Natural products derived from plants provide a rich source for development of new anticancer drugs. Recent studies suggest that modulation of subcellular localization of retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRalpha) represents a potential approach for inducing cancer cell apoptosis. In this study, we screened a herbal library for inducing translocation of RXRalpha from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Our results revealed that the extract of Hypericum sampsonii, a member of the genus Hypericum, had remarkable effect on RXRalpha subcellular localization in various cancer cells. Treatment of NIH-H460 human lung cancer cells with H. sampsonii extract resulted in relocalization of RXRalpha from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic RXRalpha induced by H. sampsonii was associated with mitochondria, accompanied with cytochrome c release and apoptosis. H. sampsonii extract effectively inhibited the growth of various cancer cell lines, including NIH-H460 lung cancer, MGC-803 stomach cancer and SMMC7721 liver cancer cells. The growth inhibitory effect of H. sampsonii extract depended on levels of RXRalpha, as it failed to inhibit the growth of CV-1 cells lacking detectable RXRalpha, whereas transfection of RXRalpha into CV-1 cells restored its apoptotic response to H. sampsonii. Furthermore, the apoptotic effect of H. sampsonii was significantly enhanced when RXRalpha was overexpressed in NIH-H460 cells. Together, our results demonstrate that H. sampsonii contains ingredient(s) that induce apoptosis of cancer cells by modulating subcellular localization of RXRalpha.
BackgroundMutation of tumor suppressor gene, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), is the primary molecular event in the development of most intestinal carcinomas. Animal model with APC gene mutation is an effective tool for study of preventive approaches against intestinal carcinomas. We aimed to evaluate the effect of Riccardin D, a macrocyclic bisbibenzyl compound, as a chemopreventive agent against intestinal adenoma formation in APCMin/+ mice.Methods
APCMin/+ mice were given Riccardin D by p.o. gavage for 7 weeks. Mice were sacrificed, and the number, size and histopathology of intestinal polyps were examined under a microscope. We performed immunohistochemical staining, western blotting, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in intestinal polyps to investigate the mechanism of chemopreventive effect of Riccardin D.ResultsRiccardin D treatment resulted in a significant inhibition of intestinal adenoma formation, showing a reduction of polyp number by 41.7%, 31.1% and 44.4%, respectively, in proximal, middle and distal portions of small intestine. The activity of Riccardin D against polyp formation was more profound in colon, wherein Riccardin D decreased polyp number by 79.3%. Size distribution analysis revealed a significant reduction in large-size polyps (2–3 mm) by 40.0%, 42.5% and 33.3%, respectively, in proximal, middle and distal portions of small intestine, and 77.8% in colon. Histopathological analysis of the intestinal polyps revealed mostly hyperplastic morphology without obvious dysplasia in Riccardin D-treated mice. Molecular analyses of the polyps suggested that the inhibitory effect of Riccardin D on intestinal adenoma formation was associated with its abilities of reduction in cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, antiangiogenesis, inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway and suppression of inflammatory mediators in polyps.ConclusionsOur results suggested that Riccardin D exerts its chemopreventive effect against intestinal adenoma formation through multiple mechanisms including anti-proliferative, apoptotic, anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory activity.
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