Cancer Communications
·
2018
·Vol. 38
·期 1
·1-14
·
IF 0
Huang Yanjun,Zhou Sichun,He Caimei,Deng Jun,Tao Ting,Su Qiongli,Darko Kwame Oteng,Peng Mei,Yang Xiaoping
Background In previous studies, we have shown that the combination of metformin and gefitinib inhibits the growth of bladder cancer cells. Here we examined whether the metformin analogue phenformin, either used alone or in combination with gefitinib, could inhibit growth of bladder cancer cells.Methods The growth-inhibitory effects of phenformin and gefitinib were tested in one murine and two human bladder cancer cell lines using MTT and clonogenic assays. Effects on cell migration were assessed in a wound healing assay. Synergistic action between the two drugs was assessed using CompuSyn software. The potential involvement of AMPK and EGFR pathways in the effects of phenformin and gefitinib was explored using Western blotting.Results In MTT and clonogenic assays, phenformin was > 10-fold more potent than metformin in inhibiting bladder cancer cell growth. Phenformin also potently inhibited cell migration in wound healing assays, and promoted apoptosis. AMPK signaling was activated; EGFR signaling was inhibited. Phenformin was synergistic with gefitinib, with the combination of drugs showing much stronger anticancer activity and apoptotic activation than phenformin alone.Conclusion sPhenformin shows potential as an effective drug against bladder cancer, either alone or in combination with gefitinib.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
药理学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
Food Bioscience
·
2025
·
IF 5.9
Shasha Chen,Wenwen Li,Xinran Zhu,Yanlu Han,Mengyao Wang,Ke Gong,Jie Xiao,Chenzhong Liao,Yajun Duan,Xiaohua Jiang,Shuang Zhang
Estrogen-induced cholestasis (EIC) is a condition associated with intrauterine fetal death, preterm delivery, and meconium in amniotic fluid. The role of sesamol, a major bioactive compound in sesame oil, in alleviating cholestasis remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of sesamol against cholestatic liver injury using C57BL/6 male mice with 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE)-induced cholestasis, combined with network pharmacology, 16S rRNA sequencing, and the in vitro assays. Our results demonstrate that sesamol alleviates cholestatic liver injury by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, sesamol activates EGFR/FXR/CYP7A1 signaling pathway, thereby improving bile acid metabolism. Additionally, sesamol modulates the gut microbiota by increasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidota ( P < 0.05), which are crucial for bile acid metabolism. Furthermore, we observed a positive correlation ( P < 0.05) between serum liver injury and cholestasis relative markers and the abundance of certain harmful bacteria ( Anaerovorax, Erysipelatoclostridium, Fusobacterium ), suggesting that sesamol may protect against EIC through modulation of the liver-gut axis, contributing to the restoration of bile acid homeostasis. This study provides new insights into the potential of sesamol as a functional food ingredient for the prevention and treatment of cholestasis.
研究领域:
药理学
·
分子生物学
·
微生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
·
2024
·
IF 6.2
Ying Hu,Lixin Chen,Yulin Wu,Jun Zhang,Zhixia Sheng,Ziyi Zhou,Yufeng Xie,Guiyou Tian,Jiaxing Wan,Xiaorun Zhang,Na Cai,Yatong Zhou,Yi Cao,Tengjiang Yang,Xiaomei Chen,Dalong Liao,Yurui Ge,Bo Cheng,Keyuan Zhong,Erli Tian,Jin Lu,Huiqiang Lu,Yan Zhao,Wei Yuan
Aristolochic acid (AA) is renowned for engendering nephrotoxicity and teratogenicity. Previous literature has reported that AA treatment resulted in heart failure (HF) via inflammatory pathways. Yet, its implications in HF remain comparatively uncharted territory, particularly with respect to underlying mechanisms. In our study, the zebrafish model was employed to delineate the cardiotoxicity of AA exposure and the restorative capacity of a phytogenic alkaloid palmatine (PAL). PAL restored morphology and blood supply in AA-damaged hearts by o-dianisidine staining, fluorescence imaging, and Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. Furthermore, PAL attenuated the detrimental effects of AA on ATPase activity, implying myocardial energy metabolism recovery. PAL decreased the co-localization of neutrophils with cardiomyocytes, implying an attenuation of the inflammatory response induced by AA. A combination of network pharmacological analysis and qPCR validation shed light on the therapeutic mechanism of PAL against AA-induced heart failure via upregulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. Subsequent evaluations using a transcriptological testing, inhibitor model, and molecular docking assay corroborated PAL as an IKBKB enzyme activator. The study underscores the possible exploitation of the EGFR pathway as a potential therapeutic target for PAL against AA-induced HF, thus furthering the continued investigation of the toxicology and advancement of protective pharmaceuticals for AA.
