Cytotoxic and chemosensitization effects of Scutellarin from traditional Chinese herb Scutellaria altissima L. in human prostate cancer cells

Research progress on anti-tumor mechanisms of scutellarin

Scutellarin, one of natural flavonoids from Scutellaria barbata D. Don and Erigeron breviscapus (vant) Hand.-Mazz. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that scutellarin has a good anti-tumor effect. According to the literature review at home and abroad, scutellarin can inhibit the growth and metastasis of tumor cells, block the cell cycle at various stages, induce apoptosis and autophagy, interfere with tumor metabolism, reverse drug resistance of tumor cells and enhance the sensitivity of chemotherapy drugs. In this paper, the anti-tumor mechanism of scutellarin was reviewed, and the shortcomings of current studies and future research directions were analyzed, so as to provide a basis for further exploration of the anti-tumor potential of scutellarin and its further development and utilization.

Chemical characteristics and biological activity screening of Pistacia lentiscus mastic gum and leaves from Türkiye

BACKGROUND

Mastic gum is a resin that is produced by Pistacia lentiscus. It has many traditional uses, dating from ancient times, such as the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and as a food additive. In this study, the leaves and mastic gum of trees of different ages from Karaburun and the Cesme peninsula in Türkiye were examined chemically and biologically. Flavonoids, and phenolic and fatty acid components were evaluated by a liquid chromatography system coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Cytotoxicity was screened against several cancer and healthy cell lines using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibition was determined on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) cells. Antiviral activity was measured against avian coronavirus using an in ovo virucidal antiviral activity assay.

RESULTS

The main phenolic constituents of the gum were found to be salicylic, rosmarinic, and caffeic acids whereas the most abundant compounds detected were flavonoids in the leaf extracts. The most abundant fatty acids in hexane extracts were palmitic and oleic acids. All gum extracts except 3-year-old gum had significant cytotoxic activity on HeLa (IC50 1.74 ± 0.03-4.76 ± 0.95) and PC-3 (0.64 ± 0.25-6.22 ± 1.40) cells. Moreover, reducing virus activity by fivefold or sixfold logarithmically between the range of 5-10 μg g-1 of 30-year-old gum extracts underscored the biological activity.

CONCLUSION

In ovo antiviral activity studies on the P. lentiscus were conducted for the first time. The mastic gum and leaves obtained from P. lentiscus may have strong potential in terms of their chemical content and antiviral and cytotoxic activity. As a consequence of these properties, it is a sustainable, renewable natural resource that can be used as an additive and flavoring in the food and pharmaceutical industries. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Synthesis and In Vivo Antiarrhythmic Activity Evaluation of Novel Scutellarein Analogues as Voltage-Gated Nav1.5 and Cav1.2 Channels Blockers

Malignant cardiac arrhythmias with high morbidity and mortality have posed a significant threat to our human health. Scutellarein, a metabolite of Scutellarin which is isolated from Scutellaria altissima L., presents excellent therapeutic effects on cardiovascular diseases and could further be metabolized into methylated forms. A series of 22 new scutellarein derivatives with hydroxyl-substitution based on the scutellarin metabolite in vivo was designed, synthesized via the conjugation of the scutellarein scaffold with pharmacophores of FDA-approved antiarrhythmic medications and evaluated for their antiarrhythmic activity through the analyzation of the rat number of arrhythmia recovery, corresponding to the recovery time and maintenance time in the rat model of barium chloride-induced arrhythmia, as well as the cumulative dosage of aconitine required to induce VP, VT, VF and CA in the rat model of aconitine-induced arrhythmia. All designed compounds could shorten the time of the arrhythmia continuum induced by barium chloride, indicating that 4'-hydroxy substituents of scutellarein had rapid-onset antiarrhythmic effects. In addition, nearly all of the compounds could normalize the HR, RR, QRS, QT and QTc interval, as well as the P/T waves' amplitude. The most promising compound 10e showed the best antiarrhythmic activity with long-term efficacy and extremely low cytotoxicity, better than the positive control scutellarein. This result was also approved by the computational docking simulation. Most importantly, patch clamp measurements on Nav1.5 and Cav1.2 channels indicated that compound 10e was able to reduce the INa and ICa in a concentration-dependent manner and left-shifted the inactivation curve of Nav1.5. Taken together, all compounds were considered to be antiarrhythmic. Compound 10e even showed no proarrhythmic effect and could be classified as Ib Vaughan Williams antiarrhythmic agents. What is more, compound 10e did not block the hERG potassium channel which highly associated with cardiotoxicity.

