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Zhang X, Yang R, Wang H, Cao C, Zhao W, Duan L, Chen F. Inhibition of p62-Keap1-Nrf2 Pathway Activation by Realgar Promotes the Inhibition of Esophageal Cancer Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Ferroptosis. Curr Drug Deliv 2024; 21:236-248. [PMID: 36573061 DOI: 10.2174/1567201820666221226105655] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Realgar, a Chinese herbal decoction, has been used to treat various types of tumors with positive outcomes; however, there is a lack of convincing evidence on its use for the treatment of esophageal cancer (EC). In this study, the role of the p62-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway in the regulation of EC cell proliferation, migration, and ferroptosis in response to realgar was assessed. METHODS Different concentrations of realgar (0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 μmol/L) were applied to the EC cell lines Eca109 and KYSE150. The inhibition rate and half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) were determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) method. Subsequently, the cells were treated with realgar (1/2IC50, IC50, 2IC50). Cell migration was measured using the scratch assay, and cell invasion was measured using the transwell assay. The mRNA expression of p62, Keap1, and Nrf2 was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the protein expression of p62, Keap1, Nrf2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, E-cadherin, Slug, N-cadherin, and vimentin was measured by Western blot. The control, 2IC50, shRNA-NC, shRNA-p62, 2IC50 + shRNA-NC, 2IC50 + shRNA-p62, shRNA-Keap1, 2IC50 + shRNA-Keap1, and 2IC50 + shRNA-p62 + shRNA-Keap1 groups were defined. The CCK-8 method was used to measure the cell inhibition rate, and the clone formation assay was used to measure the clone formation ability. Moreover, the scratch assay was used to detect the cell migration ability, and the transwell assay was used to detect the cell invasion ability. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial morphology, Prussian blue staining was used to observe the intracellular iron particle distribution, and flow cytometry was used to detect changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species. In addition, qRT-PCR was performed to detect p62, Keap1, Nrf2, and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) mRNA expression, and Western blot was performed to detect p62, Keap1, Nrf2, E-cadherin, Slug, N-cadherin, and GPX4 protein expression. RESULTS Realgar inhibited Eca109 and KYSE150 cell proliferation in a time- and concentrationdependent manner. It also significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of Eca109 and KYSE150 cells and affected the mRNA and protein expression of p62, Keap1, and Nrf2. In response to realgar, low p62 expression inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Eca109 and KYSE150 cells, as well as ferroptosis induction. CONCLUSION The findings demonstrate that inhibiting the p62-Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway promotes the inhibitory effects of realgar on EC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Zhang
- Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Ruyi Yang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Hongbin Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Changxia Cao
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Wenling Zhao
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Lingyan Duan
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Fazhang Chen
- Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, China
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Luo L, Li C, Huang N, Wang Q, Zhang Z, Song C, Yang H, Yuan M, Xu Z, Sun J, Zhang Z. Traditional mineral medicine realgar and Realgar-Indigo naturalis formula potentially exerted therapeutic effects by altering the gut microbiota. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1143173. [PMID: 37143539 PMCID: PMC10151705 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1143173] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Realgar has a long history ofuse in traditional medicines. However, the mechanism through which Realgar or Realgar-Indigo naturalis formula (RIF) exert therapeutic effects is only partially understood. Methods In this study, 60 feces and 60 ileum samples from rats administered with realgar or RIF were collected to examine the gut microbiota. Results The results showed that realgar and RIF influenced different microbiota in both feces and ileum. Compared with realgar, RIF at low dosage (0.1701 g/3 ml) significantly increased the microbiota diversity. LEfSe and random forest analyses showed that the bacterium Bacteroidales was significantly altered after RIF administration, and it was predicted that these microorganisms contribute to the inorganic arsenic metabolic process. Discussion Our results suggest that realgar and RIF may exert their therapeutic effects through influencing microbiota. The low dose of RIF had greater effects on increasing the diversity of microbiota, and Bacteroidales in feces might participate in the inorganic arsenic metabolic process to exert therapeutic effects for realgar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Luo
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Chaofeng Li
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Nanxi Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Qiaochu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zihao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Chen Song
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Maowen Yuan
- School of Earth Science and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ziwen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Jialei Sun
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhijie Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Zhijie Zhang,
