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Ding J, Li C, Wang G, Yang Y, Li J. Cancer-Related Therapeutic Potential of Epimedium and Its Extracts. Nutr Cancer 2024:1-17. [PMID: 39066475 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2024.2383336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Epimedium is a Chinese herb known as "yin and yang fire," first mentioned in the Compendium of Materia Medica. Many of the proprietary Chinese medicines used in clinical practice contain Epimedium as an ingredient, and its main active constituents include icariin, icaritin, and icariside II, among others. In addition to its traditional use in treating fatigue and sexual problems, modern research has confirmed that the main bioactive compounds in Epimedium have pharmacological effects such as antidepressant, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as inhibiting bone destruction, promoting bone growth, improving immune regulation and protecting the cardio-cerebral vascular system. With the continuous development of extraction and purification techniques, the development and use of bioactive compounds in Epimedium have significantly progressed, and the anticancer effect has received widespread attention. Since natural herbs have few side effects on the human body and do not easily develop drug resistance, they have long been the direction of research in cancer treatment. This review summarizes the latest research on the anticancer effects of Epimedium and its extracts, describes the bioactive compounds, pharmacological efficacy, and antitumor mechanism of Epimedium, and gives a new view on the administration and development of Epimedium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jipeng Ding
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Changcheng Li
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Guanzheng Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yiming Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
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Liu SP, Li YF, Zhang D, Li CY, Dai XF, Lan DF, Cai J, Zhou H, Song T, Zhao YY, He ZX, Tan J, Zhang JD. Pharmacological actions of the bioactive compounds of Epimedium on the male reproductive system: current status and future perspective. Asian J Androl 2024:00129336-990000000-00204. [PMID: 38978290 DOI: 10.4103/aja20248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Compounds isolated from Epimedium include the total flavonoids of Epimedium, icariin, and its metabolites (icaritin, icariside I, and icariside II), which have similar molecular structures. Modern pharmacological research and clinical practice have proved that Epimedium and its active components have a wide range of pharmacological effects, especially in improving sexual function, hormone regulation, anti-osteoporosis, immune function regulation, anti-oxidation, and anti-tumor activity. To date, we still need a comprehensive source of knowledge about the pharmacological effects of Epimedium and its bioactive compounds on the male reproductive system. However, their actions in other tissues have been reviewed in recent years. This review critically focuses on the Epimedium, its bioactive compounds, and the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that modulate vital pathways associated with the male reproductive system. Such intrinsic knowledge will significantly further studies on the Epimedium and its bioactive compounds that protect the male reproductive system and provide some guidances for clinical treatment of related male reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Po Liu
- Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection and Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Department of Medical Genetics, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Yun-Fei Li
- Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection and Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Zunyi), Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Zunyi Medical University Library, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Chun-Yang Li
- Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection and Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Xiao-Fang Dai
- Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection and Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Dong-Feng Lan
- Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection and Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Ji Cai
- Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection and Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - He Zhou
- Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection and Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Tao Song
- Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection and Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Yan-Yu Zhao
- Department of Medical Genetics, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Zhi-Xu He
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Jun Tan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Ji-Dong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection and Therapy of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tissue Damage Repair and Regeneration Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
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Reyes-Hernández OD, Figueroa-González G, Quintas-Granados LI, Hernández-Parra H, Peña-Corona SI, Cortés H, Kipchakbayeva A, Mukazhanova Z, Habtemariam S, Leyva-Gómez G, Büsselberg D, Sharifi-Rad J. New insights into the anticancer therapeutic potential of icaritin and its synthetic derivatives. Drug Dev Res 2024; 85:e22175. [PMID: 38567708 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Icaritin is a natural prenylated flavonoid derived from the Chinese herb Epimedium. The compound has shown antitumor effects in various cancers, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Icaritin exerts its anticancer activity by modulating multiple signaling pathways, such as IL-6/JAK/STAT3, ER-α36, and NF-κB, affecting the tumor microenvironment and immune system. Several clinical trials have evaluated the safety and efficacy of icaritin in advanced HCC patients with poor prognoses, who are unsuitable for conventional therapies. The results have demonstrated that icaritin can improve survival, delay progression, and produce clinical benefits in these patients, with a favorable safety profile and minimal adverse events. Moreover, icaritin can enhance the antitumor immune response by regulating the function and phenotype of various immune cells, such as CD8+ T cells, MDSCs, neutrophils, and macrophages. These findings suggest that icaritin is a promising candidate for immunotherapy in HCC and other cancers. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and optimal dosing regimens of icaritin and its potential synergistic effects with other agents. Therefore, this comprehensive review of the scientific literature aims to summarize advances in the knowledge of icaritin in preclinical and clinical studies as well as the pharmacokinetic, metabolism, toxicity, and mechanisms action to recognize the main challenge, gaps, and opportunities to develop a medication that cancer patients can use. Thus, our main objective was to clarify the current state of icaritin for use as an anticancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavio Daniel Reyes-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular del Cáncer, UMIEZ, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Gabriela Figueroa-González
- Laboratorio de Farmacogenética, UMIEZ, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Laura Itzel Quintas-Granados
- Colegio de Ciencias y Humanidades, Plantel Cuautepec, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México. Ciudad de México, México, México
| | - Hector Hernández-Parra
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Departamento de Farmacología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Sheila I Peña-Corona
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Hernán Cortés
- Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Departamento de Genómica, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Aliya Kipchakbayeva
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Zhazira Mukazhanova
- Higher School of IT and Natural Sciences, Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan
| | - Solomon Habtemariam
- Pharmacognosy Research & Herbal Analysis Services UK, Central Avenue, Chatham-Maritime, London, UK
| | - Gerardo Leyva-Gómez
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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Zhou X, Wu D, Mi T, Li R, Guo T, Li W. Icaritin activates p53 and inhibits aerobic glycolysis in liver cancer cells. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 392:110926. [PMID: 38431053 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.110926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming enables cancer cells to generate energy mainly through aerobic glycolysis, which is achieved by increasing the expression levels of glycolysis-related enzymes. Therefore, the development of drugs targeting aerobic glycolysis could be an effective strategy for cancer treatment. Icaritin (ICT) is an active ingredient from the Chinese herbal plant Epimedium with several biological activities, but its anti-cancer mechanism remains inconclusive. Using normal hepatocytes and hepatoma cells, our results showed that ICT suppressed cell proliferation and clonal formation and decreased glucose consumption and lactate production in liver cancer cells. In consistent, the mRNA and protein levels of several aerobic glycolysis-related genes were decreased upon ICT treatment. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that the expression levels of the aerobic glycolysis-related proteins were correlated with the p53 status in hepatoma cells. Using PFT-α or siRNA-p53, our results confirmed that ICT regulated aerobic glycolysis in a p53-dependent manner. In addition, ICT was found to stabilize p53 at the post-translational level which might be mediated by inhibiting MDM2 expression and affecting its interaction with p53. Finally, our results demonstrated that ICT increased the levels of ROS that activated p53 via the p38 MAPK pathway. In conclusion, ICT increased intracellular ROS levels in liver cancer cells, which promoted the stabilization and activation of p53, inhibiting the expression of aerobic glycolysis-related genes and glycolysis, and ultimately leading to the suppression of liver cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyang Zhou
- College of Basic Medicine, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China; Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis Mechanism and Control of Inflammatory-autoimmune Diseases in Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China; State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China
| | - Di Wu
- College of Basic Medicine, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China; Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis Mechanism and Control of Inflammatory-autoimmune Diseases in Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China; State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China
| | - Tian Mi
- College of Basic Medicine, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China; Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis Mechanism and Control of Inflammatory-autoimmune Diseases in Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China; State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China
| | - Ruohan Li
- College of Basic Medicine, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China
| | - Tao Guo
- College of Basic Medicine, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China; Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis Mechanism and Control of Inflammatory-autoimmune Diseases in Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China; State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China.
| | - Wenjuan Li
- College of Basic Medicine, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China; Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis Mechanism and Control of Inflammatory-autoimmune Diseases in Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China; State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China.
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Wang B, Wang Q, Yuan R, Yang S, Lu M, Yuan F, Dong Z, Mo M, Pan Q, Gao H. Prenylated chromones and flavonoids isolated from the roots of Flemingia macrophylla and their anti-lung cancer activity. Chin Med 2023; 18:153. [PMID: 37996917 PMCID: PMC10668522 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00860-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The successful launch of icaritin, a therapeutic drug for liver cancer derived from Epimedium brevicornu, has provided new impetus for the development of prenylated flavonoids in the field of oncology. Flemingia macrophylla is reported to contain characteristic prenylated flavonoids which can regulate the p53 protein. We aimed to isolate these constituents and conduct activity evaluation, structure-activity relationship, and mechanism studies to provide candidate compounds for antitumor drug development. METHODS In this study, chromatographic techniques combined with spectroscopic methods were used to separate, purify, and identify the constituents of Flemingia macrophylla methanol extract. The cytotoxic activity of the constituents was evaluated using an MTT assay with A549 and H1975 cells as the model. The binding mechanism between the compounds and the p53 protein was investigated with molecular docking and validated with cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). Western blotting (WB) was employed to detect the expression of p53 protein and apoptosis-related proteins in cells. RESULTS Chiral HPLC separation of racemates 1 and 7 provided two pairs of undescribed enantiomers (1a/1b and 7a/7b), along with eight known compounds (2 - 9) isolated from Flemingia macrophylla roots. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations of the enantiomers were determined from experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism data. Compounds 1 - 7, and the non-prenyl analogues 10 - 13, were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against the human lung cancer A549 and H1975 cell line. Compounds 5 - 7 displayed better cytotoxicity than the positive control icaritin in A549 and H1975, with IC50 values ranging from 4.50 to 19.83 μmol·L-1 and < 5 μmol·L-1, respectively. The structure-activity relationships of the chromone or flavonoid analogues against A549 cells were discussed. Molecular docking results demonstrated that compound 7a has strong interaction with p53 and WB indicated that 7a induced apoptosis by increasing the p53 protein, decreasing the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and activating the caspase family in A549 cells. These results suggest that prenylated flavonoids are potential p53 protein activators. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that Flemingia macrophylla is rich in prenylated flavonoid constituents, among which compounds 5 and 7 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against A549 cells and served as reference candidates for the design and development of prenylated compounds as antitumor therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baolin Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China
| | - Qinqin Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, China
| | - Renyikun Yuan
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China
- Guangxi Engineering Technology Research Center of Advantage Chinese Patent Drug and Ethnic Drug Development, Nanning, 530020, China
| | - Shilin Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, China
- Guangxi Engineering Technology Research Center of Advantage Chinese Patent Drug and Ethnic Drug Development, Nanning, 530020, China
| | - Meilin Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China
| | - Fuhong Yuan
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China
| | - Zhidan Dong
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China
| | - Menghuan Mo
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China
| | - Qiming Pan
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China.
| | - Hongwei Gao
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China.
- Guangxi Engineering Technology Research Center of Advantage Chinese Patent Drug and Ethnic Drug Development, Nanning, 530020, China.
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Wang Y, Wang G, Liu Y, Yang F, Zhang H, Kong Y. Icaritin inhibits endometrial carcinoma cells by suppressing O-GlcNAcylation of FOXC1. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 120:155062. [PMID: 37683586 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Icaritin has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including significant an-titumor activity. However, the mechanism of action of icaritin in endometrial cancer (UCEC) remains unknown. FOX proteins are a highly conserved transcription factor superfamily that play important roles in epithelial cell differentiation, tumor metastasis, angiogenesis, and cell cycle regulation. FOXC1 is an important member of the FOX protein family. FOXC1 is aberrantly expressed in endometrial cancer and may play a role in the migration and invasion of endometrial cancer; however, its mechanism of action has not yet been reported. O-GlcNAc glycosylation is a common post-translational modification. In endometrial cancer, high levels of O-GlcNAcylation promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Cancer development is often accompanied by O-GlcNAc modification of proteins; however, O-GlcNAc modification of the transcription factor FOXC1 has not been reported to date. PURPOSE To investigate the inhibitory effects of icaritin on RL95-2 and Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and to elucidate the possible molecular mechanisms. METHODS/STUDY DESIGN CCK8, colony formation, migration, and invasion assays were used to determine the inhibitory effects of icaritin on endometrial cancer cells in vitro. Cell cycle regulation was assayed by flow cytometry. Protein levels were measured based on western blotting. The level of FOXC1 expression in endometrial cancer tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry. To assess whether icaritin also has activity in vivo, its effect on tumor xenografts was evaluated. RESULTS Immunohistochemical analysis of clinical samples revealed that FOXC1 expression was significantly higher in endometrial cancer tissues than in normal tissues. Downregulation of FOXC1 inhibited the proliferative, colony formation, migration, and invasive abilities of RL95-2 and Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells. Icaritin inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of endometrial cancer cells and blocked the cell cycle in S phase. Icaritin affected O-GlcNAc modification of FOXC1 and thus the stability of FOXC1, which subsequently triggered the inhibition of endometrial cancer cell proliferation. CONCLUSION The anti-endometrial cancer effect of icaritin is related to the inhibition of abnormal O-GlcNAc modification of FOXC1, which may provide an important theoretical foundation for the use of icaritin against endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Wang
- Institute of Neurology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Dalian Medical University, Lvshun South Road #9, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Yingping Liu
- Dalian Medical University, Lvshun South Road #9, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Fangyu Yang
- Institute of Neurology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Hongshuo Zhang
- Dalian Medical University, Lvshun South Road #9, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China.
| | - Ying Kong
- Dalian Medical University, Lvshun South Road #9, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China.
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Gupta M, Ahmad J, Ahamad J, Kundu S, Goel A, Mishra A. Flavonoids as promising anticancer therapeutics: Contemporary research, nanoantioxidant potential, and future scope. Phytother Res 2023; 37:5159-5192. [PMID: 37668281 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Flavonoids are natural polyphenolic compounds considered safe, pleiotropic, and readily available molecules. It is widely distributed in various food products such as fruits and vegetables and beverages such as green tea, wine, and coca-based products. Many studies have reported the anticancer potential of flavonoids against different types of cancers, including solid tumors. The chemopreventive effect of flavonoids is attributed to various mechanisms, including modulation of autophagy, induction of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and antioxidant defense. Despite of significant anticancer activity of flavonoids, their clinical translation is limited due to their poor biopharmaceutical attributes (such as low aqueous solubility, limited permeability across the biological membranes (intestinal and blood-brain barrier), and stability issue in biological systems). A nanoparticulate system is an approach that is widely utilized to improve the biopharmaceutical performance and therapeutic efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals. The present review discusses the significant anticancer potential of promising flavonoids in different cancers and the utilization of nanoparticulate systems to improve their nanoantioxidant activity further to enhance the anticancer activity of loaded promising flavonoids. Although, various plant-derived secondary metabolites including flavonoids have been recommended for treating cancer, further vigilant research is warranted to prove their translational values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukta Gupta
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Javed Ahmad
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Javed Ahamad
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Snehashis Kundu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Archit Goel
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Awanish Mishra
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati, Assam, India
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Zhang X, Tang B, Wen S, Wang Y, Pan C, Qu L, Yin Y, Wei Y. Advancements in the Biotransformation and Biosynthesis of the Primary Active Flavonoids Derived from Epimedium. Molecules 2023; 28:7173. [PMID: 37894651 PMCID: PMC10609448 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28207173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epimedium is a classical Chinese herbal medicine, which has been used extensively to treat various diseases, such as sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and brain diseases. Flavonoids, such as icariin, baohuoside I, icaritin, and epimedin C, are the main active ingredients with diverse pharmacological activities. Currently, most Epimedium flavonoids are extracted from Epimedium plants, but this method cannot meet the increasing market demand. Biotransformation strategies promised huge potential for increasing the contents of high-value Epimedium flavonoids, which would promote the full use of the Epimedium herb. Complete biosynthesis of major Epimedium flavonoids by microbial cell factories would enable industrial-scale production of Epimedium flavonoids. This review summarizes the structures, pharmacological activities, and biosynthesis pathways in the Epimedium plant, as well as the extraction methods of major Epimedium flavonoids, and advancements in the biotransformation and complete microbial synthesis of Epimedium flavonoids, which would provide valuable insights for future studies on Epimedium herb usage and the production of Epimedium flavonoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Quick Testing and Smart Supervision Technology for State Market Regulation, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Bingling Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Sijie Wen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yitong Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Chengxue Pan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Lingbo Qu
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yulong Yin
- Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Yongjun Wei
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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Tian Z, Wu X, Peng L, Yu N, Gou G, Zuo W, Yang J. pH-responsive bufadienolides nanocrystals decorated by chitosan quaternary ammonium salt for treating colon cancer. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124819. [PMID: 37178894 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Due to its poor prognosis and propensity for metastasizing, colon cancer, a frequent cancer of the gastrointestinal system, has a high morbidity and mortality rate. However, the harsh physiological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract can cause the anti-cancer medicine bufadienolides (BU) to lose some of its structure, impairing its ability to fight cancer. In this study, pH-responsive bufadienolides nanocrystals decorated by chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (HE BU NCs) were successfully constructed by a solvent evaporation method to improve the bioavailability, release characteristics and intestinal transport ability of BU. In vitro, studies have shown that HE BU NCs could improve BU internalization, significantly induce apoptosis, decrease mitochondrial membrane potential, and increase ROS levels in tumour cells. In vivo, experiments showed that HE BU NCs effectively targeted intestinal sites, increased their retention time, and exerted antitumor activity through Caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio pathways. In conclusion, pH-responsive bufadienolides nanocrystals decorated by chitosan quaternary ammonium salt could protect bufadienolides from the destruction of an acidic environment, achieve synergistic release in the intestinal site, improve oral bioavailability, and ultimately exert anti-colon cancer effects, which is a promising strategy for the treatment of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonghua Tian
- Departmert of Pharmaceutics, School of Phammacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
| | - Xia Wu
- Departmert of Pharmaceutics, School of Phammacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
| | - Li Peng
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, No. 804 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
| | - Na Yu
- Department of Medical Chemistry, School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
| | - Guojing Gou
- Departmert of Pharmaceutics, School of Phammacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
| | - Wenbao Zuo
- Departmert of Pharmaceutics, School of Phammacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China.
| | - Jianhong Yang
- Departmert of Pharmaceutics, School of Phammacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China.
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10
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Jiang W, Ding K, Yue R, Lei M. Therapeutic effects of icariin and icariside II on diabetes mellitus and its complications. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2023; 64:5852-5877. [PMID: 36591787 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2159317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health issue in the twenty-first century, and there are numerous challenges in preventing and alleviating its chronic complications. The herb Epimedium has beneficial therapeutic effects on various human diseases, including DM. Its major flavonoid component, icariin, has significant anti-DM activity and may help improve pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. Furthermore, preclinical evidence has shown that icariin and its in vivo bioactive form, icariside II, have preventive and therapeutic effects on several diabetic complications, including diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic vascular endothelial disorder, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic erectile dysfunction. In this review, we present the general and toxicological information concerning icariin and icariside II and review the anti-DM effects of icariin from a molecular perspective. Additionally, we discuss the potential benefits of icariin and icariside II on the important pathological mechanisms of various diabetic complications. Despite positive preclinical evidence, additional investigations are needed before relevant clinical studies can be conducted. Therefore, we conclude with suggestions for future research. Hopefully, this review will provide a comprehensive molecular perspective for future research and product development related to icariin and icariside II in treating DM and diabetic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jiang
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Kaixi Ding
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of Geriatrics, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Rensong Yue
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Lei
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of Geriatrics, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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11
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Lu Y, Luo Q, Jia X, Tam JP, Yang H, Shen Y, Li X. Multidisciplinary strategies to enhance therapeutic effects of flavonoids from Epimedii Folium: Integration of herbal medicine, enzyme engineering, and nanotechnology. J Pharm Anal 2022; 13:239-254. [PMID: 37102112 PMCID: PMC10123947 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Flavonoids such as baohuoside I and icaritin are the major active compounds in Epimedii Folium (EF) and possess excellent therapeutic effects on various diseases. Encouragingly, in 2022, icaritin soft capsules were approved to reach the market for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China. Moreover, recent studies demonstrate that icaritin can serve as immune-modulating agent to exert anti-tumor effects. Nonetheless, both production efficiency and clinical applications of epimedium flavonoids have been restrained because of their low content, poor bioavailability, and unfavorable in vivo delivery efficiency. Recently, various strategies, including enzyme engineering and nanotechnology, have been developed to increase productivity and activity, improve delivery efficiency, and enhance therapeutic effects of epimedium flavonoids. In this review, the structure-activity relationship of epimedium flavonoids is described. Then, enzymatic engineering strategies for increasing the productivity of highly active baohuoside I and icaritin are discussed. The nanomedicines for overcoming in vivo delivery barriers and improving therapeutic effects of various diseases are summarized. Finally, the challenges and an outlook on clinical translation of epimedium flavonoids are proposed.
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12
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Naeem A, Hu P, Yang M, Zhang J, Liu Y, Zhu W, Zheng Q. Natural Products as Anticancer Agents: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27238367. [PMID: 36500466 PMCID: PMC9737905 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products have been an invaluable and useful source of anticancer agents over the years. Several compounds have been synthesized from natural products by modifying their structures or by using naturally occurring compounds as building blocks in the synthesis of these compounds for various purposes in different fields, such as biology, medicine, and engineering. Multiple modern and costly treatments have been applied to combat cancer and limit its lethality, but the results are not significantly refreshing. Natural products, which are a significant source of new therapeutic drugs, are currently being investigated as potential cytotoxic agents and have shown a positive trend in preclinical research and have prompted numerous innovative strategies in order to combat cancer and expedite the clinical research. Natural products are becoming increasingly important for drug discovery due to their high molecular diversity and novel biofunctionality. Furthermore, natural products can provide superior efficacy and safety due to their unique molecular properties. The objective of the current review is to provide an overview of the emergence of natural products for the treatment and prevention of cancer, such as chemosensitizers, immunotherapeutics, combinatorial therapies with other anticancer drugs, novel formulations of natural products, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their anticancer properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Naeem
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Pengyi Hu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Yali Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics and Safety Evaluation, Health Commission of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics and Quality Evaluation on Anti-Inflammatory Chinese Herbs, Jiangxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Weifeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Qin Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
- Correspondence:
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Gunel NS, Yildirim N, Ozates NP, Oktay LM, Bagca BG, Sogutlu F, Ozsaran A, Korkmaz M, Biray Avci C. Investigation of cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of disodium pentaborate decahydrate on ovarian cancer cells and assessment of gene profiling. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 40:8. [PMID: 36308567 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01870-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
After revealing the anti-cancer properties of boron, which is included in the category of essential elements for human health by the World Health Organization, the therapeutic potential of boron compounds has been begun to be evaluated, and its molecular effect mechanisms have still been among the research subjects. In ovarian cancer, mutations or amplifications frequently occur in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway components, and dysregulation of this pathway is shown among the causes of treatment failure. In the present study, it was aimed to investigate the anti-cancer properties of boron-containing DPD in SKOV3 cells, which is an epithelial ovarian cancer model, through PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. The cytotoxic activity of DPD in SKOV3 cells was evaluated by WST-1 test, apoptotic effect by Annexin V and JC-1 test. The gene expressions associated with PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway were determined by real-time qRT-PCR. In SKOV3 cells, the IC50 value of DPD was found to be 6.7 mM, 5.6 mM, and 5.2 mM at 24th, 48th and 72nd hour, respectively. Compared with the untreated control group, DPD treatment was found to induce apoptosis 2.6-fold and increase mitochondrial membrane depolarization 4.5-fold. DPD treatment was found to downregulate PIK3CA, PIK3CG, AKT2, IGF1, IRS1, MAPK3, HIF-1, VEGFC, CAB39, CAB39L, STRADB, PRKAB2, PRKAG3, TELO2, RICTOR, MLST8, and EIF4B genes and upregulate TP53, GSK3B, FKBP8, TSC2, ULK1, and ULK2 genes. These results draw attention to the therapeutic potential of DPD, which is frequently exposed in daily life, in epithelial ovarian cancer and show that it can be a candidate compound in combination with chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Selvi Gunel
- Department of Medical Biology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nuri Yildirim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Latife Merve Oktay
- Department of Medical Biology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bakiye Goker Bagca
- Department of Medical Biology, Medicine Faculty, Adnan Menderes University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Fatma Sogutlu
- Department of Medical Biology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aydin Ozsaran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Korkmaz
- Department of Medical Biology, Medicine Faculty, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Cigir Biray Avci
- Department of Medical Biology, Medicine Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
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Yang C, Jin YY, Mei J, Hu D, Jiao X, Che HL, Tang CL, Zhang Y, Wu GS. Identification of icaritin derivative IC2 as an SCD-1 inhibitor with anti-breast cancer properties through induction of cell apoptosis. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:202. [PMID: 35642041 PMCID: PMC9153146 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02621-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women, yet effective targets and related candidate compounds for breast cancer treatment are still lacking. The lipogenic enzyme, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), has been considered a potential target for breast cancer treatment. Icaritin (ICT), a prenylflavonoid derivative from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Epimedii Herba, has been reported to exert anticancer effects in various types of cancer. The purpose of the present study was to explore the effect of the new ICT derivative, IC2, targeting SCD1 on breast cancer cells and to explore the specific mechanism. Methods Immunohistochemistry and semiquantitative evaluation were performed to detect the expression level of SCD1 in normal and tumor samples. Computer-aided drug design (CADD) technology was used to target SCD1 by molecular docking simulation, and several new ICT derivatives were prepared by conventional chemical synthesis. Cell viability was evaluated by an MTT assay and dead cell staining. SCD1 expression in cancer cells was determined by Western blot and qRT-PCR analyses. The enzymatic activity of SCD1 was evaluated by detecting the conversion rate of [d31] palmitic acid (PA) using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). DAPI staining, flow cytometry and Western blot were used to detect cell apoptosis. Mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays were used to determine cell mitochondrial function. Lentiviral transduction was utilized to generate SCD1-overexpressing cell lines. Results We found that SCD1 was overexpressed and correlated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. Among a series of ICT derivatives, in vitro data showed that IC2 potentially inhibited the viability of breast cancer cells, and the mechanistic study revealed that IC2 treatment resulted in ROS activation and cellular apoptosis. We demonstrated that IC2 inhibited SCD1 activity and expression in breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SCD1 overexpression alleviated IC2-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Conclusions The new ICT derivative, IC2, was developed to induce breast cancer cell apoptosis by inhibiting SCD1, which provides a basis for the development of IC2 as a potential clinical compound for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi-Yuan Jin
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu, China.,Taizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Taizhou, 318000, China
| | - Jie Mei
- Department of Oncology, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214000, China.,Wuxi Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Die Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials & Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou, 213164, China
| | - Xiaoyu Jiao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Hui-Lian Che
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chun-Lei Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Guo-Sheng Wu
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu, China.
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Chen Y, Li L, Hu C, Zhao X, Zhang P, Chang Y, Shang Y, Pang Y, Qian W, Qiu X, Zhang H, Zhang D, Zhang S, Li Y. Lingguizhugan decoction dynamically regulates MAPKs and AKT signaling pathways to retrogress the pathological progression of cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 98:153951. [PMID: 35131606 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.153951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart failure (HF) is a grave health concern, with high morbidity and mortality, calling for the urgent need for new and alternative pharmacotherapies. Lingguizhugan decoction (LD) is a classic Chinese formula clinically used to treat HF. However, the underlying mechanisms involved are not fully elucidated. PURPOSE Based on that, this study aims to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of LD on HF. METHODS After confirming the therapeutic benefits of LD in transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced HF mice, network pharmacology and transcriptomic analyzes were utilized to predict the potential molecular targets and pathways of LD treatment in failing hearts, which were evaluated at 3 and 9 w after TAC. UHPLC-QE-MS analysis was utilized to detect bioactive ingredients from LD and plasma of LD-treated rats. RESULTS Our results showed that LD markedly alleviated cardiac dysfunction via down-regulating CH-related genes and proteins expression in TAC mice. Significantly, cardiac hypertrophy signaling, including AKT and MAPKs signaling pathways, were identified, suggesting the pathways as likely regulatory targets for LD treatment. LD inhibited p38 and ERK phosphorylated expression levels, with the latter effect likely dependent on regulation of AMPK. Interestingly, LD exerted a dual modulatory role in the AKT-GSK3β/mTOR/P70S6K signaling pathway's regulation, which was characterized by stimulatory activity at 3 w and inhibitory effects at 9 w. Finally, 15 bioactive compounds detected from plasma were predicted as the potential regulators of the AKT-GSK3β/mTOR and MAPKs signaling pathways. CONCLUSION Our study shows LD's therapeutic efficacy in failing hearts, signifies LD as HF medication that acts dynamically by balancing AKT-GSK3β/mTOR/P70S6K and MAPKs pathways, and reveals possible bioactive compounds responsible for LD effects on HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chen
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Lin Li
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Cunyu Hu
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Yanxu Chang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China; State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Ye Shang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Yafen Pang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Weiqiang Qian
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Xianzhe Qiu
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Hongxia Zhang
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 69 Zeng Chan Road, He Bei, Tianjin 300250, China
| | - Deqin Zhang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China; State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Shukun Zhang
- Institute of Acute Abdominal Diseases of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, 6 Chang Jiang Road, Nan Kai, Tianjin 300100, China.
| | - Yuhong Li
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China; State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyang Lake Road, Jing Hai, Tianjin 301617, China.
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16
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Zhu YH, Zhang XR, Zhang Q, Chai J. Icaritin-elevated circ_0000190 suppresses the malignant progression of multiple myeloma by targeting miR-301a. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2022; 38:447-456. [PMID: 35174633 DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Icaritin has potential anticancer effects on various cancers, including multiple myeloma (MM). Recent studies claim that Icaritin can regulate the expression of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in cancer development. This study aimed to investigate the role of circular RNA_0000190 (circ_0000190) and functional mechanism in Icaritin-treated MM. The expression of circ_0000190 and miR-301a was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were investigated using flow cytometry assay, and transwell assay, respectively. The expression of BAX, BCL2, MMP2, and CCND1 was detected by western blot. The predicted target relationship between circ_0000190 and miR-301a was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. The activation of JAK1/STAT3 pathway was examined using western blot. Circ_0000190 was strikingly downregulated in MM specimens and cell lines, and Icaritin promoted the expression of circ_0000190. In function, circ_0000190 overexpression promoted MM cell cycle arrest and apoptosis but restrained the ability of migration and invasion. Icaritin blocked the development of MM by increasing circ_0000190 expression. MiR-301a was identified as a target of circ_0000190, and miR-301a reintroduction largely abolished the effects of circ_0000190 overexpression. The activation of JAK1/STAT3 pathway was promoted by miR-301a restoration. Icaritin played anticancer effects in MM partly by enhancing the expression of circ_0000190 and regulating the circ_0000190/miR-301a pathway. This study enhanced the understanding of the mechanism of Icaritin associated with circRNAs in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hui Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xin-Ru Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jin Chai
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Gao L, Ouyang Y, Li R, Zhang X, Gao X, Lin S, Wang X. Icaritin Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Human Ovarian Cancer Cells via the Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway. Front Oncol 2022; 12:843489. [PMID: 35433438 PMCID: PMC9010825 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.843489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal of all gynecologic malignancies with poor survival rates. Although surgical treatment and chemotherapy had advanced to improve survival, platinum-based chemoresistance remains a major hurdle in the clinical treatment of OC. The search for novel active ingredients for the treatment of drug-resistant OC is urgently needed. Here, we demonstrated that icaritin, the main active ingredient derived from the traditional Chinese herb Epimedium genus, significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of both drug-susceptible and cisplatin-resistant OC cells in vitro. Mechanistically, icaritin at 20 μM significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR, as well as decreased the expression of vimentin and increased the expression of E-cadherin. Our data indicate that icaritin, a prenylated flavonoid natural product, could serve as a potential inhibitor of cisplatin-resistant OC by inhibiting the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lvfen Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Ouyang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangzhou Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruobin Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuesong Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoqiang Lin
- Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shaoqiang Lin, ; Xiaoyu Wang,
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shaoqiang Lin, ; Xiaoyu Wang,
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18
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Icaritin inhibits lung cancer-induced osteoclastogenesis by suppressing the expression of IL-6 and TNF-a and through AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Anticancer Drugs 2021; 31:1004-1011. [PMID: 32701561 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Bone metastasis is one of the common phenomena in the late stage of lung cancer. Inhibition of bone metastasis can improve the survival of lung cancer patients. However, the current drugs for the treatment of bone metastasis have shown little effect on overall survival. Therefore, there is an urgent necessity to identify novel drugs capable of preventing and treating bone metastasis of lung cancer. Our study determined that icaritin (ICT) can inhibit lung cancer-mediated osteoclastogenesis and induce the apoptosis of osteoclasts. Exposure to ICT increased the activation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), reduced the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and decreased the expression of bcl-2. The bioactivity of ICT on osteoclastogenesis was associated with the regulation of the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Blocking AMPK significantly increased osteoclast differentiation, decreased osteoclast apoptosis and canceled the effects of ICT on the phosphorylation of AMPK as well as the inhibition of mTOR and bcl-2. Furthermore, ICT decreased the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in osteoclasts, while the AMPK inhibitor compound C significantly abolished the inhibitory effects of ICT on IL-6 and TNF-α. Thus, the present study demonstrated that ICT may be a potential natural agent for the treatment of bone metastasis in patients with lung cancer.
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Li H, Liu Y, Jiang W, Xue J, Cheng Y, Wang J, Yang R, Zhang X. Icaritin promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation by down-regulating AFP gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:318. [PMID: 33765973 PMCID: PMC7992931 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08043-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Icaritin, an active ingredient of the Chinese herb Epimedium, plays an anti-tumor role in liver cancer by inhibiting the proliferation of hepatocellular cells and promoting their apoptosis. In China, phase II and a large phase III clinical trial of icaritin reagent for the treatment of hepatocellular cancer is under-going, but the specific mechanism of icaritin action was unclear. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), an oncofetal protein, produced in the healthy fetal liver and yolk sac. Intracellular AFP promoted cellular proliferation and inhibited cellular apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study was aimed to investigate the effect of icaritin on HCC through p53/AFP pathway. Methods Real-time RT PCR and western blot were used to detect p53 and AFP expression levels in HCC cells treated with icaritin. The mechanism of icaritin affecting p53 expression was verified by ubiquitination experiment, and the binding activity of icaritin on p53 in AFP promoter region was verified by luciferase experiment. EdU, MTT and flow cytometry were used to determine whether icaritin affected HCC cellular proliferation and apoptosis through p53/ AFP pathway. Expression levels of p53 and AFP in xenograft mouse model were determined by western blotting. Results Our results showed icaritin inhibited AFP expression at mRNA and protein level. AFP was also identified as the target gene of the p53 transcription factor. Icaritin abrogated murine double minute (Mdm) 2-mediated p53 ubiquitination degradation to improve the stability of p53. Up-regulated p53 protein levels then transcriptionally inhibited the AFP promoter. Icaritin-mediated decrease of AFP through Mdm2/p53 pathways inhibited HCC cellular proliferation and promoted HCC cellular apoptosis. Conclusion Our findings revealed the mechanism of icaritin in promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation in liver cancer cells. The regulatory mechanism of icaritin in AFP protein down-regulation provides a theoretical and experimental basis for further research into new drugs for the treatment of liver cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08043-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Peking University Health Science Center, 100191, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yujuan Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Peking University Health Science Center, 100191, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Peking University Health Science Center, 100191, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Junhui Xue
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Peking University Health Science Center, 100191, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuning Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Peking University Health Science Center, 100191, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiyin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Peking University Health Science Center, 100191, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruixiang Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Peking University Health Science Center, 100191, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Peking University Health Science Center, 100191, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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20
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Xu F, Yuan J, Tian S, Chen Y, Zhou F. MicroRNA-92a serves as a risk factor in sepsis-induced ARDS and regulates apoptosis and cell migration in lipopolysaccharide-induced HPMEC and A549 cell injury. Life Sci 2020; 256:117957. [PMID: 32534035 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common, high mortality complication in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. MicroRNA-92a (miR-92a) plays a role in many diseases, but its association with sepsis-induced ARDS is unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS We enrolled 53 patients, including 17 with sepsis only, and 36 with sepsis-induced ARDS. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to stimulate pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMEC) and alveolar epithelial A549 cells, which were used to investigate the miR-92a roles in ARDS. MiR-92a expression levels in patient serum and cells were quantified using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and protein expression was examined using Western blotting. The effect of miR-92a on apoptosis was examined using flow cytometry. Wound healing and transwell migration assays were used to evaluate cell migration. KEY FINDINGS Serum miR-92a expression was higher in patients with sepsis-induced ARDS, when compared to patients with sepsis only. After LPS treatment in cells, miR-92a expression was higher when compared with control group, cell apoptosis and inflammatory responses were increased and cell migration was inhibited. However, cell apoptosis and inflammatory responses were decreased and cell migration was enhanced after miR-92a downregulation, when compared with inhibitor negative control (NC) group. Moreover, phosphorylated-Akt and phosphorylated-mTOR expression were increased after miR-92a inhibition. SIGNIFICANCE Our study provides evidence that circulating serum miR-92a could act as a risk factor for sepsis-induced ARDS. MiR-92a inhibition attenuated the adverse effects of LPS on ARDS through the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Xu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
| | - Jianghan Yuan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Shijing Tian
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Yi Chen
- Emergency Department, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Fachun Zhou
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
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21
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Bailly C. Molecular and cellular basis of the anticancer activity of the prenylated flavonoid icaritin in hepatocellular carcinoma. Chem Biol Interact 2020; 325:109124. [PMID: 32437694 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2020.109124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The prenylated flavonoid icaritin (ICT) is currently undergoing phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), based on a solid array of preclinical and clinical data. The antitumor activity originates from the capacity of the drug to modulate several signaling effectors in cancer cells, mainly the estrogen receptor splice variant ERα36, the transcription factors STAT3 and NFκB, and the chemokine receptor CXCR4. Recent studies have implicated additional components, including different microRNAs, the generation of reactive oxygen species and the targeting of sphingosine kinase-1. ICT also engages the RAGE-HMGB1 signaling route and modulates the apoptosis/autophagy crosstalk to promote its anticancer activity. In addition, ICT exerts profound changes on the tumor microenvironment to favor an immune-response. Collectively, these multiple biochemical and cellular characteristics confer to ICT a robust activity profile which can be exploited to treat HCC, as well as other cancers, including glioblastoma and onco-hematological diseases such as chronic myeloid leukemia. This review provides an update of the pharmacological properties of ICT and its metabolic characteristics. It also addresses the design of derivatives, including both natural products and synthetic molecules, such as SNG1153 also in clinical trial. The prenylated flavonoid ICT deserves attention as a multifunctional natural product potentially useful to improve the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
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22
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Liu C, Li R, Peng J, Qu D, Huang M, Chen Y. Enhanced hydrolysis and antitumor efficacy of Epimedium flavonoids mediated by immobilized snailase on silica. Process Biochem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2019.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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23
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Mirza-Aghazadeh-Attari M, Ostadian C, Saei AA, Mihanfar A, Darband SG, Sadighparvar S, Kaviani M, Samadi Kafil H, Yousefi B, Majidinia M. DNA damage response and repair in ovarian cancer: Potential targets for therapeutic strategies. DNA Repair (Amst) 2019; 80:59-84. [PMID: 31279973 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is among the most lethal gynecologic malignancies with a poor survival prognosis. The current therapeutic strategies involve surgery and chemotherapy. Research is now focused on novel agents especially those targeting DNA damage response (DDR) pathways. Understanding the DDR process in ovarian cancer necessitates having a detailed knowledge on a series of signaling mediators at the cellular and molecular levels. The complexity of the DDR process in ovarian cancer and how this process works in metastatic conditions is comprehensively reviewed. For evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic agents targeting DNA damage in ovarian cancer, we will discuss the components of this system including DDR sensors, DDR transducers, DDR mediators, and DDR effectors. The constituent pathways include DNA repair machinery, cell cycle checkpoints, and apoptotic pathways. We also will assess the potential of active mediators involved in the DDR process such as therapeutic and prognostic candidates that may facilitate future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mirza-Aghazadeh-Attari
- Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Caspian Ostadian
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Amir Ata Saei
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Ainaz Mihanfar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Saber Ghazizadeh Darband
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden; Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Shirin Sadighparvar
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Kaviani
- School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Bahman Yousefi
- Molecular MedicineResearch Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Maryam Majidinia
- Solid Tumor Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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24
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Huang Q, Li S, Zhang L, Qiao X, Zhang Y, Zhao X, Xiao G, Li Z. CAPE- pNO 2 Inhibited the Growth and Metastasis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer via the EGFR/STAT3/Akt/E-Cadherin Signaling Pathway. Front Oncol 2019; 9:461. [PMID: 31214503 PMCID: PMC6558049 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and overactivated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) can enhance tumorigenesis and tumor recurrence and metastasis. Caffeic acid p-nitro-phenethyl ester (CAPE-pNO2) has various pharmacological activities in our previous research, but its effect on metastasis and growth of TNBC has not been studied. In this study, Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) was as a positive control. in vitro, MTT, Transwell, wound healing, colony formation and cell adhesion assays were performed to examine the effect on viability, invasion, migration, colony formation and adhesion of MDA-MB-231 cells by CAPE-pNO2, the results indicated that CAPE-pNO2 significantly dose-dependently inhibited metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells (p < 0.05). in vivo, TNBC xenograft mice were established by subcutaneously injected with MDA-MB-231 cells, and they were used to estimate the effect on metastasis and growth of CAPE-pNO2 after 38 days of treatment. HE staining and TUNEL staining were carried out in tumor tissues, results showed that CAPE-pNO2 obviously suppressed the tumor growth, induced cells apoptosis (p < 0.01) and decreased pulmonary and splenic metastatic tumor cells. The results of IHC demonstrated that the VEGFA and Ki-67 proteins expression were downregulated (p < 0.01) in tumor tissues. Furthermore, western blot analysis was used to quantify key metastasis- and growth-associated proteins expression in vitro and in vivo, the results suggested that CAPE-pNO2 downregulated the proteins expression of p-EGFR, p-STAT3, p-Akt, MMP-2, MMP-9, Survivin, and key EMT-related proteins (Vimentin and N-cadherin) (p < 0.01), and increased the expression of E-cadherin (p < 0.01) in vivo and in vitro. Besides, CAPE-pNO2 had a similar effect as erlotinib in regulating the EGFR downstream proteins in EGF-induced MDA-MB-231cells. Collectively, these results indicated that CAPE-pNO2 possessed inhibitory effect on the growth and metastasis of TNBC may via the EGFR/STAT3/Akt/E-cadherin signaling pathway, and CAPE-pNO2 is better than CAPE in inhibiting growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Huang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sai Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liwen Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xufang Qiao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guojun Xiao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhubo Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Koga Y, Ochiai A. Systematic Review of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models for Preclinical Studies of Anti-Cancer Drugs in Solid Tumors. Cells 2019; 8:cells8050418. [PMID: 31064068 PMCID: PMC6562882 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are used as powerful tools for understanding cancer biology in PDX clinical trials and co-clinical trials. In this systematic review, we focus on PDX clinical trials or co-clinical trials for drug development in solid tumors and summarize the utility of PDX models in the development of anti-cancer drugs, as well as the challenges involved in this approach, following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Recently, the assessment of drug efficacy by PDX clinical and co-clinical trials has become an important method. PDX clinical trials can be used for the development of anti-cancer drugs before clinical trials, with their efficacy assessed by the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST). A few dozen cases of PDX models have completed enrollment, and the efficacy of the drugs is assessed by 1 × 1 × 1 or 3 × 1 × 1 approaches in the PDX clinical trials. Furthermore, co-clinical trials can be used for personalized care or precision medicine with the evaluation of a new drug or a novel combination. Several PDX models from patients in clinical trials have been used to assess the efficacy of individual drugs or drug combinations in co-clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshikatsu Koga
- Department of Strategic Programs, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Ochiai
- Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan.
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Icaritin: A Novel Natural Candidate for Hematological Malignancies Therapy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:4860268. [PMID: 31032347 PMCID: PMC6458936 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4860268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Hematological malignancies including leukemia and lymphoma can severely impact human health. With the current therapies combined with chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, the prognosis of hematologic malignancies improved significantly. However, most hematological malignancies are still incurable. Therefore, research for novel treatment options was continuing with the natural product as one source. Icaritin is a compound extracted from a traditional Chinese herb, Epimedium Genus, and demonstrated an antitumor effect in various neoplasms including hematological malignancies such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. In hematological malignancies, icaritin showed multiple cytotoxic effects to induce apoptosis, arrest the cell cycle, inhibit proliferation, promote differentiation, restrict metastasis and infiltration, and suppress the oncogenic virus. The proved underlying mechanisms of the cytotoxic effects of icaritin are different in various cell types of hematological malignancies but associated with the critical cell signal pathway, including PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT3, and MAPK/ERK/JNK. Although the primary target of icaritin is still unspecified, the existing evidence indicates that icaritin is a potential novel therapeutic agent for neoplasms as with hematological malignancies. Here, in the field of hematology, we reviewed the reported activity of icaritin in hematologic malignancies and the underlying mechanisms and recognized icaritin as a candidate for therapy of hematological malignancies.
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27
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Effects of Icaritin on the physiological activities of esophageal cancer stem cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 504:792-796. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.08.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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28
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Tang H, Zhang Y, Li D, Fu S, Tang M, Wan L, Chen K, Liu Z, Xue L, Peng A, Ye H, Chen L. Discovery and synthesis of novel magnolol derivatives with potent anticancer activity in non-small cell lung cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 156:190-205. [PMID: 30006164 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.06.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
EGFR T790 M accounts for 50% to 60% of cases of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) resistance to the first-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Hence, identifying novel compounds with activity against TKIs resistant is of great value. In this study, twenty honokiol and magnolol derivatives were isolated from the EtOH extract of Magnolia officinalis and the antiproliferative activity was evaluated on HCC827 (19del EGFR mutation), H1975 (L858 R/T790 M EGFR mutation), and H460 (KRAS mutation) cell lines. Among the isolated compounds, piperitylmagnolol (a 3-substituted magnolol derivative) showed the best antiproliferative activity against those three cell lines with the IC50 values of 15.85, 15.60 and 18.60 μM, respectively, which provided a direction for the structural modification of magnolol. Further structural modification led to the synthesis of thirty-one magnolol derivatives, and compounds A13, C1, and C2 exhibited significant and broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity with the IC50 values ranging from 4.81 to 13.54 μM, which were approximately 4- and 8-fold more potent than those of honokiol and magnolol, respectively. Moreover, their aqueous solubility was remarkably improved with 12-, 400- and 105 fold greater than those of honokiol and magnolol. Anti-tumor mechanism research revealed that these three compounds were able to induce cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, cause efficient apoptosis in H1975 cells, and also prevent the migration of HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner through Cdk2, Cdk4, Cyclin E, and Cyclin D1 inhibition as well as up-regulation of cleaved-PARP and cleaved-caspase 3 levels. In in vivo antitumor activity, C2 (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg, po) dose-dependently inhibited the tumor growth in H1975 xenograft model with the tumor inhibition rate of 46.3%, 59.3% and 61.2% respectively, suggesting that C2 is a potential oral anticancer agent deserving further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Yongguang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Suhong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Minghai Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Li Wan
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of TCM, The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Kai Chen
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Zhuowei Liu
- Guang dong Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523325, PR China
| | - Linlin Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Aihua Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Haoyu Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Lijuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of TCM, The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Standardization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
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