In vitro inhibitory properties of sesquiterpenes from Chloranthus serratus on cell motility via down-regulation of LIMK1 activation in human breast cancer

The petroleum ether extracts of Chloranthus fortunei(A. Gray) Solms-Laub.with bioactivities: A rising source in HCC drug treatment

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive killer worldwide with high incidence and mortality. The herb Chloranthus fortunei (A. Gray) Solms-Laub is known as "Si Ji Feng" and is classified as a Feng-type medicine in classic Yao medicines. According to Yao's medical beliefs, Chloranthus fortunei has the functions of dispelling Feng, regulating qi, detoxifying, promoting blood circulation, etc. Folk uses its decoctions to treat stagnant liver conditions, such as liver abscesses, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver cancer. However, the bioactivity and mechanisms of Chloranthus fortunei extract against HCC have not been reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-HCC bioactivity and potential mechanism of the extract of Chloranthus fortunei (CFS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using 70% ethanol for reflux extraction of CFS resulted in the CFS ethanol extract, followed by sequential extractions with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol, yielding four fractions. The CCK-8 assay was utilized to examine the cytotoxic effects of 4 fractions on MHCC97-H and HepG2 cells, exploring the most effective component, namely petroleum ether extracts of CFS (PECFS). The major active ingredients of PECFS were identified using LC/MS technology, and the impact on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HCC cells was studied. The key genes and proteins in the pathway were validated using RT-PCR and Western blotting. BALB/c nude mice were chosen for tumor xenotransplantation and PECFS therapy. hinders the proliferation of HCC cells and promotes apoptosis.

RESULTS

Among the four fractions, it was found that PECFS have the highest antiproliferative activity against MHCC97-H and HepG2 cells (IC50 = 13.86, 10.55 μg/mL), with sesquiterpene compounds being the primary active constituents. The antiproliferative activity of PECFS on HCC cells was linked to the inhibition of cell cloning, invasion, and metastasis abilities, as well as the arrest of the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. Additionally, exerts pro-apoptotic effects on HCC cells by upregulating the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, downregulating the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and activating the expression of the Caspase family. Moreover, protein and m-RNA expression data showed that PECFS inhibits HCC cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Besides, after PECFS treatment, tumor growth in nude mice was suppressed.

CONCLUSION

PECFS can inhibit the viability of HCC cells by acting on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, demonstrating anti-tumor potential. This study's findings suggest that PECFS may represent a promising source of novel agents for liver cancer treatment, providing scientific evidence for the traditional application of CFS in treating HCC.

Terpenoids of plants from Chloranthaceae family: chemistry, bioactivity, and synthesis

Covering: 1976 to December 2023Chloranthaceae is comprised of four extant genera (Chloranthus, Sarcandra, Hedyosmum, and Ascarina), totaling about 80 species, many of which have been widely used as herbal medicines for diverse medical purposes. Chloranthaceae plants represent a rich source of structurally interesting and diverse secondary metabolites, with sesquiterpenoids and diterpenoids being the predominant structural types. Lindenane sesquiterpenoids and their oligomers, chemotaxonomical markers of the family Chloranthaceae, have shown a wide spectrum of bioactivities, attracting significant attention from organic chemists and pharmacologists. Recent achievements also demonstrated the research value of two unique structural types in this plant family, sesquiterpenoid-monoterpenoid heterodimers and meroterpenoids. This review systematically summarizes 682 structurally characterized terpenoids from 22 Chloranthaceae plants and their key biological activities as well as the chemical synthesis of selected terpenoids.

Research Progress on Sesquiterpenoids of Curcumae Rhizoma and Their Pharmacological Effects

Curcumae Rhizoma, a traditional Chinese medicine with a wide range of pharmacological activities, is obtained from the dried rhizomes of Curcuma phaeocaulis VaL., Curcuma kwangsiensis S. G. Lee et C. F. Liang, and Curcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling. Sesquiterpenoids and curcuminoids are found to be the main constituents of Curcumae Rhizoma. Sesquiterpenoids are composed of three isoprene units and are susceptible to complex transformations, such as cyclization, rearrangement, and oxidation. They are the most structurally diverse class of plant-based natural products with a wide range of biological activities and are widely found in nature. In recent years, scholars have conducted abundant studies on the structures and pharmacological properties of components of Curcumae Rhizoma. This article elucidates the chemical structures, medicinal properties, and biological properties of the sesquiterpenoids (a total of 274 compounds) isolated from Curcumae Rhizoma. We summarized extraction and isolation methods for sesquiterpenoids, established a chemical component library of sesquiterpenoids in Curcumae Rhizoma, and analyzed structural variances among sesquiterpenoids sourced from Curcumae Rhizoma of diverse botanical origins. Furthermore, our investigation reveals a diverse array of sesquiterpenoid types, encompassing guaiane-type, germacrane-type, eudesmane-type, elemane-type, cadinane-type, carane-type, bisabolane-type, humulane-type, and other types, emphasizing the relationship between structural diversity and activity. We hope to provide a valuable reference for further research and exploitation and pave the way for the development of new drugs derived from medicinal plants.

Chemistry and bioactivity of lindenane sesquiterpenoids and their oligomers

Covering: 1925 to July 2023Among the sesquiterpenoids with rich structural diversity and potential bioactivities, lindenane sesquiterpenoids (LSs) possess a characteristic cis, trans-3,5,6-carbocyclic skeleton and mainly exist as monomers and diverse oligomers in plants from the Lindera genus and Chloranthaceae family. Since the first identification of lindeneol from Lindera strychnifolia in 1925, 354 natural LSs and their oligomers with anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and anti-infective activities have been discovered. Structurally, two-thirds of LSs exist as oligomers with interesting skeletons through diverse polymeric patterns, especially Diels-Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition. Fascinated by their diverse bioactivities and intriguing polycyclic architectures, synthetic chemists have engaged in the total synthesis of natural LSs in recent decades. In this review, the research achievements related to LSs from 1925 to July of 2023 are systematically and comprehensively summarized, focusing on the classification of their structures, chemical synthesis, and bioactivities, which will be helpful for further research on LSs and their oligomers.

SSPH I, A Novel Anti-cancer Saponin, Inhibits EMT and Invasion and Migration of NSCLC by Suppressing MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT/ mTOR Signaling Pathways

BACKGROUND

Saponin of Schizocapsa plantaginea Hance I (SSPH I).a bioactive saponin found in Schizocapsa plantaginea, exhibits significant anti-proliferation and antimetastasis in lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the anti-metastatic effects of SSPH I on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with emphasis on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

The effects of SSPH I at the concentrations of 0, 0.875,1.75, and 3.5 μM on A549 and PC9 lung cancer cells were evaluated using colony formation assay, CCK-8 assay, transwell assay and wound-healing assay. The actin cytoskeleton reorganization of PC9 and A549 cells was detected using the FITC-phalloidin fluorescence staining assay. The proteins related to EMT (N-cadherin, E-cadherin and vimentin), p- PI3K, p- AKT, p- mTOR and p- ERK1/2 were detected by Western blotting. A mouse model of lung cancer metastasis was established by utilizing 95-D cells, and the mice were treated with SSPH I by gavage.

RESULTS

The results suggested that SSPH I significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of NSCLC cells under a non-cytotoxic concentration. Furthermore, SSPH I at a non-toxic concentration of 0.875 μM inhibited F-actin cytoskeleton organization. Importantly, attenuation of EMT was observed in A549 cells with upregulation in the expression of epithelial cell marker E-cadherin and downregulation of the mesenchymal cell markers vimentin as well as Ncadherin. Mechanistic studies revealed that SSPH I inhibited MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

SSPH I inhibited EMT, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells by suppressing MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, suggesting that the natural compound SSPH I could be used for inhibiting metastasis of NSCLC.

PDZ and LIM Domain-Encoding Genes: Their Role in Cancer Development

PDZ-LIM family proteins (PDLIMs) are a kind of scaffolding proteins that contain PDZ and LIM interaction domains. As protein-protein interacting molecules, PDZ and LIM domains function as scaffolds to bind to a variety of proteins. The PDLIMs are composed of evolutionarily conserved proteins found throughout different species. They can participate in cell signal transduction by mediating the interaction of signal molecules. They are involved in many important physiological processes, such as cell differentiation, proliferation, migration, and the maintenance of cellular structural integrity. Studies have shown that dysregulation of the PDLIMs leads to tumor formation and development. In this paper, we review and integrate the current knowledge on PDLIMs. The structure and function of the PDZ and LIM structural domains and the role of the PDLIMs in tumor development are described.

Differential action of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic components of Danhong injection in ischemic vascular disease or tumor models

OBJECTIVE

We investigate the chemical basis and mechanism of angiogenesis regulation by a multicomponent Chinese medicine Danhong injection (DHI).

METHODS

DHI was fractionated and screened for angiogenesis activities by in vitro tube formation and migration assays. The composition of DHI components was determined by UPLC. The effects of the main active monomers on angiogenesis-related gene and protein expression in endothelial cells were determined by qPCR and Western blotting analyses. Mouse hind limb ischemia and tumor implant models were used to verify the angiogenesis effects in vivo by Laser Doppler and bioluminescent imaging, respectively.

RESULTS

Two distinct chemical components, one promoting (pro-angiogenic, PAC) and the other inhibiting (anti-angiogenic, AAC) angiogenesis, were identified in DHI. PAC enhanced angiogenesis and improved recovery of ischemic limb perfusion while AAC reduced Lewis lung carcinoma growth in vivo in VEGFR-2-Luc mice. Among the PAC or AAC monomers, caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid upregulated TSP1 expression and downregulated KDR and PECAM expression. Caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid significantly decreased while protocatechuic aldehyde increased CXCR4 expression, which are consistent with their differential effects on EC migration.

CONCLUSIONS

DHI is capable of bi-directional regulation of angiogenesis in disease-specific manner. The pro-angiogenesis activity of DHI promotes the repair of ischemic vascular injury, whereas the anti-angiogenesis activity inhibits tumor growth. The active pro- and anti-angiogenesis activities are composed of unique chemical combinations that differentially regulate angiogenesis-related gene networks.

Discovery of eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids with neuroprotective effects from the roots of Chloranthus serratus

Seven eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids, including three pairs of racemic compounds (1a-3a and 1b-3b) and a sesquiterpenoid lactone (4), were obtained from the roots of Chloranthus serratus. The structures of these sesquiterpenoids were characterized based on spectroscopic analyses, ECD calculations, and X-ray diffraction experiment. Neuroprotection assays of the isolated eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids were conducted on H₂O₂ damaged PC12 cells. At the concentration of 10 μM, compounds 1b and 4 increased cell viability from 54.8 ± 3.3% to 76.8 ± 2.3 and 72.7 ± 8.2%, respectively.

LIMK1 promotes peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer and is a therapeutic target

Peritoneal metastasis is a common form of metastasis among advanced gastric cancer patients. In this study, we reported the identification of LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1) as a promoter of gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis, and its potential to be a therapeutic target of dabrafenib (DAB). Using transcriptomic sequencing of paired gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis, primary tumors, and normal gastric tissues, we first unveiled that LIMK1 is selectively up-regulated in metastatic tumors. Increased LIMK1 in gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis was validated by immunohistochemistry analysis of an independent patient cohort. In vitro functional studies demonstrated that LIMK1 knockout or knockdown significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. LIMK1 knockout also abrogated peritoneal and liver metastases of gastric cancer cells in nude mice in vivo. Dabrafenib, a small molecule targeting LIMK1, was found to decrease cell migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells in vitro and abolish peritoneal and liver metastasis formation in vivo. Mechanistically, either LIMK1 knockout or Dabrafenib inhibited LIMK1 expression and phosphorylation of its downstream target cofilin. Taken together, our results demonstrated that LIMK1 functions as a metastasis promoter in gastric cancer by inhibiting LIMK1-p-cofilin and that Dabrafenib has the potential to serve as a novel treatment for gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis.

