Sarsaparilla (Smilax Glabra Rhizome) Extract Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Cancer Cells by Suppressing TGF-β1 Pathway

Abstract

Sarsaparilla, also known as Smilax Glabra Rhizome (SGR), was shown to modulate immunity, protect against liver injury, lower blood glucose and suppress cancer. However, its effects on cancer cell adhesion, migration and invasion were unclear. In the present study, we found that the supernatant of water-soluble extract from SGR (SW) could promote adhesion, inhibit migration and invasion of HepG2, MDA-MB-231 and T24 cells in vitro, as well as suppress metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells in vivo. Results of F-actin and vinculin dual staining showed the enhanced focal adhesion in SW-treated cells. Microarray analysis indicated a repression of TGF-β1 signaling by SW treatment, which was verified by real-time RT-PCR of TGF-β1-related genes and immunoblotting of TGFBR1 protein. SW was also shown to antagonize TGF-β1-promoted cell migration. Collectively, our study revealed a new antitumor function of Sarsaparilla in counteracting invasiveness of a subset of cancer cells by inhibiting TGF-β1 signaling.

Astilbin from Smilax glabra Roxb. Attenuates Inflammatory Responses in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant‐Induced Arthritis Rats

“…(SRG, genus: Smilax ), the dried rhizome of Sarsaparilla, also called Tu-Fuling in Chinese medicine, is commonly used as the complementary therapy in the Orient for various chronic diseases, including RA, diabetes, liver deficiency, coronary heart, and syphilis [ 10 ]. It is officially included in the Chinese Pharmacopeia and has been investigated for its antivirus, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammation properties [ 11 – 13 ]. SRG is classified into two categories based on its cross-sectional color, red SGR or white SGR, and the investigation of their chemical composition indicates significant difference in the quality correlating to their color metrics [ 10 , 14 ].…”

“…Astilbin, 3,3,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavanone 3–6[-deoxy-([alpha]-L-mannopyranoside)], is one of the major active components in the rhizome of SGR. This flavonoid shows multiple pharmacological functions, such as migration of ear contact dermatitis and liver injury induced by delayed-type hypersensitivity associated with selective immunosuppression of activated T lymphocytes or dysfunction of liver-infiltrating cells [ 13 , 16 , 17 ]. Nevertheless, the direct role of astilbin, isolated from GZ-SGR extract, in the treatment of inflammatory disease such as RA, is still unclear and the mechanistic basis is lacking.…”

Smilax glabra Rhizoma affects the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of methotrexate by increasing the P-glycoprotein mRNA expression in rats after oral administration

“…In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the present study demonstrated for the first time the potential benefits of co-administration of MTX with SGR. Co-administration of SGR may be beneficial for therapy of lung cancer and splenic carcinoma, osteosarcoma, and liver diseases, but may reduce the therapeutic effect of treating cancer in the digestive tract, systemic lupus erythematosus and psoriasis (50)(51)(52)(53)(54). The herb-drug interaction may be associated with the activity change of transporters.…”

Recurrent activations of transient receptor potential vanilloid‐1 and vanilloid‐4 promote cellular proliferation and migration in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells

“…Pictures of the marked gap were taken at 24 h and 48 h after the gaps were created. The wound gaps (in mm) were quantified by using image‐pro plus software and calculated by the equation: % migration distance = (gap 0 h treated− gap 24 h or 48 h treated )/(gap 0 h control− gap 24 h or 48 h control ) * 100% .…”