Baicalein inhibits cervical cancer progression via downregulating long noncoding RNA BDLNR and its downstream PI3K/Akt pathway

Discovery of drug transporter inhibitors tied to long noncoding RNA in resistant cancer cells; a computational model -in silico- study

Chemotherapeutic resistance is a major obstacle to chemotherapeutic failure. Cancer cell resistance involves several mechanisms, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), signaling pathway bypass, drug efflux activation, and impairment of drug entry. P-glycoproteins (P-gp) are an efflux transporter that pumps chemotherapeutic drugs out of cancer cells, resulting in chemotherapeutic resistance. Several types of long noncoding RNA (lncRNAs) have been identified in resistant cancer cells, including ODRUL, MALAT1, and ANRIL. The high expression level of ODRUL is related to the induction of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) gene expression, resulting in the emergence of doxorubicin resistance in osteosarcoma. lncRNAs are observed to be regulators of drug transporters in cancer cells such as MALAT1 and ANRIL. Targeting P-gp expression using natural products is a new strategy to overcome cancer cell resistance and improve the sensitivity of resistant cells toward chemotherapies. This review validates the inhibitory effects of natural products on P-gp expression and activity using in silico molecular docking. In silico analysis showed that Delphinidin and Asparagoside-f are the most significant natural product inhibitors of p-glycoprotein-1. These inhibitors can reverse multi-drug resistance and induce the sensitivity of resistant cancer cells toward chemotherapy based on in silico molecular docking. It is important to validate that pre-elementary docking can be confirmed using in vitro and in vivo experimental data.

Long non-coding RNA involved in the carcinogenesis of human female cancer - a comprehensive review

Recent years have seen an increase in our understanding of lncRNA and their role in various disease states. lncRNA molecules have been shown to contribute to carcinogenesis and influence the various cancer hallmarks and signalling pathways. It is pertinent to understand the specific contributions and mechanisms of action of these molecules in various cancers. This review provides an overview of the various lncRNA entities that influence and regulate the gynaecological cancers, namely, cervical, breast, ovarian and uterine cancers. The review curates a list of the key players and their effect on cellular processes. lncRNA molecules show immense potential to be used as diagnostic and prognostic indicators and in therapeutic strategies. Several phytochemicals, small molecules, RNA-based regulators, oligos and gene editing tools show promise as a therapeutic strategy. While this review highlights the promising developments in this field, it also underscores the necessity for further research to delineate the complex role of lncRNAs in cancer.

Exploring baicalein: A natural flavonoid for enhancing cancer prevention and treatment

Despite years of development in cancer therapy, achieving successful cancer treatment remains a major research topic. Primary means of cancer treatment include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. However, these modalities are associated with limitations and adverse effects on normal tissues. Therefore, there is a search for novel therapeutic approaches that will increase the efficacy of the available treatment while minimizing side effects. Naturally occurring bioactive chemicals such as flavonoids have long been used in traditional medicine to treat various illnesses. Baicalein, an active ingredient in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, is utilised in traditional medicine to treat conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and infections. This review focuses on summarizing the data available on cancer prevention and treatment usage of baicalein. Baicalein is thought to prevent cancer progression by inducing apoptosis, autophagy, and genome instability, and its ability to promote chemo-potentiation, anti-metastatic effects, and regulate specific signalling molecules and transcription factors. Baicalein can be a promising option for cancer treatment, either alone or in combination with established anticancer drugs.

Baicalein enhances cisplatin sensitivity in cervical cancer cells by promoting cuproptosis through the Akt pathway

Resistance to cisplatin presents a major obstacle in managing advanced-stage cervical cancer. Cuproptosis, a newly identified form of cell death induced by copper ions, has potential in overcoming chemoresistance. But the application of cuproptosis in cervical cancer resistant to cisplatin has not yet been reported. In this study, treatment with Elsm-Cu in cervical cancer cells induced cuproptosis, affecting cell proliferation and apoptosis was found. Moreover, cuproptosis in cervical cancer cells was significantly induced by baicalein. The combination of baicalein and cisplatin exhibited a synergistic effect on cervical cancer cells by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting cell viability via the induction of cuproptosis. Animal experiments demonstrated that this combination significantly suppressed tumor growth. Upon treating cells with SC79 (Akt agonist), a significant inhibition of the expression of cuproptosis-related proteins SDHB and FDX1 were observed, indicating that baicalein induced cuproptosis through the Akt pathway. These results indicated that baicalein, mediated through the Akt pathway to induce cuproptosis, had the potential to improve the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to cisplatin.

The Effect of the Extraction Conditions on the Antioxidant Activity and Bioactive Compounds Content in Ethanolic Extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Root

Ethanolic extracts of Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) root were obtained using various techniques, such as maceration, maceration with shaking, ultrasound-assisted extraction, reflux extraction, and Soxhlet extraction. The influence of the type and time of isolation technique on the extraction process was studied, and the quality of the obtained extracts was determined by spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods to find the optimal extraction conditions. Radical scavenging activity of the extracts was analyzed using DPPH assay, while total phenolic content (TPC) was analyzed by the method with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Application of gas chromatography with mass selective detector (GC-MS) enabled the identification of some bioactive substances and a comparison of the composition of the particular extracts. The Baikal skullcap root extracts characterized by both the highest antioxidant activity and content of phenolic compounds were obtained in 2 h of reflux and Soxhlet extraction. The main biologically active compounds identified in extracts by the GC-MS method were wogonin and oroxylin A, known for their broad spectrum of biological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, and others.

Strategic and Innovative Roles of lncRNAs Regulated by Naturally-derived Small Molecules in Cancer Therapy

In the field of precision and personalized medicine, the next generation sequencing method has begun to take an active place as genome-wide screening applications in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Studies based on the determination of the therapeutic efficacy of personalized drug use in cancer treatment in the size of the transcriptome and its extension, lncRNA, have been increasing rapidly in recent years. Targeting and/or regulating noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) consisting of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are promising strategies for cancer treatment. Within the scope of rapidly increasing studies in recent years, it has been shown that many natural agents obtained from biological organisms can potentially alter the expression of many lncRNAs associated with oncogenic functions. Natural agents include effective small molecules that provide anti-cancer effects and have been used as chemotherapy drugs or in combination with standard anti-cancer drugs used in routine treatment. In this review, it was aimed to provide detailed information about the potential of natural agents to regulate and/or target non-coding RNAs and their mechanisms of action to provide an approach for cancer therapy. The discovery of novel anti-cancer targets and subsequent development of effective drugs or combination strategies that are still needed for most cancers will be promising for cancer treatment.

Defining new biomarkers for overcoming therapeutical resistance in cervical cancer using lncRNA

Despite improvements in cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for cervical cancer patients remains dismal due to the development of drug resistance, metastasis, and invasion resulting leading to treatment failure. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of RNA transcripts have been reported in mediating carcinogenesis as well as drug, and radio-resistance in tumor cells. These lncRNAs regulate various cancer hallmarks and contribute to the development of therapeutic resistance. They regulates multiple signalling pathways, recruits polycomb group, function as miRNA sponge and scaffolds. Additionally, lncRNAs can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in cervical cancer. This comprehensive review outlines the biogenesis of lncRNA and its role in cancer development. It delves into the mechanisms through which various lncRNAs mediate chemoresistance and radioresistance in cervical cancer. By shedding into the light of mechanism, this review will also aids researchers in understanding lncRNAs as biomarkers and latest advancements in clinically targeting them with the help of Artificial Intelligence for overcoming chemoresistance and radioresistance, thereby improving cervical cancer treatment.

