scholarly journals The pro-apoptosis effects of Echinacea purpurea and Cannabis sativa extracts in human lung cancer cells through caspase-dependent pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Hosami ◽  
Azadeh Manayi ◽  
Vahid Salimi ◽  
Farshad Khodakhah ◽  
Mitra Nourbakhsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Cannabis Sativa ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Echinacea Purpurea ◽  
G1 Phase ◽  
Cell Cycle Distribution ◽  
Cb2 Receptor ◽  
Anti Cancer

Abstract Background Considering the advantages of using medicinal herbs as supplementary treatments to sensitize conventional anti-cancer drugs, studying functional mechanisms and regulatory effects of Echinacea purpurea (as a non-cannabinoid plant) and Cannabis sativa (as a cannabinoid plant) are timely and required. The potential effects of such herbs on lung cancer cell growth, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, caspase activity and their cannabinomimetic properties on the CB2 receptor are addressed in the current study. Methods The cytotoxic effect of both herb extracts on the growth of lung cancer cells (A549) was assessed using the MTT assay. The annexin-V-FITC staining and propidium iodide (PI) staining methods were applied for the detection of apoptosis and cell cycle distribution using flow cytometry. The cellular level of ROS was measured using 7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) as a fluorescent probe in flow cytometry. The caspase 3 activity was assessed using a colorimetric assay Kit. Results Echinacea purpurea (EP) root extract induced a considerable decrease in A549 viable cells, showing a time and dose-dependent response. The cell toxicity of EP was accompanied by induction of early apoptosis and cell accumulation at the sub G1 phase of the cell cycle. The elevation of cellular ROS level and caspase 3 activity indicate ROS-induced caspase-dependent apoptosis following the treatment of A549 cells by EP extract. The observed effects of EP extract on A549 growth and death were abrogated following blockage of CB2 using AM630, a specific antagonist of the CB2 receptor. Increasing concentrations of Cannabis sativa (CS) induced A549 cell death in a time-dependent manner, followed by induction of early apoptosis, cell cycle arrest at sub G1 phase, elevation of ROS level, and activation of caspase 3. The CB2 blockage caused attenuation of CS effects on A549 cell death which revealed consistency with the effects of EP extract on A549 cells. Conclusions The pro-apoptotic effects of EP and CS extracts on A549 cells and their possible regulatory role of CB2 activity might be attributed to metabolites of both herbs. These effects deserve receiving more attention as alternative anti-cancer agents. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals In vitro studies of Psorinum 6x on several human cancer cell lines reveal its anti-cancer potential

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-14
Author(s):  
Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Cd Spectroscopy ◽  
Anti Cancer

Objective: Psorinum therapy is claimed to combat/ameliorate a variety of human cancers, but for obvious reasons these studies are devoid of any untreated/placebo-treated controls. Therefore, if Psorinum 6x administration to cancer cells of different origin can show visible anti-cancer effects in a controlled in vitro study has been examined. Materials & Methods: Psorinum 6x was provided by Hahnemann Publishing Company (HAPCO), 165 BB Ganguly Street, Kolkata for our research. It was prepared by HAPCO by following standard homoeopathic guidelines from authentic pus cells obtained from an eczema patient being treated at National Institute of Homeopathy, Salt Lake, Kolkata. MTT assay was initially done on several cancer cell lines like A549 (lung cancer), HeLa (cervix cancer), HepG2 (liver cancer) and MCF7 (breast cancer). Psorinum 6x showed strongest anticancer effect against A549 though it also had lesser effect against other cell lines tested. Therefore, A549 was chosen as the model cell line for further study using several relevant protocols. Effects of Psorinum 6x were compared with that of "Placebo 6x" control made of the same stock of "vehicle" used for preparation of Psorinum 6x. Protocols like analysis of cell cycle progression, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), change in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and actual cell death (apoptosis), if any, were analysed flow-cytometrically. Whether Psorinum 6x could damage DNA and induce morphological changes were also determined microscopically. Expression of different signal proteins related to cell death (apoptosis) and survival were critically studied by western blot analysis and confocal microscopy. Further, to determine if Psorinum 6x could interact directly with DNA to induce any conformational changes was also determined by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Results: Psorinum 6x treatment reduced cell viability and inhibited cell proliferation at 24h after treatment, arresting cell cycle at sub-G stage. Upon Psorinum treatment, there were increase of ROS and MMP depolarization, morphological changes and DNA damage typical of apoptosis in A549 cells, along with externalization of phosphatidyl serine. Further, an increase in p53 level, Bax translocation into mitochondria, cytochrome c release into cytosol along with reduction of Bcl2 level and caspase 3 activation were noted which eventually drove A549 cells towards apoptosis; the apoptotic signalling was found to be through mitochondria-mediated caspase 3 dependent pathway. Evidence of direct interaction of Psorinum with cellular DNA was revealed from CD-spectroscopy. Conclusion: Thus, Psorinum 6 x had positive anti-cancer effects against a number of cancer cells, of which it appeared to have strongest effect against the lung cancer cell, A549.