A drug design strategy based on molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations applied to development of inhibitor against triple-negative breast cancer by Scutellarein derivatives

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), accounting for 10-15% of all breast malignancies, is more prevalent in women under 40, particularly in those of African descent or carrying the BRCA1 mutation. TNBC is characterized by the absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) and low or elevated HER2 expression. It represents a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer with limited therapeutic options and a poorer prognosis. In our study, we utilized the protein of TNBC collected from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) with the most stable configuration. We selected Scutellarein, a bioactive molecule renowned for its anti-cancer properties, and used its derivatives to design potential anti-cancer drugs employing computational tools. We applied and modified structural activity relationship methods to these derivatives and evaluated the probability of active (Pa) and inactive (Pi) outcomes using pass prediction scores. Furthermore, we employed in-silico approaches such as the assessment of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) parameters, and quantum calculations through density functional theory (DFT). Within the DFT calculations, we analyzed Frontier Molecular Orbitals, specifically the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) and Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO). We then conducted molecular docking and dynamics against TNBC to ascertain binding affinity and stability. Our findings indicated that Scutellarein derivatives, specifically DM03 with a binding energy of -10.7 kcal/mol and DM04 with -11.0 kcal/mol, exhibited the maximum binding tendency against Human CK2 alpha kinase (PDB ID 7L1X). Molecular dynamic simulations were performed for 100 ns, and stability was assessed using root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) and root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) parameters, suggesting significant stability for our chosen compounds. Furthermore, these molecules met the pharmacokinetics requirements for potential therapeutic candidates, displaying non-carcinogenicity, minimal aquatic and non-aquatic toxicity, and greater aqueous solubility. Collectively, our computational data suggest that Scutellarein derivatives may serve as potential therapeutic agents for TNBC. However, further experimental investigations are needed to validate these findings.

Bornyl acetate extracted from Sharen () inhibits proliferation, invasion and induces apoptosis by suppressing phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling in colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the antitumor effects of bornyl acetate (BA) isolated from Sharen (Fructus Amomi) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

SW480 and HT29 cells were treated with increasing doses of BA in order to determine its antitumor effects in vitro. Cell viability, colony formation, cell cycle, and apoptosis as well as migration and invasion were assessed using various assays. In addition, the in vivo antitumor effects of BA were assessed using a xenograft mouse model. We then assessed the mechanism of action of BA by conducting pathway activator-mediated rescue experiments and assessed the protein levels by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

BA showed anti-CRC tumor activities in vitro by suppressing cell proliferation and colony formation, inducing apoptosis, blocking cell cycle, and inhibiting migration and invasion. These effects were mediated via suppression of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway. In the tumor xenograft experiment, BA was found to repress tumor growth in vivo with low toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrated that BA exerts antitumor effects by suppressing the PI3K/AKT pathway, with low toxicity. Thus, BA might be a potential novel therapeutic agent for CRC.

An In Vitro Evaluation and Network Pharmacology Analysis of Prospective Anti-Prostate Cancer Activity from Perilla frutescens

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. is extensively cultivated in East Asia as a dietary vegetable, and nutraceuticals are reportedly rich in bioactive compounds, especially with anticancer activities. This study explored the in vitro cytotoxic effects of P. frutescens parts' (stems, leaves, and seeds) extracts on prostate cancer cells (DU-145) and possible interactions of putative metabolites to related prostate cancer targets in silico. The ethanol extract of P. frutescens leaves was the most cytotoxic for the prostate cancer cells. From high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, rosmarinic acid was identified as the major metabolite in the leaf extracts. Network analysis revealed interactions from multiple affected targets and pathways of the metabolites. From gene ontology enrichment analysis, P. frutescens leaf metabolites could significantly affect 14 molecular functions and 12 biological processes in five cellular components. Four (4) KEGG pathways, including for prostate cancer, and six (6) Reactome pathways were shown to be significantly affected. The molecular simulation confirmed the interactions of relevant protein targets with key metabolites, including rosmarinic acid. This study could potentially lead to further exploration of P. frutescens leaves or their metabolites for prostate cancer treatment and prevention.

Induction of RIPK3/MLKL-mediated necroptosis by Erigeron breviscapus injection exhibits potent antitumor effect

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of tumor-related deaths worldwide. Resistance of tumor cells to drug-induced apoptosis highlights the need for safe and effective antitumor alternatives. Erigeron breviscapus (Dengzhanxixin in China) injection (EBI), extracted from the natural herb Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz (EHM), has been widely used in clinical practice for cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have suggested that EBI's main active ingredients exhibit potential antitumor effects. This study aims to explore the anti-CRC effect of EBI and elucidate the underlying mechanism. The anti-CRC effect of EBI was evaluated in vitro using CCK-8, flow cytometry, and transwell analysis, and in vivo through a xenograft mice model. RNA sequencing was utilized to compare the differentially expressed genes, and the proposed mechanism was verified through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our study demonstrates that EBI significantly inhibits the proliferation of three human CRC cell lines and effectively suppresses the migration and invasion of SW620 cells. Moreover, in the SW620 xenograft mice model, EBI markedly retards tumor growth and lung metastasis. RNA-seq analysis revealed that EBI might exert antitumor effects by inducing necroptosis of tumor cells. Additionally, EBI activates the RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway, a classical pathway of necroptosis and greatly promotes the generation of intracellular ROS. Furthermore, the antitumor effect of EBI on SW620 is significantly alleviated after the pretreatment of GW806742X, the MLKL inhibitor. Our findings suggest that EBI is a safe and effective inducer of necroptosis for CRC treatment. Notably, necroptosis is a non-apoptotic programmed cell death pathway that can effectively circumvent resistance to apoptosis, which provides a novel approach for overcoming tumor drug resistance.

Scutellarin, a promising flavonoid in cancer treatment

Natural substances are increasingly being used as cancer treatments. Scutellarin, as a flavonoid, recently has been identified in a Chinese herbal extract called Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.). Scutellarin is being researched for its potential benefits due to the discovery that it possesses a variety of biological effects, such as neuroprotective, anti-coagulant, and anti-viral. In addition to these biological functions, scutellarin has also been found to have anti-tumor properties. Scutellarin first inhibits the activity of tumor cells by altering cancer cell signaling pathways such as Jak/STAT, ERK/AMPK, and Wnt/β-catenin. Additionally, scutellarin activates intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, which causes the death of tumor cells, interrupts the cell cycle, and promotes its arrest. By limiting metastasis, angiogenesis, drug resistance, and other tumorigenic processes, scutellarin also reduces the aggressiveness of tumors. Utilizing scutellarin in combination with other anti-tumor therapies like 5-fluorouracil is another method to overcome tumor cell resistance. Moreover, it has been suggested that certain modifications, such as conjugation with cyclodextrin, aliphatic chains, and hybridization with nitric oxide, can enhance the pharmacogenetic capabilities of scutellarin to decrease its limited water solubility. It is believed that scutellarin may provide innovative chemotherapeutic treatments for cancer in the future.

Current trends in natural products for the treatment and management of dementia: Computational to clinical studies

The number of preclinical and clinical studies evaluating natural products-based management of dementia has gradually increased, with an exponential rise in 2020 and 2021. Keeping this in mind, we examined current trends from 2016 to 2021 in order to assess the growth potential of natural products in the treatment of dementia. Publicly available literature was collected from various databases like PubMed and Google Scholar. Oxidative stress-related targets, NF-κB pathway, anti-tau aggregation, anti-AChE, and A-β aggregation were found to be common targets and pathways. A retrospective analysis of 33 antidementia natural compounds identified 125 sustainable resources distributed among 65 families, 39 orders, and 7 classes. We found that families such as Berberidaceae, Zingiberaceae, and Fabaceae, as well as orders such as Lamiales, Sapindales, and Myrtales, appear to be important and should be researched further for antidementia compounds. Moreover, some natural products, such as quercetin, curcumin, icariside II, berberine, and resveratrol, have a wide range of applications. Clinical studies and patents support the importance of dietary supplements and natural products, which we will also discuss. Finally, we conclude with the broad scope, future challenges, and opportunities for field researchers.

Autophagy Induction by Scutellaria Flavones in Cancer: Recent Advances

In parallel with a steady rise in cancer incidence worldwide, the scientific community is increasingly focused on finding novel, safer and more efficient modalities for managing this disease. Over the past decades, natural products have been described as a significant source of new structural leads for novel drug candidates. Scutellaria root is one of the most studied natural products because of its anticancer potential. Besides just describing the cytotoxic properties of plant constituents, their molecular mechanisms of action in different cancer types are equally important. Therefore, this review article focuses on the role of the Scutellaria flavones wogonin, baicalein, baicalin, scutellarein and scutellarin in regulating the autophagic machinery in diverse cancer models, highlighting these molecules as potential lead compounds for the fight against malignant neoplasms. The knowledge that autophagy can function as a dual-edged sword, acting in both a pro- and antitumorigenic manner, further complicates the issue, revealing an amazing property of flavonoids that behave either as anti- or proautophagic agents.

Novel Insights of Herbal Remedy into NSCLC Suppression through Inducing Diverse Cell Death Pathways via Affecting Multiple Mediators

Artemisia species previously have been reported to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiulcer, and anticancer properties. In this study, we investigated the prospective antitumor effects of Artemisia santolinifolia ethanol extract (ASE) against two non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and their molecular mechanisms of action. Morphological observations and flow cytometric analyses showed that ASE induced cell death in A549 and H23 cells but with different action features. Further studies by Western blotting showed that ASE induced caspase-3 cleavage in H23 cells, suggesting caspase-dependent apoptosis was predominantly involved in H23 cell death. Contrarily, ASE treatment selectively altered the glutathione peroxidase (GPX4) protein expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and lipid peroxidation in A549 cells, all of which are linked to ferroptosis. Using a ferroptosis inhibitor (desferrioxamine (DFO)), further study showed that DFO could significantly rescue ASE-induced cell death. All these results implied that ASE induced ferroptosis predominately in A549 cells. Several studies have demonstrated that the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) can be dual-selectively targeted depending on the cell line. Subsequently, it can exert opposing effects until either being activated or suppressed. This was consistent with our data, which might explain inconsistent observations of the cell death type in this study. In addition, after ASE treatment, signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were inhibited in both cell lines. Consequently, downstream prosurvival proteins, including heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and survivin, which play pivotal roles in the STAT3 pathway, decreased after ASE administration. Our findings revealed that ASE inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation by simultaneously downregulating prosurvival protein expressions and activating multiple cell death pathways.

