Berberine Suppressed Tumor Growth through Regulating Fatty Acid Metabolism and Triggering Cell Apoptosis via Targeting FABPs

Aim. To further investigate the mechanism behind the antitumor properties of berberine regarding lipid metabolism. Methods. Cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis assays were performed to determine the antigrowth effects of berberine in vitro. Ectopic xenograft models in Balb/c nude mice were established to determine the antitumor effects of berberine in vivo. Results. Berberine inhibited cell viability and proliferation of MGC803 human gastric cancer cell lines in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Berberine induced apoptosis of MGC803 and increased the apoptotic rate with higher doses. Berberine induced the accumulation of fatty acid of MGC803 and suppressed the protein expression of FABPs and PPARα. The FABP inhibitor BMS309403 recapitulated the effects of berberine on MGC803 cells. In the xenograft model, berberine significantly decreased the tumor volume and tumor weight and induced apoptosis in tumor tissues. Berberine significantly elevated the fatty acid content and inhibited the expression of FABPs and PPARα in the MGC803 xenograft models. Conclusion. Berberine exerted anticancer effects on human gastric cancer both in vitro and in vivo by inducing apoptosis, which was due to the reduced protein expression of FABPs and the accumulation of fatty acid.

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Periplocin Extracted from Cortex Periplocae Induced Apoptosis of Gastric Cancer Cells via the ERK1/2-EGR1 Pathway

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000445555 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 38 (5) ◽

pp. 1939-1951 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Lei Li ◽

Lian-Mei Zhao ◽

Su-li Dai ◽

Wen-Xuan Cui ◽

Hui-Lai Lv ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Tunel Staining ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Gastric Cancer Cells ◽

Induced Apoptosis

Background/Aims: Periplocin is extracted from the traditional herbal medicine cortex periplocae, which has been reported to suppress the growth of cancer cells. However, little is known about its effect on gastric cancer cells. Methods: Gastric cancer cells were treated with periplocin, and cell viability was assessed using MTS assay. Flow cytometry and TUNEL staining were performed to evaluate apoptosis, and protein expression was examined by western blotting. Microarray analysis was used to screen for changes in related genes. Results: We found that periplocin had an inhibitory effect on gastric cancer cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Periplocin inhibited cell viability via the ERK1/2-EGR1 pathway to induce apoptosis. Periplocin also inhibited the growth of tumor xenografts and induced apoptosis in vivo. Conclusion: Our results show that periplocin inhibits the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, indicating its potential to be used as an antitumor drug.

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HDAC6 inhibitor WT161 performs antitumor effect on osteosarcoma and synergistically interacts with 5-FU

Bioscience Reports ◽

10.1042/bsr20203905 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jun Sun ◽

Wei Wu ◽

Xiaofeng Tang ◽

Feifei Zhang ◽

Cheng Ju ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dependent Manner ◽

Osteosarcoma Cells ◽

Synergistic Inhibition ◽

Proliferative Effect ◽

Xenograft Models ◽

Hdac6 Inhibitor ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

Induced Apoptosis

Background: WT161, as a selective HDAC6 inhibitor, has been shown to play anti-tumor effects on several kinds of cancers. The aim of this study is to explore the roles of WT161 in osteosarcoma and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: The anti-proliferative effect of WT161 on osteosarcoma cells was examined using MTT assay and colony formation assay. Cell apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometer. The synergistic effect was evaluated by isobologram analysis using CompuSyn software. The osteosarcoma xenograft models were established to evaluate the anti-proliferative effect of WT161 in vivo. Results: WT161 suppressed the cell growth and induced apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Mechanistically, we found that WT161 treatment obviously increased the protein level of PTEN and decreased the phosphorylation level of AKT. More importantly, WT161 show synergistic inhibition with 5-FU on osteosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: These results indicate that WT161 inhibits the growth of osteosarcoma through PTEN and has a synergistic efficiency with 5-FU.

