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Zheng Y, Zhang W, Xu L, Zhou H, Yuan M, Xu H. Recent Progress in Understanding the Action of Natural Compounds at Novel Therapeutic Drug Targets for the Treatment of Liver Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 11:795548. [PMID: 35155196 PMCID: PMC8825370 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.795548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related death following lung and stomach cancers. As a highly lethal disease, liver cancer is diagnosed frequently in less developed countries. Natural compounds extracted from herbs, animals and natural materials have been adopted by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practices and reported to be effective in the development of new medications for the treatment of diseases. It is important to focus on the mechanisms of action of natural compounds against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly in terms of cell cycle regulation, apoptosis induction, autophagy mediation and cell migration and invasion. In this review, we characterize novel representative natural compounds according to their pharmacologic effects based on recently published studies. The aim of this review is to summarize and explore novel therapeutic drug targets of natural compounds, which could accelerate the discovery of new anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannan Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) New Drug Discovery, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) New Drug Discovery, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) New Drug Discovery, Shanghai, China.,School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hua Zhou
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Man Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) New Drug Discovery, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongxi Xu
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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2
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Shao H, Li B, Li H, Gao L, Zhang C, Sheng H, Zhu L. Novel Strategies for Solubility and Bioavailability Enhancement of Bufadienolides. Molecules 2021; 27:51. [PMID: 35011278 PMCID: PMC8746454 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Toad venom contains a large number of bufadienolides, which have a variety of pharmacological activities, including antitumor, cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immunomodulatory effects. The strong antitumor effect of bufadienolides has attracted considerable attention in recent years, but the clinical application of bufadienolides is limited due to their low solubility and poor bioavailability. In order to overcome these shortcomings, many strategies have been explored, such as structural modification, solid dispersion, cyclodextrin inclusion, microemulsion and nanodrug delivery systems, etc. In this review, we have tried to summarize the pharmacological activities and structure-activity relationship of bufadienolides. Furthermore, the strategies for solubility and bioavailability enhancement of bufadienolides also are discussed. This review can provide a basis for further study on bufadienolides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Huagang Sheng
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 4655 Daxue Road, Jinan 250355, China; (H.S.); (B.L.); (H.L.); (L.G.); (C.Z.)
| | - Liqiao Zhu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 4655 Daxue Road, Jinan 250355, China; (H.S.); (B.L.); (H.L.); (L.G.); (C.Z.)
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3
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Li FJ, Hu JH, Ren X, Zhou CM, Liu Q, Zhang YQ. Toad venom: A comprehensive review of chemical constituents, anticancer activities, and mechanisms. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2021; 354:e2100060. [PMID: 33887066 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Toad venom, a traditional natural medicine, has been used for hundreds of years in China for treating different diseases. Many studies have been performed to elucidate the cardiotonic and analgesic activities of toad venom. Until the last decade, an increasing number of studies have documented that toad venom is a source of lead compound(s) for the development of potential cancer treatment drugs. Research has shown that toad venom contains 96 types of bufadienolide monomers and 23 types of indole alkaloids, such as bufalin, cinobufagin, arenobufagin, and resibufogenin, which exhibit a wide range of anticancer activities in vitro and, in particular, in vivo for a range of cancers. The main antitumor mechanisms are likely to be apoptosis or/and autophagy induction, cell cycle arrest, cell metastasis suppression, reversal of drug resistance, or growth inhibition of cancer cells. This review summarizes the chemical constituents of toad venom, analyzing their anticancer activities and molecular mechanisms for cancer treatments. We also outline the importance of further studies regarding the material basis and anticancer mechanisms of toad venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Jie Li
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jing-Hong Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Control and Construction of the Whole Industrial Chain of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xin Ren
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Cheng-Mei Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qian Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Control and Construction of the Whole Industrial Chain of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yong-Qing Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Control and Construction of the Whole Industrial Chain of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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4
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Deng LJ, Lei YH, Quan JY, Li BJ, Zhang DM, Tian HY, Chen Y, Zhang EX, Chen L, Ye WC, Ning WM, Yu LZ, Liu JS. 1β-OH-arenobufagin induces mitochondrial apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma through the suppression of mTOR signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 266:113443. [PMID: 33022344 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Chansu, dried secretions from Bufonidae, has long been used for cancer treatment as a traditional Chinese medicine. In searching for effective anti-hepatoma agents from Chansu, our preliminary drug screening found that a bufadienolide, namely 1β-hydroxyl-arenobufagin (1β-OH-ABF), displays anti-hepatoma activities. However, the anti-hepatoma effects and molecular mechanisms of 1β-OH-ABF have not been defined. AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the anti-hepatoma activity of 1β-OH-ABF against liver cancer Hep3B and HepG2 cells in vitro and in vivo, as well as explore the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS The anti-proliferative effects of 1β-OH-ABF on liver cancer Hep3B, HepG2, HuH7, SK-HEP-1 and normal hepatocyte LO2 cells were examined by MTT assay and colony formation assay. Hoechst 33258 staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay were used to analyze apoptosis induced by 1β-OH-ABF. The collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was detected by JC-1 staining assay. Western blotting was used to examine the expression levels of targeted proteins. The role of mTOR in 1β-OH-ABF-induced apoptosis was investigated using small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection. Zebrafish xenograft model was established to evaluate the anti-hepatoma effects of 1β-OH-ABF in vivo. RESULTS We found that 1β-OH-ABF inhibits the proliferation of Hep3B, HepG2, HuH7, SK-HEP-1 cells but has little cytotoxicity towards LO2 cells. 1β-OH-ABF induces mitochondria dysfunction and triggers mitochondria apoptotic pathway, which is accompanied by the loss of ΔΨm, upregulation and translocation of Bax, as well as cleavages of caspase-9, caspase-3 and PARP. Mechanistically, 1β-OH-ABF markedly decreases the expression level of p-AKT/AKT and p-mTOR (Ser2248 and Ser2481)/mTOR in a time-dependent manner. Inhibition of mTOR by siRNA strengthens 1β-OH-ABF-mediated apoptosis. Critically, 1β-OH-ABF shows a marked in vivo anti-hepatoma effect on human Hep3B cell xenografts in zebrafish model. CONCLUSION 1β-OH-ABF induces mitochondrial apoptosis through the suppression of mTOR signaling in vitro and in vivo, indicating that 1β-OH-ABF may serve as a potential agent for the treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Deng
- Formula Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
| | - Yu-He Lei
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
| | - Jing-Yu Quan
- Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Bao-Jing Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China.
| | - Dong-Mei Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
| | - Hai-Yan Tian
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
| | - Ye Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
| | - En-Xin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
| | - Wen-Cai Ye
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
| | - Wei-Min Ning
- Dongguan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, 523808, China.
| | - Lin-Zhong Yu
- Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Jun-Shan Liu
- Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Han Q, Zhang C, Zhang Y, Li Y, Wu L, Sun X. Bufarenogin induces intrinsic apoptosis via Bax and ANT cooperation. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2021; 9:e00694. [PMID: 33421322 PMCID: PMC7796793 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Toads have high medicinal value and have been used for medicinal purposes since the Tang Dynasty period (7th-10th Century AD). Bufarenogin, an active anti-tumor constituent of toad venom, shows anti-tumor activity. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of bufarenogin on the growth and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly its effects on mediating intrinsic signaling pathways that initiate apoptosis. An orthotopic CRC model was established in nude mice via surgical orthotopic implantation to investigate tumor growth. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting assays were performed to evaluate protein expression. The in vitro results revealed the anti-proliferative effect of bufarenogin against CRC cells. Bufarenogin caused cell death via apoptosis, as revealed by Annexin V/7-amino-actinomycin D double staining, which was verified using a pan-caspase inhibitor. Bufarenogin induced B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein (Bax)-dependent intrinsic apoptosis, as demonstrated by mitochondrial translocation of Bax and cytoplasm release of HCT116 wild-type cells and cytochrome C (soluble pro-apoptotic factors). Additionally, we showed that adenine-nucleotide translocator interacted with Bax. Bufarenogin induced intrinsic apoptosis through the cooperation of Bax and adenine-nucleotide translocator and inhibited the metastasis and growth of orthotopical CRC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinrui Han
- Shunde HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityThe First People's Hospital of ShundeFoshanChina
| | - Chun Zhang
- Shunde HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityThe First People's Hospital of ShundeFoshanChina
| | - Yongbin Zhang
- The Laboratory of Experimental Animal CenterGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouChina
| | - Yuan Li
- School of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Liyi Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xuegang Sun
- School of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
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6
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Deng LJ, Li Y, Qi M, Liu JS, Wang S, Hu LJ, Lei YH, Jiang RW, Chen WM, Qi Q, Tian HY, Han WL, Wu BJ, Chen JX, Ye WC, Zhang DM. Molecular mechanisms of bufadienolides and their novel strategies for cancer treatment. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 887:173379. [PMID: 32758567 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Bufadienolides are cardioactive C24 steroids with an α-pyrone ring at position C17. In the last ten years, accumulating studies have revealed the anticancer activities of bufadienolides and their underlying mechanisms, such as induction of autophagy and apoptosis, cell cycle disruption, inhibition of angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness, and multidrug resistance reversal. As Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitors, bufadienolides have inevitable cardiotoxicity. Short half-lives, poor stability, low plasma concentration and oral bioavailability in vivo are obstacles for their applications as drugs. To improve the drug potency of bufadienolides and reduce their side effects, prodrug strategies and drug delivery systems such as liposomes and nanoparticles have been applied. Therefore, systematic and recapitulated information about the antitumor activity of bufadienolides, with special emphasis on the molecular or cellular mechanisms, prodrug strategies and drug delivery systems, is of high interest. Here, we systematically review the anticancer effects of bufadienolides and the molecular or cellular mechanisms of action. Research advancements regarding bufadienolide prodrugs and their tumor-targeting delivery strategies are critically summarized. This work highlights recent scientific advances regarding bufadienolides as effective anticancer agents from 2011 to 2019, which will help researchers to understand the molecular pathways involving bufadienolides, resulting in a selective and safe new lead compound or therapeutic strategy with improved therapeutic applications of bufadienolides for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Deng
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yong Li
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ming Qi
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jun-Shan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Li-Jun Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yu-He Lei
- Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518034, China
| | - Ren-Wang Jiang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Wei-Min Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Qi Qi
- Clinical Translational Center for Targeted Drug, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China
| | - Hai-Yan Tian
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Wei-Li Han
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Bao-Jian Wu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jia-Xu Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Wen-Cai Ye
