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Kong Y, Wang Z, Yu H, Dong A, Song Y, Guo L, Zhu J, Sun L, Guo Y. YiQi GuBen formula alleviates airway inflammation and airway remodeling in OVA-induced asthma mice through TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. J Pharm Pharmacol 2024; 76:1028-1037. [PMID: 38824434 DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgae064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aim to investigate the effect of YiQi GuBen formula (YQGB) on airway inflammation and airway remodeling in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model to further explore the potential mechanisms of YQGB in treating allergic asthma. METHODS Mice were divided into five groups randomly (n = 10): the control group, OVA group, OVA + Dex (0.1 mg/kg) group, OVA + low-dose (1.1 g/kg) YQGB group, and OVA + high-dose (2.2 g/kg) YQGB group. Inflammatory cell count and IgE were detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Lung tissue histopathology was observed by using H&E, PAS, Masson, and immunohistochemistry staining. qRT-PCR and western blot were applied to analyze key genes and proteins associated with TLR4 and NF-κB signaling pathways. RESULTS In OVA-induced asthma mice, YQGB decreased eosinophils and IgE in BALF. YQGB alleviated the OVA-induced inflammatory infiltration and declined IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, Eotaxin, ECP, GM-CSF, LTC4, and LTD4. YQGB attenuated the OVA-induced goblet cell metaplasia and mucus hypersecretion. YQGB mitigated the OVA-induced subepithelial fibrosis and lowered TGF-β1, E-Cadherin, Vimentin, and Fibronectin. YQGB ameliorated the OVA-induced airway smooth muscle thickening and lessened α-SMA and PDGF levels. YQGB reduced the expression of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, IκBα, and p65 mRNAs, and IκBα and p-p65 protein levels were also reduced. CONCLUSION YQGB exhibits the anti-asthma effect by reducing airway inflammation and airway remodeling through suppressing TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, and is worth promoting clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibu Kong
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medical, No.1035, Boshuo Road, Jingyue District, Changchun 130017, China
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1478, Gongnong Road, Chaoyang District, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Zhongtian Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medical, No.1035, Boshuo Road, Jingyue District, Changchun 130017, China
| | - Hongjun Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1478, Gongnong Road, Chaoyang District, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Aiai Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1478, Gongnong Road, Chaoyang District, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yongfu Song
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medical, No.1035, Boshuo Road, Jingyue District, Changchun 130017, China
| | - Lei Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1478, Gongnong Road, Chaoyang District, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Jinpu Zhu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medical, No.1035, Boshuo Road, Jingyue District, Changchun 130017, China
| | - Liping Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1478, Gongnong Road, Chaoyang District, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yinan Guo
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medical, No.1035, Boshuo Road, Jingyue District, Changchun 130017, China
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1478, Gongnong Road, Chaoyang District, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
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Qian Y, Sun Y, Chen Y, Mao Z, Shi Y, Wu D, Gu B, Liu Z, Zhang Q. Nrf2 regulates downstream genes by targeting miR-29b in severe asthma and the role of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract in a murine model of steroid-insensitive asthma. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2022; 60:347-358. [PMID: 35171066 PMCID: PMC8856085 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2032205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) is effective in treating severe asthma (SA). OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between Nrf2-miR-29b axis and SA, and to detect whether preventive use of GSPE relieves SA via it. MATERIALS AND METHODS We recruited 10 healthy controls, 10 patients with non-severe asthma (nSA), and 9 patients with SA from February 2017 to December 2017. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these volunteers were extracted. A murine model of steroid-insensitive asthma was established in six-week-old female BALB/c mice that were sensitised and challenged with OVA, Al(OH)3 and LPS for 31 days. Mice in the treated groups were injected with DXM (5 mg/kg/d), with or without GSPE (100 mg/kg/d). Control group received PBS. We performed quantitative real-time PCR, western blot and luciferase reporter assay in animal and cell models. RESULTS SA group demonstrated significantly lower concentrations of Nrf2 protein, Nrf2 mRNA, and miR-29b than nSA group and control group. Conversely, higher levels of platelet derived growth factor C (PDGFC), phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1), and collagen type III alpha 1 (COL3A1) were measured in SA than in the other two groups. PDGFC, PIK3R1, and COL3A1 were the target genes of miR-29b. GSPE + DXM significantly elevated the expression of Nrf2 (+188%), Nrf2 mRNA (+506%), and miR-29b (+201%), and significantly reduced the expression of PDGFC (-72%), PIK3R1 (-40%), and COL3A1 (-65%) compared with OVA + LPS. CONCLUSIONS Nrf2-miR-29b axis is involved in the pathogenesis of SA. GSPE, as an adjuvant drug, maybe a potential therapeutic agent for SA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Qian
