Essential oil from Citrus depressa peel exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant and cancer chemopreventive effects.

BACKGROUND: Many diseases may be caused by pathogens and oxidative stress resulting from carcinogens. Earlier studies have highlighted the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of plant essential oils (EO). It is crucial to effectively utilize agricultural waste to achieve a sustainable agricultural economy and protect the environment. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of EO extracted from the discarded peels of Citrus depressa Hayata (CD) and Citrus microcarpa Bunge (CM), synonyms of Citrus deliciosa Ten and Citrus japonica Thunb, respectively. RESULTS: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the main compounds in CD-EO were (R)-(+)-limonene (38.97%), γ-terpinene (24.39%) and linalool (6.22%), whereas, in CM-EO, the main compounds were (R)-(+)-limonene (48.00%), ß-pinene (13.60%) and γ-terpinene (12.07%). CD-EO exhibited inhibitory effects on the growth of common microorganisms, including Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. However, CM-EO showed only inhibitory effects on E. coli. Furthermore, CD-EO exhibited superior antioxidant potential, as demonstrated by its ability to eliminate 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate free radicals. Furthermore, CD-EO at a concentration of 100 µg mL-1 significantly inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced cancer transformation in mouse epidermal JB6 P+ cells (P < 0.05), possibly by up-regulating protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and its downstream antioxidant enzymes, such as NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, heme oxygenase-1 and UGT1A. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that CD-EO exhibits inhibitory effects on pathogenic microorganisms, possesses antioxidant properties and has cancer chemopreventive potential. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Functional, antioxidant, and sensory properties of mixed-fruit (pitaya, watermelon, and mint) and pitaya wines.

Fermentation of fruits offers a diverse range of flavors, smells, and colors. Colored fruits are rich in naturally occurring pigments, such as betacyanin. Hence, they are considered to possess powerful antioxidant activities. However, in wine production, such pigments often diversify the flavor and color of the wine. The objective of this study was to compare the quality of two types of wines: a single-fruit (pitaya) wine and a mixed-fruit wine that contains watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), mint (Mintha spicata), and pitaya (Hylocereus costaricensis). In this study, fresh pitaya, watermelon, and mint leaves were fermented using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Juice extracts underwent fermentation at room temperature for 7 days under dark conditions. Physicochemical changes, such as pH, sugar content, specific gravity, and alcohol content, were observed daily. The antioxidant activities were measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and total phenolic contents (TPCs). After 14 days of fermentation, the alcohol contents of mixed and pitaya wine were 11.22% (v/v) and 11.25%, respectively. The total sugar content of the mixed wine was 8.0 °Brix, while that of pitaya wine was 7.0 °Brix. Moreover, pitaya wine exhibited a higher TPC (22.7 mg GAE/100 g D.W.), and better FRAP (3578 µmole/L) and DPPH scavenging ability (80.2%) compared to the mixed wine with a TPC of 21.4 mg GAE/100 g D.W., FRAP of 2528 µmole/L, and DPPH of 75.6%., while the addition of watermelon and mint did not change the alcohol percentage contents of wine.

Coptis chinensis, and extracts of guava and mulberry leaves present good inhibiting potential on obesity and associated metabolic disorders in high-fat diet obesity mice model.

This study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of Coptis chinensis (CC), BALASAN (combinational guava leaf extract and mulberry leaf extract), and CC/BALASAN (CC/BAL) on high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice and to explore possible mediating mechanisms in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Oil red-O stain was used to test the effects of CC, BALASAN, and CC/BAL on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Additionally, real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of genes involved in adipocyte differentiation and inflammation-related genes in adipose tissue of mice that were fed a high-fat diet. CC, BALASAN, and CC/BAL inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and exhibited excellent inhibitory ability against the expression of PPARγ and RXRα genes associated with adipocyte differentiation. Replenishing mice with a high-fat diet with CC, BALASAN, and CC/BAL reduced body weight gaining and blood glucose and plasma cholesterol levels. CC also effectively reduced liver weight, whereas BALASAN and CC/BAL had no inhibitory effect. In addition, CC effectively inhibited the expression of C/EBP-α in adipose tissue. Interestingly, BALASAN not only inhibited the expression of C/EBP-α, but also that of PPARγ, RXRα, and TNFα. Such data indicated that CC, BALASAN, and CC/BAL may have potentially beneficial effects against obesity and associated metabolic disorders by down-regulating the PPARγ/RXRα pathway.

