HIF-1α is a Potential Molecular Target for Herbal Medicine to Treat Diseases

Ononin: A comprehensive review of anticancer potential of natural isoflavone glycoside

Cancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide, with more than 10 million deaths annually. Despite tremendous advances in the health sciences, cancer continues to be a substantial global contributor to mortality. The current treatment methods demand a paradigm shift that not only improves therapeutic efficacy but also minimizes the side effects of conventional medications. Recently, an increased interest in the potential of natural bioactive compounds in the treatment of several types of cancer has been observed. Ononin, also referred to as formononetin-7-O-β-d-glucoside, is a natural isoflavone glycoside, derived from the roots, stems, and rhizomes of various plants. It exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects, including Antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and antimetastatic activities. The current review presents a thorough overview of sources, chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and the role of ononin in affecting various mechanisms involved in cancer. The review also discusses potential synergistic interactions with other compounds and therapies. The combined synergistic effect of ononin with other compounds increased the efficacy of treatment methods. Finally, the safety studies, comprising both in vitro and in vivo assessments of ononin's anticancer activities, are described.

Hypoxia-inducible factor in breast cancer: role and target for breast cancer treatment

Globally, breast cancer stands as the most prevalent form of cancer among women. The tumor microenvironment of breast cancer often exhibits hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, a transcription factor, is found to be overexpressed and activated in breast cancer, playing a pivotal role in the anoxic microenvironment by mediating a series of reactions. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha is involved in regulating downstream pathways and target genes, which are crucial in hypoxic conditions, including glycolysis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. These processes significantly contribute to breast cancer progression by managing cancer-related activities linked to tumor invasion, metastasis, immune evasion, and drug resistance, resulting in poor prognosis for patients. Consequently, there is a significant interest in Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha as a potential target for cancer therapy. Presently, research on drugs targeting Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha is predominantly in the preclinical phase, highlighting the need for an in-depth understanding of HIF-1α and its regulatory pathway. It is anticipated that the future will see the introduction of effective HIF-1α inhibitors into clinical trials, offering new hope for breast cancer patients. Therefore, this review focuses on the structure and function of HIF-1α, its role in advancing breast cancer, and strategies to combat HIF-1α-dependent drug resistance, underlining its therapeutic potential.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum K8 lysates regulate hypoxia-induced gene expression

Hypoxic responses have been implicated in critical pathologies, including inflammation, immunity, and tumorigenesis. Recently, efforts to identify effective natural remedies and health supplements are increasing. Previous studies have reported that the cell lysates and the cell wall-bound lipoteichoic acids of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum K8 (K8) exert anti-inflammatory and immunomodulative effects. However, the effect of K8 on cellular hypoxic responses remains unknown. In this study, we found that K8 lysates had a potent suppressive effect on gene expression under hypoxia. K8 lysates markedly downregulated hypoxia-induced HIF1α accumulation in the human bone marrow and lung cancer cell lines, SH-SY5Y and H460. Consequently, the transcription of known HIF1α target genes, such as p21, GLUT1, and ALDOC, was notably suppressed in the K8 lysate supplement and purified lipoteichoic acids of K8, upon hypoxic induction. Intriguingly, K8 lysates decreased the expression of PHD2 and VHL proteins, which are responsible for HIF1α destabilization under normoxic conditions, suggesting that K8 may regulate HIF1α stability in a non-canonical pathway. Overall, our results suggest that K8 lysates desensitize the cells to hypoxic stresses and suppress HIF1α-mediated hypoxic gene activation.

The Role of HIF-1α in Bone Regeneration: A New Direction and Challenge in Bone Tissue Engineering

The process of repairing significant bone defects requires the recruitment of a considerable number of cells for osteogenesis-related activities, which implies the consumption of a substantial amount of oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, the limited supply of nutrients and oxygen at the defect site is a vital constraint that affects the regenerative effect, which is closely related to the degree of a well-established vascular network. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), which is an essential transcription factor activated in hypoxic environments, plays a vital role in vascular network construction. HIF-1α, which plays a central role in regulating cartilage and bone formation, induces vascular invasion and differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells to promote and maintain extracellular matrix production by mediating the adaptive response of cells to changes in oxygen levels. However, the application of HIF-1α in bone tissue engineering is still controversial. As such, clarifying the function of HIF-1α in regulating the bone regeneration process is one of the urgent issues that need to be addressed. This review provides insight into the mechanisms of HIF-1α action in bone regeneration and related recent advances. It also describes current strategies for applying hypoxia induction and hypoxia mimicry in bone tissue engineering, providing theoretical support for the use of HIF-1α in establishing a novel and feasible bone repair strategy in clinical settings.

