Protective Role of Natural Products in Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Focus on Nitric Oxide Pathway

Harnessing the capacity of phytochemicals to enhance immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy of cancers: A focus on brain malignancies

Brain cancers, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are challenging health issues with frequent unmet aspects. Today, discovering safe and effective therapeutic modalities for brain tumors is among the top research interests. Immunotherapy is an emerging area of investigation in cancer treatment. Since immune checkpoints play fundamental roles in repressing anti-cancer immunity, diverse immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been developed, and some monoclonal antibodies have been approved clinically for particular cancers; nevertheless, there are significant concerns regarding their efficacy and safety in brain tumors. Among the various tools to modify the immune checkpoints, phytochemicals show good effectiveness and excellent safety, making them suitable candidates for developing better ICIs. Phytochemicals regulate multiple immunological checkpoint-related signaling pathways in cancer biology; however, their efficacy for clinical cancer immunotherapy remains to be established. Here, we discussed the involvement of immune checkpoints in cancer pathology and summarized recent advancements in applying phytochemicals in modulating immune checkpoints in brain tumors to highlight the state-of-the-art and give constructive prospects for future research.

Superoxide dismutase: a key target for the neuroprotective effects of curcumin

Over the past few years, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) has increased dramatically. The community health system is burdened by the high healthcare costs associated with NDD. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a type of metalloenzyme that possesses a distinct characteristic of protecting the body from oxidative stress through antioxidants. In this way, SOD supplementation may activate the endogenous antioxidant mechanism in various pathological conditions and could be used to neutralize free radical excess. Several factors are responsible for damaging DNA and RNA in the body, including the overproduction of reactive species, particularly reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Excessive ROS/RNS have deleterious effects on mitochondria and their metabolic processes, mainly through increased mitochondrial proteins, lipids and DNA oxidation. Studies have shown that oxidative stress is implicated in the etiology of many diseases, including NDD. It is thought that anti-inflammatory compounds, particularly phytochemicals, can interfere with these pathways and regulate inflammation. Extensive experimental and clinical research has proven that curcumin (Cur) has anti-inflammatory and anti-neurologic properties. In this review, we have compiled the available data on Cur's anti-inflammatory properties, paying special attention to its therapeutic impact on NDD through SOD.

Combretastatin A-4 suppresses the invasive and metastatic behavior of glioma cells and induces apoptosis in them: in-vitro study

The most common primary brain malignancy, glioblastoma multiforme, is tremendously resistant to conventional treatments due to its potency for metastasis to surrounding brain tissue. Temozolomide is a chemotherapeutic agent that currently is administrated during the treatment procedure. Studies have attempted to investigate new agents with higher effectiveness and fewer side effects. Combretastatin A-4 (CA-4), a natural compound derived from Combretum caffrum, has been recently considered for its potent antitumor activities in a wide variety of preclinical solid tumor models. Our findings have shown that CA-4 exerts potent anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on glioma cells, and ROS generation may be involved in these cellular events. CA-4 has imposed G2 arrest in U-87 cells. We also observed that CA-4 significantly reduced the migration and invasion capability of U-87 cells. Furthermore, the gene expression and enzyme activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly inhibited in the presence of CA-4. We also observed a considerable decrease in PI3K and Akt protein expression following treatment with CA-4. In conclusion, our findings showed significant apoptogenic and anti-metastatic effects of CA-4 on glioma cells and also suggested that the PI3K/Akt/MMP-2/-9 and also ROS pathway might play roles in these cellular events.

Modulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system by phytochemicals: Therapeutic implications in malignancies with an emphasis on brain tumors

Regarding the multimechanistic nature of cancers, current chemo- or radiotherapies often fail to eradicate disease pathology, and frequent relapses or resistance to therapies occur. Brain malignancies, particularly glioblastomas, are difficult-to-treat cancers due to their highly malignant and multidimensional biology. Unfortunately, patients suffering from malignant tumors often experience poor prognoses and short survival periods. Thus far, significant efforts have been conducted to discover novel and more effective modalities. To that end, modulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has attracted tremendous interest since it affects the homeostasis of proteins critically engaged in various cell functions, for example, cell metabolism, survival, proliferation, and differentiation. With their safe and multimodal actions, phytochemicals are among the promising therapeutic tools capable of turning the operation of various UPS elements. The present review, along with an updated outline of the role of UPS dysregulation in multiple cancers, provided a detailed discussion on the impact of phytochemicals on the UPS function in malignancies, especially brain tumors.

