Cancer chemoprevention and therapy using chinese herbal medicine

Yinjia pills inhibits the malignant biological behavior of HeLa cells through PKM2-medicated inhibition of JAK/STAT3 pathway

Cervical cancer is one of the most common tumors in women and is a major problem in gynecological health. Studies have shown that Yinjia pills (YJP), a traditional Chinese medicine, can effectively slow the progression of cervical cancer. Therefore, this study mainly explored the molecular mechanism by which YJP delays the progression of cervical cancer. The expression level of PKM2 in cervical cancer was evaluated by the gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA) database, and the prognostic value of the PKM2 gene was evaluated by the Kaplan‒Meier plotter database. HeLa cervical cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of YJP (2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL). The levels of the inflammatory factors were detected by ELISA. Cell proliferation activity, migration and invasion were detected by CCK-8 assay, Transwell assays and cell scratch experiment. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of proteins. In this study, PKM2 was upregulated in both cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC) and endometrial adenocarcinoma tissues, and a Kaplan‒Meier analysis showed that higher PKM2 expression was associated with lower patient survival. YJP inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner, promoted the apoptosis of HeLa cells, and inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors. In addition, YJP inhibited the activation of the JAK/STAT3 pathway and the occurrence of EMT. Knockdown of PKM2 also inhibited the malignant biological behavior of HeLa cells, but overexpression of PKM2 weakened the inhibitory effect of YJP on the malignant biological behavior of HeLa cells. Angoline, a JAK/STAT3 pathway inhibitor, attenuated the effect of PKM2 overexpression on the efficacy of YJP. In conclusion, YJP can inhibit the activation of the JAK/STAT3 pathway by regulating PKM2, thereby inhibiting the malignant biological behavior of HeLa cells.

Research progress on antitumor effects of sea buckthorn, a traditional Chinese medicine homologous to food and medicine

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae Fructus), as a homologous species of medicine and food, is widely used by Mongolians and Tibetans for its anti-tumor, antioxidant and liver-protecting properties. In this review, the excellent anti-tumor effect of sea buckthorn was first found through network pharmacology, and its active components such as isorhamnetin, quercetin, gallic acid and protocatechuic acid were found to have significant anti-tumor effects. The research progress and application prospect of sea buckthorn and its active components in anti-tumor types, mechanism of action, liver protection, anti-radiation and toxicology were reviewed, providing theoretical basis for the development of sea buckthorn products in the field of anti-tumor research and clinical application.

KLF4 suppresses anticancer effects of brusatol via transcriptional upregulating NCK2 expression in melanoma

Brusatol (Bru), a main extract from traditional Chinese medicine Brucea javanica, has been reported to exist antitumor effect in many tumors including melanoma. However, the underlying mechanism in its anti-melanoma effect still need further exploration. Here, we reported that the protein expression of KLF4 in melanoma cells were significantly downregulated in response to brusatol treatment. Overexpression of KLF4 suppressed brusatol-induced melanoma cell apoptosis; while knockdown of KLF4 enhanced antitumor effects of brusatol on melanoma cells not only in vitro but also in vivo. Further studies on the mechanism revealed that KLF4 bound to the promoter of NCK2 directly and facilitated NCK2 transcription, which suppressed the antitumor effect of brusatol on melanoma. Furthermore, our findings showed that miR-150-3p was dramatically upregulated under brusatol treatment which resulted in the downregulation of KLF4. Our results suggested that the miR-150-3p/KLF4/NCK2 axis might play an important role in the antitumour effects of brusatol in melanoma.

Efficacy and safety of compound kushen injection for treating advanced colorectal cancer: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Compound Kushen Injection (CKI) is a traditional Chinese medicine extracted from Sophora flavescens Aiton and Heterosmilax japonica Kunth. Widely utilized in China for the comprehensive treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), this study aims to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of CKI when combined with chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced CRC, based on available data.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy and safety of CKI combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced CRC will be comprehensively searched from databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Wanfang, Chinese Biomedicine Database Searches, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, and ClinicalTrials.gov until November 2022. Two independent reviewers will screen the studies, assess the risk of bias, and extract data in duplicate. The ROB2 tool will be employed to assess the quality of included studies. Stata 16 will be used for data analysis, and publication bias will be assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test. The quality of evidence will be evaluated according to GRADE, and trial sequence analysis (TSA) will be utilized to calculate the final total sample size required for the meta-analysis. The results of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The proposed review protocol has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42022380106).

Discussion

This systematic review will integrate current evidence on CKI in advanced CRC and analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of CKI combined with different chemotherapy regimens, providing valuable guidance on the use of CKI in CRC patients.

Network pharmacology combined with experimental verification to explore the potential mechanism of naringenin in the treatment of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Traditional treatment methods have become limited. Naringenin, a flavonoid abundant in various fruits and herbal medicines, has demonstrated anti-tumor properties among other effects. This research undertook to elucidate the mechanism of naringenin in the context of cervical cancer treatment by leveraging network pharmacology and performing experimental validation. Initial steps involved predicting potential naringenin targets and subsequently screening for overlaps between these targets and those related to cervical cancer, followed by analysis of their interrelationships. Molecular docking was subsequently utilized to verify the binding effect of the central target. Within the framework of network pharmacology, it was discovered that naringenin might possess anti-cancer properties specific to cervical cancer. Following this, the anti-tumor effects of naringenin on Hela cell viability, migration, and invasion were assessed employing CCK-8, transwell, wound healing assays, and western blotting. Experimental data indicated that naringenin attenuates the migration and invasion of Hela cells via downregulation EGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Thus, our findings suggest that naringenin has therapeutic impacts on cervical cancer via multiple mechanisms, primarily by inhibiting the migration and invasion through the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. This study offers fresh insights for future clinical studies.

Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory constituents from roots of Hypericum beanii and the antitumor potential under the view of cancer-related inflammation

Hypericum beanii, a traditional folk medicine plant, has been employed in the treatment of various inflammation-related diseases and has demonstrated promising potential as an herbal remedy for cancer. In this study, we isolated 29 compounds from the roots of H. beanii. We evaluated their cytotoxic effects on five human cancer cell lines, which revealed that the ethanol extract, along with compounds 4 and 14, exhibited significant cytotoxic activity. Additionally, we assessed their anti-inflammatory properties by measuring the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Our findings showed that the ethanol extract (IC50 = 7.41 ± 0.38 μg/mL), compound 4 (IC50 = 7.82 ± 0.42 μM), and compound 14 (IC50 = 3.05 ± 0.06 μM) displayed substantial anti-inflammatory activity. ELISA assays and qPCR analysis revealed that compounds 4 and 14 may exert their anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects by inhibiting the expression of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA, shedding light on their role in cancer-related inflammation.

Volatile profiling coupled with multivariate analysis, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities of rhizome essential oil of four Hedychium species from India

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Hedychium of family Zingiberaceae comprises several perennial rhizomatous species widely used in perfumery and traditional folk medicine to treat diseases related to asthma, diarrhoea, nausea, stomach disorders, inflammation and tumours. Several species of Hedychium have remained under-explored with respect to their chemical composition and biological activities.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The current research aimed to explore the chemical composition and evaluate the antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities of rhizome essential oil from four Hedychium species (H. coccineum, H. gardnerianum, H. greenii and H. griffithianum).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Compound identification was accomplished using a Clarus 580 gas chromatography system in conjunction with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The multivariate data statistics using chemometrics (PCA, PLS-DA, sPLS-DA) and cluster analysis (Dendrogram, Heat maps, K-means) were used to compare the similarity and relationship among Hedychium metabolomes. MTT assay was employed to visualize the antiproliferative property against MCF7, HepG2 and PC3 cancerous cell lines. The toxicity of essential oils was determined using 3T3-L1 non-tumorigenic/normal cells. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of Hedychium essential oils by measuring the production of nitric oxide (NO) using the Griess reagent method. Furthermore, the levels of prostaglandin (PGE2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) was assessed using the ELISA technique.

RESULTS

In total, 82 compounds were identified in four targeted species of Hedychium from which 1,8-cineole (52.71%), β-pinene (32.83%), α-pinene (19.62%), humulene epoxide II (19.86%) and humulene epoxide I (19.10%) were the major constituents. Monoterpenes (8.5-59.9%) and sesquiterpenes (2.87-54.11%) were the two class of compounds, found as the most prevalent in the extracted essential oils. The multivariate analysis classified the four Hedychium species into three different clusters. Hedychium essential oils exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against MCF7, HepG2 and PC3 cancer cell lines with IC50 values less than 150 μg/mL where H. gardnerianum exhibited the highest selective cytotoxicity against human breast and prostate adenocarcinoma cells with an IC50 value of 44.04 ± 1.07 μg/mL and 56.11 ± 1.44 μg/mL, respectively. The essential oils on normal (3T3-L1) cells displayed no toxicity with higher IC50 values thereby concluding as safe to use for normal human health without causing any side effects. Besides, the essential oils at 100 μg/mL concentration revealed remarkable anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages by inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators, with H. greenii exhibiting the maximum anti-inflammation response by significantly suppressing the levels of NO (84%), PGE2 (87%), TNF-α (94.3%), IL-6 (95%) and IL-1β (85%) as compared to LPS treated group.

CONCLUSION

The present findings revealed that the Hedychium species traditionally used in therapeutics could be a potential source of active compounds with antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cancer chemoprevention with PV-1, a novel Prunella vulgaris-containing herbal mixture that remodels the tumor immune microenvironment in mice

The herb Prunella vulgaris has shown significant immune-stimulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in mouse models. Here, the effects of a novel Prunella vulgaris-containing herbal mixture, PV-1, were examined in several mouse models for cancer, including chemically induced models of lung and oral cancers as well as syngraft models for lung cancer and melanoma. PV-1, consisting of extracts from Prunella vulgaris, Polygonum bistorta, Sonchus brachyotus and Dictamnus dasycarpus, exhibited no toxicity in a dose escalation study in A/J mice. PV-1 significantly inhibited mouse lung tumor development induced by the lung carcinogens vinyl carbamate and benzo[a]pyrene. PV-1 also hindered the induction of oral squamous cell carcinomas in C57BL/6 mice caused by 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide. Flow cytometry analysis showed that PV-1 increased the numbers of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and increased the production of granzyme B, TNF-α, and IFN-γ by CD8+ TILs. PV-1 also suppressed granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell numbers (g-MDSCs) and improved the anti-cancer activity of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. These results indicate that PV-1 remodels the tumor immune microenvironment by selectively inhibiting g-MDSCs and increasing CD8+ TILs within tumors, resulting in decreased immune suppression and enhanced cancer chemopreventive efficacy.

Study of prevalence and risk factors of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in gastrointestinal cancer using machine learning models

Objective

Chemotherapy-induced mucositis (CIM) significantly impacts clinical outcomes and diminishes the quality of life in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. This study aims to prospectively determine the incidence, severity, and underlying risk factors associated with CIM in this patient population.