研究领域:
毒理学
·
药理学
·
心脏病学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
·
2019
·Vol. 38
·期 1
·1-13
·
IF 5.646
Yang Lehe,Lin Shichong,Kang Yanting,Xiang Youqun,Xu Lingyuan,Li Jifa,Dai Xuanxuan,Liang Guang,Huang Xiaoying,Zhao Chengguang
Background Rhein is a lipophilic anthraquinone extensively found in medicinal herbs. Emerging evidence suggests that rhein has significant antitumor effects, supporting its potential use as an antitumor agent. The IL6/STAT3 signaling pathway has been suggested as an attractive target for the discovery of novel cancer therapeutics.Methods The human pancreatic cancer cell lines AsPC-1, Patu8988T, BxPC-3 and PANC-1, and immunodeficient mice were chosen as models to study the effects of rhein. The potent antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of rhein were examined by cell viability, cellular morphology, apoptosis and colony formation assays. The STAT3 luciferase report assay, immunostaining analysis and Western blot analysis revealed the inhibition of the IL6/STAT3 signaling axis.Results Apoptosis was induced by adjunctive use of rhein with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors in pancreatic cancer cells as verified by cell apoptosis analysis and changes in the expression level of apoptotic/anti-apoptotic proteins BCL-2, BAX, Caspase 3 and Cl-PARP. Suppression of the phosphorylation of STAT3 and EGFR were also observed as a result of the treatment with a combination of rhein and EGFR inhibitors. Most interestingly, it was found that rhein considerably sensitized cells to erlotinib, thus suppressing tumor growth in PANC-1 and BxPC-3 xenograft models. The in vivo anti-tumor effect was associated with increased apoptosis and combined inhibition of the STAT3 and EGFR pathways in tumor remnants.Conclusion sRhein sensitizes human pancreatic cancer cells to EGFR inhibitors through inhibition of STAT3. Taken together, the results indicate that rhein offers a novel blueprint for pancreatic cancer therapy, particularly when combined with EGFR inhibitors.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
药理学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 4.7
Mengling Zhong,Mingmei Feng,Xinlin Chen,Yuxin Zhang,Yupeng Wang,Peizhi Yuan,Tianyao Zhang,Zhipeng Han,Chenglun Tang,Qi Zhang,Yang Sun
Immunosuppression causing the host more vulnerable to pathogen invasion, increases the risk of malignant tumors and inflammatory diseases. Cordycepin possesses diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor effects. However, the immunomodulatory mechanisms of cordycepin remain poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the immunoregulatory effect of cordycepin and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. In our study, cordycepin restored body weight, organ indices and ameliorated splenic damage in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressed mice. Cordycepin enhanced the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes stimulated by ConA and LPS. Cordycepin normalized the counts of white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes (LYM), neutrophils (NEU) and eosinophils (EOS), and increased the levels of immunoglobulins (immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, IgG). Cordycepin also increased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ, but decreased the level of inhibitory cytokines IL-10. Additionally, cordycepin reduced serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA), enhanced content of glutathione (GSH) and the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Moreover, metabolomic analysis of spleen and serum revealed that cordycepin counteracted the metabolic disturbance induced by CTX, particularly regulating pyruvate metabolism pathway. Network pharmacology approaches suggested that cordycepin modulated metabolic and immune pathways by targeting EGFR. Furthermore, cordycepin reduced the protein level of phosphorylated EGFR and upregulated the protein expression of Nrf2, NQO1 and HO-1 in the spleens of immunosuppression mice. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that cordycepin ameliorated CTX-induced immunosuppression of mice by reversing metabolic dysfunction and activating Nrf2 pathway through regulating EGFR, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for immunosuppression.
