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Mohamed Azar KAH, Ezhilarasan D, Shree Harini K. Coleus vettiveroides ethanolic root extract induces cytotoxicity by intrinsic apoptosis in HepG2 cells. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:245-259. [PMID: 37661188 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) contributes to more than 80% of all primary cancers globally and ranks fourth in cancer-related deaths, due to the lack of an effective, definite therapeutic drug. Coleus vettiveroides (CV) has been used in Indian traditional medicine to treat diabetes, liver ailments, skin diseases, leukoderma, and leprosy. This study investigates the anticancer effect of CV ethanolic root extract in HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were treated with CV extract, and its cytotoxicity was analyzed by MTT assay. AO/EB staining, propidium iodide staining, DCFH-DA assay, phalloidine staining, flow cytometry, and qPCR studies were performed for ROS expression, apoptosis and cell cycle analysis. The phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of quercetin and galangin in CV root extract. The results showed that CV inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, with altered cellular and nuclear morphology. CV was also found to increase intracellular ROS levels and oxidative stress markers in HepG2 cells. CV significantly altered the actin microfilament distribution in HepG2 cells and caused cell cycle arrest at the sub G0 -G1 phase. CV also induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, as evidenced by increased expression of p53, Bax, cytochrome C, Apaf-1, PARP, caspase-3 and caspase-9, and downregulated Bcl-2 expression. Therefore, CV exerts its anticancer effect by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, cytoskeletal disorganization, cell cycle arrest, and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, and it could be a potent therapeutic option for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadmad Abdul Hameed Mohamed Azar
- Department of Pharmacology, Koppal Institute of Medical Sciences, Koppal, India
- Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, India
| | - Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, India
| | - Karthik Shree Harini
- Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, India
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Li Z, Hao E, Cao R, Lin S, Zou L, Huang T, Du Z, Hou X, Deng J. Analysis on internal mechanism of zedoary turmeric in treatment of liver cancer based on pharmacodynamic substances and pharmacodynamic groups. CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES 2022; 14:479-493. [PMID: 36405057 PMCID: PMC9669400 DOI: 10.1016/j.chmed.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Zedoary tumeric (Curcumae Rhizoma, Ezhu in Chinese) has a long history of application and has great potential in the treatment of liver cancer. The antiliver cancer effect of zedoary tumeric depends on the combined action of multiple pharmacodynamic substances. In order to clarify the specific mechanism of zedoary tumeric against liver cancer, this paper first analyzes the mechanism of its single pharmacodynamic substance against liver cancer, and then verifies the joint anti liver cancer mechanism of its “pharmacodynamic group”. By searching the research on the antihepatoma effect of active components of zedoary tumeric in recent years, we found that pharmacodynamic substances, including curcumol, zedoarondiol, curcumenol, curzerenone, curdione, curcumin, germacrone, β-elemene, can act on multi-target and multi-channel to play an antihepatoma role. For example, curcumin can regulate miR, GLO1, CD133, VEGF, YAP, LIN28B, GPR81, HCAR-1, P53 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR, HSP70/TLR4 and NF-κB. Wnt/TGF/EMT, Nrf2/Keap1, JAK/STAT and other pathways play an antihepatoma role. Network pharmacological analysis showed that the core targets of the “pharmacodynamic group” for anti-life cancer are AKT1, EGFR, MAPK8, etc, and the core pathways are neuroactive live receiver interaction, nitrogen metabolism, HIF-1 signaling pathway, etc. At the same time, by comparing and analyzing the relationship between the specific mechanisms of pharmacodynamic substance and “pharmacodynamic group”, it is found that they have great reference significance in target, pathway, biological function, determination of core pharmacodynamic components, formation of core target protein interaction, in-depth research of single pharmacodynamic substance, increasing curative effect and so on. By analyzing the internal mechanism of zedoary tumeric pharmacodynamic substance and “pharmacodynamic group” in the treatment of liver cancer, this paper intends to provide some ideas and references for the deeper pharmacological research of zedoary tumeric and the relationship between pharmacodynamic substance and “pharmacodynamic group”.
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Li H, Wang L, Cao F, Yu D, Yang J, Yu X, Dong J, Qin JJ, Guan X. Design, synthesis, and biological characterization of a potent STAT3 degrader for the treatment of gastric cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:944455. [PMID: 36034876 PMCID: PMC9412775 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.944455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor that threatens human health, and its occurrence and development mechanism is a complex process involving multiple genes and multiple signals. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been elucidated as a promising target for developing anticancer drugs in gastric cancer. However, there is no FDA-approved STAT3 inhibitor yet. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a class of STAT3 degraders based on proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs). We first synthesized an analog of the STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201 as a ligand, using the cereblon (CRBN)/cullin 4A E3 ligase ligand pomalidomide to synthesize a series of PROTACs. Among them, the SDL-1 achieves the degradation of STAT3 protein in vitro, and exhibits good anti-gastric cancer cell proliferation activity, inhibits invasion and metastasis of MKN1 cell, and induces MKN1 cell apoptosis and arrests cell cycle at the same time. Our study shows that SDL-1 is a potent STAT3 degrader and may serve as a potential anti-gastric cancer drug, providing ideas for further development of drugs for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haobin Li
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fei Cao
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dehua Yu
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Yang
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuefei Yu
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinyun Dong
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiang-Jiang Qin
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoqing Guan, ; Jiang-Jiang Qin,
| | - Xiaoqing Guan
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoqing Guan, ; Jiang-Jiang Qin,
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4
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Yang J, Wang L, Guan X, Qin JJ. Inhibiting STAT3 signaling pathway by natural products for cancer prevention and therapy: In vitro and in vivo activity and mechanisms of action. Pharmacol Res 2022; 182:106357. [PMID: 35868477 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays a critical role in signal transmission from the plasma membrane to the nucleus, regulating the expression of genes involved in essential cell functions and controlling the processes of cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Thus, STAT3 has been elucidated as a promising target for developing anticancer drugs. Many natural products have been reported to inhibit the STAT3 signaling pathway during the past two decades and have exhibited significant anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo. However, there is no FDA-approved STAT3 inhibitor yet. The major mechanisms of these natural product inhibitors of the STAT3 signaling pathway include targeting the upstream regulators of STAT3, directly binding to the STAT3 SH2 domain and inhibiting its activation, inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation and/or dimerization, and others. In the present review, we have systematically discussed the development of these natural product inhibitors of STAT3 signaling pathway as well as their in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity and mechanisms of action. Outlooks and perspectives on the associated challenges are provided as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoqing Guan
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310022, China.
| | - Jiang-Jiang Qin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310022, China.
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Sun X, Zhong X, Ma W, Feng W, Huang Q, Ma M, Lv M, Hu R, Han Z, Li J, Zhou X. Germacrone induces caspase-3/GSDME activation and enhances ROS production, causing HepG2 pyroptosis. Exp Ther Med 2022; 24:456. [PMID: 35747157 PMCID: PMC9204551 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a highly lethal malignancy. Despite considerable efforts made in recent years, the prognosis of patients with liver cancer remains poor. Curcuma zedoaria (known as Ezhu in Chinese) is widely prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine. Germacrone (GM) is a sesquiterpene constituent derived from the essential oil of Ezhu, and exerts anti-carcinogenic effects by inducing apoptosis in various cancer cells. The present study investigated the potential mechanism of GM in HepG2 cells. Cell Counting Kit-8, colony-formation and lactate dehydrogenase-release assays, as well as cell death assays using flow cytometry, were performed to evaluate HepG2 cell proliferation following GM treatment. HepG2 cells were transfected with caspase-3 small interfering RNA and then treated with GM. Caspase-3 expression levels were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. The present study showed that GM inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells and induced the proteolytic cleavage of caspase 3, with concomitant cleavage of gasdermin E (GSDME), by markedly increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This led to caspase 3-dependent cleavage of GSDME, thereby promoting pyroptosis in HepG2 cells. However, these changes were rescued by ROS scavengers, such as N-acetylcysteine. Furthermore, GM inhibited tumor growth by promoting the cleavage of caspase 3 and GSDME in HepG2 cell xenograft models. These results indicated that GM induced GSDME-dependent pyroptosis through caspase 3 activation, at least in part, by damaging the mitochondria and enhancing ROS production, thereby supporting the possible development of GM as a candidate for the prevention and treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinfeng Sun
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China.,Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China
| | - Xin Zhong
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China.,Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China
| | - Wenfeng Ma
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China.,Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China
