Modulation of Colitis-associated Colon Tumorigenesis by Baicalein and Betaine

In vitro evaluation of the anti‑breast cancer properties and gene expression profiles of Thai traditional formulary medicine extracts

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Moreover, standard treatments are limited, so new alternative treatments are required. Thai traditional formulary medicine (TTFM) utilizes certain herbs to treat different diseases due to their dominant properties including anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, antigenotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer actions. However, very little is known about the anti-cancer properties of TTFM against breast cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. Therefore, the present study, evaluated the metabolite profiles of TTFM extracts, the anti-cancer activities of TTFM extracts, their effects on the apoptosis pathway and associated gene expression profiles. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopy analysis identified a total of 226 compounds within the TTFM extracts. Several of these compounds have been previously shown to have an anti-cancer effect in certain cancer types. The MTT results demonstrated that the TTFM extracts significantly reduced the cell viability of the breast cancer 4T1 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Moreover, an apoptosis assay, demonstrated that the TTFM extracts significantly increased the proportion of apoptotic cells. Furthermore, the RNA-sequencing results demonstrated that 25 known genes were affected by TTFM treatment in 4T1 cells. TTFM treatment significantly up-regulated Slc5a8 and Arhgap9 expression compared with untreated cells. Moreover, Cybb, and Bach2os were significantly downregulated after TTFM treatment compared with untreated cells. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR demonstrated that TTFM extract treatment significantly increased Slc5a8 and Arhgap9 mRNA expression levels and significantly decreased Cybb mRNA expression levels. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of Bax and Casp9 were significantly increased after TTFM treatment in 4T1 cells compared with EpH4-Ev cells. These findings indicated anti-breast cancer activity via induction of the apoptotic process. However, further experiments are required to elucidate how TTFM specifically regulates genes and proteins. This study supports the potential usage of TTFM extracts for the development of anti-cancer drugs.

Therapeutic Potential of Bioactive Components from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer: A Review

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG), an herbal medicine with various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities, is effective in treatment of colitis, hepatitis, pneumonia, respiratory infections, and allergic diseases. This herbal medicine consists of major active substances, such as baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, and wogonin. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine, with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis being the main types. IBD can lead to serious complications, such as increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most common cancers worldwide. Currently, there is no cure for IBD, and its incidence has been increasing over the past few decades. This review comprehensively summarizes the efficacy of SBG in IBD and CRC and may serve as a reference for future research and development of drugs for IBD and cancer treatment.

Scutellaria baicalensis and its constituents baicalin and baicalein as antidotes or protective agents against chemical toxicities: a comprehensive review

Scutellaria baicalensis (SB), also known as the Chinese skullcap, has a long history of being used in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions ranging from microbial infections to metabolic syndrome and malignancies. Numerous studies have reported that treatment with total SB extract or two main flavonoids found in its root and leaves, baicalin (BA) and baicalein (BE), can prevent or alleviate the detrimental toxic effects of exposure to various chemical compounds. It has been shown that BA and BE are generally behind the protective effects of SB against toxicants. This paper aimed to review the protective and therapeutic effects of SB and its main components BA and BE against chemical compounds that can cause intoxication after acute or chronic exposure and seriously affect different vital organs including the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. In this review paper, we had a look into a total of 221 in vitro and in vivo studies from 1995 to 2021 from the scientific databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science which reported protective or therapeutic effects of BA, BE, or SB against drugs and chemicals that one might be exposed to on a professional or accidental basis and compounds that are primarily used to simulate disease models. In conclusion, the protective effects of SB and its flavonoids can be mainly attributed to increase in antioxidants enzymes, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, reduction of inflammatory cytokines, and suppression of apoptosis pathway.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway contributes to baicalein-mediated inhibition of dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis in mice

Background:

Baicalein has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. However, the mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory effect on colitis remain unclear.

Methods:

A dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced model of acute colitis was established in BALB/c mice (6–8 weeks old, weighing 18–22 g). Six groups of mice received: (1) water for 10 days (control), n = 6; (2) DSS 4% solution in the drinking water for 7 days, followed by normal water for 3 days, n = 7; (3), (4), and (5) as for group 2 plus baicalein (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) administered once daily starting on day 1, n = 6; and (6) as for (2) plus 5-aminosalicylic acid (50 mg/kg) administered once daily starting on day 1, n = 6. Body weights, stool consistency, and hematochezia were recorded, and the severity of colitis was evaluated using a disease activity index. On day 11, the mice were euthanized, and organs and blood were collected for analysis. Serum inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; CD11b-positive cells were analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy; expression of retinoic-acid-receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma, sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1), and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) was detected by immunohistochemistry; and expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2), SPHK1, sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1), total STAT3, and p-STAT3 were detected by western blotting analysis. Inter-group differences were compared using Student's t test.

