Maytenus disticha Extract and an Isolated β-Dihydroagarofuran Induce Mitochondrial Depolarization and Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells by Increasing Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species

Three new sesquiterpene polyol esters from Celastrus angulatus

Three new sesquiterpene polyol ester compounds angulatins S-U, together with three known compounds were isolated from Celastrus angulatus Maxim. According to mainly 1D NMR and 2D NMR analysis, the structures of the new compounds were completely determined as angulatin S (1β-furoyloxy-2β,8α-diisobutanoyloxy-9β-benzoyloxy-15-acetoxy-4α,6α-dihydroxy-β-dihydroagarofuran), angulatin T (1β,2β,6α-triacetoxy-8β,15-diisobutanoyloxy-9α-benzoyloxy-β-dihydroagrofuran), and angulatin U (1β,6α,15-triacetoxy-8β-isobutanoyloxy-9α-benzoyloxy-β-dihydroagarofuran).

Dihydromyricetin Inhibits Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Regulating miR-509-3p/PRMT5 Pathway

To explore the role of dihydromyricetin (DHM) in regulating proliferation, metastasis and infiltration of pancreatic cancer cells, we treated the pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line SW1990 with 10 µmol/L, 20 µmol/L, and 40 µmol/L DHM. Proliferation was determined by the MTT assay. Cell metastasis and infiltration were determined by the Transwell migration assay. The protein expression levels of cyclin D1, p21, MMP-2, MMP-9, and PRMT5 were determined by Western blot. Quantitative PCR was used to determine expression of miR-509-3p and PRMT5 mRNA. The relationship between miR-509-3p and PRMT5 was analyzed by bioinformatic prediction and the dual luciferase reporter assay. SW1990 cells were transfected with miR-509-3p, si-PRMT5 and anti-miR-509-3p (following treatment with 40 µmol/L DHM) to determine their effects on biological behaviors of cells. The inhibition rate of SW1990 cells, p21 protein and miR-509-3p expression were increased by DHM. Moreover, the number of infiltrating and metastatic cells, protein levels of cyclin D1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and PRMT5, and mRNA levels of PRMT5 were decreased by DHM. miR-509-3p regulates expression of its target PRMT5 mRNA. Inhibition rate of SW1990 cell proliferation and protein level p21 were significantly increased by overexpression of miR-509-3p or knockdown of PRMT5 expression, while the number of invasive cells and protein expression levels of cyclin D1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were remarkably reduced by miR-509-3p overexpression or PRMT5 knockdown. Inhibition of miR-509-3p counteract the inhibitory effects of DHM on SW1990 cell proliferation and metastasis. Therefore, DHM inhibits proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic carcinoma cells by regulating the miR-509-3p/PRMT5 pathway.

Oxidative Stress Mediated Cytotoxicity, Cell Cycle Arrest, and Apoptosis Induced by Rosa damascena in Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells

Rosa damascena Mill (Damask rose), belonging to the Rosaceae family, is known for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine system. However, its anticancer activity has not been studied yet in detail. Herein, we aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of R. damascena hexane (RA-HE) and methanolic (RA-ME) extracts against human breast (MCF-7), lung epithelial (A-549), and cervical (HeLa) cancer cells. The RA-HE and RA-ME showed more potent cytotoxic effects against HeLa cells with an IC₅₀ of 819.6 and 198.4 μg/ml, respectively. Further, cytotoxic concentrations of most effective extract (RA-ME) were used to evaluate the mechanism of cytotoxicity involved in HeLa cells. A concentration-dependent induction of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduction of glutathione (GSH) in HeLa cells treated with 250-1000 μg/ml of RA-ME confirms the association of oxidative stress. We also detected a noteworthy increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and a decline in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) level in RA-ME-exposed HeLa cells. Flow cytometric data showed a strong dose-response relationship in cell cycle analysis between subG1 phase in HeLa cells and RA-ME treatment. Similarly, a concentration-dependent increase was recorded with Annexin V assay in HeLa cells going to late apoptosis. In conclusion, our findings suggest that RA-ME-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in HeLa cells are mediated by oxidative stress.