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Gao W, Wang J, Xu Y, Yu H, Yi S, Bai C, Cong Q, Zhu Y. Research progress in the metabolic reprogramming of hepatocellular carcinoma (Review). Mol Med Rep 2024; 30:131. [PMID: 38818815 PMCID: PMC11148525 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2024.13255] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and its morbidity is increasing worldwide due to increasing prevalence. Metabolic reprogramming has been recognized as a hallmark of cancer and serves a role in cancer progression. Glucose, lipids and amino acids are three major components whose altered metabolism can directly affect the energy production of cells, including liver cancer cells. Nutrients and energy are indispensable for the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, thus altering the metabolism of hepatoma cells can inhibit the progression of HCC. The present review summarizes recent studies on tumour regulatory molecules, including numerous noncoding RNAs, oncogenes and tumour suppressors, which regulate the metabolic activities of glucose, lipids and amino acids by targeting key enzymes, signalling pathways or interactions between the two. These regulatory molecules can regulate the rapid proliferation of cancer cells, tumour progression and treatment resistance. It is thought that these tumour regulatory factors may serve as therapeutic targets or valuable biomarkers for HCC, with the potential to mitigate HCC drug resistance. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of metabolic inhibitors as a treatment approach for HCC, as well as possible solutions are discussed, providing insights for developing more effective treatment strategies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyue Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Yuting Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Hongbo Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Sitong Yi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Changchuan Bai
- Internal Department of Chinese Medicine, Dalian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Qingwei Cong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
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Yang Z, Wang Y, Huang S, Geng Y, Yang Z, Yang Z. Identification of potential anti-tumor targets and mechanisms of HuaChanSu injection using network pharmacology and cytological experiments in Breast cancer. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303650. [PMID: 38753638 PMCID: PMC11098324 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
HuaChanSu (HCS) or Cinobufacini injection is an aqueous extract of the dried skin of Bufo bufo gargarigans, and has anti-tumor effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible therapeutic effect of HCS against breast cancer (BRCA) using cytology, network pharmacology, and molecular biology approaches. The half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) of HCS in the BRCA cells was determined by cytotoxicity assay, and were accordingly treated with high and low doses HCS in the TUNEL and scratch assays. The potential targets of HCS in the BRCA cells were identified through functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and verified by molecular docking. The expression levels of key signaling pathways-related proteins in HCS-treated BRCA cells by western blotting. HCS inhibited the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we screened 289 core HCS targets against BRCA, which were primarily enriched in the PI3K-AKT, MAPK chemokines, and other. signaling pathways. In addition, PIK3CA, PIK3CD, and MTOR were confirmed as HCS targets by molecular docking. Consistent with this, we observed a reduction in the expression levels of phosphorylated PI3K, AKT, and MTOR in the HCS-treated BRCA cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that HCS inhibits the growth of BRCA cells by targeting the PI3K-AKT pathway, and warrants further investigation as a therapeutic agent for treating patients with BRCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zetian Yang
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510130, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- The First School of Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Shuicai Huang
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510130, China
| | - Yi Geng
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510130, China
| | - Zejuan Yang
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510130, China
| | - Zhenhuai Yang
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510130, China
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Zuo Q, Xu DQ, Yue SJ, Fu RJ, Tang YP. Chemical Composition, Pharmacological Effects and Clinical Applications of Cinobufacini. Chin J Integr Med 2024; 30:366-378. [PMID: 38212503 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-024-3708-6] [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] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Chinese medicine cinobufacini is an extract from the dried skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor, with active ingredients of bufadienolides and indole alkaloids. With further research and clinical applications, it is found that cinobufacini alone or in combination with other therapeutic methods can play an anti-tumor role by controlling proliferation of tumor cells, promoting apoptosis, inhibiting formation of tumor neovascularization, reversing multidrug resistance, and regulating immune response; it also has the functions of relieving cancer pain and regulating immune function. In this paper, the chemical composition, pharmacological effects, clinical applications, and adverse reactions of cinobufacini are summarized. However, the extraction of monomer components of cinobufacini, the relationship between different mechanisms, and the causes of adverse reactions need to be further studied. Also, high-quality clinical studies should be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Ding-Qiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Shi-Jun Yue
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Rui-Jia Fu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Yu-Ping Tang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China.
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Wu Q, Ge XL, Geng ZK, Wu H, Yang JY, Cao SR, Yang AL. HuaChanSu suppresses the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by interfering with pentose phosphate pathway through down-regulation of G6PD enzyme activity and expression. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25144. [PMID: 38322888 PMCID: PMC10844274 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
HuaChanSu is active water extracts from the skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor. It has been already used to treat clinical cancers including HCC (Hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC), however, the molecular mechanisms under HuaChanSu's anti-cancer effects remain unclear. PPP (Pentose phosphate pathway, PPP), the major source of ribose and NADPH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, NADPH), is always over-activated and particularly critical for tumor cells growth. In this study, firstly, we illustrate that HuaChanSu restrains the growth of human hepatoma cells. More importantly, we demonstrate that the expression of G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD), the first rate-limiting enzyme of the PPP, is restrained in human hepatoma cells after treatment with HuaChanSu. Additionally, our results show that G6PD enzyme activity and dimer formation are inhibited by HuaChanSu. Furthermore, we find that HuaChanSu could inhibit NADPH production and nucleotide level. In addition, we identify that expression of PLK1 (Polo-like kinase 1, PLK1) is also reduced in response to HuaChanSu, and knockdown of PLK1 restrains enzyme activity and dimer formation of G6PD, but has no effect on G6PD protein level. Subsequently, we demonstrate that inhibition of G6PD could restrain the proliferation of tumor cells and enhance the inhibitory effect of HuaChanSu on cell proliferation of human hepatoma cells. In conclusion, for the first time, our study reveals that HuaChanSu interferes with PPP via suppression of G6PD expression and enzyme activity to restrain growth of tumor cells, and these results provide a novel insight for the anti-hepatoma mechanisms of HuaChanSu and promote the innovation of the research model of TCM. Moreover, the development of drugs targeting abnormal tumor metabolism is currently a hot topic, our works provide theoretical support for further drug development from HuaChanSu, meanwhile, the revelation of the new molecular mechanism also provides a new perspective for the study of the pathogenesis of liver cancer. Short abstract HuaChanSu suppresses expression of G6PD, the first rate-limiting enzyme of the PPP, restrains G6PD enzyme activity and dimer formation via inhibition of PLK1, knockdown of G6PD could impair the growth of human hepatoma cells and increase the blocking effect of HuaChanSu on cell proliferation of cancer cells. In addition, HuaChanSu restrains NADPH production and nucleotide level, implying the suppression of PPP flux. Our study suggests that HuaChanSu interferes with PPP via G6PD inhibition to exert anti-hepatoma effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hao Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Jing-yi Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Shi-rong Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Ai-lin Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
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Wang Q, Liu J, Chen Z, Zheng J, Wang Y, Dong J. Targeting metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma to overcome therapeutic resistance: A comprehensive review. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:116021. [PMID: 38128187 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116021] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a heavy burden on human health with high morbidity and mortality rates. Systematic therapy is crucial for advanced and mid-term HCC, but faces a significant challenge from therapeutic resistance, weakening drug effectiveness. Metabolic reprogramming has gained attention as a key contributor to therapeutic resistance. Cells change their metabolism to meet energy demands, adapt to growth needs, or resist environmental pressures. Understanding key enzyme expression patterns and metabolic pathway interactions is vital to comprehend HCC occurrence, development, and treatment resistance. Exploring metabolic enzyme reprogramming and pathways is essential to identify breakthrough points for HCC treatment. Targeting metabolic enzymes with inhibitors is key to addressing these points. Inhibitors, combined with systemic therapeutic drugs, can alleviate resistance, prolong overall survival for advanced HCC, and offer mid-term HCC patients a chance for radical resection. Advances in metabolic research methods, from genomics to metabolomics and cells to organoids, help build the HCC metabolic reprogramming network. Recent progress in biomaterials and nanotechnology impacts drug targeting and effectiveness, providing new solutions for systemic therapeutic drug resistance. This review focuses on metabolic enzyme changes, pathway interactions, enzyme inhibitors, research methods, and drug delivery targeting metabolic reprogramming, offering valuable references for metabolic approaches to HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Juan Liu
- Research Unit of Precision Hepatobiliary Surgery Paradigm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education/Beijing), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Ziye Chen
- Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Jingjing Zheng
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Yunfang Wang
- Research Unit of Precision Hepatobiliary Surgery Paradigm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education/Beijing), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jiahong Dong
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China; Research Unit of Precision Hepatobiliary Surgery Paradigm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education/Beijing), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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Yang A, Wu Q, Wang A, Chen Q, Yang J, Tao Y, Sun Y, Zhang J. Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses to investigate the anticancer mechanisms of cinobufagin against liver cancer through interfering with lipid, amino acid, carbohydrate, and nucleotide metabolism. Bioorg Chem 2022; 130:106229. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Cinobufagin restrains the growth and triggers DNA damage of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells via proteasome-dependent degradation of thymidylate synthase. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 360:109938. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.109938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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