Anticancer efficacy of the ethyl acetate extract from the traditional Chinese medicine herb Celastrus orbiculatus against human gastric cancer

Enrichment and Evaluation of Antitumor Properties of Total Flavonoids from Juglans mandshurica Maxim

Flavonoids are important secondary metabolites found in Juglans mandshurica Maxim., which is a precious reservoir of bioactive substances in China. To explore the antitumor actions of flavonoids (JMFs) from the waste branches of J. mandshurica, the following optimized purification parameters of JMFs by macroporous resins were first obtained. The loading concentration, flow rate, and loading volume of raw flavonoid extracts were 1.4 mg/mL, 2.4 BV/h, and 5 BV, respectively, and for desorption, 60% ethanol (4 BV) was selected to elute JMFs-loaded AB-8 resin at a flow rate of 2.4 BV/h. This adsorption behavior can be explained by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model. Subsequently, JMFs were identified using Fourier transform infrared combined with high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry, and a total of 156 flavonoids were identified. Furthermore, the inhibitory potential of JMFs on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HepG2 cells was demonstrated. The results also show that exposure to JMFs induced apoptotic cell death, which might be associated with extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Additionally, flow cytometry detection found that JMFs exposure triggered S phase arrest and the generation of reactive oxygen species in HepG2 cells. These findings suggest that the JMFs purified in this study represent great potential for the treatment of liver cancer.

Effect of Celastrus Orbiculatus Extract on proliferation and apoptosis of human Burkitt lymphoma cells

The lymphoma incidence rate is on the rise, with invasive forms particularly prone to relapse following conventional treatment, posing a significant threat to human life and wellbeing. Numerous studies have shown that traditional Chinese botanical drug medicine offers promising therapeutic benefits for various malignancies, with previous experimental findings indicating that Celastrus orbiculatus extract effectively combats digestive tract tumors. However, its impact on lymphoma remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate the impact and underlying mechanisms of COE on the proliferation and apoptosis of Burkitt lymphoma cells. We diluted COE in RPMI-1640 medium to create various working concentrations and introduced it to human Burkitt lymphoma Raji and Ramos cells. To evaluate cell viability, we used the CCK-8 assay, and we observed morphological changes using HE staining. We also conducted Annexin V-PI and JC-1 staining experiments to assess apoptosis. By combining the cell cycle experiment with the EDU assay, we gained insights into the effects of COE on DNA replication in lymphoma cells. Using Western blotting, we detected alterations in apoptosis-related proteins. In vivo experiments revealed that following COE intervention, tumor volume decreased, survival time was prolonged, spleen size reduced, and the expression of tumor apoptosis-related proteins changed. Our findings indicate that COE effectively inhibits lymphoma cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis by regulating these apoptosis-related proteins.

BrdU does not induce hepatocellular damage in experimental Wistar rats

Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) is used in studies related to cell proliferation and neurogenesis. The multiple intraperitoneal injections of this molecule could favor liver function profile changes. In this study, we evaluate the systemic and hepatocellular impact of BrdU in male adult Wistar rats in 30 %-partial hepatectomy (PHx) model. The rats received BrdU 50 mg/Kg by intraperitoneal injection at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 16 days after 30 %-PH. The rats were distributed into four groups as follows, control, sham, PHx/BrdU(-) and PHx/BrdU(+). On day 16, we evaluated hepatocellular nuclei and analyzed histopathological features by haematoxylin-eosin stain and apoptotic profile was qualified by caspase-3 presence. The systemic effect was evaluated by liver markers such as alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (AP), bilirubin, total proteins and serum albumin content. The statistical analysis consisted of a student t-test and one-way ANOVA. BrdU did not induce apoptosis or hepatocellular damage in male rats. Multiple administrations of BrdU in male rats did not induce significant decrease body weight, but increased serum ALT and LDH levels were found. Our results show that the BrdU does not produce hepatocellular damage.

Celastrus orbiculatus extract suppresses gastric cancer stem cells through the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the primary source of tumor recurrence and chemoresistance, which complicates tumor treatment and has a significant impact on poor patient prognosis. Therefore, the discovery of inhibitors that specifically target CSCs is warranted. Previous research has established that the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway is critical for the maintenance of CSCs phenotype, thus facilitating CSCs transformation. In this regard, Celastrus orbiculatus ethyl acetate extract (COE) was shown to exert anticancer properties; however, its therapeutic impact on gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) remains unknown. We here demonstrate that COE displayed a strong inhibitory effect on GCSCs growth and CSCs markers. Moreover, COE was shown to efficiently inhibit the development of tumor spheres and accelerate GCSCs apoptosis. Mechanistically, we established that COE could suppress the stemness phenotype of GCSCs by inhibiting the activity of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. To summarize, our data indicate that COE suppresses the malignant biological phenotype of GCSCs via the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. These findings shed new light on the anticancer properties of COE and suggest new strategies for the development of efficient GCSCs therapeutics.

