Propolin G-Suppressed Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells via Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3ß-Mediated Snail and HDAC6-Regulated Vimentin Degradation.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive breast cancer with a poor prognosis. The incidence and mortality rate of TNBC are frequently found in younger women. Due to the absence of a good therapeutic strategy, effective remedies for inhibiting TNBC have been developed for improving the cure rate. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical mechanism to regulate cancer cell motility and invasion. Furthermore, ectopic expression of EMT molecules correlates with the metastasis and poor prognosis of TNBC. Targeting EMT might be a strategy for the therapy and prevention of TNBC. Propolin G, an active c-prenylflavanone in Taiwanese propolis, has been shown to possess anti-cancer activity in many cancers. However, the anti-metastasis activity of propolin G on TNBC is still unclear. The present study showed that the migration and invasion activities of TNBC cells was suppressed by propolin G. Down-regulated expression of Snail and vimentin and up-regulated expression of E-cadherin were dose- and time-dependently observed in propolin G-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Propolin G inhibited Snail and vimentin expressions via the signaling pathways associated with post-translational modification. The activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK-3ß) by propolin G resulted in increasing GSK-3ß interaction with Snail. Consequently, the nuclear localization and stability of Snail was disrupted resulting in promoting the degradation. Propolin G-inhibited Snail expression and the activities of migration and invasion were reversed by GSK-3ß inhibitor pretreatment. Meanwhile, the outcomes also revealed that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) activity was dose-dependently suppressed by propolin G. Correspondently, the amounts of acetyl-α-tubulin, a down-stream substrate of HDAC6, were increased. Dissociation of HDAC6/Hsp90 with vimentin leading to increased vimentin acetylation and degradation was perceived in the cells with the addition of propolin G. Moreover, up-regulated expression of acetyl-α-tubulin by propolin G was attenuated by HDAC6 overexpression. On the contrary, down-regulated expression of vimentin, cell migration and invasion by propolin G were overturned by HDAC6 overexpression. Conclusively, restraint cell migration and invasion of TNBC by propolin G were activated by the expression of GSK-3ß-suppressed Snail and the interruption of HDAC6-mediated vimentin protein stability. Aiming at EMT, propolin G might be a potential candidate for TNBC therapy.

Induction of G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest via p38/p21Waf1/Cip1-Dependent Signaling Pathway Activation by Bavachinin in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells.

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignant cancer in the world. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major category of lung cancer. Although effective therapies have been administered, for improving the NSCLC patient's survival, the incident rate is still high. Therefore, searching for a good strategy for preventing NSCLC is urgent. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are brilliant materials for cancer chemoprevention, because of their high biological safety and low cost. Bavachinin, which is an active flavanone of Proralea corylifolia L., possesses anti-inflammation, anti-angiogenesis, and anti-cancer activities. The present study's aim was to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of bavachinin on NSCLC, and its regulating molecular mechanisms. The results exhibited that a dose-dependent decrease in the cell viability and colony formation capacity of three NSCLC cell lines, by bavachinin, were through G2/M cell cycle arrest induction. Meanwhile, the expression of the G2/M cell cycle regulators, such as cyclin B, p-cdc2Y15, p-cdc2T161, and p-wee1, was suppressed. With the dramatic up-regulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21Waf1/Cip1, the expression and association of p21Waf1/Cip1 with the cyclin B/cdc2 complex was observed. Silencing the p21Waf1/Cip1 expression significantly rescued bavachinin-induced G2/M cell accumulation. Furthermore, the expression of p21Waf1/Cip1 mRNA was up-regulated in bavachinin-treated NSCLC cells. In addition, MAPK and AKT signaling were activated in bavachinin-added NSCLC cells. Interestingly, bavachinin-induced p21Waf1/Cip1 expression was repressed after restraint p38 MAPK activation. The inhibition of p38 MAPK activation reversed bavachinin-induced p21Waf1/Cip1 mRNA expression and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Collectively, bavachinin-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest was through the p38 MAPK-mediated p21Waf1/Cip1-dependent signaling pathway in the NSCLC cells.

Moscatilin Inhibits Metastatic Behavior of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells: A Crucial Role of uPA Suppression via Akt/NF-κB-Dependent Pathway.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) frequently shows early invasion into blood vessels as well as intrahepatic metastasis. Innovations of novel small-molecule agents to block HCC invasion and subsequent metastasis are urgently needed. Moscatilin is a bibenzyl derivative extracted from the stems of a traditional Chinese medicine, orchid Dendrobium loddigesii. Although moscatilin has been reported to suppress tumor angiogenesis and growth, the anti-metastatic property of moscatilin has not been elucidated. The present results revealed that moscatilin inhibited metastatic behavior of HCC cells without cytotoxic fashion in highly invasive human HCC cell lines. Furthermore, moscatilin significantly suppressed the activity of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), but not matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. Interestingly, moscatilin-suppressed uPA activity was through down-regulation the protein level of uPA, and did not impair the uPA receptor and uPA inhibitory molecule (PAI-1) expressions. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression of uPA was inhibited via moscatilin in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the expression of phosphorylated Akt, rather than ERK1/2, was inhibited by moscatilin treatment. The expression of phosphor-IκBα, and -p65, as well as κB-luciferase activity were also repressed after moscatilin treatment. Transfection of constitutively active Akt (Myr-Akt) obviously restored the moscatilin-inhibited the activation of NF-κB and uPA, and cancer invasion in HCC cells. Taken together, these results suggest that moscatilin impedes HCC invasion and uPA expression through the Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. Moscatilin might serve as a potential anti-metastatic agent against the disease progression of human HCC.

Suppressing migration and invasion of H1299 lung cancer cells by honokiol through disrupting expression of an HDAC6-mediated matrix metalloproteinase 9.

Metastasis is the crucial mechanism to cause high mortality in lung cancer. Degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) by proteolytic enzymes, especially matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), is a key process for promoting cancer cell migration and invasion. Therefore, targeting MMPs might be a strategy for lung cancer metastasis suppression. Honokiol, a biological active component of Magnolia officinalis, has been indicated to suppress lung cancer tumorigenesis through epigenetic regulation. However, the regulation of MMPs-mediated migration and invasion by honokiol through epigenetic regulation in lung cancer is still a mystery. In the present study, the migration and invasion ability of H1299 lung cancer was suppressed by noncytotoxic concentrations of honokiol treatment. The proteolytic activity of MMP-9, rather than MMP-2, was inhibited in honokiol-treated H1299 cells. Honokiol-inhibited MMP-9 expression was through promoting MMP-9 protein degradation rather than suppressing transcription mechanism. Furthermore, the expression of specific histone deacetylases 6 (HDAC6) substrate, acetyl-α-tubulin, was accumulated after honokiol incubation. The disassociation of MMP-9 with hyper-acetylated heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) was observed resulting in MMP-9 degradation after honokiol treatment. Meanwhile, honokiol-suppressed MMP-9 expression and invasion ability of H1299 lung cancer cells was rescued by HDAC6 overexpression. Accordingly, the results suggested that the suppression of migration and invasion activities by honokiol was through inhibiting HDAC6-mediated Hsp90/MMP-9 interaction and followed by MMP-9 degradation in lung cancer.

Propolin C Inhibited Migration and Invasion via Suppression of EGFR-Mediated Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Lung Cancer Cells.

Controlling lung cancer cell migration and invasion via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through the regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway has been demonstrated. Searching biological active phytochemicals to repress EGFR-regulated EMT might prevent lung cancer progression. Propolis has been used as folk medicine in many countries and possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. In this study, the antimigration and anti-invasion activities of propolin C, a c-prenylflavanone from Taiwanese propolis, were investigated on EGFR-regulated EMT signaling pathway. Cell migration and invasion activities were dose-dependently suppressed by noncytotoxic concentration of propolin C. Downregulations of vimentin and snail as well as upregulation of E-cadherin expressions were through the inhibition of EGFR-mediated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in propolin C-treated cells. In addition, EGF-induced migration and invasion were suppressed by propolin C-treated A549 lung cancer cells. No significant differences in E-cadherin expression were observed in EGF-stimulated cells. Interestingly, EGF-induced expressions of vimentin, snail, and slug were suppressed through the inhibition of PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathway in propolin C-treated cells. Inhibition of cell migration and invasion by propolin C was through the inhibition of EGF/EGFR-mediated signaling pathway, followed by EMT suppression in lung cancer.

The interplay of reactive oxygen species and the epidermal growth factor receptor in tumor progression and drug resistance.

BACKGROUND: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays important roles in cell survival, growth, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. Dysregulation of the EGFR is a common mechanism in cancer progression especially in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MAIN BODY: Suppression of the EGFR-mediated signaling pathway is used in cancer treatment. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative stress from mitochondrial dysfunction or NADPH oxidase (NOX) overactivation and ectopic expression of antioxidative enzymes were also indicated to be involved in EGFR-mediated tumor progression (proliferation, differentiation, migration, and invasion) and drug resistance (EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)). The products of NOX, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, are considered to be major types of ROS. ROS are not only toxic materials to cells but also signaling regulators of tumor progression. Oxidation of both the EGFR and downstream phosphatases by ROS enhances EGFR-mediated signaling and promotes tumor progression. This review primarily focuses on the recent literature with respect to the roles of the EGFR and ROS and correlations between ROS and the EGFR in tumor progression and EGFR TKI resistance. SHORT CONCLUSION: The evidence discussed in this article can serve as a basis for basic and clinical research to understand how to modulate ROS levels to control the development and drug resistance of cancers.

Shikonin Inhibited Migration and Invasion of Human Lung Cancer Cells via Suppression of c-Met-Mediated Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major process to regulate cell migration and invasion. Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated EMT by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is a strategy to prevent lung cancer invasion. However, drug resistance is emerged and accelerated invasion through other signaling bypassing EGFR after TKIs therapy. c-Met signaling pathway is highly activated in EGFR-mutated lung cancer cells. Targeting c-Met signaling pathway may be a strategy to suppress EGFR-independent migration and invasion for lung cancer therapy. Therefore, we examined the anti-migration and anti-invasion abilities of shikonin, an active compound from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, in highly and ligand-induced c-Met activation lung cancer cells. Our results revealed that cell viability and cell cycle progression did not change under 1 µM of shikoinin treatment in highly c-Met expressive HCC827 lung cancer cells. Endogenous c-Met activation was dose-dependently inhibited and the migration and invasion activity of HCC827 cells were suppressed by shikonin treatment. Induction of E-cadherin expression and inhibition of vimentin, slug, and snail expression by shikonin was through c-Met-mediated PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling suppression. Furthermore, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced migration, invasion and EMT marker change were reversed by shikonin in low c-Met expressive A549 lung cancer cells. Inhibition of HGF-induced c-Met, PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK activation were observed in shikonin-treated cells. Co-treatment of PI3K/Akt inhibitor or ERK inhibitor with shikonin enhanced shikonin-reversed HGF-regulated EMT marker expression. Taken together, the results suggested that the anti-migration and anti-invasion activities of shikonin was through c-Met inhibition and following by EMT suppression in lung cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4639-4651, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

NBM-T-BBX-OS01, Semisynthesized from Osthole, Induced G1 Growth Arrest through HDAC6 Inhibition in Lung Cancer Cells.

Disrupting lung tumor growth via histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibition is a strategy for cancer therapy or prevention. Targeting HDAC6 may disturb the maturation of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) mediated cell cycle regulation. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of semisynthesized NBM-T-BBX-OS01 (TBBX) from osthole on HDAC6-mediated growth arrest in lung cancer cells. The results exhibited that the anti-proliferative activity of TBBX in numerous lung cancer cells was more potent than suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a clinically approved pan-HDAC inhibitor, and the growth inhibitory effect has been mediated through G1 growth arrest. Furthermore, the protein levels of cyclin D1, CDK2 and CDK4 were reduced while cyclin E and CDK inhibitor, p21Waf1/Cip1, were up-regulated in TBBX-treated H1299 cells. The results also displayed that TBBX inhibited HDAC6 activity via down-regulation HDAC6 protein expression. TBBX induced Hsp90 hyper-acetylation and led to the disruption of cyclin D1/Hsp90 and CDK4/Hsp90 association following the degradation of cyclin D1 and CDK4 proteins through proteasome. Ectopic expression of HDAC6 rescued TBBX-induced G1 arrest in H1299 cells. Conclusively, the data suggested that TBBX induced G1 growth arrest may mediate HDAC6-caused Hsp90 hyper-acetylation and consequently increased the degradation of cyclin D1 and CDK4.

Induction of p21(Waf1/Cip1) by garcinol via downregulation of p38-MAPK signaling in p53-independent H1299 lung cancer.

Garcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone, from Garcinia indica fruit rind has possessed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferation, and anticancer activities. However, the anticancer mechanisms of garcinol in lung cancer were still unclear. Therefore, we examine the effects of garcinol on antiproliferation in human lung cancer cells. Treatments with garcinol for 24 h exhibited morphological changes and inhibited the proliferation of H460 (p53-wild type) and H1299 (p53-null) cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. Furthermore, a significant G1 cell cycle arrest was observed in a dose-dependent treatment after H1299 cells were exposed in garcinol, whereas garcinol induced apoptosis rather than cell cycle arrest in H460 cells. Moreover, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), cyclin D1, and cyclin D3 were decreased, although cyclin E and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) were increased in garcinol-treated H1299 cells. Meanwhile, the protein levels of CDK inhibitors p21(Waf1/Cip1) and p27(KIP1) also exhibited upregulation after garcinol treatments. The enhanced protein-associated level between p21(Waf1/Cip1) and CDK4/2 rather than p27(KIP1) and CDK4/2 was demonstrated in garcinol-treated cells. Additionally, knock-down p21(Waf1/Cip1) by specific siRNA competently prevented garcinol-induced G1 arrest. Besides, garcinol also inhibited ERK and p38-MAPK activations in time-dependent mode. The pretreatment with p38-MAPK inhibitor but not ERK inhibitor raised garcinol-induced G1 population cells. Co-treatment with p38-MAPK inhibitor and garcinol synergistically elevated cyclin E, p21(Waf1/Cip1), and p27(Kip1) expressions. Meanwhile, overexpression dominant negative p38-MAPK also enhanced garcinol-induced p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression in H1299 cells. Accordingly, our data suggested that garcinol induced G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in lung cancer cells under different p53 statuses. The p53-independent G1 cell cycle arrest induced by garcinol might be through upregulation of p21(Waf1/Cip1) triggered from p38-MAPK signaling inactivation.

Interleukin-23 receptor polymorphism as a risk factor for oral cancer susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of genetic polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-23 and the IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) on the susceptibility to oral cancer. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to measure polymorphisms of these genes in 240 controls and 240 patients with oral cancer. RESULTS: Individuals with at least 1 varied C allele of rs10889677 (IL-23R polymorphism) had a 1.553-fold risk (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.073-2.241) of developing oral cancer compared with patients with the wild-type A/A homozygote. Patients with oral cancer with at least 1 varied C allele of rs10889677 had a 1.931-fold risk of tumor lymph node metastasis compared with patients with the C/C homozygote. CONCLUSION: The varied C allele of the IL-23R gene may be considered a factor contributing to increased susceptibility and may be a predictive factor for tumor lymph node metastasis in Taiwanese with oral cancer.

Effects of E-cadherin (CDH1) gene promoter polymorphisms on the risk and clinicopathologic development of oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the association between polymorphism in the E-cadherin/CDH1 promoter region and the risk and progression of oral cancer. METHODS: Genetic polymorphisms of CDH1-160 and -347 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 347 noncancer controls and in 251 patients with oral cancer. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed that subjects with at least 1 varied GA allele of CDH1-347 polymorphic genotypes or combinations of the CDH1-160 CA/-347 GGA, CDH1-160 CC/-347 GGA, or CDH1-160 CC/-347 GAGA genotypes had a significantly higher risk, whereas subjects with CDH1-160 C/A or A/A had a significantly lower risk of developing oral cancer than those with wild-type genotypes. Furthermore, elderly patients with the CDH1-347 G/GA or GA/GA genotype were associated with a higher incidence in lymph node metastasis than were those with the G/G genotype. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CDH1-347 polymorphisms are associated with increased risks of oral cancer, and may be a predictive factor for tumor lymph node metastasis.

Effects of E-cadherin (CDH1) gene promoter polymorphisms on the risk and clinicopathological development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignant neoplasms worldwide, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan. E-cadherin is an epithelial cell adhesion molecule, and decreased E-cadherin expression in HCC is associated with a poor prognosis. This study investigates the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the E-cadherin/CDH1 gene promoter on the risk and clinicopathological characteristics of HCC METHODS: 131 HCC patients and 347 controls were recruited for this study. Genetic polymorphisms of CDH1-160 and -347 were analyzed by PCR-RFLP genotyping analysis. RESULTS: After adjusting for other confounders, results show that individuals with the CDH1-347G/GA or GA/GA polymorphic genotypes had a significantly higher risk of developing HCC than those with the wild-type (G/G) genotype (adjusted odds ratio = 2.477; 95%CI: 1.421-4.319). Furthermore, patients with HCC with at least one mutant A allele of CDH1-160 had a 4.031-fold risk of progressing to stage III or IV. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that SNPs in CDH1-347 gene are associated with an increased risk of HCC, and at least one mutant A allele of CDH1-160 gene is associated with the development of stage III or IV of HCC in Taiwanese.

Garcinol promotes neurogenesis in rat cortical progenitor cells through the duration of extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling.

Garcinol is a polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivative found in Garcinia indica fruit rind and other species. The potential antioxidative and neuroprotective effects of garcinol in rat cortical astrocyte were demonstrated in our laboratory recently. Here, the effects of garcinol on the neuritogenesis process in cultured cortical progenitor cells were investigated to understand the roles of garcinol in neuronal survival and differentiation. These cells, derived from embryonic day 17 rats, differentiated into EGF-responsive neural precursor cells, would further form neurospheres. Our data exhibited garcinol induced neurite outgrowth in early developing EGF-treated neurospheres and significantly enhanced the expression of neuronal proteins, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Furthermore, the neuronal marker, high-molecular-weight subunit of neurofilaments (NFH), was highly expressed after 5 µM garcinol treatment in neural precursor cells for 20 days. To identify the extracellular mechanism, rat cortical progenitor cells were treated garcinol and accordingly mediated the sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) for different periods up to 20 h. In this regard, NMDA receptor-mediated calcium influx led to excitotoxic death and activated tyrosine phosphatase which limited the duration of ERK in cultured neurons. MK801, the NMDA receptor antagonist, treatment also induced the sustained phosphorylation of ERK and therefore enhanced neuronal survival. In our observation, garcinol treatment reduced growth factor deprivation-mediated cell death and nuclear import of C/EBPß levels. Noteworthy, garcinol could promote neurite outgrowth in EGF-responsive neural precursor cells and modulate the ERK pathway in the enhancement of neuronal survival.

Propolin H from Taiwanese propolis induces G1 arrest in human lung carcinoma cells.

Propolis, a natural product collected by honeybee, has been reported to exert a wide spectrum of biological functions. In this study, we have isolated a novel component, namely, propolin H, and investigated its effects in human carcinoma cells. Propolin H inhibited the proliferation of human lung carcinoma cell lines in MTT assay, and a significant G1 arrest was observed to occur in a dose-dependent manner at 24 h of exposure in H460 cells. After treatment with propolin H in H460 cells, the content of the CDK inhibitor p21Waf1/Cip1 protein increased in correlation with the elevation in p53 levels. Western blot analysis of G1 regulatory proteins further revealed a decrease in cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and CDK4 and an increase in cyclin E. The CDKs kinase activities assay showed that propolin H has inhibited CDK2 and CDK4 kinase activities. Accordingly, coimmunoprecipitations revealed an increased association of both CDK2 and CDK4 immunoreactive protein with the p21Waf1/Cip1 protein complex under propolin H-treated conditions. Additionally, we found that propolin H enhanced the expression of p21Waf1/Cip1 in p53-mutant and p53-null lung carcinoma cell lines, following the induction of G1 arrest. Together, these findings suggest that the induction of p21Waf1/Cip1 expression occurred through p53-dependent and -independent pathways in propolin H-treated cells. Propolin H exerts its significantly growth inhibitory effects and may have therapeutic applications.

NF-kappaB pathway is involved in griseofulvin-induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis in HL-60 cells.

Griseofulvin (GF), an oral antifungal agent, has been shown to exert antitumorigenesis effect through G2/M cell cycle arrest in colon cancer cells. But the underlying mechanisms remained obscure. The purpose of this study is to test the cytotoxic effect of GF on HL-60 and HT-29 cells and elucidate its underlying molecular pathways. Dose-dependent and time-course studies by flow cytometry demonstrated that 30 to 60 microM GF significantly induced G2/M arrest and to a less extend, apoptosis, in HL-60 cells. In contrast, only G2/M arrest was observed in HT-29 cells under similar condition. Pretreatment of 30 microM TPCK, a serine protease inhibitor, completely reversed GF-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HL-60 cells but not in HT-29 cells. The GF-induced G2/M arrest in HL-60 cells is reversible. Using EMSA and super-shift analysis, we demonstrated that GF stimulated NF-kappaB binding activity in HL-60 cells, which was completely inhibited by pretreatment of TPCK. Treatment of HL-60 with 30 microM GF activated JNK but not ERK or p38 MAPK and subsequently resulted in phosphorylation of Bcl-2. Pretreatment of TPCK to HL-60 cells blocked the GF-induced Bcl-2 phosphorylation but not JNK activation. Time course study demonstrated that activation of cdc-2 kinase activity by GF correlated with Bcl-2 phosphorylation. Taken together, our results suggest that activation of NF-kappaB pathway with cdc-2 activation and phosphorylation of Bcl-2 might be involved in G2/M cell cycle arrest in HL-60 cells.

Tangeretin suppresses IL-1beta-induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression through inhibition of p38 MAPK, JNK, and AKT activation in human lung carcinoma cells.

Tangeretin (5,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone) is a polymethoxylated flavonoid concentrated in the peel of citrus fruits. Recent studies have shown that tangeretin exhibits anti-proliferative, anti-invasive, anti-metastatic, and antioxidant activities. However, the anti-inflammatory properties of tangeretin are unclear. In this study, we examine the effects of tangeretin and its structure-related compound, nobiletin, on the expression of cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2) in human lung epithelial carcinoma cells, A549, and human non-small cell lung carcinoma cells, H1299. Tangeretin exerts a much better inhibitory activity than nobiletin against IL-1beta-induced production of COX-2 in A549 cells, and it effectively represses the constitutively expressed COX-2 in H1299. RT-PCR was used to investigate the transcriptional inhibition of COX-2 by tangeretin. COX-2 mRNA was rapidly induced by IL-1beta in 3h and markedly suppressed by tangeretin. IL-1beta-induced the activation of ERK, p38 MAPK, JNK, and AKT in A549 cells. COX-2 expression in response to IL-1beta was attenuated by pretreatment with SB203580, SP600125, and LY294002, but not with PD98059, suggesting the involvement of p38 MAPK, JNK, and PI3K in this response. Pretreatment of cells with tangeretin inhibited IL-1beta-induced p38 MAPK, JNK, and AKT phosphorylation and the downstream activation of NF-kappaB. These results may reveal that the tangeretin inhibition of IL-1beta-induced COX-2 expression in A549 cells is, at least in part, mediated through suppression of NF-kappaB transcription factor as well as through suppression of the signaling proteins of p38 MAPK, JNK, and PI3K, but not of ERK.

Theanaphthoquinone inhibits fatty acid synthase expression in EGF-stimulated human breast cancer cells via the regulation of EGFR/ErbB-2 signaling.

Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a major lipogenic enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of long-chain saturated fatty acids. Most breast cancers require lipogenesis for growth. Here, we demonstrated the effects of theanaphthoquinone (TNQ), a member of the thearubigins generated by the oxidation of theaflavin (TF-1), on the expression of FAS in human breast cancer cells. TNQ was found to suppress the EGF-induced expression of FAS mRNA and FAS protein in MDA-MB-231 cells. Expression of FAS has previously been shown to be regulated by the SREBP family of transcription factors. In this study, we demonstrated that the EGF-induced nuclear translocation of SREBP-1 was blocked by TNQ. Moreover, TNQ also modulated EGF-induced ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation. Treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with PI 3-kinase inhibitors, LY294002 and Wortmannin, inhibited the EGF-induced expression of FAS and nuclear translocation of SREBP-1. Treatment with TNQ inhibited EGF-induced EGFR/ErbB-2 phosphorylation and dimerization. Furthermore, treatment with kinase inhibitors of EGFR and ErbB-2 suggested that EGFR/ErbB-2 activation was involved in EGF-induced FAS expression. In constitutive FAS expression, TNQ inhibited FAS expression and Akt autophosphorylation in BT-474 cells. The PI 3-kinase inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors of EGFR and ErbB-2 also reduced constitutive FAS expression. In addition, pharmacological blockade of FAS by TNQ decreased cell viability and induced cell death in BT-474 cells. In summary, our findings suggest that TNQ modulates FAS expression by the regulation of EGFR/ErbB-2 pathways and induces cell death in breast cancer cells.

Chrysin induces G1 phase cell cycle arrest in C6 glioma cells through inducing p21Waf1/Cip1 expression: involvement of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Flavonoids are a broadly distributed class of plant pigments, universally present in plants. They are strong anti-oxidants that can inhibit carcinogenesis in rodents. Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a natural and biologically active compound extracted from many plants, honey, and propolis. It possesses potent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant properties, promotes cell death, and perturbing cell cycle progression. However, the mechanism by which chrysin inhibits cancer cell growth remains poorly understood. Therefore, we developed an interest in the relationship between MAPK signaling pathways and cell growth inhibition after chrysin treatment in rat C6 glioma cells. Cell viability assay and flow cytometric analysis suggested that chrysin exhibited a dose-dependent and time-dependent ability to block rat C6 glioma cell line cell cycle progression at the G1 phase. Western blotting analysis showed that the levels of Rb phosphorylation in C6 glioma cells exposed to 30 microM chrysin for 24h decreased significantly. We demonstrated the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21(Waf1/Cip1), to be significantly increased, but the p53 protein level did not change in chrysin-treated cells. Both cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and 4 (CDK4) kinase activities were reduced by chrysin in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, chrysin also inhibited proteasome activity. We further showed that chrysin induced p38-MAPK activation, and using a specific p38-MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, attenuated chrysin-induced p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression. These results suggest that chrysin exerts its growth-inhibitory effects either through activating p38-MAPK leading to the accumulation of p21(Waf1/Cip1) protein or mediating the inhibition of proteasome activity.

Comparative studies on the hypolipidemic and growth suppressive effects of oolong, black, pu-erh, and green tea leaves in rats.

The four major commercial teas, oolong, black, pu-erh, and green teas, have been manufactured in southeast Asia. In this study, we evaluated the growth suppressive and hypolipidemic effect of these four different tea leaves by oral feeding to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 30 weeks. The results showed that the suppression of body weights of tea leaves-fed groups were in the order: oolong tea > pu-erh tea > black tea > green tea. Pu-erh tea and oolong tea could lower the levels of triglyceride more significantly than that of green tea and black tea, but pu-erh tea and green tea were more efficient than oolong tea and black tea in lowering the level of total cholesterol. In lipoprotein, 4% pu-erh tea could increase the level of HDL-C and decrease the level of LDL-C, but other teas simply decrease the levels of both. The activity of antioxidant enzyme SOD is increased in all tea-fed groups as compared to the basal diet-fed group. Finally, relative weight ratios of liver to epididylmal adipose tissue were lower in feeding oolong tea and pu-erh tea groups. On the basis of these findings, it seemed that the fully fermented pu-erh and black tea leaves and partially fermented oolong tea leaves were more effective on their growth suppressive and hypolipidemic effects as compared to the nonfermented green tea leaves.

Pu-erh tea supplementation suppresses fatty acid synthase expression in the rat liver through downregulating Akt and JNK signalings as demonstrated in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.

Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a key enzyme of lipogenesis. Overexpression of FAS is dominant in cancer cells and proliferative tissues. The expression of FAS in the livers of rats fed pu-erh tea leaves was significantly suppressed. The gains in body weight, levels of triacylglycerol, and total cholesterol were also suppressed in the tea-treated rats. FAS expression in hepatoma HepG2 cells was suppressed by the extracts of pu-erh tea at both the protein and mRNA levels. FAS expression in HepG2 cells was strongly inhibited by PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and JNK inhibitor II and slightly inhibited by p38 inhibitor SB203580 and MEK inhibitor PD98059, separately. Based on these findings, we suggest that the suppression of FAS in the livers of rats fed pu-erh tea leaves may occur through downregulation of the PI3K/AKt and JNK signaling pathways. The major components of tea that have been demonstrated to be responsible for the antiobesity and hypolipidemic effects are catechins, caffeine, and theanine. The compositions of catechins, caffeine, and theanine varied dramatically in pu-erh, black, oolong, and green teas. The active principles and molecular mechanisms that exerted these biological effects in pu-erh tea deserve future exploration.