Assessment of the Anti-Breast Cancer Effects of Urolithin with Molecular Docking Studies in the In Vitro Condition: Introducing a Novel Chemotherapeutic Drug

A lot of research has been done on using natural items as diabetes treatment. The molecular docking study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory activities of urolithin A against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and aldose reductase. The molecular docking calculations indicated the probable interactions and the characteristics of these contacts at an atomic level. The results of the docking calculations showed the docking score of urolithin A against α-amylase was -5.169 kcal/mol. This value for α-glucosidase and aldose reductase was -3.657 kcal/mol and -7.635 kcal/mol, respectively. In general, the outcomes of the docking calculations revealed that urolithin A can construct several hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts with the assessed enzymes and reduces their activities considerably. The properties of urolithin against common human breast cancer cell lines, i.e., SkBr3, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, Hs578T, Evsa-T, BT-549, AU565 and 600MPE were evaluated. The IC50 of the urolithin was 400, 443, 392, 418, 397, 530, 566 and 551 against SkBr3, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, Hs578T, Evsa-T, BT-549, AU565 and 600MPE, respectively. After doing the clinical trial studies, the recent molecule may be used as an anti-breast cancer supplement in humans. IC50 values of urolithin A on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and aldose reductase enzymes were obtained at 16.14, 1.06 and 98.73 µM, respectively.

β-Sitosterol as a Promising Anticancer Agent for Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy: Mechanisms of Action and Future Prospects

Cancer is one of the primary causes of death worldwide, and its incidence continues to increase yearly. Despite significant advances in research, the search for effective and nontoxic preventive and therapeutic agents remains greatly important. Cancer is a multimodal disease, where various mechanisms play significant roles in its occurrence and progression. This highlights the need for multitargeted approaches that are not only safe and inexpensive but also provide effective alternatives for current therapeutic regimens. β-Sitosterol (SIT), the most abundant phytosterol found in various plant foods, represents such an option. Preclinical evidence over the past few decades has overwhelmingly shown that SIT exhibits multiple anticancer activities against varied cancers, such as liver, cervical, colon, stomach, breast, lung, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, in addition to leukemia, multiple myeloma, melanoma, and fibrosarcoma. In this article, we present the latest advances and perspectives on SIT-systematically summarizing its antitumor mechanisms of action into 7 main sections and combining current challenges and prospects-for its use as a promising agent for cancer prevention and treatment. In particular, SIT plays a role in cancer prevention and treatment mainly by enhancing apoptosis, inducing cell cycle arrest, bidirectionally regulating oxidative stress, improving metabolic reprogramming, inhibiting invasion and metastasis, modulating immunity and inflammation, and combating drug resistance. Although SIT holds such great promise, the poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability coupled with low targeting efficacy limit its therapeutic efficacy and clinical application. Further research on novel drug delivery systems may improve these deficiencies. Overall, through complex and pleiotropic mechanisms, SIT has good potential for tumor chemoprevention and chemotherapy. However, no clinical trials have yet proven this potential. This review provides theoretical basis and rationality for the further design and conduct of clinical trials to confirm the anticancer activity of SIT.

Anlotinib induces apoptosis and second growth/mitosis phase block in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells via the aurora kinase A/p53 pathway

BACKGROUND

Cisplatin (DDP) resistance in ovarian cancer (OC) patients usually leads to treatment failure and increased mortality. Anlotinib has been shown to improve progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, but the mechanism is unclear. This study aims to explore the mechanism by which anlotinib ameliorates platinum resistance in OC cells.

METHODS

Cell viability was detected by the 3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, and the apoptosis rate and changes in the cell cycle distribution were evaluated by flow cytometry. Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict the potential gene target of anlotinib in DDP-resistance SKOV3 cells, and its expression was verifies it by RT-qPCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Finally, ovarian cancer cells overexpressing AURKA were constructed, and the predicted results were verified by animal experiments.

RESULTS

Anlotinib effectively induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest in OC cells and decreased the proportion of EdU-positive cells. AURKA was identified as a possible key target of anlotinib for inhibiting tumorigenic behaviors in SKOV3/DDP cells. Through combined immunofluorescence and western blot analyses, it was demonstrated that anlotinib could effectively inhibit the protein expression of AURKA and upregulate the expression of p53/p21, CDK1, and Bax protein. After overexpression of AURKA in OC cells, the induction of apoptosis and G2/M arrest by anlotinib were significantly inhibited. Anlotinib also effectively inhibited the growth of tumors in nude mice injected with OC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that anlotinib can induce apoptosis and G2/M arrest in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells through the AURKA/p53 pathway.

