Jianpi Jiedu decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, inhibits tumorigenesis, metastasis, and angiogenesis through the mTOR/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway

Jianpi Jiedu decoction suppresses colorectal cancer growth by inhibiting M2 polarization of TAMs through the tryptophan metabolism-AhR pathway

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine, JianpiJiedu decoction (JPJDF), has been utilized in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment for over forty years. The potential of JPJDF to inhibit CRC through modulation of intestinal microbiota and their metabolites remains uncertain.

AIMS

This study aims to further investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of JPJDF in CRC.

METHODS

CAC mouse models were developed using azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Intestinal tissues and contents underwent 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis. Serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were measured using ELISA. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to assess the expression of Ki67, ZO-1, Occludin, CD68, and CD206. Furthermore, western blotting was performed to evaluate the protein expression of AhR and NF-κB.

RESULTS

JPJDF inhibited colorectal tumourigenesis in AOM/DSS treated mice, while also suppressing tumor cell proliferation and upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed that JPJDF altered intestinal microbiota composition by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria. Additionally, JPJDF reduced tryptophan metabolites, effectively alleviating inflammation and significantly restoring intestinal barrier function in CAC mice. Molecular biology experiments confirmed that JPJDF suppressed the expression levels of AhR and M2-type tumor-associated macrophages, thereby promoting anti-tumor immunity and exerting inhibitory effects on CAC growth.

CONCLUSION

JPJDF can regulate the tryptophan metabolism-AhR pathway by modulating the gut microbiota, reducing intestinal inflammation, improving intestinal barrier function, enhancing anti-tumor immunity, and effectively inhibiting CAC growth.

Dynamic Treatment Strategy of Chinese Medicine for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Based on Machine Learning Algorithm

OBJECTIVE

To establish the dynamic treatment strategy of Chinese medicine (CM) for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) by machine learning algorithm, in order to provide a reference for the selection of CM treatment strategies for mCRC.

METHODS

From the outpatient cases of mCRC in the Department of Oncology at Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 197 cases that met the inclusion criteria were screened. According to different CM intervention strategies, the patients were divided into 3 groups: CM treatment alone, equal emphasis on Chinese and Western medicine treatment (CM combined with local treatment of tumors, oral chemotherapy, or targeted drugs), and CM assisted Western medicine treatment (CM combined with intravenous regimen of Western medicine). The survival time of patients undergoing CM intervention was taken as the final evaluation index. Factors affecting the choice of CM intervention scheme were screened as decision variables. The dynamic CM intervention and treatment strategy for mCRC was explored based on the cost-sensitive classification learning algorithm for survival (CSCLSurv). Patients' survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the survival time of patients who received the model-recommended treatment plan were compared with those who received actual treatment plan.

RESULTS

Using the survival time of patients undergoing CM intervention as the evaluation index, a dynamic CM intervention therapy strategy for mCRC was established based on CSCLSurv. Different CM intervention strategies for mCRC can be selected according to dynamic decision variables, such as gender, age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, tumor site, metastatic site, genotyping, and the stage of Western medicine treatment at the patient's first visit. The median survival time of patients who received the model-recommended treatment plan was 35 months, while those who receive the actual treatment plan was 26.0 months (P=0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

The dynamic treatment strategy of CM, based on CSCLSurv for mCRC, plays a certain role in providing clinical hints in CM. It can be further improved in future prospective studies with larger sample sizes.

Jianpi Jiedu decoction reverses 5-fluorouracil resistance in colorectal cancer by suppressing the xCT/GSH/GPX4 axis to induce ferroptosis

Introduction

Innate and acquired chemoresistance in colorectal cancer (CRC) often results in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment failure. This study aimed to investigate the potential of Jianpi Jiedu (JPJD) decoction to reverse 5-FU resistance in CRC and clarify its potential mechanism of action.

Methods

The CCK-8 assay was employed to assess cell activity. Flow cytometry was employed to assess various parameters including cell apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity, reactive oxygen species levels, and lipid peroxidation. Metabolomics analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed metabolites. Western blotting was utilized for protein expression analysis.

Results

In this study, we demonstrated that the combined JPJD and 5-FU treatment reversed 5-FU resistance in HCT8/5-FU cells, inducing cell apoptosis, causing G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest, and reducing P-gp protein expression and activity. Metabolomics analysis revealed ferroptosis as a key pathway in the development of 5-FU resistance. Furthermore, the combination treatment reversed drug resistance primarily by impacting ferroptosis and triggering critical ferroptosis events through the suppression of the cystine/glutamate transporter (xCT)/glutathione (GSH)/glutathione peroxidase (GPX4) axis.

Conclusion

JPJD decoction primarily suppressed the xCT/GSH/GPX4 axis to trigger ferroptosis, thereby effectively reversing 5-FU resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Effectiveness of adjuvant traditional Chinese medicine on macrovascular invasion in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a real-world propensity score-matched study

The study aimed to investigate the potential of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in reducing the risk of macrovascular invasion (MVI) in Chinese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This retrospective analysis involved 2,267 HCC patients treated at our hospital. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to compare TCM users (n = 485) with non-users (n = 485) in terms of age, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging, type of treatment, and AFP. The impact of TCM on the hazard ratio (HR) of MVI was evaluated using a Cox multivariate regression model. The efficacy of TCM therapy on MVI was further examined using the log-rank test. The analysis revealed that TCM medication was a significant protective factor for MVI in HCC patients, as evidenced by the Cox analysis (adjusted HR = 0.496, 95% CI: 0.387-0.635, p < 0.001). After PS matching, the Kaplan-Meier curve demonstrated a lower occurrence rate of MVI in TCM users compared to non-users. The study findings suggest that TCM treatment has the potential to decrease the incidence of MVI in HCC patients, irrespective of etiology, BCLC staging, liver function, or treatment type. Notably, as the use of TCM increased, the percentage of MVI in patients showed a gradual decrease, indicating the potential of TCM therapy as a successful strategy for preventing MVI.

Molecular Targeting of the Phosphoinositide-3-Protein Kinase (PI3K) Pathway across Various Cancers

The dysregulation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway can lead to uncontrolled cellular growth and tumorigenesis. Targeting PI3K and its downstream substrates has been shown to be effective in preclinical studies and phase III trials with the approval of several PI3K pathway inhibitors by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the past decade. However, the limited clinical efficacy of these inhibitors, intolerable toxicities, and acquired resistances limit the clinical application of PI3K inhibitors. This review discusses the PI3K signaling pathway, alterations in the PI3K pathway causing carcinogenesis, current and novel PI3K pathway inhibitors, adverse effects, resistance mechanisms, challenging issues, and future directions of PI3K pathway inhibitors.

