Luteolin exhibits synergistic therapeutic efficacy with erastin to induce ferroptosis in colon cancer cells through the HIC1-mediated inhibition of GPX4 expression

ALKBH5-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification of HO-1 mRNA regulates ferroptosis in cobalt-induced neurodegenerative damage

The utilization of Cobalt (Co) has surged due to it is critical role in renewable energy technologies and other high-tech applications. Concurrently, the potential health risks associated with Co exposure have raised concerns. Previous studies, including our own, have shown that Co can impair learn and memory functions as an epigenetic hazard, even at low concentrations. In this study, we explore the mechanisms of Co-induced ferroptosis in neurodegenerative damage both in vivo and in vitro, focusing on the epigenetic regulation by N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5). We identify heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) as a direct target gene of ALKBH5, playing a crucial role in mitigating Co-induced ferroptosis. ALKBH5 deficiency affects the post-transcriptional regulation of HO-1 through m6A modification, which in turn influences mRNA's stability, intracellular distribution, and alternative splicing, thereby enhancing susceptibility to Co-induced ferroptosis. Additionally, we discuss the potential involvement of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M (hnRNPM) in regulating alternative splicing of HO-1 mRNA, potentially mediated by m6A modifications. This study provides new epigenetic insights into the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involved in Co-induced ferroptosis and highlights the broader implications of environmental hazards in neurodegenerative damage.

Effect of luteolin on oxidative stress and inflammation in the human osteoblast cell line hFOB1.19 in an inflammatory microenvironment

BACKGROUND

Periapical lesions are characterized by periapical inflammation and damage to periapical tissues and eventually lead to bone resorption and even tooth loss. H2O2 is widely used in root canal therapy for patients with periapical inflammation. Luteolin possesses high anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer potential. However, the underlying mechanism of the efficacy of H2O2 and luteolin on oxidative stress and inflammatory tissue has not been previously addressed. We aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of luteolin on H2O2-induced cellular oxidative inflammation.

METHODS

After human osteoblasts (hFOB1.19) were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), luteolin, or H2O2, cell proliferation was analysed by using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), cell apoptosis was measured by using flow cytometry, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evaluated by using an oxidation-sensitive probe DCFH-DA ROS assay kit, and the expression of genes and proteins was detected by using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‒qPCR), Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

We demonstrated that inflammation is closely related to oxidative stress and that the oxidative stress level in the inflammatory environment is increased. Luteolin inhibited the H2O2-induced increase in the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and significantly repressed the H2O2-induced increase in ROS, as well as markedly strengthened superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in hFOB1.19 cells. Moreover, we detected that luteolin may inhibit H2O2-induced hFOB1.19 cell injury by suppressing the NF-κB pathway.

CONCLUSION

We elucidated that luteolin protected human osteoblasts (hFOB1.19) from H2O2-induced cell injury and inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines by suppressing the NF-κB signalling pathway. Our findings provide a potential drug for treating H2O2-induced periodontitis and cell injury.

Luteolin targets the AGE-RAGE signaling to mitigate inflammation and ferroptosis in chronic atrophic gastritis

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a chronic inflammatory disease and precancerous lesion in stomach cancer. Abnormal activation cellular ferroptosis further damages gastric tissue, which is susceptible to inflammation. Luteolin has powerful anti-inflammatory and regulatory potential for cellular ferroptosis. We aimed to clarify the involvement of luteolin in inflammation and ferroptosis during CAG. Luteolin targets were searched to identify intersecting genes in the chronic atrophic gastritis disease database. The AGE-RAGE pathway is a potential target of luteolin for the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis and a binding site between luteolin and RAGE was predicted through a computer simulation of molecular docking. We established a CAG rat model using N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitroguanidine. The therapeutic effect of luteolin on CAG was detected using western blotting, qPCR, hematoxylin and eosin staining, lipid oxidation (MDA), and Fe2+ assays. Luteolin inhibited the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and reduced the inflammatory response in gastric tissues. Additionally, luteolin downregulated the concentration of (MDA) and Fe2+, and CAG downregulated the expression levels of ACSL4 and NOX1 and upregulated the expression levels of FIH1 and GPX4 ferroptosis-related proteins, thus inhibiting the ferroptosis of gastric tissue cells, which had a therapeutic effect on CAG.

Targeting ferroptosis regulators by natural products in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant global health challenge, ranking as the third most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite advancements in treatment, challenges such as delayed diagnosis, multidrug resistance, and limited therapeutic effectiveness persist, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches. This review explores the potential of natural products, nutraceuticals, and phytochemicals for targeting ferroptosis-related regulators as a novel strategy in CRC. Ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lethal lipid peroxide accumulation, holds substantial importance in CRC progression and therapy resistance. Natural products, known for their diverse bioactive effects and favorable safety profiles, emerge as promising candidates to induce ferroptosis in CRC cells. Exploring amino acid, iron, lipid metabolism regulators, and oxidative stress regulators reveals promising avenues for inducing cell death in CRC. This comprehensive review provides insights into the multifaceted effects of natural products on proteins integral to ferroptosis regulation, including GPX4, SLC7A11, ACSL4, NCOA4, and HO-1. By elucidating the intricate mechanisms through which natural products modulate these proteins, this review lays the foundation for a promising therapeutic strategy in CRC.

