Suppression of inflammation-induced lung cancer cells proliferation and metastasis by exiguaflavanone A and exiguaflavanone B from Sophora exigua root extract through NLRP3 inflammasome pathway inhibition.

Objective: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is recognized for its aggressive nature and propensity for high rates of metastasis. The NLRP3 inflammasome pathway plays a vital role in the progression of NSCLC. This study aimed to investigate the effects of S. exigua extract and its active compounds on NLRP3 regulation in NSCLC using an in vitro model. Methods: S. exigua was extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol to obtain S. exigua hexane fraction (SE-Hex), S. exigua ethyl acetate fraction (SE-EA), and S. exigua ethanol fraction (SE-EtOH) respectively. The active compounds were identified using column chromatography and NMR analysis. A549 cells were primed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for activated NLRP3 inflammasome. The anti-inflammatory properties were determined using ELISA assay. The anti-proliferation and anti-metastasis properties against LPS-ATP-induced A549 cells were determined by colony formation, cell cycle, wound healing, and trans-well migration and invasion assays. The inflammatory gene expressions and molecular mechanism were determined using RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results: SE-EA exhibited the greatest anti-inflammation properties compared with other two fractions as evidenced by the significant inhibition of IL-1ß, IL-18, and IL-6, cytokine productions from LPS-ATP-induced A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). The analysis of active compounds revealed exiguaflavanone A (EGF-A) and exiguaflavanone B (EGF-B) as the major compounds present in SE-EA. Then, SE-EA and its major compound were investigated for the anti-proliferation and anti-metastasis properties. It was found that SE-EA, EGF-A, and EGF-B could inhibit the proliferation of LPS-ATP-induced A549 cells through cell cycle arrest induction at the G0/G1 phase and reducing the expression of cell cycle regulator proteins. Furthermore, SE-EA and its major compounds dose-dependently suppressed migration and invasion of LPS-ATP-induced A549 cells. At the molecular level, SE-EA, EGF-A, and EGF-B significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of IL-1ß, IL-18, IL-6, and NLRP3 in LPS-ATP-induced A549 cells. Regarding the mechanistic study, SE-EA, EGF-A, and EGF-B inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation through suppressing NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1(p50 form), and cleaved-caspase-1(p20 form) expressions. Conclusion: Targeting NLRP3 inflammasome pathway holds promise as a therapeutic approach to counteract pro-tumorigenic inflammation and develop novel treatments for NSCLC.

Biological activities of extracts and compounds from Thai Kae-Lae (Maclura cochinchinensis (Lour.) Corner).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological properties of Kae-Lae (Maclura cochinchinensis (Lour.) Corner), a traditional medicinal plant used in Ayurvedic recipes in Thailand. To achieve this objective, heartwood samples were collected from 12 sources across Thailand. Fractional extracts (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol) and the dominant compounds (morin, resveratrol, and quercetin) were examined for their abilities on cytotoxicity, antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antileukaemic activity (Wilms' tumour 1 protein was used as a well-known biomarker for leukaemic cell proliferation). METHODS: The study used MTT to assess cytotoxicity in leukaemic cells (K562, EoL-1, and KG-1a). Antioxidant activities were evaluated using ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated by detecting IL-2, TNF-α, and NO using appropriate detection kits. Wilms' tumour 1 protein expression was measured by Western blotting to determine the anti-leukaemic activity. The inhibition of cell migration was also analyzed to confirm anticancer progression. RESULTS: Among the tested extract fraction, ethyl acetate No. 001 displayed strong cytotoxicity specifically in EoL-1 cells, while n-hexane No. 008 demonstrated this effect in three cell lines. Resveratrol, on the other hand, displayed cytotoxicity in all the tested cells. Additionally, the three major compounds, morin, resveratrol, and quercetin, exhibited significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, resveratrol demonstrated a noteworthy decreased Wilms' tumour 1 protein expression and a reduction in cell proliferation across all cells. Moreover, ethyl acetate No. 001, morin, and resveratrol effectively inhibited MCF-7 cell migration. None of these compounds showed any impact on red blood cell haemolysis. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that Kae-Lae has promising chemotherapeutic potential against leukaemic cells, with fractional extracts (ethyl acetate and n-hexane) and resveratrol exhibiting the most potent cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cell migration activities.