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Li Z, Zhang R, Yin X, Li N, Cui S, Wang T, Tan X, Shen M, Guo Y, Wang J, Guo D, Xu R. Realgar (As 4S 4), a traditional Chinese medicine, induces acute promyelocytic leukemia cell death via the Bcl-2/Bax/Cyt-C/AIF signaling pathway in vitro. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14. [PMID: 36098742 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a specific subtype of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) characterized by the proliferation of abnormal promyelocytes. Realgar, a Chinese medicine containing arsenic, can be taken orally. Traditional Chinese medicine physicians have employed realgar to treat APL for over a thousand years. Therefore, realgar may be a promising candidate for the treatment of APL. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism behind realgar therapy is largely unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of realgar on cell death in the APL cell line (NB4) in vitro and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. In this study, after APL cells were treated with different concentrations of realgar, the cell survival rate, apoptotic assay, morphological changes, ATP levels and cell cycle arrest were assessed. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Cytochrome C (Cyt-C) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) at the mRNA and protein levels were also measured by immunofluorescence, quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. We found that realgar could significantly inhibit APL cell proliferation and cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Realgar effectively decreased the ATP levels in APL cells. Realgar also induced APL cell cycle arrest at the S and G2/M phases. Following realgar treatment, the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2 were significantly downregulated, whereas the levels of Bax, Cyt-C, and AIF were significantly upregulated. In summary, realgar can induce APL cell death via the Bcl-2/Bax/Cyt-C/AIF signaling pathway, suggesting that realgar may be an effective therapeutic for APL.
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Yang J, Li J, Guo H, Zhang Y, Guo Z, Liu Y, Huo T. An Experimental Study Reveals the Protective Effect of Autophagy against Realgar-Induced Liver Injury via Suppressing ROS-Mediated NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5697. [PMID: 35628508 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Realgar, a poisonous traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to cause liver injury when used for long periods or overdoses. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study is to explore the role of autophagy in sub-chronic realgar exposure-induced liver injury. Here, the liver injury model was established by continuously administrating mice with 1.35 g/kg realgar for 8 weeks. 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and rapamycin (RAPA) were used to regulate autophagy. The results showed that realgar induced abnormal changes in liver function, pathological morphology, expression of inflammatory cytokines, and upregulated NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in mouse livers. RAPA treatment (an inducer of autophagy) significantly improved realgar-induced liver injury and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, while 3-MA (an inhibitor of autophagy) aggravated the realgar-induced liver injury and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Furthermore, we found that realgar-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse livers is mediated by ROS. RAPA eliminates excessive ROS, inhibits NF-κB nuclear translocation and down-regulates the TXNIP/NLRP3 axis, consequently suppressing ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which may be the underlying mechanism of the protective effect of autophagy on realgar-induced liver injury. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that autophagy alleviates realgar-induced liver injury by inhibiting ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Autophagy may represent a therapeutic target in modulating realgar-induced liver injury.
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Wu X, Yan R, Guan R, Du Y, Liu Y, Wu S, Zhu S, Song M, Hang T. Arsenic-Related Health Risk Assessment of Realgar-Containing NiuHuangJieDu Tablets in Healthy Volunteers Po Administration. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:761801. [PMID: 35069195 PMCID: PMC8776706 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.761801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Realgar, an arsenic-containing traditional Chinese medicine of As2S2, has significant therapeutic effects for hundreds of years. NiuHuangJieDu tablets (NHJDT) is one of the most commonly prescribed realgar-containing preparations for the treatment of sore throat, swelling, and aching of gums. However, realgar-containing TCMs raise great safety concerns due to the adverse effects reported by arsenic poisoning. In this study, the arsenic-related health risk assessment of NHJDT was conducted in healthy volunteers after single and multiple doses oral administration. Blood, plasma, and urine samples were collected after dosing at predetermined time points or periods. Simple, rapid, and sensitive methods were established for the quantification of total arsenic and arsenic speciation in biological samples. The total arsenic and arsenic speciation were determined by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) and high-performance liquid chromatography–hydride generation–atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-HG-AFS), respectively. No significant fluctuation of total arsenic was observed in human blood, and no traces of arsenic speciation were found in human plasma. Dimethylarsenic acid was detected as the predominated arsenic species in human urine after dosing. Therapeutic dose administration of NHJDT was relatively safe in single dose for the limited blood arsenic exposure, but long-term medication may still pose health risks due to the accumulation of arsenics in blood and its extremely slow excretion rate. Therefore, arsenic exposure should be carefully monitored during realgar-containing TCM medication, especially for long-term regimen. The results obtained in this study will provide scientific references for the clinical application of realgar and its-containing TCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wu
- School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruoning Yan
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rong Guan
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Du
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuexin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shanhu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Song Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Song
