Paeoniflorin inhibits doxorubicin-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by downregulating microRNA-1 expression

Taohong Siwu decoction enhances the chemotherapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin by promoting tumor vascular normalization

BACKGROUND

Instead of completely suppressing blood vessels inside tumors, vascular normalization therapy is proposed to normalize and prune the abnormal vasculature in tumor microenvironment (TME) to acquire a normal and stable blood flow and perfusion. The theoretical basis for the use of "blood-activating and stasis-resolving" formulas in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat cancer is highly consistent with the principle of vascular normalization therapy, suggesting the potential application of these traditional formulas in vascular normalization therapy.

PURPOSE

To study the underlying mechanisms of a classical "blood-activating and stasis-resolving" formula, Taohong Siwu decoction (TSD), in enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment.

STUDY DESIGN

HUVECs and transgenic zebrafish embryos were used as the major model in vitro. A 4T1 mouse breast cancer model was applied to study tumor vasculature normalization of TSD and the combination effects with DOX.

RESULTS

Our data showed that TSD exhibited anti-angiogenic potential in HUVECs and transgenic zebrafish embryos. After 20 days treatment, TSD significantly normalized the tumor vasculature by remodeling vessel structure, reducing intratumoral hypoxia and vessel leakage, and promoting vessel maturation and blood perfusion in 4T1 breast tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, the anti-tumor efficacy of doxorubicin liposome in 4T1 breast tumors was significantly improved by TSD, including the suppression of tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, hypoxia, and the increase of cell apoptosis, which is likely through the vascular normalization induced by TSD. TSD also shifted the macrophage polarization from M2 to M1 phenotype in TME during the combination therapy, as evidenced by the reduced number of CD206+ macrophages and increased number of CD86+ macrophages. Additionally, TSD treatment protected against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in animals, as evidenced by the reduced cardiomyocytes apoptosis and improved heart function.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated for the first time that TSD as a classical Chinese formula can enhance the drug efficacy and reduce the side effects of doxorubicin. These findings can support that TSD could be used as an adjuvant therapy in combination with conventional chemotherapy for the future breast cancer treatment.

Antioxidant effects of Paeoniflorin and relevant molecular mechanisms as related to a variety of diseases: A review

Paeoniflorin (PF), which is the main component of the Paeonia lactiflora Pall extract, is one of the traditional Chinese medicines. The pharmacological effects associated with PF include antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidepressant-like and neuroprotective effects. Our previous studies had revealed that PF protected melanocytes and inhibited photodamage through the suppression of oxidative stress (OS). As OS plays a vital role in the progression of a variety of diseases, the capacity for PF to suppress OS may exert important effects upon them. However, no review exists on these antioxidant effects of PF as related to various diseases. Therefore, in this review we summarized studies involved with examining the antioxidant effects and molecular mechanisms of PF. Through its capacity to inhibit OS, PF has been shown to exert beneficial effects upon several systems including nervous, cardiac/vascular, digestive, and respiratory as well as specific diseases such as diabetes, autoimmune, pregnancy related, ocular, kidney, dermatology, along with suppression of distal flap necrosis, postoperative adhesions, and hearing loss. Such findings provide new insights and directions for future research directed at the development of PF as a natural antioxidant for the treatment of clinical diseases.

Protective effects of paeoniflorin on cardiovascular diseases: A pharmacological and mechanistic overview

Background and ethnopharmacological relevance: The morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the highest of all diseases, necessitating the search for effective drugs and the improvement of prognosis for CVD patients. Paeoniflorin (5beta-[(Benzoyloxy)methyl] tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-2,5-methano-1H-3,4-dioxacyclobuta [cd] pentalen-1alpha (2H)-yl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, C₂₃H₂₈O₁₁) is mostly derived from the plants of the family Paeoniaceae (a single genus family) and is known to possess multiple pharmacological properties in the treatment of CVDs, making it a promising agent for the protection of the cardiovascular system. Aim of the study: This review evaluates the pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of paeoniflorin in the treatment of CVDs, with the aim of advancing its further development and application. Methods: Various relevant literatures were searched in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Web of Science. All eligible studies were analyzed and summarized in this review. Results: Paeoniflorin is a natural drug with great potential for development, which can protect the cardiovascular system by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-arteriosclerotic activities, improving cardiac function, and inhibiting cardiac remodeling. However, paeoniflorin was found to have low bioavailability, and its toxicology and safety must be further studied and analyzed, and clinical studies related to it must be carried out. Conclusion: Before paeoniflorin can be used as an effective therapeutic drug for CVDs, further in-depth experimental research, clinical trials, and structural modifications or development of new preparations are required.

MicroRNA in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Doxorubicin (DOX), a broad-spectrum chemotherapy drug, is widely applied to the treatment of cancer; however, DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) limits its clinical therapeutic utility. However, it is difficult to monitor and detect DIC at an early stage using conventional detection methods. Thus, sensitive, accurate, and specific methods of diagnosis and treatment are important in clinical practice. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and are stable and easy to detect. Moreover, miRNAs are expected to become biomarkers and therapeutic targets for DIC; thus, there are currently many studies focusing on the role of miRNAs in DIC. In this review, we list the prominent studies on the diagnosis and treatment of miRNAs in DIC, explore the feasibility and difficulties of using miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and provide recommendations for future research.

Regulatory miRNAs in Cardiovascular and Alzheimer's Disease: A Focus on Copper

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), are key regulators of differentiation and development. In the cell, transcription factors regulate the production of miRNA in response to different external stimuli. Copper (Cu) is a heavy metal and an essential micronutrient with widespread industrial applications. It is involved in a number of vital biological processes encompassing respiration, blood cell line maturation, and immune responses. In recent years, the link between deregulation of miRNAs' functionality and the development of various pathologies as well as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been extensively studied. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly with a complex disease etiology, and its link with Cu abnormalities is being increasingly studied. A direct interaction between COMMD1, a regulator of the Cu pathway, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) HIF-1a does exist in ischemic injury, but little information has been collected on the role of Cu in hypoxia associated with AD thus far. The current review deals with this matter in an attempt to structurally discuss the link between miRNA expression and Cu dysregulation in AD and CVDs.

The active ingredient (DSH-20) of Salvia miltiorrhiza flower reduces oxidative damage and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes by regulating miR-1

BACKGROUND

DSH-20, the active ingredient of Salvia miltiorrhiza flower extract, is used to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the intervention of DSH-20 in H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS: H₂O₂ was used to induce oxidative damage and apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Based on concentration gradient studies, we found that 62.5 µg/mL DSH-20 significantly reduced reactive oxygen species and lactate dehydrogenase levels and increased superoxide dismutase levels. DSH-20 also alleviated the apoptosis rate, the changes in mRNA of apoptosis-related genes (Bcl-2, BAX, and Caspase-3) and miR-1 expression. Moreover, transfection of miR-1 mimics aggravated oxidative damage and apoptosis, whereas DSH-20 alleviated these effects.

CONCLUSIONS

DSH-20 reduced H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes likely by downregulating miR-1 expression.

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy: A Review

Doxorubicin is a broad-spectrum chemotherapy drug applied in antitumor therapy. However, its clinical utility is limited by its fatal cardiotoxicity. Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC) begins with the first DOX dose and is characterized by being cumulative dose-dependent, and its early diagnosis using common detection methods is very difficult. Therefore, it is urgent to determine the underlying mechanism of DIC to construct treatment strategies for the early intervention before irreversible damage to the myocardium occurs. Growing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play regulatory roles in the cardiovascular system. miRNAs may be involved in DIC by acting through multiple pathways to induce cardiomyocyte injury. Recent studies have shown that the dysregulation of miRNA expression can aggravate the pathological process of DIC, including the induction of oxidative stress, apoptosis, ion channel dysfunction and microvascular dysfunction. Current findings on the roles of miRNAs in DIC have led to a wide range of studies exploring candidate miRNAs to be utilized as diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for DIC. In this review, we discuss frontier studies on the roles of miRNAs in DIC to better understand their functions, develop relevant applications in DIC, discuss possible reasons for the limitations of their use and speculate on innovative treatment strategies.

