The effect of tubeimoside-1 on the proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma in vitro

Tubeimoside-1: A review of its antitumor effects, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and targeting preparations

Tubeimoside-1 (TBMS-1), a natural triterpenoid saponin found in traditional Chinese herbal medicine Bolbostemmatis Rhizoma, is present in numerous Chinese medicine preparations. This review aims to comprehensively describe the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and targeting preparations of TBMS-1, as well the therapeutic potential for cancer treatement. Information concerning TBMS-1 was systematically collected from the authoritative internet database of PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure applying a combination of keywords involving “tumor,” “pharmacokinetics,” “toxicology,” and targeting preparations. New evidence shows that TBMS-1 possesses a remarkable inhibitory effect on the tumors of the respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, genital system as well as other systems in vivo and in vitro. Pharmacokinetic studies reveal that TBMS-1 is extensively distributed in various tissues and prone to degradation by the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration, causing a decrease in bioavailability. Meanwhile, several lines of evidence have shown that TBMS-1 may cause adverse and toxic effects at high doses. The development of liver-targeting and lung-targeting preparations can reduce the toxic effect of TBMS-1 and increase its efficacy. In summary, TBMS-1 can effectively control tumor treatment. However, additional research is necessary to investigate in vivo antitumor effects and the pharmacokinetics of TBMS-1. In addition, to reduce the toxicity of TBMS-1, future research should aim to modify its structure, formulate targeting preparations or combinations with other drugs.

Peroxidase-mimicking evodiamine/indocyanine green nanoliposomes for multimodal imaging-guided theranostics for oral squamous cell carcinoma

Here, evodiamine (EVO) and the photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG) were integrated into a liposomal nanoplatform for noninvasive diagnostic imaging and combinatorial therapy against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). EVO, as an active component extracted from traditional Chinese medicine, not only functioned as an antitumor chemotherapeutic agent but was also capable of 68Ga-chelation, thus working as a contrast agent for positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging. Moreover, EVO could exhibit peroxidase-like catalytic activity, converting endogenous tumor H2O2 into cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), enabling Chemo catalytic therapy beyond the well-known chemotherapy effect of EVO. As proven by in vitro and in vivo experiments, guided by optical imaging and PET/CT imaging, we show that the theragnostic liposomes have a significant inhibiting effect on in situ tongue tumor through photodynamic therapy combined with chemodynamic chemotherapy.

Tubeimoside I Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces a Partly Disrupted and Cytoprotective Autophagy Through Rapidly Hyperactivation of MEK1/2-ERK1/2 Cascade via Promoting PTP1B in Melanoma

Tubeimoside I (TBMS1), also referred to as tubeimoside A, is a natural compound extracted from the plant Tu Bei Mu (Bolbostemma paniculatum), which is a traditional Chinese herb used to treat multiple diseases for more than 1,000 years. Studies in recent years reported its anti-tumor activity in several cancers. However, whether it is effective in melanoma remains unknown. In the current study, we discovered that TBMS1 treatment inhibited melanoma cell proliferation in vitro and tumorigenecity in vivo. Besides, we also observed that TBMS1 treatment induced a partly disrupted autophagy, which still remained a protective role, disruption of which by chloroquine (CQ) or 3-methyladenine (3-MA) enhanced TBMS1-induced cell proliferation inhibition. CQ combined with TBMS1 even induced cellular apoptosis. BRAF(V600E) mutation and its continuously activated downstream MEK1/2-ERK1/2 cascade are found in 50% of melanomas and are important for malanomagenesis. However, hyperactivating MEK1/2-ERK1/2 cascade can also inhibit tumor growth. Intriguingly, we observed that TBMS1 rapidly hyperactivated MEK1/2-ERK1/2, inhibition of which by its inhibitor SL-327 rescued the anti-cancerous effects of TBMS1. Besides, the targets of TBMS1 were predicted by the ZINC Database based on its structure. It is revealed that protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) might be one of the targets of TBMS1. Inhibition of PTP1B by its selective inhibitor TCS401 or shRNA rescued the anti-cancerous effects of TBMS1 in melanoma cells. These results indicated that TBMS1 might activate PTP1B, which further hyperactivates MEK1/2-ERK1/2 cascade, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation in melanoma. Our results provided the potentiality of TBMS1 as a drug candidate for melanoma therapy and confirmed that rapidly hyperactivating an oncogenic signaling pathway may also be a promising strategy for cancer treatment.