Effects of 5,6-Dihydroxy-2,4-Dimethoxy-9,10-Dihydrophenanthrene on G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Lung Carcinoma Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (07) ◽  
pp. 1473-1490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wipada Duangprompo ◽  
Kalaya Aree ◽  
Arunporn Itharat ◽  
Pintusorn Hansakul
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Cycle Arrest ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Human Lung ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Human Lung Cancer ◽  
Apoptotic Cells ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Cycle Arrest

5,6-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (HMP) is an active compound isolated from the rhizome extracts of Dioscorea membranacea Pierre, a Thai medicinal plant. This study aimed to investigate the growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of HMP in human lung cancer A549 cells. The antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of HMP were analyzed by a Sulforhodamine B assay. Cell division, cell cycle distribution and membrane asymmetry changes were each performed with different fluorescent dyes and then analyzed by flow cytometry. Real-time PCR and immunoblotting were used to detect cell cycle- and apoptosis-related mRNA levels and proteins, respectively. The nuclear morphology of the cells stained with DAPI and DNA fragmentation were detected by fluorescence microscopy and gel electrophoresis, respectively. The results showed that HMP exerted strong antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities in A549 cells with the highest selectivity index. It halted the cell cycle in [Formula: see text]/M phase via down-regulation of the expression levels of regulatory proteins Cdc25C, Cdk1 and cyclinB1. In addition, HMP induced early apoptotic cells with externalized phosphatidylserine and subsequent apoptotic cells in sub-[Formula: see text] phase. HMP increased caspase-3 activity and levels of the cleaved (active) form of caspase-3 whose actions were supported by the cleavage of its target PARP, nuclear condensation and DNA apoptotic ladder. Moreover, HMP significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of proapoptotic Bax as well as promoted subsequent caspase-9 activation and BID cleavage, indicating HMP-induced apoptosis via both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. These data support, for the first time, the potential role of HMP as a cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis-inducing agent for lung cancer treatment.

scholarly journals Stimulation of ROS Generation by Extract of Warburgia ugandensis Leading to G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest and Antiproliferation in A549 Cells

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1559
Author(s):  
Yong-Li Zhang ◽  
Gui-Lin Chen ◽  
Ye Liu ◽  
Xiao-Cui Zhuang ◽  
Ming-Quan Guo
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Small Cell ◽  
G1 Phase ◽  
Ros Generation ◽  
Small Cell Lung ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Intracellular Ros

Warburgia ugandensis Sprague (WU) is a traditional medicinal plant used for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, in Africa. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) activities of WU against A549 cells and to reveal potential molecular mechanisms. The cytotoxicity of various WU extracts was evaluated with HeLa (cervical cancer), HepG2 (liver cancer), HT-29 (colorectal cancer), and A549 (non-small cell lung cancer) cells by means of Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Therein, the dimethyl carbonate extract of WU (WUD) was tested with the most potent anti-proliferative activity against the four cancer cell lines, and its effects on cell viability, cell cycle progression, DNA damage, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and expression levels of G0/G1-related proteins in A549 cells were further examined. First, it was found that WUD inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In addition, WUD induced G0/G1 phase arrest and modulated the expression of G0/G1 phase-associated proteins Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1, and P27 in A549 cells. Furthermore, WUD increased the protein abundance of P27 by inhibiting FOXO3A/SKP2 axis-mediated protein degradation and also significantly induced the γH2AX expression and intracellular ROS generation of A549 cells. It was also found that the inhibitory effect of WUD on the proliferation and G0/G1 cell cycle progression of A549 cells could be attenuated by NAC, a ROS scavenger. On the other hand, phytochemical analysis of WUD with UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS indicated 10 sesquiterpenoid compounds. In conclusion, WUD exhibited remarkable anti-proliferative effects on A549 cells by improving the intracellular ROS level and by subsequently modulating the cell proliferation and G0/G1 cell cycle progression of A549 cells. These findings proved the good therapeutic potential of WU for the treatment of NSCLC.

scholarly journals Anti-proliferation effect of Scutellaria barbata D. Don extract on lung cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 1867-1872
Author(s):  
Zhang Hu ◽  
Duan Jing
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Lung Cancer Cells ◽  
Human Lung Cancer ◽  
Blue Staining ◽  
G1 Phase ◽  
Scutellaria Barbata ◽  
A549 Lung

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Scutellaria barbata D. Don extract (SBDE) on apoptosis and proliferation in A549 human lung cancer cells. Methods: Inverted microscope was used to observe morphological changes in A549 cells after exposure to SBDE. Trypan blue staining of living cells was applied to construct cell growth curve after treatment with varying concentrations of SBDE. The influence of SBDE on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle was determined by MTT assay while protein expressions of key apoptosis-related enzymes were evaluated by immuno-cytochemical method. Results: SBDE inhibited the growth of A549 lung cancer cells at a concentration range of 20 - 160 μg/mL. Flow cytometry showed that SBDE induced apoptosis in the A549 cells. The proportion of cells in G0/G1-phase increased significantly (p < 0.01), while the proportion of cells in S-phase and G2/Mphase decreased correspondingly, indicating that the cells were in G0/G1-phase arrest. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis-inducing effect gradually increased with increase in SBDE concentration. With increasing concentrations of SBDE, there were significant increases in the expressions of caspase-3 (p < 0.05), caspase-8 (p < 0.01) and caspase-9 (p < 0.05), and significant decreases in Ki-67 (p < 0.01) and p21 ras protein (p < 0.01). Conclusion: SBDE exerts significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of A549 lung cancer cells, which can be developed for the treatment of lung cancer patients.

scholarly journals Apoptotic effect of astaxanthin from white shrimp shells on lung cancer A549 cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 1835-1842
Author(s):  
Supita Tanasawet ◽  
Wanida Sukketsiri ◽  
Pennapa Chonpathompikunlert ◽  
Pennapa Chonpathompikunlert ◽  
Wanwimol Klaypradit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane Potential ◽  
Litopenaeus Vannamei ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Nuclear Staining ◽  
Dependent Manner

Purpose: To investigate the anti-cancer potential of astaxanthin from Litopenaeus vannamei encapsulated in liposomes (ASX) to treat lung cancer A549 cells.Methods: Lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells were cultured and treated with ASX, following which cell viability and nuclear staining were performed. Generation of ROS was identified by the DCFH-DA assay while tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester was used to determine the mitochondrial membrane potential. Flow cytometry was applied to investigate caspase-3/7 activity and cell cycle distribution.Results: ASX inhibited growth of A549 in a concentration- and time- dependent manner. The IC50 values at 24, 48 and 72 h were 53.73, 22.85, 17.46 μg/mL, respectively (p < 0.05). After incubation with ASX, the morphological changes were observed in A549 cells following Hoechst 33342/PI fluorescent staining. ASX increased ROS generation and was associated with the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, which subsequently triggered the activation of caspase-3/7 activity leading to apoptosis (p < 0.05). In addition, A549 cells accumulated in the G0/G1 phase.Conclusion: The results suggest that ASX is a valuable nutraceutical agent to target A549 lung cancer cells via ROS-dependent pathway as well as blockage of cell cycle progression. Keywords: Astaxanthin, Litopenaeus vannamei, Lung cancer, A549, Apoptosis

scholarly journals Forsythia suspensa extract has inhibitory effect on proliferation and apoptosis of A549 lung cancer cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 1949-1954
Author(s):  
Wei-guo Zhang ◽  
Qin Liu ◽  
Cai-peng Lei
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Lung Cancer Cells ◽  
Blue Staining ◽  
G1 Phase ◽  
Forsythia Suspensa ◽  
A549 Lung

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Forsythia suspensa extract (FSE) on apoptosis and proliferation in A549 human lung cancer cells. Methods: Inverted microscope was employed to observe morphological changes in A549 cells after exposure to FSE. Trypan blue staining of living cells was used to construct the cell growth curve after treatment with varying concentrations of FSE. The influence of FSE on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, while protein expressions of key apoptosis-related enzymes were evaluated by immunocytochemical method. Results: FSE inhibited the growth of A549 lung cancer cells at a concentration range of 10 - 150 μg/mL. Flow cytometry results showed that FSE induced apoptosis in A549 cells. The proportion of cells in G0/G1-phase increased significantly (p < 0.01), while the proportion of cells in S- and G2/M-phase decreased correspondingly, indicating that the cells were in G0/G1-phase arrest. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis-inducing effect gradually rose with increase in FSE concentration. With increasing concentrations of FSE, there was also significant increase in the expressions of caspase-3 (p < 0.05), caspase-8 (p < 0.01) and caspase-9 (p < 0.05), but significant decrease in Ki-67 (p < 0.01) and p21 ras protein (p < 0.01). Conclusion: FSE exerts significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of A549 lung cancer cells. Therefore, the plant can potentially be developed for the treatment of lung cancer.

scholarly journals Effects of Holothurian Glycosaminoglycan on the Sensitivity of Lung Cancer to Chemotherapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153473542091143
Author(s):  
Cunzhi Lin ◽  
Xinhong Zhu ◽  
Qing Jin ◽  
Aihua Sui ◽  
Jinfeng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Sea Cucumber ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Apoptosis Pathway

Sea cucumber is a kind of food. Holothurian glycosaminoglycan (hGAG) is extracted from the body wall of the sea cucumber. Administration of hGAG and cisplatin (DDP) together to treat lung cancer was investigated. Lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells were cultured and divided into 4 groups: control group, hGAG 100 µg/mL group, DDP 3 µg/mL group, and hGAG 100 µg/mL + DDP 3 µg/mL group. Cell inhibition and apoptosis was evaluated by CCK8 and Hoechst33258 staining. Cell cycle was tested by Annexin V-FITC/PI (propidium iodide) double-staining and flow cytometry. The expression of mRNA and protein of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and survivin were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. The results showed that hGAG combined with DDP enhanced the inhibitory effect of DDP on A549 lung cells through apoptosis pathway. The mechanism of apoptosis may be related to the reduction of Bcl-2 and survivin, as well as the ascension of Bax and caspase-3. hGAG could promote A549 cell cycle arrest in G1 and G2 phase and improve the DDP chemotherapy effects on A549 cells.

scholarly journals Cediranib Induces Apoptosis, G1 Phase Cell Cycle Arrest, and Autophagy in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cell A549 In Vitro

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Menghuan Guo ◽  
Zhiyuan Liu ◽  
Jing Si ◽  
Jinhua Zhang ◽  
Jin Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Cycle Arrest ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Small Cell ◽  
Phase Cell ◽  
G1 Phase ◽  
Small Cell Lung ◽  
Cycle Arrest

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Late diagnosis, chemoresistance, and metastasis are the main reasons for the high mortality rate of lung cancer. Therefore, the development of other treatments is urgent. Cediranib (CED), a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) kinase inhibitor, shows promising antitumour activities in various cancers including lung cancer. Here, we explored the effects and the underlying molecular mechanism of CED on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line A549 cells in vitro. Our results show that CED could inhibit A549 cell proliferation and cloning formation. Meanwhile, G1 phase cell cycle arrest was also found, as featured by the increased proportion of G1 phase cells as well as the reduction of G1 phase relative proteins CDK4/cyclin D1 and CDK2/cyclin E. Moreover, the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I was elevated significantly in CED-treated groups compared with the controls. Furthermore, the expression of p-Akt, p-P38, p-Erk1/2, and p-mTOR proteins was decreased obviously in the treatment groups. These results suggest that CED could induce apoptosis and G1 phase cell cycle arrest in A549 cells. Meanwhile, CED may induce autophagy through MAPK/Erk1/2 and Akt/mTOR signal pathway in A549 cells.

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