Improved Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of a Potent Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor

An improved synthesis of 4-methyl-7-(3-((methylamino)methyl)phenethyl)quinolin-2-amine (1) is reported. A scalable, rapid, and efficient methodology was developed to access this compound with an overall yield of 35%, which is 5.9-fold higher than the previous report. The key differences in the improved synthesis are a high yielding quinoline synthesis by a Knorr reaction, a copper-mediated Sonogashira coupling to the internal alkyne in excellent yield, and a crucial deprotection of the N-acetyl and N-Boc groups achieved under acidic conditions in a single step rather than a poor yielding quinoline N-oxide strategy, basic deprotection conditions, and low yielding copper-free conditions that were reported in the previous report. Compound 1, which previously was shown to inhibit IFN-γ-induced tumor growth in a human melanoma xenograft mouse model, was found to inhibit the growth of metastatic melanoma, glioblastoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro.

Urolithin B loaded in cerium oxide nanoparticles enhances the anti-glioblastoma effects of free urolithin B in vitro

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive kind of malignant primary brain tumor in humans. Given the limitation of Conventional therapeutic strategy, the development of nanotechnology and natural product therapy seems to be an effective method enhancing the prognosis of GBM patients. In this research, cell viability, mRNA expressions of various apoptosis-related genes apoptosis, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human U-87 malignant GBM cell line (U87) treated with Urolithin B (UB) and CeO₂-UB. Unlike CeO₂-NPs, both UB and CeO₂-UB caused a dose-dependent decrease in the viability of U87 cells. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of UB and CeO₂-UB were 315 and 250 μM after 24 h, respectively. Moreover, CeO₂-UB exerted significantly higher effects on U87 viability, P53 expression, and ROS generation. Furthermore, UB and CeO2-UB increased the accumulation of U87 cells in the SUB-G1 population, decreased the expression of cyclin D1, and increased the Bax/Bcl2 ratio expression. Collectively, these data indicate that CeO₂-UB exhibited more substantial anti-GBM effects than UB. Although further in vivo investigations are needed, these results proposed that CeO₂-NPs could be utilized as a potential novel anti-GBM agent after further studies.

Aptamers against cancer drug resistance: Small fighters switching tactics in the face of defeat

Discovering novel cancer therapies has attracted extreme interest in the last decade. In this regard, multidrug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapies is the primary challenge in cancer treatment. Cancerous cells are growingly become resistant to existing chemotherapeutics by employing diverse mechanisms, highlighting the significance of discovering approaches to overcome MDR. One promising strategy is utilizing aptamers as unique tools to target elements or signalings incorporated in resistance mechanisms or develop active targeted drug delivery systems or chimeras enabling the precise delivery of novel agents to inhibit the conventionally undruggable resistance elements. Further, due to their advantages over their proteinaceous counterparts, particularly antibodies, including improved targeting action, enhanced thermal stability, easier production, and superior tumor penetration, aptamers are emerging and have frequently been considered for developing cancer therapeutics. Here, we highlighted significant chemoresistance pathways and thoroughly discussed using aptamers as prospective tools to surmount cancer MDR.

Psidium guajava induces cytotoxicity in human malignant glioblastoma cell line: Role of reactive oxygen species

One of the deadliest types of CNS primary brain cancers is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and the survival rate of patients is about 7.2%. The standard treatment for GBM is surgical interventions followed by temozolomide. We investigated for the first time, the cytotoxic impacts of Psidium guajava (P. guajava) on the U87 GBM cell line. We measured cell toxicity through the MTT test following 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h treatment with different concentrations of fruit and seed hydroalcoholic extracts of P. guajava (25-400 μg/ml). Lipid peroxidation assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis rate were evaluated 24 h after treatment by extracts of P. guajava. Moreover, to determine the Bax/Bcl-2 and NF-κB genes expression, we performed a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our finding demonstrated that 50-400 μg/ml of P. guajava extracts dose-dependently decreased the viability of U87 cells. Also, treatment by extracts increased lipid peroxidation, ROS production, and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the RT-PCR demonstrated an up-regulation in Bax\Bcl-2 and NF-κB. Thus, P. guajava inhibited the proliferation of U87 GBM cells and increased apoptosis probably through Bax/Bcl-2 and NF-κB regulation.

