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Huang J, Shi R, Chen F, Tan HY, Zheng J, Wang N, Li R, Wang Y, Yang T, Feng Y, Zhong Z. Exploring the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects of Xianglian Pill: Integrating network pharmacology and RNA sequencing via in silico and in vitro studies. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 133:155905. [PMID: 39128301 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver cancer represents a most common and fatal cancer worldwide. Xianglian Pill (XLP) is an herbal formula holding great promise in clearing heat for treating diseases in an integrative and holistic way. However, due to the complex constituents and multiple targets, the exact molecular mechanisms of action of XLP are still unclear. PURPOSE This study is focused on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer. The aim of this study is to develop a fast and efficient model to investigate the anti-HCC effects of XLP, and its underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS HepG2, Hep3B, Mahlavu, HuH-7, or Li-7 cells were employed in the studies. The ingredients were analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RNA sequencing combined with network pharmacology was used to elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of XLP in HCC via in silico and in vitro studies. An approach was constructed to improve the accuracy of prediction in network pharmacology by combining big data and omics. RESULTS First, we identified 13 potential ingredients in the serum of XLP-administered rats using LC-MS. Then the network pharmacology was performed to predict that XLP demonstrates anti-HCC effects via targeting 94 genes involving in 13 components. Modifying the database thresholds might impact the accuracy of network pharmacology analysis based on RNA sequencing data. For instance, when the matching rate peak is 0.43, the correctness rate peak is 0.85. Moreover, 9 components of XLP and 6 relevant genes have been verified with CCK-8 and RT-qPCR assay, respectively. CONCLUSION Based on the crossing studies of RNA sequencing and network pharmacology, XLP was found to improve HCC through multiple targets and pathways. Additionally, the study provides a way to optimize network pharmacology analysis in herbal medicine research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihan Huang
- Center for Drug Clinical Research, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ruipeng Shi
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Feiyu Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Hor Yue Tan
- Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Jinbin Zheng
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Ran Li
- Center for Drug Clinical Research, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yulin Wang
- Center for Drug Clinical Research, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Tao Yang
- Center for Drug Clinical Research, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China.
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Tian H, Zhao F, Yue BS, Zhai BT. Combinational Antitumor Strategies Based on the Active Ingredients of Toad Skin and Toad Venom. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:3549-3594. [PMID: 39139676 PMCID: PMC11321342 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s469832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
A multidrug combination strategy is an important mean to improve the treatment of cancer and is the mainstream scheme of clinical cancer treatment. The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, represented by toad skin and toad venom, have the advantages of high efficiency, low toxicity, wide action and multiple targets and have become ideal targets in combined treatment strategies for tumors in recent years. Toad skin and toad venom are traditional Chinese animal medicines derived from Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor or Bufo melanostictus Schneider that have shown excellent therapeutic effects on the treatment of various cancers and cancer pain as adjuvant antitumor drugs in clinical practice. The involved mechanisms include inducing apoptosis, arresting the cell cycle, inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and invasion, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, reversing the multidrug resistance of tumor cells, and regulating multiple signaling pathways and targets. Moreover, a multidrug combination strategy based on a nanodelivery system can realize the precise loading of the active ingredients of toad skin or toad venom and other antitumor drugs and carry drugs to overcome physiological and pathological barriers, complete efficient enrichment in tumor tissues, and achieve targeted delivery to tumor cells and the controlled release of drugs, thus enhancing antitumor efficacy and reducing toxicity and side effects. This article reviewed the clinical efficacy and safety of the combination of toad skin and toad venom with chemotherapeutic drugs, targeted drugs, analgesics and other drugs; evaluated the effects and mechanisms of the combination of toad skin and toad venom with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy or hyperthermia, traditional Chinese medicine, signaling pathway inhibitors and other therapies in cell and animal models; and summarized the codelivery strategies for the active ingredients of toad skin and toad venom with chemotherapeutic drugs, small-molecule targeted drugs, monoclonal antibodies, active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, and photodynamic and photothermal therapeutic drugs to provide a basis for the rational drug use of toad skin and toad venom in the clinic and the development of novel drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Tian
- Department of Pharmacy, Xi’an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Feng Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Xi’an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bao-Sen Yue
- Department of Pharmacy, Xi’an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bing-Tao Zhai
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
- Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
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Gao W, Wang J, Xu Y, Yu H, Yi S, Bai C, Cong Q, Zhu Y. Research progress in the metabolic reprogramming of hepatocellular carcinoma (Review). Mol Med Rep 2024; 30:131. [PMID: 38818815 PMCID: PMC11148525 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2024.13255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and its morbidity is increasing worldwide due to increasing prevalence. Metabolic reprogramming has been recognized as a hallmark of cancer and serves a role in cancer progression. Glucose, lipids and amino acids are three major components whose altered metabolism can directly affect the energy production of cells, including liver cancer cells. Nutrients and energy are indispensable for the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, thus altering the metabolism of hepatoma cells can inhibit the progression of HCC. The present review summarizes recent studies on tumour regulatory molecules, including numerous noncoding RNAs, oncogenes and tumour suppressors, which regulate the metabolic activities of glucose, lipids and amino acids by targeting key enzymes, signalling pathways or interactions between the two. These regulatory molecules can regulate the rapid proliferation of cancer cells, tumour progression and treatment resistance. It is thought that these tumour regulatory factors may serve as therapeutic targets or valuable biomarkers for HCC, with the potential to mitigate HCC drug resistance. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of metabolic inhibitors as a treatment approach for HCC, as well as possible solutions are discussed, providing insights for developing more effective treatment strategies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyue Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Yuting Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Hongbo Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Sitong Yi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Changchuan Bai
- Internal Department of Chinese Medicine, Dalian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Qingwei Cong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
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Xue T, Yu H, Feng W, Wang Y, Wu S, Wang L, Zhu P, Guan J, Sun Q. Efficacy and Safety of Hepatic Arterial Infusion Therapy with Cinobufacini in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Macrovascular Invasion: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Cancer Manag Res 2024; 16:163-175. [PMID: 38505102 PMCID: PMC10948332 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s440017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The presence of macrovascular invasion (MVI) is associated with poor prognosis in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Cinobufacini therapy via hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) in advanced HCC patients with MVI. Methods The clinical records of 130 consecutive patients with unresectable advanced HCC and MVI who had received Cinobufacini or cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (CF) treatment via HAI were retrospectively analyzed. The therapeutic efficacy, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse events were compared between the two treatment groups. Results The Cinobufacini group demonstrated significant curative effects on treatment via HAI compared with the CF group, including the objective response rate (44.9% vs 27.9%, P=0.048), the median OS (14.8 months vs 11.1 months, P=0.010), and the median PFS (10.3 months vs 6.0 months, P=0.006). Result in subgroup analysis of portal vein invasion grade supported the efficacy in Cinobufacini treatment, especially in the median OS of Vp1-2 (18.3 months vs 14.3 months, P=0.043) and Vp3 (15.0 months vs 11.4 months, P=0.046), as well as the median PFS of Vp1-2 (14.8 months vs 10.2 months, P=0.028) and Vp3 (10.8 months vs 6.6 months, P=0.033) compared with CF treatment. Cox proportional hazards model and forest plot analysis of factors confirmed the survival benefit from HAI with Cinobufacini over CF (hazard ratio [HR], 0.61; 95% CI: 0.40-0.91; P=0.010). Multivariable analysis identified portal vein invasion grade (Vp4; HR, 1.78; 95% CI: 1.03-2.16; P=0.032) and AFP (>1000; HR, 1.61; 95% CI: 1.08-1.91; P=0.039) as the independent factors for prognosis. Moreover, the total incidence of adverse events in the Cinobufacini group was significantly lower than in the CF group (60.9% vs 82.0%, P=0.009). Conclusion Cinobufacini therapy via HAI is a viable strategy for curing advanced HCC with MVI, due to prolonged survival and a superior safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Xue
