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Wang Y, Xie L, Liu F, Ding D, Wei W, Han F. Research progress on traditional Chinese medicine-induced apoptosis signaling pathways in ovarian cancer cells. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117299. [PMID: 37816474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE As a "silent killer" that threatens women's lives and health, ovarian cancer (OC) has the clinical characteristics of being difficult to detect, difficult to treat, and high recurrence. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can be utilized as a long-term complementary and alternative therapy since it has shown benefits in alleviating clinical symptoms of OC, decreasing toxic side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, as well as enhancing patients' quality of life. AIM OF THE REVIEW This paper reviews how TCM contributes to the apoptosis of OC cells through signaling pathways, including active constituents, extracts, and herbal formulas, with the aim of providing a basis for the development and clinical application of therapeutic strategies for TCM in OC. METHODS The search was conducted from scientific databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and SinoMed databases aiming to elucidate the apoptosis signaling pathways in OC cells by TCM. The articles were searched by the keywords "ovarian cancer", "apoptosis", "signaling pathway", "traditional Chinese medicine", "Chinese herbal monomer", "Chinese herbal extract", and "herbal formula". The search was conducted from January 2013 to June 2023. A total of 97 potentially relevant articles were included, including 93 articles on Chinese medicine active constituents or extracts and 4 articles on Chinese herbal compound prescriptions. RESULTS TCM can induce apoptosis in OC cells by regulating signaling pathways with obvious advantages, including STAT3, PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK, NF-κB, Nrf2, HIF-1α, Fas/Fas L signaling pathway, etc. CONCLUSION: Chinese medicine can induce apoptosis in OC cells through multiple pathways, targets, and routes. TCM has special advantages for treating OC, providing more reasonable evidence for the research and development of new apoptosis inducers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China.
| | - Liangzhen Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China.
| | - Fangyuan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China.
| | - Danni Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China.
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China.
| | - Fengjuan Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China.
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Mathur P, Bhatt S, Kumar S, Kamboj S, Kamboj R, Rana A, Kumar H, Verma R. Deciphering the Therapeutic Applications of Nanomedicine in Ovarian Cancer Therapy: An Overview. Curr Drug Deliv 2024; 21:1180-1196. [PMID: 37818568 DOI: 10.2174/0115672018253815230922070558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
The majority of deadly cancers that afflict the female reproductive system occur in the ovary. Around 1,40,000 women worldwide die from ovarian cancer each year, making it the sixth most common cancer-associated deceases among females in the United States. Modern, cutting-edge treatments like chemotherapy and surgery frequently produce full remissions, but the recurrence rate is still very high. When this crippling condition is diagnosed, there are frequently few therapeutic choices available because of how quietly it manifests. Healthcare practitioners must have a fundamental grasp of the warning signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, as well as the imaging techniques and treatment choices available, to give the patient the best care possible. The discipline of medical nanotechnology has gained a lot of momentum in recent years in resolving issues and enhancing the detection and treatment of different illnesses, including cancer. This article gives a brief summary of types, risk factors and approaches to ovarian cancer treatment. We subsequently discussed the pathophysiology of ovarian cancer with the risk factors. This review also emphasizes the various signalling pathways involved in ovarian cancer. Our comprehensive integration of recent findings in fundamental research in the nano arena reveals the strong interest in these nanomedicines in ovarian cancer treatment. However, these nanomedicines still require more research, as indicated by the comparatively small number of clinical trials ongoing. This article will provide a reference for ovarian cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Mathur
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, G.D. Goenka University, Gurugram-122103, India
| | - Shailendra Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, G.D. Goenka University, Gurugram-122103, India
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, G.D. Goenka University, Gurugram-122103, India
| | - Sweta Kamboj
- Guru Gobind Singh College of Pharmacy, Yamuna Nagar-135001, Haryana, India
| | - Rohit Kamboj
- Guru Gobind Singh College of Pharmacy, Yamuna Nagar-135001, Haryana, India
| | - Arpana Rana
- Advanced Institute of Pharmacy, Delhi Mathura Road, Palwal-121105, India
| | - Harish Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani-127021, India
| | - Ravinder Verma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani-127021, India
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3
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Li Y, Li Y, Zhang J, Ji L, Li M, Sun X, Feng H, Yu Z, Gao Y. Current Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicines and Active Ingredients in the Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:41-56. [PMID: 35178363 PMCID: PMC8843800 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s346047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading lethal tumors worldwide, and the treatment remains a great medical challenge. Surgery and chemotherapy are current standard curative methods for patients with HCC, but the prognosis is still dismal. Based on unique medical theories and rich practical experience, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been broadly employed to effectively treat HCC for a long history. Recently, systematic clinical trials have been well designed to study the efficacy of TCMs in the treatment of HCC, and the underlying antitumor mechanisms were also deeply explored. Here, we reviewed the published clinical evaluation of some commonly used TCMs in the treatment of HCC, and the related anti-HCC mechanisms through in vitro and in vivo study, promoting the modernization of TCM study in oncology for achieving a substantial reduction of HCC burden in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyao Li
- Institute of Infectious Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Li
- Institute of Infectious Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinghao Zhang
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Longshan Ji
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Man Li
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuehua Sun
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai Feng
- Institute of Infectious Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhuo Yu
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Zhuo Yu; Yueqiu Gao, Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 528 Zhangheng Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 21 2025 6507, Fax +86 21 20256699, Email ;
| | - Yueqiu Gao
- Institute of Infectious Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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Insights into the Role of Oxidative Stress in Ovarian Cancer. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:8388258. [PMID: 34659640 PMCID: PMC8516553 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8388258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) arises when the body is subjected to harmful endogenous or exogenous factors that overwhelm the antioxidant system. There is increasing evidence that OS is involved in a number of diseases, including ovarian cancer (OC). OC is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, and risk factors include genetic factors, age, infertility, nulliparity, microbial infections, obesity, smoking, etc. OS can promote the proliferation, metastasis, and therapy resistance of OC, while high levels of OS have cytotoxic effects and induce apoptosis in OC cells. This review focuses on the relationship between OS and the development of OC from four aspects: genetic alterations, signaling pathways, transcription factors, and the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, strategies to target aberrant OS in OC are summarized and discussed, with a view to providing new ideas for clinical treatment.
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Tian Y, Wu J, Zeng L, Zhou L, Hu Y, Pan Q, Liu W, Yan Y, Wu Z, Wang Z, Zeng Z, Tang P, Jiang J, Wang M. Huaier polysaccharides suppress triple-negative breast cancer metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inducing autophagic degradation of Snail. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:170. [PMID: 34481526 PMCID: PMC8417980 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00682-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, and the targeted therapies are lacking for this type of cancer. We previously demonstrated that Huaier effectively improve 5-year OS and DFS in stage III TNBC patients, and the polysaccharides of Huaier (PS-T) have been identified as the major components of Huaier. However, the mechanisms of anti-tumor action of PS-T is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PS-T on TNBC cell invasion and migration. Results This study showed that PS-T inhibited cell invasion and migration both in vitro and in vivo by inducing autophagy to suppress epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Autophagy inhibitor LY294002 or knockdown of ATG5 suppressed the inhibitory effects of PS-T. In addition, as a key transcription factor controlling EMT initiation, Snail was found to be degraded by PS-T induced autophagy. In addition, overexpression of Snail reversed the inhibitory effects of PS-T. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the expression of Snail was inversely correlated with LC3 and associated with poor prognosis using immunohistochemistry and TCGA database analysis, respectively. Conclusions This study demonstrated that PS-T could inhibit EMT in breast cancer cells by inducing autophagy to degrade Snail protein, thus improving the prognosis of TNBC, offering potential treatment alternatives for TNBC patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-021-00682-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tian
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China.,Department of General Surgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, 276000, China
| | - Jin Wu
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Lingjuan Zeng
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Linxi Zhou
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Ying Hu
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Qinwen Pan
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yuzhao Yan
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Ziwei Wu
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Zhaoyu Wang
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Zhen Zeng
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Peng Tang
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Jun Jiang
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Minghao Wang
