Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract ameliorated scopolamine-induced cognition impairment via enhanced adult hippocampus neurogenesis.

In this presentation, we explored the molecular mechanisms of N. nucifera leaf water extracts (NLWEs) and polyphenol extract (NLPE) on scopolamine-induced cell apoptosis and cognition defects. The administration of NLWE and NLPE did not alter the body weight and serum biomarker rs and significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced cognition impairment according to Y-maze test analysis. In mice, treatment with scopolamine disrupted normal histoarchitecture in the hippocampus, whereas the administration of NLWE and NLPE reversed the phenomenon. Western blot analysis revealed that scopolamine mitigated the expression of doublecortin (DCX), nestin, and NeuN, and cotreatment with NLWE or NLPE significantly recovered the expression of these proteins. NLWE and NLPE upregulated DCX and NeuN expression in the hippocampus region, as evidenced by immunohistochemical staining analysis of scopolamine-treated mice. NLWE and NLPE obviously elevated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and enhanced its downstream proteins activity. NLWE and NLPE attenuated scopolamine-induced apoptosis by reducing Bax and increased Bcl-2 expression. In addition, scopolamine also triggered apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells whereas co-treatment with NLWE or quercetin-3-glucuronide (Q3G) reversed the phenomenon. NLWE or Q3G enhanced Bcl-2 and reduced Bax expression in the presence of scopolamine in SH-SY5Y cells. NLWE or Q3G recovered the inhibitory effects of scopolamine on neurogenesis and BDNF signals in SH-SY5Y cells. Overall, our results revealed that N. nucifera leaf extracts and Q3G promoted adult hippocampus neurogenesis and prevented apoptosis to mitigate scopolamine-induced cognition dysfunction through the regulation of BDNF signaling pathway.

Mulberry polyphenol extracts attenuated senescence through inhibition of Ras/ERK via promoting Ras degradation in VSMC.

Ageing is one of the major risk factors of human diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Mulberry exhibits a wide range of functions, such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-diabetes. In this study, we investigated the role of mulberry polyphenol extract (MPE) in K-Ras-induced senescence of smooth muscle cells. Forced expression of K-Ras enhanced senescence of smooth muscle A7r5 cells as shown by the elevation of ß-galactosidase activity. Treatment with MPE significantly repressed the Ras, phosphorylated ERK, and ß-galactosidase level. MPE triggered the association of cyclins with their corresponding cyclin-dependent protein kinases and hyperphosphorylated retinoblastoma (RB). MPE also down-regulated the levels of K-Ras-induced CDK inhibitors. MPE enhanced the phosphorylated AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) level in the presence of K-Ras. Pretreatment with either L-NAME or AMPK inhibitor reversed the effects of MPE. In addition, L-NAME and AMPK inhibitor repressed the MPE-induced total and phosphorylated 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-Co A) level. MPE repressed K-Ras-induced G0/G1 arrest, whereas L-NAME and AMPK inhibitor blocked the effects of MPE. Our results indicated that MPE recovered the K-Ras-induced senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells through iNOS and AMPK-dependent pathway. Our findings suggested that MPE may prevent ageing-induced atherosclerosis.

Mulberry polyphenols ameliorate atherogenic migration and proliferation by degradation of K-Ras and downregulation of its signals in vascular smooth muscle cell.

