1
|
Kumar A, Sharma B, Sharma U, Parashar G, Parashar NC, Rani I, Ramniwas S, Kaur S, Haque S, Tuli HS. Apoptotic and antimetastatic effect of cucurbitacins in cancer: recent trends and advancement. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 396:1867-1878. [PMID: 37010571 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02471-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
The Cucurbitaceae family produces a class of secondary metabolites known as cucurbitacins. The eight cucurbitacin subunits are cucurbitacin B, D, E, I, IIa, L glucoside, Q, and R with the most significant anticancer activity. They are reported to inhibit cell proliferation, invasion, and migration; induce apoptosis; and encourage cell cycle arrest, as some of their modes of action. The JAK-STAT3, Wnt, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways, which are essential for the survival and apoptosis of cancer cells, have also been shown to be suppressed by cucurbitacins. The goal of the current study is to summarize potential molecular targets that cucurbitacins could inhibit in order to suppress various malignant processes. The review is noteworthy since it presents all putative molecular targets for cucurbitacins in cancer on a single podium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kumar
- Punjab Biotechnology Incubator (PBTI), Phase VIII, Mohali, 160071, India
| | - Bunty Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, 133207, India
| | - Ujjawal Sharma
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, 151401, India
| | - Gaurav Parashar
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Science, Navrachana University Vadodara, Gujrat, 391410, India
| | - Nidarshana Chaturvedi Parashar
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, 133207, India
| | - Isha Rani
- Department of Biochemistry, maharishi markendashwar college of medical sciences and Research (MMCMSR), Sadopur, Ambala, 134007, India
| | - Seema Ramniwas
- University Centre for Research and Development, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, 140413, India
| | - Satwinderjeet Kaur
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hardeep Singh Tuli
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, 133207, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Park KT, Kim S, Choi I, Han IH, Bae H, Kim W. The involvement of the noradrenergic system in the antinociceptive effect of cucurbitacin D on mice with paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. Front Pharmacol 2023; 13:1055264. [PMID: 36686685 PMCID: PMC9846532 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1055264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Paclitaxel (sold under the brand name Taxol) is a chemotherapeutic drug that is widely used to treat cancer. However, it can also induce peripheral neuropathy, which limits its use. Although several drugs are used to attenuate neuropathy, no optimal treatment is available to date. In this study, the effect of cucurbitacins B and D on paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain was assessed. Multiple paclitaxel injections (a cumulative dose of 8 mg/kg, i. p.) induced cold and mechanical allodynia from days 10 to 21 in mice, and the i. p. administration of 0.025 mg/kg of cucurbitacins B and D attenuated both allodynia types. However, as cucurbitacin B showed a more toxic effect on non-cancerous (RAW 264.7) cells, further experiments were conducted with cucurbitacin D. The cucurbitacin D dose-dependently (0.025, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/kg) attenuated both allodynia types. In the spinal cord, paclitaxel injection increased the gene expression of noradrenergic (α 1-and α 2-adrenergic) receptors but not serotonergic (5-HT1A and 3) receptors. Cucurbitacin D treatment significantly decreased the spinal α 1- but not α 2-adrenergic receptors, and the amount of spinal noradrenaline was also downregulated. However, the tyrosine hydroxylase expression measured via liquid chromatography in the locus coeruleus did not decrease significantly. Finally, cucurbitacin D treatment did not lower the anticancer effect of chemotherapeutic drugs when co-administered with paclitaxel in CT-26 cell-implanted mice. Altogether, these results suggest that cucurbitacin D could be considered a treatment option against paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keun-Tae Park
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Suyong Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ilseob Choi
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ik-Hwan Han
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyunsu Bae
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woojin Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea,Korean Medicine-Based Drug Repositioning Cancer Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea,*Correspondence: Woojin Kim,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Identification and Quantification of Key Phytochemicals, Phytohormones, and Antioxidant Properties in Coccinia grandis during Fruit Ripening. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11112218. [DOI: 10.3390/antiox11112218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Coccinia grandis contains secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, alkaloids, sterols, and glycosides, which are known to have in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antidyslipidemic activities. C. grandis fruits change dramatically during ripening, and the differences in the phytochemicals contribute to various uses. This study reports the phytochemical compounds and antioxidant activities during ripening of C. grandis for the first time. Characterizations were conducted on the physiologically active substances in C. grandis fruits at three ripening stages, and a total of 25 peaks were identified. Key phytochemicals in the ripening stages of C. grandis were identified, and the major substances that contributed to antioxidant properties were selected and quantitatively analyzed. Although the concentration of tiliroside increased during aging, hydroxycinnamic acid (chlorogenic and p-coumaric acids), flavonols (rutin), and triterpenes (cucurbitacins B and D) with antioxidant effects decreased. Therefore, phenolic compounds and cucurbitacins dominate immature C. grandis quantitatively. Regarding phytohormones, the gibberellin A4 content decreased as the fruits matured, but indoleacetic acid and salicylic acid increased with fruit maturity. The antioxidant capacities determined by DPPH and ABTS consistently decreased with increasing maturity. Accordingly, the extracts of immature C. grandis fruits have high levels of bioactive compounds and can be used to develop food additives and health supplements.
Collapse
|
4
|
Development and Validation of a New Analytical HPLC-PDA Method for Simultaneous Determination of Cucurbitacins B and D from the Roots of Trichosanthes kirilowii. J CHEM-NY 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/2109502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichosanthes kirilowii, one of the herbal formulas named SH003, has been used for treatment in traditional medicine. This paper aimed to analyze the marker compounds from the roots of T. kirilowii and evaluate a validation method for cucurbitacins B and D using high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA). Two marker compounds were identified as cucurbitacin B (1) and cucurbitacin D (2) from the roots of T. kirilowii by spectroscopic analyses. Cucurbitacins B and D peaks were well separated and were detected at 15.4 min and 12.4 min, respectively, by a UV detector at 230 nm with the linearity (R2 > 0.999) range between 5 and 250 μg/mL, limit of detections (LODs) were 1.87 μg/mL and 1.30 μg/mL, respectively, while limit of quantifications (LOQs) were 5.66 μg/mL and 3.93 μg/mL, respectively. The established method offered good precision with overall intra- and inter-day variations of 0.34–1.26 and 0.26–1.35%, respectively, for % relative standard deviation (RSD, acceptance limit %RSD <3%). The cucurbitacins B and D recoveries ranged from 99.2 to 101.7% and 98.6 to 102.0%, respectively. These results suggest that cucurbitacins B and D could be a valuable candidate for marker compounds of the extract from T. kirilowii, and the proposed method was shown applicability for quality control of SH003.