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, 30# Gaotanyan street, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Chen J, Liu C, Liang T, Xu G, Zhang Z, Lu Z, Jiang J, Chen T, Li H, Huang S, Chen L, Sun X, Cen J, Zhan X. Comprehensive analyses of potential key genes in active tuberculosis: A systematic review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e26582. [PMID: 34397688 PMCID: PMC8322549 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000026582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health problem that brings us numerous difficulties. Diverse genetic factors play a significant role in the progress of TB disease. However, still no key genes for TB susceptibility have been reported. This study aimed to identify the key genes of TB through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. METHODS The series microarray datasets from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed. We used the online tool GEO2R to filtrate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between TB and health control. Database for annotation can complete gene ontology function analysis as well as Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of DEGs were established by STRING online tool and visualized by Cytoscape software. Molecular Complex Detection can complete the analysis of modules in the PPI networks. Finally, the significant hub genes were confirmed by plug-in Genemania of Cytoscape, and verified by the verification cohort and protein test. RESULTS There are a total of 143 genes were confirmed as DEGs, containing 48 up-regulated genes and 50 down-regulated genes. The gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis show that upregulated DEGs were associated with cancer and phylogenetic, whereas downregulated DEGs mainly concentrate on inflammatory immunity. PPI networks show that signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), guanylate binding protein 5 (GBP5), 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1), catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1), and guanylate binding protein 1 (GBP1) were identified as significantly different hub genes. CONCLUSION We conclude that these genes, including TAT1, GBP5, OAS1, CTNNB1, GBP1 are a candidate as potential core genes in TB and treatment of TB in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Chen
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Chong Liu
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Tuo Liang
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoyong Xu
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zide Zhang
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaojun Lu
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Jiang
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyou Chen
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Li
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengsheng Huang
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyi Chen
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xihua Sun
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiemei Cen
- Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinli Zhan
- Spine and Osteopathy Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
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Kozak J, Forma A, Czeczelewski M, Kozyra P, Sitarz E, Radzikowska-Büchner E, Sitarz M, Baj J. Inhibition or Reversal of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Gastric Cancer: Pharmacological Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010277. [PMID: 33383973 PMCID: PMC7795012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) constitutes one of the hallmarks of carcinogenesis consisting in the re-differentiation of the epithelial cells into mesenchymal ones changing the cellular phenotype into a malignant one. EMT has been shown to play a role in the malignant transformation and while occurring in the tumor microenvironment, it significantly affects the aggressiveness of gastric cancer, among others. Importantly, after EMT occurs, gastric cancer patients are more susceptible to the induction of resistance to various therapeutic agents, worsening the clinical outcome of patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to search for the newest pharmacological agents targeting EMT to prevent further progression of gastric carcinogenesis and potential metastases. Therapies targeted at EMT might be combined with other currently available treatment modalities, which seems to be an effective strategy to treat gastric cancer patients. In this review, we have summarized recent advances in gastric cancer treatment in terms of targeting EMT specifically, such as the administration of polyphenols, resveratrol, tangeretin, luteolin, genistein, proton pump inhibitors, terpenes, other plant extracts, or inorganic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kozak
- Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Alicja Forma
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (A.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Marcin Czeczelewski
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (A.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Paweł Kozyra
- Student Research Group, Independent Radiopharmacy Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, PL-20093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Elżbieta Sitarz
- 1st Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Early Intervention, Medical University of Lublin, Gluska Street 1, 20-439 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Elżbieta Radzikowska-Büchner
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior in Warsaw, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Monika Sitarz
- Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Jacek Baj
- Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
- Correspondence:
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Chen L, Xu M, Zhong W, Hu Y, Wang G. Knockdown of DDX46 suppresses the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer through inactivating Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. Exp Cell Res 2020; 399:112448. [PMID: 33347858 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
DEAD-box RNA helicase 46 (DDX46) has recently been identified as a candidate oncogene in several types of human malignancies. To date, the role of DDX46 in gastric cancer has not been determined. The purpose of the current study was to explore the role of DDX46 in gastric cancer and the potential mechanism. DDX46-silecing or overexpressing gastric cancer cell lines were established to validate the role of DDX46. Our results showed that the expression of DDX46 was significantly increased in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of DDX46 suppressed the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Whereas, DDX46 overexpression enhanced the cell proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, knockdown of DDX46 markedly suppressed the tumor growth of xenografts. Research into the mechanism revealed that DDX46 depletion inhibited the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells. Notably, activation of Akt or β-catenin overexpression reversed the DDX46 depletion-mediated anti-cancer effect. In conclusion, these findings indicated that DDX46 exerted an oncogenic role in gastric cancer via regulating the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Thus, DDX46 might be utilized as a therapeutic anti-cancer target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Chen
- International Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Min Xu
- International Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Wenting Zhong
- International Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Yinghui Hu
- International Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Guanghui Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
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Qi T, Dong Y, Gao Z, Xu J. Research Progress on the Anti-Cancer Molecular Mechanisms of Huaier. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:12587-12599. [PMID: 33335400 PMCID: PMC7737552 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s281328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Huaier (Trametes robiniophila Murr), a Chinese traditional herb of medicine, has demonstrated promising curative effects in clinical treatment for various tumors. There are documented experiments showing the biological functions of Huaier with its antineoplastic molecular mechanisms: restraining proliferation and metastasis, arresting cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, pyrosis, and autophagy, anti-intratumoral angiogenesis, attenuating characteristics of tumor stem-like cells, interfering with the function of the tumor-related immune system, reversing drug resistance, and enhancing the sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs, etc. In addition, studies suggest that non-coding RNA (ncRNA) acts a pivotal part in cancer occurrence and development, and demonstrates that Huaier adjusts the performance of certain lncRNA (long non-coding RNA) and proceeds to affect the microRNA and its target genes, rendering an anti-tumor effect. Huaier also modulates the expression of lncRNA to attenuate the activity of ncRNA-sponged microRNA and then inhibits the expression of downstream target genes. We summarize and illustrate the experimentally confirmed anti-cancer molecular mechanisms of Huaier, to inspire new ideas for researchers in relevant fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongtong Qi
- Department of General Surgery, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghong Dong
- Department of Gastroenteropancreatic & Hernia Surgery, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zili Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, People's Republic of China
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Garrido MP, Salvatierra R, Valenzuela-Valderrama M, Vallejos C, Bruneau N, Hernández A, Vega M, Selman A, Quest AFG, Romero C. Metformin Reduces NGF-Induced Tumour Promoter Effects in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:E315. [PMID: 33081077 PMCID: PMC7602813 DOI: 10.3390/ph13100315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a lethal gynaecological neoplasm characterized by rapid growth and angiogenesis. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and its high affinity receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TRKA) contribute to EOC progression by increasing the expression of c-MYC, survivin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) along with a decrease in microRNAs (miR) 23b and 145. We previously reported that metformin prevents NGF-induced proliferation and angiogenic potential of EOC cells. In this study, we sought to obtain a better understanding of the mechanism(s) by which metformin blocks these NGF-induced effects in EOC cells. Human ovarian surface epithelial (HOSE) and EOC (A2780/SKOV3) cells were stimulated with NGF and/or metformin to assess the expression of c-MYC, β-catenin, survivin and VEGF and the abundance of the tumor suppressor miRs 23b and 145. Metformin decreased the NGF-induced transcriptional activity of MYC and β-catenin/T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor (TCF-Lef), as well as the expression of c-MYC, survivin and VEGF in EOC cells, while it increased miR-23b and miR-145 levels. The preliminary analysis of ovarian biopsies from women users or non-users of metformin was consistent with these in vitro results. Our observations shed light on the mechanisms by which metformin may suppress tumour growth in EOC and suggest that metformin should be considered as a possible complementary therapy in EOC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritza P. Garrido
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Biología de la Reproducción, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380456, Chile; (M.P.G.); (R.S.); (C.V.); (N.B.); (A.H.); (M.V.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile;
| | - Renato Salvatierra
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Biología de la Reproducción, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380456, Chile; (M.P.G.); (R.S.); (C.V.); (N.B.); (A.H.); (M.V.)
| | - Manuel Valenzuela-Valderrama
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Celular, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile;
| | - Christopher Vallejos
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Biología de la Reproducción, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380456, Chile; (M.P.G.); (R.S.); (C.V.); (N.B.); (A.H.); (M.V.)
| | - Nicole Bruneau
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Biología de la Reproducción, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380456, Chile; (M.P.G.); (R.S.); (C.V.); (N.B.); (A.H.); (M.V.)
| | - Andrea Hernández
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Biología de la Reproducción, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380456, Chile; (M.P.G.); (R.S.); (C.V.); (N.B.); (A.H.); (M.V.)
