Quercetin and aconitine synergistically induces the human cervical carcinoma HeLa cell apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway

Molecular mechanism of caloric restriction mimetics-mediated neuroprotection of age-related neurodegenerative diseases: an emerging therapeutic approach

Aging-induced neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are significantly increasing health problem worldwide. It has been well documented that oxidative stress is one of the potential causes of aging and age-related NDs. There are no drugs for the treatment of NDs, therefore there is an immediate necessity for the development of strategies/treatments either to prevent or cure age-related NDs. Caloric restriction (CR) and intermittent fasting have been considered as effective strategies in increasing the healthspan and lifespan, but it is difficult to adhere to these routines strictly, which has led to the development of calorie restriction mimetics (CRMs). CRMs are natural compounds that provide similar molecular and biochemical effects of CR, and activate autophagy process. CRMs have been reported to regulate redox signaling by enhancing the antioxidant defense systems through activation of the Nrf2 pathway, and inhibiting ROS generation through attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, CRMs also regulate redox-sensitive signaling pathways such as the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways to promote neuronal cell survival. Here, we discuss the neuroprotective effects of various CRMs at molecular and cellular levels during aging of the brain. The CRMs are envisaged to become a cornerstone of the pharmaceutical arsenal against aging and age-related pathologies.

Bioinformatics Tools for the Analysis of Active Compounds Identified in Ranunculaceae Species

The chemical compounds from extracts of three Ranunculaceae species, Aconitum toxicum Rchb., Anemone nemorosa L. and Helleborus odorus Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd., respectively, were isolated using the HPLC purification technique and analyzed from a bioinformatics point of view. The classes of compounds identified based on the proportion in the rhizomes/leaves/flowers used for microwave-assisted extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction were alkaloids and phenols. Here, the quantifying of pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics and pharmacodynamics helps us to identify the actual biologically active compounds. Our results showed that (i) pharmacokinetically, the compounds show good absorption at the intestinal level and high permeability at the level of the central nervous system for alkaloids; (ii) regarding pharmacogenomics, alkaloids can influence tumor sensitivity and the effectiveness of some treatments; (iii) and pharmacodynamically, the compounds of these Ranunculaceae species bind to carbonic anhydrase and aldose reductase. The results obtained showed a high affinity of the compounds in the binding solution at the level of carbonic anhydrases. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors extracted from natural sources can represent the path to new drugs useful both in the treatment of glaucoma, but also of some renal, neurological and even neoplastic diseases. The identification of natural compounds with the role of inhibitors can have a role in different types of pathologies, both associated with studied and known receptors such as carbonic anhydrase and aldose reductase, as well as new pathologies not yet addressed.

Quercetin modulates signal transductions and targets non-coding RNAs against cancer development

In recent decades, various investigations have indicated that natural compounds have great potential in the prevention and treatment of different chronic disorders including different types of cancer. As a bioactive flavonoid, Quercetin (Qu) is a dietary ingredient enjoying high pharmacological values and health-promoting effects due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characterization. Conclusive in vitro and in vivo evidence has revealed that Qu has great potential in cancer prevention and development. Qu exerts its anticancer influences by altering various cellular processes such as apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, metastasis, cell cycle, and proliferation. In this way, Qu by targeting numerous signaling pathways as well as non-coding RNAs regulates several cellular mechanisms to suppress cancer occurrence and promotion. This review aimed to summarize the impact of Qu on the molecular pathways and non-coding RNAs in modulating various cancer-associated cellular mechanisms.

Antitumor effects and potential mechanisms of aconitine based on preclinical studies: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Herbs originating from the Aconitum L. (Ranunculaceae), such as Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux. (Wutou), Aconitum pendulum Busch. (Tiebangchui), and Aconitum kusnezoffii Reichb. (Caowu), etc. are highly valued for their medicinal properties. The roots and tubers of these herbs are commonly used to treat an array of ailments, including joint pain and tumors. The alkaloids present in them are the primary active components, with aconitine being the most notable. Aconitine has gained attention for its exceptional anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, as well as its potential as an anti-tumor and cardiotonic agent. However, the exact process through which aconitine hinders the growth of cancerous cells and triggers their programmed cell death remains unclear. Therefore, we have undertaken a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the current research on the potential antitumor properties of aconitine. Methods: We conducted a thorough search of relevant preclinical studies in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, VIP, WanFang Data, CNKI, Embase, Cochrane Library, and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The search was conducted up until 15 September 2022, and the data were statistically analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software. The number of tumor cell value-added, tumor cell apoptosis rate, thymus index (TI), and Bcl-2 gene expression level were the main indicators to be analyzed. Results: After applying the final inclusion criteria, a total of thirty-seven studies, comprising both in vivo and in vitro research were analyzed. The results showed that treatment with aconitine led to a significant reduction in tumor cell proliferation, a noteworthy increase in the rate of apoptosis among tumor cells, a decrease in the thymus index, and a reduction in the expression level of Bcl-2. These results suggested that aconitine could inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration abilities of tumor cells by regulating Bcl-2 etc., thereby enhancing the anti-tumor effects. Conclusion: In summary, our present study demonstrated that aconitine effectively reduced tumor size and volume, indicating a strong anti-tumor effect. Additionally, aconitine could increase the expression levels of caspase-3, Bax and other targets. Mechanistically, it may regulate the expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 through the NF-κB signaling pathway, ultimately inhibiting tumor cell proliferation through autophagy.

Quercetin: Its Antioxidant Mechanism, Antibacterial Properties and Potential Application in Prevention and Control of Toxipathy

Quercetin, as a flavonol compound found in plants, has a variety of biological activities. It is widely present in nature and the human diet, with powerful oxidative properties and biological activities. In this review, the antioxidant mechanism and broad-spectrum antibacterial properties of quercetin are revealed; the intervention effects of quercetin on pesticide poisoning and the pathway of action are investigated; the toxic effects of main mycotoxins on the collection and the detoxification process of quercetin are summarized; whether it is able to reduce the toxicity of mycotoxins is proved; and the harmful effects of heavy metal poisoning on the collection, the prevention, and control of quercetin are evaluated. This review is expected to enrich the understanding of the properties of quercetin and promote its better application in clinical practice.

Advances on pharmacology and toxicology of aconitine

Aconitum alkaloids are considered to be the characteristic bioactive ingredients of Aconitum species, which are widely applied to the treatment of diverse diseases, and aconitine (AC) is found in most Aconitum plants. Research evidence shows that low-dose AC has a good therapeutic potential in heart failure, myocardial infarction, neuroinflammatory diseases, rheumatic diseases, and tumors, which has become one of the hotspots in global research in recent years. However, the cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity of AC have also attracted extensive attention. Excessive use of AC always induces ventricular tachyarrhythmia and heart arrest, even can be potentially lethal. Therefore, AC cannot simply be regarded as a good medicine or a toxicant, but its underlying curative and toxic properties remained chaos. In order to dig the unique pharmacological value of AC while preventing its toxicity, the pharmacological activities and toxic effects of AC were summarized in this paper, providing new insight into the safe and effective use of AC in clinical practice.

An insight into current advances on pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and detoxification of aconitine

Aconitine is a diterpenoid alkaloid, which mainly exists in the plants of Aconitum. In the last decade, a plethora of studies on the pharmacological activities of aconitine has been conducted and demonstrated that aconitine possessed an extensive range of pharmacological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, local anesthesia, and immunomodulatory effects. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that aconitine may have the characteristics of poor bioavailability, wide distribution, and slow elimination. However, studies have also found that aconitine has toxic effects on the heart, nerves, embryos, etc. Therefore, we believe that aconitine may not be suitable for heart patients and pregnant women to treat related diseases. It is important to note that all of these pharmacological effects require further high-quality studies to determine the clinical efficacy of aconitine. This review aims to summarize the advances in pharmacological, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and detoxification of aconitine in the last decade with an emphasis on its anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities, to provide researchers with the latest information and point out the limitations of relevant research at the current stage and the aspects that should be strengthened in future research.

