β-catenin correlates with the progression of colon cancers and berberine inhibits the proliferation of colon cancer cells by regulating the β-catenin signaling pathway

Preventive effects of chemical drugs on recurrence of colorectal adenomas: systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The onset of colorectal adenomas (CRAs) is significantly associated with colorectal cancer. The preventive effects of chemical drugs on the recurrence of CRAs have been evaluated in a large number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, there are still uncertainties about the relative effectiveness of such chemical drugs.

METHODS

We searched relevant RCTs published in six databases up to February 2023. The quality of the included studies was assessed by using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool and Review Manager 5.4. Pairwise comparison and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted using RStudio to compare the effects of chemical drugs on the recurrence of CRAs.

RESULTS

Forty-five high-quality RCTs were included. A total of 35 590 (test group: 20 822; control group: 14 768) subjects with a history of CRAs have been enrolled and randomized to receive placebo treatment or one of 24 interventions. Based on surface under the cumulative ranking values and NMA results, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) + Sulindac significantly reduced the recurrence of CRAs, followed by berberine and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

CONCLUSION

DFMO + Sulindac is more effective in reducing the recurrence of CRAs but has a high risk of adverse events. Considering drug safety, tolerance, and compliance, berberine has a brighter prospect of clinical development. However, further studies are needed to verify our findings.

Antitumor Effect of Berberine Analogs in a Canine Mammary Tumor Cell Line and in Zebrafish Reporters via Wnt/β-Catenin and Hippo Pathways

The heterogeneous nature of human breast cancer (HBC) can still lead to therapy inefficacy and high lethality, and new therapeutics as well as new spontaneous animal models are needed to benefit translational HBC research. Dogs are primarily investigated since they spontaneously develop tumors that share many features with human cancers. In recent years, different natural phytochemicals including berberine, a plant alkaloid, have been reported to have antiproliferative activity in vitro in human cancers and rodent animal models. In this study, we report the antiproliferative activity and mechanism of action of berberine, its active metabolite berberrubine, and eight analogs, on a canine mammary carcinoma cell line and in transgenic zebrafish models. We demonstrate both in vitro and in vivo the significant effects of specific analogs on cell viability via the induction of apoptosis, also identifying their role in inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and activating the Hippo signals with a downstream reduction in CTGF expression. In particular, the berberine analogs NAX035 and NAX057 show the highest therapeutic efficacy, deserving further analyses to elucidate their mechanism of action more in detail, and in vivo studies on spontaneous neoplastic diseases are needed, aiming at improving veterinary treatments of cancer as well as translational cancer research.

Correlation of NPDC1 Expression and Perineural Invasion Status with Clinicopathological Features in Patients with Colon Cancer

Background

Colon cancer is a prevalent gastrointestinal malignancy that often exhibits distant metastasis, hindering the effectiveness of surgical interventions. In addition to well-known hematogenous and lymphatic metastasis, perineural invasion (PNI) has emerged as a significant mode of distant metastasis in colon tumors. PNI is closely associated with oncologic pain in advanced cancer patients, but the underlying mechanisms and associated biomarkers, which might be the novel therapeutic targets, remain poorly understood.

Methods

In this study, we employed large databases and bioinformatics methods to identify genes strongly linked to PNI in colon cancer and investigated their involvement in tumor nerve invasion, progression mechanisms, and chemotherapy resistance. Immunohistochemical techniques were utilized to validate the expression of target genes in 384 colon cancer tissues, and their expression was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival data in our hospital. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to explore the potential functions of the target genes and their associated genes.

Results

Our screening revealed a significant correlation between neural proliferation differentiation and control-1 (NPDC1) expression and patient prognosis, suggesting a potential association with neural infiltration in colon cancer. Additionally, NPDC1 may promote tumorigenesis, progression, and chemoresistance through various related pathways.

Conclusion

Our study provides novel insights into the utility of NPDC1 as a predictive marker for PNI status, disease-free survival, and overall survival in patients with colon cancer, highlighting the prevalence of NPDC1 overexpression in patients with PNI in colon cancer.

