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Luo J, Chen K, Nong X. Potential regulation of artesunate on bone metabolism through suppressing inflammatory infiltration in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2025; 47:147-158. [PMID: 39762719 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2024.2444953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 12/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/29/2025]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Osteoimmunology is an emerging field that explores the interplay between bone and the immune system. The immune system plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and significantly affects bone homeostasis. Artesunate, a first-line treatment for malaria, is known for its low toxicity and multifunctional properties. Increasing evidence suggests that artesunate possesses anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and osteogenic effects. This review aims to explore the relationship between immune regulation and bone metabolism in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and to investigate the potential therapeutic application of artesunate. METHODS This review systematically examines literature from PubMed/Medline, Elsevier, Web of Science, Embase, the International Diabetes Federation, and other relevant databases. RESULTS This review synthesizes evidence from multiple sources to delineate the relationship between T lymphocytes and T2DM, the regulation of T lymphocyte subsets in bone metabolism, and the effects of artesunate on both T lymphocytes and bone metabolism. Recent studies suggest a bidirectional regulatory relationship between T2DM and T lymphocytes (CD4+ T and CD8+ T) during the onset and progression of the disease, with inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines serving as key mediators. T lymphocyte subsets and their cytokines play a pivotal role in regulating osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in pathological conditions. Furthermore, artesunate has shown promise in modulating inflammatory infiltration and bone metabolism. CONCLUSION The accumulated evidence indicates that artesunate exerts regulatory effects on bone metabolism in T2DM by influencing T lymphocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghong Luo
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaolin Nong
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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2
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Chang Y, Lyu T, Luan X, Yang Y, Cao Y, Qiu Y, Feng H. Artesunate-multiple pharmacological effects beyond treating malaria. Eur J Med Chem 2025; 286:117292. [PMID: 39842343 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.117292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2024] [Revised: 01/16/2025] [Accepted: 01/16/2025] [Indexed: 01/24/2025]
Abstract
Artesunate, a semisynthetic derivative of artemisinin, is not only recommended as the first-line drug for treating severe malaria but is also a significant member of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), used in combination with other artemisinin derivatives for treating uncomplicated malaria. Beyond its potent anti-malarial activity, artesunate has garnered considerable attention for its pharmacological effects, which encompass broad-spectrum anti-tumor, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has collectively demonstrated superior drug tolerance, low toxicity, and mild side effects in cell line experiments in vitro, experimental animal models, and clinical drug researches, as a monotherapy or in combination with other agents. Investigating the pharmacological effects of artesunate will facilitate the exploration of novel drug applications and enhance the comprehensive clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhi Chang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Tong Lyu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The People's Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, 618000, China
| | - Xingyue Luan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yiming Yang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
| | - Yue Qiu
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, China.
| | - Hui Feng
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
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3
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Musimbi ZD, Kundik A, Krücken J, Hauser AE, Rausch S, Seeberger PH, Niesner R, Leben R, Hartmann S. Two-photon NAD(P)H-FLIM reveals unperturbed energy metabolism of Ascaris suum larvae, in contrast to host macrophages upon artemisinin derivatives exposure. Sci Rep 2025; 15:2056. [PMID: 39814779 PMCID: PMC11735674 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-85780-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2025] [Indexed: 01/18/2025] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are widespread, with Ascaris lumbricoides infecting millions globally. Malaria and STH co-infections are common in co-endemic regions. Artemisinin derivatives (ARTs)-artesunate, artemether, and dihydroartemisinin-are standard malaria treatments and are also known to influence the energy metabolism of parasites, tumors, and immune cells. Herein, we explore the potential of ARTs to influence ascariasis either by directly targeting larvae or indirectly by modifying macrophage responses. Ascaris suum third-stage larvae and porcine IL-4 polarized (M2-like) macrophages were exposed to ARTs in vitro, and their metabolism was evaluated using two-photon NAD(P)H-FLIM. Both larvae and M2-like macrophages exhibited a steady-state bioenergetic profile of high oxidative phosphorylation and low anaerobic glycolysis. In A. suum larvae, two metabolically distinct regions were identified, with particularly high DUOX activity in the pharynx compared to the midgut; however, ARTs did not alter these profiles. In contrast, exposure of M2-like macrophages to ARTs induced a metabolic shift towards high anaerobic glycolysis and reduced metabolic activity, suggesting a possible indirect effect of ARTs on the helminth infection. Overall, two-photon NAD(P)H-FLIM proved to be a powerful tool for studying specific metabolic pathways in Ascaris larvae and host macrophages, offering valuable insights into the metabolic mechanisms of drug action on both parasite and host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaneta D Musimbi
- Institute of Immunology, Centre of Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arkadi Kundik
- Institute of Immunology, Centre of Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja E Hauser
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Immune Dynamics, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Rausch
- Institute of Immunology, Centre of Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Raluca Niesner
- Biophysical Analytics, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
- Dynamic and Functional in Vivo Imaging, Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ruth Leben
- Institute of Immunology, Centre of Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Biophysical Analytics, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
- Dynamic and Functional in Vivo Imaging, Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Hartmann
- Institute of Immunology, Centre of Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Ma QY, Xu XY, Zhu YZ, Yao NN, Liu YC, Gao XD, Zhang Q, Luo WJ. Artesunate inhibits vasculogenic mimicry in choroidal melanoma through HIF-1 α/ VEGF/PDGF pathway. Acta Histochem 2024; 126:152174. [PMID: 38976933 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2024.152174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Choroidal melanoma (CM), a highly metastatic eye tumor, exhibits vasculogenic mimicry (VM) facilitated by hypoxia-induced angiogenesis. This study explored the inhibitory impact of the anti-malarial drug Artesunate (ART) on CM VM through modulation of the HIF-1α/VEGF/PDGF pathway. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed VM in CM with elevated VEGF and PDGF expression. Hypoxia promoted CM proliferation, upregulating HIF-1α, VEGF and PDGF. VEGF and PDGF enhanced CM migration, invasion and VM, with HIF-1α playing a crucial role. ART mitigated VM formation by suppressing the HIF-1α/VEGF/PDGF pathway, highlighting its potential as an anti-tumor agent in CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Yue Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuan-Zhang Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ning-Ning Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yi-Chong Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiao-di Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wen-Juan Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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Zhang Q, Li X, He C, Zhou R, Wang J, Liu L. Artesunate promotes cervical cancer cell apoptosis by regulating Bcl2 family molecules and reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential. Oncol Lett 2024; 28:315. [PMID: 38807670 PMCID: PMC11130610 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2024.14447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Artesunate (ART), an antimalarial drug, has a broad spectrum of antitumour effects in cancer types such as esophageal and gastric cancer. However, evidence demonstrating the role of ART in cervical cancer cells is limited. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of ART on the growth of cervical cancer cells through the modulation of the cell cycle and apoptosis was investigated. The growth-inhibitory effect of ART on a cervical cancer cell line (SiHa) was detected using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay after treatment with ART for 24 h, after which the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated. Using flow cytometry assays, apoptosis, the cell cycle, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium (Ca2+) ions, as well as the mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated in SiHa cells following treatment with ART for 24 and 48 h. The mRNA expression levels of Bcl2, Bcl-xl, (myeloid cell leukaemia 1) Mcl-1, Bcl2-like protein 11 (BIM), (Bcl2-related ovarian killer protein) Bok, Bax and (Bcl2 homologous antagonist/killer) Bak in SiHa cells were detected using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. ART inhibited the growth of SiHa cells in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 of ART in SiHa cells was 26.32 µg/ml. According to the IC50 value, 15, 30 and 100 µg/ml ART were selected for further experiments, and normal saline (0 µg/ml ART) was used as the control group. The results indicated that treatment with 15, 30 and 100 µg/ml ART for 24 and 48 h induced apoptosis, increased the levels of ROS, the levels of Ca2+ and the mRNA expression levels of BIM, Bok, Bax and Bak, but decreased the cell proliferation indices, the mitochondrial membrane potential and the mRNA expression levels of Bcl2, Bcl-xl and Mcl-1 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In conclusion, ART inhibited the growth of SiHa cells and induced apoptosis via a mechanism associated with the regulation of Bcl2 family member expression, which was associated with the increase of the levels of ROS and Ca2+ and the reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianying Zhang
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
| | - Xing Li
- Department of Flow Cytometry, Tumour Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
| | - Caiyi He
- Department of Flow Cytometry, Tumour Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
| | - Rongmiao Zhou
- Department of Molecular Biology, Tumour Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Flow Cytometry, Tumour Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Flow Cytometry, Tumour Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
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Luo Y, Bai XY, Zhang L, Hu QQ, Zhang N, Cheng JZ, Hou MZ, Liu XL. Ferroptosis in Cancer Therapy: Mechanisms, Small Molecule Inducers, and Novel Approaches. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:2485-2529. [PMID: 38919962 PMCID: PMC11198730 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s472178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis, a unique form of programmed cell death, is initiated by an excess of iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation-induced damage. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that ferroptosis plays a critical role in the advancement of tumors. The increased metabolic activity and higher iron levels in tumor cells make them particularly vulnerable to ferroptosis. As a result, the targeted induction of ferroptosis is becoming an increasingly promising approach for cancer treatment. This review offers an overview of the regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis, delves into the mechanism of action of traditional small molecule ferroptosis inducers and their effects on various tumors. In addition, the latest progress in inducing ferroptosis using new means such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), photodynamic therapy (PDT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and nanomaterials is summarized. Finally, this review discusses the challenges and opportunities in the development of ferroptosis-inducing agents, focusing on discovering new targets, improving selectivity, and reducing toxic and side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- YiLin Luo
- Yan ‘an Small Molecule Innovative Drug R&D Engineering Research Center, School of Medicine, Yan’an University, Yan’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Yue Bai
- Yan ‘an Small Molecule Innovative Drug R&D Engineering Research Center, School of Medicine, Yan’an University, Yan’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Yan ‘an Small Molecule Innovative Drug R&D Engineering Research Center, School of Medicine, Yan’an University, Yan’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian Qian Hu
- Yan ‘an Small Molecule Innovative Drug R&D Engineering Research Center, School of Medicine, Yan’an University, Yan’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Yan ‘an Small Molecule Innovative Drug R&D Engineering Research Center, School of Medicine, Yan’an University, Yan’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Zhi Cheng
- Yan ‘an Small Molecule Innovative Drug R&D Engineering Research Center, School of Medicine, Yan’an University, Yan’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ming Zheng Hou
- Yan ‘an Small Molecule Innovative Drug R&D Engineering Research Center, School of Medicine, Yan’an University, Yan’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao Long Liu
- Yan ‘an Small Molecule Innovative Drug R&D Engineering Research Center, School of Medicine, Yan’an University, Yan’an, People’s Republic of China
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RoyMahapatra D, Singh R, Sk UH, Manna PP. Engineered Artesunate-Naphthalimide Hybrid Dual Drug for Synergistic Multimodal Therapy against Experimental Murine Lymphoma. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:1090-1107. [PMID: 38306276 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Lymphoma can effectively be treated with a chemotherapy regimen that is associated with adverse side effects due to increasing drug resistance, so there is an emergent need for alternative small-molecule inhibitors to overcome the resistance that occurs in lymphoma management and overall increase the prognosis rate. A new series of substituted naphthalimide moieties conjugated via ester and amide linkages with artesunate were designed, synthesized, and characterized. In addition to the conjugates, to further achieve a theranostic molecule, FITC was incorporated via a multistep synthesis process. DNA binding studies of these selected derivatives by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), fluorescence spectroscopy, intercalating dye (EtBr, acridine orange)-DNA competitive assay, and minor groove binding dye Hoechst 33342-DNA competitive assay suggested that the synthesized novel molecules intercalated between the two strands of DNA due to its naphthalimide moiety and its counterpart artesunate binds with the minor groove of DNA. Napthalimide-artesunate conjugates inhibit the growth of lymphoma and induce apoptosis, including ready incorporation and reduction in cell viability. The remodeled drug has a significant tumoricidal effect against solid DL tumors developed in BALB/c mice in a dose-dependent manner. The novel drug appears to inhibit metastasis and increase the survival of the treated animals compared with untreated littermates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debapriya RoyMahapatra
- Department of Clinical and Translational Research, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata 700 026, West Bengal, India
| | - Ranjeet Singh
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Ugir Hossain Sk
- Department of Clinical and Translational Research, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata 700 026, West Bengal, India
| | - Partha Pratim Manna
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
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Chen Y, Liang C, Li J, Ma L, Wang B, Yuan Z, Yang S, Nong X. Effect of artesunate on cardiovascular complications in periodontitis in a type I diabetes rat model and related mechanisms. J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:2031-2053. [PMID: 36892740 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02052-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Both cardiovascular disease and periodontitis are complications of diabetes that have a great impact on human life and health. Our previous research found that artesunate can effectively improve cardiovascular disease in diabetes and has an inhibitory effect on periodontal disease. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the potential therapeutic possibility of artesunate in the protection against cardiovascular complications in periodontitis with type I diabetes rats and to elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms. METHODS Sprague‒Dawley rats were randomly divided into the healthy, diabetic, periodontitis, diabetic with periodontitis, and artesunate treatment groups (10, 30, and 60 mg/kg, i.g.). After artesunate treatment, oral swabs were collected and used to determine changes in the oral flora. Micro-CT was performed to observe changes in alveolar bone. Blood samples were processed to measure various parameters, while cardiovascular tissues were evaluated by haematoxylin-eosin, Masson, Sirius red, and TUNEL staining to observe fibrosis and apoptosis. The protein and mRNA expression levels in the alveolar bone and cardiovascular tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry and RT‒PCR. RESULTS Diabetic rats with periodontitis and cardiovascular complications maintained heart and body weight but exhibited reduced blood glucose levels, and they were able to regulate blood lipid indicators at normal levels after artesunate treatment. The staining assays suggested that treatment with 60 mg/kg artesunate has a significant therapeutic effect on myocardial apoptotic fibrosis. The high expression of NF-κB, TLR4, VEGF, ICAM-1, p38 MAPK, TGF-β, Smad2, and MMP9 in the alveolar bone and cardiovascular tissue in the type I diabetes and type I diabetes with periodontitis rat models was reduced after treatment with artesunate in a concentration-dependent manner. Micro-CT showed that treatment with 60 mg/kg artesunate effectively alleviated alveolar bone resorption and density reduction. The sequencing results suggested that each model group of rats had vascular and oral flora dysbiosis, but artesunate treatment could correct the dysbacteriosis. CONCLUSIONS Periodontitis-related pathogenic bacteria cause dysbiosis of the oral and intravascular flora in type I diabetes and aggravate cardiovascular complications. The mechanism by which periodontitis aggravates cardiovascular complications involves the NF-κB pathway, which induces myocardial apoptosis, fibrosis, and vascular inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Chen
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 10 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - C Liang
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 10 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - J Li
- Life Science Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Medical Science Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - L Ma
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 10 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - B Wang
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 10 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Z Yuan
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 10 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - S Yang
- School of Information and Management, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - X Nong
- College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, No. 10 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
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Ji T, Chen M, Liu Y, Jiang H, Li N, He X. Artesunate alleviates intestinal ischemia/reperfusion induced acute lung injury via up-regulating AKT and HO-1 signal pathway in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 122:110571. [PMID: 37441813 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Acute Lung injury (ALI) is a common complication following intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (II/R) injury that can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) a fatal illness for there is no specific therapy. The semisynthetic artemisinin Artesunate (Art) extracted from Artemisia annua has been found lots of pharmaceutical effects such as anti-malaria, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Artesunate on intestinal ischemia/reperfusion and the mechanism of how Artesunate works in mice. To establish the II/R model, the C57BL/c mice were subjected to occlude superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 45 min and 120 min reperfusion, and the lung tissue was collected for examination. Severe lung injury occurred during the II/R, meanwhile Art pretreatment decreased the lung injury score, wet/dry ratio, the level of MDA, MPO, IL-1β, TNFα, CXCL1, MCP-1, the TUNEL-positive cells, Bax and Cleaved-Caspase3 protein expression obviously, and increased the activity of SOD and the expression of Bcl-2. In addition, the protein of P-AKT and HO-1 were upregulated during the Art pretreatment. Then the AKT inhibitor Triciribin and HO-1 inhibitor Tin-protoporphyrin IX were administered which reversed the protein expression of apoptosis, AKT and HO-1. Our study suggests that Art mitigated the II/R induced acute lung injury by targeting the oxidative stress, inflammatory response and apoptosis which is associated with the activating of AKT and HO-1, providing novel insights into the therapeutic candidate for the treatment of II/R induced acute lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuo Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 East Lake Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China; Department of Anesthesiology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Meng Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, 745 Wuluo Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
| | - Yinyin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 East Lake Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China.
| | - Haixing Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 East Lake Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China.
| | - Na Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, 745 Wuluo Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
| | - Xianghu He
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 East Lake Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China.
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Yuan Y, Lv X, Wu Y, Weng Y, Dai F, Ding H, Chen R, Zheng B, Zhao W, Tong Q, Ding J, Lou D, Lai Y, Chu X, Zhao L, Lu S, Kong Q. Mining host candidate regulators of schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis in response to artesunate therapy through transcriptomics approach. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011626. [PMID: 37773953 PMCID: PMC10566724 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artesunate (ART) has been reported to have an antifibrotic effect in various organs. The underlying mechanism has not been systematically elucidated. We aimed to clarify the effect of ART on liver fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) in an experimentally infected rodent model and the potential underlying mechanisms. METHODS The effect of ART on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) was assessed using CCK-8 and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assays. The experimental model of liver fibrosis was established in the Mongolian gerbil model infected with S. japonicum cercariae and then treated with 20 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg ART. The hydroxyproline (Hyp) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities in liver tissue were measured and histopathological changes of liver tissues were observed. Whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of the liver tissues was performed. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using bioinformatic analysis and verified by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and western blot assay. RESULTS ART significantly inhibited the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of HSCs in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, Hyp content decreased significantly in the ART-H group compared to the model (MOD) group and GPX activity was significantly higher in the ART-H group than in the MOD group. Besides, ART treatment significantly reduced collagen production (p <0.05). A total of 158 DEGs and 44 differentially expressed miRNAs related to ART-induced anti-schistosomiasis liver fibrosis were identified. The qPCR and western blot results of selected DEGs were consistent with the sequencing results. These DEGs were implicated in key pathways such as immune and inflammatory response, integrin-mediated signaling and toll-like receptor signaling pathways. CONCLUSION ART is effective against liver fibrosis using Mongolian gerbil model induced by S. japonicum infection. We identified host candidate regulators of schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis in response to ART through transcriptomics approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang province, School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinyue Lv
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang province, School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yahan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang province, School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Youhong Weng
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang province, School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fangwei Dai
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Experimental Animal and Safety Evaluation, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haojie Ding
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Key Laboratory of Bio-tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Riping Chen
- School of Public Health, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Key Laboratory of Bio-tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenxia Zhao
- School of Public Health, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qunbo Tong
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Key Laboratory of Bio-tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianzu Ding
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Key Laboratory of Bio-tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Di Lou
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Key Laboratory of Bio-tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunru Lai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lishui Second People’s Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, China
| | - Xiaofeng Chu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Experimental Animal and Safety Evaluation, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Longyou Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lishui Second People’s Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, China
| | - Shaohong Lu
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Key Laboratory of Bio-tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang province, School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Key Laboratory of Bio-tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
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11
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Yuan-Ce L, Qi Z, Hong-Yang Z, Yan-Wen W, Yu-Mei S, Bi-Juan Y, Jun-Lin Y. Artesunate, as an Hsp90 inhibitor, inhibits the proliferation of Burkitt's lymphoma cells by inhibiting AKT and ERK. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1218467. [PMID: 37719860 PMCID: PMC10501146 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1218467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Artesunate, a derivative of artemisinin, has anti-malarial effects, and in recent years has also been reported to have anti-tumor activity. However, its anti-tumor mechanisms are not well understood. Methods: In this study, we focused on the targeting of Hsp90 by artesunate to inhibit tumor cell proliferation, which we examined using immunoprecipitation, a proliferation assay, flow cytometry, western blotting, a tumor xenograft animal model, and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, to examine the tumor-suppressive effects of artesunatein nude mice, we used artesunate-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles. Results: The binding of artesunate to Hsp90 was found to reduce the expression of its client proteins AKT, ERK, p-AKT, p-ERK, and EGFR, thereby blocking the cell cycle at the G0/G1 → S stage in lymphoma cells and inducing apoptosis. In addition, the results of tumor xenograft experiments revealed that artesunate reduced the expression of AKT and ERK proteins in tumor tissues, inhibited tumor proliferation, and reduced tumor size and weight. Furthermore, nanoparticle encapsulation was demonstrated to enhance the anti-cancer activity of artesunate. Discussion: We thus established that artesunate inhibits the proliferation of lymphoma cells by targeting the Hsp90 protein, and we accordingly believe that this compound has potential for development as a novelanti-tumor drug.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Yang Bi-Juan
- Key Laboratory of Chemistry in Ethnic Medicinal Resources, State Ethnic Affairs Commission and Ministry of Education, School of Ethnic Medicine, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, China
| | - Yin Jun-Lin
- Key Laboratory of Chemistry in Ethnic Medicinal Resources, State Ethnic Affairs Commission and Ministry of Education, School of Ethnic Medicine, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, China
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12
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Liu Z, Meng Y, Miao Y, Yu L, Yu Q. Artesunate reduces sepsis-mediated acute lung injury in a SIRT1-dependent manner. BIOIMPACTS : BI 2023; 13:219-228. [PMID: 37431481 PMCID: PMC10329753 DOI: 10.34172/bi.2023.23585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Sepsis-mediated acute lung injury (ALI) is a critical clinical condition. Artesunate (AS) is a sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide that was discovered in Artemisia annua, which is a traditional Chinese herb. AS has a broad set of biological and pharmacological actions; however, its protective effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI remains unclear. Methods LPS-mediated ALI was induced in rats through bronchial LPS inhalation. Then NR8383 cells were treated with LPS to establish an in vitro model. Further, we administered different AS doses in vivo and in vitro. Results AS administration significantly decreased LPS-mediated pulmonary cell death and inhibited pulmonary neutrophil infiltration. Additionally, AS administration increased SIRT1 expression in pulmonary sections. Administration of a biological antagonist or shRNA-induced reduction of SIRT1 expression significantly inhibited the protective effect of AS against LPS-induced cellular injury, pulmonary dysfunction, neutrophil infiltration, and apoptosis. This demonstrates that enhanced SIRT1 expression is crucially involved in the observed protective effects. Conclusion Our findings could suggest the use of AS for treating lung disorders through a mechanism involving SIRT1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei, China
| | - Yanli Meng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei, China
| | - Yu Miao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei, China
| | - Lili Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei, China
| | - Qiannan Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei, China
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13
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Zeng ZW, Chen D, Chen L, He B, Li Y. A comprehensive overview of Artemisinin and its derivatives as anticancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 247:115000. [PMID: 36538859 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Artemisinin is the crucial ingredient of artemisia annua, a traditional Chinese medicine used for the therapy of malaria in China for hundreds of years. In recent years, the anticancer properties of artemisinin and its derivatives have also been reported. This review has summarized the research and development of artemisinin and its derivatives as anticancer agents, which included both natural and synthetic monomers as well as their dimers. In addition, it highlights the antitumor effects of artemisinin and its derivatives after site-modification or after transformation to a nano-delivery system. Moreover, we have further explored their potential mechanisms of action and also discussed the clinical trials of ARTs used to treat cancer, which will facilitate in further development of novel anticancer drugs based on the scaffold of artemisinin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Wei Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Di Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Lei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Bin He
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China.
