1
|
Safi R, El-Sabban M, Najjar F. Ferula hermonis: A Review of Current Use and Pharmacological Studies of its Sesquiterpene Ester Ferutinin. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 21:499-508. [PMID: 31663476 DOI: 10.2174/1389450120666191029155053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ferula hermonis Boiss, is an endemic plant of Lebanon, locally known as "shilsh Elzallouh". It has been extensively used in the traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac and for the treatment of sexual impotence. Crude extracts and isolated compounds of ferula hermonis contain phytoestrogenic substances having a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties including anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-fungal, anti-cancer and as sexual activity enhancer. The aim of this mini-review is to highlight the traditional and novel applications of this plant's extracts and its major sesquiterpene ester, ferutinin. The phytochemical constituents and the pharmacological uses of ferula hermonis crude extract and ferutinin specifically will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rémi Safi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laboratoire d'Innovation Thérapeutique, Faculty of Sciences II, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marwan El-Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fadia Najjar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laboratoire d'Innovation Thérapeutique, Faculty of Sciences II, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Retraction: Neuronal Differentiation Dictates Estrogen-Dependent Survival and ERK1/2 Kinetic by Means of Caveolin-1. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224493. [PMID: 31644565 PMCID: PMC6808414 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
|
3
|
The microRNA-29a Modulates Serotonin 5-HT7 Receptor Expression and Its Effects on Hippocampal Neuronal Morphology. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:8617-8627. [PMID: 31292861 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01690-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
miRNAs are master regulators of gene expression in diverse biological processes, including the modulation of neuronal cytoarchitecture. The identification of their physiological target genes remains one of the outstanding challenges. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the activation of serotonin receptor 7 (5-HT7R) plays a key role in regulating the neuronal structure, synaptogenesis, and synaptic plasticity during embryonic and early postnatal development of the central nervous system (CNS). In order to identify putative miRNAs targeting the 3'UTR of 5-HT7R mouse transcript, we used a computational prediction tool and detected the miR-29 family members as the only candidates. Thus, since miR-29a is more expressed than other members in the brain, we investigated its possible involvement in the regulation of neuronal morphology mediated by 5-HT7R. By luciferase assay, we show that miR-29a can act as a post-transcriptional regulator of 5-HT7R mRNA. Indeed, it downregulates 5-HT7R gene expression in cultured hippocampal neurons, while the expression of other serotonin receptors is not affected. From a functional point of view, miR-29a overexpression in hippocampal primary cultures impairs the 5HT7R-dependent neurite elongation and remodeling through the inhibition of the ERK intracellular signaling pathway. In vivo, the upregulation of miR-29a in the developing hippocampus parallels with the downregulation of 5-HT7R expression, supporting the hypothesis that this miRNA is a physiological modulator of 5-HT7R expression in the CNS.
Collapse
|
4
|
Song W, He D, Chen Y, Yeh CR, Hsu I, Huang Q, Zhang X, Chang LSS, Zuo L, Chen J, Doersch KM, Chang C, Li L, Yeh S. Targeting newly identified ERβ/TGF-β1/SMAD3 signals with the FDA-approved anti-estrogen Faslodex or an ERβ selective antagonist in renal cell carcinoma. Mol Oncol 2018; 12:2055-2071. [PMID: 30171816 PMCID: PMC6275262 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has the third highest mortality rate among urological tumors, and 20–30% of RCC patients present with metastatic RCC at the time of diagnosis. Although recent studies have indicated that estrogen receptor β (ERβ) could play promoting roles in RCC progression, the detailed mechanisms remain to be clarified. In the present study, we found that expression of ERβ, but not ERα, increases with tumor stage and grade, and also observed that modification of ERβ signals using estrogens/anti‐estrogens, shRNA knockdown of ERβ and overexpression of ERβ using ectopic cDNA affects RCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanism analysis revealed that ERβ can promote RCC cell invasion via an increase in transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1)/SMAD3 signals, and interrupting TGF‐β1/SMAD3 signals with a TGFβR1 inhibitor can reverse/block ERβ‐increased RCC cell migration. Importantly, preclinical analyses using in vivo mouse models of RCC revealed that targeting of this newly identified ERβ/TGF‐β1/SMAD3 pathway with either the FDA‐approved anti‐estrogen ICI182,780 (Faslodex) or a selective ERβ antagonist 4‐[2‐phenyl‐5,7 bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidin‐3‐yl]phenol can significantly reduce RCC tumor growth and invasion, which may be suitable as the basis for novel therapies to more effectively suppress metastatic RCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Song
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Dalin He
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
| | - Yule Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
| | - Chiuan-Ren Yeh
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Iawen Hsu
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Qingbo Huang
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Luke Sien-Shih Chang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
| | - Li Zuo
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Jiasheng Chen
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Karen M Doersch
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Chawnshang Chang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
| | - Shuyuan Yeh
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Urology and Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang HB, Li T, Ma DZ, Zhi H. ERα36 gene silencing promotes tau protein phosphorylation, inhibits cell proliferation, and induces apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. FASEB J 2018; 32:fj201701386. [PMID: 29932870 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201701386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in infants and the third most common cancer in children after leukemia and brain cancer. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of estrogen receptor (ER)-α36 gene silencing on tau protein phosphorylation, cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. SH-SY5Y cells were treated with estrogen or left untreated, to investigate the effects of estrogen stimulation on ERα36 and the ERK/protein B kinase (AKT) signaling pathway. ERα36 mRNA expressions were detected by quantitative RT-PCR. A phosphatase kit was used to test protein phosphatase (PP)-2A activity before and after treatment. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect protein expression of ERα36; tau protein; phosphorylated- tau (p-tau) at site Thr231 [p-tau (Thr231)]; glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3β and its specificity sites (Tyr216 and Ser9); Cyclin Dl; proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA); B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2; and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). A cell-counting kit (CCK)-8 assay was used to determine cell viability. Cell apoptosis and rate of tumor growth and volume were determined by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and a xenotransplanted tumor model in nude mice. Results show that without estrogen stimulation, ERα36 was inactivated. When stimulated by estrogen, expression of ERα36, PP2A, p-GSK3β (Ser9)/total protein ( t)-GSK3β, Cyclin Dl, PCNA, and Bcl-2 were up-regulated, and p-GSK3β (Tyr216)/ t-GSK3β expression was down-regulated, as was p-tau (Thr231) and Bax expression. The expression of p-ERK/ERK, p-AKT/AKT, p-methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)/MEK, and p-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/mTOR expression was up-regulated, suggesting that the ERK/AKT signaling pathway is activated. Cell proliferation was also accelerated, whereas apoptosis was inhibited with stimulation by estrogen. However, we found that the effects of silencing ERα36 on the expression of related intracellular factors had no association with estrogen. Our study demonstrates that ERα36 gene silencing can inhibit the activation of the ERK/AKT signaling pathway, increase tau protein phosphorylation, decrease cell vitality and tumorigenicity, and promote apoptosis of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.-Wang, H.-B., Li, T., Ma, D.-Z., Zhi, H. ERα36 gene silencing promotes tau protein phosphorylation, inhibits cell proliferation, and induces apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Bin Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China
| | - Dong-Zhou Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China
| | - Hua Zhi
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Guo X, Bai Y, Zhang L, Zhang B, Zagidullin N, Carvalho K, Du Z, Cai B. Cardiomyocyte differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow: new regulators and its implications. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:44. [PMID: 29482607 PMCID: PMC5828435 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-0773-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past years, cardiac mortality has decreased, but cardiac diseases are still responsible for millions of deaths every year worldwide. Bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation may be a promising therapeutic strategy because of its capacity to differentiate into cardiac cells. Current research indicates that chemical substances, microRNAs, and cytokines have biological functions that regulate the cardiomyocytes differentiation of BMSCs. In this review, we chiefly summarize the regulatory factors that induce BMSCs to differentiate into cardiomyocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Bai
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Naufal Zagidullin
- Department of Internal Diseases, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia
| | - Katherine Carvalho
- Cell Therapy and Biotechnology in Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Pequeno Príncipe Faculty, Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Institute, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Zhimin Du
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Benzhi Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150081, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|