Plumbagin reduces chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell survival by downregulation of Bcl-2 but upregulation of the Bax protein level

Pharmacological Features and Therapeutic Implications of Plumbagin in Cancer and Metabolic Disorders: A Narrative Review

Plumbagin (PLB) is a naphthoquinone extracted from Plumbago indica. In recent times, there has been a growing body of evidence suggesting the potential importance of naphthoquinones, both natural and artificial, in the pharmacological world. Numerous studies have indicated that PLB plays a vital role in combating cancers and other disorders. There is substantial evidence indicating that PLB may have a significant role in the treatment of breast cancer, brain tumours, lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and other conditions. Moreover, its potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties offer promising avenues for the treatment of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. A number of studies have identified various pathways that may be responsible for the therapeutic efficacy of PLB. These include cell cycle regulation, apoptotic pathways, ROS induction pathways, inflammatory pathways, and signal transduction pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, STAT3/PLK1/AKT, and others. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the diverse pharmacological roles of PLB, examining the mechanisms through which it operates and exploring its potential applications in various medical conditions. In addition, we have conducted a review of the various formulations that have been reported in the literature with the objective of enhancing the efficacy of the compound. However, the majority of the reviewed data are based on in vitro and in vivo studies. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the safety and efficacy of PLB in humans and to ascertain its potential integration into therapeutic regimens for cancer and chronic diseases, rigorous clinical trials are essential. Finally, by synthesizing current research and identifying gaps in knowledge, this review seeks to enhance our understanding of PLB and its therapeutic prospects, paving the way for future studies and clinical applications.

Long non-coding RNA CRNDE suppressing cell proliferation is regulated by DNA methylation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Long non-coding RNA CRNDE and DNA methylation play a vital role in the occurrence and development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This study attempted to investigate the biological role of CRNDE methylation in CLL. The expression and methylation levels of CRNDE in CLL cell lines (MEC-1 and HG3) before or after methylation inhibitor (5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine, 5-Aza-CdR) treatment was detected by quantitative real-time PCR or methylation-Specific PCR. The relationship among CRNDE, miR-28 and NDRG2 was verified by luciferase reporter assay. The effect of CRNDE overexpression and 5-Aza-CdR treatment on cell proliferation and apoptosis of MEC-1 and HG3 cells were assessed by CCK8 and flow cytomery. Compared with normal B lymphocytes, CRNDE was down-regulated and the methylation level of CRNDE was increased in MEC-1 and HG3 cells. Then, 5-Aza-CdR treatment caused an increase of CRNDE expression in MEC-1 and HG3 cells by demethylation. The overexpression or demethylation of CRNDE inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in MEC-1 and HG3 cells by up-regulating CRNDE expression. Moreover, CRNDE functioned as a competing endogenous RNA to repress miR-28, which controlled its down-stream target NDRG2. CRNDE overexpression inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis via miR-28/NDRG2 axis in CLL. In conclusion, our data elaborated that CRNDE expression was regulated by DNA methylation, and the protective effect of CRNDE on CLL was attributed to the inhibition of proliferation in CLL via miR-28/NDRG2 axis. Thus, this work highlights a novel competing endogenous RNA circuitry involving key regulators of CLL.

Anticancer Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Plumbagin: Review of Research Advances

Plumbagin (PLB), a natural naphthoquinone constituent isolated from the roots of the medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica L., exhibited anticancer activity against a variety of cancer cell lines including breast cancer, hepatoma, leukemia, melanoma, prostate cancer, brain tumor, tongue squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, kidney adenocarcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, gastric cancer, lymphocyte carcinoma, osteosarcoma, and canine cancer. PLB played anticancer activity via many molecular mechanisms, such as targeting apoptosis, autophagy pathway, cell cycle arrest, antiangiogenesis pathway, anti-invasion, and antimetastasis pathway. Among these signaling pathways, the key regulatory genes regulated by PLB were NF-kβ, STAT3, and AKT. PLB also acted as a potent inducer of reactive oxygen species (ROS), suppressor of cellular glutathione, and novel proteasome inhibitor, causing DNA double-strand break by oxidative DNA base damage. This review comprehensively summarizes the anticancer activity and mechanism of PLB.

Molecular pathways related to the control of proliferation and cell death in 786-O cells treated with plumbagin

Plumbagin (PLB) is a phytochemical being used for centuries in traditional medicines. Recently, its capacity to inhibit the development of human tumors has been observed, through the induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. Here we evaluated the mechanism of action of PLB in the kidney adenocarcinoma 786-O cell line, which are metabolizing cells important for toxicology studies. After the treatment with PLB, we observed increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in S and G2/M phases, starting at 5 µM. In addition, PLB was cytotoxic, genotoxic and induced loss of cell membrane integrity. Regarding gene expression, treatment with 7.5 µM PLB reduced the amount of MTOR, BCL2 and ATM transcripts, and increased CDKN1A (p21) transcripts. Phosphorylation levels of yH2AX was increased and MDM2 protein level was reduced following the treatment with PLB, demonstrating its genotoxic effect. Our results suggest that PLB acts in molecular pathways related to the control of proliferation and cell death in 786-O cells.

