Curcumin Activates ROS Signaling to Promote Pyroptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells

Aqueous extract of Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim. induces liver injury in mice via pyroptosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim. has been used traditionally in Asia. It can dispel wind and cold, tonify the kidney, and strengthen bones and tendons. However, adverse effects of E. sagittatum have been reported, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate liver injury caused by an aqueous extract of E. sagittatum in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice and explore its potential mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dried E. sagittatum leaves were decocted in water to prepare aqueous extracts for ultra-high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Mice were administered an aqueous extract of E. sagittatum equivalent to either 3 g raw E. sagittatum/kg or 10 g raw E. sagittatum/kg once daily via intragastric injection for three months. The liver weights and levels of the serum biochemical parameters including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin (TBIL), and alkaline phosphatase were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed for histopathology. Apoptosis was detected using the TUNEL apoptosis assay kit. IL-1β was detected using ELISA kits. Proteomics was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the levels of proteins significantly affected by the aqueous extract of E. sagittatum.

RESULTS

E. sagittatum treatment increased the liver weights and liver coefficients, and ALT and AST levels significantly increased (p < 0.05). A high dose of E. sagittatum significantly increased LDH and TBIL levels (p < 0.05). Ruptured cell membranes and multiple sites of inflammatory cell infiltration were also observed. No evidence of apoptosis was observed. IL-1β levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The expressions of PIK3R1, p-MAP2K4, p-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/JNK, p-c-Jun, VDAC2, Bax, and CYC were upregulated, whereas that of Bcl-2 was inhibited by E. sagittatum. The expression of cleaved caspase-1 was significantly increased; however, its effects on GSDMD and GSDMD-N were significantly decreased. The expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 and its effector proteins GSDME and GSDME-N significantly increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the aqueous extract of E. sagittatum induces liver injury in ICR mice after three months of intragastric injection via inflammatory pyroptosis.

Divinyl sulfone, an oxidative metabolite of sulfur mustard, induces caspase-independent pyroptosis in hepatocytes

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a highly toxic blister agent which has been used many times in several wars and conflicts and caused heavy casualties. Ease of production and lack of effective therapies make SM a potential threat to public health. SM intoxication causes severe damage on various target organs, such as the skin, eyes, and lungs. In addition, SM exposure can also lead to hepatotoxicity and severe liver injuries. However, despite decades of research, the molecular mechanism underlying SM-induced liver damage remains obscure. SM can be converted into various products via complex hepatic metabolism in vivo. There are some pieces of evidence that one of the oxidation products of SM, divinyl sulfone (DVS), exhibits even more significant toxicity than SM. Nevertheless, the molecular toxicology of DVS is still hardly known. In the present study, we confirmed that DVS is even more toxic than SM in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. Further mechanistic study revealed that DVS exposure (200 μM) promotes pyroptosis in HepG2 cells, while SM (400 μM) mainly induces apoptosis. DVS induces gasdermin D (GSDMD) mediated pyroptosis, which is independent of caspases activation but depends on the large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and severe oxidative stress produced during DVS exposure. Our findings may provide novel insights for understanding the mechanism of SM poisoning and may be helpful to discover promising therapeutic strategies for SM intoxication.

Engineering materials for pyroptosis induction in cancer treatment

Cancer remains a significant global health concern, necessitating the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. This research paper aims to investigate the role of pyroptosis induction in cancer treatment. Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death characterized by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the formation of plasma membrane pores, has gained significant attention as a potential target for cancer therapy. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of pyroptosis and its role in cancer treatment. The paper discusses the concept of pyroptosis and its relationship with other forms of cell death, such as apoptosis and necroptosis. It explores the role of pyroptosis in immune activation and its potential for combination therapy. The study also reviews the use of natural, biological, chemical, and multifunctional composite materials for pyroptosis induction in cancer cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying pyroptosis induction by these materials are discussed, along with their advantages and challenges in cancer treatment. The findings of this study highlight the potential of pyroptosis induction as a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer treatment and provide insights into the different materials and mechanisms involved in pyroptosis induction.

Autophagy activation is required for N6-methyladenosine modification to regulate ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Although ferroptosis holds promise as a new strategy for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there are several obstacles that need to be overcome. One major challenge is the lack of understanding about the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis. Additionally, while the m6A modification has been shown to regulate various forms of cell death, its role in regulating ferroptosis in HCC has been largely overlooked. Bridging this knowledge gap, our study aimed to elucidate the regulatory influence of m6A modification on HCC ferroptosis.

MATERIALS

Dot blot and EpiQuik m6A RNA Methylation Quantitative kit detected changes in overall m6A modification level during ferroptosis in HCC. MeRIP-qPCR and RIP-qPCR identified that the m6A modification of ATG5 mRNA was significant changed. BALB/c nude mice were used to construct xenograft tumor models to verify the phenotypes upon YTHDC2 silencing. In addition, patient-derived organoid models were used to demonstrate that induction of ferroptosis was an effective strategy against HCC.

RESULTS

Our study has shown that inducing ferroptosis is a promising strategy for combatting HCC. Specifically, we have found a significant correlation between ferroptosis and high levels of m6A modification in HCC. Notably, we discovered that the elevation of ATG5 mRNA m6A modification mediated by WTAP is dependent on the reading protein YTHDC2. Importantly, inhibition of either WTAP or YTHDC2 effectively prevented ferroptosis and suppressed HCC development in both in vitro and in vivo models.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that WTAP upregulates ATG5 expression post-transcriptionally in an m6A-YTHDC2-dependent manner, thereby promoting the translation of ATG5 mRNA during ferroptosis in HCC. These findings have significant implications for the development of innovative and effective therapeutic approaches for HCC treatment.

