Bavachinin exhibits antitumor activity against non‑small cell lung cancer by targeting PPARγ

Exploration of small molecule compounds targeting abdominal aortic aneurysm based on CMap database and molecular dynamics simulation

OBJECTIVE

The mitigation of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth through pharmaceutical intervention offers the potential to avert the perils associated with AAA rupture and the subsequent need for surgical intervention. Nevertheless, the existing effective drugs for AAA treatment are limited, necessitating a pressing exploration for novel therapeutic medications.

METHODS

AAA-related transcriptome data were downloaded from GEO, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in AAA tissue were screened for GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Small molecule compounds and their target proteins with negative connectivity to the AAA expression profile were predicted in the Connectivity Map (CMap) database. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were performed to predict the binding of the target protein to the small molecule compound, and the MM/GBSA method was used to calculate the binding free energy. Cluster analysis was performed using the cluster tool in the GROMACS package. An AAA cell-free model was built, and CETSA experiments were used to demonstrate the binding ability of small molecules to the target protein in cells.

RESULTS

A total of 2244 DEGs in AAA were obtained through differential analysis, and the DEGs were mainly enriched in the tubulin binding biological function and cell cycle pathway. The CMap results showed that Apicidin had a potential therapeutic effect on AAA with a connectivity score of -97.74, and HDAC4 was the target protein of Apicidin. Based on literature, HDAC4-Apicidin was selected as the subsequent research object. The lowest affinity of Apicidin-HDAC4 molecular docking was -8.218 kcal/mol. Molecular dynamics simulation results indicated that Apicidin-HDAC4 could form a stable complex. MM/GBSA analysis showed a total binding free energy of -55.40 ± 0.79 kcal/mol, and cluster analysis showed that there were two main conformational clusters during the binding process, accounting for 22.4% and 57.8%, respectively. Apicidin could form hydrogen bonds with surrounding residues for stable binding. CETSA experiment proved the stable binding ability of Apicidin and HDAC4.

CONCLUSION

Apicidin inhibited HDAC4 in AAA and exhibited favorable protein-ligand interactions and stability, making it a potential candidate drug for treating AAA.

Potential molecular mechanisms of Huangqin Tang for liver cancer treatment by network pharmacology and molecular dynamics simulations

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the mechanism of Huangqin Tang in treating liver cancer.

METHODS

Active ingredients and corresponding targets of Huangqin Tang were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database. Differentially expressed genes in liver cancer were identified from mRNA expression data. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using differentially expressed genes and Huangqin Tang targets. Random walk with restart (RWR) analysis was performed on the PPI network. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were conducted. A drug-active ingredient-gene interaction network was established, and molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were performed. Finally, the stability of binding between CDK1 and oroxylin was tested according to cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA).

RESULTS

160 active ingredients, 239 targets, and 1093 differentially expressed genes were identified. RWR analysis identified 10 potential targets for liver cancer. Enrichment analysis revealed protein kinase regulator activity and Steroid hormone biosynthesis as significant pathways. Molecular docking suggested a stable complex between oroxylin A and CDK1. CETSA demonstrated that the combination of oroxylin A and CDK1 increased the stability of CDK1, and the combination efficiency was high.

CONCLUSION

Huangqin Tang may treat liver cancer by targeting CDK1 with oroxylin A. Protein kinase regulator activity and Steroid hormone biosynthesis pathways may play a role in liver cancer treatment with Huangqin Tang. This study provides insight into the mechanistic basis of Huangqin Tang for liver cancer treatment.

Exploration of the potential mechanism of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction in osteoarthritis treatment by using network pharmacology and molecular dynamics simulation

In this study, the active ingredients of 15 Chinese herbal medicines of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction and their corresponding targets were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. The microarray data of Osteoarthritis (OA) were obtained through the GEO database for differential analysis and then a drug target-OA-related gene protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established. The potential targets of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction in the treatment of OA were acquired by intersecting the OA-associated genes with the target genes of active ingredients. Random walk with restart (RWR) analysis of PPI networks was performed using potential targets as seed, and the top 50 genes of affinity coefficients were used as key action genes of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction in the treatment of OA. A drug-active ingredient-gene interaction network was established. AKT1, a key target of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction in the treatment of OA, was obtained by topological analysis of the gene interaction network. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics verified the binding of AKT1 to its corresponding drug active ingredients. CETSA assay demonstrated that the combination of luteolin and AKT1 increased the stability of AKT1, and the combination efficiency was high. In conclusion, the molecular mechanism of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction in treating OA featured by multiple components, targets, and pathways had been further investigated in this study, which is of significance for discovering as well as developing new drugs for this disease. The findings can also offer personalized diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients with OA in clinical practice.