YQHX Alleviates H/R-Induced Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis by Downregulating miR-1

Yiqi Huoxue granule (YQHX) inhibits cardiomyocyte apoptosis in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI); however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. In this study, hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) models were established using rat myocardial primary cells and H9c2 cells, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) levels and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were determined. LDH release, CK activity, caspase-3 activation, mRNA and protein ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and miR-1 expression were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the H/R model of rat myocardial primary cells and H9c2 cells compared with the control group and was inhibited by YQHX treatment (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). We also found that miR-1 overexpression could enhance apoptosis in cardiomyocytes, whereas apoptosis could be reduced by YQHX treatment (p < 0.01). In conclusion, YQHX alleviates H/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhibiting miR-1 expression, suggesting the potential of YQHX in preventing MIRI.

Paeoniflorin inhibits cell viability and invasion of liver cancer cells via inhibition of Skp2

Paeoniflorin (PF) has been demonstrated to exert tumor suppressive functions in various types of human cancer. However, the mechanisms of PF-mediated anti-tumor activity have not been fully elucidated. S-phase kinase associated protein 2 (Skp2) has been characterized as an oncoprotein that contributes to carcinogenesis. Therefore, the inhibition of Skp2 may be a useful approach for the treatment of various types of human cancer. The present study explored whether PF inhibited the expression of Skp2 in liver cancer cells, leading to cell viability inhibition, induction of apoptosis, and suppression of migration and invasion. PF treatment led to inhibition of Skp2 expression in liver cancer cells. The overexpression of Skp2 abolished PF-mediated anti-cancer activity, whereas the downregulation of Skp2 enhanced this type of activity. The data indicated that PF may be considered as a novel inhibitor of Skp2 in liver cancer cells.

A Network Pharmacology-Based Study of the Molecular Mechanisms of Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction in Treating Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is another major neurodegenerative disorder following Alzheimer's disease, which not only seriously reduces the survival in patients, affecting patient's quality of life, but also imposes a tremendous burden on families and even the whole society. It is urgent to find out effective drugs without side effects. The present study applied a creative approach called network pharmacology to explore the active compounds and therapeutic targets of Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction (SYGCD) for treating PD. We identified a total of 48 active compounds mediating 30 PD-related targets to exert synergism, and the same target can be enriched in multiple signal pathways and biological processes, expounding that the decoction can exert synergistic effect on PD by multi-targets and multi-pathways. Furthermore, the molecular docking analysis showed that active compounds and targets can be well combined. These results highlighted the molecular mechanisms underlying the efficiency of SYGCD for PD treatment at a systematic level, investigating thoroughly the innovative therapeutic tactics for PD in traditional Chinese medicine.

Paeoniflorin Alleviates H2O2-Induced Oxidative Injury Through Down-Regulation of MicroRNA-135a in HT-22 Cells

Paeoniflorin (PF) has been reported to possess neuroprotective influences on cognitive dysfunction illness. In current research, we attempted to probe into the protective influences of PF against H₂O₂-induced damage and the underlying regulating mechanisms on hippocampal HT-22 cells. HT-22 cells were pretreated with PF, and then induced by H₂O₂. Afterwards, the influences of PF pretreatment were examined using CCK-8 assay, apoptosis assay, western blot and ROS assay, respectively. In addition, the expression of microRNA-135a (miR-135a) was analyzed and altered by qRT-PCR and cell transfection, respectively. After overexpression of miR-135a, the effects of miR-135a mimic on cell functions were detected again. Moreover, influences of H₂O₂, PF and miR-135a overexpression on JAK2/STAT3 and ERK1/2 signal pathways were further investigated. Further experiments verified that PF pretreatment alleviated H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress through increasing cell viability, inhibiting cell apoptosis, reducing ROS generation and activating JAK2/STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways. Besides, expression of miR-135a was declined by PF pretreatment. Whereas, miR-135a mimic abrogated the protective effects triggered by PF pretreatment. These results indicated that PF can alleviate H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress by down-regulation of miR-135a via activation of JAK2/STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways.