Enhanced antioxidant activity of Chenopodium formosanum Koidz. by lactic acid bacteria: Optimization of fermentation conditions.

In this study, different probiotics commonly used to produce fermented dairy products were inoculated independently for Chenopodium formosanum Koidz. fermentation. The strain with the highest level of antioxidant activity was selected and the fermentation process was further optimized via response surface methodology (RSM). Lactobacillus plantarum BCRC 11697 was chosen because, compared to other lactic acid bacteria, it exhibits increased free radical scavenging ability and can produce more phenolic compounds, DPPH (from 72.6% to 93.2%), and ABTS (from 64.2% to 76.9%). Using RSM, we further optimize the fermentation protocol of BCRC 11697 by adjusting the initial fermentation pH, agitation speed, and temperature to reach the highest level of antioxidant activity (73.5% of DPPH and 93.8% of ABTS). The optimal protocol (pH 5.55, 104 rpm, and 24.4°C) resulted in a significant increase in the amount of phenolic compounds as well as the DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging ability of BCRC 11697 products. The IC50 of the DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging ability were 0.33 and 2.35 mg/mL, respectively, and both protease and tannase activity increased after RSM. An increase in lower molecular weight (<24 kDa) protein hydrolysates was also observed. Results indicated that djulis fermented by L. plantarum can be a powerful source of natural antioxidants for preventing free radical-initiated diseases.

Bioactive compounds with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of hop extracts.

The aim of this study is to simultaneously evaluate anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of the hop extracts by different solvents. Hop water extract (HWE) and hop ethanol extracts (HEEs) were prepared by extracting hop pellets with hot water at 90 °C and ethanol solutions (55%, 75%, and 95%), respectively. Bioactive compound such as α-acid, ß-acid, total phenolic, and total flavonoid contents were determined. All the HEEs showed higher anti-oxidative activities than the HWEs. The HEEs showing the highest anti-oxidative activities are different in the experiments with different free radicals. For anti-inflammatory activities, both the HWE and HEEs decreased NO productions. HWE decreased TNF-α and IL-6 secretion but showed no effect on IL-1ß, while HEEs decreased IL-1ß and IL-6 secretion but increased TNF-α secretion. Except for TNF-α secretion, the HEEs showed higher anti-inflammatory activities than the HWE. Future work is to explore the possible mechanism to improve the ethanol extraction procedure.

Allicin Modifies the Composition and Function of the Gut Microbiota in Alcoholic Hepatic Steatosis Mice.

The intestinal microbiome plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. Alcohol intake induces gut microbiota dysbiosis and alters its function. This study investigated the antibiotic effect of allicin in mice with hepatic steatosis. Male C57BL/6 mice were administered an ethanol diet supplemented with allicin (5 and 20 mg/(kg bw day)) for 4 weeks. Allicin modified the gut microbiota composition. Cecal microbiota exhibited a positive correlation with alcohol and hepatic triacylglycerol, but were suppressed with allicin. Ethanol diet with 5 mg of allicin induced a lower intestinal permeability compared to the ethanol diet alone. Allicin mediated the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-CD14-toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-induced hepatic inflammation pathway by reducing LPS, CD14, TLR4, and pro-inflammatory cytokines-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6. However, hepatic inflammation primarily resulted from alcohol toxicity rather than LPS production in the gut. The prediction of functional profiles from metagenomic 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) data revealed different functional profiles in each group. The predicted aldehyde dehydrogenase tended to increase in alcoholic mice administered allicin. The predicted LPS-related pathway and LPS biosynthesis protein results exhibited a similar trend as plasma LPS levels. Thus, alcohol and allicin intake shapes the gut microbiota and its functional profile and improves the CD14-TLR4 pathway to alleviate inflammation in the liver.

