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Qiu J, Zhang Z, Hu A, Zhao P, Wei X, Song H, Yang J, Li Y. Integrating UPLC-HR-MS/MS, Network Pharmacology, and Experimental Validation to Uncover the Mechanisms of Jin'gan Capsules against Breast Cancer. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:28003-28015. [PMID: 35990498 PMCID: PMC9386888 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c01921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), "liver-qi" stagnation and heat-induced toxicity represent the main etiologies of breast cancer. Recently, several TCMs with heat-clearing and detoxification efficacy have shown inhibitory effects on breast cancer. Jin'gan capsules (JGCs), initially approved to treat colds in China, are a heat-clearing and detoxification TCM formula. However, the anticancer activity of JGCs against breast cancer and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. First, we assessed the antiproliferative activity of JGCs in breast cancer cell lines and evaluated their effects on cell apoptosis and the cell cycle by flow cytometry. Furthermore, we identified the potential bioactive components of JGCs and their corresponding target genes and constructed a bioactive compound-target interaction network by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-HR-MS/MS) and network pharmacology analysis. Finally, the underlying mechanism was investigated through gene function enrichment analysis and experimental validation. We found that JGCs significantly inhibited breast cancer cell growth with IC50 values of 0.56 ± 0.03, 0.16 ± 0.03, and 0.94 ± 0.09 mg/mL for MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and MCF-7, respectively. In addition, JGC treatment dramatically induced apoptosis and S phase cell cycle arrest in breast cancer cells. Western blot analysis confirmed that JGCs could regulate the protein levels of apoptosis- and cell cycle-related genes. Utilizing UPLC-HR-MS/MS analysis and network pharmacology, we identified 7 potential bioactive ingredients in JGCs and 116 antibreast cancer targets. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that the antitumor effects of JGCs were strongly associated with apoptosis and the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway. Western blot analysis validated that JGC treatment markedly decreased the expression levels of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, and STAT3. Our findings suggest that JGCs suppress breast cancer cell proliferation and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis partly by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, highlighting JGCs as a potential therapeutic candidate against breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Qiu
- State
Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Zhiyin Zhang
- Guiyang
Hospital of Guizhou Aviation Industry Group, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Anling Hu
- State
Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- State
Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Xuenai Wei
- State
Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Hui Song
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Jue Yang
- State
Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Yanmei Li
- State
Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- The
Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province
and Chinese Academic of Sciences & Key Laboratory of Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical
Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou
Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
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Xu X, Zhang J, Zhang Z, Wang M, Liu Y, Li X. Systems pharmacology in combination with proteomics reveals underlying mechanisms of Xihuang pill against triple-negative breast cancer. Bioengineered 2020; 11:1170-1188. [PMID: 33092442 PMCID: PMC8291799 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2020.1834726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Xihuang pill (XHP), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, has been clinically used as an adjuvant therapy against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) via inhibiting cancer cell invasion and proliferation, as well as promoting cancer cell apoptosis. However, its anti-TNBC bio-active ingredients and possible mechanisms are still unclear. Herein, the hub bio-active compounds and underlying mechanisms of XHP against TNBC were systematically elucidated by integrating systems pharmacology approach and in vitro proteomics analysis. Using systems pharmacology analysis and molecular docking evaluation, 28 bio-active compounds and 10 potential therapeutic targets of XHP were identified. Functional analysis showed that the core therapeutic targets against TNBC were mainly involved in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling pathway to prevent cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis, as well as to enhance cancer cell apoptosis. The in vitro proteomics analysis identified 153 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), including HASP90AA1, AKT1, and EGFR, which were also identified as therapeutic targets against TNBC through systems pharmacology analysis. Protein function analysis showed that the DEPs were mainly involved in PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, which was consistent with the result of systems pharmacology, suggesting the reliability of systems pharmacology analysis. Taken together, these findings uncover the underlying mechanism of XHP against TNBC, and provide a scientific method for the rational development of traditional Chinese medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingchao Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University , Tai'an, China
| | - Jimei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences , Tai'an, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhang
- Department of Graduate Student Affairs, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences , Tai'an, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Graduate Student Affairs, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences , Tai'an, China
| | - Yaping Liu
- Department of Graduate Student Affairs, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences , Tai'an, China
| | - Xiangqi Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University , Tai'an, China
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