Methods

To achieve this objective, we introduce a novel Machine Learning-based Toxicity Prediction Model (ML-TPM) designed to analyze the risk factors contributing to CIM development in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Within the winter season spanning from December 15th, 2018 to January 14th, 2019, we conducted in-person interviews with patients undergoing chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancer. These interviews encompassed comprehensive questionnaires pertaining to patient demographics, CIM incidence, severity, and any supplementary prophylactic measures employed.

Results

The study encompassed a cohort of 447 participating patients who provided complete questionnaire responses (100%). Of these, 328 patients (73.4%) reported experiencing CIM during the course of their treatment. Notably, CIM-induced complications led to treatment discontinuation in 14 patients (3%). The most frequently encountered CIM symptoms were diarrhea (41.6%), followed by nausea (37.8%), vomiting (25.1%), abdominal pain (21%), gastritis (10.5%), and oral pain (10.3%). Supplementary prophylaxis was administered to approximately 62% of the patients. The analysis revealed significant correlations between the overall incidence of CIM and gender (p=0.015), number of chemotherapy cycles exceeding one (p=0.039), utilization of platinum-based regimens (p=0.039), and administration of irinotecan (p=0.003). Specifically, the incidence of diarrhea exhibited positive correlations with prior surgical history (p=0.037), irinotecan treatment (p=0.021), and probiotics usage (p=0.035). Conversely, diarrhea incidence demonstrated an adverse correlation with platinum-based treatment (p=0.026).

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study demonstrates the successful implementation of the ML-TPM model for automating toxicity prediction with accuracy comparable to conventional physical analyses. Our findings provide valuable insights into the identification of CIM risk factors among gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Furthermore, the results underscore the potential of machine learning in enhancing our understanding of chemotherapy-induced mucositis and advancing personalized patient care strategies.

Transcriptomics and systems network-based molecular mechanism of herbal formula Huosu-Yangwei inhibited gastric cancer in vivo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The efficacy of the herbal formula Huosu-Yangwei (HSYW) in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer and chronic atrophic gastritis with precancerous lesions has been reported in clinical trials. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its inhibition of gastric tumor are not well-understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Combined with transcriptomics and systems network-based molecular mechanism to explore the potential circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network of HSYW in the treatment of gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Animal experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of HSYW on tumor growth in vivo. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was implemented to identify the differentially expressed (DE) genes. Predictive miRNA targets and mRNA were used to construct circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was utilized to verify the accuracy of the proposed circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks. Additionally, the differentially expressed target proteins between gastric cancer (GC) and normal patients were assessed using data from the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and HPA (The Human Protein Atlas) databases.

RESULTS

We demonstrate HSYW significantly inhibits tumor growth of N87 cell-bearing Balb/c mice. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the existence of 119 differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs and 200 DE mRNAs between HSYW-treated and model mice. By associating predicted circRNA-miRNA pairs and miRNA-mRNA pairs, we constructed a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA (CMM) network. Furthermore, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was developed using the differential expressed mRNAs. Consequently, the reconstructed core CMM network and qRT-PCR validation indicated that 4 circRNAs, 5 miRNAs and 6 mRNAs could potentially serve as biomarkers to assess the therapeutic effects of HSYW-treated N87-bearing Balb/c mice. The TCGA and HPA databases also demonstrated that mRNA KLF15 and PREX1 had substantial differences between gastric cancer (GC) and healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

By combining the experimental and bioinformatics analysis, this study confirms that the circRNA_00240/hsa-miR-642a-5p/KLF15 and circRNA_07980/hsa-miR-766-3p/PREX1 pathways play critical roles in HSYW-treated gastric cancer.

Origin identification of Cornus officinalis based on PCA-SVM combined model

Infrared spectroscopy can quickly and non-destructively extract analytical information from samples. It can be applied to the authenticity identification of various Chinese herbal medicines, the prediction of the mixing amount of defective products, and the analysis of the origin. In this paper, the spectral information of Cornus officinalis from 11 origins was used as the research object, and the origin identification model of Cornus officinalis based on mid-infrared spectroscopy was established. First, principal component analysis was used to extract the absorbance data of Cornus officinalis in the wavenumber range of 551~3998 cm-1. The extracted principal components contain more than 99.8% of the information of the original data. Second, the extracted principal component information was used as input, and the origin category was used as output, and the origin identification model was trained with the help of support vector machine. In this paper, this combined model is called PCA-SVM combined model. Finally, the generalization ability of the PCA-SVM model is evaluated through an external test set. The three indicators of Accuracy, F1-Score, and Kappa coefficient are used to compare this model with other commonly used classification models such as naive Bayes model, decision trees, linear discriminant analysis, radial basis function neural network and partial least square discriminant analysis. The results show that PCA-SVM model is superior to other commonly used models in accuracy, F1 score and Kappa coefficient. In addition, compared with the SVM model with full spectrum data, the PCA-SVM model not only reduces the redundant variables in the model, but also has higher accuracy. Using this model to identify the origin of Cornus officinalis, the accuracy rate is 84.8%.

