Involvement of Seladin-1 in goniothalamin-induced apoptosis in urinary bladder cancer cells

Derivation, Functionalization of (S)-Goniothalamin from Goniothalamus wightii and Their Derivative Targets SARS-CoV-2 MPro, SPro, and RdRp: A Pharmacological Perspective

The tracing of an alternative drug, Phytochemicals is a promising approach to the viral threats that have emerged over the past two years. Across the world, herbal medicine is a better solution against anti-viral diseases during pandemic periods. Goniothalamus wightii is an herbal plant, which has diverse bioactive compounds with anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-viral properties. The aim of the study was to isolate the compound by chromatography studies and functionalization by FT-IR, LC-MS, and NMR (C-NMR, H-NMR). As a result, the current work focuses on whether (S)-Goniathalamin and its analogue could act as natural anti-viral molecules for multiple target proteins viz., MPro, RdRp, and SPro, which are required for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, 954 compounds were examined and the molecular-docking studies were performed on the maestro platform of Schrodinger software. Molecular-dynamics simulation studies were performed on two complex major compounds to confirm their affinity across 150 simulations. This research suggests that plant-based drugs have high levels of antiviral properties against coronavirus. However, more research is needed to verify its antiviral properties.

Immunomodulatory potential of Clinacanthus nutans extracts in the co-culture of triple-negative breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231, and THP-1 macrophages

Triple-negative breast cancer is the main type of breast carcinoma that causes mortality among women because of the limited treatment options and high recurrence. Chronic inflammation has been linked with the tumor microenvironment (TME) in breast cancer progression. Clinacanthus nutans (CN) has gained much attention because of its anticancer properties, but its mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to study the qualitative phytochemical content and elucidate the cytotoxicity effects of CN on human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), MDA-MB-231 and human macrophage-like cells such as THP-1 by using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. As highly metastatic cells, MDA-MB-231 cells can migrate to the distal position, the effect of CN on migration were also elucidated using the scratch assay. The CN effects on ameliorating chronic inflammation in TME were studied following the co-culture of MDA-MB-231/THP-1 macrophages. The cytokine expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined using ELISA assays. The results showed that both ethanolic and aqueous CN extracts contained alkaloid, phenol and tannin, flavonoid, terpenoid, glycoside and steroid. However, saponin was only found in the aqueous extract of CN. CN was not cytotoxic to both MDA-MB-231 and THP-1 cells. The ability of MDA-MB-231 to migrate was also not halted by CN treatment. However, CN ethanol extract decreased IL-6 at 25 μg/mL (p = 0.02) and 100 μg/mL (p = 0.03) but CN aqueous extract increased IL-6 expression at 50 μg/mL (p = 0.08) and 100 μg/mL (p = 0.02). IL-1β showed decreased expression after treated with CN ethanol and CN aqueous both at 25 μg/mL (p = 0.03). TNF-α were significantly decreased after CN ethanol treatment at concentration 25- (p = 0.001), 50- (p = 0.000) and 100 μg/mL (p = 0.000). CN aqueous extract slightly inhibited TNF-α at all 25–50- and 100 μg/mL (p = 0.001, p = 0.000, p = 0.000, respectively). Overall, CN acts by ameliorating the pro-inflammatory condition in the TME and may be a potential strategy for its anticancer mechanism on highly metastatic breast cancer condition. The major pathways that link both cancer and inflammation were NF-κB and STATs thus further study on the upstream and downstream pathways is needed to fully understand the mechanism of CN extracts in cooling the inflamed TME in breast cancer.

Functional evaluation of a recombinant fungal immunomodulatory protein from L. rhinocerus produced in P. pastoris and E. coli host expression systems

Fungal immunomodulatory proteins (FIPs) are bioactive proteins with immunomodulatory properties. We previously reported the heterologous production in Escherichia coli of FIP-Lrh from Tiger milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus) with potent cytotoxic effect on cancer cell lines. However, protein produced in E. coli lacks post-translational modifications and may be contaminated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin. Therefore, in this study, yFIP-Lrh produced in Pichia pastoris was functionally compared with eFIP-Lrh produced in E. coli. Expression construct of FIP-Lrh cDNA in pPICZα was generated, transformed into P. pastoris X-33 and Mut⁺ transformants were verified by colony PCR. Induction with 0.5% or 1% methanol resulted in a secreted 13.6 kDa yFIP-Lrh which was subsequently purified and verified using LCMS/MS analysis. Size exclusion chromatography confirmed eFIP-Lrh as a homodimer whereas the larger size of yFIP-Lrh may indicate post-translational modification despite negative for glycoproteins staining. At lower concentration (4-8 μg/mL), yFIP-Lrh induced significantly higher Th1 (IFN-γ, TNF-α) and Th2 (IL-6, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) cytokines production in mice splenocytes, whereas 16 μg/mL eFIP-Lrh induced significantly higher pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10), possibly due to higher residual LPS endotoxin (0.082 EU/mL) in eFIP-Lrh compared to negligible level in yFIP-Lrh (0.001 EU/mL). Furthermore, yFIP-Lrh showed higher cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cells. Since both recombinant proteins of FIP-Lrh have the same peptide sequence, besides glycosylation, other post-translational modifications in yFIP-Lrh may account for its enhanced immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative activities. In conclusion, P. pastoris is preferred over E. coli for production of a functionally active yFIP-Lrh devoid of endotoxin contamination. KEY POINTS: • FIP-Lrh can induced production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines by mouse splenocytes. • Higher cytotoxic effect on cancer cells observed for yeast compared to E. coli produced FIP-Lrh. • P. pastoris allows production of an endotoxin-free and functionally active recombinant FIP-Lrh.