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Taijun Hang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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Zhang S, Li C, Feng T, Cao S, Zhou H, Li L, Hu Q, Mao X, Ji S. A Metabolic Profiling Study of Realgar-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:706249. [PMID: 34497512 PMCID: PMC8419260 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.706249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Realgar has been used as a type of mineral drug that contains arsenic for thousands of years. Previous studies have shown that Realgar-induced acute kidney injury is associated with abnormal metabolism, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the metabolic changes in serum and kidney tissues of mice exposed to Realgar by using a metabolomic approach and explore the molecular mechanisms of acute kidney injury induced by Realgar. Forty mice were randomly divided into four groups: Control group, 0.5-, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg Realgar group. After 1 week, the body weight and kidney weight of the mice were measured. The serum and kidney samples were used for LC-MS spectroscopic metabolic profiling. Principal component analysis (PCA), correlation analysis, and pathway analysis were used to detect the nephrotoxic effects of Realgar. Body weight decreased significantly in the 2.0 g/kg group, and the kidney weight index also showed a dose-dependent increase in Realgar. The PCA score plot showed the serum and kidney tissue metabolic profile of mice exposed to 2.0 g/kg Realgar separated from the control group, while the lower-doses of 0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg Realgar shown a similar view to the Control group. Thirty-three metabolites and seventeen metabolites were screened and identified in the serum and kidney of mice in a dose-dependent manner. respectively. Correlation analysis showed a strong correlation among these metabolites. Amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and purine metabolism pathways were found to be mainly associated with Realgar nephrotoxicity. This work illustrated the metabolic alterations in Realgar-induced nephrotoxic mice through a metabolomic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Zhang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Li
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingting Feng
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai Cao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Heng Zhou
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Limin Li
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Hu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuhong Mao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Shen Ji
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
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7
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Zhou QB, Du Y, Zhang SS, Liu ZT, Ma R, Xu YG. Clinical Response to Traditional Chinese Herbs Containing Realgar (As 2S 2) is Related to DNA Methylation Patterns in Bone Marrow DNA from Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Multilineage Dysplasia. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:55-63. [PMID: 33442294 PMCID: PMC7800455 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s280886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose DNA methylation is known to play an important role in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We previously showed that Chinese herbs (CHs) containing realgar (As2S2) were effective at treating MDS with multilineage dysplasia (MDS–MLD). We tested whether the response to CH treatment was related to changes in DNA methylation in MDS–MLD. Patients and Methods First, the Illumina methylation 850K array BeadChip assay was used to assess the pretreatment methylation status in bone marrow cells from eight MDS–MLD patients and 3 healthy donors. The eight MDS–MLD patients were then treated with CHs for six months, the arsenic concentration was measured following treatment. The patients were subsequently divided into “effective” and “ineffective” treatment response groups and the DNA methylation patterns of the two groups were compared. Finally, the BeadChip data were validated by pyrosequencing. Results Five of the eight MDS–MLD patients showed hematological improvement (effective-treatment group), while three showed disease progression (ineffective-treatment group) (positive response rate: 62.5%). The arsenic concentrations in the patients ranged from 26.60 to 64.16 μg/L (median 48.4 μg/L) and were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.27). Compared with the healthy controls, three genes were hypomethylated and 110 were hypermethylated in the ineffective-treatment group. However, in the group showing hematological improvement, 102 genes were markedly hypomethylated and 87 hypermethylated. The effective-treatment group had a higher proportion of hypomethylated sites than the ineffective-treatment group (53.9% vs 2.6%, respectively; chi-square test) (p < 0.0001). Two hypermethylated and two hypomethylated genes were selected for validation by pyrosequencing (all p < 0.05). Conclusion MDS–MLD patients may present different DNA methylation subtypes. CHs containing realgar may be effective for treating MDS–MLD patients with the hypomethylation subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Bing Zhou
- Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Du
- Department of Hematology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan-Shan Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng-Tang Liu
- Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Rou Ma
- Department of Hematology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Gang Xu
- Department of Hematology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China
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Zhang M, Zhang JY, Sun MQ, Lu P, Liu JX. Realgar (α-As 4S 4) Treats Myelodysplasic Syndromes through Reducing DNA Hypermethylation. Chin J Integr Med 2020; 28:281-288. [PMID: 32418175 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-020-3263-8] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
DNA hypermethylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a critical role in the oncogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Aberrant DNA methylation represses the transcription of promotors of tumor suppressor genes, inducing gene silencing. Realgar (α-As4S4) is a traditional medicine used for the treatment of various diseases in the ancient time. Realgar was reported to have efficacy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). It has been demonstrated that realgar could efficiently reduce DNA hypermethylation of MDS. This review discusses the mechanisms of realgar on inhibiting DNA hypermethylation of MDS, as well as the species and metabolisms of arsenic in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Zhang
- Research Center, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Beijing Key Lab of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Jia-Yi Zhang
- Education Sector, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Ming-Qian Sun
- Research Center, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Beijing Key Lab of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Peng Lu
- Medical Administration Division, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Jian-Xun Liu
- Research Center, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Beijing Key Lab of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, Beijing, 100091, China.
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Song LL, Han DY, Lin RC, Huang JM, Guan J. [Research progress in mineral Chinese medicine realgar]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 2019; 44:433-440. [PMID: 30989904 DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20181121.001] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Realgar is a mineral traditional medicine with definite efficacy. The function of realgar is detoxicating, insecticiding, eliminating dampness and phlegm, etc. It is widely applied in clinical practice by compatibility medicines. However, the safety and scientificalness of clinical application are questioned because of the toxic effect caused by arsenic compounds. At present, there are still many problems in the research of realgar, which are mainly manifested in three areas: the expression of main components and effective substances are inconsistent; the anti-tumor mechanism is difficult to explain at the molecular level; the mechanism of compatibility is not clear. As a result, realgar and realgar-containing Chinese patent medicines are frequently prohibited from entering the international market, and the reputation of traditional Chinese medicine is also damaged. This paper would analyze the research status of realgar at home and abroad as well as its problems from its main components, effective substances, anti-tumor mechanism and compatibility mechanism. In view of these difficulties, quantum chemical calculation method is proposed to solve them, so as to make up for the shortcomings and limitations of experimental technology and experimental conditions, reduce the cost of realgar research and improve research efficiency. Moreover, it provides inspiration for research of other mineral medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Ling Song
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Beijing 102488, China
| | - Dong-Yue Han
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Beijing 102488, China
| | - Rui-Chao Lin
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Beijing 102488, China Beijing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Quality Evaluation, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Beijing 102488, China
| | - Jian-Mei Huang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Beijing 102488, China Beijing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Quality Evaluation, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Beijing 102488, China
| | - Jun Guan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Beijing 102488, China
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Xia F, Li A, Chai Y, Xiao X, Wan J, Li P, Wang Y. UPLC/Q-TOFMS-Based Metabolomics Approach to Reveal the Protective Role of Other Herbs in An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan Against the Hepatorenal Toxicity of Cinnabar and Realgar. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:618. [PMID: 29950994 PMCID: PMC6008407 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan (AGNH) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recipe containing cinnabar (HgS) and realgar (As2S2). However, the application of AGNH is limited by the hepato- and nephrotoxicity of cinnabar and realgar. It should be noted that cinnabar and realgar in AGNH are not used alone, but rather combined with other herbs as formula to use. In this study, the protective effects and mechanisms of the other herbs in AGNH against the hepatorenal toxicity induced by cinnabar and realgar were investigated. The combination use of the other herbs in AGNH alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and damage in the liver and kidney and restored the disturbed serum metabolic profile induced by cinnabar and realgar insults. By UPLC/Q-TOFMS combined with pattern recognition approaches, we identified 41 endogenous metabolites in the sera of mice that were related to the hepatorenal toxicity of cinnabar and realgar, 36 of which were restored to normal levels when various kinds of herbs were combined as compound recipe. These metabolites function as modulators in inflammation-associated glycerophospholipid, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, sphingolipid, and ether lipid metabolic pathways. Notably, lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPCs) were the most elevated among all of the metabolites detected after cinnabar and realgar treatment, while these LysoPCs did not show overt differences between the AGNH and saline control groups, which was associated with relatively unaffected or even up-regulated expression of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) and autotaxin (ATX). These findings indicated that other herbs in AGNH could have a protective effect against cinnabar- and realgar-induced hepatic and renal damage via modulating the disordered homeostasis of the glycerophospholipid, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, ether lipid, and sphingolipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangbo Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Ao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.,College of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Yushuang Chai
- Guangzhou Baiyunshan Zhongyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- College of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianbo Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Peng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
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Zhao P, Liang JB, Deng ZY, Wang MJ, Qin JY, Chen CJ, Hu XM. Association of Gene Mutations with Response to Arsenic-Containing Compound Qinghuang Powder () in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Chin J Integr Med 2019; 25:409-15. [PMID: 29619748 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-018-2977-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationship between gene mutations and response to Compound Qinghuang Powder (, CQHP) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). METHODS Forty-three MDS patients were genotyped by ultra-deep targeted sequencing and the clinical data of patients were collected and the relationship between them was analyzed. RESULTS Up to 41.86% of patients harbored genet mutations, in most cases with more than one mutation. The most common mutations were in SF3B1, U2AF1, ASXL1, and DNMT3A. After treatment with CQHP, about 88.00% of patients no longer required blood transfusion, or needed half of prior transfusions. CONCLUSIONS CQHP is an effective treatment for patients with MDS, especially those with gene mutations in SF3B1, DNMT3A, U2AF1, and/or ASXL1.
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Jiang L, Xu HH, Jiang ZH, Yang SH, Shi QL, Ma ZC, Gao Y, Chen ZW. [Quality of realgar and its influencing factors based on toxicity]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 2018; 42:4782-4787. [PMID: 29493147 DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20171023.010] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The results of a toxicity analysis showed differences from those of the existing experimental data. Therefore, HPLC-ICP-MS was used to analyze the soluble arsenic content at different valences in realgar prepared with water grind processing, which were collected from 3 companies. The results showed that the free arsenic of the 3 companies did not exceed the limit of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. However, if the free arsenic was calculated based on the total value of As(Ⅲ) + As(Ⅴ), free arsenic of 1 company exceeded the limit of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The method of determining free arsenic in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. was ancient Cai's arsenic detection method, which had a certain limitation and failed to effectively avoid the toxicity of remaining arsenics except for trivalent arsenic. Then, we examined the effects of water and temperature on the content and form of soluble arsenic in realgar. The results showed that the content of soluble arsenic increased with the rise of water content, and the form of soluble arsenic did not change, there were only As (Ⅲ) and As (Ⅴ); With the simple temperature factor, there was an increasing trend in the content of soluble arsenic in the samples, the maximum increment was As (Ⅲ) 2.489 mg•g⁻¹ and As (Ⅴ) 0.546 mg•g⁻¹; When water and temperature played an synergistic effect, the increase of soluble arsenic in the samples significantly changed, the maximum increment was As (Ⅲ) 23.690 mg•g⁻¹, As (Ⅴ) 0.468 mg•g⁻¹, respectively. Through comprehensive analysis, we believed that the quality of realgar was susceptible to water content and temperature. Both of the single effect of water content and the synergistic effect of water and temperature can significantly change the content of soluble arsenic in realgar, and the water content was a high-risk factor. In the current Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015 version, the free arsenic detection method had limitations, hence new techniques shall be introduced; At the same time, realgar does not have a water content inspection item in the current pharmacopoeia, which shall be added. However, due to the limit of water content, more in-depth studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- La Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.,Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Huan-Hua Xu
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China.,Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhen-Hong Jiang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Shi-Han Yang
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Qiao-Li Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism, Hematological Pharmacology Research Room, Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Zeng-Chun Ma
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China.,Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yue Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.,Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Zhi-Wu Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
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Rodriguez-Freire L, Moore SE, Sierra-Alvarez R, Root RA, Chorover J, Field JA. Arsenic remediation by formation of arsenic sulfide minerals in a continuous anaerobic bioreactor. Biotechnol Bioeng 2016; 113:522-30. [PMID: 26333155 PMCID: PMC4729605 DOI: 10.1002/bit.25825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic metalloid that has been identified at high concentrations in groundwater in certain locations around the world. Concurrent microbial reduction of arsenate (As(V) ) and sulfate (SO4 (2-) ) can result in the formation of poorly soluble arsenic sulfide minerals (ASM). The objective of this research was to study As biomineralization in a minimal iron environment for the bioremediation of As-contaminated groundwater using simultaneous As(V) and SO4 (2-) reduction. A continuous-flow anaerobic bioreactor was maintained at slightly acidic pH (6.25-6.50) and fed with As(V) and SO4 (2-) , utilizing ethanol as an electron donor for over 250 d. A second bioreactor running under the same conditions but lacking SO4 (2-) was operated as a control to study the fate of As (without S). The reactor fed with SO4 (2-) removed an average 91.2% of the total soluble As at volumetric rates up to 2.9 mg As/(L · h), while less than 5% removal was observed in the control bioreactor. Soluble S removal occurred with an S to As molar ratio of 1.2, suggesting the formation of a mixture of orpiment- (As2 S3 ) and realgar-like (AsS) solid phases. Solid phase characterization using K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirmed the formation of a mixture of As2 S3 and AsS. These results indicate that a bioremediation process relying on the addition of a simple, low-cost electron donor offers potential to promote the removal of As from groundwater with naturally occurring or added SO4 (2-) by precipitation of ASM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Rodriguez-Freire
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, Arizona.