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Engineering Research Center for the Development and Application of Ethnic Medicine and TCM (Ministry of Education), Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China.
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14
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Xie B, Li S, Bai W, Li Z, Lou F. Artesunate Alleviates Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Injury in Neonatal Mice by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2023; 2023:7603943. [PMID: 36785753 PMCID: PMC9922194 DOI: 10.1155/2023/7603943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic respiratory disease in preterm infants that may cause persistent lung injury. Artesunate exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory in lung injury caused by various factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the artesunate on hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal mice and its mechanism. A BPD model of hyperoxic lung injury in neonatal mice was established after hyperoxia (75% oxygen) exposure for 14 days, and part of the mice received intraperitoneal injections of the artesunate. H&E staining was used to observe the pathology of lung tissue, and the degree of oxidative stress in the lung tissue was determined by commercial kits. The levels of inflammatory cytokines in the serum and lung tissues of neonatal mice were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunohistochemical experiments were performed to further evaluate the expression of IL-1β. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the mRNA level of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The western blot assay was used to measure the levels of NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB pathway-related proteins. Artesunate ameliorated weight loss and lung tissue injury in neonatal mice induced by hyperoxia. The level of malondialdehyde was decreased, while the activity of superoxide dismutase and the level of glutathione increased after artesunate treatment. Artesunate reduced the level of inflammation cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the serum and lung. Moreover, artesunate inhibited the mRNA expression and protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1, as well as the phosphorylation of the NF-κB and IκBα. Our findings suggest that artesunate treatment can attenuate hyperoxia-induced lung injury in BPD neonatal mice by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the phosphorylation of the NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Xie
- Department of Pharmacy, Shaoxing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - Shouye Li
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wuxia Bai
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zheming Li
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feifeng Lou
- Department of Neonatology, Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji, China
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15
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Zhou Y, Fang C, Xu H, Yuan L, Liu Y, Wang X, Zhang A, Shao A, Zhou D. Ferroptosis in glioma treatment: Current situation, prospects and drug applications. Front Oncol 2022; 12:989896. [PMID: 36249003 PMCID: PMC9557197 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.989896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a regulatory form of iron-dependent cell death caused by the accumulation of lipid-based reactive oxygen species (ROS) and differs from apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necrosis. Especially in neoplastic diseases, the susceptibility of tumor cells to ferroptosis affects prognosis and is associated with complex effects. Gliomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors, accounting for disease in 81% of patients with malignant brain tumors. An increasing number of studies have revealed the particular characteristics of iron metabolism in glioma cells. Therefore, agents that target a wide range of molecules involved in ferroptosis may regulate this process and enhance glioma treatment. Here, we review the underlying mechanisms of ferroptosis and summarize the potential therapeutic options for targeting ferroptosis in glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Zhou
- Health Management Center, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- The First Clinical Medical College, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Chaoyou Fang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Houshi Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yibo Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Anke Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Anke Zhang, ; Anwen Shao, ; Danyang Zhou,
| | - Anwen Shao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Anke Zhang, ; Anwen Shao, ; Danyang Zhou,
| | - Danyang Zhou
- Health Management Center, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Anke Zhang, ; Anwen Shao, ; Danyang Zhou,
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16
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Gu L, Zhang J, Liu D, Chen J, Liu S, Peng Q, Tian Y, Du M, Zhang J, Xiao W, Shen S, Wang J. Development of artesunate intelligent prodrug liposomes based on mitochondrial targeting strategy. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:376. [PMID: 35964052 PMCID: PMC9375379 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01569-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women and remains a formidable therapeutic challenge. Mitochondria participate in a myriad of essential cellular processes, such as metabolism, and are becoming an ideal target for cancer therapy. Artemisinin and its derivatives have demonstrated multiple activities in the context of various cancers. Mitochondrial autophagy(mitophagy) is one of the important anti-tumor mechanisms of artemisinin drugs. However, the lack of specific tumor targeting ability limits the anti-tumor efficacy of artemisinin drugs. In this study, a GSH-sensitive artesunate smart conjugate (TPP-SS-ATS) was synthesized and liposomes (TPP-SS-ATS-LS) that target tumor cells and mitochondria were further prepared. The advantages of TPP-SS-ATS-LS targeting to the breast tumor were verified by in vivo and in vitro evaluations. In our study, the cytotoxicity was obviously enhanced in vitro and tumor growth inhibition rate was increased from 37.7% to 56.4% at equivalent artesunate dosage in breast cancer orthotopic implanted mice. Meanwhile, mitochondrial dysfunction, suppression of ATP production and respiratory capacity were detected in breast cancer cells. We further discovered that TPP-SS-ATS-LS inhibited tumor cells proliferation through mitophagy by regulating PHB2 and PINK1 expression. These results provide new research strategies for the development of new artemisinin-based anti-tumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Gu
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Liu
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayun Chen
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuzhi Liu
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Peng
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Tian
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China
| | - Maobo Du
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China
| | - Junzhe Zhang
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Xiao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuo Shen
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jigang Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China. .,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Gupta M, Chandan K, Sarwat M. Natural Products and their Derivatives as Immune Check Point Inhibitors: Targeting Cytokine/Chemokine Signalling in Cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:214-232. [PMID: 35772610 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is the new generation and widely accepted form of tumour treatment. It is, however, associated with exclusive challenges which include organ-specific inflammation, and single-target strategies. Therefore, approaches that can enhance the efficiency of existing immunotherapies and expand their indications are required for the further development of immunotherapy. Natural products and medicines are stated to have this desired effect on cancer immunotherapy (adoptive immune-cells therapy, cancer vaccines, and immune-check point inhibitors). They refurbish the immunosuppressed tumour microenvironment, which is the primary location of interaction of tumour cells with the host immune system. Various immune cell subsets, via interaction with cytokine/chemokine receptors, are recruited into this microenvironment, and these subsets have roles in tumour progression and treatment responsiveness. This review summarises cytokine/chemokine signalling, types of cancer immunotherapy and the herbal medicine-derived natural products targeting cytokine/chemokines and immune checkpoints. These natural compounds possess immunomodulatory activities and exert their anti-tumour effect by either blocking the interaction or modulating the expression of the proteins linked with immune checkpoint signaling pathways. Some compounds also show a synergistic effect in combination with existing monoclonal antibody drugs to reverse the tumour microenvironment. Additionally, we have also reported some studies about the derivatives and formulations used to overcome the limitations of natural forms. This review can provide important insights for directing future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Gupta
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Noida-201313, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Kumari Chandan
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Noida-201313, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Maryam Sarwat
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Noida-201313, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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18
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Shi Q, Xia F, Wang Q, Liao F, Guo Q, Xu C, Wang J. Discovery and repurposing of artemisinin. Front Med 2022; 16:1-9. [PMID: 35290595 PMCID: PMC8922983 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-021-0898-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is an ancient infectious disease that threatens millions of lives globally even today. The discovery of artemisinin, inspired by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has brought in a paradigm shift and been recognized as the “best hope for the treatment of malaria” by World Health Organization. With its high potency and low toxicity, the wide use of artemisinin effectively treats the otherwise drug-resistant parasites and helps many countries, including China, to eventually eradicate malaria. Here, we will first review the initial discovery of artemisinin, an extraordinary journey that was in stark contrast with many drugs in western medicine. We will then discuss how artemisinin and its derivatives could be repurposed to treat cancer, inflammation, immunoregulation-related diseases, and COVID-19. Finally, we will discuss the implications of the “artemisinin story” and how that can better guide the development of TCM today. We believe that artemisinin is just a starting point and TCM will play an even bigger role in healthcare in the 21st century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoli Shi
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Fei Xia
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Qixin Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Fulong Liao
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Qiuyan Guo
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Chengchao Xu
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China. .,Department of Geriatrics, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
| | - Jigang Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China. .,Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, 524045, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China. .,Department of Geriatrics, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
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19
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Lu X, Zhang J, Li YQ, Liu QX, Zhou D, Deng XF, Qiu Y, Chen Q, Li MY, Liu XQ, Dai JG, Zheng H. Plasmodium Circumsporozoite Protein Enhances the Efficacy of Gefitinib in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells by Inhibiting Autophagy via Proteasomal Degradation of LC3B. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:830046. [PMID: 35186935 PMCID: PMC8851824 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.830046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Almost all lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients with EGFR mutant will develop resistance to EGFR-TKIs, which limit the long-term clinical application of these agents. Accumulating evidence shows one of the main reasons for resistance to EGFR-TKIs is induction of autophagy in tumor cells. Our previous study found that circumsporozoite protein (CSP) in Plasmodium can suppress autophagy in host hepatocytes. However, it is unknown whether CSP-mediated inhibition of autophagy could improve the anti-tumor effect of EGFR-TKIs. Methods: We constructed A549 and H1975 cell lines with stable overexpression of CSP (OE-CSP cells). CCK-8, Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), flow cytometry, and colony analysis were performed to observe the effect of CSP overexpression on cell viability, apoptosis rate, and colony formation ratio. The sensitizing effect of CSP on gefitinib was evaluated in vivo using a subcutaneous tumor model in nude mice and immunohistochemical assay. The role of CSP in regulation of autophagy was investigated by laser confocal microscopy assay and western blotting. A transcriptome sequencing assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to determine the levels of mRNA for autophagy-related proteins. Cycloheximide (CHX), MG132, TAK-243, and immunoprecipitation assays were used to detect and confirm proteasomal degradation of LC3B. Results: OE-CSP A549 and H1975 cells were more sensitive to gefitinib, demonstrating significant amounts of apoptosis and decreased viability. In the OE-CSP group, autophagy was significantly inhibited, and there was a decrease in LC3B protein after exposure to gefitinib. Cell viability and colony formed ability were recovered when OE-CSP cells were exposed to rapamycin. In nude mice with xenografts of LUAD cells, inhibition of autophagy by CSP resulted in suppression of cell growth, and more marked apoptosis during exposure to gefitinib. CSP promoted ubiquitin-proteasome degradation of LC3B, leading to inhibition of autophagy in LUAD cells after treatment with gefitinib. When LUAD cells were treated with ubiquitin activating enzyme inhibitor TAK-243, cell viability, apoptosis, and growth were comparable between the OE-CSP group and a control group both in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion: CSP can inhibit gefitinib-induced autophagy via proteasomal degradation of LC3B, which suggests that CSP could be used as an autophagy inhibitor to sensitize EGFR-TKIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Lu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiao Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan-Qi Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quan-Xing Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dong Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xu-Feng Deng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Cancer Center of Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Man-Yuan Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ji-Gang Dai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Zhou X, Soto-Gamez A, Nijdam F, Setroikromo R, Quax WJ. Dihydroartemisinin-Transferrin Adducts Enhance TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in a P53-Independent and ROS-Dependent Manner. Front Oncol 2022; 11:789336. [PMID: 35047402 PMCID: PMC8762273 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.789336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype independent of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. It has a poor prognosis and high recurrence. Due to its limited treatment options in the clinic, novel therapies are urgently needed. Single treatment with the death receptor ligand TRAIL was shown to be poorly effective. Recently, we have shown that artemisinin derivatives enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Here, we utilized transferrin (TF) to enhance the effectiveness of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in inducing cell death in TNBC cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436, MDA-MB-468 and BT549). We found that the combination of DHA-TF and the death receptor 5-specific TRAIL variant DHER leads to an increase in DR5 expression in all four TNBC cell lines, while higher cytotoxicity was observed in MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-436. All the data point to the finding that DHA-TF stimulates cell death in TNBC cells, while the combination of DHA-TF with TRAIL variants will trigger more cell death in TRAIL-sensitive cells. Overall, DHA-TF in combination with TRAIL variants represents a potential novel combination therapy for triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhou
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Abel Soto-Gamez
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.,European Institute for the Biology of Aging (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Fleur Nijdam
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Rita Setroikromo
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Wim J Quax
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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21
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Zhang S, Li J, Nong X, Zhan Y, Xu J, Zhao D, Ma C, Wang Y, Li Y, Li Z, Li J. Artesunate Combined With Metformin Ameliorate on Diabetes-Induced Xerostomia by Mitigating Superior Salivatory Nucleus and Salivary Glands Injury in Type 2 Diabetic Rats via the PI3K/AKT Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:774674. [PMID: 34987398 PMCID: PMC8722737 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.774674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Polydipsia and xerostomia are the most common complications that seriously affect oral health in patients with diabetes. However, to date, there is no effective treatment for diabetic xerostomia. Recent studies have reported that artesunate (ART) and metformin (Met) improve salivary gland (SG) hypofunction in murine Sjögren's syndrome. Therefore, aim of this study was to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of artesunate (ART) alone and in combination with metformin (Met) on hyposalivation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. T2DM rats were induced using a high-fat diet and streptozotocin. SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following five groups: normal control group, untreated diabetic group, ART-treated diabetic group (50 mg/kg), Met-treated diabetic group (150 mg/kg), and ART/Met co-treated diabetic group (50 mg/kg ART and 150 mg/kg Met). ART and Met were intragastrically administered daily for 4 weeks. The general conditions, diabetes parameters and serum lipids were evaluated after drug treatment. Furthermore, we observed changes in the central superior salivatory nucleus (SSN) and SG, and changes in the AQP5 expression, parasympathetic innervation (AChE and BDNF expression), and PI3K/AKT pathway- (p-AKT, and p-PI3K), apoptosis- (Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase3), and autophagy- (LC3 and P62) related markers expression in T2DM rats after treatment. Our results showed that ART or Met alone and ART/Met combination attenuated a range of diabetic symptoms, including weight loss, urine volume increase, water consumption increase, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia. More importantly, we found that these three treatments, especially ART/Met combination, mitigated hyposalivation in the T2DM rats via improving the central SSN and SGs damage in hyperglycemia. Our data also indicated that ART/Met attenuated SG damage though regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway to inhibit apoptosis and autophagy of SGs in the T2DM rats. Moreover, ART/Met preserved parasympathetic innervation (AChE and BDNF expression) in SGs to alleviate diabetes-induced hyposalivation likely through rescuing central SSN damage. Taken together, these findings might provide a novel rationale and treatment strategy for future treatment of diabetes-induced xerostomia in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqin Zhang
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiarui Li
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaolin Nong
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Disease Treatment, Nanning, China
| | - Yuxiang Zhan
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiazhi Xu
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Danni Zhao
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Chubin Ma
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yixing Li
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhan Li
- College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiaquan Li
- Medical Science Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Life Science Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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22
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Farmanpour-Kalalagh K, Beyraghdar Kashkooli A, Babaei A, Rezaei A, van der Krol AR. Artemisinins in Combating Viral Infections Like SARS-CoV-2, Inflammation and Cancers and Options to Meet Increased Global Demand. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:780257. [PMID: 35197994 PMCID: PMC8859114 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.780257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinin is a natural bioactive sesquiterpene lactone containing an unusual endoperoxide 1, 2, 4-trioxane ring. It is derived from the herbal medicinal plant Artemisia annua and is best known for its use in treatment of malaria. However, recent studies also indicate the potential for artemisinin and related compounds, commonly referred to as artemisinins, in combating viral infections, inflammation and certain cancers. Moreover, the different potential modes of action of artemisinins make these compounds also potentially relevant to the challenges the world faces in the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial studies indicate positive effects of artemisinin or Artemisia spp. extracts to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 related symptoms and WHO-supervised clinical studies on the potential of artemisinins to combat COVID-19 are now in progress. However, implementing multiple potential new uses of artemisinins will require effective solutions to boost production, either by enhancing synthesis in A. annua itself or through biotechnological engineering in alternative biosynthesis platforms. Because of this renewed interest in artemisinin and its derivatives, here we review its modes of action, its potential application in different diseases including COVID-19, its biosynthesis and future options to boost production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Farmanpour-Kalalagh
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arman Beyraghdar Kashkooli
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Arman Beyraghdar Kashkooli,
| | - Alireza Babaei
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Rezaei
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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23
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Chen Y, Wang F, Wu P, Gong S, Gao J, Tao H, Shen Q, Wang S, Zhou Z, Jia Y. Artesunate induces apoptosis, autophagy and ferroptosis in diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells by impairing STAT3 signaling. Cell Signal 2021; 88:110167. [PMID: 34628002 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Artesunate (ART), a water-soluble derivative of artemisinin, has been reported to exert antineoplastic effects via diverse mechanisms in various types of cancer. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanism of action of ART in distinct cancer types is indispensable to optimizing the therapeutic application of ART for different types of cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the antineoplastic effects of ART in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells. Cell proliferation was measured using Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays. The levels of apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were investigated using flow cytometry. In addition, western blotting was used to analyze the expression levels of ART-induced apoptosis-, autophagy- and ferroptosis-related proteins. Monodansylcadaverine staining was performed to determine the levels of autophagy. Moreover, malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species assays were used to determine the levels of ferroptosis. The results of the present study revealed that ART inhibited proliferation, and induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy and ferroptosis in DLBCL cells. Pharmacological inhibition of autophagy and ferroptosis alleviated the increased levels of apoptosis induced by ART. Notably, ART was found to exert its effects via inhibition of STAT3 activation. The genetic knockdown of STAT3 enhanced ART-induced autophagy and ferroptosis, and concomitantly upregulated the expression levels of apoptosis- and cell cycle-related proteins. In conclusion, the findings of the current study suggested that ART may induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest to inhibit cell proliferation, and regulate autophagy and ferroptosis via impairing the STAT3 signaling pathway in DLBCL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Chen
- Department of Hematology and Research Laboratory of Hematology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Fujue Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Pengqiang Wu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuaige Gong
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Gao
- Department of Hematology and Research Laboratory of Hematology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Huan Tao
- Department of Hematology and Research Laboratory of Hematology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianqing Shen
- Department of Hematology and Research Laboratory of Hematology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuoting Wang
- Department of Hematology and Research Laboratory of Hematology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhencang Zhou
- Department of Hematology and Research Laboratory of Hematology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yongqian Jia
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
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Siddiqui AJ, Khan MF, Hamadou WS, Goyal M, Jahan S, Jamal A, Ashraf SA, Sharma P, Sachidanandan M, Badraoui R, Chaubey KK, Snoussi M, Adnan M. Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulation Revealed Ivermectin as Potential Drug against Schistosoma-Associated Bladder Cancer Targeting Protein Signaling: Computational Drug Repositioning Approach. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2021; 57:1058. [PMID: 34684095 PMCID: PMC8539496 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57101058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Urogenital schistosomiasis is caused by Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) infection, which has been linked to the development of bladder cancer. In this study, three repurposing drugs, ivermectin, arteether and praziquantel, were screened to find the potent drug-repurposing candidate against the Schistosoma-associated bladder cancer (SABC) in humans by using computational methods. The biology of most glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) proteins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is complex and multifaceted, according to recent evidence, and these proteins actively participate in many tumorigenic processes such as cell proliferation, cell survival and drug resistance. The VEGF and GSTs are now widely acknowledged as an important target for antitumor therapy. Thus, in this present study, ivermectin displayed promising inhibition of bladder cancer cells via targeting VEGF and GSTs signaling. Moreover, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analysis revealed that ivermectin efficiently targeted the binding pockets of VEGF receptor proteins and possessed stable dynamics behavior at binding sites. Therefore, we proposed here that these compounds must be tested experimentally against VEGF and GST signaling in order to control SABC. Our study lies within the idea of discovering repurposing drugs as inhibitors against the different types of human cancers by targeting essential pathways in order to accelerate the drug development cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Jamal Siddiqui
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hail, Hail 2440, Saudi Arabia; (W.S.H.); (A.J.); (R.B.); (M.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Mohammad Faheem Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Era’s Lucknow Medical College, Era University, Lucknow 226003, India;
| | - Walid Sabri Hamadou
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hail, Hail 2440, Saudi Arabia; (W.S.H.); (A.J.); (R.B.); (M.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Manish Goyal
- Molecular Parasitology and Immunology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; (M.G.); (P.S.)
| | - Sadaf Jahan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Arshad Jamal
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hail, Hail 2440, Saudi Arabia; (W.S.H.); (A.J.); (R.B.); (M.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Syed Amir Ashraf
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, College of Applied Medial Sciences, University of Hail, Hail 2440, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Pankaj Sharma
- Molecular Parasitology and Immunology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; (M.G.); (P.S.)
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Manojkumar Sachidanandan
- Department of Oral Radiology, College of Dentistry, University of Hail, Hail 2440, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Riadh Badraoui
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hail, Hail 2440, Saudi Arabia; (W.S.H.); (A.J.); (R.B.); (M.S.); (M.A.)
- Section of Histology-Cytology, Medicine Faculty of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1017, Tunisia
| | - Kundan Kumar Chaubey
- Department of Biotechnology, Academic Block VI, GLA University, Mathura 281406, India;
| | - Mejdi Snoussi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hail, Hail 2440, Saudi Arabia; (W.S.H.); (A.J.); (R.B.); (M.S.); (M.A.)
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biodiversity and Valorization of Bio-Resources (LR11ES41), University of Monastir, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, Avenue Tahar Haddas BP74, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
| | - Mohd Adnan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hail, Hail 2440, Saudi Arabia; (W.S.H.); (A.J.); (R.B.); (M.S.); (M.A.)
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Artemether confers neuroprotection on cerebral ischemic injury through stimulation of the Erk1/2-P90rsk-CREB signaling pathway. Redox Biol 2021; 46:102069. [PMID: 34303216 PMCID: PMC8327154 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability among adults. Despite the economic burden of the disease, available treatment options are still very limited. With the exception of anti-thrombolytics and hypothermia, current therapies fail to reduce neuronal injury, neurological deficits and mortality rates, suggesting that the development of novel and more effective therapies against ischemic stroke is urgent. In the present study, we found that artemether, which has been used in the clinic as an anti-malarial drug, was able to improve the neurological deficits, attenuate the infarction volume and the brain water content in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) animal model. Furthermore, artemether treatment significantly suppressed cell apoptosis, stimulated cell proliferation and promoted the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), P90rsk and cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB). Artemether protective effect was attenuated by PD98059, an ERK1/2 inhibitor, administration. Similarly, in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/RP) cell models, artemether pre-treatment induced the suppression of the intracellular ROS, the down-regulation of LDH activity, the reduction of caspase 3 activity and of the apoptosis cell rate and reversed the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential. As with MCAO animal model, artemether promoted the activation of Erk1/2-P90rsk-CREB signaling pathway. This effect was blocked by the inhibition or knock-down of ERK1/2. The present study provides evidences of the neuroprotective effect of artemether unravelling its potential as a new therapeutic candidate for the prevention and treatment of stroke. Artemether conferred neuroprotection in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) animal model. Artemether conferred neuroprotection on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced cell injury model. Artemether promoted the activation of Erk1/2-P90rsk-CREB signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo.
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26
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Cai L, Tang H, Zhou M, Ding Y, Li X, Shi Z. Artesunate Attenuated the Progression of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a Mouse Model. J Surg Res 2021; 267:404-413. [PMID: 34225053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inflammatory reaction is an important mechanism of pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Artesunate (AS) has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects in cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether AS could inhibit the development of AAA. MATERIALS AND METHODS AngII infused ApoE (-/-) male mice were selected as AAA model. Mice were spilt into three groups, the experimental control group (AngII), the AS treatment group (AngII + AS) and the negative control group (Vehicle) with 14 in each group. Daily administration of AS (100 mg/kg/d) or vehicle performed 3 day before the perfusion. At the end of the 28-day experiment, animal ultrasound and electronic digital caliper were used to measure the diameter of abdominal aorta. Histologic assays were performed to observe the microstructure of the aorta wall. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect inflammatory cells, as well as the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The transcription of cytokines and adhesion molecules were investigated by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR). Western blotting was performed to determine whether the NF-κB pathway is involved in the mechanism. RESULTS While AS failed to reduce the incidence of AAA, AS effectively reduced the diameter of AAA independently of blood pressure effects. Immunofluorescence detection showed that AS effectively reduced the levels of CD45+ cells and MAC3+ macrophages as well as MMP-2 and MMP-9. qPCR revealed that AS reduced mRNA transcription levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, the cytokine IL-1β, TNF-α, adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1. AS decreased the levels of NF-κB signaling pathway in aorta. CONCLUSIONS AS can attenuate the development of AAA in mice. The possible mechanism is anti-inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Cai
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanfei Tang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Ding
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyu Shi
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China..
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Guan J, Chen W, Yang M, Wu E, Qian J, Zhan C. Regulation of in vivo delivery of nanomedicines by herbal medicines. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 174:210-228. [PMID: 33887404 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nanomedicines are of increasing scrutiny due to their improved efficacy and/or mitigated side effects. They can be integrated with many other therapeutics to further boost the clinical benefits. Among those, herbal medicines are arousing great interest to be combined with nanomedicines to exert synergistic effects in multifaceted mechanisms. The in vivo performance of nanomedicines which determines the therapeutic efficacy and safety is believed to be heavily influenced by the physio-pathological characters of the body. Activation of multiple immune factors, e.g., complement system, phagocytic cells, lymphocytes, and among many others, can affect the fate of nanomedicines in blood circulation, biodistribution, interaction with single cells and intracellular transport. Immunomodulatory effects and metabolic regulation by herbal medicines have been widely witnessed during the past decades, which alter the physio-pathological conditions and dramatically affect in vivo delivery of nanomedicines. In this review, we summarize recent progress of understanding on the in vivo delivery process of nanomedicines and analyze the major affecting factors that regulate the interaction of nanomedicines with organisms. We discuss the immunomodulatory roles and metabolic regulation by herbal medicines and their effects on in vivo delivery process of nanomedicines, as well as the prospective clinical benefits from the combination of nanomedicines and herbal medicines.
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28
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Huang H, He Q, Guo B, Xu X, Wu Y, Li X. Progress in Redirecting Antiparasitic Drugs for Cancer Treatment. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2021; 15:2747-2767. [PMID: 34188451 PMCID: PMC8235938 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s308973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Drug repurposing is a feasible strategy in developing novel medications. Regarding the cancer field, scientists are continuously making efforts to redirect conventional drugs into cancer treatment. This approach aims at exploring new applications in the existing agents. Antiparasitic medications, including artemisinin derivatives (ARTs), quinine-related compounds, niclosamide, ivermectin, albendazole derivatives, nitazoxanide and pyrimethamine, have been deeply investigated and widely applied in treating various parasitic diseases for a long time. Generally, their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties are well understood, while the side effects are roughly acceptable. Scientists noticed that some of these agents have anticancer potentials and explored the underlying mechanisms to achieve drug repurposing. Recent studies show that these agents inhibit cancer progression via multiple interesting ways, inducing ferroptosis induction, autophagy regulation, mitochondrial disturbance, immunoregulation, and metabolic disruption. In this review, we summarize the recent advancement in uncovering antiparasitic drugs' anticancer properties from the perspective of their pharmacological targets. Instead of paying attention to the previously discovered mechanisms, we focus more on newly emerging ones that are worth noticing. While most investigations are focusing on the mechanisms of their antiparasitic effect, more in vivo exploration in clinical trials in the future is necessary. Moreover, we also paid attention to what limits the clinical application of these agents. For some of these agents like ARTs and niclosamide, drug modification, novel delivery system invention, or drug combination are strongly recommended for future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyang Huang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing He
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China.,CAEA Center of Excellence on Nuclear Technology Applications for Insect Control, Beijing, 100048, People's Republic of China
| | - Binghua Guo
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, People's Republic of China
| | - Xudong Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinjuan Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China.,CAEA Center of Excellence on Nuclear Technology Applications for Insect Control, Beijing, 100048, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuerong Li
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Tropical Diseases Control of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China.,CAEA Center of Excellence on Nuclear Technology Applications for Insect Control, Beijing, 100048, People's Republic of China
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29
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Jiu X, Liu Y, Wen J. Artesunate combined with verteporfin inhibits uveal melanoma by regulation of the MALAT1/yes-associated protein signaling pathway. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:597. [PMID: 34188699 PMCID: PMC8228376 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common ocular malignancy and has no effective clinical treatment. Therefore, novel drugs to suppress UM tumor progression are urgently required. The present study aimed to clarify the underlying mechanism of the inhibitory effects of artesunate on UM. By using plasmid transfection and detecting apoptotic level, the present study identified artesunate as a potential candidate for UM treatment. Compared with those in the vehicle (DMSO)-treated control cells, artesunate enhanced the apoptotic rate and increased lactate dehydrogenase release, reactive oxygen species and IL1b and IL18 levels in C918 cells. Overexpression of yes-associated protein (YAP) or metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in C918 cells reversed the effects of artesunate and reduced the apoptotic rate compared with those observed in cells transfected with the negative control plasmid. Notably, verteporfin enhanced the effects of artesunate on C918 cells by increasing the apoptotic rate, indicating that combined therapy was more effective compared with treatment with artesunate alone. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that artesunate elevated the apoptotic rate and suppressed C918 cell viability by regulating the MALAT1/YAP signaling pathway, and these effects were enhanced by supplementation with verteporfin. These results suggested that artesunate may exert an inhibitory effect on C918 cells and that the MALAT1/YAP signaling may serve important role in mediating these effects, providing evidence of its potential for treating UM in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Jiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730020, P.R. China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730020, P.R. China
| | - Jin Wen
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
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30
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Zhang M, Wang YW, Zhu YZ, Gu XL. Discovery of quality control ingredients in burdock root by combining anti-tumor effects and UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS. Biomed Chromatogr 2021; 35:e5187. [PMID: 34061396 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.5187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Burdock root is the root of Arctium lappa L., a plant of the Compositae family, which has the effects of dispersing wind and heat, detoxifying and reducing swelling. In order to better control the quality of burdock root, a screening study of quality control indicators was carried out. The current research combines biological activity evaluation with chemical analysis to screen and identify the biologically active compounds of burdock root as chemical components for the quality control of herbal medicine. The efficacy of 10 batches of ethanol extracts of burdock roots was evaluated by a tumor inhibition experiment in S180 tumor-bearing mice. The five main chemical components of these extracts were simultaneously quantitatively measured by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography combined with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Pearson correlation analysis was used to establish the relationship between these extracts' biological activity and chemical properties. The results showed that chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and cynarin were positively correlated with the effect of inhibiting tumor growth, and further bioassays confirmed this conclusion. In conclusion, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and cynarin can be used as quality control markers for burdock root's antitumor effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Zhang
- Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - You-Wen Wang
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan-Zhang Zhu
- Department of pharmacy, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Ling Gu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, GuangMing Chinese Medicine Hospital of Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
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31
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Ellis T, Eze E, Raimi-Abraham BT. Malaria and Cancer: a critical review on the established associations and new perspectives. Infect Agent Cancer 2021; 16:33. [PMID: 33985540 PMCID: PMC8117320 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-021-00370-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Cancer and malaria both have high incidence rates and are leading causes of mortality worldwide, especially in low and middle-income countries with reduced access to the quality healthcare. The objective of this critical review was to summarize key associations and new perspectives between the two diseases as is reported in existing literature. Methods A critical review of research articles published between 1st January 2000 – 1st July 2020 which yielded 1753 articles. These articles were screened based on a precise inclusion criteria. Eighty-nine eligible articles were identified and further evaluated. Results Many articles reported anti-cancer activities of anti-malarial medicines, including Artemisinin and its derivatives. Other articles investigated the use of chemotherapy in areas burdened by malaria, treatment complications that malaria may cause for cancer patients as well as ways to circumvent cancer related drug resistance. Potential novel targets for cancer treatment, were identified namely oncofoetal chondroitin sulphate and haem, as well as the use of circumsporozoite proteins. A number of articles also discussed Burkitt lymphoma or febrile neutropenia. Conclusions Overall, excluding for Burkitt lymphoma, the relationship between cancer and malaria requires further extensive research in order to define association. There great potential promising new novel anti-cancer therapies using anti-malarial drugs. Graphical abstract Created using BioRender![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Toby Ellis
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Guy's Campus, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Elvis Eze
- Malaria no More UK, The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, Vauxhall, London, SE11 5RR, UK
| | - Bahijja Tolulope Raimi-Abraham
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Waterloo Campus, Franklin Wilkins Building, Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, UK.
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32
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Li YQ, Zheng Z, Liu QX, Lu X, Zhou D, Zhang J, Zheng H, Dai JG. Repositioning of Antiparasitic Drugs for Tumor Treatment. Front Oncol 2021; 11:670804. [PMID: 33996598 PMCID: PMC8117216 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.670804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug repositioning is a strategy for identifying new antitumor drugs; this strategy allows existing and approved clinical drugs to be innovatively repurposed to treat tumors. Based on the similarities between parasitic diseases and cancer, recent studies aimed to investigate the efficacy of existing antiparasitic drugs in cancer. In this review, we selected two antihelminthic drugs (macrolides and benzimidazoles) and two antiprotozoal drugs (artemisinin and its derivatives, and quinolines) and summarized the research progresses made to date on the role of these drugs in cancer. Overall, these drugs regulate tumor growth via multiple targets, pathways, and modes of action. These antiparasitic drugs are good candidates for comprehensive, in-depth analyses of tumor occurrence and development. In-depth studies may improve the current tumor diagnoses and treatment regimens. However, for clinical application, current investigations are still insufficient, warranting more comprehensive analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hong Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Ji-Gang Dai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
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33
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Iankova V, Karin I, Klopstock T, Schneider SA. Emerging Disease-Modifying Therapies in Neurodegeneration With Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) Disorders. Front Neurol 2021; 12:629414. [PMID: 33935938 PMCID: PMC8082061 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.629414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) is a heterogeneous group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases characterized by iron deposition in the globus pallidus and the substantia nigra. As of today, 15 distinct monogenetic disease entities have been identified. The four most common forms are pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), phospholipase A2 group VI (PLA2G6)-associated neurodegeneration (PLAN), beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN) and mitochondrial membrane protein-associated neurodegeneration (MPAN). Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation disorders present with a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms such as movement disorder signs (dystonia, parkinsonism, chorea), pyramidal involvement (e.g., spasticity), speech disorders, cognitive decline, psychomotor retardation, and ocular abnormalities. Treatment remains largely symptomatic but new drugs are in the pipeline. In this review, we discuss the rationale of new compounds, summarize results from clinical trials, provide an overview of important results in cell lines and animal models and discuss the future development of disease-modifying therapies for NBIA disorders. A general mechanistic approach for treatment of NBIA disorders is with iron chelators which bind and remove iron. Few studies investigated the effect of deferiprone in PKAN, including a recent placebo-controlled double-blind multicenter trial, demonstrating radiological improvement with reduction of iron load in the basal ganglia and a trend to slowing of disease progression. Disease-modifying strategies address the specific metabolic pathways of the affected enzyme. Such tailor-made approaches include provision of an alternative substrate (e.g., fosmetpantotenate or 4′-phosphopantetheine for PKAN) in order to bypass the defective enzyme. A recent randomized controlled trial of fosmetpantotenate, however, did not show any significant benefit of the drug as compared to placebo, leading to early termination of the trials' extension phase. 4′-phosphopantetheine showed promising results in animal models and a clinical study in patients is currently underway. Another approach is the activation of other enzyme isoforms using small molecules (e.g., PZ-2891 in PKAN). There are also compounds which counteract downstream cellular effects. For example, deuterated polyunsaturated fatty acids (D-PUFA) may reduce mitochondrial lipid peroxidation in PLAN. In infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (a subtype of PLAN), desipramine may be repurposed as it blocks ceramide accumulation. Gene replacement therapy is still in a preclinical stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassilena Iankova
- Department of Neurology With Friedrich Baur Institute, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ivan Karin
- Department of Neurology With Friedrich Baur Institute, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- Department of Neurology With Friedrich Baur Institute, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne A Schneider
- Department of Neurology With Friedrich Baur Institute, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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Romero-Cordero S, Kirwan R, Noguera-Julian A, Cardellach F, Fortuny C, Morén C. A Mitocentric View of the Main Bacterial and Parasitic Infectious Diseases in the Pediatric Population. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3272. [PMID: 33806981 PMCID: PMC8004694 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases occur worldwide with great frequency in both adults and children. Both infections and their treatments trigger mitochondrial interactions at multiple levels: (i) incorporation of damaged or mutated proteins to the complexes of the electron transport chain, (ii) mitochondrial genome (depletion, deletions, and point mutations) and mitochondrial dynamics (fusion and fission), (iii) membrane potential, (iv) apoptotic regulation, (v) generation of reactive oxygen species, among others. Such alterations may result in serious adverse clinical events with great impact on children's quality of life, even resulting in death. As such, bacterial agents are frequently associated with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release, ultimately leading to mitochondrial apoptosis by activation of caspases-3 and -9. Using Rayyan QCRI software for systematic reviews, we explore the association between mitochondrial alterations and pediatric infections including (i) bacterial: M. tuberculosis, E. cloacae, P. mirabilis, E. coli, S. enterica, S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis and (ii) parasitic: P. falciparum. We analyze how these pediatric infections and their treatments may lead to mitochondrial deterioration in this especially vulnerable population, with the intention of improving both the understanding of these diseases and their management in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Romero-Cordero
- Faculty of Medicine, Pompeu Fabra University and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08002 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Richard Kirwan
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L2 2QP, UK
| | - Antoni Noguera-Julian
- Malalties Infeccioses i Resposta Inflamatòria Sistèmica en Pediatria, Unitat d’Infeccions, Servei de Pediatria, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain; (A.N.-J.); (C.F.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Red de Investigación Translacional en Infectología Pediátrica (RITIP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francesc Cardellach
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
- Muscle Research and Mitochondrial Function Laboratory, Cellex-IDIBAPS, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Internal Medicine Department-Hospital Clínic of Barcelona (HCB), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clàudia Fortuny
- Malalties Infeccioses i Resposta Inflamatòria Sistèmica en Pediatria, Unitat d’Infeccions, Servei de Pediatria, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain; (A.N.-J.); (C.F.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Red de Investigación Translacional en Infectología Pediátrica (RITIP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Constanza Morén
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
- Muscle Research and Mitochondrial Function Laboratory, Cellex-IDIBAPS, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Internal Medicine Department-Hospital Clínic of Barcelona (HCB), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
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Karonudib has potent anti-tumor effects in preclinical models of B-cell lymphoma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6317. [PMID: 33737576 PMCID: PMC7973795 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85613-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemo-immunotherapy has improved survival in B-cell lymphoma patients, but refractory/relapsed diseases still represent a major challenge, urging for development of new therapeutics. Karonudib (TH1579) was developed to inhibit MTH1, an enzyme preventing oxidized dNTP-incorporation in DNA. MTH1 is highly upregulated in tumor biopsies from patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma, hence confirming a rationale for targeting MTH1. Here, we tested the efficacy of karonudib in vitro and in preclinical B-cell lymphoma models. Using a range of B-cell lymphoma cell lines, karonudib strongly reduced viability at concentrations well tolerated by activated normal B cells. In B-cell lymphoma cells, karonudib increased incorporation of 8-oxo-dGTP into DNA, and prominently induced prometaphase arrest and apoptosis due to failure in spindle assembly. MTH1 knockout cell lines were less sensitive to karonudib-induced apoptosis, but were displaying cell cycle arrest phenotype similar to the wild type cells, indicating a dual inhibitory role of the drug. Karonudib was highly potent as single agent in two different lymphoma xenograft models, including an ABC DLBCL patient derived xenograft, leading to prolonged survival and fully controlled tumor growth. Together, our preclinical findings provide a rationale for further clinical testing of karonudib in B-cell lymphoma.
