Berberine and cinnamaldehyde together prevent lung carcinogenesis

Abstract

Starving tumor cells by restricting nutrient sources is a promising strategy for combating cancer. Because both berberine and cinnamaldehyde can activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK, a sensor of cellular energy status), we investigated whether the combination of berberine and cinnamaldehyde could synergistically prevent lung carcinogenesis through tumor cell starvation. Urethane treatment induced lung carcinogenesis in mice, downregulated AMPK and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) while upregulating aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Together, berberine and cinnamaldehyde reduced mouse susceptibility to urethane-induced lung carcinogenesis, and reversed the urethane-induced AMPK, mTOR, AQP-1, and NF-κB expression patterns. In vitro, berberine and cinnamaldehyde together induced A549 cell apoptosis, prevented cell proliferation, autophagy, and wound healing, upregulated AMPK, and downregulated AQP-1. The effects of the combined treatment were reduced by rapamycin (a mTOR inhibitor) or HgCL2 (an AQP inhibitor), but not Z-VAD-FMK (a caspase inhibitor). The berberine/cinnamaldehyde combination also prevented A549 cell substance permeability and decreased intracellular ATP concentrations. These results suggest the combination of berberine and cinnamaldehyde limited both primary and adaptive nutrient acquisition by lung tumors via AMPK-reduced AQP-1 expression, which ultimately starved the tumor cells.

Momordicoside G Regulates Macrophage Phenotypes to Stimulate Efficient Repair of Lung Injury and Prevent Urethane-Induced Lung Carcinoma Lesions

“…Lung function was analyzed by maximal mid-expiratory flow using the animal respiratory metabolic measurement system (Sable Systems International, United States). Lung permeability was assessed with the Evans blue dye extra-barrier technique and the wet/dry ratio of lungs according to our previous method (Meng et al, 2017). Lung injury was evaluated by pathohistological examination.…”

Berberine inhibited metastasis through miR-145/MMP16 axis in vitro

“…With the indepth study of other functions of berberine, it has been found that berberine also has pharmacological effects such as lowering blood lipid, lowering blood sugar, antiarrhythmia, expanding coronary vessels and antihypertension [25]. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that berberine has anti-tumor effect, and can participate in the anti-tumor process of liver cancer [28], lung cancer [29], colon cancer [30], bladder cancer [31], and other malignant tumors. The antitumor mechanism of berberine is still under constant study.…”

Cinnamaldehyde Enhances Antimelanoma Activity through Covalently Binding ENO1 and Exhibits a Promoting Effect with Dacarbazine

“…As shown in Figure 1E, compared with the vector group, CA could also dose-dependently inhibit the growth of the tumors (detailed data provided in Figure S2). 24,48, or 72 h, and the cell viability was assayed. (C) A375 cells were treated with 0, 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 µM CA for 12 days, and Giemsa staining was used to conduct colony-formation assays; the histogram shows the number of colonies (n = 3), scale bar: 10 µm.…”

“…[19][20][21][22]. In addition, CA can treat various types of cancer, including leukemia, hepatocellular carcinoma, and colon, breast, prostate, and oral cancers [23][24][25][26]. Only a few studies have reported that CA can inhibit the growth of melanoma cells and tumor growth [27], but the mechanism and target protein are not clearly explained.…”