Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers to predict response of Berberine in suppressing lung cancer invasion and metastasis

Berberine synergises with ferroptosis inducer sensitizing NSCLC to ferroptosis in p53-dependent SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway

Berberine (BBR) is a compound derived from Chinese herbal medicine, known for its anticancer properties through multiple signaling pathways. However, whether BBR can inhibit tumor growth by participating in ferroptosis remains unconfirmed. In this study, we demonstrated that berberine synergistically inhibited NSCLC in combination with multiple ferroptosis inducers, and this combination synergistically down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of SLC7A11, GPX4, and NRF2, resulting in ferroptosis accompanied by significant depletion of GSH, and aberrant accumulation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde. In a lung cancer allograft model, the combination treatment exhibited enhanced anticancer effects compared to using either drug alone. Notably, p53 is critical in determining the ferroptosis sensitivity. We found that the combination treatment did not elicit a synergistic anticancer effect in cells with a p53 mutation or with exogenous expression of mutant p53. These findings provide insight into the mechanism by which combination induces ferroptosis and the regulatory role of p53 in this process. It may guide the development of new strategies for treating NSCLC, offering great medical potential for personal diagnosis and treatment.

Modulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signaling pathways in cancer angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis by natural compounds: a comprehensive and critical review

Tumor cells employ multiple signaling mediators to escape the hypoxic condition and trigger angiogenesis and metastasis. As a critical orchestrate of tumorigenic conditions, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is responsible for stimulating several target genes and dysregulated pathways in tumor invasion and migration. Therefore, targeting HIF-1 pathway and cross-talked mediators seems to be a novel strategy in cancer prevention and treatment. In recent decades, tremendous efforts have been made to develop multi-targeted therapies to modulate several dysregulated pathways in cancer angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. In this line, natural compounds have shown a bright future in combating angiogenic and metastatic conditions. Among the natural secondary metabolites, we have evaluated the critical potential of phenolic compounds, terpenes/terpenoids, alkaloids, sulfur compounds, marine- and microbe-derived agents in the attenuation of HIF-1, and interconnected pathways in fighting tumor-associated angiogenesis and invasion. This is the first comprehensive review on natural constituents as potential regulators of HIF-1 and interconnected pathways against cancer angiogenesis and metastasis. This review aims to reshape the previous strategies in cancer prevention and treatment.

RPL34-Divergent Transcript, a Novel Long NonCoding Ribonucleic Acid, Promotes Migration by Activating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Glioma

OBJECTIVE

Glioma is one of the leading causes of death in patients with intracranial tumours. RPL34 divergent transcript (RPL34-DT) is a long non-coding ribonucleic acid that is significantly upregulated in glioma tissues. However, the role of RPL34-DT in glioma behavior remains to be elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we focused on the effect of RPL34-DT on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gliomas.

METHODS

Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the levels of RPL34-DT in glioma tissue and cell lines. We further used the LN229 and U251 glioma cell lines to assess the role of RPL34-DT. Wound healing and invasion assays were performed to determine the role of RPL34-DT in migration. Changes in protein levels were assessed by western blotting.

RESULTS

We found that RPL34-DT was upregulated in glioma tissues and glioma cell lines. Knockdown of RPL34-AS1 blocked migration of glioma cell. This effect occurred through a decrease of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and β-catenin.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that RPL34-DT affects cell migration in glioma and therefore may serve as a valuable therapeutic target in patients with glioma.

Berberine-loaded engineered nanoparticles attenuate TGF-β-induced remodelling in human bronchial epithelial cells

Airway remodelling occurs in chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is characterized by aberrant activation of epithelial reparation, excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and airway obstruction. The master regulator is Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β), which activates tissue repair, release of growth factors, EMT, increased cell proliferation, and reduced nitric oxide (NO) secretion. Due to its fundamental role in remodelling, TGF-β is an emerging target in the treatment of CRDs. Berberine is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic activities whose clinical application is hampered by poor permeability. To overcome these limitations, in this study, berberine was encapsulated in monoolein-based liquid crystalline nanoparticles (BM-LCNs). The potential of BM-LCNs in inhibiting TGF-β-induced remodelling features in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) was tested. BM-LCNs significantly inhibited TGF-β-induced migration, reducing the levels of proteins upregulated by TGF-β including endoglin, thrombospondin-1, basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular-endothelial growth factor, and myeloperoxidase, and increasing the levels of cystatin C, a protein whose expression was downregulated by TGF-β. Furthermore, BM-LCNs restored baseline NO levels downregulated by TGF-β. The results prove the in vitro therapeutic efficacy of BM-LCNs in counteracting TGF-β-induced remodelling features. This study supports the suitability of berberine-loaded drug delivery systems to counteract airway remodelling, with potential application as a treatment strategy against CRDs.

Pharmacotherapeutic values of berberine: A Chinese herbal medicine for the human cancer management

Berberine (BBR), a traditional Chinese phytomedicine extracted from various parts of Berberis plants, is an isoquinoline alkaloid used for centuries to treat diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and so forth. It has recently received immense attention worldwide to treat cancer due to its potent pro-apoptotic, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory properties. BBR efficiently induces tumor apoptosis, replicative quiescence and abrogates cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor neovascularization, and metastasis by modulating diverse molecular and cell signaling pathways. Furthermore, BBR could also reverse drug resistance, make tumor cells sensitive to current cancer treatment and significantly minimize the harmful side effects of cytotoxic therapies. This review comprehensively analyzed the pharmacological effects of BBR against the development, growth, progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance in wide varieties of cancer. Also, it critically discusses the significant limitations behind the development of BBR into pharmaceuticals to treat cancer and the future research directions to overcome these limitations.

The Use of San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang Reduces the Mortality Rate among Breast Cancer Patients

Globally, breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths. In Taiwan, it is the most prevalent cancer among females. Since San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang (SHXXT) exerts not only an anti-inflammatory but an immunomodulatory effect, it may act as a potent anti-tumor agent. Herein, the study aimed to explore the influence of SHXXT and its constituents on the mortality rate among breast cancer patients in Taiwan regarding the component effect and the dose-relationship effect. By using the Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) Research Database (NHIRD), the study analyzed 5387 breast cancer patients taking Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and 5387 breast cancer patients not using CHM. CHM means SHXXT and its constituents in the study. The Kaplan-Meier method was utilized to determine the mortality probabilities among patients. Whether the CHM influences the mortality rate among patients was estimated by Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. The use of CHM could lower the cancer mortality rate by 59% in breast cancer patients. The protective effect was parallel to the cumulative days of CHM use and the annual average CHM dose. In addition, the mortality rate was lower in patients who used SHXXT compared to those who only used one of its constituents. SHXXT and its constituents were all promising therapeutic weapons against breast cancer.

An all-silk-derived bilayer hydrogel for osteochondral tissue engineering

Osteochondral repair remains a challenge in clinical practice nowadays despite extensive advances in tissue engineering. The insufficient recruitment of endogenous cells in the early stage and incomplete cell differentiation in the later stage constitute the major difficulty of osteochondral repair. Here, a novel all-silk-derived multifunctional biomaterial platform for osteochondral engineering is reported. The bilayer methacrylated silk fibroin (SilMA) hydrogel was fabricated through stratified photocuring as the basic provisional matrix for tissue regeneration. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) incorporation promoted the migration and pre-differentiation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the early stage of implantation. The long-term regulation of BMSCs chondrogenesis and osteogenesis was realized by the stratified anchoring of the silk fibroin (SF) microspheres respectively loaded with Kartogenin (KGN) and berberine (BBR) in the hydrogel. The composite hydrogels were further demonstrated to promote BMSCs chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation under an inflammatory microenvironment and to achieve satisfying cartilage and subchondral bone regeneration with great biocompatibility after 8 weeks of implantation. Since all the components used are readily available and biocompatible and can be efficiently integrated via a simple process, this composite hydrogel scaffold has tremendous potential for clinical use in osteochondral regeneration.

