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Majnooni MB, Fakhri S, Ghanadian SM, Bahrami G, Mansouri K, Iranpanah A, Farzaei MH, Mojarrab M. Inhibiting Angiogenesis by Anti-Cancer Saponins: From Phytochemistry to Cellular Signaling Pathways. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13030323. [PMID: 36984763 PMCID: PMC10052344 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13030323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Saponins are one of the broadest classes of high-molecular-weight natural compounds, consisting mainly of a non-polar moiety with 27 to 30 carbons and a polar moiety containing sugars attached to the sapogenin structure. Saponins are found in more than 100 plant families as well as found in marine organisms. Saponins have several therapeutic effects, including their administration in the treatment of various cancers. These compounds also reveal noteworthy anti-angiogenesis effects as one of the critical strategies for inhibiting cancer growth and metastasis. In this study, a comprehensive review is performed on electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest. Accordingly, the structural characteristics of triterpenoid/steroid saponins and their anti-cancer effects were highlighted, focusing on their anti-angiogenic effects and related mechanisms. Consequently, the anti-angiogenic effects of saponins, inhibiting the expression of genes related to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α) are two main anti-angiogenic mechanisms of triterpenoid and steroidal saponins. The inhibition of inflammatory signaling pathways that stimulate angiogenesis, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs), and phosphoinositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), are other anti-angiogenic mechanisms of saponins. Furthermore, the anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer activity of saponins was closely related to the binding site of the sugar moiety, the type and number of their monosaccharide units, as well as the presence of some functional groups in their aglycone structure. Therefore, saponins are suitable candidates for cancer treatment by inhibiting angiogenesis, for which extensive pre-clinical and comprehensive clinical trial studies are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Bagher Majnooni
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6714415153, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
| | - Sajad Fakhri
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
| | - Syed Mustafa Ghanadian
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8174673461, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Bahrami
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
| | - Kamran Mansouri
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6714415185, Iran
| | - Amin Iranpanah
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hosein Farzaei
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
- Correspondence: or (M.H.F.); (M.M.); Tel.: +98-08334266780 (M.M.)
| | - Mahdi Mojarrab
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
- Correspondence: or (M.H.F.); (M.M.); Tel.: +98-08334266780 (M.M.)
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Lei F, Weckerle CS, Heinrich M. Liriopogons (Genera Ophiopogon and Liriope, Asparagaceae): A Critical Review of the Phytochemical and Pharmacological Research. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:769929. [PMID: 34925027 PMCID: PMC8678496 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.769929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The closely related genera Liriope and Ophiopogon (Asparagaceae), collectively known in English as liriopogons, have similar therapeutic uses in treating cough, rheumatoid arthritis, and cleaning heat. The main aim of this review is to understand the current phytochemical and pharmacological knowledge including an assessment of the quality of the scientific evidence. A literature search was conducted in line with PRISMA guidelines, by retrieving available information up to 2020 from five online resources. The bioactive metabolites of liriopogons include steroidal saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, organic acids, phenols. Cardiovascular protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, anti-viral, anti-acute myeloid leukemia and hepatoprotective effects have been at the center of attention. From a toxicological perspective Ophiopogon japonicus seems to be safe. Some problems with the quality of the pharmacological evidence stand out including the application of excessive dose level and methodological problems in the design. Additionally, a reasonable link between local/traditional uses and pharmacological assessment is often vague or not reflected in the text. Future researches on liriopogons are required to use rigorous scientific approaches in research on evidence-based natural products for the future benefits of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyi Lei
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline S Weckerle
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Heinrich
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Rehan M, Shafiullah, Mir SA. Structural diversity, natural sources, and pharmacological potential of plant-based saponins with special focus on anticancer activity: a review. Med Chem Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-020-02600-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Mu LH, Wang LH, Wang YN, Liu P, Yan C. Antiangiogenic effects of AG36, a triterpenoid saponin from Ardisia gigantifolia stapf. J Nat Med 2020; 74:732-740. [PMID: 32643027 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-020-01427-4] [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: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AG36 is a triterpenoid saponin from Ardisia gigantifolia stapf. Our recent studies proved that AG36 displayed prominent cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, whether AG36 has antiangiogenic properties is unknown. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the antiangiogenic effect of AG36 and the underlying mechanism. The results indicated that AG36 could significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Further antiangiogenic molecular mechanism investigation showed that AG36 significantly suppressed phosphorylated FAK and AKT, and downregulated the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in HUVECs. PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) and FAK inhibitor (PF562271) pretreatment could markedly enhance AG36-induced inhibition of HUVEC proliferation and p-FAK suppression, respectively. In addition, AG36 inhibited the tumor growth in xenograft model and expressions of p-VEGFR2 and p-Akt in vivo. Molecular docking simulation indicated that AG36 formed hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions within the ATP binding pocket of VEGFR2 kinase domain. The present study firstly revealed the high antiangiogenic potency and related underlying molecular of AG36, demonstrating that AG36 maybe a potential antiangiogenic cancer therapy agent or lead candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hua Mu
- Medical Supplies Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Li-Hua Wang
- Medical Supplies Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yu-Ning Wang
- First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Medical Supplies Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Can Yan
- Department of Basic Theory of Chinese Medicine, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China. .,The Research Centre of Basic Integrative Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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Xia C, Chen L, Sun W, Yan R, Xia M, Wang Y, Yang D. Total saponins from Paris forrestii (Takht) H. Li. show the anticancer and RNA expression regulating effects on prostate cancer cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 121:109674. [PMID: 31810132 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Paris forrestii is a unique plant found in Tibet and Yunnan, China, and total saponins from Paris forrestii (PCT3) contain anticancer steroid glycosides. RNA expression plays an important role in various biological processes. However, the cytotoxicity effects and mechanisms of PCT3 in relation to prostate cancer (PCa) cells have not yet been reported. In the present study, the antitumor activity of PCT3 on PCa cells was evaluated. PCT3 displayed potent anticancer effects toward PCa cells that were similar to the effects of pure saponins from P. forrestii, but PCT3 had less activity in suppressing the prostate epithelial cell line RWPE. Furthermore, using CCK-8 assays, Edu incorporation, colony formation assays, Annexin V/PI assays and western blotting, we found that treatment with 4 μg/mL PCT3 significantly decreased proliferation and induced apoptosis in PCa cells. Using wound healing and transwell assays, we demonstrated that treatment with 2 μg/mL PCT3 significantly suppressed the migration and invasion of PCa cells. To explore the molecular mechanisms behind the anticancer effect of PCT3, PCT3 (5 μg/mL) treated and untreated PCa cells (LNCAP and PC3 cell lines) were analyzed using transcriptomics. Taking the commonly differentially expressed genes (log2FC > 0.585) in both cell lines, 41 mRNAs and 5 lncRNAs were eventually identified. Bioinformatics analysis (GO and KEGG analyses) revealed that some genes involved in classical cell proliferation and apoptosis pathways were aberrantly expressed after PCT3 treatment of PCa cells. By using q-PCR, the expression levels of NEAT1, MALAT1, TIPIN, LYAR, IQGAP3, GINS2, and ZGRF1 were validated as consistent with microarray data, suggesting that these genes might participate in the PCT3 anticancer effect. The present study suggests that PCT3 exhibits an anticancer effect on PCa and reveals some crucial lncRNAs and mRNAs that are involved in the anticancer mechanisms of PCT3 on Pca.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxing Xia
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650101, China
| | - Liu Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Medicine, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Wanghong Sun
- Department of Urology, Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji 311800, China
| | - Ruping Yan
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650101, China
| | - Mengyuan Xia
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology and Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yuehu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology and Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Delin Yang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650101, China.
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Upadhyay S, Jeena GS, Shukla RK. Recent advances in steroidal saponins biosynthesis and in vitro production. PLANTA 2018; 248:519-544. [PMID: 29748819 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-018-2911-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Steroidal saponins exhibited numerous pharmacological activities due to the modification of their backbone by different cytochrome P450s (P450) and UDP glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Plant-derived steroidal saponins are not sufficient for utilizing them for commercial purpose so in vitro production of saponin by tissue culture, root culture, embryo culture, etc, is necessary for its large-scale production. Saponin glycosides are the important class of plant secondary metabolites, which consists of either steroidal or terpenoidal backbone. Due to the existence of a wide range of medicinal properties, saponin glycosides are pharmacologically very important. This review is focused on important medicinal properties of steroidal saponin, its occurrence, and biosynthesis. In addition to this, some recently identified plants containing steroidal saponins in different parts were summarized. The high throughput transcriptome sequencing approach elaborates our understanding related to the secondary metabolic pathway and its regulation even in the absence of adequate genomic information of non-model plants. The aim of this review is to encapsulate the information related to applications of steroidal saponin and its biosynthetic enzymes specially P450s and UGTs that are involved at later stage modifications of saponin backbone. Lastly, we discussed the in vitro production of steroidal saponin as the plant-based production of saponin is time-consuming and yield a limited amount of saponins. A large amount of plant material has been used to increase the production of steroidal saponin by employing in vitro culture technique, which has received a lot of attention in past two decades and provides a way to conserve medicinal plants as well as to escape them for being endangered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Upadhyay
- Biotechnology Division (CSIR-CIMAP), Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, (CSIR-CIMAP) P.O. CIMAP (a laboratory under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India), Near Kukrail Picnic Spot, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Gajendra Singh Jeena
- Biotechnology Division (CSIR-CIMAP), Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, (CSIR-CIMAP) P.O. CIMAP (a laboratory under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India), Near Kukrail Picnic Spot, Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Shukla
- Biotechnology Division (CSIR-CIMAP), Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, (CSIR-CIMAP) P.O. CIMAP (a laboratory under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India), Near Kukrail Picnic Spot, Lucknow, 226015, India.