An exploration of the effect of Chinese herbal compound on the occurrence and development of large intestine cancer and intestinal flora

This study was conducted to observe the effect of Chinese herbal compound on the treatment of colon cancer using AOM/DSS-induced C57BL/6J colon cancer mice and to validate potential influence on intestinal flora of mice. A colorectal cancer (CRC) mouse model was built with a total of 50 C57BL/6J mice that were induced by administrating AOM/DSS. These experimental animals were split up into 5 groups, a control group, a model group, and low-, medium- and high-dose Chinese herbal compound groups. All mice were given Chinese herbal compound treatment, and the colon tissues of each group were harvested with the length measured and the number of colon polyps accounted. The Ki-67 expression in the colon tissues was detected via immuno-histochemistry. Relative quantification of the expression of genes and proteins was determined through qPCR and WB assays. Contents of IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-10 in serum and colon tissues of mice were determined by ELISA. An additional 16S rRNA sequencing analysis was implemented for the identification of mouse intestinal flora. The results suggested that all low-, medium- or high-dose Chinese herbal compound could markedly inhibit the shortening of colon length and significant number reduction of colon polyps in the model group. The relative expression of genes and proteins (PCNA, Muc16, and MMP-9) associated with proliferation in mouse colon tissues were inhibited. In addition, compared with the model group, the contents of IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in serum and colon tissues were substantially decreased in the high-dose Chinese herbal compound group, thereby reducing the structure damage in colon tissues and the infiltration degree of inflammatory cells. Besides, the expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB protein was markedly decreased. The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that mice in the model group had decreased intestinal flora diversity, and there were significant changes in flora abundance and amino acid metabolism between the control group and the model group. Taken together, the treatment of Chinese herbal compound against CRC in this study might be regulated by the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, and the imbalance in intestinal flora was also closely related to CRC occurrence.

Explore the active ingredients and potential mechanisms of JianPi QingRe HuaYu Methods in the treatment of gastric inflammation-cancer transformation by network pharmacology and experimental validation

BACKGROUND

JianPi QingRe HuaYu Methods (JQH) have been long used to treat chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC). However, whether JQH can inhibit the transformation of gastritis to gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear.

METHODS

Herein, we first retrieved the active ingredients and targets of JQH from the TCMSP database and the targets related to the gastric inflammation-cancer transformation from public databases. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to gastric inflammation-cancer transformation were identified from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Then, we obtained the potential therapeutic targets of JQH in treating gastric inflammation-cancer transformation by intersecting drugs and disease targets. The Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses of the potential therapeutic targets were conducted using R software. Next, we conducted molecular docking and in vitro experiments to validate our results.

RESULTS

We obtained 214 potential therapeutic targets of JQH by intersecting drugs and disease targets. We found that the potential mechanisms of JQH in treating gastric inflammation-cancer transformation might be related to JAK-STAT, Wnt, p53 and VEGF signaling pathways. The molecular docking indicated that quercetin, as the main active ingredient of JQH, might inhibit gastric inflammation-cancer transformation by binding with specific receptors. Our experimental results showed that quercetin inhibited cells proliferation (P < 0.001), promoted cell apoptosis (P < 0.001), reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.001) and promoted the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.001) in MNNG-induced GES-1 cells. Furthermore, quercetin inhibited cells proliferation (P < 0.001) and reduced mRNA and protein level of markers of PLGC (P < 0.001) in CDCA-induced GES-1 cells.

CONCLUSION

These results provide the material basis and regulatory mechanisms of JQH in treating gastric inflammation-cancer transformation.

Traditional Chinese medicine for colorectal cancer treatment: potential targets and mechanisms of action

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a disease with complex pathogenesis, it is prone to metastasis, and its development involves abnormalities in multiple signaling pathways. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, target therapy, and immunotherapy remain the main treatments for CRC, but improvement in the overall survival rate and quality of life is urgently needed. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of preventing and treating CRC. It could affect CRC cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, invasion, autophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and chemoresistance by regulating multiple signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, MAPK, Wnt/β-catenin, epidermal growth factor receptors, p53, TGF-β, mTOR, Hedgehog, and immunomodulatory signaling pathways. In this paper, the main signaling pathways and potential targets of TCM and its active ingredients in the treatment of CRC were systematically summarized, providing a theoretical basis for treating CRC with TCM and new ideas for further exploring the pathogenesis of CRC and developing new anti-CRC drugs.

α‑hederin overcomes hypoxia‑mediated drug resistance in colorectal cancer by inhibiting the AKT/Bcl2 pathway

Currently, chemoresistance is a major challenge that directly affects the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). In addition, hypoxia is associated with poor prognosis and therapeutic resistance in patients with cancer. Accumulating evidence has shown that α‑hederin has significant antitumour effects and that α‑hederin can inhibit hypoxia‑mediated drug resistance in CRC; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, viability and proliferation assays were used to evaluate the effect of α‑hederin on the drug resistance of CRC cells under hypoxia. Sequencing analysis and apoptosis assays were used to determine the effect of α‑hederin on apoptosis under hypoxia. Western blot analysis and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR were used to measure apoptosis‑related protein and mRNA expression levels. Furthermore, different mouse models were established to study the effect of α‑hederin on hypoxia‑mediated CRC drug resistance in vivo. In the present study, the high expression of Bcl2 in hypoxic CRC cells was revealed to be a key factor in their drug resistance, whereas α‑hederin inhibited the expression of Bcl2 by reducing AKT phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo, and promoted the apoptosis of CRC cells under hypoxia. By contrast, overexpression of AKT reversed the effect of α‑hederin on CRC cell apoptosis under hypoxia. Taken together, these results suggested that α‑hederin may overcome hypoxia‑mediated drug resistance in CRC by inhibiting the AKT/Bcl2 pathway. In the future, α‑hederin may be used as a novel adjuvant for reversing drug resistance in CRC.

Adjuvant effects of Chinese medicinal tonics on gastric, liver, and colorectal cancers—OMICs-based contributions to understanding their mechanism of action

Gastric, liver, and colorectal cancers belong to gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, one of the most threatening diseases in the world. The tonics class in Chinese medicines plays a critical role in antigastrointestinal cancer as adjuvants. However, it is a challenge to study the effects and underlying mechanisms of tonics due to their multiple components and multiple targets; OMICs were introduced to facilitate the investigation of the complex mixture of tonics. In this review, the online databases PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Knowledge, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP, and Wanfang were retrieved from 1 January 2011 to 31 May 2022, in an aim to summarize and discuss the research progress of the effects and, especially, the underlying mechanisms of tonics for antigastrointestinal cancers via OMICs. The results showed that through the combination of OMICs and other technologies, tonics have been used for gastrointestinal cancer by targeting cancer hallmarks, enhancing body resistance to carcinogenesis, enhancing therapeutic effects, and/or decreasing side effects. In conclusion, tonics may play a promising role in gastric, liver, and colorectal cancers as adjuvants and can be well investigated via the combination of OMICs and other technologies, which deserves further study.

