Ziyuglycoside II-induced apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma BGC-823 cells by regulating Bax/Bcl-2 expression and activating caspase-3 pathway

Sanguisorba officinalis L. ethanolic extracts and essential oil - chemical composition, antioxidant potential, antibacterial activity, and ex vivo skin permeation study

Introduction

Sanguisorba officinalis L. is classified as a medicinal plant and used in traditional medicine. The root of this plant is mainly used as a medicinal raw material, but the above-ground parts are also a valuable source of health-promoting biologically active compounds.

Method

The study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content (TPC) of extracts prepared in 70% and 40% aqueous ethanol solution (dry extract content 50-500 g/L) from the aerial parts of S. officinalis. The essential oil was isolated from the tested raw material, and its composition was determined using GC-MS. Ethanolic extracts and essential oil have been tested for antibacterial activity. The extract in 70% v/v ethanol (dry extract content: 500 g/L) was subjected to HPLC analysis for the content of selected phenolic acids and an ex vivo skin permeation study. The ability of these metabolites to permeate and accumulate in the skin was analysed.

Results

Extracts prepared at both ethanol concentrations showed similar antioxidant activity and TPC. Depending on the method, concentration of solvent, and dry extract content (50-500 g/L), the activity ranged from 1.97 to 84.54 g Trolox/L. TPC range of 3.80-37.04 g GA/L. Gallic acid (424 mg/L) and vanillic acid (270 mg/L) had the highest concentrations among the phenolic acids analysed. Vanillic acid (10 μg) permeates the skin at the highest concentration. The highest accumulation in the skin was found for 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (53 μg/g skin), 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (45 μg/g skin), and gallic acid (45 μg/g skin). The tested ethanolic extracts exhibited antibacterial activity. Samples with a dry extract concentration of 500 g/L showed the largest growth inhibition zones. The most sensitive strains to these extracts were P. aeruginosa (24 mm), S. lutea (23 mm), and S. pneumoniae (22 mm). The smallest inhibition zones were observed for B. subtilis (17 mm). The essential oil showed weaker antimicrobial activity (growth inhibition zone 8-10 mm). The GC-MS method identified 22 major components of the essential oil, including aliphatic hydrocarbons, unsaturated terpene alcohols, aliphatic aldehydes, unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, sesquiterpene, phytyl ester of linoleic acid, nitrogen compound, phytosterol, terpene ketone, phenylpropanoids, aliphatic alcohol, diterpenoid, aromatic aldehyde, and aliphatic carboxylic acid.

Discussion

The conducted research has shown that ethanolic extracts from Sanguisorbae herba are a valuable source of compounds with antibacterial and antioxidant potential, including phenolic acids. The fact that selected phenolic acids contained in the tested extract have the ability to permeate and accumulate in the skin provides the basis for conducting extended research on the use of extracts from this plant raw material in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations applied to the skin.

Ziyuglycoside II attenuated OVX mice bone loss via inflammatory responses and regulation of gut microbiota and SCFAs

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Osteoporosis (OP) is a frequent clinical problem for the elderly. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has achieved beneficial results in the treatment of OP. Ziyuglycoside II (ZGS II) is a major active compound of Sanguisorba officinalis L. that has shown anti-inflammation and antioxidation properties, but little information concerning its anti-OP potential is available. Our research aims to investigate the mechanism of ZGS II in ameliorating bone loss by inflammatory responses and regulation of gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in ovariectomized (OVX) mice.

METHODS

We predicted the mode of ZGS II action on OP through network pharmacology and molecular docking, and an OVX mouse model was employed to validate its anti-OP efficacy. Then we analyzed its impact on bone microstructure, the levels of inflammatory cytokines and pain mediators in serum, inflammation in colon, intestinal barrier, gut microbiota composition and SCFAs in feces.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology identified 55 intersecting targets of ZGS II related to OP. Of these, we predicted IGF1 may be the core target, which was successfully docked with ZGS II and showed excellent binding ability. Our in vivo results showed that ZGS II alleviated bone loss in OVX mice, attenuated systemic inflammation, enhanced intestinal barrier, reduced the pain threshold, modulated the abundance of gut microbiota involving norank_f__Muribaculaceae and Dubosiella, and increased the content of acetic acid and propanoic acid in SCFAs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicated that ZGS II attenuated bone loss in OVX mice by relieving inflammation and regulating gut microbiota and SCFAs.

Phytochemical Analysis and Understanding the Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties of Methanol Extract from Litsea glutinosa: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Litsea glutinosa (L. glutinosa) is considered an evidence-based medicinal plant for the treatment of cancer, the leading cause of death worldwide. In our study, the in vitro antioxidant and in vivo anticancer properties of an essential ethno-medicinal plant, L. glutinosa, were examined using non-toxic doses and a phytochemical analysis was executed using gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry. The in vitro antioxidant study of the L. glutinosa methanolic extract (LGBME) revealed a concentration-dependent antioxidant property. The bark extract showed promising antioxidant effects in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The strongest antioxidant activity was demonstrated at the maximum concentration (50 µg/mL). The IC50 values of the LGBME and BHT were 5.51 and 5.01 µg/mL, respectively. At the same concentration, the total antioxidant capacity of the LGBME was 0.161 µg/mL and the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay result of the LGBME was 1.783 µg/mL. In the cytotoxicity study, the LD50 of the LGBME and gallic acid were 24.93 µg/mL and 7.23 µg/mL, respectively. In the in vivo anticancer-activity studies, the LGBME, particularly at a dose of 150 mg/kg/bw, showed significant cell-growth inhibition, decreased tumor weight, increased mean survival rate, and upregulated the reduced hematological parameters in EAC (Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma)-induced Swiss albino mice. The highest cell-growth inhibition, 85.76%, was observed with the dose of 150 mg/kg/bw. Furthermore, the upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes (p53, Bax) and the downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 were observed. In conclusion, LGBME extract has several bioactive phytoconstituents, which confirms the antioxidant and anticancer properties of L. glutinosa.

