Identifying the Effect of Celastrol Against Ovarian Cancer With Network Pharmacology and In Vitro Experiments

Celastrol Induces Ferroptosis by Regulating CERKL to Exert Anti-Gastric Cancer Effect

Gastric cancer is a significant global health issue. Celastrol, a natural compound, has shown antitumor potential, but its molecular mechanism in gastric cancer remains unclear. In this study, we treated HGC-27 cells with celastrol and employed CCK8, colony formation, and Transwell assays, revealing its inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and migration. Flow cytometry assay results showed that celastrol could elevate the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HGC-27 cells. By using the iron ion and malondialdehyde (MDA) detection kits, it was found that celastrol promoted the accumulation of iron ions (Fe[Formula: see text] in HGC-27 cells, increased the MDA content, and simultaneously decreased the glutathione (GSH) content. Additionally, Western blot analysis indicated that celastrol exerts an inhibitory effect on the expression of ferroptosis-marker proteins GPX4 and SLC7A11. PCR array and further experiments identified CERKL as a key factor, whose downregulation by celastrol was associated with enhanced ferroptosis. In vivo, celastrol inhibited tumor growth without affecting body weight or organ histology. Our findings suggest that celastrol may inhibit gastric cancer via CERKL-regulated ferroptosis, providing a potential therapeutic strategy.

Synthesis of a celastrol derivative as a cancer stem cell inhibitor through regulation of the STAT3 pathway for treatment of ovarian cancer

Accumulating evidence suggests that the root of drug chemoresistance in ovarian cancer is tightly associated with subpopulations of cancer stem cells (CSCs), whose activation is largely associated with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. Recently, celastrol has shown a significant anti-cancer effect on ovarian cancer, but its clinical translation is very challenging due to its oral bioavailability and high organ toxicity. In this study, a celastrol derivative (Cel-N) was synthesized to augment the overall efficacy, and its underlying mechanisms were also explored. Different ovarian cancer cells, SKOV3 and A2780, were used to evaluate and compare the anticancer effects. Cel-N displayed potent activities against all the tested ovarian cancer cells, with the lowest IC50 value of 0.14-0.25 μM. Further studies showed that Cel-N effectively suppressed the colony formation and sphere formation ability, decreased the percentage of CD44+CD24- and ALDH+ cells, and induced ROS production. Furthermore, western blot analysis indicated that Cel-N significantly inhibited both Tyr705 and Ser727 phosphorylation and reduced the protein expression of STAT3. In addition, Cel-N could dramatically induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and inhibit migration and invasion. Importantly, Cel-N showed a potent antitumor efficacy with no or limited systemic toxicity in mice xenograft models. The anticancer effect of Cel-N is stronger than celastrol. Cel-N attenuates cancer cell stemness, inhibits the STAT3 pathway, and exerts anti-ovarian cancer effects in cell and mouse models. Our data support that Cel-N is a potent drug candidate for ovarian cancer.

miR-34b-3p-mediated regulation of STC2 and FN1 enhances chemosensitivity and inhibits proliferation in cervical cancer

Dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression in cancer is a significant factor contributing to the progression of chemoresistance. The objective of this study is to explore the underlying mechanisms by which miR-34b-3p regulates chemoresistance in cervical cancer (CC). Previous findings have demonstrated low expression levels of miR-34b-3p in both CC chemoresistant cells and tissues. In this study, we initially characterize the behavior of SiHa/DDP cells which are CC cells resistant to the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin (DDP). Subsequently, miR-34b-3p mimics are transfected into SiHa/DDP cells. It is observed that overexpression of miR-34b-3p substantially inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of SiHa/DDP cells and also enhances their sensitivity to DDP-induced cell death. Quantitative RT-PCR and western blot analysis further reveal elevated expression levels of STC2 and FN1 in SiHa/DDP cells, contrary to the expression pattern of miR-34b-3p. Moreover, STC2 and FN1 contribute to DDP resistance, proliferation, migration, invasion, and decreased apoptosis in CC cells. Through dual-luciferase assay analysis, we confirm that STC2 and FN1 are direct targets of miR-34b-3p in CC. Finally, rescue experiments demonstrate that overexpression of either STC2 or FN1 can partially reverse the inhibitory effects of miR-34b-3p overexpression on chemoresistance, proliferation, migration and invasion in CC cells. In conclusion, our findings support the role of miR-34b-3p as a tumor suppressor in CC. This study indicates that targeting the miR-34b-3p/STC2 or FN1 axis has potential therapeutic implications for overcoming chemoresistance in CC patients.

Celastrol inhibits mouse B16-F10 melanoma cell survival by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and repressing HIF-1α expression

OBJECTIVE

Melanoma, with its high degree of malignancy, stands as one of the most dangerous skin cancers and remains the primary cause of death from skin cancer. With studies demonstrating the potential of traditional Chinese medicine to intervene and treat melanoma, we turned our attention to celastrol. Celastrol is a triterpene compound extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine derived from Tripterygium wilfordii. Previous studies have shown that celastrol exerts inhibitory effects on various malignant tumors, including melanoma. Hence, our goal was to clarify the impact of celastrol on cell viability, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression by elucidating its effects on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

METHODS

CCK-8 and wound healing assays were used to determine the effect of celastrol on the viability and migration of B16-F10 cells. Changes in cell apoptosis, cell cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway proteins and HIF-α mRNA expression in B16-F10 cells were detected by western blotting and qPCR. Moreover, the addition of a PI3K activator demonstrated that celastrol could inhibit the function of B16-F10 cells via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

RESULTS

Celastrol inhibited the viability and migration of B16-F10 cells. Through the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway down-regulates the expression of HIF-α mRNA, thereby causing an increase of ROS in cells and a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential to promote cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The inhibitory effect of celastrol on B16-F10 cells was further demonstrated by co-culturing with a PI3K activator.

CONCLUSION

Celastrol inhibits the function of B16-F10 cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR cellular pathway and regulating the expression of downstream HIF-α mRNA.

Revealing the pharmacological mechanisms of nao-an dropping pill in preventing and treating ischemic stroke via the PI3K/Akt/eNOS and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways

Nao-an Dropping Pill (NADP) is a Chinese patent medicine which commonly used in clinic for ischemic stroke (IS). However, the material basis and mechanism of its prevention or treatment of IS are unclear, then we carried out this study. 52 incoming blood components were resolved by UHPLC-MS/MS from rat serum, including 45 prototype components. The potential active prototype components hydroxysafflor yellow A, ginsenoside F1, quercetin, ferulic acid and caffeic acid screened by network pharmacology showed strongly binding ability with PIK3CA, AKT1, NOS3, NFE2L2 and HMOX1 by molecular docking. In vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) experimental results showed that NADP protected HA1800 cells from OGD/R-induced apoptosis by affecting the release of LDH, production of NO, and content of SOD and MDA. Meanwhile, NADP could improve behavioral of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) rats, reduce ischemic area of cerebral cortex, decrease brain water and glutamate (Glu) content, and improve oxidative stress response. Immunohistochemical results showed that NADP significantly regulated the expression of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, eNOS, p-eNOS, Nrf2 and HO-1 in cerebral ischemic tissues. The results suggested that NADP protects brain tissues and ameliorates oxidative stress damage to brain tissues from IS by regulating PI3K/Akt/eNOS and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways.

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Triptonide in Salivary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Approach Involving Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

BACKGROUND

Salivary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) is characterized by a highly invasive and slow-growing pattern, and its etiology remains unidentified. Triptonide (TN) has demonstrated efficacy as a pharmacotherapeutic agent against ACC. Nonetheless, the specific targets and mechanism of molecular action underlying the effectiveness of TN in treating ACC have not been elucidated.

OBJECTIVES

By integrating network pharmacology within laboratory experiments, this research delves into the prospective targets and molecular mechanisms associated with the application of TN in treating ACC.

METHODS

Initially, pertinent targets associated with TN against ACC were acquired from public databases. Subsequently, a combination of network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis was utilized to screen the top 10 hub targets and key signal pathways of TN-treating ACC. Finally, in vitro experiments involving various molecular assays were conducted to evaluate the biological phenotypes of cells following TN treatment, encompassing assessments of apoptosis levels, plate migration, and other parameters, thereby validating pivotal genes and pathways.

RESULTS

A total of 23 pertinent targets for TN in relation to ACC were identified, with the top 10 hub genes being MAPK8, PTGS2, RELA, MAPK14, NR3C1, HDAC1, PPARG, NFKBIA, AR, and PGR. There was a significant correlation between the TNF signaling pathway and the treatment of ACC with TN. In vitro experiments demonstrated that TN treatment elevated RELA phosphorylation while concurrently reducing MAPK14 phosphorylation and inducing G2/M arrest. TN exhibited the ability to enhance the apoptosis rate through increased caspase-3 activity, elevated levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), mitochondrial dysfunction, and inhibition of cell migration.

CONCLUSION

There is a potential therapeutic role for TN in the treatment of ACC through the activation of the TNF signaling pathway. Among the identified candidates, MAPK8, HDAC1, PTGS2, RELA, NR3C1, PPARG, NFKBIA, AR, and PGR emerge as the most pertinent therapeutic targets for TN in the context of ACC treatment.

Celastrol Combats Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Targeting Δ1 -Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Dehydrogenase

The emergence and rapid spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) raise a critical need for alternative therapeutic options. New antibacterial drugs and targets are required to combat MRSA-associated infections. Based on this study, celastrol, a natural product from the roots of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f., effectively combats MRSA in vitro and in vivo. Multi-omics analysis suggests that the molecular mechanism of action of celastrol may be related to Δ1 -pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase (P5CDH). By comparing the properties of wild-type and rocA-deficient MRSA strains, it is demonstrated that P5CDH, the second enzyme of the proline catabolism pathway, is a tentative new target for antibacterial agents. Using molecular docking, bio-layer interferometry, and enzyme activity assays, it is confirmed that celastrol can affect the function of P5CDH. Furthermore, it is found through site-directed protein mutagenesis that the Lys205 and Glu208 residues are key for celastrol binding to P5CDH. Finally, mechanistic studies show that celastrol induces oxidative stress and inhibits DNA synthesis by binding to P5CDH. The findings of this study indicate that celastrol is a promising lead compound and validate P5CDH as a potential target for the development of novel drugs against MRSA.