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Nabi N, Singh S, Saffeullah P. An updated review on distribution, biosynthesis and pharmacological effects of artemisinin: A wonder drug. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2023; 214:113798. [PMID: 37517615 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113798] [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: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Plant-based drugs have been used for centuries for treating different ailments. Malaria, one of the prevalent threats in many parts of the world, is treated mainly by artemisinin-based drugs derived from plants of genus Artemisia. However, the distribution of artemisinin is restricted to a few species of the genus; besides, its yield depends on ontogeny and the plant's geographical location. Here, we review the studies focusing on biosynthesis and distributional pattern of artemisinin production in species of the genus Artemisia. We also discussed various agronomic and in vitro methods and molecular approaches to increase the yield of artemisinin. We have summarized different mechanisms of artemisinin involved in its anti-malarial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activities (like against Covid-19). Overall the current review provides a synopsis of a global view of the distribution of artemisinin, its biosynthesis, and pharmacological potential in treating various diseases like malaria, cancer, and coronavirus, which may provoke future research efforts in drug development. Nevertheless, long-term trials and molecular approaches, like CRISPR-Cas, are required for in-depth research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelofer Nabi
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Seema Singh
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Peer Saffeullah
- Department of Botany, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India.
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Appiah CO, Singh M, May L, Bakshi I, Vaidyanathan A, Dent P, Ginder G, Grant S, Bear H, Landry J. The epigenetic regulation of cancer cell recovery from therapy exposure and its implications as a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing disease recurrence. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 158:337-385. [PMID: 36990536 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The ultimate goal of cancer therapy is the elimination of disease from patients. Most directly, this occurs through therapy-induced cell death. Therapy-induced growth arrest can also be a desirable outcome, if prolonged. Unfortunately, therapy-induced growth arrest is rarely durable and the recovering cell population can contribute to cancer recurrence. Consequently, therapeutic strategies that eliminate residual cancer cells reduce opportunities for recurrence. Recovery can occur through diverse mechanisms including quiescence or diapause, exit from senescence, suppression of apoptosis, cytoprotective autophagy, and reductive divisions resulting from polyploidy. Epigenetic regulation of the genome represents a fundamental regulatory mechanism integral to cancer-specific biology, including the recovery from therapy. Epigenetic pathways are particularly attractive therapeutic targets because they are reversible, without changes in DNA, and are catalyzed by druggable enzymes. Previous use of epigenetic-targeting therapies in combination with cancer therapeutics has not been widely successful because of either unacceptable toxicity or limited efficacy. The use of epigenetic-targeting therapies after a significant interval following initial cancer therapy could potentially reduce the toxicity of combination strategies, and possibly exploit essential epigenetic states following therapy exposure. This review examines the feasibility of targeting epigenetic mechanisms using a sequential approach to eliminate residual therapy-arrested populations, that might possibly prevent recovery and disease recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiana O Appiah
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Manjulata Singh
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Lauren May
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Ishita Bakshi
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Ashish Vaidyanathan
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Paul Dent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Gordon Ginder
- Department of Internal Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Steven Grant
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; Department of Internal Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Harry Bear
- Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA, United States; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Joseph Landry
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
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Wu H, Qian D, Bai X, Sun S. Targeted Pyroptosis Is a Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:2515525. [PMID: 36467499 PMCID: PMC9715319 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2515525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
As a type of regulated cell death (RCD) mode, pyroptosis plays an important role in several kinds of cancers. Pyroptosis is induced by different stimuli, whose pathways are divided into the canonical pathway and the noncanonical pathway depending on the formation of the inflammasomes. The canonical pathway is triggered by the assembly of inflammasomes, and the activation of caspase-1 and then the cleavage of effector protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) are promoted. While in the noncanonical pathway, the caspase-4/5/11 (caspase 4/5 in humans and caspase 11 in mice) directly cleave GSDMD without the assembly of inflammasomes. Pyroptosis is involved in various cancers, such as lung cancer, gastric cancer, hepatic carcinoma, breast cancer, and colorectal carcinoma. Pyroptosis in gastric cancer, hepatic carcinoma, breast cancer, and colorectal carcinoma is related to the canonical pathway, while both the canonical and noncanonical pathway participate in lung cancer. Moreover, simvastatin, metformin, and curcumin have effect on these cancers and simultaneously promote the pyroptosis of cancer cells. Accordingly, pyroptosis may be an important therapeutic target for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Clinical Medicine, Three Class, 2020 Grade, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Dianlun Qian
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiangfeng Bai
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Shibo Sun
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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Rao Q, Li R, Yu H, Xiang L, He B, Wu F, Zhao G. Effects of dihydroartemisinin combined with cisplatin on proliferation, apoptosis and migration of HepG2 cells. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:275. [PMID: 35782905 PMCID: PMC9247656 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin (DDP) is a potent and widely applied chemotherapeutic agent. However, its clinical efficacy for the treatment of liver cancer is limited by adverse effects and the development of resistance. Combinatorial therapy may alleviate these issues. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is a first-generation derivative of artemisinin. The effects of DDP on liver cancer when applied in combination with DHA have not previously been studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of DHA combined with DDP on HepG2 cells and their potential underlying molecular mechanisms. HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of DHA and/or DDP. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to assess the cell viability. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were quantified using flow cytometry, acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) fluorescent dual staining and the colony formation assay. Cell migration was quantified using the Transwell and wound healing assays. The HepG2 cell protein expression levels of Fas, Fas-associated death domain (FADD), procaspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, pro-caspase-8, cleaved caspase-8, Bax, Bcl-2, E-cadherin and N-cadherin, were detected via western blotting. Gelatin zymography was used to assess the levels of MMP-9 secreted by HepG2 cells into the supernatant. Following combined DHA and DDP treatment, the percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly increased, whereas cell proliferation and migration were significantly reduced, compared with cells treated with DDP only. DHA and DPP in combination significantly inhibited the expression of MMP-9, significantly increased the protein expression levels of Fas, FADD, Bax and E-cadherin, significantly increased the ratio of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-8 to their precursor proteins and significantly decreased the protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and N-cadherin. The findings of the present study suggested that, DHA may confer synergistic effects with DDP in potentially promoting apoptosis and inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition for the treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Rao
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, P.R. China
| | - Ruochan Li
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, P.R. China
| | - He Yu
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, P.R. China
| | - Lei Xiang
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, P.R. China
| | - Bin He
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, P.R. China
| | - Fenghua Wu
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, P.R. China
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, P.R. China
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Wong KH, Yang D, Chen S, He C, Chen M. Development of Nanoscale Drug Delivery Systems of Dihydroartemisinin for Cancer Therapy: A Review. Asian J Pharm Sci 2022; 17:475-490. [PMID: 36105316 PMCID: PMC9459003 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Artemisinin-Type Drugs in Tumor Cell Death: Mechanisms, Combination Treatment with Biologics and Nanoparticle Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020395. [PMID: 35214127 PMCID: PMC8875250 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin, the most famous anti-malaria drug initially extracted from Artemisia annua L., also exhibits anti-tumor properties in vivo and in vitro. To improve its solubility and bioavailability, multiple derivatives have been synthesized. However, to reveal the anti-tumor mechanism and improve the efficacy of these artemisinin-type drugs, studies have been conducted in recent years. In this review, we first provide an overview of the effect of artemisinin-type drugs on the regulated cell death pathways, which may uncover novel therapeutic approaches. Then, to overcome the shortcomings of artemisinin-type drugs, we summarize the recent advances in two different therapeutic approaches, namely the combination therapy with biologics influencing regulated cell death, and the use of nanocarriers as drug delivery systems. For the former approach, we discuss the superiority of combination treatments compared to monotherapy in tumor cells based on their effects on regulated cell death. For the latter approach, we give a systematic overview of nanocarrier design principles used to deliver artemisinin-type drugs, including inorganic-based nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, polymer-based nanoparticles, carbon-based nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers and niosomes. Both approaches have yielded promising findings in vitro and in vivo, providing a strong scientific basis for further study and upcoming clinical trials.