Analysis and determination of phytosterols and triterpenes in different inbred lines of Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) hull: A potential source of novel bioactive ingredients.

Djulis (Chenopodiun formosaneum Koidz.,), pseudo-cereal crop emerged as a potential source of functional ingredients, was used to identify phytosterols and triterpenes from seven inbred lines of Djulis hull using GC-MS. Key bioactive compounds were identified including 6 phytosterols (34.73-59.48 mg/100 g), 6 triterpenes (30.56-57.47 mg/100 g), and 5 other unsaponifiable compounds (15.89-22.50 mg/100 g). Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted and explored the variation among Djulis hull samples with two clusters based on the surface color that reflected the content of phytosterols and triterpenes. These results confirmed that the color might be used as an indicator for estimation of phytosterol and triterpene contents in Djulis hull. Overall, this is the first study that identified novel unsaponifiable compounds in Djulis hull, which might contribute to the development of phytosterols and/or triterpenes enriched functional foods.

Bufalin Induces Apoptotic Cell Death in Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells through Mitochondrial ROS and TRAIL Pathways.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bufalin on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma NPC-TW 076 cells in vitro. Bufalin is a cardiotonic steroid and a key active ingredient of the Chinese medicine ChanSu. The extracts of Chansu are used for various cancer treatments in China. In the present study, bufalin induced cell morphological changes, decreased total cell viability and induced G2/M phase arrest of cell cycle in NPC-TW 076 cells. Results also indicated that bufalin induced chromatin condensation (cell apoptosis) and DNA damage by DAPI staining and comet assay, respectively. The induced apoptotic cell death was further confirmed by annexin-V/PI staining assay. In addition, bufalin also increased ROS and Ca 2+ production and decreased the levels of ΔΨm . Furthermore, the alterations of ROS, ER stress and apoptosis associated protein expressions were investigated by Western blotting. Results demonstrated that bufalin increased the expressions of ROS associated proteins, including SOD (Cu/Zn), SOD2 (Mn) and GST but decreased that of catalase. Bufalin increased ER stress associated proteins (GRP78, IRE-1 α , IRE-1 ß , caspase-4, ATF-6 α , Calpain 1, and GADD153). Bufalin increased the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, and apoptotic associated proteins (cytochrome c, caspase-3, -8 and -9, AIF and Endo G) but reduced anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in NPC-TW 076 cells. Furthermore, bufalin elevated the expressions of TRAIL-pathway associated proteins (TRAIL, DR4, DR5, and FADD). Based on these findings, we suggest bufalin induced apoptotic cell death via caspase-dependent, mitochondria-dependent and TRAIL pathways in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma NPC-TW 076 cells.

Chemical evaluation and cytotoxic mechanism investigation of Clinacanthus nutans extract in lymphoma SUP-T1 cells.

Clinacanthus nutans has been used as herbal medicine with antidiabetic, blood pressure lowering, and diuretic properties in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. The in vitro cellular study showed the chloroform extract possessed significant cytotoxicity against leukemia K562 and lymphoma Raji cells. The clinical study reported that administration of plant could treat or prevent relapse in 12 cancer patients. However, detailed mechanism of the anticancer effects and chemical profiles are not thoroughly studied. The chemical study did show that the acetone extract (MHA) exerted the highest antiproliferative effect on human leukemia MOLT-4 cells and lymphoma SUP-T1 cells in dose-dependent cytotoxicity. We found that the use of MHA increased apoptosis by 4.28%-43.65% and caused disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by 11.79%-26.93%, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 19.54% and increased calcium ion by 233.83%, as demonstrated by annexin-V/PI, JC-1, H2 DCFDA, and Flou-3 staining assays, respectively. MHA-induced ER stress was confirmed by increase expression of CHOP and IRE-1α with western blotting assay. In conclusion, we identified good bioactivity in Clinacanthus nutans and recognize its potential effect on cancer therapy, but further research is needed to determine the use of the plant.