Results:

Baicalein treatment dose-dependently reduced DSS-induced weight loss (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), splenomegaly (P < 0.01), and colonic damage, as reflected by amelioration of diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and colonic ulceration, congestion, edema (shown as colon length, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and inflammatory cell infiltration. Baicalein also significantly decreased the levels of inflammatory mediators in the serum (P < 0.01) and colon, and significantly inhibited expression of NOD2 SPHK1, S1PR1, and p-STAT3 in the colon (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Baicalein treatment ameliorated colitis in mice by inhibiting S1P-STAT3 signaling, suggesting that this flavonoid might be beneficial in the treatment of colitis.

Inhibition of Autophagy Amplifies Baicalein-Induced Apoptosis in Human Colorectal Cancer

Baicalein is a Chinese herbal compound extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis that has anti-tumor properties. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms of action of baicalein against human colorectal cancer cell lines and to assess whether the anti-proliferative effects of baicalein may be amplified with autophagy inhibition. Human colon cancer cell lines (HT-29, HCT-116, SW480, and SW620) were treated with baicalein alone and in combination with the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ). Baicalein reduced cell viability in all four colon cancer lines in a dose-dependent fashion. Combination treatment of baicalein and the autophagy inhibitor CQ significantly decreased cell viability compared with baicalein alone in HT-29 and HCT-116 cell lines. Western blot analysis of the HCT-116 cell line treated with both baicalein and CQ demonstrated increased expression of LC3-II, a component of autophagy. The combination of baicalein with CQ culminated in activation of caspase-3-mediated apoptosis. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of autophagy enhanced apoptotic cell death induced by baicalein treatment in colon cancer cell lines. Future work will assess other targetable apoptotic pathways activated by baicalein and autophagy inhibition.

Combating Drug Resistance in Colorectal Cancer Using Herbal Medicines

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal cancer types around the world. Most of the CRC patients are treated with chemotherapeutic drugs alone or combined. However, up to 90% of metastatic cancer patients experience the failure of treatment mostly because of the acquired drug resistance, which can be led to multidrug resistance (MDR). In this study, we reviewed the recent literature which studied potential CRC MDR reversal agents among herbal medicines (HMs). Among abundant HMs, 6 single herbs, Andrographis paniculata, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Hedyotis diffusa, Sophora flavescens, Curcuma longa, Bufo gargarizans, and 2 formulae, Pien Tze Huang and Zhi Zhen Fang, were found to overcome CRC MDR by two or more different mechanisms, which could be a promising candidate in the development of new drugs for adjuvant CRC chemotherapy.

Betaine attenuates LPS-induced downregulation of Occludin and Claudin-1 and restores intestinal barrier function

BACKGROUND

The intestinal epithelial barrier, which works as the first line of defense between the luminal environment and the host, once destroyed, it will cause serious inflammation or other intestinal diseases. Tight junctions (TJs) play a vital role to maintain the integrity of the epithelial barrier. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), one of the most important inflammatory factors will downregulate specific TJ proteins including Occludin and Claudin-1 and impair integrity of the epithelial barrier. Betaine has excellent anti-inflammatory activity but whether betaine has any effect on TJ proteins, particularly on LPS-induced dysfunction of epithelial barriers remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to explore the pharmacological effect of betaine on improving intestinal barrier function represented by TJ proteins. Intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) were used as an in vitro model.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that betaine enhanced the expression of TJ proteins while LPS (1 μg/mL) downregulates the expression of these proteins. Furthermore, betaine attenuates LPS-induced decreases of TJ proteins both shown by Western blot (WB) and Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The immunofluorescent images consistently revealed that LPS induced the disruption of TJ protein Claudin-1 and reduced its expression while betaine could reverse these alterations. Similar protective role of betaine on intestinal barrier function was observed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) approach.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our research demonstrated that betaine attenuated LPS-induced downregulation of Occludin and Claudin-1 and restored the intestinal barrier function.