| | - Margarita Vega
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Biología de la Reproducción, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380456, Chile; (M.P.G.); (R.S.); (C.V.); (N.B.); (A.H.); (M.V.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile;
| | - Alberto Selman
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile;
- Instituto Nacional del Cáncer, Santiago 8380455, Chile
| | - Andrew F. G. Quest
- Laboratorio de Comunicaciones Celulares, Centro de estudios en Ejercicio, Metabolismo y Cáncer (CEMC), Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad De Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Santiago 8380000, Chile
| | - Carmen Romero
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Biología de la Reproducción, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380456, Chile; (M.P.G.); (R.S.); (C.V.); (N.B.); (A.H.); (M.V.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile;
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Zou YF, Rong YM, Chen ZX, Shen ZH, Chen X, Tan YX, Weng JR, Huang XM, Lin XT. Effects of Huaier Extract on Ameliorating Colitis-Associated Colorectal Tumorigenesis in Mice. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:8691-8704. [PMID: 32904640 PMCID: PMC7457401 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s253598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Huaier extract has been a part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for roughly 1600 years and may serve as a potential anti-cancer drug as it is associated with good efficacy and low toxicity. Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a higher chance of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) and as Huaier extract may potentially influence tumorigenesis, we set out to determine the effect of Huaier extract on colitis-associated CRC. Methods The CRC mouse model, established through azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), was administered Huaier extract. Weight loss, colon length, tumor number and tumor size were evaluated macroscopically. Pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and STAT3 phosphorylation were assessed in the colon using ELISA, Western blot and/or immunohistochemistry. Results Huaier extract improved the severity of colitis-associated tumorigenesis compared with control group, with attenuated weight loss and longer colons. Tumor number, size and load were drastically decreased in mice treated with Huaier. Histological assessment suggested that Huaier could decrease histological injury of the colon tissue. Additionally, Huaier extract treatment led to reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-1β) and a decrease of STAT3 phosphorylation in colon tissue. Additionally, present findings demonstrated that Huaier extract inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in CRC cells HCT116 and HCT8. The migration and invasion of CRC cells were markedly inhibited upon exposure to Huaier treatment. The apoptosis-associated protein levels (P53, Bax, Bcl-2, pro-caspase-3 and cleavage caspase-3) showed significant differences after the administration of Huaier extract in HCT116 and HCT8 cells. In vivo, the administration of Huaier extract to mice inhibited tumor growth and yielded a similar profile of apoptotic proteins expression p53, Bcl-2, pro-caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 while no significant differences in Bax were observed. Moreover, the ratio of TUNEL-positive/apoptotic cells was markedly increased in the Huaier-treated mice. Conclusion Huaier extract may reduce the IBD-associated tumor development by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and STAT3 stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Feng Zou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Ming Rong
- Department of Very Important Person Region, Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ze-Xian Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Hong Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Jieyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jieyang, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Xin Tan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Rong Weng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Ming Huang
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu-Tao Lin
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
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12
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Ren D, Li F, Cao Q, Gao A, Ai Y, Zhang J. Yangxin granules alleviate doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis mediated by AKT/GSK3 β/ β-catenin signaling. J Int Med Res 2020; 48:300060520945161. [PMID: 32780664 PMCID: PMC7425278 DOI: 10.1177/0300060520945161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Yangxin granules (YXC), a Chinese herbal medicine, have been confirmed to have clinical benefits in the treatment of heart failure. This study examined the effects and molecular mechanisms of YXC in the treatment of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in vitro. METHODS H9c2 cardiomyocytes were pretreated with YXC (5, 10, or 20 mg/mL) or the AKT inhibitor MK-2206 (50 nM) before doxorubicin treatment (1 µM). Cell apoptosis, viability, inflammatory factor expression (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and oxidative stress mediator levels including superoxide dismutase, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde were detected. RESULTS YXC increased the viability of H9c2 cells. In addition, doxorubicin inhibited AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling, whereas YXC increased the expression of phosphorylated AKT and GSK3β, and β-catenin in doxorubicin-treated H9c2 cells. Moreover, T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor signaling downstream of β-catenin was also activated by YXC. YXC pretreatment also inhibited doxorubicin-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. However, MK-2206 reversed the effects of YXC in doxorubicin-treated H9c2 cells. CONCLUSIONS YXC alleviates doxorubicin-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in H9c2 cells. These effects might be mediated by the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. YXC might have preventive effects against doxorubicin-induced heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dezhi Ren
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Fang Li
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.,College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Qingwen Cao
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - An Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yingna Ai
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Junru Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.,First School of Clinical Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, China
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13
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Trametes robiniophila Murr in the treatment of breast cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 128:110254. [PMID: 32480220 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women across the world. Trametes robiniophila Murr (Huaier), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used in China to protect human health for about 1600 years. Recent years, Huaier had been proven to be effective for multiple types of malignancies. This systematic review focused on breast cancer treatment, summarizing the curative function of Huaier aqueous extract and polysaccharides in preclinical researches. Huaier could markedly inhibit breast cancer progression with low toxicity, enhance immune response and increase the sensitivity to radiation and chemotherapy. The therapeutic effect of Huaier granule in clinical studies was also included. This review amalgamated the current studies and highlighted the promising role of Huaier and its polysaccharides as complementary alternative medicine in breast cancer treatment.
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14
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Xu W, Wang Z, Li K, Jin R. Huai Qi Huang Potentiates Dexamethasone-Mediated Lethality in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells by Upregulating Glucocorticoid Receptor α. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e921649. [PMID: 32065117 PMCID: PMC7043341 DOI: 10.12659/msm.921649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glucocorticoids are important components of a number of chemotherapeutic regimens used to treat pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A primary cause of treatment failure of ALL is acquired resistance to glucocorticoids. Recently, traditional Chinese medicines were effectively used to treat solid tumors. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether Huai Qi Huang (HQH), a traditional Chinese medicine, increased the efficacy of glucocorticoids in the treatment of ALL, and if so, to determine the underlying mechanism. Material/Methods Various concentrations of HQH were used to treat Jurkat and Nalm-6 cells for 24 to 72 hours. Subsequently, cells were co-treated with HQH and the glucocorticoid receptor agonist, dexamethasone (DEX), or a MEK inhibitor (PD98059) to verify the synergistic effects on apoptosis in Jurkat and Nalm-6 cells for 24 hours. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometry were used to measure cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. Protein and mRNA expression levels were assessed using western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results The results revealed that cell survival was reduced and apoptosis was increased as the HQH concentration was increased, and this was accompanied with increases in the levels of BAX, cleaved-caspase-3 and glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα) and decreases in the levels of Bcl-2 and phospho-ERK (pERK). Glucocorticoid receptor β (GRβ) and total ERK (t-ERK) had no significant changes. Combined treatment with HQH and DEX or PD98059 increased apoptosis in Jurkat and Nalm-6 cells, and concurrently increased BAX, cleaved-caspase-3, GILZ, NFKBIA, and GRα and decreased Bcl-2 and pERK. Conclusions HQH enhanced the sensitivity of ALL cells to glucocorticoids by increasing the expression of GRα and inhibiting the MEK/ERK pathway, thus providing a rational foundation for the treatment of ALL with HQH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfu Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
| | - Zhujun Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
| | - Kun Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
| | - Runming Jin
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
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15
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Nguyen VHL, Hough R, Bernaudo S, Peng C. Wnt/β-catenin signalling in ovarian cancer: Insights into its hyperactivation and function in tumorigenesis. J Ovarian Res 2019; 12:122. [PMID: 31829231 PMCID: PMC6905042 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-019-0596-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the deadliest female malignancy. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays critical roles in regulating embryonic development and physiological processes. This pathway is tightly regulated to ensure its proper activity. In the absence of Wnt ligands, β-catenin is degraded by a destruction complex. When the pathway is stimulated by a Wnt ligand, β-catenin dissociates from the destruction complex and translocates into the nucleus where it interacts with TCF/LEF transcription factors to regulate target gene expression. Aberrant activation of this pathway, which leads to the hyperactivity of β-catenin, has been reported in ovarian cancer. Specifically, mutations of CTNNB1, AXIN, or APC, have been observed in the endometrioid and mucinous subtypes of EOC. In addition, upregulation of the ligands, abnormal activation of the receptors or intracellular mediators, disruption of the β-catenin destruction complex, inhibition of the association of β-catenin/E-cadherin on the cell membrane, and aberrant promotion of the β-catenin/TCF transcriptional activity, have all been reported in EOC, especially in the high grade serous subtype. Furthermore, several non-coding RNAs have been shown to regulate EOC development, in part, through the modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been reported to promote cancer stem cell self-renewal, metastasis, and chemoresistance in all subtypes of EOC. Emerging evidence also suggests that the pathway induces ovarian tumor angiogenesis and immune evasion. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays critical roles in EOC development and is a strong candidate for the development of targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca Hough
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Chun Peng
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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16
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Wang M, Hu Y, Hou L, Pan Q, Tang P, Jiang J. A clinical study on the use of Huaier granules in post-surgical treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Gland Surg 2019; 8:758-765. [PMID: 32042684 DOI: 10.21037/gs.2019.12.08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been developing rapidly in cancer treatment. Huaier is a widely used fungus by TCM to treat different kinds of cancers. Its good efficacy in prevention of tumor recurrence and metastasis has been proven by a large number of clinical studies. In order to further investigate the efficacy and safety of Huaier granules in post-surgical therapy for stage I-III triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients, we performed a case-control clinical study to observe its effects on the post-surgical safety and survival rates of these patients. Methods Two hundred and one TNBC patients underwent modified radical mastectomy were selected, they were admitted to our hospital between October 2010 to September 2014. The patients were randomly allocated to the experimental group (101 cases) or the control group (100 cases). Patients in the experimental group were treated with Huaier granules, by orally taking 20 g each time with 3 times a day. Medication was started during chemotherapy or at the time in 6 or 18 months after it. The control group did not receive any TCM preparations during this process. The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were measured as the main outcome. Results The median follow-up time was 46 months. For the 100 patients in control group, 5-year DFS and OS was 82% and 86% respectively, while 87.1% and 90.1% for the 101 patients in the experimental group. The difference was not statistically significant. However, stage III patients in the control group showed a 5-year DFS of 53.8% and OS of 65.4%, which were significantly lower than that of stage III patients in the experimental group as 81.3% and 87.5%. In the experimental group, 10 patients with 6-month medication showed disease progression, whereas only 3 patients with 18-month medication showed disease progression. This difference was statistically significant as well. Conclusions Huaier granules could play an important role in post-surgical adjuvant therapy of TNBC patients, specially by effectively increasing the DFS and OS of breast cancer patients at middle to advanced stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghao Wang
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ying Hu
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lingmi Hou
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Qinwen Pan
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Peng Tang
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jun Jiang
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
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17
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Luo C, Wang Y, Wei C, Chen Y, Ji Z. The anti-migration and anti-invasion effects of Bruceine D in human triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Exp Ther Med 2019; 19:273-279. [PMID: 31853299 PMCID: PMC6909795 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.8187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucein D (BD) is a naturally occurring major active quassinoid extracted from the Chinese medicinal herb Brucea javanica, which has been previously demonstrated to exhibit anticancer activities. The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer effects of BD on MDA-MB-231 cells, a human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line. An MTT assay was performed to assess cell viability, whilst wound healing and Transwell assay were applied to measure cell migration and invasion, respectively. Western blot analysis was performed to assess the expression of E-cadherin, vimentin and β-catenin, which are proteins associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), and PI3K, AKT and p-AKT, which are key components of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. BD was indicated to reduce cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner, whilst cell invasion and migration were also significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis demonstrated that BD treatment significantly upregulated the expression of E-cadherin and downregulated the expression of vimentin and β-catenin. Additionally, BD downregulated the expression of PI3K and reduced AKT phosphorylation. In conclusion, BD can inhibit MDA-MB-231 cell viability, migration and invasion, suggesting the potential use of BD for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Luo
- Department of Oncology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, P.R. China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Oncology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Wei
- Department of Oncology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, P.R. China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Department of Oncology, Gaoyou People's Hospital, Gaoyou Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Gaoyou, Jiangsu 225600, P.R. China
| | - Zhaoning Ji
- Department of Oncology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, P.R. China
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18
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Fu Z, Ma K, Dong B, Zhao C, Che C, Dong C, Zhang R, Wang H, Wang X, Liang R. The synergistic antitumor effect of Huaier combined with 5-Florouracil in human cholangiocarcinoma cells. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 19:203. [PMID: 31391034 PMCID: PMC6686517 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2614-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 5-Florouracil (5-FU) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for cholangiocarcinoma, whereas it has unsatisfactory effect, and patients often have chemo-resistance to it. The combination of chemotherapeutic agents and traditional Chinese medicine has already exhibited a promising application in oncotherapy. Huaier extract (Huaier) has been used in clinical practice widely, exhibiting good anti-tumor effect. This paper aims to investigate the possibility of combination 5-FU and Huaier as a treatment for cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS A series of experiments were performed on the Huh28 cells in vitro, which involved cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migratory and invasive tests. Besides, western blots were also performed to examine the potential mechanism of 5-FU. RESULTS The combination effect (antagonism, synergy or additive) was assessed using Chou-Talalay method. Using the CCK-8 and Colony formation assay, the anti-proliferation effect of 5-FU combined with Huaier was observed. Apoptosis inducing and cell cycle arrest effect of the combination of two drugs were assessed by flow cytometry. To determine the combined treatment on cell immigration and invasion ability, wound healing and Transwell assay were performed. The above experiment results suggest that the combined 5-FU and Huaier, compared with treatment using either drug alone, exhibited stronger effects in anti-proliferation, cycle arrest, apoptosis-induced and anti-metastasis. Further, western blot results reveal that the inhibition of STAT3 and its target genes (e.g. Ki67, Cyclin D1, Bcl-2 and MMP-2) might be set as the potential therapeutic targets. Besides, the inhibition of combination treatment in proteins expression associated with proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and metastasis was consistent with that of previous phenotypic experiments. CONCLUSIONS Huaier combined with 5-FU exhibited a synergistic anti-tumor effect in Huh28 cell. Furthermore, the mechanisms might be associated with the activation and translocation of STAT3, as well as its downstream genes.
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19
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Fang L, Zhang Y, Zang Y, Chai R, Zhong G, Li Z, Duan Z, Ren J, Xu Z. HP-1 inhibits the progression of ccRCC and enhances sunitinib therapeutic effects by suppressing EMT. Carbohydr Polym 2019; 223:115109. [PMID: 31427001 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Trametes robiniophila Murr (Huaier) has been used for many years as an adjuvant treatment for tumors. Sunitinib is the first-line therapy for end-stage renal cancer, but its side effects and drug resistance limit its clinical application. Cell counting kit- 8 (CCK-8), colony formation, scratch, and Transwell assays showed that Huaier polysaccharide (HP-1) reduced tumor progression. Its combination with sunitinib elicited stronger antitumor effects, including induction of apoptosis and cycle arrest. HP-1-induced effects depended on CIP2A downregulation and suppression of the EMT process. Moreover, qPCR and western blotting experiments showed that CIP2A downregulation was particularly pronounced after treatment with the combination therapy and was associated with EMT suppression. In addition, the HP-1/sunitinib combination inhibited the PI3K/Akt/VEGFR pathway, reducing the expression of pathway-related proteins. The HP-1-induced enhancement of sunitinib effects on tumor growth were also observed in vivo in a xenograft mouse model. Overall, these results indicated that HP-1 exerted antitumor effects against clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of sunitinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Fang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yongzhen Zhang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yuanwei Zang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Rong Chai
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Guangxin Zhong
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Zeyan Li
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Zhichen Duan
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Juchao Ren
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
| | - Zhonghua Xu
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
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An W, Lai H, Zhang Y, Liu M, Lin X, Cao S. Apoptotic Pathway as the Therapeutic Target for Anticancer Traditional Chinese Medicines. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:758. [PMID: 31354479 PMCID: PMC6639427 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death and it plays a vital role in human development and tissue homeostasis. Mounting evidence indicates that apoptosis is closely related to the survival of cancer and it has emerged as a key target for the discovery and development of novel anticancer drugs. Various studies indicate that targeting the apoptotic signaling pathway by anticancer drugs is an important mechanism in cancer therapy. Therefore, numerous novel anticancer agents have been discovered and developed from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) by targeting the cellular apoptotic pathway of cancer cells and shown clinically beneficial effects in cancer therapy. This review aims to provide a comprehensive discussion for the role, pharmacology, related biology, and possible mechanism(s) of a number of important anticancer TCMs and their derivatives mainly targeting the cellular apoptotic pathway. It may have important clinical implications in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixiao An
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, China
| | - Honglin Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Affliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yangyang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Minghua Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiukun Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Shousong Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Qu P, Han J, Qiu Y, Yu H, Hao J, Jin R, Zhou F. Huaier extract enhances the treatment efficacy of imatinib in Ik6 + Ph + acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 117:109071. [PMID: 31202171 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) is considered as a high risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are tailored drug for Ph+ ALL, but Ik6 is associated with TKI resistance and poor outcome of Ph+ ALL. In the present study, we investigated the potential benefit of combination therapy with imatinib and Huaier extract, a traditional Chinese medicine, in Ik6+ Ph+ ALL. The Ik6+ Ph+ -ALL cell lines Sup-B15 or BV173 were treated with Huaier extract, imatinib or the combination of the two. Analysis of cell proliferation showed that the combined treatment of imatinib and Huaier extract exhibited a greater effect on cell inhibition. Using flow cytometry and Western blot, enhanced effects on the induction of cell apoptosis were observed. The combination of the two drugs also exhibited a significant effect in decreasing the protein and enzymatic activity levels of BCR-ABL. The molecular mechanisms may be involved in BCR-ABL related pathways, including the inactivation of p-AKT, p-STAT5, p-mTOR and p-Lyn. Consistent with the in vitro results, the combination of Huaier extract and imatinib inhibit the growth and infiltration of xenografted tumors. Taken together, our findings show that Huaier extract enhances the anticancer efficacy of imatinib in Ik6+ Ph+ ALL Further, it also provides a potential clinical application in the treatment of refractory Ph+ ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Qu
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Juan Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yining Qiu
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Hui Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Jinjin Hao
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Runming Jin
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Fen Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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22
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Dai J, Wei R, Zhang P, Kong B. Overexpression of microRNA-195-5p reduces cisplatin resistance and angiogenesis in ovarian cancer by inhibiting the PSAT1-dependent GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. J Transl Med 2019; 17:190. [PMID: 31171023 PMCID: PMC6551881 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-1932-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the leading causes for cancer-related deaths among women. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been proved to be vital to the development and progression of OC. Hence, the study aims to evaluate the ability of miR-195-5p affecting cisplatin (DDP) resistance and angiogenesis in OC and the underlying mechanism. Methods MiRs that could target phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1), a differentially expressed gene in OC, were predicted by miRNA-mRNA prediction websites. The expression patterns of miR-195-5p in the OC tissues and cells were determined using RNA quantification assay. The role of miR-195-5p in OC was evaluated by determining DDP resistance, apoptosis and angiogenesis of OC cells after up-regulating or down-regulating miR-195-5p or PSAT1, or blocking the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β)/β-catenin signaling pathway. Animal experiment was conducted to explore the effect of miR-195-5p on resistance to DDP and angiogenesis. Result MiR-195-5p directly targeted PSAT1 and down-regulated its expression. The expression of miR-195-5p was lower while that of PSAT1 was higher in OC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. When miR-195-5p was over-expressed or PSAT1 was silenced, the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, PSAT1, β-catenin as well as the extent of GSK3β phosphorylation was reduced, the angiogenesis and resistance to DDP was diminished and apoptosis was promoted both in vitro and in vivo. The inhibition of GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway was involved in the regulation process. Conclusion Over-expression of miR-195-5p reduced angiogenesis and DDP resistance in OC, which provides a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Dai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No. 107, Wenhua West Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Rujia Wei
- School of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252000, People's Republic of China
| | - Peihai Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao Hospital District), No. 758, Hefei Road, Shibei District, Qingdao, 266035, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Beihua Kong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No. 107, Wenhua West Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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Hu B, Yan W, Wang M, Cui X, Hu Y, Chen Q, Zhang Y, Qi X, Jiang J. Huaier polysaccharide inhibits the stem-like characteristics of ERα-36 high triple negative breast cancer cells via inactivation of the ERα-36 signaling pathway. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:1358-1367. [PMID: 31337967 PMCID: PMC6643138 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.27360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive cancer and lack of targeting therapies. It is believed that the breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are responsible for the aggressive characteristics of TNBC. Hence, developing BCSC-targeting agents may provide new therapeutic strategies for the patients. Huaier polysaccharide (HP), an active ingredient extracted from the mushroom Trametes robiniophila Murr, has been widely used in clinical anti-cancer treatments in China. Here we demonstrated that HP could target BCSCs in TNBC cells, resulting in decreased mammosphere formation, downregulated expression of stem-related genes and reduced proportion of aldehyde dehydrogenase positive cells in vitro, and inhibited xenograft tumor formation in vivo. Mechanically, HP markedly reduced the expression of estrogen receptor α-36 (ERα-36), a recently identified subtype of estrogen receptor α, and attenuated ERα-36-mediated activation of AKT/β-catenin signaling in ERα-36high TNBC cells. This study provides a new insight into the mechanism of HP on BCSC-targeting therapy and new ideas for comprehensive treatment strategies for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoquan Hu
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Wenting Yan
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Minghao Wang
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xiang Cui
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ying Hu
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Qingqiu Chen
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xiaowei Qi
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jun Jiang
- Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
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Pan J, Yang C, Jiang Z, Huang J. Trametes robiniophila Murr: a traditional Chinese medicine with potent anti-tumor effects. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:1541-1549. [PMID: 30863164 PMCID: PMC6389013 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s193174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trametes robiniophila Murr also known as Huaier, one of the traditional Chinese medicines, has been shown an effective adjuvant of cancer therapy. Accumulating evidence suggests that the anti-cancer effects of Huaier can be briefly divided into two aspects: the direct effects on tumor cells and the indirect effects on immune cells. In vitro and in vivo experiment showed Huaier directly inhibited tumor cell proliferation, induced tumor cell death, prevented metastasis and interfered with angiogenesis via various signaling pathways. The immunomodulatory effect of Huaier is associated with enhancement of the number and function of CD4+ T cells and NK cells, regulation of the polarization and function of macrophages, and elevated secretion of immune stimulatory cytokines. In this review, the anti-cancer effects and combined treatments of Huaier with other anti-cancer therapies, and the underlying mechanisms are summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Pan
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention & Intervention, National Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China, .,Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China,
| | - Chenghui Yang
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention & Intervention, National Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China, .,Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China,
| | - Zhou Jiang
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention & Intervention, National Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China, .,Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China,
| | - Jian Huang
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention & Intervention, National Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China, .,Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China,
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25
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Huaier n-butanol extract suppresses proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer via c-Myc-Bmi1 axis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:447. [PMID: 30679589 PMCID: PMC6346047 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36940-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and approximately 42% of all cases diagnosed each year worldwide are diagnosed in China. A large number of clinical applications have revealed that Trametes robiniophila Μurr. (Huaier) exhibits an anti-tumour effect. However, loss of the bioactive components of Huaier during the extraction procedure with water is unavoidable, and the underlying mechanism of the anti-cancer effect of Huaier remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effect of Huaier n-butanol extract, which contained 51.4% total flavonoids, on HGC27, MGC803, and AGS human GC cell lines in vitro. At a low concentration, Huaier n-butanol extract inhibited the growth of these GC cell types, induced cell cycle arrest and reduced cell metastasis. Moreover, Huaier n-butanol extract suppressed the c-Myc-Bmi1 signalling pathway, and overexpression of Bmi1 reversed the effects of Huaier n-butanol extract on GC cells. Thus, our findings indicate that Huaier n-butanol extract suppresses the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells via a c-Myc-Bmi1-mediated approach, providing a new perspective for our understanding of the anti-tumour effects of Huaier. These results suggest that Huaier n-butanol extract could be an attractive therapeutic adjuvant for the treatment of human GC.
