Galla Rhois water extract inhibits lung metastasis by inducing AMPK‑mediated apoptosis and suppressing metastatic properties of colorectal cancer cells

Traditional Chinese Medicines as Effective Reversals of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Induced-Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer: Molecular Targets and Mechanisms

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer worldwide. Distant metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related mortality in patients with CRC. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process triggered during tumor metastasis, which is also the main impetus and the essential access within this duration. Therefore, targeting EMT-related molecular pathways has been considered a novel strategy to explore effective therapeutic agents against metastatic CRC. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) with unique properties multi-target and multi-link that exert their therapeutic efficacies holistically, which could inhibit the invasion and metastasis ability of CRC cells via inhibiting the EMT process by down-regulating transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smads, PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch signaling pathways. The objective of this review is to summarize and assess the anti-metastatic effect of TCM-originated bioactive compounds and Chinese medicine formulas by mediating EMT-associated signaling pathways in CRC therapy, providing a foundation for further research on the exact mechanisms of action through which TCMs affect EMT transform in CRC.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Colorectal Cancer: Implications for Drug Discovery

As an important part of complementary and alternative medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been applied to treat a host of diseases for centuries. Over the years, with the incidence rate of human colorectal cancer (CRC) increasing continuously and the advantage of TCM gradually becoming more prominent, the importance of TCM in both domestic and international fields is also growing with each passing day. However, the unknowability of active ingredients, effective substances, and the underlying mechanisms of TCM against this malignant tumor greatly restricts the translation degree of clinical products and the pace of precision medicine. In this review, based on the characteristics of TCM and the oral administration of most ingredients, we herein provide beneficial information for the clinical utilization of TCM in the prevention and treatment of CRC and retrospect the current preclinical studies on the related active ingredients, as well as put forward the research mode for the discovery of active ingredients and effective substances in TCM, to provide novel insights into the research and development of innovative agents from this conventional medicine for CRC treatment and assist the realization of precision medicine.

Effects of Gallotannin-Enriched Extract of Galla Rhois on the Activation of Apoptosis, Cell Cycle Arrest, and Inhibition of Migration Ability in LLC1 Cells and LLC1 Tumors

Gallotannin (GT) and GT-enriched extracts derived from various sources are reported to have anti-tumor activity in esophageal, colon and prostate tumors, although their anti-tumor effects have not been determined in lung carcinomas. To investigate the anti-tumor activity of GT-enriched extract of galla rhois (GEGR) against lung carcinomas, alterations in the cytotoxicity, apoptosis activation, cell cycle progression, migration ability, tumor growth, histopathological structure, and the regulation of signaling pathways were analyzed in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC1) cells and LLC1 tumor bearing C57BL/6NKorl mice, after exposure to GEGR. A high concentration of GT (69%) and DPPH scavenging activity (IC50=7.922 µg/ml) was obtained in GEGR. GEGR treatment exerted strong cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and subsequent activation of apoptosis, as well as inhibitory effects on the MAPK pathway and PI3K/AKT mediated cell migration in LLC1 cells. In the in vivo syngeneic model, exposure to GEGR resulted in suppressed growth of the LLC1 tumors, as well as inhibition of NF-κB signaling and their inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, our results provide novel evidence that exposure to GEGR induces activation of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of cell migration via suppression of the MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways in LLC1 cells and the LLC1 syngeneic model.

The therapeutic potential of losartan in lung metastasis of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer with a high incidence rate. Components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) have been reported to be dysregulated in several malignancies including CRC. Here, we have explored the potential anti-metastatic effects of a RAS inhibitor, losartan, in an experimental model of lung metastasis in CRC. A murine model of lung metastasis of CRC was used, which involved the intravenous injection of CT26 cells via a tail vein. Four experimental groups comprised: an untreated group; a group that received 5-FU which was administered intraperitoneally; a losartan group and a combination group that received 5-FU plus losartan. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of losartan by histopathological method, and the measurement of oxidative or antioxidant markers including malondialdehyde (MDA) and total thiol (T-SH) tissue levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity. We found that losartan inhibited lung metastasis of CRC and there was a reduction of the IL-6 expression level in the tissue sample. It was also associated with reduced levels of the anti-angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Furthermore, we found that losartan induced oxidative stress as assessed by an elevation of MDA level, reduction of T-SH, SOD and catalase activities in lung tissue. Our findings demonstrated that losartan ameliorates angiogenesis, inflammation and the induction of oxidative stress via angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R). This may shine some lights on targeting the RAS pathway as a potential therapeutic approach in the treatment of metastatic CRC patients.

Pentagalloyl Glucose- and Ethyl Gallate-Rich Extract from Maprang Seeds Induce Apoptosis in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells through Mitochondria-Mediated Pathway

Bouea macrophylla Griffith, locally known as maprang, has important economic value as a Thai fruit tree. The maprang seed extract (MPSE) has been shown to exhibit antibacterial and anticancer activities. However, the bioactive constituents in MPSE and the molecular mechanisms underlying these anticancer activities remain poorly understood. This study aims to identify the active compounds in MPSE and to investigate the mechanisms involved in MPSE-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 treated cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect was determined by MTT assay. The apoptosis induction of MPSE was evaluated in terms of ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, and apoptosis-related gene expression. The compounds identified by HPLC and LC/MS analysis were pentagalloyl glucose, ethyl gallate, and gallic acid. MPSE treatment decreased cell proliferation in MCF-7 cells, and MPSE was postulated to induce G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. MPSE was found to promote intracellular ROS production in MCF-7 treated cells and to also influence the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, MPSE treatment can lead to increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 gene expression ratio, suggesting that MPSE-induced apoptosis is mitochondria-dependent pathway. Our results suggest that natural products obtained from maprang seeds have the potential to target the apoptosis pathway in breast cancer treatments.