Cryptotanshinone induces ROS-mediated apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells

Cryptotanshinone suppresses ovarian cancer via simultaneous inhibition of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation

Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal cancers in female reproductive system due to heterogeneity and lack of effective treatment. Targeting aerobic glycolysis, a predominant energy metabolism of cancer cells has been recognized a novel strategy to overcome cancer cell growth. However, the capability of cancer cells to undergo metabolic reprogramming guarantees their survival even when glycolysis is inhibited. Here in this study, we have shown that Cryptotanshinone (CT), a lipid-soluble bioactive anticancer molecule of Salvia miltiorrhiza, inhibits both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in ovarian cancer cells leading to growth suppression and apoptosis induction. Our mechanistic study revealed that CT decreased glucose uptake and lactate production, and inhibited the kinase activity of LDHA and HK2. The molecular docking study showed that CT could directly bind with GLUT1, LDHA, HK2, PKM2 and complex-1. The immunoblotting data showed that CT decreased the expression of aberrantly activated glycolytic proteins includingGLUT1, LDHA, HK2, and PKM2. Besides, we found that CT inhibited mitochondrial ComplexⅠ activity, decreased the ratio of NAD+/NADH, and suppressed the generation of ATP and induced activation of AMPK, which controls energy-reducing processes. These in vitro findings were further validated using xenograft model. The findings of in vivo studies were in line with in vitro studies. Taken together, CT effectively suppressed glycolysis and OXPHOS, inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo study models.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the action of carcinogens in gastric cancer with a glimpse into targeted therapy

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer imposes a substantial global health burden despite its overall incidence decrease. A broad spectrum of inherited, environmental and infectious factors contributes to the development of gastric cancer. A profound understanding of the molecular underpinnings of gastric cancer has lagged compared to several other tumors with similar incidence and morbidity rates, owing to our limited knowledge of the role of carcinogens in this malignancy. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified gastric carcinogenic agents into four groups based on scientific evidence from human and experimental animal studies. This review aims to explore the potential comprehensive molecular and biological impacts of carcinogens on gastric cancer development and their interactions and interferences with various cellular signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

In this review, we highlight recent clinical trial data reported in the literature dealing with different ways to target various carcinogens in gastric cancer. Moreover, we touch upon other multidisciplinary therapeutic approaches such as surgery, adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Rational clinical trials focusing on identifying suitable patient populations are imperative to the success of single-agent therapeutics. Novel insights regarding signaling pathways that regulate gastric cancer can potentially improve treatment responses to targeted therapy alone or in combination with other/conventional treatments. Preventive strategies such as control of H. pylori infection through eradication or immunization as well as dietary habit and lifestyle changes may reduce the incidence of this multifactorial disease, especially in high prevalence areas. Further in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the role of carcinogenic agents in gastric cancer development may offer valuable information and update state-of-the-art resources for physicians and researchers to explore novel ways to combat this disease, from bench to bedside. A schematic outlining of the interaction between gastric carcinogenic agents and intracellular pathways in gastric cancer H. pylori stimulates multiple intracellular pathways, including PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, Wnt, Shh, Ras/Raf, c-MET, and JAK/STAT, leading to epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis, survival, motility, and inflammatory cytokine release. EBV can stimulate intracellular pathways such as the PI3K/Akt, RAS/RAF, JAK/STAT, Notch, TGF-β, and NF-κB, leading to cell survival and motility, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and the transcription of anti-apoptotic genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Nicotine and alcohol can lead to angiogenesis, metastasis, survival, proliferation, pro-inflammatory, migration, and chemotactic by stimulating various intracellular signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, Ras/Raf, ROS, and JAK/STAT. Processed meat contains numerous carcinogenic compounds that affect multiple intracellular pathways such as sGC/cGMP, p38 MAPK, ERK, and PI3K/AKT, leading to anti-apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, inflammatory responses, proliferation, and invasion. Lead compounds may interact with multiple signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, Ras/Raf, DNA methylation-dependent, and epigenetic-dependent, leading to tumorigenesis, carcinogenesis, malignancy, angiogenesis, DNA hypermethylation, cell survival, and cell proliferation. Stimulating signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, RAS/RAF, JAK/STAT, WNT, TGF-β, EGF, FGFR2, and E-cadherin through UV ionizing radiation leads to cell survival, proliferation, and immortalization in gastric cancer. The consequence of PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, Ras/Raf, ROS, JAK/STAT, and WNT signaling stimulation by the carcinogenic component of Pickled vegetables and salted fish is the Warburg effect, tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, proliferation, inflammatory response, and migration.