- Clinical Research Center, First People’s Hospital Affiliated to Huzhou University, Huzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongbin Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First People’s Hospital Affiliated to Huzhou University, Huzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenming Feng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First People’s Hospital Affiliated to Huzhou University, Huzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First People’s Hospital Affiliated to Huzhou University, Huzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shiyong Wu
- Department of Radiology, First People’s Hospital Affiliated to Huzhou University, Huzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Nursing, Physical Examination Center of Aishan, Huzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peiqin Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Huzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Huzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianming Guan
- Department of Ultrasound, First People’s Hospital Affiliated to Huzhou University, Huzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Ultrasound, Mingzhou Hospital, Huzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Quan Sun
- Laboratory of Blood Transfusion Research, Huzhou Center Blood Station, Huzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Guo R, Lu F, Lin J, Fu C, Liu M, Yang S. Multi-b-value DWI to evaluate the synergistic antiproliferation and anti-heterogeneity effects of bufalin plus sorafenib in an orthotopic HCC model. Eur Radiol Exp 2024; 8:43. [PMID: 38467904 PMCID: PMC10928042 DOI: 10.1186/s41747-024-00448-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multi-b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with different postprocessing models allows for evaluating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) proliferation, spatial heterogeneity, and feasibility of treatment strategies. We assessed synergistic effects of bufalin+sorafenib in orthotopic HCC-LM3 xenograft nude mice by using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), a stretched exponential model (SEM), and a fractional-order calculus (FROC) model. METHODS Twenty-four orthotopic HCC-LM3 xenograft mice were divided into bufalin+sorafenib, bufalin, sorafenib treatment groups, and a control group. Multi-b-value DWI was performed using a 3-T scanner after 3 weeks' treatment to obtain true diffusion coefficient Dt, pseudo-diffusion coefficient Dp, perfusion fraction f, mean diffusivity (MD), mean kurtosis (MK), distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC), heterogeneity index α, diffusion coefficient D, fractional order parameter β, and microstructural quantity μ. Necrotic fraction (NF), standard deviation (SD) of hematoxylin-eosin staining, and microvessel density (MVD) of anti-CD31 staining were evaluated. Correlations of DWI parameters with histopathological results were analyzed, and measurements were compared among four groups. RESULTS In the final 22 mice, f positively correlated with MVD (r = 0.679, p = 0.001). Significantly good correlations of MK (r = 0.677), α (r = -0.696), and β (r= -0.639) with SD were observed (all p < 0.010). f, MK, MVD, and SD were much lower, while MD, α, β, and NF were higher in bufalin plus sorafenib group than control group (all p < 0.050). CONCLUSION Evaluated by IVIM, DKI, SEM, and FROC, bufalin+sorafenib was found to inhibit tumor proliferation and angiogenesis and reduce spatial heterogeneity in HCC-LM3 models. RELEVANCE STATEMENT Multi-b-value DWI provides potential metrics for evaluating the efficacy of treatment in HCC. KEY POINTS • Bufalin plus sorafenib combination may increase the effectiveness of HCC therapy. • Multi-b-value DWI depicted HCC proliferation, angiogenesis, and spatial heterogeneity. • Multi-b-value DWI may be a noninvasive method to assess HCC therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Guo
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 274 Middle Zhi-jiang Road, Shanghai, 200071, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Lu
- Department of Radiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang Lin
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Caixia Fu
- MR Application Development, Siemens Shenzhen Magnetic Resonance Ltd, Shenzhen, 518057, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengxiao Liu
- MR scientific Marketing, Diagnostic Imaging, Siemens Healthineers Ltd, Shanghai, 201318, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuohui Yang
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 274 Middle Zhi-jiang Road, Shanghai, 200071, People's Republic of China.
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Wu Q, Ge XL, Geng ZK, Wu H, Yang JY, Cao SR, Yang AL. HuaChanSu suppresses the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by interfering with pentose phosphate pathway through down-regulation of G6PD enzyme activity and expression. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25144. [PMID: 38322888 PMCID: PMC10844274 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
HuaChanSu is active water extracts from the skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor. It has been already used to treat clinical cancers including HCC (Hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC), however, the molecular mechanisms under HuaChanSu's anti-cancer effects remain unclear. PPP (Pentose phosphate pathway, PPP), the major source of ribose and NADPH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, NADPH), is always over-activated and particularly critical for tumor cells growth. In this study, firstly, we illustrate that HuaChanSu restrains the growth of human hepatoma cells. More importantly, we demonstrate that the expression of G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD), the first rate-limiting enzyme of the PPP, is restrained in human hepatoma cells after treatment with HuaChanSu. Additionally, our results show that G6PD enzyme activity and dimer formation are inhibited by HuaChanSu. Furthermore, we find that HuaChanSu could inhibit NADPH production and nucleotide level. In addition, we identify that expression of PLK1 (Polo-like kinase 1, PLK1) is also reduced in response to HuaChanSu, and knockdown of PLK1 restrains enzyme activity and dimer formation of G6PD, but has no effect on G6PD protein level. Subsequently, we demonstrate that inhibition of G6PD could restrain the proliferation of tumor cells and enhance the inhibitory effect of HuaChanSu on cell proliferation of human hepatoma cells. In conclusion, for the first time, our study reveals that HuaChanSu interferes with PPP via suppression of G6PD expression and enzyme activity to restrain growth of tumor cells, and these results provide a novel insight for the anti-hepatoma mechanisms of HuaChanSu and promote the innovation of the research model of TCM. Moreover, the development of drugs targeting abnormal tumor metabolism is currently a hot topic, our works provide theoretical support for further drug development from HuaChanSu, meanwhile, the revelation of the new molecular mechanism also provides a new perspective for the study of the pathogenesis of liver cancer. Short abstract HuaChanSu suppresses expression of G6PD, the first rate-limiting enzyme of the PPP, restrains G6PD enzyme activity and dimer formation via inhibition of PLK1, knockdown of G6PD could impair the growth of human hepatoma cells and increase the blocking effect of HuaChanSu on cell proliferation of cancer cells. In addition, HuaChanSu restrains NADPH production and nucleotide level, implying the suppression of PPP flux. Our study suggests that HuaChanSu interferes with PPP via G6PD inhibition to exert anti-hepatoma effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hao Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Jing-yi Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Shi-rong Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Ai-lin Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
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Zhang F, Zhou K, Yuan W, Sun K. Radix Bupleuri-Radix Paeoniae Alba Inhibits the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Activation of the PTEN/PD-L1 Axis within the Immune Microenvironment. Nutr Cancer 2023; 76:63-79. [PMID: 37909316 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2023.2276525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated how Radix Bupleuri-Radix Paeoniae Alba (BP) was active against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database was employed to determine the active ingredients of BP and potential targets against HCC. Molecular docking analysis verified the binding activity of PTEN with BP ingredients. H22 cells were used to establish an HCC model in male balb/c mice. Immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and real-time quantitative PCR were used to study changes in proliferation, apoptosis, PTEN levels, inflammation, and T-cell differentiation in male balb/c mice. RESULTS The major active ingredients in BP were found to be quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol. Molecular docking demonstrated that these five active BP ingredients formed a stable complex with PTEN. BP exhibited an anti-tumor effect in our HCC mouse model. BP was found to increase the CD8+ and IFN-γ+/CD4+ T cell levels while decreasing the PD-1+/CD8+ T and Treg cell levels in HCC mice. BP up-regulated the IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α levels but down-regulated the IL-10 levels in HCC mice. After PTEN knockdown, BP-induced effects were abrogated. CONCLUSION BP influenced the immune microenvironment through activation of the PTEN/PD-L1 axis, protecting against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Department of TCM, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Kun Zhou
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hu'nan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Kewei Sun
- Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hu'nan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Huang J, Yang Y, Zhao F, Zhang Z, Deng J, Lu W, Jiang X. LncRNA SATB2-AS1 overexpression represses the development of hepatocellular carcinoma through regulating the miR-3678-3p/GRIM-19 axis. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:82. [PMID: 37118800 PMCID: PMC10148439 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02901-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy worldwide with one of the worst prognoses. Emerging studies have revealed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to HCC progression. This research probes the expression and regulatory effect of lncRNA SATB2-AS1 on HCC development. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to measure the SATB2-AS1 profile in HCC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. The impact of SATB2-AS1, miR-3678-3p, or GRIM-19 on HCC cell proliferation, growth, migration, invasion, and apoptosis was determined by gain- and loss-of-function experiments. The results revealed that SATB2-AS1 was downregulated in HCC tissues, and its lower levels were related to higher tumor staging and poorer prognosis of HCC patients. SATB2-AS1 overexpression repressed HCC cell proliferation, induced G1 arrest, and apoptosis, and inhibited migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanistically, SATB2-AS1 inactivated STAT3/HIF-1α and strengthened GRIM-19 expression. After knocking down GRIM-19 with small interfering RNA (siRNA), the malignant phenotypes of HCC cells were enhanced. Further bioinformatics analysis showed that miR-3678-3p was targeted by SATB2-AS1. The dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiment, and Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) test confirmed that SATB2-AS1 sponged miR-3678-3p and the latter targeted GRIM-19. The rescue experiments showed that miR-3678-3p aggravated the malignant behaviors of HCC cells, whereas SATB2-AS1 overexpression reversed miR-3678-3p-mediated effects. Inhibition STAT3 promoted SATB2-AS1 and GRIM-19 expression, and reduced miR-3678-3p level. Activation STAT3 exerted opposite effects. Overall, this study confirmed that SATB2-AS1 is a potential prognostic biomarker for HCC and regulates HCC devolvement by regulating the miR-3678-3p/GRIM-19/STAT3/HIF-1α pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yunfang Yang
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Fulan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhuo Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jian Deng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Emergency, Luzhou People's Hospital, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Xian Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Luzhou People's Hospital, No. 316, Jiugu Avenue 2, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
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Zhou Y, Jin T, Gao M, Luo Z, Mutahir S, Shi C, Xie T, Lin L, Xu J, Liao Y, Chen M, Deng H, Zheng M, Shan J. Aqueous extract of Platycodon grandiflorus attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in mouse lungs by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling. Chin Med 2023; 18:36. [PMID: 37016413 PMCID: PMC10071731 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00721-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute lung injury (ALI), an acute inflammatory lung disease, can cause a rapid inflammatory response in clinic, which endangers the patient's life. The components of platycodon grandiflorum, such as platycodins have a wide range of pharmacological activities such as expectorant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-oxidant properties, and can be used for improving human immunity. Previous studies have shown that aqueous extract of platycodon grandiflorum (PAE) has a certain protective effect on ALI, but the main pharmacodynamic components and the mechanism of action are not clear. METHODS The anti-inflammatory properties of PAE were studied using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI animal model. Hematoxylin and eosin stains were used to assess the degree of acute lung damage. Changes in RNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lungs were measured using quantitative RT-qPCR. The potential molecular mechanism of PAE preventing ALI was predicted by lipidomics and network pharmacology. To examine the anti-apoptotic effects of PAE, TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) was employed to determine apoptosis-related variables. The amounts of critical pathway proteins and apoptosis-related proteins were measured using Western blotting. RESULTS Twenty-six chemical components from the PAE were identified, and their related pathways were obtained by the network pharmacology. Combined with the analysis of network pharmacology and literature, it was found that the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway is related to ALI. The results of lipidomics show that PAE alleviates ALI via regulating lung lipids especially phosphatidylinositol (PI). Finally, the methods of molecular biology were used to verify the mechanism of PAE. It can be found that PAE attenuates the inflammatory response to ALI by inhibiting apoptosis through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. CONCLUSION The study revealed that the PAE attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in mouse lungs by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling. Furthermore, our findings provide a novel strategy for the application of PAE as a potential agent for preventing patients with ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- Medical Metabolomics Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Wuhu Fanchang District People's Hospital, Wuhu, 241200, China
| | - Tianzi Jin
- Medical Metabolomics Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Mingtong Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zichen Luo
- Medical Metabolomics Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Sadaf Mutahir
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sialkot, Sialkot, 51300, Pakistan
| | - Chen Shi
- Medical Metabolomics Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Tong Xie
- Medical Metabolomics Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Lili Lin
- Medical Metabolomics Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jianya Xu
- Medical Metabolomics Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yingzhao Liao
- Department of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Ming Chen
- Jiangsu Suzhong Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co. Ltd, Nanjing, 210031, China
| | - Haishan Deng
- Medical Metabolomics Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Min Zheng
- Department of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
| | - Jinjun Shan
- Medical Metabolomics Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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10
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Gao F, Niu Y, Sun L, Li W, Xia H, Zhang Y, Geng S, Guo Z, Lin H, Du G. Integrating network pharmacology and transcriptomic validation to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of Mufangji decoction preventing lung cancer. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 298:115573. [PMID: 35917893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Mufangji decoction (MFJD), a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula in Synopsis of Golden Chamber (Jingui yaolue), has been utilized to treat cough and asthma and release chest pain over 2000 years in China. Chinese old herbalist doctor use MFJD to treat lung cancer and cancerous pleural fluid, but the preventive effect of MFJD on lung cancer and the underlying mechanism are indefinite. AIM OF THE STUDY The goal of this study is to explore the efficacy and mechanism of Mufangji decoction preventing lung cancer referring to the traditional use. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tumor allograft experiment and host versus tumor experiment were used to observe the direct anti-tumor effect and indirect anti-tumor immune effect, the mouse lung carcinogenic model was used to evaluate the dose-response and the preventive effect of MFJD on lung cancer. The active ingredients of MFJD were obtained by UPLC-MS/MS. The potential targets of MFJD were screened by network pharmacology and transcriptomics. The therapeutic targets and pathways of MFJD on lung cancer were obtained by protein-protein interaction, molecular docking and David database. The predicted results were verified in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS MFJD could significantly prevent tumor growth in host versus tumor experiment but could not in tumor allograft experiment, indicating an anti-tumor immune effect against lung cancer. MFJD could reduce lung nodules with a dose-response in mouse lung carcinogenic model. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) was selected as the core target due to the highest degree value in Protein-Protein interaction network and had potently binding activity to sinomenine and dehydrocostus lactone in molecular docking. In vivo, MPO-expressed neutrophils are negatively correlated with lung cancer progression and MFJD could promote the neutrophil-related immune surveillance. In vitro, sinomenine and dehydrocostus lactone could promote neutrophil phagocytosis, MPO and ROS production in a dose dependent manner. The major compounds from MFJD were identified to regulate 36 targets for lung cancer prevention by UPLC-MS/MS, network pharmacology and transcriptomics. David database exhibited that MFJD plays an important role in immunoregulation by modulating 4 immune-related biological processes and 3 immune-related pathways. CONCLUSIONS MFJD prevents lung cancer by mainly promoting MPO expression to maintain neutrophil immune surveillance, its key compounds are sinomenine and dehydrocostus lactone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Gao
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization to Natural Medical Resource in Yellow River Basin, Pharmaceutical College of Henan University, Jinming District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, 475004, China.
| | - Yuju Niu
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization to Natural Medical Resource in Yellow River Basin, Pharmaceutical College of Henan University, Jinming District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, 475004, China.
| | - Luyao Sun
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization to Natural Medical Resource in Yellow River Basin, Pharmaceutical College of Henan University, Jinming District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, 475004, China.
| | - Wenwen Li
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization to Natural Medical Resource in Yellow River Basin, Pharmaceutical College of Henan University, Jinming District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, 475004, China.
| | - Haojie Xia
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization to Natural Medical Resource in Yellow River Basin, Pharmaceutical College of Henan University, Jinming District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, 475004, China.
| | - Yaru Zhang
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization to Natural Medical Resource in Yellow River Basin, Pharmaceutical College of Henan University, Jinming District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, 475004, China.
| | - Shengnan Geng
- School of Pharmacy and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Industry Technology, Xinzheng, Henan Province, 451150, China.
| | - Zhenzhen Guo
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization to Natural Medical Resource in Yellow River Basin, Pharmaceutical College of Henan University, Jinming District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, 475004, China.
| | - Haihong Lin
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization to Natural Medical Resource in Yellow River Basin, Pharmaceutical College of Henan University, Jinming District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, 475004, China.
| | - Gangjun Du
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization to Natural Medical Resource in Yellow River Basin, Pharmaceutical College of Henan University, Jinming District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, 475004, China; School of Pharmacy and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Industry Technology, Xinzheng, Henan Province, 451150, China.
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11
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Liang P, Ma Y, Yang L, Mao L, Sun Q, Sun C, Liu Z, Mazhar M, Yang S, Ren W. Uncovering the Mechanisms of Active Components from Toad Venom against Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Untargeted Metabolomics. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27227758. [PMID: 36431859 PMCID: PMC9694973 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Toad venom, a dried product of secretion from Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor or Bufo melanostictus Schneider, has had the therapeutic effects of hepatocellular carcinoma confirmed. Bufalin and cinobufagin were considered as the two most representative antitumor active components in toad venom. However, the underlying mechanisms of this antitumor effect have not been fully implemented, especially the changes in endogenous small molecules after treatment. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the intrinsic mechanism on hepatocellular carcinoma after the cotreatment of bufalin and cinobufagin based on untargeted tumor metabolomics. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was performed to identify the absorbed components of toad venom in rat plasma. In vitro experiments were determined to evaluate the therapeutic effects of bufalin and cinobufagin and screen the optimal ratio between them. An in vivo HepG2 tumor-bearing nude mice model was established, and a series of pharmacodynamic indicators were determined, including the body weight of mice, tumor volume, tumor weight, and histopathological examination of tumor. Further, the entire metabolic alterations in tumor after treating with bufalin and cinobufagin were also profiled by UHPLC-MS/MS. Twenty-seven active components from toad venom were absorbed in rat plasma. We found that the cotreatment of bufalin and cinobufagin exerted significant antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo, which were reflected in inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of HepG2 cells and thereby causing cell necrosis. After cotherapy of bufalin and cinobufagin for twenty days, compared with the normal group, fifty-six endogenous metabolites were obviously changed on HepG2 tumor-bearing nude mice. Meanwhile, the abundance of α-linolenic acid and phenethylamine after the bufalin and cinobufagin intervention was significantly upregulated, which involved phenylalanine metabolism and α-linolenic acid metabolism. Furthermore, we noticed that amino acid metabolites were also altered in HepG2 tumor after drug intervention, such as norvaline and Leu-Ala. Taken together, the cotreatment of bufalin and cinobufagin has significant antitumor effects on HepG2 tumor-bearing nude mice. Our work demonstrated that the in-depth mechanism of antitumor activity was mainly through the regulation of phenylalanine metabolism and α-Linolenic acid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Liang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- State Key Laboratories for Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 853, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Yining Ma
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Luyin Yang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Linshen Mao
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Qin Sun
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Changzhen Sun
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Zengjin Liu
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Maryam Mazhar
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Sijin Yang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- State Key Laboratories for Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 853, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Correspondence: (S.Y.); (W.R.)
| | - Wei Ren
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base, Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Correspondence: (S.Y.); (W.R.)
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12
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Chen F, Zhong Z, Zhang C, Lu Y, Chan YT, Wang N, Zhao D, Feng Y. Potential Focal Adhesion Kinase Inhibitors in Management of Cancer: Therapeutic Opportunities from Herbal Medicine. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13334. [PMID: 36362132 PMCID: PMC9659249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a multifunctional protein involved in cellular communication, integrating and transducing extracellular signals from cell-surface membrane receptors. It plays a central role intracellularly and extracellularly within the tumor microenvironment. Perturbations in FAK signaling promote tumor occurrence and development, and studies have revealed its biological behavior in tumor cell proliferation, migration, and adhesion. Herein we provide an overview of the complex biology of the FAK family members and their context-dependent nature. Next, with a focus on cancer, we highlight the activities of FAK signaling in different types of cancer and how knowledge of them is being used for screening natural compounds used in herbal medicine to fight tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyu Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macau Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuanjun Lu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yau-Tuen Chan
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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13
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Integrated System Pharmacology Approaches to Elucidate Multi-Target Mechanism of Solanum surattense against Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196220. [PMID: 36234758 PMCID: PMC9570789 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant liver tumors with high mortality. Chronic hepatitis B and C viruses, aflatoxins, and alcohol are among the most common causes of hepatocellular carcinoma. The limited reported data and multiple spectra of pathophysiological mechanisms of HCC make it a challenging task and a serious economic burden in health care management. Solanum surattense (S. surattense) is the herbal plant used in many regions of Asia to treat many disorders including various types of cancer. Previous in vitro studies revealed the medicinal importance of S. surattense against hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the exact molecular mechanism of S. surattense against HCC still remains unclear. In vitro and in silico experiments were performed to find the molecular mechanism of S. surattense against HCC. In this study, the network pharmacology approach was used, through which multi-targeted mechanisms of S. surattense were explored against HCC. Active ingredients and potential targets of S. surattense found in HCC were figured out. Furthermore, the molecular docking technique was employed for the validation of the successful activity of bioactive constituents against potential genes of HCC. The present study investigated the active “constituent–target–pathway” networks and determined the tumor necrosis factor (TNF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Bcl-2-like protein 1(BCL2L1), estrogen receptor (ER), GTPase HRas, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1-α), Harvey Rat sarcoma virus, also known as transforming protein p21 (HRAS), and AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (AKT1), and found that the genes were influenced by active ingredients of S. surattense. In vitro analysis was also performed to check the anti-cancerous activity of S. surattense on human liver cells. The result showed that S. surattense appeared to act on HCC via modulating different molecular functions, many biological processes, and potential targets implicated in 11 different pathways. Furthermore, molecular docking was employed to validate the successful activity of the active compounds against potential targets. The results showed that quercetin was successfully docked to inhibit the potential targets of HCC. This study indicates that active constituents of S. surattense and their therapeutic targets are responsible for their pharmacological activities and possible molecular mechanisms for treating HCC. Lastly, it is concluded that active compounds of S. surattense act on potential genes along with their influencing pathways to give a network analysis in system pharmacology, which has a vital role in the development and utilization of drugs. The current study lays a framework for further experimental research and widens the clinical usage of S. surattense.
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14
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Qiu J, Zhang Z, Hu A, Zhao P, Wei X, Song H, Yang J, Li Y. Integrating UPLC-HR-MS/MS, Network Pharmacology, and Experimental Validation to Uncover the Mechanisms of Jin'gan Capsules against Breast Cancer. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:28003-28015. [PMID: 35990498 PMCID: PMC9386888 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c01921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), "liver-qi" stagnation and heat-induced toxicity represent the main etiologies of breast cancer. Recently, several TCMs with heat-clearing and detoxification efficacy have shown inhibitory effects on breast cancer. Jin'gan capsules (JGCs), initially approved to treat colds in China, are a heat-clearing and detoxification TCM formula. However, the anticancer activity of JGCs against breast cancer and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. First, we assessed the antiproliferative activity of JGCs in breast cancer cell lines and evaluated their effects on cell apoptosis and the cell cycle by flow cytometry. Furthermore, we identified the potential bioactive components of JGCs and their corresponding target genes and constructed a bioactive compound-target interaction network by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-HR-MS/MS) and network pharmacology analysis. Finally, the underlying mechanism was investigated through gene function enrichment analysis and experimental validation. We found that JGCs significantly inhibited breast cancer cell growth with IC50 values of 0.56 ± 0.03, 0.16 ± 0.03, and 0.94 ± 0.09 mg/mL for MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and MCF-7, respectively. In addition, JGC treatment dramatically induced apoptosis and S phase cell cycle arrest in breast cancer cells. Western blot analysis confirmed that JGCs could regulate the protein levels of apoptosis- and cell cycle-related genes. Utilizing UPLC-HR-MS/MS analysis and network pharmacology, we identified 7 potential bioactive ingredients in JGCs and 116 antibreast cancer targets. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that the antitumor effects of JGCs were strongly associated with apoptosis and the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway. Western blot analysis validated that JGC treatment markedly decreased the expression levels of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, and STAT3. Our findings suggest that JGCs suppress breast cancer cell proliferation and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis partly by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, highlighting JGCs as a potential therapeutic candidate against breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Qiu
- State
Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Zhiyin Zhang
- Guiyang
Hospital of Guizhou Aviation Industry Group, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Anling Hu
- State
Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- State
Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Xuenai Wei
- State
Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Hui Song
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Jue Yang
- State
Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Yanmei Li
- State
Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
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15
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Dai W, Chen C, Dong G, Li G, Peng W, Liu X, Yang J, Li L, Xu R, Hu X. Alleviation of Fufang Fanshiliu decoction on type II diabetes mellitus by reducing insulin resistance: A comprehensive network prediction and experimental validation. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 294:115338. [PMID: 35568115 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Fufang Fanshiliu decoction (FFSLD) is a Chinese herbal medicine prescription that has been used in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), while the underlying mechanism remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To validate the efficacy and explore the potential mechanisms of FFSLD in treating T2DM via integrating a network pharmacological approach and experimental evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS T2DM mice model induced by high-fat diet feeding combined with streptozotocin injection was selected to investigate the alleviation of FFSLD against T2DM, via detecting the levels of glucose, insulin, glucagon (GC), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Network pharmacological analysis was used to predict the potential mechanisms, including the pharmacokinetics and drug-likeness screening, active ingredients and potential targets prediction, network analysis, and enrichment analysis. The candidate bioactive molecules of FFSLD, and targets information excavated through TCMSP, Uniprot, GeneCards, OMIM databases, were combined for comprehensive analysis by constructing "drug-compound-target-disease" and "protein-protein interaction" networks. Enrichment analysis was performed via Gene Ontology (GO) and Koto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. HepG2 insulin-resistance (IR) cells model induced by high glucose was used to verify the potential mechanisms of FFSLD against T2DM which were predicted by the network pharmacology. RESULTS The animal study showed that FFSLD significantly decreased the blood glucose, and reversed the abnormal levels of insulin, GC, TG, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C in T2DM mice. Network pharmacological analysis indicated that 106 active compounds of FFSLD might be correlated with 628 targets in treating T2DM, and the mechanism would probably be related to insulin resistance that harbored a high response value (P = 5.88844 E-33) though regulating Akt1, ESR1, oxidoreductase activity, and JAK/STAT signalings. Experimental validation showed that FFSLD reduced the ROS level, up-regulated the expressions of p-AKT, Nrf-2, and ESR1, and down-regulated the expressions of JAK2, STAT3, and Keap-1 in the HepG2-IR cells model. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that the therapeutic effect of FFSLD on T2DM was related to IR alleviation. The underlying mechanisms were associated with the regulation of PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT, oxidative stress, and ESR signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibo Dai
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, PR China
| | - Chang Chen
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, PR China
| | - Gengting Dong
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, PR China
| | - Guangru Li
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, PR China
| | - Weiwen Peng
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, PR China
| | - Xin Liu
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, PR China
| | - Jing Yang
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, PR China
| | - Leyu Li
- Endocrinology Department, Zhongshan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, PR China.
| | - Ruiyan Xu
- Endocrinology Department, Zhongshan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, PR China
| | - Xianjing Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, PR China; Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.
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16
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Li M, Qin Y, Li Z, Lan J, Zhang T, Ding Y. Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Cinobufacini Capsule and Injection by UPLC-MS/MS. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:944041. [PMID: 35928275 PMCID: PMC9343874 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.944041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cinobufacini capsule and injection are two different formulations from the same source, obtained from the extraction of the skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor, which have been approved by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for the treatment of various cancers. Our previous study has found that the cinobufacini capsule and injection exhibited different anticancer effects, but their different pharmacokinetic behaviors, which could give a cause of that, have never been reported. So a sensitive and selective method for the simultaneous quantitation of 13 compounds in the rat plasma, including bufothionine, hellebrigenin, bufalin, gamabufotalin, telocinobufagin, cinobufagin, arenobufagin, cinobufotalin, desacetylcinobufotalin, bufotalin, pseudobufarenogin, resibufogenin, and desacetylcinobufagin, was established by using the Agilent 6460 mass spectrometer equipped with an ESI ion source in a multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Chromatographic analysis was accomplished in 6 min by using an Agilent SB-C18 column and a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile in an optimized gradient program at a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min. The correlation coefficients (r) of all analytes ranged from 0.9967 to 0.9996, while their lower limits of quantification ranged from 0.20 to 4.84 ng/ml. The method has been fully verified and applied for the pharmacokinetic difference study of the Cinobufacini capsule and injection in rats. The results showed that nine components could be quantitated in rat plasma samples after the administration of the cinobufacini capsule, while only bufothionine, bufalin, arenobufagin, and pseudobufarenogin could be detected in the cinobufacini injection group. Their pharmacokinetic studies indicated telocinobufagin, bufalin, desacetylcinobufagin, and arenobufagin were predicted as the potential active substances of the Cinobufacini capsule, while bufothionine was considered as a major ingredient in the cinobufacini injection due to its relatively high blood drug exposure. Also, the AUC of the nine components in cinobufacini capsule groups with three different doses showed a similar trend with significant differences, and the exposure increased with the increase of the dose. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of all major ingredients in cinobufacini capsules and injection were of wide variation, which could be used to explain differences in the efficacy of the cinobufacini capsule and injection and infer the pharmacodynamic ingredients of various cinobufacini preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Experiment Center of Teaching and Learning, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanhong Qin
- Experiment Center of Teaching and Learning, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhe Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinshuai Lan
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Experiment Center of Teaching and Learning, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Tong Zhang, ; Yue Ding,
| | - Yue Ding
- Experiment Center of Teaching and Learning, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Tong Zhang, ; Yue Ding,
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Gupta Y, Sharma N, Singh S, Romero JG, Rajendran V, Mogire RM, Kashif M, Beach J, Jeske W, Poonam, Ogutu BR, Kanzok SM, Akala HM, Legac J, Rosenthal PJ, Rademacher DJ, Durvasula R, Singh AP, Rathi B, Kempaiah P. The Multistage Antimalarial Compound Calxinin Perturbates P. falciparum Ca 2+ Homeostasis by Targeting a Unique Ion Channel. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:1371. [PMID: 35890267 PMCID: PMC9319510 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria elimination urgently needs novel antimalarial therapies that transcend resistance, toxicity, and high costs. Our multicentric international collaborative team focuses on developing multistage antimalarials that exhibit novel mechanisms of action. Here, we describe the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel multistage antimalarial compound, 'Calxinin'. A compound that consists of hydroxyethylamine (HEA) and trifluoromethyl-benzyl-piperazine. Calxinin exhibits potent inhibitory activity in the nanomolar range against the asexual blood stages of drug-sensitive (3D7), multidrug-resistant (Dd2), artemisinin-resistant (IPC4912), and fresh Kenyan field isolated Plasmodium falciparum strains. Calxinin treatment resulted in diminished maturation of parasite sexual precursor cells (gametocytes) accompanied by distorted parasite morphology. Further, in vitro liver-stage testing with a mouse model showed reduced parasite load at an IC50 of 79 nM. A single dose (10 mg/kg) of Calxinin resulted in a 30% reduction in parasitemia in mice infected with a chloroquine-resistant strain of the rodent parasite P. berghei. The ex vivo ookinete inhibitory concentration within mosquito gut IC50 was 150 nM. Cellular in vitro toxicity assays in the primary and immortalized human cell lines did not show cytotoxicity. A computational protein target identification pipeline identified a putative P. falciparum membrane protein (Pf3D7_1313500) involved in parasite calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis as a potential Calxinin target. This highly conserved protein is related to the family of transient receptor potential cation channels (TRP-ML). Target validation experiments showed that exposure of parasitized RBCs (pRBCs) to Calxinin induces a rapid release of intracellular Ca2+ from pRBCs; leaving de-calcinated parasites trapped in RBCs. Overall, we demonstrated that Calxinin is a promising antimalarial lead compound with a novel mechanism of action and with potential therapeutic, prophylactic, and transmission-blocking properties against parasites resistant to current antimalarials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yash Gupta
- Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; (Y.G.); (R.D.)
| | - Neha Sharma
- Laboratory for Translational Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110021, India; (N.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Snigdha Singh
- Laboratory for Translational Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110021, India; (N.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Jesus G. Romero
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA; (J.G.R.); (J.B.); (W.J.); (D.J.R.)
- School of Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas 1040, Venezuela
| | - Vinoth Rajendran
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India;
| | - Reagan M. Mogire
- Centre Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 54840-00200, Kenya; (R.M.M.); (B.R.O.); (H.M.A.)
| | - Mohammad Kashif
- Infectious Diseases Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 110067, India; (M.K.); (A.P.S.)
| | - Jordan Beach
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA; (J.G.R.); (J.B.); (W.J.); (D.J.R.)
| | - Walter Jeske
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA; (J.G.R.); (J.B.); (W.J.); (D.J.R.)
| | - Poonam
- Department of Chemistry, Miranda House, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110021, India;
- Delhi School of Public Health, Institute of Eminence, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110007, India
| | - Bernhards R. Ogutu
- Centre Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 54840-00200, Kenya; (R.M.M.); (B.R.O.); (H.M.A.)
| | - Stefan M. Kanzok
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA;
| | - Hoseah M. Akala
- Centre Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 54840-00200, Kenya; (R.M.M.); (B.R.O.); (H.M.A.)
| | - Jennifer Legac
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (J.L.); (P.J.R.)
| | - Philip J. Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (J.L.); (P.J.R.)
| | - David J. Rademacher
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA; (J.G.R.); (J.B.); (W.J.); (D.J.R.)
- Core Imaging Facility and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Ravi Durvasula
- Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; (Y.G.); (R.D.)
| | - Agam P. Singh
- Infectious Diseases Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 110067, India; (M.K.); (A.P.S.)
| | - Brijesh Rathi
- Laboratory for Translational Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110021, India; (N.S.); (S.S.)
- Delhi School of Public Health, Institute of Eminence, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110007, India
| | - Prakasha Kempaiah
- Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; (Y.G.); (R.D.)
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Cinobufagin restrains the growth and triggers DNA damage of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells via proteasome-dependent degradation of thymidylate synthase. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 360:109938. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.109938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Ruan X, Li W, Du P, Wang Y. Mechanism of Phellodendron and Anemarrhena Drug Pair on the Treatment of Liver Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology and Bioinformatics. Front Oncol 2022; 12:838152. [PMID: 35463358 PMCID: PMC9021729 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.838152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study aims to explore the key targets and signaling pathways of the traditional Chinese medicine Phellodendron and Anemarrhena drug pair (PADP) for the treatment of liver cancer. Methods Firstly, bioinformatics technology was used to analyze GSE62232 gene chip to obtain the differential genes of liver cancer. A network pharmacology technology was used to find the active components of PADP and their targets. Secondly, the differential genes were imported into STRING database to draw a PPI network, and network topology structure map combined with Cytoscape software. And the R language was used to identify differential gene targets and pathways through GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. In addition, AutoDock Vina was used for molecular docking of core targets and core compounds. Moreover, GEPIA online analysis tool was used to perform survival analysis of the core target genes. Finally, RT-PCR was used to verify the changes of key target genes. CCK−8 assay was performed to detect cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was performed to detect the cell cycle and apoptotic. Transwell invasion assay was performed to detect cell invasion. Results Firstly, a total of 21,654 genes were obtained. After screening, 1019 differential genes were obtained, including 614 down-regulated genes and 405 up-regulated genes. Furthermore, after screening by ADME standards, 52 active ingredients were obtained, of which 37 were Phellodendron and 15 were Anemarrhena. And a total of 36 differential genes have been identified, including 13 up-regulated genes and 23 down-regulated genes. Moreover, through enrichment analysis, we found that PADP may treat liver cancer through multiple channels and multiple pathways including the p53 signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and so on. Secondly, the molecular docking results showed that there was certain affinity between the core compounds and core target genes. In addition, GEPIA online analysis showed that ESR1, AR, CCNB1, CDK1, AKR1C3 and CCNA2 might become potential target genes for the survival and prognosis of PADP for the treatment of liver cancer. Finally, it was found that PADP could up regulate genes ESR1 and AR, down regulate genes CCNB1, CDK1, AKR1C3, and CCNA2. PADP could promote the apoptosis of liver cancer cells, shorten the cell cycle, and inhibit the proliferation and invasion of liver cancer cells. Conclusion PADP may treat liver cancer through multiple targets, multiple channels, and multiple pathways, thereby suppressing cancer cells and improving the living quality of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Ruan
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China.,Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Wenyuan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Du
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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20
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Wei L, Dong W, Han Z, Chen C, Jin Q, He J, Cai Y. Network Pharmacologic Analysis of Dendrobium officinale Extract Inhibiting the Proliferation of Gastric Cancer Cells. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:832134. [PMID: 35401206 PMCID: PMC8989831 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.832134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, gastric cancer (GC) is one of the three most deadly cancers. Dendrobium officinale (D. officinale) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and its extract can significantly inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. However, there are no unified conclusions on its potential active components and possible mechanisms of action. This paper aims at exploring the potential active components, targets, and cell pathways of D. officinale extract in inhibiting the proliferation of gastric cancer cells by using network pharmacology and cytology experiments. In this paper, UPLC-MS/MS was used to identify the main chemical components in the extracts of D. officinale, and the an ADME model was used to screen the potential active components. Network pharmacology methods such as target prediction, pathway identification, and network construction were used to determine the mechanism through which the D. officinale extract inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation. MTT assays, fluorescence confocal microscopy, clone formation, and flow cytometry were used to verify the inhibitory activity of the D. officinale extract on gastric cancer cell proliferation in vitro. The UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified 178 chemical components from the D. officinale extract. Network pharmacology analysis showed that 13 chemical components had the potential to inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells, with the possible involvement of 119 targets and 20 potential signaling pathways. In vitro experiments confirmed that the D. officinale extract could significantly inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. Therefore, we believe that the D. officinale extract can inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells through effects on multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianping Wei
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Wenhao Dong
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhen Han
- Mabwell (Shanghai) Bioscience Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Chen
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Qing Jin
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Jinling He
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Yongping Cai
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Yongping Cai,
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21
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Wu Q, Wang SP, Sun XX, Tao YF, Yuan XQ, Chen QM, Dai L, Li CL, Zhang JY, Yang AL. HuaChanSu suppresses tumor growth and interferes with glucose metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by restraining Hexokinase-2. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 142:106123. [PMID: 34826616 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.106123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become the sixth highly diagnosed cancer and the fourth main reason of cancer deaths worldwide. HuaChanSu, an extract from dried toad skin, exhibits good anticancer effects and has been widely used in the treatment of liver cancer. The reprogramming of glucose metabolism is one remarkable feature of hepatocellular carcinoma, and the effects of HuaChanSu on the abnormal glucose metabolism of cancer cells have not been elucidated. In our study, we investigate the effects of HuaChanSu on glucose metabolism of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and tumor growth in vivo. The results show that HuaChanSu inhibits the tumor growth of hepatoma H22-bearing mice and prolongs the survival time of tumor-bearing mice, additionally, HuaChanSu has no obvious adverse effects in these mice. In vitro, HuaChanSu restrains the proliferation, induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of human hepatoma cells. HuaChanSu also promotes ROS production and causes mitochondrial damage. Furthermore, HuaChanSu inhibits glucose uptake and lactate release in human hepatoma cells. Mechanistically, we find that HuaChanSu downregulates Hexokinase-2 (HK2) expression, and using RNA interference, we confirm that HuaChanSu suppresses the growth of HepG2 cells by interfering with glucose metabolism through downregulation of Hexokinase-2. However, knockdown of Hexokinase-2 has no obvious effect on the proliferation of SK-HEP-1 cells, although glucose uptake and lactate release are reduced in siHK2-transfected SK-HEP-1 cells, subsequently, we illustrate that two human hepatoma cell lines exhibit glucose metabolism heterogeneity, which causes the different cell proliferation responses to the inhibition of Hexokinase-2. Taken together, our study indicates that HuaChanSu could inhibit tumor growth and interfere with glucose metabolism via suppression of Hexokinase-2, and these findings provide a new insight into the anti-hepatoma mechanisms of HuaChanSu and lay a theoretical foundation for the further clinical application of HuaChanSu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Shao-Ping Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Xiao-Xue Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Yu-Fan Tao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Qi-Mei Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Long Dai
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Chun-Lei Li
- Biotechnological Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Jia-Yu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China.
| | - Ai-Lin Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China.
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22
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Zhang S, Liu H, Fang Q, He H, Lu X, Wang Y, Fan X. Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill Protects Against Chronic Heart Failure in Mice via Inhibiting the ERK/MAPK and TGF-β Signaling Pathways. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:796354. [PMID: 34925046 PMCID: PMC8682969 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.796354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a major public health problem with high mortality and morbidity worldwide. Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine preparation for coronary heart disease and growing evidence proves that STDP exerts beneficial effects on CHF in the clinic. However, the molecular mechanism of the therapeutic effects of STDP on CHF remains largely unknown. Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of action of STDP against CHF by integrating network pharmacology analysis and whole-transcriptome sequencing. Methods: First, the mouse model of CHF was established by the transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery, and the efficacy of STDP against CHF was evaluated by assessing the alterations in cardiac function, myocardial fibrosis, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy with echocardiography, Masson’s trichrome staining, and wheat germ agglutinin staining. Next, a CHF disease network was constructed by integrating cardiovascular disease-related genes and the transcriptome sequencing data, which was used to explore the underlying mechanism of action of STDP. Then, the key targets involved in the effects of STDP on CHF were determined by network analysis algorithms, and pathway enrichment analysis was performed to these key genes. Finally, important targets in critical pathway were verified in vivo. Results: STDP administration obviously improved cardiac function, relieved cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and ameliorated myocardial fibrosis in CHF mice. Moreover, STDP significantly reversed the imbalanced genes that belong to the disease network of CHF in mice with TAC, and the number of genes with the reverse effect was 395. Pathway analysis of the crucial genes with recovery efficiency revealed that pathways related to fibrosis and energy metabolism were highly enriched, while TGF-β pathway and ERK/MAPK pathway were predicted to be significantly affected. Consistently, validation experiments confirmed that inhibiting ERK/MAPK and TGF-β signaling pathways via reduction of the phosphorylation level of Smad3 and ERK1/2 is the important mechanism of STDP against CHF. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that STDP can recover the imbalanced CHF network disturbed by the modeling of TAC through the multi-target and multi-pathway manner in mice, and the mechanisms are mainly related to inhibition of ERK/MAPK and TGF-β signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Hanbing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Qianqian Fang
- Inner Mongolia Conba Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Hohhot, China
| | - Houhong He
- Zhejiang Conba Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Lu
- Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaohui Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
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23
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Qian Y, Shanbo M, Shaojie H, Long L, Yuhan C, Jin W, Shan M, Xiao-Peng S. Integrating bioinformatics with pharmacological evaluation for illustrating the action mechanism of herbal formula Jiao'e mixture in suppressing lung carcinoma. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 281:114513. [PMID: 34400263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Lung carcinoma (LC) is not only a kind of disease that seriously threatens human life but also an intractable problem in modern medicine. Jiao'e Mixture (JEM) is an innovative Chinese medicine formula with Chinese patent, which is composed of two herbal extracts with a specific ratio-zedoary turmeric oil and medicinal Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim(Z. bungeanum Maxim) seeds oil (ZMSO). Zedoary turmeric oil is extracted from dried rhizomes of Curcuma wenyujin Y.H.Chen et C. Ling, which has been reported have an anti-cancer effects. Medicinal ZMSO is a by-product of Z. bungeanum Maxim, refined from kernel shell separation, modern cold soaking and refining technology; JEM is used to treat Lung carcinoma (LC) patients in folk for many years. However, its therapeutic mechanisms for treating LC have not been fully explored. AIM OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of JEM for treating LC. MATERIALS AND METHODS The action mechanism of JEM in LC treatment was analysed by comprehensive network pharmacology approach combined with experimental validation (in vivo and in vitro). RESULTS Seventeen active compounds and 457 related targets were collected from the HERB, TCMSP, and Swiss Target Prediction platforms. Nine hundred and thirty-eight LC related targets were obtained from Gene Cards and OMIM databases. Finally, 140 overlapping targets were obtained, which representing the target of JEM in LC treatment. The pathway analysis showed that PI3K-AKT could be a potential pathway for JEM in LC treatment. In vivo results presented that JEM had a good effect in inhibiting the growth of LC tumour cells with high efficacy and low toxicity. In vitro experiments validated that JEM had inhibited LC cells' proliferation, migration and invasion, and had induced cell apoptosis mainly via PI3K/Akt signalling pathways. CONCLUSION The anti-LC activity of JEM might via regulating the PI3K-AKT signalling pathways.This study may provide further evidence for the potential use of JEM in LC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Qian
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 71000, Xi'an, China; College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046, Xianyang, China
| | - Ma Shanbo
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 71000, Xi'an, China
| | - Huang Shaojie
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 71000, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Long
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 71000, Xi'an, China
| | - Chen Yuhan
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 71000, Xi'an, China; College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046, Xianyang, China
| | - Wang Jin
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 71000, Xi'an, China
| | - Miao Shan
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 71000, Xi'an, China.
| | - Shi Xiao-Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 71000, Xi'an, China.
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24
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A network pharmacology approach to investigate the anticancer mechanism of cinobufagin against hepatocellular carcinoma via downregulation of EGFR-CDK2 signaling. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 431:115739. [PMID: 34619160 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers with high mortality and poor prognosis, and the investigation on new approaches and effective drugs for HCC therapy is of great significance. In our study, we demonstrate that treatment with cinobufagin, a natural compound isolated from traditional chinese medicine Chansu, reduces proliferation and the colony formation capacity of the human hepatoma cells in vitro, in addition, cinobufagin induces mitotic arrest in human hepatoma cells. The results of a network pharmacology-based analysis show that EGFR, MAPK1, PTK2, CDK2, MAPK3, ESR1, CDK1, PRKCA, AR, and CSNK2A1 are the key targets involved in the anti-tumor activities of cinobufagin, additionally, several signaling pathways such as proteoglycans in cancer, pathways in cancer, HIF-1 signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway are identified as the potential pathways involved in the inhibitory effects of cinobufagin against HCC. Furthermore, at the molecular level, we find that cinobufagin decreases EGFR expression and CDK2 activity in human hepatoma cells. Inhibition of EGFR or CDK2 expression could not only suppress the growth of tumor cells but also enhance the inhibitory effects of cinobufagin on the proliferative potential of human hepatoma cells. We also demonstrate that EGFR positively regulates CDK2 expression. Furthermore, EGFR inhibitor gefitinib or CDK2 inhibitor CVT-313 synergistically enhances anticancer effects of cinobufagin in human hepatoma cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that cinobufagin may exert antitumor effects by suppressing EGFR-CDK2 signaling, and our study suggests that cinobufagin may be a novel, promising anticancer agent for the treatment of HCC.
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Wang T, Lyu CY, Jiang YH, Dong XY, Wang Y, Li ZH, Wang JX, Xu RR. A drug-biomarker interaction model to predict the key targets of Scutellaria barbata D. Don in adverse-risk acute myeloid leukaemia. Mol Divers 2021; 25:2351-2365. [PMID: 32676746 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-020-10124-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A poor prognosis, relapse and resistance are burning issues during adverse-risk acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) treatment. As a natural medicine, Scutellaria barbata D. Don (SBD) has shown impressive antitumour activity in various cancers. Thus, SBD may become a potential drug in adverse-risk AML treatment. This study aimed to screen the key targets of SBD in adverse-risk AML using the drug-biomarker interaction model through bioinformatics and network pharmacology methods. First, the adverse-risk AML-related critical biomarkers and targets of SBD active ingredient were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and several pharmacophore matching databases. Next, the protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and topological analysis and pathway enrichment were used to screen key targets and main pathways of intervention of SBD in adverse-risk AML. Finally, molecular docking was implemented for key target verification. The results suggest that luteolin and quercetin are the main active components of SBD against adverse-risk AML, and affected drug resistance, apoptosis, immune regulation and angiogenesis through the core targets AKT1, MAPK1, IL6, EGFR, SRC, VEGFA and TP53. We hope the proposed drug-biomarker interaction model provides an effective strategy for the research and development of antitumour drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Yi Lyu
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue-Hua Jiang
- Central Laboratory of Affiliated Hospital of Shandong, University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue-Yan Dong
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zong-Hong Li
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Xin Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui-Rong Xu
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
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26
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Xu Y, Huang J, Wang N, Tan HY, Zhang C, Li S, Tang G, Feng Y. Network Pharmacology-Based Analysis and Experimental Exploration of Antidiabetic Mechanisms of Gegen Qinlian Decoction. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:649606. [PMID: 34381354 PMCID: PMC8350346 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.649606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and therapy options have been studied increasingly due to their rising incidence and prevalence. The trend of applying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat T2DM is increasing as a crucial medical care for metabolic dysfunctions. Gegen Qinlian decoction (GQL), a well-known classical TCM formula used in China, has been clinically applied to treat various types of chronic metabolic diseases. However, antidiabetic effects of GQL administration during T2DM have never been studied systematically. We assessed physiological and molecular targets associated with therapeutic effects of GQL by evaluating network topological characteristics. The GQL-related biological pathways are closely associated with antidiabetic effects, including the TNF and PI3K–AKT signaling pathways. Associated primary biological processes such as RNA polymerase II promoter transcription participate in the inflammatory response, oxidative stress reduction, and glucose metabolic process, thereby exerting multiple biological effects on the antidiabetic mechanism. Furthermore, our results showed that GQL can affect blood glycemic levels and ameliorate inflammatory symptoms, and liver and pancreas tissue injury in high-fat diet plus streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. In vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed that antidiabetic effects of GQL were associated with a modulation of the TNF and PI3K–AKT–MTOR pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Xu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jihan Huang
- Center for Drug Clinical Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hor-Yue Tan
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sha Li
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guoyi Tang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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27
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Huang D, Yang B, Yao Y, Liao M, Zhang Y, Zeng Y, Zhang F, Wang N, Tong G. Autophagic Inhibition of Caveolin-1 by Compound Phyllanthus urinaria L. Activates Ubiquitination and Proteasome Degradation of β-catenin to Suppress Metastasis of Hepatitis B-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:659325. [PMID: 34168559 PMCID: PMC8217966 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.659325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Compound Phyllanthus urinaria L. (CP) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula for cancer treatment in the clinic, particularly during progression of hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-associated HCC). Nevertheless, its anti-metastatic action and mechanisms are not well elucidated. In this study, CP was found to exert remarkable inhibitory effects on the proliferation, migration and invasion of HBV-associated HCC cells. The following network and biological analyses predicted that CP mainly targeted Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) to induce anti-metastatic effects, and Wnt/β-catenin pathway was one of the core mechanisms of CP action against HBV-associated HCC. Further experimental validation implied that Cav-1 overexpression promoted metastasis of HBV-associated HCC by stabilizing β-catenin, while CP administration induced autophagic degradation of Cav-1, activated the Akt/GSK3β-mediated proteasome degradation of β-catenin via ubiquitination activation, and subsequently attenuated the metastasis-promoting effect of Cav-1. In addition, the anti-cancer and anti-metastatic action of CP was further confirmed by in vivo and ex vivo experiments. It was found that CP inhibited the tumor growth and metastasis of HBV-associated HCC in both mice liver cancer xenograft and zebrafish xenotransplantation models. Taken together, our study not only highlights the novel function of CP formula in suppressing metastasis of HBV-associated HCC, but it also addresses the critical role of Cav-1 in mediating Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin axis to control the late-phase of cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danping Huang
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bowen Yang
- The Research Center for Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaoyao Yao
- The Research Center for Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mianmian Liao
- The Research Center for Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- The Research Center for Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yihao Zeng
- The Research Center for Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengxue Zhang
- The Research Center for Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Neng Wang
- The Research Center for Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangdong Tong
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
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28
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Interpreting the Molecular Mechanisms of Yinchenhao Decoction on Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Absorbed Components Based on Network Pharmacology. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:6616908. [PMID: 34104649 PMCID: PMC8159653 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6616908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the mechanisms through which Yinchenhao decoction (YCHD) inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we analyzed YCHD ingredients absorbed into the bloodstream by using network pharmacology. We conducted a weighted gene coexpression network analysis on gene expression data collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases to derive an HCC gene set; moreover, we used four online prediction system databases to predict the potential targets of YCHD ingredients absorbed into the bloodstream. We discovered that YCHD directly interfered with 17 HCC-related disease targets. Subsequent gene ontology enrichment analyses of these 17 disease targets revealed that YCHD exhibited effects through 17 biological processes, 7 molecular functions, and 9 cellular components. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated 14 pathways through which YCHD inhibits HCC. We observed similar trends in how the 17 small molecules interfered with the key target set. We surmised that YCHD inhibits HCC by regulating inflammatory and metabolic pathways. Network pharmacological analysis of YCHD ingredients absorbed into the bloodstream may provide new insights and serve as a new method for discovering the molecular mechanisms through which YCHD inhibits HCC.
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29
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Zhang J, Hong Y, Xie P, Chen Y, Jiang L, Yang Z, Cao G, Chen Z, Liu X, Chen Y, Wu Y, Cai Z. Spatial Lipidomics Reveals Anticancer Mechanisms of Bufalin in Combination with Cinobufagin in Tumor-Bearing Mice. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:593815. [PMID: 33597874 PMCID: PMC7883642 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.593815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Bufalin (BFL) and cinobufagin (CBF) are the principal bioactive constituents of Chansu, a widely used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The synergistic effects of potential active components are responsible for the bioactivities of TCM. Our results showed that the cotreatment with BFL and CBF confers superior anticancer efficacy compared to monotreatment. To reveal the underlying mechanisms of their cotreatment, an integrated method composed of mass spectrometry-based lipidomics and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging was used to delineate the responses of tumor-bearing mice treated with BFL and CBF individually or in combination. The cotreatment with BFL and CBF modulated the sphingolipid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism, and subsequently led to mitochondria-driven apoptosis and systemic disruption of biomembranes in tumor cells. Furthermore, we found that the disturbed lipid markers were mainly located in the non-necrotic tumor areas, the essential parts for the formation of solid tumor framework. Together, our findings revealed what occurred in tumor in response to the treatment of BFL and CBF, from lipids to enzymes, and thus provide insights into the critical role of lipid reprogramming in the satisfactory anticancer effect of BFL in combination with CBF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghui Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanjun Hong
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Shenzhen, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peisi Xie
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yang Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lilong Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiyi Yang
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guodong Cao
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhongjian Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Research Institute, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuesong Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongjiang Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zongwei Cai
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
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