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Chen Y, Wang L, Liu H, Song F, Xu C, Zhang K, Chen Q, Wu S, Zhu Y, Dong Y, Zhou M, Zhang H, Tian M. PET Imaging on Dynamic Metabolic Changes after Combination Therapy of Paclitaxel and the Traditional Chinese Medicine in Breast Cancer-Bearing Mice. Mol Imaging Biol 2019; 20:309-317. [PMID: 28795272 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-017-1108-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the study was to non-invasively evaluate the anticancer activity of a traditional Chinese medicine-Huaier, combined with paclitaxel (PTX) in breast cancer bearing mice by detecting dynamic metabolic changes with positron emission tomography (PET). PROCEDURES Balb/c nude mice were randomly divided into one of the four groups: Huaier, PTX, PTX + Huaier, or the control. PET imaging with 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) was performed to monitor the metabolic changes in BT474 (luminal B) and MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative) breast cancer xenografts. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) study was performed immediately after the final PET scan to assess the expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phospho-AKT (p-AKT), caspase-3, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). RESULTS Compared to the control group, [18F]FDG accumulation demonstrated a significant decrease in PTX + Huaier (p < 0.01) or Huaier group (p < 0.05), which was consistent to the decreased expression of PI3K (p < 0.05) and p-AKT (p < 0.05) in the breast cancer xenografts. CONCLUSION The therapeutic effect of Huaier combined with PTX was superior than the PTX alone in BT474 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer-bearing mice. [18F]FDG PET imaging could be a potential non-invasive approach to assess the metabolic changes after chemotherapy combined with traditional Chinese medicine in the breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.,Zhejiang University Medical PET Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.,Zhejiang University Medical PET Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.,Zhejiang University Medical PET Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fahuan Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.,Zhejiang University Medical PET Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Caiyun Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.,Zhejiang University Medical PET Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.,Zhejiang University Medical PET Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.,Zhejiang University Medical PET Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.,Zhejiang University Medical PET Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunqi Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.,Zhejiang University Medical PET Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Dong
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.,Zhejiang University Medical PET Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.,Zhejiang University Medical PET Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mei Tian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China. .,Zhejiang University Medical PET Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
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Traditional Chinese Medicine Extract from Huaier Increases the Expression of Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines and Reduces the Expression of Its Ligands. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2018; 2018:6756092. [PMID: 30140603 PMCID: PMC6081536 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6756092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the aqueous extract from Huaier, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), can affect the expression of Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) and its ligands. Moreover, we compare the status of DARC in primary and metastatic breast cancer tissues from the same patient. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of DARC in primary and metastatic focuses in 30 patients with breast cancer. The effect of Huaier aqueous extract on the expression of DARC and its ligands was investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The expression score of DARC in primary focuses was significantly higher than that in metastatic focuses, while changes of ER, PR, and HER2 receptors were not significantly different between primary and metastatic focuses. Huaier aqueous extract promoted the expression of DARC and reduced the secretion of CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL-2), CXC chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL-8, IL-8), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and CXC chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL-1). Conclusion The present study demonstrates that difference in expression level of DARC between primary and metastatic focuses of breast cancer was significant, while differences in expression of ER, PR, and HER2 between primary and metastatic focuses were not significant. DARC may play a negative role in the metastasis of breast cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine extract from Huaier can increase DARC expression and reduce the expression of its ligands such as CCL-2, IL-8, MMP-2, and CXCL-1.
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Zhang J, Liu L, Wang J, Ren B, Zhang L, Li W. Formononetin, an isoflavone from Astragalus membranaceus inhibits proliferation and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 221:91-99. [PMID: 29660466 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Astragalus membranaceus which was originally described in the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica, the earliest complete Pharmacopoeia of China written from the Warring States Period to Han Dynasty, has been widely used in Chinese medicine for > 2000 years, especially in the prescription of curing cancer. A. membranaceus has various bioactivities, such as anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammation, anti-atherosclerosis, immunomodulation, hepatoprotection, hematopoiesis, neuroprotection and so on. As an important component of A. membranaceus, whether formononetin has a close relationship with its tumor-inhibiting effect on ovarian cancer cell has been investigated. AIM OF STUDY The present study aimed to demonstrate the anti-proliferation, anti- migration and invasion effects of formononetin on ovarian cancer cells and further explore the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with apoptosis, migration and invasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS MTT assay was performed to detect the viability of ovarian cancer cells. DAPI staining, Annexin-V assay and assay for mitochondrial membrane potential detected the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells treated by formononetin. The migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells which exposed to formononetin were detected by scratch assay and transwell assay. Meanwhile, the protein-level changes of in ovarian cancer cells treated by formononetin were assessed by western blot analysis. RESULTS MTT assays indicated that cell viability significantly decreased in ovarian cancer cells treated with formononetin. DAPI staining, Annexin-V assay and assay for mitochondrial membrane potential suggested that formononetin suppressed cells proliferation by inducing apoptosis. We detected the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in ovarian cancer cells after treatment with formononetin and found the expression of caspase 3/9 proteins and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 were increased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, wound healing and transwell chamber assays showed that formononetin suppressed the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. And formononetin decreased expression of MMP-2/9 proteins and phosphorylation level of ERK. CONCLUSIONS The present results demonstrated that formononetin have potential effects on induction of apoptosis and suppression of migration and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - Likun Liu
- Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - Baoyin Ren
- Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China.
| | - Weiling Li
- Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China.
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Ma Y, Wang C, Zhang Q, Peng X, Feng Y, Meng X. The effects of polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula (Huaier) in adjuvant anti-gastrointestinal cancer therapy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Pharmacol Res 2018; 132:80-89. [PMID: 29673791 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula (Huaier) for patients with gastrointestinal cancers (GICs) through a systematic review and network meta-analysis. We performed a network meta-analysis to identify evidence from clinical trials. We searched databases for publications up to February 2018. The prespecified primary efficacy outcomes were clinical therapeutic effects, which included the treatment response rate, 0.5-year overall survival rate, 1-year overall survival rate, 2-year overall survival rate, KPS improved rate and AFP decreased rate. The safety outcomes were the side effects of Huaier. The secondary efficacy outcome was immune function. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed according to the various cancer types in all of the efficacy and safety outcomes. The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018086481). A total of 33 trials, involving 2884 patients and 10 treatment arms, were eligible. Huaier significantly increased the treatment response rate (2.48, 1.83-3.35) and survival rate (0.5-year, 1-year and 2-year) and improved immune function without increasing the incidence of adverse effects. Significant efficacy was observed in most subgroups. Network meta-analysis revealed that Huaier was very suitable for combination therapy with TACE and 125I particle implantation. Similarly, Huaier also had a good adjuvant therapeutic effect on enhancing platinum (L-OHP and DDP) and adriamycin (ADM). Huaier offers clear advantages for patients with GICs. Moreover, patients should be encouraged to accept Huaier treatment, especially HCC patients undergoing combination therapy with TACE and 125I particle implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ma
- Center of Experiment Teaching, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110034,China
| | - Chen Wang
- Food processing Institute, Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenyang 110161, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- College of Food Science, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang 110866, Liaoning, China
| | - Xia Peng
- Center of Experiment Teaching, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110034,China
| | - Ying Feng
- College of Food Science, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang 110866, Liaoning, China.
| | - Xianjun Meng
- College of Food Science, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang 110866, Liaoning, China.
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Chen Y, Wu H, Wang X, Wang C, Gan L, Zhu J, Tong J, Li Z. Huaier Granule extract inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer cells through down-regulation of MTDH, JAK2/STAT3 and MAPK signaling pathways. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 101:311-321. [PMID: 29499405 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the effect of Huaier has been widely studied, its role and its molecular mechanism in lung cancer are not clear. In this study, we explored the inhibitory effect of Huaier on lung cancer cells and its molecular mechanism. The cell viability, migration and invasion were analyzed by CCK-8 and BrdU cell proliferation assay kits, Transwell and colony forming assay. The cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The experimental results showed that the viability, migration and invasion of A549 and NCI-H1650 cells were inhibited by Huaier in a dose and time-dependent manner. Huaier induced cell apoptosis and the cells were blocked in the S phase to inhibit cell proliferation. Western blotting results showed that Huaier inhibited the expression of MTDH and increased the proportion of Bax/Bcl-2, it could also promote the expression of Cleaved Caspase-3 and increase the activity of Caspase-3, promote cell apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation. Huaier inhibited the metastasis and invasion of lung cancer cells by inhibiting the expression levels of EMT related proteins, it also inhibited the expression of JAK2/STAT3 and MAPK signaling pathways. Therefore, our results showed that Huaier may inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer cells through multiple targets, it had the potential for treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230022, People's Republic of China; Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Wu
- Scientific Research Experiment Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinheng Wang
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenyang Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Gan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiabing Tong
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Zegeng Li
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China.
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Huaier aqueous extract protects against dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Oncotarget 2018; 8:32937-32945. [PMID: 28380426 PMCID: PMC5464840 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of Trametes robiniophila Murr. (Huaier) as a complementary therapy for cancer has recently become increasingly common in China. However, whether Huaier can regulate host immune responses, especially innate immunity, remains largely unknown. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a multimeric complex consisting of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1. NLRP3 inflammasomes respond to a variety of endogenous (damage-associated molecular patterns) and exogenous (pathogen-associated molecular patterns) stimuli, and play crucial roles in host defense against pathogens and multiple diseases such as ulcerative colitis (UC). In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of Huaier in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced murine colitis and revealed the underlying mechanisms by targeting NLRP3 inflammasomes. In C57BL/6 mice, oral administration of Huaier attenuated DSS-induced colon shortening and colonic pathological damage. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of Huaier on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages. Huaier inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation-induced IL-1β secretion and caspase-1 cleavage. Moreover, Huaier decreased NLRP3 protein expression via promoting NLRP3 degradation through the autophagy lysosome pathway. Therefore, our findings demonstrate a novel function for Huaier in the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and suggest a potential role for Huaier in NLRP3 inflammasome-associated diseases.
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Si H, Zhang Y, Song Y, Li L. Overexpression of adrenomedullin protects mesenchymal stem cells against hypoxia and serum deprivation‑induced apoptosis via the Akt/GSK3β and Bcl‑2 signaling pathways. Int J Mol Med 2018; 41:3342-3352. [PMID: 29512737 PMCID: PMC5881801 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The poor survival rate of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within the ischemic heart limits their therapeutic potential for cardiac repair. Adrenomedullin (ADM) has been identified as a potent apoptotic inhibitor. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of ADM on MSCs against hypoxia and serum deprivation (H/SD)‑induced apoptosis, and to determine the potential underlying mechanisms. In the present study, a recombinant adenovirus expressing the ADM gene was established and was infected into MSCs. The infection rate was determined via microscopic detection of green fluorescence and flow cytometric analysis. The mRNA expression levels of ADM were detected by reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction. In addition, a model of H/SD was generated. The MSCs were randomly separated into six groups: Control, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)‑Adv, EGFP‑ADM, H/SD, EGFP‑Adv + H/SD and EGFP‑ADM + H/SD. Cell viability and proliferation were determined using the Cell Counting kit‑8 assay. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‑mediated‑dUTP nick‑end labeling assay and flow cytometric analysis using Annexin V‑phycoerythrin/7‑aminoactinomycin D staining. The protein expression levels of total protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated (p)‑Akt, total glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3β, p‑GSK3β, B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2), Bcl‑2‑associated X protein (Bax), caspase‑3 and cleaved caspase‑3 were detected by western blot analysis. The results indicated that ADM overexpression could improve MSC proliferation and viability, and protect MSCs against H/SD‑induced apoptosis. In addition, ADM overexpression increased Akt and GSK3β phosphorylation, and Bcl‑2/Bax ratio, and decreased the activation of caspase‑3. These results suggested that ADM protects MSCs against H/SD‑induced apoptosis, which may be mediated via the Akt/GSK3β and Bcl‑2 signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjin Si
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Harbin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - Yao Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Harbin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - Yuqing Song
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Harbin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - Lili Li
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Harbin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
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Jia N, Wang J, Li Q, Tao X, Chang K, Hua K, Yu Y, Wong KK, Feng W. DNA methylation promotes paired box 2 expression via myeloid zinc finger 1 in endometrial cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:84785-84797. [PMID: 27764784 PMCID: PMC5356698 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This work investigated the role of paired box 2 (PAX2) in endometrial cancer and its epigenetic regulation mechanism. Endometrial cancer tissues and cell lines exhibited increased PAX2 expression compared with hyperplasia, normal endometrium and endometrial epithelial cells. Knock-down of PAX2 resulted in reduced cell viability, invasion and migration, and PAX2 overexpression caused the opposite effects. Increased methylation of the PAX2 promoter was observed in both cancer tissues and cell lines and was positively correlated with PAX2 expression. After 5-Aza-CdR treatment, PAX2 mRNA and protein were down-regulated, and PAX2 methylation was decreased. Deletion analysis confirmed that a repressive transcriptional regulatory region of the PAX2 promoter coincided with the hypermethylated region identified in MassARRAY analysis. Binding sites of myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) are predicted in the defined region. Knock-down of MZF1 up-regulated the transcriptional activity and protein level of PAX2 after 5-Aza-CdR treatment, which indicated that MZF1 may act as a repressive transcription factor when the PAX2 promoter is unmethylated. In conclusion, PAX2 is involved in the carcinogenesis of endometrial cancer by stimulating cell growth and promoting cell motility. The overexpression of PAX2 in endometrial cancer is regulated by promoter hypermethylation and the transcription factor MZF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Jia
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Disease, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jieyu Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Disease, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Disease, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Tao
- Department of Pathology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaikai Chang
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Disease, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Keqin Hua
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Disease, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinhua Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Disease, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kwong-Kwok Wong
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Weiwei Feng
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Disease, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Huaier extract synergizes with tamoxifen to induce autophagy and apoptosis in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:26003-15. [PMID: 27027343 PMCID: PMC5041960 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen (TAM) is the most widely used endocrine therapy for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer patients, but side effects and the gradual development of insensitivity limit its application. We investigated whether Huaier extract, a traditional Chinese medicine, in combination with TAM would improve treatment efficacy in ER-positive breast cancers. MTT, colony formation, and invasion and migration assays revealed that the combined treatment had stronger anticancer effects than either treatment alone. Huaier extract enhanced TAM-induced autophagy, apoptosis, and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, as measured by acidic vesicular organelle (AVO) staining, TUNEL, flow cytometry, and western blot. Additionally, combined treatment inhibited tumorigenesis and metastasis by suppressing the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Huaier extract also enhanced the inhibitory effects of TAM on tumor growth in vivo in a xenograft mouse model. These results show that Huaier extract synergizes with TAM to induce autophagy and apoptosis in ER-positive breast cancer cells by suppressing the AKT/mTOR pathway.
