Lupeol, one of the common components from the fruits and natural foods, has been reported to exert antitumor activities in many human cancer cell lines; however, its effects on osteosarcoma cell ...metastasis were not elucidated. In the present study, lupeol at 10-25 μM induced cell morphological changes and decreased total viable cell number in U-2 OS cells. Lupeol (5-15 μM) suppressed cell mobility, migration, and invasion by wound healing and transwell chamber assays, respectively. Lupeol inhibited the activities of MMP-2 and −9 in U-2 OS cells by gelatin zymography assay. Lupeol significantly decreased PI3K, pAKT, β-catenin, and increased GSK3β. Furthermore, lupeol decreased the expressions of Ras, p-Raf-1, p-p38, and β-catenin. Lupeol also decreased uPA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and N-cadherin but increased VE-cadherin in U-2 OS cells. Based on these observations, we suggest that lupeol can be used in anti-metastasis of human osteosarcoma cells in the future.
The possible signaling pathways for lupeol suppressed cell migration and invasion in U-2 OS cells in vitro
Oridonin (ORI) is a natural diterpenoid presented in some medicinal plants. The effects of pre-treatments from ORI against MPP+- or kainic acid (KA)-induced damage in nerve growth factor ...(NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells were investigated. Results showed that pre-treatments of ORI at 0.25–2 μM enhanced the viability and plasma membrane integrity of NGF-differentiated PC12 cells. MPP+ or KA exposure down-regulated Bcl-2 mRNA expression, up-regulated Bax mRNA expression, increased caspase-3 activity and decreased Na+-K+ ATPase activity. ORI pre-treatments at test concentrations reversed these changes. ORI pre-treatments decreased reactive oxygen species production, raised glutathione level, and increased glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and catalase activities in MPP+ or KA treated cells. ORI pre-treatments lowered tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 levels in MPP+ or KA treated cells. ORI also diminished MPP+ or KA induced increase in nuclear factor-κB binding activity. MPP+ exposure suppressed tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA expression and decreased dopamine content. KA exposure reduced glutamine synthetase (GS) mRNA expression, raised glutamate level and lowered glutamine level. ORI pre-treatments at 0.5–2 μM up-regulated mRNA expression of TH and GS, restored DA and glutamine content. These findings suggested that oridonin was a potent neuro-protective agent against Parkinson's disease and seizure.
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•Oridonin (ORI) against MPP+ or kainic acid (KA) induced damage in NGF-differentiated PC12 cells were examined.•ORI pre-treatments decreased caspase-3 activity and increased Na+-K+ ATPase activity.•ORI diminished MPP+ or KA induced increase in nuclear factor-κB binding activity.•ORI increased mRNA expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and glutamine synthetase.•Oridonin was a potent neuro-protective agent against Parkinson's disease and seizure.
Cisplatin-resistant oral cancer is clinically difficult to manage and the dose-dependent toxicities of cisplatin has been widely concerned. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), known as mustard oil, is a ...plant-derived compound abundant in cruciferous vegetables. It is reported to have anti-cancer potential as a natural dietary chemopreventive compound against a variety of cancers, but the effect of AITC on cisplatin-resistant cancer cells is still little-known.
Human CAL27-cisplatin-resistant oral cancer cells (CAR cells) were examined to investigate the antitumor properties of AITC. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, IncuCyte™ S3 cell proliferation assay, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining as well as Western blot analysis were deployed.
AITC decreased CAR cell viability, induced cell death of CAR cells and inhibited the confluences of cultured CAR cells. When CAR cells were treated with AITC, activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 by AITC was observed and could be reversed by Z-VAD-fmk (pan-caspase inhibitor). Furthermore, the protein expressions of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) were suppressed in AITC-treated CAR cells, whereas protein expressions of Bax, cytochrome c, Apaf-1, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-9 were upregulated in AITC-treated CAR cells.
AITC can inhibit Akt/mTOR proliferation signaling and promote mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway through AITC-enhanced activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in CAR cells.
Novel quinazolinone compounds have been studied in the field of drug discovery for a long time. Among their broad range of pharmacological effects, certain compounds effectively inhibit cancer cell ...proliferation. MJ‑33 is a quinazolinone derivative with proposed anticancer activities that was synthesized in our laboratory. The present study aimed to evaluate the anticancer activity of MJ‑33 in fluorouracil (5FU)‑resistant colorectal cancer cells (HT‑29/5FUR) and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. The cell viability assay results indicated that HT‑29/5FUR cell viability was inhibited by MJ‑33 treatment in a concentration‑dependent manner compared with the control group. The cellular morphological alterations observed following MJ‑33 treatment indicated the occurrence of apoptosis and autophagy, as well as inhibition of cell proliferation in a time‑dependent manner compared with the control group. The acridine orange, LysoTracker Red and LC3‑green fluorescent protein staining results indicated that MJ‑33 treatment significantly induced autophagy compared with the control group. The DAPI/TUNEL dual staining results demonstrated increased nuclear fragmentation and condensation following MJ‑33 treatment compared with the control group. The Annexin V apoptosis assay and image cytometry analysis results demonstrated a significant increase in apoptotic cells following MJ‑33 treatment compared with the control group. The western blotting results demonstrated markedly decreased Bcl‑2, phosphorylated (p)‑BAD, pro‑caspase‑9 and pro‑caspase‑3 expression levels, and notably increased cytochrome c and apoptotic peptidase activating factor 1 expression levels following MJ‑33 treatment compared with the control group. Moreover, the expression levels of autophagy‑related proteins, including autophagy related (ATG)‑5, ATG‑7, ATG‑12, ATG‑16, p62 and LC3‑II, were increased following MJ‑33 treatment compared with the control group. Furthermore, MJ‑33‑treated HT‑29/5FUR cells displayed decreased expression levels of p‑AKT and p‑mTOR compared with control cells. The results suggested that MJ‑33‑induced apoptosis was mediated by AKT signaling, and subsequently modulated via the mitochondria‑dependent signaling pathway. Therefore, the results suggested that suppression of AKT/mTOR activity triggered autophagy in the HT‑29/5FUR cell line. In summary, the results indicated that MJ‑33 inhibited HT‑29/5FUR cell viability, and induced apoptosis and autophagy via the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The present study may provide novel insight into the anticancer effects and mechanisms underlying MJ‑33 in 5FU‑resistant colorectal cancer cells.
Abstract It is well known that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) act an important role in the invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis of cancer cells. Agents suppressed the MMPs could inhibited the ...cancer cells migration and invasion. Numerous evidences had shown that curcumin (the active constituent of the dietary spice turmeric) has potential for the prevention and therapy of cancer. Curcumin can inhibit the formation of tumors in animal models of carcinogenesis and act on a variety of molecular targets involved in cancer development. There is however, no available information to address the effects of curcumin on migration and invasion of human lung cancer cells. The anti-tumor invasion and migration effects of lung cancer cells induced by curcumin were examined. Here, we report that curcumin suppressed the migration and invasion of human non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549) in vitro . Our findings suggest that curcumin has anti-metastatic potential by decreasing invasiveness of cancer cells. Moreover, this action was involved in the MEKK3, p-ERK signaling pathways resulting in inhibition of MMP-2 and -9 in human lung cancer A549 cells. Overall, the above data shows that the anticancer effect of curcumin is also exist for the inhibition of migration and invasion in lung cancer cells.
Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a bioactive phytochemical compound that is a constituent of dietary cruciferous vegetables, possesses promising chemopreventive and anticancer effects. However, reports ...of AITC exerting antitumor effects on apoptosis induction of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in vitro are not well elucidated. The present study focused on the functional mechanism of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress‑based apoptotic machinery induced by AITC in human colorectal cancer HT‑29 cells. Our results indicated that AITC decreased cell growth and number, reduced viability, and facilitated morphological changes of apoptotic cell death. DNA analysis by flow cytometry showed G2/M phase arrest, and alterations in the modulated protein levels caused by AITC were detected via western blot analysis. AITC also triggered vital intrinsic apoptotic factors (caspase‑9/caspase‑3 activity), disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, and stimulated mitochondrial‑related apoptotic molecules (e.g., cytochrome c, apoptotic protease activating factor 1, apoptosis‑inducing factor, and endonuclease G). Additionally, AITC prompted induced cytosolic Ca2+ release and Ca2+‑dependent ER stress‑related signals, such as calpain 1, activating transcription factor 6α, glucose‑regulated proteins 78 and 94, growth arrest‑ and DNA damage‑inducible protein 153 (GADD153), and caspase‑4. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was found to induce the hallmark of ER stress GADD153, proapoptotic marker caspase‑3, and calpain activity after AITC treatment. Our findings showed for the first time that AITC induced G2/M phase arrest and apoptotic death via ROS‑based ER stress and the intrinsic pathway (mitochondrial‑dependent) in HT‑29 cells. Overall, AITC may exert an epigenetic effect and is a potential bioactive compound for CRC treatment.
The effects of two‐drug combination, all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), on apoptosis induction of liver cancer cells were investigated in human liver Hep 3B cells. ...Two‐drug combination caused a more effective decrease in cell viability and in induction of S phase arrest, DNA damage, and cell apoptosis than that of ATRA or BDMC only. Also, the two‐drug combination caused more cells to undergo significantly increased ROS productions when compared to that of ATRA or BDMC only. Results of Western blotting demonstrated that two‐drug combination increased expressions of Fas, pro‐apoptotic proteins, and active form of caspase‐3 and ‐9, but decreased that of anti‐apoptotic proteins and XIAP than that of ATRA or BDMC only in Hep 3B cells. In conclusion, ATRA combined with BDMC enhance cell apoptosis and associated protein expression in Hep 3B cells.
