Characterization of the cytotoxicity of selected Chelidonium alkaloids in rat hepatocytes

Systematic screening of hepatoprotective components from traditional Chinese medicine: Zuojin Pill as an example

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zuojin Pill (ZJP), composed of Coptis chinensis Franch. and Euodia ruticarpa (A. Juss.) Benth. in a mass ratio of 6:1, is a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula recorded in "Danxi's Experiential Therapy", an ancient medical book from the Ming Dynasty of China. It is used to treat liver fire invading the stomach, which is caused by liver stagnation transforming into fire and disharmony between the liver and stomach.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To develop a systematic strategy to screen hepatoprotective components from TCM using ZJP as a model sample.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A CCl4-induced mouse model of acute liver injury was used for the verification of the hepatoprotective effects of ZJP. UPLC-Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap MS/MS was used for the identification of the components in mouse serum after intragastric administration of ZJP. The hepatoprotective activities of the components found in mouse serum were tested in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes induced by CCl4.

RESULTS

Nine components with significant hepatoprotective activity including berberine, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, rutaecarpin, dehydroevodiamine, evocarpine and chlorogenic acid were successfully screened out.

CONCLUSIONS

Our developed strategy has the advantages of high efficiency and low cost, and would provide a powerful tool for screening potential hepatoprotective components from TCM.

Developmental toxicity induced by chelerythrine in zebrafish embryos via activating oxidative stress and apoptosis pathways

Chelerythrine (CHE), a natural benzophenanthridine alkaloid, possesses various biological and pharmacological activities, such as antimicrobial, antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its adverse side effect has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the developmental toxicity of CHE in zebrafish. We found that CHE could lead to a notably increase of the mortality and malformation rate, while lead to reduction of the hatching rate and body length. CHE also could affect the normal developing processes of the heart, liver and phagocytes in zebrafish. Furthermore, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis levels were notably increased. In addition, the mRNA expressions of genes (bax, caspase-9, p53, SOD1, KEAP1, TNF-α, STAT3 and NF-κB) were significantly increased, while the bcl2 and nrf2 were notably inhibited by CHE. These results indicated that the elevation of ROS and apoptosis were involved in the developmental toxicity induced by CHE. In conclusion, CHE exhibits a developmental toxicity in zebrafish, which helps to understand the potential toxic effect of CHE.

Chelerythrine chloride inhibits the progression of colorectal cancer by targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts through intervention with WNT10B/β-catenin and TGFβ2/Smad2/3 axis

Chelerythrine chloride (CHE) is a benzodiazepine alkaloid derived from natural herbs with significant anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the exact role and underlying mechanisms of CHE in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate the influence of CHE on the progression of CRC. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay (CCK-8), transwell, apoptosis rate, cell cycle distribution, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and colony formation determined the anti-proliferative activity of CHE in CRC cell lines. Transcriptome sequencing and western blot were used to explore the mechanism. Finally, H&E staining, Ki67, TUNEL, and immunofluorescence were conducted to verify the anti-CRC activity and potential mechanisms of CHE in vivo. CHE had a prominent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of CRC cells. CHE induces G1 and S phase arrest and induces cell apoptosis by ROS accumulation. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a key role in CRC metastasis. Then, this study found that CHE regulates WNT10B/β-catenin and TGFβ2/Smad2/3 axis, thereby decreasing the expression of α-SMA, which is a maker of CAFs. Taken together, CHE is a candidate drug and a potent compound for metastatic CRC, which can intervene CAFs in a dual pathway to effectively inhibit the invasion and migration of cancer cells, which can provide a new choice for future clinical treatment.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos MDL, Christensen H, Dusemund B, Durjava M, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Westendorf J, Manini P, Casanova JO, Dusemund B. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Macleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br. extract and leaves (Sangrovit® extra) for all poultry species (excluding laying and breeding birds) (Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Macleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br. extract and leaves (Sangrovit® Extra) when used as a zootechnical feed additive (functional group: other zootechnical additives) for all poultry species (excluding laying and breeding birds). The additive is standardised to contain a concentration of the sum of the four alkaloids sanguinarine, chelerythrine, protopine and allocryptopine of 1.25%, with 0.5% sanguinarine. Owing to the presence of the DNA intercalators sanguinarine and chelerythrine, a concern for genotoxicity was identified. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) had no safety concerns when the additive is used at the recommended level of 150 mg/kg complete feed (corresponding to 0.750 mg sanguinarine/kg complete feed) for chickens for fattening and other poultry species for fattening. No conclusion can be drawn for poultry reared for laying/breeding. The use of Sangrovit® Extra in poultry species for fattening at the maximum recommended level was considered of low concern for consumers. The additive was shown to be irritant to the eyes but not irritant to skin or a skin sensitiser. The FEEDAP Panel could not exclude the potential of the additive to be a respiratory sensitiser. When handling the additive, exposure of unprotected users to sanguinarine and chelerythrine may occur. Therefore, to reduce the risk, the exposure of users should be reduced. The use of Sangrovit® Extra as a feed additive under the proposed conditions of use was considered safe for the environment. The additive Sangrovit® Extra had the potential to be efficacious in improving performance of chickens for fattening at 45 mg/kg complete feed. This conclusion was extended to chickens reared for laying/breeding and extrapolated to all poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding.