β-Caryophyllene from Chilli Pepper Inhibits the Proliferation of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Affecting miR-659-3p-Targeted Sphingosine Kinase 1 (SphK1)

Background

β-Caryophyllene is the main ingredient of chilli pepper and used for the prevention of various cancers, while the molecular mechanism for its effects on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear.

Methods

NSCLC cell lines A549 and NCI-H1299 were treated with β-Caryophyllene and miR-659-3p (a potential tumor suppressor) mimic or siRNA. The levels of miR-659-3p, sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), apoptotic factors and oxidative stress factors were investigated.

Results

β-Caryophyllene inhibited NSCLC growth, promoted their apoptotic rate, increased the level of miR-659-3p, apoptotic factors (cleaved caspase-3 and BAX), antioxidant factors (SOD, CAT and GPx) and reduced the level of oxidative stress (ROS and NO) and SphK1. miR-659-3p mimic and siRNA affected NSCLC growth, their apoptosis, and biochemical indices.

Conclusion

β-Caryophyllene of chilli pepper exerts inhibitory activity in NSCLC cells possibly by affecting miR-659-3p-targeted SphK1.

Combined Scutellarin and C18H17NO6 Imperils the Survival of Glioma: Partly Associated With the Repression of PSEN1/PI3K-AKT Signaling Axis

Glioma, the most common intracranial tumor, harbors great harm. Since the treatment for it has reached the bottleneck stage, the development of new drugs becomes a trend. Therefore, we focus on the effect of scutellarin (SCU) and its combination with C₁₈H₁₇NO₆ (abbreviated as combination) on glioma and its possible mechanism in this study. Firstly, SCU and C₁₈H₁₇NO₆ both suppressed the proliferation of U251 and LN229 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and C₁₈H₁₇NO₆ augmented the inhibition effect of SCU on U251 and LN229 cells in vitro. Moreover, there was an interactive effect between them. Secondly, SCU and C₁₈H₁₇NO₆ decreased U251 cells in G2 phase and LN229 cells in G2 and S phases but increased U251 cells in S phase, respectively. Meanwhile, the combination could further reduce U251 cells in G2 phase and LN229 cells in G2 and S phases. Thirdly, SCU and C₁₈H₁₇NO₆ both induced the apoptosis of U251 and LN229. The combination further increased the apoptosis rate of both cells compared with the two drugs alone. Furthermore, SCU and C₁₈H₁₇NO₆ both inhibited the lateral and vertical migration of both cells, which was further repressed by the combination. More importantly, the effect of SCU and the combination was better than positive control-temozolomide, and the toxicity was low. Additionally, SCU and C₁₈H₁₇NO₆ could suppress the growth of glioma in vivo, and the effect of the combination was better. Finally, SCU and the combination upregulated the presenilin 1 (PSEN1) level but inactivated the phosphatidylinositol 3−kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT) signaling in vitro and in vivo. Accordingly, we concluded that scutellarin and its combination with C₁₈H₁₇NO₆ suppressed the proliferation/growth and migration and induced the apoptosis of glioma, in which the mechanism might be associated with the repression of PSEN1/PI3K-AKT signaling axis.

Scutellarin improves the radiosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer cells to iodine-125 seeds via downregulating the AKT/mTOR pathway

Background

In our previous study, we indicated that scutellarin (SCU) induced an anticancer effect in A549 cells. However, whether SCU regulates the radiosensitivity of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its related mechanism is still unclear.

Methods

In this study, we explored the anticancer effect induced by iodine‐125 (¹²⁵I) and SCU at a sensitizing concentration in A549 and H1975 cells. Cellular apoptosis and proliferation were detected by flow cytometry, Bcl‐2/Bax expression level, cell cycle, CCK‐8, and EdU staining. A tumor model using nude mice was also carried out to investigate the combined effect of ¹²⁵I and SCU in vivo. In addition, the expression level of AKT/mTOR pathway was detected to investigate whether it is linked to the anticancer effect of ¹²⁵I and SCU.

Results

SCU at a sensitizing concentration promoted the ¹²⁵I‐induced apoptosis and antiproliferative effect in A549 and H1975 cells. Moreover, the same results were obtained in vivo. Based on our findings, the AKT/mTOR pathway was significantly downregulated after combined treatment with ¹²⁵I and SCU.

Conclusions

The results of our study suggested that SCU promotes the anticancer effects induced by ¹²⁵I in NSCLC cells by downregulating the AKT/mTOR pathway and lays a foundation for future application of this combined treatment.

Anti-prostate cancer activity of a nanoformulation of the spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor C61

Patients with advanced or metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer have a dismal prognosis and are therefore in urgent need for therapeutic innovations. Spleen tyrosine kinase has emerged as a new molecular target for castration-resistant prostate cancer. This study was done to test the cytotoxicity of the lead nanoformulation of a potent spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, C61-LNP, against the human prostatic carcinoma cell line, PC-3. PC-3 cells were treated with various concentrations of C61-LNP either alone or in combination with cisplatin (CDDP) for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The cell viability was evaluated by MTS assay. Cellular expression levels of various regulatory proteins in treated PC-3 cells were evaluated by Western blot analyses. C61-LNP exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against PC-3 cells. C61-LNP, as well as C61-LNP + CDDP treatments, caused pro-apoptotic proteomic changes including an increase in cleaved fragments of caspases-3 and -9 consistent with caspase activation as well as an improvement in the anti-apoptotic Bcl2 and Bax levels. The combination of C61-LNP and CDDP changed in alterations of the cell cycle regulatory proteins p53, p21, p27, cyclin D1 and cyclin E levels. C61-LNP exhibited cytotoxicity against the castration-resistant prostate cancer cell line PC3. It also caused alterations in expression levels of regulatory proteins involved in apoptosis and cell cycle regulation and these effects were not abrogated by the standard chemotherapy drug CDDP. We are planning to further develop C61-LNP as a selective spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor as part of a multi-modality treatment strategy for advanced/metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Bruceine D inhibits Cell Proliferation Through Downregulating LINC01667/MicroRNA-138-5p/Cyclin E1 Axis in Gastric Cancer

Objective: Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Bruceine D (BD) is one of the extracts of Brucea javanica. In recent years, it has been reported that BD has anti-tumor activity in some human cancers through different mechanisms. Here, this study try to explore the effect of BD on gastric cancer and its regulatory mechanism.

Methods: Cell proliferation ability was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) staining and soft agar colony formation assay, respectively. The tumor xenograft model was used to verify the effect of BD on the tumorigenicity of gastric cancer cells in vivo. Flow cytometry analysis and Western blot assay were performed to detect cell cycle and apoptosis. Gastric cancer cells were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing. The interaction between LINC01667, microRNA-138-5p (miR-138-5p) and Cyclin E1 was verified by dual luciferase experiment and RT-PCR assays.

Results: We found that BD significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest at S phase in gastric cancer cells. Transcriptome analysis found that the expression of a long non-coding RNA, LINC01667, were significantly down-regulated after BD treatment. Mechanically, it was discovered that LINC01667 upregulated the expression of Cyclin E1 by sponging miR-138-5p. Furthermore, BD enhanced the chemosensitivity of gastric cancer cells to doxorubicin, a clinically used anti-cancer agent.

Conclusion: BD inhibit the growth of gastric cancer cells by downregulating the LINC01667/miR-138-5p/Cyclin E1 axis. In addition, BD enhances the chemosensitivity of gastric cancer cells to doxorubicin. This study indicates that BD may be used as a candidate drug for the treatment of patients with gastric cancer.

A novel study approach on Scutellaria altissima L. cultivated at the Ghirardi Botanic Garden (Lombardy, Italy)

Within an Open Science project, research was carried out to describe to the public of the Ghirardi Botanic Garden (BS, Lombardy, Italy) the invisible features of plants. This work is dedicated to Scutellaria altissima L. (Lamiaceae). Micromorphological, histochemical and phytochemical investigations were conducted on the vegetative and reproductive organs to correlate the structures involved in the emission of substances and their unique productivity. This work reports volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles of leaves and flowers and the composition of essential oil (EO) obtained from aerial parts of plants cultivated in Italy that have never been described before. Three morphotypes of glandular trichomes were observed: peltate, short-stalked capitate and long-stalked capitate. Peltate trichomes were the main producers of terpenes, short-stalked capitates of polysaccharides and long-stalked capitates of terpenes and polyphenols. The leaf VOC profile showed heterogeneous composition, with non-terpene derivatives as the major chemical class (71.04%), while monoterpene hydrocarbons represented almost the totality of the flower (99.73%). The leaf presented a higher number of total (37 versus 11) and exclusive (33 versus 7) compounds. (Z)-3-Hexenol acetate was most abundant in the leaf and (E)-β-ocimene in the flower. Four common compounds were detected: β-pinene, β-caryophyllene, γ-muurolene and germacrene-D. The EO contaied 21 compounds, dominated by β-caryophyllene, linalool and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone. This research allowed us to correlate morphotypes of the secretory structures with the production of secondary metabolites, with the aim of providing the public of the Ghirardi Botanic Garden with a dedicated iconographic approach, which accounts for olfactory perception linked to S. altissima.

Flavones as a Privileged Scaffold in Drug Discovery: Current Developments

BACKGROUND

Flavones are one of the main subclasses of flavonoids with diverse pharmacological properties. They have been reported to possess antimalarial, antimicrobial, anti-tuberculosis, anti-allergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities, among others.

OBJECTIVE

The present review summarizes the recent information on the pharmacological properties of naturally occurring and synthetic flavones.

METHODS

Scientific publications referring to natural and synthetic flavones in relation to their biological activities were hand-searched in databases such as SciFinder, PubMed (National Library of Medicine), Science Direct, Wiley, ACS, SciELO, Springer, among others.

RESULTS

As per the literature, seventy-five natural flavones were predicted as active compounds with reference to their IC50 (<20 µg/mL) in in vitro studies. Also, synthetic flavones were found active against several diseases.

CONCLUSION

As per the literature, flavones are important sources for the potential treatment of multifactorial diseases. However, efforts toward the development of flavone-based therapeutic agents are still needed. The appearance of new catalysts and chemical transformations is expected to provide avenues for the synthesis of unexplored flavones, leading to the discovery of flavones with new properties and biological activities.