Collapse
|
5
|
Iñiguez-Luna MI, Cadena-Iñiguez J, Soto-Hernández RM, Morales-Flores FJ, Cortes-Cruz M, Watanabe KN. Natural Bioactive Compounds of Sechium spp. for Therapeutic and Nutraceutical Supplements. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:772389. [PMID: 35756862 PMCID: PMC9231563 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.772389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Natural products are in great demand because certain secondary metabolites (SMs) are sources of antioxidants, flavorings, active substances, or anticancer agents with less aggressiveness and selectivity, among which triterpenes and flavonoids are of importance because they inhibit carcinogenesis. For Sechium spp. P. Br. (chayotes), there is scientific evidence of antiproliferative activity that has occurred when cancer cell lines have been treated with this fruit. In order to compare future therapeutic designs and identify new and ancestral characteristics, triterpenes and flavonoids were determined in contrasting Sechium genotypes. The obtained data were analyzed via a cladistics approach, with the aim of identifying the characteristics and state of phytochemicals and genetic variables. The concentrations of flavonoids and triterpenes were determined, and a more complex composition of secondary metabolites was found in the wild types as compared to their domesticated genotypes. Bitter fruits contained a higher number of SMs, followed by those with a neutral and sweet flavor. A cladogram showed the differentiation of the three groups based on the flavor of the fruits. The diversity of SMs decreases in evolutionary terms, in response to domestication and environmental adaptation. Therefore, genotypes can be feasibly selected based on fruit flavor for gross-breeding, and cytotoxicity can be reduced without losing possible therapeutic effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Isabel Iñiguez-Luna
- Postgrado de Innovación en Manejo de Recursos Naturales, Colegio de Postgraduados, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
- Interdisciplinary Research Group at Sechium edule in Mexico, A.C., Texcoco, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Jorge Cadena-Iñiguez
- Postgrado de Innovación en Manejo de Recursos Naturales, Colegio de Postgraduados, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
- Interdisciplinary Research Group at Sechium edule in Mexico, A.C., Texcoco, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Ramón Marcos Soto-Hernández
- Interdisciplinary Research Group at Sechium edule in Mexico, A.C., Texcoco, Estado de México, Mexico
- Programa de Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo, Mexico
| | - Francisco Javier Morales-Flores
- Postgrado de Innovación en Manejo de Recursos Naturales, Colegio de Postgraduados, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
- Interdisciplinary Research Group at Sechium edule in Mexico, A.C., Texcoco, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Moisés Cortes-Cruz
- Interdisciplinary Research Group at Sechium edule in Mexico, A.C., Texcoco, Estado de México, Mexico
- Centro Nacional de Recursos Genéticos-INIFAP, Tepatitlán, Mexico
| | - Kazuo N. Watanabe
- Interdisciplinary Research Group at Sechium edule in Mexico, A.C., Texcoco, Estado de México, Mexico
- Tsukuba Plant Innovation Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Anti-HIV Activity of Cucurbitacin-D against Cigarette Smoke Condensate-Induced HIV Replication in the U1 Macrophages. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061004. [PMID: 34072078 PMCID: PMC8228815 DOI: 10.3390/v13061004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemodietary agents are emerging as promising adjuvant therapies in treating various disease conditions. However, there are no adjuvant therapies available to minimize the neurotoxicity of currently existing antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). In this study, we investigated the anti-HIV effect of a chemodietary agent, Cucurbitacin-D (Cur-D), in HIV-infected macrophages using an in-vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. Since tobacco smoking is prevalent in the HIV population, and it exacerbates HIV replication, we also tested the effect of Cur-D against cigarette smoke condensate (CSC)-induced HIV replication. Our results showed that Cur-D treatment reduces the viral load in a dose-dependent (0-1 μM) manner without causing significant toxicity at <1 μM concentration. Further, a daily dose of Cur-D (0.1 μM) not only reduced p24 in control conditions, but also reduced CSC (10 μg/mL)-induced p24 in U1 cells. Similarly, Cur-D (single dose of 0.4 μM) significantly reduced the CSC (single dose of 40 μg/mL)-induced HIV replication across the BBB model. In addition, treatment with Cur-D reduced the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Therefore, Cur-D, as an adjuvant therapy, may be used not only to suppress HIV in the brain, but also to reduce the CNS toxicity of currently existing ARVs.
Collapse
|
7
|
Ramezani M, Hasani M, Ramezani F, Karimi Abdolmaleki M. Cucurbitacins: A Focus on Cucurbitacin E As A Natural Product and Their Biological Activities. PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.34172/ps.2020.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
For the last years, different types of cucurbitacins have been extracted from various species of Cucurbitaceae family. For this review, all related papers were accumulated by searching electronic databases in the English language, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The keywords of cucurbitacin, cucumber anticancer therapy, cytotoxic effects, chemotherapy, and inhibitor effect were searched until February 2020. According to the result of this review, cucurbitacin E as a tetracyclic triterpenes compound, has been exhibited cell cycle arrest, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. It showed tumor proliferation prevention, induction of apoptosis or synergistically acts with other established antitumor compounds and cytokines throughout many molecular mechanisms. In a function-structure association manner, cucurbitacin E can inhibit Janus kinas2 (JAK2) phosphorylation, the signal transducer activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and subsequently block these pathways, which seems to be the main mechanism of its activity. Future studies could target its detection in uninvestigated sources, subsequently its derivatives to improve their anticancer activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fatemeh Ramezani
- Physiology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cucurbitacin D Induces G2/M Phase Arrest and Apoptosis via the ROS/p38 Pathway in Capan-1 Pancreatic Cancer Cell Line. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:6571674. [PMID: 33029168 PMCID: PMC7527894 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6571674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis with a five-year survival rate of less than 10%. Moreover, chemotherapy is mostly rendered ineffective owing to chemotherapy resistance and cytotoxicity. Therefore, the development of effective therapeutic strategies and novel drugs against pancreatic cancer is an urgent need. Cucurbitacin D (CuD), a plant steroid derived from Trichosanthes kirilowii, is an anticancer agent effective against various cancer cell lines. However, the anticancer activity and molecular mechanism of CuD in pancreatic cancer remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the anticancer activity and molecular mechanism of CuD in the human pancreatic cancer cell line, Capan-1. CuD induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species generation in Capan-1 cell line. In addition, CuD induced the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway that regulates apoptosis, which was also inhibited by N-acetyl-L-cysteine and the p38 inhibitor SB203580. These data suggest that CuD induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via the ROS/p38 pathway in Capan-1 pancreatic cancer cell line; hence, CuD is a promising candidate that should be explored further for its effectiveness as an anticancer agent against pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
|
9
|
Hussain H, Green IR, Saleem M, Khattak KF, Irshad M, Ali M. Cucurbitacins as Anticancer Agents: A Patent Review. Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2020; 14:133-143. [PMID: 30451116 DOI: 10.2174/1574892813666181119123035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cucurbitacins belong to a group of tetracyclic triterpenoids that display a wide range of biological effects. In the past, numerous cucurbitacins have been isolated from natural sources and many active compounds have been synthesized using the privileged scaffold in order to enhance its cytotoxic effects. OBJECTIVE This review covers patents on the therapeutic effects of natural cucurbitacins and their synthetic analogs published during the past decade. By far, the majority of patents published are related to cancer and Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) of these compounds are included to lend gravitas to this important class of natural products. METHODS The date about the published patents was downloaded via online open access patent databases. RESULTS Cucurbitacins display significant cytotoxic properties, in particular cucurbitacins B and D which possess very potent effects towards a number of cancer cells. Numerous cucurbitacins isolated from natural sources have been derivatized through chemical modification at the C(2)-OH and C(25)- OH groups. Most importantly, an acyl ester of the C(25)-OH and, iso-propyl, n-propyl and ethyl ether groups of the C(2)-OH demonstrated the most increased cytotoxic activity. CONCLUSION The significant cytotoxic effects of natural and semi-synthetic cucurbitacins make them attractive as new drug candidates. Moreover, cucurbitacins have the capability to form conjugates with other anticancer drugs which will synergistically enhance their anticancer effects. The authors believe that in order to get lead compounds, there should be a greater focus on the synthesis of homodimers, heterodimers, and halo derivatives of cucurbitacins. In the opinion of the authors the analysis of the published patents on the cucurbitacins indicates that these compounds can be developed into a regimen to treat a wide spectrum of cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hidayat Hussain
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120 Halle (Salle), Germany
| | - Ivan R Green
- Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Muhammad Saleem
