Reversion of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance by diallyl trisulfide in a human osteosarcoma cell line

The potential of diallyl trisulfide for cancer prevention and treatment, with mechanism insights

Cancer has become an important public health problem worldwide, and there is currently a lack of effective treatment and prevention strategies. Natural plant active ingredients have been proven to be a safe and highly promising method for preventing and treating cancer. It has been found that diallyl trisulfide have anticancer effects in multiple types of cancer via inhibiting cancer proliferation, enhancing chemotherapy sensitivity, inducing apoptosis/autophagy, suppressing invasion/migration, regulating microenvironment. With the deepening of research on new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment, the role of diallyl trisulfides in cancers occurrence, prognosis, and drug resistance is also receiving increasing attention. In order to better understand the relationship between diallyl trisulfides and various cancer, as well as the role and mechanism of diallyl trisulfides in cancer prevention and treatment, we briefly summarized the role and function of diallyl trisulfide in cancers.

Diallyl trisulfide inhibits osteosarcoma 143B cell migration, invasion and EMT by inducing autophagy

Background

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), a compound derived from garlic, has been demonstrated its anti-cancer properties. While it has been shown to inhibit the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in various cancers, its effects on osteosarcoma (OS) cells remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of DATS on OS cells growth, migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and autophagy, as well as its underlying mechanisms which was involving in the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Methods

In this study, human osteosarcoma cells (143B) were treated with different concentrations of DATS (10, 50, 100 and 200 μM) for 24 and 48 h, respectively. Cell viability was measured using CCK8, the half lethal concentration was selected for the following experiments. Wound healing and transwell assays were performed to evaluate migration and invasion abilities, while flow cytometry was used to measure apoptosis. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and confocal imaging were employed to analyze the related mRNA and protein expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), EGFR/Phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT/Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and autophagy-related markers.

Results

DATS significantly inhibited proliferation, migration and EMT in osteosarcoma cells. Additionally, DATS promoted cell apoptosis and induced autophagy, which could be rescued by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Moreover, DATS treatment led to the inactivation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in osteosarcoma cells.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that DATS inhibited osteosarcoma cell growth, migration and EMT, but inducing apoptosis and autophagy. These effects were mediated by the inactivation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. These findings suggested that DATS could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for osteosarcoma treatment.

Modulating multidrug resistance to drug-based antitumor therapies through NF-κB signaling pathway: mechanisms and perspectives

INTRODUCTION

Despite the advances made in cancer treatment in the past decades, therapeutic efficacy is still quite challenging, partially due to the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR). It is crucial to decipher the underlying mechanisms of resistance in order to develop new therapeutic strategies for cancer patients. Previous studies have shown that activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays key roles in various cellular processes including proliferation, anti-apoptosis, metastasis, invasion, and chemoresistance.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we conduct an integrated analysis of the evidence suggesting the vital roles of the NF-κB signaling pathway in MDR during chemotherapy, immunotherapy, endocrine, and targeted therapy. A literature search was performed on NF-κB and drug resistance in PubMed up to February 2023.

EXPERT OPINION

This review summarizes that the NF-κB signaling pathway exhibits a crucial role in enhancing drug resistance in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, endocrine, and targeted therapy. The application of combination therapy with existing antineoplastic drugs and a safe NF-κB inhibitor could become a promising strategy in cancer treatment. A better understanding of the pathway and mechanisms of drug resistance may help exploit safer and more effective NF-κB-targeting agents for clinical use in the future.

Allicin Reduces 5-fluorouracil-resistance in Gastric Cancer Cells through Modulating MDR1, DKK1, and WNT5A Expression

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is approved for the treatment of gastric carcinoma (GC), but chemo-resistance limits the application of it for GC. Thus, the combination of 5-FU with adjuvants such as allicin may overcome multidrug resistance (MDR).

METHODS

The anticancer effects of allicin, 5-FU, and allicin/5-FU on the 5-FU resistant MKN-45 cells were evaluated by MTT assay and DAPi staining. The expression of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and CD44 protein were determined using immunocytochemistry. We also quantified mRNA expression levels of WNT5A, Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), and MDR1 in the GC cells.