Multi-Target Potential of Berberine as an Antineoplastic and Antimetastatic Agent: A Special Focus on Lung Cancer Treatment

Despite therapeutic advancements, lung cancer remains the principal cause of cancer mortality in a global scenario. The increased incidence of tumor reoccurrence and progression and the highly metastatic nature of lung cancer are of great concern and hence require the investigation of novel therapies and/or medications. Naturally occurring compounds from plants serve as important resources for novel drugs for cancer therapy. Amongst these phytochemicals, Berberine, an alkaloid, has been extensively explored as a potential natural anticancer therapeutic agent. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of Berberine in inhibiting cancer growth and progression mediated via several different mechanisms, which include cell cycle arrest, inducing cell death by apoptosis and autophagy, inhibiting cell proliferation and invasion, as well as regulating the expression of microRNA, telomerase activity, and the tumor microenvironment, which usually varies for different cancer types. In this review, we aim to provide a better understanding of molecular insights of Berberine and its various derivative-induced antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects against lung cancer. In conclusion, the Berberine imparts its anticancer efficacy against lung cancers via modulation of several signaling pathways involved in cancer cell viability and proliferation, as well as migration, invasion, and metastasis.

Low Dose Berberine Suppresses Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Progression as a Multi-Kinase Inhibitor

BACKGROUND

Berberine (BBR), a natural isoquinoline alkaloid, possesses diverse pharmacological properties and anti-cancer effects that have been demonstrated in many in vitro and in vivo studies. In this study, the inhibitory effects and molecular mechanism of low dose BBR on EMT-induced cell migration, and invasion capability of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cell lines were demonstrated.

METHODS

The commercially available BBR chloride powder with purity ≥ 95% was used in this study. Effects of BBR on cell growth of two human CCA cell lines, KKU-213A and KKU-213B were measured using MTT assay. The progressive phenotypes-cell adhesion, migration, and invasion were evaluated using cell adhesion, wound healing, and Boyden chamber assays. Molecular docking analysis was performed to assess the possible binding mode of BBR against EGFR, Erk, STAT3 and Akt. The effects of BBR on the activations of EGF/EGFR and its downstream effectors were demonstrated using Western blotting.

RESULTS

BBR inhibited growth of CCA cells in a dose dependent manner. At sub-cytotoxic dose, BBR significantly inhibited cell adhesion, migration, invasion and decreased expression of vimentin, slug, and VEGFA of both CCA cell lines. Molecular docking suggested the simultaneous inhibitory activity of BBR on EGFR, Erk, STAT3 and Akt. The Western blot analyses revealed that upon the EGF/EGFR activation, BBR considerably attenuated the activations of EGFR, Erk, STAT3 and Akt.

CONCLUSION

Low dose of BBR suppresses EMT and thus aggressiveness of CCA cells, in part by its multi-kinase inhibitor property on EGFR and its downstream pathways.  BBR might be beneficial for therapy of human CCA.

Berberine-loaded liquid crystalline nanoparticles inhibit non-small cell lung cancer proliferation and migration in vitro

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is reported to have a high incidence rate and is one of the most prevalent types of cancer contributing towards 85% of all incidences of lung cancer. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid which offers a broad range of therapeutical and pharmacological actions against cancer. However, extremely low water solubility and poor oral bioavailability have largely restricted its therapeutic applications. To overcome these limitations, we formulated berberine-loaded liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNs) and investigated their in vitro antiproliferative and antimigratory activity in human lung epithelial cancer cell line (A549). 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), trypan blue staining, and colony forming assays were used to evaluate the anti-proliferative activity, while scratch wound healing assay and a modified Boyden chamber assay were carried out to determine the anti-migratory activity. We also investigated major proteins associated with lung cancer progression. The developed nanoparticles were found to have an average particle size of 181.3 nm with spherical shape, high entrapment efficiency (75.35%) and have shown sustained release behaviour. The most remarkable findings reported with berberine-loaded LCNs were significant suppression of proliferation, inhibition of colony formation, inhibition of invasion or migration via epithelial mesenchymal transition, and proliferation related proteins associated with cancer progression. Our findings suggest that anti-cancer compounds with the problem of poor solubility and bioavailability can be overcome by formulating them into nanotechnology-based delivery systems for better efficacy. Further in-depth investigations into anti-cancer mechanistic research will expand and strengthen the current findings of berberine-LCNs as a potential NSCLC treatment option.

Evaluation of the Cytotoxic Activity and Anti-Migratory Effect of Berberine–Phytantriol Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticle Formulation on Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer In Vitro

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer, which is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid that is commercially available for use as a supplement for the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, the therapeutic benefits of berberine are limited by its extremely low bioavailability and toxicity at higher doses. Increasing evidence suggests that the incorporation of drug compounds in liquid crystal nanoparticles provides a new platform for the safe, effective, stable, and controlled delivery of the drug molecules. This study aimed to formulate an optimized formulation of berberine–phytantriol-loaded liquid crystalline nanoparticles (BP-LCNs) and to investigate the in vitro anti-cancer activity in a human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line. The BP-LCN formulation possessing optimal characteristics that was used in this study had a favorable particle size and entrapment efficiency rate (75.31%) and a superior drug release profile. The potential mechanism of action of the formulation was determined by measuring the mRNA levels of the tumor-associated genes PTEN, P53, and KRT18 and the protein expression levels with a human oncology protein array. BP-LCNs decreased the proliferation, migration, and colony-forming activity of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner by upregulating the mRNA expression of PTEN and P53 and downregulating the mRNA expression of KRT18. Similarly, BP-LCNs also decreased the expression of proteins related to cancer cell proliferation and migration. This study highlights the utility of phytantriol-based LCNs in incorporating drug molecules with low GI absorption and bioavailability to increase their pharmacological effectiveness and potency in NSCLC.

Berberine as a Potential Agent for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed and deadly malignancies worldwide. The incidence of CRC has been increasing, especially in young people. Although great advances have been made in managing CRC, the prognosis is unfavorable. Numerous studies have shown that berberine (BBR) is a safe and effective agent presenting significant antitumor effects. Nevertheless, the detailed underlying mechanism in treating CRC remains indistinct. In this review, we herein offer beneficial evidence for the utilization of BBR in the management and treatment of CRC, and describe the underlying mechanism(s). The review emphasizes several therapeutic effects of BBR and confirms that BBR could suppress CRC by modulating gene expression, the cell cycle, the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and several signaling pathways. In addition, BBR also displays antitumor effects in CRC by regulating the gut microbiota and mucosal barrier function. This review emphasizes BBR as a potentially effective and safe drug for CRC therapy.

