Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract inhibits cell invasion by modulating transforming growth factor-beta/Smad in HepG2 cell

Anticancer Mechanism of Astragalus Polysaccharide and Its Application in Cancer Immunotherapy

Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) derived from A. membranaceus plays a crucial role in traditional Chinese medicine. These polysaccharides have shown antitumor effects and are considered safe. Thus, they have become increasingly important in cancer immunotherapy. APS can limit the spread of cancer by influencing immune cells, promoting cell death, triggering cancer cell autophagy, and impacting the tumor microenvironment. When used in combination with other therapies, APS can enhance treatment outcomes and reduce toxicity and side effects. APS combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors, relay cellular immunotherapy, and cancer vaccines have broadened the application of cancer immunotherapy and enhanced treatment effectiveness. By summarizing the research on APS in cancer immunotherapy over the past two decades, this review elaborates on the anticancer mechanism of APS and its use in cancer immunotherapy and clinical trials. Considering the multiple roles of APS, this review emphasizes the importance of using APS as an adjunct to cancer immunotherapy and compares other polysaccharides with APS. This discussion provides insights into the specific mechanism of action of APS, reveals the molecular targets of APS for developing effective clinical strategies, and highlights the wide application of APS in clinical cancer therapy in the future.

Hibiscus manihot L. flower extract induces anticancer activity through modulation of apoptosis and autophagy in A549 cells

Lung cancer is a major public health issue and heavy burden in China and worldwide due to its high incidence and mortality without effective treatment. It's imperative to develop new treatments to overcome drug resistance. Natural products from food source, given their wide-ranging and long-term benefits, have been increasingly used in tumor prevention and treatment. This study revealed that Hibiscus manihot L. flower extract (HML) suppressed the proliferation and migration of A549 cells in a dose and time dependent manner and disrupting cell cycle progression. HML markedly enhanced the accumulation of ROS, stimulated the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and that facilitated mitophagy through the loss of mitochondrial function. In addition, HML induced apoptosis by activation of the PTEN-P53 pathway and inhibition of ATG5/7-dependent autophagy induced by PINK1-mediated mitophagy in A549 cells. Moreover, HML exert anticancer effects together with 5-FU through synergistic effect. Taken together, HML may serve as a potential tumor prevention and adjuvant treatment for its functional attributes.

Molecular Mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Technology

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza on colorectal cancer, as well as the mechanisms involved.

Methods

The active compounds of Salvia miltiorrhiza and the associated genes in colorectal cancer were sourced from publicly available databases. Targets associated with colorectal cancer were identified by searching the GeneCards and OMIM databases. Subsequently, the Cytoscape 3.6.0 software was employed to create a regulatory network that illustrates the relationships among active ingredients, colorectal cancer, and their corresponding targets. The String database was utilized to generate a PPI network. Molecular docking studies, conducted with AutoDock Vina, verified the binding capabilities of these active components to core targets. The findings from network pharmacology analysis were corroborated through in vitro experiments.

Results

In this study, we identified 39 active components derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza that are predicted to target 544 genes associated with colorectal cancer through network pharmacology. Through a combined analysis of network pharmacology, we isolated three key targets: SRC, IL6, and INS. Molecular docking results convincingly demonstrated Salvia miltiorrhiza's strong binding affinity to these targets. Additionally, in vitro experiments confirmed that Salvia miltiorrhiza effectively inhibited the progression of colorectal cancer via regulating the INS/SRC/IL6 pathway.

Conclusion

Salvia miltiorrhiza emerges as a compelling herbal intervention for colorectal cancer. This study lays the foundation for potential future clinical trials assessing the efficacy of Salvia miltiorrhiza in the management of colorectal cancer.

Traditional Chinese medicine Kuan-Sin-Yin decoction inhibits cell mobility via downregulation of CCL2, CEACAM1 and PIK3R3 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kuan-Sin-Yin (KSY) is a traditional Chinese medical decoction, designed based on the classic Si-Jun-Zi-Tang decoction and used clinically to improve the synergic effects of energy promotion, liver function and cancer related symptom and quality of life. However, the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) function of KSY is unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the anti-mobility activity of KSY on HCC cells and elucidate its molecular mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two malignancy hepatocellular carcinoma cells, Mahlavu and SK-Hep-1, were used for the test of cell proliferation via alarm blue assay. The wound healing and Transwell assays were used to determine the anti-mobility activity of KSY in HCC cells. Cell morphology was analyzed via confocal microscopy. The genomic profile of KSY-treated HCC cells was analyzed by microarray. The potential signaling pathways and bio-functions of KSY-mediated genes were analyzed by ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the messenger RNA (mRNA) level of indicated gene.

RESULTS

KSY did not affect cell viability of HCC cells but significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion in those HCC Mahlavu and SK-Hep-1 cells. In parallel, KSY induced changes in morphology of HCC cells via re-modulating actin cytoskeleton. KSY upregulated 1270 genes but reduced 1534 genes in Mahlavu cells. KSY regulated various gene networks which controlled cell migration, invasion and movement. Specifically, KSY reduced expression of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), which is correlated to cell mobility, and concomitantly downregulated mRNA levels of phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 3 (PIK3R3) and CEA cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1).

CONCLUSION

These findings indicated that regulation of CCL2-mediated PIK3R3 and CEACAM1 may be involved in KSY inhibited cell mobility. Moreover, KSY may be a potential a Chinese decoction for reducing cell mobility.

Understanding the Potential Role of Nanotechnology in Liver Fibrosis: A Paradigm in Therapeutics

The liver is a vital organ that plays a crucial role in the physiological operation of the human body. The liver controls the body's detoxification processes as well as the storage and breakdown of red blood cells, plasma protein and hormone production, and red blood cell destruction; therefore, it is vulnerable to their harmful effects, making it more prone to illness. The most frequent complications of chronic liver conditions include cirrhosis, fatty liver, liver fibrosis, hepatitis, and illnesses brought on by alcohol and drugs. Hepatic fibrosis involves the activation of hepatic stellate cells to cause persistent liver damage through the accumulation of cytosolic matrix proteins. The purpose of this review is to educate a concise discussion of the epidemiology of chronic liver disease, the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of liver fibrosis, the symptoms of liver fibrosis progression and regression, the clinical evaluation of liver fibrosis and the research into nanotechnology-based synthetic and herbal treatments for the liver fibrosis is summarized in this article. The herbal remedies summarized in this review article include epigallocathechin-3-gallate, silymarin, oxymatrine, curcumin, tetrandrine, glycyrrhetinic acid, salvianolic acid, plumbagin, Scutellaria baicalnsis Georgi, astragalosides, hawthorn extract, and andrographolides.