Extra-proliferation and increased migration of vascular smooth cells con-tribute to the formation of atherosclerosis. Ras small G proteins play a critical role in the prolif-eration and migration of a wide range of cells. Mulberry, an economic fruit in Asia, exhibits anti-inflammation, anti-migration, and anti-oxidant properties. The mechanisms of action of mulberry extracts on K-Ras small G protein-induced proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cell have not been extensively investigated. In this study, we explored the effects of mulberry polyphenol extracts (MPE) on the proliferation and migration of K-Ras-overexpressing A7r5 smooth muscle cells. The overexpression of K-Ras enhanced the ex-pression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, promoted vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production, and eventually triggered the migration of A7r5 cells. Treatment with MPE attenuated K-Ras-induced phenomenon. In addition, MPE blocked K-Ras-induced actin fibril stress. MPE dose-dependently diminished K-Ras-induced Rho A, Rac1, CDC42, and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression. MPE elevated Rho B ex-pression. Phosphorylated AKT and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) induced by K-Ras were also repressed by MPE treatment. MPE enhanced the interaction of IκB with NFκB. MPE restored the G0/G1 population and p21 and p27 expressions, which were repressed by K-Ras. Finally, MPE triggered the degradation of K-Ras by ubiquitination. MPE inhibited the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth cell through K-Ras-induced pathways and eventually pre-vented atherosclerosis.

Reduction of invasion and cell stemness and induction of apoptotic cell death by Cinnamomum cassia extracts on human osteosarcoma cells.

Cinnamomum cassia possesses antioxidative activity and induces the apoptotic properties of various cancer types. However, its effect on osteosarcoma invasion and cancer stemness remains ambiguous. Here, we examined the molecular evidence of the anti-invasive effects of ethanoic C. cassia extracts (CCE). Invasion and migration were obviously suppressed after the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and matrix metalloprotein 2 in human osteosarcoma 143B cells were downregulated. CCE reversed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by transforming growth factor ß1 and downregulated mesenchymal markers, such as snail-1 and RhoA. CCE suppressed self-renewal property and the expression of stemness genes (aldehyde dehydrogenase, Nanog, and CD44) in the 143B cells. CCE suppressed cell viability, reduced the colony formation of osteosarcoma cancer cells, and induced apoptotic cell death in the 143B cells, as indicated by caspase-9 activation. The xenograft tumor model of immunodeficient BALB/c nude mice showed that CCE administered in vivo through oral gavage inhibited the growth of implanted 143B cells. These findings indicated that CCE inhibited the invasion, migration, and cancer stemness of the 143B cells. CCE reduced proliferation of 143B cell possibly because of the activation of caspase-9 and the consequent apoptosis, suggesting that CCE is a potential anticancer supplement for osteosarcoma.

KLF10 Functions as an Independent Prognosis Factor for Gastric Cancer.

Background and Objectives: Kruppel-like factor 10 (KLF10) participates in the tumorigenesis of several human cancers by binding to the GC-rich region within the promoter regions of specific genes. KLF10 is downregulated in human cancers. However, the role of KLF10 in gastric cancer formation remains unclear. Materials and Methods: In this study, we performed immunohistochemical staining for KLF10 expression in 121 gastric cancer sections. Results: The loss of KLF10 expression was correlated with advanced stages and T status. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with higher KLF10 levels had longer overall survival than those with lower KLF10 levels. Univariate analysis revealed that in patients with gastric cancer, advanced stages and low KLF10 levels were associated with survival. Multivariate analysis indicated that age, gender, advanced stages, and KLF10 expression were independent prognostic factors of the survival of patients with gastric cancer. After adjusting for age, gender, and stage, KLF10 expression was also found to be an independent prognostic factor in the survival of patients with gastric cancer. Conclusion: Our results collectively suggested that KLF10 may play a critical role in gastric cancer formation and is an independent prognosis factor of gastric cancer.

Mulberry leaves extract ameliorates alcohol-induced liver damages through reduction of acetaldehyde toxicity and inhibition of apoptosis caused by oxidative stress signals.

