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Yu Q, Xu C, Song J, Jin Y, Gao X. Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese medicine/natural medicine in HR-positive Breast Cancer: A comprehensive Literature Review. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117322. [PMID: 37866466 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117322] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE With the emergence of endocrine resistance, the survival and good prognosis of HR-positive breast cancer (HR + BC) patients are threatened. As a common complementary and alternative therapy in cancer treatment, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used, and its internal mechanisms have been increasingly explored. AIM OF THE REVIEW In this review, the development status and achievements in understanding of the mechanisms related to the anti-invasion and anti-metastasis effects of TCM against HR + BC and the reversal of endocrine drug resistance by TCM in recent years have been summarized to provide ideas for antitumour research on the active components of TCM/natural medicine. METHODS We searched the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database (CNKI) (from inception to July 2023) with the key words "HR-positive breast cancer" or "HR-positive breast carcinoma", "HR + BC" and "traditional Chinese medicine", "TCM", or "natural plant", "herb", etc., with the aim of elucidating the intrinsic mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine and natural medicine in the treatment of HR + BC. RESULTS TCM/natural medicine monomers and formulas can regulate the expression of related genes and proteins through the PI3K/AKT, JAK2/STAT3, MAPK, Wnt and other signalling pathways, inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of HR + BC tumours, play a synergistic role in combination with endocrine drugs, and reverse endocrine drug resistance. CONCLUSION The wide variety of TCM/natural medicine components makes the research and development of new methods of TCM for BC treatments more selective and innovative. Although progress has been made on research on TCM/natural medicine, there are still many problems in clinical and basic experimental designs, and more in-depth scientific explorations and research are still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghong Yu
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China.
| | - Chuchu Xu
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China.
| | - Jiaqing Song
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China.
| | - Ying Jin
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China.
| | - Xiufei Gao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, NO. 54 Youdian Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China.
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Ayvazyan A, Deutsch L, Zidorn C, Kircher B, Çiçek SS. Cytotoxic diterpenoids from Salvia glutinosa and comparison with the tanshinone profile of danshen ( Salvia miltiorrhiza). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1269710. [PMID: 38116152 PMCID: PMC10729661 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1269710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza are the source of the traditional Chinese medicine danshen and the class of tanshinones, particular quinoid nor-diterpenoids of the abietane type. Of these compounds, cryptotanshinone, dihydrotanshinone I, tanshinone I, and tanshinone IIA, have been extensively studied for their anticancer potential, not only but as well because of their high abundance in S. miltiorrhiza and their thus easy availability. However, also additional Salvia species are known to contain tanshinones, mainly such of the subgenus Glutinaria, of which S. glutinosa is the only species widely occurring in Europe. Using UHPLC-DAD-MS, the tanshinone profile of S. glutinosa roots collected from two different locations was compared to the profile in S. miltiorrhiza roots. In addition, tanshinone IIA and another six diterpenoids from S. glutinosa were investigated for their antiproliferative and cytotoxic potential against MDA-MB-231 and HL-60 cells. Apart from dihydrotanshinone I, which has been previously characterized due to its anticancer properties, we determined danshenol A as a highly antiproliferative and cytotoxic agent, significantly surpassing the effects of dihydrotanshinone I. With regard to the diterpenoid profile, S. miltiorrhiza showed a higher concentration for most of the tanshinones, except for (+)-danshexinkun A, which was present in comparable amounts in both species. Danshenol A, in contrast, was only present in S. glutinosa as were dehydroabietic acid and (+)-pisiferic acid. The results of our study underlines the long traditional use of danshen due to its high amount on tanshinones, but also demonstrates the potential value of investigating closely related species for the discovery of new biologically active lead compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpine Ayvazyan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lenard Deutsch
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
- Immunobiology and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Zidorn
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Brigitte Kircher
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
- Immunobiology and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Serhat S. Çiçek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
- Department of Biotechnology, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany
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Lu L, Zhang Q, Shen X, Zhen P, Marin A, Garcia-Milian R, Roper J, Khan SA, Johnson CH. Asparagine synthetase and G-protein coupled estrogen receptor are critical responders to nutrient supply in KRAS mutant colorectal cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.05.539577. [PMID: 37205388 PMCID: PMC10187315 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.05.539577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The nutrient status of the tumor microenvironment has major impacts on cell growth. Under nutrient depletion, asparagine synthetase (ASNS)-mediated asparagine production increases to sustain cell survival. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER1) signaling converges via cAMP/PI3K/AKT with KRAS signaling to regulate ASNS expression. However, the role of GPER1 in CRC progression is still debated, and the effect of nutrient supply on both ASNS and GPER1 relative to KRAS genotype is not well understood. Here, we modeled a restricted nutrient supply by eliminating glutamine from growing cancer cells in a 3D spheroid model of human female SW48 KRAS wild-type (WT) and KRAS G12A mutant (MT) CRC cells, to examine effects on ASNS and GPER1 expression. Glutamine depletion significantly inhibited cell growth in both KRAS MT and WT cells; however, ASNS and GPER1 were upregulated in KRAS MT compared to WT cells. When nutrient supply was adequate, ASNS and GPER1 were not altered between cell lines. The impact of estradiol, a ligand for GPER1, was examined for any additional effects on cell growth. Under glutamine deplete conditions, estradiol decreased the growth of KRAS WT cells but had no effect on KRAS MT cells; estradiol had no additive or diminutive effect on the upregulation of ASNS or GPER1 between the cell lines. We further examined the association of GPER1 and ASNS levels with overall survival in a clinical colon cancer cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas. Both high GPER1 and ASNS expression associated with poorer overall survival for females only in advanced stage tumors. These findings suggest that KRAS MT cells have mechanisms in place that respond to decreased nutrient supply, typically observed in advanced tumors, by increasing the expression of ASNS and GPER1 to drive cell growth. Furthermore, KRAS MT cells are resistant to the protective effects of estradiol under nutrient deplete conditions. ASNS and GPER1 may therefore be potential therapeutic targets that can be exploited to manage and control KRAS MT CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingeng Lu
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8034 USA
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Science, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150086, China
| | - Xinyi Shen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
| | - Pinyi Zhen
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
| | - Audrey Marin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
| | - Rolando Garcia-Milian
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
- Bioinformatics Support Program, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Jatin Roper
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sajid A Khan
- Section of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Caroline H Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
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Tanshinone IIA Inhibits Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells MDA-MB-231 via G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor- (GPER-) Dependent Signaling Pathway. DISEASE MARKERS 2023; 2023:8371623. [PMID: 36741908 PMCID: PMC9897920 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8371623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Due to the lack of classic estrogen receptors, there has been a shortage of targeted therapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), resulting in a poor prognosis. However, the newly discovered G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) has been found to be expressed in TNBC cells. Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) is an essential Chinese medicine for gynecological disorders, and its component tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) exerts an anticancer effect. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate whether GPER is involved in the inhibitory effect of Tan IIA on TNBC. We applied various databases and GO pathway analysis to predict the possible mechanism of Tan IIA. We identified 39 overlapping targets, including c-Jun, c-Fos, and caspase-3, and enriched cell cycle-related pathways. Next, we demonstrated the strong binding ability of Tan IIA to GPER by molecular docking assay. In the subsequent validation tests, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay showed that Tan IIA inhibited proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells time and dose dependently without affecting normal cells. Using Transwell plate, flow cytometry, and Western blot assays, we showed that Tan IIA inhibited migration and induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 dose dependently. Importantly, protein expressions of GPER, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), c-Fos, and c-Jun were all decreased by Tan IIA dose dependently. Administration of GPER inhibitor partly abolished these effects. Furthermore, nuclear translocation of c-Fos and c-Jun as well as cell cycle-related proteins was downregulated by Tan IIA dose dependently. In summary, Tan IIA could inhibit the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells and induce apoptosis, and the possible mechanism may be the regulation of GPER-mediated pathways, suggesting that GPER could be a therapeutic target for TNBC.
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Shen X, Jain A, Aladelokun O, Yan H, Gilbride A, Ferrucci LM, Lu L, Khan SA, Johnson CH. Asparagine, colorectal cancer, and the role of sex, genes, microbes, and diet: A narrative review. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:958666. [PMID: 36090030 PMCID: PMC9453556 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.958666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Asparagine (Asn) and enzymes that catalyze the metabolism of Asn have been linked to the regulation and propagation of colorectal cancer (CRC). Increased Asn and asparagine synthetase (ASNS) expression, both contribute to CRC progression and metastasis. In contradistinction, L-asparaginase (ASNase) which breaks down Asn, exhibits an anti-tumor effect. Metabolic pathways such as KRAS/PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 signaling and high SOX12 expression can positively regulate endogenous Asn production. Conversely, the tumor suppressor, TP53, negatively impacts ASNS, thus limiting Asn synthesis and reducing tumor burden. Asn abundance can be altered by factors extrinsic to the cancer cell such as diet, the microbiome, and therapeutic use of ASNase. Recent studies have shown that sex-related factors can also influence the regulation of Asn, and high Asn production results in poorer prognosis for female CRC patients but not males. In this narrative review, we critically review studies that have examined endogenous and exogenous modulators of Asn bioavailability and summarize the key metabolic networks that regulate Asn metabolism. We also provide new hypotheses regarding sex-related influences on Asn, including the involvement of the sex-steroid hormone estrogen and estrogen receptors. Further, we hypothesize that sex-specific factors that influence Asn metabolism can influence clinical outcomes in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Shen
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Abhishek Jain
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Oladimeji Aladelokun
