Amphiphilic polymeric nanodrug integrated with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for synergistic antibacterial and antitumor therapy of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent and deadly malignancies that can be influenced by Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), a bacterium that promotes tumor development and chemoresistance, resulting in limited therapeutic efficacy. Traditional antibiotics cannot effectively eliminate Fn at tumor site due to issues like biofilm formation, while chemotherapy alone fails to suppress tumor progression. Therefore, the development of new methods to eliminate Fn and promote antitumor efficacy is of great significance for improving the outcome of CRC treatment. Herein, we developed a nanodrug (OPPL) that integrates oleic acid-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (O-SPIONs) and an amphiphilic polymer (PPL) to deliver the platinum prodrug and antimicrobial lauric acid (LA) for enhancing the treatment of CRC. We demonstrated that OPPL can synergistically enhance antibacterial and biofilm disruption activities against Fn along with the antimicrobial LA by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) through its peroxidase-like activity. Furthermore, the OPPL nanodrug can increase intracellular ROS, promote lipid peroxides and deplete glutathione, leading to ferroptosis. By combining chemotherapy and induced ferroptosis, the OPPL nanodrug exhibited high cytotoxicity against CRC cells. In vivo studies showed that the OPPL nanodrug could enhance tumor accumulation, enable magnetic resonance imaging, suppresse tumor growth, and inhibit growth of intratumor Fn. These results suggest that OPPL is an effective and promising candidate for the treatment of Fn-infected CRC. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The enrichment of Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) in colorectal cancer is reported to exacerbate tumor malignancy and is particularly responsible for chemoresistance. To this respect, we strategically elaborated multifaceted therapeutics, namely OPPL nanodrug, combining oleic acid-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (O-SPIONs) with a polymer containing a platinum prodrug and antimicrobial lauric acid. The O-SPION components exert distinctive peroxidase-like activity, capable of stimulating Fenton reactions selectively in the tumor microenvironment, consequently accounting for the progressive production of reactive oxygen species. Hence, O-SPIONs have been demonstrated to not only supplement the antimicrobial activities of lauric acid in overcoming Fn-induced chemoresistance but also stimulate potent tumor ferroptosis. Our proposed dual antimicrobial and chemotherapeutic nanodrug provides an appreciable strategy for managing challenging Fn-infected colorectal cancer.

Proteomic analysis reveals the molecular mechanism of Astragaloside in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer by inducing apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Astragaloside III (AS III), a saponin-like metabolite derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Astragali Radix, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of cancer and heart failure, and a variety of digestive disorders. However, its molecular mechanism in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unknown. METHODS: Human lung cancer A549 cells and NCI-H460 cells and a normal human lung epithelial cell BEAS-2B were treated with different concentrations of AS III. CCK-8 and EdU staining were used to determine the anti-proliferative effects of AS III in vitro. Quantitative proteomic analysis was performed on A549 cells treated with the indicated concentrations of AS III, and the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins were examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: AS III treatment significantly inhibited proliferation and increased apoptosis in A549 and H460 cells and modulated functional signaling pathways associated with apoptosis and metabolism. At the molecular level, AS III promoted a reduction in the expression of ANXA1 (p < 0.01), with increased levels of cleaved Caspase 3 and PARP 1. In addition, AS III treatment significantly decreased the LC3-I/LC3-II ratio. The results of experiment in vitro showed that AS III promoted NSCLC apoptosis by down-regulating the phosphorylation levels of P38, JNK, and AKT (p < 0.01), inhibiting the expression of Bcl-2 (p < 0.01), and up-regulating the expression of Bax (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings provide a mechanism whereby AS III treatment induces apoptosis in NSCLC cells, which may be achieved in part via modulation of the P38, ERK and mTOR signaling pathways.

