Identification of Growth Factors, Cytokines and Mediators Regulated by Artemisia annua L. Polyphenols (pKAL) in HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells: TGF-β1 and NGF-β Attenuate pKAL-Induced Anticancer Effects via NF-κB p65 Upregulation

A primer for Fibroblast Growth Factor 16 (FGF16)

During the discovery of the Fibroblast Growth Factor superfamily, scientists were determined to uncover all the genes that encoded FGF proteins. In 1998, FGF16 was discovered with classical cloning techniques in human and rat heart samples. FGF16 loss- and gain-of-function experiments in several organisms demonstrated a conserved function in vertebrates, and as a component of the FGF9 subfamily of ligands (FGF-E/-9/-20), is functionally conserved and sufficient to rescue loss-of-function phenotypes in invertebrates, like C. elegans. FGF16 has a broad expression pattern, predominantly expressed in brown adipose tissue, heart, with low but detectable levels in the brain, olfactory bulb, inner ear, muscle, thymus, pancreas, spleen, stomach, small intestine, and gonads (testis and ovary). FGF16 is also expressed moderately in the late developing limb bud. Despite its expression levels, this ligand plays notable roles in autopod metacarpal development; loss of one allele causes congenital metacarpal 4-5 fusion and hand deformities in humans. The broad expression pattern of FGF16 in several tissues underscores its multifaceted roles in stem cell maintenance, proliferation, cell fate specification, and metabolism.

Berberine suppressed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of colon epithelial cells through the TGF-β1/Smad and NF-κB pathways associated with miRNA-1269a

Objective

To explore the mechanisms of the TGF-β1/Smad and NF-κB pathways in the effect of berberine (BBR) on colon cancer epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and their regulatory relationships with microRNAs (miRNAs).

Methods

TGF-β1 was used to induce EMT in normal colon epithelial HCoEpiC cells and colon cancer HT29 cells in vitro. After BBR intervention, the expression of EMT-related markers and the major molecules involved in the TGF-β1/Smad and NF-κB pathways were detected via western blotting. Cell migration was detected via wound healing assays. SMAD2 and NF-κB p65 were overexpressed and transfected into cells, and the inhibitors SB431542 and BAY 11-7082 were added to block the TGF-β1/Smad and NF-κB pathways, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of related microRNA genes were detected by using RT‒PCR.

Results

Treatment with 10 ng/ml TGF-β1 for 72 h significantly induced EMT in HCoEpiC and HT29 cells, which was repressed by BBR. BBR significantly inhibited the TGF-β1-induced migration of HCoEpiC and HT29 cells and the TGF-β1-promoted expression of p-Smad2/3, NF-κB p65, and p-IκBα. Compared to those in the group treated with TGF-β1, the expression of NF-κB p65 and p-Smad2 in the group treated with NF-κB pathway inhibitor BAY 11-7082 was decreased (P < 0.05), and TGF-β1 signalling inhibitor SB431542 significantly reduced the expression of NF-κB p65 (P < 0.05). Overexpression of NF-κB p65 and SMAD2 in HT29 cells decreased the expression of E-cadherin and caused a relative increase in N-cadherin. BBR mediated the expression profile of microRNAs in TGF-β1-induced HCoEpiC cells, but this pattern differed from that in HT29 cells. SB431542 and BAY 11-7082 significantly reduced the mRNA level of miR-1269a in HCoEpiC and HT29 cells (P < 0.05). Overexpressed NF-κB p65 and SMAD2 increased the mRNA level of miR-1269a in both cell lines; however, this increase was significantly lower than that in the TGF-β1 treatment group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

BBR can significantly inhibit TGF-β1-induced EMT in normal and cancerous colon epithelial cells through the inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad and NF-κB p65 pathways. TGF-β1/Smads can promote the NF-κB p65 pathway, which is a common target of miR-1269a, and can partially regulate the expression of miR-1269a.

The role of artificial intelligence in the development of anticancer therapeutics from natural polyphenols: Current advances and future prospects

Natural polyphenols, abundant in the human diet, are derived from a wide variety of sources. Numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated their significant anticancer properties against various malignancies, making them valuable resources for drug development. However, traditional experimental methods for developing anticancer therapies from natural polyphenols are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Recently, artificial intelligence has shown promising advancements in drug discovery. Integrating AI technologies into the development process for natural polyphenols can substantially reduce development time and enhance efficiency. In this study, we review the crucial roles of natural polyphenols in anticancer treatment and explore the potential of AI technologies to aid in drug development. Specifically, we discuss the application of AI in key stages such as drug structure prediction, virtual drug screening, prediction of biological activity, and drug-target protein interaction, highlighting the potential to revolutionize the development of natural polyphenol-based anticancer therapies.

The Role of Neuromodulation and Potential Mechanism in Regulating Heterotopic Ossification

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a pathological process characterized by the aberrant formation of bone in muscles and soft tissues. It is commonly triggered by traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and burns. Despite a wide range of evidence underscoring the significance of neurogenic signals in proper bone remodeling, a clear understanding of HO induced by nerve injury remains rudimentary. Recent studies suggest that injury to the nervous system can activate various signaling pathways, such as TGF-β, leading to neurogenic HO through the release of neurotrophins. These pathophysiological changes lay a robust groundwork for the prevention and treatment of HO. In this review, we collected evidence to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of HO related to nerve injury, aiming to enhance our understanding of how neurological repair processes can culminate in HO.

Anticancer Effect by Combined Treatment of Artemisia annua L. Polyphenols and Docetaxel in DU145 Prostate Cancer Cells and HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells

Docetaxel (DTX), a semi-synthetic analogue of paclitaxel (taxol), is known to exert potent anticancer activity in various cancer cells by suppressing normal microtubule dynamics. In this study, we examined how the anticancer effect of DTX is regulated by polyphenols extracted from Korean Artemisia annua L. (pKAL) in DU145 prostate cancer cells (mutant p53) and HCT116 colorectal cancer cells (wild-type p53). Here, we show that the anticancer effect of DTX was enhanced more significantly by pKAL in HCT116 cells than in DU145 cells via phase-contrast microscopy, CCK-8 assay, Western blot, and flow cytometric analysis of annexin V/propidium iodide-stained cells. Notably, mutant p53 was slightly downregulated by single treatment of pKAL or DTX in DU145 cells, whereas wild-type p53 was significantly upregulated by pKAL or DTX in HCT116 cells. Moreover, the enhanced anticancer effect of DTX by pKAL in HCT116 cells was significantly associated with the suppression of DTX-induced p53 upregulation, increase of DTX-induced phospho-p38, and decrease of DTX-regulated cyclin A, cyclin B1, AKT, caspase-8, PARP1, GM130, NF-κB p65, and LDHA, leading to the increased apoptotic cell death and plasma membrane permeability. Our results suggest that pKAL could effectively improve the anticancer effect of DTX-containing chemotherapy used to treat various cancers expressing wild-type p53.

Artemisia annua L. Polyphenols Enhance the Anticancer Effect of β-Lapachone in Oxaliplatin-Resistant HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells

Recent studies suggest that the anticancer activity of β-lapachone (β-Lap) could be improved by different types of bioactive phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to elucidate how the anticancer effect of β-Lap is regulated by polyphenols extracted from Korean Artemisia annua L. (pKAL) in parental HCT116 and oxaliplatin-resistant (OxPt-R) HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. Here, we show that the anticancer effect of β-Lap is more enhanced by pKAL in HCT116-OxPt-R cells than in HCT116 cells via a CCK-8 assay, Western blot, and phase-contrast microscopy analysis of hematoxylin-stained cells. This phenomenon was associated with the suppression of OxPt-R-related upregulated proteins including p53 and β-catenin, the downregulation of cell survival proteins including TERT, CD44, and EGFR, and the upregulation of cleaved HSP90, γ-H2AX, and LC3B-I/II. A bioinformatics analysis of 21 proteins regulated by combined treatment of pKAL and β-Lap in HCT116-OxPt-R cells showed that the enhanced anticancer effect of β-Lap by pKAL was related to the inhibition of negative regulation of apoptotic process and the induction of DNA damage through TERT, CD44, and EGFR-mediated multiple signaling networks. Our results suggest that the combination of pKAL and β-Lap could be used as a new therapy with low toxicity to overcome the OxPt-R that occurred in various OxPt-containing cancer treatments.

Licochalcone A Inhibits Proliferation and Metastasis of Colon Cancer by Regulating miR-1270/ADAM9/Akt/NF-κB axis

Background

We aimed to explor the therapeutic effect and molecular mechanism of licochalcone A (LCA) on colon cancer.

Methods

This study was carried out in 2020-2021 in Nanjing Tongren Hospital, China. Colon cancer HCT116 cells were treated with different concentrations of LCA. Cell counting kit-8, colony formation and flow cytometry assays were used to analyze cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis. Wound healing and transwell experiments were used to measure cell migration and invasion ability. The expression of ADAM9 and apoptosis-related proteins in different LCA treatment groups was detected by western blot. HCT116 cells were transfected with ADAM9 small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or overexpression vectors. The database screened the upstream miRNA targeting ADAM9 and predicted the targeted binding site between miR-1270 and ADAM9, which was verified by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Rescue experiments were performed to confirm the effects of the miR-1270/ADAM9 axis on cell proliferation and metastasis.

Results

LCA decreased cell growth (P<0.05), migration (P<0.05), and invasion (P<0.05) of colon cancer cells and inhibited ADAM9 expression in a dose-dependent manner. LCA affected the functions of colon cancer cells by negatively regulating the expression of ADAM9. MiR-1270, increased by LCA, targeted and suppressed ADAM9 expression significantly (P<0.001). ADAM9 overexpression restrained miR-1270 mimic and LCA-induced changes in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis in HCT116 cells significantly (P<0.01). LCA and miR-1270 mimic inactivated the Akt/NF-κB pathway, while ADAM9 over-expression rescued it.

Conclusion

LCA exhibited antitumor efficacy in HCT116 cells by inhibiting the Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway by regulating the miR-1270/ADAM9 axis.

Phytochemical Composition and In Vitro Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Anticancer, and Enzyme-Inhibitory Activities of Artemisia nilagirica (C.B. Clarke) Pamp

Plants have been employed in therapeutic applications against various infectious and chronic diseases from ancient times. Various traditional medicines and folk systems have utilized numerous plants and plant products, which act as sources of drug candidates for modern medicine. Artemisia is a genus of the Asteraceae family with more than 500 species; however, many of these species are less explored for their biological efficacy, and several others are lacking scientific explanations for their uses. Artemisia nilagirica is a plant that is widely found in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India and is a prominent member of the genus. In the current study, the phytochemical composition and the antioxidant, enzyme-inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities were examined. The results indicated that the ethanol extract of A. nilagirica indicated in vitro DPPH scavenging (23.12 ± 1.28 µg/mL), ABTS scavenging (27.44 ± 1.88 µg/mL), H2O2 scavenging (12.92 ± 1.05 µg/mL), and FRAP (5.42 ± 0.19 µg/mL). The anti-inflammatory effect was also noticed in the Raw 264.7 macrophages, where pretreatment with the extract reduced the LPS-stimulated production of cytokines (p < 0.05). A. nilagirica was also efficient in inhibiting the activities of α-amylase (38.42 ± 2.71 µg/mL), α-glucosidase (55.31 ± 2.16 µg/mL), aldose reductase (17.42 ± 0.87 µg/mL), and sorbitol dehydrogenase (29.57 ± 1.46 µg/mL). It also induced significant inhibition of proliferation in breast (MCF7 IC50 = 41.79 ± 1.07, MDAMB231 IC50 = 55.37 ± 2.11µg/mL) and colon (49.57 ± 1.46 µg/mL) cancer cells. The results of the phytochemical screening indicated a higher level of polyphenols and flavonoids in the extract and the LCMS analysis revealed the presence of various bioactive constituents including artemisinin.