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Xiao L, Xu C, Lin P, Mu L, Yang X. Novel dihydroartemisinin derivative Mito-DHA5 induces apoptosis associated with mitochondrial pathway in bladder cancer cells. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2022; 23:10. [PMID: 35057867 PMCID: PMC8780396 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-021-00542-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder cancer is the second most common genitourinary malignancy and the eleventh most common cancer worldwide. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a first-line antimalarial drug, has been found to have potent antitumor activity. In our previous study, a novel dihydroartemisinin derivative Mito-DHA5 synthesized in our laboratory has a stronger anti-tumor activity than DHA. In this study, we investigated the apoptotic effect of Mito-DHA5 on bladder cancer T24 cells and molecular mechanisms underlying. Methods Antitumor activity in vitro was evaluated by MTT, wound healing and cloning formation assays. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was detected by JC-1 probe and ROS levels were measured by specific kit. The expression of caspase-3, cleaved-caspase3, mitochondrial Cyt-C, Bcl-2, Bax and PARP in T24 cells was evaluated by Western blotting. Results The results showed that Mito-DHA5 reduced cell viability with an IC50 value of 3.2 µM and induced T24 cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, increased the production of ROS and decreased MMP. Mito-DHA5 could down-regulate the expression of Bcl-2, mitochondrial Cyt-C, Caspase-3, PARP and up-regulate the expression of Bax and cleaved Caspase-3. Conclusions These data suggested that Mito-DHA5 had a potent inhibitory effect on T24 bladder cancer cell growth and induced these cells apoptosis associated with mitochondrial pathway.
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Farmanpour-Kalalagh K, Beyraghdar Kashkooli A, Babaei A, Rezaei A, van der Krol AR. Artemisinins in Combating Viral Infections Like SARS-CoV-2, Inflammation and Cancers and Options to Meet Increased Global Demand. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:780257. [PMID: 35197994 PMCID: PMC8859114 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.780257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinin is a natural bioactive sesquiterpene lactone containing an unusual endoperoxide 1, 2, 4-trioxane ring. It is derived from the herbal medicinal plant Artemisia annua and is best known for its use in treatment of malaria. However, recent studies also indicate the potential for artemisinin and related compounds, commonly referred to as artemisinins, in combating viral infections, inflammation and certain cancers. Moreover, the different potential modes of action of artemisinins make these compounds also potentially relevant to the challenges the world faces in the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial studies indicate positive effects of artemisinin or Artemisia spp. extracts to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 related symptoms and WHO-supervised clinical studies on the potential of artemisinins to combat COVID-19 are now in progress. However, implementing multiple potential new uses of artemisinins will require effective solutions to boost production, either by enhancing synthesis in A. annua itself or through biotechnological engineering in alternative biosynthesis platforms. Because of this renewed interest in artemisinin and its derivatives, here we review its modes of action, its potential application in different diseases including COVID-19, its biosynthesis and future options to boost production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Farmanpour-Kalalagh
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arman Beyraghdar Kashkooli
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Arman Beyraghdar Kashkooli,
| | - Alireza Babaei
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Rezaei
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Khongsti K, Pasupuleti BG, Das B, Bez G. 1,2,3-Triazole tethered 1,2,4‑trioxane trimer induces apoptosis in metastatic cancer cells and inhibits their proliferation, migration and invasion. Bioorg Chem 2021; 112:104952. [PMID: 33971565 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Artemisinin (ART) has been in use against different cancer cells and its derivatives and conjugates are more cytotoxic to iron-rich cancer cells. It is desirable to develop easily achievable synthetic 1,2,4-trioxanes having the same pharmacophore as that of ART. To explore more efficient compounds, a 1,2,3-triazole tethered 1,2,4‑trioxane trimer (4T) was synthesized and the anti-cancer effects of ART and 4T on MDA-MB-435 and MDA-MB-231 cells were investigated concerning regulation of osteopontin (OPN) expression, which is associated with cancer progression and malignancy. 1H NMR and 13C NMR, oxidative stress analysis, flow cytometry, western blot, Real-Time PCR, transfections, luciferase assay, cell viability, proliferation, migration and chemotactic invasion assays were used in this study. It was observed that the 4T induced apoptosis by inhibiting Bcl-2 (~0.6-fold) and cleavage of caspase-3 (intrinsic pathway) in these metastatic cancer cells, and also reduced colony formation, migration and invasion of these cancer cells. The treatment of 4T decreased the reduced glutathione level and increased the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase in the 4T treated cancer cells as compared to their respective controls. Further, the expression of OPN was diminished (~0.5-fold) by the 4T in these cell lines. It was also observed that the key mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway proteins, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase1/2 (~1.8-fold) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (~16-fold), were also activated following the treatment of the 4T. However, the phosphorylated c-Jun level, a component of activator protein-1, was significantly reduced in these cancer cells upon 4T treatment. Taken together, we hypothesize that 4T may be useful for controlling cancer progression and malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kitboklang Khongsti
- Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
| | | | - Bidyadhar Das
- Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India.
| | - Ghanashyam Bez
- Department of Chemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India.
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Innao V, Rizzo V, Allegra AG, Musolino C, Allegra A. Promising Anti-Mitochondrial Agents for Overcoming Acquired Drug Resistance in Multiple Myeloma. Cells 2021; 10:439. [PMID: 33669515 PMCID: PMC7922387 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable tumor due to the high rate of relapse that still occurs. Acquired drug resistance represents the most challenging obstacle to the extension of survival and several studies have been conducted to understand the mechanisms of this phenomenon. Mitochondrial pathways have been extensively investigated, demonstrating that cancer cells become resistant to drugs by reprogramming their metabolic assessment. MM cells acquire resistance to proteasome inhibitors (PIs), activating protection programs, such as a reduction in oxidative stress, down-regulating pro-apoptotic, and up-regulating anti-apoptotic signals. Knowledge of the mechanisms through which tumor cells escape control of the immune system and acquire resistance to drugs has led to the creation of new compounds that can restore the response by leading to cell death. In this scenario, based on all literature data available, our review represents the first collection of anti-mitochondrial compounds able to overcome drug resistance in MM. Caspase-independent mechanisms, mainly based on increased oxidative stress, result from 2-methoxyestradiol, Artesunate, ascorbic acid, Dihydroartemisinin, Evodiamine, b-AP15, VLX1570, Erw-ASNase, and TAK-242. Other agents restore PIs' efficacy through caspase-dependent tools, such as CDDO-Im, NOXA-inhibitors, FTY720, GCS-100, LBH589, a derivative of ellipticine, AT-101, KD5170, SMAC-mimetics, glutaminase-1 (GLS1)-inhibitors, and thenoyltrifluoroacetone. Each of these substances improved the efficacy rates when employed in combination with the most frequently used antimyeloma drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Innao
- Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (V.I.); (A.G.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Rizzo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Andrea Gaetano Allegra
- Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (V.I.); (A.G.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Caterina Musolino
- Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (V.I.); (A.G.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Alessandro Allegra
- Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (V.I.); (A.G.A.); (C.M.)