Natural Products Treat Colorectal Cancer by Regulating miRNA

Diseases are evolving as living standards continue to improve. Cancer is the main cause of death and a major public health problem that seriously threatens human life. Colorectal cancer is one of the top ten most common malignant tumors in China, ranking second after gastric cancer among gastrointestinal malignant tumors, and its incidence rate is increasing dramatically each year due to changes in the dietary habits and lifestyle of the world's population. Although conventional therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have profoundly impacted the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), drug resistance and toxicity remain substantial challenges. Natural products, such as dietary therapeutic agents, are considered the safest alternative for treating CRC. In addition, there is substantial evidence that natural products can induce apoptosis, inhibit cell cycle arrest, and reduce the invasion and migration of colon cancer cells by targeting and regulating the expression and function of miRNAs. Here, we summarize the recent research findings on the miRNA-regulation-based antitumor mechanisms of various active ingredients in natural products, highlighting how natural products target miRNA regulation in colon cancer prevention and treatment. The application of natural drug delivery systems and predictive disease biomarkers in cancer prevention and treatment is also discussed. Such approaches will contribute to the discovery of new regulatory mechanisms associated with disease pathways and provide a new theoretical basis for developing novel colon cancer drugs and compounds and identifying new therapeutic targets.

Berberine targets KIF20A and CCNE2 to inhibit the progression of nonsmall cell lung cancer via the PI3K/AKT pathway

BACKGROUND

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the main type of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85%. Berberine (BBR), a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, has been reported to exhibit a potential antitumor effect in various cancers. In this research, we explored the function of BBR and its underlying mechanisms in the development of NSCLC.

METHODS

Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU), colony formation assays, flow cytometry, and transwell invasion assay were employed to determine cell growth, the apoptotic rate, cell invasion of NSCLC cells, respectively. Western blot was applied for detecting the protein expression of c-Myc, matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9), kinesin family member 20A (KIF20A), cyclin E2 (CCNE2), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway-related proteins. Glycolysis was evaluated by detecting glucose consumption, lactate production, and adenosine triphosphate/adenosine diphosphate (ATP/ADP) ratio with the matched kits. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was conducted to analyze the level of KIF20A and CCNE2. Tumor model was established to evaluate the function of BBR on tumor growth in NSCLC in vivo. In addition, immunohistochemistry assay was employed to detect the level of KIF20A, CCNE2, c-Myc, and MMP9 in mice tissues.

RESULTS

BBR exhibited suppressive effects on the progression of NSCLC, as evidenced by inhibiting cell growth, invasion, glycolysis, and facilitating cell apoptosis in H1299 and A549 cells. KIF20A and CCNE2 were upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells. Moreover, BBR treatment significantly decreased the expression of KIF20A and CCNE2. KIF20A or CCNE2 downregulation could repress cell proliferation, invasion, glycolysis, and induce cell apoptosis in both H1299 and A549 cells. The inhibition effects of BBR treatment on cell proliferation, invasion, glycolysis, and promotion effect on cell apoptosis were rescued by KIF20A or CCNE2 overexpression in NSCLC cells. The inactivation of PI3K/AKT pathway caused by BBR treatment in H1299 and A549 cells was restored by KIF20A or CCNE2 upregulation. In vivo experiments also demonstrated that BBR treatment could repress tumor growth by regulating KIF20A and CCNE2 and inactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION

BBR treatment showed the suppressive impact on the progression of NSCLC by targeting KIF20A and CCNE2, thereby inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Current understanding and future prospects on Berberine for anticancer therapy

Berberine (BBR) is a potential plant metabolite and has remarkable anticancer properties. Many kinds of research are being focused on the cytotoxic activity of berberine in in vitro and in vivo studies. A variety of molecular targets which lead to the anticancer effect of berberine ranges from p-53 activation, Cyclin B expression for arresting cell cycles; protein kinase B (AKT), MAP kinase and IKB kinase for antiproliferative activity; effect on beclin-1 involved in autophagy; reduced expression of MMP-9 and MMP-2 for the inhibition of invasion and metastasis etc. Berberine also interferes with transcription factor-1 (AP-1) activity responsible for the expression of oncogenes and neoplastic transformation of the cell. It also leads to the inhibition of various enzymes which are directly or indirectly involved in carcinogenesis like N acetyl transferase, Cyclo-oxygenase-2, Telomerase and Topoisomerase. In addition to these actions, Berberine plays a role in, the regulation of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines in preventing cancer formation. Berberine anticancer properties are demonstrated due to the interaction of berberine with micro-RNA. The summarized information presented in this review article may help and lead the researchers, scientists/industry persons to use berberine as a promising candidate against cancer.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of a ratio-optimized drug pair of Sophora flavescens Aiton and Coptis chinensis Franch and study on the mechanism of anti-colorectal cancer effect of two alkaloids thereof