Comparative cytotoxicity, endocrine-disrupting effects, oxidative stress of halophenolic disinfection byproducts and the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed by transcriptome analysis

Halophenolic disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are a class of emerging pollutants whose adverse effects on human cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms still need further exploration. In this study, we found that when halophenolic DBPs were substituted with the same halogen, the more substitution sites, the more cytotoxic, while when they were substituted at the same sites, the most toxic chemical was iodophenols, followed by bromophenols and chlorophenols. In addition, several of them exerted significant endocrine-disrupting effects at sublethal concentrations. 2,4,6-triiodophenol (TIP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) showed the highest estradiol equivalent factor (EEF) of 4.41 × 10^-8 and flutamide equivalent factor (FEF) of 0.4, respectively. Furthermore, all of the halophenolic DBPs except for 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) and 2-bromophenol (2-BP) significantly increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in HepG2 cells. The lowest cytotoxicity and unchanged ROS and 8-OHdG levels after 2-CP exposure may result from the activation of the transporters of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette in cells. Transcriptome analysis revealed distinct grouping patterns of 2-CP, 2,6-dibromophenol (2,6-DBP), and TIP at the concentrations of EC₂₀, and the top differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in the antioxidant-, immune-, and endocrine-associated systems. The weighted gene correlation network analysis well connected the phenotypes (EC₅₀, EEF, FEF, ROS, 8-OHdG, and ABC transporters) with the DEGs and revealed that the MAPK signaling pathway played a vital role in regulating the biological response after exposure to halophenolic DBPs. This study provides deep insights into the underlying mechanisms of the toxic effects induced by halophenolic DBPs.

Berberine Inhibits Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Replication in HEK293T Cells

Berberine exhibits polytrophic medicinal roles in various diseases and is safe and effective. However, its role and the underlying mechanism in the replication of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) remain unreported. This research aimed to determine the functional mechanisms of berberine on HSV-1 infection. We determined the CC50 (405.11 ± 15.67 μM) and IC50 (45.6 ± 6.84 μM) of berberine on HEK293T cells infected with HSV-1. Berberine inhibited the transcription and translation of HSV-1 activity-related genes (gD, ICP-4, ICP-5, and ICP-8) in HSV-1-infected HEK293T cells dose-dependently. Berberine also inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPK proteins (JNK and p38) and inflammatory responses induced by HSV-1 infection in HEK293T cells dose-dependently. In conclusion, berberine attenuates HSV-1 replication through its activity, infective ability, and inflammatory response. Our research indicated that berberine may be a candidate drug for HSV-1 infection.

