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Morang S, Bisht M, Upadhyay V, Thapliyal S, Handu S. S1P Signaling Genes as Prominent Drivers of BCR-ABL1-Independent Imatinib Resistance and Six Herbal Compounds as Potential Drugs for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. OMICS : A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2024; 28:367-376. [PMID: 38986084 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2024.0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Imatinib (IM), a breakthrough in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment, is accompanied by discontinuation challenges owing to drug intolerance. Although BCR-ABL1 mutation is a key cause of CML resistance, understanding mechanisms independent of BCR-ABL1 is also important. This study investigated the sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling-associated genes (SphK1 and S1PRs) and their role in BCR-ABL1-independent resistant CML, an area currently lacking investigation. Through comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of IM-sensitive and IM-resistant CML groups, we identified the differentially expressed genes and found a notable upregulation of SphK1, S1PR2, and S1PR5 in IM-resistant CML. Functional annotation revealed their roles in critical cellular processes such as proliferation and GPCR activity. Their network analysis uncovered significant clusters, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the S1P signaling genes. Further, we identified interactors such as BIRC3, TRAF6, and SRC genes, with potential implications for IM resistance. Additionally, receiver operator characteristic curve analysis suggested these genes' potential as biomarkers for predicting IM resistance. Network pharmacology analysis identified six herbal compounds-ampelopsin, ellagic acid, colchicine, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, cucurbitacin B, and evodin-as potential drug candidates targeting the S1P signaling genes. In summary, this study contributes to efforts to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying BCR-ABL1-independent CML resistance. Moreover, the S1P signaling genes are promising therapeutic targets and plausible new innovation avenues to combat IM resistance in cancer clinical care in the future.
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MESH Headings
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/metabolism
- Humans
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Imatinib Mesylate/pharmacology
- Imatinib Mesylate/therapeutic use
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/genetics
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Lysophospholipids/metabolism
- Gene Expression Profiling/methods
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Female
- Sphingosine/analogs & derivatives
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Affiliation(s)
- Sikha Morang
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, India
| | - Manisha Bisht
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, India
| | - Vikas Upadhyay
- Department of AYUSH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, India
| | | | - Shailendra Handu
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, India
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Zhan F, Song W, Fan Y, Wang F, Wang Q. Cucurbitacin E Alleviates Colonic Barrier Function Impairment and Inflammation Response and Improves Microbial Composition on Experimental Colitis Models. J Inflamm Res 2024; 17:2745-2756. [PMID: 38737108 PMCID: PMC11086439 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s456353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Cucurbitacins, which are found in a variety of medicinal plants, vegetables and fruits, were known for their diverse pharmacological and biological activities, including anticancer, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Cucurbitacin E, one of the major cucurbitacins, was recently proved to inhibit inflammatory response. Methods To explore the therapeutic effects of cucurbitacin E on colitis and the underlying mechanisms, male mice drunk water containing 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to establish colitis model and administrated with cucurbitacin E during and after DSS treatment. The disease activity index was scored and colonic histological damage was observed. Intestinal tight junction and inflammatory response were determined. 16S rRNA and transcriptome sequencing were performed to analyze gut microbiota composition and gene expression, respectively. Results We found that cucurbitacin E alleviated DSS-induced body weight loss and impaired colonic morphology. Cucurbitacin E decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines and cell apoptosis, and maintained barrier function. Additionally, cucurbitacin E retrieved DSS-induced alterations in the bacterial community composition. Furthermore, a variety of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) caused by cucurbitacin E were enriched in several pathways including the NFκB and TNF signaling pathways as well as in Th17 cell differentiation. There was a close relationship between DEGs and bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella and Muribaculaceae. Conclusion Our results revealed that cucurbitacin E may exert protective effects on colitis via modulating inflammatory response, microbiota composition and host gene expression. Our study supports the therapeutic potential of cucurbitacin E in colitis and indicates that gut microbes are potentially therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengxia Zhan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Song
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, 266061, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong Fan
- Qingdao Mental Health Center, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fangjian Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Shandong University, Qingdao, 266035, People’s Republic of China
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Wu H, Ma T, He M, Xie W, Wang X, Lu L, Wang H, Cui Y. Cucurbitacin B modulates M2 macrophage differentiation and attenuates osteosarcoma progression via PI3K/AKT pathway. Phytother Res 2024; 38:2215-2233. [PMID: 38411031 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is a common malignant bone tumour characterised by an aggressive metastatic potential. The tumour microenvironment, particularly the M2-polarised macrophages, is crucial for tumour progression. Cucurbitacin B (CuB), a triterpenoid derivative, is recognised for its anti-inflammatory and antitumour properties. This study investigates CuB and its effect on M2 macrophage differentiation and osteosarcoma progression, aiming to contribute to new treatment strategies. In vitro, THP-1 monocytes were stimulated with PMA, IL-13 and IL-4 to induce differentiation into M2 macrophages. Additionally, the influence of CuB on the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells in the context of M2 macrophages was scrutinised. Crucial signalling pathways, especially the PI3K/AKT pathway, affected by CuB were identified and validated. In vivo, the osteosarcoma model was employed to gauge the effects of CuB on tumour weight, lung metastasis, angiogenesis, cell proliferation and M2 macrophage markers. The results showed that CuB inhibited M2 macrophage differentiation, leading to reduced proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. CuB manifested an inhibitory effect on the PI3K/AKT pathway during the differentiation of M2 macrophages. In mouse models, CuB markedly reduced the tumour weight and the number of lung metastases. It also reduced the expression of angiogenesis and cell proliferation markers in tumour tissues, decreased the quantity of M2 macrophages and their associated markers and pathway proteins. In conclusion, CuB impedes osteosarcoma progression by inhibiting M2 macrophage differentiation via the PI3K/AKT pathway, presenting the potential for therapeutic advancements in osteosarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wu
- Department of Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Tianjun Ma
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Mei He
- Department of Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Wenkai Xie
- Department of Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xueyan Wang
- Department of Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Liuping Lu
- Department of Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Ying Cui
- Department of Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
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Deepika, Kumari A, Prajapati P, Sarita, Kumar S, Aluko RE, Singh S, Garg M. Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Cucumis callosus: a Novel Nutritional Powerhouse for the Management of Non-communicable Diseases. PLANT FOODS FOR HUMAN NUTRITION (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 78:630-642. [PMID: 37698772 DOI: 10.1007/s11130-023-01098-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Cucumis callosus (Kachri) is an under-exploited fruit of the Cucurbitaceae family, distributed majorly in the arid regions of India in the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The fruit is traditionally used by the native people at a small scale by home-level processing. It is a perennial herb that has been shown to possess therapeutic potential in certain disorders. In several studies, the antioxidant, anti-hyperlipidaemic, anti-diabetic, anti-cancerous, anti-microbial, and cardioprotective properties of Kachri have been reported. The fruit has a good nutritional value in terms of high percentages of protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, phenols, and various phytochemicals. Also, gamma radiation treatment has been used on this crop to reduce total bacterial counts (TBC), ensuring safety from pathogens during the storage period of the fruit and its products. These facts lay down a foundation for the development of functional food formulations and nutraceuticals of medicinal value from this functionally rich crop. Processing of traditionally valuable arid region foods into functional foods and products can potentially increase the livelihood and nutritional security of people globally. Therefore, this review focuses on the therapeutic and pharmacological potentials of the Kachri fruit in the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) namely, diabetes, cancer, and hyperlipidemia. Graphical abstract of the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika
- Department of Nutrition Biology, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana, India, 123031
| | - Anita Kumari
- Department of Nutrition Biology, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana, India, 123031.
| | - Priyanka Prajapati
- Department of Food Technology, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India, 110075
| | - Sarita
- Department of Nutrition Biology, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana, India, 123031
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, 123031, Haryana, India
| | - Rotimi E Aluko
- Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Surender Singh
- Department of Microbiology, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, 123031, Haryana, India
| | - Meenakshi Garg
- Department of Food Technology, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India, 110075
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Li Y, Li Y, Yao Y, Li H, Gao C, Sun C, Zhuang J. Potential of cucurbitacin as an anticancer drug. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115707. [PMID: 37862969 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In Chinese medicine, the Cucurbitaceae family contains many compounds known as cucurbitacins, which have been categorized into 12 classes ranging from A to T and more than 200 derivatives. Cucurbitacins are a class of highly oxidized tetracyclic triterpenoids with potent anticancer properties. The eight components of cucurbitacins with the strongest anticancer activity are cucurbitacins B, D, E, I, IIa, L-glucoside, Q, and R. Cucurbitacins have also been reported to suppress JAK-STAT 3, mTOR, VEGFR, Wnt/β-catenin, and MAPK signaling pathways, all of which are crucial for the survival and demise of cancer cells. In this paper, we review the progress in research on cucurbitacin-induced apoptosis, autophagy, cytoskeleton disruption, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of cell proliferation, inhibition of invasion and migration, inhibition of angiogenesis, epigenetic alterations, and synergistic anticancer effects in tumor cells. Recent studies have identified cucurbitacins as promising molecules for therapeutic innovation with broad versatility in immune response. Thus, cucurbitacin is a promising class of anticancer agents that can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the treatment of many types of cancer.Therefore, based on the research reports in the past five years at home and abroad, we further summarize and review the structural characteristics, chemical and biological activities, and studies of cucurbitacins based on the previous studies to provide a reference for further development and utilization of cucurbitacins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- College of Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yingrui Li
- College of Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yan Yao
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250022, China
| | - Huayao Li
- College of Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Chundi Gao
- College of Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Changgang Sun
- College of Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Jing Zhuang
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang 261000, China.