Fuzheng Kangai Decoction Restrains the Progression and Angiogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Fuzheng Kangai decoction (FZKA) has been preliminarily proved to be effective in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study plans to investigate the clear role of FZKA on HCC progression. After establishing a HCC tumor-bearing mice model and treated with FZKA, the volumes and weights of HCC tumor were monitored, and tumor pathology was analyzed by HE staining. The expression of the molecules related to angiogenesis, apoptosis and angiogenesis in tumor tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and qRT-PCR assays. In addition, HCC cells were administrated with increasing concentrations of FZKA. Then the cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability were tested. In HCC tumor bearing mice, it was found that FZKA significantly decreased the tumor volumes, weights, aggravated tumor pathological damage, reduced VEGF, CD34, Bcl-2 expression, but promoted the expression of Bax, cleaved caspase 3, Cyt-C in tumor tissues. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated that FZKA co-incubation suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of HCC cells. This study demonstrated that FZKA has the potential to inhibit HCC progression by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting angiogenesis.

The anti-cancerous activity of adaptogenic herb Astragalus membranaceus

BACKGROUND

Cancer is the most dreadful disease increasing rapidly causing an economic burden globally. A standardized chemotherapy regimen planned with curative intent weakens the immune system and damages healthy cells making the patient prone to infections and severe side effects with pain and fatigue.

PURPOSE

Astragalus membranaceus (AM) has a long history of use in the treatment of severe adverse diseases. For thousands of years, it has been used in mixed herbal decoctions for the treatment of cancer. Due to growing interest in this plant root for its application to treat various types of cancers and tumors, has attracted researcher's interest.

METHOD

The literature search was done from core collections of electronic databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct using keywords given below and terms like pharmacological and phytochemical details of this plant.

OUTCOME

Astragalus membranaceus has demonstrated the ability to modulate the immune system during drug therapy making the patient physically fit and prolonged life. It has become a buzzword of herbalists as it is one of the best of seven important adaptogenic herbs with a protective effect against chronic stress and cancer. It demonstrated significant amelioration of the perilous toxic effects induced by concurrently administered chemo onco-drugs.

CONCLUSION

The natural phytoconstituents of this plant formononetin, astragalus polysaccharide, and astragalosides which show high potential anti-cancerous activity are studied and discussed in detail. One of them are used in clinical trials to overcome cancer related fatigue. Overall, this review aims to provide an insight into Astragalus membranaceus status in cancer therapy.

Traditional Chinese medicine as supportive care for the management of liver cancer: Past, present, and future

Liver cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Western medicine and therapies are the primary treatment strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the general prognosis for HCC patients is still dismal. Under these circumstances, HCC prevention is particularly important. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) encompasses a wealth of documented therapeutic resources, and "preventative treatment" is the principle of TCM. In China, TCM has been used for HCC prevention for thousands of years, and has also been demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of HCC in modern China. However, the TCM theory for prevention and treatment of HCC is more widely accepted in China than abroad. In this review, we first summarize the herbs and ancient formulas with therapeutic effects on HCC. We also review the research status of TCM in modern medicine as well as the current obstacles in its development. Finally, we discuss the future of TCM in the context of precision and integrated medicine. After reviewing the literature, we believe that TCM, through ancient development, is an advanced method of cancer treatment with positive curative effects, despite its surrounding controversy. Furthermore, precise analyses and systematic research methods provides novel approaches to modernize TCM for the future.

Targeting Hepatic Stellate Cells for the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis by Natural Products: Is It the Dawning of a New Era?

Liver fibrosis is a progressive liver damage condition that is worth studying widely. It is important to target and alleviate the disease at an early stage before turning into later cirrhosis or liver cancer. There are currently no direct medicines targeting the attenuation or reversal of liver fibrosis, and so there is an urgent need to look into this area. Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history in using herbal medicines to treat liver diseases including fibrosis. It is time to integrate the ancient wisdom with modern science and technology to look for the best solution to the disease. In this review, the principal concept of the pathology of liver fibrosis will be described, and then some of the single compounds isolated from herbal medicines, including salvianolic acids, oxymatrine, curcumin, tetrandrine, etc. will be discussed from their effects to the molecular mechanism behind. Molecular targets of the compounds are analyzed by network pharmacology approach, and TGFβ/SMAD was identified as the most common pathway. This review serves to summarize the current findings of herbal medicines combining with modern medicines in the area of fibrosis. It hopefully provides insights in further pharmaceutical research directions.

Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression via miR-145/miR-21 mediated Smad3 phosphorylation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (CASE), containing astragalosides, astragalus polysaccharide extracted from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. and salvianolic acids from Salvia miltiorhiza Bge., has been found to inhibit hepatocarcinogenesis via mediating transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling, especially Smad3 phosphorylation. The crucial interaction between microRNA-145/microRNA-21 (miR-145/miR-21) and Smad3 phosphorylation is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, effects of CASE on HCC progression involved in the expression of miR-145/miR-21 and their interaction with Smad3 phosphorylation downstream of TGF-β/MAPK/Smad pathway remain unclear. This study addressed above questions using in vitro (HepG2 cells) and in vivo (Xenografts of nude mice) models of HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vivo [Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC in rats] and in vitro [TGF-β₁-stimulated HepG2 cells] models of HCC were established and co-administrated using graded doses/concentrations CASE (60, 120, 240 mg/kg used in rats; 20, 40, 80 µg/ml used in HepG2 cells), miR-145 and miR-21 were measured. HepG2 cells were transfected with miR-145 antagomir, miR-21 agomir and Smad3C/L plasmids (Smad3 EPSM, Smad3 3S-A and Smad3 WT related to up-regulated expression of pSmad3C, pSmad3L and pSmad3C/3L respectively) and then treated by CASE (80 µg/ml). Similarly, HepG2 cell xenografted nude mice were administered with miR-145 antagomir, miR-21 agomir and CASE (310 mg/kg); Smad3 WT, Smad3 EPSM and Smad3 3S-A plasmids stably transfected HepG2 cell lines were constructed respectively and their xenografted nude mice were established, and then treated by CASE (310 mg/kg). Cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, tumor growth and histopathologic characteristics of xenografts were assessed; also, domain-specific Smad3 phosphorylation isoforms (pSmad3C/pSmad3L), activated MAPKs (pERK1/2, pJNK1/2, pp38) and miR-145, miR-21 were measured.

RESULTS

CASE up-regulated miR-145 while down-regulated miR-21 expression in both rats with DEN-induced HCC and TGF-β₁-stimulated HepG2 cells; CASE inhibited cell migration, proliferation and tumor growth while facilitated cell apoptosis in TGF-β₁-stimulated HepG2 cells and xenografts of nude mice with miR-145 antagomir/miR-21 agomir treatment via increasing miR-145 and facilitating miR-145 modulated pSmad3L→pSmad3C signaling switch while decreasing miR-21 and inhibiting miR-21 modulated MAPK-dependent Smad3L phosphorylation. Also, up-regulated pSmad3C enhanced inhibited effect of CASE on tumor growth and facilitated effect of CASE on cell apoptosis involved in increased miR-145 while decreased miR-21 expression, however, inverse phenomena were observed when up-regulated pSmad3L.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that CASE inhibits HCC progression via mediating the interaction of miR-145/miR-21 and Smad3 phosphorylation, especially miR-145/miR-21 mediated Smad3 phosphorylation, which maybe provides an important theoretical foundation for CASE's anti-HCC therapy used for patients in a near future.