Mulberry leaves (Morus alba L.), which are traditional Chinese herbs, exert several biological functions, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, antidiabetic, and antitumor. Alcohol intake increases inflammation and oxidative stress, and this increase causes liver injury and leads to liver steatosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, which are major health problems worldwide. Previous report indicated that mulberry leaf extract (MLE) exited hepatoprotection effects against chronic alcohol-induced liver damages. In this present study, we investigated the effects of MLE on acute alcohol and liver injury induced by its metabolized compound called acetaldehyde (ACE) by using in vivo and in vitro models. Administration of MLE reversed acute alcohol-induced liver damages, increased acetaldehyde (ACE) level, and decreased aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Acute alcohol exposure-induced leukocyte infiltration and pro-inflammation factors, including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were blocked by MLE in proportion to MLE concentration. MLE prevented alcohol-induced liver apoptosis via enhanced caveolin-1 expression and attenuated EGFR/STAT3/iNOS pathway using immunohistochemical analysis. ACE induced proteins, such as iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6, and inhibited superoxide dismutase expression, whereas co-treated with MLE reversed these proteins expression. MLE also recovered alcohol-induced apoptosis in cultured Hep G2 cells. Overall, our findings indicated that MLE ameliorated acute alcohol-induced liver damages by reducing ACE toxicity and inhibiting apoptosis caused by oxidative stress signals. Our results implied that MLE might be a potential agent for treating alcohol liver disease.

Tectorigenin Inhibits Glioblastoma Proliferation by G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest.

Glioblastoma is one of the leading cancer-related causes of death of the brain region and has an average 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of tectorigenin, a naturally occurring flavonoid compound with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-tumor properties, as a treatment for glioblastoma. A further goal was to use in vitro models to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms. Exposure to tectorigenin for 24 h dose-dependently reduced the viability of glioblastoma cells. Significant cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase occurred in the presence of 200 and 300 µM tectorigenin. Treatment with tectorigenin clearly reduced the levels of phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (p-RB) and decreased the expression of cyclin-dependent protein 4 (CDK4). Tectorigenin treatment also significantly enhanced the expression of p21, a CDK4 inhibitor. Collectively, our findings indicated that tectorigenin inhibited the proliferation of glioblastoma cells by cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase.

Anticancer activities of chalcone flavokawain B from Alpinia pricei Hayata in human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells via induction of reactive oxygen species-mediated apoptotic and autophagic cell death.

Chalcones found in fruits and vegetables have promising cancer chemopreventive properties. This study attempts to identify the anticancer efficacies of chalcone flavokawain B (FKB) in the rhizomes of Alpinia pricei Hayata by examining key molecular events in non-small-cell lung cancer (A549) cells. Our results indicated that in human A549 cells, FKB (0-15 µg/ml) decreases cell viability and colony formation, dysregulates the Bax:B-cell lymphoma 2 ratio and increases apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Mitochondrial (caspase-9/-3 and poly ADP ribose polymerase [PARP]) signaling was found to be involved in FKB-induced apoptosis. In addition, FKB-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and N-acetylcysteine attenuated FKB-induced apoptotic cell death. Moreover, FKB triggered autophagy, as evidenced by the improved acidic vesicular organelle formation, lipidated light chain 3 (microtubule-related light chain 3) accumulation, and ATG7 expression and the decreased mammalian target of rapamycin phosphorylation. Furthermore, FKB suppressed ROS-mediated ATG4B expression. Inhibiting autophagy using 3-methyladenine/chloroquine diminished FKB-induced cell death, indicating that autophagy is triggered as a death mechanism by FKB. In summary, FKB has a crucial role in the execution and propagation of ROS-mediated apoptotic and autophagic cell death of lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Repression of metastasis-associated protein 2 for inhibiting metastasis of human oral cancer cells by promoting the p-cofilin-1/ LC3-II expression.

