Coix Seed Extract Enhances the Anti-Pancreatic Cancer Efficacy of Gemcitabine through Regulating ABCB1- and ABCG2-Mediated Drug Efflux: A Bioluminescent Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study

Anti-cancer effects of Coix seed extract through KCTD9-mediated ubiquitination of TOP2A in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Coix seed extract (CSE), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been reported as an adjunctive therapy in cancers. However, the molecular targets are largely unclear. The study is designed to unveil its function in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and the possible molecular mechanism.

METHODS

The HERB database was utilized to predict the molecular targets of the Coix seed, followed by prognostic value prediction in the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database. LUAD cells were infected with sh-KCTD9 after co-culture with CSE, and cell viability, growth, proliferation, and apoptosis were determined. The substrates of KCTD9 were predicted using a protein-protein interaction network and verified. The expression of PD-L1, the contents of TNF-α, IFN-γ, CXCL10, and CXCL9 in the co-culture system of LUAD cells and T cells and the proliferation of T cells were evaluated to study the immune escape of LUAD cells in response to CSE and sh-KCTD9. Lastly, tumor growth and immune escape were observed in tumor-bearing mice.

RESULTS

CSE inhibited malignant behavior and immune escape of LUAD cells, and the reduction of KCTD9 reversed the inhibitory effect of CSE on malignant behavior and immune escape of LUAD cells. Knockdown of KCTD9 expression inhibited ubiquitination modification of TOP2A, and knockdown of TOP2A suppressed immune escape of LUAD cells in the presence of knockdown of KCTD9. CSE exerted anticancer effects in mice, but the reduction of KCTD9 partially compromised the anticancer effect of CSE.

CONCLUSION

CSE inhibits immune escape and malignant progression of LUAD through KCTD9-mediated ubiquitination modification of TOP2A.

Butyrate ameliorated ferroptosis in ulcerative colitis through modulating Nrf2/GPX4 signal pathway and improving intestinal barrier

Oxidative stress and intestinal inflammation are main pathological features of ulcerative colitis (UC). Ferroptosis, characterized by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation, is closely related to the pathologic process of UC. 16S rRNA sequencing for intestinal microbiota analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents clearly demonstrated lower amounts of butyrate-producing bacteria and butyrate in colitis mice. However, the precise mechanisms of sodium butyrate (NaB) in treating UC remain largely unclear. We found that ferroptosis occurred in colitis models, as evidenced by the inflammatory response, intracellular iron level, mitochondria ultrastructural observations and associated protein expression. NaB inhibited ferroptosis in colitis, significantly rescued weight loss and colon shortening in mice and reduced inflammatory lesions and mitochondrial damage. Furthermore, NaB improved intestinal barrier integrity and markedly suppressed the expression of pro-ferroptosis proteins. Conversely, the protein expression of anti-ferroptosis markers including nuclear factor erythroid-related Factor 2 (Nrf2) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), was significantly upregulated with NaB treatment. Moreover, the knockdown of Nrf2 reversed the anti-colitis effect of NaB. Taken together, NaB exhibited a protective effect by ameliorating ferroptosis in experimental colitis through Nrf2/GPX4 signaling and improving intestinal barrier integrity, which provides a novel mechanism for NaB prevention of UC.

Anti-tumor effect of coix seed based on the theory of medicinal and food homology

Coix seed is a dry and mature seed of Coix lacryma-jobi L.var.ma-yuen (Roman.) Stapf in the Gramineae family. Coix seed has a sweet, light taste, and a cool nature. Coix seed enters the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians. It has the effects of promoting diuresis and dampness, strengthening the spleen to prevent diarrhea, removing arthralgia, expelling pus, and detoxifying and dispersing nodules. It is used for the treatment of edema, athlete's foot, poor urination, spleen deficiency and diarrhea, dampness and obstruction, lung carbuncle, intestinal carbuncle, verruca, and cancer. The medicinal and health value is high, and it has been included in the list of medicinal and food sources in China, which has a large development and application space. This article reviews the current research achievements in the processing methods and anti-tumor activities of Coix seed and provides examples of its clinical application in ancient and modern times, aiming to provide reference for further research on Coix seed and contribute to its clinical application and development. Through the analysis of the traditional Chinese patent medicines, and simple preparations and related health food of Coix seed queried by Yaozhi.com, the source, function, and dosage form of Coix seed were comprehensively analyzed, with a view of providing a reference for the development of Coix seed medicine and food.