Anticancer mechanisms of Berberine: a good choice for glioblastoma multiforme therapy

The most typical malignant brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), seems to have a grim outcome, despite the intensive multi-modality interventions. Literature suggests that biologically active phytomolecules may exert anticancer properties by regulating several signaling pathways. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has various pharmacological applications to combat severe diseases like cancer. Mechanistically, Berberine inhibits cell proliferation and invasion, suppresses tumor angiogenesis, and induces cell apoptosis. The effect of the antitumoral effect of Berberine in GBM is increasingly recognized. This review sheds new light on the regulatory signaling mechanisms of Berberine in various cancer, proposing its potential role as a therapeutic agent for GBM. ‎.

Berberine Suppresses EMT in Liver and Gastric Carcinoma Cells through Combination with TGFβR Regulating TGF-β/Smad Pathway

Berberine (BBR), a natural alkaloid derived from Coptis, has anticancer activity. Some researchers have found that it could restrain epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of melanoma, neuroblastoma, and other tumor cells. However, it is unclear whether BBR can reverse EMT in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and gastric carcinoma (GC). In our study, BBR inhibited the migration and invasion of HepG2, MGC803, and SGC7901 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Transcription sequencing assays showed that Vimentin, MMP, and Smad3 were downregulated, but Smad2, Smad6, TAB2, ZO-1, and claudin 7 were upregulated when treated with BBR. GO Enrichment analysis of KEGG pathway showed that BBR significantly inhibited TGF-β/Smad at 12 h, then, PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways at 24 h, which were closely related to the proliferation, migration, and EMT. The results of the transcriptome sequencing analysis were verified by Western Blot. It showed that the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin and ZO-1 remarkably augmented with BBR treatment, as well as declined mesenchymal markers, including N-cadherin and Vimentin, decreased transcription factor Snail and Slug. The effects of BBR were similar to those of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and TGF-β receptor inhibitor SB431542. Furthermore, β-catenin and phosphorylation of AKT, Smad2, and Smad3 were changed dose-dependently by BBR treatment, which upregulated p-Smad2 and downregulated the others. Combined with LY or SB, respectively, BBR could enhance the effects of the two inhibitors. Simultaneously, IGF-1 and TGF-β, which is the activator of PI3K/AKT and TGF-β/Smad, respectively, could reverse the anti-EMT effect of BBR. The Molecular Docking results showed BBR had a high affinity with the TGF-β receptor I (TGFβR1), and the binding energy was -7.5 kcal/mol, which is better than the original ligand of TGFβR1. Although the affinity of BBR with TGF-β receptor II (TGFβR2) was lower than the original ligand of TGFβR2, the more considerable negative binding energy (-8.54 kcal/mol) was obtained. BBR upregulated p-Smad2, which was different from other reports, indicating that the function of Smad2 was relatively complex. Combination BBR with SB could enhance the effect of the inhibitor on EMT, and the results indicated that BBR binding to TGFβR was not competitive with SB to TGFβR since different binding amino acid sites. Our experiments demonstrated BBR increased p-Smad2 and decreased p-Smad3 by binding to TGFβR1 and TGβFR2 inhibiting TGF-β/Smad, then, PI3K/AKT and other signaling pathways to restrain EMT, metastasis, and invasion in tumor cells. The effect of BBR was similar on the three tumor cells.

Potential of natural products in osteosarcoma treatment: Focus on molecular mechanisms

Osteosarcoma is the most frequent type of bone cancer found in children and adolescents, and commonly arises in the metaphyseal region of tubular long bones. Standard therapeutic approaches, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, are used in the management of osteosarcoma. In recent years, the mortality rate of osteosarcoma has decreased due to advances in treatment methods. Today, the scientific community is investigating the use of different naturally derived active principles against various types of cancer. Natural bioactive compounds can function against cancer cells in two ways. Firstly they can act as classical cytotoxic compounds by non-specifically affecting macromolecules, such as DNA, enzymes, and microtubules, which are also expressed in normal proliferating cells, but to a greater extent by cancer cells. Secondly, they can act against oncogenic signal transduction pathways, many of which are activated in cancer cells. Some bioactive plant-derived agents are gaining increasing attention because of their anti-cancer properties. Moreover, some naturally-derived compounds can significantly promote the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy drugs, and in certain cases are able to ameliorate drug-induced adverse effects caused by chemotherapy. In the present review we summarize the effects of various naturally-occurring bioactive compounds against osteosarcoma.

Nanocomplex of Berberine with C60 Fullerene Is a Potent Suppressor of Lewis Lung Carcinoma Cells Invasion In Vitro and Metastatic Activity In Vivo

Effective targeting of metastasis is considered the main problem in cancer therapy. The development of herbal alkaloid Berberine (Ber)-based anticancer drugs is limited due to Ber’ low effective concentration, poor membrane permeability, and short plasma half-life. To overcome these limitations, we used Ber noncovalently bound to C₆₀ fullerene (C₆₀). The complexation between C₆₀ and Ber molecules was evidenced with computer simulation. The aim of the present study was to estimate the effect of the free Ber and C₆₀-Ber nanocomplex in a low Ber equivalent concentration on Lewis lung carcinoma cells (LLC) invasion potential, expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in vitro, and the ability of cancer cells to form distant lung metastases in vivo in a mice model of LLC. It was shown that in contrast to free Ber its nanocomplex with C₆₀ demonstrated significantly higher efficiency to suppress invasion potential, to downregulate the level of EMT-inducing transcription factors SNAI1, ZEB1, and TWIST1, to unblock expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin, and to repress cancer stem cells-like markers. More importantly, a relatively low dose of C₆₀-Ber nanocomplex was able to suppress lung metastasis in vivo. These findings indicated that сomplexation of natural alkaloid Ber with C₆₀ can be used as an additional therapeutic strategy against aggressive lung cancer.

Antitumor efficiency of the natural alkaloid berberine complexed with C60 fullerene in Lewis lung carcinoma in vitro and in vivo

Background

Berberine (Ber) is a herbal alkaloid with pharmacological activity in general and a high anticancer potency in particular. However, due to its low bioavailability, the difficulty in reaching a target and choosing the right dose, there is a need to improve approaches of Ber use in anticancer therapy. In this study, Ber, noncovalently bound to a carbon nanostructure C60 fullerene (C60) at various molar ratios of the components, was explored against Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC).

Methods

C60–Ber noncovalent nanocomplexes were synthesized in 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1 molar ratios. Ber release from the nanocomplexes was studied after prolonged incubation at different pH with the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of free Ber content. Biological effects of the free and C60-complaxated Ber were studied in vitro towards LLC cells with phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, MTT reduction, caspase activity and wound closure assays. The treatment with C60–Ber nanocomplex was evaluated in vivo with the LLC-tumored C57Bl mice. The mice body weight, tumor size, tumor weight and tumor weight index were assessed for four groups, treated with saline, 15 mg C60/kg, 7.5 mg Ber/kg or 2:1 C60-Ber nanocomplex (15 mg C60/kg, 7.5 mg Ber/kg).

Results

Ber release from C60–Ber nanocomplexes was promoted with medium acidification. LLC cells treatment with C60–Ber nanocomplexes was followed by enhanced Ber intracellular uptake as compared to free Ber. The cytotoxicity of the studied agents followed the order: free Ber < 1:2 < 1:1 < 2:1 C60–Ber nanocomplex. The potency of cytotoxic effect of 2:1 C60–Ber nanocomplex was confirmed by 21.3-fold decrease of IC50 value (0.8 ± 0.3 µM) compared to IC50 for free Ber (17 ± 2 µM). C60–Ber nanocomplexes induced caspase 3/7 activation and suppressed the migration activity of LLC cells. The therapeutic potency of 2:1 C60–Ber nanocomplex was confirmed in a mouse model of LLC. The tumor growth in the group treated with 2:1 C60–Ber nanocomplex is suppressed by approximately 50% at the end of experiment, while in the tumor-bearing group treated with free Ber no therapeutic effect was detected.

