Apoptosis Induction by 13‐Acetoxyrolandrolide through the Mitochondrial Intrinsic Pathway

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanisms of cytotoxicity of the sesquiterpene lactone 13‐acetoxyrolandrolide, a nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) inhibitor that was previously isolated from Rolandra fruticosa. The effects associated with the inhibition of the NF‐κB pathway included dose‐dependent inhibition of the NF‐κB subunit p65 (RelA) and inhibition of upstream mediators IKKβ and oncogenic Kirsten rat sarcoma (K‐Ras). The inhibitory concentration of 13‐acetoxyrolandrolide on K‐Ras was 7.7 µm . The downstream effects of the inhibition of NF‐κB activation were also investigated in vitro. After 24 h of treatment with 13‐acetoxyrolandrolide, the mitochondrial transmembrane potential was depolarized in human colon cancer (HT‐29) cells. The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was also negatively affected, and reduced levels of nicotinamine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H) were detected after 2 h of 13‐acetoxyrolandrolide exposure. Furthermore, the expression of the pro‐apoptotic protein caspase‐3 increased in a concentration‐dependent manner. Cell flow cytometry showed that 13‐acetoxyrolandrolide induced cell cycle arrest at G₁, indicating that the treated cells had undergone caspase‐3‐mediated apoptosis, indicating negative effects on cancer cell proliferation. These results suggest that 13‐acetoxyrolandrolide inhibits NF‐κB and K‐Ras and promotes cell death mediated through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice on dextran sodium sulfate-induced acute colitis in mice and LPS-activated macrophages

Ethnopharmacological relevance and aim of the study

Phellinus linteus is a herb used in traditional Asian medicine to treat stomachache, inflammation, and tumors. Recent studies show that the extract of Phellinus linteus has anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. However, Phellinus linteus extract has limitation of high cost and limited availability because of supply shortage. Here, we grew Phellinus linteus on germinated brown rice to address the issue of supply shortage and investigated anti-inflammatory effect in vivo as well as in vitro.

Materials and methods

Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice (PBR) were extracted using filtration steps, which included γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The PBR (200, 500 mg/kg/day) was applied into the mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. We used sulfasalazine as a reference drug. In addition, mechanism related to anti-inflammatory was investigated by Western blotting.

Results

In the mouse model of DSS-induced colitis, PBR ameliorated the pathological characteristics of colitis such as shortening of colon length and improved the disease activity index score. In addition, we showed that PBR reduced the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in colitis. Western blotting showed that PBR decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) proteins. Further, PBR treatment reduced the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) (e.g., extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and p38) in the mouse model of DSS-induced colitis.

Conclusions

Treatment of RAW 264.7 macrophages with a combination of PBR and LPS showed a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) production. In addition, we determined the ability of PBR to reduce the iNOS and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression. PBR inhibited the expression of iNOS, NF-κB, and Cox-2 proteins in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. This study presents the potential use of PBR as a drug candidate against colitis.     

Neferine,an alkaloid from lotus seed embryo targets HeLa and SiHa cervical cancer cells via pro‐oxidant anticancer mechanism

Apoptosis and autophagy are important processes that control cellular homeostasis and have been highlighted as promising targets for novel anticancer drugs. This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of Neferine (Nef), an alkaloid from the lotus seed embryos of Nelumbo nucifera (N. nucifera), as a dual inducer of apoptosis and autophagy through the reactive oxygen species (ROS) activation in cervical cancer cells. Nef and N. nucifera extract suppressed the cell viability of HeLa and SiHa cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Importantly, Nef showed minimal toxicity to normal cells. Furthermore, Nef inhibited anchorage‐independent growth, colony formation and migration ability of cervical cancer cells. Nef induces mitochondrial apoptosis by increasing pro‐apoptotic protein bax, cytochrome‐c, cleaved caspase‐3 and caspase‐9, poly‐ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage, DNA damage (pH₂AX) while downregulating Bcl‐2, procaspase‐3 and procaspase‐9, and TCTP. Of note, apoptotic effect by Nef was significantly attenuated in the presence of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), suggesting pro‐oxidant activity of this compound. Nef also promoted autophagy induction through increasing beclin‐1, atg‐4, atg‐5 and atg‐12, LC‐3 activation, and _P62/SQSTM1 as determined by western blot analysis. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Nef is a potent anticancer compound against cervical cancer cells through inducing apoptosis and autophagic pathway involving ROS.     

