Polysaccharide-containing fraction from Artemisia argyi inhibits tumor cell-induced platelet aggregation by blocking interaction of podoplanin with C-type lectin-like receptor 2

Artemisia argyi volatile oil ameliorates allergic contact dermatitis via modulating TRPA1/CGRP signaling

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The leaves of Artemisia argyi Levl.et Vant. have a long history of being used to treat skin diseases such as pruritus and dermatitis in China, but the therapeutic effect on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the effect and molecular mechanisms of the volatile oil of A. argyi leaves (abbreviated as 'AO') in the treatment of ACD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The main components in AO were analyzed using GC-MS. The effect of AO on channel currents in hTRPA1-transfected HEK293T cells was studied by whole-cell patch clamp. Subsequently, chloroquine-evoked acute itch and squaraine dibutyl ester (SADBE)-induced ACD chronic itch model was established to evaluate the antipruritic effect through counting scratching behavior, and the anti-inflammatory effects on ACD mice were measured using histological analysis. Meanwhile, the changes of CGRP, the infiltration of nerve fibers and the recruitment of dendritic cells, the expression of Il-23 and Il-17 mRNA in skin lesions, the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 in dorsal root ganglion (DRG), were evaluated by molecular biological methods. Then the inhibitory effect of AO on AITC- or SADBE-activated TRPA1 channels in primary DRG neurons of C57BL/6, Trpa1-/- or Trpv1-/- mice was elucidated by Ca2+ imaging and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

AO treatment inhibited the activation of TRPA1 in HEK293T cells and alleviated acute itch caused by chloroquine, but this effect was lacking in Trpa1-/- mice. Furthermore, administration of AO attenuated scratching behavior in SADBE-induced ACD mice. AO also inhibited the increase of nerve fibers and recruitment of dendritic cells, and down-regulated the expression of CGRP and the levels of Il-23 and Il-17 mRNA. Meanwhile, AO reduced the expression of p-p38 and p-ERK in the lesioned skin and DRG of SADBE-induced ACD mice. Additionally, AO blocked the activation of TRPA1 channels and decreased the levels of CGRP, p-p38, and p-ERK in DRG neurons.

CONCLUSION

AO could inhibit TRPA1 channels in sensory neurons, thereby reducing the release of CGRP and exerting anti-pruritic and anti-inflammatory effect. These findings also provide a new strategy for exploring the role of A. argyi in treating ACD.

The reference genome sequence of Artemisia argyi provides insights into secondary metabolism biosynthesis

Artemisia argyi, a perennial herb of the genus Artemisia in the family Asteraceae, holds significant importance in Chinese traditional medicine, referred to as "Aicao". Here, we report a high-quality reference genome of Artemisia argyi L. cv. beiai, with a genome size up to 4.15 Gb and a contig N50 of 508.96 Kb, produced with third-generation Nanopore sequencing technology. We predicted 147,248 protein-coding genes, with approximately 68.86% of the assembled sequences comprising repetitive elements, primarily long terminal repeat retrotransposons(LTRs). Comparative genomics analysis shows that A. argyi has the highest number of specific gene families with 5121, and much more families with four or more members than the other 6 plant species, which is consistent with its more expanded gene families and fewer contracted gene families. Furthermore, through transcriptome sequencing of A. argyi in response to exogenous MeJA treatment, we have elucidated acquired regulatory insights into MeJA's impact on the phenylpropanoid, flavonoid, and terpenoid biosynthesis pathways of A. argyi. The whole-genome information obtained in this study serves as a valuable resource for delving deeper into the cultivation and molecular breeding of A. argyi. Moreover, it holds promise for enhancing genome assemblies across other members of the Asteraceae family. The identification of key genes establishes a solid groundwork for developing new varieties of Artemisia with elevated concentrations of active compounds.

Effects of dietary supplementation of fermented Artemisia argyi on growth performance, slaughter performance, and meat quality in broilers

