Spatholobus suberectus inhibits cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis and arresting cell cycle at G2/M checkpoint

Aim of the study

Although herbs have long been alternatively applied for cancer treatment in China, its treatment effects and their potential mechanisms have not been sufficiently investigated. The chinese herb Spatholobus suberectus (SS) is commonly prescribed to cancer patients. In this study, the anti-cancer effect of SS and its molecular mechanisms have been investigated.

Materials and methods

The effect of SS on cell proliferation was studied by cell growth assay and flow cytometry on breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and colon cancer cell line HT-29. The role of SS in apoptosis was studied by flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation assay and mitochondrial membrane potential assay. Expression of proteins associated with cell cycle and apoptosis was determined by Western blot analysis. The in vivo effect of SS was tested in nude mouse cancer xenografts.

Results

Cell growth assay showed that SS effectively inhibits tumor cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis showed that SS could arrest the cell cycle at G2/M checkpoint, which is associated with DNA damage and activation of phosphor-Chk1/Chk2. The pro-apoptotic effect of SS was demonstrated by Annexin V-PI staining and mitochondrial membrane potential assay. In vivo experiments show that the efficiency of SS alone group was superior to docetaxel or to docetaxel and SS combined. No obvious body weight loss or blood toxicity was observed in SS tested animals.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrates that SS is a potential herb for cancer treatment by inhibiting tumor growth via induction of apoptosis and arrest of the cell cycle at G2/M phase.     

Curcumin inhibits human lung large cell carcinoma cancer tumour growth in a murine xenograft model

Curcumin can decrease viable cells through the induction of apoptosis in human lung cancer NCI‐H460 cells in vitro. However, there are no reports that curcumin can inhibit cancer cells in vivo. In this study, NCI‐H460 lung tumour cells were implanted directly into nude mice and divided randomly into four groups to be treated with vehicle, curcumin (30 mg/kg of body weight), curcumin (45 mg/kg of body weight) and doxorubicin (8 mg/kg of body weight). Each agent was injected once every 4 days intraperitoneally (i.p.), with treatment starting 4 weeks after inoculation with the NCI‐H460 cells. Treatment with 30 mg/kg and 45 mg/kg of curcumin or with 8 mg/kg of doxorubicin resulted in a reduction in tumour incidence, size and weight compared with the control group. The findings indicate that curcumin can inhibit tumour growth in a NCI‐H460 xenograft animal model in vivo. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

白藜芦醇通过调控SIRT1抑制卵巢癌细胞生长及Wnt信号通路的研究

目的研究白藜芦醇对卵巢癌A2780细胞生长的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法运用MTT法检测白藜芦醇(50、100、200、400μmol/L)对A2780细胞的抑制率;白藜芦醇+pc DNA3.1组(转染pc DNA3.1)、白藜芦醇+pc DNA3.1-SIRT1组(转染pc DNA3.1-SIRT1)均用脂质体法转染,加入白藜芦醇(200μmol/L)处理;采用实时荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)法检测细胞中信息调节因子1(SIRT1)、β-catenin、c-Myc的m RNA水平;Western blotting法检测细胞中SIRT1、β-catenin、c-Myc蛋白表达;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率。结果与对照组比较,白藜芦醇(50、100、200、400μmol/L)处理组细胞增殖抑制率、凋亡率均显著升高(P0.05),且白藜芦醇(200μmol/L)组细胞中SIRT1的m RNA和蛋白水平均显著降低(P0.05),可失活Wnt信号通路;过表达SIRT1可逆转白藜芦醇对A2780细胞增殖及Wnt信号通路的失活作用。结论白藜芦醇可调控SIRT1抑制卵巢癌细胞增殖,促进凋亡,其促凋亡机制可能与失活Wnt信号通路有关。     

Tanshinone IIA inhibits angiotensin II-induced cell proliferation in rat cardiac fibroblasts

Tanshinone IIA extracted from danshen, a popular medicinal herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, exhibits cardio-protective effects. However, the mechanism of its cardioprotective effect is not well established. The aims of this study were to examine whether tanshinone IIA may alter angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cell proliferation and to identify the putative underlying signaling pathways in rat cardiac fibroblasts. Cultured rat cardiac fibroblasts were pre-treated with tanshinone IIA and stimulated with Ang II, cell proliferation and endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression were examined. The effect of tanshinone IIA on Ang II-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation were also examined. In addition, the effect of tanshinone IIA on nitric oxide (NO) production, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation were tested to elucidate the intracellular mechanism. The increased cell proliferation and ET-1 expression by Ang II (100 nM) were partially inhibited by tanshinone IIA. Tanshinone IIA also inhibited Ang II-increased ROS formation, and ERK phosphorylation. In addition, tanshinone IIA was found to increase the NO generation, and eNOS phosphorylation. N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NOS, and the short interfering RNA transfection for eNOS markedly attenuated the inhibitory effect of tanshinone IIA on Ang II-induced cell proliferation. The results suggest that tanshinone IIA prevents cardiac fibroblast proliferation by interfering with the generation of ROS and involves the activation of the eNOS-NO pathway.     

Typhonium flagelliforme inhibits cancer cell growth in vitro and induces apoptosis: an evaluation by the bioactivity guided approach

AIM OF THE STUDY: Typhonium flagelliforme (Lodd.) Blume (Araceae) is a Malaysian plant used locally to combat cancer. In order to evaluate its antiproliferative activity in vitro and to possibly identify the active chemical constituents, a bioactivity guided study was conducted on the extracts of this plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active extracts of Typhonium flagelliforme were fractionated by flash column chromatography and each fraction was evaluated for antiproliferative activity using MTT assay. The apoptotic effect of the active fraction was determined microscopically and by using TUNEL colorimetric assay. GC-MS and NMR were used to determine the chemical constituents of this active fraction. RESULTS: Several fractions of the hexane and dichloromethane extracts were found to inhibit the growth of NCI-H23 non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line significantly, with IC(50)<15 microg/ml. However, most of these active fractions were also found to inhibit the growth of non-tumorigenic BALB/c 3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line except for fraction 21 of the dichloromethane extract (D/F21). This particular fraction was not only less cytotoxic to the non-tumorigenic cells, where the IC(50) was 48.6 microg/ml compared to IC(50) 7.5 microg/ml for NCI-H23, but it was also found to induce apoptosis in the cancer cell line. GC-MS analysis revealed that D/F21 contains hexadecanoic acid, 1-hexadecene, phytol and a derivative of phytol. The presence of non-saturated fatty acids in this fraction was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: D/F21 was found to be the active and cancer cell line specific fraction of Typhonium flagelliforme. Its major chemical constituents had been determined spectroscopically.     

吴茱萸碱激活结肠癌细胞自噬抑制其增殖的研究

目的探讨吴茱萸碱(evodiamine,Evo)对结肠癌HCT-116细胞自噬、增殖的影响及其可能的分子机制。方法 CCK-8法检测Evo对HCT-116细胞增殖的影响;Evo(3、6μmol/L)处理48 h后,MDC法检测细胞内自噬小泡的数量,DHE法检测细胞内活性氧(ROS)的量,Western blotting法检测细胞自噬相关蛋白和腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMPK)/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(m TOR)通路相关蛋白的表达;Evo(6μmol/L)分别与自噬抑制剂3-甲基腺嘌呤(3-methyladenine,3-MA)和凋亡抑制剂Z-DEVD-FMK共同作用48 h后,Western blotting法检测细胞内自噬及凋亡相关蛋白的表达。结果与对照组比较,Evo对HCT-116细胞呈现浓度依赖性的增殖抑制作用;Evo(3、6μmol/L)使HCT-116细胞内的ROS量升高、自噬小泡数量增加、自噬相关蛋白LC3表达增加、p62表达降低、p-AMPK及m TOR表达增加;Evo与自噬抑制剂联合给药后,细胞内LC3蛋白表达减少,而有活性的Caspase-3表达增加,Evo与凋亡抑制剂联合给药后,细胞内LC3表达增加,而有活性的Caspase-3表达被抑制。结论 Evo能够通过AMPK/m TOR通路激活自噬、抑制HCT-116细胞增殖,且细胞自噬与凋亡呈现互补作用。     

Gedunin, a limonoid from Xylocarpus granatum, inhibits the growth of CaCo-2 colon cancer cell line in vitro

Xylocarpus granatum J. K?nig (Meliaceae), commonly known as 'dhundul', is a Bangladeshi mangrove tree, and well distributed in a number of other countries of south-east Asia, Australia and east Africa. Traditionally, X. granatum has been used as an astringent and febrifuge, and also for the treatment of fever, malaria, thrush, cholera, dysentery and diarrhoea in many countries including Bangladesh. Two limonoids, gedunin and 1alpha-hydroxy-1,2-dihydrogedunin, the latter being new, have been isolated from the bark of Xylocarpus granatum by reversed-phase preparative HPLC, and the structures were confirmed by spectroscopic means. The cytotoxic potential of gedunin has been evaluated by the Promega's CellTiter 96 non-radioactive cell proliferation assay using the CaCo-2 colon cancer cell line (IC(50) = 16.83 microM). A summary of the biological activities of gedunin reported to date is also presented.     

Pachypodol, a flavonol from the leaves of Calycopteris floribunda, inhibits the growth of CaCo 2 colon cancer cell line in vitro

Calycopteris floribunda Lam., commonly known as 'goichia lata or goache lata', is a large climbing woody shrub from Bangladesh, and well distributed in a number of other south-east Asian countries. Traditionally, C. floribunda has been used in colic, as an antihelminthic, astringent and carminative, and for the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, jaundice and malaria in many countries including Bangladesh. Pachypodol (5,4'-dihydroxy-3,7,3'-trimethoxyflavone) has been isolated from the leaves of C. floribunda by repeated column chromatography on silica gel, and the structure confirmed by spectroscopic means. While the general toxicity of pachypodol was determined by the brine shrimp lethality assay, the cytotoxic potential of this flavonoid has been evaluated by the Promega's CellTiter 96 Non-Radioactive Cell Proliferation Assay using the CaCo-2 colon cancer cell line (IC(50) = 185.6 microM). A summary of the biological activities of pachypodol reported to date is also presented.     

7种常用口服中成药辅助治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌患者的回顾性研究

目的 评估7种常用口服中成药在辅助治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC）中的疗效及预后相关因素。方法 采用回顾性队列研究,收集2019年1月1日—2020年12月31日于天津中医药大学第一附属医院肿瘤科门诊及住院治疗的晚期NSCLC患者150例,以7种常用中成药（紫龙金片、回生口服液、康莱特软胶囊、参一胶囊、威麦宁胶囊、复方菝葜颗粒、槐耳颗粒）暴露情况作为分组因素,分为暴露组（73例）与非暴露组（77例）。主要研究指标为无进展生存期（progression free survival,PFS）,次要研究指标为总生存期（overall survival,OS）。对150例患者进行单因素Kaplan-Meier分析,明确各单因素对Ⅲb～Ⅳ期NSCLC患者PFS的影响。并比较7种常用中成药辅助治疗晚期NSCLC的疗效分析其预后相关因素。结果 暴露组患者中位无进展生存期（median progression free survival,m PFS）较非暴露组长（5.8个月vs 4.9个月）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。单因素分析表明...     

Antiproliferative activity of the Netherlands propolis and its active principles in cancer cell lines

The MeOH extract of the Netherlands propolis showed promising antiproliferative activity toward highly liver-metastatic murine colon 26-L5 carcinoma with an EC(50) value of 3.5 microg/ml. Further, antiproliferative activity-guided purification of the MeOH extract led us to isolate four flavonoids (1-4), seven cinnamic acid derivatives (5-11) and two new glycerol derivatives (12, 13), whose structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. The isolated compounds were tested for their antiproliferative activity against murine colon 26-L5, murine B16-BL6 melanoma, human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma and human lung A549 adenocarcinoma cell lines. The benzyl (9), phenethyl (10) and cinnamyl caffeates (11) possessed potent antiproliferative activities with EC(50) values of 0.288, 1.76 and 0.114 microM, respectively, toward colon 26-L5 carcinoma. These caffeates were considered to be active constituents of the Netherlands propolis in their antiproliferative activity. The antioxidative activity of these caffeates may play an important role in their antiproliferative activities.     

Cytotoxic effect of Plantago spp. on cancer cell lines

Methanolic extracts from seven Plantago species used in traditional medicine for the treatment of cancer, were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines recommended by the National Cancer Institute (NCI, USA). The results showed that Plantago species exhibited cytotoxic activity, showing a certain degree of selectivity against the tested cells in culture. Since the flavonoids are able to strongly inhibit the proliferation of human cancer cell lines, we have identified luteolin-7-O-beta-glucoside as major flavonoid present in most of the Plantago species. Also, we have evaluated this compound and its aglycon, luteolin, for their cytotoxic and DNA topoisomerase I poisons activities. These results could justify the traditional use of the Plantago species and topoisomerase-mediated DNA damage might be a possible mechanism by which flavonoids of Plantago exert their cytotoxicity potential.     