Practical applications
Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) derived from natural plants, turmeric (Curcuma longa), which had been used for Asia food for thousands of years. All‐trans retinoid acid (ATRA) is currently used as a primary treatment for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. In previous study, ATRA and BDMC were reported to have anti‐inflammatory and anticancer effects. Our results showed that treatment of ATRA combined with BDMC showed more effectively apoptosis than that of ATRA or BDMC only in Hep 3B cells. The findings also provided possible pathways concerning the induction of liver cancer cell apoptosis. We conclude that ATRA combined with BDMC may be potent anticancer agents or adjuvants for liver cancer therapy in the future.
Twelve novel 20-sulfonylamidine derivatives (9a–9l) of camptothecin (1) were synthesized via a Cu-catalyzed three-component reaction. They showed similar or superior cytotoxicity compared with that ...of irinotecan (3) against A-549, DU-145, KB, and multidrug-resistant (MDR) KBvin tumor cell lines. Compound 9a demonstrated better cytotoxicity against MDR cells compared with that of 1 and 3. Mechanistically, 9a induced significant DNA damage by selectively inhibiting Topoisomerase (Topo) I and activating the ATM/Chk related DNA damage-response pathway. In xenograft models, 9a demonstrated significant activity without overt adverse effects at 5 and 10 mg/kg, comparable to 3 at 100 mg/kg. Notably, 9a at 300 mg/kg (i.p.) showed no overt toxicity in contrast to 1 (LD50 56.2 mg/kg, i.p.) and 3 (LD50 177.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Intact 9a inhibited Topo I activity in a cell-free assay in a manner similar to that of 1, confirming that 9a is a new class of Topo I inhibitor. 20-Sulfonylamidine 1-derivative 9a merits development as an anticancer clinical trial candidate.
Oxidative stress may play critically important roles in the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). 6‐Hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) is a physiological neurotoxin reported to induce oxidative‐induced ...apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in PD mice models. Valproic acid (VPA), a clinical mood stabilizer, is a HDAC inhibitor with neuroprotective capacities. In the study, we aim at examining the feasibility of VPA as a protector for dopaminergic neurons against damage from 6‐OHDA, and the intracellular mechanisms. The 6‐OHDA‐induced neurotoxicity to the human dopaminergic cell line SH‐SY5Y was applied for examining VPA protective effects. Pretreatment with VPA was able to improve cell viability and reduce 6‐OHDA‐induced reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, a significant suppression of apoptotic caspases including cleaved caspase‐3, caspase‐7, and caspase‐9 was observed. The results also revealed VPA decreased the 6‐OHDA‐induced Bax/Bcl2 ratio, as measured at protein level. These novel findings indicate that VPA may be capable of protecting the SH‐SY5Y dopaminergic neuronal cells from 6‐OHDA‐induced toxicity via the deceasing of apoptotic caspases (cleaved caspase‐3, caspase‐7, and caspase‐9) and reducing of the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Very possibly, VPA could serve as not only a mood stabilizer but also a potential antidote for PD prevention.
The present study was to explore the biological responses of the newly compound, MJ-29 in murine myelomonocytic leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vitro and in vivo fates. We focused on the in vitro effects of ...MJ-29 on ER stress and mitochondria-dependent apoptotic death in WEHI-3 cells, and to hypothesize that MJ-29 might fully impair the orthotopic leukemic mice. Our results indicated that a concentration-dependent decrease of cell viability was shown in MJ-29-treated cells. DNA content was examined utilizing flow cytometry, whereas apoptotic populations were determined using annexin V/PI, DAPI staining and TUNEL assay. Increasing vital factors of mitochondrial dysfunction by MJ-29 were further investigated. Thus, MJ-29-provaked apoptosis of WEHI-3 cells is mediated through the intrinsic pathway. Importantly, intracellular Ca(2+) release and ER stress-associated signaling also contributed to MJ-29-triggered cell apoptosis. We found that MJ-29 stimulated the protein levels of calpain 1, CHOP and p-eIF2α pathways in WEHI-3 cells. In in vivo experiments, intraperitoneal administration of MJ-29 significantly improved the total survival rate, enhanced body weight and attenuated enlarged spleen and liver tissues in leukemic mice. The infiltration of immature myeloblastic cells into splenic red pulp was reduced in MJ-29-treated leukemic mice. Moreover, MJ-29 increased the differentiations of T and B cells but decreased that of macrophages and monocytes. Additionally, MJ-29-stimulated immune responses might be involved in anti-leukemic activity in vivo. Based on these observations, MJ-29 suppresses WEHI-3 cells in vitro and in vivo, and it is proposed that this potent and selective agent could be a new chemotherapeutic candidate for anti-leukemia in the future.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK