The conformation change of Bcl-2 is involved in arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation in SGC7901 human gastric cancer cells

Upregulation of apoptotic genes and downregulation of target genes of Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway in DAOY medulloblastoma cell line treated with arsenic trioxide

Sonic hedgehog (SHH) medulloblastoma etiology is associated with the SHH molecular pathway activation at different levels. We investigated the effect of arsenic trioxide as a downstream-level inhibitor of the SHH signaling pathway on morphology, cytotoxicity, migration, and SHH-related and apoptotic gene expression of DAOY cells. Cells were treated at various arsenic trioxide (ATO)concentrations (1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 μM) for different times (24 and 48 hr). Following treatments, the morphology of the cells was investigated at ×20 and ×40 magnification by an inverted microscope. Then, cytotoxicity was investigated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue assays. Cell migration was analyzed through the wound-healing assay. Furthermore, the expression of SHH-related (GLI1, GLI2, SMO, and MYCN) and apoptotic genes (BAX, BCL2, and TP53) was assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Finally, GLI1, SMO, and MYCN markers were analyzed through immunocytochemistry. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 16) and P≤0.05 was considered significant. Morphological changes were seen at 3 and 2 μM in 24 and 48 hr of treatment, respectively. The MTT assay showed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity indicating an IC50 value of 3.39±0.35 and 2.05±0.64 μM in 24 and 48hr treatment, respectively. In addition, the trypan blue assay showed higher IC50 values of 4.29±0.25 and 3.92±0.22 μM in 24 and 48 hr treatment, respectively. The wound-healing assay indicated a dose-dependent reduction of cell migration speed showing a 50% reduction at 2.89±0.26 μM. Significant downregulation of GLI1 and GLI2, as well as the upregulation of BAX, BAX/BCL2 ratio, and TP53 were evident. Significant increases in GLI1 and MYCN markers were also evident in immunocytochemistry. ATO, as a downstream effective inhibitor of the SHH pathway, substantially leads to cell death, cell migration inhibition, apoptosis upregulation, and downregulation of SHH target genes in DAOY medulloblastoma. Since ATO is a toxic chemotherapeutic agent, it must be used at low concentrations (2 μM) in order not to damage healthy cells.

Role of the transient receptor potential melastatin 4 in inhibition effect of arsenic trioxide on the tumor biological features of colorectal cancer cell

Background

To investigate the effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116) growth and the role of transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) channel in this process.

Methods

The viability of HCT116 cells was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Western blot analysis was employed to examine the protein expression of TRPM4. The apoptosis of HCT116 cells was determined using TUNEL and Flow cytometry. Cell migration was assessed through the cell scratch recovery assay and Transwell cell migration assay. Additionally, Transwell cell invasion assay was performed to determine the invasion ability of HCT116 cells.

Results

ATO suppressed the viability of HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by a decline in cell migration and invasion, and an increase in apoptosis. 9-phenanthroline (9-Ph), a specific inhibitor of TRPM4, abrogated the ATO-induced upregulation of TRPM4 expression. Additionally, blocking TRPM4 reversed the effects of ATO on HCT116 cells proliferation, including restoration of cell viability, migration and invasion, as well as the inhibition of apoptosis.

Conclusion

ATO inhibits CRC cell growth by inducing TRPM4 expression, our findings indicate that ATO is a promising therapeutic strategy and TRPM4 may be a novel target for the treatment of CRC.

Harness arsenic in medicine: current status of arsenicals and recent advances in drug delivery

INTRODUCTION

Arsenicals have a special place in the history of human health, acting both as poison and medicine. Having been used to treat a variety of diseases in the past, the success of arsenic trioxide (ATO) in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in the last century marked its use as a drug in modern medicine. To expand their role against cancer, there have been clinical uses of arsenicals worldwide and progress in the development of drug delivery for various malignancies, especially solid tumors.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, conducted on Google Scholar [1977-2024], we start with various forms of arsenicals, highlighting the well-known ATO. The mechanism of action of arsenicals in cancer therapy is then overviewed. A summary of the research progress in developing new delivery approaches (e.g. polymers, inorganic frameworks, and biomacromolecules) in recent years is provided, addressing the challenges and opportunities in treating various malignant tumors.