Artemisia argyi (AA) is promising as a potential feed additive. Microbial fermentation is beneficial to the degradation of cell walls and the better release of bioactive compounds of AA. However, there are few reports on the application of fermented AA as a feed additive for broilers. The present study intended to evaluate the application value of fermented AA as a feed additive for broilers by examining the effects of the dietary supplementation of Aspergillus niger-fermented AA and unfermented AA on growth performance, slaughter performance, and meat quality of brokers. A total of 360 newly hatched (1-day-old) broilers with similar body weight were randomly divided into the following 5 groups: basal diet group as control (C) group, basal diet +3% unfermented AA (E1) group, basal diet + 1% fermented AA (E2) group, basal diet + 3% fermented AA (E3) group, basal diet + 5% fermented AA (E4) group. Each group included 6 replicates with 12 broilers per replicate, and the feeding trail lasted for 48 d. Body weight and feed intake were recorded every 2 wk, and the feed gain ratio was calculated to assess growth performance. At 42 d, 6 broilers from each group were slaughtered, and the carcass traits were calculated. The results showed that compared with the control group, Aspergillus Niger could effectively destroy AA fiber, which contributed to better release of AA bioactive compounds. Moreover, dietary supplementation with AA could improve the growth performance of broilers (P < 0.05), and the effect of fermented AA was better than unfermented AA, especially 3% fermented AA. From 28 to 42 d, compared with the control group, the average daily gain of broilers in the group supplementation with 3% fermented AA was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the feed-to-gain ratio was decreased (P < 0.05). At 42 d, the dressing percentage, half-eviscerated carcass percentage, eviscerated carcass percentage, and breast muscle percentage of broilers in the groups of 1, 3, and 5% fermented AA diets were significantly improved (P < 0.05), and the thigh muscle percentage of broilers in the group with 3% fermented AA diets was significantly improved (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the meat quality of broilers in the group with fermented AA diets was also significantly improved. Birds in AA groups had higher a* value and lower shear force of breast muscle, especially the group supplementation with 3% fermented AA (P < 0.05). In conclusion, fermented AA has good application value as a potential feed additive for broilers, dietary supplementation of fermented AA can improve the production performance and meat quality of broiler chickens, of which 3% fermented AA is more effective.

C-type lectin-like receptor 2: roles and drug target

C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2) is a member of the C-type lectin superfamily of cell surface receptors. The first confirmed endogenous and exogenous ligands of CLEC-2 are podoplanin and rhodocytin, respectively. CLEC-2 is expressed on the surface of platelets, which participates in platelet activation and aggregation by binding with its ligands. CLEC-2 and its ligands are involved in pathophysiological processes, such as atherosclerosis, cancer, inflammatory thrombus status, maintenance of vascular wall integrity, and cancer-related thrombosis. In the last 5 years, different anti- podoplanin antibody types have been developed for the treatment of cancers, such as glioblastoma and lung cancer. New tests and new diagnostics targeting CLEC-2 are also discussed. CLEC-2 mediates thrombosis in various pathological states, but CLEC-2-specific deletion does not affect normal hemostasis, which would provide a new therapeutic tool for many thromboembolic diseases. The CLEC-2-podoplanin interaction is a target for cancer treatment. CLEC-2 may be applied in clinical practice and play a therapeutic role.

A prospective review of the health-promoting potential of Jing Si Herbal Tea

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained considerable attention over the past few years for its multicomponent, multitarget, and multi-pathway approach to treating different diseases. Studies have shown that TCMs as adjuvant therapy along with conventional treatment may benefit in safely treating various disorders. However, investigations on finding effective herbal combinations are ongoing. A novel TCM formula, "Jing Si Herbal Tea (JSHT)," has been reported recently for their health-promoting effects in improving overall body and mental health. JSHT is a combination of eight herbs recognized in Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia for their anti-viral, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties as well as protective effects against cardiovascular, metabolic, neural, digestive, and genitourinary diseases. Thus, to better understand the beneficial effects of the ingredients of JSHT on health, this review intends to summarize the preclinical and clinical studies of the ingredients of JSHT on human health and diseases, and possible therapeutic effects with the related mode of actions and future prospects for their application in complementary therapies.

Antibacterial activity of a polysaccharide isolated from Artemisia argyi leaf against Staphylococcus aureus and mechanism investigation

Abuse of antibiotics has led to excessive amounts of antibiotic residues in food and environment, thus enhancing pathogenic bacterium resistance and threatening human health. Therefore, searching and developing safe and green antibiotic alternatives are necessary. In this study, an Artemisia argyi leaf polysaccharide (AALP) fraction was extracted and analyzed. Chemical composition analysis showed that the carbohydrate, uronic acid, protein, and polyphenol content in AALP were 68.3 % ± 4.13 %, 9.4 % ± 0.86 %, 1.79 % ± 0.27 %, and 0.16 % ± 0.035 %, respectively. Chromatographic results suggested that AALP contained rhamnose, arabinose, glucosamine, galactose, glucose, xylose, mannose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid in a molar ratio of 9.26, 1.35, 1.18, 3.04, 48.51, 2.33, 31.26, 3.93, and 9.08; the weight average molecular weight, number average molecular weight, and polydispersity of AALP were 5.41 kDa, 4.63 kDa, and 1.168, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that AALP constituted the polysaccharide-specific groups of CH, CO, and OH. Meanwhile, AALP showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus in the inhibition zone assay, and the minimal inhibitory concentration was 1.25 mg/mL. Furthermore, AALP disrupted the cell wall, depolarized the inner membrane potential, and inhibited the activities of succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase in S. aureus.

Platelets in the tumor microenvironment and their biological effects on cancer hallmarks

The interplay between platelets and tumors has long been studied. It has been widely accepted that platelets could promote tumor metastasis. However, the precise interactions between platelets and tumor cells have not been thoroughly investigated. Although platelets may play complex roles in multiple steps of tumor development, most studies focus on the platelets in the circulation of tumor patients. Platelets in the primary tumor microenvironment, in addition to platelets in the circulation during tumor cell dissemination, have recently been studied. Their effects on tumor biology are gradually figured out. According to updated cancer hallmarks, we reviewed the biological effects of platelets on tumors, including regulating tumor proliferation and growth, promoting cancer invasion and metastasis, inducing vasculature, avoiding immune destruction, and mediating tumor metabolism and inflammation.

Artemisia argyi extract induces apoptosis in human gemcitabine-resistant lung cancer cells via the PI3K/MAPK signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Artemisia argyi H. Lév. & Vaniot (Asteraceae), also called "Chinese mugwort", is frequently used as a herbal medicine in China, Japan, Korea, and eastern parts of Russia. It is known as "ai ye" in China and "Gaiyou" in Japan. In ancient China, the buds and leaves of A. argyi were commonly consumed before and after Tomb-sweeping Day. It is used to treat malaria, hepatitis, cancer, inflammatory diseases, asthma, irregular menstrual cycle, sinusitis, and pathologic conditions of the kidney and liver. Although A. argyi extract (AAE) has shown anti-tumor activity against various cancers, the therapeutic effect and molecular mechanism of AAE remains to be further studied in lung cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to demonstrate the anti-tumor effect of AAE and its associated biological mechanisms in CL1-0 parent and gemcitabine-resistant (CL1-0-GR) lung cancer cells.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Human lung cancer cells CL1-0 and CL1-0-GR cells were treated with AAE. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT, colony, and spheroid formation assays. Migration, invasion, and immunofluorescence staining were used to determine the extent of epithelial- mesenchymal transition (EMT). JC-1 and MitoSOX fluorescent assays were performed to investigate the effect of AAE on mitochondria. Apoptosis was detected using the TUNEL assay and flow cytometry with Annexin V staining.

RESULT

We found that A. argyi significantly decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis, accompanied by mitochondrial membrane depolarization and increased ROS levels in both parent cells (CL1-0) and gemcitabine-resistant lung cancer cells (CL1-0-GR). AAE-induced apoptosis is regulated via the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. It also prevents CL1-0 and CL1-0-GR cancer cell invasion, migration, EMT, colony formation, and spheroid formation. In addition, AAE acts cooperative with commercial chemotherapy drugs to enhance tumor spheroid shrinkage.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides the first evidence that A. argyi treatment suppresses both parent and gemcitabine-resistant lung cancer cells by inducing ROS, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and apoptosis, and reducing EMT. Our finding provides insights into the anti-cancer activity of A. argyi and suggests that A. argyi may serve as a chemotherapy adjuvant that potentiates the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents.

Epigoitrin alleviates lipid and glucose metabolic disorders induced by a high-fat diet

As living standards improve, obesity has become an increasingly serious health problem. Natural extracts from a wide range of sources are non-toxic and have significant potential as drugs for the prevention and treatment of obesity. We assessed 243 natural small molecules in a HepG2 fat accumulation model and found that epigoitrin (EP) from Radix isatidis reduced intracellular fat deposition, increased short-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) activity, promoted glucose uptake and glycogen storage, increased ATP production and reduced glutathione (GSH) content, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS), and enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In a murine high-fat diet model, the addition of EP to the high-fat diet significantly reduced fat deposition, increased glucose tolerance, improved insulin sensitivity, and increased energy expenditure. In conclusion, EP alleviated obesity caused by a high-fat diet and improved disorders of lipid and glucose metabolism.

Platelet CLEC2-Podoplanin Axis as a Promising Target for Oral Cancer Treatment

Cancer tissues are not just simple masses of malignant cells, but rather complex and heterogeneous collections of cellular and even non-cellular components, such as endothelial cells, stromal cells, immune cells, and collagens, referred to as tumor microenvironment (TME). These multiple players in the TME develop dynamic interactions with each other, which determines the characteristics of the tumor. Platelets are the smallest cells in the bloodstream and primarily regulate blood coagulation and hemostasis. Notably, cancer patients often show thrombocytosis, a status of an increased platelet number in the bloodstream, as well as the platelet infiltration into the tumor stroma, which contributes to cancer promotion and progression. Thus, platelets function as one of the important stromal components in the TME, emerging as a promising chemotherapeutic target. However, the use of traditional antiplatelet agents, such as aspirin, has limitations mainly due to increased bleeding complications. This requires to implement new strategies to target platelets for anti-cancer effects. In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients, both high platelet counts and low tumor-stromal ratio (high stroma) are strongly correlated with increased metastasis and poor prognosis. OSCC tends to invade adjacent tissues and bones and spread to the lymph nodes for distant metastasis, which is a huge hurdle for OSCC treatment in spite of relatively easy access for visual examination of precancerous lesions in the oral cavity. Therefore, locoregional control of the primary tumor is crucial for OSCC treatment. Similar to thrombocytosis, higher expression of podoplanin (PDPN) has been suggested as a predictive marker for higher frequency of lymph node metastasis of OSCC. Cumulative evidence supports that platelets can directly interact with PDPN-expressing cancer cells via C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC2), contributing to cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Thus, the platelet CLEC2-PDPN axis could be a pinpoint target to inhibit interaction between platelets and OSCC, avoiding undesirable side effects. Here, we will review the role of platelets in cancer, particularly focusing on CLEC2-PDPN interaction, and will assess their potentials as therapeutic targets for OSCC treatment.

Platelet-Cancer Interplay: Molecular Mechanisms and New Therapeutic Avenues

Although platelets are critically involved in thrombosis and hemostasis, experimental and clinical evidence indicate that platelets promote tumor progression and metastasis through a wide range of physical and functional interactions between platelets and cancer cells. Thrombotic and thromboembolic events are frequent complications in patients with solid tumors. Hence, cancer modulates platelet function by directly inducing platelet-tumor aggregates and triggering platelet granule release and altering platelet turnover. Also, platelets enhance tumor cell dissemination by activating endothelial cell function and recruiting immune cells to primary and metastatic tumor sites. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the complex interactions between platelets and tumor cells and the host microenvironment. We also critically discuss the potential of anti-platelet agents for cancer prevention and treatment.

Chemical Constituents and their Anti-Tumor Mechanism of Plants from Artemisia

BACKGROUND

At present, chemotherapy is still the main treatment method for cancer, but its side effects and multidrug resistance limit the therapeutic effect seriously. Now the screening of anti-tumor drugs with higher efficiency and lower toxicity from natural products is one of the important research directions for oncotherapy. Artemisia has a variety of anti-tumor constituents, which can exert its anti-tumor effect by inducing tumor cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, arresting cell cycle, accelerating iron ion-mediated oxidative damage, etc. Objective: This paper will provide a focused, up-to-date and comprehensive overview of the anti-tumor active constituents and their mechanisms of plants in Artemisia.

METHOD

The relevant information about Artemisia and its bioactive components comes from scientific databases (such as PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct).

RESULTS

Here we have discussed the present situation and mechanism of bioactive components of Artemisia in anti-tumor. The application prospect of active components of Artemisia in cancer prevention and treatment was investigated.

CONCLUSION

The information summarized in this review may provide new ideas for the follow-up treatment of cancer and contribute to the development of new, effective, multi-side effects and fewer side effects of antineoplastic drugs.

Artemisia argyi Essential Oil Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis via Suppression of DEPDC1 Dependent Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

The tumor metastasis is the major hurdle for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), due in part to the lack of effective systemic treatments. DEPDC1, a novel oncoantigen upregulated in HCC, is thought to be a molecular-target for novel therapeutic drugs. Artemisia argyi is a traditional Chinese medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. This study investigated the potential therapeutic benefits of Artemisia argyi essential oil (AAEO) in suppressing metastasis of HCC by targeting DEPDC1. Assessment of AAEO cytotoxicity was performed by MTT assay. Anti-metastatic effects of AAEO were investigated in vitro using wound healing and transwell assays. The HepG2 cells were transduced with lentiviral vector containing luciferase (Luc). A metastasis model of nude mice was established by tail vein injection of HepG2-Luc cells. The nude mice were treated with AAEO (57.5, 115, and 230 mg/kg) or sorafenib (40 mg/kg). Metastasis of HCC cells was monitored via in vivo bioluminescence imaging. After treatment for 21 days, tissues were collected for histological examination and immunohistochemistry analysis. Gene and protein levels were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting. The results revealed that AAEO significantly inhibits the migration and invasion in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. In vivo assays further confirmed that AAEO markedly inhibits HCC metastasis into lung, brain, and femur tissues and exhibits low toxicity. Our results suggested that AAEO significantly downregulates the mRNA and protein expression of DEPDC1. Also, AAEO attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling through reduction of Wnt1 and β-catenin production. Moreover, AAEO prevented epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by downregulation of vimentin and upregulation of E-cadherin. Furthermore, we found that DEPDC1 promoted HCC migration and invasion via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and EMT. These results demonstrate that AAEO effectively inhibits HCC metastasis via attenuating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and inhibiting EMT by suppressing DEPDC1 expression. Thus, AAEO likely acts as a novel inhibitor of the DEPDC1 dependent Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Determination of Mineral Elements in Nanyang Mugwort (Artemisia argyi) Leaves Harvested from Different Crops by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Due to high need for medical purposes, multiple harvests of mugwort (Artemisia argyi) have been extensively applied in China for the increase of mugwort yield recently. However, the investigation on the mineral elements in different crops, which are significantly related to mugwort growth and the clinical efficacy of this medicinal herb, has not been conducted. This study provided an analytical method and quality evaluation for mineral elements in Nanyang mugwort leaves harvested from three different crops. The contents of 35 mineral elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). ANOVA, principal component analysis and factor analysis were applied to evaluate the results. Four principal components were identified and their comprehensive evaluation function was as follows: F = 0.7008Fl + 0.1236F2 + 0.0936F3 + 0.0321F4. The comprehensive scores of the mugwort leaves from different crops were ranked as follows: 3rd crop > 2nd crop ≈ 1st crop. These findings can provide a reference for the quality control and clinical use of mugwort leaves, and a guidance of differential nourishing strategies for different crops.

Pectic polysaccharides from edible halophytes: Insight on extraction processes, structural characterizations and immunomodulatory potentials

The preparation, chemical properties and bio-activities of polysaccharides derived from halophytes have gained an increasing interest in the past few years. Phytochemical and pharmacological reports have shown that carbohydrates are important biologically active compounds of halophytes with numerous biological potentials. It is believed that the mechanisms involved in these bio-activities are due to the modulation of immune system. The main objective of this summary is to appraise available literature of a comparative study on the extraction, structural characterizations and biological potentials, particularly immunomodulatory effects, of carbohydrates isolated from halophytes (10 families). This review also attempts to discuss on bioactivities of polysaccharides related with their structure-activity relationship. Data indicated that the highest polysaccharides yield of around 35% was obtained under microwave irradiation. Structurally, results revealed that the most of extracted carbohydrates are pectic polysaccharides which mainly composed of arabinose (from 0.9 to 72%), accompanied by other monosaccharides (galactose, glucose, rhamnose, mannose and xylose), significant amounts of uronic acids (from 18.9 to 90.1%) and some proportions of fucose (from 0.2 to 8.3%). The molecular mass of these pectic polysaccharides was varied from 10 to 2650 kDa. Hence, the evaluation of these polysaccharides offers a great opportunity to discover novel therapeutic agents that presented especially beneficial immunomodulatory properties. Moreover, reports indicated that uronic acids, molecular weights, as well as the presence of sulfate and unmethylated acidic groups may play a significant role in biological activities of carbohydrates from halophyte species.

Umbelliprenin as a novel component of the phytochemical pool from Artemisia spp

Plants belonging to Artemisia spp. are known to biosynthesize a wide panel of 3,3-dimethylallyl- and sesquiterpenyl- substituted coumarins. In this short communication we applied a novel extraction methodology based on the use of subcritical butane under a counter-current mode to further characterize the presence of selected biologically active oxyprenylated phenylpropanoids, namely coumarins and ferulic acid derivatives, in extracts deriving from aerial parts of Artemisia vulgaris L. (commonly known as "common mugwort") (Asteraceae). In the mean time, we assessed the efficiency of the above mentioned extractive methodology with other routes like maceration and ultrasounds and microwaves-based methods using absolute EtOH as the solvents. UHPLC analysis coupled to UV/Vis detection revealed that, among the 5 pure chemical standard assayed, only umbelliprenin (7-farnesyloxycoumarin) was recorded, while boropinic acid, 4'-geranyloxyferulic acid, 7-isopentenyloxycoumarin, and auraptene were not detected. The best extractive yield (0.18 %) was obtained after extaction with subcritical butane. The presence of umbelliprenin in Artemisia plant species has been reported herein for the first time. This coumarin may represent the biosynthetic precursors of sesquiterpenyloxycoumarins with more complex structures typically found in this genus.