Reptiles as Promising Sources of Medicinal Natural Products for Cancer Therapeutic Drugs

Erianin inhibits the proliferation of lung cancer cells by suppressing mTOR activation and disrupting pyrimidine metabolism

OBJECTIVE

Erianin has potential anticancer activities, especially against lung cancer. The specific mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effects, including the molecular targets and signaling pathways in lung cancer, remain poorly understood and necessitate further investigation.

METHODS

Lung cancer cell viability was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry was used to examine the effects of erianin on apoptosis and cell cycle progression. mRNA sequencing and metabolomics analysis were utilized to explore erianin-induced biological changes. Potential targets were identified and validated through molecular docking and Western blot analysis. The roles of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase/aspartate transcarbamylase/dihydroorotase (CAD) in erianin-induced growth inhibition were studied using gene overexpression/knockdown techniques with uridine and aspartate supplementation confirming pyrimidine metabolism involvement. Additionally, lung cancer-bearing nude mouse models were established to evaluate the anti-lung cancer effects of erianin in vivo.

RESULTS

Erianin significantly inhibits the proliferation of lung cancer cells, induces apoptosis, and causes G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Integrative analysis of mRNA sequencing and metabolomics data demonstrated that erianin disrupts pyrimidine metabolism in lung cancer cells. Notably, uridine supplementation mitigated the inhibitory effects of erianin, establishing a connection between pyrimidine metabolism and anticancer activity. Network pharmacology analyses identified mTOR as a key target of erianin. Erianin inhibited mTOR phosphorylation, thereby blocking downstream effectors (S6K and CAD), which are essential regulators of pyrimidine metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

Erianin is a promising therapeutic candidate for lung cancer. Erianin likely inhibits lung cancer cell growth by disrupting pyrimidine metabolism by suppressing mTOR activation.

The Sources, Structures and Cytotoxicity of Animal-Derived Bisindole Compounds

Bisindole compounds constitute a significant class of natural compounds distinguished by their characteristic bisindole structure and renowned for their anticancer properties. Over the past four decades, researchers have isolated 229 animal-derived bisindole compounds (ADBCs) from various animals. These compounds demonstrate a wide range of pharmacological properties, including cytotoxicity, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and other activities. Notably, among these activities, cytotoxicity emerges as the most prominent characteristic of ADBCs. This review also summarizes the structureactivity relationship (SAR) studies associated with the cytotoxicity of these compounds and explores the druggability of these compounds. In summary, our objective is to provide an overview of the research progress concerning ADBCs, with the aim of fostering their continued development and utilization.