scholarly journals Potential Mechanisms of an Antiadenomyosis Chinese Herbal Formula Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction in Primary Cell Culture Model

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Ge Guan ◽  
Jin-Bin Liao ◽  
Kun-Yin Li ◽  
Yu-Cui Li ◽  
Yang Song ◽  
...  

Background. Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction (SGD), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has been widely used to treat adenomyosis, dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain, and inflammation in Asia. However, the mechanism underlying the effectiveness of SGD in the treatment of adenomyosis still remains elusive. The present study aimed to investigate the bioactivity of SGD and its underlying molecular mechanisms using cultured human adenomyosis-derived cells.Methods. Human adenomyosis-derived cells were treated with SGD and its major constituents (paeoniflorin and liquiritin)in vitro. Effects of SGD, paeoniflorin, and liquiritin on cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined by MTT assay and flow cytometry analyses. The effects of SGD, paeoniflorin, and liquiritin on the production of PGE2and PGF2αwere assayed using ELISA. ER-αand OTR mRNA expression levels were also evaluated by real-time qRT-PCR.Results. SGD, paeoniflorin, and liquiritin inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of human adenomyosis-derived cells in a dose-dependent manner. SGD and paeoniflorin significantly reduced the PGE2and PGF2αproduction. Furthermore, they remarkably decreased the mRNA levels of ER-αand OTR.Conclusions. The results of this study provide possible mechanisms for the bioactivity of SGD for treating adenomyosis and contribute to the ethnopharmacological knowledge about this prescription.

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (12) ◽  
pp. 875-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Zhao ◽  
Yong-Lie Chao ◽  
Qian-Bing Wan ◽  
Xin-Min Chen ◽  
Peng Su ◽  
...  

Novel effective drugs are still urgently needed in the prevention and treatment of oral adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). In this study, we have assessed the antitumor potential and molecular mechanisms of flavokawain B (FKB) as a kava chalcone on the ACC-2 cell line in vitro. The results demonstrated that FKB could significantly inhibit the cell proliferation of ACC-2 in a dose-dependent manner that was associated with induced apoptosis and cell cycle G2-M arrest, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of flavokawain-B treatment for 48 h was estimated to be 4.69 ± 0.43 µmol/L. Mechanistically, FKB could induce the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol, and activate the cleavage of caspase-3 and, eventually, the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), in a dose-dependent manner, leading to marked apoptotic effect of ACC-2 cells. The apoptotic action of FKB was associated with the increased expression of proapoptotic proteins: Bim, Bax, Bak and a decreased expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2. Among them, Bim expression was significantly induced by FKB, and knockdown of Bim expression by short-hairpin RNAs attenuated the inhibitory effect induced by FKB on ACC-2 cells. These results suggest Bim may be one of the potential transcriptional targets, and suggests the potential usefulness of FKB for the prevention and treatment of ACC.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aikebaier Maimaiti ◽  
Amier Aili ◽  
Hureshitanmu Kuerban ◽  
Xuejun Li

Aims: Gallic acid (GA) is generally distributed in a variety of plants and foods, and possesses cell growth-inhibiting activities in cancer cell lines. In the present study, the impact of GA on cell viability, apoptosis induction and possible molecular mechanisms in cultured A549 lung carcinoma cells was investigated. Methods: In vitro experiments showed that treating A549 cells with various concentrations of GA inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In order to understand the mechanism by which GA inhibits cell viability, comparative proteomic analysis was applied. The changed proteins were identified by Western blot and siRNA methods. Results: Two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed changes that occurred to the cells when treated with or without GA. Four up-regulated protein spots were clearly identified as malate dehydrogenase (MDH), voltagedependent, anion-selective channel protein 1(VDAC1), calreticulin (CRT) and brain acid soluble protein 1(BASP1). VDAC1 in A549 cells was reconfirmed by western blot. Transfection with VDAC1 siRNA significantly increased cell viability after the treatment of GA. Further investigation showed that GA down regulated PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. These data strongly suggest that up-regulation of VDAC1 by GA may play an important role in GA-induced, inhibitory effects on A549 cell viability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 307
Author(s):  
Hyun-Jung Park ◽  
Ran Lee ◽  
Hyunjin Yoo ◽  
Kwonho Hong ◽  
Hyuk Song

