Andrographolide inhibits the growth of human osteosarcoma cells by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways

Lactate transporter MCT4 regulates the hub genes for lipid metabolism and inflammation to attenuate intracellular lipid accumulation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients have multiple metabolic disturbances, with markedly elevated levels of lactate. Lactate accumulations play pleiotropic roles in disease progression through metabolic rearrangements and epigenetic modifications. Monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) is highly expressed in hepatocytes and responsible for transporting intracellular lactate out of the cell. To explore whether elevated MCT4 levels played any role in NAFLD development, we overexpressed and silenced MCT4 in hepatocytes and performed a comprehensive in vitro and in vivo analysis. Our results revealed that MCT4 overexpression down-regulated the genes for lipid synthesis while up-regulating the genes involved in lipid catabolism. Conversely, silencing MCT4 expression or inhibiting MCT4 expression led to the accumulation of intracellular lipid and glucose metabolites, resulting in hepatic steatosis. In a mouse model of NAFLD, we found that exogenous MCT4 overexpression significantly reduced lipid metabolism and alleviated hepatocellular steatosis. Mechanistically, MCT4 alleviated hepatic steatosis by regulating a group of hub genes such as Arg2, Olr1, Cd74, Mmp8, Irf7, Spp1, and Apoe, which in turn impacted multiple pathways involved in lipid metabolism and inflammatory response, such as PPAR, HIF-1, TNF, IL-17, PI3K-AKT, Wnt, and JAK-STAT. Collectively, our results strongly suggest that MCT4 may play an important role in regulating lipid metabolism and inflammation and thus serve as a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD.

Andrographolide as a Multi-Target Therapeutic Agent in Diabetic Nephropathy: Insights into STAT3/PI3K/Akt Pathway Modulation

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), driven by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Current therapies targeting glycemic and blood pressure control fail to address the underlying molecular mechanisms of DN. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of andrographolide (AD), a diterpenoid lactone from Andrographis paniculata, in mitigating DN by modulating key molecular pathways. Through integrative network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo/in vitro experiments, 107 overlapping DN-related targets were identified, with STAT3, PI3K, and AKT1 emerging as core nodes. Molecular docking revealed high binding affinities between AD and these targets, supporting its modulatory potential. In vivo, AD significantly improved renal function in streptozotocin-induced DN rats, reducing proteinuria, glomerular hypertrophy, and renal fibrosis. AD also attenuated oxidative stress, decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, demonstrating systemic anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. In vitro studies further confirmed that AD alleviates podocyte oxidative stress and apoptosis under high glucose conditions by suppressing the RAGE-NF-κB and STAT3/PI3K/Akt pathways. Histological analyses revealed substantial improvements in renal architecture, including reductions in fibrosis and mesangial expansion. These results underscore AD's multi-target mechanism, directly addressing DN's core pathological drivers, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. As a natural compound with notable safety and efficacy, AD holds promise as an adjunct or standalone therapeutic agent for DN. This study establishes a robust preclinical foundation for AD, warranting further exploration in clinical trials and its potential application in other diabetic complications.

Cardamom synergizes with cisplatin against human osteosarcoma cells by mTOR-mediated autophagy

Cisplatin (DDP), a frontline chemotherapeutic agent in osteosarcoma (OS) treatment, is frequently paired with other compounds to enhance its therapeutic potency. Cardamom (CAR), a natural flavonoid, exhibits significant inhibitory effects on human OS cells while minimizing toxic side effects. In this study, we combined CAR and DDP to treat OS, revealing that the DDP/CAR combination synergistically inhibits the growth of human OS cells in vitro and in vivo. Network pharmacological analysis indicated that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) may be an important cross-target for DDP/CAR combination. Notably, this combined treatment significantly reduced mTOR phosphorylation and elevated autophagy levels within OS cells. At the mechanistic level, the DDP/CAR regimen enhanced apoptosis and compromised the viability of OS cells by triggering autophagy. This impact was attenuated by the use of the mTOR activator MHY and the autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Furthermore, in DDP-resistant cell lines, CAR was able to mitigate DDP resistance by bolstering autophagy levels. In general, our results suggest that CAR bolstering autophagy levels DDP against OS cells through the induction of mTOR-mediated autophagy.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway: an attractive potential therapeutic target in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone malignancy in children and adolescents, and although current neoadjuvant chemotherapy has shown efficacy against OS, the long-term survival rate for patients with OS remains low, highlighting the need to find more effective treatments. In cancer cells, abnormal activation of signaling pathways can widely affect cell activity from growth and proliferation to apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. Wnt/β-catenin is a complex and unique signaling pathway that is considered to be one of the most important carcinogenic pathways in human cancer. Research have confirmed that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is an important driving factor for the occurrence and development of osteosarcoma, and abnormal activation of this pathway can promote the pathological processes of cell proliferation, invasion, migration, tumor angiogenesis and chemical resistance of osteosarcoma. However, inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway can effectively inhibit or reverse the above pathological processes. Therefore, manipulating the expression or function of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may be a potential targeted pathway for the treatment of OS. In this review, we describe the characteristics of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and summarize the role and mechanism of this pathway in OS. This paper discusses the therapeutic significance of inhibiting or targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway in OS and the shortcomings of current studies on this pathway in OS and the problems to be solved. This review helps us to understand the role of Wnt/β-catenin on OS, and provides a theoretical basis and new ideas for targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a therapeutic target for OS.

The therapeutic potential of andrographolide in cancer treatment

Cancer poses a substantial global health challenge, necessitating the widespread use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Despite these efforts, issues like resistance development and severe side effects remain. As such, the search for more effective alternatives is critical. Andrographolide, a naturally occurring compound, has recently gained attention for its extensive biological activities. This review explores the role of andrographolide in cancer therapy, especially focusing on the molecular mechanisms that drive its anti-tumor properties. It also examines innovative methods to enhance andrographolide's bioavailability, thus boosting its effectiveness against cancer. Notably, andrographolide has potential for use in combination with various clinical drugs, and both preclinical and clinical studies provide strong evidence supporting its broader anticancer applications. Additionally, this paper proposes future research directions for andrographolide's anti-cancer effects and discusses the challenges in its clinical usage along with current research efforts to address these issues. In summary, this review underscores andrographolide's potential roles and contributes to the development of improved cancer treatment strategies.

Ziyuglycoside II, a triterpene glycoside compound in Sanguisorbae officinalis l. extract, suppresses metastasis in osteosarcoma via CBX4-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma (OS), the most prevalent primary bone malignancy, exhibits rapid growth and a high tendency for lung metastasis, posing significant treatment challenges. Ziyuglycoside II (ZGS II), a main active compound derived from Sanguisorba officinalis l., has shown potential in cancer treatment. However, the effects of ZGS II and its potential mechanism in OS remain elusive.

PURPOSE

This study aims to explore the anti-metastatic potential of ZGS II in OS, offering a novel therapeutic strategy for improved patient outcomes.

METHODS

Cell viability and proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and clone formation assay, respectively. Transwell and wound-healing assay were applied to evaluate the potential metastatic abilities of OS cells in vitro. More critically, the chromobox protein homolog 4 (CBX4) and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was investigated utilizing Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, shRNA knockdown and immunofluorescence. An orthotopic metastasis mouse model was utilized to evaluate the efficacy of ZGS II in suppressing OS metastasis in vivo, with molecular docking studies conducted to elucidate the interaction between ZGS II and the CBX4 protein.

RESULTS

Our study demonstrated the potent inhibitory effects of ZGS II on OS cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro, as evidenced by decreased cell viability, enhanced caspase-3 activation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, using an orthotopic metastasis mouse model, we illustrated that ZGS II effectively suppressed tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo. Notably, our investigation revealed that the antitumor action of ZGS II is dependent on the reduction of CBX4 levels, leading to the attenuation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activation. Molecular docking analyses supported this pathway's suppression, showing that ZGS II has the capability to directly bind and disrupt CBX4 function. To further confirm this mechanism, we utilized shRNA to silence CBX4 in OS cells, which significantly enhanced the inhibitory impact of ZGS II on cell migration.

CONCLUSION

Our study findings reveal that ZGS II efficiently suppresses both metastasis and tumor growth in OS by a novel mechanism that entails the inhibition of the CBX4-regulated Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These outcomes highlight the promising potential of ZGS II as a therapeutic agent for managing metastatic OS, thus justifying the need for additional clinical investigations.