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Li Y, Zhou X, Liu J, Yuan X, He Q. Therapeutic Potentials and Mechanisms of Artemisinin and its Derivatives for Tumorigenesis and Metastasis. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 20:520-535. [PMID: 31958040 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200120100252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor recurrence and metastasis are still leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. The influence of traditional treatment strategies against metastatic tumors may still be limited. To search for novel and powerful agents against tumors has become a major research focus. In this study, Artemisinin (ARM), a natural compound isolated from herbs, Artemisia annua L., proceeding from drug repurposing methods, attracts more attention due to its good efficacy and tolerance in antimalarial practices, as well as newly confirmed anticancer activity. METHODS We have searched and reviewed the literatures about ARM and its derivatives (ARMs) for cancer using keywords "artemisinin" until May 2019. RESULTS In preclinical studies, ARMs can induce cell cycle arrest and cell death by apoptosis etc., to inhibit the progression of tumors, and suppress EMT and angiogenesis to inhibit the metastasis of tumors. Notably, the complex relationships of ARMs and autophagy are worth exploring. Inspired by the limitations of its antimalarial applications and the mechanical studies of artemisinin and cancer, people are also committed to develop safer and more potent ARM-based modified compounds (ARMs) or combination therapy, such as artemisinin dimers/ trimers, artemisinin-derived hybrids. Some clinical trials support artemisinins as promising candidates for cancer therapy. CONCLUSION ARMs show potent therapeutic potentials against carcinoma including metastatic tumors. Novel compounds derived from artemisinin and relevant combination therapies are supposed to be promising treatment strategies for tumors, as the important future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Jiali Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Xiaohong Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Qian He
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
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Dai X, Zhang X, Chen W, Chen Y, Zhang Q, Mo S, Lu J. Dihydroartemisinin: A Potential Natural Anticancer Drug. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:603-622. [PMID: 33613116 PMCID: PMC7893584 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.50364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is an active metabolite of artemisinin and its derivatives (ARTs), and it is an effective clinical drug widely used to treat malaria. Recently, the anticancer activity of DHA has attracted increasing attention. Nevertheless, there is no systematic summary on the anticancer effects of DHA. Notably, studies have shown that DHA exerts anticancer effects through various molecular mechanisms, such as inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting tumor metastasis and angiogenesis, promoting immune function, inducing autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the latest progress regarding the anticancer activities of DHA in cancer. Importantly, the underlying anticancer molecular mechanisms and pharmacological effects of DHA in vitro and in vivo are the focus of our attention. Interestingly, new methods to improve the solubility and bioavailability of DHA are discussed, which greatly enhance its anticancer efficacy. Remarkably, DHA has synergistic anti-tumor effects with a variety of clinical drugs, and preclinical and clinical studies provide stronger evidence of its anticancer potential. Moreover, this article also gives suggestions for further research on the anticancer effects of DHA. Thus, we hope to provide a strong theoretical support for DHA as an anticancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshuo Dai
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, PR China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Yihuan Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Qiushuang Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Saijun Mo
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Jing Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, PR China
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13
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Huang TE, Deng YN, Hsu JL, Leu WJ, Marchesi E, Capobianco ML, Marchetti P, Navacchia ML, Guh JH, Perrone D, Hsu LC. Evaluation of the Anticancer Activity of a Bile Acid-Dihydroartemisinin Hybrid Ursodeoxycholic-Dihydroartemisinin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:599067. [PMID: 33343369 PMCID: PMC7748086 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.599067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy in adults and accounts for 85-90% of all primary liver cancer. Based on the estimation by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2018, liver cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death globally. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the main active metabolite of artemisinin derivatives, is a well-known drug for the treatment of malaria. Previous studies have demonstrated that DHA exhibits antitumor effects toward a variety of human cancers and has a potential for repurposing as an anticancer drug. However, its short half-life is a concern and may limit the application in cancer therapy. We have reported that UDC-DHA, a hybrid of bile acid ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and DHA, is ∼12 times more potent than DHA against a HCC cell line HepG2. In this study, we found that UDC-DHA was also effective against another HCC cell line Huh-7 with an IC50 of 2.16 μM, which was 18.5-fold better than DHA with an IC50 of 39.96 μM. UDC-DHA was much more potent than the combination of DHA and UDCA at 1:1 molar ratio, suggesting that the covalent linkage rather than a synergism between UDCA and DHA is critical for enhancing DHA potency in HepG2 cells. Importantly, UDC-DHA was much less toxic to normal cells than DHA. UDC-DHA induced G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis. Both DHA and UDC-DHA significantly elevated cellular reactive oxygen species generation but with different magnitude and timing in HepG2 cells; whereas only DHA but not UDC-DHA induced reactive oxygen species in Huh-7 cells. Depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential was detected in both HepG2 and Huh-7 cells and may contribute to the anticancer effect of DHA and UDC-DHA. Furthermore, UDC-DHA was much more stable than DHA based on activity assays and high performance liquid chromatography-MS/MS analysis. In conclusion, UDC-DHA and DHA may exert anticancer actions via similar mechanisms but a much lower concentration of UDC-DHA was required, which could be attributed to a better stability of UDC-DHA. Thus, UDC-DHA could be a better drug candidate than DHA against HCC and further investigation is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-En Huang
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ning Deng
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Ling Hsu
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wohn-Jenn Leu
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Elena Marchesi
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Massimo L Capobianco
- Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity, National Research Council, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Marchetti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Navacchia
- Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity, National Research Council, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jih-Hwa Guh
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Daniela Perrone
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lih-Ching Hsu
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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14
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Kiani BH, Kayani WK, Khayam AU, Dilshad E, Ismail H, Mirza B. Artemisinin and its derivatives: a promising cancer therapy. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:6321-6336. [PMID: 32710388 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05669-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The world is experiencing a cancer epidemic and an increase in the prevalence of the disease. Cancer remains a major killer, accounting for more than half a million deaths annually. There is a wide range of natural products that have the potential to treat this disease. One of these products is artemisinin; a natural product from Artemisia plant. The Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded in 2015 for the discovery of artemisinin in recognition of the drug's efficacy. Artemisinin produces highly reactive free radicals by the breakdown of two oxygen atoms that kill cancerous cells. These cells sequester iron and accumulate as much as 1000 times in comparison with normal cells. Generally, chemotherapy is toxic to both cancerous cells and normal cells, while no significant cytotoxicity from artemisinin to normal cells has been found in more than 4000 case studies, which makes it far different than conventional chemotherapy. The pleiotropic response of artemisinin in cancer cells is responsible for growth inhibition by multiple ways including inhibition of angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, disruption of cell migration, and modulation of nuclear receptor responsiveness. It is very encouraging that artemisinin and its derivatives are anticipated to be a novel class of broad-spectrum antitumor agents based on efficacy and safety. This review aims to highlight these achievements and propose potential strategies to develop artemisinin and its derivatives as a new class of cancer therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bushra Hafeez Kiani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan.