研究领域:
药理学
·
免疫学
·
生物化学
·
代谢生物学
·
肿瘤学
·
天然产物化学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHYTOMEDICINE
·
2025
·
IF 8.3
Haoyun Bai,Tong Wu,Yanni Lv,Wenhao Chen,Yuhan Jiang,Fayuan Chen,Ping Su,Heshui Yu,Langchong He,Zheng Li,Shengli Han
Background Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) are widely regarded as the most promising strategy to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While the existing development model cannot meet the requirements. Methods Here, we developed a drug prediction and screening platform based on state-of-the-art deep learning (DL) algorithms and cell membrane chromatography (CMC). Using this platform, we discovered several novel EGFR antagonists from massive molecules. The interactions between target compounds and EGFR were investigated using frontal analysis, Surface plasmon resonance analysis, cellular thermal shift assay, and molecule docking. Xenografts models were established to study the anti-tumor activity of most promising compound. Proteomics, immunofluorescence, and Western blots were conducted to explore its mechanism. Results The deep neural network had good performance, with an area under the curve of 0.950 ± 0.012. Among the top 100 molecules predicted by the model, 25 compounds had retention on SNAP-tagged (ST)-EGFR/CMC, of which 12 molecules exhibited significant anti-tumor activity. Interaction analysis revealed that Geraniin, Brazilin, and 7-Epitaxol would directly bind to EGFR and inhibit its activation. 7-Epitaxol exhibited significant anti-tumor activity in vivo and in vitro . 7-Epitaxol combined with EGFR and inhibited its phosphorylation, blocked PI3K/AKT pathways, thereby exerting its anti-tumor activity by promoting autophagy in A549 cells. Conclusion The results provide a novel and powerful platform for drug discovery and development in NSCLC research. By using this platform, Geraniin, Brazilin, and 7-epitaxol were identified as novel EGFR antagonists. We also innovatively demonstrated that 7-epitaxol promotes autophagy in NSCLC.
研究领域:
人工智能
·
计算生物学
·
药理学
·
肿瘤学
·
分子生物学
·
生物信息学
·
药物研发
·
细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
·
2024
·
IF 3.4
Wenjia Tong,Conglei Song,Danqun Jin,Min Li,Zimei Cheng,Guoping Lu,Bin Yang,Fang Deng
Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response caused by an infection, which can easily lead to acute lung injury. Quiescin Q6 sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) is a sulfhydryl oxidase involved in oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. However, there are few reports on the role of QSOX1 in sepsis-induced acute lung injury (SALI). In this study, mice model of SALI was constructed by intraperitoneal injection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The increased inflammatory response and lactate dehydrogenase activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) indicated successful modeling. Increased QSOX1 expression was both observed in lung tissues and lung macrophages of sepsis mice accompanied by increased polarization of M1-type macrophages. To explore the role of QSOX1 in the SALI, lentivirus containing QSOX1-specific overexpression or knockdown vectors were used to change QSOX1 expression in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. QSOX1 suppressed LPS-induced M1 polarization and further inhibited inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells. Interestingly, the phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the promoter of M1 polarization in macrophages, was found to be downregulated upon QSOX1 overexpression in RAW264.7 cells. Mechanically, the binding of QSOX1 to EGFR protein promoted EGFR ubiquitination and degradation, thereby down-regulating EGFR phosphorylation. Moreover, inhibiting EGFR expression or its phosphorylation restored the impact of QSOX1 silencing on M1 polarization and inflammation in the LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. In summary, QSOX1 may exert anti-inflammatory effects in SALI by inhibiting EGFR phosphorylation-mediated M1 macrophage polarization. This presented a potential target for the treatment and prevention of SALI.
研究领域:
免疫学
·
药理学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Animals
·
2025
·Vol. 15
·期 16
·2457
·
IF 2.7
Qirong Lu,Xuwen Liu,Junke Tian,Pu Guo,Chun Ye,Shulin Fu,Yu Liu,Yinsheng Qiu
Simple SummaryGlaesserella parasuis(GPS), a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes piglets’ upper respiratory tracts, causes Glässer’s disease including peritonitis under stress, though the peritonitis mechanism remains unclear. Baicalin, a main active component of Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis), exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which baicalin alleviatesGPS-induced peritonitis in piglets. We examined the effects of baicalin on inflammatory responses and key signaling molecules in both porcine peritoneal mesothelial cells (PPMCs) in vitro and the peritoneum ofGPS-infected piglets in vivo. Our results showed that baicalin significantly reducedGPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6) and inhibited the upregulation of disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17), phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/EGFR, and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/ERK. Mechanistically, baicalin inhibited ADAM17 overexpression-induced upregulation of this pathway and cytokines in PPMCs, while ADAM17 small interfering RNA attenuatedGPS-induced effects. These findings demonstrate that baicalin mitigatesGPS-induced peritonitis by suppressing the ADAM17/EGFR axis and the subsequent cytokine production, thus providing a theoretical basis for novelGPScontrol strategies and the development of novel non-antibiotic strategies, including phytochemical therapeutics and feed additives.Glaesserella parasuis(GPS) is a Gram-negative, pathogenic bacterium that colonizes the upper respiratory tract of piglets and causes Glässer’s disease with peritonitis under stress conditions. The mechanism underlying GPS-induced peritonitis in piglets remains unclear. Baicalin is one of the main active ingredients of Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis), which has a significant anti-inflammatory effect on inflammatory diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which baicalin alleviatesGPS-induced peritonitis in piglets, specifically focusing on the role of the ADAM17/EGFR signaling axis. We investigated the effects of baicalin in vitro using porcine peritoneal mesothelial cells (PPMCs) and in vivo in GPS-infected piglets. Our results showed that baicalin reduced the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in PPMCs and the peritoneum of piglets afterGPSinfection. Concurrently, baicalin significantly reduced the upregulation of disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17), phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (p-EGFR)/EGFR, and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK)/ERK induced byGPSinfection in PPMCs and the peritoneum of piglets. Crucially, in vitro mechanistic investigations revealed that baicalin can significantly reduce the upregulation of ADAM17, p-EGFR/EGFR, p-ERK/ERK, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 induced by ADAM17 overexpression in PPMCs. Furthermore, ADAM17 small interfering RNA can significantly reduce the upregulation of ADAM17, p-EGFR/EGFR, p-ERK/ERK, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 induced byGPSinfection in PPMCs. These findings demonstrate that baicalin can inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 through the ADAM17/EGFR axis, and then alleviate the peritonitis caused byGPSin piglets. This provides a theoretical basis for developing novel non-antibiotic strategies, including phytochemical therapeutics and feed additives, for preventing and controlling GPS.