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Hong Yan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Austin Gilbride
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Leah M. Ferrucci
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Lingeng Lu
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Sajid A. Khan
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States,*Correspondence: Sajid A. Khan, ; Caroline H. Johnson,
| | - Caroline H. Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,*Correspondence: Sajid A. Khan, ; Caroline H. Johnson,
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Guo X, Ma R, Wang M, Wui-Man Lau B, Chen X, Li Y. Novel perspectives on the therapeutic role of cryptotanshinone in the management of stem cell behaviors for high-incidence diseases. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:971444. [PMID: 36046823 PMCID: PMC9420941 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.971444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptotanshinone (CTS), a diterpenoid quinone, is found mostly in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (S. miltiorrhiza) and plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, such as cell proliferation/self-renewal, differentiation and apoptosis. In particular, CTS’s profound physiological impact on various stem cell populations and their maintenance and fate determination could improve the efficiency and accuracy of stem cell therapy for high-incidence disease. However, as much promise CTS holds, these CTS-mediated processes are complex and multifactorial and many of the underlying mechanisms as well as their clinical significance for high-incidence diseases are not yet fully understood. This review aims to shed light on the impact and mechanisms of CTS on the actions of diverse stem cells and the involvement of CTS in the many processes of stem cell behavior and provide new insights for the application of CTS and stem cell therapy in treating high-incidence diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruishuang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Benson Wui-Man Lau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaopeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaopeng Chen, ; Yue Li,
| | - Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaopeng Chen, ; Yue Li,
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Acquaviva R, Malfa GA, Loizzo MR, Xiao J, Bianchi S, Tundis R. Advances on Natural Abietane, Labdane and Clerodane Diterpenes as Anti-Cancer Agents: Sources and Mechanisms of Action. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27154791. [PMID: 35897965 PMCID: PMC9330018 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27154791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Extensive research over the past decades has identified numerous phytochemicals that could represent an important source of anti-cancer compounds. There is an immediate need for less toxic and more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer. Natural compounds are considered suitable candidates for the development of new anti-cancer drugs due to their pleiotropic actions on target events with multiple manners. This comprehensive review highlighted the most relevant findings achieved in the screening of phytochemicals for anticancer drug development, particularly focused on a promising class of phytochemicals such as diterpenes with abietane, clerodane, and labdane skeleton. The chemical structure of these compounds, their main natural sources, and mechanisms of action were critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Acquaviva
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 95125 Catania, Italy; (R.A.); (S.B.)
- CERNUT, Research Centre on Nutraceuticals and Health Products, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe A. Malfa
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 95125 Catania, Italy; (R.A.); (S.B.)
- CERNUT, Research Centre on Nutraceuticals and Health Products, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Monica R. Loizzo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.R.L.); (R.T.)
| | - Jianbo Xiao
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain;
| | - Simone Bianchi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 95125 Catania, Italy; (R.A.); (S.B.)
| | - Rosa Tundis
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.R.L.); (R.T.)
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Chen G, Liu W, Yan B. Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cell Spheroid Culture for Drug Discovery and Development. JOURNAL OF CANCER THERAPY 2022; 13:117-130. [PMID: 36311820 PMCID: PMC9611733 DOI: 10.4236/jct.2022.133009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In vitro 3D cancer spheroids (tumoroids) exhibit a drug resistance profile similar to that found in solid tumors. 3D spheroid culture methods recreate more physiologically relevant microenvironments for cells. Therefore, these models are more appropriate for cancer drug screening. We have recently developed a protocol for MCF-7 cell spheroid culture, and used this method to test the effects of different types of drugs on this estrogen-dependent breast cancer cell spheroid. Our results demonstrated that MCF-7 cells can grow spheroid in medium using a low attachment plate. We managed to grow one spheroid in each well, and the spheroid can grow over a month, the size of the spheroid can grow over a hundred times in volume. Our targeted drug experimental results suggest that estrogen sulfotransferase, steroid sulfatase, and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor may play critical roles in MCF-7 cell spheroid growth, while estrogen receptors α and β may not play an essential role in MCF-7 spheroid growth. Organoids are the miniatures of in vivo tissues and reiterate the in vivo microenvironment of a specific organ, best fit for the in vitro studies of diseases and drug development. Tumoroid, developed from cancer cell lines or patients’ tumor tissue, is the best in vitro model of in vivo tumors. 3D spheroid technology will be the best future method for drug development of cancers and other diseases. Our reported method can be developed clinically to develop personalized drugs when the patient’s tumor tissues are used to develop a spheroid culture for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangping Chen
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
- ,
| | - William Liu
- College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bingfang Yan
- College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- ,
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