Anticancer mechanism of 7-α-hydroxyfrullanolide on microtubules and computational prediction of its target binding in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) responds poorly to the available drugs; thus, the mortality rate associated with TNBC remains high. 7-α-Hydroxyfrullanolide (7HF) possesses anticancer properties and arrests cells in the G2/M-phase via modulation of several proteins involved in the G2/M-phase transition, as well as the mitotic checkpoint in MDA-MB-468 (TNBC) cells. Microtubules (MTs) dynamically regulate cell division in the G2/M phase and are related to cancer cell stress response. However, antimitotic drug cytotoxicity to multiple cancer resistance developed in response to drugs are obstacles faced to date. Here, the activity and mechanism via which 7HF controls MTs dynamics was investigated in MDA-MB-468 cells.

Methods

7HF uptake by MDA-MB-468 cells was assessed using spectrophotometry. The drug-like properties of 7HF were predicted using the Swiss-absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) webtool. Then, the effect of 7HF treatment (6, 12, and 24 µM) on the dynamic arrangement of MTs was assessed for 1, 12, and 24 h using indirect immunofluorescence. Polymerization of α- and β-tubulin was assessed using different 7HF concentrations in a cell-free system for 1 h. Cell proliferation assay with bromodeoxyuridine plus propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry was performed at different 7HF concentrations and time points. The mechanism of action was assessed by detecting the expression of proteins, including Bub3, cyclin B1, p-Cdk1 (Tyr15), Rb, p-Rb (Ser780), Chk1, p-Chk1 (Ser345), Chk2, p-Chk2 (Ser516), and p-H2AX (Ser139), using western blotting. Molecular docking was used to predict the molecular interactions between 7HF and tubulins in MTs.

Results

We observed that 7HF was able to enter the MDA-MB-468 cells. The ADME webtool analysis predicted that it possesses the high passive permeation and gastrointestinal absorption properties of drugs. Various concentrations of 7HF disrupted the dynamic arrangement of spindle MTs by causing radial spindle array shrinkage and expansion of fibrous spindle density and radial array lengths in a time-dependent manner. 7HF reduced polymerization of α-, β-tubulin in dose-dependent manner. 7HF also triggered DNA damage response by inducing G2/M and G1 phase arrests in a concentration and time-dependent manner, which occurred due to the upregulation of Bub3, Chk1, p-Chk1 (Ser345), p-Cdk1 (Tyr15), and cyclin B1. According to molecular docking analysis, 7HF preferred to bind to β-tubulin over α-tubulin. The lactone, ketone, and hydroxyl groups of 7HF supported the 7HF-tubulin interactions. Hydrogen bonding with a hydrocarbon ring and salt bridge attractive forces were responsible for the binding versatility of 7HF.

Conclusions

This is the first study to investigate the molecular mechanism, MTs interacting sites, and the internalization and drug-like properties of 7HF in TNBC cells. The findings will be useful for developing 7HF-based treatment for patients with TNBC.

Anticancer Effects and Molecular Action of 7-α-Hydroxyfrullanolide in G2/M-Phase Arrest and Apoptosis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a breast cancer subtype characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression. TNBC cells respond poorly to targeted chemotherapies currently in use and the mortality rate of TNBC remains high. Therefore, it is necessary to identify new chemotherapeutic agents for TNBC. In this study, the anti-cancer effects of 7-α-hydroxyfrullanolide (7HF), derived from Grangea maderaspatana, on MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells were assessed using MTT assay. The mode of action of 7HF in TNBC cells treated with 6, 12 and 24 µM of 7HF was determined by flow cytometry and propidium iodide (PI) staining for cell cycle analysis and annexin V/fluorescein isothiocyanate + PI staining for detecting apoptosis. The molecular mechanism of action of 7HF in TNBC cells was investigated by evaluating protein expression using proteomic techniques and western blotting. Subsequently, 7HF exhibited the strongest anti-TNBC activity toward MDA-MB-468 cells and a concomitantly weak toxicity toward normal breast cells. The molecular mechanism of action of low-dose 7HF in TNBC cells primarily involved G2/M-phase arrest through upregulation of the expression of Bub3, cyclin B1, phosphorylated Cdk1 (Tyr 15) and p53-independent p21. Contrastingly, the upregulation of PP2A-A subunit expression may have modulated the suppression of various cell survival proteins such as p-Akt (Ser 473), FoxO3a and β-catenin. The concurrent apoptotic effect of 7HF on the treated cells was mediated via both intrinsic and extrinsic modes through the upregulation of Bax and active cleaved caspase-7–9 expression and downregulation of Bcl-2 and full-length caspase-7–9 expression. Notably, the proteomic approach revealed the upregulation of the expression of pivotal protein clusters associated with G1/S-phase arrest, G2/M-phase transition and apoptosis. Thus, 7HF exhibits promising anti-TNBC activity and at a low dose, it modulates signal transduction associated with G2/M-phase arrest and apoptosis.

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.