Anticancer Properties and Mechanisms of Singly-Protonated Dehydronorcantharidin Silver Coordination Polymer in a Bladder Cancer Model

Bladder cancer is the most common malignant urinary system tumor. Chemotherapy is frequently used as a treatment regimen for patients with bladder cancer, however, new and effective drugs for bladder cancer need to be developed. The present study examined the effects and mechanisms of Ag-SP-DNC, a silver and singly-protonated dehydronorcantharidin complex, on bladder cancer in vitro and in vivo. It was identified that Ag-SP-DNC suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in bladder cancer cells in vitro, a suppression associated with G0/G1 phase arrest and elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, Ag-SP-DNC enhanced the cleaved caspase-3 levels, disrupted the mitochondrial transmembrane potential balance, and induced intracellular calcium overload. The Ag-SP-DNC-induced bladder cancer cell apoptosis was significantly decreased following treatment with a broad caspase inhibitor, zVAD-fmk. In addition, treatment of MB49 tumor-bearing mice with Ag-SP-DNC significantly inhibited tumor growth and decreased the anti-apoptosis and cell cycle promotion protein levels in the tumor. The results of the present study suggested that Ag-SP-DNC elicits a strong anticancer effect against bladder cancer, and can therefore be used as a promising treatment for bladder cancer.

Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Complexes of Styryllactones Enhance the Anti-Tumor Effect in SW1116 Cell Line

Styryllactones, a class of compounds obtained from the genus Goniothalamus (Annonaceae), have demonstrated in vitro antitumor activity. However, the aqueous solubility of these compounds is poor. In this study, we identified the absolute configurations of the previously isolated compounds, which were first isolated in our laboratory, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis using Cu Kα radiation. Subsequently, the antitumor activities of the compounds were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide staining in four tumor cell lines. The induced apoptosis activity of leiocarpin E-7'-Monoacetate was studied by an annexin V fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double-staining experiment, and the caspase activity was tested in the SW1116 cell line. The results demonstrated that the antitumor activities of cheliensisin A and goniodiol-7-monoacetate were limited by their poor water solubility. To address this issue, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) complexes of the compounds were synthesized by the saturated aqueous method. The complexes were then analyzed using a differential scanning calorimeter. The IC₅₀ of cheliensisin A was reduced by 45% and 58% against SW1116 and SMMC-7721 cell lines, respectively. Similarly, the IC₅₀ of goniodiol-7-monoacetate was reduced by 55% and 34% against the two tumor cell lines, respectively. To further evaluate whether the styryllactones and complexes possessed selectivity against cancer cell lines and normal cell lines, toxicity against human normal cell line (HEK293T) was evaluated. The results demonstrated that the HP-β-CD complexes displayed more cytotoxicity than the respective pristine compounds against the HEK293T cell line. However, there existed a therapeutic window when the complexes were applied against cancer cell lines. In summary, the synthesis of several styryllactone compounds complexed with HP-β-CD was reported for the first time. These complexes could significantly enhance the cytotoxic effects of styryllactone compounds.

Goniothalamin induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced activation of JNK in HeLa cells

Goniothalamin, a natural occurring styryl-lactone isolated from Goniothalamus macrophyllus (Blume) Hook. f. & Thomson var. macrophyllus, can trigger cancer cell death in various types of cancer cell. The present study focused on elucidation of the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced activation of c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK) by goniothalamin in HeLa cervical cancer cells. Cell viability was determined using an MTT assay, and DNA condensation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were determined using Hoechst 33342 and JC-1 staining, respectively. Flow cytometry was used for cell cycle and phosphatidyl-serine exposure analyses. Apoptotic-associated ER stress signaling pathways were determined using immunoblotting, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RT-quantitative PCR analyses. The results suggested that goniothalamin suppressed cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis was confirmed by increased DNA condensation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cell surface phosphatidyl-serine presentation. The cell cycle analysis demonstrated that the goniothalamin-treated HeLa cells were in G2/M arrest. Determination of the caspase cascade and apoptotic proteins indicated the induction of apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway. In addition, the levels of phosphorylated JNK and the transcription factor, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), an ER stress-associated apoptotic molecule, were increased in the goniothalamin-treated cells. These data indicated that goniothalamin exerted a cytotoxic effect against HeLa cells via the induction of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, associated with ER stress-induced activation of JNK.

Herbal Formulation C168 Attenuates Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in HCT 116 Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cells: Role of Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage

The use of herbal formulations has gained scientific interest, particularly in cancer treatment. In this study, the herbal formulation of interest, denoted as C168, is a mixture of eight genera of plants. This study aims to investigate the antiproliferative effect of C168 methanol extract (CME) on various cancer cells and its underlying mechanism of action on the most responsive cell line, namely, HCT 116 cells. CME exerted antiproliferative activities on HCT 116 colorectal carcinoma cells and HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells but not on CCD-841-CoN normal colon epithelial cells, Jurkat E6.1 lymphoblastic leukemic cells, and V79-4 Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts. Further investigation on HCT 116 cells showed that CME induced G₂/M cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Treatment of CME induced oxidative stress in HCT 116 cells by increasing the superoxide anion level and decreasing the intracellular glutathione. CME also increased tail moment value and H2AX phosphorylation in HCT 116 cells, suggesting DNA damage as an early signal of CME induced apoptosis. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in CME-treated cells also indicated the involvement of mitochondria in CME induced apoptosis. This study indicated the selectivity of CME toward colon cancer cells with the involvement of oxidative damage as its possible mechanism of action.