Phytochemicals in cervical cancer: an epigenetic overview

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common female malignancy worldwide and a complex disease that typically starts with HPV infection. Various genetic and epigenetic alterations are implicated in its development. The current cervical cancer therapies have unsatisfactory outcomes due to their serious adverse effects, necessitating the need for safe, effective preventive and therapeutic modalities. Phytochemicals have been addressed in cervical cancer prevention and treatment, and further understanding the epigenetics of cervical cancer pathogenesis is critical to investigate new preventive and therapeutic modalities. Addressing the epigenetic mechanisms of potential phytochemicals will provide an overview of their use individually or in combination. The primary aim of this review is to highlight the epigenetic effects of the phytochemicals addressed in cervical cancer therapy.

Targeting tumor-derived exosome-mediated premetastatic niche formation: The metastasis-preventive value of traditional Chinese medicine

Tumor-derived exosome (TDE)-mediated premetastatic niche (PMN) formation is a potential mechanism underlying the organotropic metastasis of primary tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown considerable success in preventing and treating tumor metastasis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this review, we discussed PMN formation from the perspectives of TDE biogenesis, cargo sorting, and TDE recipient cell alterations, which are critical for metastatic outgrowth. We also reviewed the metastasis-preventive effects of TCM, which act by targeting the physicochemical materials and functional mediators of TDE biogenesis, regulating the cargo sorting machinery and secretory molecules in TDEs, and targeting the TDE-recipient cells involved in PMN formation.

Long non-coding RNAs as critical regulators and novel targets in cervical cancer: current status and future perspectives

Cervical cancer is among the leading causes of cancer-associated mortality in women. In spite of vaccine availability, improved screening procedures, and chemoradiation therapy, cervical cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 23 countries and the leading cause of cancer deaths in 36 countries. There is, therefore, a need to come up with novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a remarkable role in genome regulation and contribute significantly to several developmental and disease pathways. The deregulation of lncRNAs is often observed in cancer patients, where they are shown to affect multiple cellular processes, including cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and invasion. Many lncRNAs are found to be involved in the pathogenesis as well as progression of cervical cancer and have shown potency to track metastatic events. This review provides an overview of lncRNA mediated regulation of cervical carcinogenesis and highlights their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets for cervical cancer. In addition, it also discusses the challenges associated with the clinical implication of lncRNAs in cervical cancer.

Baicalein as Promising Anticancer Agent: A Comprehensive Analysis on Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives

Despite significant therapeutic advancements for cancer, an atrocious global burden (for example, health and economic) and radio- and chemo-resistance limit their effectiveness and result in unfavorable health consequences. Natural compounds are generally considered safer than synthetic drugs, and their use in cancer treatment alone, or in combination with conventional therapies, is increasingly becoming accepted. Interesting outcomes from pre-clinical trials using Baicalein in combination with conventional medicines have been reported, and some of them have also undergone clinical trials in later stages. As a result, we investigated the prospects of Baicalein, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the stems of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Oroxylum indicum Kurz, which targets a wide range of molecular changes that are involved in cancer development. In other words, this review is primarily driven by the findings from studies of Baicalein therapy in several cancer cell populations based on promising pre-clinical research. The modifications of numerous signal transduction mechanisms and transcriptional agents have been highlighted as the major players for Baicalein's anti-malignant properties at the micro level. These include AKT serine/threonine protein kinase B (AKT) as well as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, matrix metalloproteinases-2 & 9 (MMP-2 & 9), Wnt/-catenin, Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), NF-κB, Caspase-3/8/9, Smad4, Notch 1/Hes, Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap 1), Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Src/Id1, ROS signaling, miR 183/ezrin, and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling cascades. The promise of Baicalein as an anti-inflammatory to anti-apoptotic/anti-angiogenic/anti-metastatic medicinal element for treating various malignancies and its capability to inhibit malignant stem cells, evidence of synergistic effects, and design of nanomedicine-based drugs are altogether well supported by the data presented in this review study.

Natural flavonoids alleviate glioblastoma multiforme by regulating long non-coding RNA

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common primary malignant brain tumors in adults. Due to the poor prognosis of patients, the median survival time of GBM is often less than 1 year. Therefore, it is very necessary to find novel treatment options with a good prognosis for the treatment or prevention of GBM. In recent years, flavonoids are frequently used to treat cancer. It is a new attractive molecule that may achieve this promising treatment option. Flavonoids have been proved to have many biological functions, such as antioxidation, prevention of angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, and protection of nerve cells. It has also shown the ability to regulate long non-coding RNA (LncRNA). Studies have confirmed that flavonoids can regulate epigenetic modification, transcription, and change microRNA (miRNA) expression of GBM through lncRNA at the gene level. It also found that flavonoids can induce apoptosis and autophagy of GBM cells by regulating lncRNA. Moreover, it can improve the metabolic abnormalities of GBM, interfere with the tumor microenvironment and related signaling pathways, and inhibit the angiogenesis of GBM cells. Eventually, flavonoids can block the tumor initiation, growth, proliferation, differentiation, invasion, and metastasis. In this review, we highlight the role of lncRNA in GBM cancer progression and the influence of flavonoids on lncRNA regulation. And emphasize their expected role in the prevention and treatment of GBM.

Baicalein facilitates gastric cancer cell apoptosis by triggering endoplasmic reticulum stress via repression of the PI3K/AKT pathway

OBJECTIVE

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a prevailing threat to life. Baicalein exhibits anti-cancer properties. This study estimated the mechanism of baicalein in GC cell apoptosis by mediating endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) through the PI3K/AKT pathway.

METHODS

After treatment with different concentrations of baicalein, GC cell (HGC-27 and AGS) viability was detected by MTT assay. AGS cells more sensitive to baicalein treatment were selected as study subjects. The IC50 of baicalein on AGS cells was determined. Colony formation, cell cycle, and apoptosis were detected using crystal violet staining and flow cytometry. Levels of ERS-related and BTG3/PI3K/AKT pathway-related proteins were determined by Western blot. Intracellular Ca²⁺ level was measured using Fluo-3 AM fluorescence working solution. GC mouse models were established by subcutaneously injecting AGS cells into the right rib and were intragastrically administrated with baicalein. Tumor volume and weight were recorded. Expression of Ki67 in tumor tissues and positive expression of apoptotic cells were detected by immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining.

RESULTS

Baicalein inhibited cell proliferation and induced G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis by regulating the cell cycle, and triggered ERS in GC cells. Baicalein impeded the PI3K/AKT pathway by activating BTG3, thereby triggering ERS and inducing apoptosis. BTG3 inhibition reversed baicalein-induced apoptosis and ERS. Baicalein regulated GC cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, in xenograft mice, baicalein prevented tumor growth, decreased Ki67-positive cells, activated BTG3, and inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway, thus activating ERS and increasing apoptotic cells.