Identification of Ziyuglycoside II from natural products library as a novel STING agonist

Given the emerging pivotal roles of STING (stimulator of interferon genes) in host pathogen defense and immune-oncology, STING is regarded as a promising target for drug development. CDNs (cyclic dinucleotides) are the first-generation STING agonists. However, their poor metabolic stability and membrane permeability utterly limits therapeutic applications. By contrast, small molecule STING agonists show superiority of properties such as molecular weight, polar character, and delivery diversity. The quest for the potent small molecular agonist of human STING remains ongoing. In our study, through an IRF/IFN pathway-targeted cell-based screen of natural products library, we identified a small-molecular STING agonist Ziyuglycoside II, termed as ST12, with potent stimulation of IRF/IFN pathway and NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, its binding to the C-terminal domain of human STING detected by bio-layer interferometry technique, indicating that ST12 is a human STING agonist. Further tanimoto similarity analyze with existing small-molecule STING agonists indicates that ST12 represents a lead compound with a novel core-structure for the further optimization. Insert abstract text here.

Phytochemicals as an Alternative or Integrative Option, in Conjunction with Conventional Treatments for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Simple Summary

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is globally ranked as the sixth most diagnosed cancer, and the second most deadly cancer. To worsen matters, there are only limited therapeutic options currently available; therefore, it is necessary to find a reservoir from which new HCC treatments may be acquired. The field of phytomedicine may be the solution to this problem, as it offers an abundance of plant-derived molecules, which show capabilities of being effective against HCC proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis. In our review, we collect and analyze current evidence regarding these promising phytochemical effects on HCC, and delve into their potential as future chemotherapies. Additionally, information on the signaling behind these numerous phytochemicals is provided, in an attempt to understand their mechanisms. This review makes accessible the current body of knowledge pertaining to phytochemicals as HCC treatments, in order to serve as a reference and inspiration for further research into this subject.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most abundant form of liver cancer. It accounts for 75–85% of liver cancer cases and, though it ranks globally as the sixth most common cancer, it ranks second in cancer-related mortality. Deaths from HCC are usually due to metastatic spread of the cancer. Unfortunately, there are many challenges and limitations with the latest HCC therapies and medications, making it difficult for patients to receive life-prolonging care. As there is clearly a high demand for alternative therapy options for HCC, it is prudent to turn to plants for the solution, as their phytochemicals have long been used and revered for their many medicinal purposes. This review explores the promising phytochemical compounds identified from pre-clinical and clinical trials being used either independently or in conjunction with already existing cancer therapy treatments. The phytochemicals discussed in this review were classified into several categories: lipids, polyphenols, alkaloids, polysaccharides, whole extracts, and phytochemical combinations. Almost 80% of the compounds failed to progress into clinical studies due to lack of information regarding the toxicity to normal cells and bioavailability. Although large obstacles remain, phytochemicals can be used either as an alternative or integrative therapy in conjunction with existing HCC chemotherapies. In conclusion, phytochemicals have great potential as treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma.

A Comprehensive Review of Genus Sanguisorba: Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents and Medical Applications

Genus Sanguisorba (family: Rosaceae) comprises nearly 148 species, distributed widely across the temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Sanguisorba officinalis L. (S. officinalis) has been used as a hemostatic and scald treating medicine in China for a long time. Numerous studies have demonstrated that plant extracts or monomers from S. officinalis exhibit several pharmacological effects, such as anti-cancer, anti-virus, anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, neuroprotective and hepatoprotective effects. The other species of genus Sanguisorba are also being studied by researchers worldwide. Sanguisorba minor Scop. (S. minor), as an edible wild plant, is a common ingredient of the Mediterranean diet, and its young shoots and leaves are often mixed with traditional vegetables and consumed as salad. Reports on genus Sanguisorba available in the current literature were collected from Google Scholar, Web of Science, Springer, and PubMed. The Plant List (http://www.theplantlist.org./tpl1.1/search?q=Sanguisorba), International Plant Name Index (https://www.ipni.org/?q=Sanguisorba) and Kew Botanical Garden (http://powo.science.kew.org/) were used for obtaining the scientific names and information on the subspecies and cultivars. In recent years, several in vivo and in vitro experiments have been conducted to reveal the active components and effective monomers of S. officinalis and S. minor. To date, more than 270 compounds have been isolated and identified so far from the species belonging to genus Sanguisorba. Numerous reports on the chemical constituents, pharmacologic effects, and toxicity of genus Sanguisorba are available in the literature. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the current traditional applications of plants, which are supported by a large number of scientific experiments. Owing to these promising properties, this species is used in the treatment of various diseases, including influenza virus infection, inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes and leukopenia caused by bone marrow suppression. Moreover, the rich contents and biological effects of S. officinalis and S. minor facilitate these applications in dietary supplements and cosmetics. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advances in the traditional uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological effects and clinical applications of genus Sanguisorba. The present comprehensive review may provide new insights for the future research on genus Sanguisorba.