Dezocine induces apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma Hela cells via the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway

Dezocine, a dual agonist and antagonist of the μ-opioid receptor and κ-opioid receptor, is widely used as an analgesic in China. At present, there are few studies on anti-tumor effects of dezocine, most of which are used to treat cancer pain. However, it has recently been reported that dezocine can induce apoptosis of triple negative breast cancer cells. Dezocine may have some anti-tumor activity, but the effect and potential mechanism of dezocine in the treatment of other types of cancer remain to be fully studied. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of dezocine on human Hela cervical carcinoma cells, and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. We performed CCK-8 assays, clone formation assays, xenograft, flow cytometry analysis, western blot and RNA-seq analysis to evaluate the effects of dezocine on Hela cells. In addition, the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in dezocine-induced apoptosis was investigated using qPCR and western blot analysis. Dezocine inhibited Hela cell viability in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners, and notably did not achieve this effect by targeting the opioid receptors. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that dezocine activated ER stress by upregulating the expression of GRP78, IRE1 and p-JNK, and that dezocine-induced apoptosis was attenuated when the ER stress pathway was blocked. Our results provide a foundation to support the redefinition of dezocine as a novel, adjuvant treatment for patients with cervical cancer, although further research will be required to support its application in clinical practice.

Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata as Potential Anticancer Herb: Bioactive Compounds and Molecular Mechanisms

Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi in Chinese) is a traditional herbal medicine widely used in China and other Asian countries. In clinical practice, it is often used to treat heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, and different kinds of pains. Fuzi extract and its active ingredients exert considerable anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. The main chemical substances of Fuzi include alkaloids, polysaccharides, flavonoids, fatty acids, and sterols. Among of them, alkaloids and polysaccharides are responsible for the anticancer efficacy. Most bioactive alkaloids in Fuzi possess C19 diterpenoid mother nucleus and these natural products show great potential for cancer therapy. Moreover, polysaccharides exert extraordinary tumor-suppressive functions. This review comprehensively summarized the active ingredients, antineoplastic effects, and molecular mechanisms of Fuzi by searching PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and CNKI. The anticancer effects are largely attributed to inducing apoptosis and autophagy, inhibiting proliferation, migration and invasion, regulating body immunity, affecting energy metabolism, as well as reversing multidrug resistance. Meanwhile, several signaling pathways and biological processes are mainly involved, such as NF-κB, EMT, HIF-1, p38 MAPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and TCA cycle. Collectively, alkaloids and polysaccharides in Fuzi might serve as attractive therapeutic candidates for the development of anticancer drugs. This review would lay a foundation and provide a basis for further basic research and clinical application of Fuzi.

Apigenin Induces Autophagy and Cell Death by Targeting EZH2 under Hypoxia Conditions in Gastric Cancer Cells

Hypoxia is a major obstacle to gastric cancer (GC) therapy and leads to chemoresistance as GC cells are frequently exposed to the hypoxia environment. Apigenin, a flavonoid found in traditional medicine, fruits, and vegetables and an HDAC inhibitor, is a powerful anti-cancer agent against various cancer cell lines. However, detailed mechanisms involved in the treatment of GC using APG are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the biological activity of and molecular mechanisms involved in APG-mediated treatment of GC under hypoxia. APG promoted autophagic cell death by increasing ATG5, LC3-II, and phosphorylation of AMPK and ULK1 and down-regulating p-mTOR and p62 in GC. Furthermore, our results show that APG induces autophagic cell death via the activation of the PERK signaling, indicating an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. The inhibition of ER stress suppressed APG-induced autophagy and conferred prolonged cell survival, indicating autophagic cell death. We further show that APG induces ER stress- and autophagy-related cell death through the inhibition of HIF-1α and Ezh2 under normoxia and hypoxia. Taken together, our findings indicate that APG activates autophagic cell death by inhibiting HIF-1α and Ezh2 under hypoxia conditions in GC cells.

Quercetin and its role in modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress: A review

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the place where proteins and lipids are biosynthesized and where transmembrane proteins are folded. Both pathological and physiological situations may disturb the function of the ER, resulting in ER stress. Under stress conditions, the cells initiate a defensive procedure known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). Cases of severe stress lead to autophagy and/or the induction of cell apoptosis. Many studies implicate ER stress as a major factor contributing to many diseases. Therefore, the modulation of ER stress pathways has become an attractive therapeutic target. Quercetin is a plant-derived metabolite belonging to the flavonoids class which presents a range of beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, anti-oxidant, anti-obesity, anti-carcinogenic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-diabetic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, and anti-apoptotic activities. Quercetin also has anti-cancer activity, and can be used as an adjuvant to decrease resistance to cancer chemotherapy. Furthermore, the effect of quercetin can be increased with the help of nanotechnology. This review discusses the role of quercetin in the modulation of ER stress (and related diseases) and provides novel evidence for the beneficial use of quercetin in therapy.

The effect of psychological nursing on the short- and long-term negative emotions and quality of life of cervical cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of psychological nursing intervention on the short- and long-term negative emotions and changes in the quality of life in patients with cervical cancer who underwent postoperative chemotherapy.

METHODS

141 patients with cervical cancer who received postoperative chemotherapy in our hospital were recruited as the study cohort. They were divided into the study group (80 cases) and the control group (61 cases) according to the different nursing methods each underwent. The patients in the control group underwent routine nursing, and the study group also underwent psychological nursing. The changes in the quality of life and the negative emotions of the patients in the two groups before and after the intervention were compared, and the correlation between the quality of life and the negative emotions were explored.

RESULTS

The patients' Quality of Life Questionnaire (EROTC-QLQ-C30) and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) scores in the two groups before the intervention were not significantly different (P > 0.05). A re-evaluation at the end of the 90 day-intervention showed that the EROTC-QLQ-C30 scores in the study group were significantly higher than they were in the control group (P < 0.05). A dynamic evaluation showed that the proportion of patients with mild anxiety in the study group was higher than it was in the control group at 30, 60, and 90 days of intervention (P < 0.05). A Spearman correlation analysis showed that the SAS scale and EROTC-QLQ-C30 scores were negatively correlated (r=-0.4438, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The implementation of psychological intervention can help alleviate the short- and long-term negative emotions of cervical cancer patients who underwent postoperative chemotherapy, and it is feasible and conducive to the patients' quality of life. We recommend carrying out the clinical promotion and application of this psychological intervention.

Research Progress in Flavonoids as Potential Anticancer Drug Including Synergy with Other Approaches

BACKGROUND

In chemotherapy for cancer, conventional drugs aim to target the rapidly growing and dividing cells at the early stages. However, at an advanced stage, cancer cells become less susceptible because of the multidrug resistance and the recruitment of alternative salvage pathways for their survival. Besides, owing to target non-selectivity, healthy proliferating cells also become vulnerable to the damage. The combination therapies offered using flavonoids to cure cancer not only exert an additive effect against cancer cells by targetting supplementary cell carnage pathways but also hampers the drug resistance mechanisms. Thus, the review aims to discuss the potential and pharmacokinetic limitations of flavonoids in cancer treatment. Further successful synergistic studies reported using flavonoids to treat cancer has been described along with potential drug delivery systems.

METHODS

A literature search was done by exploring various online databases like Pubmed, Scopus, and Google Scholar with the specific keywords like "Anticancer drugs", "flavonoids", "oncology research", and "pharmacokinetics".