Conclusions

This study indicates that complexation of natural alkaloid Ber with C60 may be a novel therapeutic strategy against lung carcinoma.

Graphical abstract

Understanding Lung Carcinogenesis from a Morphostatic Perspective: Prevention and Therapeutic Potential of Phytochemicals for Targeting Cancer Stem Cells

Lung cancer is still one of the deadliest cancers, with over two million incidences annually. Prevention is regarded as the most efficient way to reduce both the incidence and death figures. Nevertheless, treatment should still be improved, particularly in addressing therapeutic resistance due to cancer stem cells—the assumed drivers of tumor initiation and progression. Phytochemicals in plant-based diets are thought to contribute substantially to lung cancer prevention and may be efficacious for targeting lung cancer stem cells. In this review, we collect recent literature on lung homeostasis, carcinogenesis, and phytochemicals studied in lung cancers. We provide a comprehensive overview of how normal lung tissue operates and relate it with lung carcinogenesis to redefine better targets for lung cancer stem cells. Nine well-studied phytochemical compounds, namely curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, luteolin, sulforaphane, berberine, genistein, and capsaicin, are discussed in terms of their chemopreventive and anticancer mechanisms in lung cancer and potential use in the clinic. How the use of phytochemicals can be improved by structural manipulations, targeted delivery, concentration adjustments, and combinatorial treatments is also highlighted. We propose that lung carcinomas should be treated differently based on their respective cellular origins. Targeting quiescence-inducing, inflammation-dampening, or reactive oxygen species-balancing pathways appears particularly interesting.

Inhibitory effects of terrein on lung cancer cell metastasis and angiogenesis

Cancer metastasis is the leading cause of mortality in cancer patients. Over 70% of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced or metastatic stages, and this results in an increased incidence of mortality. Terrein is a secondary bioactive fungal metabolite isolated from Aspergillus terreus. Numerous studies have demonstrated that terrein has anticancer properties, but in the present study, the cellular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of lung cancer cell metastasis by terrein was investigated for the first time. Using MTT assays, the cytotoxic effects of terrein were first examined in human lung cancer cells (A549 cells) and then compared with its cytotoxic effects in three noncancer control cell lines (Vero kidney, L6 skeletal muscle and H9C2 cardiomyoblast cells). The results indicated that terrein significantly reduced the viability of all these cells but exhibited a different level of toxicity in each cell type; these results revealed a specific concentration range in which the effect of terrein was specific to A549 cells. This significant cytotoxic effect of terrein in A549 cells was verified using LDH assays. It was then demonstrated that terrein attenuated the proliferation of A549 cells using IncuCyte image analysis. Regarding its antimetastatic effects, terrein significantly inhibited A549 cell adhesion, migration and invasion. In addition, terrein suppressed the angiogenic processes of A549 cells, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion, capillary-like tube formation and VEGF/VEGFR2 interaction. These phenomena were accompanied by reduced protein levels of integrins, FAK, and their downstream mediators (e.g., PI3K, AKT, mTORC1 and P70S6K). All these data indicated that terrein was able to inhibit all the major metastatic processes in human lung cancer cells, which is crucial for cancer treatment.

Therapeutic Implications of TGFβ in Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a pleiotropic cytokine that participates in a wide range of biological functions. The alterations in the expression levels of this factor, or the deregulation of its signaling cascade, can lead to different pathologies, including cancer. A great variety of therapeutic strategies targeting TGFβ, or the members included in its signaling pathway, are currently being researched in cancer treatment. However, the dual role of TGFβ, as a tumor suppressor or a tumor-promoter, together with its crosstalk with other signaling pathways, has hampered the development of safe and effective treatments aimed at halting the cancer progression. This systematic literature review aims to provide insight into the different approaches available to regulate TGFβ and/or the molecules involved in its synthesis, activation, or signaling, as a cancer treatment. The therapeutic strategies most commonly investigated include antisense oligonucleotides, which prevent TGFβ synthesis, to molecules that block the interaction between TGFβ and its signaling receptors, together with inhibitors of the TGFβ signaling cascade-effectors. The effectiveness and possible complications of the different potential therapies available are also discussed.

Biological Activity of Berberine-A Summary Update

Berberine is a plant metabolite belonging to the group of isoquinoline alkaloids with strong biological and pharmacological activity. Currently, berberine is receiving considerable interest due to its anticancer activity based on many biochemical pathways, especially its proapoptotic and anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, the growing number of papers on berberine demands summarizing the knowledge and research trends. The efficacy of berberine in breast and colon cancers seems to be the most promising aspect. Many papers focus on novel therapeutic strategies based on new formulations or search for new active derivatives. The activity of berberine is very important as regards sensitization and support of anticancer therapy in combination with well-known but in some cases inefficient therapeutics. Currently, the compound is being assessed in many important clinical trials and is one of the most promising and intensively examined natural agents.

Cell Cycle Regulation by Berberine in Human Melanoma A375 Cells

We studied the effects of berberine on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of skin melanoma A375 cells, as well as cell cycle-related miRNAs and their target genes, CDK1, CDK2, and cyclins D1 and A. The inhibitory effect of berberine on the growth of A375 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by trypan blue staining. Cell migration was assessed by the scratch test. Cell cycle phases were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of miRNA-582-5p and miRNA-188-5, and mRNA of their target genes encoding CDK1, CDK2, and cyclins D1 and A were measured by qRT-PCR. The expression of cell cycle-related proteins (CDK1, CDK2, and cyclins D1 and A) was determined by Western blotting. Berberine inhibited the proliferation of A375 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner and significantly and dose-dependently enhanced cell apoptosis. Scratch assay showed an inhibitory effect of berberine on migration of A375 cells. Berberine in low concentrations (20 and 40 μM) caused cell cycle arrest in the S and G2/M phases, while treatment with high concentrations of berberine (60 and 80 μM) arrested cell-cycle in the G2/M phase. The increase in berberine concentration led to an increase in miRNA-582-5p and miRNA-188-5p expression and a decrease in the expression of mRNA for the corresponding target genes encoding CDK1, CDK2, and cyclins D1 and A. Western blotting also revealed reduced expression of CDK1, CDK2, and cyclins D1 and A. Thus, berberine suppressed the growth and migration of human melanoma cells and promoted their apoptosis. Berberine can increase the expression of cell cycle-related miRNAs and cause degradation of the corresponding target genes, thereby blocking the cell cycle progression and inhibiting the melanoma A375 cells.

Berberine derivatives with a long alkyl chain branched by hydroxyl group and methoxycarbonyl group at 9-position show improved anti-proliferation activity and membrane permeability in A549 cells

Berberine (BBR) exhibits diverse bioactivities, including anticancer activity; but its poor druggability limits its applications. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of 9-O position modified BBR derivatives aiming to improve its cell permeability and anticancer activity, utilizing a long alkyl chain branched by hydroxyl group and methoxycarbonyl group. Among these compounds, B10 showed 3.6-fold higher intracellular concentration than BBR, as well as 60-fold increased anti-proliferation activity against human lung cancer A549 cells compared with BBR. Treatment with B10 (1, 2 μM) induced apoptosis of A549 cells. Further investigations showed that B10 treatment dose-dependently affected mitochondrial functions, including oxygen consumption rate (OCR), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the morphology of mitochondria in A549 cells. Therefore, this work offers a new way for BBR structural modification through improving cell membrane permeability to affect mitochondrial functions and potential anti-tumor therapy in the future.

Berberine Hampers Influenza A Replication through Inhibition of MAPK/ERK Pathway

Background: Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid which exhibits a variety of biological and therapeutic properties, and has been reported by some to block replication of the influenza virus. However, contradictory results have also been presented, and the mechanistic explanation is lacking. Methods: A panel of cell lines (Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK), adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549), lung epithelial type I (LET1)) and primary human airway epithelial cells (HAE) susceptible to influenza virus infection were infected with a seasonal influenza A virus in the presence or absence of BBR. Cytotoxicity towards cell lines was measured using XTT assay. The yield of the virus was analyzed using RT-qPCR. To study the molecular mechanism of BBR, confocal microscopy and Western blot analyses of cellular fractions were applied. Results and conclusions: Our results show cell-type-dependent anti-influenza properties of BBR in vitro which suggests that the compound acts on the cell and not the virus. Importantly, BBR hampers influenza replication in primary human airway epithelium 3D cultures that mimic the natural replication site of the virus. Studies show that the influenza A virus upregulates the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-related kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway and hijacks this pathway for nucleolar export of the viral ribonucleoprotein. Our results suggest that BBR interferes with this process and hampers influenza A replication.

The Anti-Cancer Mechanisms of Berberine: A Review

Berberine (BBR) has been extensively studied in vivo and vitro experiments. BBR inhibits cell proliferation by regulating cell cycle and cell autophagy, and promoting cell apoptosis. BBR also inhibits cell invasion and metastasis by suppressing EMT and down-regulating the expression of metastasis-related proteins and signaling pathways. In addition, BBR inhibits cell proliferation by interacting with microRNAs and suppressing telomerase activity. BBR exerts its anti-inflammation and antioxidant properties, and also regulates tumor microenvironment. This review emphasized that BBR as a potential anti-inflammation and antioxidant agent, also as an effective immunomodulator, is expected to be widely used in clinic for cancer therapy.

Repurposing of plant alkaloids for cancer therapy: Pharmacology and toxicology

Drug repurposing (or repositioning) is an emerging concept to use old drugs for new treatment indications. Phytochemicals isolated from medicinal plants have been largely neglected in this context, although their pharmacological activities have been well investigated in the past, and they may have considerable potentials for repositioning. A grand number of plant alkaloids inhibit syngeneic or xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Molecular modes of action in cancer cells include induction of cell cycle arrest, intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis, autophagy, inhibition of angiogenesis and glycolysis, stress and anti-inflammatory responses, regulation of immune functions, cellular differentiation, and inhibition of invasion and metastasis. Numerous underlying signaling processes are affected by plant alkaloids. Furthermore, plant alkaloids suppress carcinogenesis, indicating chemopreventive properties. Some plant alkaloids reveal toxicities such as hepato-, nephro- or genotoxicity, which disqualifies them for repositioning purposes. Others even protect from hepatotoxicity or cardiotoxicity of xenobiotics and established anticancer drugs. The present survey of the published literature clearly demonstrates that plant alkaloids have the potential for repositioning in cancer therapy. Exploitation of the chemical diversity of natural alkaloids may enrich the candidate pool of compounds for cancer chemotherapy and -prevention. Their further preclinical and clinical development should follow the same stringent rules as for any other synthetic drug as well. Prospective randomized, placebo-controlled clinical phase I and II trials should be initiated to unravel the full potential of plant alkaloids for drug repositioning.

SOX6 suppresses the development of lung adenocarcinoma by regulating expression of p53, p21CIPI , cyclin D1 and β-catenin

The Sry‐related high‐mobility group box6 (SOX6) has been implicated in the development of cancer, but its role in lung cancer is incompletely understood. Here, we report that SOX6 expression is frequently down‐regulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues. Moreover, SOX6 can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells, which may occur through cell cycle arrest at G1/S due to up‐regulation of p53 and p21^CIPI and down‐regulation of cyclin D1 and β‐catenin. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the expression of SOX6 is significantly associated with patient disease‐related survival and is an independent prognostic factor for lung adenocarcinoma. These data suggest that SOX6 may act as a suppressor of lung adenocarcinoma.

Naturally occurring anti-cancer compounds: shining from Chinese herbal medicine

Numerous natural products originated from Chinese herbal medicine exhibit anti-cancer activities, including anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic effects, as well as regulate autophagy, reverse multidrug resistance, balance immunity, and enhance chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. To provide new insights into the critical path ahead, we systemically reviewed the most recent advances (reported since 2011) on the key compounds with anti-cancer effects derived from Chinese herbal medicine (curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, berberine, artemisinin, ginsenoside Rg3, ursolic acid, silibinin, emodin, triptolide, cucurbitacin B, tanshinone I, oridonin, shikonin, gambogic acid, artesunate, wogonin, β-elemene, and cepharanthine) in scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, and Clinical Trials). With a broader perspective, we focused on their recently discovered and/or investigated pharmacological effects, novel mechanism of action, relevant clinical studies, and their innovative applications in combined therapy and immunomodulation. In addition, the present review has extended to describe other promising compounds including dihydroartemisinin, ginsenoside Rh2, compound K, cucurbitacins D, E, I, tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone in view of their potentials in cancer therapy. Up to now, the evidence about the immunomodulatory effects and clinical trials of natural anti-cancer compounds from Chinese herbal medicine is very limited, and further research is needed to monitor their immunoregulatory effects and explore their mechanisms of action as modulators of immune checkpoints.

Conjugating doxorubicin to polymannose: a new strategy for target specific delivery to lung cancer cells

As mannose receptors are known to be over-expressed in cancer cells, we synthesized polymannose-doxorubicin (PM-DOX) conjugates with the objective of targeting the drug to cancer cells. DOX was conjugated to oxidized PM through Schiff's linkages to obtain PM-DOX conjugates. In order to examine the superior targeting efficacy of PM-DOX conjugate, sodium alginate (SA) was conjugated to DOX by similar chemistry and compared with PM-DOX conjugate. The cytotoxicity of the conjugates was investigated in A549 cell lines using MTT Assay and the cell uptake and retention studies, were performed using flow cytometry and cell imaging. In vitro drug release studies with both PM-DOX and SA-DOX conjugates showed an initial burst release of DOX up to 37-39% at 1 h, followed by a steady release up to 58-62% at 24 h in human plasma while negligible release was observed in phosphate buffered saline. The conjugates exhibited negligible hemolytic potential to human erythrocytes compared to free DOX. The PM-DOX conjugate showed better cytotoxic potential against A549 cells at lower concentration (equivalent to 0.27 μg/mL of DOX) at 72 h compared to free DOX and SA-DOX conjugate. Further, PM-DOX conjugate showed enhanced uptake by the cells in comparison with SA-DOX conjugate thereby confirming the target specificity of PM to the cancer cells.

Berberine Effects on NFκB, HIF1A and NFE2L2/AP-1 Pathways in HeLa Cells

Background:

Berberine has multitudinous anti-cancer stem cells effects making it a highly promising candidate substance for the next-generation cancer therapy. However, berberine modes of action predispose it to significant side-effects that probably limit its clinical testing and application.

Materials and Methods:

HeLa cells were treated with two concentrations of berberine (30 and 100 µM) for 24 hours to assess the functioning of the NFE2L2/AP-1, NFκB and HIF1A pathways using 22 RNAs expression qPCR-based analysis.

Results:

Berberine effects appeared to be highly dose-dependent, with the lower concentration being capable of suppressing the NFκB functioning and the higher concentration causing severe signaling side-effects seen in the HIF1A pathway and the NFE2L2 sub-pathways, and especially and more importantly in the AP-1 sub-pathway.

Conclusion:

The results of the study suggest that berberine has clinically valuable anti-NFκB effects however jeopardized by its side effects on the HIF1A and especially NFE2L2/AP-1 pathways, its therapeutic window phenomenon and its cancer type-specificity. These, however, may be ameliorated using the cocktail approach, provided there is enough data on signaling effects of berberine.

Antitumor Effects of Berberine on Gliomas via Inactivation of Caspase-1-Mediated IL-1β and IL-18 Release

Gliomas arise in the glial cells of the brain or spine and are the most prevalent and devastating type of brain tumors. Studies of tumor immunology have established the importance of the tumor micro-environment as a driver of oncogenesis. Inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β and IL-18 released by monocytes regulate transcriptional networks that are required for malignant cell growth. Berberine is a natural botanical alkaloid that is widely found in the Berberis species. Although it has been widely used as an anti-diarrheal treatment in North America for several decades, our study is the first to investigate berberine as an anti-tumor agent in glioma cells. In this study, we demonstrate that berberine significantly inhibits inflammatory cytokine Caspase-1 activation via ERK1/2 signaling and subsequent production of IL-1β and IL-18 by glioma cells. Moreover, we found that berberine treatment led to decreased motility and subsequently cell death in U251 and U87 cells. In addition, our study is the first to indicate that berberine can reverse the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a marker of tumor invasion. Taken together, our work supports berberine as a putative anti-tumor agent targeting glioma cells.

Gut microbe-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide induces cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbe-derived metabolite of dietary choline and other trimethylamine-containing nutrients, has been linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk. It is unknown whether TMAO plays a role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was performed to induce cardiac hypertrophy in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. We observed that TMAO levels were significantly elevated in SD rats after 6 weeks of TAC, suggesting the potential role of TMAO in regulating cardiac hypertrophy. In cultured cardiomyocytes, TMAO treatment stimulated cardiac hypertrophy, as indicated by increased cell area of cardiomyocytes and expression of hypertrophic markers including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and beta-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC). Additionally, TMAO treatment induced cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis in SD rats. Reducing TMAO synthesis by antibiotics (Abs) attenuated TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of Smad3 by SIS3 significantly reduced the expression of ANP and β-MHC, and cardiomyocyte cell size in TMAO-treated group. These data for the first time demonstrate that gut microbe-derived metabolite TMAO induces cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis involving Smad3 signaling, suggesting that inhibition of gut microbes or generation of TMAO may become a potential target for the prevention and treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a target for botanicals in cancer metastasis

BACKGROUND

The plant kingdom represents an unlimited source of phytotherapeutics with promising perspectives in the field of anticancer drug discovery.

PURPOSE

In this view, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) represents a novel and major target in anticancer therapy. Therefore, this narrative review aims to provide an updated overview on the bioactive phytochemicals with anti-EMT activity.

CONCLUSION

Among the plant products reviewed, phenylpropanoids were the most investigated at preclinical phase, thus exhibiting a promising potential as anticancer drugs, though an evidence-based clinical efficacy is still lacking.

A Natural Isoquinoline Alkaloid With Antitumor Activity: Studies of the Biological Activities of Berberine

Coptis, a traditional medicinal plant, has been used widely in the field of traditional Chinese medicine for many years. More recently, the chemical composition and bioactivity of Coptis have been studied worldwide. Berberine is a main component of Rhizoma Coptidis. Modern medicine has confirmed that berberine has pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, and blood pressure-lowering effects. Importantly, the active ingredient of berberine has clear inhibitory effects on various cancers, including colorectal cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, and cervical cancer. Cancer, ranked as one of the world’s five major incurable diseases by WHO, is a serious threat to the quality of human life. Here, we try to outline how berberine exerts antitumor effects through the regulation of different molecular pathways. In addition, the berberine-mediated regulation of epigenetic mechanisms that may be associated with the prevention of malignant tumors is described. Thus, this review provides a theoretical basis for the biological functions of berberine and its further use in the clinical treatment of cancer.

Leptin induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via activation of the ERK signaling pathway in lung cancer cells

Previous studies revealed that leptin induces the growth and proliferation and inhibits the apoptosis of lung cancer cells. However, the effect of leptin on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is not yet clear. In the present study, the effect of leptin on EMT was investigated as well as its underlying mechanisms in A549 cells. The ability of leptin to induce EMT was investigated by microscopic examination and western blotting. The impacts of leptin on cell migration, invasion and tumorigenesis were evaluated by wound healing, Transwell and colony formation assays, respectively. It was demonstrated that leptin induced EMT-associated morphological changes, namely a decrease in cell-cell contact and a more elongated morphological shape. Leptin decreased the expression levels of epithelial phenotype markers E-cadherin and keratin, increased the expression of mesenchymal phenotype marker Vimentin, and raised the expression of EMT-induced transcription factor ZEB-1. In addition, leptin activated the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway and did not affect the activation of the protein kinase B signaling pathway in A549 cells. Leptin also promoted EMT-induced migration, invasion and tumorigenesis in vitro in A549 cells. The present study provides evidence that leptin induced EMT via the activation of the ERK signaling pathway and increased EMT-induced tumor phenotypes in lung cancer cells. These findings suggest that leptin may be a promising target for lung cancer treatment through the regulation of EMT.

Hesperidin suppresses the migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer cells by inhibiting the SDF-1/CXCR-4 pathway

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to investigate the ability of hesperidin to suppress the migration and invasion of A549 cells, and to investigate the role of the SDF-1/CXCR-4 cascade in this suppression.

METHODS

We performed a Transwell migration assay to measure the migratory capability of A549 cells treated with 0.5% DMSO, SDF-1α, AMD3100 or hesperidin. The SDF-1 level in the culture medium was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect whether different concentrations of hesperidin affected SDF-1 secretion. A wound-healing assay was performed to determine the effects of different concentrations of hesperidin on the migration inhibition of A549, H460 and H1975 cells. Additionally, the effect of various hesperidin concentrations on the rate of A549 cell invasion and migration was examined with and without Matrigel in Transwell assays, respectively. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the protein levels of CXCR-4, MMP-9, CK-19, Vimentin, p65, p-p65, p-IκB, IκB, p-Akt and Akt. RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of CXCR-4, MMP-9, CK-19, Vimentin, p65, IκB, SDF-1 and Akt.

RESULTS

The Transwell migration assay indicated that SDF-1α promoted A549 cell migration, while AMD3100 and hesperidin significantly inhibited the migratory capability. The wound-healing assay demonstrated that hesperidin treatment significantly reduced the rate of wound closure compared with the control group in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, the migration and invasive abilities of A549 cells, H460 and H1975 cells treated with hesperidin were significantly decreased compared with the control group. The ELISA data suggested that hesperidin attenuated the secretion of SDF-1 from A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, western blot analysis indicated that SDF-1α treatment significantly increased the levels of CXCR-4, p-p65, p-IκB and p-Akt in A549 cells. In contrast, AMD3100 or hesperidin reversed the effect induced by SDF-1α through decreasing the expression of CXCR-4. Subsequent RT-qPCR and western blot analyses also confirmed that hesperidin had a significant effect on the expression of EMT-related proteins, including MMP-9, CK-19 and Vimentin, in A549 cells.

CONCLUSION

In summary, we demonstrated that hesperidin inhibited the migratory and invasive capabilities of A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cells by the mediation of the SDF-1/CXCR-4 signaling cascade, thus providing the foundation for the development of hesperidin as a safer and more effective anticancer drug for non-small cell lung cancer.

Berberine-targeted miR-21 chemosensitizes oral carcinomas stem cells

Cancer recurrence and chemoresistance are two major obstacles to the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). And cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been found to possess tumor initiating, self-renewal and metastasis abilities, resulting in the relapse and chemoresistance of OSCC. In the present study, we investigated the anti-CSCs effect of berberine, a phenanthrene alkaloid isolated from the Berberis genus. Our results demonstrated that berberine dose dependently downregulated the oncogenicity in vitro, including ALDH1 activity, self-renewal property, and colony formation and invasion abilities as well as potentiated chemosensitivity of OSCC-CSCs. In addition, tumor growth in mice was attenuated after oral gavage treatment of berberine. We showed that the expression of miR-21 was suppressed following administration of berberine in OSCC-CSCs. And inhibition of endogenous miR-21 reduced the characteristics of CSCs, including self-renewal, migration, invasion capabilities and ALDH1 activity. Taken together, we demonstrated the anti-CSC effect of berberine in oral cancer and its potential to serve as adjuvant to traditional chemotherapy to improve treatment effect.

Berberine regulates the protein expression of multiple tumorigenesis-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the seventh most common malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide with an extremely grim prognosis. Berberine (BBR) has been found to inhibit proliferation of human HCC cells, although the underlying mechanism(s) are unclear.

Methods

Protein expression was detected by Western blots. Cell viability was determined by using the CellTiter Assay kit.

Results

We confirm that BBR treatment inhibits HepG2, Hep3B, and SNU-182 cell viability, and suggest that it regulates this proliferation via the modulation of multiple tumorigenesis-related genes protein expression. BBR treatment up-regulated protein expression of tumor suppressor genes, including Kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6), activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) and p21, while down-regulating the expression of selected oncogenes, including E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) and pituitary tumor transforming gene 1 (PTTG1). The specific extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor, PD98059, partially inhibited BBR effects including reduction of cell viability, and up-regulation of KLF6 and ATF3 expressions; although, PD98059 did not alter the down-regulation of E2F1 and PTTG1 expression by BBR.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that BBR inhibits HCC cell viability by modulating multiple tumorigenesis-related genes, and that up-regulation of tumor suppressor genes by BBR is in part the result of ERK1/2 action. The results of this study augment our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effect of BBR on hepatocellular cancers and provide further evidence as to the biological plausibility of this agent’s role in the treatment of these malignancies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12935-017-0429-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Chinese medicine Bu-Fei decoction attenuates epithelial-mesenchymal transition of non-small cell lung cancer via inhibition of transforming growth factor β1 signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine Bu-Fei decoction (BFD) has been utilized to treat patients with Qi deficiency for decades, with the advantages of invigorating vital energy, clearing heat-toxin and moistening lung, etc. According to previous clinical experience and trials, BFD has been found to indeed improve life quality of lung cancer patients and prolong survival time. Nevertheless, little is known on its potential mechanisms so far. Being regarded as a pivotal cytokine in the tumor microenvironment, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) stands out as a robust regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is closely linked to tumor progression.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was designed to explore whether BFD antagonized EMT via blocking TGF-β1-induced signaling pathway, and then help contribute to create a relatively steady microenvironment for confining lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This experiment was performed in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells both in vitro and in vivo. In detail, the influences mediated by TGF-β1 alone or in combination with different concentrations of BFD on migration were detected by wound healing and transwell assays, and the effects of BFD on cell viability were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. TGF-β1, EMT relevant proteins and genes were evaluated by western blotting, confocal microscopy, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). Female BALB/C nude mice were subcutaneously implanted A549 cells and given BFD by gavage twice daily for 28 days. The tumor volume was monitored every 4 days to draw growth curve. The tumor weight, expression levels of EMT-related protein in tumor tissues and TGF-β1 serum level were evaluated, respectively.

RESULTS

BFD only exerted minor effects on A549 cell proliferation and this was in accordance with the in vivo result, which showed that the tumor growth and weight were not be restrained by BFD administration. However, the data elucidated that BFD could dose-dependently suppress EMT induced by TGF-β1 in vitro via attenuating canonical Smad signaling pathway. In the A549 xenograft mouse model, BFD also inhibited protein markers that are associated with EMT and TGF-β1 secretion into serum.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these above data, the conclusion could be put forward that BFD probably attenuated TGF-β1 mediated EMT in A549 cells via decreasing canonical Smad signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo, which may help restrain the malignant phenotype induced by TGF-β1 in A549 cells to some extent.

Berberine sensitizes nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to radiation through inhibition of Sp1 and EMT

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a tumor of epithelial origin with radiotherapy as its standard treatment. However, radioresistance remains a critical issue in the treatment of NPC. This study aimed to investigate the effect of berberine on the proliferation, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, radioresistance of NPC cells and whether specificity protein 1 (Sp1) is a functional target of berberine. Our results showed that treatment with berberine reduced the proliferation and viability of CNE-2 cells in a dose- and time‑dependent manner. Berberine induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and apoptosis. In CNE-2 cells exposed to gamma‑ray irradiation, berberine reduced cell viability at various concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100 µmol/l). Berberine significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of Sp1 in the CNE-2 cells. Mithramycin A, a selective Sp1 inhibitor, enhanced the radiosensitivity and the rate of apoptosis in the CNE-2 cells. Berberine inhibited transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced tumor invasion and suppressed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, as evidenced by increased E-cadherin and decreased vimentin proteins. Sp1 may be required for the TGF-β1-induced invasion and EMT by berberine. In conclusion, berberine demonstrated the ability to suppress proliferation, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and enhance radiosensitivity of the CNE-2 NPC cells. Sp1 may be a target of berberine which is decreased during the radiosensitization of berberine.

Multidrug-resistant cancer cells and cancer stem cells hijack cellular systems to circumvent systemic therapies, can natural products reverse this?

Chemotherapy is one of the most effective and broadly used approaches for cancer management and many modern regimes can eliminate the bulk of the cancer cells. However, recurrence and metastasis still remain a major obstacle leading to the failure of systemic cancer treatments. Therefore, to improve the long-term eradication of cancer, the cellular and molecular pathways that provide targets which play crucial roles in drug resistance should be identified and characterised. Multidrug resistance (MDR) and the existence of tumor-initiating cells, also referred to as cancer stem cells (CSCs), are two major contributors to the failure of chemotherapy. MDR describes cancer cells that become resistant to structurally and functionally unrelated anti-cancer agents. CSCs are a small population of cells within cancer cells with the capacity of self-renewal, tumor metastasis, and cell differentiation. CSCs are also believed to be associated with chemoresistance. Thus, MDR and CSCs are the greatest challenges for cancer chemotherapy. A significant effort has been made to identify agents that specifically target MDR cells and CSCs. Consequently, some agents derived from nature have been developed with a view that they may overcome MDR and/or target CSCs. In this review, natural products-targeting MDR cancer cells and CSCs are summarized and clustered by their targets in different signaling pathways.

p53, Bcl-2 and cox-2 are involved in berberine hydrochloride-induced apoptosis of HeLa229 cells

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of berberine hydrochloride on the proliferation and apoptosis of HeLa229 human cervical cancer cells. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed to examine the cytotoxicity of berberine hydrochloride against HeLa229 cells. The effects of berberine hydrochloride on the apoptosis of HeLa229 cells was detected by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, and the mRNA expression levels of p53, B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2) and cyclooxygenase‑2 (cox‑2) were analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Berberine hydrochloride inhibited the proliferation of HeLa229 cells in a dose‑dependent manner; minimum cell viability (3.61%) was detected following treatment with 215.164 µmol/l berberine hydrochloride and the half maximal inhibitory concentration value was 42.93 µmol/l following treatment for 72 h. In addition, berberine hydrochloride induced apoptosis in HeLa229 cells in a dose‑ and time‑dependent manner. Berberine hydrochloride upregulated the mRNA expression levels of p53, and downregulated mRNA expression levels of Bcl‑2 and cox‑2, in a dose‑dependent manner. In conclusion, berberine hydrochloride inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of HeLa229 cells, potentially via the upregulation of p53 and the downregulation of Bcl‑2 and cox‑2 mRNA expression levels.

Targeting of sonic hedgehog-Gli signaling: A potential therapeutic target for patients with breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignant cancer among women. The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway serves a key role in malignant cancer cell growth and migration. However, little is known with regard to the specific function of the Hh signaling pathway in human breast cancer. The current study investigated the specific role of Hh signaling in the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Expression of components of Shh-Gli signaling, as well as the Gli-responsive genes B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and cyclin D1, were investigated in MDA-MB-231 cells using western blotting. The effects of Shh-Gli signaling on MDA-MB-231 proliferation were analyzed by MTT assay. The role of E-cadherin in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process was determined by western blot while matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9/MMP-2 secretion was studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results indicated that Shh-Gli signaling was activated in MDA-MB-231 cells, significantly enhancing cell viability. Overexpression of Gli positively regulated the transcription of Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 thereby regulating MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation and survival. Treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with human sonic hedgehog, n-terminus for 72 h significantly reduced E-cadherin protein levels and enhanced secretion of MMP-9 and MMP-2. These findings suggest that Shh-Gli signaling is significantly activated in human breast cancer cells, and is accompanied by enhanced cell viability, proliferation and migration capacities.

Qinggan Huoxue Recipe suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in alcoholic liver fibrosis through TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway

AIM: To investigate the mechanism by which Qinggan Huoxue Recipe (QGHXR) inhibits epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in rats with alcoholic liver fibrosis (ALF).

METHODS: A total of 75 male SD rats were used to induce ALF. Serum biochemical indicators, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, laminin and hyaluronidase, were measured. Liver histopathological changes were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin and Sirius red staining. EMT was examined by analyzing the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and the mesenchymal markers vimentin and fibronectin using RT-PCR and Western blot. The inhibitory effect of QGHXR on EMT markers, as well as its effect on molecules associated with the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad signaling pathway, including TGF-β1, Smad3, snail, occludin, ZO-1 and claudin, was also examined.

RESULTS: Compared with normal control rats, ALF rats exhibited a decrease in E-cadherin levels (mRNA: ALF 0.16 ± 0.05 vs control 1.00 ± 0.08; protein: ALF 0.09 ± 0.05 vs control 0.70 ± 0.17, P < 0.01) and an increase in vimentin and fibronectin levels (mRNA: 11.43 ± 0.39 vs 1.00 ± 0.19 and 9.91 ± 0.34 vs 1.00 ± 0.44, respectively, P < 0.01; protein: 1.13 ± 0.42 vs 0.09 ± 0.03 and 1.16 ± 0.43 vs 0.09 ± 0.00, respectively, P < 0.01). This indicates that EMT occurred in ALF rats. In addition, the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway was activated in ALF rats, as evidenced by the increase in TGF-β1 and snail levels (mRNA: 1.76 ± 0.12 vs 1.00 ± 0.05 and 6.98 ± 0.41 vs 1.00 ± 0.10, respectively, P < 0.01; protein: 1.43 ± 0.05 vs 0.12 ± 0.03 and 1.07 ± 0.29 vs 0.07 ± 0.02, respectively, P < 0.01) and the decrease in Smad3 levels (mRNA: 0.05 ± 0.01 vs 1.00 ± 0.12, P < 0.01; protein: 0.06 ± 0.05 vs 0.89 ± 0.12, P < 0.01). Furthermore, levels of the tight junction markers occludin, ZO-1 and claudin decreased in ALF rats compared with healthy control rats (mRNA: 0.60 ± 0.09 vs 1.00 ± 0.12, 0.11 ± 0.00 vs 1.00 ± 0.12 and 0.60 ± 0.01 vs 1.00 ± 0.08, respectively, P < 0.01; protein: 0.05 ± 0.01 vs 0.87 ± 0.40, 0.09 ± 0.05 vs 0.89 ± 0.18 and 0.04 ± 0.03 vs 0.95 ± 0.21, respectively, P < 0.01). In ALF rats treated with QGHXR, E-cadherin levels increased (mRNA: QGHXR 0.67 ± 0.04 vs ALF model 0.16 ± 0.05, P < 0.01; protein: QGHXR 0.66 ± 0.21 vs ALF model 0.09 ± 0.05, P < 0.01), and vimentin and fibronectin levels decreased (mRNA: 6.57 ± 1.05 vs 11.43 ± 0.39 and 1.45 ± 1.51 vs 9.91 ± 0.34, respectively, P < 0.01; protein: 0.09 ± 0.03 vs 1.13 ± 0.42 and 0.10 ± 0.01 vs 1.16 ± 0.43, respectively, P < 0.01). In addition, QGHXR inhibited the expression of TGF-β1 and increased the expression of Smad3 (mRNA: 1.03 ± 0.11 vs 1.76 ± 0.12, 0.70 ± 0.10 vs 0.05 ± 0.01, respectively, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01; protein: 0.12 ± 0.03 vs 1.43 ± 0.05 and 0.88 ± 0.20 vs 0.06 ± 0.05, respectively, P < 0.01). QGHXR treatment also reduced the levels of the EMT-inducing transcription factor snail (mRNA: 2.28 ± 0.33 vs 6.98 ± 0.41, P < 0.01; protein: 0.08 ± 0.02 vs 1.07 ± 0.29, P < 0.01) and increased the occludin, ZO-1 and claudin levels (mRNA: 0.73 ± 0.05 vs 0.60 ± 0.09, 0.57 ± 0.04 vs 0.11 ± 0.00 and 0.68 ± 0.03 vs 0.60 ± 0.01, respectively, P < 0.01, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05; protein: 0.92 ± 0.50 vs 0.05 ± 0.01, 0.94 ± 0.22 vs 0.09 ± 0.05 and 0.94 ± 0.29 vs 0.04 ± 0.03, respectively, P < 0.01). The effects of QGR and HXR on the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway were similar to that of QGHXR; however, the QGR- and HXR-induced changes in vimentin mRNA levels, the QGR-induced changes in fibronectin mRNA levels and the HXR-induced changes in snail and TGF-β1 mRNA levels were not significant.

CONCLUSION: Qinggan Huoxue Recipe inhibits EMT in ALF rats by modulating the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway, suggesting that the mechanism underlying the amelioration of ALF induced by QGHXR is associated with this pathway.