Antioxidant curcumin induces oxidative stress to kill tumor cells (Review)

Curcumin is a plant polyphenol in turmeric root and a potent antioxidant. It binds to antioxidant response elements for gene regulation by nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, thereby suppressing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-infective and other pharmacological effects. Of note, curcumin induces oxidative stress in tumors. It binds to several enzymes in tumors, such as carbonyl reductases, glutathione S-transferase P1 and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate to induce mitochondrial damage, increase ROS production and ultimately induce tumor cell death. However, the instability and poor pharmacokinetic profile of curcumin in vivo limit its clinical application. Therefore, the effects of curcumin in vivo may be enhanced through its combination with drugs, derivative development and nanocarriers. In the present review, the mechanisms of curcumin that induce tumor cell death through oxidative stress are discussed. In addition, the methods used to enhance the antitumor activity of curcumin are described. Finally, the existing knowledge on the functions of curcumin in tumors, particularly in terms of oxidative stress, are summarized to facilitate future curcumin research.

A comprehensive review on anticancer evaluation techniques

The development of effective anticancer strategies and the improvement of our understanding of cancer need analytical tools. Utilizing a variety of analytical approaches while investigating anti-cancer medicines gives us a thorough understanding of the traits and mechanisms concerned to cancer cells, which enables us to develop potent treatments to combat them. The importance of anticancer research may be attributed to various analytical techniques that contributes to the identification of therapeutic targets and the assessment of medication efficacy, which are crucial things in expanding our understanding of cancer biology. The study looks at methods that are often used in cancer research, including cell viability assays, clonogenic assay, flow cytometry, 2D electrophoresis, microarray, immunofluorescence, western blot caspase activation assay, bioinformatics, etc. The fundamentals, applications, and how each technique analytical advances our understanding of cancer are briefly reviewed.

GSDME has prognostic and immunotherapeutic significance in residual hepatocellular carcinoma after insufficient radiofrequency ablation

BACKGROUND

Heat stress can induce programmed cell death (PCD). Pyroptosis is a gasdermin-mediated PCD. This study hypothesized that insufficient radiofrequency ablation (IRFA) induced pyroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and investigated its underlying mechanism and clinical significance.

METHODS

Thermostatic water bath was used to stimulate IRFA in vitro. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. IL-1β and HMGB1 were measured by ELISA assay. LDH level was measured by LDH cytotoxicity detection kit. Permeability of cell membrane was assessed by Hoechst33342/PI fluorescence staining. RNA expression was evaluated by qRT-PCR, and protein was assessed by Western Blotting or immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry. Gene expression with clinicopathological characteristics from HCC patients treated by RFA were analyzed for associations between GSDME expression and prognosis.

RESULTS

Our study revealed that IRFA induced pyroptosis in HCCLM3 and HepG2 cells. GSDME, rather than GSDMD, was cleaved in heat stress-induced pyroptosis in HCCLM3 and HepG2 cells due to caspase-3 activation. However, GSDME overexpression promoted HCC growth in vivo and predicted poor PFS and OS in HCC patients treated by RFA. Heat stress modulated gene expression related to PD-L1 signaling and caspase inhibitors inhibited heat-induced PD-L1 expression in residual HCC after IRFA. Gsdme overexpression caused resistance to PD-L1 inhibitor in residual HCC after IRFA by increasing infiltrating of CD3+PD-1+ or CD3+CTLA-4+ exhausted T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that GSDME could serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and help to prescribe personalized sequential immunotherapy for HCC patients receiving RFA.

Amino Acid Derivatives of Ginsenoside AD-2 Induce HepG2 Cell Apoptosis by Affecting the Cytoskeleton

AD-2 (20(R)-dammarane-3β, 12β, 20, 25-tetrol, 25-OH-PPD) was structurally modified to introduce additional amino groups, which can better exert its anti-tumor effects in MCF-7, A549, LoVo, HCT-116, HT -29, and U-87 cell lines. We investigated the cellular activity of 15 different AD-2 amino acid derivatives on HepG2 cells and the possible mechanism of action of the superior derivative 6b. An MTT assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of the derivatives. Western blotting was used to study the signaling pathways. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and ghost pen peptide staining was used to identify the changes in the cytoskeleton. The AD-2 amino acid derivatives have a better cytotoxic effect on the HepG2 cells than AD-2, which may be achieved by promoting the apoptosis of HepG2 cells and influencing the cytoskeleton. The derivative 6b shows obvious anti-HepG2 cells activity through affecting the expression of apoptotic proteins such as MDM2, P-p53, Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase 3, Cleaved Caspase 3, Caspase 8, and NSD2. According to the above findings, the amino acid derivatives of AD-2 may be developed as HepG2 cytotoxic therapeutic drugs.

Recent advances in natural compounds inducing non-apoptotic cell death for anticancer drug resistance

The induction of cell death is recognized as a potent strategy for cancer treatment. Apoptosis is an extensively studied form of cell death, and multiple anticancer drugs exert their therapeutic effects by inducing it. Nonetheless, apoptosis evasion is a hallmark of cancer, rendering cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy drugs. Consequently, there is a growing interest in exploring novel non-apoptotic forms of cell death, such as ferroptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and paraptosis. Natural compounds with anticancer properties have garnered significant attention due to their advantages, including a reduced risk of drug resistance. Over the past two decades, numerous natural compounds have been discovered to exert anticancer and anti-resistance effects by triggering these four non-apoptotic cell death mechanisms. This review primarily focuses on these four non-apoptotic cell death mechanisms and their recent advancements in overcoming drug resistance in cancer treatment. Meanwhile, it highlights the role of natural compounds in effectively addressing cancer drug resistance through the induction of these forms of non-apoptotic cell death.

Hepatoprotective effect of p-Coumaric acid against KBrO3 -induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells

In the present study, we investigated the effect of the p-Coumaric acid (PCA), a phenolic acid, on potassium bromate (KBrO3 ) induced oxidative damage, Ras/Raf/MEK signaling, and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Our findings showed that PCA-treated cells prevented cytotoxicity compared with KBrO3- treated cells. Furthermore, KBrO3 -induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation was attenuated by PCA and it also increased the antioxidant levels such as SOD, CAT, and GPX. Additionally, PCA inhibited the KBrO3 -induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells. Moreover, PCA treatment suppressed the activation of Ras/Raf/MEK signaling and increased the expression of PRDX-1. In addition, PCA prevented the KBrO3 -induced apoptosis cascade by altering the expression of proapoptotic, Bax, caspase-3, and antiapoptotic, Bcl-2 proteins. The present study proves that PCA inhibited the KBrO3 -induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptotic signaling cascade in HepG2 cells.

The potential immuno-stimulating effect of curcumin, piperine, and taurine combination in hepatocellular carcinoma; a pilot study

BACKGROUND

This is a phase II clinical trial to investigate the immunotherapeutic effect of Curcumin, Piperine, and Taurine (CPT) combination in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Twenty-six HCC patients aged (50-80 years) were recruited for administration of a daily dose of 5 g of curcumin, 50 mg of piperine, and 500 mg of taurine divided into three doses for successive 3 months. The three components (CPT) were prepared in one capsule. Patients were assessed after each month (cycle) for the plasma levels of CD4, CD8, CD25, Interleukins-2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-12, Interferon-gamma (IFN- γ), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), FOXP3 mRNA, and miRNA 21.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in the plasma levels of CD4 and CD8, while a significant decrease in the CD25 level after the second and third cycles compared to the baseline level [P < 0.001 for both]. Also, there was a significant increase in the plasma levels of IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-γ [ P = 0.001, P = 0.006, and P = 0.029; respectively], while there was a significant decrease in IL-6, VEGF-α, LDH, and Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) after CPT administration compared to the baseline levels [P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.020, and P = 0.004; respectively]. The expression level of miRNA-21 was significantly decreased after CPT administration compared to the baseline level [5.5±0.88, 4.1±0.78, 3±0.75, and 2.5±0.76; respectively, P<0.001]. Though there was a noticeable decrease in the FOXP3 expression after each cycle, however, it didn't reach a significant level [5.3±0.8, 4.2±0.76, 3.2±0.67, and 2.5±0.79; respectively, P=0.184].

CONCLUSION

CPT could exhibit a potential immune-stimulating effect in HCC patients. The current trial had been registered at the National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute (NHTMRI), with a registration number of NHTMRI-IRB 2-21 on 5th January 2021.

Ferroptosis, Necroptosis, and Pyroptosis in Gastrointestinal Cancers: The Chief Culprits of Tumor Progression and Drug Resistance

In recent years, the incidence of gastrointestinal cancers is increasing, particularly in the younger population. Effective treatment is crucial for improving patients' survival outcomes. Programmed cell death, regulated by various genes, plays a fundamental role in the growth and development of organisms. It is also critical for maintaining tissue and organ homeostasis and takes part in multiple pathological processes. In addition to apoptosis, there are other types of programmed cell death, such as ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, which can induce severe inflammatory responses. Notably, besides apoptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis also contribute to the occurrence and development of gastrointestinal cancers. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary on the biological roles and molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, as well as their regulators in gastrointestinal cancers and hope to open up new paths for tumor targeted therapy in the near future.

Curcumin in cancer therapy: Exploring molecular mechanisms and overcoming clinical challenges

Cancer poses a significant global health burden, necessitating the widespread use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy as conventional frontline interventions. Although targeted therapy and immunotherapy have shown remarkable advancements, the challenges of resistance development and severe side effects persist in cancer treatment. Consequently, researchers have actively sought more effective alternatives with improved safety profiles. In recent years, curcumin, a natural polyphenolic phytoalexin, has garnered considerable attention due to its broad spectrum of biological effects. This concise review provides valuable insights into the role of curcumin in cancer therapy, with a focus on elucidating its molecular mechanisms in inducing programmed cell death of tumor cells and suppressing tumor cell metastasis potential. Additionally, we discuss the challenges associated with the clinical application of curcumin and explore current endeavors aimed at overcoming these limitations. By shedding light on the promising potential of curcumin, this review contributes to the advancement of cancer treatment strategies.

Pyroptosis Modulators: New Insights of Gasdermins in Health and Disease

Pyroptosis is an inflammation-dependent type of cell death that has been in the spotlight for the scientific community in the last few years. Crucial players in the process of pyroptosis are the members of the gasdermin family of proteins, which have been parallelly studied. Upon induction of pyroptosis, gasdermins suffer from structural changes leading to the formation of pores in the membrane that subsequently cause the release of pro-inflammatory contents. Recently, it has been discovered that oxidation plays a key role in the activation of certain gasdermins. Here, we review the current knowledge on pyroptosis and human gasdermins, focusing on the description of the different members of the family, their molecular structures, and their influence on health and disease directly or non-directly related to inflammation. Noteworthy, we have focused on the existing understanding of the role of this family of proteins in cancer, which could translate into novel promising strategies aimed at benefiting human health. In conclusion, the modulation of pyroptosis and gasdermins by natural and synthetic compounds through different mechanisms, including modification of the redox state of cells, has been proven effective and sets precedents for future therapeutic strategies.