Chaga mushroom extract induces autophagy via the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway in breast cancer cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chaga mushrooms (Inonotus obliquus) are commonly used in traditional treatments in Eastern Europe and Asia due to their diverse pharmacological effects, including anti-tumor and immunologic effects. Thus, many cancer patients take Chaga mushrooms as a complementary medicine, even during chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, few studies have investigated the effects or molecular targets of Chaga mushrooms in breast cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Herein, we examined the anticancer effects of Chaga mushrooms in different types of breast cancer cell lines, and explored the underlying molecular mechanism to better understand their effects and benefits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chaga mushroom extract (CME) was prepared by extracting Chaga mushrooms with 70% ethanol. The cytotoxic effects of CME were assessed by MTT assay and protein expressions were evaluated by western blotting. To evaluate in vivo anti-tumor effects of CME, CME (2 g/kg) was orally administered to 4T1 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice every other day over 30 days (15 administrations), and tumor sizes were measured. Silica gel column chromatography was used to fractionate CME, and major constituents responsible for cytotoxic effects of CME were identified by 1H/13C-NMR and LC-MS.

RESULTS

CME inhibited the proliferation of 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. The expression of LC3 and phosphorylation of AMPK were increased by CME, while the phosphorylation of mTOR, S6, and S6K1 were suppressed, suggesting that CME induced autophagy by activating AMPK and inhibiting mTOR signaling pathways. Consistent with its observed cytotoxic effect in vitro, CME effectively suppressed tumor growth in 4T1 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. In addition, inotodiol and trametenolic acid were identified as the major constituents responsible for the cytotoxic effects of CME on breast cancer cells. Moreover, inotodiol and trametenolic acid-enriched fractions both exhibited cytotoxic effects regardless of breast cancer cell subtypes and did not interfere with the cytotoxic effects of conventional drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, Chaga mushroom extract induced autophagy by activating AMPK and inhibiting the mTOR signaling pathway. Our data suggest Chaga mushrooms may be a beneficial complementary medicine for breast cancer patients.

In vitro antimitotic and cytotoxic potential of plant extracts: a comparative study of Mucuna pruriens, Asteracantha longifolia and Sphaeranthus indicus

Background

Plants have been used in alternative and traditional medicines for the cure of different types of diseases since ancient time. Secondary metabolites from natural sources play a crucial role in the treatment of various ailments. The present study carried out to investigate the phytochemical, antimitotic and cytotoxic activity of methanolic (95%) extracts ofMucuna pruriensseeds,Asteracantha longifoliaseeds andSphaeranthus indicusstems.

Result

Phytochemical analysis was performed using qualitative test to confirm the presence of phytochemical such as flavonoids, terpenoids, amino acids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, steroids, tannins, phenols and carbohydrates. The antimitotic activity was screened by usingAllium ceparoot meristematic cells. Methotrexate (0.1 mg/mL) was used as a standard. The data was analyzed by using software GraphPad Prism, Version 6.0 (GraphPad Software Inc., San Diego, CA) with one-way ANOVA. A statistical difference ofp< 0.05 was considered significant in all cases.pvalueof M. pruriensseeds,A. longifoliaseeds andS. indicusstems calculatedp= 0.0001 for all plant extracts. Cytotoxic potential of all three plant extracts have been studied on breast cancer cell line MCF7 and lung cancer cell line A549.M. pruriensshowed mild cytotoxicity with IC50values 36.74 μg/mL on MCF7 and 39.42 μg/mL on A549 cell line.A. longifoliashowed better activity on MCF7 with IC50of 12.32 μg/mL and theS. indicusshowed the least activity on MCF7 with IC50of 185.56 μg/mL. TheA. longifoliashowed better activity on A549 with IC50of 16.53 μg/mL.

Conclusion

A. longifoliahas significant amount of nearly all phytochemicals as compared to other two plant extracts. It is found that all three plant extracts showed antimitotic activity havingpvalue less than 0.05. The cytotoxicity assay revealed that all plant extracts displayed inhibition of MCF7 and A549 cells lines.A. longifoliashowed better activity against MCF7 whileM. prurienspossessed mild cytotoxic effect against both MCF7 and A549 cell lines.

Sclareol ameliorated ERCC1-mediated cisplatin resistance in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells and a murine xenograft tumor model by suppressing AKT-GSK3β-AP1/Snail and JNK-AP1 pathways

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is a common first-line regimen for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, drug resistance is still a major problem. The purposes of this study were to evaluate whether sclareol can reverse cisplatin resistance and to investigate its possible mechanisms. A549 cells, the human NSCLC cells with inherent cisplatin resistance, were used to investigate synergistic effect of sclareol with cisplatin in cell proliferation and migration as well as its regulatory mechanisms in expression of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1), a cisplatin resistance-associated molecule. Nude mice bearing subcutaneous A549 tumors were applied to investigate synergistic activity of sclareol in anti-tumor. As comparing to the cisplatin alone group, the treatment of cisplatin combined with sclareol significantly suppressed survival rate and cell migration of A549 cells. Besides, sclareol also exhibited suppression in ERCC1 expression by inhibiting AKT-GSK3β-AP1/Snail and JNK-AP1 pathways. Furthermore, the experimental data from in vivo study also demonstrated that the combination group of cisplatin and sclareol showed the greatest anti-tumor activity, whose effect could be partially attributed to sclareol-mediated decrease in intratumoral level of ERCC1 protein. Accordingly, sclareol has potential as an adjuvant for the treatment in NSCLC patients with cisplatin resistance.

The Anti-Tumor Effects of Oenothera odorata Extract Are Mediated by Inhibition of Glycolysis and Cellular Respiration in Cancer Cells

Cancer is caused by uncontrolled cell division and is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Oenothera odorata (O. odorata) extract is used in herbal medicine to inhibit inflammation, but its potential anti-tumor properties have not been fully evaluated. Here, we demonstrated that O. odorata extract inhibits the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma and melanoma cell lines In Vitro, and also inhibits the growth of melanoma cells In Vivo. After partitioning the extract with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol, it was found that the butanol-soluble (OOB) and water-soluble (OOW) fractions of O. odorata extract are effective at inhibiting tumor cell growth In Vivo although OOW is more effective than OOB. Interestingly, these fractions did not inhibit the growth of non-cancerous cells. The anti-proliferative effects of the OOW fraction were found to be mediated by inhibition of glycolysis and cellular respiration. UPLC of both fractions showed two major common peaks, which were predicted to be hydrolyzable tannin-related compounds. Taken together, these data suggest that O. odorata extract has anti-tumor properties, and the molecular mechanism involves metabolic alterations and inhibition of cell proliferation. O. odorata extract therefore holds promise as a novel natural product for the treatment of cancer.

Induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by tomentosin in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and Huh7 cells

Tomentosin, a sesquiterpene lactone, is known to possess various biological activities. However, its anticarcinogenic activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells has not been investigated in detail. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the cytotoxic mechanism of tomentosin in human HCC cell lines HepG2 and Huh7. WST-1, cell counting, and colony formation assay results showed that treatment with tomentosin decreased the viability and suppressed the proliferation rate of HepG2 and Huh7 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis revealed increased population of cells at the SubG1 and G2/M stage, and decreased population of cells at the G0/1 stage in HepG2 and Huh7 cells treated with tomentosin. Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining and TUNEL assay results showed increased apoptotic cell population and DNA fragmentation in HepG2 and Huh7 cells treated with tomentosin. Western blotting analysis results showed that tomentosin treatment significantly increased the expression level of Bax, Bim (short form), cleaved PARP1, FOXO3, p53, pSer15p53, pSer20p53, pSer46p53, p21, and p27, but decreased the expression of Bcl2, caspase3, caspase7, caspase9, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), CDK4, CDK6, cyclinB1, cyclinD1, cyclinD2, cyclinD3, and cyclinE in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, this study revealed that tomentosin, which acted through cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, may be a useful therapeutic option against HCC.

miR-18a Inhibitor Suppresses Leukemia Cell Proliferation by Upregulation of PTEN Expression

Background

Leukemia is common in aging adults and has very high mortality worldwide. The present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of miR-18a inhibitor against WEHI-3 and THP-1 leukemia cells.

Material/Methods

The changes in miR-18a inhibitor-transfected WEHI-3 and THP-1 cell proliferative potential was measured by use of the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Apoptotic changes were analyzed by electron microscopy, and evaluation of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and PTEN expression was assessed by RT-qPCR assay.

Results

Transfection of miR-18a inhibitor significantly (P<0.05) suppressed the proliferative potential of WEHI-3 and THP4 cells. The WEHI-3 cells showed the presence of characteristic apoptotic bodies on transfection with miR-18a inhibitor at 48 h. Flow cytometry showed that miR-18a inhibitor transfection significantly (P<0.05) increased the WEHI-3 cell percentage in G1 phase. The transfection of miR-18a inhibitor significantly (P<0.05) promoted apoptosis in WEHI-3 cells. In WEHI-3 cells, miR-18a inhibitor transfection markedly suppressed the expression of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR mRNA. The expression of PTEN mRNA was significantly (P<0.05) upregulated by miR-18a inhibitor transfection in WEHI-3 cells.

Conclusions

The present study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of miR-18a inhibitor against WEHI-3 and THP1 leukemia cells. The study demonstrated that miR-18a inhibitor suppressed the proliferative potential of WEHI-3 and THP1 cells and activated apoptotic process through upregulation of PTEN mRNA expression. Therefore, miR-18a inhibitor can be of therapeutic importance for the treatment of leukemia.

Polyphyllin I induces apoptosis and autophagy via modulating JNK and mTOR pathways in human acute myeloid leukemia cells

Polyphyllin I (PPI), a bioactive component extracted from Paris polyphylla, was reported to have potent anticancer activities in previous studies. However, there were few reports on the effects and underlying mechanism of PPI in human acute myeloid leukemia cells. The present study demonstrated that PPI had an inhibitory effect through inducing apoptosis and autophagy in THP-1 and NB4 cells. PPI induced apoptosis via activating JNK pathway, as evidenced by the decreased Bcl-2 levels and increased Bax, cleaved-caspase-3 and phosphorylated-JNK expressions. In addition, PPI promoted autophagy as evidenced with increased expressions of LC3-II and Beclin-1 in western blot and autophagic vacuoles in MDC staining, which was associated with the inhibition of AKT-mTOR pathway. Furthermore, JNK inhibitor SP600125 and autophagy inhibitor 3-MA were employed to evaluate the role of apoptosis and autophagy in PPI-induced cell death. We found that autophagy and apoptosis were both causes of cell death induced by PPI. These data suggested that PPI could be a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of human acute myeloid leukemia.