| | - Wenxing Feng
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China.,Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China.,Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China
| | - Mengqing Ma
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China.,Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China
| | - Minling Lv
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China.,Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China
| | - Rui Hu
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China.,Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China
| | - Zhiyi Han
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China.,Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China.,Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China
| | - Xiaozhou Zhou
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China.,Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China
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6
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Chemical Composition and Immunomodulatory Activity of Essential Oils from Rhododendron albiflorum. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26123652. [PMID: 34203809 PMCID: PMC8232766 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhododendron (Ericaceae) extracts contain flavonoids, chromones, terpenoids, steroids, and essential oils and are used in traditional ethnobotanical medicine. However, little is known about the immunomodulatory activity of essential oils isolated from these plants. Thus, we isolated essential oils from the flowers and leaves of R. albiflorum (cascade azalea) and analyzed their chemical composition and innate immunomodulatory activity. Compositional analysis of flower (REOFl) versus leaf (REOLv) essential oils revealed significant differences. REOFl was comprised mainly of monoterpenes (92%), whereas sesquiterpenes were found in relatively low amounts. In contrast, REOLv was primarily composed of sesquiterpenes (90.9%), with a small number of monoterpenes. REOLv and its primary sesquiterpenes (viridiflorol, spathulenol, curzerene, and germacrone) induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in human neutrophils, C20 microglial cells, and HL60 cells transfected with N-formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) or FPR2. On the other hand, pretreatment with these essential oils or component compounds inhibited agonist-induced Ca2+ mobilization and chemotaxis in human neutrophils and agonist-induced Ca2+ mobilization in microglial cells and FPR-transfected HL60 cells, indicating that the direct effect of these compounds on [Ca2+]i desensitized the cells to subsequent agonist activation. Reverse pharmacophore mapping suggested several potential kinase targets for these compounds; however, these targets were not supported by kinase binding assays. Our results provide a cellular and molecular basis to explain at least part of the beneficial immunotherapeutic properties of the R. albiflorum essential oils and suggest that essential oils from leaves of this plant may be effective in modulating some innate immune responses, possibly by inhibition of neutrophil migration.
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Chen Y, Zhu Z, Chen J, Zheng Y, Limsila B, Lu M, Gao T, Yang Q, Fu C, Liao W. Terpenoids from Curcumae Rhizoma: Their anticancer effects and clinical uses on combination and versus drug therapies. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 138:111350. [PMID: 33721752 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a fatal disease with high mortality and low survival rate worldwide. At present, there is still no known cure for most cancers. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) represents a noteworthy reservoir for anticancer agents in drug discovery and development. Curcumae Rhizoma (called Ezhu in Chinese) is widely prescribed in TCM for anticancer therapy owing to its broad-spectrum antineoplastic activities. Especially, the terpenoids isolated from the essential oil of Curcumae Rhizoma form an integral part of cancer research and are well established as a potential anticancer agent. For example, β-elemene has been developed into a new drug for the treatment of solid tumors in China, and is currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States. The review aims to systematically summarize the recent advances on the anticancer effects and related molecular mechanisms of Curcumae Rhizoma, and its terpenoids (β-elemene, Furanodiene, Furanodienone, Germacrone, Curcumol, Curdione). In addition, we evaluated and compared the anticancer efficacy and clinical use of the terpenoids with combination therapies and traditional therapies. Therefore, this review provides sufficient evidence for the anticancer therapeutic potential of Curcumae Rhizoma and its terpenoids, and will contribute to the development of potential anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- College of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Drug Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Zongping Zhu
- College of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Drug Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Jiao Chen
- College of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Drug Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yongfeng Zheng
- College of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Drug Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Boonjai Limsila
- Institute of Thai-Chinese Medicine Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicines, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok 11000, Thailand
| | - Meigui Lu
- Huachiew TCM Hospital, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
| | - Tianhui Gao
- College of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Drug Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Qingsong Yang
- College of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Drug Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Chaomei Fu
- College of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Drug Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China.
| | - Wan Liao
- College of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Characteristic Chinese Drug Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China.
