Antitumor activity of the aqueous extract from Sedum sarmentosum Bunge in vitro

Simultaneous determination of eight flavonoids in Sedum sarmentosum Bunge from different areas by UHPLC with triple quadrupole MS/MS

Sedum sarmentosum Bunge (SSB) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine containing multiple components that has been extensively used clinically to treat chronic viral hepatitis and some inflammatory diseases. Total flavonoids are major pharmacologically active components of SSB. To gain a deeper understanding of SSB resources, we analyzed eight chemical constituents in 33 batches of SSB from 11 regions in China. An accurate, precise and sensitive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of eight flavonoids in SSB. Under the optimized chromatographic conditions, good separation for the eight target components was obtained on an Agilent Zobax SB C₁₈ (50 × 2.1 mm, 5 μm) column within 4 min. The established methods were validated with good linearity (r ≥ 0.9988), precision (RSD ≤ 2.68%), stability (1.43-3.28%) and repeatability (1.14-2.89%). Moreover, the average recoveries were 95.91-100.68%, and the RSDs were 1.50-3.80%. In addition, the analytical conditions of UPLC-ESI-MS/MS provided better sensitivity with a shorter analysis time when compared with the HPLC-DAD method. Hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis were performed to estimate and classify these samples based on the contents of the eight chemical constituents. This study provided the theoretical basis and scientific evidence for the development and utilization of SSB resources.

Flavanones from Sedum sarmentosum Bunge Alleviate CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats by Targeting TGF-β1/TβR/Smad Pathway In Turn Inhibiting Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition

Objective

The aim of the study is to evaluate the therapeutic effects of flavanones from Sedum sarmentosum Bunge (FSSB) on CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis in rats and the underlying mechanisms of action.

Methods

An experimental model of liver fibrosis was established by subcutaneous injection of rats with CCl₄ (40% v/v, 3 ml/kg) twice per week for six weeks. FSSB (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) was intragastrically administered once per day consecutively for five weeks.

Results

Our results showed that FSSB significantly attenuated CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis as evidenced by reducing the elevated levels of serum biochemical indexes and improving the histological changes, including decreasing the elevation in serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), hyaluronic acid (HA), and laminin (LN) level, reducing infiltration of inflammatory cells and collagen fibers in liver tissue. In addition, compared to the model group, FSSB markedly downregulated the protein and mRNA expression of TGF-β1, TGF-β1 receptors I and II (TβRI and TβRII), Smad2, Smad3, and Vimentin in liver tissue, at the mean time upregulating the expression of Smad7 and E-cadherin.

Conclusions

The results suggest that FSSB alleviated CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis probably through inhibition of TGF-β/TβR/Smad pathway in turn inhibiting epithelial mesenchymal transition.

Anti‑fibrotic effect of Sedum sarmentosum Bunge extract in kidneys via the hedgehog signaling pathway

Sedum sarmentosum Bunge (SSBE) is a perennial plant widely distributed in Asian countries, and its extract is traditionally used for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. Our previous studies demonstrated that SSBE has marked renal anti-fibrotic effects. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. The present study identified that SSBE exerts its inhibitory effect on the myofibroblast phenotype and renal fibrosis via the hedgehog signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. In rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), SSBE administration reduced kidney injury and alleviated interstitial fibrosis by decreasing the levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and its receptor, and inhibiting excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including type I and III collagens. In addition, SSBE suppressed the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and this anti-proliferative activity was associated with downregulation of hedgehog signaling activity in SSBE-treated UUO kidneys. In cultured renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs), recombinant TGF-β1 activated hedgehog signaling, and resulted in induction of the myofibroblast phenotype. SSBE treatment inhibited the activation of hedgehog signaling and partially reversed the fibrotic phenotype in TGF-β1-treated RTECs. Similarly, aristolochic acid-mediated upregulated activity of hedgehog signaling was reduced by SSBE treatment, and thereby led to the abolishment of excessive ECM accumulation. Therefore, these findings suggested that SSBE attenuates the myofibroblast phenotype and renal fibrosis via suppressing the hedgehog signaling pathway, and may facilitate the development of treatments for kidney fibrosis.

Chinese medicines for prevention and treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma: current progress on pharmacological actions and mechanisms

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of leading causes of death in the world. Although various treatments have been developed, the therapeutic side effects are far from desirable. Chinese medicines (CMs, including plants, animal parts and minerals) have drawn a great deal of attention in recent years for their potential in the treatment of HCC. Most studies have shown that CMs may be able to retard HCC progression with multiple actions, either alone or in combination with other conventional therapies to improve quality of life in HCC patients. Additionally, CMs are used for preventing HCC occurrence. The aim of this study is to review the potential prophylactic and curative effects of CMs on human HCC and the possible mechanisms that underlie these pharmacological actions. Publications were collected and reviewed from PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from 2000 to 2014. Keywords for literature searches include "Chinese medicine", "Chinese herb", "traditional Chinese Medicine", "hepatocellular carcinoma" and "liver cancer". CMs in forms of pure compounds, isolated fractions, and composite formulas are included. Combination therapies are also considered. Both in vitro and in vivo efficacies of CMs are being discussed and the translational potential to bedside is to be discussed with clinical cases, which show the actions of CMs on HCC may include tumor growth inhibition, antimetastatic activities, anti-inflammation, anti-liver cancer stem cells, reversal on multi-drug resistance and induction/reduction of oxidative stress. Multiple types of molecules are found to contribute in the above actions. The review paper indicated that CMs might have potential to both prevent HCC occurrence and retard HCC progression with several molecular targets involved.

Traditional Chinese medicine for prevention and treatment of hepatocarcinoma: From bench to bedside

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played a positive role in the management of hepatocarcinoma. Hepatocarcinoma patients may present Qi-stagnation, damp-heat, blood stasis, Qi-deficiency, Yin-deficiency and other TCM syndromes (Zheng). Modern treatments such as surgery, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and high intensity focus ultrasound treatment would influence the manifestation of TCM syndromes. Herbs with traditional efficacy of tonifying Qi, blood and Yin, soothing liver-Qi stagnation, clearing heat and detoxifying and dissolving stasis, have been demonstrated to be potent to prevent hepatocarcinogenesis. TCM has been widely used in all aspects of integrative therapy in hepatocarcinoma, including surgical resection, liver transplantation, TACE, local ablative therapies and even as monotherapy for middle-advanced stage hepatocarcinoma. Clinical practices have confirmed that TCM is effective to alleviate clinical symptoms, improve quality of life and immune function, prevent recurrence and metastasis, delay tumor progression, and prolong survival time in hepatocarcinoma patients. The effective mechanism of TCM against hepatocarcinoma is related to inducing apoptosis, autophagy, anoikis and cell senescence, arresting cell cycle, regulating immune function, inhibiting metastasis and angiogenesis, reversing drug resistance and enhancing effects of chemotherapy. Along with the progress of research in this field, TCM will contribute more to the prevention and treatment of hepatocarcinoma.

Sedum sarmentosum Bunge extract exerts renal anti-fibrotic effects in vivo and in vitro

AIMS

Sedum sarmentosum Bunge, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has a wide range of clinical effects, including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer properties. In this study, we determined whether S. sarmentosum Bunge Extract (SSBE) has anti-fibrotic effects on renal tissues.

MAIN METHODS

We investigated the effects of SSBE on aristolochic acid (AA)-induced injury to renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) in vitro and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis in vivo by evaluating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Furthermore, we examined the expression levels of TGF-β1 and its receptor.

KEY FINDINGS

In cultured RTECs (NRK-52E), AA promoted renal EMT and ECM accumulation by up-regulating the expression of mesenchymal markers and ECM components and by down-regulating the expression of epithelial markers. In addition, AA induced an imbalance between MMP-2 and TIMP-2 and enhanced expression of TGF-β1 and its receptor. SSBE treatment significantly inhibited AA-induced TGF-β1 expression and prevented the induction of EMT and deposition of ECM. In the UUO rats, tubular injury and interstitial fibrosis were obviously increased. SSBE administration protected renal function, as indicated by reduced serum creatinine levels, and alleviated renal interstitial fibrosis. These anti-fibrotic effects were associated with a reduction in TGF-β1 expression and inhibition of EMT and ECM accumulation.

SIGNIFICANCE

These findings suggest that SSBE may have therapeutic potential for fibrotic kidney diseases.

Advances in understanding the role of STAT3 in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an important nuclear transcription factor that, once activated, can regulate the transcription of target genes. STAT3 is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It has been demonstrated that STAT3 can be activated by HBV, HCV and diverse oncoproteins. The dysregulation of STAT/SOCS signaling also results in constitutive activation of STAT3. Aberrantly activated STAT3 can contribute to the malignant transformation of liver cells and result in the occurrence of HCC by inducing dysregulation of c-Myc, EGFR, TGF, survivin and VEGF. This paper summarizes the critical role of STAT3 in the pathogenesis of HCC and explores the possibility of using STAT3 as a target for HCC therapy.