Anti-Cancer Role of Dendrosomal Nano Solanine in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Cell Line through Attenuation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway and Inhibition of hTERT Expression.

BACKGROUND: Solanine was primarily known as a toxic compound. Nonetheless, recently the apoptotic role of solanine through suppression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway has been shown against many malignancies except chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Sustaining the aforementioned pro-survival pathway, BCR-ABL fused oncoprotein in CML activates NF-kB and c- MYC for apparent immortalizing factor hTERT. Since solanine is a poor water-soluble molecule, herein, a nanocarrier was employed to intensify its pernicious effect on cancerous cells. OBJECTIVE: The current research aimed at evaluating the effect of dendrosomal nano solanine (DNS) on leukemic and HUVEC cells. METHODS: DNS characterization was determined by NMR, DLS and TEM. The viability, apoptosis and cell cycle of DNS and imatinib-treated cells were determined. A quantitative real-time PCR was employed to measure the expression of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, S6K, NF-kB, c-MYC and hTERT mRNAs. The Protein levels were evaluated by western blot. RESULTS: Investigating the anticancer property of free and dendrosomal nano solanine (DNS) and the feasible interplaying between DNS and imatinib on leukemic cells, we figured out the potential inhibitory role of DNS and DNS+IM on cancerous cells in comparison with chemotherapy drugs. Moreover, results revealed that the encapsulated form of solanine was much more preventive on the expression of PI3KCA, mTOR, NF-kB, c-MYC and hTERT accompanied by the dephosphorelating AKT protein. CONCLUSION: The results advocate the hypothesis that DNS, rather than solanine, probably due to impressive penetration, can restrain the principal pro-survival signaling pathway in erythroleukemia K562 and the HL60 cell lines and subsequently declined mRNA level of hTERT which causes drug resistance during long-term treatment. Additionally, combinational treatment of DNS and IM could also bestow an additive anti-leukemic effect. As further clinical studies are necessary to validate DNS efficacy on CML patients, DNS could have the potency to be considered as a new therapeutic agent even in combination with IM.

Anti-Cancer Effect of α-Solanine by Down-Regulating S100P Expression in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND: α-Solanine, the most important and active component of Solanum nigrum, was found to have anti-cancer activity on multiple cancer cells. However, its effects on colorectal cancer (CRC) and associated molecular mechanisms remain to be further elucidated. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of α-solanine against CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS & METHODS: Cell viability was measured using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay; cell cycle was analyzed with a Cycletest Plus DNA Reagent Kit; cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometer; cell migration and invasive ability was determined by Transwell assays; S100P protein expression was also analyzed by western blotting; lentiviral vectors expressing shRNA targeting the S100P gene. RESULTS: We demonstrated that α-solanine inhibited CRC cell (SW480, SW620 and HT-29) growth as well as migration and invasion, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro, and suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, we observed that S100P expression was downregulated by α-solanine. Overexpression of S100P partially reversed the α-solanine-induced growth inhibition of CRC cells. Conversely, knockdown of S100P by lentiviral-mediated RNAi resulted in significantly promoting the α-solanine-induced growth inhibition. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that α-solanine is a potential agent for the treatment of CRC, and the anti-tumor effect of α-solanine in the CRC cells may be mediated at least partly by the downregulation of S100P.

The protective and therapeutic effects of alpha-solanine on mice breast cancer.

Alpha-solanine, a naturally steroidal glycoalkaloid, is found in leaves and fruits of plants as a defensive agent against fungi, bacteria and insects. Herein, we investigated solanine toxicity in vitro and in vivo, and assessed its protective and the therapeutic effects on a typical animal model of breast cancer. The study conducted in three series of experiments to obtain (i) solanine effects on cell viability of mammary carcinoma cells, (ii) in vivo toxicity of solanine, and (iv) the protective and therapeutic effects of solanine on animal model of breast cancer. Alpha-solanine significantly suppressed proliferation of mouse mammary carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo (P<0.05). Under the dosing procedure, 5 mg/kg solanine has been chosen for assessing its protective and therapeutic effects in mice breast cancer. Tumor take rate in the solanine-treated group was zero compared with a 75% rate in its respective control group (P<0.05). The average tumor size and weight were significantly lower in solanine-treated animals than its respective control ones (P<0.05). Proapoptotic Bax protein expression increased in breast tumor by solanine compared with its respective control group (P<0.05). Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression found to be lower in solanine-treated animals (P<0.05). Proliferative and angiogenic parameters greatly decreased in solanine-treated mice (P<0.05). Data provide evidence that solanine exerts a significant chemoprotective and chemotherapeutic effects on an animal model of breast cancer through apoptosis induction, cell proliferation and angiogenesis inhibition. These findings reveal a new therapeutic potential for solanine in cancer.

α-Solanine inhibits human melanoma cell migration and invasion by reducing matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 activities.

α-Solanine, a naturally occurring steroidal glycoalkaloid in potato sprouts, was found to possess anti-carcinogenic properties, such as inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of tumor cells. However, the effect of α-solanine on cancer metastasis remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the effect of α-solanine on metastasis in vitro. Data demonstrated that α-solanine inhibited proliferation of human melanoma cell line A2058 in a dose-dependent manner. When treated with non-toxic doses of α-solanine, cell migration and invasion were markedly suppressed. Furthermore, α-solanine reduced the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, which are involved in the migration and invasion of cancer cells. Our biochemical assays indicated that α-solanine potently suppressed the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphatidylinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) and Akt, while it did not affect phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulating kinase (ERK). In addition, α-solanine significantly decreased the nuclear level of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), suggesting that α-solanine inhibited NF-κB activity. Taken together, the results suggested that α-solanine inhibited migration and invasion of A2058 cells by reducing MMP-2/9 activities. It also inhibited JNK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways as well as NF-κB activity. These findings reveal new therapeutic potential for α-solanine in anti-metastatic therapy.

alpha-Chaconine inhibits angiogenesis in vitro by reducing matrix metalloproteinase-2.

alpha-Chaconine, a naturally occurring steroidal glycoalkaloid in potato sprouts, was found to possess anti-carcinogenic properties, such as inhibiting proliferation, migration, invasion, and inducing apoptosis of tumor cells. However, the effect of alpha-chaconine on tumor angiogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the effect of alpha-chaconine on angiogenesis in vitro. Data demonstrated that alpha-chaconine inhibited proliferation of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) in a dose-dependent manner. When treated with non-toxic doses of alpha-chaconine, cell migration, invasion and tube formation were markedly suppressed. Furthermore, alpha-chaconine reduced the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), which is involved in angiogenesis. Our biochemical assays indicated that alpha-chaconine potently suppressed the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphatidylinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) and Akt, while it did not affect phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulating kinase (ERK) and p38. In addition, alpha-chaconine significantly increased the cytoplasmic level of inhibitors of kappaBalpha (IkappaBalpha) and decreased the nuclear level of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), suggesting that alpha-chaconine could inhibit NF-kappaB activity. Furthermore, the treatment of inhibitors specific for JNK (SP600125), PI3K (LY294002) or NF-kappaB (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) to BAECs reduced tube formation. Taken together, the results suggested that alpha-chaconine inhibited migration, invasion and tube formation of BAECs by reducing MMP-2 activities, as well as JNK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways and inhibition of NF-kappaB activity. These findings reveal a new therapeutic potential for alpha-chaconine on anti-angiogenic therapy.