| | - Waqas Khan Kayani
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Växtskyddsvägen 1, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Asma Umer Khayam
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Erum Dilshad
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biosciences, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hammad Ismail
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, 50700, Pakistan
| | - Bushra Mirza
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
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15
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Chen Y, Li R, Zhu Y, Zhong S, Qian J, Yang D, Jurczyszyn A, Beksac M, Gu C, Yang Y. Dihydroartemisinin Induces Growth Arrest and Overcomes Dexamethasone Resistance in Multiple Myeloma. Front Oncol 2020; 10:767. [PMID: 32500030 PMCID: PMC7242728 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of artemisinin (ART) for malaria treatment won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine, which inspired the rediscovery and development of ART for the treatment of other diseases including cancer. In this study, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of ART and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on multiple myeloma (MM) cells including primary MM cells and in 5TMM3VT mouse model. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that DHA might be a more promising anti-MM agent with significantly improved efficacy compared to ART. Mechanistic analyses suggested that DHA activated the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by interacting with ferrous (Fe2+) ions and oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Intriguingly, DHA could reverse the upregulated expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein, a typical mitochondrial apoptotic marker, induced by dexamethasone (Dexa) in MM. We further demonstrated that DHA treatment could overcome Dexa resistance and enhance Dexa efficacy in MM. Additionally, DHA combined with Dexa resulted in increased ROS production and cytochrome C translocation from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm, resulting in alterations to the mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase-mediated apoptosis. In summary, our study demonstrated that DHA was superior to ART in MM treatment and overcame Dexa resistance both in vitro and in vivo, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for MM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Li
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuqi Zhu
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Sixia Zhong
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinjun Qian
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Dongqing Yang
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Artur Jurczyszyn
- Department of Hematology, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Meral Beksac
- Department of Hematology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Chunyan Gu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Yang
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory for Combination of Acupuncture and Chinese Materia Medica of Chinese Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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16
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Shen Y, Zhang B, Su Y, Badshah SA, Wang X, Li X, Xue Y, Xie L, Wang Z, Yang Z, Zhang G, Shang P. Iron Promotes Dihydroartemisinin Cytotoxicity via ROS Production and Blockade of Autophagic Flux via Lysosomal Damage in Osteosarcoma. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:444. [PMID: 32431605 PMCID: PMC7214747 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma cellular iron concentration is higher than that in normal bone cells and other cell types. High levels of cellular iron help catalyze the Fenton reaction to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which promotes cancer cell proliferation. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a classic anti-malarial drug, kills plasmodium through iron-dependent ROS generation. In this research, we observed the anti-osteosarcoma effects and mechanisms of DHA. We found that DHA induced ROS production, caused mitochondrial damage, and activated autophagy via stimulation of the ROS/Erk1/2 pathway. As the storage site for a pool of ferrous iron, lysosomes are often the key organelles affected by drugs targeting iron. In this study, we observed that DHA induced lysosomal superoxide production, leading lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), and autophagic flux blockage. By reducing or increasing cellular iron using deferoxamine (DFO) or ferric ammonium citrate (FAC), respectively, we found that DHA inhibited osteosarcoma in an iron-dependent manner. Therefore, iron may be a potential adjuvant for DHA in osteosarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Shen
- Research and Development Institute in Shenzhen, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shenzhen, China.,School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environment Biophysics, School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Research and Development Institute in Shenzhen, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shenzhen, China.,School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environment Biophysics, School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanwei Su
- Research and Development Institute in Shenzhen, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shenzhen, China.,School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environment Biophysics, School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shaikh Atik Badshah
- Research and Development Institute in Shenzhen, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shenzhen, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environment Biophysics, School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Biomedical Experimental Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xin Li
- Research and Development Institute in Shenzhen, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shenzhen, China.,School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environment Biophysics, School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanru Xue
- Research and Development Institute in Shenzhen, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shenzhen, China.,School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environment Biophysics, School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Xie
- School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environment Biophysics, School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environment Biophysics, School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhouqi Yang
- School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environment Biophysics, School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases (TMBJ), Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Peng Shang
- Research and Development Institute in Shenzhen, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shenzhen, China.,Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environment Biophysics, School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
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17
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Kong J, Li SS, Ma Q, Liu L, Zheng LJ. Effects of dihydroartemisinin on HSP70 expression in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13280. [PMID: 30972796 DOI: 10.1111/and.13280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells and to examine the molecular mechanism. The viability of PC-3 cells following treatment with 25, 50, 100 and 200 μmol/L DHA for 48 hr was detected by flow cytometry and MTT assay. The expression of HSP70 mRNA was detected by RT-qPCR. The expression levels and locations of HSP70, caspase-3 and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) were detected with immunofluorescence assay. With 100 μmol/L HSP70 inhibitor quercetin as positive control and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) as solvent control, the protein expressions of HSP70, apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) and AIF were detected by Western blot. DHA promoted PC-3 cell apoptosis dose-dependently. With increasing DHA dose, the expression of HSP70 mRNA significantly decreased (p < 0.05). DHA did not change the location of HSP70 or AIF. Compared with control and DMSO groups, the expression of HSP70 protein significantly decreased, and those of Apaf-1, caspase-3 and AIF significantly increased following treatment with DHA and quercetin for 48 hr. In conclusion, DHA inhibits the expression of HSP70 and induces the apoptosis of PC-3 cells. The results provide valuable experimental evidence for prostate cancer therapies using DHA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Kong
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Shan-Shan Li
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qi Ma
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Oncology, Jining Tumor Hospital, Jining, China
| | - Lin-Jing Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, China
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18
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Greenshields AL, Fernando W, Hoskin DW. The anti-malarial drug artesunate causes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of triple-negative MDA-MB-468 and HER2-enriched SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells. Exp Mol Pathol 2019; 107:10-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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19
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Cao Y, Feng YH, Gao LW, Li XY, Jin QX, Wang YY, Xu YY, Jin F, Lu SL, Wei MJ. Artemisinin enhances the anti-tumor immune response in 4T1 breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 70:110-116. [PMID: 30798159 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is a prominent cause of death among women worldwide. Recent studies have demonstrated that artemisinin (ART) displays anti-tumor activity. Using a mouse breast cancer model, we investigated the effects of ART in vitro and in vivo to determine how it influences the anti-tumor immune response. METHODS We measured the proliferation and apoptosis of 4T1 cells in vitro after ART treatment by MTT assay and FACS. To examine the effects of ART in vivo, tumor volumes and survival rates were measured in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. FACS was used to determine the frequencies of Tregs, MDSCs, CD4+ IFN-γ+ T cells, and CTLs in the tumors and spleens of the mice. mRNA levels of the transcription factors T-bet and FOXP3 and cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-β, and IL-10 were also determined by real-time RT-PCR. ELISA was used to measure TGF-β protein levels in the cell culture supernatants. RESULTS ART supplementation significantly increased 4T1 cell apoptosis and decreased TGF-β levels in vitro. ART also impeded tumor growth in 4T1 TB mice and extended their survival. MDSC and Treg frequencies significantly decreased in the 4T1 TB mice after ART treatment while CD4+ IFN-γ+ T cells and CTLs significantly increased. ART significantly increased T-bet, IFN-γ, and TNF-α mRNA levels within the tumor and significantly decreased TGF-β mRNA levels. CONCLUSION ART supplementation hindered 4T1 tumor growth in vivo by promoting T cell activation and quelling immunosuppression from Tregs and MDSCs in the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Cao
- Laboratory of Precision Oncology, China Medial University School of Pharmacy, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Department of Surgical Oncology and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Yong-Hui Feng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Li-Wei Gao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Li