Phytochemical naphtho[1,2-b] furan-4,5‑dione induced topoisomerase II-mediated DNA damage response in human non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Phytochemical naphtho[1,2-b] furan-4,5‑dione (NFD) presenting in Avicennia marina exert anti-cancer effects, but little is known regarding about DNA damage-mediated apoptosis in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

PURPOSE

To examine whether NFD-induced apoptosis of NSCLC cells is correlated with the induction of DNA damage, and to investigate its underlying mechanism.

STUDY DESIGN

The anti-proliferative effects of NFD were assessed by MTS Assay Kit FACS assay, and in vivo nude mice xenograft assay. The DNA damage related proteins, the Bcl-2 family and pro-apoptotic factors were examined by immunofluorescence assay, q-PCR, and western blotting. The activity of NF-κB p65 in nuclear extracts was detected using a colorimetric DNA-binding ELISA assay. The inhibitory activity of topoisomerase II (TOPO II) was evaluated by molecular docking and TOPO II catalytic assay.

RESULTS

NFD exerted selective cytotoxicity against NSCLC H1299, H1437 and A549 cells rather than normal lung-embryonated cells MRC-5. Remarkably, we found that NFD activated the hull marker and modulator of DNA damage repairs such as γ-H2AX, ATM, ATR, CHK1, and CHK2 probably caused by the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibition of TOPO II activity. Furthermore, the suppression of transcription factor NF-κB by NFD resulted in significantly decreased levels of pro-survival proteins including Bcl-2 family Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 and the endogenous inhibitors of apoptosis XIAP and survivin in H1299 cells. Moreover, the nude mice xenograft assay further validated the suppression of H1299 growth by NFD, which is the first report for evaluating the anti-cancer effect of NFD in vivo.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide a novel mechanism indicating the inhibition of TOPO II activity and NF-κB signaling by NFD, leading to DNA damage and apoptosis of NSCLC tumor cells.

Emerging role of plumbagin: Cytotoxic potential and pharmaceutical relevance towards cancer therapy

Plumbagin is a naphthoquinone derived yellow crystalline phytochemical. Plumbagin has a wide range of biological effects including cytotoxicity against cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Due to the pleiotropic nature of plumbagin, it shows the anticancer effect by targeting several molecular mechanisms including apoptosis and autophagic pathways, cell cycle arrest, anti-angiogenic pathways, anti-invasion and anti-metastasis pathways. Among many signaling pathways the key regulatory genes regulated by plumbagin are NF-kβ, STAT3, and AKT, etc. Plumbagin is also a potent inducer of ROS, suppressor of cellular glutathione, and causes DNA strand break by oxidative DNA base damages. In vivo studies suggested that plumbagin significantly reduces the tumor weight and volume in dose-dependent manner without any side effects in tested model organisms. Another exciting aspect of plumbagin is the ability to re-sensitize the chemo and radioresistant cancer cells when used in combination or alone. Nano encapsulation of plumbagin overcomes the poor water solubility and bioavailability obstacles, enhancing the pharmaceutical relevance with better therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, plumbagin can be introduced as a future phytotherapeutic anticancer drug after fully satisfied preclinical and clinical trials.

miR-204-5p and miR-3065-5p exert antitumor effects on melanoma cells

MicroRNA (miR)-204-5p was previously identified to be downregulated in melanoma compared with melanocytic nevi. This observation prompted a functional study on miR-204-5p and the newly-identified miR-3065-5p, two miRNAs suggested to be tumor-suppressive oncomiRs. Application of miR-204-5p mimics or inhibitors resulted in a decrease or increase, respectively, in melanoma cell proliferation and colony formation. miR-204-5p mimics hindered invasion, whereas miR-204-5p inhibitors stimulated cancer cell migration. Modulation of miR-3065-5p led to a decrease in melanoma cell proliferation, altered cell cycle distribution and increased expression levels of its target genes HIPK1 and ITGA1, possibly due to functional modifications identified in these cells. miR-204-5p and miR-3065-5p demonstrated antitumor capacities that may need to be taken into account in the development of melanoma treatment approaches.

Anticancer Properties and Pharmaceutical Applications of Plumbagin: A Review

It has been shown that plumbagin, a bioactive naphthoquinone isolated from three major plant families viz. Plumbaginaceae, Ebenceae and Droseraceae, definitively exhibits anticancer potential in diverse cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Plumbagin shows antineoplastic effects via multi-channel molecular mechanisms, including the induction of apoptosis and autophagy, the disruption of the cell cycle, the inhibition of invasion and metastasis, and anti-angiogenesis. Plumbagin inhibits the growth of cancer cells mainly through the modulation of the signals of PI3K/Akt/mTOR, AMPK, Ras, and so on. The pharmaceutical applications of plumbagin combined with nanocarriers to achieve better therapeutic efficiency are discussed in this review Among them, liposomes, nanoparticles, microspheres, micelles, and nisosomes are used in cancer treatment. The anticancer study of plumbagin in vivo is also summarized in this review. On the whole, we aim to review the research progress of plumbagin both in pharmacological and pharmaceutical filed, which may provide some reference for further research of plumbagin.