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Du CM, Leu WJ, Jiang YH, Chan SH, Chen IS, Chang HS, Hsu LC, Hsu JL, Guh JH. Cardenolide glycosides sensitize gefitinib-induced apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer: inhibition of Na +/K +-ATPase serving as a switch-on mechanism. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:6533-6550. [PMID: 38451282 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03031-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is known as a significant level of unmet medical need in spite of the progress in targeted therapy and personalized therapy. Overexpression of the Na+/K+-ATPase contributes to NSCLC progression, suggesting its potentiality in antineoplastic approaches. Epi-reevesioside F, purified from Reevesia formosana, showed potent anti-NSCLC activity through inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase, leading to internalization of α1- and α3-subunits in Na+/K+-ATPase and suppression of Akt-independent mTOR-p70S6K-4EBP1 axis. Epi-reevesioside F caused a synergistic amplification of apoptosis induced by gefitinib but not cisplatin, docetaxel, etoposide, paclitaxel, or vinorelbine in both NCI-H460 and A549 cells. The synergism was validated by enhanced activation of the caspase cascade. Bax cleavage, tBid formation, and downregulation of Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 contributed to the synergistic apoptosis induced by the combination treatment of epi-reevesioside F and gefitinib. The increase of membrane DR4 and DR5 levels, intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, and active m-calpain expression were responsible for the caspase-8 activation and Bax cleavage. The increased α-tubulin acetylation and activation of MAPK (i.e., p38 MAPK, Erk, and JNK) depending on cell types contributed to the synergistic mechanism under combination treatment. These signaling pathways that converged on profound c-Myc downregulation led to synergistic apoptosis in NSCLC. In conclusion, the data suggest that epi-reevesioside F inhibits the Na+/K+-ATPase and displays potent anti-NSCLC activity. Epi-reevesioside F sensitizes gefitinib-induced apoptosis through multiple pathways that converge on c-Myc downregulation. The data support the inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase as a switch-on mechanism to sensitize gefitinib-induced anti-NSCLC activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Min Du
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, No. 33, Linsen S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Wohn-Jenn Leu
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, No. 33, Linsen S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Huei Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, No. 33, Linsen S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - She-Hung Chan
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Providence University, 200, Sec. 7, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu Dist, Taichung, 43301, Taiwan
| | - Ih-Sheng Chen
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsun-Shuo Chang
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Lih-Ching Hsu
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, No. 33, Linsen S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Ling Hsu
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, No. 33, Linsen S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
- Department of Nursing, Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Chang-Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Oncology, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, New Taipei City, 236, Taiwan.
| | - Jih-Hwa Guh
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, No. 33, Linsen S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
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Li Y, Chen Y, Zhao C, Yang Y, Zhang M, Cheng H, Li Q, Wang M. Arenobufagin modulation of PCSK9-mediated cholesterol metabolism induces tumor-associated macrophages polarisation to inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma progression. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 128:155532. [PMID: 38493722 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155532] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tumor microenvironment (TME) of hepatocellular carcinoma is heterogeneous enough to be prone to drug resistance and multidrug resistance during treatment, and reprogramming of cholesterol metabolism in TME mediates tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) polarization, which has an impact on the regulation of malignant tumor progression. Arenobufagin (ARBU) was extracted and isolated from toad venom (purity ≥98 %), which is the main active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicine Chan'su with good anti-tumor effects. PURPOSE To investigate the regulatory effect of ARBU on lipid metabolism in tumor microenvironment, interfere with macrophage polarization, and determine its mechanism of action on liver cancer progression. METHODS In this study, the inhibitory effect of ARBU on the proliferation of Hepa1-6 in C57 mice and the safety of administration were evaluated by establishing a transplanted tumor model of Hepa1-6 hepatocellular carcinoma mice and using 5-FU as a positive control drug. In addition, we constructed a co-culture system of Hepa1-6 cells and primary mouse macrophages to study the effects of ARBU on the polarization phenotypic transformation of macrophages and the proliferation and migration of hepatoma cells. The influence of ARBU on the metabolism of lipids in the hepatocellular carcinoma mouse model was investigated by combining it with lipidomics technology. The influence of ARBU on the PCSK9/LDL-R signaling pathway and macrophage polarization, which regulate cholesterol metabolism, was tested by using qRT-PCR, gene editing, IF, and WB. CONCLUSION ARBU significantly inhibited the proliferation of Hepa1-6 in vivo and in vitro, regulated cholesterol metabolism, and promoted the M1-type polarization of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. ARBU inhibits cholesterol synthesis in the TME through the PCSK9/LDL-R signaling pathway, thereby blocking macrophage M2 polarization, promoting apoptosis of the tumor cells, and inhibiting their proliferation and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyue Li
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 103 Meishan Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province 230038, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province 230022, China
| | - Cheng Zhao
- Anqing Petrochemical Hospital of Nanjing Gulou Hospital Group, Medical Oncology, Anqing City, Anhui Province 264000, China
| | - Yuting Yang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 103 Meishan Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province 230038, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province 230022, China
| | - Hui Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 103 Meishan Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province 230038, China
| | - Qinglin Li
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 103 Meishan Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province 230038, China.
| | - Meng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 103 Meishan Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province 230038, China.