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Lu Y, Xu Q, Zuo Y, Liu L, Liu S, Chen L, Wang K, Lei Y, Zhao X, Li Y. Isoprenaline/β2-AR activates Plexin-A1/VEGFR2 signals via VEGF secretion in gastric cancer cells to promote tumor angiogenesis. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:875. [PMID: 29262812 PMCID: PMC5738852 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3894-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The role of stress signals in regulating gastric cancer initiation and progression is not quite clear. It is known that stress signals modulate multiple processes such as immune function, cell migration and angiogenesis. However, few studies have investigated the mechanisms of how stress signals contribute to gastric cancer angiogenesis. Methods Here, we used β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) agonist isoprenaline to imitate a stress signal and demonstrated the molecular mechanism underlying stress’s influence on tumor angiogenesis. Results We found that isoprenaline stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion in gastric cancer cells and plexin-A1 expression was induced by human recombinant VEGF165 in both gastric cancer cells and vascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, interfere with plexin-A1 expression in gastric cancer cells influence HUVEC tube formation, migration and tumor growth in vivo. Conclusions These findings suggest that isoprenaline stimulate VGEF secretion and subsequently up-regulate the expression of plexin-A1 and VEGFR2 in gastric cancer cells, which form a positive impetus to promote tumor angiogenesis. This study reveals a novel molecular mechanism that a stress signal like isoprenaline may enhance angiogenesis via activating plexin-A1/VEGFR2 signaling pathway in gastric cancer, which may be a potential target in development of an anti-angiogenic therapy for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjie Lu
- Department of Pathology; Cancer Research Laboratory, Chengde Medical College, Shangerdaohezi Avenue, Chengde, Hebei, 067000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Xu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengde Medical College, Chengde, 067000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanzhen Zuo
- Department of Pharmacology, Chengde Medical College, Chengde, 067000, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Microorganism, Chengde Medical College, Chengde, 067000, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaochen Liu
- Department of Pathology, Chengde Medical College, Chengde, 067000, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of General Surgery, the 266th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Puning Avenue, Chengde, Hebei, 067000, People's Republic of China
| | - Kang Wang
- Department of Pathology, Chengde Medical College, Chengde, 067000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuntao Lei
- Department of Pathology, Chengde Medical College, Chengde, 067000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangyang Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, the 266th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Puning Avenue, Chengde, Hebei, 067000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuhong Li
- Department of Pathology; Cancer Research Laboratory, Chengde Medical College, Shangerdaohezi Avenue, Chengde, Hebei, 067000, People's Republic of China.
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Xu XH, Li T, Fong CMV, Chen X, Chen XJ, Wang YT, Huang MQ, Lu JJ. Saponins from Chinese Medicines as Anticancer Agents. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21101326. [PMID: 27782048 PMCID: PMC6272920 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21101326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Saponins are glycosides with triterpenoid or spirostane aglycones that demonstrate various pharmacological effects against mammalian diseases. To promote the research and development of anticancer agents from saponins, this review focuses on the anticancer properties of several typical naturally derived triterpenoid saponins (ginsenosides and saikosaponins) and steroid saponins (dioscin, polyphyllin, and timosaponin) isolated from Chinese medicines. These saponins exhibit in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects, such as anti-proliferation, anti-metastasis, anti-angiogenesis, anti-multidrug resistance, and autophagy regulation actions. In addition, related signaling pathways and target proteins involved in the anticancer effects of saponins are also summarized in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Huang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
| | - Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
| | - Chi Man Vivienne Fong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
| | - Xiuping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
| | - Xiao-Jia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
| | - Yi-Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
| | - Ming-Qing Huang
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
| | - Jin-Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
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