Nonylphenol (NP) is an endocrine-disruptor chemical that negatively affects reproductive health. Testes exposure to NP results in testicular structure disruption and a reduction in testicular size and testosterone levels. However, the effects of NP on spermatogonia in testes have not been fully elucidated. In this study, the molecular mechanisms of NP in GC-1 spermatogonia (spg) cells were investigated. We found that cell viability significantly decreased and apoptosis increased in a dose-dependent manner when GC-1 spg cells were exposed to NP. Furthermore, the expression levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins increased, whereas anti-apoptosis markers decreased in NP-exposed GC-1 spg cells. We also found that NP increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, suggesting that ROS-induced activation of the MAPK signaling pathway is the molecular mechanism of NP-induced apoptosis in GC-1 spg cells. Thus, NP could induce c-Jun phosphorylation; dose-dependent expression of JNK, MKK4, p53, and p38; and the subsequent inhibition of ERK1/2 and MEK1/2 phosphorylation. The genes involved in apoptosis and JNK signaling were also upregulated in GC-1 spg cells treated with NP compared to those in the controls. Our findings suggest that NP induces apoptosis through ROS/JNK signaling in GC-1 spg cells.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolu Qu ◽  
Leyan Yan ◽  
Rihong Guo ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Zhendan Shi

LPS is a major endotoxin produced by gram-negative bacteria, and exposure to it commonly occurs in animal husbandry. Previous studies have shown that LPS infection disturbs steroidogenesis, including progesterone production, and subsequently decreases animal reproductive performance. However, little information about the underlying mechanisms is available thus far. In the present study, an in vitro-luteinized porcine granulosa cell model was used to study the underlying molecular mechanisms of LPS treatment. We found that LPS significantly inhibits progesterone production and downregulates the expressions of progesterone synthesis-associated genes (StAR, CYP11A1, and 3β-HSD). Furthermore, the levels of ROS were significantly increased in an LPS dose-dependent manner. Moreover, transcriptional factors GATA4 and GATA6, but not NR5A1, were significantly downregulated. Elimination of LPS-stimulated ROS by melatonin or vitamin C could restore the expressions of GATA4, GATA6, and StAR. In parallel, StAR expression was also inhibited by the knockdown of GATA4 and GATA6. Based on these data, we conclude that LPS impairs StAR expression via the ROS-induced downregulation of GATA4 and GATA6. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into the understanding of reproductive losses in animals suffering from bacterial infection and LPS exposure.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. BCI.S880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlene F. Shehata

Introduction In Dahl rats’ kidney cortex, the alternatively spliced form of the epithelial sodium channel α subunit (α ENaC-b) is the most abundant mRNA transcript (32+/-3 fold > α ENaC-wt) as was investigated by quantitative RT-PCR analysis. α ENaC-b mRNA levels were significantly higher in Dahl R versus S rats, and were further augmented by high salt diet. Objectives In the present study, we described the molecular cloning and searched for a possible role of α ENaC-b by testing its potential expression in COS7 cells as well as its impact on α ENaC-wt expression levels when co-expressed in COS7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Methods Using RT-PCR strategy, the full-length wildtype α ENaC transcript and the alternatively spliced form α ENaC-b were amplified, sequenced, cloned, subcloned into PCMV-sport6 expression vector, expressed and co-expressed into COS7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. A combination of denaturing and native western blotting techniques was employed to examine the expression of α ENaC-b in vitro, and to determine if an interaction between α ENaC-b and α ENaC-wt occurs in vitro, and finally to demonstrate if degradation of α ENaC-wt protein does occur. Results α ENaC-b is translated in COS7 cells. Co-expression of α ENaC-b together with α ENaC-wt reduced α ENaC-wt levels in a dose-dependent manner. α ENaC-wt and α ENaC-b appear to form a complex that enhances the degradation of α ENaC-wt. Conclusions Western blots suggest a novel mechanism in α ENaC regulation whereby α ENaC-b exerts a dominant negative effect on α ENaC-wt expression. This is potentially by sequestering α ENaC-wt, enhancing its proteolytic degradation, and possibly explaining the mechanism of salt-resistance in Dahl R rats.


