The potential therapeutic effects of Galbanic acid on cancer

Investigating the Effect of Galbanic Acid on Lipin-1 and Lipin-2 Genes in Fatty Liver Cells with Palmitate

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is related to lipid accumulation and inflammation. Considering the role of lipin-1 and lipin-2 in fat homeostasis and inflammation, this study aimed to explore the effect of galbanic acid (Gal) and resveratrol (RSV) on alterations in the gene expression levels and protein abundance of lipin-1 and lipin-2 in HepG2 liver cells lipid-enriched with palmitate (Pal).

Materials and Methods

HepG2 cells were subjected to different amounts of Gal and RSV for 24 hours in the presence of Pal to induce lipid accumulation. The RT-PCR method was employed to assess the expression of lipin-1 and lipin-2 genes, while protein levels were evaluated by western blot analysis. Lipid accumulation was determined qualitatively and semi-quantitatively using the oil-red staining technique.

Results

Gal treatment increased lipin-1 and lipin-2 gene expression (P < 0.05). In contrast, the groups treated with RSV did not show a substantial variance in the expression levels of the two genes (P > 0.05). In the groups treated with Gal/RSV, the intensity of lipin-2 protein bands was higher compared to the Pal group (P > 0.01); however, the intensity of lipin-1 protein bands was not significantly different (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Gal, a coumarin compound, significantly increased the expression of lipin-1 and lipin-2 in HepG2 cells treated with Pal. Consequently, this research suggests gal as a novel strategy for regulating fat homeostasis in HepG2 cells.

Galbanic acid suppresses melanoma cell migration and invasion by reducing MMP activity and downregulating N-cadherin and fibronectin

High mortality rate of melanoma is due to the metastasis of malignant cells. Galbanic acid (GBA) is a natural sesquiterpene coumarin with valuable pharmaceutical activities. Our study aimed to investigate whether GBA can affect the migration, invasion, and adhesion of melanoma cells. The survival rate of B16F10 cells was measured using the alamarBlue assay. Scratch, adhesion, and invasion assays were performed to determine the effect of GBA on metastatic behavior of cells. Moreover, gelatin zymography was done to assess the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and qRT-PCR was used to investigate the effect of GBA on the expression of candidate genes. Based on the results of alamarBlue assay, 40 µM GBA was chosen as the optimum concentration for all tests. Our findings indicated that GBA significantly decreased the invasion and migration of B16F10 cells while enhancing their adhesion ability. In addition, gelatin zymography demonstrated that GBA reduced the enzymatic activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, qRT-PCR revealed that GBA reduced the expression of N-cadherin and fibronectin. Current findings demonstrated, for the first time, that GBA inhibited the migration and invasion of melanoma cells via reducing the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and downregulating N-cadherin and fibronectin expression. Accordingly, GBA could be suggested as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of melanoma.

The potential therapeutic effect of melatonin in oxaliplatin combination therapy against chemoresistant colorectal cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Oxaliplatin is one of the main therapeutics in colorectal cancer (CRC) chemotherapy. However, in light of multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype development, the efficacy of oxaliplatin has decreased. This study aimed to assess the potential therapeutic effect of melatonin in oxaliplatin combination therapy for drug-resistant colorectal cancer cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Initially, the oxaliplatin-resistant cell line was created of LS174T (LS174T/DR) by using the oxaliplatin IC50 concentration and resting cycles. MTT assays and flow cytometry were applied for assessing cell viability and apoptotic cells. The mRNA expression level of Bax, Bcl2, MT1, MT2, and ABCB1 as well as protein levels of ABCB1, Bcl2, BAX were measured by the qRT-PCR and western blot techniques respectively. P-gp activity was assessed by Rho123 staining. The IC50 concentration of oxaliplatin in resistant cells was increased from 500.7 ± 0.2 nM to 7119 ± 0.1 nM. Bcl2, MT1, MT2, and ABCB1 mRNA plus protein expression levels of Bcl2 and ABCB1 were significantly reduced in resistant cells, along with a marked increase in Bax mRNA and protein levels compared to parental cells. Rho 123 staining revealed a marked reduction in P-gp activities in the combination-treated group compared to the oxaliplatin-treated group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of cytotoxicity assays, MTT, and flow cytometry revealed that the combination of melatonin and oxaliplatin exerts synergistic effects on induction of oxaliplatin's cytotoxicity in CRC. Our research suggests that combining the treatments of melatonin and oxaliplatin may be considered as a new approach to overcoming oxaliplatin resistance in CRC patients.