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Xu X, Wen S, Zhang Y, Cao W, Yue P, Kong J, Liu M, Fan Y, Chen J, Ji Z, Dong Y, Zhou G, Li B, Liu A, Bao F. A key protein from Borrelia burgdorferi could stimulate cytokines in human microglial cells and inhibitory effects of Cucurbitacin IIa. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023; 15:376-385. [PMID: 38046885 PMCID: PMC10689270 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is an infectious disease of the nervous system caused by Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) infection. However, its pathogenesis is not fully understood. We used recombinant BmpA (rBmpA) to stimulate human microglia cell HMC3, then collected the culture supernatant and extracted total RNA from cells, and used the supernatant for cytokine chip, then ELISA and qPCR technology were used to validate the results from cytokine chip. After rBmpA stimulation of microglia, 24 inflammation-related cytokines showed elevated expression. Among them, six cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL1, and CXCL10) increased significantly in mRNA transcription, three cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and CXCL10) concentrations in the cell supernatant increased significantly after the rBmpA stimulation, and CuIIa could inhibit expression of these cytokines. The BmpA can stimulate human microglia to produce large amounts of cytokines, leading to the occurrence of inflammation, which may be closely related to the development of LNB. CuIIa can inhibit BmpA-induced cytokine production in microglia, which may have potential therapeutic effects on LNB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xu
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory of Children's Major Diseases Research, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Shiyuan Wen
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory of Children's Major Diseases Research, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wenjing Cao
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Peng Yue
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jing Kong
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Meixiao Liu
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yuxin Fan
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jingjing Chen
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhenhua Ji
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yan Dong
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Guozhong Zhou
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Bingxue Li
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Aihua Liu
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory of Children's Major Diseases Research, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Fukai Bao
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory of Children's Major Diseases Research, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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Ge JB, Jiang B, Shi TS, Li WY, Chen WJ, Zhu BL, Qin ZH. Cucurbitacin B Exerts Significant Antidepressant-Like Effects in a Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Model of Depression: Involvement of the Hippocampal BDNF-TrkB System. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 26:680-691. [PMID: 37603290 PMCID: PMC10586053 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyad052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although depression has been a serious neuropsychiatric disorder worldwide, current antidepressants used in clinical practice have various weaknesses, including delayed onset and low rates of efficacy. Recently, the development of new antidepressants from natural herbal medicine has become one of the important research hotspots. Cucurbitacin B is a natural compound widely distributed in the Cucurbitaceae and Cruciferae families and has many pharmacological activities. The present study aimed to investigate whether cucurbitacin B possess antidepressant-like effects in mice. METHODS The antidepressant-like effects of cucurbitacin B on mice behaviors were explored using the forced swim test, tail suspension test, open field test, sucrose preference test, and a chronic unpredictable mild stress model of depression together. Then, western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to examine the effects of cucurbitacin B on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) signaling cascade and neurogenesis in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, BDNF-short hairpin RNA, K252a, and p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester were adopted together to determine the antidepressant mechanism of cucurbitacin B. RESULTS It was found that administration of cucurbitacin B indeed produced notable antidepressant-like effects in mice, which were accompanied with significant promotion in both the hippocampal BDNF-TrkB pathway and neurogenesis. The antidepressant mechanism of cucurbitacin B involves the hippocampal BDNF-TrkB system but not the serotonin system. CONCLUSIONS Cucurbitacin B has the potential to be a novel antidepressant candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Bin Ge
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Disease, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Nantong Rehabilitation Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bo Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tian-Shun Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei-Yu Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei-Jia Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bao-Lun Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zheng-Hong Qin
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Disease, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Zieniuk B, Pawełkowicz M. Recent Advances in the Application of Cucurbitacins as Anticancer Agents. Metabolites 2023; 13:1081. [PMID: 37887406 PMCID: PMC10608718 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13101081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cucurbitacins are tetracyclic triterpenoid secondary metabolites, widely distributed in the Cucurbitaceae family. These bitter-tasting compounds act primarily as defense mechanisms against external injuries, and thus against herbivores, and furthermore, they have also found use in folk medicine in the treatment of various diseases. Many studies have acknowledged significant biological activities of cucurbitacins, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, antimicrobial properties, or antitumor potential. Overall, cucurbitacins have the ability to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. Both in vitro and in vivo studies were performed to evaluate the anticancer activity of varied cucurbitacins. Cucurbitacins offer a promising avenue for future cancer treatment strategies, and their diverse mechanisms of action make them attractive candidates for further investigation. The aim of the present study is to shed light on the chemical diversity of this group of compounds by providing the sources of origin of selected compounds and their chemical structure, as well as insight into their anticancer potential. In addition, within this paper molecular targets for cucurbitacins and signalling pathways important for cancer cell proliferation and/or survival that are affected by the described class of compounds have been presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Zieniuk
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Pawełkowicz
- Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
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Shang FF, Lu Q, Lin T, Pu M, Xiao R, Liu W, Deng H, Guo H, Quan ZS, Ding C, Shen QK. Discovery of Triazolyl Derivatives of Cucurbitacin B Targeting IGF2BP1 against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. J Med Chem 2023; 66:12931-12949. [PMID: 37681508 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Cucurbitacin B (CuB) is a potent but toxic anticancer natural product. Herein, we designed and synthesized 2-OH- and 16-OH-modified CuB derivatives to improve their antitumor efficacy and reduce toxicity. Among them, derivative A11 had the most potent antiproliferative activity against A549 lung cancer cells (IC50 = 0.009 μM) and was approximately 10-fold more potent than CuB, while the cytotoxicity of A11 toward normal L02 cells was about 10-fold less potent, indicating a much wider therapeutic window than CuB. Derivative A11 directly binds to the insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) protein with a KD value of 2.88 nM, which is about 23-fold more potent than CuB, leading to the decreased expression of downstream apoptosis- and cell cycle-related proteins. More importantly, A11 exhibited much more potent anticancer efficacy in an A549 xenograft mouse model with a TGI rate of 80% and a superior in vivo safety profile than that of CuB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan-Fan Shang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Qing Lu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Tailiang Lin
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Miaoxia Pu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Integration Science, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Ruoxuan Xiao
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Wanmei Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Hao Deng
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Hongyan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Zhe-Shan Quan
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Chunyong Ding
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Qing-Kun Shen
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
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Alafnan A, Khalifa NE, Hussain T, Osman ME. Cucurbitacin-B instigates intrinsic apoptosis and modulates Notch signaling in androgen-dependent prostate cancer LNCaP cells. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1206981. [PMID: 37448964 PMCID: PMC10338038 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1206981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Among numerous triterpenoids of the Cucurbitaceae family, Cucurbitacin-B (Cur-B) is being explored for its pharmacological attributes. Reports from previous studies have explicitly shown that Cur-B possesses substantial anticancer effects. The present report focuses on exploring the anticancer attributes of Cur-B against androgen-dependent PCa LNCaP cells. Methods: LNCaP cells were exposed to commercially available purified Cur-B at varying concentrations that were selected as 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 µM for some time of 24 h to perform various experimental studies. Results: Cytotoxicity evaluation revealed that Cur-B impeded the LNCaP cell's viability at 5 µM (p <0.05) which increased considerably at a concentration of 25 µM (p <0.001). Cur-B was also efficacious in inducing the changes within nu-clear morphology followed by a concomitant increase in the activities of key caspases including caspase-3, -8, and -9 intriguingly in a dose-dependent trend. Cur-B treatment not only resulted in the augmentation of intracellular ROS levels within LNCaP cells at 5 µM (p <0.05) but also in-creased significantly at 25 µM concentration (p <0.001). Elevation in the ROS levels was also found to be correlated with dissipated mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) which culminated in the onset of significant apoptosis at 25 µM concentration (p <0.001). Cur-B exposure also resulted in the downregulation of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) followed by amplified levels of p21Cip1 mRNA. Importantly, exposure of Cur-B competently reduced the expression of the Notch signaling cascade which may be the plausible cause behind Cur-B-instigated apoptotic cell death and cell cycle arrest in LNCaP cells. Discussion: These observations thus, explicitly indicated that Cur-B could be plausibly further explored as potent therapeutics against androgen-dependent PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Alafnan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasrin E. Khalifa
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Talib Hussain
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mhdia Elhadi Osman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia
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11
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Hu DB, Wei SY, Yang J, Zhang DD, Duan XY, Yan H, Yang XZ, Bai X, Luo JF, Yang JH, Wang YS, Wang YH. Heterodimers with a cucurbitane-type triterpenoid skeleton from the branches of Elaeocarpus dubius. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2023; 207:113581. [PMID: 36592859 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Four undescribed and two known cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, including two heterodimers, elaeocarpudubins A and B, were isolated from the branches of Elaeocarpus dubius (Elaeocarpaceae). The chemical structures of these undescribed isolates were determined by analyses of 1D and 2D NMR and MS data, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and chemical transformation. Biogenetically, elaeocarpudubins A and B might be derived from cucurbitacin F through Michael addition with vitamin C and (-)-catechin, respectively. These six isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human leukemia HL-60, human lung adenocarcinoma A549, human hepatoma SMMC-7721, human breast cancer MCF-7, human colon cancer SW480, and paclitaxel-resistant A549 (A549/Taxol) cell lines, for their antioxidant properties using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, and for their differentiation effects on nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated neurite outgrowth in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Cucurbitacins F (IC50 of 4.98-38.11 μM) and D (IC50 of 0.03-4.40 μM) showed growth-inhibitory activities against these six cancer cell lines. Elaeocarpudubin B (IC50 of 61.04 μM) and elaeocarpudoside B (IC50 of 6.93 μM) showed antioxidant activities. Elaeocarpudubin B and elaeocarpudoside B also showed neurite outgrowth-promoting activities in PC12 cells at a concentration of 10 μM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Bao Hu
- School of Chemical Biology and Environment, Yuxi Normal University, Yuxi, 653100, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Ya Wei
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, And State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products, And School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, And State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Dong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, And State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, People's Republic of China; Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Southeast Asia Biodiversity Conservation, Menglun, Yunnan, 666303, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Yan Duan
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, And State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Yan
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, And State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Zhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, And State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Bai
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, And State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji-Feng Luo
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, And State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Hua Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products, And School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun-Song Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products, And School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yue-Hu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, And State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, People's Republic of China; Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Southeast Asia Biodiversity Conservation, Menglun, Yunnan, 666303, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Zhang J, Aray B, Zhang Y, Bai Y, Yuan T, Ding S, Xue Y, Huang X, Li Z. Synergistic effect of cucurbitacin E and myricetin on Anti-Non-Small cell lung cancer: Molecular mechanism and therapeutic potential. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 111:154619. [PMID: 36706697 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with extremely high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad, widely distributed in Asian and African countries, is used to treat cancers in traditional Uyghur medicine. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE The combination of Cucurbitacin E (CuE) and Myricetin (Myr) of C. colocynthis could treat NSCLC by targeting autophagy. STUDY DESIGN The potential anti-cancer components (CuE and Myr) of C. colocynthis were identified using in-silico methods and further in vitro explored the anti-NSCLC properties of the combination of CuE and Myr. METHODS Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to identify potential therapeutic compounds of C. colocynthis for the treatment of NSCLC. In A549 cells, the anti-cancer activities and synergy of CuE and Myr were studied using CompuSyn, their mechanism behind autophagy regulation was determined by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS CuMy-12 (CuE: 0.5 µM, Myr: 20 µM), a combination of CuE and Myr from C. colocynthis, inhibited A549 cell proliferation and colony formation, and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, exhibiting a synergistic effect. Furthermore, CuMy-12 inhibited autophagy and activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which was characterized by a decrease in Beclin 1, AKT, and phospho-AKT proteins. CONCLUSION CuMy-12 can be considered a natural candidate with anticancer activity for autophagy-based regulation, but mechanistic and clinical studies are required to validate its potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfang Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Baht Aray
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Life and Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yinglu Bai
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Tao Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330027, China
| | - Shilan Ding
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yanyu Xue
- School of Life and Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiulan Huang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Zhiyong Li
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China.