Quercetin induced cell apoptosis and altered gene expression in AGS human gastric cancer cells.

Quercetin is one of the natural components from natural plant and it induces cell apoptosis in many human cancer cell lines. However, no available reports show that quercetin induces apoptosis and altered associated gene expressions in human gastric cancer cells, thus, we investigated the effect of quercetin on the apoptotic cell death and associated gene expression in human gastric cancer AGS cells. Results indicated that quercetin induced cell morphological changes and reduced total viability via apoptotic cell death in AGS cells. Furthermore, results from flow cytometric assay indicated that quercetin increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, decreased the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm ), and increased the apoptotic cell number in AGS cells. Results from western blotting showed that quercetin decreased anti-apoptotic protein of Mcl-1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-x but increased pro-apoptotic protein of Bad, Bax, and Bid. Furthermore, quercetin increased the gene expressions of TNFRSF10D (Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 10d, decoy with truncated death domain), TP53INP1 (tumor protein p53 inducible nuclear protein 1), and JUNB (jun B proto-oncogene) but decreased the gene expression of VEGFB (vascular endothelial growth factor B), CDK10 (cyclin-dependent kinase 10), and KDELC2 (KDEL [Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu] containing 2) that are associated with apoptosis pathways. Thus, those findings may offer more information regarding the molecular, gene expression, and signaling pathway for quercetin induced apoptotic cell death in human gastric cancer cells.

Effects of Tempeh Fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum and Rhizopus oligosporus on Streptozotocin-Induced Type II Diabetes Mellitus in Rats.

The increased consumption of high fat-containing foods has been linked to the prevalence of obesity and abnormal metabolic syndromes. Rhizopus oligosporus, a fungus in the family Mucoraceae, is widely used as a starter for homemade tempeh. Although R. oligosporus can prevent the growth of other microorganisms, it grows well with lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Lactobacillus plantarum can produce ß-glucosidase, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of glucoside isoflavones into aglycones (with greater bioavailability). Therefore, the development of a soybean-based functional food by the co-inoculation of R. oligosporus and L. plantarum is a promising approach to increase the bioactivity of tempeh. In this study, the ameliorative effect of L. plantarum in soy tempeh on abnormal carbohydrate metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperglycemic rats was evaluated. The co-incubation of L. plantarum with R. oligosporus during soy tempeh fermentation reduced the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, HbA1c, serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid, insulin, and low-density lipoprotein contents, and significantly increased the high-density lipoprotein content in HFD rats. It also increased the LAB counts, as well as the bile acid, cholesterol, triglyceride, and short-chain fatty acid contents in the feces of HFD rats. Our results suggested that the modulation of serum glucose and lipid levels by LAB occurs via alterations in the internal microbiota, leading to the inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and promotion of lipolysis. Tempeh, which was produced with both L. plantarum and R. oligosporus, might be a beneficial dietary supplement for individuals with abnormal carbohydrate metabolism.

Bisdemethoxycurcumin Suppresses Migration and Invasion of Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells via Inhibition of NF-ĸB, MMP-2 and -9 Pathways.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) exhibits biological activities including anticancer and anti-metastasis in human cancer cell lines, but there is no available information to show whether BDMC suppresses cell migration and invasion of human cervical cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wound-healing, migration, invasion, zymography, and western blotting assays were used to investigate the effects of BDMC on HeLa cells in vitro. RESULTS: BDMC reduced the total viable cell number in a dose-dependent manner. The wound-healing assay show BDMC suppressed the movement of HeLa cells. Furthermore, the trans-well chamber assays showed that BDMC suppressed the cell migration and invasion. Gelatin zymograph assay showed that BDMC did not inhibit matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and -9 activities in vitro. However, western blotting assay showed that BDMC significantly reduced protein levels of growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2), Ras homolog gene family, member A (Rho A), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), RAS, MMP-2, and N-cadherin but increased those of phosphor-extracellular-signal related kinase (p-ERK1/2), E-cadherin and nuclear factor-ĸB (NF-ĸB) in HeLa cells. Confocal laser microscopy assay was used to further confirm BDMC increased NF-ĸB when compared to controls. CONCLUSION: BDMC may have potential as a novel anti-metastasis agent for the treatment of human cervical cancer.