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yun Sun
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yi Chen
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Zhengdao Mao
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yujia Shi
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Di Wu
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Bin Gu
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Zhiguang Liu
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
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Qufeng Xuanbi Formula Ameliorates Airway Remodeling in Asthmatic Mice by Suppressing Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation through MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:1525110. [PMID: 35186095 PMCID: PMC8849894 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1525110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease. The Qufeng Xuanbi formula (QFXBF), a Chinese herbal decoction, has shown efficacy in the management of asthma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of QFXBF in the treatment of asthma both in vitro and in vivo. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced airway smooth muscle cell (ASMC) proliferation and MTT assays were used to explore the effects of QFXBF on the proliferation of ASMCs. Moreover, 40 female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group, ovalbumin (OVA) group, high QFXBF group, low QFXBF group, and dexamethasone (DEX) group (n = 8 per group). A mouse allergic asthma model was established using the intranasally administered OVA sensitization method. Morphological changes in the lung tissue were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Finally, the protein expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MEK1/2), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK1/2), phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinases (p-ERK1/2), and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) in ASMCs and lung tissue were determined by western blotting and immunofluorescent staining assays. PDGF significantly increased the viability of ASMCs. Compared with mice in the control group, the airway walls and airway smooth muscle of mice in the OVA group were thickened, and the number of inflammatory cells around the bronchus significantly increased. Moreover, the administration of QFXBF markedly inhibited the proliferation of ASMCs and alleviated the pathological changes induced by OVA. Furthermore, the protein expressions of p-ERK1/2, p-MEK1/2, PCNA, and α-SMA were significantly increased in OVA-treated mice and PDGF-treated ASMCs. Finally, treatment with QFXBF also significantly decreased the protein expression of p-ERK1/2, p-MEK1/2, α-SMA, and PCNA. QFXBF inhibited the proliferation of ASMCs by suppressing MEK/ERK signaling in PDGF-induced ASMCs and OVA-induced mice.
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Research Progress on Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and the Role of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2-Angiotensin-(1-7)-Mas Axis in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2022; 36:363-370. [PMID: 33394361 PMCID: PMC7779643 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-020-07114-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease with a complex aetiology and high mortality. Functional and structural changes in the small pulmonary arteries lead to elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, resulting in right heart failure. The pathobiology of PAH is not fully understood, and novel treatment targets in PAH are desperately needed. The renin-angiotensin system is critical for maintaining homeostasis of the cardiovascular system. The system consists of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-angiotensin (Ang) II-angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) axis and the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas receptor axis. The former, the ACE-Ang II-AT1R axis, is involved in vasoconstrictive and hypertensive actions along with cardiac and vascular remodelling. The latter, the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis, generally mediates counterbalancing effects against those mediated by the ACE-Ang II-AT1R axis. Based on established functions, the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis may represent a novel target for the treatment of PAH. This review focuses on recent advances in pulmonary circulation science and the role of the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis in PAH.