The Activity of Chelidonium majus L. Latex and Its Components on HPV Reveal Insights into the Antiviral Molecular Mechanism

Yellow-orange latex of Chelidonium majus L. has been used in folk medicine as a therapeutic agent against warts and other visible symptoms of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections for centuries. The observed antiviral and antitumor properties of C. majus latex are often attributed to alkaloids contained therein, but recent studies indicate that latex proteins may also play an important role in its pharmacological activities. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the crude C. majus latex and its protein and alkaloid-rich fractions on different stages of the HPV replication cycle. The results showed that the latex components, such as alkaloids and proteins, decrease HPV infectivity and inhibit the expression of viral oncogenes (E6, E7) on mRNA and protein levels. However, the crude latex and its fractions do not affect the stability of structural proteins in HPV pseudovirions and they do not inhibit the virus from attaching to the cell surface. In addition, the protein fraction causes increased TNFα secretion, which may indicate the induction of an inflammatory response. These findings indicate that the antiviral properties of C. majus latex arise both from alkaloids and proteins contained therein, acting on different stages of the viral replication cycle.

Preclinical safety evaluation of Macleaya Cordata extract: A re-assessment of general toxicity and genotoxicity properties in rodents

Macleaya cordata extract (MCE) is widely used for its diverse pharmacological actions and beneficial effects on farm animals. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that it has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-bacterial activities, and is gradually becoming a long-term additive veterinary drug used to improve animal intestinal health and growth performance. Although some evidence points to the DNA mutagenic potential of sanguinarine (SAN), a major component of MCE, there is a lack of sufficient basic toxicological information on the oral route, posing a potential safety risk for human consumption of food of animal origin. In this study, we assessed the acute oral toxicity, repeated 90-day oral toxicity and 180-day chronic toxicity of MCE in rats and mice and re-evaluated the genotoxicity of MCE using a standard combined in vivo and ex vivo assay. In the oral acute toxicity test, the LD₅₀ for MCE in rats and mice was 1,564.55 mg/kg (95% confidence interval 1,386.97–1,764.95 mg/kg) and 1,024.33 mg/kg (95% confidence interval 964.27–1,087.30 mg/kg), respectively. The dose range tested had no significant effect on hematology, clinical chemistry, and histopathological findings in rodents in the long-term toxicity assessment. The results of the bacterial reverse mutation, sperm abnormality and micronucleus test showed negative results and lack of mutagenicity and teratogenicity; the results of the rat teratogenicity test showed no significant reproductive or embryotoxicity. The results indicate that MCE was safe in the dose range tested in this preclinical safety assessment. This study provides data to support the further development of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for MCE.

Chelerythrine Chloride Inhibits Stemness of Melanoma Cancer Stem-Like Cells (CSCs) Potentially via Inducing Reactive Oxygen Species and Causing Mitochondria Dysfunction

Growing evidence has demonstrated that high heterogeneity contributes to poor prognosis and malignancies. The existence of melanoma cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), which are a small subpopulation of melanoma cells, is responsible for tumour resistance to therapies. Recently, plant secondary metabolites have attracted attention because they are considered promising compounds that are isolated from herbs that could help to target different subpopulations of tumours. In the present study, we aimed to identify the antitumourigenic activities of the medicinal compound chelerythrine chloride (CHE) on melanoma CSCs. CHE (30-40 μmol/L) induced apoptosis in A375 and A2058 CSCs. A relatively low dose of CHE (1-5 μmol/L) inhibited the stemness of melanoma CSCs without inducing apoptosis. Coculture of CHE with A375 and A2058 cells also inhibited sphere formation and decreased stemness factors, including Nanog, Oct4, and Sox2. In functional characterizations, we observed that CHE treatment increased both cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial ROS, which resulted in a decrease in mitochondrial energy production and sphere formation. Abolishing CHE-induced ROS by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, reversed the inhibitory effects of CHE on sphere formation, suggesting that CHE-induced ROS are the potential cause of the inhibition of sphere formation. In conclusion, CHE may exert its antitumour effect as an antistem cell natural compound, suggesting that selection of the antistem cell effects of natural compounds might be a promising strategy to overcome the poor prognosis of melanoma due to the presence of CSCs.

Rediscovery of Traditional Plant Medicine: An Underestimated Anticancer Drug of Chelerythrine

In many studies, the extensive and significant anticancer activity of chelerythrine (CHE) was identified, which is the primary natural active compound in four traditional botanical drugs and can be applied as a promising treatment in various solid tumors. So this review aimed to summarize the anticancer capacities and the antitumor mechanism of CHE. The literature searches revolving around CHE have been carried out on PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and MEDLINE databases. Increasing evidence indicates that CHE, as a benzophenanthridine alkaloid, exhibits its excellent anticancer activity as CHE can intervene in tumor progression and inhibit tumor growth in multiple ways, such as induction of cancer cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, prevention of tumor invasion and metastasis, autophagy-mediated cell death, bind selectively to telomeric G-quadruplex and strongly inhibit the telomerase activity through G-quadruplex stabilization, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and PKC. The role of CHE against diverse types of cancers has been investigated in many studies and has been identified as the main antitumor drug candidate in drug discovery programs. The current complex data suggest the potential value in clinical application and the future direction of CHE as a therapeutic drug in cancer. Furthermore, the limitations and the present problems are also highlighted in this review. Despite the unclearly delineated molecular targets of CHE, extensive research in this area provided continuously fresh data exploitable in the clinic while addressing the present requirement for further studies such as toxicological studies, combination medication, and the development of novel chemical methods or biomaterials to extend the effects of CHE or the development of its derivatives and analogs, contributing to the effective transformation of this underestimated anticancer drug into clinical practice. We believe that this review can provide support for the clinical application of a new anticancer drug in the future.

Integrating Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Analyse the Potential Mechanism of action of Macleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br. in the Treatment of Bovine Hoof Disease

Based on network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking techniques, the main components of M. cordata for the treatment of bovine relevant active compounds in M. cordata were searched for through previous research bases and literature databases, and then screened to identify candidate compounds based on physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetic parameters, bioavailability, and drug-like criteria. Target genes associated with hoof disease were obtained from the GeneCards database. Compound−target, compound−target−pathway−disease visualization networks, and protein−protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed by Cytoscape. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed in R language. Molecular docking analysis was done using AutoDockTools. The visual network analysis showed that four active compounds, sanguinarine, chelerythrine, allocryptopine and protopine, were associated with the 10 target genes/proteins (SRC, MAPK3, MTOR, ESR1, PIK3CA, BCL2L1, JAK2, GSK3B, MAPK1, and AR) obtained from the screen. The enrichment analysis indicated that the cAMP, PI3K-Akt, and ErbB signaling pathways may be key signaling pathways in network pharmacology. The molecular docking results showed that sanguinarine, chelerythrine, allocryptopine, and protopine bound well to MAPK3 and JAK2. A comprehensive bioinformatics-based network topology strategy and molecular docking study has elucidated the multi-component synergistic mechanism of action of M. cordata in the treatment of bovine hoof disease, offering the possibility of developing M. cordata as a new source of drugs for hoof disease treatment.

Bacterial Nanocellulose Fortified with Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Natural Products from Chelidonium majus Plant Cell Cultures

In this work we developed a bi-functional Bacterial-Nano-Cellulose (BNC) carrier system for cell cultures of Chelidonium majus-a medicinal plant producing antimicrobial compounds. The porous BNC was biosynthesized for 3, 5 or 7 days by the non-pathogenic Komagataeibacter xylinus bacteria and used in three forms: (1) Without removal of K. xylinus cells, (2) partially cleaned up from the remaining K. xylinus cells using water washing and (3) fully purified with NaOH leaving no bacterial cells remains. The suspended C. majus cells were inoculated on the BNC pieces in liquid medium and the functionalized BNC was harvested and subjected to scanning electron microscopy observation and analyzed for the content of C. majus metabolites as well as to antimicrobial assays and tested for potential proinflammatory irritating activity in human neutrophils. The highest content and the most complex composition of pharmacologically active substances was found in 3-day-old, unpurified BNC, which was tested for its bioactivity. The assays based on the IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α secretion in an in vitro model showed an anti-inflammatory effect of this particular biomatrix. Moreover, 3-day-old-BNC displayed antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The results of the research indicated a possible application of such modified composites, against microbial pathogens, especially in local surface infections, where plant metabolite-enriched BNC may be used as the occlusive dressing.

