Cordycepin induces apoptotic cell death and inhibits cell migration in renal cell carcinoma via regulation of microRNA-21 and PTEN phosphatase

Single-cell RNA sequencing indicates cordycepin remodels the tumor immune microenvironment to enhance TIGIT blockade's anti-tumor effect in colon cancer

Both preclinical and clinical studies have extensively proven the effectiveness of TIGIT inhibitors in tumor immunotherapy. However, it has been discovered that the presence of CD226 on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is crucial for the effectiveness of both anti-TIGIT therapy alone and when combined with anti-PD-1 therapy for tumors. In our investigation, we observed that cordycepin therapy significantly augmented the expression of the Cd226 gene. As a result, it was hypothesized that cordycepin therapy could enhance the effectiveness of anti-TIGIT therapy. By employing single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of immune cells in the MC38 tumor model, we discovered that cordycepin combined with anti-TIGIT therapy led to a significant increase in the proportion of NK cells within the tumor immune microenvironment. This increased NK cell activity and decreased the expression of inhibitory receptors and exhaustion marker genes. In the combination therapy group, CD8+ T cells had lower exhaustion state scores and increased cytotoxicity, indicating a better immune response. The combination therapy group increased DCs in the tumor immune microenvironment and promoted cellular interaction with CD4+ T cell and CD8+ T cell populations while decreasing Treg cell interactions. In conclusion, cordycepin with anti-TIGIT therapy in colon cancer could reshape the tumor immune microenvironment and have notable anticancer effects.

A Systematic Review of the Biological Effects of Cordycepin

We conducted a systematic review of the literature on the effects of cordycepin on cell survival and proliferation, inflammation, signal transduction and animal models. A total of 1204 publications on cordycepin were found by the cut-off date of 1 February 2021. After application of the exclusion criteria, 791 papers remained. These were read and data on the chosen subjects were extracted. We found 192 papers on the effects of cordycepin on cell survival and proliferation and calculated a median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 135 µM. Cordycepin consistently repressed cell migration (26 papers) and cellular inflammation (53 papers). Evaluation of 76 papers on signal transduction indicated consistently reduced PI3K/mTOR/AKT and ERK signalling and activation of AMPK. In contrast, the effects of cordycepin on the p38 and Jun kinases were variable, as were the effects on cell cycle arrest (53 papers), suggesting these are cell-specific responses. The examination of 150 animal studies indicated that purified cordycepin has many potential therapeutic effects, including the reduction of tumour growth (37 papers), repression of pain and inflammation (9 papers), protecting brain function (11 papers), improvement of respiratory and cardiac conditions (8 and 19 papers) and amelioration of metabolic disorders (8 papers). Nearly all these data are consistent with cordycepin mediating its therapeutic effects through activating AMPK, inhibiting PI3K/mTOR/AKT and repressing the inflammatory response. We conclude that cordycepin has excellent potential as a lead for drug development, especially for age-related diseases. In addition, we discuss the remaining issues around the mechanism of action, toxicity and biodistribution of cordycepin.

Phytochemicals as a Complement to Cancer Chemotherapy: Pharmacological Modulation of the Autophagy-Apoptosis Pathway

Bioactive plant derived compounds are important for a wide range of therapeutic applications, and some display promising anticancer properties. Further evidence suggests that phytochemicals modulate autophagy and apoptosis, the two crucial cellular pathways involved in the underlying pathobiology of cancer development and regulation. Pharmacological targeting of autophagy and apoptosis signaling using phytochemicals therefore offers a promising strategy that is complementary to conventional cancer chemotherapy. In this review, we sought to highlight the molecular basis of the autophagic-apoptotic pathway to understand its implication in the pathobiology of cancer, and explore this fundamental cellular process as a druggable anticancer target. We also aimed to present recent advances and address the limitations faced in the therapeutic development of phytochemical-based anticancer drugs.

