The JAK2/STAT3 pathway is involved in the anti-melanoma effects of brevilin A

Tanshinone IIA promotes ferroptosis in cutaneous melanoma via STAT1-mediated upregulation of PTGS2 expression

BACKGROUND

Melanoma is highly aggressive, metastatic with a poor prognosis. Despite significant advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapies, their efficiency limited by drug resistance. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), a bioactive compound derived from Traditional Chinese plant, exhibits significant anticancer potential, which still needs more research in its complex regulatory mechanisms.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to elucidate the putative targets and regulatory mechanisms of Tan IIA in anti-melanoma, with a focus on its role in inducing ferroptosis.

STUDY DESIGN

We designed the experiment to explore the effects of Tan IIA on melanoma through both in vitro and in vivo experiments and to investigate the underlying mechanisms through transcriptomics combining network pharmacology analysis.

METHOD

Ferroptosis monitored by Malondialdehyde (MDA), Fe2+, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) in vivo and in vitro. RNA sequence was performed to explore the key regulatory pathways involved in Tan IIA-induced ferroptosis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and Luciferase assays were used to validate transcription factor responsible for prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) regulation. Additionally, RT-qPCR, western blot, IF, IHC were aimed to evaluate the expression of target gene.

RESULT

Tan IIA markedly suppresses melanoma growth in a xenograft model. The same effect performed on inhibition melanoma cells and promotion to ferroptosis with accumulation of ROS, MDA, and Fe²⁺levels and GSH consumption. RNA sequencing and public database analysis revealed that Tan IIA regulates PTGS2, the critical marker of ferroptosis, and PTGS2-knockdown attenuates Tan IIA -induced ferroptosis in melanoma cells. Furthermore, we identified that Tan IIA stimulate signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), a transcription factor, promoting PTGS2 expression and localized in the cell cytoplasm. Moreover, downregulation of the transcription factor STAT1 lead to PTGS2 downregulation and also inhibit ferroptosis in melanoma.

CONCLUSION

This study, the first to link Tan IIA-induced ferroptosis to the STAT1/PTGS2 axis in melanoma, identifies STAT1 and PTGS2 as novel therapeutic targets for melanoma, which demonstrates the potential of natural compounds Tan IIA in overcoming drug resistance and integrates traditional medicine with advanced molecular techniques for mechanistic exploration.

Brevilin A Inhibits Prostate Cancer Progression by Decreasing PAX5-Activated SOX4

Brevilin A possesses inhibitory effects on the development of prostate cancer (PCa); however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The present work aims to analyze how Brevilin A regulates PCa cell malignancy. RNA expression of paired box 5 (PAX5) and SRY-box transcription factor 4 (SOX4) was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression of PAX5, SOX4, and nuclear proliferation marker (Ki67) was detected by western blotting or immunohistochemistry assay. The viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and migratory and invasive abilities of PCa cells were investigated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), flow cytometry, and transwell assays, respectively. The association between PAX5 and SOX4 was identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Xenograft mouse model assay was used to reveal the effect of Brevilin A on tumor tumorigenesis in vivo. PAX5 and SOX4 expression were upregulated in PCa tissues and cells relative to normal prostate tissues and human prostate epithelial cells. Brevilin A treatment inhibited PAX5 protein expression in PCa cells. Additionally, Brevilin A inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion and induced apoptosis of PCa cells, whereas these effects were attenuated after PAX5 overexpression. SOX4 was transcriptionally activated by PAX5, and its introduction partially relieved the inhibitory effects of PAX5 knockdown on PCa cell malignancy. Moreover, Brevilin A delayed tumor formation in vivo. Brevilin A inhibited PCa progression by regulating SOX4 expression in a PAX5-dependent manner, providing a promising anti-tumor drug for PCa.

