Exploring the potential of Huangqin Tang in breast cancer treatment using network pharmacological analysis and experimental verification.

AIMS OF THIS STUDY: This study aims to investigate the potential of Huangqin Tang (HQT), a traditional Chinese medicine formulation, in the treatment of breast cancer (BC) through a comprehensive approach integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation. METHODS: Chemical composition and target information of HQT were collected using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Disease-related target genes were obtained from the GeneCards database. Network pharmacological analysis, including construction of compound-disease-target networks and protein-protein interaction networks, was performed. Molecular docking simulations were conducted to evaluate the binding affinity between HQT components and key targets. Experimental validation was carried out using cell viability assays, clone formation assays, flow cytometry, Western blotting, and pathway analysis. RESULTS: A total of 210 candidate targets were identified. Network analysis revealed STAT3, AKT1, MAPK3 etc. as central targets. Enrichment analysis suggested HQT may exert anti-tumor effects through regulating lipid metabolism and inflammation related pathways. Molecular docking showed that the key compounds baicalein, wogonin, kaempferol and quercetin all bound effectively to MAPK1. The binding of baicalein to IL6 and naringenin to TNF-α was also relatively stable. The experimental results demonstrated that HQT effectively inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells, with IC50 values of 2.334 mg/mL and 1.749 mg/mL in MCF-7 cells at 24 h and 48 h, and IC50 values of 1.286 mg/mL and 1.496 mg/mL in MDA-MB-231 cells at 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Furthermore, HQT induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in breast cancer cells and downregulated the expression of related proteins including CDK1, Cyclin B1, CDK2, and Cyclin E. Additionally, HQT promoted apoptosis in breast cancer cells by upregulating the expression of Bak and CC-3, while downregulating the expression of Bcl-2. Notably, HQT also exhibited regulatory effects on the HIF-1 signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insights into the potential multi-component and multi-target mechanisms of HQT against BC, suggesting it may achieve therapeutic effects through regulating inflammatory response and cancer-related pathways via the identified active compounds and targets. The findings highlight the importance of integrating traditional medicine with modern approaches for the development of novel cancer therapies.

The cGAS-STING pathway in viral infections: a promising link between inflammation, oxidative stress and autophagy.

The host defence responses play vital roles in viral infection and are regulated by complex interactive networks. The host immune system recognizes viral pathogens through the interaction of pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) with pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). As a PRR mainly in the cytoplasm, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) senses and binds virus DNA and subsequently activates stimulator of interferon genes (STING) to trigger a series of intracellular signalling cascades to defend against invading pathogenic microorganisms. Integrated omic and functional analyses identify the cGAS-STING pathway regulating various host cellular responses and controlling viral infections. Aside from its most common function in regulating inflammation and type I interferon, a growing body of evidence suggests that the cGAS-STING signalling axis is closely associated with a series of cellular responses, such as oxidative stress, autophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum stress, which have major impacts on physiological homeostasis. Interestingly, these host cellular responses play dual roles in the regulation of the cGAS-STING signalling axis and the clearance of viruses. Here, we outline recent insights into cGAS-STING in regulating type I interferon, inflammation, oxidative stress, autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress and discuss their interactions with viral infections. A detailed understanding of the cGAS-STING-mediated potential antiviral effects contributes to revealing the pathogenesis of certain viruses and sheds light on effective solutions for antiviral therapy.

Wogonin Diminishes Radioresistance of Breast Cancer via Inhibition of the Nrf2/HIF-1[Formula: see text] Pathway.

Radiotherapy plays a crucial role in the multimodal treatment of breast cancer. However, radioresistance poses a significant challenge to its effectiveness, hindering successful cancer therapy. Emerging evidence indicates that Nrf2 and HIF-1[Formula: see text] are critical regulators of cellular anti-oxidant responses and that their overexpression significantly promotes radioresistance. Wogonin (WG), the primary component isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, exhibits potential antitumor and reversal of multidrug resistance activities. Nevertheless, the role of WG in radioresistance remains unclear. This study aims to explore the effects of WG on the radioresistance of breast cancer. Our results indicate that Nrf2 and HIF-1[Formula: see text] overexpression was observed in breast cancer tissues and was correlated with the histological grading of the disease. Radiation further increased the levels of Nrf2 and HIF-1[Formula: see text] in breast cancer cells. However, WG demonstrated the ability to induce cell apoptosis and reverse radioresistance by inhibiting the Nrf2/HIF-1[Formula: see text] pathway. These effects were also confirmed in xenograft mice models. Mechanistically, WG enhanced the level of the Nrf2 inhibitor Keap1 through reducing CpG methylation in the promoter region of the Keap1 gene. Consequently, the Nrf2/HIF-1[Formula: see text] pathway, along with the Nrf2- and HIF-1[Formula: see text]-dependent protective responses, were suppressed. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that WG can epigenetically regulate the Keap1 gene, inhibit the Nrf2/HIF-1[Formula: see text] pathway, induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells, and diminish acquired radioresistance. This study offers potential strategies to overcome the limitations of current radiotherapy for breast cancer.