Amicis Omnia Sunt Communia: NF-κB Inhibition as an Alternative to Overcome Osteosarcoma Heterogeneity

Tumor heterogeneity poses a significant challenge in osteosarcoma (OS) treatment. In this regard, the "omics" era has constantly expanded our understanding of biomarkers and altered signaling pathways (i.e., PI3K/AKT/mTOR, WNT/β-catenin, NOTCH, SHH/GLI, among others) involved in OS pathophysiology. Despite different players and complexities, many commonalities have been described, among which the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) stands out. Its altered activation is pervasive in cancer, with pleiotropic action on many disease-relevant traits. Thus, in the scope of this article, we highlight the evidence of NF-κB dysregulation in OS and its integration with other cancer-related pathways while we summarize the repertoire of compounds that have been described to interfere with its action. In silico strategies were used to demonstrate that NF-κB is closely coordinated with other commonly dysregulated signaling pathways not only by functionally interacting with several of their members but also by actively participating in the regulation of their transcription. While existing inhibitors lack selectivity or act indirectly, the therapeutic potential of targeting NF-κB is indisputable, first for its multifunctionality on most cancer hallmarks, and secondly, because, as a common downstream effector of the many dysregulated pathways influencing OS aggressiveness, it turns complex regulatory networks into a simpler picture underneath molecular heterogeneity.

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine in osteosarcoma: Cross-interference of signaling pathways and potential therapeutic targets

Osteosarcoma (OS) has a high recurrence rate, disability rate, mortality and metastasis, it brings great economic burden and psychological pressure to patients, and then seriously affects the quality of life of patients. At present, the treatment methods of OS mainly include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgical therapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with limb salvage surgery. These treatment methods can relieve the clinical symptoms of patients to a certain extent, and also effectively reduce the disability rate, mortality and recurrence rate of OS patients. However, because metastasis of tumor cells leads to new complications, and OS cells become resistant with prolonged drug intervention, which reduces the sensitivity of OS cells to drugs, these treatments still have some limitations. More and more studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of "multiple targets and multiple pathways," and can play an important role in the development of OS through several key signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, tyrosine kinase/transcription factor 3 (JAK/STAT3), Notch, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad, nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Hippo/YAP, OPG/RANK/RANKL, Hedgehog and so on. In this paper, the signaling pathways of cross-interference between active ingredients of TCM and OS were reviewed, and the development status of novel OS treatment was analyzed. The active ingredients in TCM can provide therapeutic benefits to patients by targeting the activity of signaling pathways. In addition, potential strategies for targeted therapy of OS by using ferroptosis were discussed. We hope to provide a unique insight for the in-depth research and clinical application of TCM in the fields of OS growth, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance by understanding the signaling crosstalk between active ingredients in TCM and OS.

Targeted Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Axis: Potential for Sarcoma Therapy

Sarcoma is a heterogeneous group of malignancies often resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/ protein kinase B /mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway has emerged as a critical cancer target due to its central role in regulating key cellular processes such as cell growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolism. Dysregulation of this pathway has been implicated in the development and progression of bone sarcomas (BS) and soft tissue sarcomas (STS). PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors have shown promising preclinical and clinical activity in various cancers. These agents can inhibit the activation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR, thereby reducing the downstream signaling events that promote tumor growth and survival. In addition, PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors have been shown to enhance the efficacy of other anticancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The different types of PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors vary in their specificity, potency, and side effect profiles and may be effective depending on the specific sarcoma type and stage. The molecular targeting of PI3K/Akt/mToR pathway using drugs, phytochemicals, nanomaterials (NMs), and microbe-derived molecules as Pan-PI3K inhibitors, selective PI3K inhibitors, and dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors have been delineated. While there are still challenges to be addressed, the preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that these inhibitors may significantly improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to understand the potential of these inhibitors as sarcoma therapeutics and to continue developing more selective and effective agents to meet the clinical needs of sarcoma patients.

Anti-Invasive and Anti-Migratory Effects of Ononin on Human Osteosarcoma Cells by Limiting the MMP2/9 and EGFR-Erk1/2 Pathway

Osteosarcoma is a common malignancy of the bone. Due to its high metastatic properties, osteosarcoma becomes the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Ononin is an isoflavone glycoside known to have various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of ononin on osteosarcoma cell migration, invasion, and the underlying mechanisms. The in vitro anti-tumorigenic and anti-migratory properties of ononin were determined by MTT, colony formation, invasion, and migration in MG-63 and U2OS osteosarcoma cell lines. The results were compared with the standard chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin (DOX), as a positive control. The dose-dependent manners of ononin treatment increased the expression of apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation through the EGFR-Erk1/2 signaling pathways. Additionally, ononin significantly inhibited the invasion and migration of human osteosarcoma cells. For consistency, we used the MG-63-xenograft mice model to confirm the in vivo anti-tumorigenic and anti-migratory efficacy of ononin by inhibiting the protein expressions of EGFR-Erk1/2 and MMP2/9. According to the histological study, ononin had no adverse effect on the liver and kidney. Overall, our findings suggested that ononin could be a potentially effective agent against the development and metastasis of osteosarcoma.