Therapeutic Perspectives of Molecules from Urtica dioica Extracts for Cancer Treatment

A large range of chronic and degenerative diseases can be prevented through the use of food products and food bioactives. This study reports the health benefits and biological activities of the Urtica dioica (U. dioica) edible plant, with particular focus on its cancer chemopreventive potential. Numerous studies have attempted to investigate the most efficient anti-cancer therapy with few side effects and high toxicity on cancer cells to overcome the chemoresistance of cancer cells and the adverse effects of current therapies. In this regard, natural products from edible plants have been assessed as sources of anti-cancer agents. In this article, we review current knowledge from studies that have examined the cytotoxic, anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects of U. dioica plant on several human cancers. Special attention has been dedicated to the treatment of breast cancer, the most prevalent cancer among women and one of the main causes of death worldwide. The anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of U. dioica have been demonstrated on different human cancers, investigating the properties of U. dioica at cellular and molecular levels. The potent cytotoxicity and anti-cancer activity of the U. dioica extracts are due to its bioactive natural products content, including polyphenols which reportedly possess anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic and anti-proliferative properties. The efficacy of this edible plant to prevent or mitigate human cancers has been demonstrated in laboratory conditions as well as in experimental animal models, paving the way to the development of nutraceuticals for new anti-cancer therapies.

7-hydroxyfrullanolide, isolated from Sphaeranthus indicus, inhibits colorectal cancer cell growth by p53-dependent and -independent mechanism

Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. is commonly used in Indian traditional medicine for management of multiple pathological conditions. However, there are limited studies on anticancer activity of this plant and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we isolated an active constituent, 7-hydroxyfrullanolide (7-HF), from the flowers of this plant, which showed promising chemotherapeutic potential. The compound was more effective in inhibiting in vitro proliferation of colon cancers cells through G2/M phase arrest than other cancer cell lines that were used in this study. Consistent with in vitro data, 7-HF caused substantial regression of tumour volume in a syngeneic mouse model of colon cancer. The molecule triggered extrinsic apoptotic pathway, which was evident as upregulation of DR4 and DR5 expression as well as induction of their downstream effector molecules (FADD, Caspase-8). Concurrent activation of intrinsic pathway was demonstrated with loss of ΔΨm to release pro-apoptotic cytochrome c from mitochondria and activation of downstream caspase cascades (Caspase -9, -3). Loss of p53 resulted in decreased sensitivity of cells towards pro-apoptotic effect of 7-HF with increased number of viable cells indicating p53-dependent arrest of cancer cell growth. This notion was further supported with 7-HF-mediated elevation of endogenous p53 level, decreased expression of MDM2 and transcriptional upregulation of p53 target genes in apoptotic pathway. However, 7-HF was equally effective in preventing progression of HCT116 p53+/+ and p53-/- cell derived xenografts in nude mice, which suggests that differences in p53 status may not influence its in vivo efficacy. Taken together, our results support 7-HF as a potential chemotherapeutic agent and provided a new mechanistic insight into its anticancer activity.

Eudesmin exerts antitumor effects by down-regulating EZH2 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a head and neck epithelial malignancy with high prevalence and represents a significant disease burden. Eudesmin is a natural lignin that has been reported to exhibit antitumor effect on lung cancer. However, the effect of eudesmin on NPC has not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of eudesmin in NPC and to explore the underlying mechanism. The NPC cell lines CNE-1 and HONE-1 were treated with eudesmin for 48 h. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. The expression levels of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), Akt, and p-Akt were measured using Western blot analysis. We found that eudesmin inhibited cell viability and induced cell apoptosis of NPC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Eudesmin suppressed the expression of EZH2 and blocked the activation of Akt signaling pathway. Inhibition of Akt signaling pathway caused significant decrease in EZH2 expression. Moreover, knockdown of EZH2 attenuated the effects of Akt overexpression on cell viability and apoptosis in NPC cells. In conclusion, eudesmin exhibited antitumor activity via downregulating EZH2 expression through the inhibition of Akt signaling pathway. Eudesmin could be developed as a new pharmacologic approach for NPC treatment.