Wumei Pill Ameliorates AOM/DSS-Induced Colitis-Associated Colon Cancer through Inhibition of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress by Regulating S-Adenosylhomocysteine Hydrolase- (AHCY-) Mediated Hedgehog Signaling in Mice

Wumei Pill (WMP) is a traditional Chinese herbal formulation and widely used to treat digestive system diseases in clinical. S-Adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AHCY) can catalyze the hydrolysis of S-adenosylhomocysteine to adenosine and homocysteine in living organisms, and its abnormal expression is linked to the pathogenesis of many diseases including colorectal cancer (CRC). A previous study reported that WMP could prevent CRC in mice; however, the underlying mechanisms especially the roles of AHCY in WMP-induced anti-CRC remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the regulatory roles and potential mechanisms of AHCY in WMP-induced anti-CRC. WMP notably alleviated the azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium- (AOM/DSS-) induced colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC) in mice. Besides, WMP inhibited the inflammation and oxidative stress in AOM/DSS-induced CAC mice. AHCY was high expression in clinical samples of colon cancer compared to the adjacent tissues. WMP inhibited the AHCY expression in AOM/DSS-induced CAC mice. An in vitro study found that AHCY overexpression induced cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and tumor angiogenesis, whereas its knockdown impaired its oncogenic function. AHCY overexpression enhanced, while its knockdown weakened the inflammation and oxidative stress in colon cancer cells. Interestingly, WMP potently suppressed the hedgehog (Hh) signaling in AOM/DSS-induced CAC mice. A further study showed that AHCY overexpression activated the Hh signaling while AHCY knockdown inactivated the Hh signaling. Moreover, activation of the Hh signaling reversed the effect of AHCY silencing on inflammation and oxidative stress in vitro. In conclusion, WMP alleviated the AOM/DSS-induced CAC through inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress by regulating AHCY-mediated hedgehog signaling in mice. These findings uncovered a potential molecular mechanism underlying the anti-CAC effect of WMP and suggested WMP as a promising therapeutic candidate for CRC.

The mechanism of FZXJJZ decoction suppresses colorectal liver metastasis via the VDR/TGF-β/Snail1 signaling pathways based on network pharmacology-TCGA data-transcriptomics analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Fuzheng Xiaojijinzhan (FZXJJZF) decoction is an effective prescription for treating colorectal cancer liver metastasis (LMCRC).

AIM OF THE STUDY

To elucidate the pharmacological mechanism of the FZXJJZF decoction therapy on LMCRC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, a network pharmacological approach was used to characterize the underlying targets of FZXJJZF on LMCRC. Secondly, LMCRC-related genes are obtained from the public database TCGA, and those genes are further screened and clustered through Mfuzz, an R package tool. Then, targets of FZXJJZF predicted by network pharmacology were overlapped with LMCRC related genes screened by Mfuzz. Meanwhile, FZJZXJF intervened in LMCRC model,epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and migration and invasion of HCT-116 cells. Thirdly, the transcriptomics data of FZJZXJF inhibited HCT-116 cells of EMT cells were overlapped with EMT database data to narrow the possible range of targets. Based on this, the potential targets and signal pathways of FZJZXJF were speculated by combining the transcriptomics data with the targets from network pharmacology-TCGA. Finally, the anti-cancer mechanism of FZXJJZF on LMCRC was verified in vitro by Real-Time PCR and Western Blot in vitro.

RESULTS

By network pharmacological analysis, 282 ingredients and 429 potential targets of FZXJJZF were predicted. The 9268 LMCRC-related genes in the TCGA database were classified into 10 clusters by the Mfuzz. The two clustering genes with the most similar clustering trends were overlapped with 429 potential targets, and 32 genes were found, such as CD34, TRPV3, PGR, VDR, etc. In vivo experiments, FZJZXJF inhibited the tumor size in LMCRC models, and the EMT, migration, and invasion of HCT-116 also be inhibited. Intersecting transcriptomics dates with 32 target genes, it is speculated that the VDR-TGF-β signaling pathway may be an effective mechanism of FZXJJZF. Additionally, it is shown that FZXJJZF up-regulated the expression levels of VDR and E-cadherin and down-regulated the expression levels of TGF-β and Snail1 in vitro. These results confirmed that FZXJJZF plays an effective role in LMCRC mainly by inhibiting EMT phenotype via the VDR-TGF-β signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, this study reveals the anti-LMCRC effect of FZXJJZF and its potential therapeutic mechanism from the perspective of potential targets and potential pathways.

Effects of Angelica Fritillaria Kushen Pill on Renal Function and Immune Function after Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy for Patients with Renal Carcinoma

Objective

To investigate the effect of Danggui Beimu Kushen Pills on renal cell carcinoma patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection and their effects on renal function and immune function.

Methods

106 patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical surgery in our hospital from March 2015 to February 2017 were selected, and they were divided into control group and treatment group. The control group was treated with interferon and the treatment group was treated with Danggui Beimu Kushen pills on the basis of the control group. The clinical efficacy, incidence of adverse reactions, survival rate, and the relationship with clinical stages were detected in the two groups. The renal function index levels, immune function index levels, and quality of life levels were measured in the two groups after treatment.

Results

Compared with the control group, the total clinical effective rate was increased, the abnormal renal function, abnormal liver function, and platelet decline were decreased, and the survival rate was significantly elevated in the treatment group. The patients with clinical stage I∼II' survival rate was increased, relative to patients with clinical stage III. After treatment, the levels of β2-MG, SCr, BUN, and CD8+ in the two groups were decreased, while the levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ were increased. Moreover, the scores of physical function, social function, emotional function, role function, cognitive function, and total score of the two groups were improved. Compared with the control group, the treatment group changes were more obvious.

Conclusion

The Danggui Beimu Kushen Pill has significant clinical effects on the treatment of renal cancer, which can improve the clinical symptoms, enhance the immune function, restore the health renal function, improve the quality of life, prolong the survival time of patients, reduce the incidence of adverse reactions, and provide high safety.

Effects of Integrated Chinese Traditional Medicine and Conventional Western Medicine on the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine has been widely used, in conjunction with conventional Western medicine, in clinical practice around the world to treat breast cancer. The study systematically reviewed and summarized the quality of life of breast cancer patients treated with integrated treatment method vs. conventional Western medicine.

METHODS

Eight databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine Disc, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and Wanfang Data knowledge service platform were searched in this study. The retrieval period was set from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2020.

RESULTS

Twenty-two high-quality publications were included in this study. The total sample size was 1689 patients including 844 in the intervention group receiving traditional Chinese medicine combined with conventional Western medicine and 845 patients in the control group receiving conventional Western medicine only. Compared with the single-used conventional Western medicine treatment, an integrated approach to treat breast cancer can increase quality of life measured by rating scales (SMD = 1.29, 95% CI (1.07, 1.52) and P=0.01) and ranking scales (RR = 1.53, 95% CI (1.39 1.68) and P=0.02) and also decrease adverse reactions measured by rating scales (Z = 10.89, P < 0.05; Group 1: I ² = 9.0%, P=0.258, SMD = 1.03; and Group 2: I ² = 31.6%, P=0.199, SMD = 1.56). For further analysis, chemotherapy with epirubicin exhibited higher quality of life than the chemotherapy without epirubicin among breast cancer patients [Z = 19.80, P < 0.05; Group 1: I ² = 62.4%, P=0.070, SMD = 1.61; and Group 2: I ² = 9.0%, P=0.359, SMD = 1.04]. Despite the heterogeneity, which was due to a portion of relative low-quality literature or other factors, the results were satisfactory. In terms of secondary results, the patients with lower tumor markers (CEA and CA153) had better efficiency in quality of life with a statistically significant difference (SMD = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.10,1.67) for rating scales. In addition, secondary results related to high incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions (RR = 1.33, 95% CI (1.20, 1.48)) and the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome (RR = 1.50, 95% CI (1.28, 1.80))showed lower quality of life in the intervention group than the control group for ranking scales.

CONCLUSION

Traditional Chinese medicine, when used in conjunction with the conventional Western medicine, could be an effective way in improving the quality of life and alleviating incidence of associated adverse symptoms such as gastrointestinal adverse reactions, value of tumor markers, and the incidence of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome. Further investigation of larger and methodologically sound trials with longer follow-up periods and appropriate comparison groups is needed.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Colorectal Cancer: Implications for Drug Discovery

As an important part of complementary and alternative medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been applied to treat a host of diseases for centuries. Over the years, with the incidence rate of human colorectal cancer (CRC) increasing continuously and the advantage of TCM gradually becoming more prominent, the importance of TCM in both domestic and international fields is also growing with each passing day. However, the unknowability of active ingredients, effective substances, and the underlying mechanisms of TCM against this malignant tumor greatly restricts the translation degree of clinical products and the pace of precision medicine. In this review, based on the characteristics of TCM and the oral administration of most ingredients, we herein provide beneficial information for the clinical utilization of TCM in the prevention and treatment of CRC and retrospect the current preclinical studies on the related active ingredients, as well as put forward the research mode for the discovery of active ingredients and effective substances in TCM, to provide novel insights into the research and development of innovative agents from this conventional medicine for CRC treatment and assist the realization of precision medicine.

Mechanism of Ampelopsin Inhibiting Proliferation, Remove and Incursion of Colorectal Cancer Through Regulating the Expression of LncRNA ZFPM2-AS1/miR-515-5p

The incidence rate, recurrence and metastasis rate and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) are high. Therefore, clinical has been looking for better treatment. Ampelopsin (AMP) has obvious inhibitory effect on some tumors. However, there is no report on the effect and mechanism of AMP on rectal cancer. To investigate the effect and mechanism of AMP on the proliferation, migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells, at first, different concentrations of Ampelopsis japonica group (10μM, 25 μM, 50 μM), control group (without AMP), pcDNA group, pcDNA-ZFPM2-AS1 group, si-NC group, si-ZFPM2-AS1 group, miR-NC group, miR-515-5p group, AMP+pcDNA group, AMP + pcDNA-ZFPM2-AS1 group were set up. Then the expression levels of miR-515-5p and ZFPM2-AS1 were detected by QRT-PCR, protein expression was detected by Western blot, cell proliferation inhibition rate was detected by MTT method, cell invasion and migration were detected by Transwell and fluorescence activity was detected by double luciferase reporter gene assay. The results show that compared with the control group, the proliferation inhibition rate of SW480 cells in different concentrations of AMP increased and the number of migration and invasion decreased significantly. Moreover, the expression levels of CyclinD1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly lower than those in the control group, while the expression of p21 was significantly increased. The expression level of miR-515-5pin SW480 cells treated with AMP was significantly increased, while the expression level of ZFPM2-AS1 was significantly decreased. Inhibition of ZFPM2-AS1 expression or miR-515-5p overexpression could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of SW480 cells and then ZFPM2-AS1 overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of AMP on the proliferation, migration and invasion of SW480 cells. Therefore, AMP affects the proliferation, migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells by regulating the expression of lncRNA ZFPM2-AS1/miR-515-5p, which provides a new target and new idea for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Asparagus Polysaccharide inhibits the Hypoxia-induced migration, invasion and angiogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells partly through regulating HIF1α/VEGF expression via MAPK and PI3K signaling pathway

Aim: Although there are so many treatment strategies used for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the overall survival (OS) of HCC patients still remains very low. In our previous studies, asparagus polysaccharide (ASP) has been demonstrated to suppress proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of HCC cells under normoxic conditions in vitro. However, the inhibitory effects of ASP on the hypoxia-induced migration, invasion and angiogenesis of HCC cells still remain largely unexplored. Materials and methods: Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, transwell assay, and tube formation assay were used to determine the effects of ASP on hypoxia-induced proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of HCC cells. ELISA, Western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence assay were used to confirm the effects of ASP on the expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF at the protein level. Moreover, effects of ASP on signaling pathway-related proteins were investigated by Western blotting analysis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay was applied to test the effects of ASP on angiogenesis-associated proteins of tumor cells. Results: We showed that ASP effectively suppressed hypoxia-induced proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of SK-Hep1 and Hep-3B cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the inhibitory effect of ASP might be partly attributed to down-regulation of HIF1α and VEGF proteins in SK-Hep1 and Hep-3B cells under hypoxic conditions. Moreover, signaling pathway study indicated that ASP significantly down-regulated the hypoxia-induced expressions of p-AKT, p-mTOR and p-ERK, while it had little effects on AKT, mTOR and ERK. Besides, SK-Hep1 xenograft tumor models in nude mice further confirmed that the inhibitory effect of ASP on xenograft tumors might be exerted partly via down-regulation of HIF1α and VEGF through blocking MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that ASP suppressed the hypoxia-induced migration, invasion and angiogenesis of HCC cells partly through regulating HIF-1α/VEGF expression via MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways.

Ze-Qi-Tang Formula Induces Granulocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Apoptosis via STAT3/S100A9/Bcl-2/Caspase-3 Signaling to Prolong the Survival of Mice with Orthotopic Lung Cancer

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the most common malignancy with the highest morbidity and mortality worldwide. In our previous study, we found that a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula Ze-Qi-Tang (ZQT), which has been used in the treatment of respiratory diseases for thousands of years, could directly inhibit the growth of human NSCLC cells via the p53 signaling pathway. In this study, we explored the immunomodulatory functions of ZQT. We found that ZQT significantly prolonged the survival of orthotopic lung cancer model mice by modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME). ZQT remarkably reduced the number of MDSCs (especially G-MDSCs) and inhibited their immunosuppressive activity by inducing apoptosis in these cells via the STAT3/S100A9/Bcl-2/caspase-3 signaling pathway. When G-MDSCs were depleted, the survival promotion effect of ZQT and its inhibitory effect on lung luminescence signal disappeared in tumor-bearing mice. This is the first study to illustrate the immunomodulatory effect of ZQT in NSCLC and the underlying molecular mechanism.

