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Huo R, Yang WJ, Liu Y, Liu T, Li T, Wang CY, Pan BS, Wang BL, Guo W. Stigmasterol: Remodeling gut microbiota and suppressing tumor growth through Treg and CD8+ T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. Phytomedicine 2023; 129:155225. [PMID: 38678948 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most primary malignant liver tumor and is ranked as the fifth most common malignancy worldwide. Despite various therapeutic approaches being used in clinical practice, the overall effectiveness remains insufficient. Stigmasterol, a compound known for its anti-tumor properties and ability to induce apoptosis in tumor cells, has been found to influenced the composition of the intestinal microbiota. However, the mechanism through which stigmasterol influences the intestinal microbial-host crosstalk in HCC remains elusive. PURPOSE This study was to investigate whether stigmasterol can remodel gut microbiota, and suppress tumor volume by regulating Treg and IFN-γ+ CD8+ cell in the host with HCC. METHOD Stigmasterol (at dosages of 0, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) was orally administered to Balb/c mice with subcutaneous tumor once every 2 days for 3 weeks. RESULTS We first found that tumors volume in the group treated with 100 mg/kg stigmasterol were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05), which exhibited a similar effect as the sorafenib treatment in mice with HCC. This resulted in a significant upregulation of Caspase3, Bax, and P53 expressions, as well as a decrease in Cyclin D1 expression, ultimately leading to a reduction in tumor volume. Additionally, stigmasterol can alter the α and β diversity of the intestinal flora and significantly increase the abundance of Lactobacillus_johnsonii, Lactobacillus_murinus, and Lactobacillus_reuteri (P<0.05), which can lead to a decrease in the ratio of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to CD8+ T cells in the intestinal tract and tumor tissue, and consequently enhance immune response in the tumor microenvironment (TME) in the host with HCC. CONCLUSION In this study, we initially utilized different dosages of stigmasterol to intervene in mice with HCC and confirmed its inhibitory effects on tumor growth in vivo, and discovered that stigmasterol affected Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus murinus, and Lactobacillus reuteri, resulting in an increased proportion of IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells and Treg cells in both the intestinal mucosa and tumor tissues, and ultimately leading to increased levels of apoptotic proteins and the subsequent death of tumor cells, which shed light on the effect of stigmasterol on host intestinal tissue and intratumoral immune cells by reshaping the intestinal microbiota, and provide a theoretical foundation for the potential clinical application of stigmasterol in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Huo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wen-Jing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Te Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chu-Yu Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bai-Shen Pan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wusong Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bei-Li Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wusong Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Cancer Center, Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiamen Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Xiamen, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wusong Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Cancer Center, Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Han NR, Park HJ, Ko SG, Moon PD. Maltol has anti-cancer effects via modulating PD-L1 signaling pathway in B16F10 cells. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1255586. [PMID: 37731735 PMCID: PMC10508342 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1255586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Among skin cancers, melanoma has a high mortality rate. Recent advances in immunotherapy, particularly through immune checkpoint modulation, have improved the clinical treatment of melanoma. Maltol has various bioactivities, including anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but the anti-melanoma property of maltol remains underexplored. The aim of this work is to explore the anti-melanoma potential of maltol through regulating immune checkpoints. Methods: The immune checkpoint PD-L1 was analyzed using qPCR, immunoblots, and immunofluorescence. Melanoma sensitivity towards T cells was investigated via cytotoxicity, cell viability, and IL-2 assays employing CTLL-2 cells. Results: Maltol was found to reduce melanin contents, tyrosinase activity, and expression levels of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1. Additionally, maltol suppressed the proliferative capacity of B16F10 and induced cell cycle arrest. Maltol increased apoptotic rates by elevating cleaved caspase-3 and PARP. The co-treatment with maltol and cisplatin revealed a synergistic effect on inhibiting growth and promoting apoptosis. Maltol suppressed IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 and cisplatin-upregulated PD-L1 by attenuating STAT1 phosphorylation, thereby enhancing cisplatin's cytotoxicity against B16F10. Maltol augmented sensitivity to CTLL-2 cell-regulated melanoma destruction, leading to an increase in IL-2 production. Discussion: These findings demonstrate that maltol restricts melanoma growth through the downregulation of PD-L1 and elicits T cell-mediated anti-cancer responses, overcoming PD-L1-mediated immunotherapy resistance of cisplatin. Therefore, maltol can be considered as an effective therapeutic agent against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na-Ra Han
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Korean Medicine-Based Drug Repositioning Cancer Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hi-Joon Park
- Department of Anatomy and Information Sciences, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Gyu Ko
- Korean Medicine-Based Drug Repositioning Cancer Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Phil-Dong Moon
- Center for Converging Humanities, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Mbiri JW, Ogila K, Kisangau P, Gicheru M. Terminalia brownii Fresen: Stem Bark Dichloromethane Extract Alleviates Pyrogallol-Induced Suppression of Innate Immune Responses in Swiss Albino Mice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2023; 2023:9293335. [PMID: 36865749 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9293335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Terminalia brownii is widely used in folklore medicine and has diverse biological activities. However, its effect on the immune system is yet to be studied. Therefore, our study evaluated the immunomodulatory effect of T. brownii on nonspecific immunity. Innate immunity is the initial defence phase against pathogens or injuries. Dichloromethane plant extracts were tested on female Swiss albino mice and Wister rats. The effect of the extract on innate immunity was assessed via total and differential leukocyte counts, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nitric oxide production by mouse macrophages. The 3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was employed for viability testing. Phytochemical profiling was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, while toxicity studies were carried out following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines. Our results demonstrated that administration of T. brownii stem bark dichloromethane extract to pyrogallol-immuno compromised mice significantly (p < 0.05) increased total and differential leukocyte counts compared with the control. The extract showed no adverse effect on the viability of Vero cells and macrophages and significantly (p < 0.05) augmented tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide production. Hexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, octadecanoic acid, squalene, campesterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol, all of which stimulate, were identified in the extract. The extract did not cause any death or toxic signs in rats. In conclusion, T. brownii dichloromethane extract has an immunoenhancing effect on innate immune responses and is not toxic. The observed immunoenhancing impact of the extract was attributed to the presence of the identified compounds. The results of this study provide crucial ethnopharmacological leads towards the development of novel immunomodulators for managing immune-related disorders.