Paradox: Curcumin, a Natural Antioxidant, Suppresses Osteosarcoma Cells via Excessive Reactive Oxygen Species

Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive tumor with a rare incidence. Extended surgical resections are the prevalent treatment for OS, which may cause critical-size bone defects. These bone defects lead to dysfunction, weakening the post-surgical quality of patients' life. Hence, an ideal therapeutic agent for OS should simultaneously possess anti-cancer and bone repair capacities. Curcumin (CUR) has been reported in OS therapy and bone regeneration. However, it is not clear how CUR suppresses OS development. Conventionally, CUR is considered a natural antioxidant in line with its capacity to promote the nuclear translocation of a nuclear transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NRF2). After nuclear translocation, NRF2 can activate the transcription of some antioxidases, thereby circumventing excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are deleterious to cells. Intriguingly, this research demonstrated that, in vitro, 10 and 20 μM CUR increased the intracellular ROS in MG-63 cells, damaged cells' DNA, and finally caused apoptosis of MG-63 cells, although increased NRF2 protein level and the expression of NRF2-regulated antioxidase genes were identified in those two groups.

Curcumin induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by decreasing the expression of STAT3/VEGF/HIF-1α signaling

Curcumin is the most abundant derivative of turmeric rhizome. Although studies have proved that curcumin could inhibit the growth of tumors, its specific molecular mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aims to systematically elaborate the mechanisms of curcumin against hepatocellular carcinoma. The anti-tumor effect of curcumin was determined by the cell viability test. Flow cytometry was applied to examine the cell cycle and the apoptosis of cancer cells, and the cancer cell migration was detected by wound healing experiments. The expressions of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in cancer cells were examined by immunostaining and analyzed by the Image J analysis system. After treatment with curcumin, the apoptosis ratio of HepG2 cells increased significantly (P < 0.05). The proliferation of cancer cells was arrested at the S-phase cell cycle, and the migration of cancer cells was inhibited by the increasing concentration of curcumin, together with the decreasing expressions of STAT3, VEGF, and HIF-1α signaling pathways. The results indicate that curcumin could effectively inhibit the growth and migration of hepatocarcinoma cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosis, blocking the cancer cell cycle in the S phase, and reducing the expression of STAT3, VEGF, and HIF-1α signaling pathways.

Chitosan-based nanoscale delivery systems in hepatocellular carcinoma: Versatile bio-platform with theranostic application

The field of nanomedicine has provided a fresh approach to cancer treatment by addressing the limitations of current therapies and offering new perspectives on enhancing patients' prognoses and chances of survival. Chitosan (CS) is isolated from chitin that has been extensively utilized for surface modification and coating of nanocarriers to improve their biocompatibility, cytotoxicity against tumor cells, and stability. HCC is a prevalent kind of liver tumor that cannot be adequately treated with surgical resection in its advanced stages. Furthermore, the development of resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy has caused treatment failure. The targeted delivery of drugs and genes can be mediated by nanostructures in treatment of HCC. The current review focuses on the function of CS-based nanostructures in HCC therapy and discusses the newest advances of nanoparticle-mediated treatment of HCC. Nanostructures based on CS have the capacity to escalate the pharmacokinetic profile of both natural and synthetic drugs, thus improving the effectiveness of HCC therapy. Some experiments have displayed that CS nanoparticles can be deployed to co-deliver drugs to disrupt tumorigenesis in a synergistic way. Moreover, the cationic nature of CS makes it a favorable nanocarrier for delivery of genes and plasmids. The use of CS-based nanostructures can be harnessed for phototherapy. Additionally, the incur poration of ligands including arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD) into CS can elevate the targeted delivery of drugs to HCC cells. Interestingly, smart CS-based nanostructures, including ROS- and pH-sensitive nanoparticles, have been designed to provide cargo release at the tumor site and enhance the potential for HCC suppression.

The role of pyroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the main histologic type of liver cancer. It accounts for the majority of all diagnoses and deaths due to liver cancer. The induction of tumor cell death is an effective strategy to control tumor development. Pyroptosis is an inflammatory programmed cell death caused by microbial infection, accompanied by activation of inflammasomes and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18). The cleavage of gasdermins (GSDMs) promotes the occurrence of pyroptosis leading to cell swelling, lysis, and death. Accumulating evidence has indicated that pyroptosis influences the progression of HCC by regulating immune-mediated tumor cell death. Currently, some researchers hold the view that inhibition of pyroptosis-related components may prevent the incidence of HCC, but more researchers have the view that activation of pyroptosis exerts a tumor-inhibitory effect. Growing evidence indicates that pyroptosis can prevent or promote tumor development depending on the type of tumor. In this review, pyroptosis pathways and pyroptosis-related components were discussed. Next, the role of pyroptosis and its components in HCC was described. Finally, the therapeutic significance of pyroptosis in HCC was discussed.

Curcumin and Andrographolide Co-Administration Safely Prevent Steatosis Induction and ROS Production in HepG2 Cell Line

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging chronic liver disease worldwide. Curcumin and andrographolide are famous for improving hepatic functions, being able to reverse oxidative stress and release pro-inflammatory cytokines, and they are implicated in hepatic stellate cell activation and in liver fibrosis development. Thus, we tested curcumin and andrographolide separately and in combination to determine their effect on triglyceride accumulation and ROS production, identifying the differential expression of genes involved in fatty liver and oxidative stress development. In vitro steatosis was induced in HepG2 cells and the protective effect of curcumin, andrographolide, and their combination was observed evaluating cell viability, lipid and triglyceride content, ROS levels, and microarray differential gene expression. Curcumin, andrographolide, and their association were effective in reducing steatosis, triglyceride content, and ROS stress, downregulating the genes involved in lipid accumulation. Moreover, the treatments were able to protect the cytotoxic effect of steatosis, promoting the expression of survival and anti-inflammatory genes. The present study showed that the association of curcumin and andrographolide could be used as a therapeutic approach to counter high lipid content and ROS levels in steatosis liver, avoiding the possible hepatotoxic effect of curcumin. Furthermore, this study improved our understanding of the antisteatosis and hepatoprotective properties of a curcumin and andrographolide combination.