Harmine Hydrochloride Triggers G2 Phase Arrest and Apoptosis in MGC‐803 Cells and SMMC‐7721 Cells by Upregulating p21, Activating Caspase‐8/Bid,and Downregulating ERK/Bad Pathway

This study aimed to investigate the effects of harmine hydrochloride (HMH) on digestive tumor cells in vitro and its molecular mechanism. MTT assays showed that HMH inhibited the proliferation of some human cancer cell lines and had no obvious inhibitory effects on human LO2 cells. Flow cytometry assays showed that HMH trigged G2 phase arrest in MGC‐803 cells and SMMC‐7721 cells, while the expression of cyclin A, cyclin B, p21, Myt1, and p‐cdc2 (Tyr15) was upregulated. Flow cytometry assays also showed that the percentages of apoptotic cells were increased, the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) decreased, and the cleavage of caspase‐9, caspase‐3, and poly (Adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) were observed, the expression of Bad increased, phospho‐Bad (S112) decreased, pro‐caspase‐8 was cleaved, and Bid (22 kDa) was cleaved. The expression of p‐ERK decreased in both cells. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that HMH upregulates the expression of p21, activates Myt1 and inhibits cdc2 by phospho‐cdc2 (Y15), and triggers G2 phase arrest in both MGC‐803 cells and SMMC‐7721 cells. It can also activate the mitochondria‐related cell apoptosis pathway through the caspase‐8/Bid pathway, inhibiting the ERK/Bad pathway and promoting apoptosis in both of these two cell types. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anticancer potential of aqueous extract of alocasia macrorrhiza against hepatic cancer in vitro and in vivo

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Alocasia macrorrhiza has been used as a folk medicine for cancer treatment in the Southwest of China.

Aim of the study

The purpose of this study is to confirm the anticancer activity of aqueous extract of alocasia macrorrhiza against hepatic cancer and to elucidate its mechanism of action.

Materials and methods

Human normal liver cells and hepatocellular carcinoma cells were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity, colony formation inhibition, EdU incorporation, AO/EB staining apoptotic cells, apoptotic DNA fragmentation, and cell cycle distribution in response to alocasia macrorrhiza extract. The mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ, Cyclin D1, Rb, P21, Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 were detected through RT-PCR and Western blotting; the tumor growth inhibition in vivo was tested by oral administration of the extract.

Results

Alocasia macrorrhiza aqueous extract exhibited proliferation inhibition and apoptosis effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro, inhibited hepatoma growth in vivo.

Conclusion

Alocasia macrorrhiza extract has potential cytotoxic and apoptotic effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and inhibits hepatoma growth in vivo, its mechanism of action might be associated with the inhibition of DNA synthesis, cell cycle (G₀/G₁) arrest, apoptosis induction through up-regulation the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ, Rb, Bax and capase-3genes and down-regulation of the expressions of Cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 genes.     

构树叶总黄酮对人肝癌HepG-2细胞增殖及其细胞周期的影响

目的： 研究构树叶总黄酮（total flavonoids of Broussonetia papyrifera,TFBP）对人肝癌细胞HepG-2的生长抑制和诱导凋亡的作用及其机制。 方法： 取对数生长期人肝癌HepG-2细胞,随机分为药物组和对照组,药物组用3,6,9,12 g·L^-1不同质量浓度TFBP作用人肝癌HepG-2细胞24,48,72 h后,采用MTT法检测细胞生长抑制率;Hoechst 33342荧光染色法荧光显微镜观察细胞的形态变化并用流式细胞仪检测细胞的周期及细胞凋亡率。 结果： MTT结果显示,各质量浓度3,6,9,12 g·L^-1的TFBP对HepG-2有增殖抑制作用,并存在浓度和时间依赖关系,3,6,9,12 g·L^-1不同质量浓度TFBP作用人肝癌HepG-2细48 h后,细胞增殖抑制率分别为20.2%,29.44%,39.21%,43.96%;9 g·L^-1的TFBP作用HepG-2细胞72 h后,细胞增殖抑制率可达52.46%,与对照组具有显著性差异（P<0.05）;Hoechst 33342荧光染色可观察到核浓缩及核碎裂等典型细胞凋亡特征及凋亡小体;流式细胞仪结果显示,随着TFBP作用浓度的增加,加药组细胞凋亡率加药组凋亡率与对照组相,有显著差异（P < 0.01）,G₀/G₁期细胞逐渐减少,G₂/M期细胞数逐渐增多,与对照组比较差异有显著性（P < 0.05）,细胞周期被阻滞在G₂/M期。 结论： TFBP在体外对肝癌细胞HepG-2有明显的增殖抑制和诱导细胞凋亡的作用,其抑制机制可能和诱导细胞凋亡与阻滞细胞周期有关。     