1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (6) ◽  
pp. F938-F945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyne Moreau ◽  
José Vilar ◽  
Martine Lelièvre-Pégorier ◽  
Claudie Merlet-Bénichou ◽  
Thierry Gilbert

Vitamin A and its derivatives have been shown to promote kidney development in vitro in a dose-dependent fashion. To address the molecular mechanisms by which all- trans-retinoic acid (RA) may regulate the nephron mass, rat kidneys were removed on embryonic day 14( E14) and grown in organ culture under standard or RA-stimulated conditions. By using RT-PCR, we studied the expression of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), its cell surface receptor-α (GDNFR-α), and the receptor tyrosine kinase c-ret, known to play a major role in renal organogenesis. Expression of GDNF and GDNFR-α transcripts was high at the time of explantation and remained unaffected in culture with or without RA. In contrast, c-ret mRNA level, which was low in E14 metanephros and dropped rapidly in vitro, was increased by RA in a dose-dependent manner. The same is true at the protein level. Exogenous GDNF barely promotes additional nephron formation in vitro. Thus the present data establish c-ret as a key target of retinoids during kidney organogenesis.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 4713-4713
Author(s):  
Zhen Cai ◽  
Wenjun Wu Master

Abstract Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent a heterogenous group of clonal stem cell disorders with qualitative and quantitative abnormalities of blood cells and a high probability of evolving to acute leukemia. Intensive induction chemotherapy in order to reduce the malignant clone and reconstruct normal hematopoiesis is a classic therapy of MDS, especially high risk MDS. Topotecan (TPT), a semisynthetic water-soluble derivative of camptothecin, is a potent inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase I and has been extensively studied in hematologic malignances. However, little is known about how TPT acts against neoplastic cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate apoptotic effect of TPT on the MDS cell line MUTZ-1 and its associated changes in the expression of inhibitors of apoptosis protein (IAPs). The effect of TPT on MUTZ-1 growth was determined by using MTT assay. Characteristics associated with apoptosis induced by TPT were evaluated by transmission electron microscope, DNA gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry (FCM). Cell cycle shift were observed by FCM. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of members of IAP gene family, including survivin, XIAP, Bcl-2, Bax, cIAP1 andcIAP2. The potential of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was determined by using JC-1 probe. The results demonstrated that TPT significantly inhibited MUTZ-1 cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner with IC50 of 5.011 mmol/L, 1.297mmol/L and 0.483mmol/L at 24h, 48h and 72h respectively. Morphological features associated with TPT-induced apoptosis observed by transmission electron microscopy included cytoplasmic and nuclear shrinkage, karyorrhexis, nuclear convolution, chromatin condensation and margination, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and membrane-bound apoptotic bodies. An ambiguous DNA ladder was observed following treatment with 5mmol/L TPT for 24h, and a typical DNA ladder was observed with 10mmol/L TPT for 24h. The apoptotic rates were 11.69±0.51%, 34.07±1.73%, and 48.59±2.01%, respectively, after 24h culture with TPT as 1, 5, 10 μmol/L, significantly higher than that of the control (3.47%±0.3%; F=31.642, P<0.01). The percentage of MUTZ-1 cells in G2/M phase of the cell cycle decreased while in S and G0/G1 phase increased after treatment with 1mmol/L TPT for 24h,. The majority of the cells were arrested in S phase. After 24h culture with TPT at1, 5, and 10μmol/L, the mRNA levels of survivin, XIAP, cIAP1 and cIAP2 were decreased (P<0.01). This down-regulation was negatively correlated with TPT-induced apoptotic rates(P<0.05). There was no significant change in the Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA levels after TPT treatment (P>0.05). After 24h culture with 1μmol/L TPT, the MMP of TPT treated cells decreased significantly(P<0.01). Together, we conclude TPT can inhibit the growth and induce apoptosis of MUTZ-1 cells in a time- and dose- dependent manner. TPT can also induce the cell cycle changes, with the majoritoy of cells being arrested in S phase. The TPT-induced apoptosis in MUTZ-1 cells is associated with down-regulation of suvivin, XIAP, cIAP1and cIAP2 mRNA expresison. As well, MMP may be play a important role in the apoptotic process of MUTZ-1 cells induced by TPT.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 4628-4628
Author(s):  
Zhen Cai ◽  
Jingsong He ◽  
Jiming Shi ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Xiaoyan Han ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Despite recent advances, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is still a therapeutic challenge. CAHB is a novel differentiation inducer which showed early evidence of efficacy in a phase I clinical trial. We used this agent to treat cultured MDS cells in vitro in our research laboratory and then, in a prospective clinical trial in our clinic. Preclinical data: We first investigated the effect of CAHB in vitro in human MDS-RAEB cell line MUTZ-1 cells. Treatment with CAHB remarkably inhibited the growth of MUTZ-1 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner with IC50 at 5.6 mmol/L at 48 hours. CAHB treatment decreased S phase cells, increased G2/M phase cells, but did not change G0/G1 phase cells, which indicated arrest in G2 phase. When treated with different concentrations of CAHB (0, 2.5, 5, 10 mmol/L) for 24 hours, the expressions of survivin mRNA decreased in a dose-dependent fashion. Patients and method: Eligible patients with MDS had organ functions and were without significant cormobidities. Data from 3 pancytopenic patients on this trial were analyzed. Their whole blood counts were 1.1, 2.3, and 2.5 k/uL, respectively. Their hemoglobins were 7, 9, and 7 g/dL, respectively. Their platelets counts were 10, 31, and 20 k/uL, respectively. The blasts form all 3 patients were of myeloid immunophenotype and diploid chromosomal karyotype. All 3 patients received 0.45g/m2 CAHB for eight hours daily for 10 days every 5 weeks as 1 cycle. Clinical Results: Upon the completion of the two courses, all had fatigue. Their bone marrow blasts decreased from 13.5% to7% (48% decrease), 26.5% to12% (55% decrease), and 11% to 2% (82% decrease), respectively. No grade 3–4 toxicities were observed after 2 months. Grade 1–2 toxicities included nausea and vomiting. Two patients had EKG changes with ST-segment depressions, u wave and bundle branch block which disappeared after the drug was stopped. There was no significant change in the peripheral blood cell counts in all 3 patients. Conclusion: CAHB inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis of MUTZ-1 cells in vitro. CAHB reduced blast cells in 3 MDS patients. Two patients had transient EKG changes. Our preliminary clincial data showed early evidence of efficacy of CHAB in treating MDS with a tolerable toxicity profile. Its mechnism of action is under further investigation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 1890-1902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanfei Zhang ◽  
Chen Tu ◽  
Dingwei Zhang ◽  
Yan Zheng ◽  
Zhenhui Peng ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Wnt5a is overexpressed in psoriasis lesions, however the mechanism by which Wnt5a is involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis is not clear. To address this, the expression of Wnt5a in psoriatic lesions and its effect on keratinocyte cell proliferation and apoptosis was examined in vitro. Methods: The expression levels of WNT5A, and genes encoding its receptors frizzled2 (FZD2) and frizzled5 (FZD5) were examined in samples obtained from individuals with psoriasis and healthy controls. Knockdown of Wnt5a with short interfering (si)RNAs was performed in cultured HaCaT keratinocytes and normal human keratinocytes (NHK), and the expression of Wnt5a, protein kinase C (PKC), and β-catenin were determined, and cell cycle activity, proliferation and apoptosis were assessed. Results: The expression of WNT5A, FZD2 and FZD5 mRNA and protein were increased in psoriatic lesions. Wnt5a knockdown suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis in HaCaT and NHK cells. Additionally, expression of PCNA, MKI67, CCND1, BCL2, CTNNB1, and genes encoding PKC and survivin were downregulated, whereas CASP3 was upregulated. The mRNA levels of the Wnt pathway inhibitors DKK1 and SFRP1 were upregulated, Western blotting analyses demonstrated reduction in β-catenin and PKC protein levels. Conclusion: Knockdown of Wnt5a suppresses the proliferation of keratinocytes and induces apoptosis by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin or Wnt5a/Ca2+ pathways.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1934578X2110399
Author(s):  
Bing Liu ◽  
Hao Lian

Objectives: Caesalpinia Sappan L. is a traditional Chinese medicine with a long history. Recent studies have confirmed that Sappan has an antitumor effect, but its specific mechanism is still unclear. Methods: In this study, we used network pharmacology to predict the target and signal pathway of Sappan. In addition, the Cancer Genome Atlas and cancer cell lines encyclopedia large-scale genomic databases were used to analyze the relationship between different subtypes of Akt. Based on molecular docking technology, the interaction mode between small molecule compounds and protein targets was explored. Finally, we studied the effect of Sappan on Akt protein expression by Western blot in vitro. Results: AKT1 and AKT2 were significantly expressed in breast cancer cells, but they were significantly different from AKT3. Finally, molecular docking analysis showed that (3R,5R)-1,3,4,5-tetrakis(((E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acryloyl)oxy)cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid had a very ideal binding mode with Akt. Subsequent experiments showed that Sappan extract could induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and down regulate the phosphorylation level of Akt protein thr308 in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: This study provides new ideas for Sappan's anticancer research through the strategy of system pharmacology.


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