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Niiro E, Morioka S, Iwai K, Yamada Y, Ogawa K, Kawahara N, Kobayashi H. Potential signaling pathways as therapeutic targets for overcoming chemoresistance in mucinous ovarian cancer. Biomed Rep 2018; 8:215-223. [PMID: 29564122 DOI: 10.3892/br.2018.1045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cases of mucinous ovarian cancer are predominantly resistant to chemotherapies. The present review summarizes current knowledge of the therapeutic potential of targeting the Wingless (WNT) pathway, with particular emphasis on preclinical and clinical studies, for improving the chemoresistance and treatment of mucinous ovarian cancer. A review was conducted of English language literature published between January 2000 and October 2017 that concerned potential signaling pathways associated with the chemoresistance of mucinous ovarian cancer. The literature indicated that aberrant activation of growth factor and WNT signaling pathways is specifically observed in mucinous ovarian cancer. An evolutionarily conserved signaling cascade system including epidermal growth factor/RAS/RAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and WNT signaling regulates a variety of cellular functions; their crosstalk mutually enhances signaling activity and induces chemoresistance. Novel antagonists, modulators and inhibitors have been developed for targeting the components of the WNT signaling pathway, namely Frizzled, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5/6, Dishevelled, casein kinase 1, AXIN, glycogen synthase kinase 3β and β-catenin. Targeted inhibition of WNT signaling represents a rational and promising novel approach to overcome chemoresistance, and several WNT inhibitors are being evaluated in preclinical studies. In conclusion, the WNT receptors and their downstream components may serve as novel therapeutic targets for overcoming chemoresistance in mucinous ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiko Niiro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Sachiko Morioka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Kana Iwai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Kenji Ogawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Naoki Kawahara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kobayashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
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Suppression of Disheveled–Axin Domain Containing 1 (DIXDC1) by MicroRNA-186 Inhibits the Proliferation and Invasion of Retinoblastoma Cells. J Mol Neurosci 2017; 64:252-261. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-017-1017-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Xu Z, Zheng G, Wang Y, Zhang C, Yu J, Teng F, Lv H, Cheng X. Aqueous Huaier Extract Suppresses Gastric Cancer Metastasis and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition by Targeting Twist. J Cancer 2017; 8:3876-3886. [PMID: 29151976 PMCID: PMC5688942 DOI: 10.7150/jca.20380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trametes robiniophila Murr. (Huaier) is a widely used anti-cancer agent in China. Strong evidence for the anti-proliferative activity of Huaier has been reported; however, its anti-metastatic potential against gastric cancer (GC) as well as its underlying mechanism of action are unknown. Here, we show that treatment with an aqueous Huaier extract over a range of concentrations significantly suppressed both the invasiveness and migratory ability of GC cells. Huaier could also partly reverse the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as characterized by increased expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and decreased expression of the mesenchymal markers N-cadherin and vimentin. In addition, Huaier-treated cells expressed lower levels of Twist compared to untreated controls, and overexpression of Twist via transfection could partially abolish the anti-metastatic activity of Huaier. Furthermore, elevated Twist expression was correlated with an advanced TNM stage, a high rate of lymph node metastasis, and reduced disease-free survival in GC patients. These findings reveal a novel anti-metastatic mechanism for Huaier, which inhibits the EMT by targeting Twist, suggesting its potential application against a GC relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Xu
- Department of gastrointestinal surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guowei Zheng
- Department of gastrointestinal surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiping Wang
- Key Laboratory of integrated traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for diagnosis and treatment of digestive system tumor, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chunli Zhang
- Department of pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianfa Yu
- Department of gastrointestinal surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fei Teng
- Department of gastrointestinal surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hang Lv
- Key Laboratory of integrated traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for diagnosis and treatment of digestive system tumor, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiangdong Cheng
- Department of gastrointestinal surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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An Q, Zhou Y, Han C, Zhou Y, Li F, Li D. BTG3 Overexpression Suppresses the Proliferation and Invasion in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cell by Regulating AKT/GSK3β/β-Catenin Signaling. Reprod Sci 2017; 24:1462-1468. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719117691143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qi An
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chao Han
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yubing Zhou
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Duolu Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Hu Z, Yang A, Su G, Zhao Y, Wang Y, Chai X, Tu P. Huaier restrains proliferative and invasive potential of human hepatoma SKHEP-1 cells partially through decreased Lamin B1 and elevated NOV. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31298. [PMID: 27503760 PMCID: PMC4977525 DOI: 10.1038/srep31298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cause of malignancy-related mortality worldwide. It is urgently needed to develop potential drugs with good efficacy and low toxicity for HCC treatment. The anti-tumor effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has received increasing attention worldwide. Trametes robiniophila Murr. (Huaier) has been used in TCM for approximately 1,600 years. Clinically, Huaier has satisfactory therapeutic effects in cancer treatment, especially in HCC. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effect of Huaier remain ill defined. Herein we have demonstrated that Huaier dramatically inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line SKHEP-1. Importantly, Huaier restrained the metastatic capability of SKHEP-1 cells. Mechanistically, down-regulation of Lamin B1 and up-regulation of Nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV) were at least partially responsible for the inhibitory effect of Huaier on the proliferative and invasive capacity of SKHEP-1 cells. Our finding provided new insights into mechanisms of anti-HCC effect of Huaier and suggested a new scientific basis for clinical medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongdong Hu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ailin Yang
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Guozhu Su
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Yunfang Zhao
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Molecular Orthopaedics, Beijing Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, China
| | - Xingyun Chai
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Pengfei Tu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
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Lei JY, Yan LN, Zhu JQ, Wang WT. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients May Benefit From Postoperative Huaier Aqueous Extract After Liver Transplantation. Transplant Proc 2016; 47:2920-4. [PMID: 26707314 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2015.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2015] [Revised: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver transplantation has been the first choice for most early- or intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases. However, postoperative anti-HCC therapies remain controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Huaier aqueous extract (Jinke), when used as an adjuvant postoperative anti-HCC therapy. METHODS We retrospectively collected the clinical and follow-up data of HCC patients who underwent liver transplantation at our center. We divided them into 2 groups: a control liver transplantation group and a Huaier treatment group. The baseline characteristics, tumor characteristics, intraoperative data, postoperative recovery, long-term overall survival rate, and tumor-free survival rate were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS Fifty-three patients were included in our study, including 28 patients who underwent postoperative Huaier therapy and 25 patients who underwent liver transplantation without postoperative Huaier therapy. The baseline and tumor characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. None of the patients in the Huaier group experienced any severe adverse events. The long-term predictive overall survival was similar between the 2 groups (P = .202). However, the Huaier group had a higher predictive tumor-free survival rate than the control group (P = .029). And the 10- and 30-month predictive tumor recurrence rates were 17.9% and 35.7% in the Huaier group, which were significantly lower than those in the control group (60% and 64%; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS HCC patients may benefit from Huaier therapy after liver transplantation, but a longer follow-up time and larger cohort study may be necessary to be sure.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Lei
- Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China; Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - L N Yan
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
| | - J Q Zhu
- Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - W T Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
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Hu Z, Yang A, Fan H, Wang Y, Zhao Y, Zha X, Zhang H, Tu P. Huaier aqueous extract sensitizes cells to rapamycin and cisplatin through activating mTOR signaling. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2016; 186:143-150. [PMID: 27045863 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.03.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been increasingly used to treat cancers. Trametes robiniophila Murr. (Huaier) is a medicinal fungus for treatment of inflammation and cancer. Huaier Granule has great clinical effect in various types of cancers, including liver cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, and breast cancer. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study was performed to determine the therapeutical effect of Huaier on cancers caused by aberrant mTOR signaling in vitro and in vivo, investigate the combination effect of Huaier and rapamycin or cisplatin on cell viability, and explore its underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS The therapeutical effect of Huaier on cancers caused by aberrant mTOR signaling and the underlying mechanism of combination effect of Huaier and rapamycin or cisplatin on cell viability were investigated in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, rat uterine leiomyoma cells, human hepatoma cells, human lung carcinoma cells, and xenograft tumor model by cell viability assay and immunoblotting. RESULTS Activation of mTOR sensitizes cells to Huaier treatment. Huaier inhibits tumorigenic capacity of cells with activated mTOR in vivo. Moreover, activation of mTOR signaling induced by Huaier contributes to the increased sensitivity of cells to rapamycin or cisplatin in response to Huaier treatment. CONCLUSIONS Huaier may be a potential drug for the treatment of cancers caused by aberrant mTOR signaling. The combination of Huaier and rapamycin may be a candidate regimen in the treatment of these cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongdong Hu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ailin Yang
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Haitao Fan
- College of Bioengineering, Beijing Polytechnic, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Molecular Orthopaedics, Beijing Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, China
| | - Yunfang Zhao
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaojun Zha
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Hongbing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Pengfei Tu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
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Bao H, Liu P, Jiang K, Zhang X, Xie L, Wang Z, Gong P. Huaier polysaccharide induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through p38 MAPK. Oncol Lett 2016; 12:1058-1066. [PMID: 27446394 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.4686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The underlying mechanism of the antitumor activity of Huaier polysaccharide (HP) remains to be explored. The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of HP on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and to explore the possible mechanisms of its anticancer effect. Cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, while apoptotic nuclear changes were observed using Hoechst 33258 staining. The distribution of cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry, and western blotting was used to test the apoptotic pathways. Apoptosis and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors were used to investigate the mechanism of apoptosis. HP triggered cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Both the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways were activated after HP treatment. Furthermore, HP enhanced the three major MAPK pathways (extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 MAPK) and inhibited the AKT/mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway in HCC cells. Notably, the inactivation of p38 MAPK impaired the HP-induced cell death. HP exerted its antitumor effect on HCC cells through the regulation of the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2, Bcl-2-associated X protein and survivin. The present study provides evidence that HP induces apoptosis in HCC cells and demonstrated the role of p38 MAPK in HP-triggered cancer cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidong Bao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, P.R. China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, P.R. China
| | - Ke Jiang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University Cancer Center, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, P.R. China
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, P.R. China
| | - Long Xie
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, P.R. China
| | - Zhongyu Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, P.R. China
| | - Peng Gong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, P.R. China