Demethoxycurcumin Suppresses Migration and Invasion of Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells via Inhibition of NF-κB Pathways.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Demethoxycurcumin (DMC), one of the curcuminoids present in turmeric, has been shown to induce cell death in many human cancer cell lines, however, there has not been any investigation on whether DMC inhibits metastatic activity in human cervical cancer cells in vitro. In the present study, DMC at 2.5-15 µM decreased cell number, thus, we used IC20 (7.5 µM) for further investigation of its anti-metastatic activity in human cervical cancer HeLa cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The wound healing, migration, invasion, zymography, and western blotting assays were used to investigate the effects of DMC on HeLa cells. RESULTS: The wound healing assay was used to show that DMC suppressed cell movement of HeLa cells. Furthermore, the trans-well chamber assay was used to show that DMC suppressed HeLa cell migration and invasion. Gelatin zymography assay did not show any significant effects of DMC on the gelatinolytic activity (MMP-2 and -9) in conditioned media of HeLa cells treated by DMC. Western blotting showed that DMC significantly reduced protein levels of GRB2, MMP-2, ERK1/2, N-cadherin and Ras but increased the levels of E-cadherin and NF-κB in HeLa cells. Confocal laser microscopy indicated that DMC increased NF-κB in HeLa cells confirming the results from Western blotting. CONCLUSION: DMC may be used as a novel anti-metastatic agent for the treatment of human cervical cancer in the future.

Tetrandrine suppresses adhesion, migration and invasion of human colon cancer SW620 cells via inhibition of nuclear factor-κB, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 signaling pathways.

Tetrandrine (TET) exhibits biological activities, including anticancer activity. In Chinese medicine, TET has been used to treat hypertensive and arrhythmic conditions and has been demonstrated to induce cytotoxic effects on human cancer cell lines. However, to the best of the author's knowledge, no previous studies have revealed that TET affects cell metastasis in SW620 human colon cancer cells. The present study demonstrated that TET decreased the cell number and inhibited cell adhesion and mobility of SW620 cells. Furthermore, a wound healing assay was performed to demonstrate that TET suppressed cell movement, and Transwell chamber assays were used to reveal that TET suppressed the cell migration and invasion of SW620 cells. Western blotting demonstrated that TET significantly reduced protein expression levels of SOS Ras/Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, growth factor receptor bound protein 2, phosphorylated (p)-c Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2, p-p38, p38, 14-3-3, Rho A, ß-catenin, nuclear factor-κB p65, signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, in comparison with untreated SW620 cells. Overall, the results of the present study suggested that TET may be used as a novel anti-metastasis agent for the treatment of human colon cancer in the future.

Tetrandrine Induces Apoptosis in Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma NPC-TW 039 Cells by Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Ca2+/Calpain Pathways.