- Department of Surgical Oncology and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Quan-Xiu Jin
- Department of Surgical Oncology and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Department of Breast Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yu-Ying Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Department of Breast Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ying-Ying Xu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Feng Jin
- Department of Surgical Oncology and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Shi-Long Lu
- Laboratory of Precision Oncology, China Medial University School of Pharmacy, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Min-Jie Wei
- Laboratory of Precision Oncology, China Medial University School of Pharmacy, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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20
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Qiao C, Ye W, Li S, Wang H, Ding X. Icariin modulates mitochondrial function and apoptosis in high glucose-induced glomerular podocytes through G protein-coupled estrogen receptors. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 473:146-155. [PMID: 29373840 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Podocyte apoptosis in glomerular lesions has been found to have a dominant role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The present research aimed to explore the beneficial effect of icariin on diabetic podocytes by interfering in the process of apoptosis. Podocyte apoptosis was significantly exacerbated after high glucose treatment, with the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increasing simultaneously. Here, we demonstrated that icariin, which is a G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) agonist, inhibited podocyte apoptosis by reducing ROS, maintaining the integrity of mitochondrial membranes. Moreover, the stabilization of mitochondria by icariin was reversed when GPER was knocked down in podocytes. Meanwhile, icariin inhibited the caspase cascade in podocyte apoptosis by promoting Bcl-2 expression and mitochondrial translocation. The above findings at least partly elucidated the mechanism by which icariin stabilized podocytes by inducing the mitochondrial Bcl-2 translocation and therefore preventing downstream apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Qiao
- China Pharmaceutical University, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Wenjuan Ye
- China Pharmaceutical University, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Sai Li
- China Pharmaceutical University, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Hui Wang
- China Pharmaceutical University, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Xuansheng Ding
- China Pharmaceutical University, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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21
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Zhang Y, Xu G, Zhang S, Wang D, Saravana Prabha P, Zuo Z. Antitumor Research on Artemisinin and Its Bioactive Derivatives. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOPROSPECTING 2018; 8:303-319. [PMID: 29633188 PMCID: PMC6102173 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-018-0162-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of human death which seriously threatens human life. The antimalarial drug artemisinin and its derivatives have been discovered with considerable anticancer properties. Simultaneously, a variety of target-selective artemisinin-related compounds with high efficiency have been discovered. Many researches indicated that artemisinin-related compounds have cytotoxic effects against a variety of cancer cells through pleiotropic effects, including inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells, promoting apoptosis, inducing cell cycle arrest, disrupting cancer invasion and metastasis, preventing angiogenesis, mediating the tumor-related signaling pathways, and regulating tumor microenvironment. More importantly, artemisinins demonstrated minor side effects to normal cells and manifested the ability to overcome multidrug-resistance which is widely observed in cancer patients. Therefore, we concentrated on the new advances and development of artemisinin and its derivatives as potential antitumor agents in recent 5 years. It is our hope that this review could be helpful for further exploration of novel artemisinin-related antitumor agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guowei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shuqun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Dong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - P Saravana Prabha
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Zhili Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China.
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
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22
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Zhang B, Zhang Z, Wang J, Yang B, Zhao Y, Rao Z, Gao J. Dihydroartemisinin sensitizes Lewis lung carcinoma cells to carboplatin therapy via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Oncol Lett 2018; 15:7531-7536. [PMID: 29740482 PMCID: PMC5934725 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Artemisia annua, is an effective novel antimalarial agent. Studies have suggested that it also exhibits anticancer effects when administered alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. The present study investigated the therapeutic effect of DHA combined with carboplatin (CBP) on Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells and the possible underlying molecular mechanisms. MTT and clonogenic assays demonstrated that the proliferation activity of LLC cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by DHA combined with CBP. In addition, flow cytometry analysis revealed that cell cycle arrest was induced at the G0/G1 phase and apoptosis was induced following treatment with the combination. When administered in combination with CBP, DHA exhibited more effective anticancer activity compared with DHA or CBP used alone, via increased apoptosis. Following treatment with DHA with or without CBP, the expression of phosphorylated-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which can be inhibited with the selective inhibitor SB202190, was detected by western blotting. To summarize, the results of the present study indicated that DHA may sensitize LLC cells to CBP therapy via the activation of p38MAPK, which suggests that a combined treatment of DHA and CBP may be a potential novel therapeutic schedule for lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bicheng Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Zhimin Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Jinan Command, People's Liberation Army, Jinan, Shandong 250031, P.R. China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Oncology, Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Yong Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Zhiguo Rao
- Department of Oncology, Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Jianfei Gao
- Department of Oncology, Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
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Liu Q, Zhou X, Li C, Zhang X, Li CL. Rapamycin promotes the anticancer action of dihydroartemisinin in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells by regulating expression of Atg7 and DAPK. Oncol Lett 2018; 15:5781-5786. [PMID: 29545903 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is limited knowledge regarding the influence of autophagy on the anticancer effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA). The present study aimed to investigate this influence within human breast cancer cells. Changes in cell viability, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and associated genes were analyzed in MDA-MB-231 cells subjected to DHA following alteration in autophagy levels; the autophagy level was decreased following autophagy-related 7 (Atg7) knockdown or increased using rapamycin. The data indicated that rapamycin had the ability to notably enhance the anticancer effect of DHA on MDA-MB-231 cells. Autophagy induction may be key in mediating the anticancer effects of DHA, and rapamycin may regulate the death-associated protein kinase via the alteration of Atg7 expression, which would influence cell apoptosis. The present study presented a novel insight into enhancing the effectiveness of future treatment regimens for breast cancer using DHA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiujun Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Xianyao Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Chuan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Chang Long Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
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Kumari K, Keshari S, Sengupta D, Sabat SC, Mishra SK. Transcriptome analysis of genes associated with breast cancer cell motility in response to Artemisinin treatment. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:858. [PMID: 29246124 PMCID: PMC5732364 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3863-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Well-known anti-malarial drug artemisinin exhibits potent anti-cancerous activities. In-vivo and in-vitro studies showed its anti-tumor and immunomodulatory properties signifying it as a potent drug candidate for study. The studies of mechanisms of cell movement are relevant which can be understood by knowing the involvement of genes in an effect of a drug. Although cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative activity of artemisinin is evident, the genes participating in its anti-migratory and reduced invasive effect are not well studied. The present study reports the alteration in the expression of 84 genes involved in cell motility upon artemisinin treatment in MCF-7 breast cancer cells using pathway focused gene expression PCR array. In addition, the effect of artemisinin on epigenetic modifier HDACs is studied. Methods We checked the functional stimulus of artemisinin on cell viability, migration, invasion and apoptosis in breast cancerous cell lines. Using qRT-PCR and western blot, we validated the altered expression of relevant genes associated with proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and mammary gland development. Results Artemisinin inhibited cell proliferation of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells with fewer efficacies in comparison to estrogen receptor positive ones. At the same time, cell viability and proliferation of normal breast epithelial MCF10A cells was un-affected. Artemisinin strongly inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion. Along with orphan nuclear receptors (ERRα, ERRβ and ERRγ), artemisinin altered the ERα/ERβ/PR/Her expression status of MCF-7 cells. The expression of genes involved in the signaling pathways associated with proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis was significantly altered which cooperatively resulted into reduced growth promoting activities of breast cancer cells. Interestingly, artemisinin exhibited inhibitory effect on histone deacetylases (HDACs). Conclusions Upregulated expression of tumor suppressor genes along with reduced expression of oncogenes significantly associated with growth stimulating signaling pathways in response to artemisinin treatment suggests its efficacy as an effective drug in breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanchan Kumari
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Institute of Life Sciences (Government of India), Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India
| | | | | | - Surendra C Sabat
- Molecular biology of abiotic stress, Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India
| | - Sandip K Mishra
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Institute of Life Sciences (Government of India), Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India.