RESULTS

Dietary phytochemicals, mainly flavonoids, hinder cell signalling responsible for multidrug resistance and cancer progression, primarily targeting cancer cells sparing normal cells. Such properties establish flavonoids as a potential candidate for synergistic therapy. However, due to low absorption and high metabolism rates, the bioavailability of flavonoids becomes a challenge. Such challenges may be overcome using novel approaches like derivatization, and single or co-delivery nano-complexes of flavonoids with conventional drugs. These new approaches may improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of flavonoids.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the application of flavonoids as a potential anticancer phytochemical class in combination with known anti-cancer drugs/nanoparticles. It also discusses flavonoid's pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics issues and ways to overcome such issues. Moreover, it covers successful methodologies employed to establish flavonoids as a safe and effective phytochemical class for cancer treatment.

A Comprehensive Understanding of the Anticancer Mechanisms of FDY2004 Against Cervical Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology

Herbal drugs are continuously being developed and used as effective therapeutics for various cancers, such as cervical cancer (CC); however, their mechanisms of action at a systemic level have not been explored fully. To study such mechanisms, we conducted a network pharmacological investigation of the anti-CC mechanisms of FDY2004, an herbal drug consisting of Moutan Radicis Cortex, Persicae Semen , and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. We found that FDY2004 inhibited the viability of human CC cells. By performing pharmacokinetic evaluation and network analysis of the phytochemical components of FDY2004, we identified 29 bioactive components and their 116 CC-associated pharmacological targets. Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that the modulation of cellular functions, such as apoptosis, growth, proliferation, and survival, might be mediated through the FDY2004 targets. The therapeutic targets were also key components of CC-associated oncogenic and tumor-suppressive pathways, including PI3K-Akt, human papillomavirus infection, IL-17, MAPK, TNF, focal adhesion, and viral carcinogenesis pathways. In conclusion, our data present a comprehensive insight for the mechanisms of the anti-CC properties of FDY2004.

Antitumor effects of aconitine in A2780 cells via estrogen receptor β‑mediated apoptosis, DNA damage and migration

Ovarian cancer (OVCA) is the deadliest type of malignant gynecological disease, and previous studies have demonstrated that estrogen receptor β (ERβ) serves important roles in this disease. Aconitine, a toxin produced by the Aconitum plant, displays potent effects against cancers. The aim of the study was to investigate the pharmacological activities and mechanisms of aconitum on OVCA. In the present study, the activity of aconitine in the human OVCA A2780 cell line was investigated. The results revealed that aconitine suppressed cell viability, colony formation and motility. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling, mitochondria membrane potential and comet assays showed that aconitine induced mitochondria apoptosis and DNA damage in A2780 cells. Investigation of the mechanism revealed that a high expression of ERβ and prolyl hydroxylase 2 was detected after aconitine treatment, and aconitine significantly suppressed the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α to activate ERβ signaling. Moreover, the expression levels of p53, Bax, apoptotic peptidase activating factor 1, cytochrome C, cleaved caspase-3/9 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase were upregulated, and the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and phosphorylated ATM serine/threonine kinase were downregulated by aconitine. Interestingly, aconitine also markedly downregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9, which are associated with tumor invasion. In addition, a molecular docking assay revealed that aconitine exerted strong affinity towards ERβ mainly through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic effects. Collectively, these results suggested that aconitine suppressed OVCA cell growth by adjusting ERβ-mediated apoptosis, DNA damage and migration, which should be considered a potential option for the future treatment of OVCA.

Anticancer activities of phytoconstituents and their liposomal targeting strategies against tumor cells and the microenvironment

Various bioactive ingredients have been extracted from Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) that affect tumor progression and metastasis. To further understand the mechanisms of CHMs in cancer therapy, this article summarizes the effects of five categories of CHMs and their active ingredients on tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. Despite their treatment potential, the undesirable physicochemical properties (poor permeability, instability, high hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity, toxicity) and unwanted pharmacokinetic profiles (short half-life in blood and low bioavailability) restrict clinical studies of CHMs. Therefore, development of liposomes through relevant surface modifying techniques to achieve targeted CHM delivery for cancer cells, i.e., extracellular and intracellular targets and targets in tumor microenvironment or vasculature, have been reviewed. Current challenges of liposomal targeting of these phytoconstituents and future perspective of CHM applications are discussed to provide an informative reference for interested readers.