New naphthalene derivatives induce human lung cancer A549 cell apoptosis via ROS-mediated MAPKs, Akt, and STAT3 signaling pathways

1,4-Naphthoquinone compounds are a class of organic compounds derived from naphthalene. They exert a wide variety of biological effects, but when used as anticancer drugs, have varying levels of side effects. In the present study, in order to reduce toxicity and improve the antitumor activity, we synthesized two novel 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives, 2-(butane-1-sulfinyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone (BSQ) and 2-(octane-1-sulfinyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone (OSQ). We investigated the antitumor effects of BSQ and OSQ in human lung cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms of these effects, focusing on the relationship between these compounds and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. MTT assay and trypan blue exclusion assay results showed that BSQ and OSQ had significant cytotoxic effects in human lung cancer cells. Flow cytometry results indicated that the number of apoptotic cells and the intracellular ROS levels significantly increased after treatment with BSQ and OSQ. However, cell apoptosis was inhibited by pretreatment with the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). Western blotting results showed that BSQ and OSQ increased the expression levels of p-p38 kinase and p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and decreased the expression levels of p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), p-protein kinase B (p-Akt), and p-signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT3). These phenomena were blocked by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors, Akt inhibitors and NAC. In conclusion, BSQ and OSQ induce human lung cancer A549 cell apoptosis by ROS-mediated MAPKs, Akt, and STAT3 signaling pathways. Therefore, BSQ and OSQ may be therapeutic potential agents for the treatment of human lung cancer.

8-Cetylcoptisine, a new coptisine derivative, induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in human A549 cells

Lung cancer is the worldwide leading cause of cancer-related death. Here, we described the synthesis and the anticancer activity of a novel coptisine derivative 8-cetylcoptisine (CCOP) on lung carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. CCOP inhibited the cell viability of A549, BGC-823, MDA-MB-231, HCT-116 and HepG2 cell lines. In A549 cells, CCOP induced apoptosis, G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis showed that CCOP increased the expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cleaved caspase 3 and 9, while decreased B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), cyclins D and E, cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) 2, 4 and 6, along with the inactivation of the upstream phosphoinositide 3-kinase (Pi3k)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling. Further in vivo studies showed that CCOP (10 mg/kg) significantly delayed tumor growth in A549 xenograft nude mice, which is stronger than that of coptisine (100 mg/kg). These data suggested that CCOP could be a candidate for lung cancer therapy.

The role of usnic acid-induced apoptosis and autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma

Usnic acid (UA) is a multifunctional bioactive lichen secondary metabolite with potential anti-cancer properties. Although the promising therapeutic effects of UA have been investigated in different cancer cell lines, the mechanism driving UA-induced cell death has yet to be elucidated. As the type of cell death (apoptosis or autophagy) induced by UA may vary depending on the cancer cell type, we first studied the cytotoxic effects of UA in HEPG2 (HBV(−)) and SNU-449(HBV(+)) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. HCC cell viability was considerably reduced in a dose-dependent manner at 12, 24, and 48 h after treatment with UA ( p < 0.05). However, SNU-449 cells were more sensitive to UA than HEPG2 cells. UA also induced apoptotic cell death in HCC cells with cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 and G2/M phase depending on the genetic profile of each cell type. On the other hand, we observed acidic vesicular organelles in HCC cells after 36 h of UA treatment. Taken together, these findings suggest that UA stimulates apoptosis and autophagy in HEPG2 and SNU-449 cells without damaging normal control cells. Thus, UA might be a potential therapeutic compound for HCC treatment. However, there is a need for further studies investigating the death-promoting or preventing roles for autophagy and the molecular signaling mechanisms induced by UA treatment.

Virosecurinine induces apoptosis in human leukemia THP-1 cells and other underlying molecular mechanisms

Virosecurinine, a primary alkaloid from Securinega suffruticosa plant is known as a potent differentiation-inducing agent in acute leukemia cells. The present study aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of virosecurinine on human leukemia THP-1 cells in vitro. The effects of virosecurinine on cell proliferation were assessed by CCK-8. The effects on apoptosis and cell cycle were assessed by staining with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide, respectively followed by flow cytometric analysis. The apoptotic cell bodies were observed using a transmission electron microscope, while the mRNA expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in THP-1 was evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Treatment with virosecurinine was able to decrease the viability of THP-1 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ values of virosecurinine at 24, 48, and 72 h post-treatment were 68.128, 23.615, and 13.423 µmol/l, respectively. Cell cycle was arrested at the G1/S phase in virosecurinine-treated cells; however, not in untreated control cells. Numerous apoptotic bodies were observed in the THP-1 cells, which were treated with 12.5 µmol/l virosecurinine for 48 h. RT-qPCR indicated that treatment with virosecurinine resulted in upregulated PTEN expression and downregulated expression of PI3K, AKT and mTOR in THP-1 cells. The present study demonstrated that treatment with virosecurinine was able to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in THP-1cells by exerting an inhibitory effect on the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways. Therefore, our data suggested that virosecurinine is a promising anti-tumor agent for the treatment of acute monocytic leukemia.