Exploring the pharmacological aspects of natural phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 through an in silico approach

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), possesses an important bifunctional nonstructural protein (nsp14) with a C-terminal N7-methyltransferase (N7-MTase) domain and an N-terminal domain with exoribonuclease (ExoN) activity that is required for maintaining high-fidelity viral replication. Viruses use the error-prone replication mechanism, which results in high mutation rates, to adapt quickly to stressful situations. The efficiency with which nsp14 removes mismatched nucleotides due to the presence of ExoN activity protects viruses from mutagenesis. We investigated the pharmacological role of the phytochemicals (Baicalein, Bavachinin, Emodin, Kazinol F, Lycorine, Sinigrin, Procyanidin A2, Tanshinone IIA, Tanshinone IIB, Tomentin A, and Tomentin E) against the highly conserved nsp14 protein using docking-based computational analyses in search of new potential natural drug targets. The selected eleven phytochemicals failed to bind the active site of N7-Mtase in the global docking study, while the local docking study identified the top five phytochemicals with high binding energy scores ranging from - 9.0 to - 6.4 kcal/mol. Procyanidin A2 and Tomentin A showed the highest docking score of - 9.0 and - 8.1 kcal/mol, respectively. Local docking of isoform variants was also conducted, yielding the top five phytochemicals, with Procyanidin A1 having the highest binding energy value of - 9.1 kcal/mol. The phytochemicals were later tested for pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics analysis for Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) which resulted in choosing Tomentin A as a potential candidate. The molecular dynamics simulations studies of nsp14 revealed significant conformational changes upon complex formation with the identified compound, implying that these phytochemicals could be used as safe nutraceuticals which will impart long-term immunological competence in the human population against CoVs.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-023-00143-7.

Activation of PPARγ Protects Obese Mice from Acute Lung Injury by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Promoting Mitochondrial Biogenesis

Objective

Obesity-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a role in increased susceptibility to acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) is associated with lung protection and is effective in ameliorating ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of PPARγ in the lung tissues of obese mice and explore whether the PPARγ-dependent pathway could mediate decreased ALI/ARDS by regulating ER stress and mitochondrial biogenesis.

Methods

We determined PPARγ expression in the lung tissues of normal and obese mice. ALI models of alveolar epithelial cells and of obese mice were used and treated with either PPARγ activator rosiglitazone (RSG) or PPARγ inhibitor GW9662. Lung tissue and cell samples were collected to assess lung inflammation and apoptosis, and ER stress and mitochondrial biogenesis were detected.

Results

PPARγ expression was significantly decreased in the lung tissue of obese mice compared with that in normal mice. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that activation of PPARγ leads to reduced expression of the ER stress marker proteins 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and Caspase12. Conversely, expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1 (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) increased. Furthermore, activation of PPARγ is associated with decreased levels of lung inflammation and epithelial apoptosis and increased expression of adiponectin (APN) and mitofusin2 (MFN2). GW9662 bound to PPARγ and blocked its transcriptional activity and then diminished the protective effect of PPARγ on lung tissues.

Conclusions

PPARγ activation exerts anti-inflammation effects in alveolar epithelia by alleviating ER stress and promoting mitochondrial biogenesis. Therefore, lower levels of PPARγ in the lung tissues of obese mice may lead to an increased susceptibility to ALI.

A bavachinin analog, D36, induces cell death by targeting both autophagy and apoptosis pathway in acute myeloid leukemia cells

PURPOSE

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy with high mortality, and it is urgent to find new and optimized treatment strategies for AML. In this study, bavachinin, isolated from Psoralea corylifolia L. exhibiting extensive anti-tumor activity in many solid tumors and a series of its synthesized analogs, were screened for their anti-cancer activity on AML cell lines.

METHODS

The cell viability of AML cells was measured using CCK-8 assays. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis-related protein and autophagy-related protein/gene was detected by western blot, immunofluorescence or RT-PCR. Subcutaneous mice tumor model was used to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of D36 in vivo.