RESULTS

Here, we found that the combination of allicin with 5-FU significantly increased apoptosis compared to 5-FU alone (P<0.05). We showed that WNT5A, MDR1, and DKK1 mRNA expression levels were down-regulated in the allicin- and allicin/5-FU-treated cells. Indeed, the combination of allicin and 5-FU significantly decreased the expression of the P-gp and CD44 proteins (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that the combination of allicin with 5-FU could reverse multidrug resistance in the GC cells by reducing the expression of WNT5A, DKK1, MDR1, P-gp, and CD44 levels.

Phytochemicals reverse P-glycoprotein mediated multidrug resistance via signal transduction pathways

P-glycoprotein, encoded by ATP-binding cassette transporters B1 gene (ABCB1), renders multidrug resistance (MDR) during cancer chemotherapy. Several synthetic small molecule inhibitors affect P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transport function in MDR tumor cells. However, inhibition of P-gp transport function adversely accumulates chemotherapeutic drugs in non-target normal tissues. Moreover, most small-molecule P-gp inhibitors failed in the clinical trials due to the low therapeutic window at the maximum tolerated dose. Therefore, downregulation of ABCB1-gene expression (P-gp) in tumor tissues seems to be a novel approach rather than inhibiting its transport function for the reversal of multidrug resistance (MDR). Several plant-derived phytochemicals modulate various signal transduction pathways and inhibit translocation of transcription factors, thereby reverses P-gp mediated MDR in tumor cells. Therefore, phytochemicals may be considered an alternative to synthetic small molecule P-gp inhibitors for the reversal of MDR in cancer cells. This review discussed the role of natural phytochemicals that modulate ABCB1 expression through various signal transduction pathways in MDR cancer cells. Therefore, modulating the cell signaling pathways by phytochemicals might play crucial roles in modulating ABCB1 gene expression and the reversal of MDR.

Improving the bioavailability and bioactivity of garlic bioactive compounds via nanotechnology

This review highlights main bioactive compounds and important biological functions especially anticancer effects of the garlic. In addition, we review current literature on the stability and bioavailability of garlic components. Finally, this review aims to provide a potential strategy for using nanotechnology to increase the stability and solubility of garlic components, providing guidelines for the qualities of garlic products to improve their absorption and prevent their early degradation, and extend their circulation time in the body. The application of nanotechnology to improve the bioavailability and targeting of garlic compounds are expected to provide a theoretical basis for the functional components of garlic to treat human health. We review the improvement of bioavailability and bioactivity of garlic bioactive compounds via nanotechnology, which could promisingly overcome the limitations of conventional garlic products, and would be used to prevent and treat cancer and other diseases in the near future.

Role of hydrogen sulfide donors in cancer development and progression

In recent years, a vast number of potential cancer therapeutic targets have emerged. However, developing efficient and effective drugs for the targets is of major concern. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), one of the three known gasotransmitters, is involved in the regulation of various cellular activities such as autophagy, apoptosis, migration, and proliferation. Low production of H2S has been identified in numerous cancer types. Treating cancer cells with H2S donors is the common experimental technique used to improve H2S levels; however, the outcome depends on the concentration/dose, time, cell type, and sometimes the drug used. Both natural and synthesized donors are available for this purpose, although their effects vary independently ranging from strong cancer suppressors to promoters. Nonetheless, numerous signaling pathways have been reported to be altered following the treatments with H2S donors which suggest their potential in cancer treatment. This review will analyze the potential of H2S donors in cancer therapy by summarizing key cellular processes and mechanisms involved.

Anticancer potential of garlic and its bioactive constituents: A systematic and comprehensive review

