Multioside, an active ingredient from adonis amurensis, displays anti-cancer activity through autophagosome formation

Dynamic transcriptome analysis provides molecular insights into underground floral differentiation in Adonis Amurensis Regel & Radde

Understanding flower developmental processes is a prerequisite for improving flowering 'plants' production. Adonis amurensis is a fascinating spring ephemeral plant that develops its flower organs underground. Nevertheless, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms driving this particular process is scarce. Herein, we examined transcriptional changes during underground flower differentiation in A. amurensis and unveiled key differently regulated genes and pathways. High-throughput RNA sequencing of meristems at different flower developmental stages, including flower primordium (FP), sepal stage (SE), perianth primordium (PE), stamen stage (ST), and pistil stage (PI), identified 303,234 unigenes that showed 44.79% similarity with sequences in Aquilegia coerulea. Correlations, principal component, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analyses revealed that few molecular changes occurred during the transition from PE to ST. Many DEGs exhibited stage-specific regulations. Transcription factor (TF) and phytohormone family genes are critical regulators of the floral differentiation process in A. amurensis. The most differentially regulated TFs were MADS, FAR1, MYBs, AP2/ERF, B3, C2H2, and LOBs. We filtered out 186 candidate genes for future functional studies, including 18 flowering/circadian-related, 32 phytohormone-related, and TF family genes. Our findings deepen our understanding of the underground flower differentiation process and offer critical resources to dissect its regulatory network in A. amurensis. These findings establish a foundational platform for researchers dedicated to exploring the unique phenotypic characteristics of this specific flowering modality and delving into the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning its regulation and expression.

Pregnane glycosides from Adonis amurensis and their bioactivity

Seven undescribed pregnane glycosides named amurensides A-G and two known aglycones were isolated from the whole herb of Adonis amurensis Regel & Radde. Their structures were established based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and acid hydrolysis. The cytotoxicity of all compounds against three tumor cell lines (HepG2, Caco-2, and A549) were evaluated. Among them, amurensides A-C and E showed moderate inhibitory effects on the growth of HepG2 cells, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 15.6 to 48.7 μM (sorafenib, 7.5 ± 1.9 μM). Amurensides A、D and F displayed inhibitory effects on the growth of A549 cells with IC₅₀ values of 18.8 ± 1.2, 12.4 ± 0.6, and 30.4 ± 0.1 μM (cis-platinum, 6.1 ± 0.1 μM), respectively.

Capecitabine inhibits epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by mediating the RANK/RANKL pathway

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent malignancy globally. Capecitabine is an important form of chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. The present study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism of action of the drug in CRC cells. In the present study, 50 pairs of CRC and adjacent normal tissues were collected, and CRC cell lines (SW480, SW620, HT29, LOVO and HCT116) and NCM460 colonic epithelial cells were also purchased and used. Western blotting was used to measure the expression levels of proteins involved in the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) pathway and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), including RANK, RANKL, osteoprotegerin (OPG), E-cadherin, vimentin and N-cadherin. Proliferation and migration were measured using MTT, Cell Counting Kit-8, EdU, Transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. In the present study, it was found that the RANK/RANKL pathway was activated in cancer tissues and cells. Additionally, it was observed that capecitabine treatment reduced the protein expression of RANK, RANKL and OPG in HT29 cells, suggesting that capecitabine has a repressive effect on the RANK/RANKL pathway. Furthermore, functional experiments revealed that the proliferative ability and the EMT process observed in HT29 cells were inhibited after they were treated with capecitabine or transfected with si-RANK. Rescue assays were then performed, which revealed that the promotion of RANK via transfection of cells with 50 nM pcDNA3.1-RANK reversed the inhibitory effects of capecitabine on HT29 cell proliferation and EMT. These findings suggest that the regulatory role of capecitabine is at least partially mediated through the RANK/RANKL pathway in colorectal cancer. The present study demonstrated that capecitabine-induced repression of CRC is exerted by inhibiting the RANK/RANKL pathway, where this new mechanism potentially provides a novel therapeutic target.