Costunolide and parthenolide from Champi Sirindhorn (Magnolia sirindhorniae) inhibit leukemic cell proliferation in K562 and molt-4 cell lines.

The magnolia plant has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times. This study was designed to investigate the effects of active compounds from Thai Champi Sirindhorn (Magnolia sirindhorniae) on leukemic biomarker Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) protein expressions in K562 and Molt-4 cells. Costunolide (1) and parthenolide (2) were the major components used in this study, they were purified from ethyl acetate fractions. Costunolide (1) and parthenolide (2) had strong cytotoxic effects in K562 and Molt-4 cells measured with MTT assays. Their activities were compared to standard commercial costunolide (3) and parthenolide (4). Costunolide (1) and parthenolide (2) decreased WT1 protein levels and total cell numbers in K562 and Molt-4 cells. Both purified costunolide (1) and standard commercial costunolide (3) decreased WT1 protein levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the active compounds from M. sirindhorniae were identified as promising sources for bioactive compounds for further applications in traditional medicine.

Antileukemic Cell Proliferation of Active Compounds from Kaffir Lime (Citrus hystrix) Leaves.

Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) is a plant member of family Rutaceae, and its leaves are commonly used in folk medicine. The present study explores antileukemic effects of the extracts and purified active compounds from the leaves. The antileukemic activity was investigated via inhibition of Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1), which is a protein that involves in leukemic cell proliferation. In addition, the compounds were investigated for their effects on WT1 gene expression using real time RT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell cycle arrest and total cell number were investigated using flow cytometry and trypan blue exclusion method, respectively. The results demonstrated that the hexane fractionated extract had the greatest inhibitory effect on WT1 gene expression of many leukemic cell lines and significantly decreased WT1 protein levels of K562 cells (representative of the leukemic cells), in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Subfraction No. 9 (F9) after partial purification of hexane fractioned extract showed the highest suppression on WT1 protein and suppressed cell cycle at G2/M. The organic compounds were isolated from F9 and identified as phytol and lupeol. The bioassays confirmed antiproliferative activities of natural products phytol and lupeol. The results demonstrated anticancer activity of the isolated phytol and lupeol to decrease leukemic cell proliferation.

Co-activation of WT1 and AP-1 proteins on WT1 gene promoter to induce WT1 gene expression in K562 cells.

Earlier studies have revealed one function of the inhibitory mechanism of curcumin. Activating PKCα induces WT1 gene expression via signalling through downstream JNK and c-JUN. In the present study, the effect of c-JUN/AP-1 binding and transcriptional regulation of the WT1 gene promoter was investigated in K562 leukaemic cells. The non-cytotoxic dose (IC20 values) of curcumin (WT1 and AP-1 inhibitors) was employed to examine its effect on WT1 gene-mediated WT1 and AP-1 protein expression. Non-cytotoxic doses of both tanshinone IIA (AP-1 DNA-binding inhibitor) and SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) were used to test the role of c-JUN/AP-1 in WT1 gene expression. Curcumin, tanshinone IIA, and SP600125 inhibited WT1 protein expression in a dose-dependent manner (5-15 µM) at 24 h as shown by immunoblotting. A ChIP assay showed that curcumin and tanshinone IIA inhibited AP-1 and WT1 binding to the proximal WT1 promoter (-301 bp), and a luciferase reporter assay showed that the WT1 luciferase gene reporter activity was decreased after curcumin, tanshinone IIA, and SP600126 treatments. Furthermore, depletion of c-JUN abrogated WT1 gene expression. In summary, AP-1 contributes to the WT1 autoregulation of WT1 gene expression in leukaemic K562 cells.

EFFECT OF THAI SARAPHI FLOWER EXTRACTS ON WT1 AND BCR/ABL PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN LEUKEMIC CELL LINES.

BACKGROUND: Saraphi (Mammea siamensis) is a Thai traditional herb. In this study, the cytotoxic effects of crude ethanolic and fractional extracts including hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions from M. siamensis flowers were investigated in order to determine their effect on WT1 expression in Molt4 and K562 cells and Bcr/Abl expression in K562 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The flowers of M. siamensis were extracted using ethanol. The ethanol flower extract was further fractionated with hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Cytotoxic effects were measured by the MTT assay. Bcr/Abl and WT1 protein levels after treatments were determined by Western blotting. The total cell number was determined via the typan blue exclusion method. RESULTS: The hexane fraction showed the strongest cytotoxic activity on Molt4 and K562 cells, with IC50 values of 2.6 and 77.6 µg/ml, respectively. The hexane extract decreased Bcr/Abl protein expression in K562 cells by 74.6% and WT1 protein expressions in Molt4 and K562 cells by 68.4 and 72.1%, respectively. Total cell numbers were decreased by 66.2 and 48.7% in Molt4 and K562 cells, respectively. Mammea E/BB (main active compound) significantly decreased both Bcr/Abl and WTlprotein expressions by 75 and 49.5%, respectively when compared to vehicle control. CONCLUSION: The hexane fraction from M. siamensis flowers inhibited cell proliferation via the suppression of WT1 expression in Molt4 and K562 cells and Bcr/Abl expression in K562 cells. The active compound may be mammea E/BB. Extracts from M. siamensis flowers show promise as naturally occurring anti-cancer drugs.

Down-regulatory mechanism of mammea E/BB from Mammea siamensis seed extract on Wilms' Tumor 1 expression in K562 cells.

BACKGROUND: Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) is a biological marker for predicting leukemia progression. In this study, mammea E/BB, an active compound from Saraphi (Mammea siamensis) seed extract was examined for its effect on down-regulatory mechanism of WT1 gene expression, WT1 protein and mRNA stability, and cell proliferation in K562 cell line. METHODS: M. siamensis seeds were obtained from the region of Chiang Mai (North of Thailand). Mammea E/BB was extracted from seeds of M. siamensis. WT1 protein expression and stability were evaluated by Western blot analysis. WT1 mRNA stability was assessed by qRT-PCR. WT1-DNA binding and WT1 promoter activity were assayed by ChIP assay and luciferase-reporter assay, respectively. Cell cycle arrest was studied by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Treatment with mammea E/BB led to down-regulation of WT1 expression. The suppression of WT1 expression did not involve protein and mRNA degradation. Rather, WT1 protein was down-regulated through disruption of transcriptional auto-regulation of the WT1 gene. Mammea E/BB inhibited WT1-DNA binding at the WT1 promoter and decreased luciferase activity. It also disrupted c-Fos/AP-1 binding to the WT1 promoter via ERK1/2 signaling pathway and induced S phase cell cycle arrest in K562 cells. CONCLUSION: Mammea E/BB had pleotropic effects on kinase signaling pathways, resulting in inhibition of leukemia cell proliferation.

Inhibitory effect of mammea E/BB from Mammea siamensis seed extract on Wilms' tumour 1 protein expression in a K562 leukaemic cell line.

Mammea siamensis is used in traditional Thai medicine. This study was designed to extract and isolate an active compound from the M. siamensis seeds and to investigate its activity on Wilms' tumour 1 (WT1) protein expression in K562 cells. WT1 is a transcription factor that stimulates cell proliferation. The ethanol saraphi seed (ESS) extract was fractionated using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water to obtain n-hexane saraphi seed (HSS), ethyl acetate saraphi seed (EASS), n-butanol saraphi seed (BSS), and water saraphi seed (WSS) extracts, respectively. The ESS, HSS and EASS extracts had strong cytotoxic effects on K562 cells in the MTT assay. All three fractions decreased WT1 protein levels and decreased total cell numbers. The HSS extract decreased the WT1 protein levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner. HPLC and NMR analyses indicated that the active compound of HSS was mammea E/BB. M. siamensis seeds are thus identified as a promising source of bioactive compounds for potential inhibition of WT1 protein expression.