Induction of ferroptosis by natural phenols: A promising strategy for cancer therapy

In recent years, heightened interest surrounds the exploration of natural phenols as potential agents for cancer therapy, specifically by inducing ferroptosis, a unique form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. This review delves into the roles of key natural phenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, curcumin, and stilbenes, in modulating ferroptosis and their underlying mechanisms. Emphasizing the significance of amino acid, lipid, and iron metabolism, the study elucidates the diverse pathways through which these phenols regulate ferroptosis. Notably, curcumin, a well-known polyphenol, exhibits multifaceted interactions with cellular components involved in ferroptosis regulation, providing a distinctive therapeutic avenue. Stilbenes, another phenolic class, demonstrate promising potential in influencing lipid metabolism and iron-dependent processes, contributing to ferroptotic cell death. Understanding the intricate interplay between these natural phenols and ferroptosis not only illuminates complex cellular regulatory networks but also unveils potential avenues for novel cancer therapies. Exploring these compounds as inducers of ferroptosis presents a promising strategy for targeted cancer treatment, capitalizing on the delicate balance between cellular metabolism and regulated cell death mechanisms. This article synthesizes current knowledge, aiming to stimulate further research into the therapeutic potential of natural phenols in the context of ferroptosis-mediated cancer therapy.

Advances in Flavonoid Research: Sources, Biological Activities, and Developmental Prospectives

At present, the occurrence of a large number of infectious and non-communicable diseases poses a serious threat to human health as well as to drug development for the treatment of these diseases. One of the most significant challenges is finding new drug candidates that are therapeutically effective and have few or no side effects. In this respect, the active compounds in medicinal plants, especially flavonoids, are potentially useful compounds with a wide range of pharmacological activities. They are naturally present in nature and valuable in the treatment of many infectious and non-communicable diseases. Flavonoids are divided into fourteen categories and are mainly derived from plant extraction, chemical synthesis and structural modification, and biosynthesis. The structural modification of flavonoids is an important way to discover new drugs, but biosynthesis is currently considered the most promising research direction with the potential to revolutionize the new production pipeline in the synthesis of flavonoids. However, relevant problems such as metabolic pathway analyses and cell synthesis protocols for flavonoids need to be addressed on an urgent basis. In the present review, new research techniques for assessing the biological activities of flavonoids and the mechanisms of their biological activities are elucidated and their modes of interaction with other drugs are described. Moreover, novel drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, bioparticles, colloidals, etc., are gradually becoming new means of addressing the issues of poor hydrophilicity, lipophilicity, poor chemical stability, and low bioavailability of flavonoids. The present review summarizes the latest research progress on flavonoids, existing problems with their therapeutic efficacy, and how these issues can be solved with the research on flavonoids.

Yi-qi-hua-yu-jie-du decoction induces ferroptosis in cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer via the AKT/GSK3β/NRF2/GPX4 axis

BACKGROUND

Resistance to chemotherapy in gastric cancer (GC) is a ubiquitous challenge for its treatment. Yi-qi-hua-yu-jie-du decoction (YJD), an empirical formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), demonstrated survival-prolonging functions in patients with GC. Previous research has shown that YJD could also inhibit drug resistance in GC. However, the precise mechanisms for how YJD accomplishes this remain incompletely explained.

PURPOSE

The research aimed to identify differential metabolic characteristics in cisplatin-resistant GC and investigate whether YJD can target these differences to suppress GC drug resistance.

METHODS

Metabolomic analysis was conducted to identify metabolic disparities between cisplatin-resistant and parental GC cells, as well as metabolic modifications resulting from YJD intervention in cisplatin-resistant GC cells. The effect of YJD on ferroptosis stimulation was assessed by measuring the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), iron ions, the reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidised glutathione (GSSG) ratio, and alterations in mitochondrial morphology. Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) were employed to verity the mechanisms of YJD-triggered ferroptosis through GPX4 and NRF2 overexpression models, alongside the AKT activator SC79. In vivo validation was conducted using nude mouse xenograft models.

RESULTS

Cisplatin-resistant GC exhibited altered GSH/GPX4 metabolism, and ferroptosis was a significantly enriched cell death pattern with YJD treatment in cisplatin-resistant GC cells. Ferroptosis biomarkers, including ROS, MDA, iron ions, the GSH/GSSG ratio, and mitochondrial morphology, were remarkably changed with the YJD intervention. Mechanistic experiments demonstrated that YJD inhibited the phosphorylation cascade activity of the AKT/GSK3β pathway, thereby reducing NRF2 expression. The level of GPX4, a crucial enzyme involved in glutathione metabolism, was attenuated, facilitating ferroptosis induction in cisplatin-resistant GC.

CONCLUSION

The research reveals, for the first time, changes in GSH/GPX4 metabolism in cisplatin-resistant GC cells based on metabolomic analysis. YJD induced ferroptosis in cisplatin-resistant GC by inhibiting GPX4 through the AKT/GSK3β/NRF2 pathway, thus attenuating the cisplatin drug resistance in GC. Our findings identify metabolic changes in cisplatin-resistant GC and establish a theoretical framework for YJD on tackling drug resistance in GC through ferroptosis.