Determination of Triterpenoids and Phenolic Acids from Sanguisorba officinalis L. by HPLC-ELSD and Its Application

A novel analytical method involving high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD) was developed for simultaneous determination of 11 phenolic acids and 12 triterpenes in Sanguisorba officinalis L. Chromatographic separation was conducted with gradient elution mode by using a Diamonsil^TM C₁₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with the mobile phase of 0.1% acetic acid water (A) and methanol (B). The drift tube temperature of ELSD was set at 70 °C and the nitrogen cumulative flow rate was 1.6 L/min. The method was fully validated to be linear over a wide concentration range (R² ≥ 0.9991). The precisions (RSD) were less than 3.0% and the recoveries were between 97.7% and 101.4% for all compounds. The results indicated that this method is accurate and effective for the determination of 23 functional components in Sanguisorba officinalis L. and could also be successfully applied to study the influence of processing method on those functional components in Sanguisorba officinalis L.

Potential application of two cobalt (III) Schiff base complexes in cancer chemotherapy: Leads from a study using breast and lung cancer cells

Cobalt (III) Schiff base complexes are of attraction in the context of their potential application in cancer therapy. The aim of this study has been to find the mechanism of action of cobalt (III) Schiff base complexes 1 and 2, the synthesis and characterization of which have already been reported, in inhibiting growth of human breast cancer cell MCF-7 and lung cancer cell A549. The already proclaimed anti-proliferative effect of the cobalt complexes was ascertained using MTT cytotoxicity assay. More assays such as Acridine orange & Ethidium bromide staining, AnnexinV-Cy3 staining, Hoechst staining, comet assay, and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) assay- all supported the cytotoxic property of the complexes. Moreover, the expression levels of mRNA of pro- and antiapoptotic genes also supported the effectiveness of cobalt complexes by modifying the ratio of Bax: Bcl-2. In addition, the cobalt complexes induced apoptosis in MCF- 7 and A549 cells through modulation of pro-apoptotic, anti-apoptotic, and ROS modulatory gene expressions. The present study validates the scientific evidence for antiproliferative efficacy of cobalt complexes against MCF-7 and A549 cells. Thus, this study takes cobalt complexes 1 and 2 to a step higher towards their use as anticancer agents.

Ziyuglycoside II exerts antiproliferative and antimetastasis effects on hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Phytochemicals are important candidates for developing anticancer agents. Ziyuglycoside II is a major active compound of Sanguisorba officinalis, which exhibits antiproliferation activity in several cancers; however, its action in HCC remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the antitumor activity of ziyuglycoside II against HCC and explored the potential mechanisms. We found that ziyuglycoside II exerts significant inhibitory effects on the viability and clonogenic activity of HCC cells. The proliferation repression mediated by ziyuglycoside II was mainly due to increased apoptosis and reactive oxygen species accumulation, as well as a G0/G1 phase cell-cycle arrest. Additionally, ziyuglycoside II markedly impaired HCC cell migration and invasion, two important steps during metastasis, and these suppressive effects may be attributed to the downregulation of matrix metalloproteinases MMP2 and MMP9 expression. Moreover, ziyuglycoside II blocked the epidermal growth factor receptor/nuclear factor kappa-B (EGFR/NF-kB) signaling, which may contribute to its anticancer activity. Taken together, our findings reveal antiproliferative and antimetastasis activities of ziyuglycoside II in HCC cells, implying that ziyuglycoside II might be a promising candidate for the development of novel anti-HCC drugs.

Ziyuglycoside II inhibits the growth of digestive system cancer cells through multiple mechanisms

Digestive system cancers, including liver, gastric, colon, esophageal and pancreatic cancers, are the leading cause of cancers with high morbidity and mortality, and the question of their clinical treatment is still open. Previous studies have indicated that Ziyuglycoside II (ZYG II), the major bioactive ingredient extract from Sanguisorba officinalis L., significantly inhibits the growth of various cancer cells. However, the selective anti-tumor effects of ZYG II against digestive system cancers are not systemically investigated. In this study, we reported the anti-cancer effect of ZYG II on esophageal cancer cells (OE21), cholangiocarcinoma cells (HuCCT1), gastric cancer cells (BGC-823), liver cancer cells (HepG2), human colonic cancer cells (HCT116), and pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1). We also found that ZYG II induced cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress and mitochondrial apoptosis. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that UBC, EGFR and IKBKG are predicted targets of ZYG II. EGFR signaling was suggested as the critical pathway underlying the anti-cancer effects of ZYG II and both docking simulation and western blot analysis demonstrated that ZYG II was a potential EGFR inhibitor. Furthermore, our results showed synergistic inhibitory effects of ZYG II and chemotherapy 5-FU on the growth of cancer cells. In summary, ZYG II are effective anti-tumor agents against digestive cancers. Further systemic evaluation of the anti-cancer activities in vitro and in vivo and characterization of underlying mechanism will promote the development of novel supplementary therapeutic strategies based on ZYG II for the treatment of digestive system cancers.

Whole transcriptome sequencing and integrated network analysis elucidates the effects of 3,8-Di-O-methylellagic acid 2-O-glucoside derived from Sanguisorba offcinalis L., a novel differentiation inducer on erythroleukemia cells

Acute erythroid leukemia (AEL) is a rare and aggressive hematologic malignancy with no specific treatment. Sanguisorba officinalis L. (S. officinalis), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, possesses potent anticancer activity. However, the active components of S. officinalis against AEL and the associated molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we predicted the anti-AML effect of S. officinalis based on network pharmacology. Through the identification of active components of S. officinalis, we found that 3,8-Di-O-methylellagic acid 2-O-glucoside (DMAG) not only significantly inhibited the proliferation of erythroleukemic cell line HEL, but also induced their differentiation to megakaryocytes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DMAG could prolong the survival of AEL mice model. Whole-transcriptome sequencing was performed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with anti-AEL effect of DMAG. The results showed that the total of 68 miRNAs, 595 lncRNAs, 4030 mRNAs and 35 circRNAs were significantly differentially expressed during DMAG induced proliferation inhibition and differentiation of HEL cells. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses revealed that the differentially expressed miRNAs, lncRNAs, mRNAs and circRNAs were mainly involved in metabolic, HIF-1, MAPK, Notch pathway and apoptosis. The co-expression networks showed that miR-23a-5p, miR-92a-1-5p, miR-146b and miR-760 regulatory networks were crucial for megakaryocyte differentiation induced by DMAG. In conclusion, our results suggest that DMAG, derived from S. officinalis might be a potent differentiation inducer of AEL cells and provide important information on the underlying mechanisms associated with its anti-AEL activity.

Ziyuglycoside II alleviates cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia in mice via regulation of HSPC proliferation and differentiation

Ziyuglycoside II (ZGS II) is a major bioactive ingredient of Sanguisorbae officinalis L., which has been widely used for managing myelosuppression or leukopenia induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In the current study, we investigated the pro-hematopoietic effects and underlying mechanisms of ZGS II in cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia in mice. The results showed that ZGS II significantly increased the number of total white blood cells and neutrophils in the peripheral blood. Flow cytometry analysis also showed a significant increase in the number of nucleated cells and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) including ST-HSCs, MPPs, and GMPs, and enhanced HSPC proliferation in ZGS II treated mice. The RNA-sequencing analysis demonstrated that ZGS II effectively regulated cell differentiation, immune system processes, and hematopoietic system-related pathways related to extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, hematopoietic cell lineage, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, and the osteoclast differentiation pathway. Moreover, ZGS II treatment altered the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with known functions in HSPC differentiation and mobilization (Cxcl12, Col1a2, and Sparc) and the surface markers of neutrophilic precursors or neutrophils (Ngp and CD177). Collectively, these data suggest that ZGS II protected against chemotherapy-induced leukopenia by regulating HSPC proliferation and differentiation.

Comparison of the pharmacokinetic profiles of 13 phenolic acids and 6 triterpenes in normal and leukopenia rats after oral administration of Sanguisorba officinalis L. extract by LC-MS/MS

A selective, accurate, and efficient liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 13 phenolic acids. Additionally, for more comprehensively determining the chemical constituents in Sanguisorba officinalis L. extract, a previously developed method was employed for the simultaneous determination of six triterpenes. Thus, two methods were used to ensure the comprehensiveness and reliability of this study. Based on these methods, the pharmacokinetic profiles of the 13 phenolic acids and 6 triterpenes in normal and leukopenia rats after oral administration of S. officinalis L. extract were compared for the first time in the present study. Quantitative detection of the 13 phenolic acids and 6 triterpenes was performed using the multiple reaction monitoring mode with the electrospray ion source in negative and positive electrospray ionization, respectively. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 RRHD column (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.8 µm) using gradient elution with a mobile phase composed of methanol-0.1% aqueous formic acid. The pharmacokinetic results demonstrated that the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the 19 analytes in leukopenia rats differed significantly from those determined in normal rats, which could provide a helpful reference for the clinical application of S. officinalis L. in the prevention and treatment of leucopenia.

Repurposing Ziyuglycoside II Against Colorectal Cancer via Orchestrating Apoptosis and Autophagy

Effective chemotherapy drugs for colorectal cancer remain a challenge. In this research, Ziyuglycoside II (Ziyu II), exhibits considerable antitumor activity against CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that Ziyu II induced apoptosis through the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which was necessary for Ziyu II to inhibit colorectal cancer cells. Intriguingly, The treatment of Ziyu II triggered complete autophagic flux in CRC cells. Inhibition of autophagy partially reversed Ziyu II-induced growth inhibition, demonstrating a cytotoxic role of autophagy in response to Ziyu II-treated. Mechanism indicated that Ziyu II-induced autophagy by inhibiting Akt/mTOR pathway. Akt reactivation partially reduced Ziyu II-induced LC3-II turnover and LC3 puncta accumulation. Especially, Ziyu II improves the sensitivity of 5-fluorouracil which is the first-line chemotherapy drug in colorectal cancer cells. This research provides novel insight into the molecular mechanism of Ziyu II’s anti-proliferation, including apoptosis and autophagy, and lays a foundation for the potential application of Ziyu II in clinical CRC treatment.

Ellagic acid, extracted from Sanguisorba officinalis, induces G1 arrest by modulating PTEN activity in B16F10 melanoma cells

In Chinese medicine, herbal medicine is commonly used to treat individuals suffering from many types of diseases. We thus expected that some herbal medicines would contain promising compounds for cancer chemotherapy. Indeed, we found that Sanguisorba officinalis extracts strongly inhibit the growth of B16F10 melanoma cells, and we identified ellagic acid (EA) as the responsible ingredient. B16F10 cells treated with EA exhibited strong G1 arrest accompanied by accumulation of p53, followed by inactivation of AKT. Addition of a PTEN inhibitor, but not a p53 inhibitor, abrogated the EA-induced AKT inactivation and G1 arrest. The PTEN inhibitor also diminished EA-induced p53 accumulation. Furthermore, EA apparently increased the protein phosphatase activity of PTEN, as demonstrated by the reduced phosphorylation level of FAK, a protein substrate of PTEN. Furthermore, an in vitro PTEN phosphatase assay on PIP3 showed the direct modulation of PTEN activity by EA. These results suggest that EA functions as an allosteric modulator of PTEN, enhancing its protein phosphatase activity while inhibiting its lipid phosphatase activity. It is notable that a combination of EA and cisplatin, a widely used chemotherapy agent, dramatically enhanced cell death in B16F10 cells, suggesting a promising strategy in chemotherapy.

Chemical composition and bioactive properties of Sanguisorba minor Scop. under Mediterranean growing conditions

Sanguisorba minor Scop. is a perennial plant native to the Mediterranean region which exhibits several medicinal activities. In the present study, plant growth, chemical composition, and antitumor and antimicrobial properties of S. minor plants were evaluated under different growing conditions. In particular, plants were grown on different substrates, namely (A) peat, (B) peat : perlite (1 : 1) and (C) peat : perlite (2 : 1). The dry weight of the aerial parts and roots was higher for the peat treatment (A), whereas plant growth was severely affected in the peat : perlite (1 : 1) treatment (B). The major detected sugars were fructose and glucose, while the peat : perlite (2 : 1) treatment resulted in a significant increase of α-tocopherol, glucose and total sugars content, especially in the aerial parts. Oxalic acid and citric acid were the major organic acids detected, with a varied effect of growth substrate on organic acid profile. Growth substrate and plant part also had a significant effect on fatty acid composition, especially on linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid content which was higher in the peat : perlite (1 : 1) treatment in both aerial parts and roots. An impact on the composition of phenolic compounds was also observed, where the plants grown on peat : perlite (2 : 1) and peat : perlite (1 : 1) substrates had the highest content of individual and total phenolic compounds in their aerial parts and roots, respectively. Moreover, roots contained significantly higher amounts of phenolic compounds than the aerial parts. Moreover, plant extracts exhibited antiproliferative activity against four tumor cell lines (HeLa, HepG2, MCF-7 and NCI-H460) and a primary culture of porcine liver cells (PLP2), as well as significant antimicrobial properties. In conclusion, S. minor presented significant bioactive properties, while growth substrates affected the nutritional value, chemical composition, antitumor and antimicrobial properties of the species which could be probably attributed to the higher phenolic compound content and different compositions of phenolic compounds. Therefore, although the species is commonly found in the Mediterranean region, it is underexploited yet and its plant tissues could be a potential source of natural bioactive compounds with further use in pharmaceutical and medicinal applications.

Ziyuglycoside II induces caspases-dependent and caspases-independent apoptosis in human colon cancer cells

The development of chemopreventive approaches using natural products including phytochemicals is a potentially useful cancer treatment. The aims of this study were to examine the apoptotic effects of ziyuglycoside II, a major bioactive compound isolated from Sanguisorba officinalis L., on human colon cancer cells. The anticancer effect of ziyuglycoside II was examined in HCT116 (as p53 normal cells) and SW480 (as p53 mutant cells) colon cancer cells. Ziyuglycoside II treatment decreased HCT116 and SW480 cell proliferation. Cell death following ziyuglycoside II treatment was predominantly apoptosis but not cell cycle arrest. Apoptosis caused by p53 phosphorylation following ziyuglycoside II treatment in HCT116 cells involved activation of caspases, increased expression of BAX, mitochondrial cytochrome c and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) release, while BCL-2 became down-regulated. In contrast, ziyuglycoside II treated SW480 cells displayed no change in phosphorylated-p53 and activation of caspases. Overall, these results suggest that ziyuglycoside II induces apoptosis through caspase-dependent and caspases-independent apoptosis, which was characterized by decreased expression of BCL-2, mitochondrial targeting, and altered production of ROS and translocation of AIF to the nuclei.

Synthesis, Anticancer Activity, and Apoptosis Induction of Novel 3,6-Diazaphenothiazines

New 10-substituted derivatives of 3,6-diazaphenothiazine, containing the triple bond linker terminated with tertiary cyclic and acyclic amine groups, were synthesized and screened for their anticancer action. The compounds exhibited varied anticancer activities against human glioblastoma SNB-19, melanoma C-32, and breast cancer MDA-MB231 cell lines, depending on the nature of the substituents. The most active 3,6-diazaphenothiazine, 4, was the derivative with the N,N-diethylamino-2-butynyl substituent against glioblastoma SNB-19, and was ten times more potent than cisplatin. For this compound, the expression of H3, TP53, CDKN1A, BCL-2, and BAX genes was detected by the RT-qPCR method. The gene expression ratio BAX/BCL-2 indicated the induction of mitochondrial apoptosis in cancer cell lines. The transformation of the propynyl substituent into amino-2-butynyl can be a method applicable to the search for more anticancer-active azaphenothiazines.

