The Antioxidant from Ethanolic Extract of Rosa cymosa Fruits Activates Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog In Vitro and In Vivo: A New Insight on Its Antileukemic Effect

A polysaccharide PRCP from Rosa cymosa Tratt fruit: Structural characteristics and immunomodulatory effects via MAPK pathway modulation in vitro

The Rosa cymosa Tratt, an herbal plant from the Rosaceae family, has historically been valued in China for its medicinal and edible properties. In this study, a novel polysaccharide from R. cymosa fruit, termed PRCP (purified R. cymosa polysaccharide), was isolated using water extraction, decolorization, deproteinization, and ion-exchange chromatography. The structural characteristics of PRCP were investigated using monosaccharide composition analysis, methylation, GPC, FTIR, CD, and NMR spectroscopy. The immunomodulatory effect and potential mechanism of PRCP were evaluated in vitro using a macrophage cell model. Results indicated that PRCP (37.28 kDa) is a highly branched polysaccharide (72.61 %) primarily composed of arabinogalactan, rhamnogalacturonan, and galactoglucan domains with 13 types of glycosidic linkage fragments. Furthermore, PRCP appears to modulate immunomodulatory effects by influencing the phosphorylation of P38 and JNK proteins in the MAPK pathway. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of PRCP as a promising natural functional food ingredient for immunostimulation.

Polystyrene nanoplastics induce haematotoxicity with cell oxeiptosis and senescence involved in C57BL/6J mice

Nanoplastics (NPs) has become a worrying serious environmental problem. However, the toxicological effects and mechanisms of NPs on hematopoiesis are still unknown. To this end, male C57BL/6J mice were directly exposed to the serial concentration gradient of polystyrene NPs (PSNPs, 0, 30, 60, and 120 μg d), respectively, for 42 days by intragastric administration. Results show that PSNPs were clearly visible in bone tissues, meanwhile, induced the count of major blood indicators (WBC, RBC, and LYM) decreased. H&E staining displayed that exposed to PSNPs can cause hematopoietic damage of BM and extramedullary hematopoiesis in spleen. Flow cytometry result show that the proportion of LSK represented a dose-dependent significantly decreased after PSNPs exposure. Further research found that PSNPs can cause the systemic oxidative stress occurs manifested as MDA accumulated. In addition, as the dose of PSNPs increased, the fluorescence intensity of Keap1 and p53 in femur sections gradually increased, meanwhile, the expression of cell oxeiptosis signal pathway Keap1/PGAM5/AIFM1 and the cell senescence signal pathway p53/p21 was all increased, markedly. Overall, our study demonstrated that PSNPs exposure caused oxidative stress, potentially resulting in cell oxeiptosis and senescence to develop haematotoxicity in C57BL/6J mice.

Oxidative stress in pituitary neuroendocrine tumors: Affecting the tumor microenvironment and becoming a new target for pituitary neuroendocrine tumor therapy

Pituitary adenomas (PAs), or pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs), are commonly found in the anterior pituitary gland. Although the majority of PitNETs are benign and stable, several tumors have malignant characteristics. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the process of tumorigenesis and is composed of several types of cells. Various cells in the TME are significantly affected by oxidative stress. It has been reported that immunotherapeutic strategies have good effects in several cancers. However, the clinical potential of immunotherapies in PitNETs has not yet been fully discussed. Oxidative stress can regulate PitNET cells and immune cells in the TME, thus affecting the immune status of the TME of PitNETs. Therefore, modulation of oxidative stress-regulated immune cells using a combination of several agents and the immune system to suppress PitNETs is a promising therapeutic direction. In this review, we systematically analyzed the oxidative stress process within PitNET cells and various immune cells to elucidate the potential value of immunotherapy.