The drug pair consisting of Sophora flavescens Aiton (Sophorae flavescentis radix, Kushen) and Coptis chinensis Franch. (Coptidis rhizoma, Huanglian), as described in Prescriptions for Universal Relief (Pujifang), is widely used to treat laxation. Matrine and berberine are the major active components of Kushen and Huanglian, respectively. These agents have shown remarkable anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. A mouse model of colorectal cancer was used to determine the most effective combination of Kushen and Huanglian against anti-colorectal cancer. The results showed that the combination of Kushen and Huanglian at a 1:1 ratio exerted the best anti-colorectal cancer effect versus other ratios. Moreover, the anti-colorectal cancer effect and potential mechanism underlying the effects of matrine and berberine were evaluated by the analysis of combination treatment or monotherapy. In addition, the chemical constituents of Kushen and Huanglian were identified and quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 67 chemical components were identified from the Kushen-Huanglian drug pair (water extraction), and the levels of matrine and berberine were 129 and 232 µg/g, respectively. Matrine and berberine reduced the growth of colorectal cancer and relieved the pathological conditions in mice. In addition, the combination of matrine and berberine displayed better anti-colorectal cancer efficacy than monotherapy. Moreover, matrine and berberine reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroidota and Campilobacterota at phylum level and that of Helicobacter, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Candidatus_Arthromitus, norank_f_Lachnospiraceae, Rikenella, Odoribacter, Streptococcus, norank_f_Ruminococcaceae, and Anaerotruncus at the genus level. Western blotting results demonstrated that treatment with matrine and berberine decreased the protein expressions of c-MYC and RAS, whereas it increased that of sirtuin 3 (Sirt3). The findings indicated that the combination of matrine and berberine was more effective in inhibiting colorectal cancer than monotherapy. This beneficial effect might depend on the improvement of intestinal microbiota structure and regulation of the RAS/MEK/ERK-c-MYC-Sirt3 signaling axis.

Berberine inhibits the progression of renal cell carcinoma cells by regulating reactive oxygen species generation and inducing DNA damage

BACKGROUND

Berberine is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid that has been shown to have antitumor properties in a growing number of studies. However, its role in renal cell carcinoma remains unclear. This study investigates berberine's effect and mechanism in renal cell carcinoma.

METHODS

The methyl-tetrazolium, colony formation, and lactate dehydrogenase assay were used to detect proliferation and cytotoxicity, respectively. Flow cytometry, caspase-Glo 3/7 assay, and adenosine triphosphate assay were used to detect apoptosis and the adenosine triphosphate levels. Wound healing and transwell assay were used to examine the migration ability of renal cell carcinoma cells. Besides, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was explored using a DCFH-DA-based kit. Additionally, western blot and Immunofluorescence assay was taken to determine the levels of relative proteins.

RESULTS

In vitro, our findings indicated that the proliferation and migration of renal cell carcinoma cells treated with berberine in various concentrations were inhibited, while the level of ROS and apoptosis rate were increased. Furthermore, The results of western blot showed that the expression of Bax, Bad, Bak, Cyto c, Clv-Caspase 3, Clv-Caspase 9, E-cadherin, TIMP-1and γH2AX were up-regulated, while Bcl-2, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, Rad51 and PCNA were down-regulated after treating with berberine with various concentration.

CONCLUSION

The result of this study revealed that berberine inhibits renal cell carcinoma progression via regulating ROS generation and inducing DNA break.

Berberine Inhibited Growth and Migration of Human Colon Cancer Cell Lines by Increasing Phosphatase and Tensin and Inhibiting Aquaporins 1, 3 and 5 Expressions

Introduction: Berberine is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid with anti-cancer properties. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism of its action in human colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been thoroughly elucidated. We investigated the anti-cancer effect of berberine on HT-29, SW-480 and HCT-116 human CRC cell lines. Methods: Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were studied by MTT assay, wound healing, transwell chambers and flow cytometry. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunostaining were used to evaluate the expression of aquaporins (AQPs) 1, 3 and 5 in colon cancer cell lines before and after treatment with berberine (10, 30 and 100 µM). RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to further explore the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and the molecular mechanisms underlying berberine-induced inhibition of cell proliferation. Results: We demonstrated that treatment of these CRC cell lines with berberine inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion through induction of apoptosis and necrosis. HT-29, SW-480 and HCT-116 stained positively for AQP 1, 3 and 5, and berberine treatment down-regulated the expression of all three types of AQPs. Berberine also modulated PI3K/AKT pathway activity through up-regulating PTEN and down-regulating PI3K, AKT and p-AKT expression as well as suppressing its downstream targets, mTOR and p-mTOR at the protein level. Discussion/Conclusions: These findings indicate that berberine inhibited growth, migration and invasion of these colon cancer cell lines via down-regulation of AQP 1, 3 and 5 expressions, up-regulating PTEN which inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway at the gene and protein levels, and that AQP 1, 3 and 5 expression level can be used as prognostic biomarkers for colon cancer metastasis.

