Cell type-dependent effects of andrographolide on human cancer cell lines

Andrographolide nanophytosomes exhibit enhanced cellular delivery and pro-apoptotic activities in HepG2 liver cancer cells

Andrographolide (AG), a major active constituent of Andrographis paniculata, is known to hinder proliferation of several types of cancer cells. However, its poor solubility and cellular permeability restrict its use in clinical applications. In this study, AG-loaded phytosomes (AG-PTMs) were formulated and optimized with respect to particle size using l-α-phosphatidylcholine (PC):AG ratio and sonication time (ST) as independent variables. The optimized formula was prepared at 1:2.7 for AG:PC molar ratio and 4.9 min for ST and exhibited a particle size of 243.7 ± 7.3 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.310 and entrapment efficiency of 72.20 ± 4.53. Also, the prepared formula showed a slow release of AG over 24-h period. The antiproliferative activity of AG-PTMs was investigated against the liver cancer cell line HepG2. AG-PTMs significantly repressed the growth of HepG2 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 4.02 ± 0.14 µM. AG uptake by HepG2 cells was significantly enhanced in incubations containing the optimized formula. AG-PTMs also caused G2-M cell cycle phase arrest and increased the fraction of apoptotic cells in pre-G1 phase. These effects were associated with induction of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, AG-PTMs significantly upregulated mRNA expression of BAX and downregulated that of BCL2. Furthermore, AG-PTMs significantly enhanced the concentration of caspase-3 in comparison to raw AG. These data indicate that the phytosomal delivery of AG significantly inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation through enhanced cellular uptake, arresting cell cycle at the G2-M phase and inducing mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis.

The role of Andrographolide in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases

BACKGROUND

The presence or absence of damage to the liver organ is crucial to a person's health. Nutritional disorders, alcohol consumption, and drug abuse are the main causes of liver disease. Liver transplantation is the last irrevocable option for liver disease and has become a serious economic burden worldwide. Andrographolide (AP) is one of the main active ingredients of Herba Andrographitis. It has several biological activities and has been reported to have protective and therapeutic effects against liver diseases. Earlier literature has been written on AP's role in treating inflammation and other diseases, and there has not been a systematic review on liver diseases. This review is dedicated to sorting out the research results of AP against liver diseases. Pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and nanotechnology to improve bioavailability are discussed. Finally, an outlook and assessment of its future are provided.

METHODS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. PubMed and web of Science databases were used to search all relevant literature on AP for liver disease up to 2022.

RESULTS

Studies have shown that AP plays an important role in different liver disease phenotypes, mainly through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. AP regulates HO-1 and inhibits hepatitis virus replication. It affects the NF-κB pathway, downregulates inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and reduces liver damage. In preventing liver fibrosis, AP inhibits angiogenesis and activation of hepatic stellate cells and reduces oxidative stress involved in the Nrf2 and TGF-β1/Smad pathways. In addition, AP impedes the development of liver cancer by promoting apoptosis and autonomous phagocytosis in a cell-dependent way. Interestingly, miRNAs are involved in the therapeutic process of liver cancer and hepatic fibrosis. The poor solubility of AP limits the development of dosage forms. Therefore, the advent of nanoformulations has improved bioavailability. Although the effect of AP is dose- and time-dependent, the magnitude of its toxicity is not negligible. Some clinical trials have shown that AP has mild side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

AP, as an effective natural product, has a good effect on the liver disease through multiple pathways and targets. However, the dose reaches a certain level, leading to its toxicity and side effects. For better clinical application of AP, high-quality clinical and toxic intervention mechanisms are needed to validate current studies. In addition, modulation of miRNA-mediated hepatocellular carcinoma and liver fibrosis and synergistic action with drugs may be the future focus of AP. In conclusion, AP can be regarded as an important candidate for treating different liver diseases in the future.

Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Properties of Andrographolide Against Human Colon Cancer DLD1 Cell Line

BACKGROUND

In recent years, natural products have received great attention for cancer prevention owing to their various health benefits, noticeable lack of toxicity and side effects, and the limitations of chemotherapeutic agents. Andrographolide, a labdane diterpenoid is a principal bioactive constituent of Andrographis paniculata Nees, exhibits significant anticancer activity.