6‐Acetoxy Cyperene,a Patchoulane‐type Sesquiterpene Isolated from Cyperus rotundus Rhizomes Induces Caspase‐dependent Apoptosis in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

Cyperus rotundus (Cyperaceae) has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. Although an anti‐tumour effect has been suggested for C. rotundus, the anti‐tumour effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of its bioactive compounds are poorly understood. The n‐hexane fraction of an ethanol extract of C. rotundus rhizomes was found to inhibit cell growth in ovarian cancer (A2780, SKOV3 and OVCAR3) and endometrial cancer (Hec1A and Ishikawa) cells. Among the thirteen sesquiterpenes isolated from the n‐hexane fraction, some patchoulane‐type compounds, but not eudesmane‐type compounds, showed moderate cytotoxic activity in human ovarian cancer cells. In particular, the patchoulane sesquiterpene 6‐acetoxy cyperene had the most potent cytotoxicity. In this regard, propidium iodide/Annexin V staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP (deoxynucleotide triphosphate) nick end labeling assay were performed to study cell cycle progression and apoptosis. 6‐acetoxy cyperene induced apoptosis, as shown by the accumulation of sub‐G1 and apoptotic cells. Furthermore, treatment with 6‐acetoxy cyperene stimulated the activation of caspase‐3, caspase‐8 and caspase‐9 and poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase in a dose‐dependent manner. Pretreatment with caspase inhibitors neutralized the pro‐apoptotic activity of 6‐acetoxy cyperene. Taken together, these data suggest that 6‐acetoxy cyperene, a patchoulane‐type sesquiterpene isolated from C. rotundus rhizomes, is an anti‐tumour compound that causes caspase‐dependent apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

24-O-乙酰升麻醇-3-O-β-D-木糖苷对HepG2细胞的细胞毒性及其作用机制

 目的研究24-O-乙酰升麻醇-3-O-β-D-木糖苷对HepG2细胞的细胞毒性及其作用机制。方法利用MTT法进行细胞毒活性初筛;用荧光染色细胞形态学观察法、流式细胞术和蛋白质杂交技术从细胞和分子水平研究该化合物的细胞毒作用机制。结果24-O-乙酰升麻醇-3-O-β-D-木糖苷可以抑制HepG2细胞生长,IC₅₀值为13μmol·L^-1。该化合物可以诱导HepG2细胞凋亡和G₂/M细胞周期阻滞。进一步分子水平研究表明,该化合物可使PARP蛋白裂解,抗凋亡蛋白bcl2下调,凋亡蛋白Bax上调,细胞周期素cyclinB和细胞周期素依赖性激酶cdc2表达下调。结论24-O-乙酰升麻醇-3-O-β-D-木糖苷通过诱导细胞凋亡和G₂/M细胞周期阻滞来发挥细胞毒作用,其凋亡机制涉及caspases家族激活,bcl2下调和Bax表达上调,而G₂/M周期阻滞与cdc2和cyclinB下调直接相关。     

多伞阿魏体外抗胃癌活性筛选、细胞凋亡及周期阻滞机制

目的:研究确定新疆特色维族药多伞阿魏体外抗胃癌活性部位及其敏感胃癌细胞系,并探讨多伞阿魏诱导胃癌细胞凋亡和细胞周期阻滞情况,为其进一步在抗胃癌方面的研究、开发与应用提供实验依据。方法:采用四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)比色法检测不同质量浓度多伞阿魏不同提取物(挥发油,95%乙醇提取物,及其石油醚部位,三氯甲烷部位,乙酸乙酯部位,正丁醇部位,水部位)分别对5种胃癌细胞系(AGS,MKN-45,BGC-823,MGC-803,SGC-7901)的增殖抑制作用;采用Hoechst33258荧光染色法观察多伞阿魏挥发油和三氯甲烷部位对胃癌细胞AGS和SGC-7901的影响情况;并应用细胞流式仪检测多伞阿魏不同提取部位作用胃癌细胞AGS和SGC-7901的凋亡和周期阻滞影响情况。结果:与空白组比较,多伞阿魏挥发油,95%乙醇提取物,石油醚部位,三氯甲烷部位,乙酸乙酯部位对5种胃癌细胞均有不同程度的增殖抑制作用(P0.05),并呈现浓度依赖关系。挥发油对胃癌细胞AGS呈现出较强的增殖抑制作用,其半数抑制浓度(IC50)为(7.98±2.62)mg·L~(-1),三氯甲烷部位对5种胃癌细胞系均具有较好的敏感性,对胃癌细胞SGC-7901最为敏感,其IC50为(8.73±0.55)mg·L~(-1),而正丁醇部位和水部位未呈现出明显的细胞增殖抑制作用;多伞阿魏挥发油和三氯甲烷部位作用胃癌细胞AGS和SGC-7901后,细胞核被Hoechst33258染色呈亮蓝色,且随着药物浓度的增加蓝色荧光越强;流式细胞凋亡检测结果显示,多伞阿魏不同提取部位诱导胃癌细胞AGS和SGC-7901发生不同程度的凋亡(P0.05),且随着药物浓度的增加,细胞总凋亡率明显增高;流式细胞周期检测结果显示,与空白组比较,多伞阿魏挥发油使胃癌细胞AGS的周期发生明显改变,细胞休眠期/DNA复制前期(G0/G1期)细胞比例增高,DNA复制期(S期)细胞比例降低,DNA复制后期/有丝分裂期(G2/M期)比例降低(P0.05);与空白组比较,多伞阿魏三氯甲烷部位使胃癌细胞SGC-7901的周期也发生显著改变,G0/G1期细胞比例降低,S期细胞比例增高,G2/M期比例降低(P0.05)。结论:多伞阿魏挥发油对胃癌细胞AGS呈现出较强的细胞毒活性,三氯甲烷部位对5种胃癌细胞均具有较好的增殖抑制作用,尤其对胃癌细胞SGC-7901最为敏感;多伞阿魏各提取部位诱导胃癌细胞AGS和SGC-7901主要发生晚期凋亡,而多伞阿魏乙酸乙酯部位诱导胃癌细胞AGS主要发生细胞早期凋亡;多伞阿魏挥发油能够将胃癌细胞AGS阻滞于G0/G1期,阻止细胞进入S期及G2/M期;伞阿魏三氯甲烷部位将胃癌SGC-7901细胞周期阻滞于S期。研究表明多伞阿魏挥发油和三氯甲烷部位具有较好的抗胃癌活性作用,具有潜在的研究价值和开发利用空间,并为多伞阿魏体内抗胃癌及其抗胃癌机制研究提供了一定的科学依据。     

Apoptotic Effects of the Extracts of Cordyceps militaris via Erk Phosphorylation in a Renal Cell Carcinoma Cell Line

Cordyceps militaris (CM) is gaining attention as a traditional medicinal food, but its molecular biological mechanisms for anti‐cancer activity are not identified or clarified. We aimed to elucidate the synthesizing apoptotic effects of CM extracts and to determine the biological effects of CM extract against cordycepin alone in a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell line. CM extract showed higher effects of growth inhibition, apoptotic effect, and cell cycle arrest than cordycepin alone. Moreover, CM extract activated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (Erk) highly more than cordycepin alone. We suggest that cordycepin and CM extract induced apoptosis via the activation of Erk dominantly and AMP‐activated protein kinase slightly; CM extract has more potent effects on apoptotic effects associated with Erk activation than cordycepin alone. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antitumour effects of phyllanthus emblica L.: Induction of cancer cell apoptosis and Inhibition of in vivo tumour promotion and in vitro invasion of human cancer cells

Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (PE) is a medicinal fruit used in many Asian traditional medicine systems for the treatment of various diseases including cancer. The present study tested the potential anticancer effects of aqueous extract of PE in four ways: (1) against cancer cell lines, (2) in vitro apoptosis, (3) mouse skin tumourigenesis and (4) in vitro invasiveness. The PE extract at 50–100 µg/mL significantly inhibited cell growth of six human cancer cell lines, A549 (lung), HepG2 (liver), HeLa (cervical), MDA‐MB‐231 (breast), SK‐OV3 (ovarian) and SW620 (colorectal). However, the extract was not toxic against MRC5 (normal lung fibroblast). Apoptosis in HeLa cells was also observed as PE extract caused DNA fragmentation and increased activity of caspase‐3/7 and caspase‐8, but not caspase‐9, and up‐regulation of the Fas protein indicating a death receptor‐mediated mechanism of apoptosis. Treatment of PE extract on mouse skin resulted in over 50% reduction of tumour numbers and volumes in animals treated with DMBA/TPA. Lastly, 25 and 50 µg/mL of PE extract inhibited invasiveness of MDA‐MB‐231 cells in the in vitro Matrigel invasion assay. These results suggest P. emblica exhibits anticancer activity against selected cancer cells, and warrants further study as a possible chemopreventive and antiinvasive agent. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactive Oxygen Species‐Mediated Activation of AMP‐Activated Protein Kinase and c‐Jun N‐terminal Kinase Plays a Critical Role in Beta‐Sitosterol‐Induced Apoptosis in Multiple Myeloma U266 cells

Although beta‐sitosterol has been well known to have anti‐tumor activity in liver, lung, colon, stomach, breast and prostate cancers via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, the underlying mechanism of anti‐cancer effect of beta‐sitosterol in multiple myeloma cells was never elucidated until now. Thus, in the present study, the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in association with AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) pathways was demonstrated in beta‐sitosterol‐treated multiple myeloma U266 cells. Beta‐sitosterol exerted cytotoxicity, increased sub‐G₁ apoptotic population and activated caspase‐9 and ‐3, cleaved poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) followed by decrease in mitochondrial potential in U266 cells. Beta‐sitosterol promoted ROS production, activated AMPK, acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) and JNK in U266 cells. Also, beta‐sitosterol attenuated the phosphorylation of AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin and S6K, and the expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 and VEGF in U266 cells. Conversely, AMPK inhibitor compound C and JNK inhibitor SP600125 suppressed apoptosis induced by beta‐sitosterol in U266 cells. Furthermore, ROS scavenger N‐acetyl L‐cysteine attenuated beta‐sitosterol‐mediated sub‐G₁ accumulation, PARP cleavage, JNK and AMPK activation in U266 cells. Overall, these findings for the first time suggest that ROS‐mediated activation of cancer metabolism‐related genes such as AMPK and JNK plays an important role in beta‐sitosterol‐induced apoptosis in U266 multiple myeloma cells. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cytotoxic Impact of Costunolide Isolated from Costus speciosus on Breast Cancer via Differential Regulation of Cell Cycle—An In‐vitro and In‐silico Approach

Costunolide, a sesquiterpene lactone, is a biologically active molecule found in most of the medicinally valuable plants. The present study aims to evaluate the anticancer property of costunolide isolated from Costus speciosus against breast cancer cell lines (MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231). Costunolide effectively reduced the viability of both MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cell lines at an IC₅₀ value of 40 μM. Flow cytometric analysis revealed costunolide mediated cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in both the cell types. Western blotting results confirmed the alterations in the expression of cell cycle regulators (cyclin D1, D3, CDK‐4, CDK‐6, p18 INK4c, p21 CIP1/Waf‐1 and p27 KIP1) and apoptosis inducers (caspase‐3 and caspase‐9) upon costunolide treatment in comparison with their expressions in normal breast cell line (MCF‐10A). Costunolide mediated downregulation of positive cell cycle regulators and upregulation of negative cell cycle regulators were related to the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. The above results were validated with in‐silico results that predicted stable interactions between costunolide and cancer targets. Thus costunolide effectively induced breast cancer cell apoptosis targeting cell cycle regulation, and the compound can be used as an effective herbal therapeutic molecule to treat breast cancer with further explorations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inhibitory effect of n-butylidenephthalide on neointimal hyperplasia in balloon injured rat carotid artery