Transcriptional regulation of G2/M regulatory proteins and perturbation of G2/M Cell cycle transition by a traditional Chinese medicine recipe

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hedyotis diffusa Willd. (H) and Scutellaria barbata D.Don (S) are ancient anti-cancer Chinese herb medicines. When combined, known as HS, it is one of the most commonly prescribed Chinese Medicines for cancer patients today in China.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The prevention of disease progression is a dominant concern for the growing number of men with prostate cancer. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the action and mode of action of Chinese Medicine recipe HS in inhibiting prostate cancer progression in preclinical models.

METHODS

Effects of HS were analyzed in prostate cancer cell lines by evaluating proliferation, cell cycle profile, DNA damage and key regulators responsible for G₂ to M phase transition. The transcriptional activities of these regulators were determined by RT-PCR and ChIP. The efficacy of HS in vitro was validated in an animal model.

RESULTS

HS treatment was observed to reduce DNA content and accumulated prostate cancer cells at the G₂/M phase. Immunolabeling for phospho-Histone H3 in association with nocodazole to capture mitotic cells confirmed that HS impeded G₂ to M transition. After excluding DNA damage-induced G₂ arrest, it was revealed that HS reduced expression of Cyclin B1, CDK1, PLK1 and Aurora A at both protein and mRNA levels, with concomitant reduction of H3K4 tri-methylation at their promoter-regions. Animals that received oral administration of HS with a dosage relevant to clinical application showed reduced tumor volume and weight with a reduction of Cyclin B1, CDK1, PLK1 and Aurora A protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS

HS acts by impeding the G₂ to M transition of prostate cancer cells. It is likely that the mode of action is transcriptionally suppressing proteins governing mitotic entry, without eliciting significant DNA damage.

Progesterone-Calcitriol Combination Enhanced Cytotoxicity of Cisplatin in Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer Cells In Vitro

: Initially, patients that respond to cisplatin (DDP) treatment later relapse and develop chemoresistance. Agents that enhance DDP effectiveness will have a significant impact on cancer treatment. We have shown pronounced inhibitory effects of the progesterone-calcitriol combination on endometrial and ovarian cancer cell growth. Here, we examined whether and how progesterone-calcitriol combination potentiates DDP anti-tumor effects in cancer cells. Ovarian and endometrial cancer cells treated with various concentrations of DDP showed a concentration-dependent decrease in cell proliferation. Concurrent treatment of cells with DDP and progesterone-calcitriol ombination potentiated anticancer effects of DDP compared to DDP-calcitriol, or DDP-progesterone treated groups. The anticancer effects were mediated by increased caspase-3, BAX, and decreased BCL2 and PARP-1 expression in DDP and progesterone-calcitriol combination-treated cells. Stimulation of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways seen in cancer cells was reduced in DDP-progesterone-calcitriol treated cells. Pretreatment of cells with specific inhibitors further diminished AKT and ERK expression. Furthermore, progesterone-calcitriol potentiated the anti-growth effects of DDP on cancer cells by attenuating the expression of SMAD2/3, multidrug resistance protein- 1 (MDR-1), and ABC transporters (ABCG1, and ABCG2), thereby impeding the efflux of chemo drugs from cancer cells. These results suggest a potential clinical benefit of progesterone-calcitriol combination therapy when used in combination with DDP.

Dietary Compounds for Targeting Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, and the burden of the disease is increased. Although several chemotherapies have been used, concerns about the side effects have been raised, and development of alternative therapy is inevitable. The purpose of this study is to prove the efficacy of dietary substances as a source of anti-tumor drugs by identifying their carcinostatic activities in specific pathological mechanisms. According to numerous studies, dietary substances were effective through following five mechanisms; apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastasis, microRNA (miRNA) regulation, and anti-multi-drug-resistance (MDR). About seventy dietary substances showed the anti-prostate cancer activities. Most of the substances induced the apoptosis, especially acting on the mechanism of caspase and poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage. These findings support that dietary compounds have potential to be used as anticancer agents as both food supplements and direct clinical drugs.

Reversal of Multidrug Resistance in Cancer by Multi-Functional Flavonoids

Multidrug resistance (MDR) resulting from different defensive mechanisms in cancer is one of the major obstacles of clinical treatment. To circumvent MDR many reversal agents have been developed, but most of them fail in clinical trials due to severely adverse effects. Recently, certain natural products have been reported to overcome MDR, including flavonoids which are abundant in plants, foods, and herbs. The structure of flavonoids can be abbreviated as C6-C3-C6 (C for carbon), and further categorized into flavonoids, iso-flavonoids and neo-flavonoids, according to their structural backbones. Flavonoids possess multiple bioactivities, and a growing body of research has indicated that both flavonoids and iso-flavonoids can either kill or re-sensitize conventional chemotherapeutics to resistant cancer cells. Here, we summarize the research and discuss the underlying mechanisms, concluding that these flavonoids do not function as specific regulators of target proteins, but rather as multi-functional agents that negatively regulate the key factors contributing to MDR.