Evaluating the Magnolol Anticancer Potential in MKN-45 Gastric Cancer Cells

Background and Objectives: Combination therapy improves the effect of chemotherapy on tumor cells. Magnolol, used in treating gastrointestinal disorders, has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. We investigated the synergistic effect of cisplatin and magnolol on the viability and maintenance of MKN-45 gastric cancer cells. Materials and Methods: The toxicity of magnolol and/or cisplatin was determined using the MTT technique. The trypan blue method was used to test magnolol and/or cisplatin's effect on MKN-45 cell growth. Crystal violet staining was used to assess the treated cells' tendency for colony formation. The expression of genes linked to apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and cell migration was examined using the qPCR method. Results: According to MTT data, using magnolol and/or cisplatin significantly reduced cell viability. The ability of the treated cells to proliferate and form colonies was also reduced considerably. Magnolol and/or cisplatin treatment resulted in a considerable elevation in Bax expression. However, the level of Bcl2 expression was dramatically reduced. p21 and p53 expression levels were significantly increased in the treated cells, while MMP-9 expression was significantly reduced. Conclusions: These findings show that magnolol has a remarkable anti-tumor effect on MKN-45 cells. In combination with cisplatin, magnolol may be utilized to overcome cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer cells.

Mutual exclusivity of ESR1 and TP53 mutations in endocrine resistant metastatic breast cancer

Both TP53 and ESR1 mutations occur frequently in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) metastatic breast cancers (MBC) and their distinct roles in breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression are well appreciated. Recent clinical studies discovered mutual exclusivity between TP53 and ESR1 mutations in metastatic breast cancers; however, mechanisms underlying this intriguing clinical observation remain largely understudied and unknown. Here, we explored the interplay between TP53 and ESR1 mutations using publicly available clinical and experimental data sets. We first confirmed the robust mutational exclusivity using six independent cohorts with 1,056 ER+ MBC samples and found that the exclusivity broadly applies to all ER+ breast tumors regardless of their clinical and distinct mutational features. ESR1 mutant tumors do not exhibit differential p53 pathway activity, whereas we identified attenuated ER activity and expression in TP53 mutant tumors, driven by a p53-associated E2 response gene signature. Further, 81% of these p53-associated E2 response genes are either direct targets of wild-type (WT) p53-regulated transactivation or are mutant p53-associated microRNAs, representing bimodal mechanisms of ER suppression. Lastly, we analyzed the very rare cases with co-occurrences of TP53 and ESR1 mutations and found that their simultaneous presence was also associated with reduced ER activity. In addition, tumors with dual mutations showed higher levels of total and PD-L1 positive macrophages. In summary, our study utilized multiple publicly available sources to explore the mechanism underlying the mutual exclusivity between ESR1 and TP53 mutations, providing further insights and testable hypotheses of the molecular interplay between these two pivotal genes in ER+ MBC.

The therapeutic potential of stem cell-derived exosomes in the ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy is a novel treatment strategy for cancer and a wide range of diseases with an excessive immune response such as ulcerative colitis (UC), due to its powerful immunomodulatory properties and its capacity for tissue regeneration and repair. One of the promising therapeutic options can focus on MSC-secreted exosomes (MSC-Exo), which have been identified as a type of paracrine interaction. In light of a wide variety of recent experimental studies, the present review aims to seek the recent research advances of therapies based on the MSC-Exo for treating UC and colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

A systematic literature search in MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar was performed from inception to December 2021 using the terms [("colorectal cancer" OR "bowel cancer" OR "colon cancer" OR "rectal cancer") AND (exosome) AND (stem cell) AND ("inflammatory bowel disease" OR "Crohn's disease" OR "colitis")] in titles and abstracts.

FINDINGS

Exosomes derived from various sources of MSCs, including human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs), human adipose-derived MSCs (hAD-MSCs), human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hBM-MSCs), and olfactory ecto-MSCs (OE-MSCs), have shown the protective role against UC and CRC. Exosomes from hUC-MSCs, hBM-MSCs, AD-MSCs, and OE-MSCs have been found to ameliorate the experimental UC through suppressing inflammatory cells including macrophages, Th1/Th17 cells, reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, as well as inducing the anti-inflammatory function of Treg and Th2 cells and enhancing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, hBM-MSC-Exo and hUC-MSC-Exo containing tumor-suppressive miRs (miR-3940-5p/miR-22-3p/miR-16-5p) have been shown to suppress proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells via regulation of RAP2B/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and ITGA2/ITGA6.

KEY MESSAGES

The MSC-Exo can exert beneficial effects on UC and CRC through two different mechanisms including modulating immune responses and inducing anti-tumor responses, respectively.

Assessment of the targeted effect of Sijunzi decoction on the colorectal cancer microenvironment via the ESTIMATE algorithm

Objective

Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) was used to treat patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) as an adjuvant method. The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic targets and pathways of SJZD towards the tumor microenvironment of CRC via network pharmacology and the ESTIMATE algorithm.

Methods

The ESTIMATE algorithm was used to calculate immune and stromal scores to predict the level of infiltrating immune and stromal cells. The active targets of SJZD were searched in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and UniProt database. The core targets were obtained by matching the differentially expressed genes in CRC tissues and the targets of SJZD. Then, GO, KEGG and validation in TCGA were carried out.

Results

According to the ESTIMATE algorithm and survival analysis, the median survival time of the low stromal score group was significantly higher than that of the high stromal score group (P = 0.018), while the patients showed no significant difference of OS between different immune groups (P = 0.19). A total of 929 genes were upregulated and 115 genes were downregulated between the stromal score groups (|logFC| > 2, adjusted P < 0.05); 357 genes were upregulated and 472 genes were downregulated between the immune score groups. The component-target network included 139 active components and 52 related targets. The core targets were HSPB1, SPP1, IGFBP3, and TGFB1, which were significantly associated with poor prognosis in TCGA validation. GO terms included the response to hypoxia, the extracellular space, protein binding and the TNF signaling pathway. Immunoreaction was the main enriched pathway identified by KEGG analysis.