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13
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Dai S, Wang C, Zhao X, Ma C, Fu K, Liu Y, Peng C, Li Y. Cucurbitacin B: A review of its pharmacology, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics. Pharmacol Res 2023; 187:106587. [PMID: 36460279 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Cucurbitacin B (CuB, C32H46O8), the most abundant and active member of cucurbitacins, which are highly oxidized tetracyclic triterpenoids. Cucurbitacins are widely distributed in a variety of plants and mainly isolated from plants in the Cucurbitaceae family. CuB is mostly obtained from the pedicel of Cucumis melo L. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that CuB has a broad range of pharmacological activities, with significant therapeutic effects on a variety of diseases including inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes mellitus, and cancers. In this study the PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases were searched from 1986 to 2022. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 98 out of 2484 articles were selected for a systematic review to comprehensively summarize the pharmacological activity, toxicity, and pharmacokinetic properties of CuB. The results showed that CuB exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer activities mainly via regulating various signaling pathways, such as the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (JAK/STAT3), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2/antioxidant responsive element (Nrf2/ARE), nuclear factor (NF)-κB, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase-2A/protein phosphatase-2A (CIP2A/PP2A), Wnt, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Notch, and Hippo-Yes-associated protein (YAP) pathways. Studies of its toxicity and pharmacokinetic properties showed that CuB has non-specific toxicity and low bioavailability. In addition, derivatives and clinical applications of CuB are discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - XingTao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Cheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Ke Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Yanfang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Yunxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
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14
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Ramya H, Ravikumar KS, Ajith TA, Fathimathu Z, Janardhanan KK. Anticancer Activity of the Bioactive Extract of the Morel Mushroom (Morchella elata, Ascomycetes) from Kashmir Himalaya (India) and Identification of Major Bioactive Compounds. Int J Med Mushrooms 2023; 25:41-52. [PMID: 37831511 DOI: 10.1615/intjmedmushrooms.2023050169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Morel mushrooms, Morchella species are highly nutritional, excellently edible and medicinal. Anticancer activity of M. elata, growing in forests of Kashmir Himalaya was studied. Ethyl acetate extract of fruiting bodies of M. elata (MEAE) was evaluated for cytotoxicity by MTT assay using Daltons lymphoma ascites (DLA), human colon cancer (HCT-116) and normal cell lines. Anti-carcinogenic and antiangiogenic activities of MEAE were tested using mouse models. Proapoptotic activity was detected by double staining of acridine orange-ethidium bromide assay. MEAE was partially purified by column chromatography and the bioactive compounds were identified by LC-MS analysis. The bioactive extract of M. elata showed significant cytotoxicic activity against DLA (P < 0.05), HCT-116 cell lines (P < 0.05) and did not possess appreciable adverse effect on the viability of normal cells. At a concentration of 100 µg/mL, 60% cell death was observed in HCT-116 cell line while 80% cell death was found in DLA cell line. The extract also possessed profound anticarcinogenic, antiangiogenic and proapoptotic activities. LC-MS analysis showed celastrol (RT 9.504, C29H38O4, MW 450.27), convallatoxin (RT 9.60, C29H42O10, MW 550.27), cucurbitacin A (RT 11.97, C32H46O9, MW 574.71) and madecassic acid (RT 14.35, C30H48O6, MW 504.70) as the major bioactive components. Current experimental studies indicated that bioactive extract of M. elata possessed significant anticancer activity. Being an excellently edible mushroom, the potential therapeutic use of M. elata and its bioactive extract in complementary therapy of cancer is envisaged.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zuhara Fathimathu
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Calicut, Thenjipalam 673636, India
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15
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Apoptotic Cell Death via Activation of DNA Degradation, Caspase-3 Activity, and Suppression of Bcl-2 Activity: An Evidence-Based Citrullus colocynthis Cytotoxicity Mechanism toward MCF-7 and A549 Cancer Cell Lines. SEPARATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/separations9120411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study are to investigate the cytotoxic effect of different Citrullus colocynthis extracts on breast and lung cancer cell lines using flow cytometry to gain mechanistic insights. C. colocynthis was extracted sequentially using the Soxhlet method. We first tested the plant extracts’ cytotoxicity on non-malignant L929 cells and cancerous breast (MCF-7) and lung (A549) cell lines. We observed that the IC50 of the methanol extract on the viability of MCF-7 and A549 cell lines was 81.08 µg/mL and 17.84 µg/mL, respectively, using the MTT assay. The aqueous and methanol extracts were less toxic when tested against the non-cancerous L929 cell line, with IC50 values of 235.48 µg/mL and 222.29 µg/mL, respectively. Then, using flow cytometry, we investigated the underlying molecular pathways with Annexin-V, Anti-Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL) assays. Flow cytometric and molecular marker analyses revealed that the methanol extract activated caspase-3 and inhibited Bcl-2 protein, causing early and late apoptosis, as well as cell death via DNA damage in breast and lung cancer cells. These findings indicate that the methanol extract of C. colocynthis is cytotoxic to breast and lung cancer cell lines. The total phenolic and flavonoid content analysis results showed the methanolic extract of C. colocynthis has a concentration of 326.25 μg GAE/g dwt and 274.61 μg QE/g dwt, respectively. GC-MS analysis of the methanol extract revealed phytochemicals relevant to its cytotoxicity.
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A comprehensive review on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of Anagallis arvensis (L).: A wild edible medicinal food plant. FOOD BIOSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2022.102328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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17
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Delgado-Tiburcio EE, Cadena-Iñiguez J, Santiago-Osorio E, Ruiz-Posadas LDM, Castillo-Juárez I, Aguiñiga-Sánchez I, Soto-Hernández M. Pharmacokinetics and Biological Activity of Cucurbitacins. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1325. [PMID: 36355498 PMCID: PMC9696414 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cucurbitacins are a class of secondary metabolites initially isolated from the Cucurbitaceae family. They are important for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer biological actions. This review addresses pharmacokinetic parameters recently reported, including absorption, metabolism, distribution, and elimination phases of cucurbitacins. It includes recent studies of the molecular mechanisms of the biological activity of the most studied cucurbitacins and some derivatives, especially their anticancer capacity, to propose the integration of the pharmacokinetic profiles of cucurbitacins and the possibilities of their use. The main botanical genera and species of American origin that have been studied, and others whose chemo taxonomy makes them essential sources for the extraction of these metabolites, are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jorge Cadena-Iñiguez
- Innovation in Natural Resource Management, Postgraduate College, Campus San Luis Potosí, Salinas de Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí 78622, Mexico
| | - Edelmiro Santiago-Osorio
- Hematopoiesis and Leukemia Laboratory, Research Unit on Cell Differentiation and Cancer, FES Zaragoza, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 09230, Mexico
| | - Lucero del Mar Ruiz-Posadas
- Botany Department, Postgraduate College, Campus Montecillo, km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Texcoco 56230, Mexico
| | - Israel Castillo-Juárez
- Botany Department, Postgraduate College, Campus Montecillo, km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Texcoco 56230, Mexico
| | - Itzen Aguiñiga-Sánchez
- Hematopoiesis and Leukemia Laboratory, Research Unit on Cell Differentiation and Cancer, FES Zaragoza, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 09230, Mexico
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, FES Zaragoza, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 09230, Mexico
| | - Marcos Soto-Hernández
- Botany Department, Postgraduate College, Campus Montecillo, km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Texcoco 56230, Mexico
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The Role of Natural Products as Inhibitors of JAK/STAT Signaling Pathways in Glioblastoma Treatment. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:7838583. [PMID: 36193062 PMCID: PMC9526628 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7838583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The permeability of glioblastoma, as well as its escaping the immune system, makes them one of the most deadly human malignancies. By avoiding programmed cell death (apoptosis), unlimited cell growth and metastatic ability could dramatically affect the immune system. Genetic mutations, epigenetic changes, and overexpression of oncogenes can cause this process. On the other hand, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and intratumor heterogeneity are important factors causing resistance to therapy. Several signaling pathways have been identified in this field, including the Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK) converter and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) activator pathways, which are closely related. In addition, the JAK/STAT signaling pathway contributes to a wide array of tumorigenesis functions, including replication, anti-apoptosis, angiogenesis, and immune suppression. Introducing this pathway as the main tumorigenesis and treatment resistance center can give a better understanding of how it operates. In light of this, it is an important goal in treating many disorders, particularly cancer. The inhibition of this signaling pathway is being considered an approach to the treatment of glioblastoma. The use of natural products alternatively to conventional therapies is another area of research interest among researchers. Some natural products that originate from plants or natural sources can interfere with JAK/STAT signaling in human malignant cells, also by stopping the progression and phosphorylation of JAK/STAT, inducing apoptosis, and stopping the cell cycle. Natural products are a viable alternative to conventional chemotherapy because of their cost-effectiveness, wide availability, and almost no side effects.