Involvement of heat shock proteins HSP70 in the mechanisms of endogenous neuroprotection: the prospect of using HSP70 modulators

This analytical review summarizes literature data and our own research on HSP70-dependent mechanisms of neuroprotection and discusses potential pharmacological agents that can influence HSP70 expression to improve neurological outcomes and effective therapy. The authors formed a systemic concepts of the role of HSP70-dependent mechanisms of endogenous neuroprotection aimed at stopping the formation of mitochondrial dysfunction, activation of apoptosis, desensitization of estrogen receptors, reduction of oxidative and nitrosative stress, prevention of morpho-functional changes in brain cells during cerebral ischemia, and experimentally substantiated new target links for neuroprotection. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are an evolutionarily integral part of the functioning of all cells acting as intracellular chaperones that support cell proteostasis under normal and various stress conditions (hyperthermia, hypoxia, oxidative stress, radiation, etc.). The greatest curiosity in conditions of ischemic brain damage is the HSP70 protein, as an important component of the endogenous neuroprotection system, which, first of all, performs the function of intracellular chaperones and ensures the processes of folding, holding and transport of synthesized proteins, as well as their degradation, both under normoxic conditions and stress-induced denaturation. A direct neuroprotective effect of HSP70 has been established, which is realized through the regulation the processes of apoptosis and cell necrosis due to a long-term effect on the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, chaperone activity, and stabilization of active enzymes. An increase in the level of HSP70 leads to the normalization of the glutathione link of the thiol-disulfide system and an increase in the resistance of cells to ischemia. HSP 70 is able to activate and regulate compensatory ATP synthesis pathways during ischemia. It was found that in response to the cerebral ischemia formation, HIF-1a is expressed, which initiates the launch of compensatory mechanisms for energy production. Subsequently, the regulation of these processes switches to HSP70, which "prolongs" the action of HIF-1a, and also independently maintains the expression of mitochondrial NAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase activity, thereby maintaining the activity of the malate-aspartate shuttle mechanism for a long time. During ischemia of organs and tissues, HSP70 performs a protective function, which is realized through increased synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, stabilization of oxidatively damaged macromolecules, and direct anti-apoptotic and mitoprotective action. Such a role of these proteins in cellular reactions during ischemia raises the question of the development of new neuroprotective agents which are able to provide modulation/protection of the genes encoding the synthesis of HSP 70 and HIF-1a proteins. Numerous studies of recent years have noted the important role of HSP70 in the implementation of the mechanisms of metabolic adaptation, neuroplasticity and neuroprotection of brain cells, so the positive modulation of the HSP70 system is a perspective concept of neuroprotection, which can improve the efficiency of the treatment of ischemic-hypoxic brain damage and be the basis for substantiating of the feasibility of using of HSP70 modulators as promising neuroprotectors.

α‑hederin overcomes hypoxia‑mediated drug resistance in colorectal cancer by inhibiting the AKT/Bcl2 pathway