RESULTS

D36 robustly induced AML cells death in a dose-dependent manner with the IC₅₀ value of 1.0 μM for HL-60 cells and 0.81 μM for MV4-11 cells at 24 h. D36 activated autophagy by inducing the accumulation of LC3B and promoting the autophagy flux. In addition, D36 triggered the extrinsic apoptosis by upregulating the protein level of FAS, cleaved-caspase 8, cleaved-caspase 3 and cleaved-PARP. D36 also blocked the cell cycle at S phase or G₂/M phase in AML cells. In addition, we find that activation of caspase cascade induced apoptosis and meanwhile activated autophagy, autophagy activation in turns contributes to apoptosis. Furthermore, D36 suppressed the tumor growth in HL-60 AML-bearing mice without obvious side effects.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that D36 is a promising small-molecule for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

PPAR-γ Modulators as Current and Potential Cancer Treatments

Worldwide, cancer has become one of the leading causes of mortality. Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs) is a family of critical sensors of lipids as well as regulators of diverse metabolic pathways. They are also equipped with the capability to promote eNOS activation, regulate immunity and inflammation response. Aside from the established properties, emerging discoveries are also made in PPAR's functions in the cancer field. All considerations are given, there exists great potential in PPAR modulators which may hold in the management of cancers. In particular, PPAR-γ, the most expressed subtype in adipose tissues with two isoforms of different tissue distribution, has been proven to be able to inhibit cell proliferation, induce cell cycle termination and apoptosis of multiple cancer cells, promote intercellular adhesion, and cripple the inflamed state of tumor microenvironment, both on transcriptional and protein level. However, despite the multi-functionalities, the safety of PPAR-γ modulators is still of clinical concern in terms of dosage, drug interactions, cancer types and stages, etc. This review aims to consolidate the functions of PPAR-γ, the current and potential applications of PPAR-γ modulators, and the challenges in applying PPAR-γ modulators to cancer treatment, in both laboratory and clinical settings. We sincerely hope to provide a comprehensive perspective on the prospect of PPAR-γ applicability in the field of cancer treatment.

Induction of G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest via p38/p21Waf1/Cip1-Dependent Signaling Pathway Activation by Bavachinin in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignant cancer in the world. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major category of lung cancer. Although effective therapies have been administered, for improving the NSCLC patient’s survival, the incident rate is still high. Therefore, searching for a good strategy for preventing NSCLC is urgent. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are brilliant materials for cancer chemoprevention, because of their high biological safety and low cost. Bavachinin, which is an active flavanone of Proralea corylifolia L., possesses anti-inflammation, anti-angiogenesis, and anti-cancer activities. The present study’s aim was to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of bavachinin on NSCLC, and its regulating molecular mechanisms. The results exhibited that a dose-dependent decrease in the cell viability and colony formation capacity of three NSCLC cell lines, by bavachinin, were through G2/M cell cycle arrest induction. Meanwhile, the expression of the G2/M cell cycle regulators, such as cyclin B, p-cdc2^Y15, p-cdc2^T161, and p-wee1, was suppressed. With the dramatic up-regulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21^Waf1/Cip1, the expression and association of p21^Waf1/Cip1 with the cyclin B/cdc2 complex was observed. Silencing the p21^Waf1/Cip1 expression significantly rescued bavachinin-induced G2/M cell accumulation. Furthermore, the expression of p21^Waf1/Cip1 mRNA was up-regulated in bavachinin-treated NSCLC cells. In addition, MAPK and AKT signaling were activated in bavachinin-added NSCLC cells. Interestingly, bavachinin-induced p21^Waf1/Cip1 expression was repressed after restraint p38 MAPK activation. The inhibition of p38 MAPK activation reversed bavachinin-induced p21^Waf1/Cip1 mRNA expression and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Collectively, bavachinin-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest was through the p38 MAPK-mediated p21^Waf1/Cip1-dependent signaling pathway in the NSCLC cells.

Bavachinin Induces G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis via the ATM/ATR Signaling Pathway in Human Small Cell Lung Cancer and Shows an Antitumor Effect in the Xenograft Model