Therapeutic potential of chelerythrine as a multi-purpose adjuvant for the treatment of COVID-19

Multifunctional nature of phytochemicals and their chemical diversity has attracted attention to develop leads originated from nature to fight COVID-19. Pharmacological activities of chelerythrine and its congeners have been studied and reported in the literature. This compound simultaneously has two key therapeutic effects for the treatment of COVID-19, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. Chelerythrine can prevent hyper-inflammatory immune response through regulating critical signaling pathways involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as alteration in Nrf2, NF-κB, and p38 MAPK activities. In addition, chelerythrine has a strong protein kinase C-α/-β inhibitory activity suitable for cerebral vasospasm prevention and eryptosis reduction, as well as beneficial effects in suppressing pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. In terms of antiviral activity, chelerythrine can fight with SARS-CoV-2 through various mechanisms, such as direct-acting mechanism, viral RNA-intercalation, and regulation of host-based antiviral targets. Although chelerythrine is toxic in vitro, the in vivo toxicity is significantly reduced due to its structural conversion to alkanolamine. Its multifunctional action makes chelerythrine a prominent compound for the treatment of COVID-19. Considering precautions related to the toxicity at higher doses, it is expected that this compound is useful in combination with proper antivirals to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

Using Liposomes to Alleviate the Toxicity of Chelerythrine, a Natural PKC Inhibitor, in Treating Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Aim of the Study

CHE can inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells and induce apoptosis. However, despite having in vivo toxicity, CHE has not been thoroughly investigated in term of its in vivo antitumor effect. The present study evaluated the antitumor effect of CHE on non-small cell lung cancer cell line HCC827.

Methods

The antitumor effect of CHE on HCC827 was evaluated, and its potential work mechanism was investigated. CHE long circulation liposomes (CHELPs) modified with polyethylene glycol have been optimized and characterized by in vivo pharmacokinetic studies. A HCC827 xenograft model was developed on BALB/c nude mice for the assessment of the effects of CHE and CHELP.

Results

CHE might inhibit HCC827 growth through the ROS/PKC-ϵ/caspase 3 pathway and glycolysis. The optimized CHELP remained stable after storage for 10 days at 4°C and exhibited sustained drug release, showing approximately one-fifteenth of the in vivo clearance rate and 86 times the absorption concentration of free drug. While increasing the bioavailability of CHE, CHELP showed a good therapeutic effect on HCC827 tumor-bearing nude mice and reduced the toxicity of the free drug, improving the safety of CHE.

Conclusions

CHE is a candidate drug for NSCLC, and liposomes are effective in alleviating the toxicity of CHE.

The Toxicity and Attenuation Methods of Toxic Chinese Materia Medica for its Reasonable Application: A Review

Over a millennia, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat various diseases in China. In recent years, more and more Chinese materia medica (CMM) have been studied in scientific research projects, applied in clinical practice, and their extracts have even appeared in some health products. However, the toxicity of some CMM is often overlooked, including hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, etc. In this review, the toxic components and their toxicological mechanisms of some toxic CMM were listed according to the chemical structure classification of toxic components. Afterwards, the traditional methods (processing and compatibility) and modern methods (structural modification, biotransformation, etc.) of attenuation of CMM were discussed. Since ancient times, it has been said that "fight fire with fire, fight poison with poison," and toxic CMM are of great significance in the treatment of difficult and severe diseases. The rational application of toxic CMM and their components in clinical practice was also exemplified in this review. While the pharmacological effects of TCMs have been emphasized, the scientific attenuation and rational application of toxic components should be concerned. We hope this review can provide a reference for future related research.

Systematic characterization of alkaloids in Eomecon chionantha Hance using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry with a four-step screening strategy

RATIONALE

Eomecon chionantha Hance (ECH), a traditional folk herb, is commonly used to treat traumatic injuries based on its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Previous studies have reported that alkaloids are the major bioactive components in ECH. Therefore, identification of alkaloids from ECH contributes to the discovery of its potential active ingredients and quality control in clinic treatments.

METHODS

A four-step screening strategy was performed as follows. (1) Extracting the accurate masses of ions related to different molecules. (2) Screening different types of compounds using their molecular cations, protonated molecules, diagnostic product ions and fragmentation pathways. (3) Comparing the characteristic product ion formulae to obtain the type and number of substituents. (4) Using the biosynthetic pathways of isoquinoline alkaloids to determine the concentration of alkaloids.