Tubeimoside-1 Protects Against Renal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury In Vivo and In Vitro

Renal ischemia reperfusion injury (RIRI) is one of the main causes of acute kidney injury. This study aimed to explore whether tubeimoside-1 (TBMS1) could protect against RIRI. RIRI mice model and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced NRK-52E cells were used in this study. The renal pathology was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining to calculate the tubular injury score. The levels of serum creatinine and blood urine nitrogen were analyzed by a Hitachi model 7180 automatic analyzer. The expressions of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), Bax, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, total caspase-3, and total caspase-9 in renal tissues and NRK-52E cells were detected by western blot analysis. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in serum and NRK-52E cells were measured by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The renal cell apoptosis in renal tissues was analyzed by TUNEL assay, and NRK-52E cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry analysis. CCK-8 assay was used to analyze the viability of NRK-52E cells after the indicated treatment. As a result, the renal tissues that were seriously damaged in mice with RIRI could be alleviated by TBMS1. Therefore, 50 mg/kg TBMS1 was chosen for the animal experiment. Renal cell apoptosis was increased in renal tissues of mice with RIRI. These changes could be partially reversed by TBMS1 treatment. TBMS1 improved the viability, and reduced the inflammation and apoptosis of H/R-induced NRK-52E cells. In conclusion, TBMS1 ameliorates RIRI by promoting viability and suppressing apoptosis and inflammation of renal cells.

Traditional Chinese medicine for oral squamous cell carcinoma: A Bayesian network meta-analysis protocol

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine is frequently used for malignant tumors in China, but in clinical practice, most practitioners choose appropriate Chinese medicines based on personal experience. In our study, Bayesian network meta-analysis will be used to identify differences in efficacy and safety between diverse traditional Chinese drugs for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

METHODS

Relevant randomized controlled trials and prospective controlled clinical trials were searched from Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Excerpt Medica Database, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Scientific Journal Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang Database from their establishment to September 2020. Study selection and data extraction will be performed independently by 2 researchers. Aggregate Data Drug Information System and R software were used for data synthesis. The evidentiary grade of the results will be also evaluated.

RESULTS

The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and provide reliable evidence for different traditional Chinese drugs on OSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings will provide reference for evaluating the efficacy and safety of different traditional Chinese medicine for OSCC, and provide a helpful evidence for clinicians to formulate the best adjuvant treatment strategy for OSCC patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

INPLASY202090082.

Tubeimoside‑1 induces apoptosis in human glioma U251 cells by suppressing PI3K/Akt‑mediated signaling pathways

Tubeimoside-1 (TBMS1), a traditional Chinese herb extracted from Bolbostemma paniculatum (Maxim.), induces apoptosis in a number of human cancer cell lines. TBMS1 has been reported to induce apoptosis in human glioma cells, however the mechanism remains to be elucidated. The present study explored TBMS1-induced PI3K/Akt-related pathways in human glioma cells. The human glioma U251 and the human astrocyte (HA) cell lines were treated with various concentrations of TBMS1. MTT assays were conducted to analyze cell viability. Cell cycle distribution and the rate of apoptosis were assessed using flow cytometry. BrdU incorporation and Hoechst 33342 staining were performed to analyze the cell cycle and apoptosis, respectively. Western blotting was performed to investigate protein expression levels. The results demonstrated that TBMS1 reduced cell viability in human glioma cells U251 by suppressing Akt phosphorylation. Subsequently, TBMS1 inhibited DNA synthesis and induced G2/M phase arrest by targeting the PI3K/Akt/p21 and the cyclin-dependent kinase 1/cyclin B1 signaling cascades. In addition, TBMS1 triggered apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt-mediated Bcl-2 signaling pathway. These results demonstrated that TBMS1 prevented the progression of gliomas via the PI3K/Akt-dependent pathway, which provided a theoretical basis for in vivo studies to use TBMS1 as potential therapy for the prevention of cancer.