Conclusion

The core genes (HSPB1, SPP1, IGFBP3 and TGFB1) affected CRC development and prognosis by regulating hypoxia, protein binding and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the extracellular matrix.

Leaf extract of Osbeckia octandra induces apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Background

Osbeckia octandra is a plant endemic to Sri Lanka and is used in ethnomedicine for treating various diseases. However, the anti-cancer properties of O. octandra are yet to be fully investigated. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-cancer effects of O. octandra on oral cancer cells.

Methods

Human oral cancer cell lines (HSC2, YD10B, YD38, YD9, and YD32) were used in this study. BrdU incorporation, cell cycle and annexin-V/PI staining were all evaluated using flow cytometry to determine the extent to which O. octandra leaf extract inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. Cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also measured in order to investigate the anti-cancer effects of O. octandra extracts. Western blotting was performed to detect cell cycle related protein such as cyclin d1 and cdk4, and to detect apoptosis-related proteins such as Bcl-2, Bcl-X_L, Bax, Caspase-9, Cleaved caspase-3, Fas, Caspase-8, and Bid.

Results

Leaf extract of O. octandra reduced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Leaf extract of O. octandra has non-toxic in normal keratinocytes. Also, O. octandra extract interrupted the DNA replication via G1 phase arrests, and this effect was independent of ROS generation. In the apoptosis-related experiments, the population of annexin V-positive cells increased upon treatment with O. octandra extract. Furthermore, the expression of anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL) was decreased, whereas the expression of cleaved caspase-3 protein was increased in O. octandra-treated OSCC cells.

Conclusions

The results suggest that a leaf extract of O. octandra inhibited the proliferation of OSCC cells through G₁ phase arrest and interrupting DNA replication. The leaf extract of O. octandra could trigger the apoptotic response via caspase 3 activation in OSCC cells. These results suggest that O. octandra has the potential to be developed as an alternative medicine for treating OSCC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-022-03505-4.

Differential Effects of Wedelia chinensis on Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells

Introduction:

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive glioma, and its diffuse nature makes resection of it difficult. Moreover, even with the administration of postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy, prolonged remission is often not achieved. Hence, innovative or alternative treatments for GBM are urgently required. Traditional Chinese herbs and their functional components have long been used in the treatment of various cancers, including GBM. The current study investigated the antitumor activity of Wedelia chinensis and its major functional components, luteolin and apigenin, on GBM.

Materials and Methods:

MTT assay, Transwell migration assay, and flow cytometry analysis were adopted to assess the cell viability, invasive capability, and cell cycle. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting were used to detect the expressions of apoptotic and autophagy-related signaling molecules.

Results:

The W. chinensis extract (WCE) significantly inhibited the proliferation and invasive ability of both GBM8401 and U-87MG cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, differential effects of WCE on GBM8401 and U-87MG cells were observed: WCE induced apoptosis in GBM8401 cells and autophagy in U-87MG cells. Notably, WCE had significant effects in reducing the cell survival and invasive capability of both GBM8401 and U-87MG cells than the combination of luteolin and apigenin.

Conclusions:

Taken together, these findings indicate the potential of using WCE and the combination of luteolin and apigenin for GBM treatment. However, further investigations are warranted before considering recommending the clinical use of WCE or the combination of luteolin and apigenin as the standard for GBM treatment.

Scutebarbatine A induces cytotoxicity in hepatocellular carcinoma via activation of the MAPK and ER stress signaling pathways

Scutebarbatine A (SBT-A), a diterpenoid alkaloid found in the root of Scutellaria barbata D. Don, has been reported to induce the apoptosis of A549 cells. In this study, we investigated the antitumor activity of SBT-A in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and the potential underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that SBT-A inhibited the growth of HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner. SBT-A treatment caused cell cycle arrest and decreased the expression of cyclin B1, cyclin D1, p-Cdc2, and p-Cdc25C. SBT-A triggered cell apoptosis via a caspase-dependent pathway, and cell viability was partially restored by pretreatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. In HCC cells, treatment with SBT-A increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 and 2 (JNK1/2), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK). Moreover, SBT-A activated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress through the upregulation of protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF-4), and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP). Our data indicate that SBT-A inhibits the proliferation of HCC cells and triggers their apoptosis via the activation of MAPK and ER stress. SBT-A is a potential agent for the treatment of HCC.

Effects of a polyherbal formulation on the quality of life and survival of patients with common upper gastrointestinal cancers: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Previous clinical trials have suggested that herbal medicines can improve the quality of life (QOL) and survival of cancer patients. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of a polyherbal compound (PHC, formulated as syrup) consisting of Allium sativum, Curcuma longa, Panax ginseng, and Camellia sinensis on the quality of life (QOL) and survival in patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized placebo-controlled trial was carried out on patients with esophageal or gastric cancer who had finished their oncological treatments. The patients were randomly assigned to PHC (n=20) or placebo (n=20) group. The PHC group was treated with the PHC for 12 weeks, while the placebo group received 70% sucrose syrup. The QOL was assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. The patients were followed for up to 24 months to determine overall survival.

RESULTS

PHC significantly improved cancer-related symptoms, physical performance, and psychological and social functions of the patients (p<0.05 for all cases). Death occurred in 33 and 22% of cases in the placebo and PHC group, respectively. The mean survival time was 16.8 months (95% CI: 12.8-20.9) in the placebo group and 21.4 months (95% CI: 19.1-23.6) in the PHC group but the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The PHC improved cancer-related symptoms, physical performance, and psychological and social functions in patients with gastrointestinal cancers. It seems that this herbal compound has the potential to be used as a supplement in the management of cancer.

The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine as an adjunctive therapy for colorectal cancer: A protocol for systematic review of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a public health problem and the world's leading cancer killer. It is a disease with high incidence and mortality. Although chemotherapy has achieved some success in the treatment of CRC, drug resistance and tumor metastasis caused by chemotherapy are still the main causes of death in patients with CRC. Notably, many side effects associated with chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, and peripheral neurotoxicity, are major challenges in the treatment of patients with CRC. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been widely used as an adjunctive therapy for CRC, but its efficacy and safety are still uncertain. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the efficacy and safety of CHM for the treatment of CRC.

METHODS

A comprehensive retrieval will be performed in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, SinoMed, VIP, and Wan Fang Data. The methodologic quality of randomized controlled trials will be assessed using the Cochrane risk assessment tool. Review Manager 5.3 software will be used for data synthesis and analysis. Funnel plot analysis and Egger test will be used to assess publication bias. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation standard will be used to generate summary of finding table.

RESULTS

The results of this systematic review will be used to summarize and evaluate the evidence from randomized controlled clinical trials of CHM as adjuvant therapy for CRC.

CONCLUSION

This review will provide a detailed summary of the evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of CHM for CRC.

OSF REGISTRATION

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/X2SKJ.

Mechanisms of Core Chinese Herbs against Colorectal Cancer: A Study Based on Data Mining and Network Pharmacology

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is now the second most deadly cancer globally. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) plays an indispensable role in CRC treatment in China. However, the core herbs (the CHs) in the treatment of CRC and their underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to uncovering the CHs and their mechanisms of action of CRC treatment, applying data mining and network pharmacology approach. First, CHM prescriptions treating CRC were collected from clinical studies from the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and MEDLINE databases, and the CHs were identified through data mining. Then, the bioactive compounds and the corresponding putative targets of the CHs were obtained from three traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) databases. CRC related targets were acquired from three disease databases; the overlapping targets between the CHs and CRC were identified as the therapeutic targets. Subsequently, functional enrichment analysis was performed to elucidate the mechanisms of the CHs on CRC. Moreover, networks were constructed to screen the major bioactive compounds and therapeutic targets. Finally, prognostic values of the major target genes were evaluated by survival analysis, and molecular docking simulation was performed to assess the binding affinity of key targets and major bioactive compounds. It came out that 10 the CHs from 113 prescriptions and 190 bioactive compounds with 118 therapeutic targets were identified. The therapeutic targets were mainly enriched in the biological progress of transcription, apoptosis, and response to cytokine. Various cancer-associated signaling pathways, including microRNAs, TNF, apoptosis, PI3K-Akt, and p53, were involved. Furthermore, 15 major bioactive compounds and five key target genes (VEGFA, CASP3, MYC, CYP1Y1, and NFKB1) with prognostic significance were identified. Additionally, most major bioactive compounds might bind firmly to the key target proteins. This study provided an overview of the anti-CRC mechanisms of the CHs, which might refer to the regulation of apoptosis, transcription, and inflammation.

Chemical constituents with cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activity in Hypericum sampsonii and the antitumor potential under the view of cancer-related inflammation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chronic inflammation has an important role in the development of cancers. Hypericum sampsonii, known as "Yuanbao Cao", is mainly distributed in the southwest of China. As a folk medicinal plant, "Yuanbao Cao" is traditionally used for treatment of various inflammation-related diseases including swelling, burns, arthritis, and dermatitis, etc. The plant is a promising anticancer herb. However, there is no research on the antitumor potential of this plant from the view of cancer-related inflammation strategy.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the H. sampsonii in relation to cancer-related chemical constituents with anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity in cancer-related inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical constituents of H. sampsonii were isolated by repeated chromatography techniques, and their structures were identified mainly by spectroscopic methods and compared to published data. The chemical profile of the herb was analyzed using HPLC. The cytotoxicities of compounds against five cancer cell lines: human melanoma cell (A375), human breast cancer cell (MDA-MB-231), human gastric cancer cell (SGC-7901), human colon cancer cell (SiHa), and human bone marrow neuroblastoma cell (SHSY-5Y), were tested using MTT assay; their anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by inhibition on NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7, THP-1 and BV-2 microglial cells.

RESULTS

Twenty-five compounds, including four phenols (1-4), two anthraquinonoids (5 and 6), six xanthones (7-12), one benzophenone (13), one phloroglucinol (14), nine flavonoids (15-23), one sterol (24) and one alkaloid (25), were isolated from the EtOH extract of H. sampsonii. Of them, compounds 3, 4, 6, 7, 10-14, 17, 19, 22 and 23 were reported in H. sampsonii for the first time. HPLC analysis showed that flavonoids were the main constituents in the herb. MTT assay revealed that compounds 1, 2, 5-14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22 and 25 had selective cytotoxic activities (IC₅₀: 7.52-158.90 μM) against tested cancer cells, in which compound 5, 6, 13 and 14 displayed high activities against A375, MDA-MB-231, SiHa and SHSY-5Y. In the screening experiment of anti-inflammatory activity, most compounds (1-2, 5-23) showed considerable high anti-inflammatory activities (IC₅₀: 10.59-42.75 μM), in which compounds 5, 6, 13, 14, and 15 exhibited high anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7, THP-1 and BV-2 microglial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Compounds 3, 4, 6, 7, 10-14, 17, 19, 22 and 23 were isolated for the first time from H. sampsonii. Compound 5, 6, 13 and 14 displayed high cytotoxic activities against the tested cancer cell lines. Compounds (1-2, 5-23) showed anti-inflammatory activities, of them, compounds 5, 6, 13, 14 and 15 exhibited the high activity. From the view of cancer-related inflammation point, not only the compounds with high cytotoxicity, but those compounds with anti-inflammatory activities, especially the flavonoids, contribute to the antitumor potential of H. sampsonii. The results and viewpoint of present study provide a different insight to better understand the antitumor potential of H. sampsonii, and may also promote the reasonable usage of this folk medical herb.