RESULTS

Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS) analysis combined with the four-step screening strategy was used to profile the alkaloids in ECH. The structures of 95 alkaloids in ECH were unambiguously identified or reasonably assigned, of which 76 were reported in ECH for the first time. Six types of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids were identified in ECH: six benzyltetrahydroisoquinolines, nine protopines, five N-methyltetrahydroprotoberberines, six protoberberines, eight benzophenanthridines and sixty-one dihydrobenzophenanthridines.

CONCLUSIONS

This comprehensive study identified the alkaloids in ECH, thus providing a practical reference for further research. The UHPLC/Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS method, combined with the four-step screening strategy, which was developed and successfully applied to identify the alkaloids in ECH, may also be applicable for the efficient screening of other herbal medicines.

Coptisine Blocks Secretion of Exosomal circCCT3 from Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts to Reprogram Glucose Metabolism in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Coptisine, extracted from rhizoma coptidis, has been shown to inhibit a variety of cancers. However, the underlying mechanism by which coptisine regulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression remains unknown. MTT assay, transwell invasion assay, and TUNEL assay were employed to examine cell viability, invasion, and apoptosis. In vivo tumor growth was determined by xenograft experiment. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was used to detect circCCT3 and HK2 gene expression. We utilized glucose consumption and lactate production assay to examine glucose metabolism state. Conditioned medium of coptisine-treated cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) suppressed cell viability and invasion of HepG2 and Huh-7, whereas increased cell apoptosis. Coptisine significantly inhibited tumor growth of HepG2 cells in immunodeficient mice. Mechanistically, coptisine blocked secretion of exosomal circCCT3 from CAF. More notably, circCCT3 was upregulated in clinical HCC tumors. Moreover, circCCT3 was confirmed to affect glucose metabolism of HCC cells. We identified HK2 as a key downstream effector for circCCT3-modulated HCC tumorigenesis. In summary, our research revealed novel molecular mechanism of coptisine-blocked HCC progression, thereby providing solid rationale for using coptisine to treat HCC.

Evaluation the binding of chelerythrine, a potentially harmful toxin, with bovine serum albumin

Chelerythrine (CHE), a benzophenanthridine alkaloid, is usually used as a nutritional and functional additive in variety of health foods. However, it should be paid enough attention because of its potential toxicity to human health. In this work, the binding mechanism of CHE with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was systematically investigated with spectroscopic approaches. The results showed that the mixture of BSA with CHE could spontaneously cause the formation of BSA-CHE complex through electrostatic interaction under simulative physiological conditions (0.01 mol L^-1 Tris-HCl, 0.015 mol L^-1 NaCl, pH = 7.4). Site marker competitive displacement experiments exhibited that CHE was primarily bound to the hydrophobic pocket of the site II (subdomain IIIA) of BSA. It has been reported that the binding of small functional molecules to serum albumins remarkably impacts their absorption, distribution, metabolism, conformation, and excretion features. Therefore, this study might be helpful for human to have an in-depth understanding of the biological effect of CHE in vivo and guide human to take it safely and reasonably.

Intracellular Accumulation as an Indicator of Cytotoxicity to Screen Hepatotoxic Components of Chelidonium majus L. by LC-MS/MS

A novel strategy was developed to identify hepatotoxic compounds in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). It is based on the exposure of HL-7702 cells to a TCM extract, followed by the identification and further determination of potential hepatotoxic compounds accumulated in the cells by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). As a case study, potential hepatotoxic components in Chelidonium majus L. were screened out. Five alkaloids (sanguinarine, coptisine, chelerythrine, protopine, and chelidonine) were identified by LC–MS/MS within 10 min, and their intracellular concentrations were first simultaneously measured by LC–MS/MS with a run time of 4 min. A cell viability assay was performed to assess the cytotoxicity of each alkaloid. With their higher intracellular concentrations, sanguinarine, coptisine, and chelerythrine were identified as the main hepatotoxic constituents in Ch. majus. The study provides a powerful tool for the fast prediction of cytotoxic components in complex natural mixtures on a high-throughput basis.