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Dong-Mei Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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Liu JS, Deng LJ, Tian HY, Ruan ZX, Cao HH, Ye WC, Zhang DM, Yu ZL. Anti-tumor effects and 3D-quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis of bufadienolides from toad venom. Fitoterapia 2019; 134:362-371. [PMID: 30872126 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Toad venom (venenum bufonis, also called Chan'su) has been widely used for centuries in China to treat different diseases, especially for cancer. Bufadienolides are mainly responsible for the anti-cancer effects of toad venom. However, systematic chemical composition and cytotoxicity as well as key pharmacophores of these bufadienolides from toad venom have not yet been defined clearly. To enrich the understanding of the diversity of bufadienolides and to find bufadienolides with better activities from toad venom. This study was carried out to isolate chemical constituents, research their anti-tumor effects and mechanisms by MTT assay, flow cytometry and Western blotting, and develop a CoMFA and CoMSIA quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model for illustrating the vital relationship between the chemical structures and cytotoxicities. Among 47 natural bufadienolides, most of bufadienolides (21 compounds isolated in this study and 26 compounds isolated previously) could significantly inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, and compounds 1, 8, 12, 18 and 19 showed the most potent inhibitory activity against four types of human tumor cells. Compound 18 induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, 3D contour maps generated from CoMFA and CoMSIA identified several pharmacophores of bufadienolides responsible for the anti-tumor activities. Our study might provide reliable information for future structure modification and rational drug design of bufadienolides with anticancer activities in medical chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Shan Liu
- Center for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, PR China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China
| | - Li-Juan Deng
- Formula-pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Hai-Yan Tian
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Zhi-Xiong Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology and the State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, PR China
| | - Hui-Hui Cao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China
| | - Wen-Cai Ye
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Dong-Mei Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China.
| | - Zhi-Ling Yu
- Center for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, PR China.
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Volatile oil from Saussurea lappa exerts antitumor efficacy by inhibiting epithelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:79761-79773. [PMID: 27806329 PMCID: PMC5346749 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment remains lack of effective chemotherapeutic drugs, therefore, discovering novel anti-HCC drugs is a very attractive and urgent task. In this study, we reported VOSL (volatile oil from Saussurea lappa root) exhibits potent therapeutic effect on SMMC-7721 xenografts without obvious side effects. In the in vitro experiments, VOSL inhibited HCC cell proliferation by arresting cell cycle at S and G2/M phases, and induced HCC cell apoptosis by activating the Caspase3 pathway. VOSL also decreased the capability of HCC cell migration and invasion through MMP-9 depression. Moreover, mechanistic study indicated that VOSL can act as an epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor to suppress EGFR activation and then to suppress its downstream MEK/P38 and PI3-K/Akt pathways. These results suggested that VOSL may be a novel anti-HCC drug candidate.
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Feng Y, Chen Y, Meng Y, Cao Q, Liu Q, Ling C, Wang C. Bufalin Suppresses Migration and Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Elicited by Poly (I:C) Therapy. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1426434. [PMID: 29721392 PMCID: PMC5927531 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1426434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonists as polyriboinosinic–polyribocytidylic acid (poly (I:C)) have been implicated as potential immunotherapy adjuvant for cancer whereas the exact roles of TLR3 agonists in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment have not been clearly evaluated. In consistent with previous reports, we found that poly (I:C) triggering of TLR3 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in HCC cells. However, poly (I:C), when used at lower concentration that cannot remarkably inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in HCC cells, enhanced the migration and invasion in vitro and the metastasis in vivo. More importantly, we found that bufalin, a prominent component of toad venom, could suppress poly (I:C)-inspired migration, invasion and metastasis of HCC cells despite that bufalin could not potentiate poly (I:C)-induced inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. In MHCC97 H cells, bufalin impaired poly (I:C)-induced activation of Tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) pathway and NF-κB pathway. Inhibitor for TBK1 but not NF-κB suppressed poly (I:C)-inspired migration and invasion, which was further supported by using TBK1 deficient (Tbk1–/–) cells. In another model using poly (I:C) transfection, bufalin could also suppress the migration and invasion of HCC cells, which was not observed in Tbk1–/– MHCC97 H cells. Our data suggest that bufalin can suppress the metastasis of HCC cells in poly (I:C) therapy by impairing TBK1 activation, indicating that bufalin may be used in combination with poly (I:C) therapy in HCC treatment for the sake of reversing poly (I:C)-triggered metastasis of HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglu Feng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 401 Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yongan Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongbin Meng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingxin Cao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qun Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changquan Ling
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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