Scutellaria Radix Promotes Apoptosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells via Induction of AMPK-Dependent Autophagy

Baicalin protects against hepatocyte injury caused by aflatoxin B1 via the TP53-related ferroptosis Pathway

OBJECTIVE

Baicalin has antioxidative, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its ability to alleviate oxidative stress (OS) and DNA damage in liver cells exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a highly hepatotoxic compound, remains uncertain. In this study, the protective effects of baicalin on AFB1-induced hepatocyte injury and the mechanisms underlying those effects were investigated.

METHODS

Stable cell lines expressing CYP3A4 were established using lentiviral vectors to assess oxidative stress levels by conducting assays to determine the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Additionally, DNA damage was evaluated by 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and comet assays. Transcriptome sequencing, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments were conducted to determine the mechanisms underlying the effects of baicalin on AFB1-induced hepatocyte injury. In vivo, a rat model of hepatocyte injury induced by AFB1 was used to evaluate the effects of baicalin.

RESULTS

In vitro, baicalin significantly attenuated AFB1-induced injury caused due to OS, as determined by a decrease in ROS, MDA, and SOD levels. Baicalin also considerably decreased AFB1-induced DNA damage in hepatocytes. This protective effect of baicalin was found to be closely associated with the TP53-mediated ferroptosis pathway. To elaborate, baicalin physically interacts with P53, leading to the suppression of the expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11, which in turn inhibits ferroptosis. In vivo findings showed that baicalin decreased DNA damage and ferroptosis in AFB1-treated rat liver tissues, as determined by a decrease in the expression of γ-H2AX and an increase in GPX4 and SLC7A11 levels. Overexpression of TP53 weakened the protective effects of baicalin.

CONCLUSIONS

Baicalin can alleviate AFB1-induced OS and DNA damage in liver cells via the TP53-mediated ferroptosis pathway. In this study, a theoretical foundation was established for the use of baicalin in protecting the liver from the toxic effects of AFB1.

Preclinical evidence using synthetic compounds and natural products indicates that AMPK represents a potential pharmacological target for the therapy of pulmonary diseases

Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a highly conserved eukaryotic enzyme discovered as a key regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, with anti-inflammation, antioxidative stress, anticancer, and antifibrosis beneficial effects. AMPK is dysregulated in human pulmonary diseases such as acute lung injury, nonsmall cell lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. This review provides an overview of the beneficial role of natural, synthetic, and Chinese traditional medicines AMPK modulators in pulmonary diseases, and highlights the role of the AMPK signaling pathway in the lung, emphasizing the importance of finding lead compounds and drugs that can target and modulate AMPK to treat the lung diseases.

Therapeutic strategies targeting AMPK-dependent autophagy in cancer cells

Macroautophagy is a health-modifying process of engulfing misfolded or aggregated proteins or damaged organelles, coating these proteins or organelles into vesicles, fusion of vesicles with lysosomes to form autophagic lysosomes, and degradation of the encapsulated contents. It is also a self-rescue strategy in response to harsh environments and plays an essential role in cancer cells. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the central pathway that regulates autophagy initiation and autophagosome formation by phosphorylating targets such as mTORC1 and unc-51 like activating kinase 1 (ULK1). AMPK is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine protein kinase that acts as an energy sensor in cells and regulates various metabolic processes, including those involved in cancer. The regulatory network of AMPK is complicated and can be regulated by multiple upstream factors, such as LKB1, AKT, PPAR, SIRT1, or noncoding RNAs. Currently, AMPK is being investigated as a novel target for anticancer therapies based on its role in macroautophagy regulation. Herein, we review the effects of AMPK-dependent autophagy on tumor cell survival and treatment strategies targeting AMPK.