FOXD3‑AS1/miR‑128‑3p/LIMK1 axis regulates cervical cancer progression

Long non‑coding RNA forkhead box D3 antisense RNA 1 (FOXD3‑AS1) functions as an oncogenic regulator in several types of cancer, including breast cancer, glioma and cervical cancer. However, the effects and mechanisms underlying FOXD3‑AS1 in cervical cancer (CC) are not completely understood. The present study aimed to investigate the biological functions and potential molecular mechanisms underlying FOXD3‑AS1 in CC progression. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR was performed to detect FOXD3‑AS1, microRNA (miR)‑128‑3p and LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1) expression levels in CC tissues and cells. Immunohistochemical staining and western blotting were conducted to assess LIMK1 protein expression levels in CC tissues and cells, respectively. Cell Counting Kit‑8 and BrdU assays were used to determine the role of FOXD3‑AS1 in regulating cell proliferation. CC cell migration and invasion were assessed by performing Transwell assays. Dual‑luciferase reporter assays were conducted to verify the binding between miR‑128‑3p and FOXD3‑AS1. FOXD3‑AS1 expression was significantly increased in CC tissues and cell lines compared with adjacent healthy tissues and normal cervical epithelial cells, respectively. High FOXD3‑AS1 expression was significantly associated with poor differentiation of tumor tissues, increased tumor size and positive lymph node metastasis. FOXD3‑AS1 overexpression significantly increased CC cell proliferation, migration and invasion compared with the negative control (NC) group, whereas FOXD3‑AS1 knockdown resulted in the opposite effects compared with the small interfering RNA‑NC group. Moreover, the results demonstrated that FOXD3‑AS1 targeted and negatively regulated miR‑128‑3p, which indirectly upregulated LIMK1 expression. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that FOXD3‑AS1 upregulated LIMK1 expression via competitively sponging miR‑128‑3p in CC cells, promoting CC progression.

Sesquiterpenoids with neuroprotective activities from the Chloranthaceae plant Chloranthus henryi

A rare sesquiterpenoid possessing a 6/6 bicyclic system fused with two clustered furan units and a pair of guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids were acquired from the roots of Chloranthus henryi. Their structures with absolute configurations were characterized with spectroscopic data, ECD, and X-ray diffraction analysis. All three sesquiterpenoids showed moderate neuroprotective activities on PC12 cells damaged with hydrogen peroxide.

Combined LIM kinase 1 and p21-Activated kinase 4 inhibitor treatment exhibits potent preclinical antitumor efficacy in breast cancer

LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) and p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) are often over-expressed in breast tumors, which causes aggressive cancer phenotypes and unfavorable clinical outcomes. In addition to the well-defined role in regulating cell division, proliferation and invasion, the two kinases promote activation of the MAPK pathway and cause endocrine resistance through phosphorylating estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). PAK4 specifically phosphorylates LIMK1 and its functional partners, indicating possible value of suppressing both kinases in cancers that over-express PAK4 and/or LIMK1. Here, for the first time, we assessed the impact of combining LIMK1 inhibitor LIMKi 3 and PAK4 inhibitor PF-3758309 in preclinical breast cancer models. LIMK1 and PAK4 pharmacological inhibition synergistically reduced the survival of various cancer cell lines, exhibiting specific efficacy in luminal and HER2-enriched models, and suppressed development and ERα-driven signals in a BT474 xenograft model. In silico analysis demonstrated the cell lines with reliance on LIMK1 were the most prone to be susceptible to PAK4 inhibition. Double LIMK1 and PAK4 targeting therapy can be a successful therapeutic strategy for breast cancer, with a unique efficiency in the subtypes of luminal and HER2-enriched tumors.

Neuroprotective racemic germacranolides from the roots of Chloranthus henryi

Three pairs of new germacranolides, (+)/(-)-chlogermacrones A-C, along with two known analogues were obtained from the roots of Chloranthus henryi. Spectroscopic techniques and single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses were used for the structure elucidation of the compounds. All of the isolated compounds were tested for their neuroprotective effects on H₂O₂ damaged PC12 cells, compounds 3 and 5 increased cell viability from 43.4 ± 1.3% to 99.6 ± 8.7 and 68.1 ± 4.8% at 10 μM, respectively.

MiR-128-3p suppresses breast cancer cellular progression via targeting LIMK1

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women all over the world. MiRNAs are a type of small noncoding RNA that can regulate various cellular processes via binding different target genes in cancer cells. In this study, we found that miR-128-3p could suppress cellular proliferation and motility abilities of breast cancer. In addition, we found that overexpression of miR-128-3p arrested breast cancer cells in G0/G1 phase by affecting expression of CDK4/CDK6/Cyclin D1 and CDK2/Cyclin E1. Furthermore, we confirmed that LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1) is a direct target gene of miR-128-3p and that overexpression of miR-128-3p could suppress the expression levels of LIMK1 and Cofilin 1, which is downstream of LIMK1. TCGA clinical database showed that miR-128-3p was highly expressed in breast cancer patients and that high expression of miR-128-3p indicates a better prognosis of breast cancer. Our findings demonstrated that miR-128-3p could regulate cellular progression of breast cancer via regulating the LIMK1/CFL1 signaling pathway, and this new avenue could broaden existing versions of molecular mechanisms in breast cancer and perhaps represent potential novel direction of breast cancer treatment in the future.