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Riaz A, Rasul A, Kanwal N, Hussain G, Shah MA, Sarfraz I, Ishfaq R, Batool R, Rukhsar F, Adem Ş. Germacrone: A Potent Secondary Metabolite with Therapeutic Potential in Metabolic Diseases, Cancer and Viral Infections. Curr Drug Metab 2020; 21:1079-1090. [PMID: 32723267 DOI: 10.2174/1389200221999200728144801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Natural products, an infinite reserve of bioactive molecules, will continue to serve humans as an important source of therapeutic agents. Germacrone is a bioactive natural compound found in the traditional medicinal plants of family Zingiberaceae. This multifaceted chemical entity has become a point of focus during recent years due to its numerous pharmacological applications, e.g., anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-adipogenic, anti-androgenic, antimicrobial, insecticidal, and neuroprotective. Germacrone is an effective inducer of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in various cancers (breast, brain, liver, skin, prostate, gastric, and esophageal) via modulation of different cell signaling molecules and pathways involved in cancer proliferation. This is the first report highlighting the wide spectrum of pharmacological activities exhibited by germacrone. The reported data collected from various shreds of evidences recommend that this multifaceted compound could serve as a potential drug candidate in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammara Riaz
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Azhar Rasul
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Nazia Kanwal
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Hussain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ajmal Shah
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Iqra Sarfraz
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Rubab Ishfaq
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Rabia Batool
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Fariha Rukhsar
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Şevki Adem
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi Çankırı, 18100, Turkey
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9
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Fang X, Tan T, Gao B, Zhao Y, Liu T, Xia Q. Germacrone Regulates HBXIP-Mediated Cell Cycle, Apoptosis and Promotes the Formation of Autophagosomes to Inhibit the Proliferation of Gastric Cancer Cells. Front Oncol 2020; 10:537322. [PMID: 33244453 PMCID: PMC7683780 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.537322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Germacrone, a monocyclic sesquiterpene, exerts marked antitumor effects in a variety of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, and breast cancer. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of germacrone on gastric cancer remains unclear. In this study, we show that germacrone inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, and induced G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in these cells. Moreover, germacrone increased the expression of LC3II/LC3I. And LC3II/LC3I was significant increased after germacrone treatment compared with germacrone and bafilomycin A1 (Baf A1) treatment, which suggested germacrone promoted the formation of autophagosomes. Proteomic analysis was then used to identify molecular targets of germacrone in gastric cancer. A total of 596 proteins were screened, and the top hit was identified as late endosomal/lysosomal adaptor and MAPK and MTOR activator 5 (LAMTOR5, also named HBXIP). Overexpression of HBXIP delayed the germacrone-induced cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of autophagy. Combined, our results indicate that germacrone suppresses gastric cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting HBXIP, and this process is related to G0/G1-phase arrest and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Fang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - TingFei Tan
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - BeiBei Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - YingLi Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei, China
| | - TingTing Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Quan Xia
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Pharmacy, The Grade 3 Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
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Zárybnický T, Matoušková P, Skálová L, Boušová I. The Hepatotoxicity of Alantolactone and Germacrone: Their Influence on Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism in Differentiated HepaRG Cells. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12061720. [PMID: 32521813 PMCID: PMC7353089 DOI: 10.3390/nu12061720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The sesquiterpenes alantolactone (ATL) and germacrone (GER) are potential anticancer agents of natural origin. Their toxicity and biological activity have been evaluated using the differentiated HepaRG (dHepaRG) cells, a hepatocyte-like model. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of cell viability after 24-h treatment of dHepaRG cells are approximately 60 µM for ATL and 250 µM for GER. However, both sesquiterpenes induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in non-toxic concentrations and significantly dysregulate the mRNA expression of several functional markers of mature hepatocytes. They similarly decrease the protein level of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and their transcription target, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). Based on the results of a BATMAN-TCM analysis, the effects of sesquiterpenes on cholesterol and lipid metabolism were studied. Sesquiterpene-mediated dysregulation of both cholesterol and lipid metabolism was observed, during which these compounds influenced the protein expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2), as well as the mRNA expression of HMGCR, CYP19A1, PLIN2, FASN, SCD, ACACB, and GPAM genes. In conclusion, the two sesquiterpenes caused ROS induction at non-toxic concentrations and alterations in cholesterol and lipid metabolism at slightly toxic and toxic concentrations, suggesting a risk of liver damage if administered to humans.
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Germacrone protects against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion injury by inhibiting autophagy processes in PC12 cells. BMC Complement Med Ther 2020; 20:77. [PMID: 32145743 PMCID: PMC7076837 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-2865-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Germacrone is an anti-inflammatory ingredient in the Chinese medicine zedoary turmeric. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective mechanism of germacrone against PC12 cells injury caused by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R). METHODS OGD/R injury model of PC12 cells was established by using OGD/R (2 h/24 h). The cell viability was assessed by MTT assay and LDH release. The ultrastructure of cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression of autophagy related proteins in cells was determined by Western Blot. RESULTS The results of ultrastructural observation showed that PC12 cells damaged by OGD/R showed typical autophagy characteristics. In addition, OGD/R observably up-regulated the expression of autophagy related proteins: the class III type phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K III), light chain 3(LC3), and Beclin-1 in PC12 cells, and inhibited the expression of the class I type phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K I), Protein kinase B (Akt), the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2) proteins. Furthermore, germacrone increased the cell viability of OGD/R-damaged PC12 cells by down-regulating the expression of LC3 protein in cells in a concentration-dependent manner. More importantly, germacrone significantly inhibited the expression of PI3K III, LC3, and Beclin-1 in OGD/R-injured PC12 cells, and up-regulated the expressionof PI3K I, Akt, mTOR, and Bcl-2 proteins in cells, and this inhibited or up-regulated effect was reversed by PI3K I inhibitor (ZSTK474). CONCLUSION The above results indicated that germacrone could inhibit the autophagy effect in OGD/R injury model of PC12 cells, the mechanism of inhibition was regulated by PI3K III/Beclin-1/Bcl-2 and PI3K I/Akt/mTOR pathways, thereby improving the cell viability of PC12 cells and playing a neuroprotective role, which provided a new drug for the treatment of OGD/R.
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Wu T, Yin F, Kong H, Peng J. Germacrone attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats via antioxidative and antiapoptotic mechanisms. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:18901-18909. [PMID: 31318092 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Germacrone (GM) is an anti-inflammatory compound extracted from Rhizoma curcuma. Here, we strived to investigate the neuroprotective effects of GM in rat models of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury. Rats immediately after cerebral ischemia were intraperitoneally injected with GM at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg. After 1 day of reperfusion, the water content in the brain, infarct volume, and neurological deficits were assessed. Hippocampus neurons were histopathologically examined by hematoxylin and eosin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. Activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in brain tissue were detected. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were utilized to quantify the expression of apoptosis markers, such as caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2. The content of phospho-Akt (p-Akt) was also measured using Western blotting. GM treatment markedly decreased the brain water content, infarct volume and the neurological deficits, which was corroborated by attenuated histopathologic change. MDA levels were reduced and activities of GSH, SOD, and GSH-PX were elevated after GM treatment. Caspase-3 and Bax were decreased, and Bcl-2 was increased at both messenger RNA and protein levels by GM treatment. The p-Akt expression was increased by GM. Our data indicated that the neuroprotective effects of GM may attenuate the injuries from cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats through antioxidative and antiapoptotic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhui Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Hunan Children's Hospital, The Paediatric Academy of University of South China, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fei Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huimin Kong
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Nair A, Amalraj A, Jacob J, Kunnumakkara AB, Gopi S. Non-Curcuminoids from Turmeric and Their Potential in Cancer Therapy and Anticancer Drug Delivery Formulations. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9010013. [PMID: 30609771 PMCID: PMC6358877 DOI: 10.3390/biom9010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades curcuminoids have been extensively studied for their biological activities such as antiulcer, antifibrotic, antiviral, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antimutagenic, antifertility, antidiabetic, anticoagulant, antivenom, antioxidant, antihypotensive, antihypocholesteremic, and anticancer activities. With the perception of limited toxicity and cost, these compounds forms an integral part of cancer research and is well established as a potential anticancer agent. However, only few studies have focused on the other bioactive molecules of turmeric, known as non-curcuminoids, which are also equally potent as curcuminoids. This review aims to explore the comprehensive potency including the identification, physicochemical properties, and anticancer mechanism inclusive of molecular docking studies of non-curcuminoids such as turmerones, elemene, furanodiene (FN), bisacurone, germacrone, calebin A (CA), curdione, and cyclocurcumin. An insight into the clinical studies of these curcumin-free compounds are also discussed which provides ample evidence that favors the therapeutic potential of these compounds. Like curcuminoids, limited solubility and bioavailability are the most fragile domain, which circumscribe further applications of these compounds. Thus, this review credits the encapsulation of non-curcuminoid components in diverse drug delivery systems such as co-crystals, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, microspheres, polar-non-polar sandwich (PNS) technology, which help abolish their shortcomings and flaunt their ostentatious benefits as anticancer activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhila Nair
- R&D Centre, Aurea Biolabs (P) Ltd., Kolenchery, Cochin, Kerala 682311, India.
| | - Augustine Amalraj
- R&D Centre, Aurea Biolabs (P) Ltd., Kolenchery, Cochin, Kerala 682311, India.
| | - Joby Jacob
- R&D Centre, Aurea Biolabs (P) Ltd., Kolenchery, Cochin, Kerala 682311, India.
| | - Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati 781 039, India.
| | - Sreeraj Gopi
- R&D Centre, Aurea Biolabs (P) Ltd., Kolenchery, Cochin, Kerala 682311, India.