Icariside â ¡ attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by modulating macrophage polarization.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Numerous studies have provided evidence supporting the significant roles of icariin, in the prevention of multiple chronic diseases like diabetes, liver fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, renal fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis. In particular, Icariside II (ISE II), a prominent flavonoid glycoside derived from Epimedium brevicornum Maxim, the principal metabolite of icariin, has demonstrated noteworthy anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, along with its ability to protect against lung remodeling. However, the research exploring ISE Ⅱ's application in treating pulmonary fibrosis remains limited. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of ISE II in models of pulmonary fibrosis, while also investigating its potential mechanisms of action in cell signaling pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by treating NIH-3T3 cells with transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1). Western blot, RT-qPCR, and scratch test were performed to assess the effect of ISE Ⅱ. In addition, a murine model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin, and the therapeutic effect of ISE Ⅱ was tested by orally administering ISE Ⅱ at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Three weeks later, lung function, micro-CT, hydroxyproline content, pathological staining, and cytokines detection of BALF or serum were used to assess the anti-fibrosis effects of ISE Ⅱ. Next, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and in vivo transcriptomics were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action. RESULTS: Our data revealed a significant inhibitory effect of ISE Ⅱ on the upregulation of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen production induced by TGF-ß1 in fibroblasts. Meanwhile, ISE Ⅱ exerted a therapeutic effect against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by improving lung function, decreasing collagen deposition, and reducing the expression of interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), TGF-ß1 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Additionally, ISE Ⅱ treatment effectively attenuated the infiltration of M2 macrophages, concurrently downregulating the expression level of M2 marker genes, such as CD206, arginase-1(Arg-1), and Chitinase-Like Protein 3 (YM-1). Importantly, we observed a statistically significant reduction in the M2 phenotype of interstitial macrophages (IMs). However, the impact of ISE Ⅱ on the M2 polarization of alveolar macrophages (AMs) did not reach statistical significance. Lastly, transcriptome sequencing results suggested that the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects of ISE Ⅱ may be mediated by the suppression of the WNT/ß-catenin signaling pathway, which modulated M2 polarization in macrophages and contributed to the amelioration of pulmonary fibrosis. By immunohistochemical analysis, it was verified that ISE Ⅱ treatment dramatically inhibited the activation of ß-catenin in fibrosis murine. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that ISE Ⅱ exerted anti-fibrotic effects by inhibiting pro-fibrotic macrophage polarization. The underlying mechanism of action might be mediated by modulating the WNT/ß-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit the M2 program in IMs.

Network pharmacology and experiments in vivo and in vitro reveal that the Jia-Wei-Bu-Shen-Yi-Qi formula (JWBSYQF) and its active ingredient baicalein ameliorate BLM-induced lung fibrosis in mice via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jia-Wei-Bu-Shen-Yi-Qi formula (JWBSYQF), a classical traditional Chinese herbal formula consisting of five herbs, is used clinically in China to treat inflammatory lung diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Its mechanism for treating asthma and COPD has been reported, however, how it works against IPF remains unclear. RESEARCH PURPOSE: Our study aims to observe the therapeutic effect of JWBSYQF on pulmonary fibrosis and further identify the potential active ingredients and molecular pathways. RESEARCH METHODS: In this study, we used a bleomycin-induced mouse model to investigate the therapeutic effect of JWBSYQF on pulmonary fibrosis. To further explore the potential effective ingredients and molecular pathways, we used the network pharmacology approach to construct a drug-ingredient-target network of JWBSYQF. Then, the common target set was established for JWBSYQF, fibroblast, and lung fibrosis. Analyses of the KEGG pathway, GO enrichment, and network topology were performed to identify key biological processes and molecular pathways for the common targets. Finally, a TGF-ß-induced NIH/3T3 proliferation and activation model was used to validate the possible active ingredients and signaling pathways. RESEARCH RESULTS: JWBSYQF reversed BLM-induced balf leukocyte levels, pulmonary inflammatory lesions and fibrotic collagen deposition in mice and reduced the levels of a-SMA, Col1a1 and TGF-ß. A total of 86 active ingredients were identified, 12 of which were considered as potential effective ingredients, while only baicalein effectively improved TGF-ß-induced proliferation and activation of NIH/3T3. KEGG results showed that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may be the potential action mechanism, and Western Blot demonstrated that both JWBSYQF and baicalein downregulated the protein levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt. The molecular docking results suggest that baicalein may have a direct effect on the catalytic and regulatory subunits of P13K, which is stronger than direct binding to Aktl. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that baicalein may be the material basis for JWBSYQF in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may be a common pathway of action for JWBSYQF and baicalein.

Transcriptomics reveals apigenin alleviates airway inflammation and epithelial cell apoptosis in allergic asthma via MAPK pathway.

Persistent chronic inflammation of the lungs and airway remodeling are important pathological features that cannot be ignored in patients with chronic asthma. Apigenin (API) is a natural small molecule compound with good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity that has been widely reported in recent years, but its role in chronic asthma is not well defined. Our study began with oral gavage intervention using API (10, 20 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (DEX, 2 mg/kg) in a BALB/c mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization. Different doses of API intervention effectively reduced airway resistance in the administered group. Additionally, inflammation was downregulated, mucus secretion was reduced, and airway remodeling was inhibited in the API intervention group compared with the model group. Asthma-related inflammatory cytokines, such as IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-17, were downregulated in alveolar lavage fluid. Moreover, the apoptosis level of the administered group was found to be lower than that of the model group in the Tunel staining experiment. By analyzing transcriptome sequencing results, we found that API may exert anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects by inhibiting the MAPK pathway. Our subsequent results supported this conclusion, showing that the phosphorylation levels of ERKs, JNKs, and p38 MAPKs were inhibited in the administered group relative to the model group. Downstream expression of the apoptosis-related protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was upregulated, and the expression of Bcl-2-associated × protein (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3 was downregulated. To further investigate the specific mechanism by which API acted, we established an in vitro model with house dust mite (HDM) stimulation, using API (10, 20 µM) for administration intervention. The results showed that API was able to improve cell viability, inhibit ROS production, and reverse HDM-induced decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and apoptosis in airway epithelial cells via the MAPK pathway.