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Wang X, Xu R, Chi D, Dai C, Sheng M. Role of NEAT1/MiR-9-5p/SLC26A2 Pathway on Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cell. Yonsei Med J 2021; 62:858-867. [PMID: 34427073 PMCID: PMC8382724 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2021.62.9.858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Asthma is a serious inflammatory disease of the respiratory system in which airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) play a key role. This study aimed to investigate the expression of SLC26A2 in human ASMCs (HASMCs) and the regulatory mechanism of SLC26A2 in the proliferation and inflammatory factor production of HASMCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS We obtained the asthma-associated differential mRNA SLC26A2 by bioinformatics analysis in childhood acute asthma samples. To investigate its role in airway inflammation and airway remodeling, we treated HASMCs with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in an in vitro model and determined SLC26A2 expression in cells using western blotting. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT and EdU assays, and cell contractile phenotype marker proteins were measured. Cell migration and production of inflammatory factors were determined by Transwell and ELISA assays. Additionally, the upstream regulatory miRNA and LncRNA of SLC26A2 were identified by bioinformatics, luciferase reporter gene, and RIP analyses. RESULTS SLC26A2 was significantly upregulated in bioinformatics analysis of pediatric asthma-related sample. PDGF treatment up-regulated SLC26A2 expression in HASMCs, whereas the knockdown of SLC26A2 inhibited PDGF-stimulated proliferation, migration, and production of inflammatory factors, and enhanced the expression of cell contractile phenotype marker proteins in HASMCs. Luciferase reporter and RIP experiments validated that NEAT1 targeted miR-9-5p to regulate SLC26A2, thereby influencing the biological function of PDGF-induced HASMCs. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that NEAT1-mediated miR-9-5p targeting of SLC26A2 inhibits the PDGF-induced proliferation and production of inflammatory factors in HASMCs. These findings highlight potential therapeutic targets for asthma and airway inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangying Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology in Children, Hangzhou Children's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruju Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology in Children, Hangzhou Children's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Di Chi
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology in Children, Hangzhou Children's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chufeng Dai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology in Children, Hangzhou Children's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meiling Sheng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology in Children, Hangzhou Children's Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
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Kong Y, Ding L, Xu Y, Wang Z, Sun L. YiQi GuBen Formula Inhibits PDGF-BB-Induced Proliferation and Migration of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells. Pharmacology 2020; 105:424-433. [PMID: 32454491 DOI: 10.1159/000504516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Increased proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) are key events in the development of asthma. YiQi GuBen is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula shown to effectively reduce the recurrence rate of asthma and induce anti-asthma effects through multiple pathways; however, its potential role in regulating ASMC proliferation and preventing bronchial asthma remains unexplored. METHODS This study investigated the effects of YiQi GuBen formula on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced ASMC proliferation and migration by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide, wound healing, transwell, and cell cycle assays. The influence of YiQi GuBen formula on nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling-relevant proteins was measured by Western blotting, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay, and ELISA. RESULTS We found that pretreatment with YiQi GuBen formula had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on PDGF-BB-stimulated ASMC proliferation. It also suppressed PDGF-BB-induced ASMC migration and arrested PDGF-BB-induced cell cycle progression. Furthermore, YiQi GuBen formula suppressed PDGF-BB-induced expression of phosphorylated p65 and the release of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in ASMCs. CONCLUSIONS In summary, our study shows that YiQi GuBen formula is able to significantly inhibit PDGF-BB-induced ASMC proliferation and migration by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibu Kong
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Lizhong Ding
- Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Zhongtian Wang
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Liping Sun
- Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China,
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Antioxidant, Gastroprotective, Cytotoxic Activities and UHPLC PDA-Q Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry Identification of Metabolites in Baccharis grisebachii Decoction. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24061085. [PMID: 30893865 PMCID: PMC6472192 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24061085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The decoction of the local plant Baccharis grisebachii is used as a digestive, gastroprotective, external cicatrizing agent and antiseptic in Argentine. A lyophilized decoction (BLD) from the aerial parts of this plant was evaluated regarding its anti-ulcer, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities and the bioactivities were supported by UHPLC-MS metabolome fingerprinting which revealed the presence of several small bioactive compounds. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by DPPH, TEAC, FRAP and lipoperoxidation inhibition in erythrocytes methods, and the antibacterial activity was evaluated according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. The BLD showed a moderate free radical scavenging activity in the DPPH (EC50 = 106 µg/mL) and lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes assays (67%, at 250 µg/mL). However, the BLD had the highest gastroprotective effect at a dose of 750 mg/kg with a ninety-three percent inhibition of damage through a mechanism that involve NO and prostaglandins using the ethanol-induced gastric damage in a standard rat model. On the other hand, BLD does not induce cytotoxic changes on human tumor and no-tumor cell lines at the concentrations assayed. Regarding the metabolomic analysis, thirty-one compounds were detected and 30 identified based on UHPLC-OT-MS including twelve flavonoids, eleven cinnamic acid derivatives, one coumarin, one stilbene and two other different phenolic compounds. The results support that the medicinal decoction of Baccharis grisebachii is a valuable natural product with gastroprotective effects and with potential to improve human health that opens a pathway for the development of important phytomedicine products.
