Total flavone extract from Ampelopsis megalophylla induces apoptosis in the MCF‑7 cell line

Bioinformatics analysis of the mechanisms of traumatic brain injury-associated dementia based on the competing endogenous RNA

RATIONALE

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a critical condition associated with cognitive impairments, including dementia. This study is aimed to construct a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) network based on bioinformatics analysis and explore molecular mechanisms underlying post-TBI dementia.

METHODS

GSE104687 and GSE205661 datasets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) was used to search oxidative stress-, metabolism- and immune-related genes as the target gene datasets. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes were carried out for functional annotation and enrichment analysis. A TBI mouse model was built to validate the expression of NF2, PLXNA2, NCBP2 and U2SURP in brain tissues.

RESULTS

A total of 7 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and 191 DEmRNAs were obtained. Subsequent to differential expression (DE) analysis, a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was established. Notably, 13 key DEmRNAs were identified, potentially playing pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of TBI-induced dementia. By comparing the target gene datasets with 13 DEmRNAs, we identified 4 target genes that overlap with the 13 DEGmRNAs, namely NF2, PLXNA2, NCBP2 and U2SURP. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted the involvement of neuronal projections in the dementia-enriched cluster, while the protective cluster showed associations with protein synthesis and ubiquitination pathways. Importantly, we explored potential drug interventions based on interactions with the above 4 target genes. Additionally, drug interaction prediction showed that NF2 could interact with SELUMETINIB, EVEROLIMUS and TEMSIROLIMUS.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides insights into the complex regulatory networks underlying post-TBI dementia and suggests a potential role for three classes of drugs in managing dementia symptoms in TBI-induced dementia.

Potential Otubain1 Inhibitor, an Approach for a Treatment against Breast Cancer

The develop of new anticancer drug continues worldwide and one of the new therapeutic targets to reach it is Otubain 1 (OTUB1), since OTUB1 has functions related to prognosis in a variety of tumors and is strongly related to tumor proliferation, migration, and apoptosis by their functions on deubiquitinating. This study uses OTUB1´s active site to develop a specific pharmacological treatment to regulate the OTUB1 functions. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of ten compounds (OT1 - OT10), that previously were selected by molecular docking to develop a new anticancer drug to decrease the OTUB1 functions in the cancer processes. We evaluated the cytotoxic effect of OT1 - OT10 compounds on MCF-7, BT474 and MDA-MB 231 cells by MTT assay, and we determined characteristics of apoptosis by western blot analysis. Then, the best compound (OT5) was analyzed by molecular docking, molecular dynamics and theoretical toxicity for describing the interactions of OT5 compound with the OTUB1´s active site. We proposed that the OT5 compound has a high probability to be selective against OTUB1, with an apoptosis (regulating caspase-8) and cytotoxic effect on some cancer lines; IC50 for MCF-7: 97 µM and MDA-MB 231:147 µM, as well as we described that this compound could have specific interactions in the catalytic domain of OTUB1, modifying this protein's activity, decreasing the OTUB1 functions, and probably safe for humans. These results show the high potential of this compound for promoting the development of this compound as a new drug against cancer.

A comprehensive review of vine tea: Origin, research on Materia Medica, phytochemistry and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Vine tea is a popular folk tea that has been consumed in China for more than 1200 years. It is often used in ethnic medicine by ethnic groups in southwest China with at least 35 aliases in 10 provinces. In coastal areas, vine tea is mostly used to treat heatstroke, aphtha, aphonia, toothache, etc. In contrast, in the southwest inland regions, vine tea is mostly used to clear away heat and toxic materials, antiphlogosis and relieving sore-throat, lowering blood pressure and lipid levels, and alleviating fatigue. Three main species have been used as the source of vine tea, Nekemias grossedentata, Nekemias cantonensis and Nekemias megalophylla. Among them, the leaves of Nekemias grossedentata were considered as new food resource in complicance with regulations, according to the Food Safety Standards published by the Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the National Health and Family Planning Commission in China.

AIM OF THE STUDY

At present, the comprehensively summary of Materia Medica on the history and source of vine tea is currently unavailable. The current article summed up the Materia Medica, species origin and pharmacological effects of all 3 major species used in vine tea to fill the knowledge gaps. We also aim to provide a reference for future research on historical textual, resource development and medicinal utilization of vine tea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adhering to the literature screening methodology outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), this review encompasses 148 scholarly research papers from three database, paper ancient books, local chronicles and folklore through field investigations. We then comprehensively summarized and discussed research progresses in scientific and application studies of vine tea.

RESULTS

The historical records indicated that vine tea could have been used as early as Southern and Northern Dynasties (AC 420-589). Nekemias grossedentata, Nekemias cantonensis and Nekemias megalophylla, were used to considered as vine tea in the ethnic medicine. The main phytochemicals found in three plants are flavonoids, polyphenols and terpenoids, among which dihydromyricetin (DHM) is the most important and most studied active substance. The key words "Ampelopsis grossedentata" (Synonym of Nekemias grossedentata) and "dihydromyricetin/DHM" showed the highest frequency over the last 27 year based on the research trend analysis. And the ethnopharmacology studies drawn the main activities of vine tea are antioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and anti-atherosclerosis activities.

CONCLUSIONS

This review systematically summarized and discussed vine tea from the following five aspects, history, genetic relationship, phytochemistry, research trend and ethnopharmacology. Vine tea has a long historical usage in Chinese ethnic medicine. Its outstanding therapeutic efficacies have attracted extensive attention in other places in the world at present. Nekemias cantonensis and Nekemias megalophylla are quite similar to Nekemias grossedentata in terms of many aspects. However, the current research has a narrow focus on mainly Nekemias grossedentata and DHM. We propose that future studies could be carried out to determine the synergistic effect of multi-components and multi-targets of vine tea including all 3 species to provide valuable knowledge.

Antitumor Effect of Poplar Propolis on Human Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma A431 Cells

Propolis is a gelatinous substance processed by western worker bees from the resin of plant buds and mixed with the secretions of the maxillary glands and beeswax. Propolis has extensive biological activities and antitumor effects. There have been few reports about the antitumor effect of propolis against human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) A431 cells and its potential mechanism. CCK-8 assays, label-free proteomics, RT-PCR, and a xenograft tumor model were employed to explore this possibility. The results showed that the inhibition rate of A431 cell proliferation by the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) was dose-dependent, with an IC50 of 39.17 μg/mL. There were 193 differentially expressed proteins in the EEP group compared with the control group (p < 0.05), of which 103 proteins (53.37%) were upregulated, and 90 proteins (46.63%) were downregulated. The main three activated and suppressed Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, amoebiasis, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, and Alzheimer's disease. The tumor volume of the 100 mg/kg EEP group was significantly different from that of the control group (p < 0.05). These results provide a theoretical basis for the potential treatment of human CSCC A431 cell tumors using propolis.