- Department of Chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100 Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | | | - Muhammad Irshad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kotli, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Maroof Ali
- College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ku JM, Hong SH, Kim HI, Kim MJ, Kim SK, Kim M, Choi SY, Park J, Kim HK, Kim JH, Seo HS, Shin YC, Ko SG. Synergistic anticancer effect of combined use of Trichosanthes kirilowii with cisplatin and pemetrexed enhances apoptosis of H1299 non-small-cell lung cancer cells via modulation of ErbB3. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 66:153109. [PMID: 31790894 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. To treat lung cancer, various anticancer drugs were developed and tested, but they failed because of drug resistance. In the present study, we tested herbal medicines, such as TK and CuD, as anticancer drugs to decrease side effects and resistance. METHODS Cell viability was measured by an MTT assay. Analysis of cell cycle arrest was performed by flow cytometry. Induction of apoptosis by cucurbitacin D was measured by an annexin V-FITC/PI assay. We performed RTK kit analysis. Levels of p-ErbB3, p-STAT3, p-NF-κB, and caspases were measured by western blot analysis. Nuclear staining of ErbB3 was measured by immunocytochemistry. Transcriptional activity of STAT3 and NF-κB was detected by STAT3 and NF-κB luciferase reporter gene assays. RESULTS We found a synergistic effect of TK with CDDP and PXD in primary culture of human NSCLC tumor cells. The combination of CDDP/PXD and TK or CuD inhibited the proliferation of H1299 cells. The combination of CDDP/PXD and TK or CuD induced sub-G1 and G2/M cell cycle arrest in H1299 cells. The combination of CDDP/PXD and TK or CuD induced apoptosis, regulated apoptotic molecules, caused morphological changes and inhibited colony formation in H1299 cells. We found that TK suppresses p-ErbB3 expression and signaling. The combination of CDDP/PXD and TK or CuD inhibited p-AKT, p-Erk, and p-JNK signaling and suppressed Stat3 and NF-κB transcriptional activity in H1299 cells. More importantly, the combination of CDDP/PXD and TK or CuD inhibited p-ErbB3 and downstream molecules in H1299 cells. The combination of CDDP/PXD and TK or CuD inhibited ErbB2/ErbB3 dimerization. Our results clearly demonstrate that the synergistic effect of CDDP/PXD and TK or CuD inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis by inhibiting ErbB3 signaling. CONCLUSION The combination of CDDP/PXD and TK or CuD decreases cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by inhibiting ErbB3 signaling in H1299 lung cancer cells. TK or CuD could be useful as a compound to treat lung cancer. Additionally, targeting ErbB3 may also be useful for treating lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Mo Ku
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Hyang Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo In Kim
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Jeong Kim
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Kyoung Kim
- Department of Applied Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minkyu Kim
- Department of Applied Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Young Choi
- Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongkoo Park
- MetaBio Institute, 9, Olympic-ro 78-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 05327, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Koo Kim
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hye Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Sook Seo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Cheol Shin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Gyu Ko
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Novel Mechanistic Insight into the Anticancer Activity of Cucurbitacin D against Pancreatic Cancer (Cuc D Attenuates Pancreatic Cancer). Cells 2019; 9:cells9010103. [PMID: 31906106 PMCID: PMC7017063 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PanCa) is one of the leading causes of death from cancer in the United States. The current standard treatment for pancreatic cancer is gemcitabine, but its success is poor due to the emergence of drug resistance. Natural products have been widely investigated as potential candidates in cancer therapies, and cucurbitacin D (Cuc D) has shown excellent anticancer properties in various models. However, there is no report on the therapeutic effect of Cuc D in PanCa. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the Cuc D on PanCa cells in vitro and in vivo. Cuc D inhibited the viability of PanCa cells in a dose and time dependent manner, as evident by MTS assays. Furthermore, Cuc D treatment suppressed the colony formation, arrest cell cycle, and decreased the invasion and migration of PanCa cells. Notably, our findings suggest that mucin 13 (MUC13) is down-regulated upon Cuc D treatment, as demonstrated by Western blot and qPCR analyses. Furthermore, we report that the treatment with Cuc D restores miR-145 expression in PanCa cells/tissues. Cuc D treatment suppresses the proliferation of gemcitabine resistant PanCa cells and inhibits RRM1/2 expression. Treatment with Cuc D effectively inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors. Taken together, Cuc D could be utilized as a novel therapeutic agents for the treatment/sensitization of PanCa.
Collapse
|
12
|
Park SM, Jeon SK, Kim OH, Ahn JY, Kim CH, Park SD, Lee JH. Anti-tumor effects of the ethanolic extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii seeds in colorectal cancer. Chin Med 2019; 14:43. [PMID: 31624493 PMCID: PMC6781338 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-019-0263-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Trichosanthis semen, the seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. or Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms, has long been used in Korean medicine to loosen bowels and relieve chronic constipation. Although the fruits and radixes of this medicinal herb and their constituents have been reported to exhibit therapeutic effects in various cancers, the anti-cancer effects of its seeds have been relatively less studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of an ethanolic extract of T. kirilowii seeds (TKSE) against colorectal cancer and its mechanism. Methods The anti-tumor effects of the TKSE were evaluated in HT-29 and CT-26 colorectal cancer cells and in a CT-26 tumor-bearing mouse model. Results TKSE suppressed the growth of HT-29 and CT-26 cells (both colorectal cancer cell lines) and the cytotoxic effect of TKSE was greater than that of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) in HT-29 cells. TKSE significantly induced mitochondrial membrane potential loss in HT-29 and CT-26 cells and dose-dependently inhibited Bcl-2 expression and induced the cleavages of caspase-3 and PARP. In particular, TKSE at 300 µg/mL induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation in HT-29 cells. Furthermore, TKSE dose-dependently inhibited activations of the Akt/mTOR and ERK pathways, and markedly induced the phosphorylation of AMPK. An AMPKα inhibitor (compound C) effectively blocked the TKSE-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, TKSE attenuated the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway in HT-29 cells under hypoxic-mimic conditions and inhibited migration and invasion. Oral administration of TKSE (100 or 300 mg/kg) inhibited tumor growth in a mouse CT-26 allograft model but was not as effective as 5-Fu (the positive control), which was administered intraperitoneally. In the same model, 5-Fu caused significant body weight loss, but no such loss was observed in TKSE-treated mice. Conclusion Taken together, these results suggest TKSE has potent anti-tumor effects which might be partly due to the activation of AMPK, and the induction mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. These findings provide scientific evidence supporting the potential use of TKSE as a complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Su Mi Park
- 1Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Kyu Jeon
- 1Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Ok Hyeon Kim
- 1Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Yun Ahn
- 1Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Hyun Kim
- 2Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Dong Park
- 1Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Hee Lee
- 1Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang HQ, Liu P, Duan JA, Dong L, Shang EX, Qian DW, Xiao P, Zhao M, Li WW. Hierarchical extraction and simultaneous determination of flavones and triterpenes in different parts of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2019; 167:114-122. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
14
|
Ha MT, Phan TN, Kim JA, Oh WK, Lee JH, Woo MH, Min BS. Trichosanhemiketal A and B: Two 13,14-seco-13,14-epoxyporiferastanes from the root of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. Bioorg Chem 2018; 83:105-110. [PMID: 30343203 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Of the 32 Trichosanthes species in China, T. kirilowii Maxim. is the most renowned species used in traditional Chinese medicine and has diverse pharmacological properties. However, most of the phytochemical studies of T. kirilowii have focused on the fruits and seeds. In our investigation of the chemical constituents of T. kirilowii roots, two previously undescribed sterols [trichosanhemiketal A and B (1 and 2)], together with 13 known compounds, were isolated and their structures were elucidated. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first isolation of compounds with a 13,14-seco-13,14-epoxyporiferastane (1-2) skeleton from the Cucurbitaceae family. The anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated compounds was determined through an analysis of their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Of the compounds, 4, 5, 6, and 8 showed significant inhibitory activities, with IC50 values of 8.5, 15.1, 25.4, and 28.5 µM, respectively. In addition, compound 4 inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression in a concentration-dependent manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manh Tuan Ha
- College of Pharmacy, Drug Research and Development Center, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongbuk 38430, Republic of Korea; Laboratory of Research and Applied Biochemistry, Center for Research and Technology Transfer, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Thanh Nam Phan
- College of Natural Science, Kangwon National University, Kangwon 200-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Ah Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.