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36
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Jiang Z, Wang Z, Chen L, Zhang C, Liao F, Wang Y, Wang Y, Luo P, Luo M, Shi C. Artesunate induces ER-derived-ROS-mediated cell death by disrupting labile iron pool and iron redistribution in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:691-711. [PMID: 33791148 PMCID: PMC7994160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant iron homeostasis is a typical characteristic of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and perturbation of iron metabolism is an effective strategy for HCC therapy. However, there are few safe and effective targeting agents available in clinical practices. The artemisinin and its derivatives have shown potential anti-cancer activity by disturbing cellular iron homeostasis, but the specific mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that Artesunate (ART), a water-soluble anti-malaria agent in clinical use, can regulate the labile iron pool (LIP) and effectively induce ROS-dependent cell death in multiple HCC cells. Mechanistically, ART increases the LIP by promoting lysosomal degradation of iron-storage protein ferritin through acidizing lysosomes. Then the accumulation of labile iron in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) promotes excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and severe ER disruption, which leads to cell death. Our results provide a new understanding of how ART modulates iron metabolism in HCC cells at the subcellular level, demonstrate the significance of endoplasmic reticulum as iron-vulnerability of HCC cells. More importantly, our findings suggest ART is a safe and potential anti-HCC agent via disturbing iron homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyong Jiang
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ziwen Wang
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Long Chen
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Fengying Liao
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yawei Wang
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Min Luo
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Chunmeng Shi
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
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37
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Liu L, Zhao J, Li A, Yang X, Sprangers B, Li S. Artemisinin attenuates IgM xenoantibody production via inhibition of T cell-independent marginal zone B cell proliferation. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 109:583-591. [PMID: 32542769 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.4ma0520-717rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin (ART) has been shown to suppress B cell activation and plasma cell formation. However, its effect on splenic marginal zone (MZ) B cells is unknown. Splenic MZ B cells play a critical role in rapidly induced Ab production against blood-borne foreign Ags. Dysfunction of MZ B cells, due to inhibition of its proliferation or displacement of its homing, results in an attenuated adaptive humoral response. Here, we investigate the effect of ART on splenic MZ B (CD19+ CD21high CD23low ) and B10 (CD19+ CD1dhigh CD5+ ) B cells to explore the mechanisms of ART-induced immunosuppression in T cell-deficient nude mice challenged with hamster xenoantigens. In this study, we demonstrate that ART decreases T cell-independent xenogeneic IgM Ab production and, this is associated with a strong suppression of MZ B cell proliferation and a relative increase of CD21low CD23+ follicular and B10 B cells. In addition, this suppression impairs IL-10 production. Taken together, our data indicate that ART suppresses B cell immune responses through a distinctive effect on splenic MZ B and other B cells. This represents a new mechanism of ART-induced immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, University of Sun Yat-sen, Zhuhai, P. R. China
| | - Juanzhi Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, University of Sun Yat-sen, Zhuhai, P. R. China
| | - An Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, University of Sun Yat-sen, Zhuhai, P. R. China
| | - Xuan Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, University of Sun Yat-sen, Zhuhai, P. R. China
| | - Ben Sprangers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology (Rega institute), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Shengqiao Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, University of Sun Yat-sen, Zhuhai, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, University of Sun Yat-sen, Zhuhai, P. R. China
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38
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Zhu S, Yu Q, Huo C, Li Y, He L, Ran B, Chen J, Li Y, Liu W. Ferroptosis: A Novel Mechanism of Artemisinin and its Derivatives in Cancer Therapy. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:329-345. [PMID: 31965935 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200121124404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone compound with a special peroxide bridge that is tightly linked to the cytotoxicity involved in fighting malaria and cancer. Artemisinin and its derivatives (ARTs) are considered to be potential anticancer drugs that promote cancer cell apoptosis, induce cell cycle arrest and autophagy, inhibit cancer cell invasion and migration. Additionally, ARTs significantly increase intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in cancer cells, which result in ferroptosis, a new form of cell death, depending on the ferritin concentration. Ferroptosis is regarded as a cancer suppressor and as well as considered a new mechanism for cancer therapy. METHODS The anticancer activities of ARTs and reference molecules were compared by literature search and analysis. The latest research progress on ferroptosis was described, with a special focus on the molecular mechanism of artemisinin-induced ferroptosis. RESULTS Artemisinin derivatives, artemisinin-derived dimers, hybrids and artemisinin-transferrin conjugates, could significantly improve anticancer activity, and their IC50 values are lower than those of reference molecules such as doxorubicin and paclitaxel. The biological activities of linkers in dimers and hybrids are important in the drug design processes. ARTs induce ferroptosis mainly by triggering intracellular ROS production, promoting the lysosomal degradation of ferritin and regulating the System Xc-/Gpx4 axis. Interestingly, ARTs also stimulate the feedback inhibition pathway. CONCLUSION Artemisinin and its derivatives could be used in the future as cancer therapies with broader applications due to their induction of ferroptosis. Meanwhile, more attention should be paid to the development of novel artemisinin-related drugs based on the mechanism of artemisinininduced ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunqin Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qin Yu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Chunsong Huo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Yuanpeng Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Linshen He
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Botian Ran
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ji Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Yonghao Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Wanhong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Lu X, Efferth T. Repurposing of artemisinin-type drugs for the treatment of acute leukemia. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 68:291-312. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Zhou Z, Hou J, Li Q. Artesunate attenuates traumatic brain injury-induced impairments in rats. Transl Neurosci 2020; 11:309-318. [PMID: 33335770 PMCID: PMC7712024 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2020-0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and neuroinflammation induced by traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) cause a succession of secondary brain damage events and finally lead to a massive and progressive cerebral neuronal destruction. Artesunate, a semisynthetic artemisinin derivative, is a potential candidate for the management of cerebral damage induced by TBI due to its protective function to BBB and cerebral neurons. Methods To demonstrate the effect of artesunate to TBI-induced BBB dysfunction and neural damage, TBI rat model was constructed by cortical impact injury. Behavioral experiments were used to estimate the impact of the combined treatment on rats. Western blotting was performed to demonstrate the protein levels in the brain tissues of rats. Quantitative real-time PCRs were utilized to investigate the alteration in the expression of various RNA levels. The chemokine levels were estimated by ELISA. Results Artesunate treatment attenuated the impact caused by TBI on rat brain and improved the long-term neurological recover. Artesunate treatment protected the integrity of BBB and inhibited neuroinflammation. Artesunate treatment promoted the phosphorylation of Akt and inhibited the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β in TBI rat model. Conclusion Artesunate protected rats from TBI-induced impairments of BBB and improved longer-term neurological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhike Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, No. 21 Anhui Road, Qingdao 266001, Shandong, China
| | - Jun Hou
- Department of Dermatology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, No. 21 Anhui Road, Qingdao 266001, Shandong, China
| | - Qinghua Li
- Department of Dermatology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, No. 21 Anhui Road, Qingdao 266001, Shandong, China
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Uzun T, Toptaş O, Aydın Türkoğlu Ş. Could Artesunate Have a Positive Effect on the Neurological Complications Related to Infection When It Is Used in the Treatment of COVID-19? ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:4001-4006. [PMID: 33269910 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Artesunate is a safe noncytotoxic drug with low side effects which is used in the treatment of chloroquine-resistant malaria. In addition to being an antimalarial drug, artesunate also has immunomodulatory, anticarcinogenic, and antiviral activity. There are in vivo and in vitro studies reporting that artesunate may have a positive effect on the treatment of COVID-19. Artesunate may be effective based on its effect on the anti-inflammatory activity, chloroquine-like endocytosis inhibition mechanism, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signal pathway. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may cause neurological complications in addition to targeting the respiratory system. In this study, we have discussed the possible neuroprotective action mechanisms of artesunate. We think that systemic and intranasal topical artesunate administration may have a positive effect on neurological complications resulting from COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuğçenur Uzun
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Trabzon Oral and Dental Health Hospital, Trabzon 61000, Turkey
| | - Orçun Toptaş
- Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu 14000, Turkey
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Zhao F, Vakhrusheva O, Markowitsch SD, Slade KS, Tsaur I, Cinatl J, Michaelis M, Efferth T, Haferkamp A, Juengel E. Artesunate Impairs Growth in Cisplatin-Resistant Bladder Cancer Cells by Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis and Autophagy Induction. Cells 2020; 9:E2643. [PMID: 33316936 PMCID: PMC7763932 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin, which induces DNA damage, is standard chemotherapy for advanced bladder cancer (BCa). However, efficacy is limited due to resistance development. Since artesunate (ART), a derivative of artemisinin originating from Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been shown to exhibit anti-tumor activity, and to inhibit DNA damage repair, the impact of artesunate on cisplatin-resistant BCa was evaluated. Cisplatin-sensitive (parental) and cisplatin-resistant BCa cells, RT4, RT112, T24, and TCCSup, were treated with ART (1-100 µM). Cell growth, proliferation, and cell cycle phases were investigated, as were apoptosis, necrosis, ferroptosis, autophagy, metabolic activity, and protein expression. Exposure to ART induced a time- and dose-dependent significant inhibition of tumor cell growth and proliferation of parental and cisplatin-resistant BCa cells. This inhibition was accompanied by a G0/G1 phase arrest and modulation of cell cycle regulating proteins. ART induced apoptos is by enhancing DNA damage, especially in the resistant cells. ART did not induce ferroptosis, but led to a disturbance of mitochondrial respiration and ATP generation. This impairment correlated with autophagy accompanied by a decrease in LC3B-I and an increase in LC3B-II. Since ART significantly inhibits proliferative and metabolic aspects of cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant BCa cells, it may hold potential in treating advanced and therapy-resistant BCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuguang Zhao
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Olesya Vakhrusheva
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Sascha D. Markowitsch
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Kimberly S. Slade
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Igor Tsaur
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe-University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
| | - Martin Michaelis
- Industrial Biotechnology Centre, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK;
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Axel Haferkamp
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Eva Juengel
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
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Yao X, Zhao CR, Yin H, Wang K, Gao JJ. Synergistic antitumor activity of sorafenib and artesunate in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:1609-1620. [PMID: 32300243 PMCID: PMC7921114 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-0395-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sorafenib is currently the standard chemotherapy drug for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). But its efficacy requires improvement, it is imperative to seek therapeutic strategies that combine sorafenib with other anticancer agents. In this study we investigated the synergistic anticancer effect of combining sorafenib and artesunate, an anti-malaria drug derivative, against HCC in vitro and in vivo. We first showed that artesunate (1-100 μM) alone dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of five HCC cell lines tested with IC50 values of around 100 μM. Artesunate treatment dose-dependently increased the ROS level in both HuH7 and Hep3B cells; addition of NAC significantly ameliorated the antiproliferation effect of artesunate against HuH7 and Hep3B cells. Then we demonstrated that combination of sorafenib and artesunate exerted synergistic antiproliferation effect and induced synergistic apoptosis in HCC cell lines. In nude mice bearing Hep3B xenografts, combined administration of sorafenib and artesunate significantly enhanced the suppression on tumor growth. We further revealed that sorafenib dose-dependently decreased the levels of p-ERK and p-STAT3, whereas artesunate markedly increased the levels of p-ERK and p-STAT3 in HuH7 and Hep3B cells. When used in combination, sorafenib abolished artesunate-elevated levels of p-STAT3 and p-ERK. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of ERK by inhibitor PD0325901 or STAT3 by inhibitor Stattic markedly enhanced the anticancer activity of artesunate, suggesting that suppression of ERK and STAT3 signaling by sorafenib contributes to the synergistic anticancer activity against HCC caused by combination of sorafenib and artesunate. Taken together, our results provide an evidence for possible use of sorafenib plus artesunate or artemisinin analogs for treatment of HCC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Chen-Ru Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Hao Yin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - KeWei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Jian-Jun Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China.
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Mancuso RI, Foglio MA, Olalla Saad ST. Artemisinin-type drugs for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2020; 87:1-22. [PMID: 33141328 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-020-04170-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Qinghaosu, known as artemisinin (ARS), has been for over two millennia, one of the most common herbs prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). ARS was developed as an antimalarial drug and currently belongs to the established standard treatments of malaria as a combination therapy worldwide. In addition to the antimalarial bioactivity of ARS, anticancer activities have been shown both in vitro and in vivo. Like other natural products, ARS acts in a multi-specific manner also against hematological malignancies. The chemical structure of ARS is a sesquiterpene lactone, which contains an endoperoxide bridge essential for activity. The main mechanism of action of ARS and its derivatives (artesunate, dihydroartemisinin, artemether) toward leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma cells comprises oxidative stress response, inhibition of proliferation, induction of various types of cell death as apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, and signal transducers, as NF-κB, MYC, amongst others. Therefore, new pharmaceutically active compounds, dimers, trimers, and hybrid molecules, could enhance the existing therapeutic alternatives in combating hematologic malignancies. Owing to the high potency and good tolerance without side effects of ARS-type drugs, combination therapies with standard chemotherapies could be applied in the future after further clinical trials in hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R I Mancuso
- Hematology and Hemotherapy Center, University of Campinas, HEMOCENTRO UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M A Foglio
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - S T Olalla Saad
- Hematology and Hemotherapy Center, University of Campinas, HEMOCENTRO UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Markowitsch SD, Schupp P, Lauckner J, Vakhrusheva O, Slade KS, Mager R, Efferth T, Haferkamp A, Juengel E. Artesunate Inhibits Growth of Sunitinib-Resistant Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells through Cell Cycle Arrest and Induction of Ferroptosis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113150. [PMID: 33121039 PMCID: PMC7692972 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common kidney malignancy. Due to development of therapy resistance, efficacy of conventional drugs such as sunitinib is limited. Artesunate (ART), a drug originating from Traditional Chinese Medicine, has exhibited anti-tumor effects in several non-urologic tumors. ART inhibited growth, reduced metastatic properties, and curtailed metabolism in sunitinib-sensitive and sunitinib–resistant RCC cells. In three of four tested cell lines, ART’s growth inhibitory effects were accompanied by cell cycle arrest and modulation of cell cycle regulating proteins. In a fourth cell line, KTCTL-26, ART evoked ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death, and exhibited stronger anti-tumor effects than in the other cell lines. The regulatory protein, p53, was only detectable in the KTCTL-26 cells, possibly making p53 a predictive marker of cancer that may respond better to ART. ART, therefore, may hold promise as an additive therapy option for selected patients with advanced or therapy-resistant RCC. Abstract Although innovative therapeutic concepts have led to better treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), efficacy is still limited due to the tumor developing resistance to applied drugs. Artesunate (ART) has demonstrated anti-tumor effects in different tumor entities. This study was designed to investigate the impact of ART (1–100 µM) on the sunitinib-resistant RCC cell lines, Caki-1, 786-O, KTCTL26, and A-498. Therapy-sensitive (parental) and untreated cells served as controls. ART’s impact on tumor cell growth, proliferation, clonogenic growth, apoptosis, necrosis, ferroptosis, and metabolic activity was evaluated. Cell cycle distribution, the expression of cell cycle regulating proteins, p53, and the occurrence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were investigated. ART significantly increased cytotoxicity and inhibited proliferation and clonogenic growth in both parental and sunitinib-resistant RCC cells. In Caki-1, 786-O, and A-498 cell lines growth inhibition was associated with G0/G1 phase arrest and distinct modulation of cell cycle regulating proteins. KTCTL-26 cells were mainly affected by ART through ROS generation, ferroptosis, and decreased metabolism. p53 exclusively appeared in the KTCTL-26 cells, indicating that p53 might be predictive for ART-dependent ferroptosis. Thus, ART may hold promise for treating selected patients with advanced and even therapy-resistant RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha D. Markowitsch
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.D.M.); (P.S.); (J.L.); (O.V.); (K.S.S.); (R.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Patricia Schupp
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.D.M.); (P.S.); (J.L.); (O.V.); (K.S.S.); (R.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Julia Lauckner
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.D.M.); (P.S.); (J.L.); (O.V.); (K.S.S.); (R.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Olesya Vakhrusheva
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.D.M.); (P.S.); (J.L.); (O.V.); (K.S.S.); (R.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Kimberly S. Slade
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.D.M.); (P.S.); (J.L.); (O.V.); (K.S.S.); (R.M.); (A.H.)
| | - René Mager
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.D.M.); (P.S.); (J.L.); (O.V.); (K.S.S.); (R.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Axel Haferkamp
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.D.M.); (P.S.); (J.L.); (O.V.); (K.S.S.); (R.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Eva Juengel
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.D.M.); (P.S.); (J.L.); (O.V.); (K.S.S.); (R.M.); (A.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-631-175-433; Fax: +49-6131-174-410
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Xu C, Zhang H, Mu L, Yang X. Artemisinins as Anticancer Drugs: Novel Therapeutic Approaches, Molecular Mechanisms, and Clinical Trials. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:529881. [PMID: 33117153 PMCID: PMC7573816 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.529881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin and its derivatives have shown broad-spectrum antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, outcomes from a limited number of clinical trials provide encouraging evidence for their excellent antitumor activities. However, some problems such as poor solubility, toxicity and controversial mechanisms of action hamper their use as effective antitumor agents in the clinic. In order to accelerate the use of ARTs in the clinic, researchers have recently developed novel therapeutic approaches including developing novel derivatives, manufacturing novel nano-formulations, and combining ARTs with other drugs for cancer therapy. The related mechanisms of action were explored. This review describes ARTs used to induce non-apoptotic cell death containing oncosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis. Moreover, it highlights the ARTs-caused effects on cancer metabolism, immunosuppression and cancer stem cells and discusses clinical trials of ARTs used to treat cancer. The review provides additional insight into the molecular mechanism of action of ARTs and their considerable clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cangcang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lingli Mu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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Mukherjee D, Bercz LS, Torok MA, Mace TA. Regulation of cellular immunity by activating transcription factor 4. Immunol Lett 2020; 228:24-34. [PMID: 33002512 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2020.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a DNA binding transcription factor belonging to the family of basic Leucine zipper proteins. ATF4 can be activated in response to multiple cellular stress signals including endoplasmic reticulum stress in the event of improper protein folding or oxidative stress because of mitochondrial dysfunction as well as hypoxia. There are multiple downstream targets of ATF4 that can coordinate the regulation between survival and apoptosis of a cell based on time and exposure to stress. ATF4, therefore, has a broad range of control that results in the modulation of immune cells of the innate and adaptive responses leading to regulation of the cellular immunity. Studies provide evidence that ATF4 can regulate immune cells such as macrophages, T cells, B cells, NK cells and dendritic cells contributing to progression of disease. Immune cells can be exposed to stressed environment in the event of a pathogen attack, infection, inflammation, or in the tumor microenvironment leading to increased ATF4 activity to regulate these responses. ATF4 can further control differentiation and maturation of different immune cell types becoming a determinant of effective immune regulation. Additionally, ATF4 has been heavily implicated in rendering effector immune cells dysfunctional that are used to target tumorigenesis. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate where the literature stands in understanding the overall role of ATF4 in regulating cellular immunity to identify therapeutic targets and generalized mechanisms for different disease progressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debasmita Mukherjee
- The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Lena S Bercz
- The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Molly A Torok
- The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Thomas A Mace
- The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.
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In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy of DNA Damage Repair Inhibitor Veliparib in Combination with Artesunate against Echinococcus granulosus. DISEASE MARKERS 2020; 2020:8259820. [PMID: 32714467 PMCID: PMC7355356 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8259820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus, is a worldwide chronic zoonosis. Albendazole (ABZ) and mebendazole are effective against CE, but a high dosage in a long-term period is usually required. In this study, we evaluate the effects of DNA damage repair inhibitor (i.e., Veliparib) in combination with artesunate (AS) on hydatid cysts. For the in vitro assay, protoscoleces of E. granulosus (E.g PSCs) were incubated with low AS (AS-L, 65 μM), moderate AS (AS-M, 130 μM), and high AS (AS-H, 325 μM), AS-L/M/H+Veliparib (10 μM), and ABZ (25 μM), respectively. The AS-H+Veliparib group showed the maximal protoscolicidal effects. Ultrastructural change revealed that germinal layer (GL) cells were reduced, and lipid droplets appeared. AS could induce DNA injuries in PSCs. The 8-OHdG was expressed in the PSCs and GL of the cysts in mice, especially in the presence of Veliparib. The most severe DNA damages were observed in the AS-H+Veliparib group. Meanwhile, the expression of ribosomal protein S9 (RPS9) gene in the AS-H+Veliparib group was significantly lower than that in the AS-H group. The in vivo chemotherapeutic effects of AS-L (50 mg/kg), AS-H (200 mg/kg), and AS-H+Veliparib (25 mg/kg) were assessed in experimentally infected mice. Upon 6 weeks of oral administration, ultrasonography was used to monitor the volume change of vesicles. Maximum potentiation was seen on day 15 with values (versus AS) of 34 (P < 0.05) for AS-H + Veliparib. It led to the reduction of cyst weight (55.40%) compared with the model group (P < 0.01), which was better than AS alone (52.84%) and ABZ-treated mice (55.35%). Analysis of cysts collected from AS-H+Veliparib-treated mice by transmission electron microscopy revealed a drug-induced structural destruction. The structural integrity of the germinal layer was lost, and the majority of the microtriches disappeared. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that AS or AS in combination with Veliparib is effective for treating CE, especially the combination group. On this basis, AS represented promising drug candidates in anti-CE chemotherapy.
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Deng LJ, Qi M, Li N, Lei YH, Zhang DM, Chen JX. Natural products and their derivatives: Promising modulators of tumor immunotherapy. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:493-508. [PMID: 32678943 PMCID: PMC7496826 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3mr0320-444r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A wealth of evidence supports the role of tumor immunotherapy as a vital therapeutic option in cancer. In recent decades, accumulated studies have revealed the anticancer activities of natural products and their derivatives. Increasing interest has been driven toward finding novel potential modulators of tumor immunotherapy from natural products, a hot research topic worldwide. These works of research mainly focused on natural products, including polyphenols (e.g., curcumin, resveratrol), cardiotonic steroids (e.g., bufalin and digoxin), terpenoids (e.g., paclitaxel and artemisinins), and polysaccharide extracts (e.g., lentinan). Compelling data highlight that natural products have a promising future in tumor immunotherapy. Considering the importance and significance of this topic, we initially discussed the integrated research progress of natural products and their derivatives, including target T cells, macrophages, B cells, NKs, regulatory T cells, myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, immunogenic cell death, and immune checkpoints. Furthermore, these natural compounds inactivate several key pathways, including NF‐κB, PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and JAK/STAT pathways. Here, we performed a deep generalization, analysis, and summarization of the previous achievements, recent progress, and the bottlenecks in the development of natural products as tumor immunotherapy. We expect this review to provide some insight for guiding future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Deng
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming Qi
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nan Li
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-He Lei
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dong-Mei Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Xu Chen
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Zhang W, Du Q, Bian P, Xiao Z, Wang X, Feng Y, Feng H, Zhu Z, Gao N, Zhu D, Fan X, Zhu Y. Artesunate exerts anti-prolactinoma activity by inhibiting mitochondrial metabolism and inducing apoptosis. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:858. [PMID: 32793702 PMCID: PMC7396798 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-1113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolactinoma is the most common hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma. Dopamine receptor agonists (DAs) are effective in reducing prolactin levels and tumor mass, but some prolactinoma patients are resistant to DAs. Treating patients with DA-resistant prolactinoma is challenging. In this study, we examined the anti-prolactinoma effect of artesunate (ART), a potential new treatment option for prolactinoma, and its mechanism of action. METHODS Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) and flow cytometry were used to detect the effect of ART on the proliferation, cycle, and apoptosis of rat pituitary adenoma cell line MMQ. The subcellular localization of ART was observed using confocal fluorescence microscopy. The JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) detection and Seahorse assays were used to detect the effect of ART on mitochondrial function. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis were used to detect the effect of ART on the expression of prolactin (PRL) and apoptosis-related proteins. A mouse xenograft model of prolactinoma was used to detect the inhibitory effect of ART on MMQ in vivo. RESULTS ART specifically inhibited MMQ proliferation and PRL synthesis, induced G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in vitro. ART accumulated in the mitochondria of MMQ cells, inhibiting mitochondrial respiratory function and mediating apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. ART also inhibited proliferation and activated the apoptosis of MMQ cells in vivo. CONCLUSIONS ART has a strong inhibitory effect on prolactinoma both in vitro and in vivo, and its effects rely on high MMP to inhibit mitochondrial metabolism and induce apoptosis. Our results provide evidence for ART as a candidate drug for the treatment of prolactinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Qiu Du
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Piaopiao Bian
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheng Xiao
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yajuan Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hou Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziyan Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nailin Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Diming Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Fan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yonghong Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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