Curcumin activates NLRC4, AIM2, and IFI16 inflammasomes and induces pyroptosis by up-regulated ISG3 transcript factor in acute myeloid leukemia cell lines

Curcumin, the primary bioactive component isolated from turmeric, has been found to possess a variety of biological functions, including anti-leukemia activity. However, the effect of curcumin in different leukemia cells vary. In this study, we demonstrated that curcumin induced the expression of AIM2, IFI16, and NLRC4 inflammasomes in leukemia cells U937 by increasing the expression levels of ISG3 transcription factor complex, which activated caspase 1, promoted cleavage of GSDMD, and induced pyroptosis. We also found that pyroptosis executor GSDMD was not expressed in two curcumin-insensitive cells HL60 and K562 cells. In addition, exogenous overexpression of GSDMD by lentiviral transduction in K562 cells increased the anti-cancer activity of curcumin, and inhibiting the expression of GSDMD by shRNA enhanced U937 cells to resist curcumin. The results showed that inducing pyroptosis is a novel mechanism underlying the anti-leukemia effects of curcumin.

Methylated Chromenoquinoline as a Novel Nucleus Fluorescent Probe for Nucleic Acid Imaging

Two chromenoquinoline-based fluorescent probes 1a-b have been synthesized and investigated. Photofading behaviors of compounds 1a-b showed that at least 89% absorption remained after 6 h irradiating, meanwhile, many of ions and amino acids had negligible impacts on their fluorescence intensity, which meant they had excellent photostability and selectivity. Probes 1a-b exhibited strong absorption and emission in organic solvents with large fluorescence quantum yields, even in water probe 1a still had a relatively large fluorescence quantum yield (20%). Combined with DFT calculation, the influence of alkylation on optical properties of 1b was elucidated. In addition, the fluorescence intensity of probe 1b with red emission enhanced by 5.4-fold and 5.3-fold after DNA and RNA added, and the fluorescence quantum yield increased from 3% to 17% and 14%, respectively, but the neutral molecule 1a had no response to nucleic acid. Furthermore, confocal microscopy imaging of probes 1a-b showed that 1a targeted lipid droplets while the methylated probe 1b to nucleus in living HeLa cells. The results indicated that the subcellular targeting zone could be changed by alkylation of nitrogen atom on chromenoquinoline-based conveniently, which provided a new idea for designing and synthesizing new subcellular labeled probes.

Exploiting Polyphenol-Mediated Redox Reorientation in Cancer Therapy

Polyphenol, one of the major components that exert the therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), comprises several categories, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans and stilbenes, and has long been studied in oncology due to its significant efficacy against cancers in vitro and in vivo. Recent evidence has linked this antitumor activity to the role of polyphenols in the modulation of redox homeostasis (e.g., pro/antioxidative effect) in cancer cells. Dysregulation of redox homeostasis could lead to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in oxidative stress, which is essential for many aspects of tumors, such as tumorigenesis, progression, and drug resistance. Thus, investigating the ROS-mediated anticancer properties of polyphenols is beneficial for the discovery and development of novel pharmacologic agents. In this review, we summarized these extensively studied polyphenols and discussed the regulatory mechanisms related to the modulation of redox homeostasis that are involved in their antitumor property. In addition, we discussed novel technologies and strategies that could promote the development of CHM-derived polyphenols to improve their versatile anticancer properties, including the development of novel delivery systems, chemical modification, and combination with other agents.

Targeted Pyroptosis Is a Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer

As a type of regulated cell death (RCD) mode, pyroptosis plays an important role in several kinds of cancers. Pyroptosis is induced by different stimuli, whose pathways are divided into the canonical pathway and the noncanonical pathway depending on the formation of the inflammasomes. The canonical pathway is triggered by the assembly of inflammasomes, and the activation of caspase-1 and then the cleavage of effector protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) are promoted. While in the noncanonical pathway, the caspase-4/5/11 (caspase 4/5 in humans and caspase 11 in mice) directly cleave GSDMD without the assembly of inflammasomes. Pyroptosis is involved in various cancers, such as lung cancer, gastric cancer, hepatic carcinoma, breast cancer, and colorectal carcinoma. Pyroptosis in gastric cancer, hepatic carcinoma, breast cancer, and colorectal carcinoma is related to the canonical pathway, while both the canonical and noncanonical pathway participate in lung cancer. Moreover, simvastatin, metformin, and curcumin have effect on these cancers and simultaneously promote the pyroptosis of cancer cells. Accordingly, pyroptosis may be an important therapeutic target for cancer.

Role of gasdermin family proteins in the occurrence and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

Primary liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer, accounting for 75%–85% of cases. The occurrence and progression of HCC involve multiple events. Pyroptosis is a gasdermins mediated programmed cell death and is intricately associated with cancerogenesis, including HCC. This review mainly concerns the recent research advances of the gasdermin family members in HCC. The biological roles and specific expression patterns of the family members are discussed, especially those that are involved in the regulatory pathways in the occurrence and progression of HCC. We provide the latest progress into the distinct molecular mechanisms of gasdermin family members involved in the occurrence and development of HCC.