Anti-tumor compound RY10-4 suppresses multidrug resistance in MCF-7/ADR cells by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling

RY10-4, an anti-tumor agent, exerts cytotoxicity to various human cancer cell lines. However, few studies reported the effect of combined application of RY10-4 and chemotherapeutic drugs against cancer cells with multidrug resistance (MDR). In this study, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is reported to mediate MDR to anti-cancer drugs, was proved to be overexpressed in the adriamycin (ADR)-resistant human breast cancer cells, namely MCF-7/ADR cells. Furthermore, RY10-4 application resulted in a downregulation of P-gp in MCF-7/ADR cells, thus leading to higher chemosensitivity to ADR. Our study further demonstrated that the MDR phenomenon was under the control of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway, which was suppressed by RY10-4, leading to MDR reversal effects in MCF-7/ADR cells. In vivo, MCF-7/ADR cells were effectively suppressed by the combined ADR/RY10-4 treatment compared with the ADR-alone treatment. Taken together, these results demonstrated that RY10-4 reverses the MDR phenotype in MCF-7/ADR cells by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway.

Carnosic acid induces apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway

Carnosic acid (CA), an important bioactive phenolic diterpene mainly found in labiate plants, exerts various biological functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and neuroprotective activities. In the present study, we proved the deleterious effects of CA against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in both in vitro and in vivo models. In vitro, CA significantly decreased cell viability, inhibited cell proliferation and migration, enhanced apoptosis, and increased caspase-3, -8, and -9 activities in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells. Specifically, CA led to a decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and apoptosis-related protein expression. Pre-incubation of HCC cells with N-Acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a ROS inhibitor, strongly suppressed CA-induced apoptotic phenomena, including reduced cell viability, excessive ROS levels, MMP decreases, and abnormal protein expression, suggesting an association of CA-induced apoptosis with oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial pathways. In HepG2-and SMMC-7721-xenograft tumor mouse models, treatment with CA inhibited tumor growth and modulated apoptosis-related protein expression, confirming the anti-HCC effects of this chemical. Moreover, the CA-mediated anti-HCC effects associated with oxidative stress provide experimental evidence to support the potential use of CA as a drug therapy for HCC.

Antiproliferative activity and apoptosis induction by 3',4'-dibenzyloxyflavonol on human leukemia cells

In this study, we investigated the effects of synthetic 3',4'-dibenzyloxyflavonol on viabilities of eight human tumor cells. It was cytotoxic against leukemia cells (HL-60, U-937, MOLT-3, K-562, NALM-6, Raji), with significant effects against P-glycoprotein-overexpressing K-562/ADR and Bcl-2-overexpressing U-937/Bcl-2 cells, but had no significant cytotoxic effects against quiescent or proliferating human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The IC₅₀ value for the leukemia HL-60 cells was 0.8 ± 0.1 μM. This indicates a 60-fold greater toxicity than the naturally occurring flavonol quercetin. Synthetic 3',4'-dibenzyloxyflavonol induced S phase cell cycle arrest and was a potent apoptotic inducer in human leukemia cells. Cell death was (i) mediated by the activation and the cleavage of initiator and executioner caspases; (ii) prevented by the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk; (iii) associated with the release of cytochrome c and with the phosphorylation of members of the mitogen activated protein kinases including p38^MAPK, JNK/SAPK and ERK, and (iv) independent of the generation of reactive oxygen species. The synthetic 3',4'-dibenzyloxyflavonol is a potent cytotoxic compound against several human leukemia cells and might be useful in the development of new strategies in the fight against cancer.

Tumor-Suppressor Gene NBPF1 Inhibits Invasion and PI3K/mTOR Signaling in Cervical Cancer Cells

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of NBPF1 expression on cervical cancer cell invasion and apoptosis and to illustrate its potential mechanism. Human cervical cancer HeLa cells were transfected with the constructed siNBPF1 or pcDNA3.1-NBPF1 vectors. Effects of NBPF1 expression on cell invasion ability and cell apoptosis were analyzed using the Matrigel method and an Annexin V-FITC cell apoptosis kit, respectively. In addition, cell apoptosis-related proteins involved with the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway were analyzed using Western blot. Remediation experiments were conducted to verify the effects of NBPF1 expression on cell invasion and apoptosis. Compared to the control, mRNA and protein expressions of NBPF1 were significantly decreased when cells were transfected with siNBPF1 (p < 0.05), which was contrary to the results of cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-NBPF1. Overexpression of NBPF1 significantly suppressed HeLa cell invasion but promoted cell apoptosis (p < 0.05). Overexpression of NBPF1 performed a significant inhibitory role on PI3K/mTOR signal pathway expression, while NBPF1 was silenced, showing contrary results. Our data suggested that NBPF1 overexpression may be a suppressor for cervical cancer via affecting cell invasion and apoptosis through regulating PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway. NBPF1 may be a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer treatment.

Estonian folk traditional experiences on natural anticancer remedies: from past to the future

CONTEXT

Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advancements, the burden of cancer is still increasing worldwide. Toxicity of current chemotherapeutics to normal cells and their resistance to tumor cells highlights the urgent need for new drugs with minimal adverse side effects. The use of natural anticancer agents has entered into the area of cancer research and increased efforts are being made to isolate bioactive products from medicinal plants.