Scutellarin inhibits the metastasis and cisplatin resistance in glioma cells

Background

Scutellarin is a natural flavone compound that possesses anti-tumor and chemosensitization effects in several cancers. However, the effects of scutellarin on metastasis and chemoresistance in glioma have not been illustrated.

Methods

Glioma cells were treated with scutellarin in the presence or absence of LY294002. Cell proliferation was measured using a Cell Proliferation BrdU ELISA kit. Cell migration and invasion were analyzed using transwell assay. The expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, p-PI3K, PI3K, p-AKT, AKT, p-mTOR and mTOR were measured using Western blot. Furthermore, cells were incubated in the presence of cisplatin with or without the pretreatment of scutellarin. Cell viability was detected by the MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was measured using a histone/DNA ELISA detection kit. The expressions of ABCB1 and ABCG2 were detected using Western blot.

Results

In the present study, we found that scutellarin inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells. Scutellarin induced E-cadherin expression and reduced the expressions of N-cadherin, and vimentin in glioma cells. Our results also revealed that scutellarin enhanced chemosensitivity to cisplatin, as evidenced by the decreased cell viability to cisplatin and induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, scutellarin inhibited the expressions of ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 and ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2 in cisplatin-resistant glioma cells. Scutellarin also prevented the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway.

Conclusion

The data suggested that scutellarin suppressed metastasis and chemoresistance in glioma cells. Scutellarin might be a new therapeutic approach for the glioma therapy.

Are polyphenol antioxidants at the root of medicinal plant anti-cancer success?

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Given the severe side effects associated with most of the conventional cancer medications, as well as the expanding body of evidence indicating secondary toxicity of these drugs, individuals with cancer are increasingly turning to natural alternatives. Similarly, the pharmaceutical industry is in search of natural products to treat cancer. An understanding of the specific active components in plant products with which anti-cancer efficacy is achieved is required for this research to move forward.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To integrate data from cancer-relatestudies on plant-derived products or extracts, to elucidate whether these products may have similar active ingredients and/or mechanisms of action, that can explain their efficacy. This review also includes a discussion of the methodological complexities and important considerations involved in accurate isolation and characterisation of active substances from plant material.

CONCLUSIONS

From the literature reviewed, most plant products with consistently reported anti-cancer efficacy contains high levels of polyphenols or other potent antioxidants and their mechanisms of action correlate to that reported for isolated antioxidants in the context of cancer. This suggests that natural products may indeed become the panacea against this chronic disease - either as therapeutic medicine strategy or to serve as templates for the design of novel synthetic drugs. The recommendation is made that antioxidant activity of plant actives and especially polyphenols, should be the focus of anti-cancer drug discovery initiatives. Lastly, researchers are advised to exploit current techniques of chemical compound characterisation when investigating polyphenol-rich plants to enable the easy consolidation of research findings from different laboratories.

Scutellarin suppresses proliferation and promotes apoptosis in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells via AKT/mTOR/4EBP1 and STAT3 pathways

Background

Scutellarin (SCU), a flavonoid isolated from Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.‐Mazz., increases autophagy and apoptosis in the adenocarcinoma A549 cell line, which is resistant to cisplatin. However, whether SCU alone has antitumor activity against non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unknown.

Methods

Cell Counting Kit‐8, flow cytometry, colony formation, Hoechst 33258 staining, and Western blot analyses were used to examine the proliferation and apoptosis of A549 cells treated with SCU and the possible molecular mechanisms.

Results

The cell viability assay indicated that SCU markedly suppressed the proliferation of A549 cells in concentration and time‐dependent manners. SCU caused significant G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis, as evidenced by flow cytometric analyses, Hoechst 33258 staining, and Western blot analyses of cyclin D1, cyclin E, BCL‐2, cleaved‐caspase‐3, and BAX. Furthermore, SCU treatment reduced the level of pan‐AKT, phosphorylated (p)‐mTOR, mTOR, BCL‐XL, STAT3, and p‐STAT3, and increased the level of 4EBP1.

Conclusions

SCU can suppress proliferation and promote apoptosis in A549 cells through AKT/mTOR/4EBP1 and STAT3 pathways. This suggests that SCU may be developed into a promising antitumor agent for treating NSCLC.

Polyphenols of Chinese skullcap roots: from chemical profiles to anticancer effects

Great efforts have been made to identify the principle bioactive constituents of Chinese herbs and to unravel the molecular mechanisms behind their anticancer effects.

Scutellarin inhibits human renal cancer cell proliferation and migration via upregulation of PTEN

BACKGROUND

Scutellarin is a naturally flavone glycoside that has been shown to exhibit anti-proliferative and anti-apoptotic activities among various human malignancies. However, the anti-cancer effect of Scutellarin in Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

RCC cell lines ACHN and 786-O were treated with different concentrations (0-210 μM) of Scutellarin in vitro. Cell viability and proliferation were investigated by MTT and colony formation assays. Cell invasion and migration were detected by Transwell assays. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution was measured by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to investigate the expression levels of crucial proteins. Xenograft tumor model was established to evaluate tumor growth in vivo.

RESULTS

Scutellarin significantly inhibited RCC cell proliferation in a dose- and time- dependent manner. Treatment of RCC cells with Scutellarin (30, 60, and 90 μM) markedly induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrested at G0/G1 phase in a concentration-dependent characteristic. Cell invasion and migration capacities of RCC cells were also dose-dependently suppressed by Scutellarin treatment. Western blot assays revealed that the crucial proteins including cyclin D1, CDK2, Bcl2, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were significantly reduced while Bax, cleaved caspase 3 and p21 were increased by Scutellarin in RCC cells. In vivo assay indicated that Scutellarin possessed anti-cancer effect on xenograft without triggering toxic effect. Mechanically, Scutellarin dramatically increased the protein level of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and inhibited the activity of P13K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Ectopic expression of PTEN enhanced the inhibitory effect of Scutellarin on RCC proliferation while knockdown of PTEN abrogated it through regulating its downstream P13K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Scutellarin inhibited RCC cell proliferation and invasion partially by enhancing the expression of PTEN through inhibition of P13K/AKT/mTOR pathway, suggesting that Scutellarin might serve as a potential therapeutic agent in RCC treatment.

Pharmacological Effects of Scutellarin, An Active Component of Genus Scutellaria and Erigeron: A Systematic Review

Flavonoid compound scutellarin (Scu) is quite frequently met in the plant kingdom, particularly in the genus Scutellaria (Lamiaceae) and Erigeron (Asteraceae). The extract of the herb of Erigeron breviscapus, containing this component in high amount, has been used for many years in traditional Chinese medicine. In recent years, studies have made great progress on the usefulness of Scu for treating various diseases by testing its mechanism of action. They support the traditional use of Scu rich plant in heart and cerebral ischemia. Scu can potentially be applied in Alzheimer's disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, vascular complications of diabetes and as an inhibitor of certain carcinomas. Various methods were designed to improve its isolation from plant material, solubility, absorption and bioavailability. On the basis of recent studies, it is suggested that Scu could be a promising candidate for new natural drug and deserves particular attention in further research and development.

Panax ginseng extract attenuates neuronal injury and cognitive deficits in rats with vascular dementia induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

Panax ginseng is a slow-growing perennial plant. Panax ginseng extract has numerous biological activities, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antistress activities. Panax ginseng extract also has a cognition-enhancing effect in rats with alcohol-induced memory impairment. In this study, we partially occluded the bilateral carotid arteries in the rat to induce chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, a well-known model of vascular dementia. The rats were then intragastrically administered 50 or 100 mg/kg Panax ginseng extract. Morris water maze and balance beam tests were used to evaluate memory deficits and motor function, respectively. Protein quantity was used to evaluate cholinergic neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells. Western blot assay was used to evaluate protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, Bcl-2 and Bax. Treatment with Panax ginseng extract for 8 weeks significantly improved behavioral function and increased neuronal density and VEGF and bFGF protein expression in the hippocampal CA3 area. Furthermore, Panax ginseng extract reduced the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactive cells, and it decreased apoptosis by upregulating Bcl-2 and downregulating Bax protein expression. The effect of Panax ginseng extract was dose-dependent and similar to that of nimodipine, a commonly used drug for the treatment of vascular dementia. These findings suggest that Panax ginseng extract is neuroprotective against vascular dementia induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, and therefore might have therapeutic potential for preventing and treating the disease.

Proteomic Contributions to Medicinal Plant Research: From Plant Metabolism to Pharmacological Action

Herbal medicine is a clinical practice of utilizing medicinal plant derivatives for therapeutic purposes. It has an enduring history worldwide and plays a significant role in the fight against various diseases. Herbal drug combinations often exhibit synergistic therapeutic action compared with single-constituent dosage, and can also enhance the cytotoxicity induced by chemotherapeutic drugs. To explore the mechanism underlying the pharmacological action of herbs, proteomic approaches have been applied to the physiology of medicinal plants and its effects on animals. This review article focuses on the existing proteomics-based medicinal plant research and discusses the following topics: (i) plant metabolic pathways that synthesize an array of bioactive compounds; (ii) pharmacological action of plants tested using in vivo and in vitro studies; and (iii) the application of proteomic approaches to indigenous plants with scarce sequence information. The accumulation of proteomic information in a biological or medicinal context may help in formulating the effective use of medicinal plants.

Scutellarin inhibits Hela cell growth and glycolysis by inhibiting the activity of pyruvate kinase M2

Scutellarin, one of natural flavonoids, is widely and clinically used for treating many diseases in China. Recently, scutellarin has demonstrated a broad spectrum of anti-proliferative activities against multiple cancer cell lines. However, the molecular mechanism of action remains to be investigated. We herein report the design and synthesis of biotinylated scutellareins as probes, which can be applied to discover scutellarein interacting proteins. Finally, we show that scutellarin directly targets pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) and inhibits its cytosolic activity to decrease glycolytic metabolism; on the other hand, scutellarin may also participate in regulating cell cycle and apoptotic proteins by activating MEK/ERK/PIN1 signaling pathway to promote the nuclear translocation of PKM2.