Therapeutic Strategies for Pancreatic-Cancer-Related Type 2 Diabetes Centered around Natural Products

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a highly malignant neoplasm, is classified as one of the most severe and devastating types of cancer. PDAC is a notable malignancy that exhibits a discouraging prognosis and a rising occurrence. The interplay between diabetes and pancreatic cancer exhibits a reciprocal causation. The identified metabolic disorder has been observed to possess noteworthy consequences on health outcomes, resulting in elevated rates of morbidity. The principal mechanisms involve the suppression of the immune system, the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), and the onset of systemic metabolic disease caused by dysfunction of the islets. From this point forward, it is important to recognize that pancreatic-cancer-related diabetes (PCRD) has the ability to increase the likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer. This highlights the complex relationship that exists between these two physiological states. Therefore, we investigated into the complex domain of PSCs, elucidating their intricate signaling pathways and the profound influence of chemokines on their behavior and final outcome. In order to surmount the obstacle of drug resistance and eliminate PDAC, researchers have undertaken extensive efforts to explore and cultivate novel natural compounds of the next generation. Additional investigation is necessary in order to comprehensively comprehend the effect of PCRD-mediated apoptosis on the progression and onset of PDAC through the utilization of natural compounds. This study aims to examine the potential anticancer properties of natural compounds in individuals with diabetes who are undergoing chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. It is anticipated that these compounds will exhibit increased potency and possess enhanced pharmacological benefits. According to our research findings, it is indicated that naturally derived chemical compounds hold potential in the development of PDAC therapies that are both safe and efficacious.

Jian Yun Qing Hua Decoction inhibits malignant behaviors of gastric carcinoma cells via COL12A1 mediated ferroptosis signal pathway

BACKGROUND

Jian Yun Qing Hua Decoction (JYQHD), a traditional Chinese medicine decoction, which has been applied in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). We attempt to confirm the anti-gastric cancer effect of JYQHD and explore the mechanism of JYQHD.

METHODS

Acute toxicity test was used to understand the toxicity of JYQHD. We studied the expression and prognostic outcome of COL12A1 within GC tissues through the network databases. Using several web-based databases, we analyzed the major components and targets of JYQHD, as well as known therapeutic targets in gastric cancer. The Venn diagram was utilized to obtain the overlapped genes. Lentiviral vector, shRNAs and plasmids, were used to transfect GC cells. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), sphere formation, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), reactive oxygen species (ROS), Fe2+, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), Western-Blot (WB), and immunohistochemical (IHC) assays were employed to investigate the role and mechanism of COL12A1 and JYQHD in GC.

RESULTS

The results showed that JYQHD was non-toxic and safe. JYQHD inhibited growth and sphere formation ability through inducing the ferroptosis of GC cells, and suppressed the GC cells induced subcutaneous xenograft tumor growth. COL12A1 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues, indicating poor prognosis. COL12A1 specifically enhanced GC cell progression and stemness via suppressing ferroptosis. JYQHD down-regulated COL12A1 in order to suppress the stemness of GC cells via inducing ferroptosis.

CONCLUSION

COL12A1 inhibited ferroptosis and enhanced stemness in GC cells. JYQHD inhibited the development of GC cells by inhibiting cancer cell stemness via the ferroptosis pathway mediated by COL12A1.

Noncoding RNAs: an emerging modulator of drug resistance in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the eighth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Chemotherapy including gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin and cisplatin, immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapy have been demonstrated to significantly improve prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients with advanced diseases. However, most patients developed drug resistance to these therapeutic agents, which leading to shortened patient survival. The detailed molecular mechanisms contributing to pancreatic cancer drug resistance remain largely unclear. The growing evidences have shown that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are involved in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis and development of drug resistance. In the present review, we systematically summarized the new insight on of various miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs on drug resistance of pancreatic cancer. These results demonstrated that targeting the tumor-specific ncRNA may provide novel options for pancreatic cancer treatments.