Research advances in natural sesquiterpene lactones: overcoming cancer drug resistance through modulation of key signaling pathways

Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with current chemotherapeutic strategies frequently limited by the emergence of resistance. In this context, natural compounds with the potential to overcome resistance have garnered considerable attention. Among these, sesquiterpene lactones, primarily derived from plants in the Asteraceae family, stand out for their potential anticancer properties. This review specifically focuses on five key signaling pathways: PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK/ERK, and STAT3, which play central roles in the mechanisms of cancer resistance. For each of these pathways, we detail their involvement in both cancer development and the emergence of drug resistance. Additionally, we investigate how sesquiterpene lactones modulate these pathways to overcome resistance across diverse cancer types. These insights highlight the potential of sesquiterpene lactones to drive the advancement of novel therapies that can effectively combat both cancer progression and drug resistance.

Sesquiterpene Lactones as Promising Phytochemicals to Cease Metastatic Propagation of Cancer

Cancer metastasis remains the most challenging issue in cancer therapy. Recent reports show that cancer metastasis accounts for over 90% of cancer-associated deaths in the world. Metastasis is a multi-step process by which cancer cells spread to distant tissues and organs beyond the primary site. The metastatic propagation of different cancers is under the surveillance of several regulating processes and factors related to cellular signaling pathways. Plant-derived phytochemicals are bioactive components of plants with a variety of biological and medicinal activities. Several phytochemicals have been shown to target various molecular factors in cancer cells to tackle metastasis. Sesquiterpene lactones, as a diverse group of plant-derived phytochemicals with a variety of biological activities, have been shown to suppress the promotion and progression of different cancer types by acting on multiple cell-signaling pathways. This review article briefly describes the process of metastasis and its components. Then, sesquiterpene lactones with the ability to target and inhibit invasion, migration, and metastasis along with the molecular mechanisms of their effects on different cancers are described in detail.

A TCM formula assists temozolomide in anti-melanoma therapy by suppressing the STAT3 signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Temozolomide (TMZ) is a first-line therapeutic medication for melanoma. Nonetheless, it exhibits a relatively elevated toxicity profile, and falls short in terms of both effectiveness and median survival rate. Clinical research has demonstrated that the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with chemotherapy in the treatment of melanoma can enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity. A TCM formula (SLE) containing Lonicera japonica Thunb. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. has shown anti-melanoma properties through the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. In the genesis and advancement of melanoma, the STAT3 signaling pathway is essential.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SLE combined with TMZ (SLE/TMZ) in inhibiting melanoma, and to explore the contribution of inhibiting the STAT3 signaling pathway in this effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Both A375 cells and B16F10 tumor-bearing mice were used for in vitro and in vivo experiments, respectively. In vitro assays included CCK8, crystal violet staining, flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting. Animal experiment indicators included tumor volume, tumor weight, mouse weight, and the proportion of mouse immune cells.

RESULTS

SLE/TMZ inhibited the proliferation and growth of A375 cells, and also induced apoptosis. Additionally, SLE/TMZ synergistically inhibited tumor growth in the B16F10 melanoma mouse model and had immunomodulatory effects, increasing the proportion of Th, Tc, and NK cells and decreasing the proportion of MDSCs in the spleen of melanoma-bearing mice. qRT-PCR and Western blotting results confirmed that SLE/TMZ inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and regulated its downstream factors, including Bcl2, Mcl1, CCND1, MYC, MMP2, MMP9, VEGFA, and FGF2. The inhibitory effect of SLE/TMZ on melanoma cell growth was considerably lessened when STAT3 was overexpressed at the cellular level.

CONCLUSION

Synergistic anti-melanoma effects of SLE/TMZ have been observed in animal and cellular models. One of the mechanisms of SLE/TMZ that underlies its anti-melanoma actions is inhibition of the STAT3 pathway. This work offers pre-clinical pharmacological backing for the advancement of SLE as a therapeutic agent to be used in conjunction with TMZ for the treatment of melanoma.

Targeting regulated cell death (RCD) with naturally derived sesquiterpene lactones in cancer therapy

Regulated cell death (RCD) is a type of cell death modulated by specific signal transduction pathways. Currently, known RCD types include apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, necroptosis, cuproptosis, pyroptosis, and NETosis. Mutations in cancer cells may prevent the RCD pathway; therefore, targeting RCD in tumors has become a promising therapeutic approach. Sesquiterpene lactones represent a diverse and extensive class of plant-derived phytochemicals that serve as potential sources for developing various drugs. Recent studies have shown that sesquiterpene lactones have promising potential in cancer treatment. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in the study of sesquiterpene lactones as antitumor agents, highlighting their role in targeting various RCD pathways, including those involved in apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and cuproptosis. The primary purpose of the present review is to provide a clear picture of the regulation of RCD by sesquiterpene lactones against different targets in various cancers, which will facilitate the development of new strategies for cancer therapy.

Arnicolide D: a multi-targeted anticancer sesquiterpene lactone-preclinical efficacy and mechanistic insights

Arnicolide D, a potent sesquiterpene lactone from Centipeda minima, has emerged as a promising anticancer candidate, demonstrating significant efficacy in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and suppressing metastasis across various cancer models. This comprehensive study delves into the molecular underpinnings of Arnicolide D's anticancer actions, emphasizing its impact on key signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR and STAT3, and its role in modulating cell cycle and survival mechanisms. Quantitative data from preclinical studies reveal Arnicolide D's dose-dependent cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and human colon carcinoma, showcasing its broad-spectrum anticancer potential. Given its multifaceted mechanisms and preclinical efficacy, Arnicolide D warrants further investigation in clinical settings to validate its therapeutic utility against cancer. The evidence presented underscores the need for rigorous pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies to establish safe dosing parameters for future clinical trials.

Evaluating the Diverse Anticancer Effects of Laos Kaempferia parviflora (Black Ginger) on Human Melanoma Cell Lines

Cancer has become a consistent concern globally and increasingly fatal. Malignant melanoma is a rising concern, with its increased mortality. Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker (K. parviflora (KP)), commonly known as black ginger, is well known for its medicinal contributions. For the first time, in the following study we investigated the antimelanoma potential of Laos KP extracts in human cell lines. KP extracts (KPE) in methanol, DCM, and ethyl acetate showed strong cell inhibition in both melanomas, with KPE-DCM being particularly effective in inhibiting melanoma cell migration, invasion, and proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, while KPE-Hexane exhibited a low cell inhibition rate and a more limited effect. KPE affected the increased expression of caspase-3, PARP andBax and the decreased expression of the BcL-2, Mu-2-related death-inducing gene (MUDENG, MuD) protein. Furthermore, KPE enhanced apoptotic cells in the absence and presence of the pancaspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Interestingly, these apoptotic cells were significantly suppressed by the caspase inhibitor. Moreover, elevated mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, suggestive of KPE's mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in melanoma cells, were also confirmed. KPE treatment increased MMP levels, and upregulated the generation of ROS in A375 cells but not in A2058 cells. However, pretreatment with an ROS scavenger (NAC) suppressed KPE-induced cell death and ROS generation. These results clearly pointed out KPE-induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic cell death as the mechanism behind the inhibition of the human melanoma cells. Future studies exploring the role of specific ROS sources and their interaction with mitochondrial dynamics could deepen the existing understanding on KPE-induced apoptosis.

Mechanistic prediction and validation of Brevilin A Therapeutic effects in Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been found widespread application in neoplasm treatment, yielding promising therapeutic candidates. Previous studies have revealed the anti-cancer properties of Brevilin A, a naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactone derived from Centipeda minima (L.) A.Br. (C. minima), a TCM herb, specifically against lung cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms of its effects remain elusive. This study employs network pharmacology and experimental analyses to unravel the molecular mechanisms of Brevilin A in lung cancer.

METHODS

The Batman-TCM, Swiss Target Prediction, Pharmmapper, SuperPred, and BindingDB databases were screened to identify Brevilin A targets. Lung cancer-related targets were sourced from GEO, Genecards, OMIM, TTD, and Drugbank databases. Utilizing Cytoscape software, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and gene-pathway correlation analysis were conducted using R software. To validate network pharmacology results, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and in vitro experiments were performed.

