Zhoushi Qiling decoction induces apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells via miR-143/Bcl-2 axis

MicroRNA-143 overexpression enhances the chemosensitivity of A172 glioblastoma cells to carmustine

As an aggressive malignancy, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of brain tumor. The existing treatments have shown limited achievement in increasing the overall survival of patients. Therefore, identifying the key molecules involved in GBM will provide new potential therapeutic targets. Carmustine is an alkylating agent used as a supplementary therapeutic option for GBM. However, the extensive use of carmustine has been limited by uncertainty about its efficacy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are essential in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Many aberrantly expressed miRNAs have been detected in various types of human cancer, including GBM. In this study, we evaluated the potential therapeutic effect of miR-143 in combination with carmustine on GBM cells. A172 cells were transfected with miR-143 mimics and then treated with carmustine. To assess the cell viability, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle progression, the MTT assay, Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay, and flow cytometry were used, respectively. Furthermore, qRT-PCR assay was applied to evaluate the expression level of genes related to apoptosis. The obtained results evidenced that miR-143 transfection could promote the sensitivity of A172 cells to carmustine and enhance carmustine-induced apoptosis via modulating the expression levels of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax, and Bcl-2. Also, our results revealed that combination therapy could effectively diminish cell cycle progression in A172 cells. In conclusion, these results confirmed that miR-143 could enhance carmustine-mediated suppression of cell proliferation and improve the chemosensitivity of A172 cells to this chemotherapeutic agent. Therefore, miR-143 combination therapy may be a promising GBM treatment approach.

CEBPA facilitates LOXL2 and LOXL3 transcription to promote BCL-2 stability and thus enhances the growth and metastasis of lung carcinoma cells in vitro

Lung carcinoma (LC) is a complicated and highly heterogeneous disease with high morbidity and mortality. Both lysyl oxidase-like (LOXL) 2 and 3 act in cancer progression. This work endeavors to illustrate the influence of LOXL2/LOXL3 on LC progression and the underlying mechanisms. LOXL family genes and CCAAT enhancer binding protein A (CEBPA) were analyzed in the TCGA database for their expression patterns in LC patients and their correlations with the patient's prognosis. CEBPA, LOXL2, and LOXL3 expression levels were determined in LC cells. Gain- and loss-of-function assays were conducted, followed by assays for cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis, invasion, and migration. The binding of CEBPA or B cell lymphoma protein (BCL)-2 to LOXL2/LOXL3 was verified. The ubiquitination level of BCL-2 and histone acetylation level of LOXL2/LOXL3 in LC cells were analyzed. Database analyses revealed that LC patients had high CEBPA, LOXL2, and LOXL3 expression, which were related to poor prognosis. LC cells also exhibited high CEBPA, LOXL2, and LOXL3 levels. LOXL2/LOXL3 knockdown subdued EMT, proliferation, migration, and invasion while enhancing the apoptosis of LC cells. LOXL2/LOXL3 could bind to CEBPA and BCL-2. LOXL2/LOXL3 knockdown upregulated BCL-2 ubiquitination level and diminished BCL-2 expression in LC cells. CEBPA recruited Tip60 to enhance histone acetylation and transcription of LOXL2/LOXL3 in LC cells. BCL-2 overexpression abolished the impacts of LOXL2/LOXL3 knockdown on LC cells. In conclusion, CEBPA boosts LOXL2 and LOXL3 transcription to facilitate BCL-2 stability by recruiting Tip60 and thus contributes to LC cell growth and metastasis.

Zhoushi Qi Ling decoction inhibits the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer in vivo by regulating macrophage infiltration via IL6-STAT3 signaling

Background and aim

Prostate cancer is a leading malignant tumor in men, associated with a high rate of mortality. Androgen deprivation therapy is commonly used to treat prostate cancer, which contributes to the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The current therapy has a low survival rate in patients with CRPC. Our study aims to develop a novel effective approach for CRPC treatment and improve survival benefits.

Experimental procedure

CRPC cell line PC-3-Luc expressing luciferase and the CRPC cell line PC-3-IL6-Luc stably overexpressing IL-6 were used to establish the xenograft tumor mouse model. The tumor was monitored weekly using Bioluminescence imaging. Infiltrated macrophages were quantified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting using flow cytometry. IL6 mRNA level was determined using quantitative real-time PCR. The protein levels of total STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 were determined using Western blot.

Results and conclusion

Zhoushi Qi Ling decoction (ZQD) treatment significantly reduced PC3 the xenograft tumor progression and the number of infiltrated macrophages when compared with saline treatment. IL6 mRNA level was remarkedly suppressed by ZQD treatment. Notably, the protein level of phosphorylated STAT3 was significantly decreased in PC3 the xenograft tumor treated with ZQD compared to saline treatment. Our findings demonstrated that ZQD treatment significantly reduced the progression of prostate cancer, evidenced by the reduced population of infiltrated macrophages and the inhibition of the IL6/STAT3 pathway.