Curcumin against gastrointestinal cancer: A review of the pharmacological mechanisms underlying its antitumor activity

Gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) poses a serious threat to human health globally. Curcumin (CUR), a hydrophobic polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has shown reliable anticancer function and low toxicity, thereby offering broad research prospects. Numerous studies have demonstrated the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of CUR against GIC, including the induction of apoptosis and autophagy, arrest of the cell cycle, inhibition of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes, inhibition of cell invasion and migration, regulation of multiple signaling pathways, sensitization to chemotherapy and reversal of resistance to such treatments, and regulation of the tumor survival environment. It has been confirmed that CUR exerts its antitumor effects on GIC through these mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, treatment with CUR is safe and tolerable. Newly discovered types of regulated cell death (RCD), such as pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, may provide a new direction for research on the efficacy of CUR against GIC. In this review, we discuss the recently found pharmacological mechanisms underlying the effects of CUR against GIC (gastric and colorectal cancers). The objective is to provide a reference for further research on treatments against GIC.

Regulation of dietary polyphenols on cancer cell pyroptosis and the tumor immune microenvironment

Cancer is a major public health problem that threatens human life worldwide. In recent years, immunotherapy has made great progress in both clinical and laboratory research. But the high heterogeneity and dynamics of tumors makes immunotherapy not suitable for all cancers. Dietary polyphenols have attracted researchers' attention due to their ability to induce cancer cell pyroptosis and to regulate the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). This review expounds the regulation of dietary polyphenols and their new forms on cancer cell pyroptosis and the TIME. These dietary polyphenols include curcumin (CUR), resveratrol (RES), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), apigenin, triptolide (TPL), kaempferol, genistein and moscatilin. New forms of dietary polyphenols refer to their synthetic analogs and nano-delivery, liposomes. Studies in the past decade are included. The result shows that dietary polyphenols induce pyroptosis in breast cancer cells, liver cancer cells, oral squamous cells, carcinoma cells, and other cancer cells through different pathways. Moreover, dietary polyphenols exhibit great potential in the TIME regulation by modulating the programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis, enhancing antitumor immune cells, weakening the function and activity of immunosuppressive cells, and targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to reduce their tumor infiltration and promote their polarization toward the M1 type. Dietary polyphenols are also used with radiotherapy and chemotherapy to improve antitumor immunity and shape a beneficial TIME. In conclusion, dietary polyphenols induce cancer cell pyroptosis and regulate the TIME, providing new ideas for safer cancer cures.

Synergistic antitumor effects of compound-composed optimal formula from Aidi injection on hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine formula (TCMF) possesses unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of malignant tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the unclear chemical composition and mechanism lead to its unstable efficacy and adverse reactions occurring frequently, especially injection. We previously proposed the research idea and strategy for compound-composed Chinese medicine formula (CCMF).

PURPOSE

A demonstration study was performed through screening of the compound-composed optimal formula (COF) from Aidi injection, confirmation of the synergistic effect, and exploration of the related mechanism in the treatment of HCC and CRC.

METHOD

The feedback system control (FSC) technique was applied to screening of COF. CCK-8 and calcein-AM/PI assays were performed to evaluate cell proliferation. Cell apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry and DAPI staining. JC-1 probe and mitochondrial staining were employed to detect mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the release of cytochrome c into cytoplasm, respective. Quantitative proteomics, drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assay, bioinformatics, and molecular docking were carried out to explore the targets of the compounds and the synergistic mechanism involved.

RESULTS

COF was obtained from Aidi injection, which comprises cantharidin (CAN): calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (CAG): ginsenoside Rc: ginsenoside Rd = 1:12:12:8 (molar ratio). The monarch drug CAN in combination with minister medicines consisting of CAG, Rc and Rd (abbr. TD) displayed evidently synergistic effect, which inhibited cell viability, increased dead cell number, induced apoptosis, reduced MMP, promoted cytochrome c leakage of HCC and CRC cells, and suppressed the increases of tumor volume and weight in HCC and CRC bearing nude mice. TD probably antagonized CAN enhanced activity of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) to depress the degradation of cytotoxic proteins through binding to ubiquitin proteasome, thus exerting the synergistic effect with CAN activated protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) to activate the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. In addition, the CAN enhanced protein expression of UPS was also observed for the first time.

CONCLUSION

CAN and TD exert synergism through activation of PP2A and inhibition of UPS. It makes sense to elucidate the scientific nature of the compatibility theory of TCMF based on CCMF, which will be an important research direction of the modernization of traditional Chinese medicines.

Emerging mechanisms of pyroptosis and its therapeutic strategy in cancer

Pyroptosis, a type of inflammatory programmed cell death, is triggered by caspase cleavage of gasdermin family proteins. Based on accumulating evidence, pyroptosis is closely associated with tumour development, but the molecular mechanism underlying pyroptosis activation and the signalling pathways regulated by pyroptosis remain unclear. In this review, we first briefly introduce the definition, morphological characteristics, and activation pathways of pyroptosis and the effect of pyroptosis on anticancer immunity. Then we review recent progress concerning the complex role of pyroptosis in various tumours. Importantly, we summarise various FDA-approved chemotherapy drugs or natural compounds that exerted antitumor properties by inducing pyroptosis of cancer cells. Moreover, we also focus on the current application of nanotechnology-induced pyroptosis in tumour therapy. In addition, some unsolved problems and potential future research directions are also raised.