BACKGROUND: The overexpression of metastasis-associated protein 2 (MTA2) contributes to human tumor progression and metastasis in various tumor cells. However, the role of MTA2 in human oral cancer progression remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MTA2 expression in human oral tumor tissues and cell lines was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Cell proliferation and cell cycle were analyzed using MTT assay and flow cytometry. The effects of MTA2 on oral cell migration and invasion were investigated using migration and invasion assays. The expression of MTA2, p-cofilin-1, and MTA2-induced LC3-II levels were measured using Western blotting and an immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: Based on the human oral cancer tissue array and TCGA database, we found that MTA2 was increased in oral cancer tissues than in non-tumor oral tissues (P < .01). Moreover, MTA2 is significantly associated with tumor grade (P < .01) and the overall survival rate of patients with grade III tumor (P < .05). MTA2 expression in oral cancer cells was markedly higher than that in normal oral cells. Cell proliferation and cell cycle were not significantly changed in the cells inhibited by MTA2. MTA2 knockdown can inhibit cell migration and invasion of human oral cancer cells. Furthermore, we suggest that MTA2 inhibition enhances p-cofilin and LC3-II expression, and the knockdown of LC3-II expression in cells inhibited by MTA2 had the opposite effect. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that MTA2 may serve as a candidate prognostic biomarker and that targeting autophagy is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating human oral cancer.

Naringenin inhibited migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells through multiple mechanisms.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most mortality brain cancer in the world. Due to high invasion and drug resistance cause the poor prognosis of GBM. Naringenin, an ingredient of citrus, exhibits many cellular functions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anticancer. Naringenin inhibits the migration of bladder and lung cancer via modulation of MMP-2 and/or MMP-9 activities, Naringenin inhibits migration and trigger apoptosis in gastric cancer cells through downregulation of AKT pathway. However, the effects of naringenin in GBM still remain to be elucidated. In this study, we reveal the molecular mechanisms of naringenin in the inhibition of migration and invasion in GBM. No overt alternation of cell proliferation was found in of GBM 8901 cells treated with different concentration of naringenin. Slight decreased cell viability was found in GBM 8401 cell treated with 200 and 300 µM naringenin. Significant reduction of migration and invasion as assayed by Boyden chamber analysis was found in of GBM cells treated with 100, 200, and 300 µM naringenin. Zymography analysis also revealed that the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 of GBM cells were significantly inhibited in response to 100, 200, or 300 µM naringenin treatment. Proteins of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were downregulated in naringenin treated GBM cells. In addition, naringenin also attenuated the activities of ERK and p38. Naringenin decreased mesenchymal markers (snail and slug) expression as revealed by Western blot analysis. Taken together, our findings indicated that naringenin eliminated the migration and invasion of GBM cells through multiple mechanisms including inhibition of MMPs, ERK, and p38 activities and modulation of EMT markers. Our results also suggested that naringenin may be a potential agent to prevent metastasis of GBM.

Regulator of G protein signaling 2 (Rgs2) regulates neural crest development through Pparδ-Sox10 cascade.

Neural crest cells are multipotent progenitors that migrate extensively and differentiate into numerous derivatives. The developmental plasticity and migratory ability of neural crest cells render them an attractive model for studying numerous aspects of cell progression. We observed that zebrafish rgs2 was expressed in neural crest cells. Disrupting Rgs2 expression by using a dominant negative rgs2 construct or rgs2 morpholinos reduced GTPase-activating protein activity, induced the formation of neural crest progenitors, increased the proliferation of nonectomesenchymal neural crest cells, and inhibited the formation of ectomesenchymal neural crest derivatives. The transcription of pparda (which encodes Pparδ, a Wnt-activated transcription factor) was upregulated in Rgs2-deficient embryos, and Pparδ inhibition using a selective antagonist in the Rgs2-deficient embryos repaired neural crest defects. Our results clarify the mechanism through which the Rgs2-Pparδ cascade regulates neural crest development; specifically, Pparδ directly binds to the promoter and upregulates the transcription of the neural crest specifier sox10. This study reveals a unique regulatory mechanism, the Rgs2-Pparδ-Sox10 signaling cascade, and defines a key molecular regulator, Rgs2, in neural crest development.

Proteomic analysis of ametryn toxicity in zebrafish embryos.

Ametrym (AMT) is the most widely used herbicide and frequently detected in the aquatic environment. AMT also represent a potential health risk to aquatic organisms and animals, including humans. However, little data are available on their toxicity to zebrafish (Danio rerio). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxicological effects of AMT exposure on zebrafish embryos. In the acute toxicity test, 6 hpf embryos were exposed to various concentrations of AMT for 24 or 48 h. The results indicated that AMT induced malformation in larvae. To investigate the toxicological mechanism on the protein expression level. A proteomic approach was employed to investigate the proteome alterations of zebra fish embryos exposed to 20 mg/L AMT for 48 h. Among 2925 unique proteins identified, 298 differential proteins (> or <1.3-fold, P < 0.05) were detected in the treated embryos as compared to the corresponding proteins in the untreated embryos. Gene ontology analysis showed that these up-regulated proteins were most involved in glycolysis, lipid transport, protein polymerization, and nucleotide binding, and the down-regulated proteins were related to microtubule-based process, protein polymerization, oxygen transport. Moreover, KEGG pathway analysis indicated that tight junction, ribosome, and oxidative phosphorylation were inhibited in the treated embryos. These findings provide new insight into the mechanisms of toxicity induced by AMT.

Embryonic exposure to 4-methylimidazole leads to zebrafish myofibril misalignment.

4-methylimidazole (4-MI) is an imidazole-derived organic chemical compound that can be used as a raw material in the manufacture of diverse chemicals and has been identified as an ingredient of caramel color in soybean sauce, beers, and other soft drinks. The aim of the present study was to investigate the teratogenic effects of 4-MI during zebrafish embryogenesis. Zebrafish embryos were treated with different dosages of 4-MI (0-120 mM) for different exposure durations (12-60 hours). The percentages of embryos with malformed phenotypes increased as the exposure dosages and duration time of 4-MI increased. We also used immunofluorescence and transmission microscopy to evaluate the subtle changes in the myofibril alignment and ultrastructure of muscle organization. Our data showed that 4-MI treatment disturbs muscle fiber alignment. Electron microscopy data indicated that Z-lines were undetectable in the 4-MI-treated embryos. Although the thick and thin filaments were visible, they were all disorganized. In addition, zebrafish embryos treated by 4-MI exhibited aberrant expression of 2 muscle-specific genes, myod and myogenin. Taken together, we concluded that early exposure to 4-MI affects zebrafish myogenesis, especially in myofibril alignment.

Amelioration of estrogen-deficiency-induced obesity by Ocimum gratissimum.

Objectives: Menopausal transition in women initiates with declining estrogen levels and is followed by significant changes in their physiological characteristics. These changes often lead to medical conditions, such as obesity, which is correlated with chronic low-grade/subclinical inflammation. Ocimum gratissimum L. is a food spice or traditional herb in many countries; the plant is rich in antioxidants, which possess anti-inflammation activities and multitude of other therapeutic functions. Methods: In this study, we evaluated effects of O. gratissimum extract (OGE) in preventing obesity by using ovariectomized (OVX) animal models to mimic menopausal women. Methods: OVX rats showed increase in body weight and in adipocyte size in perigonadal adipose tissue (p <0.05) and decrease in uterus weight. By contrast, OGE (0.2 mg/ml) significantly reduced body weight gain and adipocyte in OVX rats and showed insignificant changes in uterus weight. Further investigation indicated that OGE exerted no influence on levels of dorsal fat, serum total cholesterol, and serum triacylglycerol and on serum biochemical factors, calcium, phosphorus, and glucose. Conclusion: These findings suggested that OGE dietary supplements may be useful in controlling body weight of menopausal women.

KLF6 inhibited oral cancer migration and invasion via downregulation of mesenchymal markers and inhibition of MMP-9 activities.

Krüppel-like factors can bind to specific DNA motifs and regulate various cellular functions, such as metabolism, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6), a member of this family, is downregulated in human cancers. Oral cancer is a highly prevalent type in Taiwan. Although KLF6 overexpression in human cancer cells inhibits cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, and attenuates cell migration, the effects of KLF6 on oral cancer remains poorly elucidated. This study investigated the role of KLF6 in oral cancer tumorigenesis. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that nuclear KLF6 level was significantly and inversely associated with tumor size and stages. KLF6 overexpression attenuated the migration and invasion of oral cancer SAS cells. Zymography assay demonstrated that KLF6 inhibited the activities of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and weakened the expression of mesenchymal markers, such as snail, slug, and vimentin. Our study is the first to provide demonstrate that KLF6 functions as a tumor suppressor gene and prevents the metastasis of oral cancer cells.

The regulation of transcriptome responses in zebrafish embryo exposure to triadimefon.

The residue of triadimefon (TDF) (a pesticide) has become the pollutant in water due to its intensive use in agriculture and medicine, and its stability in water leaching from soil and vegetation. In this study, RNA-seq, a high-throughput method was performed, to analyze the global expression of differential expressed genes (DEGs) in zebrafish embryos treated with TDF (10 µg/mL) from fertilization to 72 h post-fertilization (hpf) as compared with that in the control group (without TDF treatment). Two cDNA libraries were generated from treated and non-treated embryos, respectively. With the 79.4% and 78.8% of reads mapped to the reference, it was observed that many differential genes were expressed between the two libraries. The most 20 differentially expressed up-regulated or down-regulated genes were involving in the signaling transduction, the activation of many genes related to cytochrome P450 enzymes, and molecular metabolism. Validation of seven genes expression confirmed RNA-seq results. The transcriptome sequences were further subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis and showed diverse biological functions and metabolic pathways. The data from this study contributed to a better understanding of the potential consequences of fish exposed to TDF, and to evaluate the potential threat of TDF to fish population in the aquatic environment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 217-226, 2017.

Transcriptome analysis of zebrafish embryos exposed to deltamethrin.

Deltamethrin (DTM), a type II pyrethroid, is one of the most commonly used insecticides. The increased use of pyrethroid leads to potential adverse effects, particularly in sensitive populations such as children and pregnant women. None of the related studies was focused on the transcriptome responses in zebrafish embryos after treatment with DTM; therefore, RNA-seq, a high-throughput method, was performed to analyze the global expression of differential expressed genes (DEGs) in zebrafish embryos treated with DTM (40 and 80 µg/L) from fertilization to 48 h postfertilization (hpf) as compared with that in the control group (without DTM treatment). Two cDNA libraries were generated from treated embryos and one cDNA library from nontreated embryos, respectively. Over 92% of reads mapped to the reference in these three libraries. It was observed that many differential genes were expressed in comparison with embryos before and after DTM. The 20 most differentially expressed upregulated or downregulated genes were majorly involved in the signaling transduction. Validation of selected nine genes expression using qRT-PCR confirmed RNA-seq results. The transcriptome sequences were further subjected to gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, showing G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, respectively, were most enriched. The data from this study contributed to a better understanding of the potential consequences of fish exposed to DTM, to an evaluation of the potential threat of DTM to fish populations in aquatic environments. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1548-1557, 2017.

Antrodia camphorata attenuates cigarette smoke-induced ROS production, DNA damage, apoptosis, and inflammation in vascular smooth muscle cells, and atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice.

Cigarette smoke exposure activates several cellular mechanisms predisposing to atherosclerosis, including oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and vascular inflammation. Antrodia camphorata, a renowned medicinal mushroom in Taiwan, has been investigated for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiatherosclerotic properties in cigarette smoke extracts (CSE)-treated vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and ApoE-deficient mice. Fermented culture broth of Antrodia camphorata (AC, 200-800 µg/mL) possesses effective antioxidant activity against CSE-induced ROS production. Treatment of SMCs (A7r5) with AC (30-120 µg/mL) remarkably ameliorated CSE-induced morphological aberrations and cell death. Suppressed ROS levels by AC corroborate with substantial inhibition of CSE-induced DNA damage in AC-treated A7r5 cells. We found CSE-induced apoptosis through increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, was substantially inhibited by AC in A7r5 cells. Notably, upregulated SOD and catalase expressions in AC-treated A7r5 cells perhaps contributed to eradicate the CSE-induced ROS generation, and prevents DNA damage and apoptosis. Besides, AC suppressed AP-1 activity by inhibiting the c-Fos/c-Jun expressions, and NF-κB activation through inhibition of I-κBα degradation against CSE-stimulation. This anti-inflammatory property of AC was accompanied by suppressed CSE-induced VEGF, PDGF, and EGR-1 overexpressions in A7r5 cells. Furthermore, AC protects lung fibroblast (MRC-5) cells from CSE-induced cell death. In vivo data showed that AC oral administration (0.6 mg/d/8-wk) prevents CSE-accelerated atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice. This antiatherosclerotic property was associated with increased serum total antioxidant status, and decreased total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels. Thus, Antrodia camphorata may be useful for prevention of CSE-induced oxidative stress and diseases. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 2070-2084, 2017.