Simultaneous Determination and Pharmacokinetics Study of Six Triterpenes in Rat Plasma by UHPLC-MS/MS after Oral Administration of Sanguisorba officinalis L. Extract

A selective and sensitive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of ziyuglycoside I (I), 3β,19α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic-acid 28-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (II), 3β-[(α-l-arabinopyranosyl) oxy]-urs-12,18(19)-dien-28-oic acid β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (III), rosamultin (IV), 1β-hydroxyeuscaphic acid (V) and alpinoside (VI) in rats after oral administration of Sanguisorba officinalis L. (S. officinalis) extract. The 3β,19α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic-acid 28-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester, 3β-[(α-l-arabinopyranosyl) oxy]-urs-12,18(19)-dien-28-oic acid β-d-glucopyranosyl ester, rosamultin, 1β-hydroxyeuscaphic acid and alpinoside in rat plasma were the first report in the pharmacokinetics study in the present study. The analytes were quantified using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with the electrospray ion source in positive electrospray ionization. Plasma was extracted with ethyl acetate via liquid–liquid extraction. Bifendate was used as internal standard (IS). The current method was validated for linearity, intra-day and inter-day precisions, accuracy, extraction recovery, matrix effect and stability. The lower limits of quantification of ziyuglycoside I, 3β,19α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic-acid 28-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester, 3β-[(α-l-arabinopyranosyl) oxy]-urs-12,18(19)-dien-28-oic acid β-d-glucopyranosyl ester, rosamultin, 1β-hydroxyeuscaphic acid and alpinoside were 6.1, 4.9, 1.3, 3.8, 1.5 and 5.7 ng/mL, respectively. Intra-day and inter-day precision and the accuracy of the assay were in range from −9.48 to 12.74%. The extraction recoveries of analytes and bifendate (IS) from rat plasma ranged from 77.17% to 92.48%. Six compounds could be rapidly absorbed into blood (T_max, 0.58–1.58 h), and then eliminated relatively slowly (t_1/2, 6.86–11.63 h). The pharmacokinetic results might contribute to further guide the clinical application of S. officinalis.

A Sample and Sensitive HPLC-MS/MS Method for Simultaneous Determination of Ziyuglycoside I and Its Metabolite Ziyuglycoside II in Rat Pharmacokinetics

Ziyuglycoside I (ZGS1) is a promising drug candidate for the treatment of leucopenia. Currently, information on ZGS1 and its in vivo metabolite ziyuglycoside II (ZGS2) is limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and excretion of ziyuglycoside I (ZGS1) and its metabolite ziyuglycoside II (ZGS2) in rats. In our study, a simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method was established for simultaneous determination of ZGS1 and its metabolite for Sprague-Dawley rat pharmacokinetics studies. The method was validated following internationally-approved guidelines. The results presented in this study indicated that subcutaneous administration of ZGS1 prolonged its extension time and increased the area under the curve (AUC_0-t) of ZGS2 during 0 to t minutes. In summary, in this study, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of ZGS1 and its metabolite ZGS2 were defined and its tissue distribution, and excretion in rats were described. Our finding may be beneficial for leucopenia drug that focus on ZGS1.

Phytotherapeutic Activities of Sanguisorba officinalis and its Chemical Constituents: A Review

Sanguisorba officinalis Linne (S. officinalis, Rosaceae) has been used as a medicinal plant for the treatment of burns, hematemesis, melena, intestinal infections, and dermatitis for a long time in China, Korea, and Japan. The therapeutic efficacy of this herb is intimately associated with its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, hemostatic, and anticancer activities. Its root contains triterpenoid saponins (zigyuglycoside I: C[Formula: see text]H[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] and ziyuglycoside II: C[Formula: see text]H[Formula: see text]O₈) and tannins (sanguiin H-6: C[Formula: see text]H[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]). It has been recently revealed that these active constituents of S. officinalis possess antiwrinkle properties without cytotoxicity. They also have anticancer effects by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Moreover, they can inhibit proliferative tumorigenesis. The underlying mechanism involved in the pharmacological actions of these active constituents is mainly related to p38 MAPK signaling. Although various studies have reported its therapeutic activities and major chemical components, review articles that extensively organize various properties of S. officinalis and its major constituents are still scarce. Taken together, the objective of this paper is to provide overall pharmacological and phytochemical profiles of S. officinalis and its constituents (including ziyuglycoside I, ziyuglycoside II, and sanguiin H-6), and their potential roles in clinical applications for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, bleeding disorders, and cancer.

Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Plants from the Genus Sanguisorba L

Plants from the genus Sanguisorba have been treated as medicinal ingredients for over 2000 years. This paper reviews advances in the botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological studies of the genus. To date, more than 120 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from these plants, especially from S. officinalis and S. minor. Among these compounds, triterpenoids, phenols and flavonoids are the primary biologically active constituents. Triterpenoids can be used as quality control markers to determine the quality of medicinal materials and their preparations. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that plants from the genus Sanguisorba exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties, including hemostatic, antibacterial, antitumor, neuroprotective and hypoglycemic activities. In Chinese medical practice, many drugs (e.g., tablets and powders) that contain S. officinalis roots have been used to treat leukopenia, hemorrhaging and burns. However, there is still a multitude of Sanguisorba species that have garnered little or no attention. Indeed, there are few reports concerning the clinical use and toxic effects of these plants. Further attention should be focused on the study of these species in order to gather information on their respective toxicology data, any relevant quality-control measures, and the clinical value of the crude extracts, active compounds, and bioactive metabolites from Genus Sanguisorba.

Effects of Photodynamic Therapy Using Yellow LED-light with Concomitant Hypocrellin B on Apoptotic Signaling in Keloid Fibroblasts

Keloid is a common and refractory disease characterized by abnormal fibroblast proliferation and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components. Hypocrellin B (HB) is a natural perylene quinone photosensitizer. In this experiment, we studied the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using yellow light from light-emitting diode (LED) combined with HB on keloid fibroblasts (KFB) in vitro. Our results showed that HB-LED PDT treatment induced significant KFB apoptosis and decreased KFB cell viability. HB-LED PDT treatment lead to significant BAX upregulation and BCL-2 downregulation in KFB cells, which led to elevation of intracellular free Ca²⁺ and activation of caspase-3. Our data provides preliminary evidence for the potential of HB-LED PDT as a therapeutic strategy for keloid.

