Solannm lyratum extract affected immune response in normal and leukemia murine animal in vivo

Phytochemical and pharmacological studies on Solanum lyratum: a review

Solanum lyratum is one of the temperate plants, broadly distributed in Korea, China, Japan, India, and South-East Asia and well-documented in those oriental ethnic medicine systems for curing cancers, jaundice, edema, gonorrhea, cholecystitis, phlogosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. This review systematically summarized the research progress on S. lyratum respecting the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology to increase people's in-depth understanding of this plant, by data retrieval in a series of online or off-line electronic databases as far as we can reach. Steroidal saponins and alkaloids, terpenoids, nitrogenous compounds, and flavonoid compounds are the main chemical constituents in S. lyratum. Among them, steroidal alkaloids and saponins are the major active ingredients ever found in S. lyratum, exerting activities of anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-microbial, anti-allergy, and anti-oxidation in vivo or in vitro. As a result, S. lyratum has been frequently prescribed for the abovementioned therapeutic purposes, and there are substantial traditional and modern shreds of evidence of its use.

Immunomodulation of Chinese Herbal Medicines on NK cell populations for cancer therapy: A systematic review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Immunomodulation has become a crucial modality for cancer treatment. Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) are expected as adjuvant therapy for immunomodulation against cancer, but face the key challenge of poor scientific evidence. Changes of natural killer (NK) cells on numbers and/or cytotoxicity are a novel respect to evaluate the immunomodulation of CHMs.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this review is to investigate the immunomodulation of Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) on NK cell populations for cancer therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review was conducted and outside mainstream electronic databases were screened for potential reference articles. This review tried to report and critically analyzed all the correlative studies, especially these clinical trials (3 CHM extracts and 11 CHM formulas).

RESULTS

Evidence-based functions of CHMs against cancer could be summarized as: (1) enhancement of NK cells activity or relative percentage; (2) prevention of tumor growth and metastasis; (3) relief on side-effects or complications of therapeutic strategies (i.e. chemotherapy, radiotherapy and resection). Briefly, most of cellular studies and two thirds animal studies were based on the extract or components of single herbs, whilst most of clinical trials were keen on formula or prescription of CHMs. The main components of CHMs were demonstrated active on promoting the cytotoxicity of NK cells, including Angelica sinensis, Ganoderma lucidum, Panax ginseng, Radix Astragali, Lentinus edodes, etc. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive review demonstrated NK cells activity was positively associated with quality of life but not survival benefit of cancer patients. Thus exploring the roles of NK cells in adjuvant therapy against cancer is confirmed to be beneficial to explore the underlying relationship between immunomodulation and quality of life.

Lignans and neolignans with isovaleroyloxy moiety from Solanum lyratum Thunb.: Chiral resolution, configurational assignment and neuroprotective effects

Eight pairs of enantiomeric lignans and neolignans including thirteen undescribed compounds, along with an undescribed meso compound, were isolated from the herbs of Solanum lyratum Thunb.(Solanaceae). Their structures and relative configurations were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses of HRESIMS and nuclear magnetic resonance. The absolute configurations of the pure isomers were established based on the cooperative comparison between the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and optical rotation (OR). It is interesting that we obtained several naturally occurring stereoisomers with the identical gross structure possessing several stereogenic carbons from S. lyratum. Additionally, all isolates were assessed for neuroprotective effects toward human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells injury induced by H₂O₂.

Chinese Herbal Medicine and Its Regulatory Effects on Tumor Related T Cells

Traditional Chinese medicine is an accepted and integral part of clinical cancer management alongside Western medicine in China. However, historically TCM physicians were unaware of the chemical constituents of their formulations, and the specific biological targets in the body. Through HPLC, flow cytometry, and other processes, researchers now have a much clearer picture of how herbal medicine works in conjunction with the immune system in cancer therapy. Among them, the regulation of tumor-related T cells plays the most important role in modulating tumor immunity by traditional Chinese medicine. Encouraging results have been well-documented, including an increase in T cell production along with their associated cytokines, enhanced regulation of Tregs and important T cell ratios, the formation and function of Tregs in tumor microenvironments, and the promotion of the number and function of normal T Cells to reduce conventional cancer therapy side effects. Chinese herbal medicine represents a rich field of research from which to draw further inspiration for future studies. While promising agents have already been identified, the vast majority of Chinese herbal mechanisms remain undiscovered. In this review, we summarize the effects and mechanisms of specific Chinese herbs and herbal decoctions on tumor related T cells.

Sesquiterpenoids from the herbs of Solanum lyratum and their cytotoxicity on human hepatoma cells

Eleven sesquiterpenoids including four new eudesmane sesquiterpenoids, solanoids A-D (1-4), and seven known compounds (5-11) were isolated from the herbs of Solanum lyratum. By analyzing the UV, MS and NMR data, the gross structures of all isolates were established. The absolute configurations of these new compounds were determined by comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. The in vitro cytotoxicity of all isolates against the hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B and HepG2 cell lines was evaluated. Among them, compounds 7 and 11 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against two cell lines.

Antitumor effects of deguelin on H460 human lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo: Roles of apoptotic cell death and H460 tumor xenografts model

Deguelin, a naturally occurring rotenoid of the flavonoid family, is known to be an Akt inhibitor, to have chemopreventive activities and anti-tumor effect on several cancers. In this study, investigation to elucidate the effect of deguelin on apoptotic pathways in human lung cancer cells and on the anti-tumor effect in lung cancer xenograft nu/nu mice was performed. In vitro studies, found that deguelin induced cell morphological changes, and decreased the percentage of viability through the induction of apoptosis in H460 lung cancer cells. Deguelin triggered apoptosis in H460 cells was also confirmed by DAPI staining, DNA gel electrophoresis, and Annexin V-FITC staining and these effects are dose-dependent manners. It was also found that deguelin promoted the Ca²⁺ production and activation of caspase-3 but decreased the level of ΔΨ_m in H460 cells. Western blots indicated that the protein levels of cytochrome c, AIF, and pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak protein were increased, but the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-x were decreased that may have led to apoptosis in H460 cells after exposure to deguelin. It was also confirmed by confocal laser microscope examination that deguelin promoted the release of AIF from mitochondria to cytosol. In vivo studies, found that in immunodeficient nu/nu mice bearing H460 tumor xenografts showed that the deguelin significantly suppressed tumor growth. Deguelin might be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of lung cancer in the future. This finding might fully support a critical event for deguelin via induction of apoptotic cell death and H460 tumor xenografts model against human lung cancer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 84-98, 2017.

[Sesquiterpenoids from Solanum lyratum]

Ten compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography over silica gel, preparative TLC, and Sephadex LH-20 from the whole plant of Solanum lyratum. The structures were elucidated on the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectral data as 1beta-hydroxy-1 ,2-dihydro-alpha-santonin (1) , boscialin (2) , blumenol C (3), 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(4), dehydrovomifoliol(5) , blumenol A(6), (1'S,2R,5S, 10R) -2-(1', 2'-dihydroxy-l1'-methylethyl) -6,10-dimethylspiro[4,5] dec-6-en-8-one(7) , (1'R,2R,5S,10R)-2-( 1',2'-dihydroxy-l '-methylethyl) -6,1 l0-dimethylspiro[4,5]dec-6-en-8-one( 8) , 2-(1',2'-dihydroxy-1 '-methylethyl) -6,1 0-dimethyl-9-hydroxyspiro [4,5] dec-6-en-8-one (9) , and grasshopper ketone (10). Compounds 1-10 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

New sesquiterpenoid derivatives from Solanum lyratum and their cytotoxicities

Three new sesquiterpenoid isopropylidene derivatives, named solajiangxins H and I (1 and 2) and 7-hydroxylsolajiangxin I (3), were isolated from the whole plant of Solanum lyratum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of integrated spectroscopic techniques, mainly HR-FAB-MS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY). In vitro, compounds 1-3 were found to show significant cytotoxicity against three cancer cells (P-388, HONE-1, and HT-29), and gave IC50 values in the range of 3.2-7.7 μM.

Induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human osteosarcoma U-2 OS cells by Solanum lyratum extracts

This research focused on a Chinese herb medicine, Solanum lyratum Thunb (Solanaceae) by ethanol extracts (SLE) for investigating the molecular anticancer mechanism in vitro for exploring the means of cell death through the effects on mitochondrial function. We found that SLE induced cytotoxic effects in human osteosacroma U-2 OS cells, and these effects include cell morphological changes, a decrease of the percentage of viable cells and induction of apoptosis. The results suggest that cell death induced by SLE is closely related to apoptosis based on the observations of DAPI staining and sub-G1 phase in U-2 OS cells. Flow cytometric assays also showed that SLE promoted the production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide but decreased the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential and promoted the activations of caspase-8 and -9 in U-2 OS cells. SLE inhibited the level of Bcl-2 but promoted the Bax level, and both proteins led to the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol and activation of caspase-9 and -3, resulting in the apoptotic death which is mediated through the mitochondrial pathway. Taken together, SLE was demonstrated to be effective in killing U-2 OS osteosacroma cells via the ROS-promoted and mitochondria- and caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways.

Phenethyl isothiocyanate promotes immune responses in normal BALB/c mice, inhibits murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells, and stimulates immunomodulations in vivo

Enhanced cruciferous vegetable consumption is associated with the reduction of cancer incidence as shown in epidemiological studies. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), one of the important compounds in cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to induce apoptosis in many types of human cancer cell lines, but there is no available information addressing the effects on normal and leukemia mice in vivo. The purpose of this study is to focus on the in vivo effects of PEITC on immune responses of normal and WEHI-3 leukemia BALB/c mice in vivo. Influences of PEITC on BALB/c mice after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection with WEHI-3 cells and normal mice were investigated. In normal BALB/c mice, PEITC did not affect the body weight when compared to the olive oil treated animals. Moreover, PEITC promoted phagocytosis by macrophages from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and peritoneal cavity, increased the levels of CD11b and Mac-3, decreased the level of CD19 and promoted natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity, but it did not alter the level of CD3. Also, PEITC enhanced T cell proliferation after concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation. Otherwise, PEITC increased the body weight, but decreased the weight of liver and spleen as compared to the olive oil-treated WEHI-3 leukemia mice. PEITC also increased the level of CD19, decreased the levels of CD3 and Mac-3 rather than influence in the level of CD11b, suggesting that the differentiation of the precursor of macrophages and T cells was inhibited, but the differentiation of the precursor of B cells was promoted in leukemia mice. Furthermore, PEITC enhanced phagocytosis by monocytes and macrophages from PBMC and peritoneal cavity, and also promoted the NK cell cytotoxic activity in comparison with the group of leukemia mice. Based on these observations, the biological properties of PEITC can promote immune responses in normal and WEHI-3 leukemia mice in vivo. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2013.

Citosol (thiamylal sodium) triggers apoptosis and affects gene expressions of murine leukemia RAW 264.7 cells

Citosol (thiamylal sodium) is one of generally used anesthetic–sedative agents for clinical patients, and it has not been reported to show induction of cytotoxic effects in cancer cells, especially in mice leukemia RAW 264.7 cells in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of citosol on mice leukemic RAW 264.7 cells, including the effects on protein and gene expression levels which are determined by Western blotting and DNA microarray methods, respectively. Results indicated that citosol induced cell morphological changes, cytotoxic effect, and induction of apoptosis in RAW 264.7 cells. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that citosol promoted the levels of Fas, cytochrome c, caspase 9 and 3 active form and Bax levels, but it suppressed Bcl-xl protein level that may lead to apoptotic death in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, DNA microarray assay indicated that citosol significantly promoted the expression of 5 genes (Gm4884, Gm10883, Lce1c, Lrg1, and LOC100045878) and significantly inhibited the expression of 24 genes (Gm10679, Zfp617, LOC621831, Gm5929, Snord116, Gm3994, LOC380994, Gm5592, LOC380994, LOC280487, Gm4638, Tex24, A530064D06Rik, BC094916, EG668725, Gm189, Hist2h3c2, Gm8020, Snord115, Gm3079, Olfr198, Tdh, Snord115, and Olfr1249). Based on these observations, citosol induced cell apoptosis and influenced gene expression in mice leukemia RAW 264.7 cells in vitro.

Solanum lyratum Extracts Induce Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Apoptosis in WEHI-3 Murine Leukemia Cells and Inhibit Allograft Tumor

We investigated the molecular mechanisms of cell cycle arrest and apoptotic death induced by Solanum lyratum extracts (SLE) or diosgenin in WEHI-3 murine leukemia cells in vitro and antitumor activity in vivo. Diosgenin is one of the components of SLE. Our study showed that SLE and diosgenin decreased the viable WEHI-3 cells and induced G₀/G₁ phase arrest and apoptosis in concentration- or time-dependent manners. Both reagents increased the levels of ROS production and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m). SLE- and diosgenin-triggered apoptosis is mediated through modulating the extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways. Intriguingly, the p53 inhibitor (pifithrin-α), anti-Fas ligand (FasL) mAb, and specific inhibitors of caspase-8 (z-IETD-fmk), caspase-9 (z-LEHD-fmk), and caspase-3 (z-DEVD-fmk) blocked SLE- and diosgenin-reduced cell viability of WEHI-3 cells. The in vivo study demonstrated that SLE has marked antitumor efficacy against tumors in the WEHI-3 cell allograft model. In conclusion, SLE- and diosgenin-induced G₀/G₁ phase arrest and triggered extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways via p53 activation in WEHI-3 cells. SLE also exhibited antitumor activity in vivo. Our findings showed that SLE may be potentially efficacious in the treatment of leukemia in the future.

Safrole-modulated immune response is mediated through enhancing the CD11b surface marker and stimulating the phagocytosis by macrophages in BALB/c mice

Safrole, a component of piper betle inflorescence, is a documented rodent hepatocarcinogen and inhibits bactericidal activity and the release of superoxide anion (O(2-)) by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). In the present study, we investigated the effects of safrole on immune responses, including natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, phagocytic activity and population distribution of leukocytes from normal BALB/c mice. The cells population (cell surface markers) and phagocytosis by macrophages and monocytes from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were determined, and NK cell cytotoxicity from splenocytes of mice after oral treatment with safrole was performed using flow cytometric assay. Results indicated that safrole did not affect the weights of body, spleen and liver when compared with the normal mice group. Safrole also promoted the levels of CD11b (monocytes) and Mac-3 (macrophages) that might be the reason for promoting the activity of phagocytosis. However, safrole reduced the cell population such as CD3 (T cells) and CD19 (B cells) of safrole-treated normal mice by oral administration. Furthermore, safrole elevated the uptake of Escherichia coli-labelled fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) by macrophages from blood and significantly stimulated the NK cell cytotoxicity in normal mice in vivo. In conclusions, alterations of the cell population (the increase in monocytes and macrophages, respectively) in safrole-treated normal BALB/c mice might indirectly influence the immune responses in vivo.

Two new C13-norisoprenoids from Solanum lyratum

Two new C(13)-norisoprenoids, named lyratols E and F (1-2), were isolated from the whole plant of Solanum lyratum Thunb, and their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. In vitro, two new compounds were found to show significant cytotoxicity against selected cancer cells including P-388 and HT-29.

Emodin Induces Apoptotic Death in Murine Myelomonocytic Leukemia WEHI-3 Cells In Vitro and Enhances Phagocytosis in Leukemia Mice In Vivo

Emodin is one of major compounds in rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.), a plant used as herbal medicine in Chinese population. Although many reports have shown that emodin exhibits anticancer activity in many tumor cell types, there is no available information addressing emodin-affected apoptotic responses in the murine leukemia cell line (WEHI-3) and modulation of the immune response in leukemia mice. We investigated that emodin induced cytotoxic effects in vitro and affected WEHI-3 cells in vivo. This study showed that emodin decreased viability and induced DNA fragmentation in WEHI-3 cells. Cells after exposure to emodin for 24 h have shown chromatin condensation and DNA damage. Emodin stimulated the productions of ROS and Ca²⁺ and reduced the level of ΔΨ_m by flow cytometry. Our results from Western blotting suggest that emodin triggered apoptosis of WEHI-3 cells through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, caspase cascade-dependent and -independent mitochondrial pathways. In in vivo study, emodin enhanced the levels of B cells and monocytes, and it also reduced the weights of liver and spleen compared with leukemia mice. Emodin promoted phagocytic activity by monocytes and macrophages in comparison to the leukemia mice group. In conclusions, emodin induced apoptotic death in murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells and enhanced phagocytosis in the leukemia animal model.