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25
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Effect of dihydroartemisinin on UHRF1 gene expression in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Anticancer Drugs 2017; 28:384-391. [PMID: 28059831 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
As the second most common cancer in men around the world, prostate cancer is increasingly gaining more attention. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been proven to be a promising anticancer agent in vitro as well as in vivo in accumulating data. However, the detailed mechanisms of how DHA action in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate the effects of DHA, a novel anticancer agent, by inhibiting the expression of ubiquitin like containing PHD and ring finger 1 (UHRF1) in PC-3 cells. The apoptosis and cell-cycle distribution were detected by flow cytometry. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to examine both UHRF1 and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) expressions at mRNA levels, whereas the expressions of UHRF1, DNMT1, and p16 proteins at protein levels were detected by Western blotting. Methylation levels of p16 CpG islands were determined by bisulfite genomic sequencing. We showed that DHA induced the downregulation of UHRF1 and DNMT1, accompanied by an upregulation of p16 in PC-3 cells. Decreased p16 promoter methylation levels in DHA-treated groups were also observed in PC-3 cells. Furthermore, DHA significantly induced apoptosis and G1/S cell-cycle arrest in PC-3 cells. Our results suggested that downregulation of UHRF1/DNMT1 is upstream to many cellular events, including G1 cell arrest, demethylation of p16, and apoptosis. Together, our study provides new evidence that DHA may serve as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of prostate cancer.
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26
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Poupel F, Aghaei M, Movahedian A, Jafari SM, Shahrestanaki MK. Dihydroartemisinin Induces Apoptosis in Human Bladder Cancer Cell Lines Through Reactive Oxygen Species, Mitochondrial Membrane Potential, and Cytochrome C Pathway. Int J Prev Med 2017; 8:78. [PMID: 29114376 PMCID: PMC5651661 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_258_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is a semisynthetic derivative of artemisinin and has antiproliferative effect. However, such effects of DHA have not yet been revealed for bladder cancer cells. Methods: We used as bladder cancer cell lines to examine the effect of DHA on the cell viability, cell apoptosis, and monitoring of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) changes. Furthermore, the effect of DHA on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cytochrome c release were also detected. We employed MTT assay to investigate the cell proliferation effect of DHA on the EJ-138 and HTB-9 human bladder cancer cells. Annexin/PI staining, caspase-3 activity assay, Bcl-2/Bax protein expression, mitochondrial membrane potential assay, cytochrome c release, and ROS analysis were used for apoptosis detection. Results: DHA significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Cytotoxicity of DHA was suppressed by N-acetylcysteine. The growth inhibition effect of DHA was related to the induction of cell apoptosis, which were manifested by annexin V-FITC staining, activation of caspase-3. DHA also increased ROS generation, cytochrome c release, and loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) in cells. In addition, the downregulation of regulatory protein Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax protein by DHA were also observed. Conclusions: These findings demonstrated that DHA induces apoptosis through mitochondrial signaling pathway. These suggest that DHA may be a potential agent for induction of apoptosis in human bladder cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhad Poupel
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Aghaei
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ahmad Movahedian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Seyyed Mehdi Jafari
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Keyvanloo Shahrestanaki
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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From ancient herb to modern drug: Artemisia annua and artemisinin for cancer therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2017; 46:65-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 341] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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28
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Zhang T, Hu Y, Wang T, Cai P. Dihydroartemisinin inhibits the viability of cervical cancer cells by upregulating caveolin 1 and mitochondrial carrier homolog 2: Involvement of p53 activation and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 downregulation. Int J Mol Med 2017; 40:21-30. [PMID: 28498397 PMCID: PMC5466377 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.2980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been shown to inhibit the viability of various cancer cells. Previous studies have revealed that the mechanisms involved in the inhibitory effects of DHA are based on theactivation of p53 and the mitochondrial-related cell death pathway. However, the exact association between upstream signaling and the activation of cell death pathway remains unclear. In this study, we found that DHA treatment induced the upregulation of caveolin 1 (Cav1) and mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (MTCH2) in HeLa cells, and this was associated with the DHA-induced inhibition of cell viability and DHA-induced apoptosis. Additionally, the overexpression of Cav1 and MTCH2 in HeLa cells enhanced the inhibitory effects of DHA on cell viability. Moreover, we also found that the upregulation of Cav1 contributed to the DHA-mediated p53 activation and the downregulation of the redox enzyme, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), which have been reported to contribute to the activation of the cell death pathway. Of note, we also found that DHA induced the nuclear translocation and accumulation of both Cav1 and p53, indicating a novel potential mechanism, namely the regulation of p53 activation by Cav1. On the whole, our study identified Cav1 and MTCH2 as the molecular targets of DHA and revealed a new link between the upstream Cav1/MTCH2 upregulation and the downstream activation of the cell death pathway involved in the DHA-mediated inhibition of cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- Department of Medical Cell Biology and Genetics, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Hu
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medicine, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610106, P.R. China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medicine, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610106, P.R. China
| | - Peiling Cai
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medicine, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610106, P.R. China
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29
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Efferth T, Banerjee M, Paul NW. Broken heart, tako-tsubo or stress cardiomyopathy? Metaphors, meanings and their medical impact. Int J Cardiol 2017; 230:262-268. [PMID: 28041712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.12.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The cardiac impact of psychological stress historically and socially understood as boundary experiences of human life has long since become an icon. From the aching heart to the sudden death provoked by awe, horror, grief, anger, and humiliation on one side and extreme enchantment, enthusiasm, and excitement on the other, the broken heart has become a globally recognized and powerful metaphor present from folklore to popular culture to high literature and back to everyday communication. In medicine, the "broken heart syndrome" is described as a relatively new nosological entity that has been used synonymously with the term tako-tsubo or stress cardiomyopathy. Among those three terms, however, the broken heart most vividly draws the connection between conditions under which lived experience triggers cardiac damage and conversely, cardiovascular death occurs. According to Hassan and Yamasaki (2013) [1] and quite apart from the general perception medical notions of the broken heart indeed go back to at least 1967, when Rees and Lutkins studied the death rate among 903 relatives of patients who died in Wales. They found that 4.8% of bereaved close relatives died within a year of bereavement compared with 0.68% of a non-bereaved control group. Among widows and widowers, the mortality rate was even 10 times greater than that of the matched controls. After the first year of bereavement, however, mortality rates of relatives of a deceased person did not differ significantly from the control group Rees and Lutkins (1967) [2]. Similar findings were published by Parkes et al. (1969) [3] following up on 4486 widowers at the age of 55 for 9years following the death of their wives in 1957. During the first six months after the spouse had died, the mortality rate of the widowers was 40% above the rate of married men of the same age. While it seems plausible to accept the etiological role and pathogenic impact of personal loss, the pathogenic processes causing death remained relatively blurred. We will explain, why inaccurately stressing the fact that the broken heart and/or tako-tsubo syndrome would be a relatively new way of looking at stress-related cardiomyopathy as outlined by Yoshikawa (2015) [4] and why attaching stress-related cardiomyopathy to culturally powerful yet value-laden metaphors, might obstruct pathways to a better understanding, prevention and clinical management of the disease. By looking at narrative understandings and clinical representations of the broken heart, we aim to highlight the need for a more contextualised view of the broken heart syndrome in order to facilitate multi- and transdisciplinary approaches aiming at its prediction, prevention, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Mita Banerjee
- American Studies, Dept. of Philosophy and Philology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Norbert W Paul
- Institute for the History, Philosophy, and Ethics of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