This investigation was designed to determine the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of n‐butylidenephthalide (BP) from Angelica sinensis on smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation in vitro and in balloon injured rat carotid artery. Treatment of cultured rat aorta SMC‐derived A7r5 cells with 25–100 μg/mL BP significantly inhibited the proliferation and arrested the cell cycle in G₀/G₁ phase. BP induced the expression and migration of Nur77 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Among signal pathways, JNK and p38 MAPK were phosphorylated after BP treatment. In vivo, the neointimal area of common carotid artery 2 weeks after balloon injury reduced significantly in Sprague‐Dawley rats treated with 150–300 mg/kg BP compared with the control. The proliferative activity indicated by immunohistochemical detection of Ki‐67 positive cells in the neointima was significantly decreased in the 60–300 mg/kg BP treatment groups. The apoptotic activity indicated by cleaved caspase‐3 positive cells and Nur77 positive cells in the neointima was significantly increased in rats treated with 60–300 mg/kg BP. This study demonstrated BP inhibited neointimal hyperplasia in balloon injured rat carotid artery due to its dual effects of proliferative inhibition and apoptotic induction on SMCs. Up‐regulation of Nur77 gene may partly explain the antihyperplasia activity of BP on the neointima. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

齐墩果酸诱导人肝癌Bel-7402细胞G2/M期阻滞及凋亡的机制研究

该研究旨在探讨齐墩果酸在诱导Bel-7402肿瘤细胞凋亡过程中,细胞周期分布的变化及其相关的分子机制。采用MTT法、台盼蓝拒染试验检测齐墩果酸对肝癌细胞增殖的抑制作用;PI单染检测细胞周期;Annexin V-FITC双染法观察细胞凋亡;Western blot法检测周期调控蛋白以及凋亡相关蛋白表达的变化。结果显示齐墩果酸能显著抑制Bel-7402肝癌细胞株增殖,G₂/M期的细胞比例显著升高,而G₁期细胞明显减少,明显增加细胞凋亡率;同时下调细胞周期蛋白cyclin B1,使蛋白磷酸酶Cdc25C(Ser216)磷酸化而失去活性、引起Cdk1(Tyr15)以及蛋白激酶Chk1的磷酸化水平升高。OA也可上调p21水平导致细胞周期阻滞在G₂/M期;此外Bcl-2表达减少,Bax,Cyt c表达增加,cleaved-caspase-9和cleaved-caspase-3蛋白表达增加。以上结果提示齐墩果酸能明显抑制肝癌细胞的生长,诱导细胞凋亡,可能是通过激活凋亡线粒体信号通路而实现的。     

Inhibitory effects of Scutellaria baicalensis extract on hepatic stellate cells through inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest and activating ERK-dependent apoptosis via Bax and caspase pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The bioactive components extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SB) have been widely used for anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and modulating the immune response.

Aim of the study

The purpose of this study is to verify the inhibitory effect and the underlying mechanisms of Scutellaria baicalensis ethanol extract (SBEE) on activated hepatic stellate cells which play a central role in liver fibrogenesis.

Materials and methods

Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-administrated rat model was applied to evaluate the anti-fibrotic effect of SBEE in vivo. Flow cytometric analysis and immunoblotting were then used to further investigate the molecular mechanisms by which Scutellaria baicalensis extract induces HSC-T6 cell death.

Results

Hepatic collagen contents and alpha-smooth muscle actin levels were remarkably reduced by treating with SBEE. 100 μg/mL SBEE-induced apoptosis of HSC-T6 cell was characterized with elevated levels of activated caspase-3, poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, and release of cytochrome c into the cytosol in a time-dependent manner. A 24 h treatment of SBEE induced G₂/M cell cycle arrest with increased expression of p21 and downregulation of cdc2 and cyclin B1 protein levels. Again, SBEE induced bax expression with concomitant decrease of bcl-2 and upregulated the p53 and MAPK signaling in HSC-T6 cells.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrated that SBEE could prevent hepatic fibrosis by promoting ERK-p53 pathways which may in turn cause G₂/M cell cycle arrest and activate caspase system resulting in final apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells.     