Salvianolic Acids: Potential Source of Natural Drugs for the Treatment of Fibrosis Disease and Cancer

Salvianolic acids, the most effective and abundant compounds extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), are well known for its good anti-oxidative activity. Danshen has been extensively used as a traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular-related diseases in China and other Asian countries for hundreds of years. Recently, more and more studies have demonstrated that salvianolic acids also have a good effect on the alleviation of fibrosis disease and the treatment of cancer. In vivo and in vitro experiments have demonstrated that salvianolic acids can modulate signal transduction within fibroblasts and cancer cells. It is discovered that the cancer treatment of salvianolic acids is not only because salvianolic acids promote the apoptosis of cancer cells, but also due to the inhibition of cancer-associated epithelial-mesenchymal transition processes. In this article, we review a variety of studies focusing on the comprehensive roles of salvianolic acids in the treatment of fibrosis disease and cancer. These perspectives on the therapeutic potential of salvianolic acids highlight the importance of these compounds, which could be the novel and attractive drugs for fibrosis disease and cancer.

Extraction, Structure, and Pharmacological Activities of Astragalus Polysaccharides

The Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) are important bioactive components of Astragali Radix, the dry root of Astragalus membranaceus, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this review, the extraction conditions and extraction rates of APS are first compared for water, microwave-assisted, ultrasonic wave, and enzymatic hydrolysis extraction methods. Some studies have also shown that different methods can be combined to improve the extraction rate of APS. Subsequently, the chemical composition and structure of APS are discussed, as related to the extraction and purification method. Most studies have shown that APS is mainly composed of glucose, in addition to rhamnose, galactose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucuronic acid, and galacturonic acid. We also reviewed studies on the modification of APS using chemical methods, including sulfated modification using the chlorosulfonic acid–pyridine method, which is commonly used for chemical modification of APS. Finally, the pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action of APS are summarized, with a special focus on its immunoregulatory, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects. This review will serve as a valuable resource for the research on APS.

Astragalus polysaccharide combined with 10-hydroxycamptothecin inhibits metastasis in non-small cell lung carcinoma cell lines via the MAP4K3/mTOR signaling pathway

Non‑small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is a life‑threatening malignancy. The level of the cell growth regulator mitogen‑activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 3 (MAP4K3) has been shown to be correlated with a high risk of NSCLC recurrence and poor recurrence‑free survival rate. The present study examined the effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and 10‑hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT), which are associated with marked suppression and dephosphorylation of the MAP4K3/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, in the H1299 NSCLC cell line. APS and HCPT decreased H1299 cell viability, induced apoptosis and altered the cell cycle stages, as evaluated using an 3‑(4,5‑dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl)‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, APS increased the expression of apoptosis‑associated genes B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2) and Bcl‑2‑associated X protein (BAX), of proteases cysteine‑aspartic acid protease (caspase)‑3 and ‑9, and of cytochrome c. HCPT promoted autophagy in H1299 cells, with concomitant suppression of the expression of MAP4K3 and downregulation of mTOR signaling. Notably, combination treatment with the two agents reduced the migration and invasion of H1299 cells compared with the single treatments. It was also demonstrated that the overexpression of MAP4K3 promoted the migration and invasion of H1299 cells, and that the kinase activity was essential to this. These findings suggested that MAP4K3 may be an attractive target for the treatment of NSCLC.

Extraction of Amana edulis Induces Liver Cancer Apoptosis

HCC is one of the fastest-rising causes of cancer-related death. Novel therapeutic approaches for treatment are warranted. The goal of this study is to find effective components from Chinese herbal medicines, which is an important alternative source of anticancer medicine. To this end, six different herbs were selected from various traditional literatures. Soxhlet extractor was used to distill the strong polar and weak polar components of each herb. The inhibitive effect of each component was determined using liver cancer cells BEL7404. From total of 12 extractions, it was found that the combined crude lysate of Amana edulis from water and ethanol system had the best efficacy. At the concentration of 0.1 mg/mL, this component has the highest inhibition rate up to 70%. To investigate the underlying molecular reasons, we observed that the component can significantly induce the liver cancer cells apoptosis and retard the cell reproduction at G2/M stage. Verification experiments showed that this component also has apparent inhibitive effects on other liver cancer cells, such as HepG2 and Huh7. On the other hand, it has less effectiveness on another cell line HepaRG, which retains many characteristics of primary human hepatocytes. The results suggested that there might be highly efficient antihepatoma ingredient in the water and ethanol extraction of Amana edulis. The pure substances remain to be isolated and further research on their targets is required.

Epigallocatechin gallate improves airway inflammation through TGF‑β1 signaling pathway in asthmatic mice

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on airway inflammation in mice with bronchial asthma, and the regulatory mechanism of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 signaling pathway, so as to provide theoretical basis for research and development of a novel drug for clinical treatment. Mouse models of bronchial asthma were established and injected with dexamethasone and EGCG via the caudal vein. 7 days later, bronchoalveolar tissue was collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining. Determination of airway resistance (AWR) and lung function in mice was detected. Serum was separated for cytometric bead array to detect the changes in inflammatory factors. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected for eosinophil and neutrophil counts. Fresh blood was obtained for flow cytometry to determine the percentages of Th17 and Treg cells. Bronchovesicular tissue was utilized for western blot assay and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine the proteins and transcription factors in the TGF-β1 pathway. EGCG 20 mg/kg significantly reduced asthmatic symptoms, lung inflammatory cell infiltration, and the inflammatory factor levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. In addition, it increased the levels of inflammatory factors, including IL-10, diminished the percentage of Th17 cells, increased the percentage of Treg cells, and decreased the expression of TGF-β1 and phosphorylated (p)-Smad2/3 expression. Following the inhibition of the TGF-β1 receptor, the anti-inflammatory effect of EGCG disappeared, and the expression of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 increased. EGCG attenuated airway inflammation in asthmatic mice, decreased the percentage of Th17 cells and increased the percentage of Treg cells. The anti-inflammatory effect of EGCG is achieved via the TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

TRIM52 up-regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells promotes proliferation, migration and invasion through the ubiquitination of PPM1A

Background

Many tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins have been reported to be of great importance in the initiation and progression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the biological role and regulatory mechanism of tripartite motif containing 52 (TRIM52) in HCC development and progression are poorly defined.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) or Western blot analysis was used to detect TRIM52, p21, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), protein phosphatase, Mg²⁺/Mn²⁺ dependent 1A (PPM1A), p-Smad2/3 and Smad2/3 levels in HCC tissues and cell lines. HCC cell proliferation and cell cycle were measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. HCC cell migration and invasion were measured by Transwell assay. Tumor growth of HCC cells in vivo was measured using the nude mouse xenograft model. The correlation between TRIM52 and PPM1A was measured by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and ubiquitination analysis in vitro.