Recent Advances in Anti-Metastatic Approaches of Herbal Medicines in 5 Major Cancers: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery

Metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related death. Despite its high fatality, a comprehensive study that covers anti-metastasis of herbal medicines has not yet been conducted. The aim of this study is to investigate and assess the anti-metastatic efficacies of herbal medicines in the five major cancers, including lung, colorectal, gastric, liver, and breast cancers. We collected articles published within five years using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science with "cancer metastasis" and "herbal medicine" as keywords. Correspondingly, 16 lung cancer, 23 colorectal cancer, 10 gastric cancer, 10 liver cancer, and 18 breast cancer studies were systematically reviewed. The herbal medicines attenuated metastatic potential targeting various mechanisms such as epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and angiogenesis. Specifically, the drugs regulated metastasis related factors such as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), serine-threonine protein kinase/extracellular regulated protein kinase (AKT/ERK), angiogenic factors, and chemokines. Overall, the present study is the first review, comprehensively investigating the anti-metastasis effect of herbal medicines on five major cancers, providing the experimental models, doses and durations, and mechanisms. Herbal medicines could be a potent candidate for anti-metastatic drugs.

Huanglian decoction suppresses the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by reducing CCNB1 expression

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in human populations worldwide. Huanglian decoction is one of the most important Chinese medicine formulas, with the potential to treat cancer.

AIM

To investigate the role and mechanism of Huanglian decoction on HCC cells.

METHODS

To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), we downloaded gene expression profile data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE45436) databases. We obtained phytochemicals of the four herbs of Huanglian decoction from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. We also established a regulatory network of DEGs and drug target genes and subsequently analyzed key genes using bioinformatics approaches. Furthermore, we conducted in vitro experiments to explore the effect of Huanglian decoction and to verify the predictions. In particular, the CCNB1 gene was knocked down to verify the primary target of this decoction. Through the identification of the expression levels of key proteins, we determined the primary mechanism of Huanglian decoction in HCC.

RESULTS

Based on the results of the network pharmacological analysis, we revealed 5 bioactive compounds in Huanglian decoction that act on HCC. In addition, a protein-protein interaction network analysis of the target genes of these five compounds as well as expression and prognosis analyses were performed in tumors. CCNB1 was confirmed to be the primary gene that may be highly expressed in tumors and was significantly associated with a worse prognosis. We also noted that CCNB1 may serve as an independent prognostic indicator in HCC. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated that Huanglian decoction significantly inhibited the growth, migration, and invasiveness of HCC cells and induced cell apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest. Further analysis showed that the decoction may inhibit the growth of HCC cells by downregulating the CCNB1 expression level. After Huanglian decoction treatment, the expression levels of Bax, caspase 3, caspase 9, p21 and p53 in HCC cells were increased, while the expression of CDK1 and CCNB1 was significantly decreased. The p53 signaling pathway was also found to play an important role in this process.

CONCLUSION

Huanglian decoction has a significant inhibitory effect on HCC cells. CCNB1 is a potential therapeutic target in HCC. Further analysis showed that Huanglian decoction can inhibit HCC cell growth by downregulating the expression of CCNB1 to activate the p53 signaling pathway.

Antitumor effect and molecular mechanism of fucoidan in NSCLC

Background

Fucoidan, a water-soluble polysaccharide, exerts anticoagulant and antiviral functions. It was recently reported that fucoidan also exerts an antitumor function. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate anti-tumor,apoptosis and anti-metastasis effects of fucoidan in both cell-based assays and mouse xenograft model, as well as to clarify possible role of m-TOR pathway in the protection.

Methods

In vitro: Different concentrations of fucoidan were given to act on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines A549 and H1650. The effects of fucoidan on cell proliferation were observed by detecting cyclin expression levels, CCK8 and EDU experiments and cloning experiments. The apoptotic level was detected by flow cytometry and the apoptotic protein level was detected by Westernblot. By detecting the expression of adhesion molecules, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family, and Transwell cell invasion and migration experiment, the effect of fucoidan on cell adhesion, invasion and migration was observed. Meanwhile the effect of fucoidan on angiogenesis was observed by detecting the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

In vivo experiment: An animal model of NSCLC cell mouse subcutaneous xenograft tumor was established to analyze the correlation between the consumption of fucoidan and the size and volume of xenograft tumor through gross observation. Through immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence double staining, ki67 and cell adhesion molecules (E-cadherin, N-cadherin and CD31) and VEGF-A in the tumor were detected, and the correlation between the amount of fucoidan and the above indexes was analyzed.

Results

Fucoidan inhibited the proliferation and angiogenesis of NSCLC cells via the mTOR pathway and promoted their apoptosis by increasing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Not only that, fucoidan inhibited NSCLC cell invasion via epithelial–mesenchymal transformation (EMT). The mice fed fucoidan exhibited significant reductions in tumor volumes and weights. These indicators (Ki67, VEGF-A,N-cadherin) were decreased and E-cadherin expression was up-regulated in A549 mice that treated with fucoidan. The results showed that fucoidan inhibited tumor proliferation in vivo by affecting the expression of related proteins.

Conclusion

Fucoidan conveys antitumor effects and our results represent an ideal therapeutic agent for NSCLC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-020-03191-0.

Anticancer activities of TCM and their active components against tumor metastasis

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of multiple targets, slight side effects and good therapeutic effects. Good anti-tumor effects are shown by Traditional Chinese Medicine prescription, Chinese patent medicine, single Traditional Chinese Medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine monomer compound. Clinically, TCM prolonged the survival time of patients and improved the life quality of patients, due to less side effects. Cancer metastasis is a complex process involving numerous steps, multiple genes and their products. During the process of tumor metastasis, firstly, cancer cell increases its proliferative capacity by reducing autophagy and apoptosis, and then the cancer cell capacity is stimulated by increasing the ability of tumors to absorb nutrients from the outside through angiogenesis. Both of the two steps can increase tumor migration and invasion. Finally, the purpose of tumor metastasis is achieved. By inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis of tumor cells, angiogenesis and EMT outside the tumor can inhibit the invasion and migration of cancer, and consequently achieve the purpose of inhibiting tumor metastasis. This review explores the research achievements of Traditional Chinese Medicine on breast cancer, lung cancer, hepatic carcinoma, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and other cancer metastasis in the past five years, summarizes the development direction of TCM on cancer metastasis research in the past five years and makes a prospect for the future.

Protective Effect of Quercetin against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage in PC-12 Cells: Comprehensive Analysis of a lncRNA-Associated ceRNA Network

Quercetin is a bioflavonoid with potential antioxidant properties. However, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unclear. Herein, we focused on integrating long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA) sequencing of PC-12 cells treated with quercetin. We treated PC-12 cells with hydrogen peroxide to generate a validated oxidative damage model. We evaluated the effects of quercetin on PC-12 cells and established the lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA profiles of these cells. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses of these RNAs were conducted to identify the key pathways. Quercetin significantly protected PC-12 neuronal cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced death. We identified 297, 194, and 14 significantly dysregulated lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs, respectively, associated with the antioxidant effect of quercetin. Furthermore, the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway was identified as the crucial signalling pathway. Finally, we constructed a lncRNA-associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network by utilizing oxidative damage mechanism-matched miRNA, lncRNA, and mRNA expression profiles and those changed by quercetin. In conclusion, quercetin exerted a protective effect against oxidative stress-induced damage in PC-12 cells. Our study provides novel insight into ceRNA-mediated gene regulation in the progression of oxidative damage and the action mechanisms of quercetin.