Cryptotanshinone From Salvia miltiorrhiza Inhibits the Growth of Tumors and Enhances the Efficacy of Chemotherapy in a Gastric Cancer Mouse Model

Cryptotanshinone is a quinone diterpene extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza root that shows obvious anticancer activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action of cryptotanshinone as an antigastric cancer agent, as well as a chemotherapy potentiator. A gastric cancer model was established by tumor transplantation, and mice were treated with either 5-fluorouracil or cryptotanshinone, or both drugs. The tumor mass was recorded, and the tumor suppression rate was calculated. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, gene transcription was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein expression by Western blotting. The results showed that cryptotanshinone could reduce the tumor mass, increase the tumor suppression rate, and enhance the chemotherapeutic effect of 5-fluorouracil by a mechanism related to inhibition of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway.

Molecular Mechanism of Tanshinone against Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignant tumor of the male urinary system in Europe and America. According to the data in the World Cancer Report 2020, the incidence rate of PCa ranks second in the prevalence of male malignant tumors and varies worldwide between regions and population groups. Although early PCa can achieve good therapeutic results after surgical treatment, due to advanced PCa, it can adapt and tolerate androgen castration-related drugs through a variety of mechanisms. For this reason, it is often difficult to achieve effective therapeutic results in the treatment of advanced PCa. Tanshinone is a new fat-soluble phenanthraquinone compound derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza that can play a therapeutic role in different cancers, including PCa. Several studies have shown that Tanshinone can target various molecular pathways of PCa, including the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, androgen receptor (AR) pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which will affect the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and affect cell proliferation, apoptosis, tumor metabolism, genomic stability, and tumor drug resistance. Thus, the occurrence and development of PCa cells are inhibited. In this review, we summarized the in vivo and in vitro evidence of Tanshinone against prostate cancer and discussed the effect of Tanshinone on nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), AR, and mTOR. At the same time, we conducted a network pharmacology analysis on the four main components of Tanshinone to further screen the possible targets of Tanshinone against prostate cancer and provide ideas for future research.

Anti-tumor effects of cryptotanshinone (C19H20O3) in human osteosarcoma cell lines

Osteosarcoma is the most prevalent malignant bone tumor and occurs most commonly in the adolescent and young adult population. Despite the recent advances in surgeries and chemotherapy, the overall survival in patients with resectable metastases is around 20%. This challenge in osteosarcoma is often attributed to the drastic differences in the tumorigenic profiles and mutations among patients. With diverse mutations and multiple oncogenes, it is necessary to identify the therapies that can attack various mutations and simultaneously have minor side-effects. In this paper, we constructed the osteosarcoma pathway from literature and modeled it using ordinary differential equations. We then simulated this network for every possible gene mutation and their combinations and ranked different drug combinations based on their efficacy to drive a mutated osteosarcoma network towards cell death. Our theoretical results predict that drug combinations with Cryptotanshinone (C₁₉H₂₀O₃), a traditional Chinese herb derivative, have the best overall performance. Specifically, Cryptotanshinone in combination with Temsirolimus inhibit the JAK/STAT, MAPK/ERK, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways and induce cell death in tumor cells. We corroborated our theoretical predictions using wet-lab experiments on SaOS2, 143B, G292, and HU03N1 human osteosarcoma cell lines, thereby demonstrating the potency of Cryptotanshinone in fighting osteosarcoma.

Comparative Proteomics Analysis Reveals the Reversal Effect of Cryptotanshinone on Gefitinib-Resistant Cells in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mutant Lung Cancer

Cryptotanshinone (CTS) is a lipophilic constituent of Salvia miltiorrhiza, with a broad-spectrum anticancer activity. We have observed that CTS enhances the efficacy of gefitinib in human lung cancer H1975 cells, yet little is known about its molecular mechanism. To explore how CTS enhances H1975 cell sensitivity to gefitinib, we figured out differential proteins of H1975 cells treated by gefitinib alone or in combination with CTS using label-free liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein–protein interaction (PPI) bioinformatic analyses of the differential proteins were performed. CTS enhanced H1975 cell sensitivity to gefitinib in vitro and in vivo, with 115 and 128 differential proteins identified, respectively. GO enrichment, KEGG analysis, and PPI network comprehensively demonstrated that CTS mainly impacted the redox process and fatty acid metabolism in H1975 cells. Moreover, three differential proteins, namely, catalase (CAT), heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) were validated by RT-qPCR and Western blot. In conclusion, we used a proteomic method to study the mechanism of CTS enhancing gefitinib sensitivity in H1975 cells. Our finding reveals the potential protein targets of CTS in overcoming gefitinib resistance, which may be therapeutical targets in lung cancer.