RESULTS

We identified 599 Brevilin A-associated targets and 3864 lung cancer-related targets, with 155 overlapping genes considered as candidate targets for Brevilin A against lung cancer. The PPI network highlighted STAT3, TNF, HIF1A, PTEN, ESR1, and MTOR as potential therapeutic targets. GO and KEGG analyses revealed 2893 enriched GO terms and 157 enriched KEGG pathways, including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, and HIF-1 signaling pathway. GSEA demonstrated a close association between hub genes and lung cancer. Gene-pathway correlation analysis indicated significant associations between hub genes and the cellular response to hypoxia pathway. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations confirmed Brevilin A's interaction with PTEN and HIF1A, respectively. In vitro experiments demonstrated Brevilin A-induced dose- and time-dependent cell death in A549 cells. Notably, Brevilin A treatment significantly reduced HIF-1α mRNA expression while increasing PTEN mRNA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that Brevilin A exerts anti-cancer effects in treating lung cancer through a multi-target and multi-pathway manner, with the HIF pathway potentially being involved. These results lay a theoretical foundation for the prospective clinical application of Brevilin A.

Sesquiterpene lactones as emerging biomolecules to cease cancer by targeting apoptosis

Apoptosis is a programmed cell death comprising two signaling cascades including the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. This process has been shown to be involved in the therapy response of different cancer types, making it an effective target for treating cancer. Cancer has been considered a challenging issue in global health. Cancer cells possess six biological characteristics during their developmental process known as cancer hallmarks. Hallmarks of cancer include continuous growth signals, unlimited proliferation, resistance to proliferation inhibitors, apoptosis escaping, active angiogenesis, and metastasis. Sesquiterpene lactones are one of the large and diverse groups of planet-derived phytochemicals that can be used as sources for a variety of drugs. Some sesquiterpene lactones possess many biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-malarial, anticancer, anti-diabetic, and analgesic. This review article briefly overviews the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis and the interactions between the modulators of both pathways. Also, the present review summarizes the potential effects of sesquiterpene lactones on different modulators of the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell lines and animal models. The main purpose of the present review is to give a clear picture of the current knowledge about the pro-apoptotic effects of sesquiterpene lactones on various cancers to provide future direction in cancer therapeutics.

Meroterpenoids from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus terreus GZU-31-1 exerts anti-liver fibrosis effects by targeting the Nrf2 signaling in vitro

Six undescribed meroterpenoids aspertermeroterpenes A-F and four known analogues were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus terreus GZU-31-1. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods and electronic circular dichroism calculations. All meroterpenoids possessed the unique acetyl group at C-11, and also aspertermeroterpene A featured the rare C-14 decarboxylated in DMOA meroterpenoids. In the bioassays, aspermeroterpene B exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on the activation of hepatic stellate cells at the concentration of 5 μM via targeting the Nrf2 signaling. This is the first time reported that aspermeroterpene B as a previously undescribed carbon skeleton of meroterpenoid possessed anti-liver fibrosis effect.

FTO promotes proliferation and migration of bladder cancer via enhancing stability of STAT3 mRNA in an m6A-dependent manner

N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) plays a key role in the occurrence and development of various cancers. Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) was is involved in multiple cancers owing to its demethylase activity, and the molecular mechanism underlying FTO-promoted bladder cancer proliferation and migration via the regulation of RNA stability requires further investigation. In the present study, FTO was upregulated in bladder cancer and related to poor prognosis. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed that the upregulation of FTO promoted bladder cancer proliferation and migration. Mechanistic studies showed that FTO enhanced the stability of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mRNA in an m6A-dependent manner, thereby increasing STAT3 expression, which subsequently promoted P-STAT3 expression and activated STAT3 signalling pathway. Overall, this study revealed that the critical role of FTO in the progression of bladder cancer and could provide a novel avenue to regulate oncogene STAT3.

Brevilin A exerts anti-colorectal cancer effects and potently inhibits STAT3 signaling invitro

