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Li J, Huang Y, Xu J, Zuo H, Tang Y, Huang HY, Chen J, Lin YCD, Huang HD. Mechanism of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Kushen) in treating NSCLC: Insights from miRNA-mRNA network analysis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117232. [PMID: 37757992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Kushen) is the primary herb component of Compound Kushen Injection (CKI), an approved clinical treatment for tumors. Despite CKI's widespread use, the underlying mechanisms of Kushen regarding microRNA-target and pathway remain unclear in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to elucidate the crucial miRNAs-targets and pathways responsible for the Kushen's impact on NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS CCK8, colony formation, and apoptosis assays were performed to assess the effects of Kushen on NSCLC cells. Subsequently, we treated the A549 cell line with varying concentrations of Kushen to obtain mRNA and miRNA expression profiles. A DE (differentially expressed) miRNAs-DEGs network was then constructed to identify the critical miRNA-mRNA interaction influenced by Kushen. Furthermore, we performed clinical significance and prognosis analyses of hub genes to narrow down key genes and their corresponding miRNAs. Finally, the effects of Kushen on critical miRNA-mRNA interaction and related pathway were verified by in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS In this study, we initially demonstrated that Kushen significantly inhibited cell proliferation, suppressed colony formation, and induced apoptosis in the A549 cells, PC9 cells, and the A549 zebrafish xenograft model. Through expression profile analysis, a DE miRs-DEGs network was constructed with 16 DE miRs and 68 DEGs. Through the network analysis and expression validation, we found Kushen could significantly down-regulate miR-183-5p expression and up-regulate EGR1 expression. Additionally, Kushen affected the PTEN/Akt pathway, increasing PTEN expression and decreasing pAkt expression. Finally, matrine, the essential active compound of Kushen, also inhibited cell growth, induced apoptosis, and regulated miR-183-5p/EGR1 and PTEN/AKT pathway. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these findings supported the critical role of miR-183-5p/EGR1 and the PTEN/AKT pathway in the beneficial effects of Kushen on NSCLC, highlighting the therapeutic potential of Kushen in NSCLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China; Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China.
| | - Yixian Huang
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China; Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China.
| | - Jiatong Xu
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China; Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China.
| | - Huali Zuo
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China; Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China.
| | - Yun Tang
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China; Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China.
| | - Hsi-Yuan Huang
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China; Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China.
| | - Jihang Chen
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China.
| | - Yang-Chi-Dung Lin
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China; Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China.
| | - Hsien-Da Huang
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China; Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, PR China.
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Liu Y, Guo ZJ, Zhou XW. Chinese Cordyceps: Bioactive Components, Antitumor Effects and Underlying Mechanism-A Review. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27196576. [PMID: 36235111 PMCID: PMC9572669 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Chinese Cordyceps is a valuable source of natural products with various therapeutic effects. It is rich in various active components, of which adenosine, cordycepin and polysaccharides have been confirmed with significant immunomodulatory and antitumor functions. However, the underlying antitumor mechanism remains poorly understood. In this review, we summarized and analyzed the chemical characteristics of the main components and their pharmacological effects and mechanism on immunomodulatory and antitumor functions. The analysis revealed that Chinese Cordyceps promotes immune cells' antitumor function by via upregulating immune responses and downregulating immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment and resetting the immune cells' phenotype. Moreover, Chinese Cordyceps can inhibit the growth and metastasis of tumor cells by death (including apoptosis and autophagy) induction, cell-cycle arrest, and angiogenesis inhibition. Recent evidence has revealed that the signal pathways of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB), cysteine-aspartic proteases (caspases) and serine/threonine kinase Akt were involved in the antitumor mechanisms. In conclusion, Chinese Cordyceps, one type of magic mushroom, can be potentially developed as immunomodulator and anticancer therapeutic agents.
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Li W, Li J, Hu X, Xu L, Liu X, Qian Z, Jin L, Zhang Y, Wei J, Liu X. Tumour suppression by Chinese cordyceps extract via antiangiogenic activity. Mycol Prog 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11557-022-01821-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Li J, Cai H, Sun H, Qu J, Zhao B, Hu X, Li W, Qian Z, Yu X, Kang F, Wang W, Zou Z, Gu B, Xu K. Extracts of Cordyceps sinensis inhibit breast cancer growth through promoting M1 macrophage polarization via NF-κB pathway activation. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 260:112969. [PMID: 32422358 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cordyceps sinensis is a traditional Chinese medicine. It is widely reported that Cordyceps sinensis has inhibitory effect on tumor growth and immunoregulation effect on macrophages. However, the exact mechanism of Cordyceps sinensis on macrophage polarization in tumor progression is not known. AIM OF STUDY We aimed to investigate the role of extracts of Cordyceps sinensis on macrophage polarization and its underlying mechanism in antitumor activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS The 4T1 orthotopic xenograft mouse model and immunohistochemical staining were used to investigate the effect of Cordyceps sinensis on breast tumor and the change of the macrophages phenotype in the tumor, respectively. A 3D co-culture assay was used to confirm the activity in vitro. Measurement of cytokines and NO, quantitative real-time PCR and flow cytometry assays were used to investigate the effect of Cordyceps sinensis on the macrophage polarization in vitro. The mechanism of the effect of Cordyceps sinensis on macrophages was investigated by using western blot assays. RESULTS In the orthotopic mouse tumor model, Cordyceps sinensis inhibited the 4T1 tumor growth in a dose dependent manner, and the immunohistochemical staining analysis showed that there is a positive correlation between tumor growth inhibition and macrophage M1-like polarized phenotype. The cytokines and NO measurement, quantitative real-time PCR assay and flow cytometry assays confirmed that Cordyceps sinensis could promote macrophage differentiation toward the M1 phenotype. The 3D co-culture assay and western blot assay showed that Cordyceps sinensis could inhibit tumor growth by promoting macrophage polarization and enhance its activity by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that Cordyceps sinensis could potently suppress TNBC progression by promoting M1 phenotypic differentiation of macrophages via activation NF-κB signaling pathway in tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Hongwei Cai
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan, 523850, China
| | - Huihui Sun
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Jianbo Qu
- Center for Drug Evaluation, National Medical Products Administration, Beijing, 100022, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan, 523850, China
| | - Xuefeng Hu
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan, 523850, China
| | - Wenjia Li
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan, 523850, China
| | - Zhengming Qian
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan, 523850, China
| | - Xia Yu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Fenghua Kang
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Wenxuan Wang
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Zhenxin Zou
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Baohua Gu
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan, 523850, China.
| | - Kangping Xu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
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Yao CL, Qian ZM, Tian WS, Xu XQ, Yan Y, Shen Y, Lu SM, Li WJ, Guo DA. Profiling and identification of aqueous extract of Cordyceps sinensis by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry. Chin J Nat Med 2020; 17:631-640. [PMID: 31472901 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(19)30066-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Characterization of aqueous extract in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is challenging due to the poor retention of the analytes on conventional C18 columns. This study presents a systematic characterization method based on a rapid chromatographic separation (8 min) on a polar-modified C18 (Waters Cortecs T3) column of aqueous extract of Cordyceps sinensis. UHPLC-HRMS method was used to profile components in both untargeted and targeted manners by full MS/PIL/dd-MS2 acquisition approach. The components were identified or tentatively identified by reference standards comparison, fragmentation rules elucidation and available databases search. A total of 91 components, including 10 nucleobases, 20 nucleosides, 39 dipeptides, 18 amino acids and derivatives and 4 other components, were characterized from the aqueous extract of C. sinensis. And this was the first time to systematically report the presence of nucleosides and dipeptides in C. sinensis, especially for modified nucleosides. The chemical basis inquiry of this work would be beneficial to mechanism exploration and quality control of C. sinensis and related products. Meanwhile, this work also provided an effective solution for characterization of aqueous extract in TCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Liang Yao
- R&D Department, GenChim Testing (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China; Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Laboratory for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zheng-Ming Qian
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co. Ltd., Guangdong 523850, China
| | - Wen-Shuai Tian
- R&D Department, GenChim Testing (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Xiao-Qian Xu
- R&D Department, GenChim Testing (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Yu Yan
- R&D Department, GenChim Testing (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Yao Shen
- R&D Department, GenChim Testing (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Song-Mao Lu
- R&D Department, GenChim Testing (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Wen-Jia Li
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co. Ltd., Guangdong 523850, China.
| | - De-An Guo
- R&D Department, GenChim Testing (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China; Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Laboratory for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Cai H, Li J, Gu B, Xiao Y, Chen R, Liu X, Xie X, Cao L. Extracts of Cordyceps sinensis inhibit breast cancer cell metastasis via down-regulation of metastasis-related cytokines expression. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 214:106-112. [PMID: 29253616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cordyceps sinensis is a traditional Chinese medicine and has been used as adjuvant treatments for cancer and it has been also demonstrated to be effective in cancer patients. AIM OF THE STUDY The objective of the present study is to investigate the anti-metastasis effects of water extracts of Cordyceps sinensis (WECS) in breast cancer and the potential mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS The cytotoxicity of WECS on 4T1 breast cancer cells was evaluated in vitro using cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay. The in vivo anti-metastatic activity of intraperitoneally administered WECS and its effect on animal survival were measured in a mouse breast cancer metastasis model. To explore the molecular mechanisms of the anti-metastasis effect of WECS, the expression of matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9) in serum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, a protein array was used to examine the cytokine expression profiles in lung homogenates. RESULTS Treatment with WECS (0.10-0.40mg/ml) significantly inhibited 4T1 cell viability in vitro. In animal studies, 50mg/kg WECS significantly reduced the number of metastatic lung nodules and the weight of lung, without affecting body weight of mice. Furthermore, WECS increased the survival rate of 4T1 tumor bearing mice in a dose dependent manner, and at high dose, WECS (50mg/kg) significantly increased the life span of the mice compared to untreated control group. The expression level of MMP-9 in serum was decreased about 50% in 50mg/kg WECS treated group compared to control group. The results of protein array showed that the expression of CC chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17), MMP-9, osteopontin (OPN), interleukin-33 (IL-33), CC chemokine ligand 12 (CCL12) and CC chemokine ligand 6 (CCL6) in the lungs of 4T1 tumor bearing mice was increased more than two fold compared with normal mice. Among them, the expression of CCL17, MMP-9, OPN, IL-33 was significantly reduced by treatment of 50mg/kg WECS. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that WECS has potent anti-metastasis activity in a mouse breast cancer metastasis model possibly by down-regulation the expression of several metastasis-related cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Cai
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan 523850, China.
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan 523850, China.
| | - Baohua Gu
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan 523850, China.
| | - Ying Xiao
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan 523850, China.
| | - Rongsheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan 523850, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan 523850, China.
| | - Xiaomin Xie
- Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., LTD, Dongguan 523850, China.
| | - Li Cao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China.
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