OBJECTIVE

To lead the search for plants with potential cytotoxic activity, ethnopharmacological knowledge can give a great contribution. Therefore, the attention of this review is devoted to the natural remedies traditionally used for the cancer treatment by Estonian people over a period of almost 150 years.

METHODS

Two massive databases, the first one stored in the Estonian Folklore Archives and the second one in the electronic database HERBA ( http://herba.folklore.ee/ ), containing altogether more than 30 000 ethnomedicinal texts were systematically reviewed to compile data about the Estonian folk traditional experiences on natural anticancer remedies.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

As a result, 44 different plants with potential anticancer properties were elicited, 5 of which [Angelica sylvestris L. (Apiaceae), Anthemis tinctoria L. (Asteraceae), Pinus sylvestris L. (Pinaceae), Sorbus aucuparia L. (Rosaceae), and Prunus padus L. (Rosaceae)] have not been previously described with respect to their tumoricidal activities in the scientific literature, suggesting thus the potential herbal materials for further investigations of natural anticancer compounds.

Correlation between miR-23a and onset of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To clarify the role of miR-23a in the onset and development of hepatocarcinoma on the cellular, genetic and molecular levels.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventy-eight patients were included after hepatectomy. Relationships between the clinical pathological factors of tumor and paracancerous tissues were analyzed. Risk factors of overall and recurrence-free survival rates were subject to multi-variable analysis. Tissues were sequenced by digital miRNA expression profiling, and new miRNA was subject to target gene prediction.

RESULTS

miR-23a expression was correlated with the stage of the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours most significantly, followed by tumor size (P=0.041 and 0.047). High miR-23a, vascular invasion, tumor size≥7cm, tumor capsule and late pathological stage were the risk factors of overall survival rate, and those of recurrence-free survival rate also included alpha-fetoprotein level≥200μg/L and multiple tumors. Compared with normal hepatic cell line L-02, the miR-23a expression levels in tumor cell lines SMMC-7721 and HepG2 were up-regulated and down-regulated respectively. Transfecting miR-23a inhibitor suppressed cell growth. Apoptotic rates of the control and those transfected with inhibitor-NC and miR-23a inhibitor for 48h were similar.

CONCLUSION

High miR-23a expression is the independent prognostic factor of overall and recurrence-free survival rates, and miR-23a may be involved in the onset of hepatocarcinoma as an oncogene.

Induction of mitochondrial dependent apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells by an extract from Dorstenia psilurus: a spice from Cameroon

Background

The use of edible plants is an integral part of dietary behavior in the West region of Cameroon. Dorstenia psilurus (Moraceae) is widely used as spice and as medicinal plant for the treatment of several diseases in Cameroon. The aim of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of methanol extract of D. psilurus in human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells and prostate cancer (PC-3) cells.

Methods

Cytotoxicity of D. psilurus extract was tested in HL-60 and PC-3 cells using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay and flow cytometric methods

Results

The methanol extract of D. psilurus have significant in vitro cytotoxic activity in HL-60 cells and PC-3 cells with IC₅₀ value of 12 ±1.54 μg/ml and 18 ± 0.45 μg/ml respectively after 48 h. The mechanism of antiproliferative activity showed that after 24 h, D. psilurus extract induces apoptosis on HL-60 cells by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) along with concurrent loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, modification in the DNA distribution and enhance of G2/M phase cell cycle.

Conclusion

The extract induces apoptosis of HL-60 cells associated with ROS production, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptotic DNA fragmentation.

Evaluation of 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of certain herbs useful as antiandrogens

This study demonstrates 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of certain herbs useful in the management of androgenic disorders. Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst (GL), Urtica dioica Linn. (UD), Caesalpinia bonducella Fleming. (CB), Tribulus terrestris Linn. (TT), Pedalium murex Linn. (PM), Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (SI), Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. (CR), Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. (CC), Benincasa hispida Cogn. (BH), Phyllanthus niruri Linn. (PN) and Echinops echinatus Linn. (EE) were included in the study. Petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts of these herbs were tested for their 5α-reductase inhibitory activity against the standard 5α-reductase inhibitor, finasteride. A biochemical method to determine the activity of 5α-reductase was used to evaluate the inhibition of different extracts to the enzyme. The optical density (OD) value of each sample was measured continuously with ultraviolet spectrophotometer for the reason that the substrate NADPH has a specific absorbance at 340 nm. As the enzyme 5α-reductase uses NADPH as a substrate, so in the presence of 5α-reductase inhibitor, the NADPH concentration will increase with the function of time. This method thus implicates the activity of 5α-reductase. The method proved to be extremely useful to screen the herbs for their 5α-reductase inhibitory potential. GL, UD, BH, SI and CR came out to be promising candidates for further exploring their antiandrogenic properties.