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Wang M, Hu S, Yang J, Yuan L, Han L, Liang F, Zhang F, Zhao H, Liu Y, Gao N. Arenobufagin inhibits lung metastasis of colorectal cancer by targeting c-MYC/Nrf2 axis. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 127:155391. [PMID: 38452690 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155391] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the commonest cancers worldwide. Metastasis is the most common cause of death in patients with CRC. Arenobufagin is an active component of bufadienolides, extracted from toad skin and parotid venom. Arenobufagin reportedly inhibits epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in various cancers. However, the mechanism through which arenobufagin inhibits CRC metastasis remains unclear. PURPOSE This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which arenobufagin inhibits CRC metastasis. METHODS Wound-healing and transwell assays were used to assess the migration and invasion of CRC cells. The expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the CRC tissues was assessed using immunohistochemistry. The protein expression levels of c-MYC and Nrf2 were detected by immunoblotting. A mouse model of lung metastasis was used to study the effects of arenobufagin on CRC lung metastasis in vivo. RESULTS Arenobufagin observably inhibited the migration and invasion of CRC cells by downregulating c-MYC and inactivating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Pretreatment with the Nrf2 inhibitor brusatol markedly enhanced arenobufagin-mediated inhibition of migration and invasion, whereas pretreatment with the Nrf2 agonist tert‑butylhydroquinone significantly attenuated arenobufagin-mediated inhibition of migration and invasion of CRC cells. Furthermore, Nrf2 knockdown with short hairpin RNA enhanced the arenobufagin-induced inhibition of the migration and invasion of CRC cells. Importantly, c-MYC acts as an upstream modulator of Nrf2 in CRC cells. c-MYC knockdown markedly enhanced arenobufagin-mediated inhibition of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, cell migration, and invasion. Arenobufagin inhibited CRC lung metastasis in vivo. Together, these findings provide evidence that interruption of the c-MYC/Nrf2 signaling pathway is crucial for arenobufagin-inhibited cell metastasis in CRC. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings show that arenobufagin could be used as a potential anticancer agent against CRC metastasis. The arenobufagin-targeted c-MYC/Nrf2 signaling pathway may be a novel chemotherapeutic strategy for treating CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, PR China
| | - Siyi Hu
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, PR China
| | - Jiawang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, PR China
| | - Liang Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, PR China
| | - Limin Han
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Feng Liang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, PR China
| | - Fenglin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, PR China
| | - Hailong Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou, PR China.
| | - Yun Liu
- Guizhou Provincial College-based Key Laboratory for Tumor Prevention and Treatment with Distinctive Medicines, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, PR China.
| | - Ning Gao
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, PR China.
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Ho HY, Chen MK, Lin CC, Lo YS, Chuang YC, Hsieh MJ. Arenobufagin induces cell apoptosis by modulating the cell cycle regulator claspin and the JNK pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2024; 28:461-471. [PMID: 38659296 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2024.2348014] [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: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high recurrence rate and incidence of distant metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) result in poor prognosis. It is necessary to identify natural compounds that can complement combination radiation therapy. Arenobufagin is commonly used for heart diseases and liver cancer, but its effectiveness in NPC is unclear. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS The effect of arenobufagin-induced apoptosis was measured by a cell viability assay, tumorigenic assay, fluorescence assay, and Western blot assay through NPC-039 and NPC-BM cell lines. The protease array, Western blot assay, and transient transfection were used to investigate the underlying mechanism of arenobufagin-induced apoptosis. An NPC xenograft model was established to explore the antitumor activity of arenobufagin in vivo. RESULTS Our findings indicated that arenobufagin exerted cytotoxic effects on NPC cells, inhibiting proliferation through apoptosis activation. Downregulation of claspin was confirmed in arenobufagin-induced apoptosis. Combined treatment with arenobufagin and mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors demonstrated that arenobufagin induced NPC apoptosis through the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) pathway inhibition. Furthermore, arenobufagin suppressed NPC tumor proliferation in vivo. CONCLUSION Our results revealed the antitumor effect of arenobufagin in vitro and in vivo. Arenobufagin may have clinical utility in treating NPC due to its suppression of claspin and inhibition of the JNK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Yu Ho
- Oral Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Kuan Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chieh Lin
- Oral Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Sheng Lo
- Oral Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Chuang
- Oral Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Ju Hsieh
- Oral Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- Doctoral Program in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Günaydın Ş, Sulukoğlu EK, Kalın ŞN, Altay A, Budak H. Diffractaic acid exhibits thioredoxin reductase 1 inhibition in lung cancer A549 cells. J Appl Toxicol 2023; 43:1676-1685. [PMID: 37329199 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths all over the world. Therefore, it has gained importance in the development of new chemotherapeutic strategies to identify anticancer agents with low side effects, reliable, high anticancer potential, and specific to lung cancer cells. Thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) is an important therapeutic target for lung cancer treatment because of its overexpression in tumor cells. Here, we aimed to examine the anticancer effect of diffractaic acid, a lichen secondary metabolite, in A549 cells by comparing it with the commercial chemotherapeutic drug carboplatin and also to investigate whether the anticancer effect of diffractaic acid occurs via TrxR1-targeting. The IC50 value of diffractaic acid on A549 cells was determined as 46.37 μg/mL at 48 h, and diffractaic acid had stronger cytotoxicity than carboplatin in A549 cells. qPCR results revealed that diffractaic acid promoted the intrinsic apoptotic pathway through the upregulation of the BAX/BCL2 ratio and P53 gene in A549 cells, which is consistent with the flow cytometry results. Furthermore, migration analysis results indicated that diffractaic acid impressively suppressed the migration of A549 cells. While the enzymatic activity of TrxR1 was inhibited by diffractaic acid in A549 cells, no changes were seen in the quantitative expression levels of gene and protein. These findings provide fundamental data on the anticancer effect of diffractaic acid on A549 cells targeting TrxR1 activity, suggesting that it could be considered a chemotherapeutic agent for lung cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Şükran Günaydın
