Retracted Article: Panax notoginseng saponins regulate VEGF to suppress esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via DVL3-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling

[Therapeutic effect of Panax notoginseng saponins combined with cyclophosphamide in mice bearing hepatocellular carcinoma H22 cell xenograft]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the therapeutic effects of total saponins from Panax notognseng (PNS) combined with cyclophosphamide (CTX) in mice bearing hepatocellular carcinoma H22 cell xenograft.

METHODS

We examined the effects of treatment with different concentrations of PNS on H22 cell proliferation for 24 to 72 h in vitro using CCK8 colorimetric assay. Annexin V/PI double fluorescence staining was used to detect the effect of PNS on apoptosis of H22 cells. Mouse models bearing H22 cell xenograft were established and treated with CTX (25 mg/kg), PNS (120, 240 or 480 mg/kg), alone or in combinations. After treatments for consecutive 10 days, the mice were euthanized for examinations of carbon clearance ability of the monocytes and macrophages, splenic lymphocyte proliferation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), serum hemolysin antibody level, blood indicators, and the tumor inhibition rate.

RESULTS

Treatment with PNS concentration-dependently inhibited the proliferation and significantly promoted apoptosis of cultured H22 cells (P < 0.01). In the tumor-bearing mouse models, PNS alone and its combination with CTX both resulted in obvious enhancement of phagocytosis of the monocyte-macrophages, stimulated the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes, promoted the release of TNF-α and IL-2 and the production of serum hemolysin antibody, and increased the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Treatment with 480 mg/kg PNS combined with CTX resulted in a tumor inhibition rate of 83.28% (P < 0.01) and a life prolonging rate of 131.25% in the mouse models (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

PNS alone or in combination with CTX can improve the immunity and tumor inhibition rate and prolong the survival time of H22 tumor-bearing mice.

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum flavones exert anti-hepatic carcinoma property both in vitro and in vivo

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum has been regarded as an anticancer food in China. However, its corresponding mechanisms remains unclear. Thus, in this study, the antitumor activity of flavones-rich fraction of root of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum (FRTH) was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that FRTH could inhibit the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells in vitro by PI3K/AKT pathway. FRTH could increase the ROS level and change the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in HepG2 cells. In addition, FRTH treatment (300, 600 mg/kg BW) significantly suppressed tumor growth on HepG2 tumor-bearing nude mice. Besides, immunohistochemistry assays and western blotting revealed that FRTH enhanced the expression level of Bax/Bcl-2, cytochrome C, Caspase-3, caspase-9, Cleaved-caspase-3, and downregulated the expression level of CD31, ki67 and VEGF in HepG2 tumor-bearing mice. Our study suggests Tetrastigma hemsleyanum as a promising candidate medicine for liver cancer treatment.

Anticancer Potential of Raddeanin A, a Natural Triterpenoid Isolated from Anemone raddeana Regel

Natural compounds extracted from plants have gained immense importance in the fight against cancer cells due to their lesser toxicity and potential therapeutic effects. Raddeanin A (RA), an oleanane type triterpenoid is a major compound isolated from Anemone raddeana Regel. As an anticancer agent, RA induces apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, inhibits invasion, migration and angiogenesis in malignant cell lines as well as in preclinical models. In this systemic review, the pharmacological effects of RA and its underlying molecular mechanisms were carefully analyzed and potential molecular targets have been highlighted. The apoptotic potential of RA can be mediated through the modulation of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, cytochrome c and poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage. PI3K/Akt signaling pathway serves as the major molecular target affected by RA. Furthermore, RA can block cell proliferation through inhibition of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in colorectal cancer cells. RA can also alter the activation of NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways to suppress invasion and metastasis. RA has also exhibited promising anticancer potential against drug resistant cancer cells and can enhance the anticancer effects of several chemotherapeutic agents. Overall, RA may function as a promising compound in combating cancer, although further in-depth study is required under clinical settings to validate its efficacy in cancer patients.