OBJECTIVE

The efficacy of andrographolide on colon cancer cells is yet to be elucidated completely. Therefore, we investigated the anticancer efficiency of andrographolide in colon cancer DLD1 cell line.

METHODS

Antiproliferative activity of andrographolide on DLD1 cells was evaluated by MTT assay, LDH release assay, morphological analysis and colony formation assay. Induction of apoptosis was determined by DAPI staining, Annexin V-FITC staining assay, and caspase-3 activation assay. Role of andrographolide induced cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and its association with apoptosis induction in DLD1 cells was elucidated by DCFDA dye. Synergistic ability of andrographolide with 5- fluorouracil (5-FU) and paclitaxel (PTX) was evaluated by MTT assay.

RESULTS

Results of the present study indicated that andrographolide declined cell viability of DLD1 cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner. Andrographolide induced apoptosis via nuclear condensation, phosphatidylserine externalization and caspase-3 activation. It also augmented cellular ROS levels which were in turn associated with apoptosis induction in DLD1 cells. Moreover, andrographolide displayed synergistic activity with 5-FU and PTX against DLD1 cells.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that andrographolide demonstrated antiproliferative and apoptotic properties, moreover it also displayed synergistic effect with chemotherapeutic drugs in colon cancer DLD1 cells.

Andrographolide and Its 14-Aryloxy Analogues Inhibit Zika and Dengue Virus Infection

Andrographolide is a labdene diterpenoid with potential applications against a number of viruses, including the mosquito-transmitted dengue virus (DENV). In this study, we evaluated the anti-viral activity of three 14-aryloxy analogues (ZAD-1 to ZAD-3) of andrographolide against Zika virus (ZIKV) and DENV. Interestingly, one analogue, ZAD-1, showed better activity against both ZIKV and DENV than the parental andrographolide. A two-dimension (2D) proteomic analysis of human A549 cells treated with ZAD-1 compared to cells treated with andrographolide identified four differentially expressed proteins (heat shock 70 kDa protein 1 (HSPA1A), phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1), transketolase (TKT) and GTP-binding nuclear protein Ran (Ran)). Western blot analysis confirmed that ZAD-1 treatment downregulated expression of HSPA1A and upregulated expression of PGK1 as compared to andrographolide treatment. These results suggest that 14-aryloxy analogues of andrographolide have the potential for further development as anti-DENV and anti-ZIKV agents.

A proteomic analysis of the anti-dengue virus activity of andrographolide

Andrographolide is a major bioactive constituent of Andrographis paniculata that has been shown in vitro to have antiviral activity against a number of viruses, including the mosquito transmitted dengue virus (DENV). However, how andrographolide exerts an anti-DENV effect remains unclear. This study therefore sought to further understand the mechanism of action of andrographolide in inhibiting DENV infection of liver cells using a proteomic based approach. Both 1 dimension (D) and 2D proteome systems were used. Initial data was generated through andrographolide treatment of HepG2 cells without DENV infection (1D analysis), while subsequent data was generated through a combination of andrographolide treatment and DENV infection (2D analysis). A total of 17 (1D) and 18 (2D) proteins were identified as differentially regulated. The analyses identified proteins involved in chaperone activities, as well as energy production. In particular evidence suggested an important role for GRP78 and the unfolded protein response in mediating the anti-DENV activity of andrographolide, which might, in part, explain the broad antiviral activity of andrographolide.

Andrographolide, a diterpene lactone from Andrographis paniculata and its therapeutic promises in cancer

The diterpene lactone andrographolide, isolated from Andrographis paniculata, has been proven to possess several important protective biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiseptic, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, hypolipidemic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects. In addition, it has been reported to play a therapeutic role in the treatment of major human diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and colitis. This systematic review aims to highlight andrographolide as a promising agent in cancer treatment. To this purpose, a number of databases were used to search for the cytotoxic/anticancer effects of andrographolide in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Among 1703 identified literature articles, 139 were included in this review; 109 were investigated as non-clinical, whereas 24, 3, and 3 were pre-clinical, clinical, and non-pre-clinical trials, respectively. Among the model systems, cultured cell lines appeared as the most frequently (79.14%) used, followed by in vivo models using rodents, among others. Furthermore, andrographolide was found to exert cytotoxic/anticancer effects on almost all types of cell lines with the underlying mechanisms involving oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest, anti-inflammatory and immune system mediated effects, apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, inhibition of cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, invasion, anti-angiogenic activity, and other miscellaneous actions. After careful consideration of the relevant evidence, we suggest that andrographolide can be one of the potential agents in the treatment of cancer in the near future.