Apoptotic induction and inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway in human prostatic cancer PC3 cells by natural compound 2,2'-oxybis (4-allyl-1-methoxybenzene), biseugenol B, from Litsea costalis: an in vitro study

Litsea is considered as an evergreen genus distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia; this genus belongs to the large family of Lauraceae. In this study, the cell-death metabolism of biseugenol B was investigated. Nuclear condensation, cell permeability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and release of cytochrome c have been detected in human prostate cancer cell line (PC3) treated with biseugenol B by high content screening (HCS). Fluorescent analysis was conducted to examine the reactive oxygen species formation. To determine the mechanism of cell death, the levels of Bcl-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2 proteins, Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) protein and anti-apoptosis heat-shock protein 70 were tested by applying reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Bioluminescent assays were also performed to assess the level of caspases such as 3/7, 8 and 9 during treatment. Furthermore, the involvement of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was examined by Western blot and HCS. Biseugenol B showed significant cytotoxicity toward PC3 with no toxicity toward normal prostate cells (RWPE-1), which indicates that biseugenol B has qualities that induce apoptosis in tumor cells. The treatment of PC3 cells with biseugenol B provoked apoptosis with cell-death-transducing signals. Downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax regulated the MMP, which in turn caused the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol. The release of cytochrome c activated caspase-9, which consequently activated caspase-3/7 with the cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase protein, thereby resulting in apoptosis alteration. Involvement of an extrinsic apoptosis pathway was exhibited by the increase in caspase-8, while the increase in caspase-3/7 and caspase-9 demonstrated involvement of an intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Meanwhile, no significant increase was observed in caspases 3/7, 8 or 9 in normal prostate cells (RWPE-1) after treatment with biseugenol B. Prevention of NF-κB translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus occurred in PC3 after treatment with biseugenol B. The results of our study reveal that biseugenol B triggers the apoptosis of PC3 cells via intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways and inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that biseugenol B is a potentially useful agent for prostate cancer treatment.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Sanguisorba officinalis L. Extracts

Sanquisorba officinalis has been used internally for the treatment of intestinal infections and duodenal ulcers, as well as hemorrhoids, phlebitis and varicose veins and female disorders, and topically to heal wounds, burns, and ulcers. In our study, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, as well as quantitative analysis of polyphenols (phenolic acids, flavonoids and total polyphenols) in methanol and aqueous extracts from S. officinalis herbs are presented. A correlation between the antioxidant activity and composition of tested extracts indicates that flavonoids are the major compounds causing scavenging of free radicals. Higher content of flavonoids was found in the methanol extract, while the content of total phenolics was higher in the aqueous extract. Both extracts from S. officinalis herbs showed antioxidant activity and high antimicrobial activity in a wide spectrum of test strains.

Development of a novel sectional multiple filtering scheme for rapid screening and classifying metabolites of ziyuglycoside II in rat liver and excreta specimen based on high-resolution mass spectrometry

Ziyuglycoside II, one of the major effective ingredients of Sanguisorba officinalis L., had various pharmacological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation, etc. Better understanding of the pharmacology and toxicology of ziyuglycoside II requires the detailed elucidation of its biologic fates in vivo. Herein, the metabolic fate of ziyuglycoside II in rats was investigated based on liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF/MS). To accelerate and simplify the process of metabolite identification from complicated biological matrix, the sectional multiple filtering (SMF) scheme was designed according to the relationship among the molecular weight (MW), mass defect (MD) and retention time (tR) of the metabolites. SMF-I (MW: 700-850Da, MD: 0.40-0.45Da, tR: 4.0-10.0min), SMF-II (MW: 550-700Da, MD: 0.30-0.40Da, tR: 6.0-14.0min) and SMF-III (MW: 400-550Da, MD at 0.25-0.35Da, tR at 9.5-16.0min) were built and utilized to screen phase II conjugations and phase I redox metabolites and deglycosylated derivatives, respectively. As a result, dozens of metabolites, including glucuronic conjugates, hydroxylation, oxidization, dehydration and deglycosylation products, were rapidly discovered, classified and structural identified in rat urine and feces based on SMF scheme and accurate MS(1)/MS(2) information. Obviously, the SMF technique showed superior efficiency and selectivity in ziyuglycoside II metabolite identification. More importantly, SMF would find its extensive application in, but not limited to, the metabolic study for single drug or homologous compounds in traditional Chinese medicine.

Anti-Diabetic and Hepato-Renal Protective Effects of Ziyuglycoside II Methyl Ester in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by abnormal carbohydrate metabolism, and closely associated with abnormal lipid metabolism and hepato-renal dysfunction. This study investigated the anti-diabetic and hepato-renal protective properties of ziyuglycoside I (ZG01) derivative on type 2 diabetes. ZG01 was isolated from roots of Sanguisorba officinalis and chemically modified by deglycosylation and esterification to obtained ziyuglycoside II methyl ester (ZG02-ME). Here, we showed that ZG02-ME has stronger anti-diabetic activity than the original compound (ZG01) through decreasing blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and insulin levels in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes (db/db mice). We further found that ZG02-ME treatment effectively ameliorated serum insulin, leptin and C-peptide levels, which are key metabolic hormones, in db/db mice. In addition, we showed that elevated basal blood lipid levels were decreased by ZG02-ME treatment in db/db mice. Furthermore, treatment of ZG02-ME significantly decreased serum AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine, and liver lipid peroxidation in db/db mice. These results demonstrated that compared to ZG01, chemically modified ZG02-ME possess improved anti-diabetic properties, and has hepato-renal protective activities in type 2 diabetes.