Integrated systems pharmacology and transcriptomics to dissect the mechanisms of Loki Zupa decoction in the treatment of murine allergic asthma.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Loki zupa (LKZP) decoction, a traditional Uyghur medicine prescription, has been commonly used to treat numerous respiratory ailments in the Xinjiang region of western China, especially chronic airway inflammatory diseases such as allergic asthma. Due to its complex chemical composition, however, the mechanism of action of LKZP has yet to be fully elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY: Based on the balanced regulation theory of pro-inflammation and anti-inflammation, we tried to investigate the effectiveness of LKZP on asthma and its related protective mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, an experimental model of asthma was established using ovalbumin (OVA) in BALB/c mice to assess the effects of LKZP. The potential mechanism of LKZP anti allergic asthma were researched by the combination of in silico systems pharmacology and in vivo transcriptomics. RESULTS: Our data revealed that LKZP exerted a therapeutic effect against OVA-induced asthma by reducing airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), peribronchial inflammation, and mucus hypersecretion. Meanwhile, LKZP downregulated the expression of OVA-induced IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and concurrently promoted the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Systems pharmacology analysis identified 10 core bioactive ingredients and 26 hub targets of LKZP against asthma. Transcriptomic analysis confirmed 246 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after LKZP treatment. These were mainly expressed in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions and immune and inflammatory response-related signaling pathways. Additionally, the real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) results for the nine selected DEGs matched those of the RNA-seq analysis. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 signaling pathways were identified as candidate targets involved in the action of LKZP on allergic asthma, which was highly consistent with the findings in silico. By qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis, it was verified that LKZP treatment dramatically inhibited the activation of NF-κB p65 and HIF-1α stimulated by OVA in asthmatic mice. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our experimental data revealed that LKZP could be a candidate for the treatment of allergic asthma via NF-κB and HIF-1 signaling pathways.

[Transhepatic arterial embolization with superparamagnetic iron oxide and lipiodol for the treatment of VX2 tumor in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of transhepatic arterial embolization with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and lipiodol (LIP) for the treatment of VX2 tumor in rabbits.
 Methods: Twenty-four rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumors by surgical implantation were randomly divided into 4 groups and treated with transhepatic arterial embolization of 4 different agents as follows (n=6 each): doxorubicin (DOX) group, DOX-LIP group, SPIO-DOX group, and SPIO-DOX-LIP group. Liver function (AST and ALT) was measured at 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 d after transhepatic arterial embolization. The serum DOX level was measured at 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after transhepatic arterial embolization. MRI was performed at 7 d after the treatment to assess the distribution of SPIO in the SPIO-DOX group and SPIO-DOX-LIP group, while CT was performed to assess the distribution of LIP in the DOX-LIP group and SPIO-DOX-LIP group. All the rabbits were sacrificed and their livers were removed at 7 d after treatment for the detection of tissue DOX level. The histopathologic examinations were performed including HE staining, Prussian blue staining and TUNEL assay, and then the tumor necrosis percentage and apoptosis index were calculated.
 Results: Compared to the DOX group, the levels of AST and ALT in other 3 groups were significantly elevated at 1 and 3 d after embolization (P<0.05). The levels of ALT and AST in the DOX group, DOX-LIP group or SPIO-DOX-LIP group returned to the baseline at day 7, there were no significant differences (P>0.05). The SPIO-DOX-LIP group exhibited the lowest serum DOX level at all time points up to 120 minutes after embolization (P<0.05). However, the tissue DOX level in the SPIO-DOX-LIP group was the highest among all groups at day 7 (P<0.05). The SPIO-DOX group and SPIO-DOX-LIP group showed significantly lower MRI signal intensity of tumors in T2 weighted imaging (T2WI) at day 7. Meanwhile DOX-LIP group and SPIO-DOX-LIP group showed that high-density lipiodol was deposited in the tumors in CT images. Histopathologic findings showed an almost complete central necrosis coagulation of tumors in the SPIO-DOX-LIP group, and the tumor necrosis percentage and tumor apoptosis index were significantly increased in the SPIO-DOX-LIP group compared to those in other 3 groups (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: This novel drug-delivery system of SPIO nano-drug carrier together with LIP is safe and feasible when it is used for transhepatic arterial embolization for liver tumor. It provides an excellent MR and CT visualization and improves the therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of rabbit VX2 liver tumor.