Acetylshikonin induces apoptosis through the endoplasmic reticulum stress-activated PERK/eIF2α /CHOP axis in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Acetylshikonin induces cell necroptosis via mediating mitochondrial function and oxidative stress-regulated signaling in human Oral Cancer cells

Human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents a significant global health challenge, with conventional treatments showing limited efficacy in improving patient survival rates. To investigate the therapeutic potential of acetylshikonin on OSCC, we conducted comprehensive analyses including cell viability assays, flow cytometry, and molecular pathway investigations. Our findings demonstrate that acetylshikonin significantly inhibits OSCC cell proliferation with IC50 values of 3.81 μM and 5.87 μM in HSC3 and SCC4 cells respectively. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that acetylshikonin treatment significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in OSCC cells. Additionally, Western blot analysis showed enhanced phosphorylation of RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL proteins, indicating activation of the necroptotic pathway. The critical role of necroptosis was further confirmed using specific inhibitors (GSK872, Necrostatin-1, and 7-CL-O Nec-1), which significantly attenuated acetylshikonin-induced cell death. Transmission electron microscopy revealed distinct ultrastructural changes in cellular organelles, while decreased GPX4 expression suggested potential cross-activation of ferroptotic pathways. These data demonstrate that acetylshikonin suppresses OSCC growth through selective activation of oxidative stress-mediated necroptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, identifying it as a promising natural compound for OSCC therapy through its ability to activate alternative cell death pathways and overcome traditional therapy limitations.

Modulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) play critical roles in tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and drug resistance. Persistent activation of the ER stress system enhances the survival capacities of malignant tumor cells, including increased proliferation, invasion, and resistance to treatment. Dysregulation of ER function and the resultant stress is a common cellular response to cancer therapies and may lead to cancer cell death. Currently, growing evidence suggests that Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), either as a monotherapy or in combination with other treatments, offers significant advantages in preventing cancer, inhibiting tumor growth, reducing surgical complications, improving drug sensitivity, and mitigating drug-induced damage. Some of these natural products have even entered clinical trials as primary or complementary anticancer agents. In this review, we summarize the anticancer effects of TCM monomers/natural products on the gastrointestinal (GI) tumors and explore their mechanisms through ER stress modulation. We believe that ongoing laboratory research and the clinical development of TCM-based cancer therapies hold considerable potential for advancing future cancer treatments.

The dual effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress in digestive system tumors and intervention of Chinese botanical drug extracts: a review

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis is essential for maintaining human health, and once imbalanced, it will trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), which participates in the development of digestive system tumors and other diseases. ERS has dual effect on tumor cells, activating adaptive responses to promote survival or inducing apoptotic pathways to accelerate cell death of the tumor. Recent studies have demonstrated that Chinese botanical drug extracts can affect the tumor process of the digestive system by regulating ERS and exert anticancer effects. This article summarizes the dual effect of ERS in the process of digestive system tumors and the intervention of Chinese botanical drug extracts in recent years, as reference for the combined treatment of digestive system tumors with Chinese and modern medicine.