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related morbidity worldwide, with an estimated of 1.85 million new cases and 850,000 deaths every year. Nevertheless, the current treatment regimens for CRC have many disadvantages, including toxicities and off-targeted side effects. STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) has been considered as a promising molecular target for CRC therapy. Brevilin A, a sesquiterpene lactone compound rich in Centipedae Herba has potent anticancer effects in nasopharyngeal, prostate and breast cancer cells by inhibiting the STAT3 signaling. However, the anti-CRC effect of brevilin A and the underlying mechanism of action have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of STAT3 signaling in the anti-CRC action of brevilin A. Here, HCT-116 and CT26 cell models were used to investigate the anti-CRC effects of brevilin A in vitro. HCT-116 cells overespressing with STAT3 were used to evaluate the involvement of STAT3 signaling in the anti-CRC effect of brevilin A. Screening of 49 phosphorylated tyrosine kinases in the HCT-116 cells after brevilin A treatment was performed by using the human phospho-receptor tyrosine kinase (phospho-RTK) array. Results showed that brevilin A inhibited cell proliferation and cell viability, induced apoptosis, reduced cell migration and invasion, inhibited angiogenesis, lowered the protein expression levels of phospho-Src (Tyr416), phospho-JAK2 (Y1007/1008) and phospho-STAT3 (Tyr705), and inhibited STAT3 activation and nuclear localization. Brevilin A also significantly reduced the protein expression levels of STAT3 target genes, such as MMP-2, VEGF and Bcl-xL. More importantly, over-activation of STAT3 diminished brevilin A's effects on cell viability. All these results suggest that brevilin A exerts potent anti-CRC effects, at least in part, by inhibiting STAT3 signaling. Our findings provide a strong pharmacological basis for the future exploration and development of brevilin A as a novel STAT3-targeting phytotherapeutic agent for CRC treatment.

Hair Growth Effect of DN106212 in C57BL/6 Mouse and Its Network Pharmacological Mechanism of Action

Centipeda minima (CMX) has been widely investigated using network pharmacology and clinical studies for its effects on hair growth via the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Human hair follicle papilla cells exhibit hair regrowth through the expression of Wnt signaling-related proteins. However, the mechanism of action of CMX in animals has not been elucidated fully. This study examined the effect of induced hair loss and its side-effects on the skin, and observed the mechanism of action of an alcoholic extract of CMX (DN106212) on C57BL/6 mice. Our results showed that DN106212 was more effective in promoting hair growth than dimethyl sulfoxide in the negative control and tofacitinib (TF) in the positive control when mice were treated with DN106212 for 16 days. We confirmed that DN106212 promotes the formation of mature hair follicles through hematoxylin and eosin staining. We also found that the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegfa), insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf1), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (Tgfb1) is related to hair growth using PCR. DN106212-treated mice had significantly higher expression of Vegfa and Igf1 than TF-treated ones, and inhibiting the expression of Tgfb1 had similar effects as TF treatment. In conclusion, we propose that DN106212 increases the expression of hair growth factors, promotes the development of hair follicles, and promotes hair growth. Although additional experiments are needed, DN106212 may serve as an experimental basis for research on natural hair growth-promoting agents.

Brevilin A inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption

Brevilin A (BA) is the primary component of Centipeda minima, which is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine. The anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties of BA have been established; however, its function in bone metabolism is not well understood. This study revealed that concentrations of BA below 1.0 µM did not inhibit the proliferation of bone marrow macrophages but did impede the differentiation and bone resorption activity of osteoclasts. Furthermore, BA suppressed the expression of osteoclast-specific genes Mmp9, Acp5, Dc-stamp, Ctsk, and Atp6v0d2. In addition, mTOR, ERK, and NFATc1 activation in bone marrow macrophages were suppressed by BA. As a whole, BA blocks the mTOR and ERK signaling pathways, which is responsible for the development and activity of osteoclasts, and the resorption of bone.

Brevilin A Inhibits VEGF-Induced Angiogenesis through ROS-Dependent Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Brevilin A (BA), a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Centipeda minima herb, has been identified to exhibit potent anticancer activity. However, the potential pharmacological effect and mechanism of BA in regulating endothelial cell (EC) angiogenesis, a key event in tumor growth, is poorly understood. In this study, BA was shown to significantly prevent vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induced EC angiogenic capacities in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. Subsequent functional assays revealed that BA dose dependently inhibited VEGF-stimulated survival, proliferation, migration, and triggered apoptosis activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as well as suppressed the expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, increased the expression of proapoptotic protein caspase-3 and Bax, and suppressed PI3K/AKT pathway. Meanwhile, BA was also able to depolarize mitochondrial membranal permeability (MMP), accelerate mitochondrial superoxide accumulation, induce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and decreased intracellular glutathione (GSH) in HUVECs. Furthermore, both mitochondria-specific superoxide scavenger Mito-TEMPOL and broad-spectrum antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) dramatically abolished BA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial ROS production, causing the reversion of PI3K/AKT pathway and repression of apoptosis, eventually correcting the impaired endothelial behavior in survival, growth, migration, and angiogenesis. Collectively, our data for the first time identified a new mechanism for antiangiogenic effect of BA in vascular EC, one that is based on the regulation of mitochondrial-dependent ROS overproduction.

Targeting oncogenic transcription factors in skin malignancies: An update on cancer stemness and therapeutic outcomes

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and prone to various diseases, including cancer; thus, provides the first line of defense against exogenous biological and non-biological agents. Skin cancer, a complex and heterogenic process, with steep incidence rate often metastasizes due to poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis and clinical challenges. Indeed, accumulating evidence indicates that deregulation of transcription factors (TFs) due to genetic, epigenetic and signaling distortions plays essential role in the development of cutaneous malignancies and therapeutic challenges including cancer stemness features and reprogramming. This review highlights the recent developments exploring underlying mechanisms how deregulated TFs (e.g., NF-κB, AP-1, STAT etc.,) orchestrates cutaneous onco-pathogenesis, reprogramming, stemness and poor clinical outcomes. Along this line, bioactive drugs, and their derivatives from natural and or synthetic origin has gained attention due to their multitargeting potential, potentially safer and effective therapeutic outcome for human malignancies. We also discussed therapeutic importance of targeting aberrantly expressed TFs in skin cancers with bioactive natural products and or synthetic agents.

Promising anticancer activities and mechanisms of action of active compounds from the medicinal herb Centipeda minima (L.) A. Braun & Asch

BACKGROUND

Centipeda minima (L.) A. Braun & Asch (C. minima) has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine to treat multiple diseases, including sinusitis, rhinitis, headache, and allergy. To date, the anticancer properties of C. minima have drawn considerable attention owing to the anticancer potential of C. minima extracts, the identification of active components, and the elucidation of underlying molecular mechanisms. However, the anticancer properties and significance of active components in C. minima have rarely been summarized.

PURPOSE

This review presents a comprehensive summary of the anticancer properties exhibited by active components of C. minima.

METHODS

An extensive search for published articles on the anticancer activities and active components of C. minima was performed using Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar.

RESULTS

C. minima extracts exhibited both anticancer and chemosensitizing effects. Phytochemical studies have identified the active anticancer components of C. minima extracts. Sesquiterpene lactones, such as 6-O-angeloylplenolin (6-OAP, or brevilin A) and arnicolide D, have similar structures and anticancer mechanisms. As the most abundant sesquiterpene lactone in C. minima, 6-OAP exhibits anticancer activities mainly by targeting Skp1-Cullin1-F-box protein (SCF) E3 ubiquitin ligase and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3). Clinical trials have assessed the potential of 6-OAP in patients with vertex balding and alopecia areata, given its effect on JAK-STATs signaling. Chlorogenic acid, a representative organic acid in C. minima, reportedly possesses anticancer potential and inhibits tumor growth by affecting tumor microenvironment and has been approved for phase II clinical trials in patients with glioma in China.

CONCLUSION

In the present review, we highlight intriguing anticancer properties mediated by active compounds isolated from C. minima extracts, particularly sesquiterpene lactones, which might provide clues for developing novel anticancer drugs. Relevant clinical trials on chlorogenic acid and 6-OAP can promote anticancer clinical applications. Therefore, it is worth comprehensively elucidating underlying anticancer mechanisms and conducting clinical trials on C. minima and its active components.

Inhibiting STAT3 signaling pathway by natural products for cancer prevention and therapy: In vitro and in vivo activity and mechanisms of action

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays a critical role in signal transmission from the plasma membrane to the nucleus, regulating the expression of genes involved in essential cell functions and controlling the processes of cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Thus, STAT3 has been elucidated as a promising target for developing anticancer drugs. Many natural products have been reported to inhibit the STAT3 signaling pathway during the past two decades and have exhibited significant anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo. However, there is no FDA-approved STAT3 inhibitor yet. The major mechanisms of these natural product inhibitors of the STAT3 signaling pathway include targeting the upstream regulators of STAT3, directly binding to the STAT3 SH2 domain and inhibiting its activation, inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation and/or dimerization, and others. In the present review, we have systematically discussed the development of these natural product inhibitors of STAT3 signaling pathway as well as their in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity and mechanisms of action. Outlooks and perspectives on the associated challenges are provided as well.