Results

TRIM52 was significantly up-regulated in the HCC tissues in comparison with the adjacent non-tumor hepatic tissues. TRIM52 was also up-regulated in HCC cell lines (MHCC-97H and MHCC-97L cells) compared with normal human liver cell line LO2. TRIM52 down-regulation by RNA interfering in MHCC-97H cells enhanced inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion. TRIM52 down-regulation also induced MHCC-97H cells arrest in G0-G1 phase cell cycle and inhibited MHCC-97H cell growth in the nude mice. However, TRIM52 up-regulation in MHCC-97L cells promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, TRIM52 down-regulation significantly increased p21 and PPM1A expression, but inhibited MMP2 expression and induced Smad2/3 dephosphorylation in MHCC-97H cells, which were reversed by TRIM52 up-regulation in MHCC-97L cells. TRIM52 was found interacted with PPM1A and TRIM52 down-regulation inhibited the ubiquitination of PPM1A. Importantly, PPM1A up-regulation in MHCC-97L cells significantly suppressed TRIM52-mediated enhancement on cell proliferation, invasion and migration.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that TRIM52 up-regulation promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells through the ubiquitination of PPM1A.

Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract inhibits hepatocarcinogenesis via modulating TGF-β/TβR and Imp7/8

Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (CASE) is a Chinese herbal formula consisting of astragalosides, astragalus polysaccharide and salvianolic acids extracted from Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorhiza. Previous studies by our group have demonstrated that CASE effectively suppresses diethylinitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats via modulating transforming growth factor β/Mothers against decapentaplegic (TGFβ/Smad) signaling. To further elucidate the mechanism of CASE, the effects of CASE on TGF-β₁, the serine/threonine kinase receptors of TGF-β [TGF-β receptor type-I (TβRI) and TβRII] and karyopherins [Importin 7 (Imp7) and Imp8], which are crucial for TGF-β/Smad signaling in fibro-hepatocarcinogenesis, were assessed in the present study using in vivo (DEN-induced HCC in rats) and in vitro [TGF-β₁-stimulated rat myofibroblasts (MFBs) and HepG2 cells] models of fibro-hepatocarcinogenesis. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that CASE may suppress inflammatory reactions and fibrosis in HCC as well as increasing the differentiation of HCC cells. Positive TGF-β₁ staining was increased in HCC nodule areas and in adjacent normal liver tissues in DEN-treated rats, while TβRI staining was increased only in normal adjacent liver tissues. The elevated expression of TGF-β₁, TβRI and TβRII was suppressed by CASE. CASE treatment also reduced glutathione S-transferase P 1 and Imp7/8 protein expression in fibro-hepatocarcinogenesis. In vitro experiments confirmed that CASE was able to decrease the expression of TβRI and TβRII in TGF-β₁-stimulated MFBs and HepG2 cells. These results indicate that the anti-HCC effect of CASE may be achieved by mediating TGF-β/TβR and Imp7/8 protein expression, suggesting that CASE has multiple targets in HCC treatment.

Astragaloside IV inhibits cell migration and viability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via suppressing long noncoding RNA ATB

Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), the major active component of Astragalus membranaceus, has shown attractive anticancer effects in certain cancers. However, the roles and action mechanisms of AS-IV in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are largely unclear. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are recently revealed to have crucial roles in HCC initiation and progression, but whether lncRNAs participate in the anticancer roles of AS-IV are unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that AS-IV significantly downregulated lncRNA-ATB expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner in HCC cells. Through downregulating lncRNA-ATB, AS-IV repressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration of HCC cells. Furthermore, through downregulating lncRNA-ATB, AS-IV inactivated IL-11/STAT3 signaling, induced HCC cell apoptosis, and decreased HCC cell viability. Overexpression of lncRNA-ATB reversed the effects of AS-IV on HCC cell migration, EMT, cell apoptosis, cell viability, and IL-11/STAT3 signaling. Taken together, our results showed that AS-IV inhibited migration and cell viability of HCC cells via downregulating lncRNA-ATB. Thus, our data provided a novel molecular basis for the applications of AS-IV in the therapy of HCC.

Anti-Aging Implications of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huangqi): A Well-Known Chinese Tonic

Owing to a dramatic increase in average life expectancy and the Family Planning program of the 1970s - 1990s, China is rapidly becoming an aging society. Therefore, the investigation of healthspan-extending drugs becomes more urgent. Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) is a major medicinal herb that has been commonly used in many herbal formulations in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat a wide variety of diseases and body disorders, or marketed as life-prolonging extracts for human use in China, for more than 2000 years. The major components of Astragalus membranaceus are polysaccharides, flavonoids, and saponins. Pharmacological research indicates that the extract component of Astragalus membranaceus can increase telomerase activity, and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, anticancer, hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, hepatoprotective, expectorant, and diuretic effects. A proprietary extract of the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus, called TA-65, was associated with a significant age-reversal effect in the immune system. Our review focuses on the function and the underlying mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus in lifespan extension, anti-vascular aging, anti-brain aging, and anti-cancer effects, based on experimental and clinical studies.

Chemosensitizing Effect of Astragalus Polysaccharides on Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells by Inducing Apoptosis and Modulating Expression of Bax/Bcl-2 Ratio and Caspases

Background

Platinum-based chemotherapy is the most effective regimen for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which presents highly invasive and metastatic activity. However, the dose-related toxicity of chemotherapy agents limits the dose administration. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is the major active ingredient extracted from Chinese herb Radix Astragali and is proven to be active against carcinomas. We aimed to assess the chemosensitizing effects of Astragalus polysaccharides on nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vitro and in vivo and to explore the underlying mechanism.

Material/Methods

We used BALB/c nu/nu mice and human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines CNE-1, CNE-2, and SUNE-1. MTT, Annexin V/PI, Western blot analysis, and TUNEL assay were carried out.

Results

APS significantly promoted anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of cisplatin on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. APS also enhanced the anti-tumor effects and cisplatin-induced apoptosis in the xenograft model. The level of Bcl-2 decreased, while the levels of Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 increased in cisplatin combined with APS treatment compared to cisplatin only treatment. The ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 was significantly enhanced by the APS to cisplatin.

Conclusions

APS enhanced the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effect of cisplatin by modulating expression of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspases on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and in the xenograft model.

Astragalus polysaccharide induces the apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by decreasing the expression of Notch1

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most frequent cause of cancer death worldwide. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), the primary active component extracted from a traditional Chinese medicinal herb Astragalus membranaceus, has been proved to exert a marked inhibitory effect on a number of types of human solid tumors. In the present study, we aimed to examine the effects of APS on the survival of the HCC cell line H22 and to elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanisms responsible for these effects. Our results revealed that the mRNA and protein expression of Notch1 was significantly upregulated in the HCC tissues compared with that in the normal tissues. APS decreased cell viability and induced the apoptosis of HCC cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which were evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Furthermore, APS regulated the expression of apoptosis-related genes (Bcl-2 and BAX) and proteases (caspase-3 and -8). Mechanically, Notch1 expression was found to be suppressed in HCC cells, and further analysis indicated that Notch1 knockdown by siRNA significantly reduced cell viability, suppressed the metastatic capacity and enhanced the apoptosis of HCC cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that Notch1 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.