Germacrone induces caspase-3/GSDME activation and enhances ROS production, causing HepG2 pyroptosis

Liver cancer is a highly lethal malignancy. Despite considerable efforts made in recent years, the prognosis of patients with liver cancer remains poor. Curcuma zedoaria (known as Ezhu in Chinese) is widely prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine. Germacrone (GM) is a sesquiterpene constituent derived from the essential oil of Ezhu, and exerts anti-carcinogenic effects by inducing apoptosis in various cancer cells. The present study investigated the potential mechanism of GM in HepG2 cells. Cell Counting Kit-8, colony-formation and lactate dehydrogenase-release assays, as well as cell death assays using flow cytometry, were performed to evaluate HepG2 cell proliferation following GM treatment. HepG2 cells were transfected with caspase-3 small interfering RNA and then treated with GM. Caspase-3 expression levels were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. The present study showed that GM inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells and induced the proteolytic cleavage of caspase 3, with concomitant cleavage of gasdermin E (GSDME), by markedly increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This led to caspase 3-dependent cleavage of GSDME, thereby promoting pyroptosis in HepG2 cells. However, these changes were rescued by ROS scavengers, such as N-acetylcysteine. Furthermore, GM inhibited tumor growth by promoting the cleavage of caspase 3 and GSDME in HepG2 cell xenograft models. These results indicated that GM induced GSDME-dependent pyroptosis through caspase 3 activation, at least in part, by damaging the mitochondria and enhancing ROS production, thereby supporting the possible development of GM as a candidate for the prevention and treatment of liver cancer.

Curcumin, thymoquinone, and 3, 3′-diindolylmethane combinations attenuate lung and liver cancers progression

Cancer can develop due to abnormal cell proliferation in any body’s cells, so there are over a hundred different types of cancer, each with its distinct behavior and response to treatment. Therefore, many studies have been conducted to slow cancer progression and find effective and safe therapies. Nutraceuticals have great attention for their anticancer potential. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the anticancer effects of curcumin (Cur), thymoquinone (TQ), and 3, 3′-diindolylmethane (DIM) combinations on lung (A549) and liver (HepG2) cancer cell lines’ progression. Results showed that triple (Cur + TQ + DIM) and double (Cur + TQ, Cur + DIM, and TQ + DIM) combinations of Cur, TQ, and DIM significantly increased apoptosis with elevation of caspase-3 protein levels. Also, these combinations exhibited significantly decreased cell proliferation, migration, colony formation activities, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (AKT) protein levels with S phase reduction. Triple and double combinations of Cur, TQ, and DIM hindered tumor weight and angiogenesis of A549 and HepG2 implants in the chorioallantoic membrane model. Interestingly, Cur, TQ, and DIM combinations are considered promising for suppressing cancer progression via inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. Further preclinical and clinical investigations are warranted.

Curcumin improves the function of umbilical vein endothelial cells by inhibiting H2O2‑induced pyroptosis

Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is one of the initiating factors of atherosclerosis. EC dysfunction is primarily caused by oxidative damage and inflammation. As a classic non-specific antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drug, curcumin has been widely used in studies of lipid metabolism disorders. However, whether curcumin is able to alleviate H₂O₂-induced EC damage and its related mechanisms has remained to be elucidated. The present study confirmed the protective effects of curcumin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). A HUVEC injury model was established using H₂O₂ and the optimal concentrations and time of curcumin to achieve therapeutic effects were explored. Curcumin was observed to inhibit H₂O₂-induced pyroptosis by inhibiting the activation of NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3. In addition, curcumin improved HUVEC function by restoring αvβ3 and reducing endothelin-1 expression. In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed the mechanism through which curcumin inhibits pyroptosis and indicated that curcumin may have a potential utility in treating diseases of EC dysfunction.

Identification and Validation of Pyroptosis-Related Gene Signature to Predict Prognosis and Reveal Immune Infiltration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by a poor prognosis and accounts for the fourth common cause of cancer-related deaths. Recently, pyroptosis has been revealed to be involved in the progression of multiple cancers. However, the role of pyroptosis in the HCC prognosis remains elusive.

Methods: The clinical information and RNA-seq data of the HCC patients were collected from the TCGA-LIHC datasets, and the differential pyroptosis-related genes (PRG) were firstly explored. The univariate Cox regression and consensus clustering were applied to recognize the HCC subtypes. The prognostic PRGs were then submitted to the LASSO regression analysis to build a prognostic model in the TCGA training cohort. We further evaluated the predictive model in the TCGA test cohort and ICGC validation cohort (LIRI-JP). The accuracy of prediction was validated using the Kaplan—Meier (K-M) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. The single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to determine the differential immune cell infiltrations and related pathways. Finally, the expression of the prognostic genes was validated by qRT-PCR in vivo and in vitro.

Results: We identified a total of 26 differential PRGs, among which three PRGs comprising GSDME, GPX4, and SCAF11 were subsequently chosen for constructing a prognostic model. This model significantly distinguished the HCC patients with different survival years in the TCGA training, test, and ICGC validation cohorts. The risk score of this model was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor. A nomogram was generated indicating the survival years for each HCC patient. The ssGSEA demonstrated several tumor-infiltrating immune cells to be remarkably associated with the risk scores. The qRT-PCR results also showed the apparent dysregulation of PRGs in HCC. Finally, the drug sensitivity was analyzed, indicating that Lenvatinib might impact the progression of HCC via targeting GSDME, which was also validated in human Huh7 cells.

Conclusion: The PRG signature comprised of GSDME, GPX4, and SCAF11 can serve as an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients, which would provide further evidence for more clinical and functional studies.

Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic relevance of gasdermin E in human diseases

Gasdermin E (GSDME) is one of the main members of the GSDM family and is originally involved in hereditary hearing loss. Recent studies have reported that GSDME expression is epigenetically silenced by methylation in several common tumours, thereby enhancing tumour proliferation and metastasis. GSDME is also downregulated in cancer tissues compared with normal tissues, which suggests that GSDME can be considered a tumour suppressor. Furthermore, GSDME is the effector protein of caspase-3 and granzyme B in pyroptosis, and it plays a significant role in innate immunity, tissue damage, cancer, and hearing loss, thus revealing potential novel therapeutic avenues. A great deal of evidence reveals that GSDME can be implemented as a biomarker in cancer diagnosis and monitoring, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and chemoresistance. Based on the current knowledge of GSDME, this review is focussed on its mechanism of action and the most recent advances in its role in cancer and normal physiology.

N-acetyl-L-tryptophan attenuates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury via regulating TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of TLR4/NLRP3 signal during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) and to verify whether N-acetyl-L-tryptophan (L-NAT) protected hepatocytes by regulating the activation of TLR4/NLRP3 signal. We have established the rat HIRI model and H₂O₂-induced cell damage model to simulate ischemia-reperfusion injury and detect the corresponding indicators. Compared with the sham group, Suzuki score and the level of serum ALT increased after HIRI, accompanied by an increased expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, TLR4, and NF-κB. While L-NAT pretreatment reversed the above-mentioned changes. Compared with the control group, cells in the H₂O₂ treated group became smaller in cell volume and round in shape with unclear boundaries. Similar to the phenotypes in vivo, H₂O₂ treatment also induced significant increase in expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and IL-1β) and inflammatory factors (TLR4 and NF-κB). While L-NAT pretreatment attenuated injuries caused by H₂O₂. In conclusion, the present findings demonstrate that L-NAT alleviates HIRI by regulating activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, which may be related to the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Curcumin reverses hepatic epithelial mesenchymal transition induced by trichloroethylene by inhibiting IL-6R/STAT3

OBJECTIVE

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inflammation have been identified as carcinogenic agents. This study aims to investigate whether inhibition of trichloroethylene (TCE) associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by curcumin is associated with inflammation and EMT.

METHODS

In the current study, TCE sub-chronic cell model was induced in vitro, and the effects of TCE on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and expression of functional proteins were verified by Western blot, MTT, clone formation, wound healing, Transwell. The detoxification effect of curcumin on TCE was explored by a mouse tumor-bearing experiment.

RESULTS

TCE induces hepatocyte migration, colony formation, and EMT in vitro. In vivo studies have shown that curcumin significantly reduces the mortality of mice and control the occurrence and size of liver tumors by inhibiting the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. In vitro, curcumin inhibits the proliferation of HepG2 cells as determined by MTT assay. In addition, curcumin significantly inhibited the protein expression of IL-6R, STAT3, snail, survivin, and cyclin D1 in THLE-2 and HepG2 cells induced by IL-6.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects, and inhibits the development of HCC induced by TCE by reversing IL-6/STAT3 mediated EMT.

Dextran-Curcumin Nanosystems Inhibit Cell Growth and Migration Regulating the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer Cells

Functional nanocarriers which are able to simultaneously vectorize drugs to the site of interest and exert their own cytotoxic activity represent a significant breakthrough in the search for effective anticancer strategies with fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapeutics. Here, we propose previously developed, self-assembling dextran-curcumin nanoparticles for the treatment of prostate cancer in combination therapy with Doxorubicin (DOXO). Biological effectiveness was investigated by evaluating the cell viability in either cancer and normal cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptotic effect, interference with the cell cycle, and the ability to inhibit cell migration and reverse the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). The results proved a significant enhancement of curcumin efficiency upon immobilization in nanoparticles: IC50 reduced by a half, induction of apoptotic effect, and improved ROS production (from 67 to 134%) at low concentrations. Nanoparticles guaranteed a pH-dependent DOXO release, with a more efficient release in acidic environments. Finally, a synergistic effect between nanoparticles and Doxorubicin was demonstrated, with the free curcumin showing additive activity. Although in vivo studies are required to support the findings of this study, these preliminary in vitro data can be considered a proof of principle for the design of an effective therapy for prostate cancer treatment.

Aidi injection induces apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the mitochondrial pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The incidence and mortality rates of hepatocellular carcinoma are very high all over the world, which seriously threatens human life and health. Aidi injection as a Chinese medicine preparation has a positive curative effect on hepatocellular carcinoma, but its mechanism remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects of Aidi injection and explore its mechanism of action vitro and vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The main components of Aidi injection were determined by LC-MS/MS. The effects of Aidi injection on the viability of HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5 cells were detected via CCK-8 analysis and Calcein AM/PI staining. DAPI staining and flow cytometry were applied to analyze the apoptosis-induced effects of Aidi injection on hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCCs). The growth inhibition of Aidi injection on hepatocellular carcinoma was observed in nude mice bearing PLC/PRF/5 cells. The related signal transduction and apoptosis pathways were investigated through assays for JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), RNA-seq, KEGG, PPI and WB.

RESULTS

There were 12 main chemical components contained in Aidi injection, viz. cantharidin, syringin, calycosin-7-o-β-Dglucoside, isozinpidine, ginsenosides Rd, Rc, Rb1, Re, and Rg1, astragalosides II and IV, and eleutheroside E. Aidi injection significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 and PLC/PLF/5 cells with IC50 of 20.66 mg/ml and 27.5 mg/ml at 48h, respectively, increased the proportion of dead cells, induced cell apoptosis, suppressed the tumor growth of nude mice bearing PLC/PLF/5 cells, reduced MMP, activated PI3K/Akt and MAPK signal transduction pathways, down-regulated the expression of p-PI3K and Bcl-xL, and up-regulated the expression of p-JNK, p-p38 and Bim.

CONCLUSION

Aidi injection inhibits the growth of liver cancer probably through regulating PI3K/Akt and MAPK signal transduction pathways, inducing MMP collapse to activate the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, and then eliciting apoptosis of HCCs.