Patients with triple-negative breast cancer have few therapeutic strategy options. In this study, we investigated the effect of isoliquiritigenin (ISL) on the proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer cells. We found that treatment with ISL inhibited triple-negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) cell growth and increased cytotoxicity. ISL reduced cell cycle progression through the reduction of cyclin D1 protein expression and increased the sub-G1 phase population. The ISL-induced apoptotic cell population was observed by flow cytometry analysis. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was reduced by ISL treatment, whereas the Bax protein level increased; subsequently, the downstream signaling molecules caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) were activated. Moreover, ISL reduced the expression of total and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), ULK1, and cathepsin B, whereas the expression of autophagic-associated proteins p62, Beclin1, and LC3 was increased. The decreased cathepsin B cause the p62 accumulation to induce caspase-8 mediated apoptosis. In vivo studies further showed that preventive treatment with ISL could inhibit breast cancer growth and induce apoptotic and autophagic-mediated apoptosis cell death. Taken together, ISL exerts an effect on the inhibition of triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell growth through autophagy-mediated apoptosis. Therefore, future studies of ISL as a supplement or alternative therapeutic agent for clinical trials against breast cancer are warranted.
Endometrial cancer is a common gynecological cancer with a poor prognosis, mostly attributed to tumor metastasis. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) can be mediated via transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway, facilitating the ability of cancer cell invasion and migration. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a flavonoid derived from licorice with reported antineoplastic activities. This study aims to investigate the anti-metastatic potential of ISL on endometrial cancer both in vitro and in vivo. First, human endometrial cancer cell lines (HEC-1A, Ishikawa, and RL95-2) were treated with ISL and then subjected to functional assays such as migration assay as well as molecular analyses including immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR. In addition, HEC-1A-LUC cells were implanted into female nude mice and treated with ISL by intraperitoneal injection for four weeks. Results showed that ISL inhibited cell migration and reversed the effect of TGF-β on the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, α-SMA, p-Smad3, and TWIST1/2 In vitro. Interestingly, In vivo study revealed that ISL reduced peritoneal dissemination and serum level of TGF-β1, as well as decreased the expression levels of N-cadherin, p-Smad2/3, TWIST1/2, while increased E-cadherin. Overall, ISL reverses the EMT through targeting the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and features a potential therapeutic treatment for metastatic endometrial cancer.
Hyperuricemia is the main cause of gout and involved in the occurrence of many other diseases such as hyperlipidemia and hypertension correlated with metabolic disorders. Chrysin is a flavonoid compound found naturally in honey, propolis, and mushrooms and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, its mechanism of action is not clear yet. This study investigated the mechanism of chrysin’s anti-hyperuricemic effect in hyperuricemia-induced rats fed with high-fructose corn syrup. Orally administrated chrysin for 28 consecutive days effectively decreased uric acid by inhibiting the activity of xanthine oxidase (XO) in the liver. Moreover, chrysin markedly downregulated the protein expression of uric acid transporter 1 (URAT1) and glucose transporter type 9 (GLUT9) and upregulated the protein expression of organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) and human ATP-binding cassette subfamily G-2 (ABCG2). In addition, chrysin showed prominent anti-oxidative and inflammatory effects as the malondialdehyde (MDA) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) concentration was reduced in both rat kidney and serum, which aligned with the inhibition of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling pathway activation. Collectively, our results strongly suggest that chrysin exhibits potent anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory effects that may yield new adjuvant treatments for gout.
Background/Aims: Uterine leiomyomas (ULs) are benign uterine tumors, and the most notable pathophysiologic feature of ULs is excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Fucoidan is a polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweeds that has a wide range of pharmacological properties, including anti-fibrotic effects. We aimed to study the effect of fucoidan on the growth of ULs activated by transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ). Methods: We used ELT-3 (Eker rat leiomyoma tumor-derived cells) and HUtSMC (human uterine smooth muscle cells) as in vitro models. Cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. Cell colony formation was stained using crystal violet. The side population, cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry. Protein expression was assayed by western blot analysis. We also conducted in vivo experiments to confirm the inhibitory effects of fucoidan in nude mouse xenograft models. Tumor tissues were assayed by immunohistochemistry analysis. Results: In our study, fucoidan caused a 50% growth inhibition using a dose of 0.5 mg/ml and decreased the stem cell activity after 48 h. In addition, fucoidan induced sub-G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Fucoidan down-regulated fibronectin, vimentin, α-SMA and the COL1A1 protein levels in TGFβ3-induced ELT-3 cells. In the cellular mechanism, fucoidan abrogated TGFβ3-induced levels of p-Smad2 and p-ERK1/2, as well as β-catenin translocation into the nucleus. Furthermore, fucoidan suppressed xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion: Fucoidan displays anti-proliferation and anti-fibrotic effects and exerts protective effects against ULs development.
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