Brazilein inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in breast cancer cells

Morphine Contributes to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Blocking COX-2 Methylation via Regulating the miR-23a-3p/DNMT3A Feedback

To investigate the effects and mechanisms of morphine on epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The levels of miR-23a-3p, DNMT3A, and COX-2 in tumor tissues from metastatic TNBC patients treated with morphine were assessed using qRT-PCR. Functional assays assessed morphine's impact on TNBC cell malignancy. Dual luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays investigated the interaction between miR-23a-3p and DNMT3A. miR-23a-3p inhibitor and DNMT3A siRNA were transfected into TNBC cells. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blot. Methylation status of miR-23a-3p and COX-2 was assessed via methylation-specific PCR. Rescue experiments were performed to research whether morphine modulates EMT in TNBC through COX-2 methylation regulation via the miR-23a-3p/DNMT3A feedback loop. The effects of morphine on TNBC in nude mice xenotransplantation were studied. In metastatic TNBC patients treated with morphine, miR-23a-3p and COX-2 expression were elevated, and DNMT3A levels were reduced. In TNBC cells, morphine enhanced migration, invasion, and EMT, and suppressed apoptosis. It upregulated miR-23a-3p and COX-2; downregulated DNMT3A; and inhibited methylation of miR-23a-3p and COX-2. miR-23a-3p directly inhibited DNMT3A expression. In morphine-treated TNBC cells, silencing DNMT3A reduced methylation of miR-23a-3p and COX-2. miR-23a-3p inhibitor suppressed migration, invasion, and EMT, and promoted apoptosis; however, these effects were reversed by DNMT3A silencing. In vivo, morphine promoted tumor EMT and metastasis in TNBC; reduced miR-23a-3p and COX-2 methylation; and decreased DNMT3A expression. Morphine accelerated EMT in TNBC by inhibiting COX-2 methylation through the miR-23a-3p/DNMT3A loop.

Role of SMOC2 in adenomyosis: implications for ECM remodeling and EMT pathogenesis

BACKGROUND

Adenomyosis is a common gynecological disorder characterized by the invasion of endometrial tissue into the myometrium, resulting in severe dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. This study aimed to explore the role of SMOC2 (SPARC related modular calcium binding 2), an extracellular matrix (ECM) -associated protein, in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis and its potential as a therapeutic target.

METHODS

We conducted a clinical study involving 35 patients diagnosed with adenomyosis and 30 controls. Ectopic endometrial tissue samples were collected and analyzed using immunohistochemistry (IHC), Masson staining, and cell culture techniques. The proliferative effect of SMOC2 on cells was evaluated using CCK- 8 assay, while the expression of SMOC2 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was assessed using real-time PCR and western blot analysis.

RESULTS

SMOC2 expression was significantly higher in the ectopic endometrial tissue of adenomyosis patients compared to controls. SMOC2 could promote cell proliferation. Overexpression of SMOC2 significantly upregulated mesenchymal markers N-cadherin and α-SMA, and downregulated epithelial marker E-cadherin. Conversely, knocking down SMOC2 with siRNA reversed these effects. These findings indicate that SMOC2 promotes EMT in adenomyotic stromal cells. Additionally, SMOC2 also activated the MMP9 signaling pathway, which plays a crucial role in the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling.

CONCLUSIONS

SMOC2 appears to be a key regulator in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis, promoting ECM remodeling and EMT, both of which are characteristic of the disease. Targeting SMOC2 may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of adenomyosis.

Unlocking the therapeutic mechanism of Caesalpinia sappan: a comprehensive review of its antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, ethnopharmacology, and phytochemistry

Herbal medicine are an invaluable reservoir of bioactive compounds, offering immense potential for novel drug development to address a wide range of diseases. Among these, Caesalpinia sappan has gained recognition for its historical medicinal applications and substantial therapeutic potential. This review explores the ethnopharmacological significance, phytochemical composition, and pharmacological properties of C. sappan, with a particular focus on its anticancer activities. Traditionally, C. sappan has been utilized for treating respiratory, gastrointestinal, and inflammatory conditions, demonstrating its broad therapeutic scope. The plant's rich array of bioactive compounds-flavonoids, triterpenoids, phenolic acids, and glycosides-forms the basis of its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pharmacological effects. Modern pharmacological research has further substantiated its versatility, revealing anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-infective, and hepatoprotective properties. However, significant challenges remain, including the need to unravel the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its anticancer effects, refine extraction and isolation methods for bioactive compounds, and validate its safety and efficacy through well-designed clinical trials. Particularly noteworthy is C. sappan's potential in combination therapies, where it may synergistically target multiple cancer pathways, enhance therapeutic outcomes, and mitigate adverse effects. This review synthesizes the findings from the past decade, providing a comprehensive evaluation of C. sappan's pharmacological promise while identifying critical areas for future research. By addressing these gaps, C. sappan could serve as a cornerstone for innovative therapeutic strategies, offering hope for improved management of cancer and other complex diseases.

CD44/PD-L1-mediated networks in drug resistance and immune evasion of breast cancer stem cells: Promising targets of natural compounds

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) significantly interfere with immunotherapy, leading to challenges such as low response rates and acquired resistance. PD-L1 expression is associated with the CSC population's overexpression of CD44. Mounting evidence suggests that the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) marker CD44 and the immune checkpoint PD-L1 contribute to treatment failure through their networks. Natural compounds can overcome therapy resistance in breast cancer by targeting mechanisms underlying resistance in BCSCs. This review provides an updated insight into the CD44 and PD-L1 networks of BCSCs in mediating metastasis and immune evasion. The review critically examines existing literature, providing a comprehensive understanding of the topic and emphasizing the impact of natural flavones on the signaling pathways of BCSCs. Additionally, the review discusses the potential of natural compounds in targeting CD44 and PD-L1 in breast cancer (BC). Natural compounds consistently show potential in targeting regulatory mechanisms of BCSCs, inducing loss of stemness, and promoting differentiation. They offer a promising approach for developing alternative therapeutic strategies to manage breast cancer.

The recent update and advancements of natural products in targeting the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway for cancer prevention and therapeutics

The Wnt/β-Catenin pathway (Wnt/β-CatP) is implicated in accelerating carcinogenesis and cancer progression, contributing to increased morbidity and treatment resistance. Even though it holds promise as a focus for cancer treatment, its intricate nature and diverse physiological effects pose significant challenges. Recent years have witnessed significant advancements in this domain, with numerous natural products demonstrating promising preclinical anti-tumor effects and identified as inhibitors of the Wnt/β-CatP through various upstream and downstream mechanisms. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of Wnt/β-Cat-targeted cancer therapy, examining the impact of natural products on Wnt/β-Cat signaling in both cancer prevention and therapeutic contexts. A comprehensive search was conducted on scientific databases like SciFinder, PubMed, and Google Scholar to retrieve relevant literature on Wnt-signaling, natural products, β-Catenin (β-Cat), and cancer from 2020 to January 2024. As per the analysis of the relevant reference within the specified period, it has been noted that a total of 58 phytoconstituents, predominantly phenolics, followed by triterpenoids and several other classes, along with a limited number of plant extracts, have exhibited activity targeting the Wnt/β-CatP. Most β-Cat regulating modulators restrict cancer cell development by suppressing β-Cat expression, facilitating proteasomal degradation, and inhibiting nuclear translocation. Multiple approaches have been devised to block the activity of β-Cat in cancer therapy, a key factor in cancer progression, leading to the discovery of various Wnt/β-CatP regulators. However, their exploration remains limited, necessitating further research using clinical models for potential clinical use in cancer prevention and therapeutics.