Paris saponin I induces G₂/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma SGC7901 cells

Research trends and hotspots of polyphyllin in high-incidence cancers: A bibliometric analysis

Background

Polyphyllin, a natural compound derived primarily from the Paris genus, manifests its anticancer properties. Extensive research on its therapeutic potential in cancers has been reported. However, there is no systematical analysis of the general aspects of research on polyphyllin by bibliometric analysis. The aim of this study is to visualize emerging trends and hotspots and predict potential research directions in this field.

Methods

In this study, we collected relevant research articles from the Web of Science Core Collection Bibliometrics. Using R-bibliometrix, we analyzed the research status, hotspots, frontiers, and development trends of polyphyllin in high-incidence cancers. To conduct a comprehensive visual analysis, CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used for visual analysis of authors, countries, institutions, keywords, and co-cited references within the published articles.

Results

A total of 257 articles focusing on the research of polyphyllin in high-incidence cancers were retrieved from the WOSCC database, covering the period from 2005 to 2023. The analysis revealed a consistent increasing trend in annual publications during this timeframe. Notably, China emerged as the most productive country, with Tianjin University leading the institutions. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology stood out as the most prominent journal in this field, while Gao WY emerged as the most prolific author. Polyphyllin VI, polyphyllin II, and polyphyllin VII have emerged as the latest research hotspots. Additionally, the investigation of autophagy and its associated mechanisms has gained significant attention as a novel research direction.

Conclusion

This study presents a novel visualization of the research on polyphyllin saponins in the field of highly prevalent cancers using bibliometric analysis. The investigation of polyphyllin D has emerged as a primary focus in this field, with lung cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer being the key areas of current research. Lastly, polyphyllin saponins show potential application in the field of cancer.

Phytochemicals and mitochondria: Therapeutic allies against gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Mitochondria are the energy factories of cells with the ability to modulate the cell cycle, cellular differentiation, signal transduction, growth, and apoptosis. Existing drugs targeting mitochondria in cancer treatment have disadvantages of drug resistance and side effects. Phytochemicals, which are widely found in plants, are bioactive compounds that could facilitate the development of new drugs for gastric cancer. Studies have shown that some phytochemicals can suppress the development of gastric cancer.

METHODS

We searched for data from PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science, and Embase databases from initial establishment to December 2021 to review the mechanism by which phytochemicals suppress gastric cancer cell growth by modulating mitochondrial function. Phytochemicals were classified and summarized by their mechanisms of action.

RESULTS

Phytochemicals can interfere with mitochondria through several mechanisms to reach the goal of promoting apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Some phytochemicals, e.g., daidzein and tetrandrine promoted cytochrome c spillover into the cytoplasm by modulating the members of the B-cell lymphoma-2 protein family and induced apoptotic body activity by activating the caspase protein family. Phytochemicals (e.g., celastrol and shikonin) could promote the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential. Several phytochemicals (e.g., berberine and oleanolic acid) activated mitochondrial apoptotic submission via the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway, thereby triggering apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Several well-known phytochemicals that target mitochondria, including berberine, ginsenoside, and baicalein, showed the advantages of multiple targets, high efficacy, and fewer side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Phytochemicals could target the mitochondria in the treatment of gastric cancer, providing potential directions and evidence for clinical translation. Drug discovery focused on phytochemicals has great potential to break barriers in cancer treatment.

Natural Polyphyllins (I, II, D, VI, VII) Reverses Cancer Through Apoptosis, Autophagy, Mitophagy, Inflammation, and Necroptosis

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Conventional therapies, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, have limited success because of secondary resistance. Therefore, safe, non-resistant, less toxic, and convenient drugs are urgently required. Natural products (NPs), primarily sourced from medicinal plants, are ideal for cancer treatment because of their low toxicity and high success. NPs cure cancer by regulating different pathways, such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, ER stress, JNK, Wnt, STAT3, MAPKs, NF-kB, MEK-ERK, inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, mitophagy, and necroptosis. Among the NPs, steroid saponins, including polyphyllins (I, II, D, VI, and VII), have potent pharmacological, analgesic, and anticancer activities for the induction of cytotoxicity. Recent research has demonstrated that polyphyllins (PPs) possess potent effects against different cancers through apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, and necroptosis. This review summarizes the available studies on PPs against cancer to provide a basis for future research.

Polyphyllin I induces G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in U251 human glioma cells via mitochondrial dysfunction and the JNK signaling pathway

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive brain tumor, and its prognosis remains poor. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are needed for glioma therapy. Polyphyllin I (PPI), a bioactive constituent extracted from Paris polyphylla, was reported to have anti-tumor activity. However, the detailed mechanism for this activity remains unclear. Here, we investigated the inhibitory effects of PPI on glioma cells and its mechanisms in vitro. U251 cells were treated with various concentrations of PPI (2-9 μM) for 24 to 72 h. The inhibition of U251 cell proliferation by PPI was assessed by MTT assay. The effects on cell cycle and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry with PI and annexin V-FITC/PI dual staining, and the cell mitochondrial membrane potential level was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy with JC-1 staining. The expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins and JNK signal pathway proteins were evaluated by western blot analysis. Results showed that PPI significantly inhibited the proliferation of U251 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. PPI induced G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis, and it upregulated the expressions of Bax, cytochrome c, and p-JNK, but downregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in U251 cells. Moreover, PPI provoked the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, apoptosis induced by the PPI was remarkably suppressed by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. Our data provide evidence that PPI inhibits proliferation and induces apoptotic cell death in U251 cells. This effect may be associated with the JNK pathway. These results suggest that PPI is an activator of the JNK signaling pathway with a potential anti-glioma effect.

Paris Saponin I Sensitizes Gastric Cancer Cell Lines to Cisplatin via Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis

BACKGROUND Dose-related toxicity is the major restriction of cisplatin and cisplatin-combination chemotherapy, and is a challenge for advanced gastric cancer treatment. We explored the possibility of using Paris saponin I as an agent to sensitize gastric cancer cells to cisplatin, and examined the underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS Growth inhibition was detected by MTT assay. The cell cycle and apoptosis were detected using flow cytometry and Annexin V/PI staining. The P21waf1/cip1, Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 protein expression were detected using Western blot analysis. RESULTS The results revealed that PSI sensitized gastric cancer cells to cisplatin, with low toxicity. The IC50 value of cisplatin in SGC-7901 cell lines was decreased when combined with PSI. PSI promoted cisplatin-induced G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in a cisplatin concentration-dependent manner. Bcl-2 protein expression decreased, but Bax, caspase-3, and P21waf1/cip1 protein expression increased with PSI treatment. CONCLUSIONS The underlying mechanism of Paris saponin I may be related to targeting the apoptosis pathway and cell cycle blocking, which suggests that PSI is a potential therapeutic sensitizer for cisplatin in treating gastric cancer.

Anticancer Effects of Paris Saponins by Apoptosis and PI3K/AKT Pathway in Gefitinib-Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background

Paris saponins have been studied for their anticancer effects in various cancer types, but the mechanisms underlying the cytotoxic effects, especially in EGFR-TKI-resistant cells, are still unclear. We explored the potential mechanism of the antitumor effects of PSI, II, VI, VII in EGFR-TKI-resistant cells and attempted to develop PSI, II, VI, VII as a systemic treatment strategy for EGFR-TKI-resistant lung cancer.

Material/Methods

Growth inhibition was detected by MTT assay. The apoptosis assay was detected using annexin-V/PI and Hoechst staining. The level of PI3K, pAKT, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, and caspase-9 protein expression were detected using Western blot analysis.

Results

The results revealed that PSI, II, VI, VII inhibited the proliferation of PC-9-ZD cells. Furthermore, PSI, II, VI, VII induced significant cell apoptosis. The levels of PI3K, pAKT, Bcl-2 protein decreased, while the Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 protein was increased by PSI, II, PSVI, PSVII treatment and resulted in increased sensitivity to gefitinib in PC-9-ZD cells.

Conclusions

The underlying mechanism of Paris saponins may be related to targeting the PI3K/AKT pathways to cause apoptosis. Our results suggest a therapeutic potential of Paris saponins in clinical settings for gefitinib-resistant NSCLC.

Inhibition of cell proliferation by mild hyperthermia at 43˚C with Paris Saponin I in the lung adenocarcinoma cell line PC-9

Rhizoma paridis is widely used for cancer therapy due to its potential involvement in the suppression of tumor growth. However, at present there is no clear explanation for the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effects of Rhizoma paridis combined with hyperthermia on tumor growth. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Paris saponin I (PSI) combined with hyperthermia on a variety of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. An MTT assay was used to determine the levels of growth inhibition. The cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometry and cell apoptosis was analyzed with Annexin V/propidium iodide staining and the Hoechst assay. The morphology of cells during apoptosis was determined using a transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and caspase-3 proteins were detected using western blotting. The inhibition rates significantly increased with PSI in combination with hyperthermia at 43˚C. PSI with hyperthermia at 43˚C caused G2/M phase arrest and significantly induced apoptosis. The expression level of Bcl-2 decreased, while Bax expression increased following treatment with PSI with hyperthermia at 43˚C. In addition, the protein expression of caspase-3 was significantly enhanced. PSI combined with hyperthermia is a potent antitumor treatment through the inhibition of proliferation of NSCLC cells and may be developed as a new antitumor therapy. PSI combined with hyperthermia significantly induced apoptosis through a multi regulatory process involving G2/M arrest and regulation of Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 expression, resulting in cell death and tumor inhibition.

