Molecular evidence of cryptotanshinone for treatment and prevention of human cancer

Salvianolic acid B improves mitochondrial dysfunction of septic cardiomyopathy via enhancing ATF5-mediated mitochondrial unfolded protein response

AIMS

Septic cardiomyopathy is characterized by impaired contractile function and mitochondrial activity dysregulation. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) is a potent therapeutic compound derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza. This study explored the protective effects of Sal B on septic heart injury, emphasizing the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An in vivo mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced heart injury was utilized to assess Sal B's protective role in septic cardiomyopathy. Additionally, cell models stimulated by LPS were developed to investigate the mechanisms of Sal B on UPRmt. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were employed for molecular analysis.

RESULTS

Sal B, administered at doses of 10, 30, and 60 mg/kg, demonstrated protective effects on cardiac contractile function, reduced heart inflammation, and mitigated cardiac injury in LPS-exposed mice. In cardiomyocytes, LPS induced apoptosis, elevated mitochondrial ROS levels, promoted mitochondrial fission, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, all of which were alleviated by Sal B. Mechanistically, Sal B was found to induce UPRmt both in vivo and in vitro. ATF5, identified as a UPRmt activator, was modulated by LPS and Sal B, resulting in increased ATF5 expression and its translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus. ATF5-siRNA delivery reversed UPRmt upregulation, exacerbating mitochondrial dysfunction in LPS-stimulated cardiomyocytes and counteracting the mitochondrial function enhancement in Sal B-treated cardiomyocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that Sal B confers cardiac protection by enhancing UPRmt, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic approach for mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction in septic cardiomyopathy.

Cryptotanshinone-Induced Permeabilization of Model Phospholipid Membranes: A Biophysical Study

The Danshen terpenoid cryptotanshinone (CPT) is gaining enormous interest in light of its various outstanding biological activities. Among those, CPT has been shown to interact with cell membranes and, for instance, to have antibacterial activity. Several works have shown that CPT alone, or in combination with other drugs, can effectively act as an antibiotic against various infectious bacteria. Some authors have related the mechanism underlying this action to CPT-membrane interaction. This work shows that CPT readily partitions into phosphatidylcholine membranes, but there is a limiting capacity of accommodation of ca. 1 mol CPT to 3 mol phospholipid. The addition of CPT to unilamellar liposomes composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) causes membrane permeabilization, as shown by fluorescent probe leakage. This process has been kinetically studied, as well as its modulation by incorporation of phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylglycerol, as a model for pathogenic cell membranes. The thermotropic behavior of 1,2-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) model membranes is weakly affected by CPT, but the terpenoid causes significant dehydration of the polar region of the bilayer and weak disordering of the acyl chain palisade, as observed in Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) shows that CPT increases DMPC bilayer thickness, which could be due to localization near the phospholipid/water interface. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that the lateral diffusion coefficient of the phospholipid increases with the presence of CPT. CPT extends from the polar head region to the center of the bilayer, being centered between the carbonyl groups and the unsaturated region of the POPC, where there is greater overlap. Interestingly, the free energy profiles of a water molecule crossing the lipid membrane show that the POPC membrane becomes more permeable in the presence of CPT. In summary, our results show that CPT perturbs the physicochemical properties of the phospholipid membrane and compromises its barrier function, which could be of relevance to explain part of its antimicrobial or anticancer activities.

From immune checkpoints to therapies: understanding immune checkpoint regulation and the influence of natural products and traditional medicine on immune checkpoint and immunotherapy in lung cancer

Lung cancer is a disease of global concern, and immunotherapy has brought lung cancer therapy to a new era. Besides promising effects in the clinical use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and low response rates are problems unsolved. Natural products and traditional medicine with an immune-modulating nature have the property to influence immune checkpoint expression and can improve immunotherapy's effect with relatively low toxicity. This review summarizes currently approved immunotherapy and the current mechanisms known to regulate immune checkpoint expression in lung cancer. It lists natural products and traditional medicine capable of influencing immune checkpoints or synergizing with immunotherapy in lung cancer, exploring both their effects and underlying mechanisms. Future research on immune checkpoint modulation and immunotherapy combination applying natural products and traditional medicine will be based on a deeper understanding of their mechanisms regulating immune checkpoints. Continued exploration of natural products and traditional medicine holds the potential to enhance the efficacy and reduce the adverse reactions of immunotherapy.

Natural compounds targeting nuclear receptors for effective cancer therapy

Human nuclear receptors (NRs) are a family of forty-eight transcription factors that modulate gene expression both spatially and temporally. Numerous biochemical, physiological, and pathological processes including cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, immune modulation, development, reproduction, and aging are extensively orchestrated by different NRs. The involvement of dysregulated NRs and NR-mediated signaling pathways in driving cancer cell hallmarks has been thoroughly investigated. Targeting NRs has been one of the major focuses of drug development strategies for cancer interventions. Interestingly, rapid progress in molecular biology and drug screening reveals that the naturally occurring compounds are promising modern oncology drugs which are free of potentially inevitable repercussions that are associated with synthetic compounds. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to draw our attention to the potential therapeutic effects of various classes of natural compounds that target NRs such as phytochemicals, dietary components, venom constituents, royal jelly-derived compounds, and microbial derivatives in the establishment of novel and safe medications for cancer treatment. This review also emphasizes molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that are leveraged to promote the anti-cancer effects of these natural compounds. We have also critically reviewed and assessed the advantages and limitations of current preclinical and clinical studies on this subject for cancer prophylaxis. This might subsequently pave the way for new paradigms in the discovery of drugs that target specific cancer types.

Study on the Intervention Mechanism of Cryptotanshinone on Human A2780 Ovarian Cancer Cell Line Using GC-MS-Based Cellular Metabolomics

Cryptotanshinone (CT), an active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, exhibits a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. Although the anticancer activity of CT is well known, the knowledge of its effect on the regulation of cancer cell metabolism is relatively new. The present study investigated the anticancer mechanism of CT in ovarian cancer with a focus on cancer metabolism. CCK8 assays, apoptosis assays, and cell cycle assays were conducted to reveal the growth-suppressive effect of CT on ovarian cancer A2780 cells. To explore the potential underlying mechanisms of CT, the changes in endogenous metabolites in A2780 cells before and after CT intervention were investigated using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) approach. A total of 28 important potential biomarkers underwent significant changes, mainly involving aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, energy metabolism, and other pathways. Changes in the ATP and amino acid contents were verified with in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our results indicate that CT may exert an anti-ovarian cancer effect by inhibiting ATP production, promoting the protein catabolic process, and inhibiting protein synthesis, which may lead to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Molecular Mechanism of Tanshinone against Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignant tumor of the male urinary system in Europe and America. According to the data in the World Cancer Report 2020, the incidence rate of PCa ranks second in the prevalence of male malignant tumors and varies worldwide between regions and population groups. Although early PCa can achieve good therapeutic results after surgical treatment, due to advanced PCa, it can adapt and tolerate androgen castration-related drugs through a variety of mechanisms. For this reason, it is often difficult to achieve effective therapeutic results in the treatment of advanced PCa. Tanshinone is a new fat-soluble phenanthraquinone compound derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza that can play a therapeutic role in different cancers, including PCa. Several studies have shown that Tanshinone can target various molecular pathways of PCa, including the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, androgen receptor (AR) pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which will affect the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and affect cell proliferation, apoptosis, tumor metabolism, genomic stability, and tumor drug resistance. Thus, the occurrence and development of PCa cells are inhibited. In this review, we summarized the in vivo and in vitro evidence of Tanshinone against prostate cancer and discussed the effect of Tanshinone on nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), AR, and mTOR. At the same time, we conducted a network pharmacology analysis on the four main components of Tanshinone to further screen the possible targets of Tanshinone against prostate cancer and provide ideas for future research.

The PI3K/AKT Pathway-The Potential Key Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Stroke

Stroke is associated with a high disability and fatality rate, and adversely affects the quality of life of patients and their families. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used effectively in the treatment of stroke for more than 2000 years in China and surrounding countries and regions, and over the years, this field has gleaned extensive clinical treatment experience. The Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway is important for regulation of cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and plays a vital role in vascularization and oxidative stress in stroke. Current Western medicine treatment protocols for stroke include mainly pharmacologic or mechanical thrombectomy to restore blood flow. This review collates recent advances in the past 5 years in the TCM treatment of stroke involving the PI3K/AKT pathway. TCM treatment significantly reduces neuronal damage, inhibits cell apoptosis, and delays progression of stroke via various PI3K/AKT-mediated downstream pathways. In the future, TCM can provide new perspectives and directions for exploring the key factors, and effective activators or inhibitors that affect occurrence and progression of stroke, thereby facilitating treatment.

Production and Functionalities of Specialized Metabolites from Different Organic Sources

Medicinal plants are rich sources of specialized metabolites that are of great importance to plants, animals, and humans. The usefulness of active biological compounds cuts across different fields, such as agriculture, forestry, food processing and packaging, biofuels, biocatalysts, and environmental remediation. In recent years, research has shifted toward the use of microbes, especially endophytes (bacteria, fungi, and viruses), and the combination of these organisms with other alternatives to optimize the production and regulation of these compounds. This review reinforces the production of specialized metabolites, especially by plants and microorganisms, and the effectiveness of microorganisms in increasing the production/concentration of these compounds in plants. The study also highlights the functions of these compounds in plants and their applications in various fields. New research areas that should be explored to produce and regulate these compounds, especially in plants and microbes, have been identified. Methods involving molecular studies are yet to be fully explored, and next-generation sequencing possesses an interesting and reliable approach.

Anti-tumor effects of cryptotanshinone (C19H20O3) in human osteosarcoma cell lines

Osteosarcoma is the most prevalent malignant bone tumor and occurs most commonly in the adolescent and young adult population. Despite the recent advances in surgeries and chemotherapy, the overall survival in patients with resectable metastases is around 20%. This challenge in osteosarcoma is often attributed to the drastic differences in the tumorigenic profiles and mutations among patients. With diverse mutations and multiple oncogenes, it is necessary to identify the therapies that can attack various mutations and simultaneously have minor side-effects. In this paper, we constructed the osteosarcoma pathway from literature and modeled it using ordinary differential equations. We then simulated this network for every possible gene mutation and their combinations and ranked different drug combinations based on their efficacy to drive a mutated osteosarcoma network towards cell death. Our theoretical results predict that drug combinations with Cryptotanshinone (C₁₉H₂₀O₃), a traditional Chinese herb derivative, have the best overall performance. Specifically, Cryptotanshinone in combination with Temsirolimus inhibit the JAK/STAT, MAPK/ERK, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways and induce cell death in tumor cells. We corroborated our theoretical predictions using wet-lab experiments on SaOS2, 143B, G292, and HU03N1 human osteosarcoma cell lines, thereby demonstrating the potency of Cryptotanshinone in fighting osteosarcoma.

Cryptotanshinone Protects against PCOS-Induced Damage of Ovarian Tissue via Regulating Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Membrane Potential, Inflammation, and Apoptosis via Regulating Ferroptosis

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age. Cryptotanshinone (CRY) has been shown to be effective in reversing reproductive disorders, but whether it can be used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome remains unclear. We aimed to explore whether the mechanism of cryptotanshinone (CRY) in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can be driven via regulating ferroptosis. A rat model of PCOS was established by daily injection of human chorionic gonadotropin and insulin for 22 days. An in vitro model of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) of granulosa cells was established. The in vitro and rat models of PCOS were subjected to different treatments including ferroptosis activators and inhibitors, CRY, and MAPK inhibitor. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring the activities of SOD, MDA, and GSH-PX. Total body weight and ovarian weight, as well as the levels of LH and the LH to FSH ratio, significantly increased in rats with PCOS, compared with controls. The expression of Bax was increased in PCOS tissues while PGC1α, NFR1, GPX4, catalase p-ERK, and Bcl-2 were all downregulated. Ferroptosis activator, erastin, had effects similar to those of PCOS while the contrary was found with CRY and ferroptosis inhibitor treatment groups. In vitro, CRY inhibited oxidative stress, MMP, and NF-κB and activated MAPK/ERK signaling by regulating ferroptosis. Overall, this study indicated that CRY protects against PCOS-induced damage of the ovarian tissue, via regulating oxidative stress, MMP, inflammation, and apoptosis via regulating ferroptosis.

Integrated Transcriptomics and Proteomics to Reveal Regulation Mechanism and Evolution of SmWRKY61 on Tanshinone Biosynthesis in Salvia miltiorrhiza and Salvia castanea

Tanshinones found in Salvia species are the main active compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, but their contents are hugely different in different species. For example, tanshinone IIA content in Salvia castanea Diels f. tomentosa Stib. is about 49 times higher than that in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. The molecular mechanism responsible for this phenomenon remains largely unknown. To address this, we performed comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of S. miltiorrhiza and S. castanea. A total of 296 genes in S. castanea and 125 genes in S. miltiorrhiza were highly expressed at both the transcriptional and proteome levels, including hormone signal regulation, fungus response genes, transcription factors, and CYP450. Among these differentially expressed genes, the expression of SmWRKY61 was particularly high in S. castanea. Overexpression of SmWRKY61 in S. miltiorrhiza could significantly increase the content of tanshinone I and tanshinone IIA, which were 11.09 and 33.37 times of the control, respectively. Moreover, SmWRKY61 had a strong regulatory effect, elevating the expression levels of tanshinone pathway genes such as DXS2, CMK, HMGS2, 1, KSL1, KSL2, CYP76AH1, and CYP76AK3. For the WRKY family, 79 SmWRKYs were originally obtained and classified into three main groups. Collinearity analysis indicated a more specific extension of WRKY gene family in Salvia genus. In 55 Salvia species, only 37 species contained the WRKY61 sequence, and high SmWRKY61 expression in some Salvia L. species was often accompanied by high tanshinone accumulation. The above results suggest that SmWRKY61 is a highly effective regulator of tanshinone accumulation and may be a key factor resulting in high tanshinone accumulation in S. castanea.

Cryptotanshinone inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of breast cancer MCF-7 cells via GPER mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) was reported to be a potential target in the breast cancer therapy. This study aimed to illuminate the function of GPER and its mediated PI3K/AKT pathway in cryptotanshinone (CPT) inducing cell apoptosis and antiproliferation effect on GPER positive breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Cell proliferation was tested by MTT assay. Apoptosis rates were tested by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and the cell cycle was researched by flow cytometry. Autodock vina was applied to make molecular docking between CPT or estradiol and GPER. siRNA technique and GPER specific agonist G-1 or antagonist G-15 were applied to verify the mediated function of GPER. Apoptosis and cell cycle related proteins, as well as the key proteins on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were detected by western blot. The results indicated that CPT could exert antiproliferation effects by arresting cell cycle in G2/M phase and downregulating the expression of cyclin D, cyclin B and cyclin A. Besides, apoptosis induced by CPT was observed. CPT might be a novel GPER binding compounds. Significantly, suppression of PI3K/AKT signal transduction by CPT was further increased by G-1 and decreased by G-15. The study revealed that the effect of antiproliferation and apoptosis treating with CPT on MCF-7 cells might be through the downregulation of PI3K/AKT pathway mediated by activated GPER.

Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking-Based Mechanism Study to Reveal the Protective Effect of Salvianolic Acid C in a Rat Model of Ischemic Stroke

Salvianolic acid C (SAC) is a major bioactive component of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen), a Chinese herb for treating ischemic stroke (IS). However, the mechanism by which SAC affects the IS has not yet been evaluated, thus a network pharmacology integrated molecular docking strategy was performed to systematically evaluate its pharmacological mechanisms, which were further validated in rats with cerebral ischemia. A total of 361 potential SAC-related targets were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction and PharmMapper, and a total of 443 IS-related targets were obtained from DisGeNET, DrugBank, OMIM, and Therapeutic Target database (TTD) databases. SAC-related targets were hit by the 60 targets associated with IS. By Gene ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment combined with the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and cytoHubba plug-ins, nine related signaling pathways (proteoglycans in cancer, pathways in cancer, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Focal adhesion, etc.), and 20 hub genes were identified. Consequently, molecular docking indicated that SAC may interact with the nine targets (F2, MMP7, KDR, IGF1, REN, PPARG, PLG, ACE and MMP1). Four of the target proteins (VEGFR2, MMP1, PPARγ and IGF1) were verified using western blot. This study comprehensively analyzed pathways and targets related to the treatment of IS by SAC. The results of western blot also confirmed that the SAC against IS is mainly related to anti-inflammatory and angiogenesis, which provides a reference for us to find and explore the effective anti-IS drugs.

Application Potential of Plant-Derived Medicines in Prevention and Treatment of Platinum-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity

As observed with other chemotherapeutic agents, the clinical application of platinum agents is a double-edged sword. Platinum-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is a common adverse event that negatively affects clinical outcomes and patients’ quality of life. Considering the unavailability of effective established agents for preventing or treating PIPN and the increasing population of cancer survivors, the identification and development of novel, effective interventions are the need of the hour. Plant-derived medicines, recognized as ideal agents, can not only help improve PIPN without affecting chemotherapy efficacy, but may also produce synergy. In this review, we present a brief summary of the mechanisms of platinum agents and PIPN and then focus on exploring the preventive or curative effects and underlying mechanisms of plant-derived medicines, which have been evaluated under platinum-induced neurotoxicity conditions. We identified 11 plant extracts as well as 17 plant secondary metabolites, and four polyherbal preparations. Their effects against PIPN are focused on oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, glial activation and inflammation response, and ion channel dysfunction. Also, ten clinical trials have assessed the effect of herbal products in patients with PIPN. The understanding of the molecular mechanism is still limited, the quality of clinical trials need to be further improved, and in terms of their efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness studies have not provided sufficient evidence to establish a standard practice. But plant-derived medicines have been found to be invaluable sources for the development of natural agents with beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of PIPN.

Cryptotanshinone Induces Necroptosis through Ca2+ Release and ROS Production in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

Necroptosis is a type of programmed necrosis mediated by receptor-interacting protein kinases 1 and 3 (RIP1 and RIP3), which is morphologically characterized by enlarged organelles, ruptured plasma membrane, and subsequent loss of intracellular contents. Cryptotanshinone (CPT), a diterpene quinone compound extracted from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, has been reported to have significant anticancer activities. However, the detailed mechanism of CPT has not been clearly illustrated.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to explore the cell death type and mechanisms of CPT-induced in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.

METHODS

The cytotoxicity of CPT on A549 cells was assessed by MTS assay. Ca2+ release and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were detected by flow cytometry. The changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were observed through JC-1 staining. The expressions of p-RIP1, p-RIP3, p-MLKL, and MAPKs pathway proteins were analyzed by western blotting analysis. The efficacy of CPT in vivo was evaluated by the Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) xenograft mice model. Blood samples were collected for hematology analysis. ELISA investigated the effects of CPT on tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE) was used to determine the tumor tissues. Proteins' expression of tumor tissues was quantified by western blotting.

RESULTS

CPT inhibited the cell viability of A549 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, which was reversed by Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1). In addition, CPT treatment increased the expression of p-RIP1, p-RIP3, p-MLKL, the release of Ca2+, ROS generation, and the MAPKs pathway activated in A549 cells. Moreover, animal experiment results showed that intraperitoneal injection of CPT (15 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg) significantly inhibited tumor growth in C57BL/6 mice without affecting the bodyweight and injuring the organs.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that CPT-induced necroptosis via RIP1/RIP3/MLKL signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo, indicating that CPT may be a promising agent in the treatment of NSCLC.

Plant Secondary Metabolites Produced in Response to Abiotic Stresses Has Potential Application in Pharmaceutical Product Development

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are vital for human health and constitute the skeletal framework of many pharmaceutical drugs. Indeed, more than 25% of the existing drugs belong to PSMs. One of the continuing challenges for drug discovery and pharmaceutical industries is gaining access to natural products, including medicinal plants. This bottleneck is heightened for endangered species prohibited for large sample collection, even if they show biological hits. While cultivating the pharmaceutically interesting plant species may be a solution, it is not always possible to grow the organism outside its natural habitat. Plants affected by abiotic stress present a potential alternative source for drug discovery. In order to overcome abiotic environmental stressors, plants may mount a defense response by producing a diversity of PSMs to avoid cells and tissue damage. Plants either synthesize new chemicals or increase the concentration (in most instances) of existing chemicals, including the prominent bioactive lead compounds morphine, camptothecin, catharanthine, epicatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), quercetin, resveratrol, and kaempferol. Most PSMs produced under various abiotic stress conditions are plant defense chemicals and are functionally anti-inflammatory and antioxidative. The major PSM groups are terpenoids, followed by alkaloids and phenolic compounds. We have searched the literature on plants affected by abiotic stress (primarily studied in the simulated growth conditions) and their PSMs (including pharmacological activities) from PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE Ovid, Google Scholar, Databases, and journal websites. We used search keywords: "stress-affected plants," "plant secondary metabolites, "abiotic stress," "climatic influence," "pharmacological activities," "bioactive compounds," "drug discovery," and "medicinal plants" and retrieved published literature between 1973 to 2021. This review provides an overview of variation in bioactive phytochemical production in plants under various abiotic stress and their potential in the biodiscovery of therapeutic drugs. We excluded studies on the effects of biotic stress on PSMs.

Cryptotanshinone possesses therapeutic effects on ischaemic stroke through regulating STAT5 in a rat model

CONTEXT

Cryptotanshinone (CT), a lipophilic compound extracted from roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Lamiaceae) (Danshen), has multiple properties in diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, and osteoarthritis. Our previous findings suggest that CT plays a protective role in cerebral stroke. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying CT protection in ischaemic stroke remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the effect of CT on ischaemic stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat (Sprague-Dawley rats, 200 ± 20 g, n = 5) model with a sham operation group was treated as negative control. MCAO rats were treated with 15 mg/kg CT using intragastric administration. Moreover, TGF-β (5 ng/mL) was used to treat MCAO rats as a positive control group.

RESULTS

The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of CT on CD4⁺ cell damage was 485.1 μg/mL, and median effective concentration (EC₅₀) was 485.1 μg/mL. CT attenuates the infarct region in the MCAO model. The percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ Treg cells in the peripheral blood of the MCAO group was increased with CT treatment. The protein level of FOXP3 and the phosphorylation of STAT5 were recovered in the CD4⁺CD25⁺ Treg cells of model group after treated with CT. Importantly, the effects of CT treatment were blocked by treatment with the inhibitor STAT5-IN-1 in CD4⁺ T cells of the MCAO model.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our findings not only enhance the understanding of the mechanisms underlying CT treatment, but also indicate its potential value as a promising agent in the treatment of ischaemic stroke. Further study will be valuable to examine the effects of CT on patients with ischaemic stroke.

Identification of the antibacterial mechanism of cryptotanshinone on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using bioinformatics analysis

Cryptotanshinone (CT) is an extract from the traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza, which inhibits the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in vitro. This study aims to determine the antibacterial mechanisms of CT by integrating bioinformatics analysis and microbiology assay. The microarray data of GSE13203 was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of S. aureus strains that were treated with CT treatment. Gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were used to identify the potential target of CT. Data mining on the microarray dataset indicated that pyruvate kinase (PK) might be involved in the antimicrobial activities of CT. The minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) of CT or vancomycin against the MRSA strain ATCC43300 and seven other clinical strains were determined using the broth dilution method. The effects of CT on the activity of PK were further measured. In vitro tests verified that CT inhibited the growth of an MRSA reference strain and seven other clinical strains. CT hampered the activity of the PK of ATCC43300 and five clinical MRSA strains. CT might hinder bacterial energy metabolism by inhibiting the activity of PK.

Mechanisms and Advances in Anti-Ovarian Cancer with Natural Plants Component

Ovarian cancer ranks seventh in the most common malignant tumors among female disease, which seriously threatens female reproductive health. It is characterized by hidden pathogenesis, missed diagnosis, high reoccurrence rate, and poor prognosis. In clinic, the first-line treatment prioritized debulking surgery with paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. The harsh truth is that female patients are prone to relapse due to the dissemination of tumor cells and drug resistance. In these circumstances, the development of new therapy strategies combined with traditional approaches is conductive to improving the quality of treatment. Among numerous drug resources, botanical compounds have unique advantages due to their potentials in multitarget functions, long application history, and wide availability. Previous studies have revealed the therapeutic effects of bioactive plant components in ovarian cancer. These natural ingredients act as part of the initial treatment or an auxiliary option for maintenance therapy, further reducing the tumor and metastatic burden. In this review, we summarized the functions and mechanisms of natural botanical components applied in human ovarian cancer. We focused on the molecular mechanisms of cell apoptosis, autophagy, RNA and DNA lesion, ROS damage, and the multiple-drug resistance. We aim to provide a theoretical reference for in-depth drug research so as to manage ovarian cancer better in clinic.

Prescription of Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza in Taiwan: A Population-Based Study Using the National Health Insurance Research Database

Objective: While radix Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen; RSM) is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine, its current usage has not yet been analyzed in a large-scale survey. This study aimed to investigate the conditions for which RSM is prescribed and the utilization of RSM in Taiwan.

Methods: 1 million beneficiaries enrolled in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were sampled to identify patients who were prescribed RSM. Next, the diagnoses of these patients based on the International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision Clinical Modification code were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for RSM utilization.

Results: Patients with disorders of menstruation and abnormal bleeding from the female genital tract due to other causes were the diagnostic group most commonly treated with RSM (9.48%), followed by those with general (9.46%) and cardiovascular symptoms (4.18%). Subjects treated with RSM were mostly aged 35–49 years (30.1%). The most common combination of diseases for which RSM was prescribed (0.17%) included menopausal disorders and general symptoms. Women were more likely to receive RSM than men (OR = 1.75, 95% confidence interval = 1.73–1.78). RSM was frequently combined with Yan-Hu-Suo and Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San for clinical use.

Conclusion: To date, this is the first study to identify the most common conditions for which RSM is used in modern Taiwan. The results indicate RSM as a key medicinal herb for the treatment of gynecological diseases, including menstrual disorders, female genital pain, menopausal disorders, etc. The most common combination for which RSM is prescribed is menopausal disorders and general symptoms. Further research is needed to elucidate the optimal dosage, efficacy, and safety of RSM.

A spotlight on underlying the mechanism of AMPK in diabetes complications

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the centenarian metabolic disorders and is considered as a stellar and leading health issue worldwide. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas and National Diabetes Statistics, the number of diabetic patients will increase at an exponential rate from 463 to 700 million by the year 2045. Thus, there is a great need for therapies targeting functions that can help in maintaining the homeostasis of glucose levels and improving insulin sensitivity. 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, by various direct and indirect factors, might help to overcome the hurdles (like insulin resistance) associated with the conventional approach.

MATERIALS AND RESULTS

A thorough review and analysis was conducted using various database including MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, with Google scholar using various keywords. This extensive review concluded that various drugs (plant-based, synthetic indirect/direct activators) are available, showing tremendous potential in maintaining the homeostasis of glucose and lipid metabolism, without causing insulin resistance, and improving insulin sensitivity. Moreover, these drugs have an effect against diabetes and are therapeutically beneficial in the treatment of diabetes-associated complications (neuropathy and nephropathy) via mechanism involving inhibition of nuclear translocation of SMAD4 (SMAD family member) expression and association with peripheral nociceptive neurons mediated by AMPK.

CONCLUSION

From the available information, it may be concluded that various indirect/direct activators show tremendous potential in maintaining the homeostasis of glucose and lipid metabolism, without resulting in insulin resistance, and may improve insulin sensitivity, as well. Therefore, in a nut shell, it may be concluded that the regulation of APMK functions by various direct/indirect activators may bring promising results. These activators may emerge as a novel therapy in diabetes and its associated complications.

Phytochemicals in Cancer Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy

The interaction of immune checkpoint molecules in the tumor microenvironment reduces the anti-tumor immune response by suppressing the recognition of T cells to tumor cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is emerging as a promising therapeutic option for cancer treatment. However, modulating the immune system with ICIs still faces obstacles with severe immunogenic side effects and a lack of response against many cancer types. Plant-derived natural compounds offer regulation on various signaling cascades and have been applied for the treatment of multiple diseases, including cancer. Accumulated evidence provides the possibility of efficacy of phytochemicals in combinational with other therapeutic agents of ICIs, effectively modulating immune checkpoint-related signaling molecules. Recently, several phytochemicals have been reported to show the modulatory effects of immune checkpoints in various cancers in in vivo or in vitro models. This review summarizes druggable immune checkpoints and their regulatory factors. In addition, phytochemicals that are capable of suppressing PD-1/PD-L1 binding, the best-studied target of ICI therapy, were comprehensively summarized and classified according to chemical structure subgroups. It may help extend further research on phytochemicals as candidates of combinational adjuvants. Future clinical trials may validate the synergetic effects of preclinically investigated phytochemicals with ICI therapy.

The Influence of Selected Factors on the Aqueous Cryptotanshinone Solubility

The application of cryptotanshinone (CT), a diterpenoid obtained from the root of Salviae miltiorrhiza, is significantly hindered due to its poor aqueous solubility. The aim of the present research was to develop an optimal solvent for analytical and preparative procedures of prospective dermal hydrogel formulations with CT. The influence of pH, temperature, and cosolvent presence on the solubility of CT was examined. Various components were applied to increase CT solubility, i.e., ethanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol, 2,2′,2″-nitrilotriethanol, and triisopropanoloamine. The concentration of CT was analyzed by spectral and chromatographic methods, including UV–vis and HPLC methods. The increased solubility of CT was demonstrated in alkaline solvents with ethanol as a cosolvent. CT solutions doped with alcoholamines are more stable compared to CT solutions doped with NaOH.

Impact of Traditional Plants and their Secondary Metabolites in the Discovery of COVID-19 Treatment

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus Disease-2019 belongs to the family of viruses which cause serious pneumonia along with fever, breathing issues and infection of lungs, and was first reported in China and later spread worldwide.

OBJECTIVE

Several studies and clinical trials have been conducted to identify potential drugs and vaccines for Coronavirus Disease-2019. The present study listed natural secondary metabolites identified from plant sources with antiviral properties and could be a safer and tolerable treatment for Coronavirus Disease-2019.

METHODS

A comprehensive search on the reported studies was conducted using different search engines such as Google Scholar, SciFinder, Sciencedirect, Medline PubMed, and Scopus for the collection of research articles based on plant-derived secondary metabolites, herbal extracts, and traditional medicine for coronavirus infections.

RESULTS

Status of COVID-19 worldwide and information of important molecular targets involved in COVID- 19 are described, and through literature search, it is highlighted that numerous plant species and their extracts possess antiviral properties and are studied with respect to coronavirus treatments. Chemical information, plant source, test system type with a mechanism of action for each secondary metabolite are also mentioned in this review paper.

CONCLUSION

The present review has listed plants that have presented antiviral potential in the previous coronavirus pandemics and their secondary metabolites, which could be significant for the development of novel and a safer drug which could prevent and cure coronavirus infection worldwide.

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on the Global Market: What Are the Implications for Products' Quality?

Background: Danshen (Radix et rhizoma Salviae miltiorrhizae; Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Lamiaceae) is commonly used in Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea with markets in America and Europe growing substantially. It is included in multiple pharmacopeias and salvianolic acid B and tanshinone IIA are used as quality markers. However, on the markets, substitutes and different processing methods often are a concern. a concern regarding patients’ safety and expected outcomes.

Aims: This study aims at understanding the quality of Danshen-derived products on the market, and the relationship between the chemistry, biological activity and the processing and storage methods.

Methods: For heavy metal analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used. High performance thin-layer chromatography and proton nuclear magnetic resonance coupled with principal component analysis were used to understand the variation of metabolite composition. MTT assay and LPS induced NO production assay were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity effect and anti-inflammatory activity, respectively.

Result and Discussion: Six out of sixty samples exceed the limits of cadmium according to the Chinese or United States Pharmacopoeia. Arsenic, lead and copper contents are all below pharmacopoeial thresholds. With more complex processing procedure, the risk of heavy metal contamination increases, especially with arsenic and cadmium. The metabolite compositions show a variability linked to processing and storage methods. Authenticated samples and Vietnamese primary samples contain higher salvianolic acid B, and their chemical compositions are more consistent compared to Chinese online store samples. Overall, a significant chemical variation can be observed in Danshen products directly linked to processing and storage method. In the MTT assay, fourteen samples show cytotoxicity while seven samples increase the proliferation of RAW264.7. In the LPS induced NO production of RAW 264.7, only seven samples show significant inhibitory effects.

Conclusion: This is the first interdisciplinary investigation focusing on understanding the current market and the quality of Danshen. The quality of Danshen products on the high street are inferior to the authenticated samples. The results of the bioassays selected is not useful to differentiate the quality and composition according to the current definition in the pharmacopoeias. Overall, this approach highlights the tremendous variability of the products linked to processing and the need for more systematic and stringent quality assurance.

Perspectives and controversies regarding the use of natural products for the treatment of lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related mortality both in men and women and accounts for 18.4% of all cancer‐related deaths. Although advanced therapy methods have been developed, the prognosis of lung cancer patients remains extremely poor. Over the past few decades, clinicians and researchers have found that chemical compounds extracted from natural products may be useful for treating lung cancer. Drug formulations derived from natural compounds, such as paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and camptothecin, have been successfully used as chemotherapeutics for lung cancer. In recent years, hundreds of new natural compounds that can be used to treat lung cancer have been found through basic and sub‐clinical research. However, there has not been a corresponding increase in the number of drugs that have been used in a clinical setting. The probable reasons may include low solubility, limited absorption, unfavorable metabolism, and severe side effects. In this review, we present a summary of the natural compounds that have been proven to be effective for the treatment of lung cancer, as well as an understanding of the mechanisms underlying their pharmacological effects. We have also highlighted current controversies and have attempted to provide solutions for the clinical translation of these compounds.

Targeting oncogenic mutations in colorectal cancer using cryptotanshinone

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in the world and ranks second in cancer deaths in the US. Despite the recent improvements in screening and treatment, the number of deaths associated with CRC is still very significant. The complexities involved in CRC therapy stem from multiple oncogenic mutations and crosstalk between abnormal pathways. This calls for using advanced molecular genetics to understand the underlying pathway interactions responsible for this cancer. In this paper, we construct the CRC pathway from the literature and using an existing public dataset on healthy vs tumor colon cells, we identify the genes and pathways that are mutated and are possibly responsible for the disease progression. We then introduce drugs in the CRC pathway, and using a boolean modeling technique, we deduce the drug combinations that produce maximum cell death. Our theoretical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of Cryptotanshinone, a traditional Chinese herb derivative, achieved by targeting critical oncogenic mutations and enhancing cell death. Finally, we validate our theoretical results using wet lab experiments on HT29 and HCT116 human colorectal carcinoma cell lines.

A review of the biological activity and pharmacology of cryptotanshinone, an important active constituent in Danshen

Cryptotanshinone (IUPAC name: (R)-1,2,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-1,6,6-trimethyl-phenanthro(1,2-b)furan-10,11-dione), a biologically active constituent extracted from the roots and rhizomes of the plant Salvia miltiorrhiza, has been studied in depth as a medicinally active compound and shown to have efficacy in the treatment of numerous diseases and disorders. In this review, we describe in detail the current status of cryptotanshinone research, including findings relating to the structure, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological activity, and derivatives of this compound. Cryptotanshinoneh as a diverse range of pharmacological effects, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory, neuroprotective, and anti-fibrosis activities. Studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying the activities of cryptotanshinone have established that the JAK2/STAT3, PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, AMPK, and cell cycle pathways are involved in the inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects of cryptotanshinone on different tumor cell lines, these molecular pathways interact in a coordinated manner to inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion,and induce transformation, autophagy, necrosis, and cellular immunity. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of cryptotanshinone have been found to be associated with the TLR4-MyD88/PI3K/Nrf2 and TLR4-MyD88/NF-κB/MAPK pathways, whereasthe Hedgehog, NF-κB, and Nrf-2/HO-1 pathways are regulated by cryptotanshinone to reduce organ fibrosis, and its inhibitory effects on the PI3K/AKT-eNOS pathway have been linked to neuroprotective effects. Given the potential medicinal utility of cryptotanshinone, further research is needed to verify the efficacy and safety of this compound in clinical use, evaluate its pharmacological activity, and identify molecular targets.

Effect of Cryptotanshinone on Measures of Rat Cardiomyocyte Oxidative Stress and Gene Activation Associated with Apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress is a key factor that results in cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiovascular diseases. Cryptotanshinone (CTS), one of the major bioactive constitutes extracted from the root of the plant Salvia miltiorrhizaBunge, has been widely studied for various disease treatments. However, the roles of CTS on cardiomyocytes remain unclear.

METHODS

In the present study, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were pretreated with CTS for 4 h before being exposed to H2O2. Cell viability for the cells with or without pretreatment with CTS before exposure to H2O2 was evaluated by the MTT assay. Production of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxides (GSH-Px) was quantified by corresponding detection kits. The mRNA levels of Bcl-2 antiapoptotic and Bax-like proapoptotic genes were quantified with RT-PCR. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was qualified and quantified with a dichlorofluorescein diacetate cellular ROS detection assay kit. The extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation were measured by Western blot.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that the CTS pretreatment could enhance cell viability and promote Bcl-2 antiapoptotic gene expression. Additionally, CTS could abolish the H2O2-induced production of NO, LDH, and PGE2. Consistent with these findings, CTS could inhibit ROS and MDA production and promote SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities. Mechanistically, CTS may achieve these processes by inhibiting ERK and NF-κB signal pathways.

CONCLUSION

CTS protects cardiomyocytes against the H2O2-induced cellular injuries through ERK and NF-κB inactivation and ROS scavenging. Therefore, CTS is a promising reagent against ROS-induced cardiomyopathy.

LncRNA TSLNC8 synergizes with EGFR inhibitor osimertinib to inhibit lung cancer tumorigenesis by blocking the EGFR-STAT3 pathway

The roles of lncRNA TSLNC8 and its synergetic effects with osimertinib remain unknown in lung cancer. qRT-PCR or western blotting was performed to determine the expression levels of TSLNC8, EGFR and STAT3. Colony formation and MTT assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Transwell and wound healing assays were performed to assess migration and invasion abilities. Flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI staining was used to detect changes in cell apoptosis. Nude mice subcutaneous tumor model was constructed and used for validating the effects of TSLNC8 and osimertinib in vivo. Expression of TSLNC8 was down-regulated in clinical lung cancer tissues and cell lines. TSLNC8 overexpression or osimertinib administration led to promotion of apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as deactivation of the EGFR-STAT3 pathway, whereas TSLNC8 knockdown had opposite effects. Moreover, the above effects of osimertinib were remarkably enhanced by TSLNC8 overexpression and inhibited by TSLNC8 knockdown, respectively. Meanwhile, the effects of TSLNC8 overexpression were reversed by STAT3 activation or EGFR overexpression. In the animal model, combination of TSLNC8 overexpression and osimertinib administration resulted in efficient suppression of tumor growth. In this study, we revealed a TSLNC8-EGFR-STAT3 signaling axis in lung cancer, and TSLNC8 overexpression significantly enhanced the anti-tumor effects of osimertinib via inhibiting EGFR-STAT3 signaling.

Tanshinone IIA attenuates neuroinflammation via inhibiting RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro

Background

Glial activation and neuroinflammation play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)-mediated signaling pathway is related to amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced neuroinflammation. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of tanshinone IIA (tan IIA), a natural product isolated from traditional Chinese herbal Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, against Aβ-induced neuroinflammation, cognitive impairment, and neurotoxicity as well as the underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

Open-field test, Y-maze test, and Morris water maze test were conducted to assess the cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, thioflavin S (Th-S) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and western blotting were performed to explore Aβ deposition, synaptic and neuronal loss, microglial and astrocytic activation, RAGE-dependent signaling, and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in APP/PS1 mice and cultured BV2 and U87 cells.

Results

Tan IIA treatment prevented spatial learning and memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice. Additionally, tan IIA attenuated Aβ accumulation, synapse-associated proteins (Syn and PSD-95) and neuronal loss, as well as peri-plaque microgliosis and astrocytosis in the cortex and hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. Furthermore, tan IIA significantly suppressed RAGE/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) in APP/PS1 mice and cultured BV2 and U87 cells.

Conclusions

Taken together, the present results indicated that tan IIA improves cognitive decline and neuroinflammation partly via inhibiting RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. Thus, tan IIA might be a promising therapeutic drug for halting and preventing AD progression.

Recent advances and future directions in anti-tumor activity of cryptotanshinone: A mechanistic review

In respect to the enhanced incidence rate of cancer worldwide, studies have focused on cancer therapy using novel strategies. Chemotherapy is a common strategy in cancer therapy, but its adverse effects and chemoresistance have limited its efficacy. So, attempts have been directed towards minimally invasive cancer therapy using plant derived-natural compounds. Cryptotanshinone (CT) is a component of salvia miltiorrihiza Bunge, well-known as Danshen and has a variety of therapeutic and biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and neuroprotective. Recently, studies have focused on anti-tumor activity of CT against different cancers. Notably, this herbal compound is efficient in cancer therapy by targeting various molecular signaling pathways. In the present review, we mechanistically describe the anti-tumor activity of CT with an emphasis on molecular signaling pathways. Then, we evaluate the potential of CT in cancer immunotherapy and enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy by sensitizing cancer cells into anti-tumor activity of chemotherapeutic agents, and elevating accumulation of anti-tumor drugs in cancer cells. Finally, we mention strategies to enhance the anti-tumor activity of CT, for instance, using nanoparticles to provide targeted drug delivery.

STAT signaling in polycystic kidney disease

The most common form of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in humans is caused by mutations in the PKD1 gene coding for polycystin1 (PC1). Among the many identified or proposed functions of PC1 is its ability to regulate the activity of transcription factors of the STAT family. Most STAT proteins that have been investigated were found to be aberrantly activated in kidneys in PKD, and some have been shown to be drivers of disease progression. In this review, we focus on the role of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways in various renal cell types in healthy kidneys as compared to polycystic kidneys, on the mechanisms of STAT regulation by PC1 and other factors, and on the possibility to target STAT signaling for PKD therapy.

Cryptotanshinone attenuates the stemness of non-small cell lung cancer cells via promoting TAZ translocation from nuclear to cytoplasm

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are regarded as the root of tumor progression, thus representing an anti-cancer therapy through targeting this cell sub-population.

Methods

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) CSCs were enriched by non-adherent spheroid formation analysis. Lentivirus infection was used to stably change gene expression. Cell cycle, EdU incorporation, cell apoptosis, cell viability, ALDH1 activity, spheroid formation and in vivo tumor initiation assays were performed to detect the effects of Cryptotanshinone (CT), a traditional Chinese herb medicine, on the stemness of NSCLC cells. RNA-sequencing combined qRT-PCR and western blot analysis were constructed to explore the underlying mechanism contributing to CT-mediated effects.

Results

CT could attenuate the stemness of NSCLC CSCs, as evident by the reduced spheroid formation ability, stemness marker expression and ALDH1 activity. Additionally, CT provoked NSCLC CSCs entry into the cell cycle. RNA-sequencing analysis showed that Hippo signaling pathway was highly enriched in NSCLC CSCs with CT treatment. Further experiments disclosed that CT decreased TAZ (a regulatory master of Hippo pathway) expression via promoting its nuclear-cytoplasm translocation in NSCLC CSCs. Also, overexpression of TAZ partially saved the attenuation of CT on the stemness of NSCLC CSCs. Notably, CT enhanced the sensitivity of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and chemotherapy in NSCLC CSCs.

Conclusions

This work reveals that CT attenuates NSCLC CSC stemness, implying the possibility of CT as an adjuvant therapy for NSCLC.

Cryptotanshinone ameliorates placental oxidative stress and inflammation in mice with gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a conditional diabetes which is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance or high blood glucose levels during any phase of pregnancy. It causes chronic severe damage to health of the pregnant women and their offspring. In this study, we aimed to study the protective effects of Cryptotanshinone on GDM-related impairments. We measured blood glucose levels, serum insulin levels, biochemical indexes, oxidative stress, inflammation and the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway in the blood and placenta of GDM mice. It is found that Cryptotanshinone significantly decreased blood glucose levels, oxidative stress, inflammation and NF-κB signaling with an increase of serum insulin levels in the placenta and blood of GDM mice. Taken together, Cryptotanshinone effectively ameliorated GDM, which suggested that Cryptotanshinone could be served as a promising therapeutic drug for GDM patients.

Targeting the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway Using Phytocompounds for Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Cancer is a prevalent cause of mortality around the world. Aberrated activation of Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway promotes tumorigenesis. Natural agents, including phytochemicals, exhibit potent anticancer activities via various mechanisms. However, the therapeutic potency of phytoconstituents as inhibitors of JAK/STAT signaling against cancer has only come into focus in recent days. The current review highlights phytochemicals that can suppress the JAK/STAT pathway in order to impede cancer cell growth. Various databases, such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SpringerLink, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were searched using relevant keywords. Once the authors were in agreement regarding the suitability of a study, a full-length form of the relevant article was obtained, and the information was gathered and cited. All the complete articles that were incorporated after the literature collection rejection criteria were applied were perused in-depth and material was extracted based on the importance, relevance, and advancement of the apprehending of the JAK/STAT pathway and their relation to phytochemicals. Based on the critical and comprehensive analysis of literature presented in this review, phytochemicals from diverse plant origins exert therapeutic and cancer preventive effects, at least in part, through regulation of the JAK/STAT pathway. Nevertheless, more preclinical and clinical research is necessary to completely comprehend the capability of modulating JAK/STAT signaling to achieve efficient cancer control and treatment.

Elimination of dormant, autophagic ovarian cancer cells and xenografts through enhanced sensitivity to anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibition

BACKGROUND

Poor outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer relate to dormant, drug-resistant cancer cells that survive after primary surgery and chemotherapy. Ovarian cancer (OvCa) cells persist in poorly vascularized scars on the peritoneal surface and depend on autophagy to survive nutrient deprivation. The authors have sought drugs that target autophagic cancer cells selectively to eliminate residual disease.

METHODS

By using unbiased small-interfering RNA (siRNA) screens, the authors observed that knockdown of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) reduced the survival of autophagic OvCa cells. Small-molecule ALK inhibitors were evaluated for their selective toxicity against autophagic OvCa cell lines and xenografts. Autophagy was induced by reexpression of GTP-binding protein Di-Ras3 (DIRAS3) or serum starvation and was evaluated with Western blot analysis, fluorescence imaging, and transmission electron microscopy. Signaling pathways required for crizotinib-induced apoptosis of autophagic cells were explored with flow cytometric analysis, Western blot analysis, short-hairpin RNA knockdown of autophagic proteins, and small-molecule inhibitors of STAT3 and BCL-2.

RESULTS

Induction of autophagy by reexpression of DIRAS3 or serum starvation in multiple OvCa cell lines significantly reduced the 50% inhibitory concentration of crizotinib and other ALK inhibitors. In 2 human OvCa xenograft models, the DIRAS3-expressing tumors treated with crizotinib had significantly decreased tumor burden and long-term survival in 67% to 79% of mice. Crizotinib treatment of autophagic cancer cells further enhanced autophagy and induced autophagy-mediated apoptosis by decreasing phosphorylated STAT3 and BCL-2 signaling.

CONCLUSIONS

Crizotinib may eliminate dormant, autophagic, drug-resistant OvCa cells that remain after conventional cytoreductive surgery and combination chemotherapy. A clinical trial of ALK inhibitors as maintenance therapy after second-look operations should be seriously considered.

Inhibition of PI3K/AKT molecular pathway mediated by membrane estrogen receptor GPER accounts for cryptotanshinone induced antiproliferative effect on breast cancer SKBR-3 cells

Background

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Among which nuclear estrogen receptor (nER) negative breast cancer is always with much poor prognosis. Recently, membrane G protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), a newly recognized estrogen receptor has been documented to take essential part in the development and treatment of breast cancer. The present study was designed to investigate the anti nER negative breast cancer effect of cryptotanshinone (CPT), an important active compound of traditional Chinese medicine Danshen and its possible molecular pathway.

Methods

The following in vitro tests were performed in nER negative but GPER positive breast cancer SKBR-3 cells. The effect of CPT on cell proliferation rate and cell cycle distribution was evaluated by MTT cell viability test and flow cytometry assay respectively. The role of PI3K/AKT pathway and the mediated function of GPER were tested by western blot and immunofluorescence. Technique of gene silence and the specific GPER agonist G-1 and antagonist G-15 were employed in the experiments to further verify the function of GPER in mediating the anticancer role of CPT.

Results

The results showed that proliferation of SKBR-3 cells could be blocked by CPT in a time and dose dependent manner. CPT could also exert antiproliferative activities by arresting cell cycle progression in G1 phase and down regulating the expression level of cyclin A, cyclin B, cyclin D and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). The antiproliferative effect of CPT was further enhanced by G-1 and attenuated by G-15. Results of western blot and immunofluorescence showed that expression of PI3K and p-AKT could be downregulated by CPT and such effects were mediated by GPER which were further demonstrated by gene silence test.

Conclusion

The current study showed that the antiproliferative action of CPT on SKBR-3 cells was realized by inhibition of GPER mediated PI3K/AKT pathway. These findings provide further validation of GPER serving as useful therapeutic target.

Cryptotanshinone protects dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental ulcerative colitis in mice by inhibiting intestinal inflammation

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing in recent years. The protective effect of cryptotanshinone, a natural compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, on UC was investigated both in vivo and in vitro models. UC model was established by dextran sulfate sodium administration in drinking water and cryptotanshinone was orally administrated. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without cryptotanshinone pretreatment. The body weights and disease activity index (DAI) were recorded. The pathological alterations were evaluated by H&E staining. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues and cell culture medium were determined with enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The protein expression was detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results showed that cryptotanshinone significantly increased the body weight and colon length, reduced the score of DAI, and improved pathological changes. Furthermore, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, receptor-interacting protein kinase 3, NF-κB p65 and the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6 in colon tissues and LPS-stimulated cells were significantly inhibited by cryptotanshinone. Besides, cryptotanshinone significantly inhibited LPS-triggered toll-like receptor 4 luciferase reporter activity with an IC₅₀ at 7.2 μM. In conclusion, cryptotanshinone ameliorated experimental UC possibly by inhibiting intestinal inflammation.

Pharmacological and molecular docking assessment of cryptotanshinone as natural-derived analgesic compound

Medicinal plants from traditional chinese medicine are used increasingly worldwide for their benefits to health and quality of life for the relevant clinical symptoms related to pain. Among them, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge is traditionally used in asian countries as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent. In this context, several evidences support the hypothesis that some tanshinones, in particular cryptotanshinone (CRY), extracted from the roots (Danshen) of this plant exhibit analgesic actions. However, it is surprisingly noted that no pharmacological studies have been carried out to explore the possible analgesic action of this compound in terms of modulation of peripheral and/or central pain. Therefore, in the present study, by using peripheral and central pain models of nociception, such as tail flick and hot plate test, the analgesic effect of CRY in mice was evaluated. Successively, by the aim of a computational approach, we have evaluated the interaction mode of this diterpenoid on opioid and cannabinoid system. Finally, CRY was dosed in mice serum by an HPLC method validated according to European Medicines Agency guidelines validation rules. Here, we report that CRY displayed anti-nociceptive activity on both hot plate and tail flick test, with a prominent long-lasting peripheral analgesic effect. These evidences were indirectly confirmed after the daily administration of the tanshinone for 7 and 14 days. In addition, the analgesic effect of CRY was reverted by naloxone and cannabinoid antagonists and amplified by arginine administration. These findings were finally supported by HPLC and docking studies, that revealed a noteworthy presence of CRY on mice serum 1 h after its intraperitoneal administration and a possible interaction of tested compound on μ and k receptors. Taken together, these results provide a new line of evidences showing that CRY can produce analgesia against various phenotypes of nociception with a mechanism that seems to be related to an agonistic activity on opioid system.

Cryptotanshinone Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Migration and Invasion in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells In Vitro

Cryptotanshinone (CPT), an active quinoid diterpene isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, was previously reported to have potential anticancer effects. However, the mechanisms of CPT on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the anticancer effects of CPT on HCC cells. Thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay showed dose-dependent and time-dependent cytotoxicity of CPT on human HCC cells, especially in HCCLM3 and Huh-7 cells. Hoechst 33258 stain, flow cytometry assay, and Western blot assay all indicated that CPT could distinctly induce the apoptosis of human HCC cells and break intracellular homeostasis by triggering the imbalance of mitochondrial transmembrane potential ( Δψm) and reactive oxygen species. In addition, CPT could significantly inhibit HCCLM3 and Huh-7 cells’ migration and invasion via the signal transducers and activators of transcription 3/matrix metalloproteinases mediated signaling pathway. Our findings demonstrated that the antitumor effects of CPT on human HCC cells were by suppressing cell proliferation, inducing cell apoptosis and impairing cell migration and invasion.

Glutaminyl-tRNA Synthetase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Characterization, structure, and development as a screening platform

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has a high potential for developing resistance to multiple antibiotics. The gene (glnS) encoding glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (GlnRS) from P. aeruginosa was cloned and the resulting protein characterized. GlnRS was kinetically evaluated and the K_M and k_cat ^obs , governing interactions with tRNA, were 1.0 μM and 0.15 s^-1 , respectively. The crystal structure of the α₂ form of P. aeruginosa GlnRS was solved to 1.9 Å resolution. The amino acid sequence and structure of P. aeruginosa GlnRS were analyzed and compared to that of GlnRS from Escherichia coli. Amino acids that interact with ATP, glutamine, and tRNA are well conserved and structure overlays indicate that both GlnRS proteins conform to a similar three-dimensional structure. GlnRS was developed into a screening platform using scintillation proximity assay technology and used to screen ~2,000 chemical compounds. Three inhibitory compounds were identified and analyzed for enzymatic inhibition as well as minimum inhibitory concentrations against clinically relevant bacterial strains. Two of the compounds, BM02E04 and BM04H03, were selected for further studies. These compounds displayed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against mutant efflux deficient strains of P. aeruginosa and E. coli. Growth of wild-type strains was unaffected, indicating that efflux was likely responsible for the lack of sensitivity. The global mode of action was determined using time-kill kinetics. BM04H03 did not inhibit the growth of human cell cultures at any concentration and BM02E04 only inhibit cultures at the highest concentration tested (400 μg/ml). In conclusion, GlnRS from P. aeruginosa is shown to have a structure similar to that of E. coli GlnRS and two natural product compounds were identified as inhibitors of P. aeruginosa GlnRS with the potential for utility as lead candidates in antibacterial drug development in a time of increased antibiotic resistance.

Cryptotanshinone Induces Cell Death in Lung Cancer by Targeting Aberrant Feedback Loops

Signaling pathways oversee highly efficient cellular mechanisms such as growth, division, and death. These processes are controlled by robust negative feedback loops that inhibit receptor-mediated growth factor pathways. Specifically, the ERK, the AKT, and the S6K feedback loops attenuate signaling via growth factor receptors and other kinase receptors to regulate cell growth. Irregularity in any of these supervised processes can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and possibly Cancer. These irregularities primarily occur as mutated genes, and an exhaustive search of the perfect drug combination by performing experiments can be both costly and complex. Hence, in this paper, we model the Lung Cancer pathway as a Modified Boolean Network that incorporates feedback. By simulating this network, we theoretically predict the drug combinations that achieve the desired goal for the majority of mutations. Our theoretical analysis identifies Cryptotanshinone, a traditional Chinese herb derivative, as a potent drug component in the fight against cancer. We validated these theoretical results using multiple wet lab experiments carried out on H2073 and SW900 lung cancer cell lines.

HLA-A*02:01 allele is associated with tanshinone-induced cutaneous drug reactions in Chinese population

Tanshinone, a widely used Chinese patent medicine, has been confirmed to have various kinds of pharmacological effects although frequently causing cutaneous adverse drug reactions (cADRs). We aim to identify whether human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles are associated with tanshinone-induced cADRs in Han Chinese. The association study including 18 patients with tanshinone-induced cADRs, 67 tanshinone-tolerant volunteers, and two general population databases consisted of 10,689 and 169,995 healthy subjects was performed. The frequency of tanshinone-induced cADRs patients carrying HLA-A*02:01 was significantly higher when compared with the general control groups (OR = 6.25, Pc = 7.20 × 10^-5; OR = 7.14, Pc = 8.00 × 10^-6), and with the tolerant group (OR = 5.09, Pc = 0.024). The molecular docking assay confirmed high affinity of the ingredients of tanshinone towards HLA-A*02:01 (≤-7.5 kcal/mol). The result suggested HLA-A*02:01 may work as a promisingly predictive marker for tanshinone personalized therapy in Han Chinese.

Cryptotanshinone inhibits lung cancer invasion via microRNA-133a/matrix metalloproteinase 14 regulation

Cryptotanshinone inhibits the proliferative and colony formation abilities of human non-small cell lung cancer cells (NSCLCs). The present study reported that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 is not the only target of cryptotanshinone during the inhibition of human NSCLCs. It was identified that cryptotanshinone upregulates the expression levels of microRNA (miR)-30d-5p, miR-126-3p, miR-133a, miR-338-3p and miR-451a, and downregulates miR-21-5p, miR-96-5p, miR-182-5p and miR-205-5p. Among these, miR-133a was the most significantly upregulated. miR-133a targets and downregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)14; however, MMP15, MMP16 and MMP24 were determined to be unaffected. This process was identified to be independent of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2. Cryptotanshinone also suppresses the invasion of human NSCLCs, which may be due to the inhibited expression of MMP14. In conclusion, cryptotanshinone may serve as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of lung cancer.