Dioscin Decreases Breast Cancer Stem-like Cell Proliferation via Cell Cycle Arrest by Modulating p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase and AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathways

Management of triple-negative breast cancer by natural compounds through different mechanistic pathways

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most severe form of breast cancer, characterized by the loss of estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptors. It is caused by various genetic and epigenetic factors, resulting in poor prognosis. Epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, are the leading mechanisms responsible for TNBC progression and metastasis. This review comprehensively covers the various subtypes of TNBC and their epigenetic causes. In addition, the genetic association of TNBC with all significant genes and signaling pathways linked to the progression of this form of cancer has been enlisted. Furthermore, the possible uses of natural compounds through different mechanistic pathways have also been discussed in detail for the successful management of TNBC.

Pectinose induces cell cycle arrest in luminal A and triple-negative breast cancer cells by promoting autophagy through activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway

Breast cancer patients often have a poor prognosis largely due to lack of effective targeted therapy. It is now well established that monosaccharide enhances growth retardation and chemotherapy sensitivity in tumor cells. However, Pectinose whether has capability to restrict the proliferation of tumor cells remain unclear. Here, we report that Pectinose induced cytotoxicity is modulated by autophagy and p38 MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer cell lines. The proliferation of cells was dramatically inhibited by Pectinose exposure in a dose-dependent manner, which was relevant to cell cycle arrest, as demonstrated by G2/M cell cycle restriction and ectopic expression of Cyclin A, Cyclin B, p21and p27. Mechanistically, we further identified that Pectinose is positively associated with autophagy and the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling in breast cancer. In contrast, 3-Ma or SB203580, the inhibitor of autophagy or p38 MAPK, reversed the efficacy of Pectinose suppressing on breast cancer cell lines proliferation and cell cycle process. Additionally, Pectinose in vivo treatment could significantly inhibit xenograft growth of breast cancer cells. Taken together, our findings were the first to reveal that Pectinose triggered cell cycle arrest by inducing autophagy through the activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer cells,especially in luminal A and triple-negative breast cancer.

D-arabinose induces cell cycle arrest by promoting autophagy via p38 MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer

Breast cancer patients often have a poor prognosis largely due to lack of effective targeted therapy. It is now well established that monosaccharide enhances growth retardation and chemotherapy sensitivity in tumor cells. We investigated whether D-arabinose has capability to restrict the proliferation of tumor cells and its mechanism. Here, we report that D-arabinose induced cytotoxicity is modulated by autophagy and p38 MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer cell lines. The proliferation of cells was evaluated by CCK-8 and Colony formation assay. The distribution of cells in cell cycle phases was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell cycle, autophagy and MAPK signaling related proteins were detected by western blotting. Mouse xenograft model was used to evaluate the efficacy of D-arabinose in vivo. The proliferation of cells was dramatically inhibited by D-arabinose exposure in a dose-dependent manner, which was relevant to cell cycle arrest, as demonstrated by G2/M cell cycle restriction and ectopic expression of cell cycle related proteins. Mechanistically, we further identified that D-arabinose is positively associated with autophagy and the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling in breast cancer. In contrast, 3-Ma or SB203580, the inhibitor of autophagy or p38 MAPK, reversed the efficacy of D-arabinose. Additionally, D-arabinose in vivo treatment could significantly inhibit xenograft growth of breast cancer cells. Our findings were the first to reveal that D-arabinose triggered cell cycle arrest by inducing autophagy through the activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer cells.

Recent developments in targeting breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs): a descriptive review of therapeutic strategies and emerging therapies

Despite recent advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer (BC), patient outcomes in terms of survival, recurrence, and disease progression remain suboptimal. A significant factor contributing to these challenges is the cellular heterogeneity within BC, particularly the presence of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). These cells are thought to serve as the clonogenic nexus for new tumor growth, owing to their hierarchical organization within the tumor. This descriptive review focuses on the evolving strategies to target BCSCs, which have become a pivotal aspect of therapeutic development. We explore a variety of approaches, including targeting specific tumor surface markers (CD133 and CD44), transporters, heat shock proteins, and critical signaling pathways like Notch, Akt, Hedgehog, KLF4, and Wnt/β-catenin. Additionally, we discuss the modulation of the tumor microenvironment through the CXCR-12/CXCR4 axis, manipulation of pH levels, and targeting hypoxia-inducible factors, vascular endothelial growth factor, and CXCR1/2 receptors. Further, this review focuses on the roles of microRNA expression, strategies to induce apoptosis and differentiation in BCSCs, dietary interventions, dendritic cell vaccination, oncolytic viruses, nanotechnology, immunotherapy, and gene therapy. We particularly focused on studies reporting identification of BCSCs, their unique properties and the efficacy of various therapeutic modalities in targeting these cells. By dissecting these approaches, we aim to provide insights into the complex landscape of BC treatment and the potential pathways for improving patient outcomes through targeted BCSC therapies.

