The antitumor effects of herbal medicine Triphala on oral cancer by inactivating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway: based on the network pharmacology, molecular docking, in vitro and in vivo experimental validation

Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, and Anti-Melanoma Mechanism of Flower Buds of Magnolia biondii Pamp

The flower buds of Magnolia biondii Pamp. (MBP), one of the botanical sources of Xinyi (Flos Magnoliae), are widely used in traditional medicine; however, their potential role in melanoma treatment remains unexplored. In this study, the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and anti-melanoma mechanisms of MBP extracts were systematically investigated. Phytochemical profiling using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS identified 26 bioactive compounds. The ethanol extract exhibited high total flavonoid and polyphenol contents, correlating with enhanced antioxidant capacity as demonstrated by DPPH and ABTS assays. Network pharmacology analysis highlighted the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, identifying STAT3 and STAT1 as core targets. Western blot analysis confirmed MBP significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT1 in melanoma cells. Connectivity Map (CMap) and network analyses further pinpointed naringenin as a primary active constituent. In vitro assays demonstrated that MBP and naringenin inhibited the proliferation and migration of A375 and B16F10 melanoma cells, while exhibiting relatively low cytotoxicity toward normal keratinocytes. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations revealed strong and stable binding interactions between naringenin and JAK1/STAT1 proteins. These findings collectively support MBP and naringenin as promising candidates for melanoma treatment, providing mechanistic evidence for their targeted activity and laying a foundation for future research and clinical applications.

Colchicine alleviates ischemic white matter lesions and cognitive deficits by inhibiting microglia inflammation via the TAK1/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway

White matter lesions (WMLs) caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) are closely related to the activation of microglia. Inhibition of microglia overactivation is considered as a protective strategy for WMLs. Based on its anti-inflammatory properties and clinical benefits, colchicine has become a hot spot in the drug treatment and research of vascular diseases. However, its role in vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) remains unclear. In this study, BCAS model was established to induce CCH, simulate subcortical white matter lesions, and examine the effect of colchicine on WMLs after BCAS. The basic parameters of body weight and blood pressure were monitored. Behavioral evaluation included the Open Field test, Y maze and Morris Water Maze to evaluate the motor ability and cognitive level of mice respectively. The cerebral blood flow was detected by Laser Speckle Imaging (LSI). Transmission Electron Microscopy, LFB staining, corpus callosum MBP and MAG western blot levels, and mouse brain T2-weighted imaging were used to detect demyelination and white matter changes. The expression of IBA1 was determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot, and the correlation between IBA1 staining and behavioral parameters was analyzed. The expression of brain inflammatory factors was detected by Elisa. It was found that colchicine may alleviates VCI through MAPK/NF-κB pathway by means of network pharmacology enrichment analysis from the perspective of inflammation, and the classical inflammatory proteins TAK1, p38, JNK, and p65 of this pathway were subsequently detected in in vivo and in vitro models. The anti-inflammatory spectrum of colchicine, including IL-1β, IL-6, COX2, CD86 and anti-inflammatory effects, were extensively evaluated by RT-qPCR, western blot, wound healing and transwell tests on BV2 microglia stimulated by low concentration of LPS in vitro. This study shows that colchicine can improve the cognitive impairment of BCAS mice, and the specific mechanism is to regulate the inflammation of microglia by inhibiting the classical inflammatory pathway of TAK1/MAPK/NF-κB, thereby reducing WMLs and improving the cognitive impairment behavior.

