Natural 2',4-Dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxy Chalcone Isolated from Chromolaena tacotana Inhibits Breast Cancer Cell Growth through Autophagy and Mitochondrial Apoptosis

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers among women. Effective treatment requires precise tailoring to the genetic makeup of the cancer for improved efficacy. Numerous research studies have concentrated on natural compounds and their anti-breast cancer properties to improve the existing treatment options. Chromolaena tacotana (Klatt) R.M. King and H. Rob (Ch. tacotana) is a notable source of bioactive hydroxy-methylated flavonoids. However, the specific anti-BC mechanisms of these flavonoids, particularly those present in the plant's inflorescences, remain partly undefined. This study focuses on assessing a chalcone derivative extracted from Ch. tacotana inflorescences for its potential to concurrently activate regulated autophagy and intrinsic apoptosis in luminal A and triple-negative BC cells. We determined the chemical composition of the chalcone using ultraviolet (UV) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Its selective cytotoxicity against BC cell lines was assessed using the MTT assay. Flow cytometry and Western blot analysis were employed to examine the modulation of proteins governing autophagy and the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Additionally, in silico simulations were conducted to predict interactions between chalcone and various anti-apoptotic proteins, including the mTOR protein. Chalcone was identified as 2',4-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxy-chalcone (DDC). This compound demonstrated a selective inhibition of BC cell proliferation and triggered autophagy and intrinsic apoptosis. It induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and altered mitochondrial outer membrane potential (∆ψm). The study detected the activation of autophagic LC3-II and mitochondrial pro-apoptotic proteins in both BC cell lines. The regulation of Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 proteins varied according to the BC subtype, yet they showed promising molecular interactions with DDC. Among the examined pro-survival proteins, mTOR and Mcl-1 exhibited the most favorable binding energies and were downregulated in BC cell lines. Further research is needed to fully understand the molecular dynamics involved in the activation and interaction of autophagy and apoptosis pathways in cancer cells in response to potential anticancer agents, like the hydroxy-methylated flavonoids from Ch. tacotana.

In vitro Evaluation of Selective Cytotoxic Activity of Chaerophyllum macropodum Boiss. on Cultured Human SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor in children. New treatment approaches are needed because of the harmful side effects and costs of the methods used in the treatment of neuroblastoma. Medicinal and aromatic plants are important for new treatment approaches due to their minimal side effects and economic advantages. Therefore, the present study was carried out to examine the cytotoxic effect of Chaerophyllum macropodum extract on human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and fibroblast (HDFa) cell lines. 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH) assays were used to determine the cytotoxic effect of C. macropodum. The extracts were analyzed for their phenolic content by HPLC-PDA. Major components were determined as 63.600% o-coumaric acid, 15.606% catechine hydrate, 8.713% rosmarinic acid, 4.376% clorogenic acid, and 3.972% salicylic acid. The obtained results from cytotoxicity testing revealed that C. macropodum exerted a significant cytotoxic effect on human neuroblastoma cells at all tested concentrations (p < 0.05). But it did not lead to any cytotoxic potential on human fibroblasts. As a result, the obtained data clearly revealed C. macropodum exerted a selective cytotoxic action on neuroblastoma cells for the first time.

Extract from Zanthoxylum piperitum Induces Apoptosis of AGS Gastric Cancer Cells Through Akt/MDM2/p53 Signaling Pathway

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of Zanthoxylum piperitum extracet (ZPE) on apoptosis and analyze anticancer substances in ZPE, changes in proteins related to apoptosis, and pathological changes in tumors in mouse.

METHODS

Fifteen 4-week-old female BALB/c nu/nu mice were divided into 3 groups depending on ZPE dose, with 5 in each group. AGS gastric carcinoma cells (1 × 10⁶ cells/200 µL) were subcutaneously injected into the flank of each mouse. One week after the injection of AGS cells, ZPE was administered to the skin tissue [10 or 50 mg/(kg·d)] in the low- and high-dose groups, respectively for 20 days. Control animals were injected with vehicle only. After 3 weeks, the tumor was extracted and carried out for immunohistochemistry, the tendency of apoptosis and p53 in the body was checked using TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. For 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, annexin V dead cell staining, cell cycle arrest and Western blotting, AGS gastric carcinoma cells were incubated with various concentrations of ZPE for 24 h. Cell survival rates were analyzed by MTT assays. Apoptosis was analyzed using annexin V dead cell staining and cell cycle arrest and measured using Muse cell analyzer.

RESULTS

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that ZPE contained organic sulfur compounds such as alliin and S-allylcysteine. MTT assay results revealed that ZPE (10-85 µ g/mL) could effectively inhibit the growth of AGS gastric cancer cells at higher concentrations (P<0.05, P<0.01). The annexin V & dead cell staining assay and cell cycle arrest assay confirmed a dose-dependent increase in the apoptosis rate and G₁ phase in ZPE (10-70 µ g/mL) groups. ZPE decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins (p-Akt, p-MDM2, Bcl-2), while increased pro-apoptotic proteins (cleaved PARP, p53, pro-Caspase 3, Bax). TUNEL assays revealed an increase in cell apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry staining confirmed the involvement of p53.

CONCLUSION

ZPE decreases AGS cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by inhibiting Akt and MDM2 expression.

Minor phenolics from Angelica keiskei and their proliferative effects on Hep3B cells

A new coumarin, (-)-cis-(3'R,4'R)-4'-O-angeloylkhellactone-3'-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and two new chalcones, 3'-[(2E)-5-carboxy-3-methyl-2-pentenyl]-4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone (4) and (±)-4,2',4'-trihydroxy-3'-{2-hydroxy-2-[tetrahydro-2-methyl-5-(1-methylethenyl)-2-furanyl]ethyl}chalcone (5) were isolated from the aerial parts of Angelica keiskei (Umbelliferae), together with six known compounds: (R)-O-isobutyroyllomatin (2), 3'-O-methylvaginol (3), (-)-jejuchalcone F (6), isoliquiritigenin (7), davidigenin (8), and (±)-liquiritigenin (9). The structures of the new compounds were determined by interpretation of their spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR data. All known compounds (2, 3, and 6-9) were isolated as constituents of A. keiskei for the first time. To identify novel hepatocyte proliferation inducer for liver regeneration, 1-9 were evaluated for their cell proliferative effects using a Hep3B human hepatoma cell line. All isolates exhibited cell proliferative effects compared to untreated control (DMSO). Cytoprotective effects against oxidative stress induced by glucose oxidase were also examined on Hep3B cells and mouse fibroblast NIH3T3 cells and all compounds showed significant dose-dependent protection against oxidative stress.