Recent advances in glioblastoma multiforme therapy: A focus on autophagy regulation

Despite conventional treatment options including chemoradiation, patients with the most aggressive primary brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), experience an average survival time of less than 15 months. Regarding the malignant nature of GBM, extensive research and discovery of novel treatments are urgently required to improve the patients' prognosis. Autophagy, a crucial physiological pathway for the degradation and recycling of cell components, is one of the exciting targets of GBM studies. Interventions aimed at autophagy activation or inhibition have been explored as potential GBM therapeutics. This review, which delves into therapeutic techniques to block or activate autophagy in preclinical and clinical research, aims to expand our understanding of available therapies battling GBM.

Tumor-Inhibitory Effects of Zerumbone Against HT-29 Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cause of cancer-associated death globally. Recently, herbal medicinal products and, in particular, zerumbone have been widely studied and used for cancer treatment as they induce significant anti-cancer effects. However, there is limited information about the anti-cancer effects of zerumbone in CRC. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the in vitro anti-cancer effects of the zerumbone in CRC, focusing on cell apoptosis and migration. Anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects of zerumbone on HT-29 cells were evaluated using MTT and scratch wound healing assay, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to determine the mRNA expression levels of migration and apoptosis-related genes. Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were evaluated by flow cytometry. The intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using a ROS assay kit. Additionally, matrix metalloproteinase-2/-9 (MMP-2/-9) activity was determined using gelatin zymography. Zerumbone suppressed the viability of the HT-29 cells dose-dependently while having less cytotoxicity on normal NIH/3T3 cells. Zerumbone induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells and arrested the cell cycle in the G2/M phase. These effects were associated with alteration in the expression of apoptosis-related genes (up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2 genes). Zerumbone also enhanced the generation of ROS in HT-29 cells. Furthermore, zerumbone significantly inhibited the migration of HT-29 cells and decreased MMP-2/-9 mRNA expression and activity. Our findings provide a potential use for zerumbone to induce apoptosis and suppress metastasis in HT-29 cells; thus, it could be developed as a promising natural agent for future CRC therapy.

Recent trends in the application of nanoparticles in cancer therapy: The involvement of oxidative stress

In the biomedical area, the interdisciplinary field of nanotechnology has the potential to bring numerous unique applications, including better tactics for cancer detection, diagnosis, and therapy. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been the topic of many research and material applications throughout the last decade. Unlike small-molecule medications, NPs are defined by distinct physicochemical characteristics, such as a large surface-to-volume ratio, which allows them to permeate live cells with relative ease. The versatility of NPs as both therapeutics and diagnostics makes them ideal for a broad spectrum of illnesses, from infectious diseases to cancer. A significant amount of data has been participated in the current scientific publications, emphasizing the concept that NPs often produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) to a larger degree than micro-sized particles. It is important to note that oxidative stress governs a wide range of cell signaling cascades, many of which are responsible for cancer cell cytotoxicity. Here, we aimed to provide insight into the signaling pathways triggered by oxidative stress in cancer cells in response to several types of nanomaterials, such as metallic and polymeric NPs and quantum dots. We discuss recent advances in developing integrated anticancer medicines based on NPs targeted to destroy malignant cells by increasing their ROS setpoint.

Anticancer mechanisms of Berberine: a good choice for glioblastoma multiforme therapy

The most typical malignant brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), seems to have a grim outcome, despite the intensive multi-modality interventions. Literature suggests that biologically active phytomolecules may exert anticancer properties by regulating several signaling pathways. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has various pharmacological applications to combat severe diseases like cancer. Mechanistically, Berberine inhibits cell proliferation and invasion, suppresses tumor angiogenesis, and induces cell apoptosis. The effect of the antitumoral effect of Berberine in GBM is increasingly recognized. This review sheds new light on the regulatory signaling mechanisms of Berberine in various cancer, proposing its potential role as a therapeutic agent for GBM. ‎.

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems in cancer: A focus on inflammatory pathways

It has become necessary to accept the clinical reality of therapeutic agents targeting the cancer-associated immune system. In recent decades, several investigations have highlighted the role of inflammation in cancer development. It has now been recognized that inflammatory cells secrete mediators, including enzymes, chemokines, and cytokines. These secreted substances produce an inflammatory microenvironment that is critically involved in cancer growth. Inflammation may enhance genomic instability leading to DNA damage, activation of oncogenes, or compromised tumor suppressor activity, all of which may promote various phases of carcinogenesis. Conventional cancer treatment includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, treatment failure occurs because current strategies are unable to achieve complete local control due to metastasis. Nanoparticles (NPs) are a broad spectrum of drug carriers typically below the size of 100 nm, targeting tumor sites while reducing off-target consequences. More importantly, NPs can stimulate innate and adaptive immune systems in the tumor microenvironment (TME); hence, they induce a cancer-fighting immune response. Strikingly, targeting cancer cells with NPs helps eliminate drug resistance and tumor recurrence, as well as prevents inflammation. Throughout this review, we provide recent data on the role of inflammation in cancer and explore nano-therapeutic initiatives to target significant mediators, for example, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukins (ILs) associated with cancer-related inflammation, to escort the immunomodulators to cancer cells and associated systemic compartments. We also highlight the necessity of better identifying inflammatory pathways in cancer pathophysiology to develop effective treatment plans.

How do phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors affect cancer? A focus on glioblastoma multiforme

Since the discovery of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) enzyme overexpression in the central nervous system (CNS) malignancies, investigations have explored the potential capacity of current PDE5 inhibitor drugs for repositioning in the treatment of brain tumors, notably glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). It has now been recognized that these drugs increase brain tumors permeability and enhance standard chemotherapeutics effectiveness. More importantly, studies have highlighted the promising antitumor functions of PDE5 inhibitors, e.g., triggering apoptosis, suppressing tumor cell growth and invasion, and reversing tumor microenvironment (TME) immunosuppression in the brain. However, contradictory reports have suggested a pro-oncogenic role for neuronal cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), indicating the beneficial function of PDE5 in the brain of GBM patients. Unfortunately, due to the inconsistent preclinical findings, only a few clinical trials are evaluating the therapeutic value of PDE5 inhibitors in GBM treatment. Accordingly, additional studies should be conducted to shed light on the precise effect of PDE5 inhibitors in GBM biology regarding the existing molecular heterogeneities among individuals. Here, we highlighted and discussed the previously investigated mechanisms underlying the impacts of PDE5 inhibitors in cancers, focusing on GBM to provide an overview of current knowledge necessary for future studies.

Aprepitant Promotes Caspase-Dependent Apoptotic Cell Death and G2/M Arrest through PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Axis in Cancer Stem-Like Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Spheres

The antagonists of the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) are known for their anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antiemetic, and anticancer activities. Aprepitant, a nonpeptide NK1R antagonist, is used in nausea and vomiting, the most common side effects of cancer chemotherapy in patients. It has been established that NK1R activation by substance P (SP), which links cancer promotion and progression to a neurokinin-mediated environment, became one mechanism that corresponds to the mitogenesis of tumor cells. Therefore, this study is aimed at explaining and evaluating the anticancer impacts of aprepitant on esophageal squamous cancer cell (ESCC) spheres by using in vitro experiments, such as resazurin, ROS, annexin-V binding, RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. As a result, we showed that aprepitant had strong antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on ESCC cell spheres. Also, aprepitant caused significant G2-M cell cycle arrest depending on concentration increase. Further, exposure of cells to this agent resulted in caspase -8/-9-dependent apoptotic pathway activation by modifying the expression of genes involved in apoptosis. Besides, treatment of the cells by aprepitant abrogates of the PI3K/Akt pathway, as shown by reducing the level of Akt, induces apoptotic cell death. In summary, pharmacological inhibition of NK1R with aprepitant seems to have a significant chance of treating ESCC as a single agent or in conjunction with other chemotherapeutic drugs.