Salviolone from Salvia miltiorrhiza Roots Impairs Cell Cycle Progression, Colony Formation, and Metalloproteinase-2 Activity in A375 Melanoma Cells: Involvement of P21(Cip1/Waf1) Expression and STAT3 Phosphorylation

Melanoma is a highly malignant solid tumor characterized by an elevated growth and propagation rate. Since, often, melanoma treatment cannot prevent recurrences and the appearance of metastasis, new anti-melanoma agents need to be discovered. Salvia miltiorrhiza roots are a source of diterpenoid derivatives, natural compounds with several biological activities, including antiproliferative and anticancer effects. Seven diterpenoid derivatives were purified from S. miltiorrhiza roots and identified by NMR and MS analysis. Tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone were detected as the main components of S. miltiorrhiza root ethanol extract. Although their antitumor activity is already known, they have been confirmed to induce a reduction in A375 and MeWo melanoma cell growth. Likewise, salviolone has been shown to impair the viability of melanoma cells without affecting the growth of normal melanocytes. The underlying anticancer activity of salviolone has been investigated and compared to that of cryptotanshinone in A375 cells, showing an increased P21 protein expression in a P53-dependent manner. In that way, salviolone, even more than cryptotanshinone, displays a multitarget effect on cell-cycle-related proteins. Besides, it modulates the phosphorylation level of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3. Unexpectedly, salviolone and cryptotanshinone induce sustained activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 and the protein kinase B (Akt). However, the blockage of ERK1/2 or Akt activities suggests that kinase activation does not hinder their ability to inhibit A375 cell growth. Finally, salviolone and cryptotanshinone inhibit to a comparable extent some crucial malignancy features of A375 melanoma cells, such as colony formation in soft agar and metalloproteinase-2 activity. In conclusion, it has been shown for the first time that salviolone, harboring a different molecular structure than tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone, exhibits a pleiotropic effect against melanoma by hampering cell cycle progression, STAT3 signaling, and malignant phenotype of A375 melanoma cells.

Screening of Active Components and Key Targets of Radix Codonopsis in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer type in the world. The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer in China ranks second among malignant tumors in the country. At present, the main treatment method of gastric cancer is still surgical resection combined with chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy drugs will cause serious toxic and side effects on other normal tissues and cells. At the same time, chemotherapy drugs can make patients develop drug resistance and seriously affect the curative effect. By contrast, Chinese medicine has more advantages in the treatment of cancer. Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been proved to be effective for the clinical treatment of gastric cancer. However, due to the complex components of Dangshen, the main active components and pharmacological mechanism for its treatment of gastric cancer are still unclear. In this study, the main active components and pharmacological mechanism of Radix Codonopsis in the treatment of gastric cancer were preliminarily explored based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. We obtained bioactive compounds and targets from Radix Codonopsis from the Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database (TCMSP) and constructed the active ingredient-target network of Codonopsis pilosula. We then obtained targets related to gastric cancer from the disease database. The common targets of Radix Codonopsis and gastric cancer were the key target of Radix Codonopsis for the treatment of gastric cancer. Then, we used Metascapedatabase to conduct functional enrichment analysis on the key targets of Radix Codonopsis for the treatment of gastric cancer to clarify the mechanism of Radix Codonopsis for the treatment of gastric cancer. We constructed a network to screen the main bioactive compounds and therapeutic targets, assessed the prognostic value of the main target genes by survival analysis, and finally assessed the binding affinity of the main target genes and main bioactive compounds of Radix Codonopsis for the treatment of gastric cancer by molecular docking. The results showed that the main active compounds of Codonopsis pilosula in treating gastric cancer were luteolin and cryptotanshinone, which played a role in the treatment of gastric cancer through the multitarget and multipathway mechanism.

Cryptotanshinone inhibits cytotoxin-associated gene A-associated development of gastric cancer and mucosal erosions

BACKGROUND

Approximately 90% of new cases of noncardiac gastric cancer (GC) are related to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) is one of the main pathogenic factors. Recent studies have shown that the pharmacological effects of cryptotanshinone (CTS) can be used to treat a variety of tumors. However, the effects of CTS on H. pylori, especially CagA+ strain-induced gastric mucosal lesions, on the development of GC is unknown.

AIM

To assess the role of CTS in CagA-induced proliferation and metastasis of GC cells, and determine if CagA+ H. pylori strains causes pathological changes in the gastric mucosa of mice.