BMP2 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its effects on SCC9 cell biological behavior

This study examined bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its effects on the biological behavior of OSCC cells, along with potential underlying mechanisms. BMP2 expression in OSCC was analyzed using mRNA data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genomics Expression Omnibus Database (GEO). SCC9 cells were transfected in vitro with small interfering RNA targeting BMP2 (si-BMP2), a negative control sequence (si-NC), BMP2 plasmid, or empty plasmid (vector). After transfection, Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, colony formation, scratch wound healing, Transwell, flow cytometry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analyses were conducted to assess changes in SCC9 cell behavior in response to altered BMP2 expression and to explore relevant signaling pathways.BMP2 upregulation promoted SCC9 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; inhibited apoptosis; and activated the Smad1/5 and p38 signaling pathways. Conversely, BMP2 downregulation inhibited SCC9 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; promoted apoptosis; and suppressed the Smad1/5 and p38 pathways. BMP2 is highly expressed in OSCC and may drive its progression through the BMP/Smad and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways, indicating potential prognostic value and promise as a therapeutic target for small-molecule OSCC treatments.

Sex differences in prognostic factors and genomic variations in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A 5-year retrospective study

Background/purpose

This study examined the prognostic factors and genomic variations in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) among male and female patients, focusing on the rising incidence of OSCC in women.

Materials and methods

Using data from 98 OSCC cases treated at National Taiwan University Hospital between 2013 and 2018, the study analyzed the patient cohort, clinical characteristics, and genomic profiles.

Results

The Female patients had a higher incidence of tongue cancer, while the male patients were prone to have buccal cancer. Key prognostic factors included age over 55 years, tongue cancer, alcohol use in female patients as well as the buccal cancer, betel chewing, and smoking in male patients. Notably, women with tongue OSCC or without oral habits had poorer 5-year survival rates. Genomic analysis revealed the males with high-risk habits had elevated antigen-processing and reactive oxygen gene sets, whereas the low-risk females showed dysregulation in metabolic pathways. Immunologically, the female patients had fewer naïve B cells and higher suppressive M2 macrophages.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight distinct sex-related OSCC prognosis differences and suggest that personalized treatments targeting specific risk factors and genomic characteristics may improve the clinical outcomes, particularly for the female OSCC patients.

Comprehensive network pharmacology and experimental study to investigate the effect and mechanism of solasonine on breast carcinoma treatment

BACKGROUND

Ferroptosis is a therapeutic strategy for breast carcinoma (BC). Solasonine (SS) was linked to ferroptosis as a tumor suppressor. However, whether SS could treat BC by activating ferroptosis and its underlying mechanisms has not been reported.

METHODS

We obtained the intersection of genes targeting SS and BC disease through network pharmacology. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the intersection genes were primarily enriched in the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK2/MAPK) signaling pathway. The interaction modes of SS with ERK2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were simulated by molecular docking. We further detected the expressions of ERK2 and p-ERK2 in BC patients and the correlation between ERK2/p-ERK2 and ferroptosis. The effects and mechanism of SS on ferroptosis in BC were validated by mutation plasmids construction, immunohistology, wound healing, transwell assay, and western blotting using in vitro and in vivo models.

RESULTS

ERK2 and p-ERK2 were up-regulated in BC patients, and the ERK2/p-ERK2 ratio was negatively correlated with ferroptosis. Molecular docking indicated that SS could bind to ERK2 and EGFR to inhibit the activity of the ERK2/MAPK pathway. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that SS induced ferroptosis by inhibiting the ERK2/MAPK pathway, inhibiting proliferation, migration, and invasion of BC cells.

CONCLUSION

SS could inactivate the ERK2/MAPK pathway, thereby inducing ferroptosis and further inhibiting BC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. This study clarified the potential mechanism of SS in BC and provided a theoretical basis for its clinical application.

Design, Synthesis and Bioactive Evaluation of Topo I/c-MYC Dual Inhibitors to Inhibit Oral Cancer via Regulating the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

The significantly rising incidence of oral cancer worldwide urgently requires the identification of novel, effective molecular targets to inhibit the progression of malignancy. DNA topoisomerase I (Topo I) is a well-established target for cancer treatment, and many studies have shown that different cancer cell genes could be targeted more selectively with one type of Topo I inhibitor. In this report, a new scaffold pyridothieno[3,2-c]isoquinoline 11,11-dioxide was designed via the combination of the key fragment or bioisoster of Topo I inhibitor azaindenoisoquinolines and G-quadruplex binder quindoline. Thirty-two target derivatives were synthesized, among which compounds 7be, with potent Topo I inhibition, exhibited effective antiproliferative activity against Cal27, one of the oral cancer cell lines highly expressing Topo I protein. Further studies indicated that 7be could also inhibit the activation of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway and downregulate the level of c-MYC, repress the colony formation and the migration of Cal27 cells and trigger apoptosis and autophagy. Molecular docking indicated that 7be could interact with the complex of Topo I and DNA via a mode similar to the indenoisoquinolines. The results of the Cal27 xenograft model confirmed that 7be exhibited promising anticancer efficacy in vivo, with tumor growth inhibition (TGI) of 64.7% at 20 mg/kg.

Screening potential antileukemia agents from duckweed: Integration of chemical profiling, network pharmacology, and experimental validation

INTRODUCTION

The identification of active dietary flavonoids in food is promising for novel drug discovery. The active ingredients of duckweed (a widely recognized food and herb with abundant flavonoids) that are associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have yet to be identified, and their underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to identify novel constituents exhibiting antileukemia activity in duckweed through the integration of chemical profiling, network pharmacology, and experimental validation.

METHODS

First, high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to characterize the primary constituents of duckweed. Subsequently, AML cell-xenograft tumor models were used to validate the anticancer effect of duckweed extract. Furthermore, network pharmacology analysis was conducted to predict the potential active compounds and drug targets against AML. Lastly, based on these findings, two monomers (apiin and luteoloside) were selected for experimental validation.

RESULTS

A total of 17 compounds, all of which are apigenin and luteolin derivatives, were identified in duckweed. The duckweed extract significantly inhibited AML cell growth in vivo. Furthermore, a total of 88 targets for duckweed against AML were predicted, with key targets including PTGS2, MYC, MDM2, VEGFA, CTNNB1, CASP3, EGFR, TP53, HSP90AA1, CCND1, MMP9, TNF, and MAPK1. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses indicated that these targets were primarily involved in the apoptotic signaling pathway. Lastly, both apiin and luteoloside effectively induced apoptosis through CASP3 activation, and this effect could be partially reversed by a caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD).

CONCLUSION

Duckweed extract has an antileukemic effect, and apiin derived from duckweed shows potential as a treatment for AML.

Immunomodulatory effects of Triphala and its constituents in oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral precancer

Oral squamous cell carcinoma shows increased occurrence in those who consume tobacco products, alcohol, betel quid, and areca nut, and is also considered to occur due to genetic alteration. Though there are numerous advancements in treatment, survival remains a question with late diagnosis. Hence, there are continuous inventions of new drugs. The introduction of Ayurveda in the therapy has paved the way for the longevity of the patients affected. One such introduction is the use of Triphala. The current study aims to review the anti-oxidant, anti-proliferative, anti-microbial, and apoptotic action of Triphala and thus evaluate the anti-cancer action of Triphala. A literature search was done, in various electronic databases and the data were extracted according to the predefined criteria. Original studies of 19 reports were included in the analysis. Nineteen (six studies with Triphala combination) In vitro/In vivo studies were included in this systematic review. The included study showed that Triphala effectively modulates the immune system. The effects included were anti-oxidative, immune modulation, anti-proliferative, tumor suppression, apoptotic effect, reversal of precancerous lesion, and anti-microbial action. The analyses also showed that there is no side effect of Triphala up to the recommended dosage. Triphala, is a nourishing supplement that is well-known in Ayurveda for its capacity to restore healthy tissues and promote aging gracefully through its properties such as anti-oxidant, ant-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic apoptotic, and immune-modulatory properties. Hence, Triphala can be a promising drug in the prevention and treatment of oral cancer.