Taxifolin synergizes Andrographolide-induced cell death by attenuation of autophagy and augmentation of caspase dependent and independent cell death in HeLa cells

Andrographolide (Andro) has emerged recently as a potential and effective anticancer agent with induction of apoptosis in some cancer cell lines while induction of G2/M arrest with weak apoptosis in others. Few studies have proved that Andro is also effective in combination therapy. The flavonoid Taxifolin (Taxi) has showed anti-oxidant and antiproliferative effects against different cancer cells. Therefore, the present study investigated the cytotoxic effects of Andro alone or in combination with Taxi on HeLa cells. The combination of Andro with Taxi was synergistic at all tested concentrations and combination ratios. Andro alone induced caspase-dependent apoptosis which was enhanced by the combination with Taxi and attenuated partly by using Z-Vad-Fmk. Andro induced a protective reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent autophagy which was attenuated by Taxi. The activation of p53 was involved in Andro-induced autophagy where the use of Taxi or pifithrin-α (PFT-α) decreased it while the activation of JNK was involved in the cell death of HeLa cells but not in the induction of autophagy. The mitochondrial outer-membrane permeabilization (MOMP) plays an important role in Andro-induced cell death in HeLa cells. Andro alone increased the MOMP which was further increased in the case of combination. This led to the increase in AIF and cytochrome c release from mitochondria which consequently increased caspase-dependent and independent cell death. In conclusion, Andro induced a protective autophagy in HeLa cells which was reduced by Taxi and the cell death was increased by increasing the MOMP and subsequently the caspase-dependent and independent cell death.

Andrographolide promotes vincristine-induced SK-NEP-1 tumor cell death via PI3K-AKT-p53 signaling pathway

Background

Nephroblastoma (Wilms’ tumor [WT]) is the most common malignant renal cancer in children. Although the outcome of WT has significantly improved as a result of the combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy; in some cases WT results in severe complications. Thus, novel strategies that would decrease treatment burden are required. The aim of the current study was to investigate the synergistic antitumor effect of andrographolide (AND) in combination with vincristine (VCR) on WT cells.

Methods

Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to investigate the synergistic antiproliferation effect of AND and/or VCR on SK-NEP-1 cells in vitro. Meanwhile, SK-NEP-1 xenografts were used to detect the antitumor effect in vivo. Apoptosis and autophagy were then detected by Annexin V, monodansylcadaverine staining. Finally, the underlying signaling transduction was determined with Western blotting.

Results

The combination of AND with VCR significantly suppressed SK-NEP-1 cell proliferation in vitro and inhibited xenograft tumor growth in vivo, compared with AND or VCR treatment alone. In addition, the synergistic antitumor effect of AND on the cells was due to an increased apoptosis, not autophagy. Moreover, PI3K-AKT-p53 signaling pathway was involved in the process of combination treatment, which was confirmed when a selective AKT activator was applied.

Conclusion

The combination of AND with VCR has a strong synergistic antitumor effect on WT via PI3K-AKT-p53 signaling pathway, thereby representing a potential treatment for WT in the near future.

Andrographolide suppresses epithelial mesenchymal transition by inhibition of MAPK signalling pathway in lens epithelial cells