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Li H, Yang T, Wu R, Chen T, Sun Z, Yang L. Salidroside inhibits platelet-derived growth factor-induced proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:6642-6650. [PMID: 30552692 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) have been found to be important for the airway remodeling during the pathogenesis of asthma. Salidroside a bioactive glucoside that exerts antitumor activity via inhibiting the cell proliferation and migration of cancer cells. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of salidroside on the proliferation and migration of ASMCs. Our results showed that salidroside inhibited the proliferation and migration of ASMCs in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulation. Salidroside markedly attenuated the PDGF-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in ASMCs. The levels of contractile phenotype markers including smooth muscle α-actin and calponin were reduced in response to PDGF stimulation, which was attenuated by salidroside pretreatment. Salidroside diminished the increase in the expression levels of type I collagen and fibronectin in PDGF-stimulated ASMCs. Furthermore, salidroside blocked the PDGF-induced activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway in ASMCs. The results suggested that salidroside functionally regulated the proliferation, migration, phenotype plasticity, and extracellular matrix deposition in PDGF-induced ASMCs and the NF-κB pathway might be implicated in the effects of salidroside on ASMCs induced by PDGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tian Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tianjun Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhongmin Sun
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lan Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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Qiao Z, Cheng Y, Liu S, Ma Z, Li S, Zhang W. Casticin inhibits esophageal cancer cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis by regulating mitochondrial apoptotic and JNK signaling pathways. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2018; 392:177-187. [PMID: 30448926 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-018-1574-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Casticin, a flavonoid isolated from Vitex species, has been found to have anti-tumor property in multiple human cancers. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of casticin on the proliferation and apoptosis of esophageal cancer (EC) cells, and further illustrate the underlying mechanisms. In in vitro studies, human EC cell lines TE-1 and ECA-109 were treated with various concentrations of casticin (low-, middle-, and high-dose groups). The results showed that casticin dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation and clonogenicity of EC cells and induced cell cycle arrest in sub-G1 and G2 phases. Furthermore, casticin markedly enhanced EC cell apoptosis as detected by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining. The level of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein was decreased, while the levels of pro-apoptotic Bax, cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, and cleaved-PARP were conversely increased in casticin-treated TE-1 and ECA-109 cells. Moreover, casticin decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and increased the release of mitochondrial cytochrome C into cytoplasm. In addition, the JNK signaling pathway was involved in casticin-medicated anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis. Cells pretreated with SP600125, a JNK pathway inhibitor, partially abolished the effect of casticin. Finally, the anti-tumor property of casticin was confirmed in in vivo xenograft models. Overall, we provided both in vitro and in vivo evidences that casticin inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of EC cells, and the anti-tumor action of casticin was mediated, in part, by the mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis and the activation of JNK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Qiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157 Xiwu Road, Xi'an, 710004, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yao Cheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157 Xiwu Road, Xi'an, 710004, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiyuan Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157 Xiwu Road, Xi'an, 710004, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenchuan Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157 Xiwu Road, Xi'an, 710004, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaomin Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157 Xiwu Road, Xi'an, 710004, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157 Xiwu Road, Xi'an, 710004, People's Republic of China
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