右旋柠烯对不同类型人胃癌细胞的生长抑制作用

目的：探讨右旋柠烯(D-limonene)对不同类型人胃癌细胞的生长抑制作用及其机制。方法：以D-limonene作用于SGC-7901、BGC-823及AGS三种不同类型人胃癌细胞，采用噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法、流式细胞仪及电镜检测细胞生长抑制率、凋亡率以及形态学改变，免疫细胞化学法检测p53、bax和bcl-2基因表达。结果：D-limonene处理后的细胞生长抑制率与凋亡率均增加，与药物浓度呈正相关。细胞呈现核固缩、染色质边集、凋亡小体形成等典型凋亡表现。经D-limonene处理后SGC-7901、BGC-823细胞株p53、bax蛋白表达明显增加，bcl-2蛋白表达降低。AGS细胞株bax蛋白表达明显增加，bcl-2蛋白表达降低。结论：D-limonene对人胃癌细胞的抑制作用主要是通过诱导细胞凋亡，不同类型的细胞株作用途径可能不同。升提p53与bax及降低bcl-2的蛋白表达为其诱发冒癌细胞．凋亡的机制之一。     

Synthetic secofriedelane and friedelane derivatives as inhibitors of human lymphocyte proliferation and growth of human cancer cell lines in vitro.

Controlled silylation of friedelin (1) from cork smoker wash solids, a byproduct generated during processing of corkboard by steam baking, gave 3-trimethylsiloxyfriedel-2-ene (3) in high yields. Oxidation of 3 with OsO(4)/NMMO produced 2alpha-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one (cerin) (5), from which the new 2,3-secofriedelan-2-al-3-oic acid (6) was obtained quantitatively by periodic acid oxidation. Oxidation of 3 with DDQ afforded friedel-1-en-3-one (8). Reductive ozonolysis of 3 gave 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxyfriedelane, pachysandiol A (7). Compound 6 proved to be a potent inhibitor of human lymphocyte proliferation (IC(50) = 10.7 microM) and of the growth of a human cancer cell line (GI(50) = 5.4-17.2 microM). (13)C NMR data for compounds (3, 4, 5, 6a,7, and 8) are described for the first time.     

Hemisynthetic secofriedelane triterpenes with inhibitory activity against the growth of human tumor cell lines in vitro

Seco acids 7 and 9 and hydroxylated analogues 5 and 6 derived from friedelane triterpenes were synthesized stereoselectively in high yields. Compounds 5-9 were evaluated for their ability to inhibit in vitro the growth of three human tumor cell lines, MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), NCI-H460 (non-small cell lung cancer), and SF-268 (CNS cancer). Only compounds 7 and 9 were found to possess significant growth inhibitory effects, exhibiting GI(50) values that range from 24.6 to 32.8 microM and 10.9 to 17.6 microM, respectively.     

根皮苷对食管癌细胞系表达谱的影响

目的 研究根皮苷对食管癌细胞系表达谱的影响,探索根皮苷作用于食管癌细胞系的信号通路及其潜在功能。方法 使用根皮苷处理人食管癌KYSE450细胞,提取总RNA并建立测序文库,进行转录组测序;使用DESeq2程序鉴定差异表达基因,对差异表达基因进行基因本体（gene ontology,GO）功能及京都基因与基因组百科全书（Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes,KEGG）通路富集分析;使用MCODE进行差异基因核心模块筛选,使用GEPIA数据库分析核心模块中的基因对食管癌生存的影响;使用TIMER在线分析根皮苷对食管癌组织免疫细胞浸润的影响。结果 转录组测序结果显示,根皮苷处理后的食管癌细胞具有4602个差异表达基因,其中2407个为上调基因,2195个为下调基因。通路富集分析显示,根皮苷对蛋白质加工、胰岛素抵抗、基因复制和细胞周期等信号通路产生影响。在差异表达基因核心模块中,E3泛素蛋白连接酶2（E3 ubiquitin ligase mind bomb 2,MIB2）高表达可降低食管癌患者的总体生存率;环指蛋白19B（ring finger protein 19B,RNF19B）、三重基序蛋白69（tripartite motif-containing protein 69,TRIM69）、泛素连接酶（ubiquitin conjugating enzyme,UBC）和克隆E3泛素连接酶（homologous to the E6-associated protein carboxyl terminus domain containing 2,HECTD2）的表达水平可影响食管癌癌组织的纯度以及免疫细胞浸润的类型。结论 根皮苷可影响食管癌细胞的转录谱,其差异表达基因主要集中在细胞生长相关的信号通路。     

Anti-breast cancer effects and mechanisms of Xihuang pill on human breast cancer cell lines

Objective

To investigate the anti-breast cancer (BC) effects and mechanisms of action of Xihuang pill (XHP) by conducting in vitro experiments on human BC cell lines.