Effect of Paris saponin I on radiosensitivity in a gefitinib-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cell line

Previous studies have observed that Paris saponin I (PSI) exerts a wide range of pharmacological activities, including cytotoxic activity against a number of malignancies, such as non-small cell lung cancers. The present study aimed to investigate the radiosensitization of PSI treatment on a gefitinib-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cell line, PC-9-ZD, and its possible mechanism. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay was used to determine the growth inhibition effect of PSI. A clonogenic assay was performed to determine the radiosensitizing effect of PSI treatment on the PC-9-ZD cell line. A single-hit multi-target model was used to plot survival curves and calculate sensitizing enhancement ratios. The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry and cell apoptosis was analyzed with fluorescein-isothiocyanate-Annexin V/propidium iodide and Hoechst staining. The expression levels of the proteins were detected by western blotting. There was a significant reduction observed in the proliferation of the PC-9-ZD cell lines that were treated with PSI. PSI enhanced the radiosensitivity of the PC-9-ZD cells with a sensitization enhancement ratio of 1.77. Furthermore, PSI induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis of the irradiated PC-9-ZD cells. Notably, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) was downregulated, and caspase-3, Bcl-2-like protein 4 (Bax) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (P21^waf1/cip1) were upregulated by the PSI treatment. The present study showed that PSI treatment exhibited potent radiosensitivity against gefitinib-resistant PC-9-ZD cells in vitro. This radiosensitivity was associated with cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, and apoptosis via an increase in caspase-3, Bax and P21^waf1/cip1 as well as a decrease in Bcl-2 production.

Polyphyllin D induces apoptosis in K562/A02 cells through G2/M phase arrest

Objectives

The effect of polyphyllin D on inducing cell death of the K562/A02 human leukaemia drug-resistant cells in vitro was examined.

Methods

The effect of polyphyllin D on K562/A02 cells were analysed by studying their cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, caspase-3 activity and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).

Key findings

Polyphyllin D, a small molecular monomer extracted from rhizoma of Paris polyphyllin, exhibited strong anticancer activity in a previous study. Our results demonstrate that polyphyllin D exerts a growth inhibitory effect by arresting cells at G2/M phase and by the induction of apoptosis in K562/A02 human leukaemia drug-resistant cells, G2/M phase arrest was found to be associated with up-regulation of p21 and down-regulation of cyclin B1 and cyclin-dependent protein kinase 1. Polyphyllin D-induced apoptosis via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway as evidenced by decreased Bcl-2 expression levels, disruption of MMP and increased Bax, cytochrome C and cleaved-caspase-3 levels.

Conclusions

These data suggest that polyphyllin D has a potential as a potent therapeutic agent for chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Paeonol inhibits hepatic fibrogenesis via disrupting nuclear factor-κB pathway in activated stellate cells: in vivo and in vitro studies

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hepatic fibrosis represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The present study was to evaluate the antifibrogenesis effect of paeonol and involved mechanisms.

METHODS

The degree of liver injury was evaluated biochemically by measuring serum and fibrotic markers and pathological examination. Cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and trypan blue staining. Cytotoxic effects were determined using lactate dehydrogenase release assay. Cell cycle was determined using single dyeing methods of propidium iodide (PI) by flow cytometry. Apoptosis was confirmed using double-staining of annexin V/PI and Hoechst. Western blot, immunofluorescence and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to explore the molecular mechanisms.

RESULTS

Treatment with paeonol significantly protected the liver from injury by reducing the activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, improving the histological architecture of the liver, and by inhibiting activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vivo. Interestingly, paeonol had no apparent cytotoxic effects but could markedly inhibit primary HSC proliferation and induced HSC cell cycle arrest at the G2/M checkpoint. These effects were caused by paeonol suppression of phosphorylation of cycle protein cdc2 and of CDK2. Moreover, that paeonol triggered mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and led to activation of caspase cascades in HSCs was found. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway inhibition resulted in the earlier events. Furthermore, paeonol altered the expression of some marker proteins relevant to HSCs activation.

CONCLUSION

Paeonol could inhibit HSC proliferation and induce mitochondrial apoptosis via disrupting NF-κB pathway, which might be the mechanisms of paeonol reduction of liver fibrosis.