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs) may contribute to the development of posterior capsular opacification (PCO), which leads to visual impairment. Andrographolide has been shown to have therapeutic potential against various cancers. However, its effect on human LECs is still unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of andrographolide on EMT induced by growth factors in the fetal human lens epithelial cell line (FHL 124). Initially the LECs were treated with growth factors (TGF-beta 2 and bFGF) to induce EMT. Subsequently these EMT-induced cells were treated with andrographolide at 100 and 500 nM concentrations for 24 h. Our results showed that FHL 124 cells treated with growth factors had a significant decrease in protein and m-RNA levels of epithelial markers pax6 and E-Cadherin. After administering andrographolide, these levels significantly increased. It was noticed that EMT markers alpha-SMA, fibronectin and collagen IV significantly decreased after treatment with andrographolide when compared to the other group. Treatment with andrographolide significantly inhibited phosphorylation of ERK and JNK. Cell cycle analysis showed that andrographolide did not arrest cells at G0/G1 or G2/M at tested concentrations. Our findings suggest that andrographolide helps sustain epithelial characteristics by modulating EMT markers and inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway in LECs. Hence it can prove to be useful in curbing EMT-mediated PCO.

Andrographolide: progression in its modifications and applications - a patent review (2012 - 2014)

INTRODUCTION

Extraction, isolation and modifications of andrographolide (Androg) is extensively investigated and patented. The prominent activities were vastly modified for anticancer and antivirals. Many products related to Androg are commercially available, thus the section 'Interaction of Androg and Andrographis paniculata dried extract with drugs' is included.

AREAS COVERED

The data in this review are searched and selected from SciFinder and Espacenet for the patents, with the keywords: Andrographolide and Andrographolide analogs, and the results were refined by the years.

EXPERT OPINION

Modifications of Androg have been done to nearly all of the possible sites, and now screening tests for any new activities had been settled down. Categorizing the analogs that have been developed is not clear cut since some diseases can develop into others, for example, inflammation and some viral infections can develop into cancer. Currently, investigation of the mode of action and the mechanisms at the molecular level are intensively ongoing. Producing new chemotherapeutic agents from Androg looks promising. The main problem of using Androg in therapeutic applications is its insolubility in aqueous media. Those modified analogs' esters, ethers or salts, have to be considered for the stability of pharmaceutical preparations, and transformation in biological fluids after administration. Further stages of drug development are required for those promising analogs.

Andrographolide induces apoptosis of C6 glioma cells via the ERK-p53-caspase 7-PARP pathway

BACKGROUND

Glioma is the most malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Efforts on the development of new chemotherapy are mandatory. Andrographolide (AND), a diterpenoid lactone isolated from the Andrographis paniculata, has been shown to have antitumor activities in several types of cancer cells. Whether AND can exert its antitumor activity in glioblastoma cells remains unknown. This study examined the anticancer effects of AND, both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

Cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry and nuclear staining. The signaling pathway for AND was determined by western blotting. The effects of AND on tumor growth was evaluated in a mouse model.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

In vitro, with application of specific inhibitors and siRNA, AND-induced apoptosis was proven through ROS-ERK-P53-caspase 7-PARP signaling pathway. In vivo, AND significantly retarded tumor growth and caused regression of well-formed tumors in vivo. Furthermore, AND did not induce apoptosis or activate ERK and p53 in primary cultured astrocyte cells, and it may serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of glioma.

Andrographolide induces vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis through a SHP-1-PP2A-p38MAPK-p53 cascade

The abnormal growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is considered a critical pathogenic process in inflammatory vascular diseases. We have previously demonstrated that protein phosphatase 2 A (PP2A)-mediated NF-κB dephosphorylation contributes to the anti-inflammatory properties of andrographolide, a novel NF-κB inhibitor. In this study, we investigated whether andrographolide causes apoptosis, and characterized its apoptotic mechanisms in rat VSMCs. Andrographolide activated the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), leading to p53 phosphorylation. Phosphorylated p53 subsequently transactivated the expression of Bax, a pro-apoptotic protein. Transfection with pp2a small interfering RNA (siRNA) suppressed andrographolide-induced p38MAPK activation, p53 phosphorylation, and caspase 3 activation. Andrographolide also activated the Src homology 1 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP-1), and induced PP2A dephosphorylation, both of which were inhibited by the SHP-1 inhibitor sodium stibogluconate (SSG) or shp-1 siRNA. SSG or shp-1 siRNA prevented andrographolide-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that andrographolide activates the PP2A-p38MAPK-p53-Bax cascade, causing mitochondrial dysfunction and VSMC death through an SHP-1-dependent mechanism.

