Sulfuretin-induced miR-30C selectively downregulates cyclin D1 and D2 and triggers cell death in human cancer cell lines.

Sulfuretin (3',4',6'-trihydroxyaurone), one of the key flavonoids isolated from Rhus verniciflua, is known to suppress inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the anti-cancer properties of sulfuretin as well as its mechanism of action remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the expression of miR-30C is markedly enhanced in sulfuretin-stimulated cells, consequently promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human cancer cell lines. The transient transfection of pre-miR-30C resulted in greater than 70% growth inhibition in PC-3 cells and provided strong evidence that miR-30C selectively suppresses the expression of cyclin D1 and D2, but not cyclin D3. Target validation analysis revealed that 3'-UTR of cyclin D2 is a direct target of miR-30C, whereas suppression by miR-30C of cyclin D1 may occur through indirect mRNA regulation. In addition, silencing miR-30C expression partially reversed sulfuretin-induced cell death. Taken together, our data suggest that miR-30C, a tumor suppressor miRNA, contributes to anti-cancer properties of sulfuretin by negatively regulating cyclin D1 and D2, providing important implications of sulfuretin and miR-30C for the therapeutic intervention of human cancers.

Androgen receptor and hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor as new molecular targets of baicalein: new molecular mechanisms for its anticancer properties.

Natural compounds known as phytochemicals have served as valuable resources for the development of new anti-cancer drugs and treatment of malignancies. Among these phytochemicals, baicalein is an emerging anti-tumor flavonoid obtained from Scutellaria baicaleinsis (Lamiaceae), but its underlying mechanisms of action and molecular targets have not yet been completely elucidated. Here, we identified new mechanisms for the anti-tumor activities of baicalein, providing evidence that hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) and androgen receptor (AR) are new molecular targets of baicalein in human cancer cells. We observed that HMMR, known to be highly associated with poor prognosis in a wide range of human cancers, was substantially downregulated by baicalein at mRNA and protein levels. Reporter assays further revealed that the suppression of HMMR by baicalein might occur through a transcriptional regulatory mechanism with the participation of Egr-1, E2F3α, and serum response factor (SRF). We also found that baicalein significantly inhibits androgenic responses in hormone-responsive prostate cancer cells, indicating that this might be attributed to the downregulation of AR promoter activity by baicalein. Additionally, baicalein markedly induced the expression of tumor suppressive miR-30C, which might be partly involved in baicalein-mediated autophagy and anti-cancer effects. Overall, our study sheds light on new diverse mechanisms of the anti-cancer effects exhibited by baicalein, implying that baicalein could be a potential therapeutic agent against human cancers and function as an inhibitor of HMMR and AR.

Capillary Hemangioma of the Maxillary Sinus: A Rare Cause of Massive Life-Threatening Epistaxis.

Hemangioma of the paranasal sinus is an infrequent condition. Two types of hemangioma are present at the nose; cavernous and capillary. Capillary hemangioma is rare in the sinonasal tract. Patients presented with massive epistaxis should think of nasal hemangioma. Resuscitation of patients is important and urgent Computerized Tomography scans should be performed which will help character and extension of any mass present at the nasal cavity. Initial nasal packing may help to prevent bleeding. We report a case of capillary hemangioma of a 30-year lady present with massive epistaxis initially controlled by Nasal packing. Her CT scan shows a homogenous mass at left maxillary sinuses and underwent left endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation and removal of the mass. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-04046-z.

Histopathological Spectrum of Oral Mucosal Lesions in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Neoplastic as well as non-neoplastic lesions commonly involve oral mucosa. It had been observed that benign lesions were more common than malignant ones. The present study was done to evaluate the pattern of distribution of various oral mucosal lesions in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed the archival records in the Department of Pathology, Gandaki Medical College, Nepal from January 2017 to December 2020. The records of patients with histopathologic diagnosis of oral mucosal lesions were obtained. The histopathological diagnosis, age, gender, and the site of involvement were collected using a prepared form. Descriptive statistics was applied using SPSS 20 software. RESULTS: Oral mucosal lesions included 3.7% (180 out of total 4895) of cases diagnosed histopathologically. The cases were common among females (101cases/56.1%). Most of the oral mucosal lesions were diagnosed in more than 45 years old patients (75cases/41.7%). The non-neoplastic oral lesions (106cases/58.9%) were the most common lesions followed by neoplastic oral lesions (52cases/28.9%). Among non-neoplastic oral lesions, reactive hyperplastic oral lesions were the most common (50cases/27.8%). Reactive hyperplastic oral lesions frequently affected gingiva (18cases/36%). Neoplastic lesions (Benign neoplasm: 12cases/44.4%; Malignant lesions; 10cases/40%) frequently affected the tongue. CONCLUSIONS: Oral lesions were mostly non-neoplastic and reactive hyperplasia being the most commonest presentation Keywords: Neoplastic; non-neoplastic; oral mucosal lesions; reactive.

Inflammatory myo-fibroblastic tumor of appendix: A rare clinical entity.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory myo-fibroblastic tumor of appendix is one of the rarest clinical findings and less has been described in the literatures. So, we aimed to present the clinical case that we encountered at our institute. PRESENTATION OF A CASE: A 29-year-old lady presented with history of pain at the periumbilical area for one day which shifted to right iliac fossa. Clinical examination revealed tenderness and rebound at right iliac fossa with increased total leucocyte count and ultrasonography abdomen showed swollen appendix. Intraoperatively, a lump around 4 × 3 cm was evident at the tip of appendix with cut section revealing pus along with fecalith. Appendectomy was done with no spillage of the content within the peritoneal cavity. Histopathology revealed inflammatory myo-fibroblastic tumor of appendix. Patient is on regular follow up. DISCUSSION: Inflammatory myo-fibroblastic tumor of appendix is one of the rarest clinical findings that mimics malignancy. Presentation could be that of acute appendicitis and in most instances, diagnosis is made intraoperatively. Surgical removal is the mainstay of treatment with regular follow up of the patient for chances of recurrences. Histologically, edematous stroma consisting of inflammatory infiltrates composed of lymphocytes, plasma cells, eosinophils and focal formation of lymphoid follicles along with the proliferation of scattered spindle to ovoid cells with proliferating blood vessels with unremarkable over lying epithelium is evident. Myo-fibroblastic origin can be confirmed by immunostaining with smooth muscle specific vimentin and actin. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory myo-fibroblastic tumor of appendix can present with features of acute appendicitis and may mimic malignancy. Appendectomy with regular follow up is mandated if such clinical cases are encountered.