Effects of Exogenous Melatonin on MAM Induced Lung Injury and Lung Development in Mice Offspring

BACKGROUND

Melatonin as an antioxidant agent can have an effective role in lung development. In this study, the effect of melatonin administration on lung injury in the neonate mice was assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Lung injury was induced by two injections of 15 mg/kg methylazoxymethanol (MAM) on gestational day 15 (E15). Pregnant BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: Control (CO), Melatonin (MEL), Luzindole (Luz), MAM, and MAM+MEL. Melatonin and luzindole were intra-peritoneally injected at a dose of 10 mg/kg (from E15 until delivery). Histopathological changes including: hemorrhage, neutrophils infiltration and fibrosis in the neonate lung were studied by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's Trichrome staining. Alveolarization and alveolar wall thickness were measured.

RESULTS

In histological examination, hemorrhage, neutrophils infiltration and fibrosis were seen in the MAM and Luz groups; however, these injuries were attenuated in the MAM plus melatonin group. Significant reduction of alveolarization was recorded in the MAM and Luz groups compared to the control group, while the alveolar wall thickness was significantly increased in these groups compared to control group.

CONCLUSION

Administration of exogenous melatonin in pregnant mice could have a protective effect on the pulmonary development of neonates and could decrease lung injury in neonate mice.

Baicalein Mitigates Radiation-Induced Enteritis by Improving Endothelial Dysfunction

Background and Aims: Radiation-induced intestinal injury occurred in application of radiotherapy for abdominal and pelvic cancers or in nuclear accidents. Radiation-induced enteritis may be considered an ideal model of gastrointestinal inflammation. The endothelium is a crucial component of inflammation, and the endothelial dysfunction following radiation exposure induces the intestinal proinflammatory response and progression of radiation enteritis. Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavonoid) is a flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis used in oriental herbal medicine. Baicalein has been found to have multiple beneficial properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-cancer activities. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of baicalein on endothelial dysfunction in radiation-induced intestinal inflammation. Materials and Methods: We performed histological analysis, bacterial translocation, and intestinal permeability assays and also assessed infiltration of leukocytes and inflammatory cytokine expression using a mouse model of radiation-induced enteritis. In addition, to investigate the effect of baicalein in endothelial dysfunction, we analyzed endothelial-derived adherent molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and irradiated intestinal tissue. Results: Histological damage such as shortening of villi length and impaired intestinal crypt function was observed in the radiation-induced enteritis mouse model. Intestinal damage was attenuated in baicalein-treated groups with improvement of intestinal barrier function. Baicalein inhibited the expression of radiation-induced adherent molecules in HUVECs and intestine of irradiated mouse and decreased leukocyte infiltration in the radiation-induced enteritis. Conclusions: Baicalein could accelerate crypt regeneration via recovery of endothelial damage. Therefore, baicalein has a therapeutic effect on radiation-induced intestinal inflammation by attenuating endothelial damage.

Pancreatic and mucosal enzymes in choline phospholipid digestion

The digestion of choline phospholipids is important for choline homeostasis, lipid signaling, postprandial lipid and energy metabolism, and interaction with intestinal bacteria. The digestion is mediated by the combined action of pancreatic and mucosal enzymes. In the proximal small intestine, hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) to 1-lyso-PC and free fatty acid (FFA) by the pancreatic phospholipase A₂ IB coincides with the digestion of the dietary triacylglycerols by lipases, but part of the PC digestion is extended and must be mediated by other enzymes as the jejunoileal brush-border phospholipase B/lipase and mucosal secreted phospholipase A₂ X. Absorbed 1-lyso-PC is partitioned in the mucosal cells between degradation and reacylation into chyle PC. Reutilization of choline for hepatic bile PC synthesis, and the reacylation of 1-lyso-PC into chylomicron PC by the lyso-PC-acyl-CoA-acyltransferase 3 are important features of choline recycling and postprandial lipid metabolism. The role of mucosal enzymes is emphasized by sphingomyelin (SM) being sequentially hydrolyzed by brush-border alkaline sphingomyelinase (alk-SMase) and neutral ceramidase to sphingosine and FFA, which are well absorbed. Ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate are generated and are both metabolic intermediates and important lipid messengers. Alk-SMase has anti-inflammatory effects that counteract gut inflammation and tumorigenesis. These may be mediated by multiple mechanisms including generation of sphingolipid metabolites and suppression of autotaxin induction and lyso-phosphatidic acid formation. Here we summarize current knowledge on the roles of pancreatic and mucosal enzymes in PC and SM digestion, and its implications in intestinal and liver diseases, bacterial choline metabolism in the gut, and cholesterol absorption.