Baoyuan Jiedu Decoction Alleviates Cancer-Induced Myotube Atrophy by Regulating Mitochondrial Dynamics Through p38 MAPK/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway

Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by continuous body wasting and loss of skeletal muscle. Impaired mitochondria function is closely associated with muscle atrophy in cancer cachexia. Our previous study confirmed the effectiveness of Baoyuan Jiedu decoction (BJD) in inhibiting cancer-induced muscle atrophy in an in vivo model. However, little is known about its mechanisms in regulating mitochondria dysfunction. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effect and action mechanisms of BJD against atrophy both in the Lewis-conditioned medium induced C2C12 myotube atrophy model and in a BALB/c mice xenograft model using mouse colon cancer C26 cells. The mitochondrial content was tested by 10-Non-ylacridine orange staining. Expressions of related proteins and mRNAs were detected by western blotting (WB) and qPCR, respectively. As a result, 18 major components were identified in BJD by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole (UHPLC-Q) Exactive analysis. As shown in the in vitro results, BJD treatment prevented prominent myotube atrophy and increased the myotube diameter of C2C12 cells. Besides, BJD treatment increased mitochondrial content and ATPase activity. Furthermore, the protein and mRNA expressions that were related to mitochondrial functions and generation such as cytochrome-c oxidase IV, Cytochrome C, nuclear respiratory factor 1, and mitochondrial transcription factor A were significantly increased in BJD treatment compared to the control group. The in vivo results showed that BJD treatment prevented body weight loss and improved the gastrocnemius index in cachexia mice. Moreover, the expressions of Atrogin-1 and muscle RING-finger protein-1 were decreased by BJD treatment. Mechanically, BJD increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1, and consistently, inhibited the expression of p38 MAPK and its phosphorylation both in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, this study identified that BJD effectively relieved cancer-induced myotube atrophy and provided a potential mechanism for BJD in regulating mitochondrial dynamics through p38 MAPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

Normal vitreous promotes angiogenesi via the epidermal growth factor receptor

Vitreous, a transparent tissue in our body, contains anti-angiogenesis factors. Our previous work reported that vitreous activates the signaling pathway of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which plays a critical role in angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the role of EGFR in vitreous-induced angiogenesis-related cellular responses in vitro. Using a pharmacologic and molecular approach, we found that vitreous increased proliferation and migration via EGFR in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, we demonstrated that vitreous promoted tube formation via EGFR in HUVECs. Subsequently, depletion of EGFR using CRISPR/Cas9 and blockage with EGFR inhibitor AG1478 suppressed vitreous-induced Akt activation and cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation in HUVECs. The significance of the angiogenic effect derived from vitreous demonstrates the importance of vitreous in the ocular physiology and the pathobiology of angiogenesis-related ophthalmic diseases, such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Thevebioside, the active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine, promotes ubiquitin-mediated SRC-3 degradation to induce NSCLC cells apoptosis

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for more than 85% of lung cancer with high incidence and mortality. Accumulating studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its active ingredients have good anti-tumor activity. However, the anti-tumor effect of Thevebioside (THB), an active ingredient from TCM, is still unknown in NSCLC. In this study, to our best knowledge, it was the first time to report the underlying mechanism of its tumor-suppressive activity in NSCLC based on our previous high-throughput screening data. We further demonstrated that THB effectively inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells (A549 and H460) by inducing cellular apoptosis rather than cell cycle arrest. Notably, it was demonstrated that SRC-3 was significantly down-regulated after THB treatment dependent on ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation, which subsequently inhibited the IGF-1R-PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and promoted apoptosis via both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Collectively, THB exerted inhibitory effect on tumor growth of NSCLC through inhibiting SRC-3 mediated IGF-1R-PI3K-AKT signaling by ubiquitination to induce cellular apoptosis with minimal toxicity no matter in vitro or vivo.

A clinical study of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction reducing the risk of postoperative gastric cancer recurrence and metastasis: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trail

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is a common gastrointestinal tumor, seriously threatening human health. Radical surgery is the preferred treatment for gastric cancer. However, due to the late diagnosis and postoperative recurrence and metastasis, the prognosis is dismal. In China, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat gastric cancer for many years. The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy and safety of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction in the treatment of postoperative gastric caner.

METHODS/DESIGN

226 eligibility patients altogether will be randomly allocated to the treatment group and the control group at a ratio of 1:1. After enrollment, every patients will obtain 6 months of treatment, as well as 2 years of follow-up. At the end of this study, primary outcomes including 1-year progression-free survival rate, 2-year progression-free survival rate and disease-free survival, secondary outcomes containing tumor markers, TCM syndrome points, quality of life scale, imageological examination and the safety indicators will be assessed.

DISCUSSION

This study will provide the evidence-based evidence for the efficacy of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction reducing the risk of postoperative gastric cancer recurrence and metastasis, which will be beneficial to form the therapeutic regimen in postoperative gastric cancer with integrated TCM and Western medicine.

TRAIL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR2000032802.

Anticancer Effects of Fufang Yiliu Yin Formula on Colorectal Cancer Through Modulation of the PI3K/Akt Pathway and BCL-2 Family Proteins

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. Fufang Yiliu Yin (FYY) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used in clinical practice for cancer treatment, but its effectiveness and mechanism of action in human CRC are unclear. In this study, we investigated the antitumor effect of FYY on HCT116 and SW480 human CRC cell lines in vitro and evaluated the underlying molecular mechanism. A subcutaneous xenograft mouse model was used to confirm the antitumor effect in vivo. The components and targets of FYY were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP) database. CRC targets were collected via the GeneCards and OMIM databases. Protein–protein interactions were explored using the STRING platform. Cytoscape was used to construct drug–disease–target networks. KEGG and GO analyses were performed to investigate common FYY and CRC targets. FYY significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced HCT116 and SW480 cell apoptosis. Cell proliferation was blocked at the G0/G1 phase, while cell apoptosis was promoted at the early stage. According to the network pharmacological analysis, quercetin and kaempferol were the most bioactive compounds of FYY. The key targets of FYY were cyclin-D1, MAPK8, and EGFR. GO analysis showed that core targets included the apoptotic signaling pathway, response to steroid hormone, and cellular response to organic cyclic compound. The KEGG pathway analysis showed that FYY may affect CRC through the PI3K/Akt pathway. In vitro, FYY significantly inhibited tumor growth. Pathway analysis confirmed that FYY induced cell apoptosis by modulating PI3K/Akt signaling and BCL-2 family proteins. Hence, our findings indicate that FYY may be a promising adjuvant therapy for CRC.

A Chinese Herbal Formula Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Migration and Vasculogenic Mimicry Through ROS/HIF-1α/MMP2 Pathway in Hypoxic Microenvironment

Various malignant tumors, including colorectal cancer, have the ability to form functional blood vessels for tumor growth and metastasis. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) refers to the ability of highly invasive tumor cells to link each other to form vessels, which is associated with poor cancer prognosis. However, the antitumor VM agents are still lacking in the clinic. Astragalus Atractylodes mixture (AAM), a traditional Chinese medicine, has shown to inhibit VM formation; however the exact mechanism is not completely clarified. In this study, we found that HCT-116 and LoVo could form a VM network. Additionally, hypoxia increases the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and accelerates migration, VM formation in colorectal cancer cells, while N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) could reverse these phenomena. Notably, further mechanical exploration confirmed that the matrix metalloprotease 2 (MMP2) induction is ROS dependent under hypoxic condition. On the basis, we found that AAM could effectively inhibit hypoxia-induced ROS generation, migration, VM formation as well as HIF-1α and MMP2 expression. In vivo, AAM significantly inhibits metastasis of colorectal cancer in murine lung-metastasis model. Taken together, these results verified that AAM effectively inhibits migration and VM formation by suppressing ROS/HIF-1α/MMP2 pathway in colorectal cancer under hypoxic condition, suggesting AAM could serve as a therapeutic agent to inhibit VM formation in human colorectal cancer.

Cinobufacini Inhibits Colon Cancer Invasion and Metastasis via Suppressing Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway and EMT

Cinobufacini is a well-known Chinese medicine extracted from Venenum Bufonis, also called Chan Su. It has been used clinically for various cancers, including colon cancer. However, the function of Cinobufacini on colon cancer invasion and metastasis, and its underlying molecular mechanism, is still not clear. In this study, we investigated the function and mechanism of Cinobufacini on colon cancer invasion and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo studies. Human colon cancer cells were cultured. CCK assay was used to detect the effect of Cinobufacini on colon cancer cells proliferation. The invasion and migration abilities were observed by transwell assays, and the expression of invasion and migration related genes MMP2, MMP9, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) relate genes were observed by Western blot assays. An orthotopic xenograft model in nude mice was established using colon cancer HCT116 cells, and the function of Cinobufacini on colon cancer invasion and metastasis were observed in vivo. We found Cinobufacini significantly inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation in a dose/time-dependent manner; the invasion and migration abilities of colon cancer were decreased after treated with Cinobufacini. The metastasis and EMT related genes MMP9, MMP2, N-cadherin and Snail were obviously down-regulated, while the expression of E-cadherin was up-regulated after treatment with Cinobufacini. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway related genes were observed using WB,and results show that the expression of β-catenin, wnt3a, c-myc, cyclin D1, and MMP7 were all down-regulated after being treated with cinobufacini, while the expression of APC was up-regulated. In vivo studies of the volume and weight of orthotopic xenograft tumors showed significantly shrinkage in the Cinobufacini group compared to the control group. The enterocoelia and liver metastasis tumors were significantly decreased, and the expression of MMP9, MMP2, and β-catenin were also down-regulated, while E-cadherin was up-regulated in vivo after the treatment with Cinobufacini. Our data proves that Cinobufacini can inhibit colon cancer invasion and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo; the mechanism is related by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and then inhibiting the EMT of CRC.

Expression profiles of tRNA-derived fragments and their potential roles in ovarian endometriosis

Aim: Transfer RNA-derived fragments have been reported to play a vital role in disease progression, but their role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unknown. Materials & methods: Small RNA sequencing was conducted in three paired ovarian endometriomas and eutopic endometria. The data from 22 paired samples were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and bioinformatic analysis was performed to establish the roles of these fragments in endometriosis pathogenesis. Results: We identified 19 upregulated and five downregulated tRNA-derived fragments, of which tiRNA-5 was the most common. Gene Ontology and pathway analyses revealed that these molecules could have roles in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Conclusion: tRNA-derived fragments are dysregulated and could be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of ovarian endometriosis.

Canmei Formula Reduces Colitis-Associated Colorectal Carcinogenesis in Mice by Modulating the Composition of Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota, including pathogenic microorganisms and probiotics, has been involved in tumor initiation and progression by regulating the components of intestinal flora. Canmei formula (CMF), a traditional Chinese medicine, chronicled in the Chuang Yang Jing Yan Quan Shu, has been clinically used as an adjuvant therapy to treat patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in China. In this study, we investigate the treatment effect of CMF in the azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced and high-fat diet augmented colitis-associated colorectal cancer in vivo, and explore its mechanism of action. We found that CMF treatment relieved the inflammation and alteration of the gut microbiota and significantly inhibited the development of intestinal adenoma. Linear discriminant analysis showed that the flora diversity in the normal mice, model mice and CMF treatment mice was different. At the family level, the relative abundance of Desulfovibrionaceae decreased in CMF groups. The relative abundance of Desulfovibrionaceae were lower in the CMF groups than in model group, whereas Rikenellaceae and Alistipes were increased. Altogether our results indicate that CMF treatment ameliorate colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis by modulating the composition of the gut microbiota in vivo.

Antiaging effect of a Jianpi-yangwei formula in Caenorhabditis elegans

Background

Jianpi-yangwei (JPYW), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), helps to nourish the stomach and spleen and is primarily used to treat functional declines related to aging. This study aimed to explore the antiaging effects and mechanism of JPYW by employing a Caenorhabditis elegans model.

Methods

Wild-type C. elegans N2 worms were cultured in growth medium with or without JPYW, and lifespan analysis, oxidative and heat stress resistance assays, and other aging-related assays were performed. The effects of JPYW on the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the expression of specific genes were examined to explore the underlying mechanism of JPYW.

Results

Compared to control worms, JPYW-treated wild-type worms showed increased survival times under both normal and stress conditions (P < 0.05). JPYW-treated worms also exhibited enhanced reproduction, movement and growth and decreased intestinal lipofuscin accumulation compared to controls (P < 0.05). Furthermore, increased activity of SOD, downregulated expression levels of the proaging gene clk-2 and upregulated expression levels of the antiaging genes daf-16, skn-1, and sir-2.1 were observed in the JPYW group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that JPYW extends the lifespan of C. elegans and exerts antiaging effects by increasing the activity of an antioxidant enzyme (SOD) and by regulating the expression of aging-related genes. This study not only indicates that this Chinese compound exerts antiaging effects by activating and repressing target genes but also provides a proven methodology for studying the biological mechanisms of TCMs.

Compound Kushen Injection for gastric cancer: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In recent years, the clinical research about Compound Kushen Injection (CKI) treatment of Gastric cancer (GC) has been increased, but the conclusion is different. The aim of our study is to objective comment the efficacy and adverse effects of CKI treatment of GC.

METHODS

We will retrieve the Randomized controlled trials from the following 6 electronic databases on their inception to April 2019: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wangfang and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Study selection and data collection will be performed independently by 2 reviewers. Cochrane Risk of Bias tool will be used to assess the risk of bias of included studies. The outcomes included overall response rate, complete response rate, 3-year progression-free survival rate, 3-year overall survival rate, and different types of treatment-related adverse events. We calculated the risk ratios as well as their 95% confidence intervals of these outcomes and pooled the results using RevMan 5.2 software and Stata 14.0 software.

RESULTS

The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

CONCLUSION

The results of this review will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. This evidence may also provide helpful evidence for clinical practice and health policy-makers for the treatment of GC.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019133770.

HIF1α/miR-199a/ADM feedback loop modulates the proliferation of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) under hypoxic condition

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) plays a protective role in the hypoxia-induced cellular injury. In the present study, we attempted to investigate the role and mechanism of HIF1αin human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (hDMECs), a common-used cell model for researches on the hypoxia-induced injury during skin wounds healing. As revealed by ChIP and online tools prediction and confirmed by luciferase reporter and ChIP assays, HIF1A can bind to the promoter regions of ADM and miR-199a, while miR-199a directly binds to the 3'UTR of HIF1A and ADM. Hypoxia stress induces HIF1α and ADM expression while inhibits miR-199a expression. Under hypoxic condition, HIF1α knockdown increases the nucleus translocation of p65 and the release of TNF-α and IL-8, inhibits the proliferation and migration, while promotes the cellular permeability in HDMECs upon hypoxic stress, while ADM overexpression and miR-199a inhibition exerted an opposite effect on HDMECs. ADM overexpression or miR-199a inhibition could partially reverse the effect of HIF1A knockdown under hypoxia. In summary, we demonstrate a feedback loop consists of HIF1α, miR-199a, and ADM which protect HDMECs from hypoxia-induced cellular injury by modulating the inflammation response, cell proliferation, migration and permeability in HDMECs.

Integrated Whole Transcriptome Profiling and Bioinformatics Analysis for Revealing Regulatory Pathways Associated With Quercetin-Induced Apoptosis in HCT-116 Cells

Quercetin (QUE) is a bioactive component that belongs to the natural flavonoids group, and recent researchers found that it could prevent colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the exact mechanism by which QUE exerts its anti-tumor effects in CRC remains unclear. In this study, MTS assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the anti-tumor effects of QUE on HCT-116 cells. The results showed that QUE could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of HCT-116 cells. Furthermore, whole transcriptome sequencing was employed to establish the microRNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), circular RNA (circRNA), and mRNA profiles. A total of 240 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), 131 circRNAs (DEcircRNAs), 83 miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and 1415 mRNAs (DEmRNAs) were identified in the QUE-treated HCT-116 cells compared to the untreated HCT-116 cells. Then, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate the expression of selected circRNAs, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed to further investigate RNAs' biological functions and potential mechanisms. Based on the theory of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA and lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks were constructed to illustrate the regulatory relationship between non-coding RNA (ncRNA) and mRNA. Our results provided novel information about the molecular basis of QUE in treating CRC. Our findings indicated that deep RNA sequencing analysis of mRNA and ncRNAs was a promising approach to research anticancer mechanisms.

Kangai Injection, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, Improves Efficacy and Reduces Toxicity of Chemotherapy in Advanced Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

To systematically review whether the Kangai injection (KAI), which is commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, can improve the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy and relieve adverse reactions of chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed in three English and three Chinese electronic databases until March 2019. The literature was screened by EndNote X8 and data were analysed by RevMan5 and Stata12.0.

Results

This meta-analysis consisted of twenty-eight studies, of which 2310 cases were reported. Among the 2310 cases, 1207 cases were treated with KAI combined with chemotherapy and 1103 cases were treated with chemotherapy alone. The results showed that KAI combined with chemotherapy significantly improved tumor response (Risk Ratio (RR) =1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-1.43; p<0.00001); Karnofsky performance status (KPS score) (Risk Ratio (RR) =1.48; 95% CI: 1.36-1.60; p<0.00001); reduced adverse drug reactions (ADRs) such as nausea and vomiting (OR =0.31; 95% CI: 0.24-0.41; p <0.00001), diarrhea (OR =0.36; 95% CI: 0.25-0.52; p<0.00001), leukopenia (OR =2.97; 95% CI:2.27-3.88; p<0.00001), thrombocytopenia (OR =0.53; 95% CI: 0.38-0.74; p<0.0002), liver dysfunction (OR =0.29; 95% CI: 0.20-0.44; p<0.00001), neurotoxicity (OR =0.51; 95% CI: 0.36-0.71; p = 0.0004); increased immune function (CD3⁺: MD=6.34; 95% CI: 5.52-7.16; p < 0.00001, CD4⁺: MD=-5.99; 95% CI: 5.20-6.78; p < 0.00001; and CD4⁺/CD8⁺: MD=0.34; 95% CI: 0.14-0.54; p < 0.0009), and prolonged survival time (OR =1.77; 95% CI: 1.25-2.50; p = 0.001). Renal dysfunction caused by chemotherapy was not affected by KAI treatment (Odds Ratio (OR) =0.53; 95%IC: 0.25-1.12; p = 0.10).

Conclusion

KAI can increase clinical effectiveness, improve quality of life, alleviate ADRs, and prolong survival time in advanced colorectal (CRC) patients receiving chemotherapy.

Meta-Analysis of Xihuang Pill Efficacy When Combined with Chemotherapy for Treatment of Breast Cancer

Objective

To systematically evaluate the efficacy of Xihuang pill (XHP) in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Methods

Three English and four Chinese databases were searched. Literature was screened using EndNote X7 and data were analyzed by Review Manager.

Results

This review included 13 randomized clinical studies of 1272 patients. The results showed that XHP increased the tumor response [risk ratio (RR) = 2.91; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.98-4.26] and improved Karnofsky performance score (KPS) for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy [RR = 4.96; 95% CI = 2.07-11.86]. In addition, XHP treatment significantly reduced chemotherapy-induced adverse events, including nausea and vomiting [RR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.33-0.74], WBC reduction [RR = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.47-1.06], platelet reduction [RR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.19-1.44], hemoglobin reduction [RR = 0.31; 95% CI = 0.19-0.52], and hepatic function damage [RR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.35-1.11].

Conclusion

XHP combined with chemotherapy in comparison with chemotherapy alone could significantly enhance the tumor response, improve KPS, and alleviate toxicity induced by chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Role of Hypoxic Stress in Regulating Tumor Immunogenicity, Resistance and Plasticity

Hypoxia, or gradients of hypoxia, occurs in most growing solid tumors and may result in pleotropic effects contributing significantly to tumor aggressiveness and therapy resistance. Indeed, the generated hypoxic stress has a strong impact on tumor cell biology. For example, it may contribute to increasing tumor heterogeneity, help cells gain new functional properties and/or select certain cell subpopulations, facilitating the emergence of therapeutic resistant cancer clones, including cancer stem cells coincident with tumor relapse and progression. It controls tumor immunogenicity, immune plasticity, and promotes the differentiation and expansion of immune-suppressive stromal cells. In this context, manipulation of the hypoxic microenvironment may be considered for preventing or reverting the malignant transformation. Here, we review the current knowledge on how hypoxic stress in tumor microenvironments impacts on tumor heterogeneity, plasticity and resistance, with a special interest in the impact on immune resistance and tumor immunogenicity.