receptor agonist), which suggested that adenosine is involved in EGFR expression regulated by CD73 (P < 0.01). We also showed that CD73 regulates EGFR phosphorylation by Src (P < 0.01). By transcription factor (TF) assay, CD73 was found to regulate some associated TFs activity such as PPARγ, which mediates EGFR expression, although whether PPARγ mediates the effect of CD73 on EGFR expression needs further study. The Kaplan-Meier recurrence-free survival curves for CD73 were also plotted in www.kmplot.com. The curves show that CD73 expression separates the cases into significantly different prognostic groups among the estrogen receptor-negative cancers (P < 0.01). Our results suggest that CD73 may be a potential prognostic biomarker associated with coexpression of EGFR in human breast cancer.

Butein inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells through generation of reactive oxygen species and modulation of ERK and p38 activities

Butein (3,4,2',4'-tetrahydroxychalcone) is a polyphenol derived from various natural plants and is capable of inducing several types of death in cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying butein-induced breast cancer cell apoptosis remain unknown. The present study aimed to prove that butein inhibits the proliferation of MDA-MB‑231 human breast cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Butein markedly induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), increased p38 activity, diminished Bcl-2 expression, induced caspase 3 cleavage and was associated with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Our findings also indicate that ROS may play an important role in butein-induced apoptosis, as pre-treatment with the antioxidant, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), prevented butein-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that butein inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells through the generation of ROS and the modulation of ERK and p38 activities. We also demonstrate that these effects may be abrogaged by pre-treatment with NAC. Our results suggest that butein may function as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer.

Butein induces apoptosis and inhibits prostate tumor growth in vitro and in vivo

AIM

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in men in the United States with similar trends worldwide. For several reasons, it is an ideal candidate disease for intervention with dietary botanical antioxidants. Indeed, many botanical antioxidants are showing promise for chemoprevention of PCa. Here, we determined the effect of an antioxidant butein (3,4,2',4'-tetrahydroxychalone) on cell growth, apoptosis, and signaling pathways in human PCa cells in-vitro and on tumor growth in athymic nude mice.

RESULTS

Treatment with butein (10-30 μM; 48 h) caused a decrease in viability of PCa cells but had only a minimal effect on normal prostate epithelial cells. In butein-treated cells, there was a marked decrease in the protein expression of cyclins D1, D2, and E and cdks 2, 4, and 6 with concomitant induction of WAF1/p21 and KIP1/p27. Treatment of cells with butein caused inhibition of (i) phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p85 and p110), (ii) phosphorylation of Akt at both Ser(473) and Thr(308), (iii) nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and IκB kinaseα, (iv) degradation and phosphorylation of IκBα, (v) NF-κB DNA-binding activity, (vi) induction of apoptosis, and (vii) Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage with activation of caspases-3, -8, and -9. Pretreatment of cells with caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) blocked butein-induced activation of caspases. In athymic nude mice implanted with human PCa cells, butein caused a significant inhibition of tumor growth with a decrease in the serum prostate-specific antigen levels.

INNOVATION

For the first time, we have shown that butein caused inhibition of prostate tumor growth in-vivo.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that butein could be developed as an agent against PCa. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 16, 1195-1204.

Butein induces apoptosis in human uveal melanoma cells through mitochondrial apoptosis pathway

PURPOSE

To study the cytotoxic effects and related signaling pathways of butein on human uveal melanoma cells in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three human uveal melanoma cell lines (M17, SP6.5, and C918), retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and scleral fibroblasts were treated with butein at different dosages. The effects of butein on cell viability were assessed by using the MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was determined using annexin V-FITC/ethidium homodimer III flow cytometry. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential changes were assessed by using the JC-1 fluorescent reader, cytosol cytochrome c levels, and the activities of caspase-3, -8, and -9 were measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or colorimetric assay.

RESULTS

Butein reduced the cell viability of cultured human uveal melanoma cells in a dose-dependent manner (10, 30, and 100 μM), with IC50 at 13.3 μM and 15.8 μM in SP6.5 and M17 cell lines, respectively. Similar effects were also found in a highly aggressive and metastatic C918 cell line (IC50 16.7 μM). Butein at lower concentrations (10-30 μM) selectively reduced the cell viability of uveal melanoma cells, without affecting cell viability of RPE cells and fibroblasts. Butein-induced apoptosis of melanoma cells, increased mitochondrial permeability and the level of cytosol cytochrome c, caspase-9 and -3 activities (but not caspase-8) in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Butein has selectively potent pro-apoptotic effects on cultured human uveal melanoma cells via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway.