20 (S)-ginsenoside Rh2 inhibits colorectal cancer cell growth by suppressing the Axl signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo

Ginsenosides in cancer: Proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance

Ginseng, the dried root of Panax ginseng C.A. Mey., is widely used in Chinese herbal medicine. Ginsenosides, the primary active components of ginseng, exhibit diverse anticancer functions through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis, and suppressing cell invasion and migration. In this article, the mechanism of action of 20 ginsenoside subtypes in tumor therapy and the research progress of multifunctional nanosystems are reviewed, in order to provide reference for clinical prevention and treatment of cancer.

Combating multidrug resistance of breast cancer with ginsenoside Rh2-irrigated nano-in-thermogel

The emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with breast cancer. Overexpressed P-glycoprotein (P-gp) that can pump out chemotherapeutics from multidrug-resistant cancer cells is the main cause of chemotherapy failure. P-gp inhibitors are hence increasingly used to sensitize chemotherapy to breast cancer with MDR by reducing the efflux of drugs. However, representative P-gp inhibitors usually have severe side effects and the effect of their release behavior on chemotherapy are neglected in current studies. We constructed a nano-in-thermogel delivery system with the sequential release of ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) and a chemotherapeutic drug in the tumor microenvironment as a drug compounding "reservoir" to combat MDR in breast cancer. Briefly, paclitaxel (PTX) and GRh2 were encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and dispersed in a poloxamer-based thermogel (SLNs-Gel). GRh2 was used as an innovative and safe P-gp inhibitor to lower P-gp expression and cellular adenosine triphosphate context, thereby sensitizing PTX-resistant breast cancer cells (MCF-7/PTX) to PTX. Pharmacodynamic and in vivo safety studies confirmed that intratumoral injection of SLNs-Gel significantly suppressed the proliferation of PTX-resistant breast cancer and alleviated the PTX-induced hematotoxicity. The GRh2-irrigated nano-in-thermogel delivery system shows great potential in combating multidrug-resistant cancer.

Ginsenoside Rh2 enhances immune surveillance of natural killer (NK) cells via inhibition of ERp5 in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

One critical component of the immune system that prevents breast cancer cells from forming distant metastasis is natural killer (NK) cells participating in immune responses to tumors. Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) as one of the major active ingredients of ginseng has been employed in treatment of cancers, but the function of GRh2 in modulating the development of breast cancer remains elusive.

PURPOSE

This study was to dissect the effect of GRh2 against breast cancer and its potential mechanisms associated with NK cells, both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells were used to establish in situ and hematogenous mouse models. MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were respectively co-cultured with NK92MI cells or primary NK cells in vitro. Anti-tumor efficacy of GRh2 was verified by immunohistochemistry (IHC), Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), high resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning of lungs and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometry, in vivo depletion of NK cells, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunofluorescence and cell transfection were performed for investigating the anti-tumor mechanisms of GRh2. Molecular docking, microscale thermophoresis (MST) and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) were employed to determine the binding between endoplasmic reticulum protein 5 (ERp5) and GRh2.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that GRh2 exerted prominent impacts on retarding the growth and metastasis of breast cancer through boosting the cytotoxic function of NK cells, as validated by the elevated release of perforin, granzyme B and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Mechanistical studies revealed that GRh2 was capable of diminishing the expression of ERp5 and GRh2 directly bound to ERp5 in MDA-MB-231 cells as well as on a recombinant protein level. GRh2 prevented the formation of soluble MICA (sMICA) and upregulated the expression level of MICA in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, the reduced lung metastasis of breast cancer by GRh2 was almost abolished upon the depletion of NK cells. Moreover, GRh2 was able to insert into the binding pocket of ERp5 directly.

CONCLUSION

We firstly demonstrated that GRh2 played a pivotal role in augmenting NK cell activity by virtue of modulating the NKG2D-MICA signaling axis via directly binding to ERp5, and may be further optimized to a therapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer.

20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 inhibits angiotensin-2 mediated cardiac remodeling and inflammation associated with suppression of the JNK/AP-1 pathway

BACKGROUND

Enhanced levels of angiotensin-2 (Ang-II) causes hypertensive heart failure (HHF) through non-hemodynamical and hemodynamical alterations. 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 (20(S)-Rh2) is a natural ginseng compound with numerous cardiovascular benefits. This investigation elucidates the influence of 20(S)-Rh2 on Ang-II-induced heart failure and cardiac alterations.

METHODS

Ang-II was administered in C57BL/6 mice for 4 weeks to induce HHF. In the last 2 weeks of treatment, 20(S)-Rh2 was orally administered in mice to assess the potential 20(S)-Rh2 mechanism. Subsequently, RNA sequencing was carried out.

RESULTS

It was indicated that 20(S)-Rh2 suppresses myocardial fibrosis, hypertrophy, and inflammation, thereby inhibiting cardiac disruption in Ang-II-challenged mice without affecting blood pressure. According to the RNA sequencing data, this cardio-protective effect was linked with the (JNK)/AP 1 pathway. 20(S)-Rh2 alleviated heart tissue and cardiomyocytes inflammation by inhibiting the Ang-II-mediated JNK/AP-1 pathway. Within cardiomyocytes, JNK or AP-1 absence abolished the anti-inflammatory effects of 20(S)-Rh2.

CONCLUSION

This study investigation indicated that 20(S)-Rh2 prevents cardiovascular dysfunction induced by Ang-II induced by decreasing JNK-regulated inflammatory responses, providing evidence for its use as an efficient regimen for HHF.

Transformation of Ginsenosides by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MB11 Fermentation: Minor Ginsenosides Conversion and Enhancement of Anti-Colorectal Cancer Activity

The present study aimed to increase the content of minor ginsenosides and enhance the anti-colorectal cancer activity of ginsenosides via biotransformation by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MB11 screened from fermented foods. A subcutaneous transplantation tumor model of murine colorectal cancer CT26 cells was established in mice to study the anticarcinogenic activities and mechanism of fermented total ginsenosides (FTGs). The results showed that L. plantarum MB11 fermentation increased the content of minor ginsenosides and decreased that of major ginsenosides. FTGs reduced the tumor weight and size compared with the model group. Immunofluorescence and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) analysis showed that FTGs significantly increase the number of caspase-3 cells in tumor tissue and induce cell apoptosis. Mechanically, FTGs activate AMPK/mTOR autophagy pathway and regulate JAK2/STAT3 and Bax/Bcl-2/caspase-3 apoptosis pathway. Overall, fermentation with L. plantarum MB11 enhanced minor ginsenosides in total ginsenosides, and FTGs induced subcutaneous transplantation tumor autophagy and apoptosis in mice.

Native-compound-Coupled Affinity Matrix (NCAM) in target identification and validation of bioactive compounds: Application, mechanism and outlooks

In drug discovery and development, the direct target identification of bioactive small molecules plays a significant role for understanding the mechanism of action, predicting the side effects, and rationally designing more potent compounds. However, due to the complicated regulatory processes in a cell together with thousands of biomacromolecules, target identification is always the major obstacle. New methods and technologies are continuously invented to tackle this problem. Nevertheless, the mainly used tools possess several disadvantages. High synthetic skills are typically required to laboriously synthesize a probe for protein enrichment. To detect the ligand-protein interaction by analyzing proteins' responses to proteolytic or thermal treatment, costly and precise instruments are always necessary. Therefore, convenient and practical techniques are urgently needed. Over the past decades, a strategy using native compounds without the requirement of chemical modification, also termed Native-compound-Coupled Affinity Matrix (NCAM), is developing continuously. Two practical tactics based on "label-free" compounds have been invented and used, that is Photo-cross-linked Small-molecule Affinity Matrix (PSAM) and Native-compound-Coupled CNBr-activated Beads (NCCB). Presently, we will elucidate the characteristics, coupling mechanism, advantages and disadvantages, and future prospect of NCAM in specific target identification and validation.

Influence of Auricularia cornea Polysaccharide Coating on the Stability and Antioxidant Activity of Liposomes Ginsenoside Rh2

Liposomes (Lip) are microstructures containing lipid and aqueous phases for encapsulation and delivery of bioactivators. In this study, Ginsenoside Rh2 liposomes (Rh2-Lip) were prepared by a thin-film hydrated ultrasonic binding method. But they are not stable during storage. In addition, Rh2-Lip was wrapped with Auricultural cornea polysaccharide (ACP) and Chitosan (CS) as coating materials to improve stability. CS coating was used as a positive control. The particle sizes determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed 183 ± 5.52 nm for liposomes, 197 ± 6.7 nm for Auricultural cornea polysaccharide coated liposomes (ACP-Rh2-Lip), and 198 ± 3.5 nm for Chitosan coated liposomes (CS-Rh2-Lip). The polydispersity index (PDI) of all liposomes was less than 0.3. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that ACP and CS were successfully encapsulated on the liposome surface. In vitro simulations of digestive stability in the gastrointestinal tract showed that ACP-Rh2-Lip and CS-Rh2-Lip were more stable in gastrointestinal fluids compared to Lip. The antioxidant experiment revealed that ACP-Rh2-Lip has greater antioxidant activity than Lip. The purpose of this study was to look into the effects of ACP-Rh2-Lip and to offer a reference for Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2) delivery.

An instant beverage rich in nutrients and secondary metabolites manufactured from stems and leaves of Panax notoginseng

Introduction

Radix Notoginseng, one of the most famous Chinese traditional medicines, is the dried root of Panax notoginseng (Araliaceae). Stems and leaves of P. notoginseng (SLPN) are rich in secondary metabolites and nutrients, and authorized as a food resource, however, its utilization needs further research.

Methods

A SLPN-instant beverage was manufactured from SLPN through optimization by response surface design with 21-fold of 48.50% ethanol for 39 h, and this extraction was repeated twice; the extraction solution was concentrated to 1/3 volume using a vacuum rotatory evaporator at 45°C, and then spray dried at 110°C. Nutritional components including 14 amino acids, ten mineral elements, 15 vitamins were detected in the SLPN-instant beverage; forty-three triterpenoid saponins, e.g., ginsenoside La, ginsenoside Rb3, notoginsenoside R1, and two flavonoid glycosides, as well as dencichine were identified by UPLC-MS.

Results

The extraction rate of SLPN-instant beverage was 37.89 ± 0.02%. The majority nutrients were Gly (2.10 ± 0.63 mg/g), His (1.23 ± 0.07 mg/g), α-VE (18.89 ± 1.87 μg/g), β-VE (17.53 ± 1.98 μg/g), potassium (49.26 ± 2.70 mg/g), calcium (6.73 ± 0.27 mg/g). The total saponin of the SLPN-instant beverage was 403.05 ± 34.98 mg/g, majority was notoginsenoside Fd and with contents of 227 ± 2.02 mg/g. In addition, catechin and γ-aminobutyric acid were detected with levels of 24.57 ± 0.21 mg/g and 7.50 ± 1.85 mg/g, respectively. The SLPN-instant beverage showed good antioxidant activities with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) for scavenging hydroxyl (OH^-) radicals, superoxide anion (O^2-) radicals, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS+) radicals were 0.1954, 0.2314, 0.4083, and 0.3874 mg/mL, respectively.

Conclusion

We optimized an analytical method for in depth analysis of the newly authorized food resource SLPN. Together, an instant beverage with antioxidant activity, rich in nutrients and secondary metabolites, was manufactured from SLPN, which may improve the utilization of SLPN.

Research progress of ginseng in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers

Cancer has become one of the major causes of human death. Several anticancer drugs are available; howeve their use and efficacy are limited by the toxic side effects and drug resistance caused by their continuous application. Many natural products have antitumor effects with low toxicity and fewer adverse effects. Moreover, they play an important role in enhancing the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, reducing toxic side effects, and reversing chemoresistance. Consequently, natural drugs are being applied as potential therapeutic options in the field of antitumor treatment. As natural medicinal plants, some components of ginseng have been shown to have excellent efficacy and a good safety profile for cancer treatment. The pharmacological activities and possible mechanisms of action of ginseng have been identified. Its broad range of pharmacological activities includes antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-stress, anti-fibrotic, central nervous system modulating, cardioprotective, and immune-enhancing effects. Numerous studies have also shown that throuth multiple pathways, ginseng and its active ingredients exert antitumor effects on gastrointestinal (GI) tract tumors, such as esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers. Herein, we introduced the main components of ginseng, including ginsenosides, polysaccharides, and sterols, etc., and reviewed the mechanism of action and research progress of ginseng in the treatment of various GI tumors. Futhermore, the pathways of action of the main components of ginseng are discussed in depth to promote the clinical development and application of ginseng in the field of anti-GI tumors.