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Wu J, Feng Y, Han C, Huang W, Shen Z, Yang M, Chen W, Ye L. Germacrone derivatives: synthesis, biological activity, molecular docking studies and molecular dynamics simulations. Oncotarget 2017; 8:15149-15158. [PMID: 28148897 PMCID: PMC5362474 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Germacrone is one of the major bioactive components in the Curcuma zedoaria oil product, which is extracted from Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe, known as zedoary. The present study designed some novel germacrone derivatives based on combination principles, synthesized these compounds, and investigated their inhibitions on Bel-7402, HepG2, A549 and HeLa cells. Meanwhile, the study evaluated inhibitions of these derivatives on c-Met kinase, which has been detected in a number of cancers. The results suggested that the majority of the compounds showed stronger inhibitory effect on cancers and c-Met kinase than germacrone. Furthermore, our docking experiments analyzed the results and explained the molecular mechanism. Molecular dynamics simulations were then applied to perform further evaluation of the binding stabilities between compounds and their receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yu Feng
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chao Han
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wu Huang
- Inspection and Quarantine Technology Center of Zhanjiang Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Zhanjiang 524001, China
| | - Zhibin Shen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Mengdie Yang
- School of Basic Courses, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- School of Basic Courses, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lianbao Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Luteolin selectively kills STAT3 highly activated gastric cancer cells through enhancing the binding of STAT3 to SHP-1. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2612. [PMID: 28182003 PMCID: PMC5386483 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The antitumor effect of luteolin, a plant flavonoid, in gastric cancer (GC) cells has not been fully understood. Here we show that luteolin selectively kills STAT3 overactivated GC cells that are often drug resistant. The treatment of luteolin in these GC cells significantly inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and reduced the expression of STAT3 targeting gene Mcl-1, Survivin and Bcl-xl. Silencing of SHP-1, a protein tyrosine phosphatase, abolished the inhibitory effect of luteolin on STAT3 and cell apoptosis, suggesting that SHP-1 is crucial in luteolin-mediated cellular function. Moreover, this luteolin effect of STAT3 dephosphorylation by SHP-1 involved in HSP-90, which protected STAT3 phosphorylation by forming HSP-90/STAT3 complex. Thus, luteolin inhibited STAT3 activation through disrupting the binding of HSP-90 to STAT3, which promoted its interaction to SHP-1, resulted in the dephosphorylation of STAT3. The GC cell xenograft mouse model confirmed the effectiveness of luteolin induced inhibition of tumor growth in vivo.
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Gao B, Ning SF, Tang YP, Liu HZ, Li JL, Zhang LT. Differential mRNA expression profiles between hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent normal liver tissue. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2014; 22:4734-4744. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v22.i31.4734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To identify differentially expressed genes between hepatocellular carcinoma and normal liver tissues and to carry out bioinformatics analysis.
METHODS: Agilent 8×60 K microarray was used to detect the changes of gene expression between hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent normal liver tissues. Bioinformatics methods were used to identify differentially expressed genes and perform GO pathway analysis. Real-time PCR was applied to verify microarray data.
RESULTS: Microarray analysis screened a total of up-regulated 924 mRNAs and 1770 down-regulated mRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues compared with the normal tissues. GO pathway analysis demonstrated that these mRNAs are involved in transcription, redox, signal transduction, ion transport, immune response, cell adhesion, and binding functions. The results of real-time PCR were in high concordance with microarray results.
CONCLUSION: Differentially expressed genes identified in this study may be involved in signal transduction, immune response and other key biological processes. These genes may provide new targets for targeted therapy.
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Chen YF, Wang SH, Chang SJ, Shiau AL, Her LS, Shieh GS, Chen CF, Chang CC, Su YC, Wu CL, Wu TS. Zhankuic acid A as a novel JAK2 inhibitor for the treatment of concanavalin A-induced hepatitis. Biochem Pharmacol 2014; 91:217-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2014.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 06/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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ZHENG QIAN, LIU YUNYI, LIU WEIWEI, MA FENGYUN, ZHOU YI, CHEN MINGJIE, CHANG JUNLI, WANG YUESHENG, YANG GUANGXIAO, HE GUANGYUAN. Cucurbitacin B inhibits growth and induces apoptosis through the JAK2/STAT3 and MAPK pathways in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Mol Med Rep 2014; 10:89-94. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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