Vegetables of the Allium genus, such as garlic (Allium sativum L.), onions, shallots, leaks, and chives, have been used for many years for food consumption and for medicinal purposes. Historical medical texts have indicated the therapeutic applications of garlic as an antitumor, laxative, diuretic, antibacterial and antifungal agent. Specifically, garlic's antitumor abilities have been traced back 3500 years as a chemotherapeutic agent used in Egypt. Other beneficial effects of garlic consumption include lowering blood pressure, blood cholesterol, sugar and lipids. The processing and aging of garlic result in the production of non-toxic organosulfur by-products. These sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin, diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, alliin, S-allylcysteine, and S-allylmercaptocysteine, impact various stages of carcinogenesis. The anticancer mechanisms of action of these garlic-derived phytochemicals include altering mitochondrial permeability, inhibiting angiogenesis, enhancing antioxidative and proapoptotic properties, and regulating cell proliferation. All these effects of garlic's sulfur-compounds have been demonstrated in various human cancers. The intent of this literature research is to explore the potential of garlic-derived products and bioactive organosulfur compounds as cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents. This investigation employs criteria for systematic review and critically analyzes published in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. Concerns and limitations that have arisen in past studies regarding standards of measurement, bioavailability, and method of delivery are addressed. Overall, it is hoped that through this systematic and comprehensive review, future researchers can be acquainted with the updated data assembled on anticancer properties of garlic and its phytoconstituents.

The inhibition of MARK2 suppresses cisplatin resistance of osteosarcoma stem cells by regulating DNA damage and repair

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MARK2 plays an important role in the chemoresistance mechanism of osteosarcoma stem cells.

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Down-regulation of MARK2 in CD133+ MG-63 and MNNG/HOS cells inhibits the expression of DNA-PKcs by inhibiting the activity of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

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New clues for the osteosarcoma chemotherapy strategy.

Objective

This study aims to explore the role of MARK2 in chemotherapeutic resistance and potential mechanism within cisplatin resistance models of CD133⁺ MG-63 and MNNG/HOS cells.

Methods

CD133⁻ and CD133⁺ MG-63 and MNNG/HOS cells were differentiated and obtained by MACS(Magnetic bead sorting). Cell activity was determined by CCK-8 assay. siRNA was employed to down regulate the Microtubule Affinity Regulated Kinase 2 (MARK2) expression. Immunofluorescence detection and RT-qPCR were used to measure the expressions of MARK2 and DNA-PKcs at both protein and mRNA levels. Western blot was applied to test the levels of MARK2, γH2AX (S139), DNA-PKcs, Phospho-PI3 Kinase p85 (Tyr458), Akt, phospho-Akt (T308) antibodies, mTOR, phospho-mTOR (Ser2448).

Results

Compared with CD133⁻ MG-63 cells, CD133⁺ MG-63 cells showed significantly strong cisplatin resistance, with high levels of MARK2, DNA-PKcs and potent DNA damage repair ability (p<0.05). Down regulation of MARK2 reduced the cisplatin resistance of CD133⁺ MG-63 cells, with deceasing expression of DNA-PKcs (p<0.05). PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway was potentially activated in CD133⁺ MG-63 cells, and involved in the cisplatin resistance of MG-63 cells. The similar results were observed in CD133⁺ MNNG/HOS cells. The reduction of MARK2 retarded the activity of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and further impeded the cisplatin resistance in CD133⁺ MG-63 and MNNG/HOS cell.

Conclusion

Our data suggested that MARK2 was related to cisplatin resistance in CD133⁺ MG-63 and MNNG/HOS cells. The decrease of MARK2 restricted the cisplatin resistance of CD133⁺ MG-63 and MNNG/HOS cells by down regulating the expression of DNA dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and inhibiting activity of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which provides new clues for the osteosarcoma chemotherapy strategy.

Identification of differentially expressed genes in MG63 osteosarcoma cells with drug‑resistance by microarray analysis

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary malignant bone tumor, with extremely poor prognosis in patients with metastatic disease and resistance to therapy, such as multidrug regimens. The mechanisms of drug resistance are quite complex and have not been fully elucidated; thus, novel therapeutic targets should be identified to alleviate drug resistance in osteosarcoma. In the present study, the transcriptomes of the human osteosarcoma cell line MG63 and vincristine (VCR)-resistant MG63 cells were compared by microarray analysis. A total of 1,300 genes (602 upregulated and 698 downregulated) were reported to be differentially expressed in MG63/VCR compared with MG63 cells. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the B cell receptor, UVA-induced mitogen-activated protein kinases and receptor tyrosine kinase 2/3 signaling pathways. In the present study, 10 of the dysregulated genes, including roundabout homolog 1, death-associated protein kinase 1 and A-kinase anchor protein 12 were further evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. These results may aid the validation of candidate biomarkers for the treatment and prognosis of osteosarcoma, and provide novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the drug resistance of osteosarcoma cells.