METHODS

The effects of CTS on the proliferation of GC cells were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the abnormal growth, migration and invasion caused by CagA were detected by CCK-8 and transwell assays. After transfection with pSR-HA-CagA and treatment with CTS, proliferation and metastasis were evaluated by CCK-8 and transwell assays, respectively, and the expression of Src homology 2 (SH2) domain–containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2) and phosphorylated SHP2 (p-SHP2) was detected using western blotting in AGS cells. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the immunoglobulin G (IgG) level against CagA in patient serum. Mice were divided into four groups and administered H. pylori strains (CagA+ or CagA-) and CTS (or PBS) intragastrically, and establishment of the chronic infection model was verified using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of isolated strains. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to assess mucosal erosion in the stomach and toxicity to the liver and kidney.

RESULTS

CTS inhibited the growth of GC cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. Overexpression of CagA promoted the growth, migration, and invasion of GC cells. Importantly, we demonstrated that CTS significantly inhibited the CagA-induced abnormal proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. Moreover, the expression of p-SHP2 protein in tumor tissue was related to the expression of IgG against CagA in the serum of GC patients. Additionally, CTS suppressed the protein expression levels of both SHP2 and p-SHP2 in GC cells. CTS suppressed CagA+ H. pylori strain-induced mucosal erosion in the stomach of mice but had no obvious effects on the CagA- H. pylori strain group.

CONCLUSION

CTS inhibited CagA-induced proliferation and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of GC cells in vitro, and CagA+ H. pylori strains caused mucosal erosions of the stomach in vivo by decreasing the protein expression of SHP2.

Cryptotanshinone Prevents the Binding of S6K1 to mTOR/Raptor Leading to the Suppression of mTORC1-S6K1 Signaling Activity and Neoplastic Cell Transformation

Cryptotanshinone is known for its inhibitory activity against tumorigenesis in various human cancer cells. However, exact mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of cryptotanshinone are not fully elucidated. Here, we propose a plausible molecular mechanism, wherein cryptotanshinone represses rapamycin-sensitive mTORC1/S6K1 mediated cancer cell growth and cell transformation. We investigated the various effects of cryptotanshinone on the mTORC1/S6K1 axis, which is associated with the regulation of cell growth in response to nutritional and growth factor signals. We found that cryptotanshinone specifically inhibited the mTORC1-mediated phosphorylation of S6K1, which consequently suppressed the clonogenicity of SK-Hep1 cells and the neoplastic transformation of JB6 Cl41 cells induced by insulin-like growth factor-1. Finally, we observed that cryptotanshinone prevented S6K1 from binding to the Raptor/mTOR complex, rather than regulating mTOR and its upstream pathway. Overall, our findings provide a novel mechanism underlying anti-cancer effects cryptotanshinone targeting mTORC1 signaling, contributing to the development of anticancer agents involving metabolic cancer treatment.

Cryptotanshinone Attenuates Ischemia/Reperfusion-induced Apoptosis in Myocardium by Upregulating MAPK3

ABSTRACT

Chinese people have used the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (called "Danshen" in Chinese) for centuries as an anticancer agent, anti-inflammatory agent, antioxidant, and cardiovascular disease drug. In addition, Danshen is considered to be a drug that can improve ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced myocardium injury in traditional Chinese medicine. However, Danshen is a mixture that includes various bioactive substances. In this study, we aimed to identify the protective component and mechanism of Danshen on myocardium through network pharmacology and molecular simulation methods. First, cryptotanshinone (CTS) was identified as a potential active compound from Danshen that was associated with apoptosis by a network pharmacology approach. Subsequently, biological experiments validated that CTS inhibited ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. Molecular docking techniques were used to screen key target information. Based on the simulative results, MAPKs were verified as well-connected molecules of CTS. Western blotting assays also demonstrated that CTS could enhance MAPK expression. Furthermore, we demonstrated that inhibition of the MAPK pathway reversed the CTS-mediated effect on cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Altogether, our work screened out CTS from Danshen and demonstrated that it protected cardiomyocytes from apoptosis.

Molecular mechanisms of quinalizarin induces apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle of human esophageal cancer HCE-4 cells depends on MAPK, STAT3, and NF-κB signaling pathways

Quinalizarin (Quina) is one of the main components of many herbal medicines and has good anti-tumor activity. However, the exact mode of cytotoxic action and signaling pathways on Quina in human esophageal cancer has not yet been confirmed. In this study, we explored the anticancer effect of Quina against human esophageal cancer HCE-4 cells and the underlying mechanisms. The results of the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay showed that Quina inhibited the viability of human esophageal cancer HCE-4 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. It also inhibited HCE-4 cells proliferation and induced apoptosis by increasing the levels of Bad, caspase-3, and PARP, decreasing the level of Bcl-2. The results of the cell cycle analysis suggested that Quina arrested HCE-4 cells in the G0/G1 cycle by downregulating cyclin-dependent (CDK) 2/4, cyclin D1/E and upregulating the levels of p21 and p27. We also found that Quina activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and inhibited the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Furthermore, Quina significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. The pretreatment of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) blocked the apoptosis induced by Quina and inhibited the activities of MAPK, STAT3, and NF-κB signaling pathways. These results indicate that Quina induces the apoptosis in HCE-4 cells, which is via accumulating ROS generation and regulating MAPK, STAT3, and NF-κB. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that Quina have good therapeutic effects on human esophageal cancer cells.

Cryptotanshinone strengthens the effect of gefitinib against non-small cell lung cancer through inhibiting transketolase

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality and causes more than a million deaths per year. Gefitinib is the first-line agent of advanced lung cancer, however, resistance to gefitinib becomes a major problem in clinical application. Transketolase (TKT) is a key enzyme functioning between the oxidative arm and the non-oxidative arm of the pentose phosphate pathway. In this study, we firstly found that the expression of TKT was remarkably up-regulated in NSCLC cells, while the knockdown of TKT could inhibit cell proliferation and enhance the effect of gefitinib on NSCLC cells, which indicated the role of TKT in treating advanced lung cancer. Cryptotanshinone (CTS) is a natural active compound possessing anti-cancer effect. Here we demonstrated that CTS could strengthen the effect of gefitinib on NSCLC cells via inhibition of TKT in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, Nrf2 was involved in the repression of CTS on TKT expression. Collectively, these findings indicated the role of TKT in lung cancer progression and may provide novel therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance to gefitinib. Furthermore, CTS may serve as a new candidate in adjuvant treatment of advanced lung cancer.

Effect of Cryptotanshinone on Measures of Rat Cardiomyocyte Oxidative Stress and Gene Activation Associated with Apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress is a key factor that results in cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiovascular diseases. Cryptotanshinone (CTS), one of the major bioactive constitutes extracted from the root of the plant Salvia miltiorrhizaBunge, has been widely studied for various disease treatments. However, the roles of CTS on cardiomyocytes remain unclear.

METHODS

In the present study, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were pretreated with CTS for 4 h before being exposed to H2O2. Cell viability for the cells with or without pretreatment with CTS before exposure to H2O2 was evaluated by the MTT assay. Production of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxides (GSH-Px) was quantified by corresponding detection kits. The mRNA levels of Bcl-2 antiapoptotic and Bax-like proapoptotic genes were quantified with RT-PCR. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was qualified and quantified with a dichlorofluorescein diacetate cellular ROS detection assay kit. The extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation were measured by Western blot.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that the CTS pretreatment could enhance cell viability and promote Bcl-2 antiapoptotic gene expression. Additionally, CTS could abolish the H2O2-induced production of NO, LDH, and PGE2. Consistent with these findings, CTS could inhibit ROS and MDA production and promote SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities. Mechanistically, CTS may achieve these processes by inhibiting ERK and NF-κB signal pathways.

CONCLUSION

CTS protects cardiomyocytes against the H2O2-induced cellular injuries through ERK and NF-κB inactivation and ROS scavenging. Therefore, CTS is a promising reagent against ROS-induced cardiomyopathy.

Cryptanshinone Inhibits the Glycolysis and Inhibits Cell Migration Through PKM2/β-Catenin Axis in Breast Cancer

Background

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent gynecologic malignancies worldwide. Despite the high sensitivity in response to chemotherapy, drug resistance occurred frequently in clinical treatment. Cryptotanshinone (CTS) is a herbal medicine and has been identified as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative drug.

Methods

In vitro assays, including the cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, Western blot analysis, transwell migration/invasion assays, and cell scratch assay were used to explore the biological activities and working mechanism of CTS. Breast cancer cells were also transfected with PKM2 expressing vectors to define the molecular mechanisms involved in CTS-mediated anti-tumor activity.

Results

We found that CTS shows anti-proliferative effects and decreases the clonogenic ability of breast cancer cells. We also found that CTS inhibited the migration and invasion activity of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells by different analyzed methods. CTS also downregulated the levels of glycolysis-related proteins, such as PKM2, LDHA, and HK2. In addition, overexpression of PKM2 recovered CTS-mediated suppression of cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell mobility of breast cancer cells. We also found PKM2 was significantly overexpressed in tumor tissues and invasive ductal breast carcinoma compared to normal tissues and patients with high PKM2 expression had worse overall survival and metastasis-free survival outcomes.

Conclusion

CTS inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells. The involved mechanism may refer to the downregulation of the PKM2/β-catenin axis.

Recent advances and future directions in anti-tumor activity of cryptotanshinone: A mechanistic review

In respect to the enhanced incidence rate of cancer worldwide, studies have focused on cancer therapy using novel strategies. Chemotherapy is a common strategy in cancer therapy, but its adverse effects and chemoresistance have limited its efficacy. So, attempts have been directed towards minimally invasive cancer therapy using plant derived-natural compounds. Cryptotanshinone (CT) is a component of salvia miltiorrihiza Bunge, well-known as Danshen and has a variety of therapeutic and biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and neuroprotective. Recently, studies have focused on anti-tumor activity of CT against different cancers. Notably, this herbal compound is efficient in cancer therapy by targeting various molecular signaling pathways. In the present review, we mechanistically describe the anti-tumor activity of CT with an emphasis on molecular signaling pathways. Then, we evaluate the potential of CT in cancer immunotherapy and enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy by sensitizing cancer cells into anti-tumor activity of chemotherapeutic agents, and elevating accumulation of anti-tumor drugs in cancer cells. Finally, we mention strategies to enhance the anti-tumor activity of CT, for instance, using nanoparticles to provide targeted drug delivery.

Non-thermal Plasma-activated Medium Induces Apoptosis of Aspc1 Cells Through the ROS-dependent Autophagy Pathway

BACKGROUND/AIM

Numerous studies on various cancer cell lines have reported that direct exposure to non-thermal plasma treatment using plasma-activated medium (PAM) can be applied as a novel technology for cancer therapy. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of PAM on Aspc1 pancreatic cancer cells and the mechanisms responsible for the cell death observed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A colony-formation, sphere-formation, wound-healing and transwell assays, immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis were used monitor effects of PAM.

RESULTS

PAM induced a greater cytotoxic effect in pancreatic cancer cells compared to that induced in NIH3T3 cells and 293T cells, and significantly inhibited colony and sphere formation, and cell migration of Aspc1 cells. Furthermore, PAM treatment increased the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential in Aspc1 cells. In addition, PAM treatment down-regulated the AKT serine/threonine kinase 1/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway and induced ROS-dependent cellular autophagy.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that PAM can induce apoptosis of Aspc1 cells through ROS-dependent autophagy and may be a candidate for use in pancreatic cancer therapeutics.

PTEN: What we know of the function and regulation of this onco-suppressor factor in bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer accounts for high morbidity and mortality around the world and its incidence rate is suggested to be higher in following years. A number of factors involve in bladder cancer development such as lifestyle and drugs. However, it appears that genetic factors play a significant role in bladder cancer development and progression. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a cancer-related transcription factor that is corelated with reduced proliferation and invasion of cancer cells by negatively targeting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In the present review, we aimed to explore the role of PTEN in bladder cancer cells and how upstream modulators affect PTEN in this life-threatening disorder. Down-regulation of PTEN is associated with poor prognosis, chemoresistance and progression of cancer cells. Besides, microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs and other molecular pathways such as NF-kB are able to target PTEN in bladder cancer cells. Notably, anti-tumor drugs such as kaempferol, β-elemene and sorafenib upregulate the expression of PTEN to exert their inhibitory effects on bladder cancer cells.

Attenuation of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by cryptotanshinone detected through association analysis of transcriptomic profiling and KEGG pathway

OBJECTIVE

The cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin (DOX) reduces the quality of life and prognosis of cancer patients, and therefore its clinical application has been largely restricted. This study aimed to assess the effects of cryptotanshione (CPT) on DOX-induced rat cardiac insufficiency.

RESULTS

CPT treatment significantly suppressed apoptosis in vitro. The oral administration of CPT significantly improved cardiac function in the rat model, reduced collagen production and suppressed apoptosis and the production of reactive oxygen species in the heart tissue. Transcriptomic profiling and its relevant bioinformatics analysis showed that CPT suppressed doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting p53 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Transcriptomic profiling and bioinformatics analysis can be used to evaluate the cardio-protective effect of CPT through inactivating p53 signaling pathway in the doxorubicin-mediated myocardial damage model.

METHODS

F-actin staining and flow cytometry were used to assess the effects of CPT on cardiomyocytes. In vivo, echocardiography and hemodynamic evaluation were used to assess the effects of CPT on the cardiac dysfunction in rats. Furthermore, transcriptomic profiling and bioinformatics analysis, as well as western blot analysis, were used to determine that CPT induced changes in the signaling pathways in the model.