Paeoniflorin protects spiral ganglion neurons from cisplatin-induced ototoxicity: Possible relation to PINK1/BAD pathway

The objective of this study was to elucidate whether paeoniflorin (PF) exerted an effect on cisplatin‐induced spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) damage, with special attention given to the role of PINK1/BAD pathway in this process. Middle cochlear turn culture and C57BL/6 mice were utilized to identify the character of PF in vitro and in vivo. We found that cisplatin treatment led to SGN damage, in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation increased, PINK1 expression decreased, BAD accumulation on mitochondria raised and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway activated. Conversely, we demonstrated that PF pre‐treatment obviously mitigated cisplatin‐induced SGN damage. Mechanistic studies showed that PF could reduce ROS levels, increase PINK1 expression, decrease the BAD accumulation on mitochondria and, thus, alleviate the activated mitochondrial apoptosis in SGNs caused by cisplatin. Overall, the findings from this work reveal the important role of PF and provide another strategy against cisplatin‐induced ototoxicity.

The diagnostic value of circulating microRNAs in heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome, characterized by inadequate blood perfusion of tissues and organs caused by decreased heart ejection capacity resulting from structural or functional cardiac disorders. HF is the most severe heart condition and it severely compromises human health; thus, its early diagnosis and effective management are crucial. However, given the lack of satisfactory sensitivity and specificity of the currently available biomarkers, the majority of patients with HF are not diagnosed early and do not receive timely treatment. A number of studies have demonstrated that peripheral blood circulating nucleic acids [such as microRNAs (miRs), mRNA and DNA] are important for the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response in HF. miRs have been attracting increasing attention as promising biomarkers, given their presence in body fluids and relative structural stability under diverse conditions of sampling. The aim of the present review was to analyze the associations between the mechanisms underlying the development of HF and the expression of miRs, and discuss the value of using circulating miRs as diagnostic biomarkers in HF management. In particular, miR-155, miR-22 and miR-133 appear to be promising for the diagnosis, prognosis and management of HF patients.

Combination of doxorubicin with harmine-loaded liposomes exerting synergistic antitumor efficacy

CONTEXT

Long-circulation (PEGLip), pH-sensitive (PEOzLip), and active targeted liposomes (PEG-TATLip)-loading doxorubicin (DOX) and harmine (HM) were prepared. Their physicochemical properties and antitumor effect were investigated.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of the present study were to evaluate synergistic antitumor efficacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Liposomes were prepared by using thin-film dispersion, active drug-loading and target post-insertion method. Subsequently physiochemical properties including particle size distribution, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE), drug-loading content and in-vitro release were determined. Besides, the in vitro cytotoxicity of free drugs and drug-loaded liposomes was explored by using a Sulforhodamine-B Staining assay and the combination index values (CI Value) were calculated. Finally, the cellular uptake experiments by MCF-7cells were carried out via flow cytometry.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

All liposomes enhanced the antitumor effect significantly compared to free drugs. Among liposomes, PEG-TATLip enhanced the antitumor effect significantly compared to others. DOX and HM had moderate synergism with CI Value 0.85 for free drugs, 0.81 for PEGLip, 0.72 for PEOzLip, and 0.84 for PEG-TATLip respectively when the weight ratio of two drugs was 1:2. Moreover, the similarity between DOX and HM such as physicochemical properties, in vitro release modes and in vitro uptake kinetics characteristics when they were in the same formulations proved it possible for them to be delivered together.

CONCLUSION

Active targeting liposomes were the most effective delivery system as compared with pH-sensitive and long circulation liposomes. Additionally, DOX and HM could be co-delivered in liposomes and they could play moderate synergism effect in antitumor efficacy.

Myrtenol protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through antioxidant and anti-apoptotic dependent mechanisms

Myrtenol is a monoterpene with multiple pharmacological activities. However, although monoterpenes have been proposed to play beneficial roles in a variety of cardiac disorders, pharmacological actions of myrtenol in the heart are not yet reported. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether myrtenol promotes cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, and the mechanisms involved in these effects. Male Wistar rats were orally treated for seven consecutive days with myrtenol (50 mg/kg) or N-acetyl cysteine (1.200 mg/kg, NAC). Afterward, hearts were subjected to myocardial IR injury. Here, we show that the severe impairment of contractile performance induced by IR was significantly prevented by myrtenol or NAC. Moreover, myrtenol abolished aberrant electrocardiographic waveform (ST-segment elevation), as well as reduced life-threatening arrhythmias and infarct size induced by IR injury. Importantly, myrtenol fully prevented the massive increase of cardiac reactive oxygen species generation and oxidative stress damage. Accordingly, myrtenol restored the impairment of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reductase) activities and balance of pro- and anti-apoptotic pathways (Bax and Bcl-2), associated with decreased apoptotic cells. Taken together, our data show that myrtenol promotes cardioprotection against IR injury through attenuation of oxidative stress and inhibition of pro-apoptotic pathway.

Irisin attenuates H2O2-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes via microRNA-19b/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Irisin, a novel muscle-secreted peptide, has been proposed to play a potential role in improving myocardial remodeling that leads to impaired myocardial function and heart failure. It has been reported that controlling reactive oxygen species (ROS) exposure could increase cardiomyocyte survival and prevent pathological remodeling of the myocardium. Therefore, we aimed to determine the potential protective effects of Irisin pretreatment against ROS in cardiomyocytes and explored the potential mechanisms. H9c2 cells that were subjected to H₂O₂ in vitro were used to mimic myocardial remodeling. Then, the effects of Irisin on myocardial cell proliferation, apoptosis and cellular ROS levels were evaluated during this process by using MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis and 2'7'-Dichloro fluoresc in diacetate (DCFH-DA). In order to determine whether Irisin could regulate any microRNA (miRNA) during this process, six miRNAs that are known to be involved in apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were assessed by qRT-PCR. The protective effects of Irisin on cardiomyocytes mediated by miR-19b were evaluated by detecting cell proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, the potential target of miR-19b was predicted with bioinformatics tools and verified using dual-luciferase reporter assay. Finally, the protein levels of members of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/signaling pathway were also examined by Western Blot. Our study showed that Irisin treatment improved H₂O₂-induced cell viability and attenuated the levels of intracellular ROS and the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in a dose-dependent manner. We also demonstrated that Irisin promoted cell viability and inhibited cell apoptosis via upregulating miR-19b expression. In addition, PTEN was identified as a functional target gene of miR-19b that was responsible for its anti-apoptotic effects in cardiomyocytes. Further study demonstrated that Irisin-regulated miR-19b could reactivate the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway blocked by H₂O₂ in H9c2 cells. We demonstrated that Irisin strongly enhances cellular proliferation and preventsapoptosis of cardiomyocytes as well as attenuates the levels of intracellular ROS induced by H₂O₂. These effects might be mediated through the miR-19b/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which provide a new insight into the mechanism by which Irisin may have beneficial effect on myocardial remodeling.

Rutin Protects against Pirarubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity through TGF-β1-p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway

We investigated the potential protective effect of rutinum (RUT) against pirarubicin- (THP-) induced cardiotoxicity. THP was used to induce toxicity in rat H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Positive control cells were pretreated with a cardioprotective agent dexrazoxane (DZR) prior to treatment with THP. Some of the cells were preincubated with RUT and a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, SB203580, both individually and in combination, prior to THP exposure. At a dose range of 30-70 μM, RUT significantly prevented THP-induced reduction in cell viability; the best cardioprotective effect was observed at a dose of 50 μM. Administration of RUT and SB203580, both individually as well as in combination, suppressed the elevation of intracellular ROS, inhibited cell apoptosis, and reversed the THP-induced upregulation of TGF-β1, p-p38 MAPK, cleaved Caspase-9, Caspase-7, and Caspase-3. A synergistic effect was observed on coadministration of RUT and SB203580. RUT protected against THP-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibition of ROS generation and suppression of cell apoptosis. The cardioprotective effect of RUT appears to be associated with the modulation of the TGF-β1-p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Current state of phenolic and terpenoidal dietary factors and natural products as non-coding RNA/microRNA modulators for improved cancer therapy and prevention

The epigenetic regulation of cancer cells by small non-coding RNA molecules, the microRNAs (miRNAs), has raised particular interest in the field of oncology. These miRNAs play crucial roles concerning pathogenic properties of cancer cells and the sensitivity of cancer cells towards anticancer drugs. Certain miRNAs are responsible for an enhanced activity of drugs, while others lead to the formation of tumor resistance. In addition, miRNAs regulate survival and proliferation of cancer cells, in particular of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), that are especially drug-resistant and, thus, cause tumor relapse in many cases. Various small molecule compounds were discovered that target miRNAs that are known to modulate tumor aggressiveness and drug resistance. This review comprises the effects of naturally occurring small molecules (phenolic compounds and terpenoids) on miRNAs involved in cancer diseases.