Redox Modulation at Work: Natural Phytoprotective Polysulfanes From Alliums Based on Redox-Active Sulfur

Purpose of review

This article provides a brief overview of natural phytoprotective products of allium with a special focus on the therapeutic potential of diallyl polysulfanes from garlic, their molecular targets and their fate in the living organisms. A comprehensive overview of antimicrobial and anticancer properties of published literature is presented for the reader to understand the effective concentrations of polysulfanes and their sensitivity towards different human pathogenic microbes, fungi, and cancer cell lines.

Recent findings

The article finds polysulfanes potentials as new generation novel antibiotics and chemo preventive agent. The effective dose rates of polysulfanes for antimicrobial properties are in the range of 0.5-40 mg/L and for anticancer 20-100 μM. The molecular targets for these redox modulators are mainly cellular thiols as well as inhibition and/or activation of certain cellular proteins in cancer cell lines.

Summary

Antimicrobial and anticancer activities of polysulfanes published in the literature indicate that with further development, they could be promising candidates for cancer prevention due to their selectivity towards abnormal cells.

Spices for Prevention and Treatment of Cancers

Spices have been widely used as food flavorings and folk medicines for thousands of years. Numerous studies have documented the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of spices, which might be related to prevention and treatment of several cancers, including lung, liver, breast, stomach, colorectum, cervix, and prostate cancers. Several spices are potential sources for prevention and treatment of cancers, such as Curcuma longa (tumeric), Nigella sativa (black cumin), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Allium sativum (garlic), Crocus sativus (saffron), Piper nigrum (black pepper) and Capsicum annum (chili pepper), which contained several important bioactive compounds, such as curcumin, thymoquinone, piperine and capsaicin. The main mechanisms of action include inducing apoptosis, inhibiting proliferation, migration and invasion of tumors, and sensitizing tumors to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This review summarized recent studies on some spices for prevention and treatment of cancers, and special attention was paid to bioactive components and mechanisms of action.

Diallyl trisulfide induces apoptosis by suppressing NF-κB signaling through destabilization of TRAF6 in primary effusion lymphoma

The allyl sulfides, including diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DAD), and diallyl trisulfide (DAT), contained in garlic and members of the Allium family, have a variety of pharmacological activities. Therefore, allyl sulfides have been evaluated as potential novel chemotherapeutic agents. Here, we found that DAT inhibited nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling and induced apoptosis in primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), a subtype of non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma caused by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). We examined the cytotoxic effects of DAS, DAD and DAT on PEL cells. DAT significantly reduced the viability of PEL cells compared with uninfected B-lymphoma cells, and induced the apoptosis of PEL cells by activating caspase-9. DAT induced stabilization of IκBα, and suppressed NF-κB transcriptional activity in PEL cells. We examined the mechanism underlying DAT-mediated IκBα stabilization. The results indicated that DAT stabilized IκBα by inhibiting the phosphorylation of IκBα by the IκB kinase (IKK) complex. Furthermore, DAT induced proteasomal degradation of TRAF6, and DAT suppressed IKKβ-phosphorylation through downregulation of TRAF6. It is known that activation of NF-κB is essential for survival of PEL cells. In fact, the NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 induced apoptosis in PEL cells. In addition, DAT suppressed the production of progeny virus from PEL cells. The administration of DAT suppressed the development of PEL cells and ascites in SCID mice xenografted with PEL cells. These findings provide evidence that DAT has antitumor activity against PEL cells in vitro and in vivo, suggesting it to be a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of PEL.

The reversal of antineoplastic drug resistance in cancer cells by β-elemene

Multidrug resistance (MDR), defined as the resistance of cancer cells to compounds with diverse structures and mechanisms of actions, significantly limits the efficacy of antitumor drugs. A major mechanism that mediates MDR in cancer is the overexpression of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporters. These transporters bind to their respective substrates and catalyze their efflux from cancer cells, thereby lowering the intracellular concentrations of the substrates and thus attenuating or even abolishing their efficacy. In addition, cancer cells can become resistant to drugs via mechanisms that attenuate apoptosis and cell cycle arrest such as alterations in the p53, check point kinase, nuclear factor kappa B, and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which β-elemene, a compound extracted from Rhizoma zedoariae that has clinical antitumor efficacy, overcomes drug resistance in cancer.

Adenovirus-delivered PDCD5 counteracts adriamycin resistance of osteosarcoma cells through enhancing apoptosis and inhibiting Pgp

In the present study, we investigated the roles of PDCD5 (programmed cell death 5) in multidrug re-sistance (MDR) of osteosarcoma cells and the possible lurking mechanisms. An adenovirus expression vector of PDCD5 was constructed and transfected into human adriamycin-resistant osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2/ADM. We found that up-regulation of PDCD5 could significantly enhance the sensitivity of Saos-2/ADM cells towards vincristine, methotrexate, cisplatin and arsenic trioxide (As2O3), and could decrease the capacity of cells to efflux adriamycin. PDCD5 could significantly down regulate the expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp), but not affect the expression of multidrug resistance associated protein (MRP) or the glutathione S-transferase (GST). PDCD5 was also able to significantly increase the apoptotic activity of modified osteosarcoma cells. Further study of the biological functions of PDCD5 might be helpful in the understanding of the mechanisms of multidrug resistance (MDR) in osteosarcoma and exploring PDCD5 based adjuvant genetic therapy.

Research progress on the multidrug resistance mechanisms of osteosarcoma chemotherapy and reversal

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common and aggressive primary malignant type of bone cancer in children and adolescents. Chemotherapy is one of the most important treatments for OS. Although cancer therapy has improved over the past few decades, survival outcomes for OS patients remain unsatisfactory. One of the primary reasons for the failure of current treatments is that patients with stage IV cancer often develop resistance to anticancer agents. This article will review multidrug resistance (MDR) mechanisms of OS and strategies for overcoming resistance.

MicroRNAs in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor with high morbidity that principally emerges in children and adolescents. Presently, the prognosis of OS patients remains poor due to resistance to chemotherapy, highlighting the need for new therapeutic approaches. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small noncoding RNA molecules, can negatively modulate protein expression at the post-transcriptional level. miRNAs regulate a variety of normal physiologic processes and are involved in tumorigenesis and development of multiple malignancies, including OS. Some miRNAs are differentially expressed in OS tissues, cell lines and serum, and have been shown to correlate with the malignant phenotype and prognosis. These altered miRNAs function as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in this process. Moreover, restoration of miRNA expression has shown promise for the treatment of OS. Here, we describe miRNA biochemistry with a focus on expression profile, role and therapeutic potential in OS. A better understanding will facilitate the identification and characterization of novel biomarkers and development of miRNA-targeted therapies.

Integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine modulator for overcoming the multidrug resistance with carbon nanotubes

GA/Dox/P-gp Ab-CNTs, integrated specific targeting, P-gp inhibitor and chemotherapeutic agent, could represent a promising modulator for overcoming tumor MDR.

Design real-time reversal of tumor multidrug resistance cleverly with shortened carbon nanotubes

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumors renders many currently available chemotherapeutic drugs ineffective. Research in nanobiotechnology-based therapeutic alternatives has provided innovative and promising strategies to overcome MDR. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the new strategy of a co-loaded reversal agent and chemotherapeutic drug with shortened carbon nanotubes (CNTs) would show useful effects on the real-time reversal of tumor MDR. CNTs were cut and purified via ultrasonication and oxidative acid treatment to optimize their length for drug-delivery vehicles, then verapamil (Ver) and doxorubicin (Dox) were co-loaded on shortened CNTs (denoted as Ver/Dox/shortened CNTs), which acted as a drug delivery system. The multidrug resistant leukemia K562/A02 cells were treated with the denoted Ver/Dox/shortened CNTs. The real-time reversal of tumor MDR were evaluated by flow cytometer, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, and Western blot analysis. In the same MDR tumor cells the new strategy of a co-loaded reversal agent and chemotherapeutic drug with CNTs could inhibit the function of P-glycoprotein in real-time by Ver as reversal agent, significantly increase the uptake of Dox, enhance the sensitivity of the MDR cancer cells to the chemotherapeutic agent, and induce apoptosis. It was therefore concluded that a co-loaded reversal agent and chemotherapeutic drug with shortened CNTs could have real-time reversal ability of MDR in tumors, which could represent a promising approach in cancer therapy.