Shikonin induces apoptosis in the human gastric cancer cells HGC-27 through mitochondria-mediated pathway

Background:

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most frequently occurring digestive tract cancers and fewer chemotherapeutic drugs for GC have shown promising results. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor activity of shikonin, a natural compound isolated from the Chinese plant Lithospermum erythrorhizon, against the human GC cell line HGC-27.

Materials and Methods:

HGC-27 cells treated with shikonin at a concentration of 30μM or above showed significant growth inhibition compared to control cells. Shikonin-treated cells also underwent apoptosis as detected by flow cytometric analysis and microscopic examination of cellular morphology. Further investigation into the underlying mechanism of apoptosis by western blot showed that the shikonin promoted the activation of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase, caspase-3 and caspase-9 following 24 h or 48 h of treatment time, as well as the activation of caspase-8, but only after 48 h of treatment time. Furthermore, the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-extra large were reduced following shikonin treatment while the level of Bax was increased. In addition, shikonin also caused a significant reduction of the protein Survivin, while having little effect on the expression on X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein.

Conclusion:

Taken together, these results showed that the shikonin exhibited its anti-tumor activity against HGC-27 cells through inhibiting cell growth and promoting apoptosis by targeting mitochondrial-related signaling pathway. Our finding may represent a positive step in finding a natural and effective compound that could be important implication for future development of chemotherapeutic and/or chemopreventive agent against GC.

Involvement of NF-κB and HSP70 signaling pathways in the apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells induced by a prenylated xanthone compound, α-mangostin, from Cratoxylum arborescens

Background

Cratoxylum arborescens has been used traditionally in Malaysia for the treatment of various ailments.

Methods

α-Mangostin (AM) was isolated from C. arborescens and its cell death mechanism was investigated. AM-induced cytotoxicity was observed with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Acridine orange/propidium iodide staining and annexin V were used to detect cells in early phases of apoptosis. High-content screening was used to observe the nuclear condensation, cell permeability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cytochrome c release. The role of caspases-3/7, -8, and -9, reactive oxygen species, Bcl-2 and Bax expression, and cell cycle arrest were also investigated. To determine the role of the central apoptosis-related proteins, a protein array followed by immunoblot analysis was conducted. Moreover, the involvement of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was also analyzed.

Results

Apoptosis was confirmed by the apoptotic cells stained with annexin V and increase in chromatin condensation in nucleus. Treatment of cells with AM promoted cell death-transducing signals that reduced MMP by downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax, triggering cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol. The released cytochrome c triggered the activation of caspase-9 followed by the executioner caspase-3/7 and then cleaved the PARP protein. Increase of caspase-8 showed the involvement of extrinsic pathway. AM treatment significantly arrested the cells at the S phase (P<0.05) concomitant with an increase in reactive oxygen species. The protein array and Western blotting demonstrated the expression of HSP70. Moreover, AM significantly blocked the induced translocation of NF-κB from cytoplasm to nucleus.

Conclusion

Together, the results demonstrate that the AM isolated from C. arborescens inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells, leading to cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death, which was suggested to occur through both the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways with involvement of the NF-κB and HSP70 signaling pathways.

α-Mangostin from Cratoxylum arborescens demonstrates apoptogenesis in MCF-7 with regulation of NF-κB and Hsp70 protein modulation in vitro, and tumor reduction in vivo

Cratoxylum arborescens is an equatorial plant belonging to the family Guttiferae. In the current study, α-Mangostin (AM) was isolated and its cell death mechanism was studied. HCS was undertaken to detect the nuclear condensation, mitochondrial membrane potential, cell permeability, and the release of cytochrome c. An investigation for reactive oxygen species formation was conducted using fluorescent analysis. To determine the mechanism of cell death, human apoptosis proteome profiler assay was conducted. In addition, using immunofluorescence and immunoblotting, the levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2 proteins were also tested. Caspaces such as 3/7, 8, and 9 were assessed during treatment. Using HCS and Western blot, the contribution of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was investigated. AM had showed a selective cytotoxicity toward the cancer cells with no toxicity toward the normal cells even at 30 μg/mL, thereby indicating that AM has the attributes to induce cell death in tumor cells. The treatment of MCF-7 cells with AM prompted apoptosis with cell death-transducing signals. This regulated the mitochondrial membrane potential by down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax, thereby causing the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol. The liberation of cytochrome c activated caspace-9, which, in turn, activated the downstream executioner caspace-3/7 with the cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase protein, thereby leading to apoptotic alterations. Increase of caspace 8 had showed the involvement of an extrinsic pathway. This type of apoptosis was suggested to occur through both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways and prevention of translocation of NF-κB from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Our results revealed AM prompt apoptosis of MCF-7 cells through NF-κB, Bax/Bcl-2 and heat shock protein 70 modulation with the contribution of caspaces. Moreover, ingestion of AM at (30 and 60 mg/kg) significantly reduced tumor size in an animal model of breast cancer. Our results suggest that AM is a potentially useful agent for the treatment of breast cancer.