Mechanisms of hela cell apoptosis induced by abnormal Savda Munziq total phenolics combined with chemotherapeutic agents

Enhanced antitumor efficacy and reduced toxicity of Abnormal Savda Munziq on tumor bearing mice treated with chemotherapy

Previous research has demonstrated the anti-tumor properties of Abnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq), a traditional Uyghur compound herbal medicine. The effects of ASMq on cervical carcinomas in U27 tumor-bearing mice is investigated, the effect of adding Fluorouracil (5-FU) is also assessed in this paper. The results demonstrate that ASMq and 5-FU significantly inhibited the proliferation of U27 cells in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. Evaluating the interactions between ASMq and 5-FU on U27 cell growth yields a combination index (CI) < 1 in different time periods, suggesting a synergistic effect between the two drugs in vitro. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis demonstrates that ASMq can inhibit enhanced lipid metabolism in tumor mice, enhance the glutamine content, promote lymphocyte and macrophage proliferation, and increase tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α) and interleukin(IL) production, which can enhance the effect of 5-FU on the inhibition of tumors. Also ASMq can reduce the content of ALT and AST in serum. Increased SOD, GSH-Px, and decreased the content of MDA in liver tissue. ASMq has a synergistic effect on liver and tumor pathology, as well as tumor inhibition rate. In addition, ASMq can also enhance the body's antioxidant capacity and improve the body's metabolism, and reduce 5-FU's toxic side effects.

Plasma proteins as potential targets of abnormal Savda syndrome in asthma patients treated with unique Uighur prescription

The therapeutic effect of Uighur prescription on abnormal Savda in asthma patients was evaluated using plasma proteomics in order to elucidate the biological mechanism and identify potential therapeutic targets of abnormal Savda. In the present study, 40 asthma patients with abnormal Savda including abnormal Savda Munziq and Savda Mushil were enrolled and treated with Uighur prescription. The effect of Uighur prescription on protein expression and potential targets was investigated by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomics and bioinformatics analysis. Expression of candidate proteins was verified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Following treatment with the Uighur prescription, 22 proteins were differentially expressed in the plasma of patients with asthma and abnormal Savda. The majority of these proteins were localized in intermediate filaments and the cytoskeleton and acted as antioxidant enzymes and binding proteins. Furthermore, they participated in the defense and inflammatory response, and the response to oxidative stress and wound healing. Peroxiredoxin 2 and carboxypeptidase B2 expression was significantly upregulated, whereas S100A7 was considerably downregulated in the whole plasma of patients (all P<0.05) in accordance with the iTRAQ proteomics data. Uighur prescription of abnormal Savda may affect the whole regulatory network of protein expression that is altered following the development of abnormal Savda in patients with asthma.

Anti-tumor effects of Abnormal Savda Munziq on the transplanted cervical cancer (U27) mouse model

BACKGROUND

Abnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq), a traditional uyghur medicine, has shown anti-tumour properties in vitro. it was showed that total flavonoids of ASMq could inhibit the proliferation and enhance the antioxidant ability of human cervix cancer HeLa cell. This study attempts to confirm these effects on the transplanted cervical cancer (U27) mouse model in vivo.

METHODS

Forty eight Kunming mice were randomly divided in to six groups: normal control group (Control group), U27 tumor model group (Model group), cyclophosphamide administration group (CTX group),low-dose ASMq group (ASMq.L group), medium-dose ASMq group (ASMq.M group), and high-dose ASMq group (ASMq.H group). The five groups except normal control group transplanted with cervical cancer (U27) cells. We observed mice tumor inhibition rate and conducted the histopathological analysisUsing the western blot assay, the expression of TGF-β1 and TNF-α protein in transplanted cervical cancer U27 tumor tissue were detected.

RESULTS

The tumor inhibition rates of CTX group, ASMq.L group, ASMq.M group, and ASMq.H group were 72.21, 31.27, 60.53 and 51.94% respectively, has obvious antitumor effect. ASMq significantly promote the spleen tlymphocyte proliferation of transplanted cervical cancer U27 mice. Invasive growth and diffusion rate in tumor tissue were accelerate in the transplanted cervical cancer U27 model group. Tumor tissue necrosis of tumor cells are smaller in the medium, high dosage group. Compared with the U27 model group, the expression levels of TGF-β1 protein and TNF-α protein expression exhibited statistically significant decreased in the mice tumor tissues in the CTX administration group and the ASMq administration group.

CONCLUSIONS

ASMq has some antitumor effects on U27 model mice in vivo, The effects are achieved not only by improving the immune function of U27 model mice, but also by inhibiting the expression levels of TGF-β1 protein while promoting the expression levels of TNF-α protein.

EHHM, a novel phenolic natural product from Livistona chinensis, induces autophagy-related apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks the second cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. In the present study, the effects and mechanisms of a new phenolic natural product E-[6′-(5′-hydroxypentyl)tricosyl]-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamate (EHHM) isolated from Livistona chinensis on the growth of HCC cells were investigated. It was observed that EHHM treatment significantly suppressed cell proliferation and colony formation, and induced cell apoptosis via a mitochondria-dependent caspase pathway in HepG2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, EHHM treatment also led to upregulated expression of autophagy protein 5 (Atg5), Beclin 1 and light chain 3 (LC3)-II proteins, and accumulation of green fluorescent protein-LC3 punctate florescent foci in HCC cells, suggesting that EHHM-induced apoptosis is accompanied by autophagy induction. Western blotting revealed that EHHM-induced autophagy is related to the inhibition of the Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin/p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase signaling pathway. Furthermore, treatment with Atg5 small interfering RNA or autophagy inhibitors significantly enhanced EHHM-mediated growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death, indicating that autophagy serves as a self-protective mechanism in EHHM-treated HCC cells, and that combined treatment with EHHM and autophagy inhibitors may be an effective therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Investigations into cytotoxic effects of the herbal preparation Abnormal Savda Munziq

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of Abnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq), a traditional herbal medicine, for the prevention and treatment of human diseases, e.g. bowel cancer.

METHODS

The parameters total polyphenol content, cell proliferation and DNA-damage as well as RNA and protein-oxidation were analysed in vitro. Besides, the expressions of miRNA and tumor suppressor genes as well as cellular senescence were evaluated.

RESULTS

ASMq had a high polyphenol content and induced damage to proteins, RNA as well as to DNA, which is correlated with its cytotoxicity. Furthermore ASMq up-regulated the tumor suppressor genes p21, p53 and p16 and down-regulated the micro-RNAs hsa-mir-17 and hsa-mir-106b. In addition cellular growth arrest and SA-β-gal-staining were induced.

CONCLUSION

ASMq has the ability to induce DNA damage and cellular senescence, which are double-edged mechanisms in fighting cancer, as they might also have harmful side effects.

Bag-1L is a stress-withstand molecule prevents the downregulation of Mcl-1 and c-Raf under control of heat shock proteins in cisplatin treated HeLa cervix cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Cisplatin, a DNA damaging agent, induces apoptosis through increasing DNA fragmentation. However, identification of intrinsic resistance molecules against Cisplatin is vital to estimate the success of therapy. Bag-1 (Bcl-2-associated anthanogene) is one anti-apoptotic protein involved in drug resistance impacting on therapeutic efficiency. Elevated levels of this protein are related with increase cell proliferation rates, motility and also cancer development. For this reason, we aimed to understand the role of Bag-1 expression in Cisplatin- induced apoptosis in HeLa cervix cancer cells. Cisplatin decreased cell viability in time- and dose-dependent manner in wt and Bag-1L+HeLa cells. Although, 10 μM Cisplatin treatment induced cell death within 24h by activating caspases in wt cells, Bag-1L stable transfection protected cells against Cisplatin treatment. To assess the potential protective role of Bag-1, we first checked the expression profile of interacting anti-apoptotic partners of Bag-1. We found that forced Bag-1L expression prevented Cisplatin-induced apoptosis through acting on Mcl-1 expression, which was reduced after Cisplatin treatment in wt HeLa cells. This mechanism was also supported by the regulation of heat shock protein (Hsp) family members, Hsp90 and Hsp40, which were involved in the regulation Bag-1 interactome including several anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members and c-Raf.

Identification of plasma protein markers common to patients with malignant tumour and Abnormal Savda in Uighur medicine: a prospective clinical study

Background

Traditional Uighur medicine shares an origin with Greco-Arab medicine. It describes the health of a human body as the dynamic homeostasis of four normal Hilits (humours), known as Kan, Phlegm, Safra, and Savda. An abnormal change in one Hilit may cause imbalance among the Hilits, leading to the development of a syndrome. Abnormal Savda is a major syndrome of complex diseases that are associated with common biological changes during disease development. Here, we studied the protein expression profile common to tumour patients with Abnormal Savda to elucidate the biological basis of this syndrome and identify potential biomarkers associated with Abnormal Savda.

Methods

Patients with malignant tumours were classified by the diagnosis of Uighur medicine into two groups: Abnormal Savda type tumour (ASt) and non-Abnormal Savda type tumour (nASt), which includes other syndromes. The profile of proteins that were differentially expressed in ASt compared with nASt and normal controls (NC) was analysed by iTRAQ proteomics and evaluated by bioinformatics using MetaCore™ software and an online database. The expression of candidate proteins was verified in all plasma samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

We identified 31 plasma proteins that were differentially expressed in ASt compared with nASt, of which only 10 showed quantitatively different expression between ASt and NC. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that most of these proteins are known biomarkers for neoplasms of the stomach, breast, and lung. ELISA detection showed significant upregulation of plasma SAA1 and SPP24 and downregulation of PIGR and FASN in ASt compared with nASt and NC (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Abnormal Savda may be causally associated with changes in the whole regulation network of protein expression during carcinogenesis. The expression of potential biomarkers might be used to distinguish Abnormal Savda from other syndromes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0526-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Radio-sensitization by Piper longumine of human breast adenoma MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro

BACKGROUND

The current study investigated the effects of Piper longumine on radio-sensitization of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured in vitro and those in logarithmic growth phase were selected for experiments divided into four groups: control, X-ray exposed, Piper longumine, and Piper longumine combined with X-rays. Conogenic assays were performed to determine the radio-sensitizing effects. Cell survival curves were fitted by single-hit multi-target model and then the survival fraction (SF), average lethal dose (D0), quasi-threshold dose (Dq) and sensitive enhancement ratio (SER) were calculated. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM).Western blot assays were employed for expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bc1-2 and Bax) after treatment with Piper longumine and/or X-ray radiation. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by FCM with a DCFH-DA probe.

RESULTS

The cloning formation capacity was decreased in the group of piperlongumine plus radiation, which displayed the values of SF2, D0, Dq significantly lower than those of radiation alone group and the sensitive enhancement ratio (SER) of D0 was1.22 and 1.29, respectively. The cell apoptosis rate was increased by the combination treatment of Piper longumine and radiation. Piper longumine increased the radiation-induced intracellular levels of ROS. Compared with the control group and individual group, the combination group demonstrated significantly decreased expression of Bcl-2 with increased Bax.

CONCLUSIONS

Piper longumine at a non-cytotoxic concentration can enhance the radio-sensitivity of MDA- MB-231cells, which may be related to its regulation of apoptosis-related protein expression and the increase of intracellular ROS level, thus increasing radiation-induced apoptosis.