The anti-tumor effects of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. and its monomer composition: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. has been included in "The Plant List" (http://www. theplantlist.org) and is the most widely researched species in its genus. It is called Nanshe Teng in China. Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. is a plant of Euonymus and it's medicinal part is the vine and stem. It is also called Alias Dragon grass, Yellow Yine, etc. It has good anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and other effects. More and more studies have shown that Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. has a significant therapeutic effect on a variety of malignant tumors. The research on Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. has a good application prospect for the development of anti-tumor drugs. However, no systematic reports on Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. have been published before.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This paper summarizes the metabolic products for anti-tumor and the mechanism for anti-tumor of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. to provide reference for further development and research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The relevant information on Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. was collected from the scientific databases including PubMed, CNKI, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Springer, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China and Flora Republicae Popularis Sinicae, etc. RESULTS: At present, more than 200 compounds have been identified from Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb., including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, polyketides and benzene derivatives, etc. Pharmacological studies have shown that Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. has a variety effects of inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, inducing tumor cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor cells invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis, reversing multi-drug resistance, and also collaborativing Micro RNA to inhibit tumor growth, etc. It has a significant effect on gastric cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, etc. The extracts of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. have been widely used in experiments, and the toxic and side effects are small.

CONCLUSIONS

Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. is rich in chemical constituents, diverse in pharmacological activities and abundant in resources, which is widely used in clinics from traditional to modern. However, there is no systematic report on the chemical compounds and anti-tumor effects of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. We organize and summarize it to provide reference for further development and research.

Metabolomics and molecular docking-directed antiarthritic study of the ethyl acetate extract from Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb., an important folk medicine, has long been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and its ethyl acetate extract (COE) has been reported to possess anticancer, antiinflammation and antiarthritic effects. However, the therapeutic effect and mechanism of COE treatment in rheumatoid arthritis has been rarely studied especially from the perspective of metabolomics.

AIM OF STUDY

To reveal the therapeutic effects of COE on adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats through histopathological analysis, non-targeted metabolomics, and molecular docking study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-three Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, AIA model group, methotrexate group, and COE groups (80 mg/kg, 160 mg/kg and 320 mg/kg of ethyl acetate extract). Paw swelling and arthritis score were monitored through the experiment. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide were determined and histopathological evaluation was performed. Furthermore, Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-linear trap quadrupole-Orbitrap-based metabolomics was employed to characterize metabolic changes of AIA rats after COE treatment and molecular docking was performed to predict the potential phytochemicals of COE against TNF-α.

RESULTS

COE at three dosages could significantly relieve paw swelling and reduce arthritis scores of AIA rat. Histopathological analysis revealed remarkable decrease in synovial inflammation and bone erosion after COE treatment, especially at middle and high dosage. Additionally, COE down-regulated serum levels of TNF-α and nitric oxide. Serum metabolomics showed that 22 potential biomarkers for the COE treatment of AIA rats were identified, which were closely related to fatty acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid catabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. The molecular docking models predicted that olean-type triterpenes in COE may contribute most to therapeutic effects of rheumatoid arthritis through targeting TNF-α.

CONCLUSIONS

COE could significantly relieve the arthritic symptoms in AIA rats and the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based metabolomics proved to be an efficient method to characterize subtle metabolic changes of AIA rats after COE treatment.

The Organic Life According to Traditional Chinese Medicine with Anticancer Approaches

Abstract:

The aim of this review was to summarize the most important traditional medinical herbs and plants that are being used in different parts of the world with a focus on a green anticancer approach. The most important impacts of medicinal plants on cancer treatments are prevention of cancer occurrence, decreased side effects, ameliorated post-operative complications, reduced post operative recurrence, reduced tumor growth, maintenance therapy, reduced symptoms and prolonged survival. Alkaloid anti-cancer compounds are pyrrolidine, pyridine, tropane, piperidine, pyrrolizidine, quinolizidine, indolizidine, isoquinoline, oxazole, isoxazole, quinazoline, quinoline, indole serine, purine, β -phenylethylamine, colchicine, benzylamine, abornin, pancratistatin and narciclasine. Anticancer phenolic compounds from plants are flavonol, flavones, kaempferol, luteolin, curcumin, apigenin, chalcone, and cafestol. Anticancer terpenoids compounds from medicinal plants are isoprene, alpha-hederin, galanal A, galanal B, carnosol, oleanane and xanthorrhizol. The most important chemical structures of anti-cancer drugs derived from plants are vincristine, vinblastine, vinorelbine, vindesine, vinflunine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, cabazitaxel, larotaxel, milataxel, ortataxel, tesetaxel, camptothecin, irinotecan, topotecan, etoposide, teniposide, harringtonine and homoharringtonine. Cancer is one of the main and primary causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world. It is a broad group of various diseases typified by unregulated cell growth. The role of plants, especially traditional herbs as a source of organic medicines has been prevalent in many societies, especially in Eastern medicinal science for thousands of years. Traditional medicinal herbs and plants which have both antiviral activity and the ability to promote immunity, would have possible inhibition ability in the initiation and promotion of virus-associated cancers. Medicinal plants should always be considered a great source of novel chemical constituents with anti-cancer effects.

Betulonic Acid, as One of the Active Components of the Celastrus orbiculatus Extract, Inhibits the Invasion and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Cells by Mediating Cytoskeleton Rearrangement In Vitro

Gastric cancer is a type of malignant tumor that seriously threatens human life and health. Invasion and metastasis present difficulties in the treatment of gastric cancer, and the remodeling of the tumor cytoskeleton plays an important role in mediating the ability of tumor cells to achieve invasion and metastasis. Previous experimental results suggest that Celastrus orbiculatus extract can regulate cytoskeletal remodeling in gastric cancer, but the active component has not been determined. Betulonic acid, as an effective component of COE, inhibits the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells by regulating cytoskeletal remodeling in vitro; its specific mechanisms have been studied here. After betulonic acid was dissolved, it was diluted to various working concentrations in RPMI-1640 medium and added to AGS, HGC-27 and GES-1 cell lines. Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Cytoskeleton staining was used to detect changes in cytoskeleton morphology. Functional assays including wound healing assays and transwell assays were used to detect the invasion and migration of cells. The effect of betulonic acid on cell invasion and migration was clearly and precisely observed by high-content imaging technology. Western blotting was used to detect the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-related proteins and epithelial–mesenchymal transformation-related proteins. We found that betulonic acid inhibited the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Therefore, betulonic acid inhibits the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells by mediating cytoskeletal remodeling and regulating epithelial mesenchymal transformation.

Probing the functions of friedelane-type triterpene cyclases from four celastrol-producing plants

Triterpenes are among the most diverse plant natural products, and their diversity is closely related to various triterpene skeletons catalyzed by different 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs). Celastrol, a friedelane-type triterpene with significant bioactivities, is specifically distributed in higher plants, such as Celastraceae species. Friedelin is an important precursor for the biosynthesis of celastrol, and it is synthesized through the cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene, with the highest number of rearrangements being catalyzed by friedelane-type triterpene cyclases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the catalysis of friedelin production by friedelane-type triterpene cyclases have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, transcriptome data of four celastrol-producing plants from Celastraceae were used to identify a total of 21 putative OSCs. Through functional characterization, the friedelane-type triterpene cyclases were separately verified in the four plants. Analysis of the selection pressure showed that purifying selection acted on these OSCs, and the friedelane-type triterpene cyclases may undergo weaker selective restriction during evolution. Molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that changes in some amino acids that are unique to friedelane-type triterpene cyclases may lead to variations in catalytic specificity or efficiency, thereby affecting the synthesis of friedelin. Our research explored the functional diversity of triterpene synthases from a multispecies perspective. It also provides some references for further research on the relative mechanisms of friedelin biosynthesis.

Celastrus orbiculatus Extract Reduces Stemness of Gastric Cancer Stem Cells by Targeting PDCD4 and EIF3H

BACKGROUND

Celastrus orbiculatus ethyl acetate extract (COE) has shown a strong anti-gastric cancer effect, but the understanding of its mechanism is still lacking. The results of previous studies indicated that COE may be able to inhibit the stemness of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) by regulating PDCD4 and EIF3H expression.

AIMS

To explore if COE could inhibit the stemness of GCSCs by regulating PDCD4 and EIF3H expression in vitro and in vivo.

PROCEDURE

The GCSCs model was established by stem cell-conditioned culture. Spheroid formation and flow cytometry assays were used to detect the effect of COE on the spheroid formation ability of GCSCs and the percentage of CD44⁺/CD24⁺ and ALDH⁺ cell subpopulations. Western blot analysis was applied to measure the expression of GCSCs biomarkers (Nanog, Oct-4, and SOX-2), PDCD4, and EIF3H in GCSCs treated with COE; and RT-PCR was performed to investigate the effect of COE on PDCD4 mRNA expression in GCSCs. An in vivo tumorigenicity experiment was also conducted to evaluate the effect of COE on tumor-initiating ability of GCSCs in vivo; and the expression of PDCD4 and EIF3H in xenograft tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining.

RESULTS

After culture in stem cell-conditioned medium, SGC7901 cells manifested significantly enhanced spheroid formation ability, upregulated Nanog, Oct-4, and SOX-2 expression and increased percentages of CD44⁺/CD24⁺ and ALDH⁺ cell subpopulations, indicating successful establishment of the GCSCs model. COE treatment significantly inhibited the spheroid formation ability of GCSCs and reduced the percentage of CD44⁺/CD24⁺ and ALDH⁺ cell subpopulations. The western blot analysis showed a significant decrease of Nanog, Oct-4, SOX-2, and EIF3H expression and an increase of PDCD4 expression in GCSCs after COE treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. COE treatment also significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of PDCD4 in GCSCs. In addition, COE displayed a strong inhibitory effect on the tumor-initiating ability of GCSCs in vivo and upregulated PDCD4 and downregulated EIF3H expression in xenograft tissues.

CONCLUSION

COE may be able to inhibit GC growth by suppressing the stemness of GCSCs via regulating PDCD4 and EIF3H expression.

Efficacy and Safety of Brucea javanica Oil Emulsion Injection for Treating Gastric Cancer: A Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

Introduction. Brucea javanica oil emulsion injection (BJOEI) is an antitumor drug extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Brucea javanica, which has broad prospects as an adjuvant treatment for gastric cancer (GC); however, its efficacy and safety are still controversial. We plan to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarise the clinical efficacy and safety of BJOEI in the treatment of GC and provide credible evidence for the clinical application and subsequent studies of BJOEI. Methods and Analysis. This systematic review will include articles identified by electronically searching the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP Database) from inception to 31 July 2021. The primary outcomes of this research will be the clinical total effective rate, performance status, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The systematic review will be performed using RevMan 5 software. Finally, we will use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation System (GRADE) to assess the quality of evidence. Ethics and Dissemination. Ethical approval is not required for literature-based studies. The results of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021265646.

Review On Documented Medicinal Plants Used For The Treatment Of Cancer

Background:

Cancer is a frightful disease and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Naturally derived compounds are gaining interest of research workers as they have less toxic side effects as compared to currently used treatments such as chemotherapy. Plants are the pool of chemical compounds which provides a promising future for research on cancer.

Objective:

This review paper provides updated information gathered on medicinal plants and isolated phytoconstituents used as anticancer agents and summarises the plant extracts and their isolated chemical constituents exhibiting anticancer potential on clinical trials.

Methods:

An extensive bibliographic investigation was carried out by analysing worldwide established scientific databases like SCOPUS, PUBMED, SCIELO, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Web of Science, Wiley, SciFinder and Google Scholar etc. In next few decades, herbal medicine may become a new epoch of medical system.

Results:

Many researches are going on medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer but it is a time to increase further experimental studies on plant extracts and their chemical constituents to find out their mechanism of action at molecular level.

Conclusion:

The article may help many researchers to start off further experimentation that might lead to the drugs for the cancer treatment.

The Ethyl Acetate Extract From Celastrus orbiculatus Promotes Apoptosis of Gastric Cancer Cells Through Mitochondria Regulation by PHB

Objective: To investigate the effect of ethyl acetate extract from Celastrus orbiculatus (COE) on gastric cancer cell apoptosis and reveal its underlying molecular mechanism. In addition, it was aimed to stablish a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Celastrus orbiculatus in the gastric cancer treatment. Material and Methods: Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of PHB in gastric cancer and adjacent tissues. MTT method was used to detect the COE effect on the proliferation of AGS cells and to determine the 50% inhibitory concentration COE on these cells. COE effect on AGS apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Changes in apoptosis-related proteins expression in AGS cells were detected by western blot and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by JC-1 fluorescence staining. PHB expression was knocked down in AGS cells by lentiviral-mediated RNA interference. The COE antitumor effect was assessed in vivo using a subcutaneous transplantation tumor model in nude mice and in vivo fluorescence tracing technique in small animals. Results: The clinical samples analysis results showed that the PHB expression in gastric cancer samples was significantly higher than in corresponding adjacent tissues. MTT results showed that the AGS cell proliferation was significantly inhibited. RT-qPCR and western blot results showed that COE can significantly inhibit the PHB mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis showed that COE was able to significantly promote AGS cell apoptosis. Western blot results also indicated that apoptosis-related protein expression changed significantly; BCL-2 expression significantly reduced while the Caspase-3 and Bax expression significantly increased after COE treatment. JC-1 fluorescence staining results showed that COE changed the mitochondrial membrane potential and activated the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Furthermore, in vivo experiments results demonstrated that the growth of subcutaneous transplanted tumor was significantly inhibited by the PHB knockdown and by the COE intragastric administration. Conclusion: COE can significantly promote apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells, which can be achieved by inhibiting PHB expression, thus altering the structure and function of mitochondria and activating the mitochondria apoptosis pathway. The antitumor effect of COE has also been proved in vivo.

Chinese herbal medicine promote tissue differentiation in colorectal cancer by activating HSD11B2

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract. In recent years, the incidence rate has increased year by year and is showing a younger trend. The application of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is one of the important methods for the treatment of colorectal cancer. CHM refers to the main therapeutic drugs based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is still valued. Many effective anticancer small-molecule compounds are derived from CHMs, and their effective anticancer ingredients and targets must be clarified and to further understand the molecular mechanisms by which CHM affects cancer.

METHODS

We analyzed the ingredients in CHM that were found to be effective against colorectal cancer and constructed an interaction network among these ingredients and the target protein. By analyzing the number of connections in the network and their type of interaction, we identified the key target protein Corticosteroid 11-beta-dehydrogenase isozyme 2, the enzyme encoded by HSD11B2. Analyses of HSD11B2 expression, survival curve, and co-expressed genes helped clarify the correlation between HSD11B2 and colorectal cancer as well as its underlying molecular mechanism.

RESULTS

We determined that the anticancer ingredients contained in Sanguisorba officinalis, Patrinia scabiosaefolia, and Smilax china had more connections to the target proteins found in colorectal cancer. In the interaction network, eight small-molecule compounds had an activating effect on HSD11B2. The expression of the HSD11B2 was markedly decreased in colorectal cancer tissues and was positively correlated with the overall survival time of patients. In addition, co-expression analyses showed a close relationship between HSD11B2 and tissue-specific genes in colorectal tissues. The expression levels of HSD11B2 in well-, moderately, and poorly differentiated tissues progressively decreased.

CONCLUSION

The HSD11B2 protein was a key CHM target for treating colorectal cancer. The key role of CHM may lie in activating HSD11B2 and further promoting tissue differentiation in colorectal cancer.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Diterpenoids from Celastrus orbiculatus in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW264.7 Cells

Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb has been known as an ethnopharmacological medicinal plant for antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. Although various pharmacological studies of C. orbiculatus extract has been reported, an anti-inflammatory mechanism study of their phytochemical constituents has not been fully elucidated. In this study, compounds 1-17, including undescribed podocarpane-type trinorditerpenoid (3), were purified from C. orbiculatus and their chemical structure were determined by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass (HRESIMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data. To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1-17, nitric oxide (NO) secretion was evaluated in LPS-treated murine macrophages, RAW264.7 cells. Among compounds 1-17, deoxynimbidiol (1) and new trinorditerpenoid (3) showed the most potent inhibitory effects (IC₅₀: 4.9 and 12.6 μM, respectively) on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated NO releases as well as proinflammatory mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α. Its inhibitory activity of proinflammatory mediators is contributed by suppressing the activation of nuclear transcription factor- (NF-) κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades including p65, inhibition of NF-κB (IκB), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. Therefore, these results demonstrated that diterpenoids 1 and 3 obtained from C. orbiculatus may be considered a potential candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Comprehensive metabolomics analysis based on UPLC-Q/TOF-MSE and the anti-COPD effect of different parts of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb

The root, stem and leaf of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. (COT) have all been used as Chinese folk medicine. Aiming at revealing the secondary metabolites and screening the anti-COPD effect of COT, the comprehensive phytochemical and bioassay studies were performed. Based on the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MSE), the screening analysis of components in COT was conducted with the UNIFI platform, the metabolomics of the three parts were analyzed with multivariate statistical analysis. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-stimulated inflammatory model in A549 cells was used to investigate the biological effect of the three parts. A total of 120 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized from COT. Metabolomics analysis showed that the three parts of COT were differentiated, and there were 13, 8 and 5 potential chemical markers discovered from root, stem and leaf, respectively. Five robust chemical markers with high responses could be used for further quality control in different parts of COT. The root, stem and leaf of COT could evidently reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory factors in a dose-dependent way within a certain concentration range. The stem part had a stronger anti-COPD effect than root and leaf parts. This study clarified the structural diversity of secondary metabolites and the various patterns in different parts of COT, and provided a theoretical basis for further utilization and development of COT.

28-Hydroxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-29-oic Acid, a Triterpene Acid from Celastrus Orbiculatus Extract, Inhibits the Migration and Invasion of Human Gastric Cancer Cells In Vitro

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common tumor and has the third-highest mortality rate among various malignant tumors, and the survival rate of patients is low. Celastrus orbiculatus extract has been shown to inhibit the activity of a variety of tumors. This study explored the inhibitory effect of the oleanane-type triterpenoid acid 28-hydroxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-29-oic acid molecule from Celastrus orbiculatus extract on gastric cancer cell invasion and metastasis and determined its mechanism. 28-Hydroxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-29-oic acid was first diluted to various concentrations and then used to treat SGC-7901 and BGC-823 cells. Cell proliferation was assessed by an MTT (thiazole blue) assay. Transwell and wound healing assays were used to assess cell invasion and migration. High-content imaging technology was used to further observe the effects of the drug on cell invasion and migration. Western blotting was used to assess the effects on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the effects on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins and phosphorylation-related proteins. We found that 28-Hydroxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-29-oic acid inhibited the migration and invasion of SGC-7901 and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Consequently, 28-hydroxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-29-oic acid decreased the expression of EMT-related proteins and MMPs in gastric cancer cells and reduced protein phosphorylation, inhibiting the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells.

Mechanisms Underlying Therapeutic Effects Of Traditional Chinese Medicine On Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. It is the fourth most common cancer and has the second highest mortality rate globally. Metastasis is an important feature of gastric cancer and is the most common cause of death. Exploring the mechanism underlying the metastasis of gastric cancer and searching for new drug targets has become the focus of several studies. Traditional Chinese medicine may show promise for treatment of gastric cancer. In this review, we report the recent progress in research on the anti-metastasis activity of Chinese medicine, to facilitate clinical development of treatments for gastric cancer.

Traditional uses, secondary metabolites, and pharmacology of Celastrus species - a review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants of genus Celastrus (Celastraceae) have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Indian medicine to treat cognitive dysfunction, epilepsy, insomnia, rheumatism, gout, and dyspepsia for thousands of years.

AIM OF STUDY

We critically summarized the current evidence on the botanic characterization and distribution, ethnopharmacology, secondary metabolites, pharmacological activities, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and toxicology of Celastrus species to provide perspectives for developing more attractive pharmaceuticals of plant origin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The relevant information on Celastrus species was gathered from worldwide accepted scientific databases via electronic search (Web of Science, SciFinder, PubMed, Elsevier, SpringerLink, Wiley Online, China Knowledge Resource Integrated, and Google Scholar). Information was also obtained from the literature and books as well as PhD and MSc dissertations. Plant names were validated by "The Plant List" (www.theplantlist.org).

RESULTS

Comprehensive analysis of the above mentioned databases and other sources confirmed that ethnomedical uses of plants of Celastrus genus had been recorded in China, India, and other countries in Southern Asia. The phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of β-dihydroagarofuranoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenes, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, and others. The crude extracts and isolated constituents have exhibited a wide range of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects, including antitumor, cytotoxic, insecticidal, antimicrobial, anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA), anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing and antioxidative, and neuroprotective activities.

CONCLUSION

Plants of genus Celastrus have been confirmed to show a strong potential for therapeutic and health-maintaining effects, in light of their long traditional use and the phytochemical and pharmacological studies summarized here. Currently, pharmacological studies of this genus mainly focus on Celastrus paniculatus Willd. and Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. Therefore, more pharmacological investigations should be implemented to support traditional uses of other medicinal plants of the genus Celastrus. Moreover, studies on the toxicity, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics, in addition to clinical trials, are indispensable for assessing the safety and efficacy of the secondary metabolites or extracts obtained from plants belonging to this genus.

Cytotoxic abietane and kaurane diterpenoids from Celastrus orbiculatus

Celastrus orbiculatus is a medicinal plant belonging to the Celastraceae family. In this survey on the secondary metabolites of plants for obtaining antitumor substances, the chemical constituents of the stems of C. orbiculatus were investigated. Nortriptonoterpene (1), a new C₁₉-norabietane diterpenoid, together with six other known abietane-type diterpenoids (2-7) and five known kaurane-type diterpenoids (8-12) were isolated and identified from the EtOAc extract of C. orbiculatus. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods, including UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, ECD, and NMR experiments, and by comparison with literature data. Compound 1 is a new C₁₉-norabietane diterpenoid with 19 carbons. All compounds except for 10 and 11 were isolated from C. orbiculatus for the first time. The NMR data of 9 were reported for the first time. Compounds 1, 7 and 11 showed cytotoxicities against SGC-7901 with IC₅₀ values of 63.2, 80.9 and 56.7 μM, respectively.

Celastrus orbiculatus Extracts Inhibit Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth by Targeting mTOR Signaling Pathways

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the molecular mechanism underlying the antineoplastic activity of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. extracts (COE).

METHODS

The human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) knockdown expressed (HepG2/mTOR) were constructed using molecular biological technology. In vitro, the HepG2/mTOR^- cells were treated with COE at various concentrations (10, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 µ g/mL). Cell viability was determined using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. According to the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value (140 mg/L), the concentrations of COE in the subsequent experiment was set to alleviate cytotoxicity. The HepG2/mTOR^- cells were divided into 5 groups: negative control (untreated), COE treatment groups (40, 80, 120 mg/L COE) and positive control group (cisplatin, DDP, 2 mg/L), respectively. Wild-type HepG2 cells were used as a blank control. The effects of COE on the cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), respectively. The protein expression levels of mTOR signal pathways were determined by Western blotting. In vivo, HepG2/mTOR^- cells (2 × 10⁶ cell/mice) were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of nude mice. Thirty-six female nude mice were randomly assigned to 6 groups according to body weight (6 mice per group) as follows: solvent vehicle control, Banmao Capsule treated group (BM, 195 mg/kg), Tegafur, Gimeracil and Oteracil Potassium Capsules (10 mg/kg) treated group, and different dosages of COE (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) groups. Tumor growth was monitored and immunohistochemical staining was used to examine the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in tumor tissues.

RESULTS

COE inhibited the proliferation significantly in a concentration-dependent manner in HepG2/mTOR^- cells (P<0.01). COE significantly induced the apoptosis of HepG2/mTOR^- cells (P<0.01), and the apoptotic bodies can be observed under TEM. COE significantly inhibits the proteins expression of mTOR-related signal pathways. In vivo, COE significantly inhibited tumor growth in nude mice (P<0.01). Moreover, the results showed that COE down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and up-regulated the levels of Bax and caspase-3 protein (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

COE was a potential chemotherapeutic drug in HCC treatments via targeting mTOR signal pathway.

Effects of fermented Chinese herbal medicines on milk performance and immune function in late-lactation cows under heat stress conditions

Heat stress (HS) causes significant economic losses and has become a continual challenge in the dairy industry worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a dietary supplement on milk performance and immune function in late-lactation cows under HS conditions. The supplement was a fermented Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) mixture consisting of 18 herbs. Forty lactating Holstein cows (560 ± 51.0 kg of initial BW, 230 ± 10.0 DIM, 16 ± 3.0 kg of milk per day) were randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups (10 cows per group). Each group was fed a dietary supplemented with 0, 25, 50, or 100 g CHMs per cow per day. Cows were housed at high ambient temperature-humidity index (average 74.5) for an experimental period of 42 d during the summer months. Milk yield, composition, immune responses involving blood lymphocyte apoptosis rate, serum biochemical parameters, and genes expression in lymphocytes were evaluated on days 14, 28, and 42, respectively. Results showed that milk yield, milk fat, and protein content were greater (all P < 0.05) for 50 or 100 g/d CHMs compared with the group without CHMs supplements throughout the experimental period. On the other hand, increasing CHMs dose demonstrated a greater lymphocyte or leukocyte count (P < 0.01). By flow cytometry analysis, early or late apoptosis rate of the lymphocytes was decreased (P < 0.05) by CHMs supplements. The immunity-related biochemistry and genes transcript responses involving cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-12), apoptosis (Bak, Mcl-1, Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and P53), and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM) were investigated. Compared with the unsupplemented group, the serum IL-2 and IL-6 levels, as well as IL-2 mRNA expression, increased (P < 0.05) for 100 g/d. However, the serum IL-1 level tended to decrease (P = 0.08) with increasing CHMs dose, and IL-1 mRNA expression was down-regulated (P = 0.02) by up to 24% for 100 g/d. Additionally, the serum Bax level decreased (P < 0.01) and Bcl-2 level increased (P = 0.01) for 100 g/d. Bax and Bak mRNA expressions were down-regulated (P < 0.05), and Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl expression were up-regulated (P < 0.05) for 50 or 100 g/d. The mRNA expressions of P53 and Mcl-1 were not affected by CHMs (P > 0.10). Besides, serum IgG levels were greater (P < 0.01) for 50 or 100 g/d, compared with unsupplemented group. In conclusion, CHMs supplements may improve milk performance and immune function in dairy cows under HS conditions.

Celastrus orbiculatus extracts induce apoptosis in mTOR-overexpressed human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells

Background

Celastrus orbiculatus (Celastraceae) are used as traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammation and cancer. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Celastrus orbiculatus extract (COE) on the apoptosis in human hepatic carcinoma HepG2 cells with mTOR overexpression.

Methods

The stable expression of mTOR in HepG2 cells (HepG2/mTOR⁺) were established by lipofectin transfection of GV238-mTOR recombinant plasmids and further antibiotic selection. Human hepatic carcinoma HepG2/mTOR⁺ cells were treated with different concentrations (20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 μg/mL) of COE for 24 h. The cell proliferation upon COE treatment was detected by MTT. Apoptosis was measured by Flow Cytometry. The activity of mTOR signaling pathway was detected by Western Blotting.

Results

COE significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2/mTOR⁺ cells. The expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 protein were increased in the HepG2/mTOR⁺ cells in a dose-dependent manner. The proteins expression of Bcl2, Bcl-2 L12, mTOR, phospho-mTOR, 4EBP1, phospho-4EBP1, P70S6k, and phospho-P70S6k in HepG2/mTOR⁺ cells were reduced in dose-dependent manners. Furthermore, COE and mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (RAPA) synergistically induced apoptosis in HepG2/mTOR⁺ cells by regulating apoptosis-related proteins and inhibiting mTOR signaling pathways.

Conclusion

COE could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2/mTOR⁺ cells, and induce the cell apoptosis. The mechanisms may be related to the regulation of the expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-2 L12, and mTOR signaling pathways. These data suggest that COE may be a potential treatment for human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni Decreases Tert-butyl Hydroperoxide-Induced Oxidative Stress Damage in BRL-3A Cells

The main purposes of this study were to screen the antioxidant activities of various fractions of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni and test their hepatoprotective effects in vitro. Antioxidant assays (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and reducing power experiments) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide- (t-BHP-) induced BRL-3A oxidative damage experiments were performed in vitro. The H. citrina ethyl acetate fraction (HCEA) was determined to have strong antioxidant activity because of its high flavonoid and polyphenol content. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography- (UPLC-) photodiode array (PDA)/mass spectrometry (MS) analysis showed that the main components of the HCEA were flavonoids and caffeic acid derivatives. A total of 17 compounds were identified. HCEA also effectively protected the liver against t-BHP-induced oxidative stress injury and significantly reduced reactive oxygen (ROS) accumulation. Moreover, HCEA significantly reduced levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Further studies have shown that HCEA inhibits t-BHP-induced apoptosis by increasing B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) activity and decreasing caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity. Moreover, HCEA enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and increased the antioxidant level of glutathione (GSH) in BRL-3A cells. HCEA increased the antioxidant capacity of cells by increasing the gene expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), P38, nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2), SOD, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), which are associated with antioxidant pathways to protect against oxidative stress. In conclusion, HCEA protected BRL-3A cells against t-BHP-induced oxidative stress damage via antioxidant and antiapoptosis pathways. Therefore, H. citrina Baroni may serve as a potential hepatoprotective drug.

Quercetin inhibits LPS-induced macrophage migration by suppressing the iNOS/FAK/paxillin pathway and modulating the cytoskeleton

The natural flavonoid quercetin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. We investigated the effect of quercetin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage migration. Quercetin significantly attenuated LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-derived nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells without affecting their viability. Additionally, quercetin altered the cell size and induced an elongated morphology and enlarged the vacuoles and concentrated nuclei. Quercetin significantly disrupted the F-actin cytoskeleton structure. Furthermore, quercetin strongly inhibited LPS-induced macrophage adhesion and migration in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, quercetin inhibited the LPS-induced expression of p-FAK, p-paxillin, FAK, and paxillin as well as the cytoskeletal adapter proteins vinculin and Tensin-2. Therefore, quercetin suppresses LPS-induced migration by inhibiting NO production, disrupting the F-actin cytoskeleton, and suppressing the FAK–paxillin pathway. Quercetin may thus have potential as a therapeutic agent for chronic inflammatory diseases.

Therapeutic effects of β-elemene via attenuation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in cervical cancer cells

Concurrent radio chemotherapy treatment prolongs the survival rate of patients with advanced cervical cancer; however, it has adverse side-effects. β-elemene, an active component of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Curcuma zedoaria, is a promising alternative therapeutic drug for the treatment of advanced cervical cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antitumor effects of β-elemene in human cervical cancer SiHa cells and to determine its underlying therapeutic molecular mechanisms. Cell viability, cell cycle progression and apoptosis were detected using an MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. Furthermore, the levels of cell migration and cell invasion were investigated using Transwell and wound healing assays. The expression levels of Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B (P15), Cyclin D1, cellular tumor antigen p53, apoptosis regulator Bcl-2 (Bcl-2), apoptosis regulator BAX (Bax), 72 kDa type IV collagenase (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), β-catenin, transcription factor 7 (TCF7), and Myc proto-oncogene protein (c-Myc) were analyzed via western blotting. The results revealed that β-elemene inhibited the proliferation of SiHa cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. Administration of β-elemene induced G1 phase cell-cycle arrest, as demonstrated by the upregulation of P15 expression and the downregulation of Cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, the present study revealed that β-elemene induced apoptosis in SiHa cells by enhancing the expression of p53 and Bax, and suppressing the expression of Bcl-2. In addition, treatment with β-elemene inhibited cell migration and invasion via downregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression levels. Western blotting demonstrated that β-elemene reduced the expression levels of β-catenin and its downstream target molecule TCF7, thus resulting in reduced levels of their target proteins, including c-Myc, Cyclin D1, Bax and MMP-2 in cervical cancer cells. The results of the present study suggested that β-elemene may inhibit cell proliferation and invasion, in addition to inducing apoptosis, via attenuation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in cervical cancer cells.

The total terpenoids of Celastrus orbiculatus (TTC) inhibit NOX-dependent formation of PMA-induced neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)

Previously, we identified that Celastrus orbiculatus, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, exhibited prominent anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. More recently, the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) or NETosis has been recognized as a critical pathological event in the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The present study is aimed to explore the pharmacological effect of the total terpenoids from the stems of C. orbiculatus (TTC) on NETosis and underlying mechanisms, which may provide fundamental knowledge for future utilization of the Chinese medicine. Human neutrophils were isolated by density gradient centrifugation; lactase dehydrogenase (LDH) assay was used to detect cytotoxic effect of TTC on neutrophils. Moreover, we established phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced NETosis. Quantitative and qualitative study of PMA-induced NET release was labeled by SYTOX™ Green. ROS production was determined by flow cytometry. The neutrophil NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity was assessed by lucigenin chemiluminescence assay, and the phosphorylation of NOX subunit was analyzed by immunoblot assay. TTC (5–80 μg.mL−1) had no predominant neutrophil cytotoxicity after 4 h exposure. PMA (200 ng.mL−1) significantly induced the formation of NETs after 4 h stimulus, whereas TTC dose-dependently (5–80 μg.mL−1) inhibited the process. TTC (40 μg.mL−1) blocked neutrophil elastase (NE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) translocation from cytoplasm to nucleus and disrupted the formation of NET-associated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)–MPO and DNA–NE complexes. Moreover, TTC dose-dependently blocked PMA-mediated ROS production, and inhibited the NOX enzymatic activity of neutrophils upon PMA stimulus for 1 h. Finally, TTC suppressed PMA-induced phosphorylation of NOX subunit p40phox on Thr154 residue. TTC inhibited PMA-induced NOX phosphorylation, thereby suppressing NOX enzymatic activity and ROS generation in neutrophils undergoing NETosis. Consequently, TTC disrupted NETosis in the early stage of NOX-dependent NETs formation, which might serve as a promising anti-inflammatory agent by targeting suicidal NETosis.

Anticancer activity of calyx of Diospyros kaki Thunb. through downregulation of cyclin D1 via inducing proteasomal degradation and transcriptional inhibition in human colorectal cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Although it has been reported to contain high polyphenols, the pharmacological studies of the calyx of Diospyros kaki Thunb (DKC) have not been elucidated in detail. In this study, we elucidated anti-cancer activity and potential molecular mechanism of DKC against human colorectal cancer cells.

METHODS

Anti-cell proliferative effect of 70% ethanol extracts from the calyx of Diospyros kaki (DKC-E70) was evaluated by MTT assay. The effect of DKC-E70 on the expression of cyclin D1 in the protein and mRNA level was evaluated by Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTS

DKC-E70 suppressed the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cell lines such as HCT116, SW480, LoVo and HT-29. Although DKC-E70 decreased cyclin D1 expression in protein and mRNA level, decreased level of cyclin D1 protein by DKC-E70 occurred at the earlier time than that of cyclin D1 mRNA, which indicates that DKC-E70-mediated downregulation of cyclin D1 protein may be a consequence of the induction of degradation and transcriptional inhibition of cyclin D1. In cyclin D1 degradation, we found that cyclin D1 downregulation by DKC-E70 was attenuated in presence of MG132. In addition, DKC-E70 phosphorylated threonine-286 (T286) of cyclin D1 and T286A abolished cyclin D1 downregulation by DKC-E70. We also observed that DKC-E70-mediated T286 phosphorylation and subsequent cyclin D1 degradation was blocked in presence of the inhibitors of ERK1/2, p38 or GSK3β. In cyclin D1 transcriptional inhibition, DKC-E70 inhibited the expression of β-catenin and TCF4, and β-catenin/TCF-dependent luciferase activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that DKC-E70 may downregulate cyclin D1 as one of the potential anti-cancer targets through cyclin D1 degradation by T286 phosphorylation dependent on ERK1/2, p38 or GSK3β, and cyclin D1 transcriptional inhibition through Wnt signaling. From these findings, DKC-E70 has potential to be a candidate for the development of chemoprevention or therapeutic agents for human colorectal cancer.