Knockdown of p62/sequestosome enhances ginsenoside Rh2-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer HeLa cells with no effect on autophagy

miR-22a targets p62/SQSTM1 to negatively affect autophagy and disease resistance of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are integral to many biological functions, including autophagy, a process recently proven to be closely linked to innate immunity. In this study, we present findings on miR-22a, a teleost homolog of mammalian miR-22, illustrating its capacity to target the autophagy adaptor p62, subsequently inducing downregulation at both mRNA and protein levels. Utilizing Western blot analyses, we demonstrated that miR-22a inhibits the autophagy flux of CIK cells, correlated with an elevated presence of LC3 II. Additionally, the overexpression of miR-22a resulted in the suppression of NF-κB signaling, leading to reduced cellar antimicrobial abilities and increased apoptosis. These findings provide novel insights into the role of miR-22a as an autophagy-related miRNA and its immune mechanisms against pathogens via p62 in teleost, enriching our understanding of the interplay between autophagy and innate immunity.

Targeting the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway in cervical and endometrial cancers

Cervical and endometrial cancers are among the most dangerous gynaecological malignancies, with high fatality and recurrence rates due to frequent diagnosis at an advanced stage and chemoresistance onset. The NRF2/KEAP1 signalling pathway plays an important role in protecting cells against oxidative damage due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. NRF2, activated by ROS, induces the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as heme oxygenase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase which neutralize ROS, protecting cells against oxidative stress damage. However, activation of NRF2/KEAP1 signalling in cancer cells results in chemoresistance, inactivating drug-mediated oxidative stress and protecting cancer cells from drug-induced cell death. We review the literature on the role of the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway in cervical and endometrial cancers, with a focus on the expression of its components and downstream genes. We also examine the role of the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway in chemotherapy resistance and how this pathway can be modulated by natural and synthetic modulators.

Network analysis reveals miRNA crosstalk between periodontitis and oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the malignant tumors with a poor prognosis. Periodontitis (PD is considered a high-risk factor for OSCC, but the genetic mechanism is rarely studied. This study aims to link OSCC and PD by identifying common differentially expressed miRNAs (Co-DEmiRNAs), their related genes (Hub genes), transcription factors (TFs), signaling pathways, enrichment functions, and compounds, and searching for genetic commonalities.

METHODS

The miRNAs expression datasets of OSCC and PD were searched from the GEO database. The miRNA and related crosstalk mechanism between OSCC and PD was obtained through a series of analyses.

RESULTS

hsa-mir-497, hsa-mir-224, hsa-mir-210, hsa-mir-29c, hsa-mir-486-5p, and hsa-mir-31are the top miRNA nodes in Co-DEmiRNA-Target networks. The most significant candidate miRNA dysregulation genes are ZNF460, FBN1, CDK6, BTG2, and CBX6, while the most important dysregulation TF includes HIF1A, TP53, E2F1, MYCN, and JUN. 5-fluorouracil, Ginsenoside, Rh2, and Formaldehyde are the most correlated compounds. Enrichment analysis revealed cancer-related pathways and so on.

CONCLUSIONS

The comprehensive analysis reveals the interacting genetic and molecular mechanism between OSCC and PD, linking both and providing a foundation for future basic and clinical research.

Potential of ginsenoside Rh2and its derivatives as anti-cancer agents

As a steroid skeleton-based saponin, ginsenoside Rh₂ (G-Rh₂) is one of the major bioactive ginsenosides from the plants of genus Panax L. Many studies have reported the notable pharmacological activities of G-Rh₂ such as anticancer, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antiallergic, antidiabetic, and anti-Alzheimer's activities. Numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated the great potential of G-Rh₂ in the treatment of a wide range of carcinomatous diseases in vitro and in vivo. G-Rh₂ is able to inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, retard metastasis, promote differentiation, enhance chemotherapy and reverse multi-drug resistance against multiple tumor cells. The present review mainly summarizes the anticancer effects and related mechanisms of G-Rh₂ in various models as well as the recent advances in G-Rh₂ delivery systems and structural modification to ameliorate its anticancer activity and pharmacokinetics characteristics.

Natural and synthetic compounds in Ovarian Cancer: A focus on NRF2/KEAP1 pathway

Among gynecologic malignancies, ovarian cancer is one of the most dangerous, with a high fatality rate and relapse due to the occurrence of chemoresistance. Many researchers demonstrated that oxidative stress is involved in tumor occurrence, development and procession. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is an important transcription factor playing an important role in protecting against oxidative damage. Increased levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) activate NRF2 signaling inducing the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as heme oxygenase (HO-1), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) that protect cells against oxidative stress. However, NRF2 activation in cancer cells is responsible for the development of chemoresistance inactivating drug-mediated oxidative stress that normally leads cancer cells to death. In this review we analyzed the current literature regarding the role of natural and synthetic compounds in modulating NRF2/KEAP1 (Kelch Like ECH Associated Protein 1) pathway in in vitro models of ovarian cancer. In particular, we reported how these compounds can modulate chemotherapy response.

Normal and Pathological NRF2 Signalling in the Central Nervous System

The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) was originally described as a master regulator of antioxidant cellular response, but in the time since, numerous important biological functions linked to cell survival, cellular detoxification, metabolism, autophagy, proteostasis, inflammation, immunity, and differentiation have been attributed to this pleiotropic transcription factor that regulates hundreds of genes. After 40 years of in-depth research and key discoveries, NRF2 is now at the center of a vast regulatory network, revealing NRF2 signalling as increasingly complex. It is widely recognized that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in human physiological and pathological processes such as ageing, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. The high oxygen consumption associated with high levels of free iron and oxidizable unsaturated lipids make the brain particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. A good stability of NRF2 activity is thus crucial to maintain the redox balance and therefore brain homeostasis. In this review, we have gathered recent data about the contribution of the NRF2 pathway in the healthy brain as well as during metabolic diseases, cancer, ageing, and ageing-related neurodegenerative diseases. We also discuss promising therapeutic strategies and the need for better understanding of cell-type-specific functions of NRF2 in these different fields.

The potential inhibitory effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on mitophagy in UV-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts

Background

In addition to its use as a health food, ginseng is used in cosmetics and shampoo because of its extensive health benefits. The ginsenoside, Rh2, is a component of ginseng that inhibits tumor cell proliferation and differentiation, promotes insulin secretion, improves insulin sensitivity, and shows antioxidant effects.

Methods

The effects of Rh2 on cell survival, extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression, and cell differentiation were examined. The antioxidant effects of Rh2 in UV-irradiated normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells were also examined. The effects of Rh2 on mitochondrial function, morphology, and mitophagy were investigated in UV-irradiated NHDF cells.

Results

Rh2 treatment promoted the proliferation of NHDF cells. Additionally, Rh2 increased the expression levels of ECM proteins and growth-associated immediate-early genes in ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated NHDF cells. Rh2 also affected antioxidant protein expression and increased total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, treatment with Rh2 ameliorated the changes in mitochondrial morphology, induced the recovery of mitochondrial function, and inhibited the initiation of mitophagy in UV-irradiated NHDF cells.

Conclusion

Rh2 inhibits mitophagy and reinstates mitochondrial ATP production and membrane potential in NHDF cells damaged by UV exposure, leading to the recovery of ECM, cell proliferation, and antioxidant capacity.

Ginsenoside Rh2 Inhibits Glycolysis through the STAT3/c-MYC Axis in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2) is one of the pharmacologically active components of ginseng with an antitumor effect. However, its effect on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially on aerobic glycolysis, which plays a crucial role in the proliferation and progression of tumor cells, has not been characterized. Here, we demonstrated that Rh2 inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC cells by promoting apoptosis and suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition, respectively. Notably, Rh2 exerted a glycolysis inhibition effect through regulating GLUT1, PKM2, and LDHA, which are key enzymes of the glycolysis process. Furthermore, the metabolic shift function of Rh2 was dependent on the STAT3/c-Myc axis in NSCLC. This novel regulatory role of Rh2 provides a new perspective for NSCLC treatment and highlights the potentiality of Rh2 to be used as a tumor energy blocker. The combination of Rh2 with an STAT3 or c-Myc inhibitor revealed a promising therapeutic approach for patients with NSCLC.