Chinese herbal medicines for prostate cancer therapy: From experimental research to clinical practice

Prostate cancer remains the second most common malignancy in men worldwide, is a global health issue, and poses a huge health burden. Precision medicine provides more treatment options for prostate cancer patients, but its popularity, drug resistance, and adverse reactions still need to be focused on. Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have been widely accepted as an alternative therapy for cancer, with the advantages of multiple targets, multiple pathways, and low toxicity. We searched the experimental research and clinical practice of CHMs for prostate cancer treatment published in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science in the last five years. We found five CHM formulas and six single CHM extracts as well as 12 CHM-derived compounds, which showed induction of apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest, suppression of angiogenesis, proliferation, and migration of prostate cancer cells, reversal of drug resistance, and enhancement of anti-tumor immunity. The mechanisms of action include the PI3K/Akt/mTOR, AR, EGFR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, which are commonly implicated in the development of prostate cancer. We also summarized the advantages of CHMs in patients with hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer and provided ideas for their further experimental design and application.

Targeting of AKT1 by miR-143-3p Suppresses Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer

An altered expression of miR-143-3p has been previously reported in prostate cancer where it is purported to play a tumor suppressor role. Evidence from other cancers suggests miR-143-3p acts as an inhibitor of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a key biological process required for metastasis. However, in prostate cancer the interaction between miR-143-3p and EMT-associated mechanisms remains unclear. Therefore, this paper investigated the link between miR-143-3p and EMT in prostate cancer using in vitro and in silico analyses. PCR detected that miR-143-3p expression was significantly decreased in prostate cancer cell lines compared to normal prostate cells. Bioinformatic analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas Prostate Adenocarcinoma (TCGA PRAD) data showed a significant downregulation of miR-143-3p in prostate cancer, correlating with pathological markers of advanced disease. Functional enrichment analysis confirmed the significant association of miR-143-3p and its target genes with EMT. The EMT-linked gene AKT1 was subsequently shown to be a novel target of miR-143-3p in prostate cancer cells. The in vitro manipulation of miR-143-3p levels significantly altered the cell proliferation, clonogenicity, migration and expression of EMT-associated markers. Further TCGA PRAD analysis suggested miR-143-3p tumor expression may be a useful predictor of disease recurrence. In summary, this is the first study to report that miR-143-3p overexpression in prostate cancer may inhibit EMT by targeting AKT1. The findings suggest miR-143-3p could be a useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for prostate cancer.

QiLing Decoction promotes ferroptosis of castration-resistant prostate cancer cells by inhibiting FSP1 in vitro and in vivo

QiLing Decoction (QLD) showed therapeutic effects against prostate cancer with an unclear underlying mechanism. This study explored the underlying mechanisms of QLD against castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Clinical specimens were collected from the patients with CRPC. Stable cells including knockdown and overexpression cell lines were established by plasmid transfection. The xenograft animal model was constructed. Cell viability was determined by using cell-counting kit 8 assay. Biochemical assays were used to determine the levels of iron (Fe2+) and lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS). qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to determine levels of target genes, respectively. Treatment of QLD inhibited ferroptosis suppressor protein (FSP) 1 at mRNA and protein levels in patients with CRPC. Additionally, cells treated with QLD-containing serum displayed a decrease in cell viability and an increase in Fe2+ and lipid ROS with or without erastin, whereas ferroptosis inhibitor reversed QLD-induced ferroptosis. The regulatory effects of QLD on PC3 cell ferroptosis were associated with its inhibitory effects against FSP1. Consistently, QLD inhibited PC3 tumor growth by inhibiting FSP1. Moreover, treatment of QLD increased the sensitivity of PC3-AbiR cells to abiraterone by inhibiting FSP1. QLD promoted ferroptosis in CRPC cells in part by inhibiting FSP1 in vitro and in vivo.

Zhoushi Qiling decoction inhibits proliferation of human prostate cancer cells through IL6/STAT3 pathway

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumor in men, accounting for one of the top five cancer incidences worldwide. However, there is no effective pharmacological treatment for advanced prostate cancer (APC). Herein, we aim to investigate the mechanism of Zhoushi Qiling decoction (ZQD), a traditional Chinese medicine compound, in inhibiting prostate cancer cells proliferation and tumor growth. Methods: IC50 was determined in PC3 and DU145 cells. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay after interleukin (IL) 6 stimulation. Cell proliferation ability was evaluated using colony formation assay. IL-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway was analyzed using qRT-PCR and Western blot in PC3 and DU145 cells and xenograft tumor tissues. Results: It was found that ZQD significantly inhibited Il-6-induced cell viability and proliferation in PC3 and DU145 cells. Moreover, ZQD significantly reduced mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1β, STAT3, Bcl2, and CyclinD1, stimulated by IL-6. The protein levels of p-STAT3, Bcl2 and CyclinD1 were reduced by ZQD treatment at 40 mg/mL both in PC3 and DU145 cells. Additionally, in xenograft tumor tissues, tumor volume, weight and proliferation were significantly reduced by ZQD treatment. In addition, the mRNA and protein levels of IL-6 and pSTAT3 were significantly inhibited by ZQD treatment in vivo. Conclusion: We demonstrate that ZQD can effectively reduce cell proliferation and tumor growth by inhibiting the activation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway.