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Hu R, Li J, Huang Q, Zhong X, Sun J, Yi J, Peng L, Liu X, Yang Y, Yang W, Wang Y, Ma W, Feng W, Xu Y, Zhou X. Qizhu anticancer prescription enhances immunosurveillance of liver cancer cells by regulating p21-dependent secretory phenotypes. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 333:118400. [PMID: 38823657 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, largely due to the limitations of available therapeutic strategies. The traditional Chinese medicine Qizhu Anticancer Prescription (QZACP) can improve the quality of life and prolong the survival time of patients with HCC. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer properties of QZACP remain unclear. PURPOSE This study examined the anti-hepatocarcinogenic properties of QZACP, with a specific focus on its influence on the p21-activated secretory phenotype (PASP)-mediated immune surveillance, to elucidate the underlying molecular pathways involved in HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cell proliferation was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, and clonogenic assays. The cell cycle was evaluated using flow cytometry, and senescence was identified by staining with senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal). A primary liver cancer model produced by diethylnitrosamine was established in C57 BL/6 mice to assess the tumor-inhibitory effect of QZACP. The liver's pathological characteristics were examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining. PASP screening was performed using GeneCards, DisGeNet, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. Western blot analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence staining, and Transwell migration assays were performed. RESULTS Serum containing QZACP enhanced p21 expression, triggered cell cycle arrest, accelerated cell senescence, and suppressed cell proliferation in Huh7 and MHCC-97H liver cancer cells. QZACP reduced the quantity and dimensions of liver tumor nodules and enhanced p21 protein expression, SA-β-Gal staining in tumor lesions, and cytotoxic CD8+ T cell infiltration. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that PASP factors, including hepatocyte growth factor, decorin (DCN), dermatopontin, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CXCL14), and Wnt family member 2 (WNT2), play an important role in the development of HCC. In addition, these factors are associated with the presence of natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells within tumors. Western blotting and ELISA confirmed that QZACP increased DCN, CXCL14, and WNT2 levels in tumor tissues and peripheral blood. CONCLUSIONS QZACP's suppression of HCC progression may involve cell senescence mediated via p21 upregulation, DCN, CXCL14, and WNT2 secretion, and reversal of the immunosuppressive microenvironment. This study provides insights that can be used in the development of new treatment strategies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hu
- Macau University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Taipa, Macao, 999078, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Jing Li
- Macau University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Taipa, Macao, 999078, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Macau University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Taipa, Macao, 999078, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Xin Zhong
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Jialing Sun
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Jinyu Yi
- Macau University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Taipa, Macao, 999078, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Lanfen Peng
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Xinning Liu
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Yuan Yang
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Wenmin Yang
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Wenfeng Ma
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Wenxing Feng
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Youhua Xu
- Macau University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Taipa, Macao, 999078, China
| | - Xiaozhou Zhou
- Macau University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Taipa, Macao, 999078, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
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Guo L, Yue M, Ma C, Wang Y, Hou J, Li H. Baicalin reduces inflammation to inhibit lung cancer via targeting SOCS1/NF-κB/STAT3 axis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29361. [PMID: 38628726 PMCID: PMC11019232 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation affects several aspects of lung cancer progression including cell proliferation, metastasis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. Baicalin, an active component of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, exhibits anticancer activity in various cancers. However, the effects of baicalin on lung cancer and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study is to explore the effect and mechanism of baicalin on lung cancer cell A549 and urethane-induced mouse lung cancer. A cell viability assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining assay, Western blot assay, urethane-induced mouse lung cancer model, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and ELISA assay were performed to investigate the effects of baicalin on lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. Network pharmacology analysis, molecular docking, gene silencing assays, and LPS-induced inflammation model were utilized to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of baicalin on lung cancer. Baicalin showed significant anti-proliferative, anti-migratory, anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic effects in vitro; it also inhibited the progression of urethane-induced mouse lung cancer in vivo. Mechanistically, suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) was the key determinant for baicalin-induced inhibition of lung cancer. Baicalin increased SOCS1 expression to inactivate the NF-κB/STAT3 pathway to inhibit lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, baicalin reduces inflammation to inhibit lung cancer via targeting SOCS1/NF-κB/STAT3 axis, providing a prospective compound and novel target for lung cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chengyuan Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Yunjing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Jiejie Hou
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Hong Li
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
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Wang J, Wu Z, Chen X, Sun Y, Ma S, Weng J, Zhang Y, Dong K, Shao J, Zheng S. Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking Analysis and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Scutellaria baicalensis in the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis. Curr Pharm Des 2024; 30:1326-1340. [PMID: 38616754 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128297074240327090020] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria Baicalensis (SB), one of the clinical firstline heat-clearing drugs, has obvious symptomatic advantages for hepatic fibrosis with dampness-heat stasis as its syndrome. We aim to predict and validate the potential mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis active ingredients against liver fibrosis more scientifically and effectively. METHODS The underlying mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis in inhibiting hepatic fibrosis was studied by applying network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Expression levels of markers in activated Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC) after administration of three Scutellaria baicalensis extracts were determined by Western blot and Real-time PCR, respectively, in order to verify the anti-fibrosis effect of the active ingredients Results: There are 164 common targets of drugs and diseases screened and 115 signaling pathways obtained, which were mainly associated with protein phosphorylation, senescence and negative regulation of the apoptotic process. Western blot and Real-time PCR showed that Scutellaria baicalensis extracts could reduce the expression of HSC activation markers, and Oroxylin A had the strongest inhibitory effect on it. Molecular docking results showed that Oroxylin A had high binding activity to target proteins. Molecular dynamics simulation demonstrates promising stability of the Oroxylin A-AKT1 complex over the simulated MD time of 200 ns. CONCLUSION Scutellaria baicalensis active ingredients may inhibit HSC proliferation, reduce the generation of pro-inflammatory factors and block the anti-inflammatory effect of inflammatory signal transduction by inducing HSC apoptosis and senescence, thus achieving the effect of anti-fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junrui Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhuoqing Wu
- Nanjing Foreign Language School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaolei Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuyao Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingdan Weng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxin Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Keke Dong
- PharmaBlock Sciences (Nanjing), Inc, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Mir SA, Dar A, Hamid L, Nisar N, Malik JA, Ali T, Bader GN. Flavonoids as promising molecules in the cancer therapy: An insight. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2023; 6:100167. [PMID: 38144883 PMCID: PMC10733705 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2023.100167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer continues to increase global morbidity and mortality rates. Despite substantial progress in the development of various chemically synthesized anti-cancer drugs, the poor prognosis of the disease still remains a big challenge. The most common drawback of conventional cancer therapies is the emergence of drug resistance eventually leading to the discontinuation of chemotherapy. Moreover, advanced target-specific therapies including immunotherapy and stem cell therapy are expensive enough and are unaffordable for most patients in poorer nations. Therefore, alternative and cheaper therapeutic strategies are needed to complement the current cancer treatment approaches. Phytochemicals are bioactive compounds produced naturally by plants and have great potential in human health and disease. These compounds possess antiproliferative, anti-oxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. Among the phytochemicals, flavonoids are very effective in treating a wide range of diseases from cardiovascular diseases and immunological disorders to cancer. They scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibit cancer metastasis, modulate the immune system and induce apoptotic or autophagic cell death in cancers. This review will discuss the potential of various phytochemicals particularly flavonoids in attempts to target various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhail Ahmad Mir
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J & K, 190006, India
| | - Ashraf Dar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J & K, 190006, India
| | - Laraibah Hamid
- Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J & K, 190006, India
| | - Nasir Nisar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J & K, 190006, India
| | - Jonaid Ahmad Malik
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Guwahati, India
| | - Tabasum Ali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J & K, 190006, India
| | - Ghulam Nabi Bader
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J & K, 190006, India
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Wang R, Zhang K, Liu K, Pei H, Shi K, He Z, Zong Y, Du R. Protective Effect of Baicalin on Chlorpyrifos-Induced Liver Injury and Its Mechanism. Molecules 2023; 28:7771. [PMID: 38067501 PMCID: PMC10707821 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlorpyrifos (CPF) plays a vital role in the control of various pests in agriculture and household life, even though some studies have indicated that CPF residues pose a significant risk to human health. Baicalin (BA) is a flavonoid drug with an obvious effect on the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. In this study, the protective effect of BA in vitro and in vivo was investigated by establishing a CPF-induced AML12 cell damage model and a CPF-induced Kunming female mouse liver injury model. The AML12 cell damage model indicated that BA had a good positive regulatory effect on various inflammatory factors, redox indexes, and abnormal apoptosis factors induced by CPF. The liver injury model of female mice in Kunming showed that BA significantly improved the liver function indexes, inflammatory response, and fibrosis of mice. In addition, BA alleviated CPF-induced AML12 cell damage and Kunming female mouse liver injury by enhancing autophagy and regulating apoptosis pathways through Western blotting. Collectively, these data suggest that the potential mechanism of BA is a multi-target and multi-channel treatment for chlorpyrifos-induced liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruibing Wang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (R.W.); (K.Z.); (H.P.); (K.S.); (Z.H.)
| | - Ke Zhang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (R.W.); (K.Z.); (H.P.); (K.S.); (Z.H.)
| | - Kaiyue Liu
- Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center for Efficient Breeding and Product Development of Sika Deer, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China;
| | - Hongyan Pei
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (R.W.); (K.Z.); (H.P.); (K.S.); (Z.H.)
| | - Kun Shi
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (R.W.); (K.Z.); (H.P.); (K.S.); (Z.H.)
| | - Zhongmei He
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (R.W.); (K.Z.); (H.P.); (K.S.); (Z.H.)
| | - Ying Zong
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (R.W.); (K.Z.); (H.P.); (K.S.); (Z.H.)
| | - Rui Du
- Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center for Efficient Breeding and Product Development of Sika Deer, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China;
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