- Science Faculty, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey
- East Anatolia High Technology Application and Research Center, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Emine Karaca Sulukoğlu
- Science Faculty, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey
- Science Faculty, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Şeyda Nur Kalın
- Science Faculty, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey
- East Anatolia High Technology Application and Research Center, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Altay
- Faculty of Science and Arts, Department of Chemistry, Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Erzincan, Turkey
| | - Harun Budak
- Science Faculty, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey
- East Anatolia High Technology Application and Research Center, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey
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Asrorov AM, Kayumov M, Mukhamedov N, Yashinov A, Mirakhmetova Z, Huang Y, Yili A, Aisa HA, Tashmukhamedov M, Salikhov S, Mirzaakhmedov S. Toad venom bufadienolides and bufotoxins: An updated review. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:815-838. [PMID: 37154099 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22072] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Bufadienolides, naturally found in toad venoms having steroid-like structures, reveal antiproliferative effects at low doses. However, their application as anticancer drugs is strongly prevented by their Na+ /K+ -ATPase binding activities. Although several kinds of research were dedicated to moderating their Na+ /K+ -ATPase binding activity, still deeper fundamental knowledge is required to bring these findings into medical practice. In this work, we reviewed data related to anticancer activity of bufadienolides such as bufalin, arenobufagin, bufotalin, gamabufotalin, cinobufotalin, and cinobufagin and their derivatives. Bufotoxins, derivatives of bufadienolides containing polar molecules mainly belonging to argininyl residues, are reviewed as well. The established structures of bufotoxins have been compiled into a one-page figure to review their structures. We also highlighted advances in the structure-modification of the structure of compounds in this class. Drug delivery approaches to target these compounds to tumor cells were discussed in one section. The issues related to extraction, identification, and quantification are separated into another section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akmal M Asrorov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Department of Natural Substances Chemistry, National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Muzaffar Kayumov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Nurkhodja Mukhamedov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Ansor Yashinov
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, CAS, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
| | - Ziyoda Mirakhmetova
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Yongzhuo Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, CAS, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
| | - Abulimiti Yili
- Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS, Urumqi, China
| | - Haji Akber Aisa
- Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS, Urumqi, China
| | | | - Shavkat Salikhov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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Tang W, Zhang Y, Yang K, Ma J, Dong L, Wu C, Lv R, Wang C, Luo C, Zhang H, Miao Z, Wu Y. Discovery of Novel 3,11-Bispeptide Ester Arenobufagin Derivatives with Potential in Vivo Antitumor Activity and Reduced Cardiotoxicity. Chem Biodivers 2023; 20:e202200911. [PMID: 36627123 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202200911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Arenobufagin, one of the bufadienolides isolated from traditional Chinese medicine Chan'su, exhibits potent antitumor activity. However, serious toxicity and small therapeutic window limits its drug development. In the present study, to our knowledge, novel 3,11-bispeptide ester arenobufagin derivatives have been firstly designed and synthesized on the base of our previous discovery of active 3-monopeptide ester derivative. The in vitro antiproliferative activity evaluation revealed that the moiety at C3 and C11 hydroxy had an important influence on cytotoxic activity and selectivity. Compound ZM350 notably inhibited tumor growth by 58.8 % at a dose 10 mg/kg in an A549 nude mice xenograft model. Therefore, compound ZM350 also presented a concentration-dependent apoptosis induction and low inhibitory effect against both hERG potassium channel and Cav1.2 calcium channel. Our study suggests that novel 3,11-bispeptide ester derivatives will be a potential benefit to further antitumor agent development of arenobufagin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenmin Tang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai, 201418, P. R. China
| | - Yanming Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, The Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Keli Yang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai, 201418, P. R. China
| | - Jianjiang Ma
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai, 201418, P. R. China
| | - Lian Dong
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai, 201418, P. R. China
| | - Chen Wu
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai, 201418, P. R. China
| | - Rongxue Lv
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai, 201418, P. R. China
| | - Chuanhao Wang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai, 201418, P. R. China
| | - Chuan Luo
- Anhui China Resources Jinchan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 39 Longfa Road, Huaibei, 235000, P. R. China
| | - Huojun Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Zhenyuan Miao
- School of Pharmacy, The Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, P. R. China
| | - Yuelin Wu
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai, 201418, P. R. China