Autophagy Induction by Scutellaria Flavones in Cancer: Recent Advances

In parallel with a steady rise in cancer incidence worldwide, the scientific community is increasingly focused on finding novel, safer and more efficient modalities for managing this disease. Over the past decades, natural products have been described as a significant source of new structural leads for novel drug candidates. Scutellaria root is one of the most studied natural products because of its anticancer potential. Besides just describing the cytotoxic properties of plant constituents, their molecular mechanisms of action in different cancer types are equally important. Therefore, this review article focuses on the role of the Scutellaria flavones wogonin, baicalein, baicalin, scutellarein and scutellarin in regulating the autophagic machinery in diverse cancer models, highlighting these molecules as potential lead compounds for the fight against malignant neoplasms. The knowledge that autophagy can function as a dual-edged sword, acting in both a pro- and antitumorigenic manner, further complicates the issue, revealing an amazing property of flavonoids that behave either as anti- or proautophagic agents.

Phytochemical Profiling and Bio-Potentiality of Genus Scutellaria: Biomedical Approach

Scutellaria (Lamiaceae) comprises over 360 species. Based on its morphological structure of calyx, also known as Skullcap, it is herbaceous by habit and cosmopolitan by habitat. The species of Scutellaria are widely used in local communities as a natural remedy. The genus contributed over three hundred bioactive compounds mainly represented by flavonoids and phenols, chemical ingredients which serve as potential candidates for the therapy of various biological activities. Thus, the current review is an attempt to highlight the biological significance and its correlation to various isolated bioactive ingredients including flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, alkaloids, and steroids. However, flavonoids were the dominant group observed. The findings of the Scutellaria reveal that due to its affluent basis of numerous chemical ingredients it has a diverse range of pharmacological potentials, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifeedant, enzyme inhibition, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic significance. Currently, various bioactive ingredients have been investigated for various biological activities from the genus Scutellaria in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, these data help us to highlight its biomedical application and to isolate the responsible compounds to produce innovative medications as an alternative to synthetic drugs.

Therapeutic potential of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in lung cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Globally, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer associated mortalities. The current conventional chemotherapy remains the preferred treatment option for lung cancer, as surgical resection plays little role in the treatment of over 75% of lung cancer patients. Therefore, there is a need to develop novel potential therapeutic drugs or adjuvants with a high efficiency and safety against lung cancer. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a common Chinese medicinal herb that has been in use for more than 2000 years, has recently been shown to possess significant activities against lung cancer. However, current research progress on pharmacological effects and relevant molecular mechanisms of S. baicalensis in lung cancer therapy have not been systematically summarized.

PURPOSE

This review aimed at elucidating on the anti-lung cancer mechanisms and antitumor efficacies of S. baicalensis as well as its active ingredients, and providing a valuable reference for further investigation in this field.

METHODS

We used "Scutellaria baicalensis" or the name of the compound in S. baicalensis, in combination with "lung cancer" as key words to systematically search for relevant literature from the Web of Science and PubMed databases. Publications that investigated molecular mechanisms were the only ones selected for analysis. The PRISMA guidelines were followed.

RESULTS

Fifty-four publications met the inclusion criteria for this study. Five anti-lung cancer mechanisms of S. baicalensis and its constituent components are discussed. These mechanisms include apoptosis induction, cell-cycle arrest, suppression of proliferation, blockade of invasion and metastasis, and overcoming drug-resistance. These compounds exhibited high antitumor efficacies and safety against lung cancer xenografts.

CONCLUSION

Studies should aim at elucidating on the anti-cancer mechanisms of S. baicalensis to achieve the ultimate goal of lung cancer therapy.

Revealing the Mechanism of Friedelin in the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification

Objectives

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the colon, and its incidence is rising worldwide. This study was designed to uncover the healing effect of friedelin, a bioactive compound against UC through bioinformatics of network pharmacology and experimental verification of UC model mice.

Materials and Methods

Targets of friedelin and potential mechanism of friedelin on UC were predicted through target searching, PPI network establishing, and enrichment analyzing. We explored effects of friedelin on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Severity of UC was investigated by body weight, disease activity index (DAI), and length of the colon. Inflammation severity was examined by determination of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The numbers of autophagosome around the epithelial cells were observed by autophagy inhibition via a transmission electron microscope. The expressions of autophagy-related ATG5 protein and AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway were determined by immunofluorescence staining.