Zerumbone, a ginger sesquiterpene, inhibits migration, invasion, and metastatic behavior of human malignant glioblastoma multiforme in vitro

The most widespread and challenging aggressive malignant tumor in the brain is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM is characterized, in particular, by significant intratumor cell variability, high growth rates, and widespread invasiveness within the surrounding normal brain parenchyma. The present study aimed to examine the impact of the natural product Zerumbone, a promising sesquiterpenoid phytochemical from Zingiber zerumbet, on U-87 MG GBM cells and its underlying molecular mechanisms. At sub-lethal doses, Zerumbone exerted a concentration- and time-dependent suppression of cell migration ability utilizing scratch wound closure assay; it also inhibited GBM cells' invasion using Transwell invasion assay in a concentration-dependent fashion. The enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/-9 and their protein expression has also been reduced by administration of Zerumbone. Furthermore, Zerumbone was revealed to downregulate the mRNA expression level of IL-1β and MCP-1, two genes contributing to MMPs expression. We also found that Zerumbone exerted an inhibitory effect on the expression of Akt and total p44/42 MAPK (Erk1/Erk2) against U-87 MG cells. These findings collectively provide further proof for the possible molecular signaling basis of the antimetastatic effects of Zerumbone as a promising phytochemical, indicating a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of GBM through repression of migration, invasion, and metastasis.

The Current State of Potential Therapeutic Modalities for Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Clinical Review

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), as the most lethal brain tumor, continues to be incurable. Considering the high mortality rate of GBM, it is crucial to develop new treatment approaches. Conventional therapies, including maximal surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy (typically temozolomide), have not led to significant changes in the survival rates of GBM patients. However, emerging modalities, such as the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, NF-κB modulators, nitrosoureas, and immunotherapeutic agents have shown promising in improving GBM outcomes. In this context, we reviewed the current status of GBM treatment, the efficacy of existing standard therapies in improving disease outcomes, and future therapeutic directions.

Targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in glioblastoma multiforme: Preclinical evidence and clinical interventions

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), as one of the immunosuppressive and common intrinsic brain tumors in adults, remains an intractable malignancy to manage. Since the standard of care for treatment, which includes surgery and chemoradiation, has not provided a sustainable and durable response in affected patients, seeking novel therapeutic approaches to treat GBM seems imperative. Immunotherapy, a breakthrough for cancer treatment, has become an attractive tool for combating cancer with the potential to access the blood-brain-barrier (BBB). In this regard, programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), as major immunological checkpoints, have drawn considerable interest due to their effectiveness in a spectrum of highly-aggressive neoplasms through negative regulation of the T-cell-mediated immune response. Nevertheless, due to the immunosuppressive microenvironment of GBM, the efficacy of these immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), when used as monotherapy, has been unfavorable and lacks sufficient beneficial outcomes for GBM patients. A variety of clinical studies are attempting to evaluate the combination of ICIs (neoadjuvant/adjuvant) and existing treatment guidelines to strengthen their effectiveness; however, the exact mechanism of this signaling axis affects the consequences of immune therapy remains elusive. This review provides an overview of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, currently approved ICIs for clinical use, preclinical and clinical trials of PD-1/PD-L1 as monotherapy, and when used concomitantly with other GBM treatments.

Cytotoxic and Antiproliferative Effects of β-Mangostin on Rat C6 Glioma Cells Depend on Oxidative Stress Induction via PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway Inhibition

Background

Glioma is the most common malignant tumor of the nervous system, which accounts for more than 45% of central nervous system tumors and seriously threatens our health. Because of high mortality rate, limitations, and many complications of traditional treatment methods, new treatment methods are urgently needed. β-Mangostin is a natural compound derived from the fruit of Garcinia mangostana L. and it has anticancer activity in several types of cancer cells. However, the antitumor effect of β-mangostin in glioma has not been clarified. Hence, this study aimed to investigate its therapeutic effects on gliomas.

Materials and Methods

To study the effect of β-mangostin on glioma cells, cell viability assay, reactive oxygen species production, cell cycle, apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated in the C6 cell line in vitro. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were used to analyze protein expression and phosphorylation to study its mechanism of action. A subcutaneous xenograft model was used to investigate the effect of β-mangostin on tumorigenesis in vivo.

Results

We found that β-mangostin can inhibit glioma cell growth and induce oxidative damage in vitro. In addition, it reduces the phosphorylated form levels of PI3K, AKT and mTOR. Furthermore, the phosphorylated form levels of PI3K, AKT and mTOR were increased after the PI3K inhibitor was added. In vivo experiments showed that β-mangostin can inhibit tumor growth as shown by its reduced size and weight.

Conclusion

This study suggests that β-mangostin can inhibit cell proliferation and induce oxidative damage in cells. It is the first study to demonstrate that β-mangostin induces oxidative damage in glioma cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Minocycline in Treating Glioblastoma Multiforme: Far beyond a Conventional Antibiotic

One of the most lethal forms of CNS pathologies is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) that represents high invasiveness, uncontrolled proliferation, and angiogenic features. Its invasiveness is responsible for the high recurrence even after maximal surgical interventions. Minocycline is a semisynthetic analog of tetracyclines with potential anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects, distinct from its antimicrobial activity. In this review, we highlight the importance and the cytotoxic mechanisms of minocycline on GBM pathophysiology. Considering the role of certain enzymes in autophagy, apoptosis, tumor cell invasion, and metastatic ability, the possible use of tetracyclines for cancer therapy should be investigated, especially GBM. The present study is, therefore, going to cover the main topics in minocycline pharmacology to date, encouraging its consideration as a new treatment approach for cancer and GBM.

LINC01094 Down-Regulates miR-330-3p and Enhances the Expression of MSI1 to Promote the Progression of Glioma

Background

This study aims at probing into the expression, function, and mechanism of LINC01094 and miR-330-3p in glioma.

Materials and Methods

qRT-PCR was employed to examine LINC01094 and miR-330-3p expressions in gliomas. After gain-of-function and loss-of-function models were constructed, CCK-8 and Transwell assays were used to detect the proliferation, migration and invasion of LN229 and U251 cells, respectively. Additionally, dual luciferase reporter gene assay was utilized to verify the binding site between m4iR-330-3p and LINC01094, miR-330-3p, and the 3ʹUTR of musashi RNA binding protein 1 (MSI1). Then, RNA pull-down, RIP, qRT-PCR and Western blot were employed to detect the regulatory relationships among LINC01094, miR-330-3p, and MSI1.

Results

The expression of LINC01094 was elevated in glioma tissues and cell lines, and the high expression of LINC01094 was associated with high grade of glioma. In contrast, miR-330-3p was lowly expressed in glioma tissue. Overexpression of LINC01094 or down-regulation of miR-330-3p promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells, while LINC01094 knockdown or miR-330-3p up-regulation impeded these processes. miR-330-3p was identified as a target miRNA of LINC01094, and it could be negatively regulated by LINC01094. In addition, miR-330-3p antagonized the function of LINC01094 by negatively regulating MSI1.

Conclusion

LINC01094 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells by adsorbing miR-330-3p and up-regulating the expression of MSI1.

Zerumbone Promotes Cytotoxicity in Human Malignant Glioblastoma Cells through Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Generation

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most hostile tumor in the central nervous system. Unfortunately, the prognosis of GBM patients is poor following surgical interventions, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Consequently, more efficient and effective treatment options for the treatment of GBM need to be explored. Zerumbone, as a sesquiterpene derived from Zingiber zerumbet Smith, has substantial cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities in some types of cancer. Here, we show that exposure of GBM cells (U-87 MG) to Zerumbone demonstrated significant growth inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner. Zerumbone also induced apoptosis and caused cell cycle arrest of human GBM U-87 MG cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. In detail, the apoptotic process triggered by Zerumbone involved the upregulation of proapoptotic Bax and the suppression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 genes expression as determined by qRT-PCR. Moreover, Zerumbone enhanced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), as an antioxidant, reversed the ROS-induced cytotoxicity of U-87 MG cells. The Western blot analysis suggested that Zerumbone activated the NF-κB p65, which was partly inhibited by NAC treatment. Collectively, our results confirmed that Zerumbone induces cytotoxicity by ROS generation. Thus, the study raises the possibility of Zerumbone as a potential natural agent for treating GBM due to its ability to induce cytotoxicity.