Cordycepin Inhibits Cancer Cell Proliferation and Angiogenesis through a DEK Interaction via ERK Signaling in Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant tumor that arises from the epithelial cells of the bile duct and is notorious for its poor prognosis. The clinical outcome remains disappointing, and thus more effective therapeutic options are urgently required. Cordycepin, a traditional Chinese medicine, provides multiple pharmacological strategies in antitumors, but its mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we reported that cordycepin inhibited the viability and proliferation capacity of CCA cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony formation assay. Flow cytometry and Hoechst dye showed that cordycepin induced cancer cell apoptosis via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 deactivation. Moreover, cordycepin significantly reduced the angiogenetic capabilities of CCA in vitro as examined by tube formation assay. We also discovered that cordycepin inhibited DEK expression by using Western blot assay. DEK serves as an oncogenic protein that is overexpressed in various gastrointestinal tumors. DEK silencing inhibited CCA cell viability and angiogenesis but not apoptosis induction determined by Western blot and flow cytometry. Furthermore, cordycepin significantly inhibited tumor growth and angiogenic capacities in a xenograft model by downregulating the expression of DEK, phosphorylated ERK1/2 CD31 and von Willebrand factor (vWF). Taken together, we demonstrated that cordycepin inhibited CCA cell proliferation and angiogenesis with a DEK interaction via downregulation in ERK signaling. These data indicate that cordycepin may serve as a novel agent for CCA clinical treatment and prognosis improvement. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Cordycepin provides multiple strategies in antitumors, but its mechanisms are not fully elucidated, especially on cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). We reported that cordycepin inhibited the viability of CCA cells, induced apoptosis via extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 deactivation and DEK inhibition, and reduced the angiogenetic capabilities of CCA both in vivo and in vitro.

Cordycepin in Anticancer Research: Molecular Mechanism of Therapeutic Effects

Background:

Cordycepin is a nucleotide analogue from Cordyceps mushrooms, which occupies a notable place in traditional medicine.

Objective:

In this review article, we have discussed the recent findings on the molecular aspects of cordycepin interactions with its recognized cellular targets, and possible mechanisms of its anticancer activity.

Methods:

We have explored databases like pubmed, google scholar, scopus and web of science for the update information on cordycepin and mechanisms of its anticancer activity, and reviewed in this study.

Results:

Cordycepin has been widely recognized for its therapeutic potential against many types of cancers by various mechanisms. More specifically, cordycepin can induce apoptosis, resist cell cycle and cause DNA damage in cancer cells, and thus kill or control cancer cell growth. Also cordycepin can induce autophagy and modulate immune system. Furthermore, cordycepin also inhibits tumor metastasis. Although many success stories of cordycepin in anticancer research in vitro and in animal model, and there is no successful clinical trial yet.

Conclusion:

Ongoing research studies have reported highly potential anticancer activities of cordycepin with numerous molecular mechanisms. The in vitro and in vivo success of cordycepin in anticancer research might influence the clinical trials of cordycepin, and this molecule might be used for development of future cancer drug.

Bioactive Ingredients in Chinese Herbal Medicines That Target Non-coding RNAs: Promising New Choices for Disease Treatment

Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) are widely used in China and have long been a powerful method to treat diseases in Chinese people. Bioactive ingredients are the main components extracted from herbs that have therapeutic properties. Since artemisinin was discovered to inhibit malaria by Nobel laureate Youyou Tu, extracts from natural plants, particularly bioactive ingredients, have aroused increasing attention among medical researchers. The bioactive ingredients of some CHMs have been found to target various non-coding RNA molecules (ncRNAs), especially miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, which have emerged as new treatment targets in numerous diseases. Here we review the evidence that, by regulating the expression of ncRNAs, these ingredients exert protective effects, including pro-apoptosis, anti-proliferation and anti-migration, anti-inflammation, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-infection, anti-senescence, and suppression of structural remodeling. Consequently, they have potential as treatment agents in diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, nervous system disease, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, infectious diseases, and senescence-related diseases. Although research has been relatively limited and inadequate to date, the promising choices and new alternatives offered by bioactive ingredients for the treatment of the above diseases warrant serious investigation.

Role of MicroRNAs Induced by Chinese Herbal Medicines Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Brief Review

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved, noncoding small RNAs that regulate gene expression, and consequently several important functions including early embryo development, cell cycle, programmed cell death, cell differentiation, and metabolism. While there are no effective treatments available against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), some Chinese herbal medicines have been shown to regulate growth, differentiation, invasion, and metastasis of HCC. Many studies have shown that Chinese herbal medicines regulate the expression of miRNAs and this may be associated with their ability to control the development of HCC. In this article, the effects of Chinese herbal medicines on the expression of miRNAs and their functions in the regulation of HCC have been reviewed and discussed. miRNAs such as miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 mediated by Chinese herbal medicines may be good biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC.

Cordycepin Accelerates Osteoblast Mineralization and Attenuates Osteoclast Differentiation In Vitro

Bone homeostasis destruction is triggered by the uncontrolled activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Targeting both the regulation of bone formation and resorption is a promising strategy for treating bone disorders. Cordycepin is a major component of Chinese caterpillar fungus Cordyceps militaris. It exerts a variety of biological actions in various cells and animal models. However, its function on bone metabolism remains unclear. In the present study, we discovered a dual-action function of cordycepin in murine MC3T3-E1 and RAW264.7 cells. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in an osteogenic medium in the presence of 1 μM cordycepin for up two weeks. Cordycepin was used for effects of osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. Osteoblast differentiation was confirmed by alizarin red staining, ALP activity, western blot, and real-time PCR. Osteoclast differentiation and autophagic activity were confirmed via TRAP staining, pit formation assay, confocal microscopy, western blot, and real-time PCR. Cordycepin promoted osteoblast differentiation, matrix mineralization, and induction of osteoblast markers via BMP2/Runx2/Osterix pathway. On the other hand, RAW264.7 cells were differentiated into osteoclast by RANKL treatment for 72 h. 1 μM cordycepin significantly inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and resorption activity through disturbing the actin ring-formatted sealing zone and activating cathepsin K and MMP9. These findings indicate that cordycepin might be an innovative dual-action therapeutic agent for bone disease caused by an imbalance of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

MicroRNA‑26a protects vascular smooth muscle cells against H2O2‑induced injury through activation of the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common disease, which is characterized by the apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In previous years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been associated with AAA and functionally implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease. However, the role of miRNAs in the apoptosis of VSMCs remains to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to elucidate the role and mechanism of miRNAs in protecting against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced apoptosis in VSMCs. The expression of miRNAs in peripheral blood from patients diagnosed with AAA was analyzed using a microarray and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A VSMC injury model induced by H₂O₂ was used to determine the potential role of miR-26a against cell injury. Cell viability, cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were determined by a CCK8 assay, flow cytometry and a 2′,7′-DCF diacetate assay, respectively. It was observed that miRNA (miR)-26a (miR-26a-1-5p) was significantly downregulated in peripheral blood samples from patients with AAA. It was revealed that H₂O₂ treatment dose-dependently inhibited cell viability, enhanced apoptosis and induced the production of ROS, which indicated the success of the model establishment. It was also observed that miR-26a was downregulated in the VSMCs following H₂O₂ stimulation. The upregulation of miR-26a attenuated H₂O₂-induced cell injury, as evidenced by the enhancement of cell viability, and inhibition of the activity of caspase-3, apoptosis and ROS production. In addition, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a well-known regulator of the AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, was found to be a direct target of miR-26a in the VSMCs and this was validated using a luciferase reporter assay. Overexpression of PTEN by pcDNA-PTEN plasmids markedly eliminated the protective effects of the overexpression of miR-26a on H₂O₂-induced cell injury. Finally, it was found that miR-26a mediated its anti-apoptotic action by reactivation of the AKT/mTOR pathway, as demonstrated by the upregulation of phosphorylated (p-)AKT and p-mTOR, and the Akt inhibitor API-2 reversing the protective effects on VSMCs mediated by miR-26a. These results indicated that miR-26a protected VSMCs against H₂O₂-induced injury through activation of the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway, and miR-26a may be considered as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in the treatment of AAA.

Phytochemicals as potent modulators of autophagy for cancer therapy

The dysregulation of autophagy is involved in the pathogenesis of a broad range of diseases, and accordingly universal research efforts have focused on exploring novel compounds with autophagy-modulating properties. While a number of synthetic autophagy modulators have been identified as promising cancer therapy candidates, autophagy-modulating phytochemicals have also attracted attention as potential treatments with minimal side effects. In this review, we firstly highlight the importance of autophagy and its relevance in the pathogenesis and treatment of cancer. Subsequently, we present the data on common phytochemicals and their mechanism of action as autophagy modulators. Finally, we discuss the challenges associated with harnessing the autophagic potential of phytochemicals for cancer therapy.