Tetrandrine is an alkaloid extracted from a traditional China medicine plant, and is considered part of food therapy as well. In addition, it has been widely reported to induce apoptotic cell death in many human cancer cells. However, the mechanism of Tetrandrine on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (NPC) is still questioned. In our study, we examined whether Tetrandrine can induce apoptosis of NPC-TW 039 cells. We found that cell morphology was changed after treatment with different concentrations of Tetrandrine. Further, we indicated that the NPC-TW 039 cells viability decreased in a Tetrandrine dose-dependent manner. We also found that tetrandrine induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. Tetrandrine induced DNA condensation by DAPI staining as well. In addition, we found that Tetrandrine induced Ca2+ release in the cytosol. At the same time, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occurred. Then we used western blotting to examine the protein expression which is associated with mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways and caspase-dependent pathways. To further examine whether Ca2+ was released or not with Tetrandrine induced-apoptosis, we used the chelator of Ca2+ and showed that cell viability increased. At the same time, caspase-3 expression was decreased. Furthermore, confocal microscopy examination revealed that Tetrandrine induced expression of ER stress-related proteins GADD153 and GRP78. Our results indicate that Tetrandrine induces apoptosis through calcium-mediated ER stress and caspase pathway in NPC-TW 039 cells. In conclusion, Tetrandrine may could be used for treatment of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma in future.

Bufalin induced apoptosis in SCC­4 human tongue cancer cells by decreasing Bcl­2 and increasing Bax expression via the mitochondria­dependent pathway.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of bufalin on SCC­4 human tongue cancer cells. Cell morphological changes and viability were examined using phase contrast microscopy and flow cytometry, respectively. The results indicated that bufalin induced morphological changes and reduced total viable cells. Apoptotic cell death was analyzed by DAPI staining and DNA gel electrophoresis; the results revealed that bufalin induced cell apoptosis. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca2+, nitric oxide (NO) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were measured by flow cytometry, and bufalin was observed to increase Ca2+ and NO production, decrease the ΔΨm and reduce ROS production in SCC­4 cells. In addition, western blotting was performed to detect apoptosis­associated protein expression. The results demonstrated that bufalin reduced the expression of the anti­apoptotic protein B­cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl­2) and increased the expression of the pro­apoptotic protein, Bcl­2­associated X protein. However, bufalin treatment also increased the expression of other apoptosis­associated proteins such as apoptosis­inducing factor and endonuclease G in SCC­4 cells. Based on these findings, bufalin may induce apoptotic cell death via mitochondria­dependent pathways in human tongue cancer SCC­4 cells.

Gypenosides induce cell death and alter gene expression in human oral cancer HSC-3 cells.

Gypenosides (Gyp), the primary components of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino, have long been used as a Chinese herbal medicine. In the present study, the effects of Gyp on cell viability, the cell cycle, cell apoptosis, DNA damage and chromatin condensation were investigated in vitro using human oral cancer HSC-3 cells. The results of the present study indicated that Gyp induces cell death, G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in HSC-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. It was also demonstrated that Gyp decreased the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential in a time-dependent manner. A cDNA microarray assay was performed and the results indicated that a number of genes were upregulated following Gyp treatment. The greatest increase was a 75.42-fold increase in the expression of GTP binding protein in skeletal muscle. Levels of the following proteins were also increased by Gyp: Serpine peptidase inhibitor, clade E, member 1 by 20.25-fold; ras homolog family member B by 18.04-fold, kelch repeat and BTB domain containing 8 by 15.22-fold; interleukin 11 by 14.96-fold; activating transcription factor 3 by 14.49-fold; cytochrome P450, family 1 by 14.44-fold; ADP-ribosylation factor-like 14 by 13.88-fold; transfer RNA selenocysteine 2 by 13.23-fold; and syntaxin 11 by 13.08-fold. However, the following genes were downregulated by GYP: Six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate family member 4, 14.19-fold; γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor by 14.58-fold; transcriptional-regulating factor 1 by 14.69-fold; serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade B, member 13 by 14.71-fold; apolipoprotein L 1 by 14.85-fold; follistatin by 15.22-fold; uncharacterized LOC100506718; fibronectin leucine rich transmembrane protein 2 by 15.61-fold; microRNA 205 by 16.38-fold; neuregulin 1 by 19.69-fold; and G protein-coupled receptor 110 by 22.05-fold. These changes in gene expression illustrate the effects of Gyp at the genetic level and identify potential targets for oral cancer therapy.