Lung cancer is grouped into small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-SCLC (NSCLC). SCLC exhibits a poor prognosis, and the current anticancer treatment remains unsatisfactory. Bavachinin, present in the seed of Psoralea corylifolia, shows anti-inflammatory effects, immune modulation, and anticancer potency. This study aims to investigate the antitumor effect of bavachinin on SCLC and its underlying mechanism. The SCLC cell line H1688 was treated with different concentrations of bavachinin and showed decreased viability with arrested G2/M and sub-G1 phase cell accumulation at a concentration as low as 25 μM. Expression levels of caspase-3, -8, and -9, as well as Fas, FasL, and Bax, increased with the concentration of bavachinin. The accumulated sub-G1 cells and annexin V confirmed increasing apoptotic cancer cells after treatment. The accumulated G2/M phase cells with increasing levels of phosphorylated CDC25C, CDC2, ATM/ATR, and CHK2/CHK1 confirmed the arrested cell cycle caused by bavachinin via a dose-dependent manner. This phenomenon can be reversed by an ATM/ATR inhibitor, caffeine. Following the administration of bavachinin to xenograft mice with SCLC, the tumor burden decreased without impairing hematologic or hepatorenal functions. Bavachinin induces SCLC apoptosis via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways and causes cancer cell cycle arrest via the ATM/ATR signaling pathway.

Potential metabolism determinants and drug-drug interactions of a natural flavanone bavachinin

Bavachinin, a natural bioactive flavanone, is reported to have many pharmacological proprieties, especially anti-osteoporosis activity. Here we aim to determine the roles of cytochrome P450s (CYP), UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT), and efflux transporters in metabolism and drug-drug interactions (DDI) of bavachinin. Phase I metabolism and glucuronidation were performed by human liver microsomes (HLM) and human intestine microsomes (HIM). Reaction phenotyping was used to identify the main CYPs and UGTs. Gene silencing methods were employed to investigate the roles of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) in HeLa1A1 cells. Inhibition mechanisms towards CYPs and UGTs were explored through kinetic modeling. Three phase I metabolites (M1-M3) and one glucuronide (G1) were detected after incubation of bavachinin with HLM and HIM. The intrinsic clearance (CLint) values of M1 and G1 by HLM were 89.4 and 270.2 μL min-1 mg-1, respectively, while those of M3 and G1 by HIM were 25.8 and 247.1 μL min-1 mg-1, respectively. CYP1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2C8, 2C19, and UGT1A1, 1A8 participated more in bavachinin metabolism. The metabolism showed marked species difference. BCRP and MRP4 were identified as the main contributors. Bavachinin displayed potent inhibitory effects against several CYP and UGT isozymes (K i = 0.28-2.53 μM). Bavachinin was subjected to undergo metabolism and disposition by CYPs, UGTs, BCRP, MRP4, and was also a potent non-selective inhibitor against several CYPs and UGTs.

Five Constituents in Psoralea corylifolia L. Attenuate Palmitic Acid-Induced Hepatocyte Injury via Inhibiting the Protein Kinase C-α/Nicotinamide-Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidase Pathway

Psoralea corylifolia L. (PC) is a traditional Chinese herb used to treat yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney in pediatric disease. Our previous studies have found that PC can alleviate the liver oxidative stress of juvenile mice with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and its mechanism is related to the inhibition of the protein kinase C-α (PKC-α)/nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) signaling pathway. The aim of this study was to confirm the aforementioned drug target in vitro and to conduct preliminary screening for some effective compounds of PC on the treatment of NASH. A primary hepatocyte model of non alcoholic fatty liver disease was established by palmitic acid. The existence of Psoralen, Isopsoralen, Neobavaisoflavone, Isobavachalcone, and Bakuchiol were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Then, five PC compounds were administered. Intracellular triglyceride and total cholesterol content, the cell supernatant alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, and hepatocellular superoxide anion were examined. The changes of PKC-α/NOX signaling pathways in hepatocytes were also determined. Furthermore, PKC-α activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was administered for 4 h before Psoralen intervention was conducted again to detect the changes of PKC-α/NOX signaling pathways. Our data demonstrated that Psoralen, Isopsoralen, and Isobavachalcone decreased intracellular content of triglyceride while all five PC compounds improved hepatocellular total cholesterol accumulation and hepatocyte damage in palmitic acid-induced primary hepatocyte model of non alcoholic fatty liver disease. All five PC compounds could also reduce hepatocytic superoxide anion levels, nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate/reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate ratio, NOX activity as well as p47^phox protein expression and PKCα activation in hepatocytes. Psoralen exhibited the best efficacy but the effectiveness was lost when pre-stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The results suggest that Psoralen, Isopsoralen, and Isobavachalcone could improve hepatocyte steatosis; five PC compounds could ameliorate hepatocyte injury, relieve oxidative stress, and downregulate the PKC-α/NOX signaling pathway of hepatocytes. In addition, Psoralen exhibits the best efficacy and a prospective PKC-α inhibitor pharmaceutical activity.