LINC00893 inhibits the progression of prostate cancer through miR-3173-5p/SOCS3/JAK2/STAT3 pathway

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the male urinary system. In recent years, the morbidity and mortality of PCa have been increasing due to the limited effects of existing treatment strategies. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00893 was reported to inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer cells, but its role in PCa has not been reported. This study aims to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of LINC00893 in regulating the progression of PCa cells.

Methods

We first compared LINC00893 expression levels between PCa tissues and normal prostate tissues through TCGA database. The relative LINC00893 expression levels were further validated in 66 pairs of PCa tissues and para-cancerous normal tissues, as well as in PCa cell lines. Gain-of-function experiment was performed by transfecting PCa cell with LINC00893 expression vector, and CCK (Cell count kit)-8, 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation, colony information and transwell assays were conducted to assess the functional phenotypes. Dual-luciferase reporter, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down assays were performed to evaluate the molecular interactions.

Results

LINC00893 was downregulated in PCa tissues and cell lines, and patients with low expression of LINC00893 were associated with a poorer overall survival rate. LINC00893 overexpression hindered the proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well as the migratory ability of PCa cells, and suppressed the tumorigenesis of PCa cells in nude mice. We further demonstrated that LINC00893 acted as a sponge for miR-3173-5p and inhibited its activity, which in turn regulated the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3)/Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling axis.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that LINC00893 suppresses the progression of PCa cells through targeting miR-3173-5p/SOCS3/JAK2/STAT3 axis. Our data uncovers a novel tumor-suppressor role of LINC00893 in PCa, which may serve as a potential strategy for targeted therapy in PCa.

Grapical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-022-02637-4.

Centipeda minima: An update on its phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Centipeda minima (CM), the dried whole plant of Centipeda minima (L.) A. Braun and Aschers, has been used as a traditional Chinese medicinal herb for thousands of years for the treatments of rhinitis, sinusitis, cough and asthmatic diseases. This review aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of CM by summarizing its phytochemistry, pharmacology, clinical application and safety.

METHODS

This review summarizes the published studies on CM in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and literature databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Baidu Scholar, Wiley and China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), as well as the research articles on the phytochemistry, pharmacology, clinical application and safety of CM.

RESULTS

A total of 191 compounds have been isolated and identified from CM, including terpenes, flavonoids, sterols, phenols, organic acids and volatile oils. In addition, the pharmacological effects of CM, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activities, have also been evaluated by both in vitro and in vivo studies. The signaling pathways and mechanisms of action underlying the anti-cancer effects of CM have been revealed. Clinical applications of CM mainly include rhinitis and sinusitis, gynecological inflammation, cough, as well as asthma.

CONCLUSION

CM is a medicinal herb that possesses many therapeutic effects. Cutting-edge technology and system biology could provide us a more comprehensive understanding of the therapeutic effects, constituting components and toxicity of CM, which are the prerequisites for its translation into therapeutics for various disease treatments.

Brevilin A Isolated from Centipeda minima Induces Apoptosis in Human Gastric Cancer Cells via an Extrinsic Apoptotic Signaling Pathway

Brevilin A, which has anticancer activities against a range of cancers, is an abundant constituent of the medicinal herb Centipeda minima (L.) A. Braun & Asch, which has also been reported to have anticancer activity against breast cancer cells. However, the anticancer activities of C. minima and brevilin A against human gastric cancer have yet to be reported. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and molecular basis underlying the anticancer activities of extracts of C. minima (CMX) and brevilin A against human gastric cancer (AGS) cells. We deduced the potential targets and mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of brevilin A based on a network pharmacology approach. CCND1, CDK4, and BCL2L1 were identified as the key anticancer genes targeted by brevilin A. Cytotoxicity analyses revealed that CMX and brevilin A reduced the viability of AGS cells to levels below 50% (9.73 ± 1.29 µg/mL and 54.69 ± 1.38 μM, respectively). Furthermore, Hoechst 33342, annexin V, and propidium iodide staining and western blot analyses revealed that CMX and brevilin A promoted a significant induction of apoptotic cell death by upregulating the expression of cleaved caspase-8 and cleaved caspase-3 and reducing the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2, which is partially consistent with the findings of our network pharmacology analysis. Collectively, our observations indicate that CMX and brevilin A are novel sources of herbal medicine with potential utility as effective agents for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Anti-fibrotic effects of brevilin A in hepatic fibrosis via inhibiting the STAT3 signaling pathway

