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Zhu L, Liang R, Guo Y, Cai Y, Song F, Hu Y, Liu Y, Ge M, Zheng G. Incorporating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Identify Bioactive Compounds and Potential Mechanisms of Digitalis in Treating Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:15590-15602. [PMID: 38585091 PMCID: PMC10993403 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c00373] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumors for which there is no effective treatment. There are an increasing number of studies on herbal medicine for treating malignant tumors, and the classic botanical medicine Digitalis and its active ingredients for treating heart failure and arrhythmias have been revealed to have significant antitumor efficacy against a wide range of malignant tumors. However, the main components of Digitalis and the molecular mechanisms of its anti-ATC effects have not been extensively studied. Here, we screened the main components and core targets of Digitalis and verified the relationship between the active components and targets through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation. These experiments showed that the active ingredients of Digitalis inhibit ATC cell activity and lead to ATC cell death through the apoptotic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhu
- Suzhou
Medical College of Soochow University, 215123 Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department
of Head and Neck Surgery, the Fifth Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou
Medical University, Lishui Central Hospital, 323020 Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key
Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical
Research Center for Cancer of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruimin Liang
- Otolaryngology
& Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and
Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated
People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical
College, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key
Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical
Research Center for Cancer of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yawen Guo
- Otolaryngology
& Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and
Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated
People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical
College, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key
Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical
Research Center for Cancer of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yefeng Cai
- Key
Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical
Research Center for Cancer of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department
of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated
Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325015 Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Fahuan Song
- Otolaryngology
& Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and
Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated
People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical
College, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key
Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical
Research Center for Cancer of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiqun Hu
- Otolaryngology
& Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and
Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated
People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical
College, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key
Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical
Research Center for Cancer of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunye Liu
- Otolaryngology
& Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and
Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated
People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical
College, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key
Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical
Research Center for Cancer of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Minghua Ge
- Suzhou
Medical College of Soochow University, 215123 Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Otolaryngology
& Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and
Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated
People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical
College, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key
Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical
Research Center for Cancer of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guowan Zheng
- Otolaryngology
& Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and
Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated
People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical
College, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key
Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Clinical
Research Center for Cancer of Zhejiang Province, 310014 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Chaisupasakul P, Pekthong D, Wangteeraprasert A, Kaewkong W, Somran J, Kaewpaeng N, Parhira S, Srisawang P. Combination of ethyl acetate fraction from Calotropis gigantea stem bark and sorafenib induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300051. [PMID: 38527038 PMCID: PMC10962855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The cytotoxicity of the ethyl acetate fraction of the Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand. (C. gigantea) stem bark extract (CGEtOAc) has been demonstrated in many types of cancers. This study examined the improved cancer therapeutic activity of sorafenib when combined with CGEtOAc in HepG2 cells. The cell viability and cell migration assays were applied in HepG2 cells treated with varying concentrations of CGEtOAc, sorafenib, and their combination. Flow cytometry was used to determine apoptosis, which corresponded with a decline in mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of DNA fragmentation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed in combination with the expression of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/ protein kinase B (Akt)/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which was suggested for association with ROS-induced apoptosis. Combining CGEtOAc at 400 μg/mL with sorafenib at 4 μM, which were their respective half-IC50 concentrations, significantly inhibited HepG2 viability upon 24 h of exposure in comparison with the vehicle and each single treatment. Consequently, CGEtOAc when combined with sorafenib significantly diminished HepG2 migration and induced apoptosis through a mitochondrial-correlation mechanism. ROS production was speculated to be the primary mechanism of stimulating apoptosis in HepG2 cells after exposure to a combination of CGEtOAc and sorafenib, in association with PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway suppression. Our results present valuable knowledge to support the development of anticancer regimens derived from the CGEtOAc with the chemotherapeutic agent sorafenib, both of which were administered at half-IC50, which may minimize the toxic implications of cancer treatments while improving the therapeutic effectiveness toward future medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pattaraporn Chaisupasakul
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Dumrongsak Pekthong
- Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Health and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | | | - Worasak Kaewkong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Julintorn Somran
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Naphat Kaewpaeng
- Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Supawadee Parhira
- Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Health and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Piyarat Srisawang
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
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Zhang Z, Wang S, Zhu Z, Nie B. Identification of potential feature genes in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using bioinformatics analysis and machine learning strategies. Comput Biol Med 2023; 157:106724. [PMID: 36898287 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and NAFLD-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has continuously increased in recent years. Machine learning is an effective method for screening the feature genes of a disease for prediction, prevention and personalized treatment. Here, we used the "limma" package and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to screen 219 NAFLD-related genes and found that they were mainly enriched in inflammation-related pathways. Four feature genes (AXUD1, FOSB, GADD45B, and SOCS2) were screened by LASSO regression and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) machine learning algorithms. Therefore, a clinical diagnostic model with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.994 was constructed, which was superior to other indicators of NAFLD. Significant correlations existed between feature genes expression and steatohepatitis histology or clinical variables. These findings were also validated in external datasets and a mouse model. Finally, we found that feature genes expression was significantly decreased in NAFLD-associated HCC and that SOCS2 may be a prognostic biomarker. Our findings may provide new insights into the diagnosis, prevention and treatment targets of NAFLD and NAFLD-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510630, China
| | - Shihao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510630, China
| | - Zhengwen Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510630, China
| | - Biao Nie
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510630, China.
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Chen JY, Xiao-Yun Tian, Wei SS, Yang YJ, Deng S, Jiao CJ, Wang CJ, Chu KD, Ma XQ, Xu W. Perspectives of herbs and their natural compounds, and herb formulas on treating diverse diseases through regulating complicated JAK/STAT signaling. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:993862. [PMID: 36324680 PMCID: PMC9619051 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.993862] [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: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
JAK/STAT signaling pathways are closely associated with multiple biological processes involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, differentiation, immune response, and epigenetics. Abnormal activation of the STAT pathway can contribute to disease progressions under various conditions. Moreover, tofacitinib and baricitinib as the JAK/STAT inhibitors have been recently approved by the FDA for rheumatology disease treatment. Therefore, influences on the STAT signaling pathway have potential and perspective approaches for diverse diseases. Chinese herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which are widespread throughout China, are the gold resources of China and have been extensively used for treating multiple diseases for thousands of years. However, Chinese herbs and herb formulas are characterized by complicated components, resulting in various targets and pathways in treating diseases, which limits their approval and applications. With the development of chemistry and pharmacology, active ingredients of TCM and herbs and underlying mechanisms have been further identified and confirmed by pharmacists and chemists, which improved, to some extent, awkward limitations, approval, and applications regarding TCM and herbs. In this review, we summarized various herbs, herb formulas, natural compounds, and phytochemicals isolated from herbs that have the potential for regulating multiple biological processes via modulation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway based on the published work. Our study will provide support for revealing TCM, their active compounds that treat diseases, and the underlying mechanism, further improving the rapid spread of TCM to the world.
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