Tounongsan (透脓散) extract induces apoptosis in cultured Raji cells

Bibliometric analysis of research trends and topic areas in traditional Chinese medicine therapy for lymphoma

CONTEXT

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is effective as a cancer treatment modality. However, this is the first bibliometric analysis of TCM in lymphoma treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This study explores the current trends and research topics of TCM in treating lymphoma from 2000 to 2023.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched within the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) for publications on TCM in lymphoma treatment, spanning 2000 to 2023. Subsequently, we employed a comprehensive approach utilizing CiteSpace software and VOSviewer to visually analyze research trends, authors, institutions, co-cited references, and keywords.

RESULTS

From January 1, 2000, to August 31, 2023, annual scientific publications on TCM for lymphoma treatment have steadily increased. Among the leading institutions in this field, the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and the Fujian Medical University occupied the top positions. Regarding the authors, Jun Peng, Jiumao Lin, and Hongwei Chen emerged as the top three contributors. In the co-citation analysis of references, the top three co-cited references were authored by Hanahan D, Elmore S, and Livak KJ with citations numbered 13, 14, and 17, respectively. In particular, keywords reflecting current emerging trends included 'pathway', 'traditional Chinese medicine', 'oxidative stress', and 'macrophage polarization'.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of TCM for lymphoma treatment. This analysis identified the predominant trends and research topics in the field. The findings are expected to be of significant value for researchers who focus on TCM in lymphoma treatment, helping them better understand the development of this field.

Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines as Personalized Therapy in Human Cancers

Although lots of great achievements have been gained in the battle against cancer during the past decades, cancer is still the leading cause of death in the world including in developing countries such as China. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is popular in Chinese and East Asian societies as well as some other Western countries and plays an active role in the modern healthcare system including patients with cancer, which may act as a potential effective strategy in treating human cancers. In this review, we aimed to introduce the mechanisms of TCM compound, as an option of individualized therapy, in treating cancer patients from the perspective of both Chinese and Western medicine. In the view of traditional Chinese medicine theory, individualized treatment for human cancers based on syndrome type benefits the cancer patients with personalized conditions. Balancing Qi, Xue, Yin and Yang, eliminating phlegm and removing dampness is how TCM compound functions on cancer patients. While in the view of Western medicine, inhibiting cancer cell growth and metastasis as well as improving immune status is how herbal compounds act on cancer patients. We also summarized the applications of TCM compound in human cancers, which will shed light on the clinical application of TCM compound on patients with cancer. TCM compound could be used as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in human cancers. It could be applied in cancer patients with cancer-related fatigue (CRF). In addition, it is a good method for alleviating the side effects of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Therefore, TCM compound plays a critical role in treating patients with cancer, which has a promising strategy in the field of cancer management.

Schidandrin B kills tumor cells by initiating apoptosis in glioma SHG-44 cells

OBJECTIVE

To observe the proliferation inhibition, cell cycle, and apoptosis of human glioma cell line SHG-44 treated with different concentration of Schidandrin B and explore the effect of Schidandrin B on glioma SHG-44 cells.

METHODS

Glioma SHG-44 cells were treated with Schidandrin B (0, 50, 100 or 200 μg/mL) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, and cells were treated with vehicle as control. Viability of cells were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) analysis; cell cycle was examined with flow cytometry assay; apoptosis was detected with annexin V assay. Bax and caspase-3 proteins expression were checked by Western blot.

RESULTS

MTT analysis showed that viability of glioma SHG-44 cells significantly decreased after exposure to Schidandrin B for the indicated time. Flow cytometry revealed that the number of cells in the sub G1 phase was increased, however, the number of cells in G0/G1, S and G2/M phases were decreased after treatment with 50, 100 or 200 μg/mL Schidandrin B, compared with the respective control group. Annexin V analysis confirmed that apoptosis rates of the control group, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL Schidandrin B group were 1.76%±0.47%, 13.98%±5.05%, 19.64%±5.53% and 63.28%±6.88% respectively, apoptotic rate increased significantly with dose-dependent manner, and apoptosis of cells were observed under the inverted microscope after 100 μg/mL Schidandrin B treatment. Bax and caspase-3 protein were highly expressed in Schidandrin B group compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

The apoptosis could be induced by different concentration of Schidandrin B on glioma SHG-44 cells, and the mechanism may be directly excited by Schidandrin B in glioma SHG-44 cells through activating mitochondrial pathway.

Tounong Powder () extracts induce G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in LoVo cells

OBJECTIVE

To further explore the anti-cancer effect of Tounong Powder () extracts (TNSEs) on human colon cancer LoVo cells and examine the possible molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

The contents of TNSEs were determined by liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) analysis after extraction with water and methanol. Variations of cell morphological features were observed using fluorescence microscopy. Cytotoxicity was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry at different TNSE doses (0, 62.5, 125, or 250 μg/mL). Protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphate protein kinase B (p-AKT), phosphate mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), p-p70s6k1, cleaved caspase-9 and -3 were detected using Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

TNSEs induced cell growth inhibition in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis showed apoptotic cells and cell cycle arrest at the G phase after TNSEs treatment compared with controls. Furthermore, TNSEs significantly down-regulated the proteins PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR, and p-p70s6k1, and up-regulated the proteins cleaved caspase-9 and -3 dosedependently, as determined by Western blot.

CONCLUSIONS

TNSEs reduced LoVo cell proliferation, and caused apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest in LoVo cells. This effect might be associated with regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

The effect of tou nong san on transplanted tumor growth in nude mice

Tou Nong San (TNS) is a traditional Chinese medicinal decoction used to treat sores and carbuncles. It contains four herbal drugs and one animal medicine: Radix Astragaliseu Seu Hedysari, Angelica sinensis, Ligustici Chuanxiong, Spina Gleditsiae, and stir-baked Squama Manis. Previous studies have shown that it has anticancer effects. This report validates in vivo antitumor properties of TNS. The compounds contained in TNSE were confirmed by liquid chromatographmass spectrometer (LC-MS) analysis. The in vivo antitumor activity of TNS extract (TNSE) was tested by feeding it to athymic mice harboring a human colonic tumor subcutaneous xenograft. Toxicity was monitored by recording behavior and weight parameters. Seven compounds were detected in TNSE by LC-MS. TNSE was fed to athymic mice for 2 weeks. No adverse reactions were reported. Compared to the control group, administration of TNSE to tumor bearing mice significantly reduced both tumor weight and volume. The expressions of p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR, p-p70s6k1, VEGF, and CD31 were significantly reduced, the expression levels of cleaved Caspase-9 and cleaved Caspase-3 were significantly increased in the TNSE groups compared to the control group as determined by western blot and immunohistochemistry. TNSE produced anticolonic cancer effects and the underlying mechanisms involved inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signal transduction pathway, inhibition of angiogenesis, and promotion of apoptotic proteins.