Quercetin induced NUPR1-dependent autophagic cell death by disturbing reactive oxygen species homeostasis in osteosarcoma cells

Osteosarcoma is a primary bone aggressive cancer, affecting adolescents worldwide. Quercetin (a natural polyphenolic compound) is a polyphenolic flavonoid compound found in a variety of plants. It has been demonstrated to exert cytostatic activity against a variety of human cancer, including the human osteosarcoma. However, its efficacy in the treatment of osteosarcoma and the underlying antitumor mechanism has not been fully elucidated yet. In this study, we exposed MG-63 cells to different concentrations of quercetin (50, 100 and 200 µM) for 24 h. Here, we show that quercetin increased autophagic flux in the MG-63 cells, as evidenced by the upregulation of LC3B-II/LC3B-I and downregulation of P62/SQSTM1. Moreover, the autophagy inhibitor Bafilomycin A1 or genetic blocking autophagy with ATG5 knockdown decreased quercetin-induced cell death, indicating quercetin triggered autophagic cell death in MG-63 cells. Specifically, quercetin increased NUPR1 expression and activated of NUPR1 reporter activity, which contributed to the expression of autophagy-related genes and subsequent initiated autophagic cell death in osteosarcoma cells. Importantly, the increased expression NUPR1 were tightly related to the disturbance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, which could be prevented by inhibiting intracellular ROS with NAC. Finally, NAC also abolished quercetin-induced autophagic cell death in vivo. Taken together, these data demonstrate that quercetin induces osteosarcoma cell death via inducing excessive autophagy, which is mediated through the ROS-NUPR1 pathway. Quercetin application may be a promising and practical strategy for osteosarcoma treatment in clinical practice.

Cryptotanshinone Inhibites Bladder Cancer Cell Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis via the PTEN/PI3K/AKT Pathway

Cryptotanshinone (CTT), extracted from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen), exhibits activities against a variety of human cancers in vitro and in vivo. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential inhibitory effect of CTT on bladder cancer. In this study, we found that CTT inhibited bladder cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis. In addition, CTT modulated the expression of proteins via the PI3K/AKT pathway, and the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signalling was due to induction of PTEN expression. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated the anticancer effect of CTT on bladder cancer cells, which might be associated with the downregulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and NF-κB signalling pathway proteins, and this inhibition was mediated by the induction of PTEN.

Licochalcone H Synthesized by Modifying Structure of Licochalcone C Extracted from Glycyrrhiza inflata Induces Apoptosis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

Esophageal cancer is one of the malignant cancers with a low 5-year survival rate. Licochalcone (LC) H, a chemically synthesized substance, is a regioisomer of LCC extracted from licorice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether LCH might have anticancer effect on human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines via apoptosis signaling pathway. After 48 h of treatment, IC₅₀ of LCH in KYSE 30, KYSE 70, KYSE 410, KYSE 450, and KYSE 510 cells were 15, 14, 18, 15, and 16 μM, respectively. This study demonstrated that LCH potently suppressed proliferation of ESCC cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. LCH triggered G2/M-phase arrest by modulating expression levels of cdc2, cyclin B1, p21, and p27. LCH also induced apoptosis of ESCC cells through reactive oxygen species-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via JNK/p38 activation pathways. The anticancer effect of LCH was associated with ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. It also affected protein levels of Mcl-1, tBid, Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, Apaf-1, PARP, cleaved-PARP, and ER stress-related proteins (GRP78 and CHOP). Our findings provide the first demonstration that LCH has anticancer effect on ESCC. Thus, LCH might have potential for preventing and/or treating human ESCC.

Cryptotanshinone inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by regulating ERK and NF-κB signaling pathways

Osteoporosis (OS) is one of the most common healthy problems characterized by low bone mass. Osteoclast, the primary bone-resorbing cell, is responsible for destructive bone diseases including osteoporosis (OS). Cryptotanshinone (CTS), an active component extracted from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge, has been shown to prevent the destruction of cartilage and the thickening of subchondral bone in mice osteoarthritis models. However, its molecular mechanism in osteoclastogenesis needs to be determined. The aim of the current study was to explore the effect of CTS on osteoclastogenesis and further evaluate the underlying mechanism. Our results showed that CTS inhibited receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced the increase in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). In addition, the expressions of osteoclastogenesis-related marker proteins and nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) activation were suppressed by CTS treatment in BMMs. Furthermore, CTS attenuated RANKL-induced ERK phosphorylation and NF-κB activation in BMMs. These findings indicated that CTS inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting ERK phosphorylation and NF-κB activation in BMMs. Thus, CTS may function as an inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis and may be considered as an alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of OS.