Methods

Two human BC cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA- MB231) were cultured and treated with XHP. Cell viability was detected using the 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Flow cytometry was used to measure the cell cycle and apoptosis. The cell cycle was analyzed with propidium iodide staining. Apoptosis was evaluated using the Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide method. Western blotting was used to analyze the expression of estrogen receptor (ER)-α and ER-β.

Results

XHP had growth-inhibitory effects on MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 10.14 mg/mL (MCF-7) and 8.98 mg/mL (MDA-MB231). Apoptosis was induced to some extent. Certain changes in the ER were caused. Upregulation of ER-α protein was found in MCF-7 cells. ER-β expression in MDA-MB231 cells was increased. Cell-cycle arrest was not observed in the two BC cell lines. ER-β expression in MCF-7 cells was unchanged. No ER-α expression was shown in MDA-MB231 cells.

Conclusion

These data suggest that XHP can affect cell viability and cause apoptosis, but that the cell cycle is not blocked. XHP has a certain impact on ER expression, but its mechanisms of action of anti-BC effects may not be due to regulation of ER expression.     

苦参素诱导卵巢癌HO8910细胞凋亡的初步研究

目的:观察苦参素对卵巢癌细胞株HO8910的抑制增殖效应及凋亡诱导作用.方法:用苦参素处理H08910细胞,采用MTT法检测药物对细胞的抑制作用,倒置显微镜观察细胞形态学改变;琼脂糖凝胶电泳观察DNA降解,以及应用流式细胞仪观察细胞凋亡过程中细胞周期的变化.结果:在苦参素作用下,HO8910细胞呈凋亡改变,DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳呈典型的凋亡特征.细胞凋亡的同时,细胞周期发生特定的改变.结论:苦参素能抑制卵巢癌细胞增殖,诱导卵巢癌细胞凋亡.     

Antiproliferative effect of Erycibe elliptilimba on human breast cancer cell lines

Erycibe elliptilimba Merr. & Chun., family Convolvulaceae, is a Thai traditional medicine which has long been prescribed for various infectious and malignant diseases. Bio-assays of extracts from Erycibe elliptilimba Merr. & Chun. showed that a fraction (fraction 3) from an methanolic extract had an antiproliferative effect on SKBR3 and MDA-MB435 human breast cancer cells. The ED50 value of Erycibe elliptilimba Merr. & Chun. fraction 3 was 56.07 and 30.61 μg/ml for SKBR3 and MDA-MB435, respectively. After 48 h of exposure, this fraction at a concentration of 100 μg/ml significantly reduced cell proliferation in both cancer cells. In MDA-MB435 cells, cell cycle analysis showed that the herb extract fraction 3 induced the accumulation of cells in G2/M phase, whereas no significant change in cell cycle was detected in SKBR3 cells. The results indicated that the extract fraction 3 could induce cell cycle arrest in some way. However, further investigation is needed to assess the molecular mechanisms mediated anticancer activities of this plant.     

The antiproliferative effect of acridone alkaloids on several cancer cell lines

Fifteen acridone alkaloids were examined for their antiproliferative activity toward monolayers and suspension of several types of cancer and normal human cell lines. As a result, atalaphyllidine (9), 5-hydroxy-N-methylseverifoline (11), atalaphyllinine (12), and des-N-methylnoracronycine (13) showed potent antiproliferative activity against tumor cell lines, whereas they have weak cytotoxicity on normal human cell lines. The structure-activity relationship established from the results revealed that a secondary amine, hydroxyl groups at C-1 and C-5, and a prenyl group at C-2 played an important role for antiproliferative activities of the tetracyclic acridones.     

Celastrol inhibits growth and metastasis of human gastric cancer cell MKN45 by down‐regulating microRNA‐21

Celastrol could inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro. However, effect(s) of celastrol on gastric cancer is not well studied. Therefore, we investigated the effects of celastrol on human gastric cancer cell line MKN45 and the underlying mechanisms. We found that celastrol inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced cell apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest (p < .05, p < .01, or p < .001). Under celastrol treatment, overexpression of microRNA‐21 (miR‐21) increased cell viability, migration, and invasion and inhibited cell apoptosis compared with negative control (p < .05, p < .01, or p < .001). In addition, the phosphorylation of PTEN was significantly up‐regulated, whereas PI3K, AKT, p65, and IκBα phosphorylation was statistically decreased by celastrol (p < .05 or p < .01) and then further reversed by miR‐21 overexpression (p < .05 or p < .01). On the other side, miR‐21 silence showed contrary results (p < .05) as relative to miR‐21 overexpression. In conclusion, celastrol inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion and inactivates PTEN/PI3K/AKT and nuclear factor κB signaling pathways in MKN45 cells by down‐regulating miR‐21.