Diallyl trisulfide inhibits cell migration and invasion of human melanoma a375 cells via inhibiting integrin/facal adhesion kinase pathway.

Melanoma is the leading cause of death from skin disease due to its propensity for metastasis. Studies have shown that integrin-mediated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signal pathway is implicated in cell proliferation, survival and metastasis of tumor cells. Our previous results indicated that diallyl trisulfide (DATS) provided its antimelanoma activity via inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to explore DATS mediated antimetastatic effect and the corresponding mechanism in human melanoma A375 cells. We found that DATS exhibited an inhibitory effect on the abilities of migration and invasion in A375 cells under noncytotoxic concentrations analyzed by wound healing assays and Matrigel invasion chamber system. DATS attenuated invasion of A375 cells with characteristic of decreased activities and protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9. Moreover, DATS exerted an inhibitory effect on cell adhesion of A375 cells, which is in correlation with the change in integrin signaling pathway. Results of Western blotting showed that DATS decreased the levels of several integrin subunits, including α4, α5, αv, ß1, ß3 and ß4. Subsequently, DATS induced a strong decrease in total FAK, phosphorylated FAK Tyr-397,-576, -577, and disorganized F-actin stress fibers, resulting in a nonmigratory phenotype. These results suggest that the antimetastatic potential of DATS for human melanoma cells might be due to the disruption of integrin/FAK signaling pathway.

Cantharidin alters the expression of genes associated with the NKG2D-associated immune response in TSGH-8301 human bladder carcinoma cells.

Cantharidin (CTD) is a natural toxin in beetles of the Mylabris genus (blister beetle), which has been revealed to induce cell death in various types of human cancer cells. However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated the effect of CTD on the expression of genes and their associated signaling pathways in human bladder carcinoma cells. In the present study, CTD-induced cell morphological changes and apoptosis were observed using phase-contrast microscopy and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay, respectively, in TSGH-8301 human bladder carcinoma cells. In addition, a complementary DNA microarray analysis demonstrated that CTD treatment led to a >2-fold upregulation of 269 genes. For example, the DNA damage-associated gene DNA-damage-inducible transcript 3 had a 4.75-fold upregulation. Furthermore, another 286 genes were >2-fold downregulated in response to CTD treatment. Matrix-remodeling associated 5, which is associated with cell migration and invasion, was downregulated 7.98-fold.

Casticin impairs cell migration and invasion of mouse melanoma B16F10 cells via PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Casticin, a polymethoxyflavone, is one of the major active components obtained from Fructus viticis, which have been shown to have anticancer activities including induce cell apoptosis in human cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which casticin inhibits cell migration and invasion of mouse melanoma B16F10 cells. Cell viability was examined by MTT assay and the results indicated that casticin decreased the total percentages of viable cells in dose-dependent manners. Casticin affected cell migration and invasion in B16F10 cells were examined by wound healing mobility assay and Boyden chamber migration and invasion assay and results indicated that casticin inhibited cell migration and invasion in dose-dependent manners. Western blotting was used to examine the protein expression of B16F10 cells after exposed to casticin and the results showed that casticin decreased the expressions of MMP-9, MMP-2, MMP-1, FAK, 14-3-3, GRB2, Akt, NF-κB p65, SOS-1, p-EGFR, p-JNK 1/2, uPA, and Rho A in B16F10 cells. Furthermore, cDNA microarray assay was used to show that casticin affected associated gene expression of cell migration and invasion and the results indicated that casticin affected some of the gene expression such as increased SCN1B (cell adhesion molecule 1) and TIMP2 (TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 2) and decreased NDUFS4 (NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) Fe-S protein4), VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A), and DDIT3 (DNA-damage-inducible transcript 3) which associated cell migration and invasion in B16F10 cells. Based on those observations, we suggest that casticin could be used as a novel anticancer metastasis of melanoma cancer in the future.