Harmine Hydrochloride Induces G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in SK-Hep1 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Regulating Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and the PI3K/AKT Pathway

Liver cancer is a globally common form of cancer. Thus, novel drugs derived from natural products are needed to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. The present study aimed to analyze the anticancer properties and effects of harmine hydrochloride (HMH), a water-soluble metabolite of harmine that can be easily absorbed into tissues, in treating liver cancer cells. HMH dose-dependently inhibited cell growth, migration, invasion, and colony formation in SK-Hep1 cells. It also induced G2/M arrest by reducing the expression of p-cdc2, cyclin B1, and Rb (G2/M phase regulatory proteins) in a dose-dependent manner. HMH treatment reduced the expression of caspase-9, caspase-3, PARP, and Bcl-2 and increased the expression of Bax (a proapoptotic protein). Moreover, it increased the production of reactive oxygen species and decreased the intracellular uptake of rhodamine 123 due to mitochondrial dysfunction because of oxidative stress. HMH treatment also upregulated the phosphorylation of JNK, p38, and FOXO3a in SK-Hep1 cells and downregulated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that HMH may activate the compounds responsible for anticancer effects in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

HOTAIR: a potential metastatic, drug-resistant and prognostic regulator of breast cancer

HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is an oncogenic non-coding RNA whose expression is strongly correlated with the tumor grade and prognosis of a variety of carcinomas including breast cancer (BC). HOTAIR regulates various target genes via sponging and epigenetic mechanisms and controls various oncogenic cellular and signaling mechanisms including metastasis and drug resistance. In BC cells, HOTAIR expression is regulated by a variety of transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. In this review, we describe the regulatory mechanisms that govern HOTAIR expression during cancer development and explore how HOTAIR drives BC development, metastasis, and drug resistance. In the final section of this review, we focus on the role of HOTAIR in BC management, therapeutic treatment, and prognosis, highlighting its potential therapeutic applications.

PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway modulation by circular RNAs in breast cancer progression

The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is responsible for many cellular behaviors, including survival, growth, and proliferation. A newly identified RNA, circular RNA (circRNA), plays a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression. The upregulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway through dysregulated circRNAs promotes breast tumor initiation, growth, and progression. The dysregulation of PI3K/Akt-regulating circRNAs seems to be directly correlated with breast cancer clinical features, including overall survival, tumor size, cancer stage, and lymph node metastasis. In addition, targeting these circRNAs may be a promising option in cancer-targeted therapy. Understanding the molecular pathogenesis of the circRNA-PI3K/AKT axis may give the insight to develop new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches for breast cancer therapy. Here we reviewed the expression and functions of PI3K/AKT-regulating circRNAs, and their correlation with breast cancer clinical features. In addition, the potential of PI3K/AKT-regulating circRNAs as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets was discussed.

The mechanism of dioscin preventing lung cancer based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dioscorea nipponica Makino as a Chinese folk medicine has been used for the treatment of chronic bronchitis, cough, and asthma. Several studies have established the antimetastatic potential of Dioscorea nipponica Makino extract. Dioscin is a major bioactive compound in Dioscorea nipponica Makino and has anti-tumor property in lung cancer cell lines. However, the preventive effect of dioscin against lung cancer and its key mechanism haven't been identified yet.

AIM OF STUDY

To identify the prevention effect of dioscin on lung cancer and explore its key mechanism based on network pharmacology and experimental validation.

METHODS

The potential targets of dioscin were obtained from the HERB database. The therapeutic targets of lung cancer were acquired from the GeneCards database. Protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed in the STRING 11.0 database. The David database was used for enrichment analysis. Molecular Docking was finished by the AutoDock Vina. NSCLC cell lines and mouse lung cancer model were used to confirm the prevention effect of dioscin on lung cancer and its key mechanism.

RESULTS

76 potential targets of dioscin were identified to be involved in lung cancer treatment, which refer to 512 biological processes, 47 molecular functions, 77 cellular components and 107 signal pathways. The molecular docking suggested that dioscin might bind to AKT1, Caspase3, TP53, C-JUN and IL-6. The DARTS indicated that dioscin could bind to AKT1. In vitro, dioscin could decrease proliferation, invasion and migration in A549 and PC-9 cells with the significant reduction in the expression of p-AKT, MMP2, and PCNA. In vivo, dioscin could reduce lung nodules, lung injury, and mortality in mouse lung cancer model with reducing the expression of p-AKT, MMP2, PCNA and increasing the expression of active-caspase3.

CONCLUSION

Dioscin could prevent lung cancer and its key target is AKT1 kinase, a center protein of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Zn(II) 5,5-Diethylbarbiturate Complex Selectively Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells

The biological activities of Zn(II) compounds have been extensively studied in recent years. In this study, the growth suppressive effect of Zn(II) 5,5-diethylbarbiturate complex on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells was determined by SRB and ATP viability assays and apoptosis-inducing effect by double staining method. Significant increase in cytokeratin 18 level, caspase 3/7 activity and annexin-V upregulation prove that Zn(II) complex has apoptotic effect in breast cancer cells. Intrinsic apoptosis pathway in MCF-7 cells and extrinsic apoptosis pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells was determined by Western blot (PARP, Cleave PARP, BAX, COX4, RIP, Caspase 8, Split Caspase 8, DR4 and B-Actin) and RT-PCR (PARP, Fas, Bcl-2, TNF10A, P53) analysis. No reduction of viability was found in MCF-710A healthy breast cells treated with Zn(II) complex. In breast cancer stem-like cells (MCF-7s), the Zn(II) complex was found to have a cytotoxic effect and to activate the apoptotic pathway. As a result, it was concluded that Zn(II) complex has anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on breast cancer and breast cancer stem-like cells. Also this complex prevents the metastatic effect of cancer cells and does not effect to healthy cells so this complex has a specific effect on cancer cells. These findings might shed light on the discovery of new chemotherapeutic agents.