Efficacy and safety of Kanglaite injection for gastric cancer: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Kanglaite injection is a broad-spectrum anti-tumor drug, which is extracted from the seeds of the Chinese medicinal herb Coix lacryma-jobi, and has been widely used for the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of Kanglaite injection for the treatment of GC.

METHODS

We will perform the comprehensive literature search in English and Chinese electronic database from its inception to June 2020. Two trained researchers will independently select the qualified studies for data extraction and assess the quality and risk of bias. Cochrane Risk of Bias tool will be used to assess the risk of bias of included studies. The outcomes included overall response rate, complete response rate, 3-year progression-free survival rate, 3-year overall survival rate, and different types of treatment-related adverse events. Funnel plot analysis and Egger test will be used to assess the publication bias. Finally, the quality of evidence will be assessed by the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluate system . We will calculate the risk ratio as well as their 95% confidence intervals of these outcomes and pool the results using RevMan 5.4 software and STATA 16.0 software.

RESULTS

The results of our research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion of our systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether Kanglaite injection is an effective intervention for patient with GC.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER

10.17605/OSF.IO/HF679.

Oral mucositis among Chinese cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: Effects and management strategies

Oral mucositis is a painful and distressing complication of chemotherapy-induced toxicity in cancer patients that can develop early during the treatment regimen. Previous studies have demonstrated that both oxidative stress and inflammation play a role in the development of the ulceration that is a characteristic of oral mucositis. To date, a few studies have investigated the effect of this complication on the well-being of patients, demonstrating its negative impact on patients' functional ability and quality of life. This effect may entail chemotherapeutic drug dose reduction among patients, in turn reducing their cancer survival rates. Therefore, interventions to address the detrimental effects of oral mucositis on the well-being of cancer patients are required. This review provides an overview of the studies that have examined the negative effects of oral mucositis on Chinese cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, as well as the interventions shown to be effective in treating this complication, with a focus on interventions utilizing traditional Chinese medicine. Overall, both traditional Chinese medicine-based interventions and interventions involving patient education about effective oral care led by trained nurses were found to be useful in reducing the incidence and severity of oral mucositis among Chinese patients undergoing chemotherapy. Future oral mucositis management plans aiming at effective oral care among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy should incorporate these types of interventions as integral components to enhance the well-being of these patients.

Assessing the Current State of Lung Cancer Chemoprevention: A Comprehensive Overview

Chemoprevention of lung cancer is thought to significantly reduce the risk of acquiring these conditions in the subpopulation of patients with underlying health issues, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and smoking-associated lung problems. Many strategies have been tested in the previous decades, with very few translating to successful clinical trials in specific subpopulations of patients. In this review, we analyze these strategies, as well as new approaches that have emerged throughout the last few years, including synthetic lethality concept and microbiome-induced regulation of lung carcinogenesis. Overall, the continuous effort in the area of lung chemoprevention is required to develop practical therapeutical approaches. Given the inconsistency of results obtained in clinical trials targeting lung cancer chemoprevention in various subgroups of patients that differ in the underlying health condition, race, and gender, we believe that individualized approaches will have more promise than generalized treatments.

Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine on the Survival of Colorectal Cancer Patients With Liver-Limited Metastases: A Retrospective Cohort Study, 2008 to 2017

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading contributors to cancer-related mortality and morbidity worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicines have been widely employed to treat various types of cancer in China. This investigation aims to determine the association between Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) therapy and survival outcomes in CRC patients with liver-limited metastases. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed among patients with colorectal liver metastases at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in Guangzhou, China. Data from a series of consecutive patients were collected via an electronic medical record system or telephone follow-up. We defined high exposure as a period of CHM therapy lasting more than 6 months. The primary outcome was overall survival. Results: The study included the data of 191 patients from January 2008 to December 2017; 126 patients (65.97%) met the inclusion criteria of high exposure to CHM. Multivariate analyses revealed that high exposure to CHM was associated with better overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.444, 95% confidence interval = [0.213, 0.926], P = .030). The association was further confirmed by a subgroup exploratory analysis. Conclusion: Long-term CHM therapy is correlated with improved survival outcomes in CRC patients with liver-limited metastases.

Reynoutria Japonica from Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Source of Competitive Adenosine Deaminase Inhibitors for Anticancer

BACKGROUND

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an important enzyme in purine metabolism and is known as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders and cancer. Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCHM) is widely used alone or in combination with chemotherapy to treat cancer, due to its ability to deliver a broad variety of bioactive secondary metabolites as promising sources of novel organic natural agents.

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, 29 varieties of medicinal plants were screened for the presence of ADA inhibitors.