舒肝凉血方联合三苯氧胺对雌激素依赖性乳腺癌的抑瘤作用

目的:研究中药舒肝凉血方联合三苯氧胺(TAM)对荷雌激素依赖性乳腺癌裸鼠的肿瘤抑制作用,并探讨其可能的机制。方法:建立裸鼠MCF-7乳腺癌移植瘤,随机分为对照组、TAM组、舒肝凉血汤组(简称中药)及中药+TAM组,给药28d后,计算肿瘤抑制率,采用流式细胞技术观察肿瘤细胞周期分布情况,采用TUNEL法观察肿瘤细胞凋亡情况,采用放射免疫法检测裸鼠血清中的雌二醇和孕酮水平。结果:治疗各组移植瘤生长速度均低于对照组,TAM组、中药组及中药+TAM组的抑瘤率分别为28.30%、26.30%、41.01%,各治疗组的平均瘤重与对照组相比差异有统计学意义(P&lt;0.01);治疗各组G0/G1期细胞增多,出现G0/G1期细胞阻滞,其中中药+TAM组周期阻滞最明显;凋亡检测发现中药+TAM组的凋亡率显著高于对照组(P&lt;0.001),且高于单独应用中药和TAM组;中药组和中药+TAM组的血清雌二醇水平显著低于对照组(P&lt;0.0001)。结论:舒肝凉血方与TAM联合应用,可以使TAM的抑瘤作用增强,此作用可能与中药复方诱导细胞周期阻滞和细胞凋亡,以及降低动物血清中雌二醇水平有关。     

Apoptotic Effect of Galbanic Acid via Activation of Caspases and Inhibition of Mcl‐1 in H460 Non‐Small Lung Carcinoma Cells

Galbanic acid (GBA), a major compound of Ferula assafoetida, was known to have cytotoxic, anti‐angiogenic and apoptotic effects in prostate cancer and murine Lewis lung cancer cells; the underling apoptotic mechanism of GBA still remains unclear so far. Thus, in the present study, the apoptotic mechanism of GBA was investigated mainly in H460 non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells because H460 cells were most susceptible to GBA than A549, PC‐9 and HCC827 NSCLC cells. Galbanic acid showed cytotoxicity in wild EGFR type H460 and A549 cells better than other mutant type PC‐9 and HCC827 NSCLC cells. Also, GBA significantly increased the number of Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) positive cells and sub G1 population in H460 cells. Western blotting revealed that GBA cleaved poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP), activated Bax and caspase 9, attenuated the expression of Bcl‐2, Bcl‐x_L, and Myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl‐1) in H460 cells. However, interestingly, overexpression of Mcl‐1 blocked the ability of GBA to exert cytotoxicity, activate caspase9 and Bax, cleave PARP, and increase sub G1 accumulation in H460 cells. Overall, these findings suggest that GBA induces apoptosis in H460 cells via caspase activation and Mcl‐1 inhibition in H460 cells as a potent anticancer agent for NSCLC treatment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

3‐O‐Acetyloleanolic Acid Induces Apoptosis in Human Colon Carcinoma Hct‐116 Cells

The cytotoxic effect of 3‐O‐acetyloleanolic acid, an oleanolic acid derivative isolated from the seeds of Vigna sinensis K., was investigated in human colon carcinoma HCT‐116 cells. 3‐O‐acetyloleanolic acid dose‐dependently inhibited the viability of HCT‐116 cells. Apoptosis was characterized by detection of cell surface annexin V and sub‐G1 apoptotic cell populations. The number of immunostained cells with annexin V‐FITC was increased after treatment with 3‐O‐acetyloleanolic acid. The sub‐G1 cell population was also increased. Expression of TRAIL‐mediated apoptosis signaling‐related death receptor DR5 was increased in 3‐O‐acetyloleanolic acid‐treated HCT‐116 cells. Activation of caspase‐8 and caspase‐3, critical mediators of extrinsic apoptosis signaling, was also increased by 3‐O‐acetyloleanolic acid. The results indicate that 3‐O‐acetyloleanolic acid induces apoptosis in HCT‐116 cells mediated by an extrinsic apoptosis signaling cascade via up‐regulation of DR5. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.