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30
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Yang JL, Lien JC, Chen YY, Hsu SC, Chang SJ, Huang AC, Amagaya S, Funayana S, Wood WG, Kuo CL, Chung JG. Crude extract of Euphorbia formosana induces apoptosis of DU145 human prostate cancer cells acts through the caspase-dependent and independent signaling pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2016; 31:1600-1611. [PMID: 26122529 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men and the second highest contributor of male cancer mortality. The crude extract of Euphorbia formosana (CEEF) has been used for treatment of different diseases but the cytotoxic effects of CEEF on human cancer cells have not been reported. The purpose of the present experiments was to determine effects of CEEF on cell cycle distribution and induction of apoptosis in DU145 human prostate cancer cells in vitro. Contrast-phase microscope was used for examining cell morphological changes. Flow cytometric assays were used for cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species, and Ca2+ production and mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm ). Western blotting was used for examining protein expression of cell cycle and apoptosis associated proteins. Real-time PCR was used for examining mRNA levels of caspase-3, -8, and -9, AIF, and Endo G. Confocal laser microscope was used to examine the translocation of AIF, Endo G, and cytochrome in DU145 cells after CEEF exposure. CEEF-induced cell morphological changes, decreased the percentage of viable cells, and induced S phase arrest and apoptosis in DU145 cells. Furthermore, CEEF promoted RAS and Ca2+ production and reduced ΔΨm levels. Real-time QPCR confirmed that CEEF promoted the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and -9, AIF and Endo G and we found that AIF and Endo G and cytochrome c were released from mitochondria. Taken together, CEEF-induced cytotoxic effects via ROS production, induced S phase arrest and induction of apoptosis through caspase-dependent and independent and mitochondria-dependent pathways in DU245 cancer cells. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1600-1611, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiun-Long Yang
- Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Cherng Lien
- Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Yin Chen
- Department of Chinese-Western Medicine Integration, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 402, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Chun Hsu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Jen Chang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - An-Cheng Huang
- Department of Nursing, St. Mary's Medicine Nursing and Management College, Yilan, 266, Taiwan
| | - Sakae Amagaya
- Department of Kampo Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nihon Pharmaceutical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shinji Funayana
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Nihon Pharmaceutical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - W Gibson Wood
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, School of Medicine, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, USA
| | - Chao-Lin Kuo
- Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
| | - Jing-Gung Chung
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, 413, Taiwan.
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31
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Qi L, Yang Y, Liu YC, Zhu TX, Jin S, Zang L, Zhang YY, Ren K. The inhibitory effect of dihydroartemisinin on the growth of neuroblastoma cells. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtb.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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32
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Dou C, Ding N, Xing J, Zhao C, Kang F, Hou T, Quan H, Chen Y, Dai Q, Luo F, Xu J, Dong S. Dihydroartemisinin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone loss via the mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2162. [PMID: 27031959 PMCID: PMC4823966 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2015] [Revised: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is a widely used antimalarial drug isolated from the plant Artemisia annua. Recent studies suggested that DHA has antitumor effects utilizing its reactive oxygen species (ROS) yielding mechanism. Here, we reported that DHA is inhibitory on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced osteoclast (OC) differentiation, fusion and bone-resorption activity in vitro. Intracellular ROS detection revealed that DHA could remarkably increase ROS accumulation during LPS-induced osteoclastogenesis. Moreover, cell apoptosis was also increased by DHA treatment. We found that DHA-activated caspase-3 increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio during LPS-induced osteoclastogenesis. Meanwhile, the translocation of apoptotic inducing factor (AIF) and the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol were observed, indicating that ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction is crucial in DHA-induced apoptosis during LPS-induced osteoclastogenesis. In vivo study showed that DHA treatment decreased OC number, prevents bone loss, rescues bone microarchitecture and restores bone strength in LPS-induced bone-loss mouse model. Together, our findings indicate that DHA is protective against LPS-induced bone loss through apoptosis induction of osteoclasts via ROS accumulation and the mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway. Therefore, DHA may be considered as a new therapeutic candidate for treating inflammatory bone loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Dou
- Department of Orthopedics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.,Department of Biomedical Materials Science, School of Biomedical Engineering, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - N Ding
- Department of Orthopedics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - J Xing
- Department of Orthopedics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - C Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Materials Science, School of Biomedical Engineering, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - F Kang
- Department of Biomedical Materials Science, School of Biomedical Engineering, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - T Hou
- Department of Orthopedics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - H Quan
- Department of Biomedical Materials Science, School of Biomedical Engineering, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Y Chen
- Department of Biomedical Materials Science, School of Biomedical Engineering, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Q Dai
- Department of Orthopedics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - F Luo
- Department of Orthopedics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - J Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - S Dong
- Department of Biomedical Materials Science, School of Biomedical Engineering, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.,China Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Group, Chongqing 400038, China
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33
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Dihydroartemisinin suppresses growth of squamous cell carcinoma A431 cells by targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Anticancer Drugs 2016; 27:99-105. [DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Qin G, Zhao C, Zhang L, Liu H, Quan Y, Chai L, Wu S, Wang X, Chen T. Dihydroartemisinin induces apoptosis preferentially via a Bim-mediated intrinsic pathway in hepatocarcinoma cells. Apoptosis 2016; 20:1072-86. [PMID: 25935454 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-015-1132-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This report is designed to dissect the detail molecular mechanism by which dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a derivative of artemisinin, induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. DHA induced a loss of the mitochondrial transmemberane potential (ΔΨm), release of cytochrome c, activation of caspases, and externalization of phosphatidylserine indicative of apoptosis induction. Compared with the modest inhibitory effects of silencing Bax, silencing Bak largely prevented DHA-induced ΔΨm collapse and apoptosis though DHA induced a commensurable activation of Bax and Bak, demonstrating a key role of the Bak-mediated intrinsic apoptosis pathway. DHA did not induce Bid cleavage and translocation from cytoplasm to mitochondria and had little effects on the expressions of Puma and Noxa, but did increase Bim and Bak expressions and decrease Mcl-1 expression. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of DHA was remarkably reduced by silencing Bim, and modestly but significantly reduced by silencing Puma or Noxa. Silencing Bim or Noxa preferentially reduced DHA-induced Bak activation, while silencing Puma preferentially reduced DHA-induced Bax activation, demonstrating that Bim and to a lesser extent Noxa act as upstream mediators to trigger the Bak-mediated intrinsic apoptosis pathway. In addition, silencing Mcl-1 enhanced DHA-induced Bak activation and apoptosis. Taken together, our data demonstrate a crucial role of Bim in preferentially regulating the Bak/Mcl-1 rheostat to mediate DHA-induced apoptosis in HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiqi Qin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