A stress-responsive enhancer induces dynamic drug resistance in acute myeloid leukemia

The drug efflux pump ABCB1 is a key driver of chemoresistance, and high expression predicts treatment failure in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this study, we identified and functionally validated the network of enhancers that controls expression of ABCB1. We show that exposure of leukemia cells to daunorubicin activated an integrated stress response-like transcriptional program to induce ABCB1 through remodeling and activation of an ATF4-bound, stress-responsive enhancer. Protracted stress primed enhancers for rapid increases in activity following re-exposure of cells to daunorubicin, providing an epigenetic memory of prior drug treatment. In primary human AML, exposure of fresh blast cells to daunorubicin activated the stress-responsive enhancer and led to dose-dependent induction of ABCB1. Dynamic induction of ABCB1 by diverse stressors, including chemotherapy, facilitated escape of leukemia cells from targeted third-generation ABCB1 inhibition, providing an explanation for the failure of ABCB1 inhibitors in clinical trials. Stress-induced upregulation of ABCB1 was mitigated by combined use of the pharmacologic inhibitors U0126 and ISRIB, which inhibit stress signaling and have potential for use as adjuvants to enhance the activity of ABCB1 inhibitors.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Resistance to Doxorubicin Is Reversed by Mulberry Leaf Polyphenol Extract in Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Inhibition of COX-2

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves are used in Chinese medicine to treat metabolic disorders. Mulberry leaf polyphenol extracts (MLPE) have recently been shown to exhibit anticancer properties. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress represents a pivotal obstacle in solid tumors, resulting in the antiapoptosis of tumor cells and drug resistance. In this study, pretreatment with the ER stress inducer tunicamycin (TM) attenuated the percentage of apoptosis induced by doxorubicin (DOX). Cotreatment with tunicamycin and MLPE reversed apoptosis induced by DOX. Simultaneously, induction of ER stress with tunicamycin resulted in an increased expression of Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and Glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) concomitant with the activation of p38 MAPK/PI3K/Akt in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the suppression of ER stress with celecoxib or p38 MAPK inhibitor successfully recovered DOX-induced apoptosis. Consistent with the inhibition of COX-2 or p38 MAPK, copretreatment with TM and MLPE drastically recovered cytotoxicity and caspase-3 activation in the presence of DOX. These results reveal that MLPE reduces ER stress-induced resistance to DOX in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells through downregulation of COX-2- or p38 MAPK-mediated PI3K/Akt pathway.

Quercetin Inhibits the Proliferation and Aflatoxins Biosynthesis of Aspergillus flavus

In this work of quercetin’s anti-proliferation action on A. flavus, we revealed that quercetin can effectively hamper the proliferation of A. flavus in dose-effect and time-effect relationships. We tested whether quercetin induced apoptosis in A. flavus via various detection methods, such as phosphatidylserine externalization and Hoechst 33342 staining. The results showed that quercetin had no effect on phosphatidylserine externalization and cell nucleus in A. flavus. Simultaneously, quercetin reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). For a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of the A. flavus response to quercetin, the RNA-Seq was used to explore the transcriptomic profiles of A. flavus. According to transcriptome sequencing data, quercetin inhibits the proliferation and aflatoxin biosynthesis by regulating the expression of development-related genes and aflatoxin production-related genes. These results will provide some theoretical basis for quercetin as an anti-mildew agent resource.

Pharmacological effectors of GRP78 chaperone in cancers

The protein chaperone GRP78 is a master regulator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) functions and is frequently over-expressed at the surface of cancer cells where it contributes to chemo-resistance. It represents a well-studied ER stress marker but an under-explored target for new drug development. This review aims to untangle the structural and functional diversity of GRP78 modulators, covering over 130 natural products, synthetic molecules, specific peptides and monoclonal antibodies that target GRP78. Several approaches to promote or to incapacitate GRP78 are presented, including the use of oligonucleotides and specific cell-delivery peptides often conjugated to cytotoxic payloads to design GRP78-targeted therapeutics. A repertoire of drugs that turn on/off GRP78 is exposed, including molecules which bind directly to GRP78, principally to its ATP site. There exist many options to regulate positively or negatively the expression of the chaperone, or to interfere with its cellular trafficking. This review provides a molecular cartography of GRP78 pharmacological effectors and adds weight to the notion that GRP78 repressors could represent promising anticancer therapeutics, notably as regards limiting chemo-resistance of cancer cells. The potential of GRP78-targeting drugs in other therapeutic modalities is also evoked.

Quercetin induces cell death in cervical cancer by reducing O-GlcNAcylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase

Hyper-O-GlcNAcylation is a general feature of cancer which contributes to various cancer phenotypes, including cell proliferation and cell growth. Quercetin, a naturally occurring dietary flavonoid, has been reported to reduce the proliferation and growth of cancer. Several reports of the anticancer effect of quercetin have been published, but there is no study regarding its effect on O-GlcNAcylation. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effect of quercetin on HeLa cells and compare this with its effect on HaCaT cells. Cell viability and cell death were determined by MTT and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labelling assays. O-GlcNAcylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was examined by succinylated wheat germ agglutinin pulldown and immunoprecipitation. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the immunoreactivitiy of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1). Quercetin decreased cell proliferation and induced cell death, but its effect on HaCaT cells was lower than that on HeLa cells. O-GlcNAcylation level was higher in HeLa cells than in HaCaT cells. Quercetin decreased the expression of global O-GlcNAcylation and increased AMPK activation by reducing the O-GlcNAcylation of AMPK. AMPK activation due to reduced O-GlcNAcylation of AMPK was confirmed by treatment with 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine. Our results also demonstrated that quercetin regulated SREBP-1 and its transcriptional targets. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining showed that quercetin treatment decreased the immunoreactivities of OGT and SREBP-1 in HeLa cells. Our findings demonstrate that quercetin exhibited its anticancer effect by decreasing the O-GlcNAcylation of AMPK. Further studies are needed to explore how quercetin regulates O-GlcNAcylation in cancer.

miR-181b regulates ER stress induced neuron death through targeting Heat Shock Protein A5 following intracerebral haemorrhage

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress acts as a protein folding and contributes to neuronal damage and neurological deterioration following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Heat Shock Protein A5 (HSPA5) serves as an essential regulator of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. However, the specific mechanism has not been will identified. Primary cortical neurons from C57BL/6 mice were subjected to erythrocyte lysates. Cell viability, microRNA and HSPA5 levels, and ER stress was detected. The interaction between microRNA and the target HSPA5 was identified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. In addition, inflammatory cytokines, brain edema, and neurological functions in ICH mice were also assessed. Erythrocyte lysates induced ER stress and neuron damage, downregulated miR-181b and upregulated HSPA5 levels. MiR-181b suppressed HSPA5 expression by directly binding its 3'-untranslated region. Correspondingly, our data demonstrated that overexpression of miR-181b attenuated erythrocyte lysates induced neuronal necrosis and apoptosis. In vivo, downregulated miR-181b increased the HSPA5 level, along with significant elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, brain edema, and neurological injury following ICH. HSPA5 pathway plays an important role in ER stress induced brain damage following ICH. In addition, miR-181b has neuroprotective effects that alleviates neurological injury and represents a promising therapeutic strategy in ICH.