Currently, chemoresistance is a major challenge that directly affects the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). In addition, hypoxia is associated with poor prognosis and therapeutic resistance in patients with cancer. Accumulating evidence has shown that α‑hederin has significant antitumour effects and that α‑hederin can inhibit hypoxia‑mediated drug resistance in CRC; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, viability and proliferation assays were used to evaluate the effect of α‑hederin on the drug resistance of CRC cells under hypoxia. Sequencing analysis and apoptosis assays were used to determine the effect of α‑hederin on apoptosis under hypoxia. Western blot analysis and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR were used to measure apoptosis‑related protein and mRNA expression levels. Furthermore, different mouse models were established to study the effect of α‑hederin on hypoxia‑mediated CRC drug resistance in vivo. In the present study, the high expression of Bcl2 in hypoxic CRC cells was revealed to be a key factor in their drug resistance, whereas α‑hederin inhibited the expression of Bcl2 by reducing AKT phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo, and promoted the apoptosis of CRC cells under hypoxia. By contrast, overexpression of AKT reversed the effect of α‑hederin on CRC cell apoptosis under hypoxia. Taken together, these results suggested that α‑hederin may overcome hypoxia‑mediated drug resistance in CRC by inhibiting the AKT/Bcl2 pathway. In the future, α‑hederin may be used as a novel adjuvant for reversing drug resistance in CRC.

The Beneficial Effects of Pine Nuts and Its Major Fatty Acid, Pinolenic Acid, on Inflammation and Metabolic Perturbations in Inflammatory Disorders

Inflammatory disorders such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are regulated by cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Current treatments for these conditions are associated with significant side effects and do not completely suppress inflammation. The benefits of diet, especially the role of specific components, are poorly understood. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have several beneficial health effects. The majority of studies on PUFAs have been on omega-3 fatty acids. This review will focus on a less studied fatty acid, pinolenic acid (PNLA) from pine nuts, which typically constitutes up to 20% of its total fatty acids. PNLA is emerging as a dietary PUFA and a promising supplement in the prevention of inflammatory disorders or as an alternative therapy. Some studies have shown the health implications of pine nuts oil (PNO) and PNLA in weight reduction, lipid-lowering and anti-diabetic actions as well as in suppression of cell invasiveness and motility in cancer. However, few reviews have specifically focused on the biological and anti-inflammatory effects of PNLA. Furthermore, in recent bioinformatic studies on human samples, the expression of many mRNAs and microRNAs was regulated by PNLA indicating potential transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of inflammatory and metabolic processes. The aim of this review is to summarize, highlight, and evaluate research findings on PNO and PNLA in relation to potential anti-inflammatory benefits and beneficial metabolic changes. In this context, the focus of the review is on the potential actions of PNLA on inflammation along with modulation of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress based on data from both in vitro and in vivo experiments, and human findings, including gene expression analysis.

Resveratrol Regulates Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Diabetic Rats by Inhibition of PDK1/AKT Phosphorylation and HIF-1α Expression

Purpose

To explore the underlying mechanism of the anti-diabetic effect of resveratrol (RSV) on regulating glycolipid metabolism in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and a high-fat diet (HFD).

Methods

Male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups. Two groups were fed a high-fat diet and intraperitoneally injected with STZ (35 mg/kg), with one group also treated with RSV (30 mg/kg/d), and the third, control group was fed a normal diet. After 12 weeks, blood lipid levels and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were assessed. Histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. The protein expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) was assessed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence, and the proteins level of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1), phosphorylated-PDK1 (p-PDK1), phosphorylated-protein kinase B (p-AKT), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in the liver were analyzed by Western blotting. The mRNA levels of Hif-1α, Glut1 and Ldlr in the liver were determined by RT-qPCR.

Results

RSV treatment significantly reduced liver/body weight ratio (L/W, P < 0.05), FBG (P < 0.01) and serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC, P < 0.05), triglycerides (TG, P < 0.01) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C, P < 0.05) in diabetic rats. RSV also improved diabetic symptoms, attenuated liver steatosis and increased liver glycogen accumulation. RSV treatment significantly downregulated the proteins expression of p-PDK1 and p-AKT (P < 0.01) and the levels of HIF-1α (P < 0.05) and GLUT1 (P < 0.01), while significantly upregulating the level of LDLR (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

RSV was effective in improving glycolipid metabolism in diabetic rats, probably by inhibiting the PDK1/AKT/HIF-1α pathway and regulation of its downstream target levels. These findings may provide new insight into the mechanism of action of RSV in the treatment of diabetes.

Effects of Ion-Transporting Proteins on the Digestive System Under Hypoxia

Hypoxia refers to a state of oxygen limitation, which mainly mediates pathological processes in the human body and participates in the regulation of normal physiological processes. In the hypoxic environment, the main regulator of human body homeostasis is the hypoxia-inducible factor family (HIF). HIF can regulate the expression of many hypoxia-induced genes and then participate in various physiological and pathological processes of the human body. Ion-transporting proteins are extremely important types of proteins. Ion-transporting proteins are distributed on cell membranes or organelles and strictly control the inflow or outflow of ions in cells or organelles. Changes in ions in cells are often closely related to extensive physiological and pathological processes in the human body. Numerous studies have confirmed that hypoxia and its regulatory factors can regulate the transcription and expression of ion-transporting protein-related genes. Under hypoxic stress, the regulation and interaction of ion-transporting proteins by hypoxia often leads to diseases of various human systems and even tumors. Using ion-transporting proteins and hypoxia as targets to explore the mechanism of digestive system diseases and targeted therapy is expected to become a new breakthrough point.

HIF signaling: A new propellant in bone regeneration

Bone tissue destruction leads to severe pain, physical flaws, and loss of motility. Bone repair using biocompatible and osteo-inductive scaffolds is regarded as a viable and potential therapeutic approach. However, for large-scale bone regeneration, oxygen and nutrient supply have become limiting factors. Further, a considerable need exists for recruited cell activities and blood vessel growth. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling pathways induced by hypoxia are involved in angiogenesis and osteogenesis. As an important transcription factor, HIF-1 functions by modulating vital genes, such as VEGF, PDK1, and EPO, and is a crucial regulator that influences the final fate of bone regeneration. Collectively, to achieve better osteogenesis results, the in-depth molecular mechanisms that underpin the links between materials, cells, and HIF signaling pathways must be determined. This review aimed to provide an in-depth insight into recent progress in HIF-regulated bone regeneration. Hypoxia and cellular oxygen-sensing mechanisms and their correlations with osteogenesis were determined, and recent studies on hypoxia-inducing and hypoxia-mimicking strategies were briefly described. Finally, the potential applications of HIF signaling in bone regeneration were highlighted. This review provides theoretical support for establishing a novel and viable bone repair strategy in the clinic by harnessing HIF signaling.

miR-143-5p suppresses breast cancer progression by targeting the HIF-1α-related GLUT1 pathway

Breast cancer (BC) is a commonly identified life-threatening type of cancer and a major cause of death among women worldwide. Several microRNAs (miRs), including miR-143-5p, have been reported to be vital for regulating hallmarks of cancer; however, the effect of miR-143-5p on BC requires further exploration. The present study performed bioinformatics analysis on GSE42072 and GSE41922 datasets from the National Center for Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify miR-143-5p expression patterns. Furthermore, miR-143-5p expression was detected in BC cell lines and tissues via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Post-transfection with miR-143-5p mimics, Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation and Transwell assays were performed to explore the effects of miR-143-5p on BC cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration. The association of miR-143-5p with the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)-associated glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) pathway was explored via western blotting, immunofluorescence and dual-luciferase reporter assay. The present study detected high expression of miR-143-5p in BC tissue of the GSE42072 and serum of the GSE41922 datasets by GEO chip analysis. Additionally, the expression levels of miR-143-5p were decreased in BC tissues compared with those in adjacent healthy tissues, and low miR-143-5p expression was associated with a poorer prognosis and shorter survival time in patients with BC. In vitro, miR-143-5p expression levels were decreased in BC cells, and transfection with miR-143-5p mimics suppressed BC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration. Furthermore, miR-143-5p targeted the HIF-1α-related GLUT1 pathway, and inhibited HIF-1α and GLUT1 expression. Additionally, HIF-1α agonists reversed the miR-143-5p-induced inhibition during tumorigenesis. In conclusion, miR-143-5p exhibited low expression in BC tissues, and suppressed BC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration. Moreover, the antitumor effects of miR-143-5p targeted the HIF-1α-related GLUT1 pathway.

Magnesium-L-threonate exhibited a neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress damage in HT22 cells and Alzheimer’s disease mouse model

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress results in the production of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and triggers hippocampal neuronal damage as well as occupies a key role in the pathological mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A recent study confirmed that magnesium had an inhibitory effect against oxidative stress-related malondialdehyde in vitro. However, whether Magnesium-L-threonate (MgT) is capable of suppressing oxidative stress damage in amyloid β (Aβ)_25-35-treated HT22 cells and the AD mouse model still remains to be investigated.

AIM

To explore the neuroprotective effect of MgT against oxidative stress injury in vitro and in vivo, and investigate the mechanism.

METHODS

Aβ_25-35-induced HT22 cells were preconditioned with MgT for 12 h. APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice were orally administered with MgT daily for 3 mo. After MgT treatment, the viability of Aβ_25-35-treated HT22 cells was determined via conducting cell counting kit-8 test and the cognition of APP/PS1 mice was measured through the Morris Water Maze. Flow cytometry experiments were applied to assess the ROS levels of HT22 cells and measure the apoptosis rate of HT22 cells or hippocampal neurons. Expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X (Bax), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, NADPH oxidase (NOX) 4, Aβ_1-42 and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway proteins was quantified by Western blot.

RESULTS

In vitro data confirmed that Aβ_25–35-induced HT22 cells had a significantly lower cell viability, higher ROS level and higher apoptosis rates compared with those of control cells (all P < 0.001). MgT prevented the Aβ_25-35-triggered oxidative stress damage by elevating viability and decreasing ROS formation and apoptosis of HT22 cells (all P < 0.001). APP/PS1 mice exhibited worse cognitive performance and higher apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons than wild-type (WT) mice (all P < 0.01). Meanwhile, significant higher expression of Aβ_1-42 and NOX4 proteins was detected in APP/PS1 mice than those of WT mice (both P < 0.01). MgT also ameliorated the cognitive deficit, suppressed the apoptosis of hippocampal neuron and downregulated the expression of Aβ_1-42 and NOX4 proteins in APP/PS1 mouse (all P < 0.05). Moreover, MgT intervention significantly downregulated HIF-1α and Bax, upregulated Bcl-2 and activated the PI3K/Akt pathway both in vitro and in vivo (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MgT exhibits neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in Aβ_25-35-treated HT22 cells and APP/PS1 mice.

Apoptosis Induction, a Sharp Edge of Berberine to Exert Anti-Cancer Effects, Focus on Breast, Lung, and Liver Cancer

Cancer is the leading cause of death and one of the greatest barriers to increased life expectancy worldwide. Currently, chemotherapy with synthetic drugs remains one of the predominant ways for cancer treatment, which may lead to drug resistance and normal organ damage. Increasing researches have suggested that apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, is a promising way for cancer therapy. Furthermore, natural products are important sources for finding new drugs with high availability, low cost and low toxicity. As a well-known isoquinoline alkaloid, accumulating evidence has revealed that berberine (BBR) exerts potential pro-apoptotic effects on multiple cancers, including breast, lung, liver, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers. The related potential signal pathways are AMP-activated protein kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and protein kinase B pathways. In this review, we provide a timely and comprehensive summary of the detailed molecular mechanisms of BBR in treating three types of cancer (breast, lung and liver cancer) by inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, we also discuss the existing challenges and strategies to improve BBR’s bioavailability. Hopefully, this review provides valuable information for the comprehension of BBR in treating three types of cancer and highlight the pro-apoptotic effects of BBR, which would be beneficial for the further development of this natural compound as an effective clinical drug for treating cancers.

The role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) develops as a result of a combination of genetic predisposition, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, and environmental influences, which is mainly represented by ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). IBDs can result in inflammatory hypoxia by causing intestinal inflammation and vascular damage. The hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), as a transcription factor, can regulate the cellular adaptation to low oxygen levels and support the development and function of the gut barrier. HIF-αplays its functions through translocating into the nucleus, dimerizing with HIF-1β, and binding to hypoxia-responsive elements of HIF-1 target genes. So far, most studies have addressed the function of HIF-1α in murine models of IBD. In this review, we aim to outline the major roles of HIF-1α in the IBD.