Emodin inhibits migration and invasion of MHCC-97H human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

The LAMB3-EGFR signaling pathway mediates synergistic Anti-Cancer effects of berberine and emodin in Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy, primarily due to the intrinsic development of chemoresistance. The most apparent histopathological feature associated with chemoresistance is the alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Natural dietary botanicals such as berberine (BBR) and emodin (EMO) have been shown to possess chemo-preventive potential by regulating ECM in various cancers. Herein, we further investigated the potential synergistic effects of BBR and EMO in enhancing anticancer efficacy by targeting ECM proteins in pancreatic cancer. Genomewide transcriptomic profiling identified that LAMB3 was significantly upregulated in PDAC tissue and highly associated with poor overall survival (OS, hazard ratio [HR], 2.99, 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.46-6.15; p = 0.003) and progress-free survival (PFS, HR, 2.59; 95 % CI, 1.30-5.18; p = 0.007) in PDAC. A systematic series of functional experiments in BxPC-3 and MIA-PaCa-2 cells revealed that the combination of BBR and EMO exhibited synergistic anti-tumor potential, as demonstrated by cell proliferation, clonogenicity, migration, and invasion assays (p < 0.05-0.001). The combination also altered the expression of key proteins involved in apoptosis, EMT, and EGFR/ERK1,2/AKT signaling. These findings were further supported by patient-derived organoids (PDOs), where the combined treatment resulted in fewer and smaller organoids compared to each compound individually (p < 0.05-0.001). Our results suggest that BBR combined with EMO exerts synergistic anti-cancer effects by modulating the EGFR-signaling pathway through interference with LAMB3 in PDAC.

Effects of emodin, a plant-derived anthraquinone, on TGF-β1-induced cardiac fibroblast activation and function

Cardiac fibrosis accompanies a number of pathological conditions and results in altered myocardial structure, biomechanical properties and function. The signaling networks leading to fibrosis are complex, contributing to the general lack of progress in identifying effective therapeutic approaches to prevent or reverse this condition. Several studies have shown protective effects of emodin, a plant-derived anthraquinone, in animal models of fibrosis. A number of questions remain regarding the mechanisms whereby emodin impacts fibrosis. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is a potent stimulus of fibrosis and fibroblast activation. In the present study, experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of emodin on activation and function of cardiac fibroblasts following treatment with TGF-β1. We demonstrate that emodin attenuates TGF-β1-induced fibroblast activation and collagen accumulation in vitro. Emodin also inhibits activation of several canonical (SMAD2/3) and noncanonical (Erk1/2) TGF-β signaling pathways, while activating the p38 pathway. These results suggest that emodin may provide an effective therapeutic agent for fibrosis that functions via specific TGF-β signaling pathways.

Advances in the study of emodin: an update on pharmacological properties and mechanistic basis

Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, also known as rhubarb or Da Huang, has been widely used as a spice and as traditional herbal medicine for centuries, and is currently marketed in China as the principal herbs in various prescriptions, such as Da-Huang-Zhe-Chong pills and Da-Huang-Qing-Wei pills. Emodin, a major bioactive anthraquinone derivative extracted from rhubarb, represents multiple health benefits in the treatment of a host of diseases, such as immune-inflammatory abnormality, tumor progression, bacterial or viral infections, and metabolic syndrome. Emerging evidence has made great strides in clarifying the multi-targeting therapeutic mechanisms underlying the efficacious therapeutic potential of emodin, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-fibrosis, anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-diabetic properties. This comprehensive review aims to provide an updated summary of recent developments on these pharmacological efficacies and molecular mechanisms of emodin, with a focus on the underlying molecular targets and signaling networks. We also reviewed recent attempts to improve the pharmacokinetic properties and biological activities of emodin by structural modification and novel material-based targeted delivery. In conclusion, emodin still has great potential to become promising therapeutic options to immune and inflammation abnormality, organ fibrosis, common malignancy, pathogenic bacteria or virus infections, and endocrine disease or disorder. Scientifically addressing concerns regarding the poor bioavailability and vague molecular targets would significantly contribute to the widespread acceptance of rhubarb not only as a dietary supplement in food flavorings and colorings but also as a health-promoting TCM in the coming years.

Emodin - A natural anthraquinone derivative with diverse pharmacological activities

Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-anthraquinone) is a natural anthraquinone derivative that is present in numerous globally renowned herbal medicines. It is recognised as a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor and as an anticancer drug, active against various tumour cells, including lung, breast, liver, and ovarian cancer cells. Recently, its role in combination chemotherapy with various allopathic medicines, to minimize their toxicity and to enhance their efficacy, has been studied. The use of emodin in these therapies is gaining popularity, due to fewer associated side effects compared with standard anticancer drugs. Emodin has a broad therapeutic window, and in addition to its antineoplastic activity, it displays anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, muscle relaxant, immunosuppressive and antifibrotic activities, in both in vitro and in vivo models. Although reviews on the anticancer activity of emodin have been published, none coherently unite all the pharmacological properties of emodin, particularly the anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, immunosuppressive and hepatoprotective activities of the compound. Hence, in this review, all of the available data regarding the pharmacological properties of emodin are explored, with particular emphasis on the modes of action of the molecule. In addition, the manuscript details the occurrence, biosynthesis and chemical synthesis of the compound, as well as its toxic effects on biotic systems.

Is Emodin with Anticancer Effects Completely Innocent? Two Sides of the Coin

Many anticancer active compounds are known to have the capacity to destroy pathologically proliferating cancer cells in the body, as well as to destroy rapidly proliferating normal cells. Despite remarkable advances in cancer research over the past few decades, the inclusion of natural compounds in researches as potential drug candidates is becoming increasingly important. However, the perception that the natural is reliable is an issue that needs to be clarified. Among the various chemical classes of natural products, anthraquinones have many biological activities and have also been proven to exhibit a unique anticancer activity. Emodin, an anthraquinone derivative, is a natural compound found in the roots and rhizomes of many plants. The anticancer property of emodin, a broad-spectrum inhibitory agent of cancer cells, has been detailed in many biological pathways. In cancer cells, these molecular mechanisms consist of suppressing cell growth and proliferation through the attenuation of oncogenic growth signaling, such as protein kinase B (AKT), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), HER-2 tyrosine kinase, Wnt/-catenin, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). However, it is known that emodin, which shows toxicity to cancer cells, may cause kidney toxicity, hepatotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity especially at high doses and long-term use. At the same time, studies of emodin, which has poor oral bioavailability, to transform this disadvantage into an advantage with nano-carrier systems reveal that natural compounds are not always directly usable compounds. Consequently, this review aimed to shed light on the anti-proliferative and anti-carcinogenic properties of emodin, as well as its potential toxicities and the advantages of drug delivery systems on bioavailability.

Transcriptome Analysis of the Inhibitory Effect of Sennoside A on the Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Sennoside A (SA) is a bioactive component of Rheum officinale Baill. with an activity of irritant laxative, which has been reported to possess therapeutic potential in various diseases or conditions including obesity, insulin resistance, liver steatosis, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer progression. However, whether SA has therapeutic potential in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment remains elusive. In this study, we treated two HCC cell lines, HepG2 and SMMC-7721 with SA and found that SA selectively inhibited the growth of HCC cells by proliferation assay. SA has a good inhibitory effect on proliferation of HepG2 cells in a concentration dependent manner, but there was no effect on SMMC-7721 cells. Then we conducted transwell assays and transcriptome analysis in HCC cells and examined the effects of SA on HCC in vivo. The results showed that SA significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of HCC. Comparison of RNA-seq transcriptome profiles from control groups and SA-treated groups identified 171 and 264 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells respectively, in which includes 2 overlapping up-regulated DEGs and 12 overlapping down-regulated DEGs between HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells. The qPCR were applied to investigate the transcriptional level of 9 overlapping down-regulated DEGs related to cancer metastasis, and the results were consistent with RNA-seq data. The dominate pathways including Wnt signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, and NF-κB signaling pathway were strongly inhibited by SA, which are involved in regulating cancer metastasis. Finally, we confirmed that the downregulation of KRT7 and KRT81 could inhibit HCC metastasis. This study has provided new insight into the understanding of the inhibitory effects and potential targets of SA on the metastasis of HCC.

Anticancer activities of TCM and their active components against tumor metastasis

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of multiple targets, slight side effects and good therapeutic effects. Good anti-tumor effects are shown by Traditional Chinese Medicine prescription, Chinese patent medicine, single Traditional Chinese Medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine monomer compound. Clinically, TCM prolonged the survival time of patients and improved the life quality of patients, due to less side effects. Cancer metastasis is a complex process involving numerous steps, multiple genes and their products. During the process of tumor metastasis, firstly, cancer cell increases its proliferative capacity by reducing autophagy and apoptosis, and then the cancer cell capacity is stimulated by increasing the ability of tumors to absorb nutrients from the outside through angiogenesis. Both of the two steps can increase tumor migration and invasion. Finally, the purpose of tumor metastasis is achieved. By inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis of tumor cells, angiogenesis and EMT outside the tumor can inhibit the invasion and migration of cancer, and consequently achieve the purpose of inhibiting tumor metastasis. This review explores the research achievements of Traditional Chinese Medicine on breast cancer, lung cancer, hepatic carcinoma, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and other cancer metastasis in the past five years, summarizes the development direction of TCM on cancer metastasis research in the past five years and makes a prospect for the future.

Wrist-ankle acupuncture attenuates cancer-induced bone pain by regulating descending pain-modulating system in a rat model

Background

Cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) presents a multiple-mechanism of chronic pain involving both inflammatory and neuropathic pain, and its pathogenesis is closely related to endogenous descending system of pain control. However, the action mechanism underlying the effects of wrist–ankle acupuncture (WAA) versus electroacupuncture (EA) on CIBP remains unknown.

Methods

Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into sham, CIBP, EA-treated and WAA-treated groups. CIBP was induced in rats of the latter three groups. Time courses of weight and mechanical hyperalgesia threshold (MHT) were evaluated. After 6 days of EA or WAA treatment, the expressions of 5-hydroxytryotamine type 3A receptor (5-HT_3AR) and μ-opioid receptor (MOR) in rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) and/or spinal cord, as well as the levels of 5-HT, β-endorphin, endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 in RVM and spinal cord, were detected.

Results

Injection of cancer cells caused decreased MHT, which was attenuated by EA or WAA (P < 0.05). WAA had a quicker analgesic effect than EA (P < 0.05). No significant difference of MOR in RVM was found among the four groups. EA or WAA counteracted the cancer-driven upregulation of 5-HT_3AR and downregulation of MOR in spinal cord (P < 0.05), and upregulation of 5-HT and downregulation of endomorphin-1 in both RVM and spinal cord (P < 0.05). β-endorphin and endomorphin-2 in RVM and spinal cord decreased in CIBP group compared with sham group (P < 0.05), but EA or WAA showed no significant effect on them, although a tendency of increasing effect was observed.

Conclusion

WAA, similar to EA, alleviated mechanical hyperalgesia in CIBP rats by suppressing the expressions of 5-HT and 5-HT_3AR, and increasing the expressions of MOR and endomorphin-1 in RVM-spinal cord pathway of the descending pain-modulating system. However, WAA produced a quicker analgesic effect than EA, the mechanisms of which need further investigation.

Anti-cancer effects of ethanol extract of Reynoutria japonica Houtt. radix in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells via inhibition of MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Reynoutria japonica Houtt. has been used as a traditional medicine of cancer in East Asia for thousands of years. However, the mechanism of the anti-cancer effect of R. japonica has not been investigated at the molecular level. The regulation of intracellular signaling pathways by the extract of R. japonica radix needs to be evaluated for a deeper understanding and application of the anti-cancer effect of R. japonica radix.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of the ethanol extracts of R. japonica radix (ERJR) on cancer metastasis and the regulation mechanism of metastasis by ERJR in human hepatocellular carcinomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Suppression of cancer metastasis by ERJR in SK-Hep1 and Huh7 cells were investigated. Prior to experiments, the cytotoxic effect of ERJR was examined by cell viability assays. To evaluate the inhibitory effects of ERJR on cancer metastasis, wound-healing assays, invasion assays, zymography, and multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) assays were performed. Molecular mechanisms in the suppressive regulation of metastasis by ERJR were verified by measuring the expression levels of metastatic markers, and the phosphorylation and protein levels of cancer metastasis-related signaling pathways.

RESULTS

In all experiments, ERJR was used at a maximum concentration of 20 μg/ml, which did not show cytotoxicity in SK-Hep1 and Huh7 cells. We examined the inhibitory effects of ERJR on cancer metastasis. In wound-healing and invasion assays, ERJR treatment effectively suppressed the wound-recovery of Huh7 cells and inhibited the invasion ability of SK-Hep1 cells. Also, ERJR treatment significantly decreased the enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in SK-Hep1 cells. ERJR suppressed the growth of MCTS in SK-Hep1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicated that ERJR effectively inhibited the invasive and proliferative ability of SK-Hep1 and Huh7 cells. Moreover, ERJR treatment reduced the expression levels of Snail1, Twist1, N-cadherin, and Vimentin, which are metastatic markers, by inhibiting the activation of protein kinase B and mitogen-activated protein kinases in SK-Hep1 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results verified the molecular mechanism of ERJR that has been used in traditional anti-cancer remedy and suggest that it can be developed as a promising therapy for cancer metastasis in the future.

Oxymatrine inhibits the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by reducing the activity of MMP-2/-9 via regulating p38 signaling pathway

As one of the major alkaloid components in Sophoraflavescensait (kushen), oxymatrine has been used widely across the world in anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer therapies. However, the effect in the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and related mechanism(s) are still unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-metastatic effect of oxymatrine on HCC cells. Oxymatrine could also inhibit the protein levels of MMP-2/-9 in a dose-dependent relationship. Moreover, oxymatrine reduces the activity of p38 signaling pathway via inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38. The inhibition effect of oxymatrine on the expression of MMP-2/-9 and the phosphorylated of p38 was also detected in vivo. Combined treatment with p38 signaling pathway inhibitor and oxymatrine may have a synergistic effect on MMP-2/-9 and invasion of HCC cells. Therefore, oxymatrine may have inhibited GBC invasiveness by reducing the expression of MMP-2/-9 via inhibiting the activity of p38 signaling pathway. As a potentially novel therapeutic drug, oxymatrine may play an important role in the treatment of HCC.

Integrative microRNA and gene expression analysis identifies new drug repurposing candidates for fetal hemoglobin induction in β-hemoglobinopathies

Therapeutic induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is one of the most promising approaches to ameliorate the severity of hemoglobinopathies like β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. Although several pharmacological agents have been investigated for HbF induction in adults, the majority of these are associated with significant side-effects. While drug repurposing is known to open new doors for the use of approved drugs in unexplored clinical conditions, the primary challenge lies in identifying such candidates. In this study, we aimed to identify repurposing candidates for HbF induction using a novel in silico approach utilizing microRNA-pathway-drug relationships. A computational drug repurposing strategy identified several unique candidates for HbF induction; among which Curcumin, Ginsenoside, Valproate, and Vorinostat were found to be most suitable for future trials. This study identified new drug repurposing candidates for HbF induction and demonstrates an easily adaptable methodology that can be used for other pathophysiological conditions.

Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz Seed Extract inhibits human hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration and invasion in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The high recurrence rate postoperative and extensive metastases have become the obstacle of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) efficacy improvements, which contribute to most of the patient mortality. Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz has been shown pharmacological activities in clinical and anti-HCC biological activity in previous research, but its potential function of anti-metastasis remains unknown.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

To make sure whether ATKSE inhibits migration and invasion in HCC cell lines in vitro and the potential mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A UHPLC-HRMS analysis was adopted to identify and control the quality of the ethanol extract of Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz Seed (abbreviated ATKSE). Cell viability of three kinds of HCC cell lines (HEPG2, HUH7, and SMMC7721) was detected using MTT assay and Flow cytometry. Adhesion capacity was measured by cell-matrigel adhesion assay. Wounded healing and Matrigel-transwell invasion assays were performed to assess cell migration and invasion, respectively. Western blot assay was used to detect several metastasis-related protein molecules, including FAK adhesion signaling, cadherin molecules, and MMPs. ELISA assay was used to evaluate the secreted MMP9 level.

RESULTS

ATKSE significantly suppressed HCC cells viability and proliferation (from 0.9 up to 3.0 mg/ml); then under sub-lethal concentration (from 0.25 up to 1.0 mg/ml), ATKSE inhibited cell adhesion, migration, and invasion in a way of dose-dependent. Several metastatic-related molecules or pathway, including FAK adhesion signaling, cadherin molecules, and MMPs, took part in this process. There are both differences and commonalities in various cell lines: typically such as p-FAK was down-regulated by ATKSE in both HEPG2 and SMMC7721, while was raised in HUH7; Further attempts on the combination of ATKSE and FAK inhibitors, provide us with the enhanced inhibitory effects of invasion and migration in HEPG2 and HUH7 cells, as well as antagonistic effects in SMMC7721. As a target or potential mechanism, it may be more valuable to concern FAK inhibition by ATKSE in HEPG2 cells than in the other two cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ATKSE has anti-metastasis potency in HCC cells.

Integration of bioinformatics and experiments to identify TP53 as a potential target in Emodin inhibiting diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) is a group of lymphoid malignancies with unsatisfactory treatment effect in some aggressive subtypes, including diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Emodin is an anthraquinone with potent anti-cancer activities. However, the molecular mechanism of Emodin repressing aggressive NHL remains to be revealed in detail. This study delineated the active mechanism of Emodin action in aggressive NHL by using bioinformatics analysis and in vitro assay. 4 Emodin's primary direct protein targets (DPT) were identified and the DPTs-associated proteins/genes were predicted. Those Emodin-related proteins/genes were subject to enrich Emodin-associated pathways, from which 3 significantly NHL-related signal pathways were refined identified. Advanced integrated analysis exhibited TP53 and PI3K as the significant molecule and pathway by which Emodin may function in NHL. To verify those bioinformatics findings, effects of Emodin and E35, a novel derivative of emodin were investigated on DLBCL cell lines SU-DHL4. Emodin and E35 suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis of SU-DHL4 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Emodin and E35 declined TP53 protein expression and decreased phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT protein in a dose-dependent manner. All of above showed that combined bioinformatics analysis with experiments offered a novel approach for outlining the mechanisms of Emodin action in DLBCL with convenience and integrity.