Silibinin restores the sensitivity of cisplatin and taxol in A2780-resistant cell and reduces drug-induced hepatotoxicity

Medicinal plants as a potential resource for the discovery of novel structures towards cancer drug resistance treatment

Despite extensive research in chemotherapy, global cancer concerns persist, exacerbated by the challenge of drug resistance, which imposes economic and medical burdens. Natural compounds, particularly secondary metabolites from medicinal plants, present promising avenues for overcoming cancer drug resistance due to their diverse structures and essential pharmacological effects. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of cancer cell resistance mechanisms and target actions for reversing resistance and highlights the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of noteworthy alkaloids, flavonoids, and other compounds, emphasizing their potential as therapeutic agents. The molecular properties supporting ligand interactions are thoroughly examined, providing a robust theoretical foundation. The review concludes by discussing methods including quantitative structure-activity relationships and molecular docking, offering insights into screening potential candidates. Current trends in clinical treatment, contributing to a holistic understanding of the multifaceted approaches to address cancer drug resistance are also outlined.

Exploring the Mechanism of Brucea Javanica against Ovarian Cancer based on Network Pharmacology and the Influence of Luteolin on the PI3K/AKT Pathway

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a commonly diagnosed female cancer around the world. The Chinese herbal medicine Brucea Javanica has an anti-cancer effect. However, there is no relevant report on whether Brucea Javanica is effective in treating OC, and the corresponding mechanism is also unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study was projected to excavate the active components and underpinned molecular mechanisms of Brucea Javanica in treating ovarian cancer (OC) through network pharmacology combined with in vitro experiments.

METHODS

The essential active components of Brucea Javanica were selected using the TCMSP database. The OC-related targets were selected by GeneCards, intersecting targets were obtained by Venn Diagram. The core targets were obtained through the PPI network and Cytoscape, and the key pathway was gained through GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Meanwhile, docking conformation was observed as reflected by molecular docking. MTT, colony formation assay and flow cytometer (FCM) analysis were performed to determine cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. Finally, Levels of various signaling proteins were evaluated by western blotting.

RESULTS

Luteolin, β-sitosterol and their corresponding targets were selected as the essential active components of Brucea Javanica. 76 intersecting targets were obtained by Venn Diagram. TP53, AKT1, and TNF were obtained through the PPI network and Cytoscape, and the key pathway PI3K/AKT was gained through GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. A good docking conformation was observed between luteolin and AKT1. Luteolin could hinder A2780 cell proliferation, induce cell apoptosis and enhance the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION

It was verified in vitro that luteolin could hinder OC cell proliferation and activate the PI3K/AKT pathway to lead to apoptosis.

The PAPSS1 gene is a modulator of response to cisplatin by regulating estrogen receptor alpha signaling activity in ovarian cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Cancer cells may develop resistance to cisplatin by various mechanisms. Yet, the exact mechanism of cisplatin in ovarian cancer remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that 3'-phospoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate synthase 1 (PAPSS1) inhibition combined with low-dose cisplatin increases DNA damage. The aim of this study was to determine the value of targeting PAPSS1 as a cisplatin modulator in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

RESULTS

Increased expression of PAPSS1 was observed in both EOC cells and tissues. Also, its higher nuclear expression was distinctly associated with FIGO (The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage, histological subtype, metastasis, and recurrence. Down-regulation of the PAPSS1 gene increased the cisplatin sensitivity of EOC in vitro and in vivo. Expression of PAPSS1 was negatively correlated with estrogen receptor α (ERα) in EOC. Also, low nuclear PAPSS1 and high nuclear ERα expression in EOC were associated with longer overall survival and progression-free survival in all ovarian cancer and ovarian cancer patients who received platinum-based chemotherapy. PAPSS1 silencing increased the activity of ERα-signaling in EOC cells, thus sensitizing tumors to cisplatin.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings characterize a novel interplay between PAPSS1-mediated sulfation and ERα-signaling in EOC cisplatin resistance. PAPSS1 may be exploited as a cisplatin-sensitizing therapeutic target.

Bruceine D and afatinib combination inhibits ovarian cancer cells proliferation and migration through DNA damage repair and EGFR pathway

Owing to the high rates of relapse and migration, ovarian cancer (OC) has been recognized as the most lethal gynecological malignancy worldwide. The activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway is frequently associated with OC cell proliferation and migration. Despite this knowledge, inhibition of EGFR signaling in OC patients failed to achieve satisfactory therapeutic effects. In this study, we identified that bruceine D (BD) and EGFR inhibitor, afatinib, combination resulted in synergistic anti-OC effects. The results indicated that compared with one of both drugs alone, the combination of BD and afatinib slowed the DNA replication rate, inhibition of cell viability, and proliferation and clone formation. This resulted in cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. In addition, the combination of BD and afatinib possessed a stronger ability to inhibit the OC cell adhesion and migration than treatment with BD or afatinib alone. Mechanistically, the combined treatment triggered intense DNA damage, suppressed DNA damage repair, and enhanced the inhibition of the EGFR pathway. These results demonstrated that compared with each pathway inhibition, combined blocking of both DNA damage repair and the EGFR pathway appears to more effective against OC treatment. The results support the potential of BD and afatinib combination as a therapeutic strategy for OC patients.

cyy260 suppresses the proliferation, migration and tumor growth of osteosarcoma by targeting PDGFR-β signaling pathway

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a group of malignant tumors with high rates of malignancy and metastasis. OS most commonly affects adolescents and young individuals. However, owing to the lack of effective targeted treatments, the 5-year survival rate for OS is still around 20%. Thus, it is essential to develop effective drugs with low toxicity for OS treatment. In the present study, we investigated the antitumor effect and underlying mechanism of cyy260 in OS via suppressing PDGFR-β and its downstream pathway. We demonstrated that cyy260 inhibits OS cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis via inducing DNA damage and causing cell cycle arrest. More importantly, cyy260 also significantly inhibits tumor migration. Further analysis of molecular mechanisms confirmed that PDGFR-β and its downstream AKT, STAT3, and ERK were involved in the cyy260-mediated antitumor effect. Analysis of subcutaneously transplanted tumors in mice showed that cyy260 suppressed tumor cell growth and exhibited low toxicity in vivo. Collectively, these findings proved that cyy260 could serve as a promising PDGFR-β inhibitor for the treatment of OS.

Bacteriophages PɸEn-CL and PɸEn-HO can eliminate MDR Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter hormaechei isolated from burn wound infections without toxicity for human skin cells

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains has caused serious problems in the treatment of burn infections. MDR Enterobactercloacae and Enterobacterhormaechei have been defined as the causative agents of nosocomial infections in burn patients. In this situation, examination of phages side effects on human cell lines before any investigation on human or animal that can provide beneficial information about the safety of isolated phages. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify the specific bacteriophages on MDR E. cloacae and E. hormaechei isolated from burn wounds and to analyze the efficacy, cell viability and cell cytotoxicity of phages on A-375 and HFSF-PI cell lines by MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) colorimetric assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Phages were isolated from urban sewage Isfahan, Iran. Enterobactercloacae strain Iau-EC100 (GenBank accession number: MZ314381) and E. hormaechei strain Iau-EHO100 (GenBank accession number: MZ348826) were sensitive to the isolated phages. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results revealed that PɸEn-CL and PɸEn-HO that were described had the morphologies of Myovirus and Inovirus, respectively. Overall, MTT and LDH assays showed moderate to excellent correlation in the evaluation of cytotoxicity of isolated phages. The results of MTT and LDH assays showed that, phages PɸEn-CL and PɸEn-HO had no significant toxicity effect on A375 and HFSF-PI 3 cells. Phage PɸEn-HO had a better efficacy on the two tested cell lines than other phage. Our results indicated that, there were significant differences between the two cytotoxicity assays in phage treatment compared to control.

Inhibition of Jurkat T Cell Proliferation by Active Components of Rumex japonicus Roots Via Induced Mitochondrial Damage and Apoptosis Promotion

Rumex japonicus Houtt (RJH) is a valuable plant used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases, such as scabies and jaundice. In this study, Jurkat cell growth inhibitory extracts of R. japonicus roots were subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation, resulting in the isolation of three naphthalene derivatives (3-5) along with one anthraquinone (6) and two phenolic compounds (1 and 2). Among these compounds, 2-methoxystypandrone (5) exhibited potent anti-proliferative effects on Jurkat cells. Analysis by flow cytometry confirmed that 2-methoxystypandrone (5) could significantly reduce mitochondrial membrane potential and promote increased levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), suggesting a strong mitochondrial depolarization effect. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis was also performed, and the results revealed that the accumulation of ROS was caused by reduced mRNA expression levels of heme oxygenase (HO-1), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In addition, 2-methoxystypandrone (5) triggered strong apoptosis that was mediated by the arrest of the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, 2-methoxystypandrone (5) downregulated p-IκB-α, p-NF-κB p65, Bcl2, and Bcl-xl and upregulated BAX proteins. Taken together, these findings revealed that 2-methoxystypandrone (5) isolated from RJH could potentially serve as an early lead compound for leukemia treatment involving intracellular signaling by increasing mitochondrial ROS and exerting anti-proliferative effects.

Autophagy activated by silibinin contributes to glioma cell death via induction of oxidative stress-mediated BNIP3-dependent nuclear translocation of AIF

Induction of lethal autophagy has become a strategy to eliminate glioma cells, but it remains elusive whether autophagy contributes to cell death via causing mitochondria damage and nuclear translocation of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF). In this study, we find that silibinin induces AIF translocation from mitochondria to nuclei in glioma cells in vitro and in vivo, which is accompanied with autophagy activation. In vitro studies reveal that blocking autophagy with 3MA, bafilomycin A1 or by knocking down ATG5 with SiRNA inhibits silibinin-induced mitochondrial accumulation of superoxide, AIF translocation from mitochondria to nuclei and glioma cell death. Mechanistically, silibinin activates autophagy through depleting ATP by suppressing glycolysis. Then, autophagy improves intracellular H2O2 via promoting p53-mediated depletion of GSH and cysteine and downregulation of xCT. The increased H2O2 promotes silibinin-induced BNIP3 upregulation and translocation to mitochondria. Knockdown of BNIP3 with SiRNA inhibits silibinin-induced mitochondrial depolarization, accumulation of mitochondrial superoxide, and AIF translocation from mitochondria to nuclei, as well as prevents glioma cell death. Furthermore, we find that the improved H2O2 reinforces silibinin-induced glycolysis dysfunction. Collectively, autophagy contributes to silibinin-induced glioma cell death via promotion of oxidative stress-mediated BNIP3-dependent nuclear translocation of AIF.

Silibinin Inhibit Cell Migration through Downregulation of RAC1 Gene Expression in Highly Metastatic Breast Cancer Cell Line

BACKGROUND

Triple negative breast cancer is the most invasive breast cancer subtype and possesses poor prognosis and survival. Rho GTPase famil, especially Rac1 participates in a number of signaling events in cells with crucial roles in malignancy, migration and invasion of tumor cells. Silibinin, a flavonoid antioxidant from milk thistle has attracted attention in the recent decades for chemoprevention and chemotherapy of tumor cells. In this study, the effect of silibinin on the migration capacity of MDA-MB-231 cells, a highly metastatic human breast cancer cell line was investigated by evaluation of Rac1 expression.

METHOD

MTT wound healing and transwell assays were performed to evaluate the effects of silibinin on proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, the influence of the silibinin on the expression of Rac1mRNAs was assessed by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Results indicated significant dose-dependent inhibitory effect of silibinin on proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. It significantly inhibited the expression of Rac1 mRNA.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the results demonstrate that the silibinin can be used as an experimental therapeutic for the management of TNBC metastatic cancer.

Multidrug Resistance Modulation Activity of Silybin Derivatives and Their Anti-inflammatory Potential

Silybin is considered to be the main biologically active component of silymarin. Its oxidized derivative 2,3-dehydrosilybin typically occurs in silymarin in small, but non-negligible amounts (up to 3%). Here, we investigated in detail complex biological activities of silybin and 2,3-dehydrosilybin optical isomers. Antioxidant activities of pure stereomers A and B of silybin and 2,3-dehydrosilybin, as well as their racemic mixtures, were investigated by using oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay. All substances efficiently reduced nitric oxide production and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) release in a dose-dependent manner. Multidrug resistance (MDR) modulating potential was evaluated as inhibition of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) ATPase activity and regulation of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein expression. All the tested compounds showed strong dose-dependent inhibition of P-gp pump. Moreover, 2,3-dehydrosilybin A (30 µM) displayed the strongest sensitization of doxorubicin-resistant ovarian carcinoma. Despite these significant effects, silybin B was the only compound acting directly upon P-gp in vitro and also downregulating the expression of respective MDR genes. This compound altered the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1, ABCC1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2). 2,3-Dehydrosilybin AB exhibited the most effective inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity. We can clearly postulate that silybin derivatives could serve well as modulators of a cancer drug-resistant phenotype.