An aqueous extract from toad skin prevents gelatinase activities derived from fetal serum albumin and serum-free culture medium of human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells

Recapitulating and Deciphering Tumor Microenvironment by Using 3D Printed Plastic Brick-Like Microfluidic Cell Patterning

Within the body, tumor cells are surrounded by neighboring counterparts, such as extracellular matrix, vasculature, and host stroma, which is also known as the tumor microenvironment. To understand tumorigenesis, it is essential to reconstitute the incorporative tumor niche with quantitative measurements in vitro. Here, a 3D printed plastic brick-like microfluidic gadget is developed for spatially patterning tumors and fibroblasts, enabling the recapitulation of tumor microenvironment with minimized microfluidic expertise and compatibility of standard pipetting. This method facilitates heterotypic coculturing, quantitative phenotype decoding, and downstream molecular assays with a small number of cells (less than 100). Phenotypic and gene/protein expression-based analysis of cell-cell interactions between fibrosarcoma cells and fibroblasts on this device reveals that the tumor and its counterparts show reciprocal synergism mainly by upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines. Notably, at the whole transcriptional landscape (RNA-seq), fibroblasts display a transition from normal to cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-like phase, and tumor cells exhibit a hyperactive ribosome biogenesis. The mouse xenograft model is also involved to validate the in vitro analysis. Given its easy-to-use feature, full compatibility with molecular analysis, and open-source accessibility, this approach provides an in vitro experimental system to advance knowledge of tumorigenesis and the corresponding tumor microenvironment.

Cinobufacini from the Skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans Induces Apoptosis, Possibly via Activation of the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway, in Human Osteosarcoma Cells

Cinobufacini (huachansu) is a traditional Chinese medicine extracted from the skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans, which is used in clinical cancer therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the signaling pathways regulating cinobufacini-induced apoptosis in the osteosarcoma cell line, U2OS. We used 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to evaluate the effects of cinobufacini on cell proliferation in U2OS cells. Changes in cell morphology and apoptosis were detected by TUNEL staining. The expression of apoptosis-related and Wnt/β-catenin pathway proteins was detected by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, and western blot analysis. Our data indicated that cinobufacini significantly inhibited cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Marked changes in cell morphology and apoptosis rate were clearly observed after cinobufacini treatment. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway was activated, and β-catenin expression was positive in cells after treatment. Further, protein expression of bax was increased, whereas bcl-2 was decreased, resulting in an increased bax/bcl-2 ratio. Moreover, after cinobufacini treatment, the expression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related proteins was similar to controls. Taken together, our study indicates that cinobufacini can induce apoptosis in U2OS cells, likely through activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Cinobufagin, a bufadienolide, activates ROS-mediated pathways to trigger human lung cancer cell apoptosis in vivo

Lung cancer, as the most common malignancy worldwide, is one of the most threatening diseases for human beings.

Advance in studies on traditional Chinese medicines to treat infection with the hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), is a sophisticated and time-honored form of healthcare in China. Many TCMs are widely used to treat hepatitis B and hepatitis C in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea. Since conventional clinical preparations like interferon-α cause obvious dose-dependent adverse reactions and drug resistance, TCMs and related bioactive compounds have garnered increasing attention from physicians and medical researchers. Thus far, a number of TCMs and compounds have been used to inhibit the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) in vitro, in vivo, and even in clinical trials. The current review summarizes TCMs and related compounds that have been used to inhibit HBV or HCV. Most of these medicines are derived from herbs. HepG2.2.15 cells have been used to study HBV in vitro and Huh7.5 cells have been similarly used to study HCV. Ducks have been used to study the anti-HBV effect of new medication in vivo, but there are few animal models for anti-HCV research at the present time. Thus far, a number of preclinical studies have been conducted but few clinical trials have been conducted. In addition, a few chemically modified compounds have displayed greater efficacy than natural products. However, advances in TCM research are hampered by mechanisms of action of many bioactive compounds that have yet to be identified. In short, TCMs and related active compounds are a CAM that could be used to treat HBV and HCV infections.