Exploration of anti-leukemic effect of soft coral-derived 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide: Induction of apoptosis via oxidative stress as a potent inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 and topoisomerase II

13-Acetoxysarcocrassolide (13-AC) is a marine cembranoid derived from the aquaculture soft coral of Lobophytum crassum. The cytotoxic effect of 13-AC against leukemia cells was previously reported but its mechanism of action is still unexplored. In the current study, we showed that 13-AC induced apoptosis of human acute lymphoblastic leukemia Molt4 cells, as evidenced by the cleavage of PARP and caspases, phosphatidylserine externalization, as well as the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. The use of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, attenuated the cytotoxic effect induced by 13-AC. Molecular docking and thermal shift assay indicated that the cytotoxic mechanism of action of 13-AC involved the inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp 90) activity by eliciting the level of Hsp 70 and topoisomerase IIα in Molt4 cells. 13-AC also exhibited potent antitumor activity by reducing the tumor volume (48.3%) and weight (72.5%) in the in vivo Molt4 xenograft mice model. Our findings suggested that the marine cembranoid, 13-AC, acted as a dual inhibitor of Hsp 90 and topoisomerase IIα, exerting more potent apoptotic activity via the enhancement of ROS generation.

Novel 9-Benzylaminoacridine Derivatives as Dual Inhibitors of Phosphodiesterase 5 and Topoisomerase II for the Treatment of Colon Cancer

It has been shown that phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors have anticancer effects in a variety of malignancies in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. The role of cGMP elevation in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) has been extensively studied. Additionally, DNA topoisomerase II (Topo II) inhibition is a well-established mechanism of action that mediates the effects of several approved anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin and mitoxantrone. Herein, we present 9-benzylaminoacridine derivatives as dual inhibitors of the PDE5 and Topo II enzymes. We synthesized 31 derivatives and evaluated them against PDE5, whereby 22 compounds showed micromolar or sub-micromolar inhibition. The anticancer activity of the compounds was evaluated with the NCI 60-cell line testing. Moreover, the effects of the compounds on HCT-116 colorectal carcinoma (CRC) were extensively studied, and potent compounds against HCT-116 cells were studied for their effects on Topo II, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. In addition to exhibiting significant growth inhibition against HCT116 cells, compounds 11, 12, and 28 also exhibited the most superior Topo II inhibitory activity and low micromolar PDE5 inhibition and affected cell cycle progression. Knowing that compounds that combat cancer through multiple mechanisms are among the best candidates for effective therapy, we believe that the current class of compounds merits further optimization and investigation to unleash their full therapeutic potential.

Modulation of Cytoskeleton, Protein Trafficking, and Signaling Pathways by Metabolites from Cucurbitaceae, Ericaceae, and Rosaceae Plant Families

One promising frontier within the field of Medical Botany is the study of the bioactivity of plant metabolites on human health. Although plant metabolites are metabolic byproducts that commonly regulate ecological interactions and biochemical processes in plant species, such metabolites also elicit profound effects on the cellular processes of human and other mammalian cells. In this regard, due to their potential as therapeutic agents for a variety of human diseases and induction of toxic cellular responses, further research advances are direly needed to fully understand the molecular mechanisms induced by these agents. Herein, we focus our investigation on metabolites from the Cucurbitaceae, Ericaceae, and Rosaceae plant families, for which several plant species are found within the state of Florida in Hillsborough County. Specifically, we compare the molecular mechanisms by which metabolites and/or plant extracts from these plant families modulate the cytoskeleton, protein trafficking, and cell signaling to mediate functional outcomes, as well as a discussion of current gaps in knowledge. Our efforts to lay the molecular groundwork in this broad manner hold promise in supporting future research efforts in pharmacology and drug discovery.

The Antileukemic and Anti-Prostatic Effect of Aeroplysinin-1 Is Mediated through ROS-Induced Apoptosis via NOX Activation and Inhibition of HIF-1a Activity

Aeroplysinin-1 is a brominated isoxazoline alkaloid that has exhibited a potent antitumor cell effect in previous reports. We evaluated the cytotoxicity of aeroplysinin-1 against leukemia and prostate cancer cells in vitro. This marine alkaloid inhibited the cell proliferation of leukemia Molt-4, K562 cells, and prostate cancer cells Du145 and PC-3 with IC₅₀ values of 0.12 ± 0.002, 0.54 ± 0.085, 0.58 ± 0.109 and 0.33 ± 0.042 µM, respectively, as shown by the MTT assay. Furthermore, in the non-malignant cells, CCD966SK and NR8383, its IC₅₀ values were 1.54 ± 0.138 and 6.77 ± 0.190 μM, respectively. In a cell-free system, the thermal shift assay and Western blot assay verified the binding affinity of aeroplysinin-1 to Hsp90 and Topo IIα, which inhibited their activity. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the cytotoxic effect of aeroplysinin-1 is mediated through mitochondria-dependent apoptosis induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS interrupted the cellular oxidative balance by activating NOX and inhibiting HIF-1α and HO-1 expression. Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduced Apl-1-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and preserved the expression of NOX, HO-1, and HIF-1a. Our findings indicated that aeroplysinin-1 targeted leukemia and prostate cancer cells through multiple pathways, suggesting its potential application as an anti-leukemia and prostate cancer drug lead.

Chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of medicinal plants from Rosa genus

The genus Rosa (Rosaceae family) includes about 200 species spread in the world, and this genus shows unique advantages in medicine and food. To date, several scholars concentrated on compounds belonging to flavonoids, triterpenes, tannins, polysaccharide, phenolic acids, fatty acids, organic acids, carotenoids, and vitamins. Pharmacological effects such as antineoplastic and anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, liver protection, regulate blood sugar, antimicrobial activity, antiviral activity, as well as nervous system protection and cardiovascular protection were wildly reported. This article reviews the chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, applications and safety evaluations of Rosa plants, which provides a reference for the comprehensive utilization of medicine and food resources and gives a scientific basis for the development of medicinal plants of the genus Rosa.

The Antileukemic Effect of Xestoquinone, A Marine-Derived Polycyclic Quinone-Type Metabolite, Is Mediated through ROS-Induced Inhibition of HSP-90

Xestoquinone is a polycyclic quinone-type metabolite with a reported antitumor effect. We tested the cytotoxic activity of xestoquinone on a series of hematological cancer cell lines. The antileukemic effect of xestoquinone was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. This marine metabolite suppressed the proliferation of Molt-4, K562, and Sup-T1 cells with IC₅₀ values of 2.95 ± 0.21, 6.22 ± 0.21, and 8.58 ± 0.60 µM, respectively, as demonstrated by MTT assay. In the cell-free system, it inhibited the activity of topoisomerase I (Topo I) and II (Topo II) by 50% after treatment with 0.235 and 0.094 μM, respectively. The flow cytometric analysis indicated that the cytotoxic effect of xestoquinone was mediated through the induction of multiple apoptotic pathways in Molt-4 cells. The pretreatment of Molt-4 cells with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) diminished the disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and apoptosis, as well as retaining the expression of both Topo I and II. In the nude mice xenograft model, the administration of xestoquinone (1 μg/g) significantly attenuated tumor growth by 31.2% compared with the solvent control. Molecular docking, Western blotting, and thermal shift assay verified the catalytic inhibitory activity of xestoquinone by high binding affinity to HSP-90 and Topo I/II. Our findings indicated that xestoquinone targeted leukemia cancer cells through multiple pathways, suggesting its potential application as an antileukemic drug lead.

Nepenthes Ethyl Acetate Extract Provides Oxidative Stress-Dependent Anti-Leukemia Effects

Several kinds of solvents have been applied to Nepenthes extractions exhibiting antioxidant and anticancer effects. However, they were rarely investigated for Nepenthes ethyl acetate extract (EANT), especially leukemia cells. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties and explore the antiproliferation impact and mechanism of EANT in leukemia cells. Five standard assays demonstrated that EANT exhibits antioxidant capability. In the cell line model, EANT dose-responsively inhibited cell viabilities of three leukemia cell lines (HL-60, K-562, and MOLT-4) based on 24 h MTS assays, which were reverted by pretreating oxidative stress and apoptosis inhibitors (N-acetylcysteine and Z-VAD-FMK). Due to similar sensitivities among the three cell lines, leukemia HL-60 cells were chosen for exploring antiproliferation mechanisms. EANT caused subG1 and G1 cumulations, triggered annexin V-detected apoptosis, activated apoptotic caspase 3/7 activity, and induced poly ADP-ribose polymerase expression. Moreover, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial superoxide, and mitochondrial membrane depolarization were generated by EANT, which was reverted by N-acetylcysteine. The antioxidant response to oxidative stress showed that EANT upregulated mRNA expressions for nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (NFE2L2), catalase (CAT), thioredoxin (TXN), heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) genes. Moreover, these oxidative stresses led to DNA damage (γH2AX and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine) and were alleviated by N-acetylcysteine. Taken together, EANT demonstrated oxidative stress-dependent anti-leukemia ability to HL-60 cells associated with apoptosis and DNA damage.

Promising Therapeutic Targets for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic poly-articular chronic autoimmune joint disease that mainly damages the hands and feet, which affects 0.5% to 1.0% of the population worldwide. With the sustained development of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), significant success has been achieved for preventing and relieving disease activity in RA patients. Unfortunately, some patients still show limited response to DMARDs, which puts forward new requirements for special targets and novel therapies. Understanding the pathogenetic roles of the various molecules in RA could facilitate discovery of potential therapeutic targets and approaches. In this review, both existing and emerging targets, including the proteins, small molecular metabolites, and epigenetic regulators related to RA, are discussed, with a focus on the mechanisms that result in inflammation and the development of new drugs for blocking the various modulators in RA.

Comparison of Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties of Soft Coral-Derived Sinularin and Dihydrosinularin

Marine natural products are abundant resources for antioxidants, but the antioxidant property of the soft corals-derived sinularin and dihydrosinularin were unknown. This study aimed to assess antioxidant potential and antiproliferation effects of above compounds on cancer cells, and to investigate the possible relationships between them. Results show that sinularin and dihydrosinularin promptly reacted with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and hydroxyl (^•OH), demonstrating a general radical scavenger activity. Sinularin and dihydrosinularin also show an induction for Fe⁺³-reduction and Fe⁺²-chelating capacity which both strengthen their antioxidant activities. Importantly, sinularin shows higher antioxidant properties than dihydrosinularin. Moreover, 24 h ATP assays show that sinularin leads to higher antiproliferation of breast, lung, and liver cancer cells than dihydrosinularin. Therefore, the differential antioxidant properties of sinularin and dihydrosinularin may contribute to their differential anti-proliferation of different cancer cells.

Oxidative Stress-Dependent Synergistic Antiproliferation, Apoptosis, and DNA Damage of Ultraviolet-C and Coral-Derived Sinularin Combined Treatment for Oral Cancer Cells

Combined treatment is increasingly used to improve cancer therapy. Non-ionizing radiation ultraviolet-C (UVC) and sinularin, a coral Sinularia flexibilis-derived cembranolide, were separately reported to provide an antiproliferation function to some kinds of cancer cells. However, an antiproliferation function using the combined treatment of UVC/sinularin has not been investigated as yet. This study aimed to examine the combined antiproliferation function and explore the combination of UVC/sinularin in oral cancer cells compared to normal oral cells. Regarding cell viability, UVC/sinularin displays the synergistic and selective killing of two oral cancer cell lines, but remains non-effective for normal oral cell lines compared to treatments in terms of MTS and ATP assays. In tests using the flow cytometry, luminescence, and Western blotting methods, UVC/sinularin-treated oral cancer cells exhibited higher reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial superoxide generation, mitochondrial membrane potential destruction, annexin V, pan-caspase, caspase 3/7, and cleaved-poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase expressions than that in normal oral cells. Accordingly, oxidative stress and apoptosis are highly induced in a combined UVC/sinularin treatment. Moreover, UVC/sinularin treatment provides higher G2/M arrest and γH2AX/8-hydroxyl-2'deoxyguanosine-detected DNA damages in oral cancer cells than in the separate treatments. A pretreatment can revert all of these changes of UVC/sinularin treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. Taken together, UVC/sinularin acting upon oral cancer cells exhibits a synergistic and selective antiproliferation ability involving oxidative stress-dependent apoptosis and cellular DNA damage with low toxic side effects on normal oral cells.

Regulatory function of peroxiredoxin I on 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-induced lung cancer development

Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer, and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is one of the most important carcinogens in cigarette smoke. NNK modulates the expression of peroxiredoxin (Prdx) I in lung cancer. Prdx1 is upregulated in lung squamous cell carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma, and considered a potential biomarker for lung cancer. The current article reviewed the role and regulatory mechanisms of Prdx1 in NNK-induced lung cancer cells. Prdx1 protects erythrocytes and DNA from NNK-induced oxidative damage, prevents malignant transformation of cells and promotes cytotoxicity of natural killer cells, hence suppressing tumor formation. In addition, Prdx1 has the ability to prevent NNK-induced lung tumor metabolic activity and generation of large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS-induced apoptosis, thus promoting tumor cell survival. In contrast to this, Prdx1, together with NNK, can promote the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and migration of lung tumor cells. The signaling pathways associated with NNK and Prdx1 in lung cancer cells have been discussed in present review; however, numerous potential pathways are yet to be studied. To develop novel methods for treating NNK-induced lung cancer, and improve the survival rate of patients with lung cancer, further research is needed to understand the complete mechanism associated with NNK.

Targeting Nrf2-Mediated Oxidative Stress Response Signaling Pathways as New Therapeutic Strategy for Pituitary Adenomas

Oxidative stress and oxidative damage are the common pathophysiological characteristics in pituitary adenomas (PAs), which have been confirmed with many omics studies in PA tissues and cell/animal experimental studies. Nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2), the core of oxidative stress response, is an oxidative stress sensor. Nrf2 is synthesized and regulated by multiple factors, including Keap1, ERK1/2, ERK5, JNK1/2, p38 MAPK, PKC, PI3K/AKT, and ER stress, in the cytoplasm. Under the oxidative stress status, Nrf2 quickly translocates from cytoplasm into the nucleus and binds to antioxidant response element /electrophile responsive element to initiate the expressions of antioxidant genes, phases I and II metabolizing enzymes, phase III detoxifying genes, chaperone/stress response genes, and ubiquitination/proteasomal degradation proteins. Many Nrf2 or Keap1 inhibitors have been reported as potential anticancer agents for different cancers. However, Nrf2 inhibitors have not been studied as potential anticancer agents for PAs. We recommend the emphasis on in-depth studies of Nrf2 signaling and potential therapeutic agents targeting Nrf2 signaling pathways as new therapeutic strategies for PAs. Also, the use of Nrf2 inhibitors targeting Nrf2 signaling in combination with ERK inhibitors plus p38 activators or JNK activators targeting MAPK signaling pathways, or drugs targeting mitochondrial dysfunction pathway might produce better anti-tumor effects on PAs. This perspective article reviews the advances in oxidative stress and Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response signaling pathways in pituitary tumorigenesis, and the potential of targeting Nrf2 signaling pathways as a new therapeutic strategy for PAs.

The Tumor Suppressor PTEN as Molecular Switch Node Regulating Cell Metabolism and Autophagy: Implications in Immune System and Tumor Microenvironment

Recent studies conducted over the past 10 years evidence the intriguing role of the tumor suppressor gene Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog deleted on Chromosome 10 PTEN in the regulation of cellular energy expenditure, together with its capability to modulate proliferation and survival, thus expanding our knowledge of its physiological functions. Transgenic PTEN mice models are resistant to oncogenic transformation, present decreased adiposity and reduced cellular glucose and glutamine uptake, together with increased mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. These acquisitions led to a novel understanding regarding the role of PTEN to counteract cancer cell metabolic reprogramming. Particularly, PTEN drives an “anti-Warburg state” in which less glucose is taken up, but it is more efficiently directed to the mitochondrial Krebs cycle. The maintenance of cellular homeostasis together with reduction of metabolic stress are controlled by specific pathways among which autophagy, a catabolic process strictly governed by mTOR and PTEN. Besides, a role of PTEN in metabolic reprogramming and tumor/stroma interactions in cancer models, has recently been established. The genetic inactivation of PTEN in stromal fibroblasts of mouse mammary glands, accelerates breast cancer initiation and progression. This review will discuss our novel understanding in the molecular connection between cell metabolism and autophagy by PTEN, highlighting novel implications regarding tumor/stroma/immune system interplay. The newly discovered action of PTEN opens innovative avenues for investigations relevant to counteract cancer development and progression.