CONCLUSION

Baicalein facilitates GC cell apoptosis by triggering ERS via repression of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Baicalein activates 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin, and exhibits antiproliferative effects in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

The mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition has been shown to prolong progression-free survival in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The natural compound baicalein indirectly inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin, but it is unknown if baicalein exhibits such effects at physiologically achievable concentrations or exhibits synergy.

METHODS

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor cell lines were cultured with baicalein, everolimus, and/or a synthetic 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activating agent alone and in combination. Cell viability assays and immunoblotting were performed. Female severe combined immunodeficient-beige mice were injected with BON-1 cells and treated with baicalein and COH-SR4 solutions via oral gavage. Tumor volumes were compared at 30 days.

RESULTS

Immunoblotting revealed that treatment of baicalein induced 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activation and the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition. Treatment with baicalein alone led to a significant decrease in the ratio of viable cells compared with controls at 72 hours at concentrations ≥5 μM (P = .021). The addition of COH-SR4 led to significantly greater effect on cell viability than with baicalein alone (P < .001, P < .001). The combination of baicalein with everolimus resulted in significantly lower cell viability than with everolimus alone (P = .005, P < .001). Tumor volume in vivo was significantly decreased with the combination of baicalein and COH-SR4 compared with controls (P = .003).

CONCLUSION

Baicalein exhibits antiproliferative effects against pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor cell lines at doses ≥5 μM and demonstrates synergy.

New light on treatment of cervical cancer: Chinese medicine monomers can be effective for cervical cancer by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Cervical cancer (CC), as the most common malignant tumor of the female reproductive system, is infamous for its high morbidity and mortality rates. Its development and metastasis are intricate because numerous signaling pathways are involved. Since the cancer and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway are closely intertwined, direct inhibition of either the PI3K/Akt pathway or its target genes and molecules may be remarkably constructive for treatment. Albeit remarkable advances in the treatment of CC, existing common anti-cancer medications are not without problems. These problems include myelotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, genotoxicity, and vasospasm, which are the most common and well-recognized toxicities associated with these medications. Therefore, it is necessary and urgent to develop novel, potent, secure, and more reasonably priced anticancer medications that are void of the above problems. Against this backdrop, Chinese medicine monomers have received more attention in recent years owing to their safety, low toxicity, few side effects, and anti-tumor properties. By regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, Chinese medicine monomers are effective not only in inhibiting CC growth, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and reversing drug resistance but also in a variety of targets. Most previous earlier studies focused on the use of a single traditional Chinese medicine monomer to treat CC by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway rather than a combination of several such monomers. More importantly, to our knowledge, there has hardly been any study providing an exhaustive and comprehensive review of all the Chinese medicine monomers at CC. In response to this scarcity, we attempt in this paper to provide a comprehensive review of all the literature to date on traditional Chinese medicine monomers at cervical cancer, highlight the mechanisms and future prospects for their use in the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.

The Multifaceted Role of Baicalein in Cancer Management through Modulation of Cell Signalling Pathways

The roles of medicinal plants or their purified bioactive compounds have attracted attention in the field of health sciences due to their low toxicity and minimal side effects. Baicalein is an active polyphenolic compound, isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, and plays a significant role in the management of different diseases. Epidemiologic studies have proven that there is an inverse association between baicalein consumption and disease severity. Baicalein is known to display anticancer activity through the inhibition of inflammation and cell proliferation. Additionally, the anticancer potential of baicalein is chiefly mediated through the modulation of various cell-signaling pathways, such as the induction of apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of angiogenesis, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and PI3K/Akt pathways, as well as the regulation of other molecular targets. Therefore, the current review aimed to explore the role of baicalein in different types of cancer along with mechanisms of action. Besides this, the synergistic effects with other anti-cancerous drugs and the nano-formulation based delivery of baicalein have also been discussed.

Advances in Anti-Cancer Activities of Flavonoids in Scutellariae radix: Perspectives on Mechanism

Despite encouraging progresses in the development of novel therapies, cancer remains the dominant cause of disease-related mortality and has become a leading economic and healthcare burden worldwide. Scutellariae radix (SR, Huangqin in Chinese) is a common herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, with a long history in treating a series of symptoms resulting from cancer, like dysregulated immune response and metabolic abnormalities. As major bioactive ingredients extracted from SR, flavonoids, including baicalein, wogonin, along with their glycosides (baicalin and wogonoside), represent promising pharmacological and anti-tumor activities and deserve extensive research attention. Emerging evidence has made great strides in elucidating the multi-targeting therapeutic mechanisms and key signaling pathways underlying the efficacious potential of flavonoids derived from SR in the field of cancer treatment. In this current review, we aim to summarize the pharmacological actions of flavonoids against various cancers in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, we also make a brief summarization of the endeavor in developing a drug delivery system or structural modification to enhance the bioavailability and biological activities of flavonoid monomers. Taken together, flavonoid components in SR have great potential to be developed as adjuvant or even primary therapies for the clinical management of cancers and have a promising prospect.

Network-Based Pharmacological Study on the Mechanism of Action of Buxue Liqi Huatan Decoction in the Treatment of Lung Cancer

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of Buxue Liqi Huatan decoction against lung cancer through network pharmacology.

Methods

The chemical composition and targets of all the drugs in the Buxue Liqi Huatan decoction were obtained through the Database and Systematic Analysis Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, the Integrated Database of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and by screening lung cancer targets with the gene map and OMIM database. The targets were then imported into Cytoscape 3.7.2 to build a target network of active ingredients and imported into the STRING database to build a protein-protein interaction network. The BisoGenet plug-in in Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used for network topology analysis. Genetic ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed on potential targets of the Buxue Liqi Huatan decoction for lung cancer using the R-language Bioconductor platform, and results were imported from Cytoscape 3.7.2 to obtain the KEGG network connection diagram via the Autodock molecular docking software.

Results

A total of 238 chemical components and 694 disease targets were obtained, including 133 intersecting targets. The key targets included TP53, AKT1, and MYC, and the GO functional analysis was mainly related to oxidative and cellular oxidative stress, apoptotic signaling, and antibiotic response. The results showed that the key target with the best binding performance was TP53.

Conclusion

The treatment of lung cancer with blood-supplementing, qi-transforming, and phlegm-transforming soups works through multiple components and targets. The active ingredients include quercetin, luteolin, naringenin, and baicalein. Among them, the core proteins of PPI protein interaction mainly include TP53, AKT1, MYC, EGRF, CCNB1, and ESR1. The enrichment analysis results show that the TNF signal pathway, PI3K-Akt signal pathway, AGE-RAGE, IL-17, etc., are the main signal pathways of Buxue Liqi Huatan decoction in treating lung cancer. This lays the foundation for further study of its mechanism.