RESULTS

Extracts from Reynoutria japonica, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, Magnolia officinalis, Gardenia jasminoides, Stephania tetrandra, Commiphora myrrha, Raphanus sativus and Corydalis yanhusuo demonstrated strong ADA inhibition with rates greater than 50%. However, Reynoutria japonica possessed the highest ADA inhibitory activity at 95.26% and so was used in our study for isolating the ADA inhibitor to be further studied. Eight compounds were obtained and their structures were identified. The compound H1 had strong ADA inhibitory activity and was deduced to be emodin by 1H and 13C-NMR spectroscopic analysis with an IC50 of 0.629 mM. The molecular docking data showed that emodin could bind tightly to the active site of ADA. Our results demonstrated that emodin displayed a new biological activity which is ADA inhibitory activity with high cytotoxic activity against K562 leukemia cells. The bioactivity of cordycepin was significantly increased when used in combination with emodin.

CONCLUSION

Emodin may represent a good candidate anti-cancer therapy and adenosine protective agent.

Therapeutic Effects of Ten Commonly Used Chinese Herbs and Their Bioactive Compounds on Cancers

Effective cancer therapy is one of the biggest global challenges. Conventional cancer therapies have been at the forefront of combating cancers, but more evidence showed considerable side effects, limiting their use. There are various new therapies in development, but combined approaches for treating cancer are much expected. Natural herbs had been traditionally in use for cancer therapy in most parts of the world. In this review, we have examined ten commonly used Chinese herbs that have, for centuries, shown effectiveness in treating cancers. They demonstrated the abilities to promote the apoptosis of cancer cells, inhibit their metastasis, activate the patient's anticancer immunity, and synergistically increase the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy when used in combination. Clinical experiences had proved that these herbs and their bioactive compounds were effective against a plethora of cancers through a variety of mechanisms, effectively improving patients' quality of life without significant side effects. These advantages indicate that there are huge potentials in the development of Chinese herbs into cancer medicine as part of a promising, holistic cancer treatment modality.

Herbal formula Yangyinjiedu induces lung cancer cell apoptosis via activation of early growth response 1

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been extensively used in clinical practices and proven to be effective against cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be investigated. In this study, we examined the anticancer activities of Chinese herbal formula Yangyinjiedu (YYJD) and found that YYJD exhibits cytotoxicity against lung cancer cells. Transcriptome analysis indicated that 2178 genes were differentially expressed (P < 0.05) upon YYJD treatment, with 1464 being (67.2%) up‐regulated. Among these, we found that the tumour suppressor early growth response 1 (EGR1) is the most activated. We demonstrated that EGR1 contributes to YYJD‐induced apoptosis in A549. Through dissecting EGR1‐associated transcriptional network, we identified 275 genes as EGR1 direct targets, some targets are involved in apoptosis. Lastly, we observed that YYJD enhances EGR1 expression and induces cell death in tumour xenografts. Collectively, these findings suggest that YYJD exerts its anticancer activities through EGR1 activation, thus providing the evidence for its potential clinical application for lung cancer patients.

Inhibitory effects of indirubin-3'-monoxime against human osteosarcoma

Indirubin is widely used as the active component of "Dangui Luhui Wan" in ancient China. However, its effects against the osteosarcoma (OS), the most common primary malignancy, are still unknown. In our present study, we investigated the effects of the Indirubin-3'-monoxime (I3M), a derivative of indirubin with better water solubility, against the OS cells. We found I3M inhibited OS cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry assays showed that I3M could not only induce OS cell apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner but also regulate the cell cycle distribution. Additionally, we demonstrated that several Bcl-2 family members, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclins contributed to this process. Furthermore, out data verified that I3M suppressed OS cell migration and invasion by decreasing MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels. Moreover, survivin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) might play important roles in the anti-OS effects of I3M. The administration of I3M also inhibited the OS cell growth in mice. Taken together, our results indicated the inhibitory effects of I3M against human OS and thus might be an efficient candidate for OS chemotherapy.

Screening of herbal extracts for TLR2- and TLR4-dependent anti-inflammatory effects

Herbal extracts represent an ample source of natural compounds, with potential to be used in improving human health. There is a growing interest in using natural extracts as possible new treatment strategies for inflammatory diseases. We therefore aimed at identifying herbal extracts that affect inflammatory signaling pathways through toll-like receptors (TLRs), TLR2 and TLR4. Ninety-nine ethanolic extracts were screened in THP-1 monocytes and HeLa-TLR4 transfected reporter cells for their effects on stimulated TLR2 and TLR4 signaling pathways. The 28 identified anti-inflammatory extracts were tested in comparative assays of stimulated HEK-TLR2 and HEK-TLR4 transfected reporter cells to differentiate between direct TLR4 antagonistic effects and interference with downstream signaling cascades. Furthermore, the ten most effective anti-inflammatory extracts were tested on their ability to inhibit nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) translocation in HeLa-TLR4 transfected reporter cell lines and for their ability to repolarize M1-type macrophages. Ethanolic extracts which showed the highest anti-inflammatory potential, up to a complete inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production were Castanea sativa leaves, Cinchona pubescens bark, Cinnamomum verum bark, Salix alba bark, Rheum palmatum root, Alchemilla vulgaris plant, Humulus lupulus cones, Vaccinium myrtillus berries, Curcuma longa root and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi leaves. Moreover, all tested extracts mitigated not only TLR4, but also TLR2 signaling pathways. Seven of them additionally inhibited translocation of NF-κB into the nucleus. Two of the extracts showed impact on repolarization of pro-inflammatory M1-type to anti-inflammatory M2-type macrophages. Several promising anti-inflammatory herbal extracts were identified in this study, including extracts with previously unknown influence on key TLR signaling pathways and macrophage repolarization, serving as a basis for novel lead compound identification.