Paeoniflorin inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth by reducing PD-L1 expression

The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma: ERK/ULK1/NCOA4-mediated inhibition of iron autophagy, and Epimedium extract targeted modulation of this pathway to treat hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by its complexity and diversity, involving processes such as glycolysis, autophagy, and cellular immunity. Notably, the role of ERK/ULK1/NCOA4-mediated inhibition of iron autophagy in HCC pathogenesis has not been previously reported. This study provides a novel elucidation of HCC pathogenesis and identifies the clinical adjuvant therapy drug, Epimedium, as a potential treatment based on this mechanism. The research clarifies the regulatory effects of Epimedium on the ERK/ULK1/NCOA4-mediated inhibition of iron autophagy pathway in the treatment of HCC, thereby offering a scientific foundation for clinical treatment strategies and the development of innovative drugs.

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to uncover a new aspect of HCC pathogenesis, ERK/ULK1/NCOA4-mediated inhibition of iron autophagy, and to screen for clinical targeted adjuvant therapy drugs based on this mechanism.

METHODS

A HCC rat model was induced with N-Nitrosodiethylamine (DEN). The physiological status of the HCC rats was assessed through indicators such as body weight and organ index. Liver damage in HCC rats was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and biochemical markers. Additionally, untargeted metabolomics was employed to explore the pathogenesis of HCC. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with network pharmacology was employed to elucidate novel mechanisms, predict pathway targets, filtrate active ingredients and analyze the biological processes and signaling pathways modulated by EPME. DEN liver cancer rats were treated with different concentrations of EPME and protein expression levels were assessed by Western blot analysis. Molecular docking techniques were utilized to assess the binding affinity between the core components of EPME and target proteins. A HepG2 liver cancer in vitro model, in combination with inhibitor (SBI-0206965), was employed to verify the modulatory effects of EPME and its active ingredients on the ERK/ULK1/NCOA4 signaling pathway. Microscale thermophoretic (MST) was employed to verify the binding ability of the EPME core components to the ULK1 protein.

RESULTS

Metabolomics combined with network pharmacology revealed a novel pathogenesis of HCC, which is ERK/ULK1/NCOA4-mediated iron autophagy inhibition. EPME can activate iron autophagy mediated by ERK/ULK1/NCOA4 through active ingredients such as icaritin, astragalin, and emodin, thereby enhancing the survival conditions of HCC-afflicted rats and mitigating liver damage and carcinogenesis, ultimately achieving therapeutic outcomes in HCC treatment.

CONCLUSION

The ERK/ULK1/NCOA4-mediated iron autophagy inhibition represents a novel therapeutic mechanism for HCC. The clinical adjuvant drug EPME may exert therapeutic effects on HCC by activating ERK/ULK1/NCOA4-mediated iron autophagy.

Sini Powder Alleviates Stress Response and Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development by Restoring Gut Microbiota

OBJECTIVES

To explore the underlying pharmacological mechanisms and its potential effects of Chinese medicine herbal formula Sini Powder (SNP) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

The active components of SNP and their in vivo distribution were identified using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Construction of component-target-disease networks, protein-protein interaction network, Gene Ontology function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, and molecular docking were employed to analyze the active components and anti-HCC mechanisms of SNP. Cell viability assay and wound healing assay were utilized to confirm the effect of SNP-containing serum (2.5%, 5.0%, 10%, 20%, and 40%), isoprenaline or propranolol (both 10, 100, and 1,000 µ mol/L) on proliferation and migration of HepG 2 or Huh7 cells. Meanwhile, the effect of isoprenaline or propranolol on the β 2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) mRNA expression on HepG2 cells were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription (RT-qPCR). Mice with subcutaneous tumors were either subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS) followed by SNP administration (364 mg/mL) or directly treated with SNP (364 mg/mL). These two parallel experiments were performed to validate the effects of SNP on stress responses. Stress-related proteins and hormones were quantified using RT-qPCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry. Metagenomic sequencing was performed to confirm the influence of SNP on the gut microbiota in the tumor-bearing CRS mice.

RESULTS

The distribution of the 12 active components of SNP was confirmed in various tissues and feces. Network pharmacology analysis confirmed the anti-HCC effects of the 5 active components. The potential anti-HCC mechanisms of SNP may involve the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathways. SNP-containing serum inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 and Huh7 cells at concentrations of 2.5% and 5.0%, respectively, after 24 h of treatment. Furthermore, SNP suppressed tumor progression in tumor-bearing mice exposed to CRS. SNP treatment also downregulated the expressions of stress-related proteins and pro-inflammatory cytokines, primarily by modulating the gut microbiota. Specifically, the abundance of Alistipes and Prevotella, which belong to the phylum Bacteroidetes, increased in the SNP-treated group, whereas Lachnospira, in the phylum Firmicutes, decreased.

CONCLUSION

SNP can combat HCC by alleviating stress responses through the regulation of gut microbiota.

Traditional Chinese medicine and natural products in management of hepatocellular carcinoma: Biological mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), originating from hepatocytes, is the most common type of primary liver cancer. HCC imposes a significant global health burden with high morbidity and mortality, making it a critical public concern. Surgical interventions, including hepatectomy and liver transplantation, are pivotal in achieving long-term survival for patients with HCC. Additionally, ablation therapy, endovascular interventional therapy, radiotherapy, and systemic anti-tumor therapies are commonly employed. However, these treatment modalities are often associated with considerable challenges, including high postoperative recurrence rates and adverse effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and natural products have been utilized for centuries as a complementary approach in managing HCC and its complications, demonstrating favorable clinical outcomes. Various bioactive compounds derived from TCM and natural products have been identified and purified, and their mechanisms of action have been extensively investigated. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date evaluation of the clinical efficacy of TCM, natural products and their active constituents in the treatment and management of HCC. Particular emphasis is placed on elucidating the potential molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets of these agents, including their roles in inhibiting HCC cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis and pyroptosis, suppressing tumor invasion and metastasis, and restraining angiogenesis within HCC tissues.

Sodium butyrate increases USP5-mediated ubiquitination degradation of GPX4 and enhances anti-cancer efficacy of anti-PD-1 antibody

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a prevalent malignancy associated with a dismal prognosis, necessitates the urgent exploration of novel therapeutic avenues. Ferroptosis, an iron-mediated, lipid peroxidation-induced form of regulated cell death (RCD), has emerged as a promising target for cancer therapy. Sodium butyrate (NaBu), a short-chain fatty acid sodium salt, has demonstrated antitumor efficacy against diverse cancers, yet its specific role and mechanisms in HCC treatment remain elusive. Our findings reveal that NaBu not only impedes HCC cell growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) but also triggers ferroptosis by enhancing Fe2+ accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and malondialdehyde (MDA) production. Notably, these effects are effectively mitigated by Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), underscoring the ferroptosis-inducing capacity of NaBu. Mechanistically, NaBu exerts its action by diminishing the level of ubiquitin-specific protease 5 (USP5), which subsequently leads to the ubiquitination and destabilization of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a crucial suppressor in ferroptosis. In a preclinical setting, NaBu significantly inhibits tumor xenograft growth in nude mice, highlighting its in vivo efficacy. When paired with an anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) antibody, NaBu exhibits a potent synergistic antitumor effect, suggesting a potential role in enhancing immunotherapy response. Collectively, our results underscore the potential of NaBu as a novel therapeutic agent for HCC, through its ability to inhibit USP5 and indirectly downregulate GPX4, thereby stimulating ferroptosis.

Paeoniflorin inhibits chronic restraint stress-induced progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through suppressing norepinephrine-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells via SRC/AKT/ERK pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Paeoniae Radix Alba (the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is a well-known Chinese herb medicine used for alleviating depression and anxiety. Paeoniflorin (PF), an active ingredient of Paeoniae Radix Alba, is usually used in emotion and inflammation-related diseases. In recent years, some studies showed that PF may also possess anti-tumor potential.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to explore the effects of PF on chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ICR male mice bearing H22-Luc orthotopic transplant tumors were subjected to CRS and administrated with PF. To identify the direct target of PF, network pharmacology, RNA sequencing, and molecular docking analyses were employed. CCK8, Western blotting and qRT-PCR assays were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms of PF.

RESULTS

PF mitigated CRS-induced depression-like behaviors in tumor-bearing mice and suppressed the growth of orthotopically transplanted tumors. PF also decreased the number of c-fos positive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus in CRS-exposed mice and lowered the serum norepinephrine (NE) level. NE treatment promoted the proliferation and αSMA production of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), but did not alter the viability and migration of HCC cells. Furthermore, the conditional medium (CM) from NE-treated HSCs enhanced the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. PF not only inhibited NE-induced activation of HSCs, also reduced HSCs-CM induced viability and migration of HCC cells. Network pharmacology and RNA sequencing showed SRC was a potential target of PF in HSCs, which was further validated by molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assay. NE treatment upregulated the phosphorylation of SRC, AKT and ERK1/2 in HSCs, which was inhibited by PF.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study support that PF could ameliorate CRS-induced HCC progression by inhibiting CRS-induced HSCs activation through SRC/AKT/ERK signaling pathway. Our work may provide a new prospect for PF in the treatment of HCC with comorbid psychological stress.

STAT3 orchestrates immune dynamics in hepatocellular carcinoma: A pivotal nexus in tumor progression

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a formidable challenge in oncology, attributed to its association with chronic liver diseases and global prevalence. The immune microenvironment profoundly influences HCC progression, balancing immune suppression and antitumor responses. The Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is central to this equilibrium, orchestrating immune dynamics and intertwining tumor progression with immune evasion mechanisms. Dysregulated STAT3 signaling, activated by various stimuli, including cytokines and growth factors, promotes an immunosuppressive milieu within HCC tumors, fostering tumor survival and proliferation while hindering immune surveillance. Non-coding RNAs and other molecules regulate this process, modulating STAT3 activity and influencing immune cell function. Moreover, therapeutic interventions targeting the STAT3 pathway, alongside advancements in radiotherapy, cancer vaccines, and diabetes-related drugs, offer promising strategies in HCC management. Integrating natural compounds with immunotherapy emerges as a novel approach, leveraging their ability to enhance antitumor immunity and counter immune evasion strategies. Understanding the multifaceted role of STAT3 and its interactions within the immune landscape of HCC is paramount for devising effective therapeutic interventions and improving patient outcomes.

Paeoniflorin suppresses ferroptosis after traumatic brain injury by antagonizing P53 acetylation

BACKGROUND

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) could induce multiple forms of cell death, ferroptosis, a novel form of cell death distinct from apoptosis and autophagy, plays an important role in disease progression in TBI. Therapies targeting ferroptosis are beneficial for recovery from TBI. Paeoniflorin (Pae) is a water-soluble monoterpene glycoside and the active ingredient of Paeonia lactiflora pall. It has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However The effects and mechanisms of paeoniflorin on secondary injury after TBI are unknown.

PURPOSE

To investigate the mechanism by which Pae regulates ferroptosis after TBI.

METHODS

The TBI mouse model and cortical primary neurons were utilized to study the protective effect of paeoniflorin on the brain tissue after TBI. The neuronal cell ferroptosis model was established by treating cortical primary neurons with erastin. Liproxstatin-1(Lip-1) was used as a positive control drug. Immunofluorescence staining, Nissl staining, biochemical analyses, pharmacological analyses, and western blot were used to evaluate the effects of paeoniflorin on TBI.

RESULTS

Pae significantly ameliorated neuronal damage after TBI, inhibited mitochondrial damage, increased glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) production, restored neurological function and inhibited cerebral edema. Pae promotes the degradation of P53 in the form of proteasome, promotes its ubiquitination, and reduces the stability of P53 by inhibiting its acetylation, thus alleviating the P53-mediated inhibition of cystine/glutamate antiporter solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) by P53.

CONCLUSION

Pae inhibits ferroptosis by promoting P53 ubiquitination out of the nucleus, inhibiting P53 acetylation, and modulating the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway.

Traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cancers of hepatobiliary system: from clinical evidence to drug discovery

Hepatic, biliary, and pancreatic cancer pose significant challenges in the field of digestive system diseases due to their highly malignant nature. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained attention as a potential therapeutic approach with long-standing use in China and well-recognized clinical benefits. In this review, we systematically summarized the clinical applications of TCM that have shown promising results in clinical trials in treating hepatic, biliary, and pancreatic cancer. We highlighted several commonly used TCM therapeutics with validated efficacy through rigorous clinical trials, including Huaier Granule, Huachansu, and Icaritin. The active compounds and their potential targets have been thoroughly elucidated to offer valuable insights into the potential of TCM for anti-cancer drug discovery. We emphasized the importance of further research to bridge the gap between TCM and modern oncology, facilitating the development of evidence-based TCM treatment for these challenging malignancies.

Investigating the molecular mechanism of Qizhu anticancer prescription in inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma based on high-resolution mass spectrometry and network pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Of all primary liver cancer cases, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for about 90%. Most patients with HCC receive a diagnosis in the medium-to-late stages or with chronic liver disease, have lost the opportunity for radical treatment, such as surgical resection, and their 5-year survival rate is low. Qizhu Anticancer Prescription (QZACP) is an empirical formula composed of traditional Chinese herbs that can clinically relieve HCC symptoms, inhibit the progression of HCC, reduce recurrence rate, and prolong survival; however, its exact mode of action remains unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study's purpose was to investigate the mode of action of QZACP in the prevention and treatment of HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Initially, drug components in the QZACP decoction were analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry. A subcutaneous tumor xenograft model in nude mice was constructed to further analyze the active components of QZACP that had entered tumor tissues through oral administration. Potential targets of QZACP in the prevention and treatment of HCC were identified and then confirmed in vivo via network pharmacology and molecular docking. In addition, regulatory effects of QZACP on HCC cell proliferation and the cell cycle were detected using a CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

High-resolution mass spectrometry revealed that the QZACP decoction contained deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester (DAAME), paeoniflorin, calycosin-7-glucoside, liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid, astragaloside IV, saikosaponin A, curdione, and atractylenolide II. In nude mice, QZACP could effectively inhibit the growth of subcutaneous tumors, where DAAME, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhizic acid could enter liver cancer tissues after oral administration. Among these, DAAME was the most highly expressed in HCC tissues and may be an important active component of QZACP for inhibiting HCC. Utilizing network pharmacology, the targets of action of these four drug components were identified. After verification using western blotting, STAT3, VEGFA, JUN, FGF2, BCL2L1, AR, TERT, MMP7, MMP1, ABCB1, CA9, and ESR2 were identified as targets of QZACP inhibition in HCC. In vitro experiments revealed that QZACP inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells while inducing G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. In vivo experiments demonstrated that DAAME significantly inhibited HCC growth. After intersection of the 24 DAAME targets predicted using network pharmacology with the 435 HCC disease targets, only CA9 was identified as a DAAME-HCC crossover target. Molecular docking results revealed that the binding site of DAAME and CA9 had good stereo-complementarity with a docking score of -8.1 kcal/mol. Western blotting and immunohistochemical results also confirmed that DAAME significantly decreased CA9 protein expression in HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

QZACP inhibits HCC by reducing the expression of STAT3, VEGFA, JUN, FGF2, BCL2L1, AR, TERT, MMP7, MMP1, ABCB1, CA9, and ESR2. DAAME may be an important active component of QZACP for the prevention and treatment of HCC, inhibiting it by targeting the expression of CA9.

A novel bioinformatics strategy to uncover the active ingredients and molecular mechanisms of Bai Shao in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Introduction: As a new discipline, network pharmacology has been widely used to disclose the material basis and mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in recent years. However, numerous researches indicated that the material basis of TCMs identified based on network pharmacology was the mixtures of beneficial and harmful substances rather than the real material basis. In this work, taking the anti-NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) effect of Bai Shao (BS) as a case, we attempted to propose a novel bioinformatics strategy to uncover the material basis and mechanism of TCMs in a precise manner. Methods: In our previous studies, we have done a lot work to explore TCM-induced hepatoprotection. Here, by integrating our previous studies, we developed a novel computational pharmacology method to identify hepatoprotective ingredients from TCMs. Then the developed method was used to discover the material basis and mechanism of Bai Shao against Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by combining with the techniques of molecular network, microarray data analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation. Finally, literature verification method was utilized to validate the findings. Results: A total of 12 ingredients were found to be associated with the anti-NAFLD effect of BS, including monoterpene glucosides, flavonoids, triterpenes, and phenolic acids. Further analysis found that IL1-β, IL6, and JUN would be the key targets. Interestingly, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation analysis showed that there indeed existed strong and stable binding affinity between the active ingredients and the key targets. In addition, a total of 23 NAFLD-related KEGG pathways were enriched. The major biological processes involved by these pathways including inflammation, apoptosis, lipid metabolism, and glucose metabolism. Of note, there was a great deal of evidence available in the literature to support the findings mentioned above, indicating that our method was reliable. Discussion: In summary, the contributions of this work can be summarized as two aspects as follows. Firstly, we systematically elucidated the material basis and mechanism of BS against NAFLD from multiple perspectives. These findings further enhanced the theoretical foundation of BS on NAFLD. Secondly, a novel computational pharmacology research strategy was proposed, which would assist network pharmacology to uncover the scientific connotation TCMs in a more precise manner.