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Sun C, Li J, Cao Y, Long G, Zhou B. Two distinct and competitive pathways confer the cellcidal actions of artemisinins. MICROBIAL CELL 2015; 2:14-25. [PMID: 28357259 PMCID: PMC5361647 DOI: 10.15698/mic2015.01.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The biological actions of artemisinin (ART), an antimalarial drug derived from Artemisia annua, remain poorly understood and controversial. Besides potent antimalarial activity, some of artemisinin derivatives (together with artemisinin, hereafter referred to as ARTs), in particular dihydroartemisinin (DHA), are also associated with anticancer and other antiparasitic activities. In this study, we used baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as cellular and genetic model to investigate the molecular and cellular properties of ARTs. Two clearly separable pathways exist. While all ARTs exhibit potent anti-mitochondrial actions as shown before, DHA exerts an additional strong heme-dependent, likely mitochondria-independent inhibitory action. More importantly, heme antagonizes the mitochondria-dependent cellcidal action. Indeed, when heme synthesis was inhibited, the mitochondria-dependent cellcidal action of ARTs could be dramatically strengthened, and significant yeast growth inhibition at as low as 100 nM ART, an increase of about 25 folds in sensitivity, was observed. We conclude that ARTs are endowed with two major and distinct types of properties: a potent and specific mitochondria-dependent reaction and a more general and less specific heme-mediated reaction. The competitive nature of these two actions could be explained by their shared source of the consumable ARTs, so that inhibition of the heme-mediated degradation pathway would enable more ARTs to be available for the mitochondrial action. These properties of ARTs can be used to interpret the divergent antimalarial and anticancer actions of ARTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Gongbo Long
- State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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36
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Ericsson T, Blank A, von Hagens C, Ashton M, Äbelö A. Population pharmacokinetics of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin during long-term oral administration of artesunate to patients with metastatic breast cancer. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2014; 70:1453-63. [PMID: 25248945 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-014-1754-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study were firstly to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of artesunate (ARS) and its active metabolite dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in patients with metastatic breast cancer during long-term (>3 weeks) daily oral ARS administration and secondly to study the relationship between salivary and plasma concentrations of DHA. METHODS Drug concentration-time data from 23 patients, receiving oral ARS (100, 150, or 200 mg OD), was analyzed using nonlinear mixed effects modeling. A combined drug-metabolite population pharmacokinetic model was developed to describe the plasma pharmacokinetics of ARS and DHA in plasma. Saliva drug concentrations were incorporated as being directly proportional to plasma concentrations. RESULTS A first-order absorption model for ARS linked to a combined two-compartment disposition model for ARS and one-compartment disposition model for DHA provided the best fit to the data. No covariates were identified that could explain between-subject variability. A time-dependent increase in apparent elimination clearance of DHA was observed. Salivary DHA concentrations were proportionally correlated with total DHA plasma concentrations, with an estimated slope factor of 0.116. CONCLUSIONS Population pharmacokinetics of ARS and DHA in patients with breast cancer was well described by a combined drug-metabolite model without any covariates and with an increase in apparent elimination clearance of DHA over time. The estimated DHA saliva/plasma ratio was in good agreement with the reported DHA unbound fraction in human plasma. Saliva ARS concentrations correlated poorly with plasma concentrations. This suggests the use of saliva sampling for therapeutic drug monitoring of DHA. However, further studies are warranted to investigate the robustness of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Therese Ericsson
- Unit for Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Department of Pharmacology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Box 431, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden,
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Lu M, Sun L, Zhou J, Yang J. Dihydroartemisinin induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells through the mitochondria-dependent pathway. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:5307-14. [PMID: 24519064 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-1691-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a semisynthetic derivative of artemisinin isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Artemisia annua, has been shown to exhibit antitumor activity in various cancer cells, including colorectal cancer. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying its antitumor activity in colorectal cancer remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated DHA-induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer HCT-116 cells in vitro. The results showed that DHA treatment significantly reduced cell viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, DHA induced G1 cell cycle arrest, apoptotic cell death, and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We also found that DHA decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential; activated the caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9; and increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. Meanwhile, the translocation of apoptotic inducing factor (AIF) and the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria were observed. Strikingly, the free radical scavenger N-acetylcysteine or the caspase-3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO significantly prevented DHA-induced apoptotic cell death. Taken together, we concluded that DHA-triggered apoptosis in HCT-116 cells occurs through the ROS-mediated mitochondria-dependent pathway. Our data suggest that DHA has great potential to be developed as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of human colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Lu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China,
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Wang HY, Huang RP, Han P, Xue DB, Li HB, Liu B, Shan P, Wang QS, Li KS, Li HL. The effects of artemisinin on the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells of rats. Cell Biochem Funct 2013; 32:201-8. [PMID: 24105880 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.2995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Revised: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hai-yang Wang
- Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery; The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University; Harbin Heilongjiang China
| | - Ren-ping Huang
- Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery; The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University; Harbin Heilongjiang China
| | - Peng Han
- Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery; The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University; Harbin Heilongjiang China
| | - Dong-bo Xue
- Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery; The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University; Harbin Heilongjiang China
| | - Hai-bin Li
- Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery; The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University; Harbin Heilongjiang China
| | - Bing Liu
- Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery; The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University; Harbin Heilongjiang China
| | - Peng Shan
- Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery; The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University; Harbin Heilongjiang China
| | - Qing-shan Wang
- Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery; The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University; Harbin Heilongjiang China
| | - Ke-shen Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases; Guangdong Medical College; Zhanjiang China
| | - Ha-li Li
- Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery; The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University; Harbin Heilongjiang China
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Zhang G, Sun Y, Wang Y, Bai J, Li T, Li X, Su S, Liu X. An improved postconditioning algorithm: gradually increased reperfusion provides improved cardioprotection in rats. Mol Med Rep 2013; 8:696-702. [PMID: 23799618 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2013.1544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a gradually increasing reperfusion algorithm, in which the brief reperfusion was lengthened as the duration of each reperfusion/reocclusion cycle remained fixed, enhances cardioprotection. Rats were randomized into 5 groups: the sham, reperfusion injury (R/I), gradually decreased reperfusion (GDR; 30/10‑25/15‑15/25‑10/30 sec of reperfusion/reocclusion), equal reperfusion (ER; 4 20/20‑sec reperfusion/reocclusion cycles) and gradually increased reperfusion (GIR; 10/30‑15/25‑25/15‑30/10 sec of reperfusion/reocclusion). The rats were sacrificed to measure serum markers, apoptotic indices and infarct size. Western blot analyses were used to analyze the expression of molecules involved in important signaling pathways. All the three postconditioning patterns were found to provide cardioprotection (P<0.05 compared with the R/I group). GIR provided optimum cardioprotection, followed by ER and then GDR. Apoptotic index and serum marker levels were significantly reduced in the GIR compared with the ER group (P<0.05). The enhanced cardioprotection provided by GIR was accompanied by significantly increased levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and Bcl‑2, as well as lower levels of p38/c‑Jun N‑terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), caspase‑8, Bax, caspase‑9 and cytochrome c (Cyt‑c) in the cytoplasm of rats (P<0.05, all compared with ER). The infarct size in the rats of the GIR group was also smaller compared with that in the rats of the ER group, but this difference was not significant (16.30±5.22 vs. 20.57±6.32%, P>0.05). All the variables measured in the present study were significantly improved in the GIR group compared with the GDR group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the association between brief reperfusion and reocclusion is an important factor in postconditioning algorithms. Additionally, GIR results in improved cardioprotection compared with that achieved by the remaining algorithms examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoming Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Jinan Military Command, Jinan, Shandong 250031, P.R. China
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