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Jia X, Li Z, Guo Y, Ma H, Wang J, Xue Y, Li B, Cai Y, Yang Q. The potential mechanism of huazhuojiedu decoction in the treatment of ulcerative colitis based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1033874. [PMID: 36313293 PMCID: PMC9614068 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1033874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Huazhuojiedu decoction (HZJDD), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has been clinically proven to be an effective treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the mechanism of HZJDD in the treatment of UC remains unclear. This study combined network pharmacology with experimental validation to explore the potential mechanism of HZJDD on UC. First, the relationship network diagrams between HZJDD and UC were established based on multiple databases. Then, the HZJDD-UC intersection genes target network was constructed and Gene Ontology-Biological processes (GO-BP) analysis was performed to discover the potential pharmacological mechanism. Finally, the results of GO-BP were verified in dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) induced UC rats. The network pharmacology results showed that 119 active components and 146 potential targets were screened for HZJDD, and six of the top 15 biological processes belonged to inflammatory response, cellular response to hypoxia, and cellular response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The GO-BP results indicated that the mechanism of HZJDD treatment of UC was related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and the regulation of LPS. Animal experiments showed that HZJDD could significantly reduce the disease activity index (DAI) score, improve colon length, and effectively repair the histomorphological and micromorphological changes in DSS-induced UC rats. Moreover, HZJDD reduced the expressions of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, LPS, IL-1β, and IL-18; downregulated the activity of MDA; and upregulated the activities of CAT, GSH, and SOD in DSS-induced UC rats. Furthermore, HZJDD suppressed the expression of the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway at the gene and protein levels to inhibit pyroptosis. Network pharmacology and animal experiments showed that HZJDD exerted a therapeutic effect on DSS-induced UC rats by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and restraining the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway to inhibit pyroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Jia
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ze Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuxi Guo
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hongyu Ma
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jie Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yucong Xue
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bolin Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yanru Cai
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Yanru Cai, ; Qian Yang,
| | - Qian Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Yanru Cai, ; Qian Yang,
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Jeong UY, Jung J, Lee EB, Choi JH, Kim JS, Jang HH, Park SY, Lee SH. Antioxidant and Immune Stimulating Effects of Allium hookeri Extracts in the RAW 264.7 Cells and Immune-Depressed C57BL/6 Mice. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11101927. [PMID: 36290655 PMCID: PMC9598749 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11101927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the antioxidant and immune-enhancing effects of the extracts from Allium hookeri leaves and roots (AHL and AHR) in in vitro and in vivo models. Their antioxidant effects were determined by total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. The immunomodulatory effects were evaluated by nitric oxide (NO) production and cytokine concentrations produced from RAW 264.7, and by serum IgA and IgG levels, cytokine levels, and NK cell activities in the immunosuppressed C57BL/6 mice. AHL and AHR extracts improved antioxidant activities and productions of NO and cytokines without cytotoxicity in the RAW 264.7 cells. AHL and AHR groups showed significantly higher serum IgA and IgG levels, Th1 cytokine concentrations, splenocyte proliferations, and NK cell activities than the NC group which was not treated with AHL or AHR extract. AHR extract showed higher values than AHL extract in the factors evaluated in this study. The results show that they have high antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects and can be used as novel potential therapeutic candidates to treat related diseases and to improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Un-Yul Jeong
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
| | - Jieun Jung
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
| | - Eun-Byeol Lee
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Choi
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Korea
| | - Ji-Su Kim
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
| | - Hwan-Hee Jang
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
| | - Shin-Young Park
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
| | - Sung-Hyen Lee
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-63-238-3681
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