Hepatic fibrosis is a chronic liver disease characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) after repetitive liver damage is a key event in hepatic fibrogenesis. As part of ongoing research projects to identify pharmacologically effective natural products, the phytochemical investigation of a MeOH extract of Centipeda minima led to the isolation of a sesquiterpene lactone, brevilin A, which was explored to elucidate potential anti-fibrotic effects by reversing HSC activation. First, we observed that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 treatment significantly increased the expression levels of HSC activation marker, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and ECM protein such as collagen and fibronectin. Then, we demonstrated that brevilin A reversed the TGF-β1-induced increase in protein and mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and collagen. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanism of brevilin A, we evaluated the effects of brevilin A on the STAT3 signaling pathway. STAT3 phosphorylation, increased by TGF-β1 treatment, was strongly inhibited by brevilin A; the expression levels of fibronectin and connective tissue growth factor were also significantly decreased by brevilin A. The present study indicated that brevilin A has a preventive and therapeutic potential against hepatic fibrosis.

Hair Growth Effect of Emulsion Extracted Brevilin A, a JAK3 Inhibitor, from Centipeda minima

Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) inhibitors have been used effectively in the treatment of several cases of alopecia universalis and its variants. Our study aims to evaluate whether the emulsion extract of brevilin A from Centipeda minima (CMX) stimulates hair regrowth in a clinical trial, as a JAK3 inhibitor, combined with network pharmacology-based analysis. CMX showed potent inhibition of JAK3 in a concentration-dependent manner. Significant differences in total hair count, terminal hair count, and anagen hair count from the baseline to 24 weeks were observed between the placebo and CMX subjects. The gene set enrichment analysis showed that the targets of CMX are mainly associated with the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, and the MAPK signaling pathway. This study suggests that the medicinal herbal extract CMX is useful in the treatment of mild to moderate vertex balding that contribute to the visible improvements in hair growth observed in treated patients.

Anti-cancer Activity of Centipeda minima Extract in Triple Negative Breast Cancer via Inhibition of AKT, NF-κB, and STAT3 Signaling Pathways

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in females worldwide. Estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer, suggest that globally, there were around 2.1 million new breast cancer cases and 627,000 deaths due to breast cancer in 2018. Among the subtypes of breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and carries the poorest prognosis, largest recurrence, and lowest survival rate. Major treatment options for TNBC patients are mainly constrained to chemotherapy, which can be accompanied by severe side effects. Therefore, development of novel and effective anti-cancer drugs for the treatment of TNBC are urgently required. Centipeda minima is a well-known traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has historically been used to treat rhinitis, sinusitis, relieve pain, and reduce swelling. Recent studies have shown that Centipeda minima exhibited efficacy against certain cancers, however, to date, no studies have been conducted on its effects in breast cancer. Here, we aimed to investigate the anti-cancer activity of the total extract of Centipeda minima (CME), and its underlying mechanism, in TNBC. In MDA-MB-231, we found that CME could significantly reduce cell viability and proliferation, induce apoptosis and inhibit cancer cell migration and invasion, in a dose and time-dependent manner. We showed that CME may potentially act via inhibition of multiple signaling pathways, including the EGFR, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, NF-κB, and STAT3 pathways. Treatment with CME also led to in vitro downregulation of MMP-9 activity and inhibition of metastasis. Further, we demonstrated that CME could significantly reduce tumor burden in MDA-MB-231 xenograft mice, without any appreciable side effects. Based on our findings, CME is a promising candidate for development as a therapeutic with high efficacy against TNBC.