Antitumor Activity of Ligustilide Against Ehrlich Solid Carcinoma in Rats via Inhibition of Proliferation and Activation of Autophagy

Role of Arctiin in Fibrosis and Apoptosis in Experimentally Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Rats

Background and objectives Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. It is currently the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality. Arctiin, a compound found in plants commonly used as a vegetable in Asian countries and as an ingredient in traditional European dishes, possesses various properties, including anti-proliferative, anti-senescence, anti-oxidative, anti-tumor, toxic, anti-adipogenic, and anti-bacterial effects. Our study aims to investigate the potential antitumor activity of arctiin against HCC in rats by inhibiting cell fibrosis and apoptosis. Methods Rats were induced with HCC by administering thioacetamide. Arctiin was orally administered to some rats twice a week for 16 weeks at a dose of 30 mg/kg. The liver impairment was evaluated by measuring serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) and examining liver sections stained with Masson trichrome or anti-hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α) antibodies. The hepatic expression of messenger RNA and protein levels of HIF-1α, protein kinase C (PKC), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), β-catenin, and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (SMAD4) were analyzed. Results Our study demonstrated that arctiin can potentially increase the survival rate of rats. This is achieved through a reduction in serum AFP levels and hepatic nodules. We also observed that arctiin has the ability to inhibit the formation of fibrotic tissues and necrotic nodules in HCC rats. Additionally, arctiin can significantly decrease the expression of HIF-1α, PKC, ERK, β-catenin, and SMAD4. Conclusion Arctiin has demonstrated potential anti-tumor properties that could ameliorate HCC. Studies have shown that it may increase survival rates and reduce the number of tumors and AFP levels. Arctiin works by inhibiting HCC-induced hypoxia, thus blocking the expression of HIF-1α. It also helps to slow down tumor fibrosis by decreasing the expression of β-catenin and SMAD4. Furthermore, arctiin has been found to downregulate PKC and ERK, reducing hepatic tissue apoptosis.

Anti-Glioma Effects of Ligustilide or n-Butylphthalide on Their Own and the Synergistic Effects with Temozolomide via PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

Background

Ligustilide (LIG) and n-butylphthalide (NBP) have neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemia; however, their roles in gliomas are not well-known.This study aimed to explore the anti-glioma effects of LIG and NBP individually and the synergistic effects of temozolomide (TMZ) via the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway.

Materials and Methods

Cytotoxicity of LIG and NBP alone and in combination with TMZ in U251 cells was determined using the CCk-8. The effect of compounds alone or in combination on cell migration was detected using the wound healing assay, and the invasion was evaluated by transwell assays, respectively. Cell apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry and the changed expressions of proteins were detected by Western blotting.

Results

The results showed that LIG and NBP significantly inhibited the growth of U251 cells at concentrations of 4-10 µg/mL and 1.5-6 µg/mL in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05, p<0.01). The combination of 20 µg/mL TMZ with LIG in the concentration range of 4-10 µg/mL or with NBP of 0.5-6 µg/mlachieved synergistic effect towardsU251 cells. LIG and NBP, alone or in combination with TMZ, markedly inhibited cell invasion (p< 0.001) and enhanced apoptosis (p< 0.05). The combination of TMZ with LIG or NBP markedly inhibited cell migration (p< 0.001). Western blot analysis showed that LIG, NBP, and TMZ, alone and in combination, significantly decreased the expression of Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-Akt, and increased the expression of Bax.

Conclusion

Both LIG and NBP exert anti-glioma effects on their own through the PI3K/Akt pathway and enhance TMZ-mediated anti-glioma efficiency via the same pathway.

Effects of Echinacoside on Ehrlich Carcinoma in Rats by Targeting Proliferation, Hypoxia and Inflammation

Background and objectives Ehrlich solid carcinoma (ESC) is a type of tumor originating from a spontaneous mammary adenocarcinoma in mice. It is highly aggressive and fast-growing and can create a solid undifferentiated mass when inserted under the skin. This makes it an ideal model for assessing cancer biology and tumor immunology. Echinacoside is a natural phenylethanoid glycoside with anti-inflammatory, anti-endoplasmic reticulum stress, anti-oxidative stress, and other beneficial properties. This study explored the potential anti-cancer benefits of echinacoside in rats with ESC. The study also analyzed its effects on tumor cell proliferation, differentiation, motility, and inflammation. Methods The study involved injecting rats with tumors in their left hind limb using an intramuscular injection of 2×106 cells. After 14 days, some rats were given a daily intraperitoneal dose of 30 mg/kg echinacoside for three weeks. Muscle samples were then analyzed under an electron microscope. In addition, gene expression and protein levels of various factors such as phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and nuclear factor (NF)κB were evaluated in another part of the muscle samples. Results After being treated with echinacoside, the ESC rats experienced a significant increase in their mean survival time from 27 days to 48 days. This treatment also resulted in a decrease in the volume and weight of the tumor. Upon examining the tumor tissue under an electron microscope, signs of damage such as pleomorphic cells, necrosis, nuclear fragmentation, membrane damage with cytoplasmic content spilling, and loss of cellular junction were observed. However, the treatment with echinacoside was effective in improving these effects. Furthermore, the expression of PI3K, mTOR, HIF-1α, cyclin D1, CDK2, TNF-α, and NFκB was significantly reduced due to the echinacoside treatment. Conclusions Our research found that echinacoside has antitumor properties that resulted in a substantial decrease in tumor size and weight, leading to an increase in the average survival time of rats and an improvement in muscle structure. Additionally, echinacoside was shown to ameliorate hypoxia by suppressing HIF-1α, reduce inflammation by decreasing NFκB and TNF-α, decrease proliferation by reducing PI3K, and block cyclin D1 and CDK2 to inhibit differentiation.

Arctiin Inhibits Inflammation, Fibrosis, and Tumor Cell Migration in Rats With Ehrlich Solid Carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

ESC or Ehrlich solid carcinoma is a type of tumor originating from a spontaneous mammary adenocarcinoma in mice. It is a highly aggressive and fast-growing carcinoma that can create a solid mass when inserted under the skin. Its solid, undifferentiated form makes it an ideal model for researching cancer biology, tumor immunology, and testing various anti-cancer treatments. Additionally, arctiin has multiple beneficial properties, such as anti-proliferative, anti-oxidative, anti-adipogenic, and anti-bacterial. This study aimed to explore the potential anti-cancer benefits of arctiin in rats with ESC while also analyzing its effects on cell fibrosis markers, tumor cell migration, and inflammasome pathways.

METHODS

Rats were given a tumor in their left hind limb via an intramuscular injection consisting of 2×106 cells. After eight days, some of the rats received a daily oral dose of 30 mg/kg of arctiin for three weeks. Muscle samples were observed under an electron microscope or stained with hematoxylin/eosin. Additionally, gene expression and protein levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and cyclin D1 were assessed in another part of the muscle samples.

RESULTS

When ESC rats were given arctiin as a treatment, their mean survival time increased and their tumor volume and weight decreased. Additionally, when tumor tissue was examined under an electron microscope, it showed signs of pleomorphic cells, necrosis, nuclear fragmentation, membrane damage with cytoplasmic content spilling, and loss of cellular junction. The stained sections with hematoxylin/eosin showed a dense cellular mass and compressed, degenerated, and atrophied muscle. However, treatment with arctiin improved all these effects. Finally, the expression of TLR4, NLRP3, STAT3, TGF-β, VEGF, and cyclin D1 was significantly reduced with arctiin treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Through the use of arctiin, tumor size and weight were effectively reduced, leading to an increase in the average survival time of rats and an improvement in muscle structure. Additional research has shown that arctiin is able to suppress inflammation, fibrosis, and the migration of tumor cells by inhibiting STAT3, TGF-β1, TLR4, NLRP3, VEGF, and cyclin D1.

Garcinol-Attenuated Gastric Ulcer (GU) Experimentally Induced in Rats Via Affecting Inflammation, Cell Proliferation, and DNA Polymerization

BACKGROUND

 Gastric ulcer (GU) is one of the most critical gastrointestinal tract disorders. Garcinol is a polyisoprenylated benzophenone in Garcinia fruit with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory priorities.

OBJECTIVES

 We aimed to assess the protective effects of garcinol against GU induced in rats. We investigated garcinol's effects on DNA polymerization via mammalian targets of rapamycin (mTOR) and cyclin D1, cell proliferation via proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), inflammatory pathway via cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), TNF-α, and IL-1β, and anti-inflammatory pathway via IL-4 and IL10.

METHODS

 In our study, we administered a single oral dose of 80 mg/kg of indomethacin to rats to induce GU. Some of the rats were given a treatment of 50 mg/kg of garcinol. We examined the expressions of mTOR, cyclin D1, PCNA, COX2, TNF-α, and IL-1β/4/10 in the gastric tissues. Furthermore, we stained sections of the gastric tissues with Masson trichrome.

RESULTS

 The areas of gastric tissues in the GU group showed severe hemorrhage and extensive fibrosis. Treating GU rats with garcinol prevented bleeding and ameliorated the fibrosis caused in gastric cells by GU. Moreover, treatment with garcinol significantly decreased the expression of mTOR, cyclin D1, PCNA, COX2, TNF-α, and IL-1β associated with elevation of IL-4 and IL-10.

CONCLUSION

 Garcinol has been found to provide therapeutic benefits in rats with induced GU. These benefits may be due to its ability to decrease the expression of DNA polymerization markers, cell proliferation markers, and inflammatory markers at the gene and protein levels.

Antitumor Activity of Ferulic Acid Against Ehrlich Solid Carcinoma in Rats via Affecting Hypoxia, Oxidative Stress and Cell Proliferation

Background Ferulic acid is a natural compound commonly found in fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, sweet corn, rice bran, and dong quai. It has various beneficial effects on the body, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective properties. Aims We conducted a study to investigate the antitumor activity of ferulic acid against Ehrlich solid carcinoma (ESC), specifically by affecting hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and its subsequent effects on other factors like nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), cellular Myc (cMyc), cyclin D1, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Materials and methods The study involved implanting rats with ESC cells and administering 50 mg/kg of ferulic acid orally daily for eight days. Sections of the muscles with ESC were stained with toluidine blue or immunostained with anti-HIF-1α antibodies. The tumor samples were used to evaluate the expression of HIF-1α, Nrf2, HO-1, cMyc, cyclin D1, mTOR, and STAT3. Results Ferulic acid increased mean survival time, reduced tumor volume and weight, and improved the appearance of the tumor tissue. Furthermore, ferulic acid significantly elevated the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1, while reducing the expression of HIF-1α, Nrf2, HO-1, cMyc, cyclin D1, mTOR, and STAT3. Conclusions Ferulic acid can reduce tumor size and weight while improving the structure of muscle cells, suggesting it may have antineoplastic activity against ESC. Further investigation revealed that ferulic acid downregulates HIF-1α, increasing the expression of antioxidant proteins Nrf2 and HO-1. Additionally, ferulic acid decreases the expression of proliferation markers cMyc and cyclin D1 and downregulates cellular regulators mTOR and STAT3.