Bromelain with peroxidase from pineapple are more potent to target leukemia growth inhibition - A comparison with only bromelain

The natural anti-cancer agent bromelain is found to be beneficial for either single or multi-targeted therapy in gastric and skin carcinoma, by inhibiting cancer cell growth. Importantly, the presence of peroxidase enhances its biological efficiency. We have now evaluated a panel of cancer cell lines with bromelain in presence or absence of peroxidase to identify that the combination has higher apoptosis inducing potential in all those cell lines. Bromelain plus peroxidase (BM-PR) inhibited acute myeloid (K562) cell proliferation and altered the morphological features. Incidence of apoptosis was established by using annexin V exposure and this was confirmed that the cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1 phase in a concentration-dependent manner. BM-PR increased the intracellular ROS level and altered the mitochondrial membrane potential, as detected using dichlorofluores cin diacetate (DCFDA). It also regulated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins like Bax, Bcl2, caspase-3 and cytochrome besides causing up-regulation of p53 as determined by western blot analysis. These results suggest that BM-PR from pineapple induces apoptosis better than only bromelain in acute myeloid leukemia cells possibly via mitochondria dependent pathway.

Targeting Cancer with Phytochemicals via Their Fine Tuning of the Cell Survival Signaling Pathways

The role of phytochemicals as potential prodrugs or therapeutic substances against tumors has come in the spotlight in the very recent years, thanks to the huge mass of encouraging and promising results of the in vitro activity of many phenolic compounds from plant raw extracts against many cancer cell lines. Little but important evidence can be retrieved from the clinical and nutritional scientific literature, where flavonoids are investigated as major pro-apoptotic and anti-metastatic compounds. However, the actual role of these compounds in cancer is still far to be fully elucidated. Many of these phytochemicals act in a pleiotropic and poorly specific manner, but, more importantly, they are able to tune the reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling to activate a survival or a pro-autophagic and pro-apoptosis mechanism, depending on the oxidative stress-responsive endowment of the targeted cell. This review will try to focus on this issue.

Rapid detection of low-level HeLa cell contamination in cell culture using nested PCR

HeLa cells are a commonly used cell line in many biological research areas. They are not picky for culture medium and proliferate rapidly. HeLa cells are a notorious source of cell cross‐contamination and have been found to be able to contaminate a wide range of cell lines in cell culture. In this study, we reported a simple and efficient method for detecting the presence of HeLa cell contamination in cell culture. HPV‐18 was used as a biomarker. The cell culture supernatant was used directly as the template for nested PCR without extracting nucleic acid. By PCR amplification of the cell culture supernatant with the designed primers, we were able to detect the presence of HeLa cells in the culture. The sensitivity of this method can reach 1%, which is 10‐fold higher than Short tandem repeat sequence (STR) profiling. This simple, rapid, and “noninvasive” quality checking method should find applications in routine cell culture practice.

Aconitine-induced cardiac arrhythmia in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

Pre-clinical evaluation of cardiac dysfunction is important for assessing the safety of traditional or novel medicines due to the universality of potential drug-induced heart failure and irreversible arrhythmia. Aconitine (ACO), a traditionally used anti-pyretic, analgesic and anti-rheumatic drug, has been reported to have arrhythmogenic effects. In the present study, the Real-Time Cellular Analysis Cardio system was applied to evaluate the arrhythmogenic effects of ACO in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). The results indicated that ACO is capable of increasing the frequency and decreasing the amplitude of hiPSC-CM contraction in a dose- and time-dependent manner. ACO at 0.25 µM increased the beating rate of hiPSC-CMs by 3.7-fold within 30 min, while 3.0 µM of ACO increased the beating rate by 7.3-fold. The present study also evaluated the potential pro-apoptotic effects of ACO by using caspase-3 and caspase-9 kits. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to record the ACO-induced cardiac arrhythmia of hiPSC-CMsin real-time. The results also indicate that ACO-induced cell death is mediated, at least in part, by caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways.