Chen Z, Wang M, Lv X, Xu Y, Wang X, Li B, Ling C, Du J. Sanshimao formula inhibits the hypoxia-induced pro-angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells partly through regulating MKK6/p38 signaling pathway.
J Pharm Pharmacol 2024;
76:426-434. [PMID:
38290061 DOI:
10.1093/jpp/rgad086]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Sanshimao (SSM) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study was designed to investigate the effect of SSM on HCC-induced angiogenesis and to explore the potential mechanism.
METHODS
The endothelial cells were cultured with HCC cells conditioned medium in the 1% oxygen atmosphere to imitate tumor hypoxia microenvironment. EA.hy926 cells migration and tubulogenesis were detected by tube formation and scratch-wound assay. The protein microarray was employed to explore SSM-targeted proteins in Huh7 cells. We also established an animal model to observe the effects of SSM on angiogenesis in vivo.
RESULTS
The data indicated that SSM reduced HCC-induced migration and tube formation of EA.hy926 cells at low dose under hypoxic conditions. These effects might be partly owing to suppression of HIF-1α-induced vascular endothelial growth factorα expression in Huh7 cells. Moreover, this inhibition was in an MKK6/P38-dependent way. Besides, Huh7 subcutaneous tumor models in nude mice further demonstrated the inhibition of SSM on tumor weight might be exerted partly by reduction of angiogenesis via blocking MKK6/P38 signaling pathways.
CONCLUSION
SSM inhibits HCC-induced pro-angiogenesis under hypoxic conditions via suppression of MKK6/P38 signaling pathways, which is favorable for HCC tumor growth.
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