Paeonol Suppresses Proliferation and Motility of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Disrupting STAT3/NF-κB Signaling.

Background: Targeting inflammatory microenvironment is a promising anti-tumor strategy. Paeonol is a phenolic compound with effective anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. However, the effects of paeonol on non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) have not been fully investigated. Here, we evaluated the effects of paeonol on proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The effects of paeonol on inflammatory cytokines were determined by cell proliferation and ELISA assays. Assays of wound healing, single cell migration and perforation invasion were used to evaluate migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. Expression of marker proteins in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family enzymes were detected by Western blot assays. Nude mouse A549 cells transplantation tumor model was used to study the anti-lung cancer effects of paeonol in vivo. TUNEL stanining were used to detect the apoptosis of tumor cells in A549 lung cancer mice, and Ki67 analysis was used to detect the proliferation of tumor cells in A549 lung cancer mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the effects of paeonol on signaling molecules in tumor tissues. Results: Paeonol inhibited A549 cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro. Paeonol inhibited secreaion of inflammatory cytokines in A549 cells, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß. Paeonol altered the expression of marker proteins involved in EMT and MMP family enzymes. In addition, paeonol inhibited the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3). Paeonol inhibited the growth of A549 cells transplanted tumors in nude mice. Conclusion: Paeonol potently inhibited NSCLC cell growth, migration and invasion associated with disruption of STAT3 and NF-κB pathways, suggesting that it could be a promising anti-metastatic candidate for tumor chemotherapy.

Studies on anti-hepatoma activity of Annona squamosa L. pericarp extract.

This study investigated the anti-hepatoma activity of different extracts from A. squamosa pericarps, phytochemistry of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction and possible anti-hepatoma mechanism of active constituents. The anti-hepatoma activity of different extracts from A. squamosa pericarps were evaluated by MTT assay against SMMC-7721 cells in vitro and verified by using H22 xenografts bearing mice. Phytochemical investigation of the active pericarp extract was carried out. The pro-apoptosis and cycle arrest effects of active constituents were observed by fluorescent microscope and flow cytometry. Western blot assay was conducted to find the possible anti-hepatoma mechanisms of active constituents. The result showed that EtOAc extract was the active fraction. Two ent-kaurane diterpenoids, named ent-kauran-16-en-19-oic acid and ent-kauran-15-en-19-oic acid, were isolated from the active EtOAc fraction. The pro-apoptosis and G1 phase arrest effects of these diterpenoids were found. Western blot assay showed that ent-kauran-16-en-19-oic acid could activate caspase-3,-8,-9, up-regulate of Bax and down-regulate of Bcl-2.

Clinical studies on the treatment of cancer cachexia with megestrol acetate plus thalidomide.

BACKGROUND: The management of cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome (CACS) is a great challenge in clinical practice. To date, practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of CACS are lacking. The authors conducted a randomized study to confirm the effectiveness and safety of treatment of CACS utilizing megestrol acetate (MA) plus thalidomide. METHODS: One hundred and two candidates with CACS were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (trial group and control group): the trial group received MA (160 mg po, bid) plus thalidomide (50 mg po, bid), while the control group received MA (160 mg po, bid) alone. Treatment duration was 8 weeks. RESULTS: Analysis of the trial group demonstrated a significant increase from baseline in body weight (<0.01), quality of life (p = 0.02), appetite (p = 0.01), and grip strength (p = 0.01), and a significant decrease in fatigue, Glasgow Prognostic Score (p = 0.05), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (p = 0.03), IL-6 (p < 0.01), and tumor necrosis factor-α (p = 0.02). In contrast, in the control group, endpoints with a significant improvement from baseline included body weight (p < 0.02) and appetite (p = 0.02). The mean changes in the endpoints from baseline in the trial group were significantly greater compared with the control group: in the primary endpoints, body weight (p = 0.05), fatigue (p < 0.01) and quality of life (p = 0.01), and in the secondary endpoints, grip strength (p = 0.05), Glasgow Prognostic Score (p = 0.02), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (p = 0.02), IL-6 (p < 0.01) and tumor necrosis factor-α (p = 0.01). Toxicity was found to be relatively negligible in both groups. CONCLUSION: A combination regimen of MA and thalidomide is more effective than MA alone in the treatment of CACS.