Amelioration of estrogen deficiency-induced obesity by collagen hydrolysate.

Objectives: Menopausal transition with declining estrogen levels significantly affects the physiological properties of women and consequently contributes to a series of medical conditions, including obesity. Obesity is a crucial risk factor associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and breast cancer. Increasing dietary protein content improves satiety and energy expenditure. Thus, we hypothesize that supplementing with collagen, a common dietary protein, may alleviate menopause-induced obesity. Methods: We used ovariectomized (OVX) rats to mimic a menopausal human. The body weight of OVX rats significantly increased compared with that of sham-operated rats (P<0.05), but uterus weight was decreased. Adipocyte size in perigonadal adipose tissue also increased (P<0.05). Results: By contrast, OVX rats supplemented with aqueous collagen hydrolysate (2.5 mg/mL) exhibited significant attenuation in body weight gain and adipocyte enlargement (P<0.05), but insignificant change in uterus weight. Further investigation indicated that collagen hydrolysate supplementation insignificantly affected the levels of dorsal fat, serum total cholesterol, and serum triacylglycerol. Levels of serum biochemical factors, calcium, phosphorus, and glucose were also insignificantly altered by collagen hydrolysate supplementation. Conclusion: Collagen hydrolysate supplementation reduced body weight gain and adipocyte enlargement in response to ovariectomy but slightly affected blood lipids, calcium, and glucose in both sham-operated and OVX rats. Collagen hydrolysate supplementation is beneficial in ameliorating estrogen deficiency-induced obesity and its associated risk factors.

1-(2-Hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-3-phenyl-1,3-propanedione Induces G1 Cell Cycle Arrest and Autophagy in HeLa Cervical Cancer Cells.

The natural agent, 1-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-3-phenyl-1,3-propanedione (HMDB), has been reported to have growth inhibitory effects on several human cancer cells. However, the role of HMDB in cervical cancer remains unclear. Herein, we found that HMDB dose- and time-dependently inhibited growth of HeLa cervical cancer cells, accompanied with G1 cell cycle arrest. HMDB decreased protein expression of cyclins D1/D3/E and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 2/4/6 and reciprocally increased mRNA and protein levels of CDK inhibitors (p15, p16, p21, and p27), thereby leading to the accumulation of hypophosphorylated retinoblastoma (Rb) protein. HMDB also triggered the accumulation of acidic vesicles and formation of microtubule-associated protein-light chain 3 (LC3), followed by increased expression of LC3 and Beclin-1 and decreased expression of p62, suggesting that HMDB triggered autophagy in HeLa cells. Meanwhile, suppression of the expression of survivin and Bcl-2 implied that HMDB-induced autophagy is tightly linked to apoptosis. Exploring the action mechanism, HMDB induced autophagy via the modulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mTOR signaling pathway rather than the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway. These results suggest that HMDB inhibits HeLa cell growth by eliciting a G1 arrest through modulation of G1 cell cycle regulators and by concomitantly inducing autophagy through the mediation of AMPK-mTOR and Akt-mTOR pathways, and may be a promising antitumor agent against cervical cancer.