Results

In this study, 17 potential targets of friedelin and 1111 UC-related targets were identified. 10 therapeutic targets of friedelin against UC were acquired from overlapped targets of UC and friedelin. PPI network construction filtered 14 core targets through target amplification and confidence enhancement. The results of molecular docking showed that the docking scores of the top 5 active targets were higher than the threshold values. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were carried out, showing friedelin alleviates UC through anti-inflammatory pathways and molecular function of autophagy. Subsequently, animal-based experiments revealed the intraperitoneal injection of friedelin ameliorated DSS-induced body weight loss, DAI decrease, colon length shortening and colonic pathological damage with lower myeloperoxidase and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) and higher IL-10 levels, and more autophagosomes in transmission electron microscope results. The AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway plays important role in the friedelin's effect in autophagy as KEGG pathway result and experiment verification. Furthermore, the 3 ma validated the role of autophagy as an improvement in the friedelin's pharmacologic effect to UC model mice.

Conclusions

Friedelin ameliorated DSS-induced colitis in mice through of inflammatory inhibition and regulation of autophagy.

Review On Documented Medicinal Plants Used For The Treatment Of Cancer

Background:

Cancer is a frightful disease and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Naturally derived compounds are gaining interest of research workers as they have less toxic side effects as compared to currently used treatments such as chemotherapy. Plants are the pool of chemical compounds which provides a promising future for research on cancer.

Objective:

This review paper provides updated information gathered on medicinal plants and isolated phytoconstituents used as anticancer agents and summarises the plant extracts and their isolated chemical constituents exhibiting anticancer potential on clinical trials.

Methods:

An extensive bibliographic investigation was carried out by analysing worldwide established scientific databases like SCOPUS, PUBMED, SCIELO, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Web of Science, Wiley, SciFinder and Google Scholar etc. In next few decades, herbal medicine may become a new epoch of medical system.

Results:

Many researches are going on medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer but it is a time to increase further experimental studies on plant extracts and their chemical constituents to find out their mechanism of action at molecular level.

Conclusion:

The article may help many researchers to start off further experimentation that might lead to the drugs for the cancer treatment.

LncRNA GAS6 antisense RNA 1 facilitates the tumorigenesis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma by regulating the AMP-activated protein kinase/mTOR signaling pathway

The role of GAS6 antisense RNA 1 (GAS6-AS1) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role and molecular mechanisms of GAS6-AS1 in the progression of ccRCC. GAS6-AS1 was found to be upregulated in ccRCC tissues and cell lines, and patients with high GAS6-AS1 expression levels exhibited a poor prognosis. Small interfering (si)RNA GAS6-AS1 inhibited the activity, colony formation, invasiveness and glycolysis of OSRC-2 and SW839 cells, while GAS6-AS1 overexpression promoted these functions. Moreover, si-GAS6-AS1 increased the phosphorylation level of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and decreased that of mTOR, as well as decreasing proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), MMP-2 and hexokinase-2 (HK2) expression, which were reversed by inhibiting AMPK or mTOR. In addition, the silencing of GAS6-AS1 suppressed the growth of xenografted tumors and attenuated the expression of PCNA, MMP-2 and HK2 in tumor tissues. These findings conclude that GAS6-AS1 regulated the proliferation, invasiveness and glycolysis of ccRCC cells by regulating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, and suggest that GAS6-AS1 may be a potential therapeutic target for ccRCC.

Predicting the herbal medicine triggering innate anti-tumor immunity from a system pharmacology perspective

Although the main focus of immuno-oncology has been manipulating the adaptive immune system, tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are the main infiltrating component in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and play a critical role in cancer progression. TAMs are mainly divided into two different subtypes: macrophages with antitumor or killing activity are called M1 while tumor-promoting or healing macrophages are named M2. Therefore, controlling the polarization of TAMs is an important strategy for cancer treatment, but there is no particularly effective means to regulate the polarization process. Here, combined systems pharmacology targets and pathways analysis strategy, we uncovered Scutellariae Radix (SR) has the potential to regulate TAMs polarization to inhibit the growth of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Firstly, systems pharmacology approach was used to reveal the active components of SR targeting macrophages in TME through compound target prediction and target-microenvironment phenotypic association analysis. Secondly, in vitro experiment verified that WBB (wogonin, baicalein and baicalin), major active ingredients of SR are significantly related to macrophages and survival, initiated macrophages programming to M1-like macrophages to promoted the apoptosis of tumor cells. Finally, we evidenced that WBB effectively inhibited tumor growth in LLC (Lewis lung carcinoma) tumor-bearing mice and increased the infiltration of M1-type macrophages in TME. Overall, the systems pharmacology strategy offers a paradigm to understand the mechanism of polypharmacology of natural products targeting TME.

Exploring the Potential Molecular Mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer Based on Network Pharmacological Analysis and Molecular Docking Technology

Objective: To explore the molecular mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in treating gastric cancer by network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking.

Methods: Taking Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi as the object, the active components and corresponding potential drug targets in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi were obtained from the database of TCM Pharmacological System Analysis Platform (TCMSP). GeneCards/OMIM/DrugBank and other databases were used to collect gastric cancer-related genes, and the obtained genes were intersected with drug targets to obtain the target genes of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi on gastric cancer. Furthermore, the interaction network of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi-active ingredients-target-gastric cancer-related genes was constructed. Protein–protein interaction analysis and gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed on target genes. The PubChem website was used to screen the compounds corresponding to the target genes, and the target protein and 3D structure pdb format files were obtained from the PDB database. Finally, the molecular docking calculation was performed by the AutoDock Vina program. The in vivo cell experiments on the effect of Scutellaria baicalensis on proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells were used to determine the therapeutic effect of Scutellaria baicalensis on gastric cancer, and the two genes ESR1 and FOS are the key targets of Scutellaria baicalensis on gastric cancer.

Results: A total of 10 gastric cancer-related target genes were screened out, and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi contained 10 active compounds targeting 10 gene sites. There are 30 effective compounds in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi targeted to treat gastric cancer, and there are 91 corresponding targeting gene sites, involving a total of 10 pathways. The results of molecular docking show that ESR1, FOS, and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi have good binding free energy and docking fraction. The docking fraction of FOS is −4.200 and the binding free energy is −27.893 kcal/mol. The docking fraction of ESR1 is −5.833 and the binding free energy is −30.001 kcal/mol. The effect of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi on gastric cancer was verified by in vitro cell experiments and Western blotting.

Conclusion:Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi can target and regulate multiple signal pathways by acting on ESR1 and FOS gene loci, thus having a potential therapeutic effect on gastric cancer.

Therapeutic potential of AMPK signaling targeting in lung cancer: Advances, challenges and future prospects

Lung cancer (LC) is a leading cause of death worldwide with high mortality and morbidity. A wide variety of risk factors are considered for LC development such as smoking, air pollution and family history. It appears that genetic and epigenetic factors are also potential players in LC development and progression. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a signaling pathway with vital function in inducing energy balance and homeostasis. An increase in AMP:ATP and ADP:ATP ratio leads to activation of AMPK signaling by upstream mediators such as LKB1 and CamKK. Dysregulation of AMPK signaling is a common finding in different cancers, particularly LC. AMPK activation can significantly enhance LC metastasis via EMT induction. Upstream mediators such as PLAG1, IMPAD1, and TUFM can regulate AMPK-mediated metastasis. AMPK activation can promote proliferation and survival of LC cells via glycolysis induction. In suppressing LC progression, anti-tumor compounds including metformin, ginsenosides, casticin and duloxetine dually induce/inhibit AMPK signaling. This is due to double-edged sword role of AMPK signaling in LC cells. Furthermore, AMPK signaling can regulate response of LC cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy that are discussed in the current review.

Scutellaria baicalensis and Their Natural Flavone Compounds as Potential Medicinal Drugs for the Treatment of Nicotine-Induced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Asthma

Flavonoids as the largest group of natural phytochemical compounds have received significant attention, as demonstrated by clinical trials, due to their chemotherapeutic and/or pharmacological effects against non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and asthma. Scutellaria baicalensis (S. baicalensis), known as one of the most popular medicinal plants and used in several countries, contains natural active flavone constituents, with the major compounds of the roots being baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, wogonoside and oroxylin A. S. baicalensis and their compounds are proven to have inhibitory effects on NSCLC cells when used at different concentrations. However, the exact mechanisms by which these compounds exert their therapeutic effects against asthma remain unexplored. Indeed, the mechanisms by which S. baicalensis and its flavone compounds exert a protective effect against nicotine-induced NSCLC and asthma are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this review explores the mechanisms involved in the therapeutic potential of flavone-rich extracts from S. baicalensis in nicotine-induced NSCLC and asthma.

The Root Extract of Scutellaria baicalensis Induces Apoptosis in EGFR TKI-Resistant Human Lung Cancer Cells by Inactivation of STAT3

Resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) is a major obstacle in managing lung cancer. The root of Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) traditionally used for fever clearance and detoxification possesses various bioactivities including anticancer effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether SB exhibited anticancer activity in EGFR TKI-resistant lung cancer cells and to explore the underlying mechanism. We used four types of human lung cancer cell lines, including H1299 (EGFR wildtype; EGFR TKI-resistant), H1975 (acquired TKI-resistant), PC9/ER (acquired erlotinib-resistant), and PC9/GR (acquired gefitinib-resistant) cells. The ethanol extract of SB (ESB) decreased cell viability and suppressed colony formation in the four cell lines. ESB stimulated nuclear fragmentation and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3. Consistently, the proportion of sub-G1 phase cells and annexin V+ cells were significantly elevated by ESB, indicating that ESB induced apoptotic cell death in EGFR TKI-resistant cells. ESB dephosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and downregulated the target gene expression. The overexpression of constitutively active STAT3 reversed ESB-induced apoptosis, suggesting that ESB triggered apoptosis in EGFR TKI-resistant cells by inactivating STAT3. Taken together, we propose the potential use of SB as a novel therapeutic for lung cancer patients with EGFR TKI resistance.

Polysaccharides from sporoderm-removed spores of Ganoderma lucidum induce apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells via disruption of autophagic flux

The sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) polysaccharide (BSGLP) have been demonstrated to inhibit carcinogenesis in several types of cancer. However, to the best of our knowledge, the anticancer effects of polysaccharides extracted from the newly developed sporoderm-removed spores of G. lucidum (RSGLP) have not been assessed. The present study first compared the anticancer effects of RSGLP and BSGLP in three gastric cancer cell lines and it was found that RSGLP was more potent than BSGLP in decreasing gastric cancer cell viability. RSGLP significantly induced apoptosis in AGS cells, accompanied by downregulation of Bcl-2 and pro-caspase-3 expression levels, and upregulation of cleaved-PARP. Furthermore, RSGLP increased LC3-II and p62 expression, indicative of induction of autophagy and disruption of autophagic flux in AGS cells. These results were further verified by combined treatment of AGS cells with the late-stage autophagy inhibitor chloroquine, or early-stage autophagy inducer rapamycin. Adenoviral transfection with mRFP-GFP-LC3 further confirmed that autophagic flux was inhibited by RSGLP in AGS cells. Finally, the present study demonstrated that the RSGLP-induced autophagy and disruption of autophagic flux disruption was, at least in part, responsible for RSGLP-induced apoptosis in AGS cells. The results of the present study demonstrated for the first time that RSGLP is more effective than BSGLP in inhibiting gastric cancer cell viability, and RSGLP may serve as a promising autophagy inhibitor in the management of gastric cancer.

Investigation of the possible mechanism of polysaccharides extracted from Leucocalocybe mongolica in exerting antitumor effects in H22 tumor-bearing mice

A response surface method was used to optimize the extraction of polysaccharides from Leucocalocybe mongolica. Moreover, the preliminary structural characteristics and antitumor activity of L. mongolica polysaccharide (LMP) were investigated. The results showed that the optimized extraction technological parameters for LMP were 93°C extraction temperature, 5 hr extraction time, and 30 ml/g liquid-to-solid ratio. The LMP content extracted under the optimal conditions was 6.64%. LC-MS/MS results indicated that LMP is a neutral polysaccharide composed of d-fructose, d-mannose, dextrose anhydrate, d-xylose, trehalose, and galactose. The tumor inhibition rate was significantly improved by LMP treatment. LMP had minimal toxicity based on the significant decrease in AST and BUN levels; VEGF protein levels were also significantly decreased. In contrast, the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α were improved. The results of ELISA, H&E staining, TUNEL assay, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting indicated that the LMP exhibited antitumor activity in vivo by promoting apoptosis, mediating inflammatory responses, and inhibiting angiogenesis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: As one of the main bioactive components, fungal polysaccharide has always been a hot research topic. Fungal polysaccharides are carbohydrate polymers composed of monosaccharide units bound together by glycosidic linkages, which have been found to be involved in many biological processes. In this research, the LMP structure was analyzed, and the immunohistochemical and western blot analysis confirmed that, LMP could effectively reduce the generation of tumor angiogenesis, promote apoptosis of tumor cell sand inhibit tumor growth. The results of this study can effectively provide a basis for clinical research and development of antitumor drugs, and lay a foundation for the study of the antitumor effects of wild edible and medicinal fungi.

Autophagy Impairment through Lysosome Dysfunction by Brucine Induces Immunogenic Cell Death (ICD)

Autophagy is an important tightly controlled cellular process that regulates cellular homeostasis and is involved in deciding cell fate such as cell survival and death. The role of autophagy in many intracellular signaling pathways explains its interaction with other different types of cell death, including apoptosis and immunogenic cell death (ICD). The reports showed the complex and intriguing relationship existing between autophagy and immune system signaling pathways. However, the role of autophagy in ICD remains to be clearly elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that Brucine, a clinically-used small molecule in traditional Chinese medicine, elicited autophagy inhibition. Brucine also triggered cell stress and induced features of ICD, including calreticulin (CRT) exposure and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) release in MDA-MB-231 and CT26 cancer cells. Brucine impaired autolysosomal degradation and exerted a feedback regulation of ERK1/2-mTOR-p70S6K signaling cascade. Brucine-elicited ICD was confirmed by the rejection of CT26 tumor cells, implanted in the mice after vaccination with Brucine-treated CT26 cells. The impaired autophagy contributed to Brucine-induced ICD, as knock-down of Atg5 significantly reduced Brucine-elicited CRT exposure and HMGB1 release. Our results revealed Brucine as a novel autophagy regulator, ICD inducer and hitherto undocumented role of autophagy in ICD. Thus, these results imply the importance of Brucine in cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, Brucine may be used as an ICD inducer and improve its application in cancer treatment with minimized toxicity.

Investigation of the possible mechanism of two kinds of sterols extracted from Leucocalocybe mongolica in inducing HepG2 cell apoptosis and exerting anti-tumor effects in H22 tumor-bearing mice

Sterols are one of the main components of medicinal fungi with an anti-tumor effect. In this study, ergosta-4, 6, 8(14), 22-tetraen-3-one (ET) and (22E, 24R)-ergosta-7, 22-dien-3β, 5α, 6β-triol (ED) were obtained from Leucocalocybe mongolica and were used for the first time to study their ability to induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells and their anti-tumor effects and related mechanism in H22 tumor-bearing mice.

METHOD

The chemical structures were defined by IR and NMR. In vitro, the CCK8 assay was used as a cytotoxicity assay. Flow cytometry was used for the HepG-2 cell apoptosis analysis, which was examined via annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, and the related expression levels of the apoptosis-associated proteins were determined by western blot analysis. In vivo, ICR male mice were randomly assigned to eight groups: the model group, CTX (25 mg/kg/d) group, and ET and ED groups, which were treated with three different concentrations of each compound (0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 mmol/kg/d). Relevant biochemical indicators were detected by ELISA assay, H & E staining, TUNEL assay, immunohistochemical staining and western blot.

RESULTS

In vitro, ET and ED showed significant cytotoxic effects against HepG2, MCF-7, and HeLa cells, especially HepG-2 cells, and both ED and ET demonstrated a good effect in inhibiting the proliferation of HepG-2 cells. In vivo, ET and ED significantly decreased the tumor volume and VEGF levels but increased the serum cytokine levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-α. H & E staining, TUNEL assay, immunohistochemical analysis, and western blotting indicated that the both ET and ED exhibited anti-tumor activity in vivo by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that both ET and ED have a strong inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG-2 cells in vitro and an anti-H22 tumor effect in vivo.

An In Vitro Evaluation of the Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Medical Plants from the Lamiaceae Family as Effective Sources of Active Compounds against Human Cancer Cell Lines

It is predicted that 1.8 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed worldwide in 2020; of these, the incidence of lung, colon, breast, and prostate cancers will be 22%, 9%, 7%, and 5%, respectively according to the National Cancer Institute. As the global medical cost of cancer in 2020 will exceed about $150 billion, new approaches and novel alternative chemoprevention molecules are needed. Research indicates that the plants of the Lamiaceae family may offer such potential. The present study reviews selected species from the Lamiaceae and their active compounds that may have the potential to inhibit the growth of lung, breast, prostate, and colon cancer cells; it examines the effects of whole extracts, individual compounds, and essential oils, and it discusses their underlying molecular mechanisms of action. The studied members of the Lamiaceae are sources of crucial phytochemicals that may be important modulators of cancer-related molecular targets and can be used as effective factors to support anti-tumor treatment.

Traditional Chinese Medicine as Potential Therapy for COVID-19

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, causing the disease COVID-19, spread from Wuhan throughout China and has infected people over 200 countries. Thus far, more than 3,400,000 cases and 240,000 deaths have occurred worldwide, and the coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the globe. While numbers of cases in China have been steadying, the number of infections outside China is increasing at a worrying pace. We face an urgent need to control the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, which is currently expanding to a global pandemic. Efforts have focused on testing antiviral drugs and vaccines, but there is currently no treatment specifically approved. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is grounded in empirical observations and the Chinese people use TCM to overcome these sorts of plagues many times in thousands of years of history. Currently, the Chinese National Health Commission recommended a TCM prescription of Qing-Fei-Pai-Du-Tang (QFPDT) in the latest version of the "Diagnosis and Treatment guidelines of COVID-19" which has been reported to provide reliable effects for COVID-19. While doubts about TCM still exist today, this review paper will describe the rationalities that QFPDT is likely to bring a safe and effective treatment of COVID-19.

SPAG6 silencing induces autophagic cell death in SKM-1 cells via the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway

As a member of the cancer-testis antigen family, sperm-associated antigen 6 (SPAG6) has been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Previous studies have demonstrated that SPAG6 is upregulated in bone marrow from patients with MDS and MDS-transformed acute myeloid leukemia and that knockdown of SPAG6 expression levels suppressed proliferation and promote apoptosis and differentiation in SKM-1 cells. However, the association between SPAG6 and autophagy in SKM-1 cells remains unclear. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate this association and its underlying mechanism. The present study used a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentivirus to silence SPAG6 expression levels in SKM-1 cells and demonstrated that SPAG6 knockdown increased autophagy and apoptosis. Furthermore, pharmacologically inhibiting autophagy with chloroquine and 3-methyladenine decreased SPAG6 knockdown-mediated apoptosis, indicating that SPAG6 knockdown-mediated autophagy promoted apoptosis in SKM-1 cells. Additionally, compared with the expression levels in negative control-shRNA lentivirus-transfected SKM-1 cells, the protein expression levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) and phosphorylated unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (p-ULK1) were upregulated, while phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) protein expression was downregulated in SPAG6-shRNA lentivirus-transfected cells. Moreover, inhibiting AMPK expression levels with Compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMPK, attenuated SPAG6 knockdown-induced autophagy and apoptosis, suggesting that AMPK-mediated autophagy enhanced the pro-apoptotic effect of SPAG6 knockdown in SKM-1 cells. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that SPAG6 silencing triggered autophagy via regulation of the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway, which further contributed to the apoptosis of SKM-1 cells induced by SPAG6 knockdown. Thus, the current results indicate that SPAG6 may be a potential therapeutic target against MDS, and that autophagy may represent a potential mechanism for the treatment of MDS.

Gardenia jasminoides Enhances CDDP-Induced Apoptosis of Glioblastoma Cells via AKT/mTOR Pathway While Protecting Death of Astrocytes

Gliomas are the most observed primary brain tumor, of which glioblastoma multiform (GBM) shows the highest incidence. Radiotherapy with temozolomide is the standard therapeutic method, but because of side effects, search for alternative therapies is required. Gardenia jasminoides (GJ) is flavonoid abundant with beneficial effects on inflammation, metabolic diseases, and cancers. In this study, we investigated the synergistic combination of GJ and cisplatin (CDDP) in U87MG and U373MG GBM cells. GJ and CDDP both showed cytotoxicity in U87MG cells, however GJ did not affect viability of normal astrocytes while CDDP displayed high toxicity. Cytotoxic effect of GJ and CDDP was related in apoptosis when confirmed by Western blot assays on cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP. Moreover, GJ and CDDP showed synergistic combination in cell death of GBM cells, which was further confirmed by Western blot assays of apoptosis factors and also flow cytometry of Annexin V. Analysis on autophagy factors showed that GJ/CDDP combination induced autophagy, and through inhibition of autophagy, we could confirm autophagy is crucial to cytotoxicity of GJ/CDDP in GBM cell lines. The autophagy-mediated apoptosis of GJ/CDDP was dependent on the AKT/mTOR pathway. Overall, our results suggest GJ/CDDP combination as an effective yet safe therapeutic approach to GBMs.

Baicalein, an enteric microbial metabolite, suppresses gut inflammation and cancer progression in ApcMin/+ mice

OBJECTIVE

Chronic inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Baicalin (BI), a major constituent in an anti-inflammatory herb Scutellaria baicalensis, can be biotransformed into baicalein (BE) by the intestinal microbiota. We evaluated the anti-inflammation and anti-CRC effects of the metabolite BE.

METHODS

The in vitro biotransformation by human intestinal microbiota from BI into BE has been determined with HPLC. Using a gut-specific Apc^Min/+ mouse model, the effects of oral BE on the life span, organ index, and tumor multiplicity were evaluated. The expressions of inflammatory cytokines were determined using ELISA. To verify the in vivo data, the anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects of BE were determined with an in vitro cell model.

RESULTS

HPLC analysis showed that BI was quickly transformed into BE by the intestinal microbiota. Oral BE (30 mg/kg/day) significantly increased the life span, from 125.2 to 218.4 days (P < 0.01%). BE treatment also decreased intestine index and increased spleen index. Compared with the model group, following BE treatment, tumor numbers were significantly reduced in the small intestine and colon (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). In the gut tissues, BE treatment significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine levels such as IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, G-CSF, and GM-CSF. In vitro data supported our in vivo results that the anti-CRC effects of BE were via the inhibition of gut inflammation and induction of cancer cell death.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the parent compound BI can be quickly converted into its microbial metabolite BE, which has stronger bioactive effects than BI. Baicalein is an active chemopreventive metabolite for inflammatory associated CRC.