| | - Won Keun Oh
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National Univeristy, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hyung Lee
- College of Natural Science, Kangwon National University, Kangwon 200-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Hee Woo
- College of Pharmacy, Drug Research and Development Center, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongbuk 38430, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Sun Min
- College of Pharmacy, Drug Research and Development Center, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongbuk 38430, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ku JM, Hong SH, Kim HI, Lim YS, Lee SJ, Kim M, Seo HS, Shin YC, Ko SG. Cucurbitacin D exhibits its anti-cancer effect in human breast cancer cells by inhibiting Stat3 and Akt signaling. EUR J INFLAMM 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/1721727x17751809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cucurbitacins are triterpenoids commonly found in Cucurbitaceae and Cruciferae and have long been used in traditional medicine. Cucurbitacins demonstrate anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. We investigated whether cucurbitacin D affects viability in breast cancer cells and its mechanism of action. An MTT assay was used to measure the viability of breast cancer cells. Western blot analysis was used to measure the expression of various modulators, such as p-p53, p-Stat3, p-Akt, and p-NF-κB. Doxorubicin and cucurbitacin D affected the viability of MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and SKBR3 cells. Cucurbitacin D and doxorubicin increased p-p53 expression in MCF7, SKBR3, and MDA-MB-231 cells. Cucurbitacin D suppressed p-Akt, p-NF-κB, and p-Stat3 expression in MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and SKBR3 cells. Doxorubicin alone did not decrease p-Akt and p-Stat3 levels. Cucurbitacin D decreased p-NF-κB and p-Stat3 levels. Doxorubicin in combination with cucurbitacin D increased p-p53 levels and suppressed Akt, NF-κB, Stat3, and Bcl-2 expression more than cucurbitacin D alone. Our results clearly demonstrate that cucurbitacin D could be a useful compound for treating human breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Mo Ku
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Se Hyang Hong
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyo In Kim
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ye Seul Lim
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sol Ji Lee
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mia Kim
- Department of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Disease (Stroke Center), College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Sook Seo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong Cheol Shin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seong-Gyu Ko
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Salazar-Aguilar S, Ruiz-Posadas LDM, Cadena-Iñiguez J, Soto-Hernández M, Santiago-Osorio E, Aguiñiga-Sánchez I, Rivera-Martínez AR, Aguirre-Medina JF. Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz, a New Cultivar with Antiproliferative Potential in a Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cell Line. Nutrients 2017; 9:E798. [PMID: 28757593 PMCID: PMC5579592 DOI: 10.3390/nu9080798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sechium edule Perla Negra cultivar is a recently-obtained biological material whose progenitors are S. edule var. nigrum minor and S. edule var. amarus silvestrys, the latter of which has been reported to have antiproliferative activity against the HeLa P-388 and L-929 cancer cell lines. The present study aimed to determine if the methanolic extract of the fruit of the Perla Negra cultivar had the same biological activity. The methanolic extract was phytochemically characterized by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography (CC), identifying the terpenes and flavonoids. The compounds identified via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were Cucurbitacins B, D, E, and I for the terpene fractions, and Rutin, Phlorizidin, Myricetin, Quercetin, Naringenin, Phloretin, Apigenin, and Galangin for the flavonoid fractions). Biological activity was evaluated with different concentrations of the methanolic extract in the HeLa cell line and normal lymphocytes. The methanolic extract inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells (IC50 1.85 µg·mL-1), but the lymphocytes were affected by the extract (IC50 30.04 µg·mL-1). Some fractions, and the pool of all of them, showed inhibition higher than 80% at a concentration of 2.11 µg·mL-1. Therefore, the biological effect shown by the methanolic extract of the Perla Negra has some specificity in inhibiting tumor cells and not normal cells; an unusual feature among molecules investigated as potential biomedical agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Salazar-Aguilar
- Postgraduate College, Campus Montecillo, Km 36.5 Mexico-Texcoco Highway, C.P. 56230 Texcoco, Mexico.
- Interdisciplinary Research Group of Sechium edule in Mexico (GISeM), Texcoco, Agustín Melgar 10 Street, C.P. 56153 Texcoco, Mexico.
| | - Lucero Del Mar Ruiz-Posadas
- Postgraduate College, Campus Montecillo, Km 36.5 Mexico-Texcoco Highway, C.P. 56230 Texcoco, Mexico.
- Interdisciplinary Research Group of Sechium edule in Mexico (GISeM), Texcoco, Agustín Melgar 10 Street, C.P. 56153 Texcoco, Mexico.
| | - Jorge Cadena-Iñiguez
- Interdisciplinary Research Group of Sechium edule in Mexico (GISeM), Texcoco, Agustín Melgar 10 Street, C.P. 56153 Texcoco, Mexico.
- Postgraduate College, Campus San Luis Potosí, Iturbide No. 73 Street, Salinas de Hidalgo, C.P. 78600 San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
| | - Marcos Soto-Hernández
- Postgraduate College, Campus Montecillo, Km 36.5 Mexico-Texcoco Highway, C.P. 56230 Texcoco, Mexico.
- Interdisciplinary Research Group of Sechium edule in Mexico (GISeM), Texcoco, Agustín Melgar 10 Street, C.P. 56153 Texcoco, Mexico.
| | - Edelmiro Santiago-Osorio
- Interdisciplinary Research Group of Sechium edule in Mexico (GISeM), Texcoco, Agustín Melgar 10 Street, C.P. 56153 Texcoco, Mexico.
- FES Zaragoza, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Batalla 5 de mayo esq. Fuerte de Loreto, Col. Ejército de Oriente, C.P. 09230 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Itzen Aguiñiga-Sánchez
- Interdisciplinary Research Group of Sechium edule in Mexico (GISeM), Texcoco, Agustín Melgar 10 Street, C.P. 56153 Texcoco, Mexico.
- FES Zaragoza, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Batalla 5 de mayo esq. Fuerte de Loreto, Col. Ejército de Oriente, C.P. 09230 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Ana Rocío Rivera-Martínez
- Interdisciplinary Research Group of Sechium edule in Mexico (GISeM), Texcoco, Agustín Melgar 10 Street, C.P. 56153 Texcoco, Mexico.
- FES Zaragoza, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Batalla 5 de mayo esq. Fuerte de Loreto, Col. Ejército de Oriente, C.P. 09230 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Juan Francisco Aguirre-Medina
- Interdisciplinary Research Group of Sechium edule in Mexico (GISeM), Texcoco, Agustín Melgar 10 Street, C.P. 56153 Texcoco, Mexico.
- School of Higher Education of Agricultural Science, Autonomous University of Chiapas, Junction Costera Higway and Pueblo de Huehuetán, Huehuetán, C.P. 30660 Chiapas, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Jeong SJ, Choi JY, Dong MS, Seo CS, Shin HK. Trichosanthes kirilowii Exerts Androgenic Activity via Regulation of PSA and KLK2 in 22Rv1 Prostate Cancer Cells. Pharmacogn Mag 2017; 13:153-158. [PMID: 28216900 PMCID: PMC5307901 DOI: 10.4103/0973-1296.197657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The androgen comprises a group of hormones that play roles in male reproductive activity as well as personal characteristics. Objective: We investigated the androgenic activity of various herbal medicines in human prostate cancer 22Rv1 cells. Materials and Methods: Herbal extracts of Trichosanthes kirilowii (TK), Asarum sieboldii (AS), Sanguisorba officinalis (SO), and Xanthium strumarium (XS) were selected to have androgenic effects based on a preliminary in vitro screening system. Results: TK, AS, SO, and XS enhanced the proliferation of 22Rv1 cells without having cytotoxic effects. All tested herbal extracts increased androgen receptor (AR)-induced transcriptional activity in the absence or presence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In an AR-binding assay, TK, but not AS, SO, or XS, produced a significant inhibition of AR binding activity, indicating it has androgenic activity. Additionally, TK treatment positively regulated mRNA expression of the AR-related molecular targets prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and kallikrein 2 (KLK2) compared with untreated control. Conclusion: Taken together, TK-enhanced AR-mediated transcriptional activity might be an attractive candidate drug for treating androgen-related diseases. SUMMARY Trichosantheskirilowii (TK), Asarumsieboldii (AS), Sanguisorbaofficinalis (SO), and Xanthium strumarium (XS) enhanced the proliferation of 22Rv1 cells without having cytotoxic effects. TK, AS, SO, and XS increased androgen receptor (AR)-induced transcriptional activity. TK, but not AS, SO, or XS, produced a significant inhibition against AR-binding activity. TK treatment positively regulated mRNA expression of the AR-related molecular targets prostate-specific antigen and kallikrein 2.
Abbreviations used: BPH: benign prostatic hyperplasia; AR: androgen receptor; DHT: dihydrotestosterone; PSA: prostate-specific antigen; TK: Trichosanthes kirilowii; AS: Asarum sieboldii; SO: Sanguisorba officinalis; XS: Xanthium strumarium; ATCC: American Type Culture Collection; FBS: fetal bovine serum; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; SD: standard deviation; ARE: androgenresponsive element; KLK: kallikrein
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soo-Jin Jeong
- KM Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Deajeon, Republic of Korea; Korean Medicine Life Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Yoon Choi
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Sook Dong
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Seob Seo
- K-herb Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Deajeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeun-Kyoo Shin
- K-herb Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Deajeon, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cucurbitacin D exhibits potent anti-cancer activity in cervical cancer. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36594. [PMID: 27824155 PMCID: PMC5100479 DOI: 10.1038/srep36594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we for the first time, investigated the potential anti-cancer effects of a novel analogue of cucurbitacin (Cucurbitacin D) against cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo. Cucurbitacin D inhibited viability and growth of cervical cancer cells (CaSki and SiHa) in a dose-dependent manner. IC50 of Cucurbitacin D was recorded at 400 nM and 250 nM in CaSki and SiHa cells, respectively. Induction of apoptosis was observed in Cucurbitacin D treated cervical cancer cells as measured by enhanced Annexin V staining and cleavage in PARP protein. Cucurbitacin D treatment of cervical cancer cells arrested the cell cycle in G1/S phase, inhibited constitutive expression of E6, Cyclin D1, CDK4, pRb, and Rb and induced the protein levels of p21 and p27. Cucurbitacin D also inhibited phosphorylation of STAT3 at Ser727 and Tyr705 residues as well as its downstream target genes c-Myc, and MMP9. Cucurbitacin D enhanced the expression of tumor suppressor microRNAs (miR-145, miRNA-143, and miRNA34a) in cervical cancer cells. Cucurbitacin D treatment (1 mg/kg body weight) effectively inhibited growth of cervical cancer cells derived orthotopic xenograft tumors in athymic nude mice. These results demonstrate the potential therapeutic efficacy of Cucurbitacin D against cervical cancer.
Collapse
|
19
|
Nakanishi T, Song Y, He C, Wang D, Morita K, Tsukada J, Kanazawa T, Yoshida Y. Relationship between triterpenoid anticancer drug resistance, autophagy, and caspase-1 in adult T-cell leukemia. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2026. [PMID: 27190722 PMCID: PMC4868592 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that the inflammasome inhibitor cucurbitacin D (CuD) induces apoptosis in human leukemia cell lines. Here, we investigated the effects of CuD and a B-cell lymphoma extra-large (Bcl-xL) inhibitor on autophagy in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) isolated from adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) patients. CuD induced PBL cell death in patients but not in healthy donors. This effect was not significantly inhibited by treatment with rapamycin or 3-methyladenine (3-MA). The Bcl-xL inhibitor Z36 induced death in primary cells from ATL patients including that induced by CuD treatment, effects that were partly inhibited by 3-MA. Similarly, cell death induced by the steroid prednisolone was enhanced in the presence of Z36. A western blot analysis revealed that Z36 also promoted CuD-induced poly(ADP ribose) polymerase cleavage. Interestingly, the effects of CuD and Z36 were attenuated in primary ATL patient cells obtained upon recurrence after umbilical cord blood transplantation, as compared to those obtained before chemotherapy. Furthermore, cells from this patient expressed a high level of caspase-1, and treatment with caspase-1 inhibitor-enhanced CuD-induced cell death. Taken together, these results suggest that rescue from resistance to steroid drugs can enhance chemotherapy, and that caspase-1 is a good marker for drug resistance in ATL patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsukasa Nakanishi
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.,Department of Hematology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Yuan Song
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Cuiying He
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Duo Wang
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Kentaro Morita
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Junichi Tsukada
- Department of Hematology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Tamotsu Kanazawa
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Yoshida
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kabidul Azam MN, Rahman MM, Biswas S, Ahmed MN. Appraisals of Bangladeshi Medicinal Plants Used by Folk Medicine Practitioners in the Prevention and Management of Malignant Neoplastic Diseases. INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARLY RESEARCH NOTICES 2016; 2016:7832120. [PMID: 27382642 PMCID: PMC4897194 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7832120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a group of diseases which is categorized to differentiate into diverse cell types and move around in the body to sites of organogenesis that is key to the process of tumor genesis. All types of cancer fall into the group of malignant neoplastic diseases. In Bangladesh, cancer is now one of the foremost killer diseases and its personal, social, and economic bearing are huge. Plant-derived natural compounds (vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide, paclitaxel, camptothecin, topotecan, and irinotecan) are useful for the treatment of cancer. Since there is no extensive ethnobotanical research study in Bangladesh regarding the traditional uses of medicinal plants against neoplasms, therefore, a randomized ethnopharmacological surveys were carried out in 3 districts of Bangladesh to learn more about the usage of anticancer medicinal plants and their chemical constituents having antineoplastic activity. Comprehensive interviews were conducted to the folk medicine practitioners and medicinal plants as pointed out by them were photographed, collected, deposited, and identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. The various plant parts have been used by the healers which included whole plant, leaves, fruits, barks, roots, and seeds. This study evaluated considerable potential for discovery of novel compounds with less side effects in the management and prevention of malignancy in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md. Nur Kabidul Azam
- Ethnobotany & Ethnomedicine Division, TechB Herbal Solution, Kushtia 7040, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Mizanur Rahman
- Ethnobotany & Ethnomedicine Division, TechB Herbal Solution, Kushtia 7040, Bangladesh
| | - Samanta Biswas
- Medical College for Women & Hospital (MCW&H), Uttara Model Town, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Nasir Ahmed
- Ethnobotany & Ethnomedicine Division, TechB Herbal Solution, Kushtia 7040, Bangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cai Y, Fang X, He C, Li P, Xiao F, Wang Y, Chen M. Cucurbitacins: A Systematic Review of the Phytochemistry and Anticancer Activity. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2015; 43:1331-50. [PMID: 26503558 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x15500755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cucurbitacins are highly oxidized tetracyclic triterpenoids that are widely present in traditional Chinese medicines (Cucurbitaceae family), possess strong anticancer activity, and are divided into 12 classes from A to T with over 200 derivatives. The eight most active cucurbitacin components against cancer are cucurbitacin B, D, E, I, IIa, L glucoside, Q, and R. Their mechanisms of action include antiproliferation, inhibition of migration and invasion, proapoptosis, and cell cycle arrest promotion. Cucurbitacins are also found to be the inhibitors of JAK-STAT3, Wnt, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways, which play important roles in the apoptosis and survival of cancer cells. Recently, new studies have discovered synergistic anticancer effects by using cucurbitacins together with clinically approved chemotherapeutic drugs, such as docetaxel and methotrexate. This paper provides a summary of recent research progress on the anticancer property of cucurbitacins and the various intracellular signaling pathways involved in the regulation of cancer cell proliferation, death, invasion, and migration. Therefore, cucurbitacins are a class of promising anticancer drugs to be used alone or be intergraded in current chemotherapies and radiotherapies to treat many types of cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuee Cai
- * State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, P.R. China
| | - Xiefan Fang
- † Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Chengwei He
- * State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, P.R. China
| | - Peng Li
- * State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, P.R. China
| | - Fei Xiao
- * State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, P.R. China.,‡ Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, P.R. China
| | - Yitao Wang
- * State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, P.R. China
| | - Meiwan Chen
- * State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Lipid raft biomaterial as a mass screening affinity tool for rapid identification of potential antitumor Chinese herbal medicine. Eur J Integr Med 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2015.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
23
|
Minh CV, Nhiem NX, Yen HT, Kiem PV, Tai BH, Le Tuan Anh H, Hien TTT, Park S, Kim N, Kim SH. Chemical constituents of Trichosanthes kirilowii and their cytotoxic activities. Arch Pharm Res 2015; 38:1443-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s12272-014-0490-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
24
|
Wu S, Xu T, Akoh CC. Effect of roasting on the volatile constituents of Trichosanthes kirilowii seeds. J Food Drug Anal 2014; 22:310-317. [PMID: 28911420 PMCID: PMC9354876 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2013.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Revised: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Roasted Trichosanthes kirilowii seeds have much more intense flavor than the raw seeds, and are commonly used as food and in the preparations of many medicinal formulations. Volatile constituents in the raw and roasted T. kirilowii seeds were separated by simultaneous distillation and extraction, and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry on two capillary gas chromatography columns of different polarities (DB-WAX and HP-1). A total of 40 volatile compounds were identified in the raw seeds, with pentanal, 2-pentanol, styrene, (Z)-2-heptenal, (+)-calarene, and α-muurolene being the predominant compounds; 40 volatile compounds were also identified in the roasted seeds, with 3-methylbutanal, ethanol, 2-butanol, 2,3-butanediol, (E,E)-2,4-nonadienal, and 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-9-methylene-bicyclo[4.4.0]dec-1-ene being the most abundant compounds. A total of 15 compounds, mostly aldehydes, were common in both seeds. Roasting of T. kirilowii seeds resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of sesquiterpenes and short-chain aliphatic aldehydes. By contrast, high concentrations of 3-methylbutanal, ethanol, 2-butanol, and alkyl pyrazines were generated, which was responsible for the unique flavor of the roasted seeds. The study results may be useful for optimizing the roasting process and oil processing of T. kirilowii seeds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shimin Wu
- Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road 800, Shanghai 200240, China; Bor S. Luh Food Safety Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road 800, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road 800, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Casimir C Akoh
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Food Science Building, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2610, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Natural compounds as potential treatments of NF2-deficient schwannoma and meningioma: cucurbitacin D and goyazensolide. Otol Neurotol 2014; 34:1519-27. [PMID: 23928514 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0b013e3182956169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Cucurbitacin D and goyazensolide, 2 plant-derived natural compounds, possess potent growth-inhibitory activity in schwannoma and meningioma cells. BACKGROUND Currently, no FDA-approved drugs are available for neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)-associated schwannomas and meningiomas. Selected natural compounds with antineoplastic activity, such as cucurbitacin D and goyazensolide, may be developed as potential treatments for these tumors. METHODS The Nf2-deficient mouse schwannoma Sch10545 and human benign meningioma Ben-Men-1 cells were treated with various concentrations of cucurbitacin D and goyazensolide. The effect on cell proliferation was determined using resazurin assays. Flow cytometry was used to assess the cell cycle profiles. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the expression of various signaling molecules related to the cell cycle and the AKT pathway. RESULTS Cucurbitacin D inhibited proliferation of Sch10545 cells (IC50 ∼ 0.75 μM) and Ben-Men-1 cells (IC50 ∼0.2 μM). Goyazensolide also reduced cell proliferation of Sch10545 cells (IC50 ∼0.9 μM) and Ben-Men-1 cells (IC50 ∼1 μM). The G2/M population increased in both Sch10545 and Ben-Men-1 cells treated with cucurbitacin D or goyazensolide around the IC50. Cucurbitacin and goyazensolide substantially reduced the levels of cyclins E and A in treated Sch10545 and Ben-Men-1 cells. Cucurbitacin D also inhibited cyclin B, phospho-AKT and phospho-PRAS40 expression. In addition, goyazensolide reduced the levels of phospho-AKT and NFκB and increased the expression of pro-apoptotic Bim in Sch10545 and Ben-Men-1 cells. CONCLUSION Both cucurbitacin D and goyazensolide effectively inhibit proliferation of NF2-deficient schwannoma and meningioma cells, suggesting that these natural compounds should be further evaluated as potential treatments for NF2-related tumors.
Collapse
|
26
|
Song Y, Ding N, Kanazawa T, Yamashita U, Yoshida Y. Cucurbitacin D is a new inflammasome activator in macrophages. Int Immunopharmacol 2013; 17:1044-50. [PMID: 24140411 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Revised: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported that cucurbitacin D isolated from Trichosanthes kirilowii has anti-tumor roles to leukemia cells. However, the effect of cucurbitacin D on immune cells is not fully understood although there is no toxic activity to normal cells. In this study, immunomodulating activities of cucurbitacin D were investigated in macrophages. Cucurbitacin D could increase LPS-induced interleukin (IL)-1β production in culture supernatant of THP-1 cells, peritoneal exudate cells (PECs), bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs), and RAW264 cells. At the transcriptional level, cucurbitacin D enhanced LPS-induced IL-1β mRNA expression through activation of ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). At the posttranscriptional level, the activation of caspase-1 induced by cucurbitacin D has also been demonstrated following treatment with a caspase-1 inhibitor and siRNA. Importantly, cucurbitacin D has further been shown to induce inflammasome activation independent of ERK1/2 activation. Western blotting showed interaction of NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NALP3) and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-activating and recruitment domain (ASC), suggesting activation of the inflammasome and a possible reason for activation of caspase-1. Taken together, these results suggest that cucurbitacin D could initiate immunomodulating activity in macrophages to lead to inflammasome activation as well as enhancement of LPS signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Song
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Trichosanthes kirilowii Ethanol Extract and Cucurbitacin D Inhibit Cell Growth and Induce Apoptosis through Inhibition of STAT3 Activity in Breast Cancer Cells. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2013; 2013:975350. [PMID: 24194785 PMCID: PMC3806123 DOI: 10.1155/2013/975350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2013] [Revised: 08/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Trichosanthes kirilowii tuber is a traditional medicine which exhibits various medicinal effects including antidiabetic and anticancer activities in several cancer cells. Recently, it was reported that Cucurbitacin D (CuD) isolated from Trichosanthes kirilowii also induces apoptosis in several cancer cells. Constitutive signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which is an oncogenic transcription factor, is often observed in many human malignant tumor, including breast cancer. In the present study, we tested whether Trichosanthes kirilowii ethanol extract (TKE) or CuD suppresses cell growth and induces apoptosis through inhibition of STAT3 activity in breast cancer cells. We found that both TKE and CuD suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation. In addition, both TKE and CuD inhibited nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of STAT3. Taken together, our results indicate that TKE and its derived compound, CuD, could be potent therapeutic agents for breast cancer, blocking tumor cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis through suppression of STAT3 activity.
Collapse
|
28
|
Cucurbitacin IIa induces caspase-3-dependent apoptosis and enhances autophagy in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Int Immunopharmacol 2013; 16:27-34. [PMID: 23541744 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2013.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2012] [Revised: 01/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Cucurbitacin IIa (CuIIa), a member of cucurbitacin family, is isolated from the root of Hemsleya amabilis which has been used as an ancient remedy for bacillary dysentery and gastroenteritis. The anti-inflammatory properties of CuIIa have long been recognized but the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of CuIIa on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The results showed that CuIIa inhibited the proliferation and migration of RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Whereas CuIIa did not cause apoptosis in unstimulated RAW 264.7 cells, it did induce a significant apoptosis in LPS-stimulated cells, which was caspase-3-dependent and associated with downregulation of survivin. Furthermore, LPS induced autophagy in RAW 264.7 cells and this effect was further enhanced by CuIIa as evidenced by increased levels of LC3-II conjugates and formation of LC3 puncta. In addition, CuIIa disrupted actin cytoskeleton via inducing actin aggregation. However, neither the synthesis of tumor necrosis factor-α, nor the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases and NF-κB pathways in LPS-stimulated cells was suppressed by CuIIa treatment. Collectively, these results suggested that induction of apoptosis and enhancement of autophagy contributed to the anti-inflammatory activity of CuIIa against inflammation-related diseases.
Collapse
|
29
|
Biological activities and potential molecular targets of cucurbitacins: a focus on cancer. Anticancer Drugs 2012; 23:777-87. [PMID: 22561419 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0b013e3283541384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cucurbitacin and its derivatives (cucurbitacins) are a class of highly oxidized tetracyclic triterpenoids. They are widely distributed in the plant kingdom, where they act as heterologous chemical pheromones that protect plants from external biological insults. Their bioactivities first attracted attention in the 1960s. Documented data demonstrate that cucurbitacins possess strong pharmacological properties, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects, etc. Several molecular targets for cucurbitacins have been discovered, such as fibrous-actin, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, cyclooxygenase-2, etc. The present study summarizes the achievements of the 50 years of research on cucurbitacins. The aim was to systematically analyze their bioactivities with an emphasis on their anticancer effects. Research and development has shed new insight into the beneficial properties of these compounds.
Collapse
|
30
|
Ishii T, Kira N, Yoshida T, Narahara H. Cucurbitacin D induces growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in human endometrial and ovarian cancer cells. Tumour Biol 2012; 34:285-91. [PMID: 23150173 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-012-0549-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cucurbitacin D, a newly isolated triterpenoid cucurbitacin, has been found to possess anticancer effects. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of cucurbitacin D on human endometrial and ovarian cancer cells. Human endometrial and ovarian cancer cells were treated with various concentrations of cucurbitacin D, and its effects on cell growth, the cell cycle, apoptosis, and their related measurements were investigated in vitro. All endometrial and ovarian cancer cell lines were sensitive to the growth-inhibitory effect of cucurbitacin D. Cell cycle analysis indicated that their exposure to cucurbitacin D increased the proportion in the sub-G0/G1 phases and G2/M phases of the cell cycle. Induction of apoptosis was confirmed by annexin V staining of externalized phosphatidylserine and loss of the transmembrane potential of mitochondria. This induction occurred in concert with altered expression of genes related to cell growth, malignant phenotype, and apoptosis. Our results suggest that cucurbitacin D might be a new therapeutic option for the treatment of endometrial and ovarian cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Terukazu Ishii
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu-shi, Oita, 879-5593, Japan.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Cucurbitacin L 2-O-β-Glucoside Demonstrates Apoptogenesis in Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells (HT-29): Involvement of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species Regulation. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 2012:490136. [PMID: 22685485 PMCID: PMC3350939 DOI: 10.1155/2012/490136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Revised: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species can contribute to diverse signalling pathways of inflammatory and tumour cells. Cucurbitacins are a group of highly oxygenated triterpenes. Many plants used in folk medicine to treat cancer have been found to contain cucurbitacins displaying potentially important anti-inflammatory actions. The current study was designed to investigate the anti-ROS and -RNS effects of cucurbitacin L 2-O-β-glucoside (CLG) and the role of these signaling factors in the apoptogenic effects of CLG on human colon cancer cells (HT-29). This natural cucurbitacin was isolated purely from Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (Cucurbitaceae). The results revealed that CLG was cytotoxic to HT-29. CLG increased significantly (P < 0.05) RNA and protein levels of caspase-3 in HT-29 cells when verified using a colorimetric assay and realtime qPCR, respectively. The results showed that lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma (LPS/INF-γ) increased nitrous oxide (NO) production inR AW264.7macrophages, whereas N(G)-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester (L-NAME) and CLG curtailed it. This compound did not reveal any cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 macrophages and human normal liver cells (WRL-68) when tested using the MTT assay. Findings of ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) assays demonstrate the antioxidant properties of CLG. The apoptogenic property of CLG on HT-29 cells is thus related to inhibition of reactive nitrogen and oxygen reactive species and the triggering of caspase-3-regulated apoptosis.
Collapse
|
32
|
Thoppil RJ, Bishayee A. Terpenoids as potential chemopreventive and therapeutic agents in liver cancer. World J Hepatol 2011; 3:228-49. [PMID: 21969877 PMCID: PMC3182282 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v3.i9.228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2010] [Revised: 08/15/2011] [Accepted: 08/22/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advances in medicine, liver cancer, predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma remains a major cause of death in the United States as well as the rest of the world. As limited treatment options are currently available to patients with liver cancer, novel preventive control and effective therapeutic approaches are considered to be reasonable and decisive measures to combat this disease. Several naturally occurring dietary and non-dietary phytochemicals have shown enormous potential in the prevention and treatment of several cancers, especially those of the gastrointestinal tract. Terpenoids, the largest group of phytochemicals, traditionally used for medicinal purposes in India and China, are currently being explored as anticancer agents in clinical trials. Terpenoids (also called "isoprenoids") are secondary metabolites occurring in most organisms, particularly plants. More than 40 000 individual terpenoids are known to exist in nature with new compounds being discovered every year. A large number of terpenoids exhibit cytotoxicity against a variety of tumor cells and cancer preventive as well as anticancer efficacy in preclinical animal models. This review critically examines the potential role of naturally occurring terpenoids, from diverse origins, in the chemoprevention and treatment of liver tumors. Both in vitro and in vivo effects of these agents and related cellular and molecular mechanisms are highlighted. Potential challenges and future directions involved in the advancement of these promising natural compounds in the chemoprevention and therapy of human liver cancer are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roslin J Thoppil
- Roslin J Thoppil, Anupam Bishayee, Cancer Therapeutics and Chemoprevention Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rootstown, OH 44272, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Active ingredients in Chinese medicines promoting blood circulation as Na+/K+ -ATPase inhibitors. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2011; 32:141-51. [PMID: 21293466 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2010.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The positive inotropic effect of cardiac glycosides lies in their reversible inhibition on the membrane-bound Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in human myocardium. Steroid-like compounds containing a core structure similar to cardiac glycosides are found in many Chinese medicines conventionally used for promoting blood circulation. Some of them are demonstrated to be Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibitors and thus putatively responsible for their therapeutic effects via the same molecular mechanism as cardiac glycosides. On the other hand, magnesium lithospermate B of danshen is also proposed to exert its cardiac therapeutic effect by effectively inhibiting Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. Theoretical modeling suggests that the number of hydrogen bonds and the strength of hydrophobic interaction between the effective ingredients of various medicines and residues around the binding pocket of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase are crucial for the inhibitory potency of these active ingredients. Ginsenosides, the active ingredients in ginseng and sanqi, substantially inhibit Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase when sugar moieties are attached only to the C-3 position of their steroid-like structure, equivalent to the sugar position in cardiac glycosides. Their inhibitory potency is abolished, however, when sugar moieties are linked to C-6 or C-20 position of the steroid nucleus; presumably, these sugar attachments lead to steric hindrance for the entrance of ginsenosides into the binding pocket of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. Neuroprotective effects of cardiac glycosides, several steroid-like compounds, and magnesium lithospermate B against ischemic stroke have been accordingly observed in a cortical brain slice-based assay model, and cumulative data support that effective inhibitors of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in the brain could be potential drugs for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
Collapse
|
34
|
Ding N, Yamashita U, Matsuoka H, Sugiura T, Tsukada J, Noguchi J, Yoshida Y. Apoptosis induction through proteasome inhibitory activity of cucurbitacin D in human T-cell leukemia. Cancer 2010; 117:2735-46. [PMID: 21656752 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.25711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2010] [Revised: 07/15/2010] [Accepted: 09/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human T-cell leukemia is an aggressive malignancy of T lymphocytes. T-cell leukemia has a very poor prognosis, even with intensive chemotherapy, indicating the need for development of new drugs to treat the disease. Triterpenoid cucurbitacins have been shown to have antitumor activity, but the mechanism of this activity is not fully understood. METHODS The effects of cucurbitacin D on the proliferation and apoptotic induction of T-cell leukemia cells using the Cell viability assay and Annexin V staining were evaluated. To investigate the mechanisms of apoptosis, antiapoptotic protein, NF-κB, and the proteasome activity of leukemia cells treated with cucurbitacin D were evaluated by Western blotting both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS In this study, cucurbitacin D was found to inhibit proliferation and to induce apoptosis of T-cell leukemia cells. Constitutively activated NF-κB was inhibited by cucurbitacin D in the nucleus, which resulted in accumulation of NF-κB in the cytoplasm, leading to down-regulation of the expression of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-xL and Bcl-2. Furthermore, cucurbitacin D induced the accumulation of inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB)α by inhibition of proteasome activity. Low doses of cucurbitacin D synergistically potentiated the antiproliferative effects of the histone deacetylase inhibitor VPA. Finally, the proapoptotic and proteasome inhibitory activities of cucurbitacin D also were demonstrated using SCID mice in an in vivo study. CONCLUSIONS Cucurbitacin D induced apoptosis through suppression of proteasome activity both in vitro and in vivo, making cucurbitacin D a promising candidate for clinical applications in the treatment of T-cell leukemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ding
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Li CT, Lin CH, Kao TY, Wu MF, Yeh CS, Yeh KT, Ko JL. The mechanisms of action of Tianhua(™) on antitumor activity in lung cancer cells. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2010; 48:1302-1309. [PMID: 20738166 DOI: 10.3109/13880201003789432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Tianhua (TH-R) is extracted from Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim (Cucurbitaceae) containing trichosanthin, a traditional Chinese medicine, which has been locally reported to have good anticancer effects in vivo in both animal and human models. However, there have been several reports that trichosanthin has an anticancer effect involving apoptosis. OBJECTIVE To investigate other anticancer effects of TH-R, various tumorigenesis parameters were verified. MATERIALS AND METHODS Telomerase activity, anti-apoptosis, anti-migration and immunomodulatory activity were estimated by telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay (TRAP), flow cytometry, Boyden chamber assay and ELISA assay, respectively. RESULTS In our studies, we are the first to find that TH-R had a cytotoxic effect on lung cancer cells in MTS assays; it could change the cell cycle distribution of human lung cancer cells (A549 cell line) and induce apoptosis. Further anti-telomerase effects in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells using the TRAP assay were noted. TH-R also had an aggregation effect on peripheral blood lymphocytes, but no effect on stimulating peripheral lymphocytes to produce human interferon-γ(IFN-γ). TH-R could inhibit the migration, or metastatic ability, of A549 cells by Boyden chamber assay. In the oral feeding therapy of an in vivo mouse model, there was an initial inhibition of A549 cancer cell growth, but no statistical difference after one month of therapy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION It has been proven that medicinal herbs such as Tianhua have positive effects against cancer through preventing or inhibiting the process of lung tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Te Li
- Institute of Medical and Molecular Toxicology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|