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Anticancer effects and underlying mechanism of Colchicine on human gastric cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo

Bioscience Reports ◽

10.1042/bsr20181802 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Tao Zhang ◽

Wei Chen ◽

Xumian Jiang ◽

Lei Liu ◽

Kai Wei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Underlying Mechanism ◽

Renal Tissue ◽

Human Gastric Cancer ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Migration Assay ◽

Gastric Cancer Cell Lines ◽

Apoptotic Pathways ◽

Induced Apoptosis

Abstract The present study investigated the effects of Colchicine on gastric carcinoma (GC) cells and explored its possible mechanisms underlying such effects. The results of MTT and colony formation assays showed that Colchicine (2, 5, and 10 ng/ml) markedly inhibited the proliferation of AGS and NCI-N87 cells in a dose-dependent manner. It also led to a reduction in cell migration in both GC cells as determined by Transwell migration assay. Mover, data form Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry assay indicated that Colchicine (2, 5, and 10 ng/ml) promoted the apoptosis of NCI-N87 cells. In addition, the release of cytochrome c, the activation of bax, and the inhibition of bcl-2 were observed in NCI-N87 cells treated with Colchicine. Furthermore, the in vivo experiment further confirmed that Colchicine administration remarkably suppressed the tumor growth in nude mice via induction of apoptosis at 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg. In addition, no visible toxicity was observed in liver and renal tissue of mice. This finding suggests that Colchicine-induced apoptosis is associated with caspase-3-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathways.

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Disulfiram Chelated With Copper Inhibits the Growth of Gastric Cancer Cells by Modulating Stress Response and Wnt/β-catenin Signaling

Frontiers in Oncology ◽

10.3389/fonc.2020.595718 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Author(s):

Ling Wang ◽

Xiaoke Chai ◽

Run Wan ◽

Hong Zhang ◽

Cong Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Stress Response ◽

Aerobic Glycolysis ◽

Autophagic Flux ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Gastric Cancer Cells ◽

Cu Complex ◽

Induced Apoptosis

Disulfiram (DSF) is a well-known drug for alcohol abuse. In recent decades, DSF has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-tumor activity; DSF chelated with copper shows enhanced anti-tumor effect. Our goal was to explore the effect of DSF/Cu complex on the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer (GC) in vitro and in vivo. DSF/Cu complex suppressed the proliferation, migration of MKN-45 and BGC-823 GC cells. Furthermore, DSF/Cu treatment reduced the tumor volume in GC mouse models with a tumor suppression rate of 48.24%. Additionally, DSF/Cu induced apoptosis in vitro in MKN-45 and BGC-823 GC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner as well as in vivo in the xenograft tumor mouse model. Furthermore, DSF/Cu induced autophagy and autophagic flux in MKN-45 and BGC-823 cells, increased the expression of autophagy-related Beclin-1 and LC3 proteins in vivo. Additionally, DSF/Cu suppressed aerobic glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation by reducing oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate, respectively, in MKN-45 and BGC-823 cells. Treatment with DSF/Cu induced oxidative stress and DNA damage response by elevating the reactive oxygen species levels; increasing the expression of P53, P21, and γ-H2AX proteins; and inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling in vitro and in vivo. Thus, DSF/Cu suppressed the growth and metastasis of GC cells via modulating the stress response and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Hence, DSF may be used as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of GC.

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Melatonin Induces Cell Apoptosis in AGS Cells Through the Activation of JNK and P38 MAPK and the Suppression of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B: a Novel Therapeutic Implication for Gastric Cancer

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000438587 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 37 (6) ◽

pp. 2323-2338 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Weimin Li ◽

Mengdi Fan ◽

Yina Chen ◽

Qian Zhao ◽

Caiyun Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Protein Expression ◽

Cell Viability ◽

P38 Mapk ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Ags Cells ◽

Apoptotic Pathway ◽

Bax Protein ◽

New Findings ◽

Induced Apoptosis

Background/Aims: Melatonin, synthesized by the pineal gland and released into the blood, appears to have antitumour properties; however, the mechanisms of its anti-cancer effects are largely unknown, especially in stomach cancer. Here, we explore the antitumour activity of melatonin in a gastric cancer cell line (AGS) and analyse its molecular mechanisms. Methods: AGS cells were treated with melatonin, and cell viability was assessed using a CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate apoptosis, and protein expression was examined by Western blotting. Results: Melatonin significantly inhibited cell viability, clone formation, and cell migration and invasion and induced apoptosis in AGS cells. Moreover, MAPK pathways (p38, JNK and ERK) were activated by melatonin treatment, which also significantly increased caspase-3 cleavage and Bax protein expression and decreased Bcl-2 protein expression in a time-dependent manner. Our results demonstrate that p38 and JNK inhibitors (SB203580 and SP600125, respectively) prevented melatonin-induced apoptosis; thus, the propensity of p38 MAPK and JNK to promote apoptosis could be at least partly due to the inhibition of NF-κB p65 activation by p38 and JNK. Finally, melatonin was able to strengthen cisplatin-mediated antitumour effects in human gastric carcinoma cells by up-regulating the expression of Bax, down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and activating the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. Conclusion: Melatonin induced apoptosis in AGS cells by activating the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway and by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65, two processes that are regulated by p38 and JNK. Furthermore, melatonin significantly enhanced the anti-tumour effects of cisplatin, with low systemic toxicity. These new findings suggest that melatonin may act as a potent anti-tumour agent and may have great potential as an adjuvant therapy in the future.

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Synergistic Effect of Zuo Jin Wan on DDP-Induced Apoptosis in Human Gastric Cancer SGC-7901/DDP Cells

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2014/724764 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Qing-Feng Tang ◽

Qing Ji ◽

Yan-Yan Qiu ◽

Ai-Li Cao ◽

Yang-Feng Chi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Cytochrome C ◽

Synergistic Effect ◽

Human Cancer ◽

Xenograft Model ◽

Human Gastric Cancer ◽

Caspase 9 ◽

Induced Apoptosis

A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, Zuo Jin Wan (ZJW), has been found as an anticancer drug in human cancer. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effect of ZJW extracts on DDP-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer SGC-7901/DDP cells. Our results demonstrated that ZJW extracts could increase the sensitivity of SGC-7901/DDP cells to DDP by increasing the concentration of DDP in cytoplasm and enhance the proapoptosis of DDP by upregulating the JNK and Bax expression, downregulating the Bcl-2 expression, increasing the accumulation of Cytochrome C in cytoplasm, and promoting the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9.In vivo, ZJW extracts enhanced the inhibiting effect of DDP on tumor growth in SGC-7901/DDP xenograft model and upregulated the expression of p-JNK and Bax but downregulated the Bcl-2 expression in xenograft tumors. In conclusion,in vitroandin vivo, ZJW extracts could enhance the proapoptotic effect of DDP by promoting the activation of JNK and the expression of Bcl-2, inhibiting the Bax expression, followed by increasing the release of Cytochrome C from mitochondria to cytoplasm, and finally activating the caspase cade reaction. Our results implied that ZJW might serve as a synergistic drug with chemotherapeutic drugs DDP in the treatment of gastric cancer.

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VDAC1 Mediated Anticancer Activity of Gallic Acid in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1871520617666170912115441 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 255-262 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Aikebaier Maimaiti ◽

Amier Aili ◽

Hureshitanmu Kuerban ◽

Xuejun Li

Keyword(s):

Western Blot ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Gallic Acid ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

A549 Cells ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Lung Carcinoma Cells ◽

Induced Apoptosis ◽

The Impact

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.

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Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids Induce Cell Death in Human HepaRG Cells in a Structure-Dependent Manner

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22010202 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 202

Author(s):

Josephin Glück ◽

Julia Waizenegger ◽

Albert Braeuning ◽

Stefanie Hessel-Pras

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids ◽

Defense Mechanism ◽

Hepatoma Cell ◽

Hepatoma Cell Line ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Human Hepatoma Cell

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a group of secondary metabolites produced in various plant species as a defense mechanism against herbivores. PAs consist of a necine base, which is esterified with one or two necine acids. Humans are exposed to PAs by consumption of contaminated food. PA intoxication in humans causes acute and chronic hepatotoxicity. It is considered that enzymatic PA toxification in hepatocytes is structure-dependent. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the induction of PA-induced cell death associated with apoptosis activation. Therefore, 22 structurally different PAs were analyzed concerning the disturbance of cell viability in the metabolically competent human hepatoma cell line HepaRG. The chosen PAs represent the main necine base structures and the different esterification types. Open-chained and cyclic heliotridine- and retronecine-type diesters induced strong cytotoxic effects, while treatment of HepaRG with monoesters did not affect cell viability. For more detailed investigation of apoptosis induction, comprising caspase activation and gene expression analysis, 14 PA representatives were selected. The proapoptotic effects were in line with the potency observed in cell viability studies. In vitro data point towards a strong structure–activity relationship whose effectiveness needs to be investigated in vivo and can then be the basis for a structure-associated risk assessment.

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