Glycitein induces reactive oxygen species-dependent apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest through the MAPK/STAT3/NF-κB pathway in human gastric cancer cells

Glycitein is an isoflavone that reportedly inhibits the proliferation of human breast cancer and prostate cancer cells. However, its anti-cancer molecular mechanisms in human gastric cancer remain to be defined. This study evaluated the antitumor effects of glycitein on human gastric cancer cells and investigated the underlying mechanisms. We used MTT assay, flow cytometry and western blotting to investigate its molecular mechanisms with focus on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Our results showed that glycitein had significant cytotoxic effects on human gastric cancer cells. Glycitein markedly decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) and increased AGS cells mitochondrial-related apoptosis, and caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest by regulating cycle-related protein. Mechanistically, accompanying ROS, glycitein can activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and inhibited the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Furthermore, the MAPK signaling pathway regulated the expression levels of STAT3 and NF-κB upon treatment with MAPK inhibitor and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). These findings suggested that glycitein induced AGS cell apoptosis and G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest via ROS-related MAPK/STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathways. Thus, glycitein has the potential to a novel targeted therapeutic agent for human gastric cancer.

Cryptotanshinone inhibits esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo through the suppression of STAT3 activation

Purpose

Esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common subtype of esophageal cancer, with a poor clinical outcome. Cryptotanshinone (CTS) is the main bioactive compound from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Our study aimed to investigate the anti-cancer effects and molecular mechanisms of CTS on ESCC.

Materials and methods

We investigated the anti-tumor activity of CTS on ESCC in vitro and in vivo. Activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway was evaluated in ESCC and HEK-Blue™ IL-6 cells. Cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were assessed using flow cytometry. Cell migration was detected by a scratch wound assay.

Results

CTS inhibited STAT3 expression and IL-6-mediated STAT3 activation in esophageal cancer cells. Subsequently, CTS dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells via induction of cell apoptosis. Furthermore, CTS suppressed the migration of esophageal cancer cells. In vivo, CTS inhibited tumor growth of EC109 cell in xenograft mice without any obvious effect on body weight.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that STAT3 inhibition may be a therapeutic target for esophageal cancer. CTS could provide a potential approach for esophageal cancer therapy by influencing the janus kinase-2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

The compound 2-(naphthalene-2-thio)-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone induces apoptosis via reactive oxygen species-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase, protein kinase B, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling in human gastric cancer cells

Hit, Lead & Candidate Discovery It is reported that 1,4-naphthoquinones and their derivatives have potent antitumor activity in various cancers, although their clinical application is limited by observed side effects. To improve the therapeutic efficacy of naphthoquinones in the treatment of cancer and to reduce side effects, we synthesized a novel naphthoquinone derivative, 2-(naphthalene-2-thio)-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (NTDMNQ). In this study, we explored the effects of NTDMNQ on apoptosis in gastric cancer cells with a focus on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Our results demonstrated that NTDMNQ exhibited the cytotoxic effects on gastric cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. NTDMNQ significantly induced mitochondrial-related apoptosis in AGS cells and increased the accumulation of ROS. However, pre-treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, inhibited the NTDMNQ-induced apoptosis. In addition, NTDMNQ increased the phosphorylation of p38 kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and decreased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), protein kinase B (Akt), and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3); these effects were blocked by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor and NAC. Taken together, the present findings indicate that NTDMNQ-induced gastric cancer cell apoptosis via ROS-mediated regulation of the MAPK, Akt, and STAT3 signaling pathways. Therefore, NTDMNQ may be a potential treatment for gastric cancer as well as other tumor types.

Cryptotanshinone suppresses cell proliferation and glucose metabolism via STAT3/SIRT3 signaling pathway in ovarian cancer cells

Ovarian cancer is the most malignant gynecologic cancer among women worldwide. Cryptotanshinone (CT), isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, has been identified as a potential therapeutic agent in treating several malignant tumors, but the molecular mechanism of CT in ovarian cancer still remains illustrated. Here, we sought to elucidate the regulatory function of CT on cell glucose metabolism in ovarian cancer. The treatment of CT on ovarian cancer cells effectively inhibited glucose uptake and lactate production in ovarian cancer cells. The expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins, such as GLUT1, LDHA, and HK2, were decreased by the treatment of CT detected by qRT-PCR and immunoblotting. Mechanistically, CT exerted its anti-tumor effect by targeting STAT3/SIRT3/HIF-1α signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo, which could be rescued by the introduction of SIRT3 shRNA in ovarian cancer cells. The clinical data showed that the expression level of STAT3 in ovarian cancer patients' sera and tissues was positively correlated with those of GLUT1, LDHA, HK2 and HIF-1α, but negatively with that of SIRT3These findings provide evidence that CT inhibited cellular glycolysis-induced cell growth and proliferation through repression of STAT3/SIRT3/HIF-1α signaling pathway, indicating that CT may be developed as a chemotherapeutic agent to treat ovarian cancer.