1
|
Zhao T, Yu Z. Modified Gexia-Zhuyu Tang inhibits gastric cancer progression by restoring gut microbiota and regulating pyroptosis. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:21. [PMID: 38195483 PMCID: PMC10775600 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03215-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gexia-Zhuyu Tang (GZT), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is used to treat a variety of diseases. However, its roles in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the roles and underlying molecular mechanisms of modified GZT in GC. METHODS The effects of modified GZT on GC were investigated by constructing mouse xenograft models with MFC cell line. The fecal samples from low-dose, high-dose, and without modified GZT treatment groups were collected for the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Histopathological alterations of mice were evaluated using the hematoxylin-eosin (HE). Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis with Ki67 and GSDMD was performed to measure tissue cell proliferation and pyroptosis, respectively. Proteins associated with pyroptosis, invasion, and metastasis were detected by Western blotting. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess inflammation-related factors levels. RESULTS Modified GZT inhibited GC tumor growth and reduced metastasis and invasion-related proteins expression levels, including CD147, VEGF, and MMP-9. Furthermore, it notably promoted caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis, as evidenced by a dose-dependent increase in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, and LDH levels, along with elevated protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1. Additionally, modified GZT increased species abundance and diversity of the intestinal flora. FMT assay identified that modified GZT inhibited GC tumor progression through regulation of intestinal flora. CONCLUSIONS Modified GZT treatment may promote pyroptosis by modulating gut microbiota in GC. This study identifies a new potential approach for the GC clinical treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 800, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai City, 200240, China
| | - Zhijian Yu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University,Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Preparation Technology, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Guangzhou City, 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tang Q, Ma Z, Tang X, Liu Y, Wu H, Peng Y, Jiao B, Wang R, Ye X, Ma H, Li X. Coptisine inhibits Helicobacter pylori and reduces the expression of CagA to alleviate host inflammation in vitro and in vivo. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 314:116618. [PMID: 37164257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major pathogen colonized in the human stomach and is implicated in gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric carcinoma. Antibiotics are useful for eradicating H. pylori but failed for drug resistance, making it urgent to develop effective and safe drugs. Rhizoma Coptidis was reported as one of the most effective Chinese medicines to treat H. pylori-related gastrointestinal diseases, while the precise antimicrobial mechanism remains unclear. Thus, it is of great significance to study the antimicrobial ingredients and corresponding mechanisms of Rhizoma Coptidis. AIM OF THE STUDY To search for the most effective alkaloid against H. pylori in Rhizoma Coptidis and illustrate the probable mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Five main alkaloids in Rhizoma Coptidis were isolated. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were tested to determine the most effective one. Bacterial growth experiments, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, TUNEL staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed to further study the anti-H. pylori activity of coptisine (Cop). The in vivo effect of Cop on H. pylori eradication rate and H. pylori-induced inflammation was investigated in mice. Transcriptomics was used to understand the underlying mechanism of eradicating H. pylori and reducing host inflammation. Western blot, RT-PCR, and ELISA experiments were utilized and confirmed that cagA was one of the targets of Cop. RESULTS According to the MIC and MBC, Cop was the most effective alkaloid against H. pylori, especially with no drug resistance developed. In vitro experiments showed that Cop inhibited H. pylori by inducing DNA fragmentation, phosphatidylserine exposure, and membrane damage. Cop (150 mg/kg/day) effectively eradicated H. pylori in mice and reduced the levels of IL-2 and IL-6 to relieve gastric inflammation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that virulence factor cagA was one of the hub genes associated with the inflammation-improving effect of Cop. That is, Cop could decrease the expression of CagA and subsequently reduce the translocation of CagA to gastric epithelial cells, thereby improving the morphology of hummingbird-like phenotype induced by CagA and alleviating inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Cop is the most effective alkaloid in Rhizoma Coptidis and might act through multiple mechanisms for H. pylori eradication along with reducing the expression of CagA to alleviate inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qin Tang
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Zhengcai Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Xiang Tang
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Yan Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Huimin Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Yu Peng
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Baihua Jiao
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Rui Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Xiaoli Ye
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Hang Ma
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Xuegang Li
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| |
Collapse
|