Ethanol Extracted from Radix of Actinidia Chinensis Inhibits Human Colon Tumor Through Inhibiting Notch-signaling Pathway

Exploring the anticancer potential of Actinidia chinensis Planch root extracts (acRoots) on hepatocellular carcinoma: A molecular mechanism study

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ranking as the seventh most prevalent cancer worldwide, poses a significant health challenge. Actinidia chinensis Planch Root extracts (acRoots), a traditional Chinese medicine, has exhibited promising inhibitory effects on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of various cancer cell types. Nevertheless, its specific impact and underlying mechanisms concerning HCC remain unclear. This research aimed to elucidate the anticancer properties and potential molecular mechanisms of acRoots in the HepG2 and LM3 cell lines. Our findings demonstrate that acRoots effectively hampers the in vitro proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Furthermore, acRoots induces apoptosis and autophagy by impeding the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, with its inhibitory effects on cells being restored under AKT activator induction. This study, for the first time, elucidates that acRoots can suppress HepG2 and LM3 cell proliferation by blocking the Akt/mTOR pathway, thereby activating apoptosis and autophagy. These results underscore the potential of acRoots as a promising antitumor agent for HCC.

Anti-Tumor Effect and Neurotoxicity of Ethanol Adjuvant Therapy after Surgery of a Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Wide resection is the main treatment for sarcomas; however, when they are located near major nerves, their sacrifices might affect limb function. The efficacy of ethanol adjuvant therapy for sarcomas has not been established. In this study, the anti-tumor effect of ethanol, as well as its neurotoxicity, were assessed. In vitro anti-tumor effect of ethanol as evaluated using MTT, wound healing, and invasion assays on a synovial sarcoma cell line (HS-SY-II). In vivo, an assessment was conducted in nude mice (implanted with subcutaneous HS-SY-II) treated with different ethanol concentrations after surgery with a close margin. Sciatic nerve neurotoxicity was assessed with electrophysiological and histological examination. In vitro, ethanol concentrations at 30% and higher showed cytotoxic effects in MTT assay and markedly reduced migration and invasive ability of HS-SY-II. In vivo, both 30% and 99.5% ethanol concentrations, compared to 0% concentration, significantly reduced the local recurrence. However, in the group treated with 99.5% ethanol, nerve conduction tests showed prolonged latency and decreased amplitude, and morphological changes suggestive of nerve degeneration were observed in the sciatic nerve, while the 30% ethanol did not cause neurological damage. In conclusion, 30% is the optimal concentration for ethanol adjuvant therapy after close-margin surgery for sarcoma.

Classical Angiogenic Signaling Pathways and Novel Anti-Angiogenic Strategies for Colorectal Cancer

Although productive progress has been made in colorectal cancer (CRC) researchs, CRC is the second most frequent type of malignancy and the major cause of cancer-related death among gastrointestinal cancers. As angiogenesis constitutes an important point in the control of CRC progression and metastasis, understanding the key signaling pathways that regulate CRC angiogenesis is critical in elucidating ways to inhibit CRC. Herein, we comprehensively summarized the angiogenesis-related pathways of CRC, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), Wingless and int-1 (Wnt), and Notch signaling pathways. We divided the factors influencing the specific pathway into promoters and inhibitors. Among these, some drugs or natural compounds that have antiangiogenic effects were emphasized. Furthermore, the interactions of these pathways in angiogenesis were discussed. The current review provides a comprehensive overview of the key signaling pathways that are involved in the angiogenesis of CRC and contributes to the new anti-angiogenic strategies for CRC.

Radix Actinidia chinensis Suppresses Renal Cell Carcinoma Progression: Network Pharmacology Prediction and In Vivo Experimental Validation

Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a frequent disease with limited curative methods. This study is aimed at investigating the role and mechanism of Radix Actinidia chinensis (RAC) on RCC.

Methods

The ingredients, target, and crucial pathways of RAC in RCC therapy were analyzed by network pharmacology. Then, an RCC animal model was established by subcutaneously injecting A498 cell suspension to BALB/c nude mice. After 1 week, the mice in the RAC-L/M/H groups were administered with RAC at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/d, respectively. The histopathology of the tumor was evaluated. The contents of tumor inflammatory cytokines and serum oxidative stress factors were detected by ELISA. The apoptosis of tumor tissues was assessed by TUNEL staining. The expressions of apoptosis-, proliferate-, autophagy-, and MAPK-related proteins were measured.

Results

There were 13 active ingredients, and 20 RCC-relevant targets were selected from RAC; KEGG pathway indicated that these targets were enriched in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathway. In in vivo experiments, RAC not only obviously damaged tumor cells and decreased the release of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress factors but also enhanced the apoptosis of the tumor cell in RCC mice. Besides, the expressions of apoptosis-, proliferate-, autophagy-, PI3K/AKT/mTOR path-, and MAPK path-related proteins were all affected by RAC.

Conclusion

RAC attenuated RCC by regulating inflammation response, oxidative stress, apoptosis, proliferation, and autophagy, and its effects were partly linked to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathway, which indicated that RAC may be a candidate drug for RCC.

Exploring potential targets of Actinidia chinensis Planch root against hepatocellular carcinoma based on network pharmacology and molecular docking and development and verification of immune-associated prognosis features for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the malignant tumors with the highest morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its prognosis remains a challenge. Actinidia chinensis Planch (ACP) root has good efficacy against HCC. This study aimed to explore the link between ACP and potential targets of HCC, and to develop a novel immune-based gene signature to predict HCC patient survival.

Methods

Transcriptome data and clinical information on HCC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA; HCC: 374, normal: 50) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) database (HCC: 243, normal: 202). Combined with the 2,483 immune-related genes from the Immport database, we used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to construct a prognostic model. Patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups by the median of the risk scores of the TCGA cohort. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to estimate the predictability of the model in HCC prognosis, and carried out external validation based on ICGC cohort. We analyzed the correlation of this model with immune cells and immune checkpoint genes. Finally, molecular docking of these genes and the corresponding ACP components.

Results

We constructed a prognostic model composed of 3 immune-related genes [epidermal growth factor (EGF), baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing protein 5 (BIRC5), and secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1)]. And the high-risk group had a lower overall survival (OS) rate compared to the low-risk group (TCGA cohort: P=1.761e-05, ICGC cohort: P=8.716e-04). The outcomes of the AUC of ROC of prognostic risk model to predict for 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS: TCGA cohort: 0.749, 0.710, and 0.653 and ICGC cohort: 0.698, 0.736, and 0.753. Molecular docking results showed that quercetin had good binding activities with SPP1, BIRC5, and EGF, and ursolic acid (UA) and BIRC5 also had this feature.

Conclusions

Our study speculates that ACP root anti-HCC may be involved in the immune regulation of the body by targeting EGF, BIRC5 and SPP1, which possess great potential and value as early warning molecules for HCC. This model may provide a reference for individualized diagnosis and treatment for HCC patients.

The bioactive ingredients in Actinidia chinensis Planch. Inhibit liver cancer by inducing apoptosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Actinidia chinensis Planch. (ACP) is a common traditional Chinese medicine, which is mostly used for cancer treatment clinically. Liver cancer is a refractory tumor with a high incidence. Although ACP has been reported in the treatment of liver cancer, its possible mechanism of action is little known.

AIM OF STUDY

The aim of this paper was to investigate the active components of ACP in the treatment of liver cancer and the related mechanisms by a network pharmacology approach.

METHODS

The active components of ACP and the corresponding targets were obtained from multiple databases. Cytoscape software and STRING database were used to build the "herb-component-target (H-C-T)" network and protein-protein interactions (PPI) network. The key components and targets were further predicted by the Cytohubba plug-in in Cytoscape. Then, experiments were carried out on HepG2 cell line and Huh7 cell line to verify the effects and related mechanisms of the key compounds in ACP.

RESULTS

28 active components in ACP and 1299 related targets were screened out according to two indicators, oral bioavailability (OB) and drug-likeness (DL). The key compounds predicted include rutinum, astragalin, and L-epicatechin, and the main signaling pathways focus on apoptosis. Astragalin, a key compound in ACP, could inhibit the expression of Bcl-2, up-regulate the expression of Bax, cleaved caspase 3, cleaved caspase 8, and cleaved caspase 9, and regulate the apoptosis signaling pathway to inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cells to play a therapeutic role in anti-liver cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ACP can alleviate the progression of liver cancer through the mechanisms predicted by network pharmacology, and provide a basis for the further understanding of the application of ACP in anti-cancer.

Suppression of human colon tumor by EERAC through regulating Notch/DLL4/Hes pathway inhibiting angiogenesis in vivo

Background: Ethanol extracted from radix of Actinidia chinensis (EERAC) has been proved to be effective to inhibit colorectal cancer (CRC). Notch signaling pathway and angiogenesis in tumors are closely related with the progression of CRC. However, if EERAC could influence CRC through Notch signaling pathway and angiogenesis remains unclear.

Methods: Flow cytometry, transwell, wound healing methods were used to measure cell apoptosis, invasion, migration, and proliferation. Protein and mRNA expression were detected using qRT-PCR and western blotting. Immunofluorescence staining was applied to detect the expression of target protein in the tissues.

Results: The invasion, migration, and proliferation of CRC cells were remarkably suppressed by ERRAC. Significant promotion of cell apoptosis and cell ration in S stage were observed after EERAC treatment. The Notch1/DLL4/Hes1 signaling pathway and angiogenesis were suppressed by EERAC. Overexpression of LIM domain-binding 2 (LDB2) remarkably weakened the influence of ERRAC on the viability of CRC cells.

Conclusions: EERAC might suppress CRC through targeting Notch/DLL4/Hes1 pathway and inhibiting angiogenesis in tumors. This study might provide novel thought for the prevention and therapy of CRC through targeting Notch/DLL4/Hes1.