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Guo S, Zhang Q, Li X, Yu X, Lan T, Zhang W, Han Y, Chen X, Yang X, Guo H. A network pharmacology-based approach to explore the molecular mechanism of Aidi injection against prostate cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29720. [PMID: 38681592 PMCID: PMC11046112 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of Aidi injection in the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and methods CCK-8 and colony formation assays were used to detect the effects of Aidi on PC3 and DU145 cells; effects on the cell cycle and apoptosis of DU145 cells were detected by flow cytometry; effects on migration and invasion of PC3 and DU145 cells were detected by wound healing and transwell assay, respectively. The main active components of Aidi, their corresponding targets, and PCa associated pathways were predicted and analyzed by network pharmacology. Then predicted key targets and related signaling pathways were further verified by western blotting. The potential active components of Aidi were predicted by molecular docking technology. Results Aidi significantly inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of PC3 and DU145 cells; Aidi induced apoptosis and cell cycle G2/M phase arrest of DU145 cells. Network pharmacology analysis yielded 36 potential core targets of Aidi against PCa, and the top 10 signaling pathways including MAPK, PI3K-Akt, and HIF-1α and so on were enriched. Western blotting confirmed that Aidi upregulated the expression levels of p-JNK, p-p38, p-ERK, and ERK in DU145 cells. Molecular docking study showed that kaempferol, (Z)-1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one, 7-O-methylisomucronulatol, calycosin, and N-salicylidene-salicylamine can be well binding with JNK and p38. Conclusion Aidi could inhibit PCa cell proliferation and metastasis through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, which may be related to activating JNK and p38 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
- Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Rehabilitation Department, Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 85 Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Qiuping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiaolan Li
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Yu
- Department of Hematology, 923rd Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, 52 Zhiwu Road, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Taijin Lan
- School of preclinical medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, 179 Mingxiu Dong Road, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Weiquan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Yaoyao Han
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Hongwei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
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Zhang W, Chen T, Yang P, Li X, Zhu D, Su Z, Yang X, Jin R, Lan T, Guo H. Total flavonoids of Litchi chinensis Sonn. seed inhibit prostate cancer growth in bone by regulating the bone microenvironment via inactivation of the HGFR/NF-κB signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117327. [PMID: 37871755 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Litchi chinensis Sonn. (Litchi) seed, a traditional Chinese medicine, is habitually used in the clinical treatment of prostate cancer (PCa)-induced bone pain. In our previous study, flavonoids have been identified as the active ingredient of litchi seed against PCa. However, its anti-tumor activities in bone and associated molecular mechanisms are still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of total flavonoids of litchi seed (TFLS) on the growth of PCa in bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effect of TFLS on the growth of PCa in bone was observed using a mouse model constructed with tibial injection of luciferase-expressing RM1-luc cells. Conditioned medium (CM) from bone marrow stromal cells OP9 and CM treated with TFLS (T-CM) was used to investigate the effect on the proliferation, colony formation, and apoptosis of PCa cells (LNCaP, PC3, RM1). An antibody microarray was performed to detect cytokine expression in the supernatant fraction of OP9 cell cultures treated with TFLS or left untreated. Western blot assay was employed to determine the expression and activity of HGFR and its key downstream proteins, Akt, mTOR, NF-κB, and Erk, in PCa cells. The potential target was further verified using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays. RESULTS Treatment with TFLS (80 mg/kg, 24 days) significantly suppressed the growth of RM1 cells in bone. CM from bone marrow stromal cells OP9 stimulated the proliferation and colony formation of the PCa cells as well as inhibited the apoptosis of PC3 cells, while T-CM reversed the effects mediated by OP9 cells in vitro. In an antibody array assay, TFLS regulated the majority of cytokines in OP9 cell culture supernatant, among which HGF, HGFR, IGF-1R, and PDGF-AA showed the greatest fold changes. Mechanistically, CM upregulated HGFR and promoted phosphorylation of NF-κB while T-CM induced reduction of HGFR and dephosphorylation of NF-κB in PC3 cells. Moreover, T-CM inhibited NF-κB entry into PC3 cell nuclei. Data from in vivo experiments further confirmed the inhibitory effects of TFLS on NF-κB. CONCLUSION TFLS suppresses the growth of PCa in bone through regulating bone microenvironment and the underlying mechanism potentially involves attenuation of the HGFR/NF-κB signaling axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiquan Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China; Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, 10 Huadong Road, Nanning, 530011, China
| | - Peilin Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiaolan Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China; Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Dan Zhu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Zhiheng Su
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Ronghua Jin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China.
| | - Taijin Lan
- School of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, 179 Mingxiu Dong Road, Nanning, 530001, China.
| | - Hongwei Guo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China; Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China.