Tubeimoside I Antagonizes Yoda1-Evoked Piezo1 Channel Activation

Piezo1, a mechanosensitive Ca²⁺-permeable non-selective cationic ion channel protein, is involved in a wide range of biological processes and plays crucial roles in vascular development. However, the pharmacology of this protein is in its infancy. Yoda1, the first specific chemical activator of Piezo1 channels, can activate Piezo1 in absence of mechanical stimulation. Hence, we sought to identify inhibitors of Yoda1 from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Intracellular Ca²⁺ measurements were conducted in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), HEK 293T cells overexpressing TRPC5 and TRPM2 channels, as well as in CHO K1 cells overexpressing TRPV4 channels. We identified tubeimoside I (TBMS1) as a strong inhibitor of the Yoda1 response and demonstrated its selectivity for the Piezo1 channels. Similarly, Yoda1-induced inhibitory results were obtained in Piezo1 wild-type overexpressed cells, murine liver endothelial cells (MLECs), and macrophages. The physiological responses of TBMS1 were identified by isometric tension, which can inhibit Yoda1 relaxation of aortic rings. Our results demonstrated that TBMS1 can effectively antagonize Yoda1 induced Piezo1 channel activation. This study sheds light on the existence of Yoda1 inhibitors and improves the understanding of vascular pharmacology through Piezo1 channels.

Anti-oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Effects of a Potent TAZ Inhibitor AR-42

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Although great progress has been made in diagnosis and treatment strategies in recent years, the 5-year survival rate of OSCC patients is still disappointingly low. Hence, there is still an unmet medical need for sufferers with OSCC. As a downstream effector of Hippo pathway, TAZ was up-regulated in multiple cancers including OSCC, and considered as an effective therapeutic target. In this study, we constructed a stable transfected cell line HEK293-TAZ to screen TAZ inhibitor using dual-luciferase reporter assay, and found a potential TAZ inhibitor AR-42. The results showed that AR-42 effectively suppressed the viability and proliferation of OSCC cells, and induced cellular apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase. Moreover, AR-42 potently inhibited cell invasion and the capacity of sphere-forming, as well as the expression of EMT and cancer stem cell related proteins in OSCC cells, exhibiting potential efficacy against OSCC metastasis and self-renewal of oral cancer stem cell. Further mechanism studies showed that AR-42 inhibited the total amount of TAZ and its paralog YAP mainly through blockade of TAZ/YAP transcription and promotion of TAZ/YAP protein degradation. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of AR-42 against TAZ, as well as its anti-OSCC activity could be also observed in SCC9 xenograft model. Taken together, AR-42 deserves to be further studied as a TAZ inhibitor, and is worthy to be further assessed as a potential drug candidate for OSCC treatment.

Tubeimoside-1 Inhibits Glioblastoma Growth, Migration, and Invasion via Inducing Ubiquitylation of MET

Tubeimoside-1 (TBMS1) is one of the extracts of rhizoma bolbostemmae, which has remarkable anti-cancer function in the treatment of esophagus and gastric cancer in traditional Chinese medicine. However the mechanisms of its anti-cancer function is remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that TBMS1 could inhibit cell growth and metastasis in glioblastoma. MET is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family, which amplifies frequently in various human cancers. As an important proto-oncogene, multiple inhibitors have been developed for the therapy of cancers. Here, we found TBMS1 could reduce/decrease the protein level of MET via increasing its Ubiquitination degradation. Therefore, TBMS1 is a promising compound for the treatment of glioblastoma and an inhibitor of MET.

Peptide P11 suppresses the growth of human thyroid carcinoma by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy, and the incidence of thyroid carcinoma is increasing in recent decades. CYYGQSKYC (P6), a nonapeptide with anti-lymphangiogenic effect by its binding to VEGFR-3 and selectively inhibiting VEGF-C binding to VEGFR-3, could suppress the migration and invasion of cancer cells. LSPPRYP (P9) acts as an effective bFGF/FGFR antagonist and inhibits the growth of the murine melanoma B16-F10 cells. In order to increase the anti-tumor effects of P6 and P9, we connected P6 with P9 via a flexible linker Gly-Gly-Gly (GGG) to reconstruct a novel peptide P11, CYYGQSKYCGGGLSPPRYP. In the present study, the mechanism of action of peptide P11 on the growth of human thyroid carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo was determined. Our results showed that peptide P11 inhibited the proliferation, viability, migration, and invasion of human thyroid carcinoma cells. Peptide P11 increased the apoptosis and decreased the protein levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR in human thyroid carcinoma cells. In addition, P11 could effectively inhibit the growth of human thyroid carcinoma xenograft tumors in nude mice. In conclusion, peptide P11 could inhibit the growth of human thyroid carcinoma by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Novel peptides can be designed and applied for the treatment of various types of cancer.