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Yan L, Liu X, Yin A, Wei Y, Yang Q, Kong B. Huaier aqueous extract inhibits cervical cancer cell proliferation via JNK/p38 pathway. Int J Oncol 2015. [PMID: 26201539 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the anticancer effects of Huaier extract have been widely investigated, including anti-proliferate, anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic activities, the mechanisms are not well understood. This study aimed to elucidate the inhibitory effect of Huaier extract on tumor growth in cervical cancer cells and its molecular mechanisms. Cell viability and motility were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, colony assays, migration, and invasive assays, respectively. The distribution of the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Huaier inhibited cell viability of SiHa and C33A cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner; cell migration and invasiveness were also suppressed; Huaier was able to cause G2/M cell cycle arrest in C33A cells. The western blot results confirmed Huaier dose-dependently increased expression of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p-38 and downregulated the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in a time- and dose-dependently manner. In vivo experiments showed that Huaier significantly suppressed the tumor volume of SiHa cell xenografts. These data suggest that Huaier may inhibit tumor proliferation in cervical cancer via the JNK/p38 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolin Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Aijun Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Yuyan Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Qifeng Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Beihua Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
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Burkhalter RJ, Westfall SD, Liu Y, Stack MS. Lysophosphatidic Acid Initiates Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Induces β-Catenin-mediated Transcription in Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:22143-54. [PMID: 26175151 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.641092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
During tumor progression, epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which influences metastatic success. Mutation-dependent activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been implicated in gain of mesenchymal phenotype and loss of differentiation in several solid tumors; however, similar mutations are rare in most EOC histotypes. Nevertheless, evidence for activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in EOC has been reported, and immunohistochemical analysis of human EOC tumors demonstrates nuclear staining in all histotypes. This study addresses the hypothesis that the bioactive lipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), prevalent in the EOC microenvironment, functions to regulate EMT in EOC. Our results demonstrate that LPA induces loss of junctional β-catenin, stimulates clustering of β1 integrins, and enhances the conformationally active population of surface β1 integrins. Furthermore, LPA treatment initiates nuclear translocation of β-catenin and transcriptional activation of Wnt/β-catenin target genes resulting in gain of mesenchymal marker expression. Together these data suggest that LPA initiates EMT in ovarian tumors through β1-integrin-dependent activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, providing a novel mechanism for mutation-independent activation of this pathway in EOC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Burkhalter
- From the Departments of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology and the Harper Cancer Research Institute
| | - Suzanne D Westfall
- Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65212 and
| | - Yueying Liu
- the Harper Cancer Research Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana 46617
| | - M Sharon Stack
- the Harper Cancer Research Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana 46617
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Xie HX, Xu ZY, Tang JN, DU YA, Huang L, Yu PF, Cheng XD. Effect of Huaier on the proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells through modulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 2015; 10:1212-1218. [PMID: 26622467 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2015.2600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Huaier on the proliferation and apoptosis of the MKN45 and SGC7901 gastric cancer cell lines. The MTT assay was used to measure the effects of Huaier on the growth of the cells, while cell cycle distribution and apoptosis levels were analyzed using flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to assess the levels of proteins associated with the apoptotic pathway. It was found that cell survival decreased with the increase in the concentration of Huaier, and the apoptosis rates were increased in a dose-dependent manner both in MKN45 and SGC7901 cells. The number of cells in the G2/M phase in the Huaier-treated groups was increased in a dose-dependent manner compared with that in the control group. Huaier inhibited phosphorylated- (p-)AKT1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoform 1, p-phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase and B-cell lymphoma 2 expression and upregulated cleaved-caspase-9 expression in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, Huaier can strongly inhibit gastric cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting cyclin B1 expression, promoting G2/M-phase arrest and modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and can induce gastric cancer cell apoptosis by modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Xia Xie
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Yuan Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Ning Tang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
| | - Yi-An DU
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Research Institute, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, P.R. China
| | - Ling Huang
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Research Institute, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, P.R. China
| | - Peng-Fei Yu
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Research Institute, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, P.R. China
| | - Xiang-Dong Cheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
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Huaier Aqueous Extract Induces Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Arrest in S Phase via JNK Signaling Pathway. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2015; 2015:171356. [PMID: 26229542 PMCID: PMC4504122 DOI: 10.1155/2015/171356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Revised: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Huaier aqueous extract, the main active constituent of Huaier proteoglycan, has antihepatocarcinoma activity in experimental and clinical settings. However, the potential and associated antihepatoma mechanisms of Huaier extract are not yet fully understood. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the inhibitory proliferation effect of Huaier extract on apoptosis and cycle of HepG2 and Bel-7402 cells. Our data demonstrated that incubation with Huaier extract resulted in a marked decrease in cell viability dose-dependently. Flow cytometric analysis showed that a 48 h treatment of Huaier extract caused cell apoptosis. Typical apoptotic nucleus alterations were observed with fluorescence microscope after Hoechst staining. Immunoblot analysis further demonstrated that Huaier extract activated caspase 3 and PARP. Additionally, Huaier extract inhibited the activity of p-ERK, p-p38, and p-JNK in terms of MAPK. Furthermore, Huaier extract induced HCC cells arrest in S phase and decreased the cycle related protein expression of β-catenin and cyclin D1. Studies with JNK specific inhibitor, SP600125, showed that Huaier extract induced S phase arrest and decreased β-catenin and cyclin D1 expression via JNK signaling pathway. In conclusion, we verify that Huaier extract causes cell apoptosis and induces hepatocellular carcinoma cells arrest in S phase via JNK pathway, which advances our understanding on the molecular mechanisms of Huaier extract in hepatocarcinoma management.
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The anticancer effect of Huaier (Review). Oncol Rep 2015; 34:12-21. [PMID: 25955759 DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.3950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trametes robiniophila Murr. (Huaier) is a sandy beige mushroom found on the trunks of trees and has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for ~1,600 years. The anticancer effects of Huaier have attracted increasing worldwide interest in recent years. Accumulating evidence suggests that the anticancer mechanism of Huaier may be associated with various biological activities, such as inhibition of cell proliferation, anti-metastasis, interference with tumor angiogenesis and tumor-specific immunomodulatory effect. Animal and experimental studies suggest that Huaier is a promising anticancer agent. Further clinical research is warranted to illustrate the untapped chemopreventive and therapeutic potential of Huaier either alone or in conjunction with existing therapies.
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Cui Y, Meng H, Liu W, Wang H, Liu Q. Huaier aqueous extract induces apoptosis of human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells through the mitochondrial pathway. Oncol Lett 2015; 9:1590-1596. [PMID: 25789006 PMCID: PMC4356327 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2015.2906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, aqueous extract of Trametes robiniophila Murr. (Huaier), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been frequently used in China for complementary cancer therapy. However, the mechanisms underlying its anticancer effects have yet to be elucidated. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of Huaier extract to inhibit proliferation, promote apoptosis and suppress mobility in the fibrosarcoma HT1080 cell line in vitro. The cells were treated with gradient doses of Huaier extract at concentrations of 0, 4, 8 or 16 mg/ml for 24, 48 or 72 h. The cell viability and motility were measured in vitro using MTT, invasive, migration and scratch assays. The distribution of the cell cycle and the extent of cellular apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The apoptotic pathways were detected using a mitochondrial membrane potential transition assay and western blotting. The results revealed that the cellular viability decreased significantly with increasing concentrations of Huaier extract. In addition, cell invasiveness and migration were also suppressed significantly. It was demonstrated that Huaier extract induced G2 cell-cycle arrest and cellular apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, the downregulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 and pro-caspase-3, and upregulation of Bcl-2-associated X protein, cleaved caspase-9 and caspase-3 suggested that Huaier extract induced the apoptosis of HT1080 cells through the mitochondrial pathway. The results of the present study indicate that Huaier extract is a potential complementary agent for the treatment of fibrosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Cui
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150028, P.R. China
| | - Hongmei Meng
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
| | - Weidong Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Hospital of Qiqihar, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161000, P.R. China
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
| | - Qingpeng Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150028, P.R. China
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Wang X, Zhang N, Huo Q, Sun M, Dong L, Zhang Y, Xu G, Yang Q. Huaier aqueous extract inhibits stem-like characteristics of MCF7 breast cancer cells via inactivation of hedgehog pathway. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:10805-13. [PMID: 25077927 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-2390-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The theory of targeting cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) provides novel strategy for cancer treatment. In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effect of Huaier aqueous extract on eradicating breast cancer stem cells and explored the underlying mechanisms. Our data demonstrated that various concentrations of Huaier extract significantly decreased the viabilities, numbers, and sizes of mammospheres. After incubation with Huaier extract for 24 h, the clonogenicity of MCF7 cell line was obviously impaired, along with less holoclones. In addition, Huaier extract reduced the number of cells expressing CD44+/CD24- and decreased the level of stem cell markers (OCT-4, NESTIN, and NANOG). The hedgehog (Hh), notch, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways were essential stem cell signaling pathways involved in regulating CSC renewal and maintenance. We reported that the inhibitory effect of Huaier extract was partly depended on the inactivation of Hh pathway. These findings provided experimental evidence that Huaier extract was a promising therapeutic drug for eliminating the breast cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Wenhua Xi Road No. 107, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
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50
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Farooqi AA, Yaylim I, Ozkan NE, Zaman F, Halim TA, Chang HW. Restoring TRAIL mediated signaling in ovarian cancer cells. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2014; 62:459-74. [PMID: 25030086 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-014-0307-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer has emerged as a multifaceted and genomically complex disease. Genetic/epigenetic mutations, suppression of tumor suppressors, overexpression of oncogenes, rewiring of intracellular signaling cascades and loss of apoptosis are some of the deeply studied mechanisms. In vitro and in vivo studies have highlighted different molecular mechanisms that regulate tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) mediated apoptosis in ovarian cancer. In this review, we bring to limelight, expansion in understanding systematical characterization of ovarian cancer cells has led to the rapid development of new drugs and treatments to target negative regulators of TRAIL mediated signaling pathway. Wide ranging synthetic and natural agents have been shown to stimulate mRNA and protein expression of death receptors. This review is compartmentalized into programmed cell death protein 4, platelet-derived growth factor signaling and miRNA control of TRAIL mediated signaling to ovarian cancer. Mapatumumab and PRO95780 have been tested for efficacy against ovarian cancer. Use of high-throughput screening assays will aid in dissecting the heterogeneity of this disease and increasing a long-term survival which might be achieved by translating rapidly accumulating information obtained from molecular and cellular studies to clinic researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammad Ahmad Farooqi
- Laboratory for Translational Oncology and Personalized Medicine, RLMC, 35 km Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan,
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