Anti-Programmed Death Protein-1 (PD-1) Antibody Combined with Paclitaxel Exert Anti-Cancer Effect on Cervical Cancer Cells

The therapeutic effect of combined drugs on cervical cancer has been confirmed. Whether anti-PD-1 antibody combined with paclitaxel mediates the PI3K-Akt pathway to regulate cervical cancer still requires further research. 20 nude mice received subcutaneous administration of Hela cells to establish cervical cancer model which was then assigned into blank control group, control group A (PD-1 antibody (5 mg/ kg) administration), control group B (paclitaxel), and observation group (PD-1 antibody combined with paclitaxel) followed by analysis of cell proliferation, apoptosis, expression of PI3K-Akt signaling proteins and mRNAs. Observation group had lowest tumor size, highest cell proliferation inhibition rate and apoptosis, which were all reversed in blank group with a largest tumor size, lowest cell proliferation inhibition rate and cell apoptosis. There were no differences between control group A and control group B (P > 0.05). The expressions of PI3K, Akt, p53, and p21 proteins were lowest in observation group and highest in blank group. In addition, control group showed no difference to control group B (P > 0.05). In conclusion, anti-PD-1 antibody combined with paclitaxel inhibits PI3K-Akt signaling activity, thereby downregulating PI3K, Akt, p53, and p21 protein, controlling cervical cancer cell division, promoting cell apoptosis, and exerting anti-tumor effects.

Regulation of Cell Signaling Pathways and Non-Coding RNAs by Baicalein in Different Cancers

Landmark discoveries in molecular oncology have provided a wide-angle overview of the heterogenous and therapeutically challenging nature of cancer. The power of modern ‘omics’ technologies has enabled researchers to deeply and comprehensively characterize molecular mechanisms underlying cellular functions. Interestingly, high-throughput technologies have opened new horizons for the design and scientific fool-proof evaluation of the pharmacological properties of targeted chemical compounds to tactfully control the activities of the oncogenic protein networks. Groundbreaking discoveries have galvanized the expansion of the repertoire of available pharmacopoeia to therapeutically target a myriad of deregulated oncogenic pathways. Natural product research has undergone substantial broadening, and many of the drugs which constitute the backbone of modern pharmaceuticals have been derived from the natural cornucopia. Baicalein has gradually gained attention because of its unique ability to target different oncogenic signal transduction cascades in various cancers. We have partitioned this review into different sub-sections to provide a broader snapshot of the oncogenic pathways regulated by baicalein. In this review, we summarize baicalein-mediated targeting of WNT/β-catenin, AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT, MAPK, and NOTCH pathways. We also critically analyze how baicalein regulates non-coding RNAs (microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs) in different cancers. Finally, we conceptually interpret baicalein-mediated inhibition of primary and secondary growths in xenografted mice.

Bioactive components of Banxia Xiexin Decoction for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases based on flavor-oriented analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Banxia Xiexin Decoction (BXD) was first recorded in a Chinese medical classic, Treatise on Febrile Diseases and Miscellaneous Diseases, which was written in the Eastern Han dynasty of China. This ancient prescription consists of seven kinds of Chinese herbal medicine, namely, Pinellia ternata, Rhizoma Coptidis, Radix scutellariae, Rhizoma Zingiberis, Ginseng, Jujube, and Radix Glycyrrhizaepreparata. In clinic practice, its original application in China mainly has focused on the treatment of chronic gastritis for several hundred years. BXD is also effective in treating other gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs) in modern medical application. Despite available literature support and clinical experience, the treatment mechanisms or their relationships with the bioactive compounds in BXD responsible for its pharmacological actions, still need further explorations in more diversified channels. According to the analysis based on the five-flavor theory of TCM, BXD is traditionally viewed as the most representative prescription for pungent-dispersion, bitter-purgation and sweet-tonification. Consequently, based on the flavor-oriented analysis, the compositive herbs in BXD can be divided into three flavor groups, namely, the pungent, bitter, and sweet groups, each of which has specific active ingredients that are possibly relevant to GID treatment.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This paper summarized recent literatures on BXD and its bioactive components used in GID treatment, and provided the pharmacological or chemical basis for the further exploration of the ancient prescription and the relative components.

METHOD

ology: Relevant literature was collected from various electronic databases such as Pubmed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Citations were based on peer-reviewed articles published in English or Chinese during the last decade.

RESULTS

Multiple components were found in the pungent, bitter, and sweet groups in BXD. The corresponding bioactive components include gingerol, shogaol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol in the pungent group; berberine, palmatine, coptisine, baicalein, and baicalin in the bitter group; and ginsenosides, polysaccharides, liquiritin, and glycyrrhetinic acid in the sweet group. These components have been found directly or indirectly responsible for the remarkable effects of BXD on GID.

CONCLUSION

This review provided some valuable reference to further clarify BXD treatment for GID and their possible material basis, based on the perspective of the flavor-oriented analysis.

Baicalein Inhibits the SMYD2/RPS7 Signaling Pathway to Inhibit the Occurrence and Metastasis of Lung Cancer

Objective

This study investigated the potential effects of Baicalein on proliferation, migration, and invasion of human lung cancer A549 and NCI-H1299 cells and its possible mechanisms.

Methods

The effects of Baicalein on proliferation and invasion of A549 and NCI-H1299 cells were detected by MTT assay, clonogenesis assay, and Transwell assay. A subcutaneous transplanted tumor model was used to evaluate the effects of SMYD2 and Baicalein on the proliferation of lung cancer. Baicalein inhibited in SMYD2/RPS7 signaling pathway in tumor cells was also detected by qRT-PCR.

Results

Baicalein significantly inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells. In addition, Baicalein significantly reduced the rate of A549 and NCI-H1299 cell invasion and clone formation in a dose-dependent manner. Animal experiments showed that both SMYD2 and Baicalein treatments could inhibit lung cancer tumor proliferation. Mechanism studies suggest that Baicalein inhibits the SMYD2/RPS7 signaling pathway.

Conclusion

These results indicated that Baicalein could inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUNG cancer A549 and NCI-H1299 cells. Baicalein inhibits cell proliferation by downregulating the SMYD2/RPS7 signaling pathway.

Long non-coding RNA FEZF1-AS1 promotes rectal cancer progression by competitively binding miR-632 with FAM83A

The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) forebrain embryonic zinc finger protein 1 antisense RNA1 (FEZF1-AS1) was recently identified as an oncogenic gene in several types of tumors. The biological function of FEZF1-AS1 in rectal cancer progression, however, remains unknown. In the present study, we discover that FEZF1-AS1 is significantly upregulated in rectal cancer tissues and cells. Knocking down of FEZF1-AS1 suppresses cell proliferation, migration, and invasion , and tumorigenesis . Furthermore, FEZF1-AS1 functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-632, resulting in the suppression of family with sequence similarity 83, member A (FAM83A). Overall, our findings reveal that FEZF1-AS1/miR-632/FAM83A axis plays an oncogenic role in rectal cancer progression, suggesting that it may be a novel therapeutic target for rectal cancer.

Baicalein mediates the anti-tumor activity in Osteosarcoma through lncRNA-NEF driven Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulatory axis

Background

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common type of malignant bone tumor in adolescents with high risk of metastasis. However, the clinical management still remains unsatisfactory. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely considered as an alternative treatment, and their extracts have proved to possess great potential for drug discovery. Baicalein (BA), the active pharmaceutical ingredient of rhizoma coptidis, was proved to have anti-tumor properties in OS, but the mechanism remains poorly understood.

Methods

The potential anti-cancer effects on cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis and migration were examined in OS cells. Moreover, the lncRNA-Neighboring Enhancer of FOXA2 (lncRNA-NEF) and Wnt/β-catenin signaling were detected by qPCR and Western blotting assays. The in vivo effect of GA on tumor growth was investigated using a xenograft mice model.

Results

In the present study, BA was found to significantly suppress tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. And it was also found to inhibit the invasion and metastasis as well. As for the mechanism investigation, lncRNA-NEF was obviously upregulated by BA in OS cells, and thus induced the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Moreover, lncRNA-NEF knockdown partially reversed the BA-induced anti-cancer activities; and successfully compensated the suppressive effect on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. We therefore suggested that BA induced the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling through promoting lncRNA-NEF expression.

Conclusions

In conclude, our results demonstrated that BA suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo through an lncRNA-NEF driven Wnt/β-catenin regulatory axis, in which lncRNA-NEF was upregulated by BA, and thus induced the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

The Translational potential of this article

The findings derived from this study validates the anti-cancer activity of BA in OS and provides a novel underlying mechanism, which suggest that BA may be a potential candidate to develop the effective drug for OS patients.

LncRNA HOXD-AS1 affects proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by promoting FRRS1 expression via transcription factor ELF1

To investigate the function of lncRNA HOXD-AS1 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC) and the underlying mechanism. The expressions of HOXD-AS1 and FRRS1 were analyzed on the online software GEPIA based on CESC-related information in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Cervical cancer cells (SiHa and Hela) were accordingly transfected with pCDNA3.1-HOXD-AS1, sh-HOXD-AS1, sh-FRRS1 or pCDNA3.1-ELF1. After cell transfection, CCK-8, EDU and flow cytometry were applied for measurement of cell vitality, quantity and apoptosis, respectively. The relationship between HOXD-AS1 and FRRS1 was predicted on the online software LncMap and further verified by RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation. Nude mice were injected with stabilized SiHa cells transfected with sh-HOXD-AS1 to assess the tumorigenic ability of HOXD-AS1 in vivo. Immunohistochemistry detected the expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67. The levels of HOXD-AS1, ELF1 and FRRS1 were measured in vivo and in vitro. HOXD-AS1 and FRRS1 were overexpressed in CESC. After transfection of sh-HOXD-AS1, sh-ELF1 or sh-FRRS1, the proliferation of SiHa and Hela cells was inhibited and their apoptosis was promoted; while HOXD-AS1 overexpression had opposite effects on CESC development. Co-transfection of sh-FRRS1 and pCDNA3.1-HOXD-AS1 could abolish the tumor suppressive effect of FRRS1 knockdown. HOXD-AS1 elevated the level of FRRS1 by binding ELF1. Furthermore, HOXD-AS1 contributed to the CESC growth in mouse models. HOXD-AS1 promotes CESC by up-regulating FRRS1 via ELF1.

Targeting long non coding RNA by natural products: Implications for cancer therapy

In spite of achieving substantial progress in its therapeutic strategies, cancer-associated prevalence and mortality are persistently rising globally. However, most malignant cancers either cannot be adequately diagnosed at the primary phase or resist against multiple treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy as well as targeting therapy. In recent decades, overwhelming evidences have provided more convincing words on the undeniable roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in incidence and development of various cancer types. Recently, phytochemical and nutraceutical compounds have received a great deal of attention due to their inhibitory and stimulatory effects on oncogenic and tumor suppressor lncRNAs respectively that finally may lead to attenuate various processes of cancer cells such as growth, proliferation, metastasis and invasion. Therefore, application of phytochemicals with anticancer characteristics can be considered as an innovative approach for treating cancer and increasing the sensitivity of cancer cells to standard prevailing therapies. The purpose of this review was to investigate the effect of various phytochemicals on regulation of lncRNAs in different human cancer and evaluate their capabilities for cancer treatment and prevention.

Modulation of Long Non-Coding RNAs by Different Classes of Secondary Metabolites from Plants: A Mini-Review on Antitumor Effects

The broad pharmacological spectrum of plants is related to their secondary metabolism, which is responsible for the synthesis of different compounds that have multiple effects on cellular physiology. Among the biological effects presented by phytochemicals, their use for the prevention and treatment of cancer can be highlighted. This occurs due to several mechanisms of antitumor action demonstrated by these compounds, including regulation of the cell signaling pathways and inhibition of tumor growth. In this way, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) appear to be promising targets for the treatment of cancer. Their deregulation has already been related to a variety of clinical-pathological parameters. However, the effects of secondary metabolites on lncRNAs are still restricted. For this reason, the present review aimed to gather data on phytochemicals with action on lncRNAs in order to confirm their possible antitumor potential. According to the literature, terpenoid and flavonoid are the main examples of secondary metabolites involved with lncRNAs activity. In addition, the lncRNAs H19, CASC2, HOTAIR, NKILA, CCAT1, MALAT1, AFAP1-AS1, MEG3, and CDKN2B-AS1 can be highlighted as important targets in the search for new anti-tumor agents since they act as modulating pathways related to cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, cell migration and invasion. Finally, challenges for the use of natural products as a commercial drug were also discussed. The low yield, selectivity index and undesirable pharmacokinetic parameters were emphasized as a difficulty for obtaining these compounds on a large scale and for improving the potency of its biological effect. However, the synthesis and/or development of formulations were suggested as a possible approach to solve these problems. All of these data together confirm the potential of secondary metabolites as a source of new anti-tumor agents acting on lncRNAs.

Potential Mechanisms of Plant-Derived Natural Products in the Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common gynecological malignancy globally; it seriously endangers women’s health because of its high morbidity and mortality. Conventional treatments are prone to drug resistance, recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new drugs with high efficacy and low side effects to prevent and treat cervical cancer. In recent years, plant-derived natural products have been evaluated as potential anticancer drugs that preferentially kill tumor cells without severe adverse effects. A growing number of studies have shown that natural products can achieve practical anti-cervical-cancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of tumor-cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, suppression of angiogenesis and telomerase activity, enhancement of immunity and reversal of multidrug resistance. This paper reviews the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of plant-derived natural products on cervical cancer and provides references for developing anti-cervical-cancer drugs with high efficacy and low side effects.

The Involvement of Natural Polyphenols in the Chemoprevention of Cervical Cancer

From all types of cancer, cervical cancer manages to be in top four most frequent types, with a 6.5% rate of occurrence. The infectious vector that induces the disease, the high-risk Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted virus, is capable of transforming the host cell by modulating some of the principal signaling pathways responsible for cell cycle arrest, proliferation, and survival. Fortunately, like other cancer types, cervical cancer can be treated by chirurgical interventions or chemoradiotherapy, but these methods are not exactly the lucky clover of modern medicine because of the adverse effects they have. That is the reason why in the last years the emphasis has been on alternative medicine, more specifically on phytochemicals, as a substantial number of studies showed that diet contributes to cancer prevention and treatment. All these studies are trying to find new chemopreventive agents with less toxicity but high effectiveness both in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this review is to evaluate the literature in order to underline the advantages and disadvantages of polyphenols, a class of dietary compounds, as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents. This review also aims to present polyphenols from different perspectives, starting with mechanisms of action and ending with their toxicity. The bigger picture illustrates that polyphenols have great potential in cervical cancer prevention, with strong effects on gene modulation.

Total Glucosides of Paeony Inhibited Autophagy and Improved Acute Kidney Injury Induced by Ischemia-Reperfusion via the lncRNA TUG1/miR-29a/PTEN Axis

Objective

Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) has been proven to affect anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and hypoxia tolerance. This study investigates the effect of TGP on autophagy in acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R).

Methods

Rat model of AKI induced by I/R was established. Rats were administered with TGP at different doses by oral gavage. The contents of BUN, creatinine, NGAL, Kim-1 and IL-18 were detected. The levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and autophagy were measured. The expressions of lncRNA TUG1, miR-29a and PTEN were detected and their binding relationships were verified. I/R rat model with overexpressed TUG1 was established to explore the effect of TGP on kidney injury and autophagy. The hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) model of HK-2 cells and the HR model of HK-2 cells overexpressing TUG1 and low-expressing PTEN were established.

Results

TGP decreased the contents of BUN, creatinine, NGAL, Kim-1 and IL-18, and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors. LncRNA TUG1 and PTEN were downregulated, and miR-29a was upregulated in kidney tissues. The binding relationships between lncRNA TUG1 and miR-29a, and miR-29a and PTEN were confirmed. TGP suppressed PTEN expression via the lncRNA TUG1/miR-29a axis. Overexpressing lncRNA TUG1 attenuated the protective effect of TGP on AKI and autophagy in HK-2 cells. TGP improved cell viability and inhibited the autophagy in HR model of HK-2 cells via lncRNA TUG1/miR-29a/PTEN axis.

Conclusion

TGP inhibited autophagy and improved AKI induced by I/R via the lncRNA TUG1/miR-29a/PTEN axis.

Regulation of Long Non-Coding RNAs by Plant Secondary Metabolites: A Novel Anticancer Therapeutic Approach

Simple Summary

Cancer is caused by the rapid and uncontrolled growth of cells that eventually lead to tumor formation. Genetic and epigenetic alterations are among the most critical factors in the onset of carcinoma. Phytochemicals are a group of natural compounds that play an essential role in cancer prevention and treatment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are potential therapeutic targets of bioactive phytochemicals, and these compounds could regulate the expression of lncRNAs directly and indirectly. Here, we critically evaluate in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects of phytochemicals in numerous human cancers via regulation of lncRNA expression and their downstream target genes.

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that play an essential role in various cellular activities, such as differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of lncRNAs serves a fundamental role in the progression and initiation of various diseases, including cancer. Precision medicine is a suitable and optimal treatment method for cancer so that based on each patient’s genetic content, a specific treatment or drug is prescribed. The rapid advancement of science and technology in recent years has led to many successes in this particular treatment. Phytochemicals are a group of natural compounds extracted from fruits, vegetables, and plants. Through the downregulation of oncogenic lncRNAs or upregulation of tumor suppressor lncRNAs, these bioactive compounds can inhibit metastasis, proliferation, invasion, migration, and cancer cells. These natural products can be a novel and alternative strategy for cancer treatment and improve tumor cells’ sensitivity to standard adjuvant therapies. This review will discuss the antineoplastic effects of bioactive plant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals) via regulation of expression of lncRNAs in various human cancers and their potential for the treatment and prevention of human cancers.

Traditional uses, ten-years research progress on phytochemistry and pharmacology, and clinical studies of the genus Scutellaria

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Scutellaria (Lamiaceae), which includes approximately 360-469 accepted species, is widespread in Europe, North America, East Asia, and South America. Several species have a long history being used as traditional medicines to treat respiratory, peptic, neurological, and hepatic and gall diseases. The phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Scutellaria have been developed dramatically in the past ten years, and the traditional uses and clinical studies of the genus have not been systematically summarized. Therefore, it is especially valuable to review the current state of knowledge to provide a basis for further exploration of its medicinal potential.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The review aims to provide updated information on the ethnopharmacology, the ten-year research progress of phytochemistry and pharmacology, and clinical studies of Scutellaria and to explore the potential medicinal values and further studies of Scutellaria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review is based on published studies and books from the library and electronic sources, including SciFinder, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Baidu Scholar, CNKI, the online ethnobotanical database, and ethnobotanical monographs. This literature is related to ethnopharmacology, the ten-year research progress on the phytochemistry and pharmacology, and clinical studies of Scutellaria.

RESULTS

A total of 50 species, 5 subspecies and 17 varieties of the genus Scutellaria are used as traditional medicine with various biological activities. In the past ten years, 208 chemical constituents have been identified from 16 species and 1 variety of the genus Scutellaria, such as neo-clerodane diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, terpenoids, flavonoids. Pharmacological research has demonstrated that the extracts and compounds identified from this genus exhibit extensive biological activities, including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial activities, effects on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases as well as hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects. The species S. baicalensis, S. barbata, and S. lateriflora and the main compounds baicalein, baicalin and wogonin are involved in clinical trials, which point the way for us to conduct further studies, such as study on the anticancer, antihypertensive, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and other effects of Scutellaria.

CONCLUSIONS

The species included in the genus Scutellaria can be used to treat cancer, infection, hepatic disorders, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and other diseases. Some indications in traditional medicines have been confirmed by modern pharmacological studies, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective activity, and hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects. The available literature indicated that most of the bioactivities could be attributed to flavonoids and neo-clerodane diterpenoids. Although there are some uses of Scutellaria in clinical practice, the existing research on this genus is still limited. In order to expand the development of medicinal resources of Scutellaria, the already studied species in this genus are recommended for more comprehensive investigation on their active substances, pharmacological mechanisms, quality control, clinical use and new drug research. Additionally, it is necessary to study species that their chemical composition or pharmacological activity have not yet been investigated, especially those used in folk medicine.

Epigenetic mechanisms underlying the benefits of flavonoids in cardiovascular health and diseases: are long non-coding RNAs rising stars?

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) rank as the first leading cause of death globally. High dietary polyphenol (especially flavonoids) intake has strongly been associated with low incidence of the primary outcome, overall mortality, blood pressure, inflammatory biomarkers, onset of new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and obesity. Phytogenic flavonoids affect the physiological and pathological processes of CVDs by modulating various biochemical signaling pathways. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have attracted increasing attention as fundamental regulator of gene expression involved in CVDs. Among the different ncRNA subgroups, long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) have recently emerged as regulatory eukaryotic transcripts and therapeutic targets with important and diverse functions in health and diseases. lncRNAs may be associated with the initiation, development and progression of CVDs by modulating acute and chronic inflammation, adipogenesis and lipid metabolism, and cellular physiology. This review summarizes this research on the modulatory effects of lncRNAs and their roles in mediating cellular processes. The mechanisms of action of flavonoids underlying their therapeutic effects on CVDs are also discussed. Based on our review, flavonoids might facilitate a significant epigenetic modification as part (if not full) of their tissue-/cell-related biological effects. This finding may be attributed to their interaction with cellular signaling pathways involved in chronic diseases. Certain lncRNAs might be the target of specific flavonoids, and some critical signaling processes involved in the intervention of CVDs might mediate the therapeutic roles of flavonoids.

SNHG1 represses the anti-cancer roles of baicalein in cervical cancer through regulating miR-3127-5p/FZD4/Wnt/β-catenin signaling

IMPACT STATEMENT

Baicalein exhibits anti-cancer roles in several cancers. However, the factors influencing the antitumorigenic efficiencies of baicalein in CC remain largely unclear. Here, we provide convincing evidences that lncRNA SNHG1 attenuates the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein in CC cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and CC tumor growth. This study further demonstrates that the influences of SNHG1 in the antitumorigenic process of baicalein are achieved through modulating the miR-3127-5p/FZD4Wnt/β-catenin axis. SNHG1 attenuates the repressive role of baicalein on Wnt/β-catenin. Therefore, SNHG1 is a novel modulator of the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein and SNHG1 represents a therapeutic intervention target to reinforce the tumor-suppressive roles of baicalein in CC.

REST-repressed lncRNA NPPA-AS1 regulates cervical cancer progression by modulating miR-302e/DKK1/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a group of transcripts, have been revealed to be critical participants in regulating multiple biological processes of malignant tumors. The knowledge of NPPA-AS1 (a new lncRNA) in cancer research is hardly known. Thus, it is of urgent need to study the underlying role of NPPA antisense RNA 1 (NPPA-AS1) in cervical cancer (CC). In this study, NPPA-AS1 was discovered to be lowly expressed and upregulation of it impaired cell proliferation and migration in CC. Besides, downregulation of it led to opposite results. Molecular mechanism assays uncovered that increased expression of NPPA-AS1 could inactivate Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in CC. In addition, NPPA-AS1 was found to negatively interact with miR-302e whereas positively correlate with dickkopf-1 (DKK1, an inhibitor of Wnt pathway) in CC. Besides, loss of function assay illuminated that miR-302e inhibition restrained cell proliferation and migration in CC. Subsequent rescue assays confirmed that NPPA-AS1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA in CC by sponging miR-302e to upregulate DKK1 expression. Finally, the RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) was testified to function as a transcription suppressor of NPPA-AS1 in CC. In brief, REST-repressed NPPA-AS1 regulates CC progression by modulating miR-302e/DKK1/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Knockdown of LncRNA DLEU2 Inhibits Cervical Cancer Progression via Targeting miR-128-3p

Objective

Cervical cancer is one of the most common female malignancies worldwide and represents a major global health challenge. The fast growth of tumor and high rates of metastasis still lead to a poor prognosis of cervical cancer patients. It is urgent to clarify the mechanism and identify predictive biomarkers for the treatment of cervical cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been identified in cervical cancer and are related to malignant phenotypes of cervical cancer cells. However, the roles and mechanism of LncRNA deleted in lymphocytic leukemia (DLEU2) in the tumorigenesis and progression of cervical cancer remain unknown.

Materials and Methods

qPCR was performed to analyze the expression of DLEU2, Cyclin D1, CDK4, Bax, Bcl2 and mi-128-3p. Western blot was performed to detect the cell cycle hallmarks expression. CCK8 was used to examine cell proliferation. Cellular apoptosis was analyzed by Hoechst 33,258 staining and AV/PI staining with flow cytometry. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The xenograft model in nude mice was used to elucidate the function of DLEU2 in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay were proceeded to clarify whether miR-128-3p directly binds with lncRNA DLEU2. Pull‑down assay and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation assay were used for exploring the relationship between DLEU2 and miR-128-3p.

Results

We demonstrated that DLEU2 was upregulated in cervical cancer tumor tissues. Downregulation of DLEU2 inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase of cervical cancer cells in vitro, and suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Further, LncRNA DLEU2 is one of the targets of miR-128-3p. miR-128-3p inhibitor abrogated the cell proliferation suppressed by knockdown of DLEU2, apoptosis induced by knockdown of DLEU2 and reversed the expression of cell cycle hallmarks regulated by knockdown of DLEU2.

Conclusion

Taken together, these results suggested knockdown of DLEU2 inhibited cervical cancer progression via targeting miR-128-3p.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cervical carcinogenesis: New molecular targets, current prospects

Aberrant expression of lncRNAs has been seen as a key factor in a wide range of diseases including cancer. The role of lncRNAs in cervical cancer has not been clearly explained, and has been the subject of recent studies. In this review, we have compiled an updated list of previously reported lncRNAs and established a general profile of these transcripts in accordance with the role they play in cervical carcinogenesis. Thus, information here includes the influence of lncRNAs on cervical tumorigenic process through a disturbance of cellular activities. Additionally, we described recent discoveries about how HPV contributes to lncRNAs expression in cervical cancer and we summarized exploratory studies of strategies adopted to modulate the expression levels of lncRNAs to treat cervical neoplasia, by drawing attention to radio and chemo-resistance. Finally, this paper provides a broad overview that sets out new research directions about the role of lncRNAs in cervical cancer.

DSCAM-AS1 accelerates cell proliferation and migration in osteosarcoma through miR-186-5p/GPRC5A signaling

Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most primary bone malignancies, often occurring in adolescents or children. Numerous scientific findings have introduced that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be involved in tumor occurrence and development. Although DSCAM-AS1 has been studied in several cancers, its role and mechanism in OS are poorly understood. In this work, high level of DSCAM-AS1 was validated in OS cell lines. Depleting DSCAM-AS1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and EMT process in OS. Subsequently, we disclosed that DSCAM-AS1 was mainly observed in the cytoplasm of OS cells and could bind with miR-186-5p in OS. Moreover, inhibiting miR-186-5p rescued the impact of silenced DSCAM-AS1 on OS progression. Additionally, GPRC5A was verified as the target downstream of miR-186-5p, and it was negatively modulated by miR-186-5p but positively regulated by DSCAM-AS1. More importantly, DSCAM-AS1 enhanced GPRC5A level in OS by sequestering miR-186-5p. Finally, up-regulating GPRC5A reversed the influences of DSCAM-AS1 repression on the oncogenic behaviors of OS cells. Knockdown of DSCAM-AS1 suppressed NPC tumor growth in vivo. All findings uncovered that DSCAM-AS1 aggravated OS progression through sponging miR-186-5p to up-regulate GPRC5A expression. Thus, we proposed DSCAM-AS1 as a probable target for OS treatment.

Long non-coding RNA in cervical cancer: From biology to therapeutic opportunity

Genome regions that do not for code for proteins are generally transcribed into long non-coding RNAs. Growing evidence reveals that lncRNAs, defined as transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides, are commonly deregulated in cervical malignancies. New sequencing technologies have revealed a complete picture of the composition of the human transcriptome. LncRNAs perform diverse functions at transcriptional, translation, and post-translational levels through interactions with proteins, RNA and DNA. In the past decade, studies have shown that lncRNAs participate in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cervical cancer. Hence, illuminating the roles of lncRNA will improve our understanding of cervical cancer. In this work, we summarize the current knowledge on lncRNAs in cervical cancer. We describe the emerging roles of lncRNAs in cervical cancer, particularly in cancer progression, metastasis, treatment resistance, HPV regulation, and metabolic reprogramming. The great promises of lncRNAs as potential biomarkers for cervical cancer diagnosis and prognosis are also discussed. We discuss current technologies used to target lncRNAs and thus control cancers, such as antisense oligonucleotides, CRISPR-Cas9, and exosomes. Overall, we show that lncRNAs hold great potentials as therapeutic agents and innovative biomarkers. Finally, further clinical research is necessary to advance our understanding of the therapeutic value of lncRNAs in cervical cancer.

Y-Box Binding Proteins in mRNP Assembly, Translation, and Stability Control

Y-box binding proteins (YB proteins) are DNA/RNA-binding proteins belonging to a large family of proteins with the cold shock domain. Functionally, these proteins are known to be the most diverse, although the literature hardly offers any molecular mechanisms governing their activities in the cell, tissue, or the whole organism. This review describes the involvement of YB proteins in RNA-dependent processes, such as mRNA packaging into mRNPs, mRNA translation, and mRNA stabilization. In addition, recent data on the structural peculiarities of YB proteins underlying their interactions with nucleic acids are discussed.

Targeting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway by polyphenols: Implication for cancer therapy

Cancer is one of the biggest challenges facing medicine and its cure is regarded to be the Holy Grail of medicine. Therapy in cancer is consisted as various artificial cytotoxic agents and radiotherapy, and recently immunotherapy. Recently much attention has been directed to the use of natural occurring agents in cancer therapy. One of the main group of agents utilized in this regard is polyphenols which are found abundantly in berries, fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols show to exert direct and indirect effects in progression of cancer, angiogenesis, proliferation and enhancing resistance to treatment. One of the cellular pathways commonly affected by polyphenols is PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, which has far ranging effects on multiple key aspects of cellular growth, metabolism and death. In this review article, evidence regarding the biology of polyphenols in cancer via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is discussed and their application on cancer pathophysiology in various types of human malignancies is shown.

Long Non-Coding RNA HULC Promotes Cervical Cancer Cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion via miR-218/TPD52 Axis

Objective

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as important players in tumorigenesis. LncRNA highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) has been identified as a key regulator in the progression of various cancers. However, the functional role and the mechanisms of HULC in regulating cervical cancer cell behavior remain unclear.

Methods

HULC expression, miR-218 expression and TPD52 mRNA level in cervical cancer cells were examined by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell migration and invasion were examined by Transwell assay. TPD52 protein level was measured by Western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was measured to verify the combination of HULC and miR-218 as well as miR-218 and TPD52.

Results

HULC expression was upregulated in cervical cancer cell lines, and HULC promoted cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, HULC acted as a sponge of miR-218 to elevate expression of TPD52, a target of miR-218, and thereby promoted cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Conclusion

HULC promotes cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion via miR-218/TPD52 axis.

Long noncoding RNA LINC00461 mediates cisplatin resistance of rectal cancer via miR-593-5p/CCND1 axis

On account of the acquired drug resistance, the potency of cisplatin-based chemotherapy is far from satisfactory in rectal cancer. Increasing evidence has highlighted the crucial function of aberrantly expressed lncRNAs on the cisplatin resistance in multiple cancers. This research was the first attempt to decipher the underlying function and mechanism of long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 461 (LINC00461) in rectal cancer and also its relation to cisplatin resistance of rectal cancer. Data from this study revealed that LINC00461 expression was upregulated in rectal cancer cells. LINC00461 depletion restrained rectal cancer progression and sensitized rectal cancer cells to cisplatin. Molecular mechanism assays testified that LINC00461 bound with miR-593-5p. Besides, miR-593-5p upregulation improved the sensitivity of rectal cancer cells to cisplatin. Additionally, cyclin D1 (CCND1) was manifested to be a downstream target of miR-593-5p. Furthermore, CCND1 upregulation could reverse the effect of LINC00461 downregulation on rectal cancer progression and cisplatin resistance of rectal cancer. To sum up, LINC00461 mediates cisplatin resistance of rectal cancer by targeting miR-593-5p/CCND1 axis, shedding new light on the treatment of rectal cancer.

S100A16 Regulates HeLa Cell through the Phosphatidylinositol 3 Kinase (PI3K)/AKT Signaling Pathway

Background

S100 calcium-binding protein A16 (S100A16) is closely related to the onset and progression of tumors.

Material/Methods

In the research, the mainly purpose was to investigate the effect of S100A16 on the proliferation ability, invasion, and angiogenesis of HeLa cells. An adenoviral vector overexpressing S100A16 (Ad-S100A16) was constructed and transfected into HeLa cells, forming a stable cells line of overexpression. The effect of S100A16 on the proliferative capacity of HeLa cells was evaluated by a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell migration capacity was determined by a Transwell migration assay. Changes in matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, E-cadherin, and vimentin expression were evaluated by a cell-based immunofluorescence assay. The effect of S100A16 on angiogenesis was verified by knockout experiment.

Results

Overexpression of S100A16 significantly enhanced the proliferative and migratory capacities of HeLa cells (P<0.05), upregulated expression of matrix MMP-2, MMP-9, vimentin, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase, and phosphorylated protein kinase B, and downregulated expression of E-cadherin. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression increased, phosphatase and tensin homolog expression decreased, and angiogenesis was positively correlated with S100A16 expression. These effects were largely mediated by the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B pathways.

Conclusions

S100A16 could promote the proliferation, migration, and tumor angiogenesis of HeLa cells by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathways.

Long non-coding RNA LOC284454 promotes migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma via modulating the Rho/Rac signaling pathway

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a unique malignant cancer with high metastasis. Because the early symptoms of NPC patients are not obvious, most patients have distant metastases when diagnosed, which makes treatment difficult. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important regulators in human carcinogenesis. LncRNAs have been increasingly identified but remain largely unknown in NPC. Therefore, we performed gene expression profiling to screen for altered expression of lncRNAs in NPC tissues and adjacent samples. One lncRNA, LOC284454, was upregulated and associated with poor prognosis in NPC. In in vivo and in vitro assays, LOC284454 promoted the migration and invasion capacity of NPC cells. Mass spectrometry combined with bioinformatics suggested that LOC284454 affected the cytoskeletal and adhesion-related Rho/Rac signaling pathways. LOC284454 may be a potential novel treatment target and is expected to be a new diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with NPC.

Silencing of Long Non-coding RNA RP1-93H18.6 Acts as a Tumor Suppressor in Cervical Cancer through the Blockade of the PI3K/Akt Axis

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a distinct public health stumbling block worldwide. Increasing evidence has highlighted long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as tumor-associated biological molecules. In this study, by means of altering the expression of lncRNA RP1-93H18.6 in CC cells, its ability to influence the biological activities of CC cells was evaluated. Differentially expressed lncRNAs were initially screened from the GEO database. A series of RP1-93H18.6 vectors, small interfering RNA (siRNA) against RP1-93H18.6, and LY294002 (an inhibitor for the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase [PI3K]/Akt [serine/threonine kinase] axis) were introduced in a respective manner to treat the HeLa cells in order to analyze their effects on cellular activities in vitro. Nude mice with xenograft tumors were utilized in order to assess CC tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. lncRNA RP1-93H18.6 was highly expressed in CC, which could activate the P13K/Akt axis. RP1-93H18.6 vectors exposure increased cell viability, adhesion, migration, and invasion, which resulted in more cells arrested at the S stage and reduced apoptosis, while acting to promote tumor growth and metastasis. The siRNA against RP1-93H18.6 or LY294002 exposure was observed to attenuate the effects induced by RP1-93H18.6 vectors. This study suggests that suppression of lncRNA RP1-93H18.6 exerts potent inhibitory effects on the development and progression of CC via blockade of the PI3K/Akt axis.