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Wu Z, Han Y, Li X, Zhang Q, Deng R, Ren H, He W, Wu X, Guo H, Zhu D. Design, synthesis and anticancer evaluation of polymethoxy aurones as potential cell cycle inhibitors. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21054. [PMID: 37886750 PMCID: PMC10597867 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer is the most fatal disease in humans and the aberrant activity of various cell cycle proteins results in uncontrolled tumor cell proliferation, thus, regulating the cell cycle is an attractive target in cancer therapy. Objectives Aurone is a naturally occurring active compound with a wide range of biological activities, of which 3, 4, 5-trimethoxyphenyl (TMP) is an important microtubule targeting pharmacophore. Based on the pharmacophore combination principle, we incorporate the TMP pharmacophore into the aurone structure and design a novel polymethoxy derivative that is expected to inhibit tumor cell proliferation through regulating the cell cycle. Methods By introducing different substituents on C-4' and C-3', a series of new 4, 5, 6-trimethoxy aurone derivatives have been designed and synthesized. DU145, MCF-7 and H1299 cell lines were selected to evaluate their anticancer activity. The compound with the best cytotoxicity was then selected and the anticancer mechanisms were investigated by network pharmacology, flow cytometry, Western blot, and cell heat transfer assay. ADMET prediction evaluated the draggability of aurone derivatives. Results Aurones 1b and 1c have selective anti-proliferative activity against DU145 cells. Among them, the compound 1c have better cytotoxicity against DU145. Compound 1c could bind the active cavity of CyclinB1/CDK1/CKS complex protein and induced G2/M phase arrest of DU145 cells by regulating the expression of CyclinB1 and p21. Compound 1c satisfies the Lipinski rule, is suitable for the absorption and metabolism index, and has a lower risk of cardiac toxicity. Conclusions Polymethoxy aurones 1c might function as a CyclinB1/CDK1 inhibitor that deserved to be further developed for the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Wu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Antigeriatric Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Yaoyao Han
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Antigeriatric Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiaolan Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Antigeriatric Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Qiuping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Renjin Deng
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Antigeriatric Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Hong Ren
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Antigeriatric Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Wenjing He
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Antigeriatric Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xinduo Wu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Antigeriatric Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Hongwei Guo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Antigeriatric Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Dan Zhu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Antigeriatric Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
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Cui D, Luo Z, Liu X, Chen X, Zhang Q, Yang X, Lu Q, Su Z, Guo H. Combination of metabolomics and network pharmacology analysis to decipher the mechanisms of total flavonoids of Litchi seed against prostate cancer. J Pharm Pharmacol 2023:7160314. [PMID: 37167442 DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgad035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the underlying mechanism of total flavonoids of Litchi seed (TFLS) in treating prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), EdU incorporation assay, trypan blue dye assay and colony formation assay were employed to evaluate the effect of TFLS on PCa in vitro. The xenograft mouse model was established to explore the anti-tumour effect of TFLS in vivo. Alterations in the metabolic profiles of the PC3 cells and mouse serum were obtained by untargeted metabolomics. Combination with metabolomics analysis and network pharmacology strategies, the potential targets were predicted and further validated by RT-qPCR. KEY FINDINGS TFLS attenuated PCa progression both in vitro and in vivo. Metabolomics results yielded from cells and serum indicated that the anti-cancer effect of TFLS was correlated with synergistic modulation of five common metabolic pathways including glycerophospholipid metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism and steroid biosynthesis. Using in silico prediction and RT-qPCR analysis, we further revealed that TFLS exerted anti-PCa activities via regulating the expressions of nine genes, including MAOA, ACHE, ALDH2, AMD1, ARG1, PLA2G10, PLA2G1B, FDFT1 and SQLE. CONCLUSIONS TFLS suppressed tumour proliferation in PCa, which may be associated with regulating lipid and amino acid metabolisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianxin Cui
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Anti-geriatric Drugs, Pharmaceutical college, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Zhuo Luo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Anti-geriatric Drugs, Pharmaceutical college, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xi Liu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Anti-geriatric Drugs, Pharmaceutical college, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Qiuping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Qinpei Lu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Anti-geriatric Drugs, Pharmaceutical college, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Zhiheng Su
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Anti-geriatric Drugs, Pharmaceutical college, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Hongwei Guo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Anti-geriatric Drugs, Pharmaceutical college, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education & Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
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Luan X, Zhang WD, Ge GB. Interdisciplinary strategies for deciphering the mechanisms of Chinese medicines. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 306:116170. [PMID: 36646155 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Luan
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Wei-Dong Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Guang-Bo Ge
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Liao Y, Luo Z, Liu Y, Xue W, He S, Chen X, Ren H, Yang X, Zhu D, Su Z, Huang Q, Guo H. Total flavonoids of Litchi seed attenuate stem cell-like properties in breast cancer by regulating Notch3 signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 305:116133. [PMID: 36603788 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Breast cancer has been the most commonly-diagnosed cancer worldwide, and the treatment and prognosis of which are often limited by breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Litchi seeds have shown good anti-cancer activity in various cancers including prostate cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer. However, the activity and underlying mechanism of Litchi seeds against BCSCs remain unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the activity and mechanism of total flavonoids of litchi seed (TFLS) against BCSCs in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two orthotopic xenograft mouse models were established using HCC1806 cells pretreated or untreated with TFLS to determine whether TFLS could target BCSCs in vivo. Mammosphere formation and flow cytometry assays were employed to evaluate the effect of TFLS on BCSCs in vitro. The underlying mechanism was investigated using RT-qPCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence experiments. RESULTS TFLS could significantly inhibit the viability of HCC1806, MCF-7 and HCC1937 cells in vitro and suppress the growth of HCC1806 cells in vivo. TFLS attenuated stem cell-like properties of breast cancer through reducing the percentage of CD44+CD24-/low cells, inhibiting the mammospheres formation and down-regulating the mRNA and protein levels of cancer stem cells related markers (Oct4, Nanog, Sox2) in MCF-7 and HCC1806 cells. Meanwhile, TFLS suppressed the tumor-initiating ability of BCSCs via reducing the percentage of CD44+CD24-/low cells in tumor and lowering tumor incidence rate in orthotopic xenograft mice. In addition, TFLS treatments restricted the expression and nuclear translocation of Notch3, subsequently down-regulated Hes1 and Runx2 expressions. CONCLUSIONS TFLS could suppress the growth of breast cancer and eliminate breast cancer stem cells by inhibiting the Notch3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunnuo Liao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China; Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Zhuo Luo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China; Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, 179 Mingxiu Dong Road, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Wei Xue
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China; Department of Pharmacy, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530011, China
| | - Songhua He
- Guangxi Institute for Food and Drug Control, 9 Qinghu Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China; Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Hong Ren
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Dan Zhu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Zhiheng Su
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China.
| | - Qiuju Huang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China.
| | - Hongwei Guo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation & Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China; Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, China.
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Marsdenia tenacissima injection induces the apoptosis of prostate cancer by regulating the AKT/GSK3β/STAT3 signaling axis. Chin J Nat Med 2023; 21:113-126. [PMID: 36871979 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(23)60389-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Marsdenia tenacissima injection, a standard Marsdenia tenacissima extract (MTE), has been approved as an adjuvant therapeutic agent for various cancers. Our previous study showed that MTE inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of prostate cancer (PCa) cells. However, the underlying mechanisms and active ingredients of MTE against PCa were not completely understood. This study revealed that MTE induced significant decreases in cell viability and clonal growth in PCa cells. In addition, MTE induced the apoptosis of DU145 cells by reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential and increasing the expression of Cleaved Caspase 3/7, Cyt c, and Bax. In vivo, DU145 xenografted NOD-SCID mice treated with MTE showed significantly decreased tumor size. TUNEL staining and Western blot confirmed the pro-apoptotic effects of MTE. Network pharmacology analysis collected 196 ingredients of MTE linked to 655 potential targets, and 709 PCa-associated targets were retrieved, from which 149 overlapped targets were screened out. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that the HIF-1, PI3K-AKT, and ErbB signaling pathways were closely related to tumor apoptosis. Western blot results confirmed that MTE increased the expression of p-AKTSer473 and p-GSK3βSer9, and decreased the expression of p-STAT3Tyr705in vitro and in vivo. A total of 13 compounds in MTE were identified by HPLC-CAD-QTOF-MS/MS and UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Molecular docking analysis indicated that six compounds may interact with AKT, GSK3β, and STAT3. In conclusion, MTE induces the endogenous mitochondrial apoptosis of PCa by regulating the AKT/GSK3β/STAT3 signaling axis, resulting in inhibition of PCa growth in vitro and in vivo.
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Wang C, Chen H, Song S, Chen B, Li R, Fu Z, Zhang Z, Wang Q, Han L. Discovery of metabolic markers for the discrimination of Helwingia species based on bioactivity evaluation, plant metabolomics, and network pharmacology. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2022; 36:e9411. [PMID: 36195983 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Helwingia japonica (HJ), a traditional medicinal plant, is commonly used for the treatment of dysentery, blood in the stool, and scald burns. Three major HJ species, Helwingia japonica (Thunb.) Dietr. (QJY), Helwingia himalaica Hook. f. et Thoms. ex C. B. Clarke, and Helwingia chinensis Batal., share great similarities in both morphology and chemical constituents. The discrimination of medicinal plants directly affects their pharmacological and clinical effects. Here, we solved the taxonomy uncertainty of these three HJ species and explored the discrimination and study of other traditional medicines (TMs). METHODS First, the anti-inflammatory effects of the three HJ species were compared using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in mouse leukemia cells of monocyte macrophage (RAW) 264.7 cells. Then, plant metabolomics were performed in 48 batches of samples to discover chemical markers for discriminating different HJ species. Finally, network pharmacology was applied to explore the linkages among constituents, targets, and signaling pathways. RESULTS In vitro experiments showed that the QJY exhibited the most potential anti-inflammatory activities. Meanwhile, 172 compounds were tentatively identified and eight metabolites with higher relative content in QJY were designated as chemical markers to distinguish QJY and the other two species. According to the property of absorbed in vivo, threonic acid, arginine, and tyrosine were selected to construct a component-target-pathway network. The network pharmacology analysis confirmed that the chemotaxonomy differentiation was consistent with the bioactive assessment. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates that bioactivity evaluation integrated with plant metabolomics and network pharmacology could be used as an effective approach to discriminate different TMs and discover the active compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Hao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Shaofei Song
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Biying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Rongrong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Zhifei Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Zhonglian Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan Branch of Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Jinghong, China
| | - Qilong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Lifeng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Key Laboratory of TCM Chemistry and Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
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Marques HKO, Figueiredo MGF, de Souza Pio WS, Ribeiro LM, de Azevedo IFP, Duarte LP, de Sousa GF, de Aguilar MG, Mercadante-Simões MO. Laticifer ontogenesis and the chemical constituents of Marsdenia zehntneri (Apocynaceae) latex in a semiarid environment. PLANTA 2022; 257:19. [PMID: 36538159 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-04050-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Anastomosed laticifers with intrusive growth produce latex containing methyl comate and betulin with economic and ecological value in arid environments. Climatic factors influence laticifer development in the apical meristem and vascular cambium. Latex is a complex emulsion with high medicinal as well as ecological value related to plant survival. Marsdenia zehntneri is a shrubby plant that grows on limestone outcrops in the semiarid regions of Brazil. We sought to characterize the ontogenesis of the laticifers of this species and to relate that process to climatic seasonality and phenology through anatomical, ultrastructural, and micro-morphometric evaluations of the apical meristem and vascular cambium. The histochemistry of the secretory structure was investigated and the chemical composition of the latex was analyzed. Phenological assessments were performed by monitoring phenological events for 1 year. The laticifers network of M. zehntneri permeates the entire primary and secondary body of the plant, providing a wide distribution system of defensive compounds. Its laticifers, of a distinct mixed type (anastomosed, with intrusive growth), are numerous and voluminous in the apical meristem but scarce and minute in the secondary phloem. Latex secretion involves the participation of oleoplasts, polysomes, and dictyosomes. Methyl 2,3-dihydroxy-ursan-23-oate, methyl 3-hydroxy-ursan-23-oate, and betulin are encountered in high proportions in the latex and have ecological and medicinal functions. The development of primary laticifers is related to the resumption of apical meristem activity with increasing day length at the end of the austral winter. The development of secondary laticifers is related to high summer temperatures and rainfall that favor vascular cambium activity. The wide distribution of laticifers, their seasonal pattern of secretion, and their latex composition contribute to the adaptation of M. zehntneri to its natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hellen Karla Oliveira Marques
- General Biology Department, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, CEP 39401-089, Brazil
| | - Maria Gabriela Ferreira Figueiredo
- General Biology Department, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, CEP 39401-089, Brazil
| | - Willian Samuel de Souza Pio
- General Biology Department, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, CEP 39401-089, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Monteiro Ribeiro
- General Biology Department, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, CEP 39401-089, Brazil
| | - Islaine Franciely Pinheiro de Azevedo
- General Biology Department, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, CEP 39401-089, Brazil
| | - Lucienir Pains Duarte
- Chemistry Department, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Grasiely Faria de Sousa
- Chemistry Department, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Mariana Guerra de Aguilar
- Chemistry Department, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Maria Olívia Mercadante-Simões
- General Biology Department, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, CEP 39401-089, Brazil.
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