| | - Sarah E Moore
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Robert A Root
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Jon Chorover
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - James A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, Arizona
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Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously showed that arsenic sulfide (As4S4) induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in several human solid tumor cell lines, including those of gastric cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of As4S4 on the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The human gastric cancer cell lines AGS and MGC803 were selected as in vitro models. Wound-healing migration assay and Transwell invasion assay were carried out to determine the effects of As4S4 on cell migration and invasion. The expressions of E-cadherin, β-catenin, Sp1, KLF4, and VEGF were measured by Western blotting analysis. The activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in MGC803 cells were demonstrated by zymography assay. A mouse xenograft model was established by inoculation with MGC803 cells, then intraperitoneal injected with As4S4 for 3 weeks and monitored for body weight and tumor changes. Finally, the inhibition rate of tumor growth was calculated, and the expression of proteins and genes associated with tumor invasion and metastasis in tumor tissues were measured by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS As4S4 significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cell lines. The expression of E-cadherin and KLF4 was upregulated, while the expressions of β-catenin, VEGF, and Sp1 were downregulated following treatment with As4S4. Moreover, the protease activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were suppressed by As4S4 in MGC803 cells. Meanwhile, As4S4 effectively suppressed the abilities of tumor growth and invasion in the xenograft tumor model. We found that As4S4 upregulated the expression of E-cadherin and downregulated the expression of β-catenin, Sp1, VEGF, and CD34 in mouse tumor tissues, consistent with the results in vitro. CONCLUSION As4S4 inhibited the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells by blocking tumor cell adhesion, decreasing the ability of tumor cells to destroy the basement membrane, and therefore suppressing their angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sungkyoung Kim
- Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenping Ding
- Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingying Tong
- Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiuli Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Minggui Pan
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, CA, USA
| | - Siyu Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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Wang H, Liu Z, Gou Y, Qin Y, Xu Y, Liu J, Wu JZ. Apoptosis and necrosis induced by novel realgar quantum dots in human endometrial cancer cells via endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathway. Int J Nanomedicine 2015; 10:5505-12. [PMID: 26357474 PMCID: PMC4560518 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s83838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Realgar (AS4S4) has been used in traditional medicines for malignancy, but the poor water solubility is still a major hindrance to its clinical use. Realgar quantum dots (RQDs) were therefore synthesized with improved water solubility and bioavailability. Human endometrial cancer JEC cells were exposed to various concentrations of RQDs to evaluate their anticancer effects and to explore mechanisms by the MTT assay, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), flow cytometry, real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Results revealed that the highest photoluminescence quantum yield of the prepared RQDs was up to approximately 70%, with the average size of 5.48 nm. RQDs induced antipro-liferative activity against JEC cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In light microscopy and TEM examinations, RQDs induced vacuolization and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dilation in JEC cells in a concentration-dependent manner. ER stress by RQDs were further confirmed by increased expression of GADD153 and GRP78 at both mRNA and protein levels. ER stress further led to JEC cell apoptosis and necrosis, as evidenced by flow cytometry and mitochondrial membrane potential detection. Our findings demonstrated that the newly synthesized RQDs were effective against human endometrial cancer cells. The underlying mechanism appears to be, at least partly, due to ER stress leading to apoptotic cell death and necrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- Research Center for Medicine and Biology, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, People's Republic of China ; Guizhou Provincial College-based Key Lab for Tumor Prevention and Treatment with Distinctive Medicines, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, People's Republic of China ; Department of Microbiolog, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, People's Republic of China y
| | - Zhengyun Liu
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Gou
- Department of Microbiolog, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, People's Republic of China y
| | - Yu Qin
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaze Xu
- Pharmacy School, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Liu
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Zhu Wu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, People's Republic of China
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Zhang L, Tian W, Kim S, Ding W, Tong Y, Chen S. Arsenic sulfide, the main component of realgar, a traditional Chinese medicine, induces apoptosis of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Drug Des Devel Ther 2014; 9:79-92. [PMID: 25565771 PMCID: PMC4274045 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s74379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Arsenic sulfide (As4S4), the main component of realgar, a traditional Chinese medicine, has shown antitumor efficacy in several tumor types, especially for acute promyelocytic leukemia. In this study, we aimed to explore the efficacy and mechanism of As4S4 in gastric cancer. Methods The effect of As4S4 on cell proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells was investigated by MTT assay, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, and annexin V–fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining using gastric cancer cell lines AGS (harboring wild-type p53) and MGC803 (harboring mutant p53) in vitro. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was measured by Western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry analysis. Mouse xenograft models were established by inoculation with MGC803 cells, and the morphology and the proportion of apoptotic cells in tumor tissues were detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively. Results As4S4 inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of AGS and MGC803 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. As4S4 upregulated the expression of Bax and MDM2 while downregulated the expression of Bcl-2. The expression of p53 increased significantly in the AGS cells but did not readily increase in the MGC803 cells, which harbored mutant p53. Pifithrin-α, a p53 inhibitor, blocked the modulation of As4S4 on AGS cells, but not on MGC803 cells. Using xenograft as a model, we showed that As4S4 suppressed tumor growth and induced apoptosis in vivo and that the expression of p53 increased accordingly. Conclusion As4S4 is a potent cytotoxic agent for gastric cancer cells, as it induced apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo through a p53-dependent pathway. Our data indicate that As4S4 may have therapeutic potential in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Tian
- Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Department of Oncology, Central Hospital of Zibo, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Sungkyoung Kim
- Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenping Ding
- Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Tong
- Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Root RA, Fathordoobadi S, Alday F, Ela W, Chorover J. Microscale speciation of arsenic and iron in ferric-based sorbents subjected to simulated landfill conditions. Environ Sci Technol 2013; 47:12992-3000. [PMID: 24102155 PMCID: PMC3882129 DOI: 10.1021/es402083h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
During treatment for potable use, water utilities generate arsenic-bearing ferric wastes that are subsequently dispatched to landfills. The biogeochemical weathering of these residuals in mature landfills affects the potential mobilization of sorbed arsenic species via desorption from solids subjected to phase transformations driven by abundant organic matter and bacterial activity. Such processes are not simulated with the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) currently used to characterize hazard. To examine the effect of sulfate on As retention in landfill leachate, columns of As(V) loaded amorphous ferric hydroxide were reacted biotically at two leachate sulfate concentrations (0.064 mM and 2.1 mM). After 300 days, ferric sorbents were reductively dissolved. Arsenic released to porewaters was partially coprecipitated in mixed-valent secondary iron phases whose speciation was dependent on sulfate concentration. As and Fe XAS showed that, in the low sulfate column, 75-81% of As(V) was reduced to As(III), and 53-68% of the Fe(III) sorbent was transformed, dominantly to siderite and green rust. In the high sulfate column, Fe(III) solids were reduced principally to FeS(am), whereas As(V) was reduced to a polymeric sulfide with local atomic structure of realgar. Multienergy micro-X-ray fluorescence (ME-μXRF) imaging at Fe and As K-edges showed that As formed surface complexes with ferrihydrite > siderite > green rust in the low sulfate column; while discrete realgar-like phases formed in the high sulfate systems. Results indicate that landfill sulfur chemistry exerts strong control over the potential mobilization of As from ferric sorbent residuals by controlling secondary As and Fe sulfide coprecipitate formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Root
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
- Corresponding author: Robert A. Root, , Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, 1177 E 4th St, Shantz 429, Tucson, AZ 85721, Telephone: +1 520-626-1307, Fax: 520-626-1647
| | - Sahar Fathordoobadi
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Fernando Alday
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Wendell Ela
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Jon Chorover
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
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Abstract
Aim Our objective was to prepare a new nano-sized realgar particle and characterize its anti-tumor effect on tumor cells. Methods Nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation and were detected by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and dynamic light scattering. An anti-proliferative effect of realgar nanoparticles on rat glioma (C6) cells was determined by the MTT assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis rates were observed by flow cytometry. Apoptosis-related gene expression was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Results Realgar nanoparticles were successfully prepared. The particles were spherical, with an average diameter of approximately 80 nm, and contained arsenic and sulfur elements. Realgar nanoparticles inhibited C6 cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment of C6 cells with realgar nanoparticles significantly increased the proportions of cells in S and G2/M phases, decreased the proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase, downregulated Bcl-2 expression, and substantially upregulated Bax expression. Conclusion Realgar nanoparticles significantly inhibited C6 glioma cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis by inducing the upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl-2 expression. Realgar nanoparticles are a promising in vitro anti-cancer strategy and may be applicable for human cancer therapy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-li An
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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Baláž P, Sedlák J. Arsenic in cancer treatment: challenges for application of realgar nanoparticles (a minireview). Toxins (Basel) 2010; 2:1568-81. [PMID: 22069650 DOI: 10.3390/toxins2061568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2010] [Revised: 06/17/2010] [Accepted: 06/18/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
While intensive efforts have been made for the treatment of cancer, this disease is still the second leading cause of death in many countries. Metastatic breast cancer, late-stage colon cancer, malignant melanoma, multiple myeloma, and other forms of cancer are still essentially incurable in most cases. Recent advances in genomic technologies have permitted the simultaneous evaluation of DNA sequence-based alterations together with copy number gains and losses. The requirement for a multi-targeting approach is the common theme that emerges from these studies. Therefore, the combination of new targeted biological and cytotoxic agents is currently under investigation in multimodal treatment regimens. Similarly, a combinational principle is applied in traditional Chinese medicine, as formulas consist of several types of medicinal herbs or minerals, in which one represents the principal component, and the others serve as adjuvant ones that assist the effects, or facilitate the delivery, of the principal component. In Western medicine, approximately 60 different arsenic preparations have been developed and used in pharmacological history. In traditional Chinese medicines, different forms of mineral arsenicals (orpiment—As2S3, realgar—As4S4, and arsenolite—arsenic trioxide, As2O3) are used, and realgar alone is included in 22 oral remedies that are recognized by the Chinese Pharmacopeia Committee (2005). It is known that a significant portion of some forms of mineral arsenicals is poorly absorbed into the body, and would be unavailable to cause systemic damage. This review primary focuses on the application of arsenic sulfide (realgar) for treatment of various forms of cancer in vitro and in vivo.
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Abstract
Mineral arsenicals have long been used in traditional medicines for various diseases, yet arsenic can be highly toxic and carcinogenic. Arsenic in traditional medicines typically comes from deliberate addition for therapeutic purposes, mainly in the form of mineral arsenicals, including orpiment (As2S3), realgar (As4S4), and arsenolite (contains arsenic trioxide, As2O3). Inorganic arsenic is now accepted in Western medicine as a first line chemotherapeutic agent against certain hematopoietic cancers. This perspective analyzes the pharmacology and toxicology of these arsenicals used in traditional medicines. Orpiment and realgar are less soluble and poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, whereas the bioavailability of arsenic trioxide is similar to inorganic arsenic salts such as sodium arsenite. Pharmacological studies show that arsenic trioxide and realgar are effective against certain malignancies. Orpiment and realgar are used externally for various skin diseases. Realgar is frequently included as an ingredient in oral traditional remedies for its antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, anti-convulsive, and anti-schistosomiasis actions, but the pharmacological basis for this inclusion still remains to be fully justified. Toxicological studies show that cardiovascular toxicity is the major concern for arsenic trioxide and that the gastrointestinal and dermal adverse effects may occur after prolonged use of mineral arsenicals. Little is known regarding the possible secondary cancers resulting from the long-term use of any of these arsenicals. Similar to the safety evaluation of seafood arsenicals, total arsenic content alone appears to be insufficient for mineral arsenical safety evaluation. Arsenic speciation, bioavailability, and toxicity/benefit should be considered in evaluation of mineral arsenical-containing traditional medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Inorganic Carcinogenesis Section, NCI at NIEHS, Mail Drop F0-09, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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