EXPERT OPINION

Reducing toxicity and enhancing therapeutic efficacy are guidelines for designing and developing new arsenicals and drug delivery systems. They have shown potential in the fight against cancer and emerging pathogens. New technologies and strategies can help us harness the potency of arsenicals and make better products.

Arsenic trioxide: applications, mechanisms of action, toxicity and rescue strategies to date

Arsenical medicine has obtained its status in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. In the 1970s, arsenic trioxide was identified to have high efficacy and potency for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia, which promoted many studies on the therapeutic effects of arsenic trioxide. Currently, arsenic trioxide is widely used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia and various solid tumors through various mechanisms of action in clinical practice; however, it is accompanied by a series of adverse reactions, especially cardiac toxicity. This review presents a comprehensive overview of arsenic trioxide from preclinical and clinical efficacy, potential mechanisms of action, toxicities, and rescue strategies for toxicities to provide guidance or assistance for the clinical application of arsenic trioxide.

Arsenic Trioxide Affects the Proliferation of Gastric Cancer Cells through MiR-885-5p/CDC73 Axis

Background

To explore Arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) and its regulated miR-885-5p/CDC73 signaling pathway involved in the development of gastric cancer.

Methods

Fifty-two healthy patients and patients with gastric cancer were enrolled 2019-2020 in He Xian Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China. The patients with gastric cancer were divided into control group and As₂O₃ administration group. After 2 courses of treatment, their peripheral blood was collected to analyze the therapeutic effect. miR-885-5p expression in peripheral blood was analyzed by qRT-PCR. As₂O₃ was added into MGC-803 gastric cancer cell line at 0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 μmol/L. The proliferation rate and 48h IC50 value of gastric cancer cells were investigated by CCK-8, and the effect of As2O3 on miR-885-5p expression in the cells was analyzed.

Results

After 4 weeks of treatment, the objective efficiency of control group and As₂O₃ administration group was 17.3% and 13.4%, respectively, without significant statistical difference. The overall benefit rate of As₂O₃ administration group was significantly higher than that of the normal treatment group (P=0.049). qRT-PCR experiment results found that miR-885-5p significantly highly expressed in peripheral blood in the As₂O₃ administration group, while miR-885-5p in gastric cancer was lower compared with normal people. Adding As₂O₃ to the gastric cancer cells could significantly inhibit miR-885-5p expression, while miR-885-5p in gastric cancer cells affected cell expression by targeted regulation, affecting cell proliferation.

Conclusion

As₂O₃ may be used as a drug treatment program for gastric cancer, and mainly regulates the proliferation of gastric cancer cells by affecting the miR-885-5p/CDC73 target axis to participate in the development of gastric cancer.

Current Advances of Nanomedicines Delivering Arsenic Trioxide for Enhanced Tumor Therapy

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is one of the first-line chemotherapeutic drugs for acute promyelocytic leukemia. Its anti-cancer activities against various human neoplastic diseases have been extensively studied. However, the clinical use of ATO for solid tumors is limited, and these limitations are because of severe systemic toxicity, low bioavailability, and quick renal elimination before it reaches the target site. Although without much success, several efforts have been made to boost ATO bioavailability toward solid tumors without raising its dose. It has been found that nanomedicines have various advantages for drug delivery, including increased bioavailability, effectiveness, dose-response, targeting capabilities, and safety as compared to traditional drugs. Therefore, nanotechnology to deliver ATO to solid tumors is the main topic of this review, which outlines the previous and present medical applications of ATO. We also summarised ATO anti-cancer mechanisms, limitations, and outcomes of combinatorial treatment with chemo agents. As a result, we strongly recommend conducting pre-clinical and clinical studies of ATO, especially nano-system-based ones that might lead to a novel combination therapy for cancer treatment with high efficacy, bioavailability, and low toxicity for cancer patients.

Novel Mechanistic Insights into the Anti-cancer Mode of Arsenic Trioxide

Arsenic, a naturally-occurring toxic element, and a traditionally-used drug, has received a great deal of attention worldwide due to its curative anti-cancer properties in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Among the arsenicals, arsenic trioxide has been most widely used as an anti-cancer drug. Recent advances in cancer therapeutics have led to a paradigm shift away from traditional cytotoxic drugs towards the targeting of proteins closely associated with driving the cancer phenotype. Due to the diverse anti-cancer effects of ATO on different types of malignancies, numerous studies have made efforts to uncover the mechanisms of ATO-induced tumor suppression. From in vitro cellular models to studies in clinical settings, ATO has been extensively studied. The outcomes of these studies have opened doors to establishing improved molecular-targeted therapies for cancer treatment. The efficacy of ATO has been augmented by combination with other drugs. In this review, we discuss recent arsenic-based cancer therapies and summarize the novel underlying molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer effects of ATO.

Cardioprotective potential of polyphenols rich Thraatchathi Chooranam against isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis in experimental rats

BACKGROUND

The present study establishes the cardioprotective role of Thraatchathi Chooranam (TC), a polyherbal traditional Siddha medicine, in terms of membrane stabilizing and antioxidant properties in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial necrosis model in rats.

METHODS

Animals were divided into six groups (n = 6), normal (received vehicle 0.5% CMC, p.o.), ISO control (received 0.5% CMC + ISO 120 mg/kg, b.w. s.c. twice at an interval of 48 h), standard control (received Vit-E 100 mg/kg, p.o.) + ISO, TC low and high dose (50 and 100 mg/kg p.o., respectively) + ISO, and drug control (received TC at 100 mg/kg, p.o.). At the end of experimental period, blood samples collected and plasma cardiac troponin-I (CTn-I) was measured by ELISA. Cardiac tissues were isolated, levels of membrane stabilizing enzymes, antioxidants and inflammatory markers were estimated. Gene expression of Bax, Bcl2, Caspase 3, HIF-α, TNF-α, iNOS, TRX1 and TrxR were performed by RT-PCR. Histopathological studies on cardiac tissues were conducted using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain. Statistical analyses were performed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparison as post-hoc test.

RESULTS

Administration of ISO resulted in a significant increase in plasma CTn-I, decrease in superoxide dismutase, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase; it also significantly altered membrane stabilizing enzymes like Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, Mg²⁺-ATPase Ca²⁺-ATPase and Cathepsin D. Pretreatment with TC (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) decreased CTn-I, and improved membrane stabilizing and endogenous antioxidant enzymes and decreased cathespin D level in a dose dependent manner. Histopathological examination revealed that TC improves cellular membrane integrity and decreases inflammatory cell infiltration and necrotic death.

CONCLUSION

The present study provided a strong evidence on the protective effects of TC against ISO-induced myocardial necrosis in rats.

Probing arsenic trioxide (ATO) treated leukemia cell elasticities using atomic force microscopy

Conventional analytical techniques allow for the diagnosis of leukemia, blood and bone marrow cancers, as well as their classification into the different subtypes. However, a better understanding of the cancer treatment through cell apoptosis staging is still required. Evaluation of the timeline and responses of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells to the arsenic trioxide (ATO) treatment is essential for determining the oral dosage in leukemia prognosis. Here, an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) indentation approach has been used to evaluate the mechanical responses of cellular responses of APL cells to ATO treatment, alongside well-established cell viability assays, as a novel method to determine the impact of drugs. In addition, cell morphology was quantified to monitor cellular apoptosis. Viability, morphology and elasticity changes of NB4 cells (derived from Human APL patients) were correlated to different time courses of the ATO treatments. Unveiling the relationships among structural, morphological and nanomechanical properties in response to ATO drug treatment promises to pave the way for novel diagnostic tools for drug screening and for a better understanding of the specific physical and biological effects of drugs on diseased cells.

Investigation of HSA as a biocompatible coating material for arsenic trioxide nanoparticles

The synthesis of human serum albumin coated As₂O₃ NPs with improved biocompatibility.

Study of conformational changes and protein aggregation of bovine serum albumin in presence of Sb(III) and Sb(V)

Antimony is a metalloid that affects biological functions in humans due to a mechanism still not understood. There is no doubt that the toxicity and physicochemical properties of Sb are strongly related with its chemical state. In this paper, the interaction between Sb(III) and Sb(V) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated in vitro by fluorescence spectroscopy, and circular dichroism (CD) under simulated physiological conditions. Moreover, the coupling of the separation technique, asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation, with elemental mass spectrometry to understand the interaction of Sb(V) and Sb(III) with the BSA was also used. Our results showed a different behaviour of Sb(III) vs. Sb(V) regarding their effects on the interaction with the BSA. The effects in terms of protein aggregates and conformational changes were higher in the presence of Sb(III) compared to Sb(V) which may explain the differences in toxicity between both Sb species in vivo. Obtained results demonstrated the protective effect of GSH that modifies the degree of interaction between the Sb species with BSA. Interestingly, in our experiments it was possible to detect an interaction between BSA and Sb species, which may be related with the presence of labile complex between the Sb and a protein for the first time.

Orostachys japonicus induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway in AGS human gastric cancer cells

We investigated the anticancer mechanisms of the ethylacetate (EtOAc) fraction from Orostachys japonicus in human gastric cancer (AGS) cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the number of total apoptotic cells following treatment with the EtOAc fraction increased in a dose-dependent manner. In the cell cycle analyses, the EtOAc fraction increased the peak in the sub-G1, indicating apoptosis, and in the G₂/M phases in a dose-dependent manner. In the RT-PCR analysis, the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK 1) and cyclin B1 decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The results of western blotting revealed that the protein levels of p53, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase-3, -8 and -9 proteins increased and those of B cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) and pro-caspase-3, -8 and -9 proteins decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner, whereas the levels of bcl-2-associated x protein (bax) remained unchanged. Furthermore, the changes in the levels of pro-caspase-3, -8 and -9 and cleaved caspase-3, -8 and -9 were abolished by the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. In addition, phosphorylation of p38 and JNK increased in a time-dependent manner. These results, for the first time, provide an understanding of the potential anticancer activity of the O. japonicus, which functions through the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

Inactivation of Akt by arsenic trioxide induces cell death via mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic signaling in SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cells

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been recognized as a potential chemotherapeutic agent, yet the details concerning its mechanism of action in solid cancers remain undetermined. The present study assessed the role of Akt in the cell death induced by As2O3. The MTT assay showed that As2O3 suppressed the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Characteristic apoptotic changes were observed in the As2O3‑treated cells by Hoechst 33342 staining, and FACS analysis showed that As2O3 caused dose-dependent apoptotic cell death. As2O3 activated caspase-3 and -9, and PARP cleavage in a dose-dependent manner. Compromised mitochondrial membrane potential and an increased protein level of Bax indicated involvement of mitochondia. As2O3 decreased the levels of p-Akt (Ser473), p-Akt (Thr308) and p-GSK-3β (Ser9), suggesting that As2O3 inactivated Akt kinase. In addition, LY294002 (a PI3 kinase inhibitor) augmented the apoptosis induced by As2O3. These results demonstrated that inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling was involved in As2O3-induced apoptosis of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells.

Hepatitis B virus X protein modulates apoptosis in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is a multifunctional protein, and it activates multiple signal transduction pathways in multiple types of cells and regulates the process of cell apoptosis. In the present study, we mainly investigated the correlation between HBx and renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis in hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBVGN) and the possible signaling mechanism. Cell apoptosis in nephridial tissues of patients with HBVGN were determined by the TUNEL method. HBx, p-STAT3 and STAT3 levels in nephridial tissues were determined by immunohistochemical assay, and a correlation analysis between HBx expression levels and apoptosis index in nephridial tissues was conducted. The activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in HK-2 cells and the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by western blot analysis following transfection with the HBx eukaryotic expression vector. Cellular proliferation activity was determined by the CCK-8 method, and cell apoptosis was determined with HO33342 staining using transmission electron microscopy and Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry. The results revealed that the apoptosis index in nephridial tissues of patients with HBVGN was significantly higher when compared to that of the control group, and p-STAT3 expression levels in HBVGN nephridial tissues were significantly increased. In the control group, no HBx expression was observed in the nephridial tissues, whereas HBx expression was found in the nephridial tissues of 86% of the patients with HBVGN. The HBx expression levels had a linear correlation with the apoptosis index in the nephridial tissues. After target gene HBx infection, expression levels of both p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in human proximal HK-2 cells were significantly increased, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was also significantly increased. At the same time, cellular proliferation of HK-2 cells was significantly inhibited, and the rate of apoptosis was increased. After incubation with AG490, the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway was partially blocked, which caused a decrease in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and reduced cell apoptosis caused by HBx. In conclusion, HBx upregulates the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to cause renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis, and it is possibly involved in the pathogenic mechanism of nephridial tissue damage caused by HBV.

ABT-737 Synergizes with Arsenic Trioxide to Induce Apoptosis of Gastric Carcinoma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the potential synergistic effects of two inducers of apoptosis: the small molecule ABT-737 and arsenic trioxide (ATO). METHODS: Human gastric carcinoma cell lines SGC-7901 and MGC-803 were used to determine the effects of ABT-737 and ATO (alone or in combination) on cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro. In vivo effects of these drugs were investigated in SGC-7901 solid tumours, grown in immunodeficient mice. RESULTS: ABT-737 and ATO inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells in concentration- and time-dependent manners, and showed a synergistic effect. ABT-737 disturbed the binding of B cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2 homologous antagonist killer and Bcl-extra large; ATO downregulated myeloid cell leukaemia (Mcl)-1 protein and upregulated Mcl-1short, the short splicing variant. ABT-737 and ATO significantly suppressed SGC-7901 xenograft growth, synergistically inhibited tumour growth and induced apoptosis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preclinical evidence that ABT-737 and ATO synergize to induce apoptosis of gastric carcinoma cells, suggesting that further investigation of these agents (as potential treatments for gastric cancer) is warranted.

Experimental research of RB94 gene transfection into retinoblastoma cells using ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction

The purpose of this study was to explore the transfection of the recombinant expression plasmid pEGFP-C1/RB94 into human retinoblastoma cells (HXO-Rb44) using ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD). pEGFP-C1/RB94 was transfected into HXO-Rb44 in vitro by UTMD, with liposome as the positive control. After 24 to 72 h, the expression of the reporter gene enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was observed using fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. The cell viability of HXO-Rb44 was measured by a MTT assay. The mRNA and proteins of RB94, caspase-3 and Bax were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Moreover, the apoptosis rate and cell cycle progression of the cells were detected by flow cytometry. This study demonstrated that UTMD can enhance the transfection efficiency of RB94, which has an obvious impact on the inhibition of the growth process of retinoblastoma cells, suggesting that the combination of UTMD and RB94 compounds might be a useful tool for use in the gene therapy of retinoblastoma.

Effect of topical dimethylarsinic acid on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in mouse skin

We investigated the effect of the topical application of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) on skin thickness and the expression of several apoptosis-related proteins in skin. After administration of DMA during pregnancy, skin thickness and skin expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-3, Bad, Bid, and caspases-3, -6, -8, -9, and -12 were examined in dams and their offspring. DMA treatment caused significant increases in skin thickness (p < 0.05) and the expression of Bcl-2, Bad, and capase-12 in the skin of dams at the mRNA and protein levels (p < 0.01). However, maternal exposure to DMA did not significantly alter the expression of the studied apoptosis-related factors in the skin of the offspring. These findings indicate that DMA may induce skin apoptosis, in part, by modulating the expression of Bcl-2, Bad, and caspase-12 in maternal skin. Additionally, our results suggest that maternal exposure to DAM during pregnancy may not induce apoptosis in the skin of the offspring.