Ginsenoside Rh2 mitigates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting apoptotic and inflammatory damage and weakening pathological remodelling in breast cancer-bearing mice

Role of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity: A Brief Account

Cardiotoxicity is the main side effect of several chemotherapeutic drugs. Doxorubicin (Doxo) is one of the most used anthracyclines in the treatment of many tumors, but the development of acute and chronic cardiotoxicity limits its clinical usefulness. Different studies focused only on the effects of long-term Doxo administration, but recent data show that cardiomyocyte damage is an early event induced by Doxo after a single administration that can be followed by progressive functional decline, leading to overt heart failure. The knowledge of molecular mechanisms involved in the early stage of Doxo-induced cardiotoxicity is of paramount importance to treating and/or preventing it. This review aims to illustrate several mechanisms thought to underlie Doxo-induced cardiotoxicity, such as oxidative and nitrosative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, here we report data from both in vitro and in vivo studies indicating new therapeutic strategies to prevent Doxo-induced cardiotoxicity.

Dietary interventions and tumor response to chemotherapy in breast cancer: A comprehensive review of preclinical and clinical data

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Optimizing treatment efficacy is still a critical part in advancing the treatment of breast cancer. Dietary interventions have drawn significant attention for their potential to increase tumor sensitivity, with a plethora of strategies evaluated both preclinically and clinically. The aim of this paper is to explore these strategies, ranging from entire dietary programs to specific supplements, for their potential to directly enhance tumor sensitivity and chemotherapy adherence.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched up to September 2023. In this comprehensive review, preclinical and clinical research on dietary interventions used in conjunction with chemotherapy for breast cancer was examined and synthesized, to identify potential causal mechanisms.

RESULTS

42 studies in total were identified and synthesized, 32 pre-clinical and 8 clinical studies.

CONCLUSION

Although a topic of intense interest, the heterogeneity in approaches has resulted in a large but minimally impactful evidence base, further complicated by a limited understanding of the mechanisms at play. This review highlights the areas for further research to increase opportunities for nutritional-based interventions as adjuvant to chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Unraveling links between aging, circadian rhythm and cancer: Insights from evidence-based analysis

Aging and circadian rhythms have been connected for decades, but their molecular interaction has remained unknown, especially for cancers. In this situation, we summarized the current research actuality and problems in this field using the bibliometric analysis. Publications in the PubMed and Web of Science databases were retrieved. Overall, there is a rising trend in the publication volume regarding aging and circadian rhythms in the field of cancer. Researchers from USA, Germany, Italy, China and England have greater studies than others. Top three publication institutions are University of California System, UDICE-French Research Universities and University of Texas System. Current research hotspots include oxidative stress, breast cancer, melatonin, cell cycle, calorie restriction, prostate cancer and NF-KB. In conclusion, results generated by bibliometric analysis indicate that many approaches involve in the complex interactions between aging and circadian rhythm in cancer. These established and emerging research directions guide our exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of aging and circadian rhythms in cancer and provide a reference for developing new research avenues.

Integrating Chinese medicine into mainstream cancer therapies: a promising future

Malignant tumors are complex systemic chronic diseases and one of the major causes of human mortality. Targeted therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy are examples of mainstream allopathic medicine treatments that effective for intermediate and advanced malignant tumors. The ongoing use of conventional allopathic medicine has resulted in adverse responses and drug resistance, which have hampered its efficacy. As an important component of complementary and alternative medicine, Chinese medicine has been found to have antitumor effects and has played an important role in enhancing the therapeutic sensitivity of mainstream allopathic medicine, reducing the incidence of adverse events and improving immune-related functions. The combined application of adjuvant Chinese medicine and mainstream allopathic medicine has begun to gain acceptance and is gradually used in the field of antitumor therapy. Traditional natural medicines and their active ingredients, as well as Chinese patent medicines, have been proven to have excellent therapeutic efficacy and good safety in the treatment of various malignant tumors. This paper focuses on the mechanism of action and research progress of combining the above drugs with mainstream allopathic medicine to increase therapeutic sensitivity, alleviate drug resistance, reduce adverse reactions, and improve the body's immune function. To encourage the clinical development and use of Chinese herb adjuvant therapy as well as to provide ideas and information for creating safer and more effective anticancer medication combinations, the significant functions of Chinese herb therapies as adjuvant therapies for cancer treatment are described in detail.

Ginsenosides: an immunomodulator for the treatment of colorectal cancer

Ginsenosides, the primary bioactive ingredients derived from the root of Panax ginseng, are eagerly in demand for tumor patients as a complementary and alternative drug. Ginsenosides have increasingly become a "hot topic" in recent years due to their multifunctional role in treating colorectal cancer (CRC) and regulating tumor microenvironment (TME). Emerging experimental research on ginsenosides in the treatment and immune regulation of CRC has been published, while no review sums up its specific role in the CRC microenvironment. Therefore, this paper systematically introduces how ginsenosides affect the TME, specifically by enhancing immune response, inhibiting the activation of stromal cells, and altering the hallmarks of CRC cells. In addition, we discuss their impact on the physicochemical properties of the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, we discuss the application of ginsenosides in clinical treatment as their efficacy in enhancing tumor patient immunity and prolonging survival. The future perspectives of ginsenoside as a complementary and alternative drug of CRC are also provided. This review hopes to open up a new horizon for the cancer treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine monomers.

Unveiling the pharmacological potential of plant triterpenoids in breast cancer management: an updated review

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer, the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women globally. Recent research has provided increasing support for the significance of phytochemicals, both dietary and non-dietary, particularly triterpenoids, in the mitigation and management of breast cancer. Recent studies showed that triterpenoids are promising agents in the treatment and inhibition of breast cancer achieved through the implementation of several molecular modes of action on breast cancer cells. This review discusses recent innovations in plant triterpenoids and their underlying mechanisms of action in combating breast cancer within the timeframe spanning from 2017 to 2023. The present work is an overview of different plant triterpenoids with significant inhibition on proliferation, migration, apoptosis resistance, tumor angiogenesis, or metastasis in various breast cancer cells. The anticancer impact of triterpenoids may be attributed to their antiproliferative activity interfering with angiogenesis and differentiation, regulation of apoptosis, DNA polymerase inhibition, change in signal transductions, and impeding metastasis. The present review focuses on several targets, mechanisms, and pathways associated with pentacyclic triterpenoids, which are responsible for their anticancer effects. We could conclude that natural triterpenoids are considered promising agents to conquer breast cancer.

A review of chemotherapeutic drugs-induced arrhythmia and potential intervention with traditional Chinese medicines

Significant advances in chemotherapy drugs have reduced mortality in patients with malignant tumors. However, chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity increases the morbidity and mortality of patients, and has become the second leading cause of death after tumor recurrence, which has received more and more attention in recent years. Arrhythmia is one of the common types of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, and has become a new risk related to chemotherapy treatment, which seriously affects the therapeutic outcome in patients. Traditional Chinese medicine has experienced thousands of years of clinical practice in China, and has accumulated a wealth of medical theories and treatment formulas, which has unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of malignant diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine may reduce the arrhythmic toxicity caused by chemotherapy without affecting the anti-cancer effect. This paper mainly discussed the types and pathogenesis of secondary chemotherapeutic drug-induced arrhythmia (CDIA), and summarized the studies on Chinese medicine compounds, Chinese medicine Combination Formula and Chinese medicine injection that may be beneficial in intervention with secondary CDIA including atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmia and sinus bradycardia, in order to provide reference for clinical prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced arrhythmias.

DUSP22 Ameliorates Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in HUVECs through Smad2/3 and MAPK Signaling Pathways

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is the process by which endothelial cells lose their endothelial properties and acquire mesenchymal characteristics. Dual-specific protein phosphatase 22 (DUSP22) inactivates various protein kinases and transcription factors by dephosphorylating serine/threonine residues: hence, it plays a key role in many diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the functional role of DUSP22 in EndMT. In the transforming growth factor-β-induced EndMT model in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we observed a downregulation of DUSP22 expression. This DUSP22 deficiency could aggravate EndMT. Conversely, the overexpression of DUSP22 could ameliorate EndMT. We used signaling pathway inhibitors to verify our results and found that DUSP22 could regulate EndMT through the smad2/3 and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In summary, DUSP22 ameliorates EndMT in HUVECs in vitro through the smad2/3 and MAPK signaling pathways.

Ginsenoside Rh2 enhances immune surveillance of natural killer (NK) cells via inhibition of ERp5 in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

One critical component of the immune system that prevents breast cancer cells from forming distant metastasis is natural killer (NK) cells participating in immune responses to tumors. Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) as one of the major active ingredients of ginseng has been employed in treatment of cancers, but the function of GRh2 in modulating the development of breast cancer remains elusive.

PURPOSE

This study was to dissect the effect of GRh2 against breast cancer and its potential mechanisms associated with NK cells, both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells were used to establish in situ and hematogenous mouse models. MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were respectively co-cultured with NK92MI cells or primary NK cells in vitro. Anti-tumor efficacy of GRh2 was verified by immunohistochemistry (IHC), Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), high resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning of lungs and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometry, in vivo depletion of NK cells, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunofluorescence and cell transfection were performed for investigating the anti-tumor mechanisms of GRh2. Molecular docking, microscale thermophoresis (MST) and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) were employed to determine the binding between endoplasmic reticulum protein 5 (ERp5) and GRh2.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that GRh2 exerted prominent impacts on retarding the growth and metastasis of breast cancer through boosting the cytotoxic function of NK cells, as validated by the elevated release of perforin, granzyme B and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Mechanistical studies revealed that GRh2 was capable of diminishing the expression of ERp5 and GRh2 directly bound to ERp5 in MDA-MB-231 cells as well as on a recombinant protein level. GRh2 prevented the formation of soluble MICA (sMICA) and upregulated the expression level of MICA in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, the reduced lung metastasis of breast cancer by GRh2 was almost abolished upon the depletion of NK cells. Moreover, GRh2 was able to insert into the binding pocket of ERp5 directly.

CONCLUSION

We firstly demonstrated that GRh2 played a pivotal role in augmenting NK cell activity by virtue of modulating the NKG2D-MICA signaling axis via directly binding to ERp5, and may be further optimized to a therapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer.

Non-coding RNAs: Emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a persistent inflammatory condition affecting the colon's mucosal lining, leading to chronic bowel inflammation. Despite extensive research, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying UC pathogenesis remain elusive. NcRNAs form a category of functional RNA molecules devoid of protein-coding capacity. They have recently surfaced as pivotal modulators of gene expression and integral participants in various pathological processes, particularly those related to inflammatory disorders. The diverse classes of ncRNAs, encompassing miRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs, have been implicated in UC. It highlights their involvement in key UC-related processes, such as immune cell activation, epithelial barrier integrity, and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. ncRNAs have been identified as potential biomarkers for UC diagnosis and monitoring disease progression, offering promising avenues for personalized medicine. This approach may pave the way for novel, more specific treatments with reduced side effects, addressing the current limitations of conventional therapies. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between ncRNAs and UC will advance our knowledge of the disease, potentially leading to more effective and personalized treatments for patients suffering from this debilitating condition. This review explores the pivotal role of ncRNAs in the context of UC, shedding light on their possible targets for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic interventions.

20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 inhibits angiotensin-2 mediated cardiac remodeling and inflammation associated with suppression of the JNK/AP-1 pathway

BACKGROUND

Enhanced levels of angiotensin-2 (Ang-II) causes hypertensive heart failure (HHF) through non-hemodynamical and hemodynamical alterations. 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 (20(S)-Rh2) is a natural ginseng compound with numerous cardiovascular benefits. This investigation elucidates the influence of 20(S)-Rh2 on Ang-II-induced heart failure and cardiac alterations.

METHODS

Ang-II was administered in C57BL/6 mice for 4 weeks to induce HHF. In the last 2 weeks of treatment, 20(S)-Rh2 was orally administered in mice to assess the potential 20(S)-Rh2 mechanism. Subsequently, RNA sequencing was carried out.

RESULTS

It was indicated that 20(S)-Rh2 suppresses myocardial fibrosis, hypertrophy, and inflammation, thereby inhibiting cardiac disruption in Ang-II-challenged mice without affecting blood pressure. According to the RNA sequencing data, this cardio-protective effect was linked with the (JNK)/AP 1 pathway. 20(S)-Rh2 alleviated heart tissue and cardiomyocytes inflammation by inhibiting the Ang-II-mediated JNK/AP-1 pathway. Within cardiomyocytes, JNK or AP-1 absence abolished the anti-inflammatory effects of 20(S)-Rh2.

CONCLUSION

This study investigation indicated that 20(S)-Rh2 prevents cardiovascular dysfunction induced by Ang-II induced by decreasing JNK-regulated inflammatory responses, providing evidence for its use as an efficient regimen for HHF.

Doxorubicin-mediated cardiac dysfunction: Revisiting molecular interactions, pharmacological compounds and (nano)theranostic platforms

Although chemotherapy drugs are extensively utilized in cancer therapy, their administration for treatment of patients has faced problems that regardless of chemoresistance, increasing evidence has shown concentration-related toxicity of drugs. Doxorubicin (DOX) is a drug used in treatment of solid and hematological tumors, and its function is based on topoisomerase suppression to impair cancer progression. However, DOX can also affect the other organs of body and after chemotherapy, life quality of cancer patients decreases due to the side effects. Heart is one of the vital organs of body that is significantly affected by DOX during cancer chemotherapy, and this can lead to cardiac dysfunction and predispose to development of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis, among others. The exposure to DOX can stimulate apoptosis and sometimes, pro-survival autophagy stimulation can ameliorate this condition. Moreover, DOX-mediated ferroptosis impairs proper function of heart and by increasing oxidative stress and inflammation, DOX causes cardiac dysfunction. The function of DOX in mediating cardiac toxicity is mediated by several pathways that some of them demonstrate protective function including Nrf2. Therefore, if expression level of such protective mechanisms increases, they can alleviate DOX-mediated cardiac toxicity. For this purpose, pharmacological compounds and therapeutic drugs in preventing DOX-mediated cardiotoxicity have been utilized and they can reduce side effects of DOX to prevent development of cardiovascular diseases in patients underwent chemotherapy. Furthermore, (nano)platforms are used comprehensively in treatment of cardiovascular diseases and using them for DOX delivery can reduce side effects by decreasing concentration of drug. Moreover, when DOX is loaded on nanoparticles, it is delivered into cells in a targeted way and its accumulation in healthy organs is prevented to diminish its adverse impacts. Hence, current paper provides a comprehensive discussion of DOX-mediated toxicity and subsequent alleviation by drugs and nanotherapeutics in treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Ginsenosides: changing the basic hallmarks of cancer cells to achieve the purpose of treating breast cancer

In 2021, breast cancer accounted for a substantial proportion of cancer cases and represented the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. Although tumor cells originate from normal cells in the human body, they possess distinct biological characteristics resulting from changes in gene structure and function of cancer cells in contrast with normal cells. These distinguishing features, known as hallmarks of cancer cells, differ from those of normal cells. The hallmarks primarily include high metabolic activity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and resistance to cell death. Current evidence suggests that the fundamental hallmarks of tumor cells affect the tissue structure, function, and metabolism of tumor cells and their internal and external environment. Therefore, these fundamental hallmarks of tumor cells enable tumor cells to proliferate, invade and avoid apoptosis. Modifying these hallmarks of tumor cells represents a new and potentially promising approach to tumor treatment. The key to breast cancer treatment lies in identifying the optimal therapeutic agent with minimal toxicity to normal cells, considering the specific types of tumor cells in patients. Some herbal medicines contain active ingredients which can precisely achieve this purpose. In this review, we introduce Ginsenoside's mechanism and research significance in achieving the therapeutic effect of breast cancer by changing the functional hallmarks of tumor cells, providing a new perspective for the potential application of Ginsenoside as a therapeutic drug for breast cancer.

Ginsenoside Rh2: A shining and potential natural product in the treatment of human nonmalignant and malignant diseases in the near future

BACKGROUND

Ginseng is well-known as one of the most valuable and commonly used Chinese medicines not only in ancient China but also worldwide including East, Russia, Southeast Asia, North America and some Western European countries. Ginsenosides, as one of the main high active components of Ginseng, have various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antianaphylaxis, anti-depression, and anticancer activities. Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2), one of the major bioactive ginsenosides in Panax ginseng, also exhibits versatile pharmacological activities, such as increasing non-specific resistance and specific immune response, improving cardiac function and fibrosis, anti-inflammatory effects and antitumor effects, which may serve as an excellent medicinal potential.

PURPOSE

As one of hundreds of ginsenosides being identified from ginseng, Rh2 exerts a markedly pharmacological effect on various diseases without severe toxicity, it has attracted many researchers 'attention. Although Rh2 plays important roles in some animal models and cell lines to simulate human diseases, its underlying molecular mechanisms have yet to be determined. During the past ten years, nearly 450 studies on Rh2 in the treatment of complex disease have been reported, however, up to now, no comprehensive reviews about the roles of Rh2 in animal models and cellular lines of human nonmalignant and malignant diseases have been conducted.

METHOD

We searched articles on ginsenoside-related diseases from December 2010 to February 2023 in peer-reviewed and nonclinical databases, which include Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, China national knowledge internet and Medline, and using the following keywords: Ginsenoside Rh2, Human diseases, Cancer, Mechanisms, Chinese herbal medicine, Natural products and Signaling pathway.

RESULTS

Therefore, in this review, we make a comprehensive summary on the roles of Rh2 and support the potential mechanisms of Rh2 according to the disease classification, including nonmalignant disease such as ulcerative colitis, neuropathic pain, Asthma, myocardial injury, depression and malignant disease such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric cancer. Finally, the combination therapy of Rh2 and other medications in human diseases are summarized, apart from that, there are other problems such as the bioavailability of oral administration Rh2 to be overcome in following research.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide strong evidence that Ginsenoside Rh2 plays important roles in the treatment of nonmalignant and malignant diseases.

Roles of TGF-β signals in tumor microenvironment via regulation of the formation and plasticity of vascular system

Tumor cells evolve in tumor microenvironment composed of multiple cell types. Among these, endothelial cells (ECs) are the major players in tumor angiogenesis, which is a driver of tumor progression and metastasis. Increasing evidence suggests that ECs also contribute to tumor progression and metastasis as they modify their phenotypes to differentiate into mesenchymal cells through a process known as endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). This plasticity of ECs is mediated by various cytokines, including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and modulated by other stimuli depending on the cellular contexts. Recent lines of evidence have shown that EndoMT is involved in various steps of tumor progression, including tumor angiogenesis, intravasation and extravasation of cancer cells, formation of cancer-associated fibroblasts, and cancer therapy resistance. In this review, we summarize current updates on EndoMT, highlight the roles of EndoMT in tumor progression and metastasis, and underline targeting EndoMT as a potential therapeutic strategy.

Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition: Potential Target of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity

The use of chemotherapeutic agents is becoming more frequent as the proportion of new oncology patients increases worldwide, with prolonged survival after treatment. As one of the most popular chemotherapy drugs, doxorubicin plays a substantial role in the treatment of tumors. Unfortunately, the use of doxorubicin is associated with several adverse effects, particularly severe cardiotoxicity that can be life-threatening, which greatly limits its clinical use. For decades, scientists have tried to explore many cardioprotective agents and therapeutic approaches, but their efficacy remains controversial, and some drugs have even brought about significant adverse effects. The concrete molecular mechanism of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is still to be unraveled, yet endothelial damage is gradually being identified as an important mechanism triggering the development and progression of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a fundamental process regulating morphogenesis in multicellular organisms, is recognized to be associated with endothelial damage repair and acts as an important factor in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, tumors, and rheumatic immune diseases. Mounting evidence suggests that endothelial-mesenchymal transition may play a non-negligible role in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. In this paper, we reviewed the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of EndMT and outlined the molecular mechanisms of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and the current therapeutic advances. Furthermore, we summarized the basic principles of doxorubicin-induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition that lead to endothelial dysfunction and cardiotoxicity, aiming to provide suggestions or new ideas for the prevention and treatment of doxorubicin-induced endothelial and cardiac injury.

The role of ginseng derivatives against chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity: A systematic review of non-clinical studies

Aims

Although chemotherapy agents are used to treating cancers, they have serious side effects, like their harmful effects on the cardiovascular system, limiting the clinical use of these chemotherapy agents. This study aimed to systematically investigate the potential role of ginseng derivatives in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced cardiac toxicity.

Methods

This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines strategy in databases till August 2022. First, identify studies related to using search terms in titles and abstracts. After studying and screening 209 articles, 16 articles were selected in this study according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

According to the findings of this study, ginseng derivatives showed significant changes in biochemical, histological, and heart weight loss, as well as a reduction in mortality, which occurred in the groups treated with chemotherapy agents compared to the control groups. Co-administration of ginseng derivatives with chemotherapy agents inhibited or reversed these changes to near-moderate levels. The protective effects of ginseng derivatives can be due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic action.

Conclusion

This systematic review shows evidence that concomitant administration of ginseng derivatives improves chemotherapy-induced cardiac toxicity. However, for better conclusions about the practical mechanisms of ginseng derivatives in reducing the cardiac toxic effects of chemotherapy agents and evaluating the efficacy and safety of the compound simultaneously, it is necessary to design comprehensive studies.

Ginsenoside Rk3 Inhibits the Extramedullary Infiltration of Acute Monocytic Leukemia Cell via miR-3677-5p/CXCL12 Axis

Background

Acute monocytic leukemia belongs to type M5 of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) classified by FAB, which appears a high incidence of extramedullary infiltration (EMI) and poor prognosis. In this study, we observed the inhibitory effect of ginsenoside Rk3 on the EMI of monocytic leukemia cells and initially explored its related mechanism of targeting the miR-3677-5p/CXCL12 axis.

Methods

The MTT assay and colony formation assay were used to detect the inhibitory effect of Rk3 on proliferation. Both cellular migration and invasion were observed by the Transwell assay. The expression levels of miR-3677-5p, CXCL12, and CXCR4 were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot, as well as overexpression of miR-3677-5p by transfected with lentivirus and detection of a dual luciferase reporter gene. The expression of MMP2 and TIMP2 was detected by immunofluorescence.

Results

Rk3 effectively inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion associated with EMI of leukemia. The leukemia cells of M5 patients with EMI showed low expression of miR-3677-5p but high expression of the mRNA of CXCL12 and CXCR4. Overexpression of miR-3677-5p or intervention of CXCL12 effectively inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SHI-1 cells. The luciferase assay showed that CXCL12 was the downstream target gene of miR-3677-5p. After overexpression of miR-3677-5p or intervention of CXCL12 in combination with Rk3, the inhibitory effect on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SHI-1 cells was more obvious. Importantly, Rk3 significantly regulated the expression levels of miR-3677-5p, CXCL12, CXCR4, and EMI-related functional proteins including MMP2 and TIMP2. Overexpression of miR-3677-5p or intervention of CXCL12 also regulated the expression of MMP2 and TIMP2.

Conclusions

The leukemia cells of M5 patients with EMI appeared to have low expression of miR-3677-5p and high expression of the mRNA of CXCL12 and CXCR4, which may be used as indicators of EMI and poor prognosis. Rk3 is effective in inhibiting the EMI of SHI-1 cells by targeting the miR-3677-5p/CXCL12 axis.

Influence of Ginsenoside Rh2 on Cardiomyocyte Pyroptosis in Rats with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective

This paper intends to verify through in vivo experiments whether ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) can play an anti-inflammatory role by modulating cardiomyocyte (CM) pyroptosis in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), thereby alleviating myocardial injury.

Methods

Twenty SD rats were randomized into control, L-Rh2, M-Rh2, and H-Rh2 groups, among which the latter three groups were modeled for AMI and given an intraperitoneal injection of G-Rh2 (L-Rh2: 2 mg/kg; M-Rh2: 4 mg/kg; H-Rh2: 8 mg/kg), while the control group was only treated with thoracotomy and sodium chloride injection. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were recorded by ultrasonic diagnosis. Rats were killed under anesthesia, and the morphological characteristics of ventricular tissue were observed by electron microscope. Additionally, cardiac blood and ventricular tissues were collected to quantify the contents of myocardial injury markers (creatine phosphate kinase (CK), creatine phosphokinase-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) by ELISA, as well as the expression of pyroptosis-related genes cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 (Caspase-1), gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin (IL)-1β, and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) by qRT-PCR and Western blot).

Results

Ultrasonic examination identified lower HR, SBP, DBP, MAP, and LVSP in the three Rh2 injection groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05); and in comparison with M- and H-Rh2 groups, HR, SBP, DBP, MAP, and LVSP were all lower in L-Rh2 group, while LVEDP was higher (P < 0.05). Microscopically, CMs and organelles in the L-RH2, M-RH2, and H-RH2 groups were damaged to varying degrees compared with the control group, with those in the L-RH2 group being the most serious. CK, CK-MB, and LDH were also the highest in the L-Rh2 group and the lowest in the control group, while their levels were obviously reduced in M- and H-Rh2 groups (P < 0.05). Finally, GSDMD, IL-1β, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 were found to be reduced in the control group, while pyroptosis-related gene expression in the M-Rh2 group was improved markedly (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

G-Rh2 can inhibit the pathological development of AMI by relieving the focal death of CM and inhibiting the release of proinflammatory factors in the body, and the effect is significantly related to the dosage, which is expected to become a new treatment option for AMI in the future.

Anti-cancer effect and potential microRNAs targets of ginsenosides against breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant tumor, the incidence of which has increased worldwide in recent years. Ginsenosides are the main active components of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey., in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that ginsenosides have significant anti-cancer activity, including BC. It is reported that ginsenosides can induce BC cells apoptosis, inhibit BC cells proliferation, migration, invasion, as well as autophagy and angiogenesis, thereby suppress the procession of BC. In this review, the therapeutic effects and the molecular mechanisms of ginsenosides on BC will be summarized. And the combination strategy of ginsenosides with other drugs on BC will also be discussed. In addition, epigenetic changes, especially microRNAs (miRNAs) targeted by ginsenosides in the treatment of BC are clarified.