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Chen K, Li A, Wang J, Li D, Wang X, Liu C, Wang Z. Arenobufagin causes ferroptosis in human gastric cancer cells by increasing rev-erbα expression. J Tradit Complement Med 2022; 13:72-80. [PMID: 36685074 PMCID: PMC9845647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2022.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Gastric cancer is the fifth most diagnosed malignant tumor worldwide with limited effective chemotherapy. Ferroptosis is a new type of programmed cell death, which is becoming as a novel therapeutic target for tumors. Arenobufagin (ArBu) is a bufadienolide isolated from toad skin and venom, which exhibits broad-spectrum anti-tumor activity. It is unclear whether ArBu causes ferroptosis, thereby exhibiting anti-tumor activity in gastric cancer. We aimed to determine whether ArBu causes ferroptosis in cultured human gastric cancer cells. Experimental procedure Different human gastric cancer cells were treated with ArBu (5-20 μM, 48 h). Indicators of apoptosis and ferroptosis were measured. CRISPR/Cas-9 system was employed to delete Nr1d1 gene. Results ArBu incubation reduced cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. ArBu caused ferroptosis but not apoptosis at a lower concentration (10 μM), despite it caused both of them at a higher concentration (20 μM). Cotreatment with a selective ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 protected against ArBu (10 μM)-induced reduction in cell viability. ArBu-mediated ferroptosis was associated with abnormal expression of genes involved in iron uptake, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidants. Particularly, Nr1d1 gene expression was most significantly increased after ArBu treatment. Furthermore, activating Rev-erbα encoded by Nr1d1 by a selective agonist GSK4112 (1 and 2 μM, 48 h) caused ferroptosis. In contrast, Rev-erbα knockout using the CRISPR/Cas-9 system diminished ArBu-induced ferroptosis in cultured human gastric cancer cells. Conclusion ArBu causes ferroptosis by increasing Rev-erbα expression in human gastric cancer cells. This has implications of ArBu as a promising therapy for gastric cancer. Section 1. Natural Products. Taxonomy classification by EVISE Traditional medicine, pharmacology, gastric cancer, signal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Chen
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
- Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Angling Li
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
| | - Jian Wang
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
| | - Dongchang Li
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
| | | | - Chengwei Liu
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
| | - Zhengguang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
- Corresponding author. Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, PR China.
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Liu Z, Fan M, Xuan X, Xia C, Huang G, Ma L. Celastrol inhibits the migration and invasion and enhances the anti-cancer effects of docetaxel in human triple-negative breast cancer cells. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:189. [PMID: 36071249 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01792-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The molecular mechanism of anti-metastatic effect of celastrol is not fully understood in breast cancer cells. Herein, we investigated the activity and molecular mechanism of celastrol in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, which is a more aggressive subtype of breast cancer. The results of wound healing assay and trans-well assay revealed that celastrol inhibited cell migration and invasion under sub-cytotoxic concentrations in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 TNBC cells. Molecular data showed that the effect of celastrol on TNBC cells might be mediated via up-regulation of E-cadherin, a key protein involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, Hakai, an E3 ligase responsible for E-cadherin complex ubiquitination and degradation, was down-regulated under celastrol treatment. Hakai partially contributed to celastrol-induced anti-invasive effect. In addition, celastrol and docetaxel could synergistically inhibit growth and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results showing anti-migratory/anti-invasive effects of celastrol and associated mechanisms provide new evidence for the development of celastrol as a potential anti-metastatic compound against highly aggressive breast cancer, and celastrol in combination with docetaxel might potentially be used as a novel regimen for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Liu
- Department of Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, 59 Hudong Road, Ma'anshan, 243002, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghui Fan
- Department of Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, 59 Hudong Road, Ma'anshan, 243002, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojing Xuan
- Department of Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, 59 Hudong Road, Ma'anshan, 243002, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenlu Xia
- Department of Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, 59 Hudong Road, Ma'anshan, 243002, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Guozheng Huang
- Department of Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, 59 Hudong Road, Ma'anshan, 243002, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Ma
- Department of Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, 59 Hudong Road, Ma'anshan, 243002, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
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Zhao L, Han L, Wei X, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Si N, Wang H, Yang J, Bian B, Zhao H. Toxicokinetics of Arenobufagin and its Cardiotoxicity Mechanism Exploration Based on Lipidomics and Proteomics Approaches in Rats. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:780016. [PMID: 35002716 PMCID: PMC8727535 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.780016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenobufagin (ArBu), one of the main active bufadienolides of toad venom with cardiotonic effect, analgesic effect, and outstanding anti-tumor potentiality, is also a potential cardiotoxic component. In the present study, the cardiac effect of ArBu and its underlying mechanism were explored by integrating data such as heart rates, toxicokinetics, myocardial enzyme and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) activity, pathological sections, lipidomics and proteomics. Under different doses, the cardiac effects turned out to be different. The oral dose of 60 mg/kg of ArBu sped up the heart rate. However, 120 mg/kg ArBu mainly reduced the heart rate. Over time, they all returned to normal, consisting of the trend of ArBu concentration-time curve. High concentrations of myocardial enzymes and BNP indicated that ArBu inhibited or impaired the cardiac function of rats. Pathological sections of hearts also showed that ArBu caused myocardial fiber disorder and rupture, in which the high-dose group was more serious. At the same time, serum and heart tissue lipidomics were used to explore the changes in body lipid metabolism under different doses. The data indicated a larger difference in the high-dose ArBu group. There were likewise many significant differences in the proteomics of the heart. Furthermore, a multi-layered network was used to integrate the above information to explore the potential mechanism. Finally, 4 proteins that were shown to be significantly and differentially expressed were validated by targeted proteomics using parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) analysis. Our findings indicated that ArBu behaved as a bidirectional regulation of the heart. The potential mechanism of cardiac action was revealed with the increased dose, which provided a useful reference for the safety of clinical application of ArBu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Shaanxi Chinese Medicine Institute (Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Information Center), Xianyang, China
| | - Lingyu Han
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolu Wei
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanqiong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Si
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Yang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Baolin Bian
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haiyu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Identification and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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11
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Song Y, Chang L, Wang X, Tan B, Li J, Zhang J, Zhang F, Zhao L, Liu G, Huo B. Regulatory Mechanism and Experimental Verification of Patchouli Alcohol on Gastric Cancer Cell Based on Network Pharmacology. Front Oncol 2021; 11:711984. [PMID: 34540679 PMCID: PMC8440821 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.711984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pogostemon cablin is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is frequently used to treat various gastrointestinal diseases. Patchouli alcohol (PA), a compound extracted from the Pogostemon cablin, has been shown to have anti-tumor efficacy in human colorectal cancer. However, the mechanism of PA’s anticancer effect on gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. Methods We used the public database to obtain the potential targets of PA and genes related to GC. Bioinformatic analyses, such as the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), and protein-protein interactions (PPI), were used for analyzing the potential signal pathways and targets. Cell experiments were also conducted to further explain the impact and molecular mechanism of PA on GC, as well as to confirm the findings of network pharmacology. Results Using network pharmacological analysis, 161 possible targets were identified for the treatment of GC. Network analysis and functional enrichment analysis show that PA produced a marked effect in the treatment of GC through multi-targets and multi-pathways, especially the MAPK and PI3K/AKT signal pathways. In addition, PA showed the inhibition of GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in cell experiments. According to our findings, PA could also cause G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in GC cells. Conclusion Using network pharmacology, we aim to uncover the possible molecular mechanism of PA on GC treatment in this research. Cell experiments were also conducted to confirm the therapeutic effect of PA on GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanru Song
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Liang Chang
- Department of Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Basic Medical Science College, HeBei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bibo Tan
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jianbo Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Fengbin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology Pharmacology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lianmei Zhao
- Research Centre, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Guangjie Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bingjie Huo
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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12
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Cinobufagin-induced DNA damage response activates G 2/M checkpoint and apoptosis to cause selective cytotoxicity in cancer cells. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:446. [PMID: 34425836 PMCID: PMC8381584 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02150-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Processed extracts from toad skin and parotoid gland have long been used to treat various illnesses including cancer in many Asian countries. Recent studies have uncovered a family of bufadienolides as the responsible pharmacological compounds, and the two major molecules, cinobufagin and bufalin, have been shown to possess robust antitumor activity; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Methods Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by DCFH-DA staining and flow cytometry, and DNA damage was analyzed by immunofluorescent staining and the alkaline comet assay. Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT as well as colony formation assays, and cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition, apoptosis was further characterized by TUNEL and mitochondrial membrane potential assays. Results Here we showed that sublethal doses of cinobufagin suppressed the viability of many cancer but not noncancerous cell lines. This tumor-selective cytotoxicity was preceded by a rapid, cancer-specific increase in cellular ROS and was significantly reduced by the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), indicating oxidative stress as the primary source of cinobufagin-induced cancer cell toxicity. Sublethal cinobufagin-induced ROS overload resulted in oxidative DNA damage and intense replication stress in cancer cells, leading to strong DNA damage response (DDR) signaling. Subsequent phosphorylation of CDC25C and stabilization of p53 downstream of DDR resulted in activation of the G2/M checkpoint followed by induction of apoptosis. These data indicate that cinobufagin suppresses cancer cell viability via DDR-mediated G2 arrest and apoptosis. Conclusion As elevated oxidative pressure is shared by most cancer cells that renders them sensitive to further oxidative insult, these studies suggest that nontoxic doses of cinobufagin can be used to exploit a cancer vulnerability for induction of cancer-specific cytotoxicity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary materials available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02150-0.
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13
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Li FJ, Hu JH, Ren X, Zhou CM, Liu Q, Zhang YQ. Toad venom: A comprehensive review of chemical constituents, anticancer activities, and mechanisms. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2021; 354:e2100060. [PMID: 33887066 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Toad venom, a traditional natural medicine, has been used for hundreds of years in China for treating different diseases. Many studies have been performed to elucidate the cardiotonic and analgesic activities of toad venom. Until the last decade, an increasing number of studies have documented that toad venom is a source of lead compound(s) for the development of potential cancer treatment drugs. Research has shown that toad venom contains 96 types of bufadienolide monomers and 23 types of indole alkaloids, such as bufalin, cinobufagin, arenobufagin, and resibufogenin, which exhibit a wide range of anticancer activities in vitro and, in particular, in vivo for a range of cancers. The main antitumor mechanisms are likely to be apoptosis or/and autophagy induction, cell cycle arrest, cell metastasis suppression, reversal of drug resistance, or growth inhibition of cancer cells. This review summarizes the chemical constituents of toad venom, analyzing their anticancer activities and molecular mechanisms for cancer treatments. We also outline the importance of further studies regarding the material basis and anticancer mechanisms of toad venom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Jie Li
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jing-Hong Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Control and Construction of the Whole Industrial Chain of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xin Ren
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Cheng-Mei Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qian Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Control and Construction of the Whole Industrial Chain of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yong-Qing Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Control and Construction of the Whole Industrial Chain of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Wu JH, Cao YT, Pan HY, Wang LH. Identification of Antitumor Constituents in Toad Venom by Spectrum-Effect Relationship Analysis and Investigation on Its Pharmacologic Mechanism. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25184269. [PMID: 32961837 PMCID: PMC7571126 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Toad venom (Bufonis Venenum, known as ‘Chansu’ in Chinese), the secretion of the ear-side gland and skin gland of Bufo gargarizans cantor or Duttaphrynus melanostictus Schneider, has been utilized to treat several diseases in China for thousands of years. However, due to the chemical variability of the components, systematic chemical composition and the key pharmacophores in toad venom have not yet fully understood. Besides, it contains a variety of effective compounds with different physiological activity and chemotypes, mainly including alkaloids, bufogenins, bufotoxins, and so on. The recent pharmacological researches have demonstrated that several bufogenins have remarkable pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic effects, and anti-tumor effects. Aim of the study: To identify the bioactive compounds and pharmacophores originating from toad venom based on analyzing spectrum-effect relationship by chemometrics and to explore the anti-cancer mechanism primarily. (2) Materials and methods: Fingerprint of the 21 batches of samples was established using HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). The anti-tumor activity of extracts were determined by in-vitro assays. Chemometric analysis was used to establish the spectrum-effect model and screen for active ingredients. Pharmacodynamic tests for the screened active compound monomers were conducted with in-vitro assays. Further anti-tumor mechanisms were investigated using western blot and flow cytometry. (3) Results: The established spectrum-effect model has satisfactory fitting effect and predicting accuracy. The inhibitory effect of major screened compounds on lung carcinoma cells A549 were validated in vitro, demonstrating that arenobufagin, telocinobufogenin, and cinobufotalin had significant anti-tumor effects. Through further investigation of the mechanism by western blotting and flow cytometry, we elucidated that arenobufagin induces apoptosis in A549 cells with the enhanced expression of cleaved PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase). These results may provide valuable information for further structural modification of bufadienolides to treat lung cancer and a method for discovery of anti-tumor active compounds. Conclusions: Our research offers a more scientific method for screening the principal ingredients dominating the pharmacodynamic function. These screened compounds (arenobufagin, etc.) were proven to induce apoptosis by overactivation of the PARP-pathway, which may be utilized to make BRCA (breast cancer susceptibility gene) mutant cancer cells more vulnerable to DNA damaging agents and kill them.
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Deng LJ, Li Y, Qi M, Liu JS, Wang S, Hu LJ, Lei YH, Jiang RW, Chen WM, Qi Q, Tian HY, Han WL, Wu BJ, Chen JX, Ye WC, Zhang DM. Molecular mechanisms of bufadienolides and their novel strategies for cancer treatment. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 887:173379. [PMID: 32758567 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Bufadienolides are cardioactive C24 steroids with an α-pyrone ring at position C17. In the last ten years, accumulating studies have revealed the anticancer activities of bufadienolides and their underlying mechanisms, such as induction of autophagy and apoptosis, cell cycle disruption, inhibition of angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness, and multidrug resistance reversal. As Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitors, bufadienolides have inevitable cardiotoxicity. Short half-lives, poor stability, low plasma concentration and oral bioavailability in vivo are obstacles for their applications as drugs. To improve the drug potency of bufadienolides and reduce their side effects, prodrug strategies and drug delivery systems such as liposomes and nanoparticles have been applied. Therefore, systematic and recapitulated information about the antitumor activity of bufadienolides, with special emphasis on the molecular or cellular mechanisms, prodrug strategies and drug delivery systems, is of high interest. Here, we systematically review the anticancer effects of bufadienolides and the molecular or cellular mechanisms of action. Research advancements regarding bufadienolide prodrugs and their tumor-targeting delivery strategies are critically summarized. This work highlights recent scientific advances regarding bufadienolides as effective anticancer agents from 2011 to 2019, which will help researchers to understand the molecular pathways involving bufadienolides, resulting in a selective and safe new lead compound or therapeutic strategy with improved therapeutic applications of bufadienolides for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Deng
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yong Li
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ming Qi
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jun-Shan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Li-Jun Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yu-He Lei
- Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518034, China
| | - Ren-Wang Jiang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Wei-Min Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Qi Qi
- Clinical Translational Center for Targeted Drug, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China
| | - Hai-Yan Tian
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Wei-Li Han
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Bao-Jian Wu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jia-Xu Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Wen-Cai Ye
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Dong-Mei Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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Qin A, Liu Q, Wang J. Ropivacaine inhibits proliferation, invasion, migration and promotes apoptosis of papillary thyroid cancer cells via regulating ITGA2 expression. Drug Dev Res 2020; 81:700-707. [PMID: 32314406 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the roles of Ropivacaine in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and identify the possible mechanisms. The expression of integrin alpha-2 (ITGA2) in TC cell lines was tested using Western blotting and RT-qPCR. Subsequently, the level of ITGA2 in human PTC cell line (TPC-1) was measured following intervention with a series of concentrations of Ropivacaine. Then, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony formation assay were executed for detecting proliferation of cells after transfection with ITGA2 pcDNA3.1. The expression of proliferation-related protein was determined by Western blotting. Additionally, the abilities of TPC-1 cell invasion and migration were examined using Transwell assay and scratch wound healing assay. Apoptosis of TPC-1 cells was analyzed using TUNEL assay and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins were tested via West blotting. The results suggested that ITGA2 was highly expressed in TC cell lines, especially in TPC-1 cells. Ropivacaine decreased the expression of ITGA2 in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, after treatment with Ropivacaine, cell proliferation was inhibited accompanied by changes of proliferation-related protein expressions, which was reversed following co-transfection with ITGA2 pcDNA3.1. Furthermore, Ropivacaine concentration-dependently suppressed invasion and migration of TPC-1 cells, whereas these inhibitory effects were attenuated after ITGA2 overexpression. Furthermore, apoptosis was promoted, coupled with a decrease of Bcl-2 expression and increases of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 expression, in Ropivacaine-treated TPC-1 cells, which was restored following ITGA2 overexpression. These findings demonstrated that Ropivacaine could suppress proliferation, invasion, migration, and accelerate apoptosis of PTC cells via regulating ITGA2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aichun Qin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiong Liu
- Otolaryngological Department, General Hospital of the Central Theater of the People's Liberation Army of China, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingfang Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Sian International Hospital, Jiaxing, China
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Arenobufagin Inhibits the Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Protein Kinase B/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Pathway and Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Pancreas 2020; 49:261-272. [PMID: 32011523 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000001471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of arenobufagin on pancreatic carcinoma in vitro and in vivo and its molecular mechanism. METHODS The proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells was detected by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the formation of autophagic vacuoles after arenobufagin treatment. Hoechst 33258 and monodansylcadaverine fluorescence staining were performed to evaluate cell apoptosis and autophagy. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double-staining and JC-1 staining assays were used to evaluate apoptosis-related changes. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were carried out to examine the expression of apoptosis- and autophagy-related markers after arenobufagin treatment. A tumor xenograft nude mouse model was established to evaluate arenobufagin efficacy in vivo. RESULTS Arenobufagin effectively inhibited the proliferation of SW1990 and BxPC3 cells and induced cell arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy. Arenobufagin upregulated the expression of apoptotic- and autophagy-related proteins while downregulated the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase family proteins. Furthermore, arenobufagin also exerted inhibitory effects on tumor growth in xenograft nude mice. CONCLUSIONS Arenobufagin inhibits tumor growth in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism underlying arenobufagin action may involve induction of autophagy and apoptosis through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway.
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Zhan X, Wu H, Wu H, Wang R, Luo C, Gao B, Chen Z, Li Q. Metabolites from Bufo gargarizans (Cantor, 1842): A review of traditional uses, pharmacological activity, toxicity and quality control. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 246:112178. [PMID: 31445132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Bufo gargarizans (Cantor, 1842) (BGC), a traditional medicinal animal distributed in many provinces of China, is well known for the pharmaceutical value of Chansu and Chanpi. As traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), Chansu and Chanpi, with their broad-spectrum of therapeutic applications, have long been applied to detoxification, anti-inflammation, analgesia, etc. OVERARCHING OBJECTIVE: We critically analyzed the current evidence for the traditional uses, chemical profiles, pharmacological activity, toxicity and quality control of BGC (Bufonidae family) to provide a scientific basis for future in-depth studies and perspectives for the discovery of potential drug candidates. METHODOLOGY All of the available information on active constituents and TCMs derived from BGC was obtained using the keywords "Bufo gargarizans", "Chansu", "Chanpi", "Huachansu", or "Cinobufacini" through different electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Wanfang Database, and Pharmacopoeia of China. In addition, Chinese medicine books from different times were used to elucidate the traditional uses of BGC. Electronic databases, including the "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species", "American Museum of Natural History" and "AmphibiaWeb Species Lists", were used to validate the scientific name of BGC. RESULTS To date, about 118 bufadienolide monomers and 11 indole alkaloids have been identified from BGC in total. The extracts and isolated compounds exhibit a wide range of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects. The literature search demonstrated that the ethnomedicinal uses of BGC, such as detoxification, anti-inflammation and the ability to reduce swelling and pain associated with infections, are correlated with its modern pharmacological activities, including antitumor, immunomodulation and attenuation of cancer-derived pain. Bufadienolides and indole alkaloids have been regarded as the main active substances in BGC, among which bufadienolides have significant antitumor activity. Furthermore, the cardiotoxicity of bufadienolides was discussed, and the main molecular mechanism involves in the inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase. Besides, with the development of modern analytical techniques, the quality control methods of BGC-derived TCMs are being improved constantly. CONCLUSIONS An increasing number of reports suggest that BGC can be regarded as an excellent source for exploring the potential antitumor constituents. However, the future antitumor research of BGC needs to follow the standard pharmacology guidelines, so as to provide comprehensive pharmacological information and aid the reproducibility of the data. Besides, to ensure the efficacy and safety of BGC-derived TCMs, it is vital to construct a comprehensive quality evaluation model on the basis of clarifying pharmacodynamic-related and toxicity-related compositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China; Scientific Research & Experiment Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Huan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China; Scientific Research & Experiment Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China; Anhui China Resources Jin Chan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaibei, 235000, China.
| | - Hong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Anhui China Resources Jin Chan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaibei, 235000, China
| | - Chuan Luo
- Anhui China Resources Jin Chan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaibei, 235000, China
| | - Bo Gao
- Anhui China Resources Jin Chan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaibei, 235000, China
| | - Zhiwu Chen
- Basic Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Qinglin Li
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China; Scientific Research & Experiment Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China; Anhui China Resources Jin Chan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaibei, 235000, China.
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Wang Y, Xu C, Xu B, Li L, Li W, Wang W, Wu M. Xiaoai Jiedu Recipe Inhibits Proliferation and Metastasis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Blocking the P38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Pathway. Med Sci Monit 2019; 25:7538-7546. [PMID: 31590176 PMCID: PMC6792514 DOI: 10.12659/msm.917115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Its major histopathological subtype is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Xiaoai Jiedu recipe (XJR) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that can suppress growth and invasion of tumor cells. Here, we assessed the antitumor effect of XJR on NSCLC explored the underlying mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS Three concentrations of XJR (low, middle, and high) were used to treat A549 cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assay were used to measure proliferation of A549 cells. Apoptosis was evaluated by Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis-associated proteins was measured by Western blot analysis. Transwell and scratch wound healing assay were used to assess invasion and migration, respectively, of A549 cells. The expression of p38 MAPK pathway-associated proteins were measured using Western blot analysis. RESULTS XJR suppressed proliferation and promoted apoptosis of A549 cells, especially in the high-dose group. The expression of Bcl-2 was reduced with increasing expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-9. Invasion and migration abilities of A549 cells were inhibited after XJR treatment. XJR treatment decreased the expression levels of phosphorylated p38 (p-p38), p-ERK, and p-JNK in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated that XJR can inhibit proliferation, invasion, and migration, and induce apoptosis of NSCLC by blocking the p38 MAPK pathway, which shows the potential of XJR as a new treatment of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchao Wang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (mainland).,Endoscopic Center of Nanjing Chest Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
| | - Chunhua Xu
- Endoscopic Center of Nanjing Chest Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
| | - Bin Xu
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (mainland).,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nanjing Chest Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Oncology, The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
| | - Wenting Li
- Institute of Oncology, The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
| | - Wei Wang
- Endoscopic Center of Nanjing Chest Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
| | - Mianhua Wu
- Institute of Oncology, The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
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Cui Q, Yang DH, Chen ZS. Special Issue: Natural Products: Anticancer and Beyond. Molecules 2018; 23:E1246. [PMID: 29882875 PMCID: PMC6099919 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Qingbin Cui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA.
- School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, China.
| | - Dong-Hua Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA.
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA.
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