Body mass index-based predictions and personalized clinical strategies for colorectal cancer in the context of PPPM

Currently colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide. Body mass index (BMI) is frequently used in CRC screening and risk assessment to quantitatively evaluate weight. However, the impact of BMI on clinical strategies for CRC has received little attention. Within the framework of the predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (3PM/PPPM), we hypothesized that BMI stratification would affect the primary, secondary, and tertiary care options for CRC and we conducted a critical evidence-based review. BMI dynamically influences CRC outcomes, which helps avoiding adverse treatment effects. The outcome of surgical and radiation treatment is adversely affected by overweight (BMI ≥ 30) or underweight (BMI < 20). A number of interventions, such as enhanced recovery after surgery and robotic surgery, can be applied to CRC at all levels of BMI. BMI-controlling modalities such as exercise, diet control, nutritional therapy, and medications may be potentially beneficial for patients with CRC. Patients with overweight are advised to lose weight through diet, medication, and physical activity while patients suffering of underweight require more focus on nutrition. BMI assists patients with CRC in better managing their weight, which decreases the incidence of adverse prognostic events during treatment. BMI is accessible, noninvasive, and highly predictive of clinical outcomes in CRC. The cost-benefit of the PPPM paradigm in developing countries can be advanced, and the clinical benefit for patients can be improved with the promotion of BMI-based clinical strategy models for CRC.

Improvement of anticancer effect of berberine by salt formation modifications

BACKGROUND

Berberine is a quaternary isoquinoline alkaloid that possesses a significant therapeutic effect on a variety of cancers. However, due to poor bioavailability, an increased dose is often required to achieve therapeutic goals. To improve the activities of natural berberine, most modifications were focused on the positive isoquinoline unit by grafting long aliphatic chains or heterocycles. However, the negative part is ignored. At this point, the strategy of salt formation modifications with short- and medium-chain fatty acids was proposed in this article.

PURPOSE

Using salt modification to enhance the antitumor activity of berberine and explore the mechanism.

METHODS

Four short- and medium-chain fatty acid salts of berberine were prepared from berberine hydrochloride by salt formation modification with the sodium salt of butyric, caproic, octanoic, and decanoic acid, respectively. The cytotoxicity of four berberine salts on B16-F10, A549, HepG2, and U373 cancer cell lines was explored. Through cell localization, Mitochondrial membrane potential assay, and Western blotting analysis explored the mechanism of berberine salt-induced apoptosis. Its anticancer activity in vivo was demonstrated by the mouse xenograft model.

RESULTS

The four berberine fatty acid salts exhibited an enhanced inhibitory effect on B16-F10, A549, HepG2, and U373 cancer cell lines, particularly on B16-F10 cells. Meanwhile, the four berberine fatty acid salts can inhibit the migration of B16-F10 cells. The four berberine fatty acid salts induce cancer cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway, which was confirmed by the mitochondrial colocalization, the decreased mitochondrial membrane potential as well as activation of caspase-3, cytochrome C (Cyt-C), and down-regulated expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Most importantly, the four berberine fatty acid salts inhibited tumor growth in the in vivo B16-F10 melanoma model without generating side effects intraperitoneally.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that salt formation modification may be an effective strategy to optimize the anticancer property of berberine hydrochloride and demonstrated the four berberine fatty acid salts induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Anticancer Effects and Mechanisms of Berberine from Medicinal Herbs: An Update Review

Cancer has been a serious public health problem. Berberine is a famous natural compound from medicinal herbs and shows many bioactivities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, and antimicrobial activities. In addition, berberine shows anticancer effects on a variety of cancers, such as breast, lung, gastric, liver, colorectal, ovarian, cervical, and prostate cancers. The underlying mechanisms of action include inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, suppressing metastasis, inducing apoptosis, activating autophagy, regulating gut microbiota, and improving the effects of anticancer drugs. This paper summarizes effectiveness and mechanisms of berberine on different cancers and highlights the mechanisms of action. In addition, the nanotechnologies to improve bioavailability of berberine are included. Moreover, the side effects of berberine are also discussed. This paper is helpful for the prevention and treatment of cancers using berberine.