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Nisar S, Masoodi T, Prabhu KS, Kuttikrishnan S, Zarif L, Khatoon S, Ali S, Uddin S, Akil AAS, Singh M, Macha MA, Bhat AA. Natural products as chemo-radiation therapy sensitizers in cancers. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 154:113610. [PMID: 36030591 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a devastating disease and is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Surgery, chemotherapy (CT), and/or radiation therapy (RT) are the treatment of choice for most advanced tumors. Unfortunately, treatment failure due to intrinsic and acquired resistance to the current CT and RT is a significant challenge associated with poor patient prognosis. There is an urgent need to develop and identify agents that can sensitize tumor cells to chemo-radiation therapy (CRT) with minimal cytotoxicity to the healthy tissues. While many recent studies have identified the underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets for CRT failure, using small molecule inhibitors to chemo/radio sensitize tumors is associated with high toxicity and increased morbidity. Natural products have long been used as chemopreventive agents in many cancers. Combining many of these compounds with the standard chemotherapeutic agents or with RT has shown synergistic effects on cancer cell death and overall improvement in patient survival. Based on the available data, there is strong evidence that natural products have a robust therapeutic potential along with CRT and their well-known chemopreventive effects in many solid tumors. This review article reports updated literature on different natural products used as CT or RT sensitizers in many solid tumors. This is the first review discussing CT and RT sensitizers together in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Nisar
- Depertment of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tariq Masoodi
- Laboratory of Cancer immunology and genetics, Sidra Medicine, Qatar
| | - Kirti S Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar
| | - Shilpa Kuttikrishnan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar
| | - Lubna Zarif
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar
| | - Summaiya Khatoon
- Depertment of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahid Ali
- International Potato Center (CIP), Shillong, Meghalaya, India
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ammira Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Depertment of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mayank Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu & Kashmir, India.
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Depertment of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
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Phytochemicals for the Prevention and Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence and Molecular Mechanisms. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133278. [PMID: 35805049 PMCID: PMC9265746 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most frequently diagnosed kidney cancer. Once RCC metastasizes, successful treatment is difficult to achieve. There is an apparent need for novel approaches to prevent and treat RCC. Phytochemicals are naturally derived compounds gaining increasing scientific interest due to their cancer preventive and chemotherapeutic properties. These phytochemicals have been shown to exhibit a multitude of anticancer effects against RCC. In this systematic review, we critically evaluate the potential these natural compounds possess for the prevention and treatment of RCC and discuss the future implications this may have in the fight against kidney cancer. Abstract Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with about 90% of renal malignancies, and its incidence is increasing globally. Plant-derived compounds have gained significant attention in the scientific community for their preventative and therapeutic effects on cancer. To evaluate the anticancer potential of phytocompounds for RCC, we compiled a comprehensive and systematic review of the available literature. Our work was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria. The literature search was performed using scholarly databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect and keywords such as renal cell carcinoma, phytochemicals, cancer, tumor, proliferation, apoptosis, prevention, treatment, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Based on in vitro results, various phytochemicals, such as phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids, and sulfur-containing compounds, suppressed cell viability, proliferation and growth, showed cytotoxic activity, inhibited invasion and migration, and enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in RCC. In various animal tumor models, phytochemicals suppressed renal tumor growth, reduced tumor size, and hindered angiogenesis and metastasis. The relevant antineoplastic mechanisms involved upregulation of caspases, reduction in cyclin activity, induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via modulation of a plethora of cell signaling pathways. Clinical studies demonstrated a reduced risk for the development of kidney cancer and enhancement of the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs. Both preclinical and clinical studies displayed significant promise of utilizing phytochemicals for the prevention and treatment of RCC. Further research, confirming the mechanisms and regulatory pathways, along with randomized controlled trials, are needed to establish the use of phytochemicals in clinical practice.
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Cucurbitacin B Down-Regulates TNF Receptor 1 Expression and Inhibits the TNF-α-Dependent Nuclear Factor κB Signaling Pathway in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137130. [PMID: 35806134 PMCID: PMC9267118 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), induce the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) by activating the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. In the present study, we found that cucurbitacin B decreased the expression of ICAM-1 in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells stimulated with TNF-α or interleukin-1α. We further investigated the mechanisms by which cucurbitacin B down-regulates TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression. Cucurbitacin B inhibited the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB subunit RelA and the phosphorylation of IκBα in A549 cells stimulated with TNF-α. Cucurbitacin B selectively down-regulated the expression of TNF receptor 1 (TNF-R1) without affecting three adaptor proteins (i.e., TRADD, RIPK1, and TRAF2). The TNF-α-converting enzyme inhibitor suppressed the down-regulation of TNF-R1 expression by cucurbitacin B. Glutathione, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and, to a lesser extent, L-cysteine attenuated the inhibitory effects of cucurbitacin B on the TNF-α-induced expression of ICAM-1, suggesting that an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety is essential for anti-inflammatory activity. The present results revealed that cucurbitacin B down-regulated the expression of TNF-R1 at the initial step in the TNF-α-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway.
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Qing Z, Shi Y, Han L, Li P, Zha Z, Liu C, Liu X, Huang P, Liu Y, Tang Q, Zeng K, Zeng J, Zhou Y. Identification of seven undescribed cucurbitacins in Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and their cytotoxic activity. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2022; 197:113123. [PMID: 35182783 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cucurbitacin C-type cucurbitacins that are only identified in Cucumis sativus (cucumber) are, in part, responsible for the health benefits and bitter flavor. Nevertheless, detailed information about those functional ingredients in cucumber is scarce. In this study, ten cucurbitacin C analogues including seven undescribed ones have been isolated from the bitter leaves of cucumber, in which six compounds showed growth inhibition capabilities against tumor cell lines HepG2, A549, DU145 and HCT116. Intriguingly, cucurbitacin C6 and C7 exhibited a significant inhibition effect compared to the positive control taxol (IC50 = 1.86 ± 0.17 μM) on HepG2 cell line with IC50 values of 10.06 ± 0.34 μM and 4.16 ± 0.42 μM, respectively. The mechanism of cucurbitacin-induced apoptosis is likely down-regulating the expression of caspase-related proteins. This work enlarges the knowledge of the cucurbitacins in cucumber and highlights the importance of cucumber as a source of specialized metabolites in the food and medicinal industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixing Qing
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Yao Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Lida Han
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Pengkun Li
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ziou Zha
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chang Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiubin Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Peng Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Yisong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Qi Tang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Kewu Zeng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Jianguo Zeng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China; National and Local Union Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Herbal Medicine Resource and Initiative, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China.
| | - Yuan Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Wang H, Ma G, Wang H, Li L, Dong A, Liu H, Huo X, Si J, Wang J. Novel Triterpenoid Alkaloids With Their Potential Cytotoxic Activity From the Roots of Siraitia grosvenorii. Front Chem 2022; 10:885487. [PMID: 35572103 PMCID: PMC9099095 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.885487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Four novel triterpenoid alkaloids, siragrosvenins A–D (1–4), and two new cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, siragrosvenins E–F (5, 6), together with eight known analogs (7−14), were isolated from the roots of Siraitia grosvenorii. Compounds 1−4 possessed a rare cucurbitane-type triterpenoid scaffold, featuring an extra pyrazine unit via the Strecker reaction in the cucurbitane framework. Compound 5 displayed a 6/6/6/5/6/5-fused polycyclic ring system, with an uncommon fused furan and pyran ring in the side chain. All the structures were characterized by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including HRESIMS, NMR, and X-ray crystallographic data. It is worth noting that the DP4+ analysis method was applied for the first time to determine the absolute configurations of the trihydroxybutyl moiety in the side chain of compounds 1–4. In vitro cytotoxicity screening found that compounds 4, 8, 9, 13, and 14 exhibited remarkable cytotoxic activities against three cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 1.44 to 9.99 μM. Siragrosvenin D shows remarkable cytotoxic activity on MCF-7 cells. As a result, it inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells and reduced their viability via the induction of G2/M phase arrest and significantly induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jianyong Si
- *Correspondence: Jianyong Si, ; Junchi Wang,
| | - Junchi Wang
- *Correspondence: Jianyong Si, ; Junchi Wang,
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Liu H, Wang H, Dong A, Huo X, Wang H, Wang J, Si J. The Inhibition of Gastric Cancer Cells’ Progression by 23,24-Dihydrocucurbitacin E through Disruption of the Ras/Raf/ERK/MMP9 Signaling Pathway. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27092697. [PMID: 35566048 PMCID: PMC9100127 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is considered to be one of the most common causes of cancer death worldwide due to its high recurrence and metastasis rates. The molecule 23,24-Dihydrocucurbitacin E (DHCE) is a cucurbitacin-derived tetracyclic triterpenoid compound that has anti-tumor activity, but the exact mechanism remains to be elucidated. This research aimed to explore the effects of DHCE on human gastric cancer cells and the possible mechanisms. The results showed that DHCE suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells, as well as induced apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest. Mechanistically, the potential targets and pathways of DHCE were predicted using database screening and verified using a molecular docking study, fluorescence staining, and Western blot. The results indicated that DHCE obviously inhibited the kinase activity of ERK2 via targeting its ATP-binding domain, destroyed F-actin microfilament, and reduced the expression levels of Ras, p-c-Raf, ERK, p-ERK, and MMP9 proteins. Collectively, our study demonstrated that DHCE suppressed gastric cancer cells’ proliferation, migration, and invasion through targeting ERK2 and disrupting the Ras/Raf/ERK/MMP9 signaling pathway. These properties make DHCE a promising candidate drug for the further design and development of novel and effective Ras/Raf/ERK/MMP9 pathway inhibitors for treating gastric cancer.
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Leng J, Dai X, Cheng X, Zhou H, Wang D, Zhao J, Ma K, Cui C, Wang L, Guo Z. Biomimetic Cucurbitacin B-Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Synergistic Chemo-Photothermal Therapy of Breast Cancer. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:841186. [PMID: 35223801 PMCID: PMC8864241 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.841186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women. Researchers have found that the combined use of multiple methods to treat tumors is a promising strategy. Here, we have developed a biomimetic nano-platform PDA@MB for tumor targeted photothermal therapy (PTT) combined with chemotherapy. The 4T1 cell membrane loaded with cucurbitacin B (CuB) was used to coat polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles, which gave PDA@MB nanoparticles the ability to target tumors and escape immune cells from phagocytosis. PDA@MB showed excellent photothermal performance including high photothermal conversion efficiency and photostability, and exhibited outstanding in vitro PTT effect under NIR laser irradiation. The high temperature ruptured the PDA@MB membrane to release CuB, which changed the tumor hypoxic environment, down-regulated the FAK/MMP signaling pathway, and significantly inhibited the metastasis and proliferation of tumor cells. The results of in vivo experiments indicated that the tumor growth of the 4T1 mouse tumor model was significantly inhibited. Additionally, toxicity studies showed that PDA@MB had good biocompatibility and safety. In conclusion, this study provides a promising chemo-photothermal therapy (CPT) nano-platform for precise and effective breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junke Leng
- School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Xiaofeng Dai
- School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Xiao Cheng
- School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- School of Food and Environment, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Panjin People’s Hospital, Panjin, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Kun Ma
- School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Changhao Cui
- School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Li Wang
- School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Zhaoming Guo
- School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
- *Correspondence: Zhaoming Guo,
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Antiproliferative, genotoxic activities and quantification of extracts and cucurbitacin B obtained from Luffa operculata (L.) Cogn. ARAB J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2021.103589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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Ullah MF, Ahmad A, Bhat SH, Abuduhier FM, Mustafa SK, Usmani S. Diet-derived small molecules (nutraceuticals) inhibit cellular proliferation by interfering with key oncogenic pathways: an overview of experimental evidence in cancer chemoprevention. Biol Futur 2022; 73:55-69. [PMID: 35040098 DOI: 10.1007/s42977-022-00110-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Discouraging statistics of cancer disease has projected an increase in the global cancer burden from 19.3 to 28.4 million incidences annually within the next two decades. Currently, there has been a revival of interest in nutraceuticals with evidence of pharmacological properties against human diseases including cancer. Diet is an integral part of lifestyle, and it has been proposed that an estimated one-third of human cancers can be prevented through appropriate lifestyle modification including dietary habits; hence, it is considered significant to explore the pharmacological benefits of these agents, which are easily accessible and have higher safety index. Accordingly, an impressive embodiment of evidence supports the concept that the dietary factors are critical modulators to prevent, retard, block, or reverse carcinogenesis. Such an action reflects the ability of these molecules to interfere with multitude of pathways to subdue and neutralize several oncogenic factors and thereby keep a restraint on neoplastic transformations. This review provides a series of experimental evidence based on the current literature to highlight the translational potential of nutraceuticals for the prevention of the disease through consumption of enriched diets and its efficacious management by means of novel interventions. Specifically, this review provides the current understanding of the chemopreventive pharmacology of nutraceuticals such as cucurbitacins, morin, fisetin, curcumin, luteolin and garcinol toward their potential as anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Fahad Ullah
- Prince Fahd Research Chair, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Aamir Ahmad
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Showket H Bhat
- Prince Fahd Research Chair, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology and Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Vocational Studies, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Faisel M Abuduhier
- Prince Fahd Research Chair, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Khalid Mustafa
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shazia Usmani
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Lucknow, India
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Cho ES, Krishnan P, Loh HS, Daly JM, Leong CO, Mai CW, Low YY, Yong KT, Lim KH. Pentacyclic and hexacyclic cucurbitacins from Elaeocarpuspetiolatus. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2022; 193:112988. [PMID: 34717280 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.112988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Four undescribed cucurbitacins, designated as petiolaticins A-D, and four known cucurbitacins were isolated from the bark and leaves of Elaeocarpus petiolatus (Jack) Wall. Their chemical structures were elucidated based on detailed analyses of the NMR and MS data. The absolute configuration of petiolaticin A was also determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Petiolaticin A represents a cucurbitacin derivative incorporating a 3,4-epoxyfuranyl-bearing side chain, while petiolaticin B possesses a furopyranyl unit fused to the tetracyclic cucurbitane core structure. Petiolaticins A, B, and D were evaluated in vitro against a panel of human breast, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer cell lines. Petiolaticin A exhibited the greatest cytotoxicity against the MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and SW48 cell lines (IC50 7.4, 9.2, 9.3, and 4.6 μM, respectively). Additionally, petiolaticin D, 16α,23α-epoxy-3β,20β-dihydroxy-10αH,23βH-cucurbit-5,24-dien-11-one, and 16α,23α-epoxy-3β,20β-dihydroxy-10αH,23βH-cucurbit-5,24-dien-11-one 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside were tested for their ability to inhibit cell entry of a pseudotyped virus bearing the hemagglutinin envelope protein of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Petiolaticin D showed the highest inhibition (44.3%), followed by 16α,23α-epoxy-3β,20β-dihydroxy-10αH,23βH-cucurbit-5,24-dien-11-one (21.0%), and 16α,23α-epoxy-3β,20β-dihydroxy-10αH,23βH-cucurbit-5,24-dien-11-one 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside showed limited inhibition (9.0%). These preliminary biological assays have demonstrated that petiolaticins A and D possess anticancer and antiviral properties, respectively, which warrant for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Seon Cho
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Premanand Krishnan
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hwei-San Loh
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Janet M Daly
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Chee-Onn Leong
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Centre for Cancer and Stem Cells Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chun-Wai Mai
- Centre for Cancer and Stem Cells Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yun-Yee Low
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kien-Thai Yong
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kuan-Hon Lim
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Chen C, Wang J, Sun M, Li J, Wang HMD. Toward the next-generation phyto-nanomedicines: cell-derived nanovesicles (CDNs) for natural product delivery. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 145:112416. [PMID: 34781147 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytochemicals are plant-derived bioactive compounds, which have been widely used for therapeutic purposes. Due to the poor water-solubility, low bioavailability and non-specific targeting characteristic, diverse classes of nanocarriers are utilized for encapsulation and delivery of bio-effective agents. Cell-derived nanovesicles (CDNs), known for exosomes or extracellular vesicles (EVs), are biological nanoparticles with multiple functions. Compared to the artificial counterpart, CDNs hold great potential in drug delivery given the higher stability, superior biocompatibility and the lager capability of encapsulating bioactive molecules. Here, we provide a bench-to-bedside review of CDNs-based nanoplatform, including the bio-origin, preparation, characterization and functionalization. Beyond that, the focus is laid on the therapeutic effect of CDNs-mediated drug delivery for natural products. The state-of-art development as well as some pre-clinical applications of using CDNs for disease treatment is also summarized. It is highly expected that the continuing development of CDNs-based delivery systems will further promote the clinical utilization and translation of phyto-nanomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoxiang Chen
- College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, China
| | - Jialin Wang
- College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, China
| | - Mengdi Sun
- College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, China
| | - Jian Li
- College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, China.
| | - Hui-Min David Wang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung City 404, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
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Improvement of Cucurbitacin B Content in Cucumis melo Pedicel Extracts by Biotransformation Using Recombinant β-Glucosidase. SEPARATIONS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/separations8090138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For the efficient biotransformation of cucurbitacin B 2-o-β-d-glucoside (CuBg) to cucurbitacin B (CuB) in Cucumis melo pedicel extracts, the β-glucosidase gene bglS—consisting of 1344 bp (447 amino acids) from Streptomyces sp. RW-2—was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The activity of recombinant β-glucosidase with p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucoside (pNPG) as a substrate was 3.48 U/mL in a culture. Using the recombinant β-glucosidase for the biotransformation of C. melo pedicel extracts, CuBg was converted into CuB with a conversion rate of 87.6% when the concentration of CuBg was 0.973 g/L in a reaction mixtures. The concentration of CuB in C. melo pedicel extracts was improved from 13.6 to 20.2 g/L after biotransformation. The present study provides high-efficiency technology for the production of CuB from its glycoside by biotransformation.
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Anti-HIV Activity of Cucurbitacin-D against Cigarette Smoke Condensate-Induced HIV Replication in the U1 Macrophages. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061004. [PMID: 34072078 PMCID: PMC8228815 DOI: 10.3390/v13061004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemodietary agents are emerging as promising adjuvant therapies in treating various disease conditions. However, there are no adjuvant therapies available to minimize the neurotoxicity of currently existing antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). In this study, we investigated the anti-HIV effect of a chemodietary agent, Cucurbitacin-D (Cur-D), in HIV-infected macrophages using an in-vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. Since tobacco smoking is prevalent in the HIV population, and it exacerbates HIV replication, we also tested the effect of Cur-D against cigarette smoke condensate (CSC)-induced HIV replication. Our results showed that Cur-D treatment reduces the viral load in a dose-dependent (0-1 μM) manner without causing significant toxicity at <1 μM concentration. Further, a daily dose of Cur-D (0.1 μM) not only reduced p24 in control conditions, but also reduced CSC (10 μg/mL)-induced p24 in U1 cells. Similarly, Cur-D (single dose of 0.4 μM) significantly reduced the CSC (single dose of 40 μg/mL)-induced HIV replication across the BBB model. In addition, treatment with Cur-D reduced the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Therefore, Cur-D, as an adjuvant therapy, may be used not only to suppress HIV in the brain, but also to reduce the CNS toxicity of currently existing ARVs.
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Galma W, Endale M, Getaneh E, Eswaramoorthy R, Assefa T, Melaku Y. Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of extracts and isolated compounds from the roots extract of Cucumis prophetarum and in silico study on DNA gyrase and human peroxiredoxin 5. BMC Chem 2021; 15:32. [PMID: 33957962 PMCID: PMC8103605 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-021-00758-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cucumis prophetarum is traditionally used to treat liver and lung disorders, heart failure, diarrhea, gonorrhea, skin infections, intestinal problems and cancer. In the present work, the isolation of two novel compounds along with their antibacterial and antioxidant activities is reported for the first time. Methods Silica gel column chromatography was applied to separate constituents of the roots of C. prophetarum. The structures of isolated compounds were established using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, DEPT-135, COSY, HSQC and HMBC. Agar well diffusion, DPPH assay and ferric thiocyante methods were used for antibacterial, radical scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activities, respectively. AutoDock Vina open source program was used for molecular docking analysis. Results Evaluation of the in vitro antibacterial activity of the constituents against S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli and S. thyphimurium revealed that the hexane extract were active against E. coli with IZ of 15.0 ± 1.41 mm, whereas an IZ of 14.6 ± 1.70 mm for MeOH extract was observed against S. aureus. Compound 1 displayed IZ of 13.6 ± 0.94 mm against E. coli and curcurbiatin 2 showed activity against B. subtilis with IZ of 13.3 ± 0.54 mm. The molecular docking analysis showed that cucurbitacins 2 and 3 have binding energy of -6.7 and -6.9 kcal/mol, respectively. The methanol and the hexane extracts of the roots of C. prophetarum inhibited DPPH radical by 70.4 and 63.3% at 100 µg/mL, respectively. On the other hand, the methanol extract inhibited lipid peroxidation by 53.0%. Conclusion The present study identified five compounds from the root extracts of C. prophetarum, of which two are novel cucurbitacins (1, 2). The in vitro antibacterial activity of the hexane and methanol extracts was better than the activity displayed by the isolated compounds. This is probably due to the synergistic effects of the constituents present in the root extract. The in silico molecular docking study results showed that, compounds 2 and 3 have minimum binding energy and have good affinity toward the active pocket, thus, they may be considered as good inhibitor of DNA gyrase B. Furthermore, the “drug-likeness” and ADMET prediction of compounds 2–5 nearly showed compliance with the Lipinski rule, with good absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion generally. The radical scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activities of the extracts were better than the isolated compounds. This is attributed to the presence of phenolics and flavonoids as minor constituents in the extracts of these species. Therefore, the in vitro antibacterial activity and molecular docking analysis suggest the potential use of the isolated compounds as medicine which corroborates the traditional use of the roots of C. prophetarum. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13065-021-00758-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wario Galma
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Applied Natural Science, Adama Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 1888, Adama, Ethiopia
| | - Milkyas Endale
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Applied Natural Science, Adama Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 1888, Adama, Ethiopia
| | - Emebet Getaneh
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Applied Natural Science, Adama Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 1888, Adama, Ethiopia
| | - Rajalakshmanan Eswaramoorthy
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Applied Natural Science, Adama Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 1888, Adama, Ethiopia
| | - Temesgen Assefa
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Natural and Computational Science, Debre Birhan University, P.O. Box 445, Debre Birhan, Ethiopia
| | - Yadessa Melaku
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Applied Natural Science, Adama Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 1888, Adama, Ethiopia.
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Use of cucurbitacins for lung cancer research and therapy. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2021; 88:1-14. [PMID: 33825035 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-021-04265-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
As the main substance in some traditional Chinese medicines, cucurbitacins have been used to treat hepatitis for decades in China. Currently, the use of cucurbitacins against cancer and other diseases has achieved towering popularity among researchers worldwide, as detailed in this review with summarized tables. Numerous studies have reported the potential tumor-killing activities of cucurbitacins in multiple aspects of human malignancies. Continuous research on its anticancer activity mechanisms also brings a glimmer of light to the treatment of patients with lung cancer. In line with the promising roles of cucurbitacins against cancer, through various molecular signaling pathways, it is justifiable to propose the use of cucurbitacins as a potential mainline chemotherapy before the onset and after the diagnosis of lung cancers. Here, this article mainly summarized the findings about the biological functions and underlying mechanisms of cucurbitacins on lung cancer pathogenesis and treatment. In addition, we also discussed the safety and efficacy of their application for further research and even clinical practice.
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Liang Y, Zhang T, Ren L, Jing S, Li Z, Zuo P, Li T, Wang Y, Zhang J, Wei Z. Cucurbitacin IIb induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through regulating EGFR/MAPK pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 81:103542. [PMID: 33161110 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is considered as a valid target in the clinical trials of anticancer therapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of EGFR are approved for cancer treatments. In present work, cucurbitacin IIb (CuIIb) was confirmed to exhibit the proliferation inhibitory activity in A549 cells. CuIIb induced apoptosis via STAT3 pathway, which was mitochondria-mediated and caspase-dependent. CuIIb also suppressed the cell cycle and induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. CuIIb was capable of suppressing the signal transmitting of the EGFR/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway which was responsible for the apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) analysis demonstrated that the kinase activity of EGFR was inhibited by CuIIb. Molecular docking suggested that the CuIIb-EGFR binding fundamentally depends on the contribution of both hydrophobic and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Hence CuIIb may serve as a potential EGFR TKI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Tiehua Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Li Ren
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Siyuan Jing
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Zhuolin Li
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Peng Zuo
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Tiezhu Li
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Yongjun Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Zhengyi Wei
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China.
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Yang P, Liu W, Fu R, Ding GB, Amin S, Li Z. Cucurbitacin E Chemosensitizes Colorectal Cancer Cells via Mitigating TFAP4/Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2020; 68:14148-14160. [PMID: 33205649 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c05551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Chemoresistance and toxicity are the main obstacles that limit the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy. Hence, it is urgent to identify new adjuvants that can sensitize CRC cells to conventional chemotherapeutic approaches. Cucurbitacin E (CE) is a natural triterpenoid, widely distributed in dietary plants, and shows antitumor effects. Here, we report that CE enhances the sensitivity of CRC cells to chemotherapy via attenuating the expression of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporters ABCC1 and MDR1. Combined with CE-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles and gene ontology analysis, we found that CE-binding proteins may involve Wnt/β-catenin signaling. To validate the findings, β-catenin was upregulated in drug-resistant cell lines, and the synergistic effects of CE and chemotherapeutics were accompanied by the downregulation of β-catenin. Moreover, TFAP4 was identified as an intracellular target of CE. Remarkably, the combination of CE and 5-FU treatment attenuated β-catenin, MDR1, and ABCC1 expressions, while TFAP4 overexpression reversed their expressions by 2.68 ± 0.46-, 0.72 ± 0.44-, and 0.93 ± 0.21-fold, respectively. Thus, our results indicate that CE sensitizes CRC cells to chemotherapy by decreasing the TFAP4/Wnt/β-catenin signaling, suggesting that the dietary compound CE can be used as a chemosensitizing adjuvant for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yang
- Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of National Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of National Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Rong Fu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of National Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Guo-Bin Ding
- Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of National Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Sajid Amin
- Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of National Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Zhuoyu Li
- Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of National Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
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Saleem H, Zengin G, Ahmad I, Htar TT, Naidu R, Mahomoodally MF, Ahemad N. Therapeutic propensities, phytochemical composition, and toxicological evaluation of Anagallis arvensis (L.): A wild edible medicinal food plant. Food Res Int 2020; 137:109651. [PMID: 33233230 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Anagallis arvensis (L.) is a wild edible food plant that has been used in folklore as a natural remedy for treating common ailments. This study aimed to explore the biochemical properties and toxicity of methanol (MeOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of A. arvensis (aerial and root parts). Bioactive contents were assessed spectrophotometrically, and the secondary metabolites were identified by UHPLC-MS analysis. DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelating assays were employed to assess antioxidant activity. Inhibitory potential against key enzymes (α-glucosidase, urease, lipoxygenase (LOX), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)) were also assessed. MTT assay was employed to test toxicity against SW-480, MDA-MB-231, CaSki, MCF-7, and DU-145 cancer cell lines. Methanolic extracts showed highest phenolic (aerial-MeOH: 27.5 mg GAE/g extract; root-MeOH: 21.17 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoid (aerial-MeOH: 26.15 mg QE/g extract; root-MeOH: 19.07 mg QE/g extract) contents, and potent antioxidant activities. The aerial-MeOH extract was most potent for DPPH (IC50: 231 ug/mL), ABTS (131.12 mg TE/g extract), FRAP (82.97 mg TE/g extract), and CUPRAC (137.15 mg TE/g extract) antioxidant assays. All extracts were cytotoxic towards tested cancer cells with IC50 values ranging from 12.57 to 294.5 µg/mL and conferred a comparatively strong inhibition against α-glucosidase (aerial-DCM extract showed the highest inhibition against α-glucosidase with IC50 value of 20.97 µg /mL), while aerial extracts were also considerably active against BChE (aerial-MeOH IC50: 224.63 µg /mL), LOX (aerial-DCM IC50: 385.7 µg /mL). Likewise, aerial-MeOH extract was most active against urease enzyme (IC50: 129.72 µg /mL). UHPLC-MS investigation of methanolic extracts showed the existence of important phenolics, flavonoids, and saponins, including methyl gallte, quercetin, lanceoletin, and balanitesin, amongst others. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted the correlation amongst bioactive contents and observed biological activities. A. arvensis extracts could be regarded as a natural source of bioactive antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors and anticancer agents and can be further investigated as a lead source for food and pharmaceutical products. However, further studies to isolate, purify, and to characterize its bioactive phytochemicals are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hammad Saleem
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway Selangor, Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (IPS), University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Gokhan Zengin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Selcuk University, Campus/Konya, Turkey
| | - Irshad Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
| | - Thet Thet Htar
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway Selangor, Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Rakesh Naidu
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway Selangor, Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Viet Nam; Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Mauritius
| | - Nafees Ahemad
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway Selangor, Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; Tropical Medicine and Biology Multidisciplinary Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway Selangor, Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; Global Asia in 21(st) Century Research Platform, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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Bose S, Banerjee S, Mondal A, Chakraborty U, Pumarol J, Croley CR, Bishayee A. Targeting the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway Using Phytocompounds for Cancer Prevention and Therapy. Cells 2020; 9:E1451. [PMID: 32545187 PMCID: PMC7348822 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a prevalent cause of mortality around the world. Aberrated activation of Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway promotes tumorigenesis. Natural agents, including phytochemicals, exhibit potent anticancer activities via various mechanisms. However, the therapeutic potency of phytoconstituents as inhibitors of JAK/STAT signaling against cancer has only come into focus in recent days. The current review highlights phytochemicals that can suppress the JAK/STAT pathway in order to impede cancer cell growth. Various databases, such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SpringerLink, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were searched using relevant keywords. Once the authors were in agreement regarding the suitability of a study, a full-length form of the relevant article was obtained, and the information was gathered and cited. All the complete articles that were incorporated after the literature collection rejection criteria were applied were perused in-depth and material was extracted based on the importance, relevance, and advancement of the apprehending of the JAK/STAT pathway and their relation to phytochemicals. Based on the critical and comprehensive analysis of literature presented in this review, phytochemicals from diverse plant origins exert therapeutic and cancer preventive effects, at least in part, through regulation of the JAK/STAT pathway. Nevertheless, more preclinical and clinical research is necessary to completely comprehend the capability of modulating JAK/STAT signaling to achieve efficient cancer control and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankhadip Bose
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Bengal School of Technology, Chuchura 712 102, India;
| | - Sabyasachi Banerjee
- Department of Phytochemistry, Gupta College of Technological Sciences, Asansol 713 301, India; (S.B.); (U.C.)
| | - Arijit Mondal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Bengal College of Pharmaceutical Technology, Dubrajpur 731 123, India
| | - Utsab Chakraborty
- Department of Phytochemistry, Gupta College of Technological Sciences, Asansol 713 301, India; (S.B.); (U.C.)
| | - Joshua Pumarol
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA; (J.P.); (C.R.C.)
| | - Courtney R. Croley
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA; (J.P.); (C.R.C.)
| | - Anupam Bishayee
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA; (J.P.); (C.R.C.)
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Hussain H, Green IR, Saleem M, Khattak KF, Irshad M, Ali M. Cucurbitacins as Anticancer Agents: A Patent Review. Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2020; 14:133-143. [PMID: 30451116 DOI: 10.2174/1574892813666181119123035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cucurbitacins belong to a group of tetracyclic triterpenoids that display a wide range of biological effects. In the past, numerous cucurbitacins have been isolated from natural sources and many active compounds have been synthesized using the privileged scaffold in order to enhance its cytotoxic effects. OBJECTIVE This review covers patents on the therapeutic effects of natural cucurbitacins and their synthetic analogs published during the past decade. By far, the majority of patents published are related to cancer and Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) of these compounds are included to lend gravitas to this important class of natural products. METHODS The date about the published patents was downloaded via online open access patent databases. RESULTS Cucurbitacins display significant cytotoxic properties, in particular cucurbitacins B and D which possess very potent effects towards a number of cancer cells. Numerous cucurbitacins isolated from natural sources have been derivatized through chemical modification at the C(2)-OH and C(25)- OH groups. Most importantly, an acyl ester of the C(25)-OH and, iso-propyl, n-propyl and ethyl ether groups of the C(2)-OH demonstrated the most increased cytotoxic activity. CONCLUSION The significant cytotoxic effects of natural and semi-synthetic cucurbitacins make them attractive as new drug candidates. Moreover, cucurbitacins have the capability to form conjugates with other anticancer drugs which will synergistically enhance their anticancer effects. The authors believe that in order to get lead compounds, there should be a greater focus on the synthesis of homodimers, heterodimers, and halo derivatives of cucurbitacins. In the opinion of the authors the analysis of the published patents on the cucurbitacins indicates that these compounds can be developed into a regimen to treat a wide spectrum of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidayat Hussain
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120 Halle (Salle), Germany
| | - Ivan R Green
- Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Muhammad Saleem
- Department of Chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100 Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | | | - Muhammad Irshad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kotli, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Maroof Ali
- College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
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Patel SB, Attar UA, Sakate DM, Ghane SG. Efficient extraction of cucurbitacins from Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey: Optimization using response surface methodology, extraction methods and study of some important bioactivities. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2109. [PMID: 32034276 PMCID: PMC7005863 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58924-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey is an important medicinal plant used in several reproductive medicines. It serves as a wide source of tetracyclic triterpens called cucurbitacins. Response surface methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken design (BBD) was studied to optimize the production of cucurbitacins. RSM put forth the ideal conditions such as 1:30 SS ratio (g/mL), 80 rpm (mixing extraction speed), 150 µm mean particle size, 30 min extraction time and 50 °C using chloroform in continuous shaking extraction (CSE) and showed the highest cucurbitacin I (CUI) content (2.345 ± 0.1686 mg/g DW). Similarly, the highest yield of cucurbitacin B (CUB) (1.584 ± 0.15 mg/g DW) was recorded at ideal conditions (1:40 g/mL SS ratio and 60 min time and others similar to CUI). Among the tested extraction methods, the highest CUI, CUB, and CUI + B yield (1.437 ± 0.03, 0.782 ± 0.10, 2.17 ± 0.35 mg/g DW, respectively) as well as promising DPPH radical scavenging activity (25.06 ± 0.1 µgAAE/g DW) were recorded from the SBAE (steam bath assisted extraction). In addition, MAE and UAE revealed the highest inhibition of α-amylase (68.68%) and α-glucosidase (56.27%) enzymes, respectively. Fruit extracts showed potent anticancer activity against breast (MCF-7) and colon (HT-29) cancer cell lines (LC50 - 44.27 and 46.88 µg/mL, respectively). Our study proved that SS ratio, particle size and temperature were the most positively influencing variables and served to be the most efficient for the highest recovery of CUI and CUB. Based on the present study, the fruits of D. palmatus were revealed as a potent antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anticancer bio-resource that could be explored further to develop novel drug to manage diabetes, cancer and oxidative stress related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Patel
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, 416 004, Maharashtra, India
| | - U A Attar
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, 416 004, Maharashtra, India
| | - D M Sakate
- Department of Statistics, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, 416 004, Maharashtra, India
| | - S G Ghane
- Plant Physiology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, 416 004, Maharashtra, India.
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Abstract
This review covers newly isolated triterpenoids that have been reported during 2015.
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Wu D, Wang Z, Lin M, Shang Y, Wang F, Zhou J, Wang F, Zhang X, Luo X, Huang W. In Vitro and In Vivo Antitumor Activity of Cucurbitacin C, a Novel Natural Product From Cucumber. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1287. [PMID: 31780930 PMCID: PMC6857091 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cucurbitacin C (CuC), a novel analogue of triterpenoids cucurbitacins, confers a bitter taste in cucumber. Genes and signaling pathways responsive for biosynthesis of CuC have been identified in the recent years. In the present study, we explored the anti-cancer effects of CuC against human cancers in vitro and in vivo. CuC inhibited proliferation and clonogenic potential of multiple cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Low-dose CuC treatment induced cell cycle arrest at G1 or G2/M stage in different cancer lines, whereas high-dose treatment of CuC caused apoptosis in cancer cells. PI3K-Akt signaling pathway was found to be one of the major pathways involved in CuC-induced cell growth arrest and apoptosis by RNA-Seq and Western blotting. Mechanistic dissection further confirmed that CuC effectively inhibited the Akt signaling by inhibition of Akt phosphorylation at Ser473. In vivo CuC treatment (0.1 mg/kg body weight) effectively inhibited growth of cancer cell-derived xenograft tumors in athymic nude mice and caused significant apoptosis. Our findings for the first time demonstrated the potential therapeutic significance of CuC against human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinglan Wu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhu Wang
- Department of Urology, People’s Hospital of Longhua Shenzhen, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Muqi Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi Shang
- Agricultural Genome Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Urology, The Hospital of Hainan Province, Haikou, China
| | - JiaYi Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiantong Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaomin Luo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weiren Huang
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China
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Metabolite Profiling and Quantitation of Cucurbitacins in Cucurbitaceae Plants by Liquid Chromatography coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15992. [PMID: 31690753 PMCID: PMC6831693 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52404-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cucurbitaceae is an important plant family because many of its species are consumed as food, and used in herbal medicines, cosmetics, etc. It comprises annual vines and is rich in various bioactive principles which include the cucurbitacins. These steroidal natural products, derived from the triterpene cucurbitane, are mainly the bitter principles of the family Cucurbitaceae. Their biological activities include anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anti-cancer activities. A total of 10 species belonging to 6 genera of the Cucurbitaceae family along with Cissampelos pareira (Menispermaceae) were included in this study. A comprehensive profiling of certain natural products was developed using HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis and a distribution profile of several major natural products in this family was obtained. A total of 51 natural products were detected in both positive and negative ionization modes, based on accurate masses and fragmentation patterns. Along with this, quantitation of four bioactive cucurbitacins, found in various important plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, was carried out using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) approach on an ion trap mass spectrometer. Cucurbitacin Q was found to be the most abundant in C. pareira, while Citrullus colocynthis contained all four cucurbitacins in abundant quantities. The developed quantitation method is simple, rapid, and reproducible.
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Xu WF, Liu F, Ma YC, Qian ZR, Shi L, Mu H, Ding F, Fu XQ, Li XH. Baicalin Regulates Proliferation, Apoptosis, Migration, and Invasion in Mesothelioma. Med Sci Monit 2019; 25:8172-8180. [PMID: 31670317 PMCID: PMC6844144 DOI: 10.12659/msm.919872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Baicalin, one of the main bioactive components extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine baical Skullcap root, has an anti-tumor activity which had been studied in several cancers. However, its role in human mesothelioma remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor mechanisms of baicalin in the mesothelioma cell line MESO924. Material/Methods Effects of baicalin on mesothelioma were assessed by measuring cell viability, apoptosis, migration, invasion, inactivation of signaling intermediates, and cell-cycle alterations. Results Baicalin inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human mesothelioma cells and increased their apoptosis, all in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, baicalin decreased the expression of p-EGFR, p-AKT, p-MAPK, p-S6, Bcl-2, and VEGF and increased the expression of Bax in mesothelioma cells. The suppressed mesothelioma cellular proliferation is due to the arrest of the S cell cycle by baicalin. Inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by a PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitor augmented the anti-proliferation effects induced by baicalin. In addition, baicalin increased the sensitivity of MESO924 to the chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin, cisplatin, and pemetrexed. Conclusions These results highlight the roles of baicalin in inhibiting cell growth, migration, and invasion of mesothelioma cells while increasing apoptosis and sensitizing cells to chemotherapeutic agents through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which indicates that baicalin could be a useful drug for mesothelioma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Fei Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland).,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Feng Liu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Yi-Cong Ma
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Zhi-Rong Qian
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Long Shi
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Hang Mu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Feng Ding
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Xue-Qi Fu
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland)
| | - Xu-Hui Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
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Role of Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20204981. [PMID: 31600949 PMCID: PMC6834187 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20204981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of synthetic, natural, or biological agents to minimize the occurrence of cancer in healthy individuals is defined as cancer chemoprevention. Chemopreventive agents inhibit the development of cancer either by impeding DNA damage, which leads to malignancy or by reversing or blocking the division of premalignant cells with DNA damage. The benefit of this approach has been demonstrated in clinical trials of breast, prostate, and colon cancer. The continuous increase in cancer cases, failure of conventional chemotherapies to control cancer, and excessive toxicity of chemotherapies clearly demand an alternative approach. The first trial to show benefit of chemoprevention was undertaken in breast cancer patients with the use of tamoxifen, which demonstrated a significant decrease in invasive breast cancer. The success of using chemopreventive agents for protecting the high risk populations from cancer indicates that the strategy is rational and promising. Dietary components such as capsaicin, cucurbitacin B, isoflavones, catechins, lycopenes, benzyl isothiocyanate, phenethyl isothiocyanate, and piperlongumine have demonstrated inhibitory effects on cancer cells indicating that they may serve as chemopreventive agents. In this review, we have addressed the mechanism of chemopreventive and anticancer effects of several natural agents.
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Zhang J, Song Y, Liang Y, Zou H, Zuo P, Yan M, Jing S, Li T, Wang Y, Li D, Zhang T, Wei Z. Cucurbitacin IIa interferes with EGFR-MAPK signaling pathway leads to proliferation inhibition in A549 cells. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 132:110654. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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46
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An W, Lai H, Zhang Y, Liu M, Lin X, Cao S. Apoptotic Pathway as the Therapeutic Target for Anticancer Traditional Chinese Medicines. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:758. [PMID: 31354479 PMCID: PMC6639427 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death and it plays a vital role in human development and tissue homeostasis. Mounting evidence indicates that apoptosis is closely related to the survival of cancer and it has emerged as a key target for the discovery and development of novel anticancer drugs. Various studies indicate that targeting the apoptotic signaling pathway by anticancer drugs is an important mechanism in cancer therapy. Therefore, numerous novel anticancer agents have been discovered and developed from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) by targeting the cellular apoptotic pathway of cancer cells and shown clinically beneficial effects in cancer therapy. This review aims to provide a comprehensive discussion for the role, pharmacology, related biology, and possible mechanism(s) of a number of important anticancer TCMs and their derivatives mainly targeting the cellular apoptotic pathway. It may have important clinical implications in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixiao An
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, China
| | - Honglin Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Affliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yangyang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Minghua Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiukun Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Shousong Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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47
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Hunsakunachai N, Nuengchamnong N, Jiratchariyakul W, Kummalue T, Khemawoot P. Pharmacokinetics of cucurbitacin B from Trichosanthes cucumerina L. in rats. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 19:157. [PMID: 31272429 PMCID: PMC6609384 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2568-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cucurbitacin B is the major bioactive constituent in Trichosanthes cucumerina L. fruits, which the pharmacological properties have been studied for decades particularly an anti-tumor activity. The pharmacokinetic profile of this compound is still limited and investigation is needed for further phytopharmaceutical product development. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of cucurbitacin B after administering the compound at different doses and routes to rats. METHODS Male Wistar rats (n = 6) were treated by cucurbitacin B extracted from Trichosanthes cucumerina L. The cucurbitacin B was administered at 0.1 mg/kg intravenously or by oral gavage at 2-4 mg/kg. Blood samples and internal organs were collected serially within 24 h after administration. Urine and feces were collected from time 0 to 48 h. The level of cucurbitacin B in biological samples was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS The absolute oral bioavailability of cucurbitacin B was approximately 10%. The maximum concentration in plasma after normalization by dose ranged from 4.85-7.81 μg/L and the time to reach maximum value was approximately within 30 min after oral dosing. The level of cucurbitacin B in plasma increased proportionally to the given dose. After intravenous administration, cucurbitacin B had a large volume of distribution of about 51.65 L/kg and exhibited a high tissue to plasma concentration ratio, approximately 60 to 280-fold in several organs. Negligible amount of unchanged cucurbitacin B could be detected in urine and feces and accounted less than 1% of administered dose. CONCLUSION Cucurbitacin B had low oral bioavailability, but could be distributed extensively into internal organs with a high volume of distribution and tissue to plasma ratio. Only negligible amounts of unchanged cucurbitacin B were excreted via urine and feces suggesting that the compound might be biotransformed before undergoing an excretion. Further studies of the metabolic pathway and tissue uptake mechanism are required to strategize the future development of cucurbitacin B into clinical studies.
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48
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Hsu PC, Tian B, Yang YL, Wang YC, Liu S, Urisman A, Yang CT, Xu Z, Jablons DM, You L. Cucurbitacin E inhibits the Yes‑associated protein signaling pathway and suppresses brain metastasis of human non‑small cell lung cancer in a murine model. Oncol Rep 2019; 42:697-707. [PMID: 31233205 PMCID: PMC6610039 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.7207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with an extremely poor prognosis especially for the 40% of patients who develop brain metastasis, and few treatment strategies exist. Cucurbitacin E (CuE), an oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoid isolated from plants particularly of the family Cucurbitaceae, has shown anti-tumorigenic properties in several types of cancer, yet the mechanism remains unclear. Yes-associated protein (YAP), a main mediator of the Hippo signaling pathway, promotes tumorigenesis, drug resistance and metastasis in human NSCLC. The present study was designed to ascertain whether CuE inhibits YAP and its downstream gene expression in the human NSCLC cell lines H2030-BrM3 (K-rasG12C mutation) and PC9-BrM3 (EGFRΔexon19 mutation), which have high potential for brain metastasis. The efficacy of CuE in suppressing brain metastasis of H2030-BrM3 cells in a murine model was also investigated. It was found that after CuE treatment in H2030-BrM3 and PC9-BrM3 cells, YAP protein expression was decreased, and YAP signaling GTIIC reporter activity and expression of the downstream genes CTGF and CYR61 were significantly (P<0.01) decreased. CuE treatment also reduced the migration and invasion abilities of the H2030-BrM3 and PC9-BrM3 cells. Finally, our in vivo study showed that CuE treatment (0.2 mg/kg) suppressed H2030-BrM3 cell brain metastasis and that mice treated with CuE survived longer than the control mice treated with 10% DMSO (P=0.02). The present study is the first to demonstrate that CuE treatment inhibits YAP and the signaling downstream gene expression in human NSCLC in vitro, and suppresses brain metastasis of NSCLC in a murine model. More studies to verify the promising efficacy of CuE in inhibiting brain metastasis of NSCLC and various other cancers may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Chih Hsu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Bo Tian
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Yi-Lin Yang
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Yu-Cheng Wang
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Shu Liu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Anatoly Urisman
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Branch, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Zhidong Xu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - David M Jablons
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Liang You
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
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49
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Cucurbitacin B Exerts Antiaging Effects in Yeast by Regulating Autophagy and Oxidative Stress. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:4517091. [PMID: 31281576 PMCID: PMC6589324 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4517091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used as a model organism for the basic mechanism of aging, which provides useful assay systems for measuring both replicative and chronological lifespans. In the course of our screening program for substances that extend replicative lifespan, cucurbitacin B (CuB) was found as a hit compound from a compound library, which contains cerebrosides, phenols, sesquiterpenoid, triterpenoids, and sterols isolated from natural products by our research group. Importantly, it prolonged not only the replicative lifespan but also the chronological lifespan in yeast. CuB increased ATG32 gene expression, suggesting that CuB induces autophagy. Indeed, the GFP signal generated from the cleavage of GFP-Atg8, which is a signature of autophagy, was increased upon CuB treatment. On the other hand, CuB failed to increase the chronological lifespans when either ATG2 or ATG32, essential autophagy genes, was deleted, indicating that the lifespan extension by CuB depends on autophagy induction. Furthermore, CuB significantly increased superoxide dismutase (Sod) activity and the survival rate of yeast under oxidative stress, while it decreased the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) production, indicating that CuB has activity to antagonize oxidative stress. Additionally, CuB did not affect replicative lifespans of sod1, sod2, uth1, and skn7 mutants with the K6001 background, indicating that aging-related genes including SOD1, SOD2, UTH1, and SKN7 participate in the antiaging effect of CuB. These results suggest that CuB exerts antiaging activity by regulating autophagy, ROS, antioxidative ability, and aging-related genes. Finally, we discuss the possible intracellular targets of CuB based on the phenotypic comparison between the CuB and global gene deletion databases.
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50
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Yuan RQ, Qian L, Yun WJ, Cui XH, Lv GX, Tang WQ, Cao RC, Xu H. Cucurbitacins extracted from Cucumis melo L. (CuEC) exert a hypotensive effect via regulating vascular tone. Hypertens Res 2019; 42:1152-1161. [PMID: 30962520 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-019-0258-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As an effective medicine for jaundice in traditional Chinese medicine, Cucumis melo L. has been widely used in China. However, its effect on vascular function is still unclear. In this study, we extracted the compounds of Cucumis melo L., and the major ingredients were identified as cucurbitacins (CuEC, cucurbitacins extracted from Cucumis melo L.), especially cucurbitacin B. We replicated the toxicity in mice by intraperitoneal injection of a high dose of CuEC (2 mg/kg) and demonstrated that the cause of death was CuEC-induced impairment of the endothelial barrier and, thus, increased vascular permeability via decreasing VE-cadherin conjunction. The administration of low doses of CuEC (1 mg/kg) led to a decline in systolic blood pressure (SBP) without causing toxicity in mice. More importantly, CuEC dramatically suppressed angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced SBP increase. Further studies demonstrated that CuEC facilitated acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation in mesenteric arteries of mice. In vitro studies showed that CuEC induced vasodilation in a dose-dependent manner in mesenteric arteries of both mice and rats. Pretreatment with CuEC inhibited phenylephrine-mediated vasoconstriction. In summary, a moderate dose of CuEC reduced SBP by improving blood vessel tension. Therefore, our study provides new experimental evidence for developing new antihypertensive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru-Qiang Yuan
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Lei Qian
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Wei-Jing Yun
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Cui
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Guang-Xin Lv
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Wei-Qi Tang
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Ri-Chang Cao
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Hu Xu
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.
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