Stachydrine suppresses viability & migration of astrocytoma cells via CXCR4/ERK & CXCR4/Akt pathway activity

AIM

Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are a common adolescent malignancy. We evaluated the effects of the betaine stachydrine on human PA cells as well as its associated molecular mechanism(s).

MATERIALS & METHODS

Various experiments assessing stachydrine's effects on the human PA cell line Res186 were performed.

RESULTS & CONCLUSION

Stachydrine dose-dependently suppressed proliferation and colony formation in Res186 cells with no such effect on normal astrocytes. Stachydrine downregulated CXCR4 transcription through enhancing IκBα-based NF-κB inhibition. Stachydrine promoted apoptosis and cyclin D1/p27^Kip1-associated G0/G1 phase arrest in a CXCR4/ERK- and CXCR4/Akt-dependent manner. Stachydrine suppressed MMP-associated migration and invasiveness via inhibiting CXCR4/Akt/MMP-9/2 and CXCR4/ERK/MMP-9/2 pathway activity. Stachydrine inhibits the viability, migration and invasiveness of human PA cells via inhibiting CXCR4/ERK and CXCR4/Akt signaling.

A feasible and practical 1H NMR analytical method for the quality control and quantification of bioactive principles in Lycii Fructus

Lycii Fructus, a solanaceous drug, is widely used as functional foods and in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Samples collected from different regions of China have been found to be not identical in chemical compositions which might affect the biological activities. Although many chromatographic and spectrometric methods have been reported to determine the concentration of betaine and other bioactive amino acids, disturbance resulted from other polar substances with low UV-absorbance and expensive mass facilities reduced the applicability of these techniques. In the present study, the strong cation exchange solid phase extraction procedure incorporated with ¹H NMR was successfully developed as a rapid and reliable method that can simultaneously determine betaine, citric acid, threonine, alanine, and proline in various Lycii Fructus. In addition, ERETIC 2 method based on PULCON principle was also applied and compared with conventional method. This feasible and practical method offers a very powerful tool for the quality control of commercial Lycii Fructus from different sources.

Targeting arachidonic acid pathway by natural products for cancer prevention and therapy

Arachidonic acid (AA) pathway, a metabolic process, plays a key role in carcinogenesis. Hence, AA pathway metabolic enzymes phospholipase A₂s (PLA₂s), cyclooxygenases (COXs) and lipoxygenases (LOXs) and their metabolic products, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, have been considered novel preventive and therapeutic targets in cancer. Bioactive natural products are a good source for development of novel cancer preventive and therapeutic drugs, which have been widely used in clinical practice due to their safety profiles. AA pathway inhibitory natural products have been developed as chemopreventive and therapeutic agents against several cancers. Curcumin, resveratrol, apigenin, anthocyans, berberine, ellagic acid, eugenol, fisetin, ursolic acid, [6]-gingerol, guggulsteone, lycopene and genistein are well known cancer chemopreventive agents which act by targeting multiple pathways, including COX-2. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid and baicalein can be chemopreventive molecules against various cancers by inhibiting LOXs. Several PLA₂s inhibitory natural products have been identified with chemopreventive and therapeutic potentials against various cancers. In this review, we critically discuss the possible utility of natural products as preventive and therapeutic agents against various oncologic diseases, including prostate, pancreatic, lung, skin, gastric, oral, blood, head and neck, colorectal, liver, cervical and breast cancers, by targeting AA pathway. Further, the current status of clinical studies evaluating AA pathway inhibitory natural products in cancer is reviewed. In addition, various emerging issues, including bioavailability, toxicity and explorability of combination therapy, for the development of AA pathway inhibitory natural products as chemopreventive and therapeutic agents against human malignancy are also discussed.

Chemoprevention in gastrointestinal physiology and disease. Anti-inflammatory approaches for colorectal cancer chemoprevention

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common human malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in developed countries. Identifying effective preventive strategies aimed at inhibiting the development and progression of CRC is critical for reducing the incidence and mortality of this malignancy. The prevention of carcinogenesis by anti-inflammatory agents including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, and natural products is an area of considerable interest and research. Numerous anti-inflammatory agents have been identified as potential CRC chemopreventive agents but vary in their mechanism of action. This review will discuss the molecular mechanisms being studied for the CRC chemopreventive activity of NSAIDs (i.e., aspirin, sulindac, and ibuprofen), COX-2 inhibitors (i.e., celecoxib), natural products (i.e., curcumin, resveratrol, EGCG, genistein, and baicalein), and metformin. A deeper understanding of how these anti-inflammatory agents inhibit CRC will provide insight into the development of potentially safer and more effective chemopreventive drugs.