Anti-fibro-hepatocarcinogenic Chinese herbal medicines: A mechanistic overview

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is an integral component of complementary/alternative medicine and it is increasingly becoming the preferred therapeutic modality for the treatment of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Accordingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has attested to the popularity and efficacy of indigenous herbal therapies including CHM as a first line of treatment for some diseases including liver disorders. However, the WHO and drug discovery experts have always recommended that use of indigenous herbal remedies must go hand-in-hand with the requisite mechanistic elucidation so as to constitute a system of verification of efficacy within the ethnobotanical context of use. Although many CHM experts have advanced knowledge on CHM, nonetheless, more enlightenment is needed, particularly mechanisms of action of CHMs on fibro-hepato-carcinogenesis. We, herein, provide in-depth mechanisms of the action of CHMs which have demonstrated anti-fibro-hepatocarcinogenic effects, in pre-clinical and clinical studies as published in PubMed and other major scientific databases. Specifically, the review brings out the important signaling pathways, and their downstream targets which are modulated at multi-level by various anti-fibro-hepatocarcinogenic CHMs.

Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Chinese Herbal Compounds against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Traditional Chinese Medicines, unique biomedical and pharmaceutical resources, have been widely used for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prevention and treatment. Accumulated Chinese herb-derived compounds with significant anti-cancer effects against HCC have been identified. Chinese herbal compounds are effective in preventing carcinogenesis, inhibiting cell proliferation, arresting cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, autophagy, cell senescence and anoikis, inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis and angiogenesis, regulating immune function, reversing drug resistance and enhancing the effects of chemotherapy in HCC. This paper comprehensively reviews these compounds and their effects on HCC. Finally, the perspectives and rational application of herbal compounds for HCC management are discussed.

Natural Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Hangover and Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and spirits are widely consumed around the world. However, alcohol and its metabolite acetaldehyde are toxic and harmful to human beings. Chronic alcohol use disorder or occasional binge drinking can cause a wide range of health problems, such as hangover, liver damage and cancer. Some natural products such as traditional herbs, fruits, and vegetables might be potential dietary supplements or medicinal products for the prevention and treatment of the problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of effective natural products for the prevention and treatment of hangover and alcohol use disorder, and special emphasis is paid to the possible functional component(s) and related mechanism(s) of action.

Protective effect of astragalus polysaccharides on liver injury induced by several different chemotherapeutics in mice

Side effects are an unavoidable consequence of chemotherapy drugs, during which liver injury often takes place. The current study was designed to investigate the protective effect of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) against the hepatotoxicity induced by frequently-used chemical therapy agents, cyclophosphamide (CTX), docetaxel (DTX) and epirubicin (EPI)) in mice. Mice were divided into five groups, controls, low or high dose groups (DTXL, CTXL, EPIL or DTXH, CTXH, EPIH), and low or high dose chemotherapeutics+APS groups (DTXL+APS, CTXL+APS, EPIL+APS or DTXH+APS, CTXH+APS, EPIH+APS). Controls were treated with equivalent normal saline for 28 days every other day; low or high dose group were intraperitoneal (i.p) injected with low or high doses of CTX, DTX and EPI for 28 days every other day; low or high dose chemotherapeutics+APS group were separately intraperitoneal (i.p) injected with chemotherapeutics for 28 days every other day and i.p with APS (100 mg/kg) for 7 days continually from the 22th to the 28th days. The body weight, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), histopathological features, and ultrastructure morphological change of liver tissues, protein expression level of caspase-3 were estimated at different time points. With high dose treatment of DTX, CTX and EPI, weight gain was inhibited and serum levels of ALT and AST were significantly increased. Sections of liver tissue showed massive hepatotoxicity in CTXH group compared to the control group, including hepatic lobule disorder, granular and vacuolar degeneration and necrosis in hepatic cells. These changes were confirmed at ultrastructural level, including obvious pyknosis, heterochromatin aggregation, nuclear membrane resolution, and chondrosome crystal decrease. Western blotting revealed that the protein levels of caspase-3 increased in CTXH group. The low dose groups exhibited trivial hepatotoxicity. More interestingly, after 100 mg/kg APS, liver injury was redecued not only regarding serum transaminase activities (low or high dose chemotherapeutics+APS group), but also from pathological and ultrastructural changes and the protein levels of caspase-3 (CTXH+APS group). In conclusion, DTX, CTX and EPI induce liver damage in a dose dependent manner, whereas APS exerted protective effects.

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.

Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts modulate MAPK-regulated TGF-β/Smad signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma by multi-target mechanism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (Leguminosae) and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Lamiaceae) are two important Chinese herbs with a long history of extensive ethnobotanical usage in the treatment of liver-related diseases over many centuries. Presently, these two herbs are being used either as a single herbal formulation or a composite formula for the treatment of liver related conditions. In response, recent studies on these two herbs have focused on elucidating their mechanisms of action, particularly with regards to their anti-hepatocarcinogenic effects. Previously, we have reported that Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (CASE), a synergized composite extract from Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza ameliorates liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by modulating the TGF-β/Smad pathway. Meanwhile, MAPK activation and MAPK-dependent linker phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and their preferential nuclear import are crucial for overall oncogenic role of TGF-β/Smad signaling in HCC. To elucidate further, we studied the effect of CASE on the MAPK pathway and how it affects MAPK-dependent regulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling using both cell and animal models of HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used immunofluorescence and western blot techniques to monitor effect of CASE on the activation of the MAPKs (pERK, pJNK and pp38) in TGF-β1-stimulated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), HepG2 cells and also diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC in rats. Also phosphorylation and subcellular distribution of pSmad2/3, Smad4 and Imp7/8 in TGF-β1-stimulated HSC and HepG2 cells were monitored. The expression of pERK, pJNK, pp38 and PAI-1 gene were monitored by using western blot technique. The effect of CASE on domain-specific phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and their subcellular distribution, and the expression of Smad4 and its subcellular distribution in TGF-β1-stimulated HSCs and HepG2 cells were evaluated by using immunofluorescence technique. And the expression of Imp7/8 and their subcellular distribution were assessed by both immunofluorescence and western blot techniques, while PAI-1 gene expression was assessed by western blot

RESULTS

In vitro, CASE in a concentration-dependent manner increased the expression of pp38 but decreased the expression of pERK and pJNK; however, in vivo, CASE in a dose dependent manner decreased the expression of pERK, pJNK as well as pp38. Also, CASE concentration dependently inhibited pSmad2C/L, pSmad3L, Smad4, Imp7/8 and their nuclear import; it had no effect on pSmad3C in HepG2 cells; significantly decreased PAI-1 gene expression in both in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

CASE blocked MAPK activation, MAPK-dependent linker phosphorylation of Smad2/3, Smad4 expression, Imp7 expression and their nuclear import leading to significant down-regulation of PAI-1 gene expression; further highlighting the multi-target anti-HCC effect of CASE and its potential drug candidature.

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.

MAPK inhibitors modulate Smad2/3/4 complex cyto-nuclear translocation in myofibroblasts via Imp7/8 mediation

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway-dependent linker phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and subsequent formation of Smad2/3/4 complex and its nuclear translocation are crucial for dysregulated transforming growth factor beta (TGF)-β/Smad signaling in liver fibrosis. Abrogation of this critical step of TGF-β/Smad signaling leading to liver fibrosis could provide new insights for future therapy, but the mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In pursuit, we investigated the subcellular expression and nuclear trafficking of the rate limiting Smad2/3/4 complex in exogenous TGF-β1-stimulated myofibroblasts (MFBs) using three MAPK-specific inhibitors. Our results showed that exogenous TGF-β1 stimulation of MFBs produced both increased protein expression and nuclear translocation of phosphorylated (p)-Smad2C/L, oncogenic pSmad3L, Smad4, importin7/8 (Imp7/8), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 (Protein and mRNA), while decreased Smad7 protein expression. However, the MAPK-specific inhibitors differentially reversed these observations; for instance, ERK-specific inhibitor blocked the expression and nuclear translocation of pSmad2C/L, while both JNK and p38-specific inhibitors blocked the expression and nuclear translocation of pSmad2C/L and oncogenic pSmad3L. The MAPK-specific inhibitors had no significant effect on the total protein expression of Smad4, but rather significantly blocked its nuclear translocation. All the MAPK-specific inhibitors restored Smad7 expression and also decreased Imp7/8 and PAI-1 (Protein and mRNA) expression. Evidently, the MAPK-specific inhibitors blocked Smad2/3/4 complex formation via restoration of inhibitory Smad7 expression and blockade of Smad3L phosphorylation, while they blocked nuclear translocation of Smad2/3/4 complex through inhibition of Imp7/8 leading to decreased PAI-1 (Protein and mRNA) expression.

Immune evasion in cancer: Mechanistic basis and therapeutic strategies

Cancer immune evasion is a major stumbling block in designing effective anticancer therapeutic strategies. Although considerable progress has been made in understanding how cancers evade destructive immunity, measures to counteract tumor escape have not kept pace. There are a number of factors that contribute to tumor persistence despite having a normal host immune system. Immune editing is one of the key aspects why tumors evade surveillance causing the tumors to lie dormant in patients for years through "equilibrium" and "senescence" before re-emerging. In addition, tumors exploit several immunological processes such as targeting the regulatory T cell function or their secretions, antigen presentation, modifying the production of immune suppressive mediators, tolerance and immune deviation. Besides these, tumor heterogeneity and metastasis also play a critical role in tumor growth. A number of potential targets like promoting Th1, NK cell, γδ T cell responses, inhibiting Treg functionality, induction of IL-12, use of drugs including phytochemicals have been designed to counter tumor progression with much success. Some natural agents and phytochemicals merit further study. For example, use of certain key polysaccharide components from mushrooms and plants have shown to possess therapeutic impact on tumor-imposed genetic instability, anti-growth signaling, replicative immortality, dysregulated metabolism etc. In this review, we will discuss the advances made toward understanding the basis of cancer immune evasion and summarize the efficacy of various therapeutic measures and targets that have been developed or are being investigated to enhance tumor rejection.

MAPK inhibitors differently modulate TGF-β/Smad signaling in HepG2 cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which crosstalk with TGF-β/Smad signaling via linker phosphorylation of Smad2/3 to promote hepatocarcinogenesis. After DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats showed increased phosphorylation of JNK1/2, p38, and ERK1/2, we next antagonized TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of JNK1/2, p38, ERK1/2, Smad2/3 signaling in HepG2 cells using SP600125, SB203580, and PD98059, respectively. Cell proliferation and invasion were assessed by MTT assay and transwell invasion chambers, respectively. Smad2/3, Smad4, and Smad7 expressions and PAI-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) transcription were measured by using immuno-precipitation/immuno-blotting and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. All the MAPK-specific inhibitors suppressed cell invasion, while all but PD98059 suppressed cell proliferation. Both SP600125 and SB203580 blocked pSmad2C/L and oncogenic pSmad3L. PD98059 blocked pSmad2L but had no effect on elevated pSmad2C and oncogenic pSmad3L. All but PD98059 blocked Smad2/3/4 complex formation and restored Smad7 expression, while all the three MAPK-Specific inhibitors repressed PAI-1 mRNA transcription. Both SP600125 and SB203580 inhibited HepG2 cells' proliferation and invasion by blocking oncogenic pSmad3L and Smad2/3/4 complex formation. PD98059 repressed PAI-1 mRNA by an unknown mechanism.

Astragalus and Paeoniae Radix Rubra extract (APE) inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation by modulating transforming growth factor-β/Smad pathway

Previous studies have shown that Astragalus and Paeoniae Radix Rubra extract (APE) is capable of protecting against liver fibrosis in rats. The hypothesis of the present study was that APE exerts its anti‑fibrotic effect by mediating the transforming growth factor β (TGF‑β)/Smad signaling pathway. In order to investigate this hypothesis, a series of assays were designed to detect the effects of APE on cell proliferation, cell invasion and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In addition, the effects of APE on the TGF‑β/Smad signaling pathway were explored, with the aim of elucidating the underlying mechanisms. HSCs were initially isolated from normal rat liver. A number of assays were then employed in order to evaluate the effects of APE on the function of these cells. Cell proliferation was investigated using an MTT assay and cell invasion was observed with the use of transwell invasion chambers. Collagen synthesis was measured with a 3H‑proline incorporation assay and expression of α‑smooth muscle actin was used to determine the extent of HSC activation. Protein expression induced by TGF‑β1 in HSCs was investigated by western blot and immunofluorescence analyses. Plasminogen activator inhibitor type1 (PAI‑1) and urokinase‑type plasminogen activator (uPA) transcriptional activity was measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated that APE (5‑80 µg/ml) significantly inhibited fetal bovine serum‑induced cell proliferation in a dose‑dependent manner. Cell invasion and activation of HSCs induced by TGF‑β1 were disrupted by treatment with APE in a dose‑dependent manner. TGF‑β1 was observed to increase the phosphorylation of Smad2/3, while APE administered at higher doses produced inhibitory effects on Smad2/3 phosphorylation. In addition, administration of APE abrogated the TGF‑β1‑induced reduction in Smad‑7 expression in a dose‑dependent manner. The results further indicated that APE treatment not only reduced PAI‑1 expression, but also increased uPA expression in a dose‑dependent manner. In conclusion, APE exerted inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, invasion and activation of HSCs, and the mechanisms underlying these effects may involve the TGF‑β1/Smad pathway.

Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts suppress hepatocarcinogenesis by modulating transforming growth factor-β/Smad signaling

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Previous studies showed Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (CASE), extract from Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorhiza, significantly suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats induced by diethylinitrosamine (DEN), and in vitro experiments further demonstrated that CASE's anti-HepG2 cell invasion is associated with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). We hypothesized that CASE's suppression of HCC is modulated by TGF-β/Smad signaling, and we conducted this in vivo study to test this hypothesis.

METHODS

Rats were divided into the normal control, the DEN group, and three CASE (60, 120, and 240 mg/kg) treatment groups. The expression of phosphorylation(p) Smad both at C-terminal and linker region, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, and Smad4 and Smad7 of liver tissues were measured and compared across the five groups.

RESULTS

The positive staining of pSmad2L and pSmad3L increased both in hepatoma nodule areas and adjacent relatively normal liver tissues in rats treated with DEN, while the positive staining of pSmad2C and pSmad3C increased only in relatively normal liver tissues adjacent to hepatoma tissues. The elevated expression of pSmad2C, pSmad2L, pSmad3L, Smad4, and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 proteins were suppressed by CASE in a dose-dependent manner. CASE treatment also significantly reduced the intranuclear amounts of pSmad2L and pSmad3L, and upregulated the elevation of pSmad3C positive cells and protein expression in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that CASE significantly suppresses HCC progression by mediating TGF-β/Smad signaling, especially by modulating Smad3 phosphorylation both at the C-terminal and linker region.

Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inhibiting fibrosis and PAI-1 mRNA transcription

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza have been used for centuries in China to treat liver diseases. Previous studies have shown that these herbs and their extracts inhibit the development of liver fibrosis and the proliferation and invasion of human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Further study of their pharmacological effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is needed. To investigate the effects of Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza Extract (CASE) on diethylinitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male rats were divided into five groups, with the first group serving as normal control, the second group receiving 0.2% DEN solution five times a week for 14 weeks, and the third to fifth group receiving the same DEN as in the second group together with CASE at the doses of 60, 120, and 240 mg/kg per day for 16 weeks, respectively. Hepatoma incidence, serum enzymes levels, degree of fibrosis and hydroxyproline content were evaluated and compared across the five groups to determine CASE's suppression of fibrosis and HCC progression. In addition, an in vitro experiment using HepG2 cells was conduct to verify CASE's effect on the transcription of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) mRNA.

RESULTS

CASE treatment significantly reduced the incidence and multiplicity of DEN-induced HCC development in a dose-dependent manner. It significantly suppressed the elevation of alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, hyaluronic acid, direct bilirubin and total bilirubin, and significantly lessened the depression of serum total protein in DEN-induced HCC rats. CASE treatment also significantly suppressed the elevated expression of GST-P and α-SMA. The in vitro experiment confirmed that CASE inhibits the transcription of PAI-1 mRNA in HepG2 cells induced by TGF-β1 in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

CASE suppresses DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis by inhibiting fibrosis and PAI-1 mRNA transcription, suggesting its potential clinical application in preventing and treating human HCC.

A standardized extract from Paeonia lactiflora and Astragalus membranaceus induces apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of human hepatoma cell lines

Paeonia lactiflora and Astragalus membranaceus are two traditional Chinese medicines, which are commonly used in Chinese herb prescription to treat liver diseases. The protective effects of the extract prepared from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora and Astragalus membranaceus (PAE) on liver fibrosis have been demonstrated in previous studies. However, its effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been investigated to date. In this study, the effects of PAE on the apoptosis, proliferation, migration and invasion of the human hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and SMMC-7721 were investigated. Our data demonstrated that treatment with PAE (50-200 mg/l) caused an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of the hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and SMMC-7721. Furthermore, PAE induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells and SMMC-7721 cells, which was demonstrated by PI staining. In addition, immunocytochemistry and western blotting showed that PAE significantly decreased the expression of Bcl-2, while the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 in HepG2 cells and SMMC-7721 cells was significantly increased after treatment with PAE. These results clearly demonstrated that PAE induced hepatoma cell apoptosis through increasing the Bax-to-Bcl-2 ratio and upregulating the activation of caspase-3. In addition, the results of wound healing assay and Matrigel invasion assay showed that PAE displayed inhibitory activity on the migration and invasion of HCC cells. Taken together, the present data provides evidence that PAE is a potent antineoplastic drug candidate for the treatment of HCC.

Astragalus polysaccharides can regulate cytokine and P-glycoprotein expression in H22 tumor-bearing mice

AIM: To investigate the adjunct anticancer effect of Astragalus polysaccharides in H22 tumor-bearing mice.

METHODS: To establish a solid tumor model, 5.0 × 10⁶/mL H22 hepatoma cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the right armpit region of Kunming mice (6-12 wk old, 18-22 g). When the tumors reached a size of 100 mm³, the animals were treated as indicated, and the mice were randomly assigned to seven groups (n = 10 each). After ten days of treatment, blood samples were collected from mouse eyes, and serum was harvested by centrifugation. Mice were sacrificed, and the whole body, tumor, spleen and thymus were weighed immediately. The rate of tumor inhibition and organ indexes were calculated. The expression levels of serum cytokines, P-glycoprotein (P-GP) and multidrug resistance (MDR) 1 mRNA in tumor tissues were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and quantitative myeloid-derived suppressor cells reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

RESULTS: The tumor inhibition rates in the treatment groups of Adriamycin (ADM) + Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) (50 mg/kg), ADM + APS (100 mg/kg), and ADM + APS (200 mg/kg) were significantly higher than in the ADM group (72.88% vs 60.36%, P = 0.013; 73.40% vs 60.36%, P = 0.010; 77.57% vs 60.36%, P = 0.001). The spleen indexes of the above groups were also significantly higher than in the ADM group (0.65 ± 0.22 vs 0.39 ± 0.17, P = 0.023; 0.62 ± 0.34 vs 0.39 ± 0.17, P = 0.022; 0.67 ± 0.20 vs 0.39 ± 0.17, P = 0.012), and the thymus indexes of the ADM + APS (100 mg/kg) and ADM + APS (200 mg/kg) groups were significantly higher than in the ADM group (0.20 ± 0.06 vs 0.13 ± 0.04, P = 0.029; 0.47 ± 0.12 vs 0.13 ± 0.04, P = 0.000). APS was found to exert a synergistic anti-tumor effect with ADM and to alleviate the decrease in the sizes of the spleen and thymus induced by AMD. The expression of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was significantly higher in the ADM + APS (50 mg/kg), ADM + APS (100 mg/kg) and ADM + APS (200 mg/kg) groups than in the ADM group; and IL-10 was significantly lower in the above groups than in the ADM group. APS could increase IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α expression and decrease IL-10 levels. Compared with the ADM group, APS treatment at a dose of 50-200 mg/kg could down-regulate MDR1 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner (0.48 ± 0.13 vs 4.26 ± 1.51, P = 0.000; 0.36 ± 0.03 vs 4.26 ± 1.51, P = 0.000; 0.21 ± 0.04 vs 4.26 ± 1.51, P = 0.000). The expression level of P-GP was significantly lower in the ADM + APS (200 mg/kg) group than in the ADM group (137.35 ± 9.20 mg/kg vs 282.19 ± 20.54 mg/kg, P = 0.023).

CONCLUSION: APS exerts a synergistic anti-tumor effect with ADM in H22 tumor-bearing mice. This may be related to its ability to enhance the expression of IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α, decrease IL-10, and down-regulate MDR1 mRNA and P-GP expression levels.

Effects of Astragalus polysaccharides on P-glycoprotein efflux pump function and protein expression in H22 hepatoma cells in vitro

Background

Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) are active constituents of Astragalus membranaceus. They have been widely studied, especially with respect to their immunopotentiating properties, their ability to counteract the side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs, and their anticancer properties. However, the mechanism by which APS inhibit cancer and the issue of whether that mechanism involves the reversal of multidrug resistance (MDR) is not completely clear. The present paper describes an investigation of the effects of APS on P-glycoprotein function and expression in H22 hepatoma cell lines resistant to Adriamycin (H22/ADM).

Methods

H22/ADM cell lines were treated with different concentrations of APS and/or the most common chemotherapy drugs, such as Cyclophosphamid, Adriamycin, 5-Fluorouracil, Cisplatin, Etoposide, and Vincristine. Chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity, P-glycoprotein function and expression, and MDR1 mRNA expression were detected using MTT assay, flow cytometry, Western blotting, and quantitative RT-PCR.

Results

When used alone, APS had no anti-tumor activity in H22/ADM cells in vitro. However, it can increase the cytotoxicity of certain chemotherapy drugs, such as Cyclophosphamid, Adriamycin, 5-Fluorouracil, Cisplatin, Etoposide, and Vincristine, in H22/ADM cells. It acts in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to a blank control group, APS increased intracellular Rhodamine-123 retention and decreased P-glycoprotein efflux function in a dose-dependent manner. These factors were assessed 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after administration. APS down regulated P-glycoprotein and MDR1 mRNA expression in a concentration-dependent manner within a final range of 0.8–500 mg/L and in a time-dependent manner from 24–72 h.

Conclusion

APS can enhance the chemosensitivity of H22/ADM cells. This may involve the downregulation of MDR1 mRNA expression, inhibition of P-GP efflux pump function, or both, which would decrease the expression of the MDR1 protein.

Interferon-α2b and transforming growth factor-β1 treatments on HCC cell lines: Are Wnt/β-catenin pathway and Smads signaling connected in hepatocellular carcinoma?

Wnt/β-catenin pathway is often dysregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Activated β-catenin accumulates in the cytosol and nucleus and forms a nuclear complex with TCF/LEF factors like TCF4. Interferon-α (IFN-α) has recently been recognized to harbor therapeutic potential in prevention and treatment of HCC. Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a mediator of apoptosis, exerting its effects via Smads proteins. One mode of interaction between Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β1/Smads pathways is the association of Smads with β-catenin/TCF4. In this study we analyzed the effects of IFN-α2b and TGF-β1 treatments on Wnt/β-catenin pathway, Smads proteins levels, β-catenin/TCF4/Smads interaction and proliferation and apoptotic death in HepG2/C3A and Huh7 cell lines. IFN-α2b and TGF-β1 attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signal by decreasing β-catenin and Frizzled7 receptor proteins contents and the interaction of β-catenin with TCF4. Truncated β-catenin form present in C3A cell line also diminished after treatments. Both cytokines declined Smads proteins and their interaction with TCF4. The overall cellular response to cytokines was the decrease in proliferation and increase in apoptotic death. Treatment with Wnt3a, which elevates β-catenin protein levels, also generated the increment of Smads proteins contents when comparing with untreated cells. In conclusion, IFN-α2b and TGF-β1 proved to be effective as modulators of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC cell lines holding both wild-type and truncated β-catenin. Since the inhibition of β-catenin/TCF4/Smads complexes formation may have a critical role in slowing down oncogenesis, IFN-α2b and TGF-β1 could be useful as potential treatments in patients with HCC.

Salvianolic acids: small compounds with multiple mechanisms for cardiovascular protection

Salvianolic acids are the most abundant water-soluble compounds extracted from Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen). In China, Danshen has been wildly used to treat cardiovascular diseases for hundreds of years. Salvianolic acids, especially salvianolic acid A (Sal A) and salvianolic acid B (Sal B), have been found to have potent anti-oxidative capabilities due to their polyphenolic structure. Recently, intracellular signaling pathways regulated by salvianolic acids in vascular endothelial cells, aortic smooth muscle cells, as well as cardiomyocytes, have been investigated both in vitro and in vivo upon various cardiovascular insults. It is discovered that the cardiovascular protection of salvianolic acids is not only because salvianolic acids act as reactive oxygen species scavengers, but also due to the reduction of leukocyte-endothelial adherence, inhibition of inflammation and metalloproteinases expression from aortic smooth muscle cells, and indirect regulation of immune function. Competitive binding of salvianolic acids to target proteins to interrupt protein-protein interactions has also been found to be a mechanism of cardiovascular protection by salvianolic acids. In this article, we review a variety of studies focusing on the above mentioned mechanisms. Besides, the target proteins of salvianolic acids are also described. These results of recent advances have shed new light to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for salvianolic acids to treat cardiovascular diseases.

Pregnane X receptor PXR activates the GADD45beta gene, eliciting the p38 MAPK signal and cell migration

Pregnane X receptor (PXR) was originally characterized as a transcription factor that induces hepatic drug metabolism by activating cytochrome P450 genes. Here we have now demonstrated a novel function of PXR, that of eliciting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation for cell migration. Upon xenobiotic activation of ectopic human PXR, human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells were found to exhibit increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and to subsequently change morphology and migrate. p38 MAPK was responsible for the regulation of these morphological changes and cell migration because the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB239063 repressed both. Prior to this phosphorylation, PXR directly activated the early response GADD45β gene by binding to a distal direct repeat 4 site of the GADD45β promoter. Ectopic expression of GADD45β increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation, whereas siRNA knockdown of GADD45β decreased the PXR-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation, confirming that GADD45β can regulate PXR-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation in HepG2 cells. These results indicate that PXR activates the GADD45β gene, increasing p38 MAPK phosphorylation, and leading HepG2 cells to change morphology and migrate. The GADD45β gene is a direct target for PXR, eliciting cell signals to regulate various cellular functions.

Suppression of Proliferation and Invasive Behavior of Human Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells by Dietary Supplement BreastDefend

Aim: The study was to evaluate the effect of the dietary supplement BreastDefend (BD) on the proliferation and invasive behavior of highly metastatic human breast cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity of BD was evaluated in MDA-MB-231 cells treated with BD (0-40 μg/mL) by MTT assay and trypan blue staining, respectively. Expression of cell cycle regulatory genes were determined by DNA-microarray analysis. Effect of BD on invasiveness was assessed by cellular adhesion, migration, and invasion assays. Results: BD treatment of cells MDA-MB-231 resulted in the cytostatic inhibition of cell proliferation with IC50 22.2, 19.1, and 17.5 μg/mL for 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. The inhibition of proliferation was mediated by the upregulation expression of CCNG1, CHEK1, CDKN1C, GADD45A, and E2F2, whereas BD downregulated expression of CCNA1 and CDK6 genes. The induction of expression of GADD45A and inhibition of expression of cyclin A1 (gene CCNA1) by BD was also confirmed on the protein level. BD treatment suppressed the invasive behavior of MDA-MB-231 cells by the inhibition of cellular adhesion, migration, and invasion. This inhibition of invasiveness was mediated by the suppression of secretion of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), and by the downregulation of expression of CXCR4 in breast cancer cells treated with BD. Conclusion: BD inhibits proliferation and invasive behavior of the highly metastatic human breast cancer cells in vitro. BD may have a therapeutic potential for prevention or treatment of highly metastatic breast cancers.