Screening Multidrug Resistance Reversal Agents in Traditional Chinese Medicines by Efflux Kinetics of D-Luciferin in MCF-7/DOXFluc Cells

In this study, we established a simple and rapid in vitro method for screening multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal agents in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), which could better correspond to the MDR reversing effect in vivo. Here, D-luciferin, a substrate for the enzyme firefly luciferase and also a substrate for ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABC transporters), was used as the probe to detect its efflux kinetics caused by ABC transporters. First, we established a stable doxorubicin (DOX)-resistant cell line (MCF-7/DOX^Fluc) that overexpressed luciferase. Then, some kinds of TCMs were chosen for the MDR reversal agents to measure its effect on inhibiting the D-luciferin outflow from MCF-7/DOX^Fluc, and the ideal reversal agent with the least D-luciferin efflux from MCF-7/DOX^Fluc was selected to further investigate its effect combined with DOX on MCF-7/DOX^Fluc tumor-bearing mice. The results indicated that quercetin (Qu) could remarkably increase the retention of D-luciferin in MCF-7/DOX^Fluc in vitro and in vivo. Also, the combination of Qu and DOX could exceedingly inhibit the tumor growth, which proved the feasibility of this in vitro screening method. The study proposed a feasible method for mass screening of MDR agents from TCMs in vitro.

Coicis Semen for the treatment of malignant tumors of the female reproductive system: A review of traditional Chinese medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics

Coicis Semen is an important food product and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) derived from the dried and mature seeds of Coix lacryma-jobi L.var.ma-yuen (Roman.) Stapf. An increasing number of studies have investigated its use, either alone or in combination with other botanical drugs, to treat female reproductive system malignancies, and its pharmacological effects have been confirmed clinically. This review aims to provide an overview of Coicis Semen's historical role in treating female reproductive system malignancies based on TCM theory, to summarize clinical trials results, and to analyze information pertaining to the main phytochemical components, pharmacokinetics, related anti-cancer pharmacological effects, and toxicology of Coicis Semen. Information on Coicis Semen was collected from internationally accepted scientific databases. Seventy-four clinical trials were identified that used Coicis Semen in combination with other Chinese medicine to treat female reproductive system malignancies, most of which demonstrated good anti-tumor efficacy and few adverse reactions. To date, more than 80 individual compounds have been isolated from this botanical drug. In terms of anti-tumor effects, Coix seed oil has been studied the most. Pharmacokinetic data suggest that the active ingredients in Coicis Semen are widely distributed after administration, and Coicis Semen and its active compounds play a beneficial role in treating female reproductive system malignancies. Mechanistically, the anti-cancer effects may be related to inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and promotion of apoptosis, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, suppression of the chronic inflammatory microenvironment of tumors, modulation of immune function, and regulation of the female reproductive system. Most acute toxicity and genotoxicity studies have shown that Coicis Semen is non-toxic. However, the existing studies have many limitations, and the future research direction should emphasize 1) the relationship between drug concentration and pharmacological action as well as toxicity; 2) the structural modification or the synthesis of analogues led by the active ingredients of Coicis Semen to enhance pharmacological activities and bioavailability; 3) accurately revealing the anti-cancer pharmacological effects of Coicis Semen and its compounds through multi-omics technology. We hope that this review can determine future directions and inform novel drug development for treating female reproductive malignancies.

Adlay, an ancient functional plant with nutritional quality, improves human health

Adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L.), a crop closed related to maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), originated in tropical/subtropical regions of Asia and Africa; southwest China primary center of this plant's origin, evolution and migration. Adlay is a traditional high-value minor crop used for both medicinal and dietary purposes. Adlay has anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, blood sugar-lowering, and blood lipid-lowering effects. To clarify the main bioactive components and phytochemical compounds and to fully explore their utility, this review summarizes the research done on the main functional ingredients of adlay, including amino acids and proteins, oils, vitamins and minerals, polysaccharides, and polyphenols. This study also highlighted the application of genome sequencing to tailor nutrient-rich adlay cultivars and nutraceutical product development. Additionally, the acquisition of high-density genomic data combined with next-generation phenotypic analysis will undoubtedly improve our understanding of the potential genetic regulation of adlay nutraceutical traits. This review provides new insights and ideas for the research of adlay in comparison and evolutionary genomics, and a useful reference for molecular breeding and genetic improvement of this important minor crop.

Reversing multi-drug resistance by polymeric metformin to enhance antitumor efficacy of chemotherapy

Multi-drug resistance (MDR) in breast cancer poses a great threat to chemotherapy. The expression and function of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter are the major cause of MDR. Herein, a linear polyethylene glycol (PEI) conjugated with dicyandiamide, which called polymeric metformin (PolyMet), was successfully synthesized as a simple and biocompatible polymer of metformin. PolyMet showed the potential to reverse MDR by inhibiting the efflux of the substrate of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter from DOX resistant MCF-7 cells (MCF-7/DOX). To test its MDR reversing effect, PolyMet was combined with DOX to treat mice carrying MCF-7/DOX xenografts. In order to decrease the toxicities of DOX and delivery PolyMet and DOX to tumor at the same time, PolyMet was complexed with poly-γ-glutamic acid-doxorubicin (PGA-DOX) electrostatically at the optimal ratio of 2:3, which were further coated with lipid membrane to form lipid/PolyMet-(PGA-DOX) nanoparticles (LPPD). The particle size of LPPD was 165.8 nm, and the zeta potential was +36.5 mV. LPPD exhibited favorable cytotoxicity and cellular uptake in MCF-7/DOX. Meanwhile, the bioluminescence imaging and immunohistochemical analysis indicated that LPPD effectively conquered DOX-associated MDR by blocking ABC transporters (ABCB1 and ABCC1) via PolyMet. Remarkably, LPPD significantly inhibited the tumor growth and lowered the systemic toxicity in a murine MCF-7/DOX tumor model. This is the first time to reveal that PolyMet can enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of DOX by dampening ABC transporters and activating the AMPK/mTOR pathway, which is a promising strategy for drug-resistant breast cancer therapy.

Actional Mechanisms of Active Ingredients in Functional Food Adlay for Human Health

Medicinal and food homologous adlay (Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) plays an important role in natural products promoting human health. We demonstrated the systematic actional mechanism of functional ingredients in adlay to promote human health, based on the PubMed, CNKI, Google, and ISI Web of Science databases from 1988 to 2022. Adlay and its extracts are rich in 30 ingredients with more than 20 health effects based on human and animal or cell cultures: they are anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-obesity, liver protective, anti-virus, gastroprotective, cardiovascular protective, anti-hypertension, heart disease preventive, melanogenesis inhibiting, anti-allergy, endocrine regulating, anti-diabetes, anti-cachexia, osteoporosis preventive, analgesic, neuroprotecting, suitable for the treatment of gout arthritis, life extending, anti-fungi, and detoxifying effects. Function components with anti-oxidants are rich in adlay. These results support the notion that adlay seeds may be one of the best functional foods and further reveal the action mechanism of six major functional ingredients (oils, polysaccharides, phenols, phytosterols, coixol, and resistant starch) for combating diseases. This review paper not only reveals the action mechanisms of adding adlay to the diet to overcome 17 human diseases, but also provides a scientific basis for the development of functional foods and drugs for the treatment of human diseases.

Antigen Peptide Transporter 1 (TAP1) Promotes Resistance to MEK Inhibitors in Pancreatic Cancers

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK) inhibitors show limited benefit in Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) mutant pancreatic cancer due to drug resistance. To identify mechanisms of resistance to MEK inhibitor (MEKi), we employed a differential expression analysis of MEKi-sensitive versus MEKi-resistant KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer cell lines. Here, we report that the antigen peptide transporter 1 (TAP1) expression levels of MEKi-resistant cell lines were notably higher than those of MEKi-sensitive cell lines. Suppression of TAP1 significantly sensitized the MEKi-resistant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells to MEKi and induced higher apoptotic rate in vitro. Moreover, knockdown of TAP1 in MEKi-resistant tumor significantly decreased tumor growth in vivo. Consistently, overexpression of TAP1 in sensitive PDAC cells resulted in increased resistance to MEKi, both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that TAP1 promoted chemoresistance by enhancing the transport of MEKi out of PDAC cells, leading to reduced intracellular MEKi concentration and attenuated inhibition of KRAS signaling pathways. Moreover, TAP1 expression increased spheroid formation abilities of PDAC cells. These findings suggest that TAP1 could serve as a potential marker for predicting the response of patients to MEKi. Combination of TAP1 suppression and MEKi may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for PDAC treatment.

A pharmacognostic approach for mitigating pancreatic cancer: emphasis on herbal extracts and phytoconstituents

Background

Pancreatic cancer is studied as one of the most lethal cancers with currently no control of its lethality, mainly due to its late diagnosis and lack of foolproof treatment processes. Despite continuous efforts being made in looking for therapies to deal with cancer, it keeps on being a labyrinth for the researchers. Efforts like discovering new treatment options, repurposing existing drugs, are continuously made to deal with this cancer.

Main body

With the urge to get answers and the fact that nature has all roots of therapeutics, efforts are made in the direction of finding those answers for providing ministrations for pancreatic cancer from plant products. Plant products are used as treatment options either directly in the form of extracts or an alternative to them is individual phytochemicals that are either isolated from the plants or are commercially synthesized for various purposes. In this review, we put forward such pharmacognostic initiatives made in combating pancreatic cancer, focusing mainly on plant extracts and various phytochemicals; along with the mechanisms which they triggered to fulfill the need for cytotoxicity to pancreatic cancer cells (in vitro and in vivo).

Conclusion

This study will thus provide insights into new combination therapy that can be used and also give a clue on which plant product and phytoconstituent can be used in dealing with pancreatic cancer.

Graphical abstract

Natural Products for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery

Pancreatic cancer, the seventh most lethal cancer around the world, is considered complicated cancer due to poor prognosis and difficulty in treatment. Despite all the conventional treatments, including surgical therapy and chemotherapy, the mortality rate is still high. Therefore, the possibility of using natural products for pancreatic cancer is increasing. In this study, 68 natural products that have anti-pancreatic cancer effects reported within five years were reviewed. The mechanisms of anti-cancer effects were divided into four types: apoptosis, anti-metastasis, anti-angiogenesis, and anti-resistance. Most of the studies were conducted for natural products that induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer. Among them, plant extracts such as Eucalyptus microcorys account for the major portion. Some natural products, including Moringa, Coix seed, etc., showed multi-functional properties. Natural products could be beneficial candidates for treating pancreatic cancer.

A phase I study of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor ceritinib in combination with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors

In this phase I, dose-escalation study, we sought to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase/c-ROS oncogene 1 receptor (ALK/ROS1) inhibitor ceritinib in combination with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. Secondary objectives were characterization of the safety profile, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of these combinations, and identification of potential biomarkers of efficacy. Ceritinib was combined with gemcitabine (Arm 1), gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (Arm 2) or gemcitabine/cisplatin (Arm 3). Drug concentrations in plasma were measured by tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS). We analyzed archival tumor tissue for ALK, ROS1, hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-MET) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) expression by immunohistochemistry. Arm 2 closed early secondary to toxicity. Twenty-one patients were evaluable for dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). There was one DLT in Arm 1 (grade 3 ALT increase) and three DLTs in Arm 3 (grade 3 acute renal failure, grade 3 thrombocytopenia, grade 3 dyspnea). The MTD of ceritinib was determined to be 600 mg (Arm 1) and 450 mg orally daily (Arm 3). Main toxicities were hematologic, constitutional and gastrointestinal as expected by the chemotherapy backbone. The apparent clearance for ceritinib decreased substantially after repeated dosing; cisplatin did not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of ceritinib. The overall response rate was 20%; the median progression-free survival was 4.8 months. Three out of five response-evaluable cholangiocarcinoma patients had clinical benefit. Increased expression of c-MET was associated with a lack of clinical benefit. Ceritinib in combination with gemcitabine and gemcitabine/cisplatin has a manageable toxicity profile. Further development of this strategy in tumors with ALK or ROS1 fusions is warranted.

Clinical efficacy and safety of self-made Jiedu Kangai decoction combined with chemotherapy in treatment of patients with advanced colon cancer

BACKGROUND

Colon cancer is the fifth most frequently diagnosed cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in China. Systematic therapy with chemicals and targeted agents have established their status as palliative treatment; however, they always resulted in limited efficacy and obvious toxicities.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of self-made Jiedu Kangai decoction in combination with chemotherapy in patients with advanced colon cancer.

METHODS

A total of 104 patients with advanced colon cancer who were admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to January 2019 were selected and divided into either a control group or an observation group (52 cases in each) using the random number table method. Both groups were given XELOX regimen chemotherapy, and the observation group was additionally given self-made Jiedu Kangai decoction. Outcomes including objective response rate (ORR), as well as changes in parameters including CA19-9, TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-17, ALT, AST, Cr, BUN, T cells, KPS, and VAS, were evaluated.

RESULTS

After two cycles of treatment in both groups, ORR was significantly higher in the observation group compared to the control group (67.31% vs 44.23%, P < 0.05). Serum levels of CEA, TK1, CA19-9, TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-17, as well as CD8⁺ T cells were significantly lower in the observation group (P < 0.05). However, CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells were significantly higher in the observation group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical differences observed for serum levels of ALT, AST, Cr, and BUN between the groups. KPS status and VAS scores were significantly better in the observation group (P < 0.05). The incidences of adverse events including leucopenia (23.08% vs 57.69%), neurotoxicity (19.23% vs 40.38%), and gastrointestinal toxicities (40.38% vs 71.15%) were significant lower in the observation group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Combination therapy with self-made Jiedu Kangai decoction and chemotherapy has better efficacy, can better relieve pain, improve life quality, enhance T cell-mediated immunity, and suppress inflammation, and is association with lower incidence rates of adverse events compared to chemotherapy alone.

ABCA8-mediated efflux of taurocholic acid contributes to gemcitabine insensitivity in human pancreatic cancer via the S1PR2-ERK pathway

The development of resistance to anticancer drugs is believed to cause chemotherapy failure in pancreatic cancer (PC). The efflux of anticancer drugs mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters is a widely accepted mechanism for chemoresistance, but for ABCA subfamily members, which are characterized by their ability to transport lipids and cholesterol, its role in chemoresistance remains unknown. Here we found that the expression of ABCA8, a member of ABCA subfamily transporters, was significantly increased in human PC cells after gemcitabine (GEM) treatment, as well as in established GEM-resistant (Gem-R) PC cells. Importantly, ABCA8 knockdown reversed the chemoresistance phenotype of Gem-R cells, whereas ABCA8 overexpression significantly decreased the sensitivity of human PC cells to GEM, both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating an important role of ABCA8 in regulating chemosensitivity. Moreover, our results showed that treatment with taurocholic acid (TCA), an endogenous substrate of ABCA8, also induced GEM insensitivity in PC cells. We further demonstrated that ABCA8 mediates the efflux of TCA out of PC cells, and that extracellular TCA activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling via the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2), which is responsible for ABCA8-induced GEM ineffectiveness. Together, these findings reveal a novel TCA-related mechanism of ABCA subfamily transporter-mediated chemoresistance that goes beyond the role of a drug pump and suggest ABCA8 or the TCA-S1RP2-ERK pathway as potential targets for improving the effectiveness of and overcoming the resistance to chemotherapy in PC.

Determination of Differentiating Markers in Coicis Semen From Multi-Sources Based on Structural Similarity Classification Coupled With UPCC-Xevo G2-XS QTOF

Coicis semen, a medicinal food, is derived from the dried and mature seeds of Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen (Rom.Caill.) Stapf, a member of the Gramineae family. Lipids are its main constituents. Previous literature reported that coicis semen contains twenty triglycerides and twelve diglycerides. However, we identified thirty-five triglycerides, sixteen diglycerides, four monoglycerides, and two sterols under the preoptimized conditions of UPCC-Xevo G2-XS QTOF combined with a personalized TCM database. Furthermore, we successfully determined glycerol trioleate content to evaluate quality differences. Finally, we identified the fatty acid compositions of seven out of nine differential markers via Progenesis QI using principal component analysis, orthogonal projection to latent structures–discriminant analysis, and the LipidMaps database. In addition, we applied a software-based classification, a method that was previously developed by our team, to verify and predict structurally similar compounds. Our findings confirmed that UPCC-Xevo G2-XS QTOF combined with software-based group classification could be used as an efficient method for exploring the potential lipid markers of seed medicine.