Andrographolide sensitizes the cytotoxicity of human colorectal carcinoma cells toward cisplatin via enhancing apoptosis pathways in vitro and in vivo

Andrographolide (Andro), a diterpenoid lactone isolated from a traditional herbal medicine Andrographis paniculata, has been shown to suppress the growth and invasion of human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) Lovo cells, and trigger apoptosis in vitro. The potential of Andro as a chemotherapeutic agent in CRC was evaluated by investigating its cytotoxic effects as a single agent or in coadministration with cisplatin (CDDP). Andro potentiated the cytotoxic effect of CDDP in Lovo cells through apoptosis. The molecular mechanism for these favorable cellular response was further investigated by analyzing the apoptotic profiles, protein levels, and mRNA expression patterns of several key genes after treatments of Andro or/and CDDP. Molecular results indicated that the effect of Andro alone might be mediated via both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways in Lovo cells. The addition of Andro to CDDP induced synergistic apoptosis, which could be corroborated to the changes in protein and mRNA levels of Bax and Bcl-2, and the increased Fas/FasL association in these cells, resulting in increased release of cytochrome c, and activation of caspases. Pretreatment of Nok-1 monoclonal antibody, a Fas signaling inhibitor, or Bax inhibitor peptide V5 repressed the Andro-induced cleavage of procaspase and the sensitization to CDDP-induced apoptosis. Finally, the combination therapy of Andro with CDDP was evidenced by its synergistic inhibition on the growth of Lovo cells in xenograft tumor studies. The results indicate that Andro, in combination with chemotherapeutics, is likely to represent a potential therapeutic strategy for CRC.

Andrographolide, a Novel NF- κ B Inhibitor, Induces Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Apoptosis via a Ceramide-p47phox-ROS Signaling Cascade

Atherosclerosis is linked with the development of many cardiovascular complications. Abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis. Accordingly, the apoptosis of VSMCs, which occurs in the progression of vascular proliferation, may provide a beneficial strategy for managing cardiovascular diseases. Andrographolide, a novel nuclear factor-κB inhibitor, is the most active and critical constituent isolated from the leaves of Andrographis paniculata. Recent studies have indicated that andrographolide is a potential therapeutic agent for treating cancer through the induction of apoptosis. In this study, the apoptosis-inducing activity and mechanisms in andrographolide-treated rat VSMCs were characterized. Andrographolide significantly induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, p53 activation, Bax, and active caspase-3 expression, and these phenomena were suppressed by pretreating the cells with N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a ROS scavenger, or diphenylene iodonium, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (Nox) inhibitor. Furthermore, p47phox, a Nox subunit protein, was phosphorylated in andrographolide-treated rat VSMCs. However, pretreatment with 3-O-methyl-sphingomyelin, a neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor, significantly inhibited andrographolide-induced p47phox phosphorylation as well as Bax and active caspase-3 expression. Our results collectively demonstrate that andrographolide-reduced cell viability can be attributed to apoptosis in VSMCs, and this apoptosis-inducing activity was associated with the ceramide-p47phox-ROS signaling cascade.

Taxifolin enhances andrographolide-induced mitotic arrest and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells via spindle assembly checkpoint activation

Andrographolide (Andro) suppresses proliferation and triggers apoptosis in many types of cancer cells. Taxifolin (Taxi) has been proposed to prevent cancer development similar to other dietary flavonoids. In the present study, the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the addition of Andro alone and Andro and Taxi together on human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells were assessed. Andro inhibited prostate cancer cell proliferation by mitotic arrest and activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Although the effect of Taxi alone on DU145 cell proliferation was not significant, the combined use of Taxi with Andro significantly potentiated the anti-proliferative effect of increased mitotic arrest and apoptosis by enhancing the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and caspases-7 and -9. Andro together with Taxi enhanced microtubule polymerization in vitro, and they induced the formation of twisted and elongated spindles in the cancer cells, thus leading to mitotic arrest. In addition, we showed that depletion of MAD2, a component in the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), alleviated the mitotic block induced by the two compounds, suggesting that they trigger mitotic arrest by SAC activation. This study suggests that the anti-cancer activity of Andro can be significantly enhanced in combination with Taxi by disrupting microtubule dynamics and activating the SAC.