研究领域:
兽医学
·
微生物学
·
药理学
·
免疫学
·
分子生物学
·
畜牧学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Cancer
·
2019
·
IF 3.182
Mingtong Ye,Nengzhi Pang,Ting Wan,Yuanling Huang,Tianyi Wei,Xuye Jiang,Yujia Zhou,Yufeng Huang,Hainan Yang,Zhenfeng Zhang,Lili Yang
Switching aerobic respiration to anaerobic glycolysis of cancer cells plays an important role in development and progression of acquired resistance. Since vitamin C enabled the inhibition of glycolysis of cancer cells, and erlotinib-resistant sub-line of HCC827 (ER6 cells) switched its metabolic features to higher glycolysis for survival, we hypothesize that vitamin C is able to inhibit glycolysis of ER6 cells. In this study, we found that both reduced vitamin C and oxidized vitamin C (DHA) could selectively suppress the viability of ER6 cells. DHA was efficient in inhibiting glycolysis and leading to energy crisis, which could be one mechanism for overcoming drug resistance to erlotinib of ER6 cells. Our data suggest that applying DHA could be a novel treatment strategy for NSCLC with acquired resistance to targeted therapy.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
药理学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Pharmaceuticals
·
2025
·Vol. 18
·期 7
·1077
·
IF 4.8
Xinyi Lv,Yuehan Song,Tianhua Liu,Dingdan Zhang,Xinpeng Ye,Qingqing Wang,Rongrong Li,Jiayi Chen,Shujing Zhang,Xue Yu,Chunying Hou
Background : Lung cancer has the highest morbidity and mortality of all tumors, and the development of TKI drugs targeting EGFR activating mutations has brought lung cancer treatment into the targeted era. In view of their low efficacy and susceptibility to drug resistance, there is an urgent need to find strategies to increase their efficacy and reduce the incidence of drug resistance. Methods : In this study, we examined the distribution and probability of EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer patients in the cBioPortal database and compared the survival prognosis of patients with normal and abnormal EGFR, NSCLC patients treated with and without TKI, and NSCLC patients with different EGFR gene copy numbers. We established a mouse lung cancer model and examined the histomorphological characteristics of lung tissues via hematoxylin and eosin staining. Additionally, changes in the copy number of the EGFR gene and its protein expression levels were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Furthermore, we quantified the concentration of the EGFR protein using ELISA. Results : We found no significant advantage of EGFR-TKI therapy over first-line chemotherapeutic agents in patients with EGFR-abnormal NSCLC. The reason for this may be related to the abnormal EGFR gene copy number; the higher the copy number increases, the worse the survival prognosis of the patients. In molecular biology experiments, we demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 down-regulated the copy number of 18, 19, 20, and 21 exons and protein expression of EGFR in lung adenocarcinoma cells. The results of in vivo pharmacodynamic assays confirmed that sequential administration of ginsenoside Rg3 with TKI drugs could achieve a gainful complementary effect. Conclusions : Ginsenoside Rg3 down-regulates the copy number of EGFR important exons in EGFR-mutant cells of lung adenocarcinoma and reduces EGFR protein expression, thus providing a high gainful complementary effect in combination with EGFR-TKI.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
药理学
·
分子生物学
·
遗传学
·
药物研发
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
·
2024
·
IF 13.3
Yuxuan Wei,Zuxiao Chen,Chuyu Huang,Hong Cheng,Xiaofeng Jiang,Shiying Li
Spatiotemporal downregulation of immune checkpoint provides a promising strategy to activate anti-tumor immunity. In this work, a breast cancer targeted photodynamic degrader (designated as EIpro) is constructed to activate immunotherapy through EGFR degradation mediated PD-L1 downregulation. To be specific, we develop a chimeric peptide, comprising the photosensitizer Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and EGFR targeting peptide (QRHKPRE), to encapsulate an EGFR inhibitor afatinib (AFA) forming nanomicelle, namely EIpro. EIpro has a favorable stability and uniform nanosize distribution, preferring to accumulate in EGFR overexpressed breast cancer cells to amplify the chemotherapeutic effect and photodynamic elimination behavior. More interestingly, photodynamic therapy (PDT) produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) is able to damage breast cancer cells and induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) to release tumor associated antigens (TAAs), thereby degrading the nearby EGFR to downregulate PD-L1 and activate anti-tumor immunity. Beneficially, the multi-synergistic effects of EIpro show a robust therapeutic efficacy against primary and metastatic breast cancer with negligible systemic toxicity. This work provides a spatiotemporal strategy for protein degradation, which might inspire the development of sophisticated nanomedicine for effective tumor treatment.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
免疫治疗
·
纳米医学
·
光动力疗法
·
癌症生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
·
2019
·
IF 3.775
Jie Zhang,Yifan Song,Yuan Liang,Haoyang Zou,Peng Zuo,Mi Yan,Siyuan Jing,Tiezhu Li,Yongjun Wang,Da Li,Tiehua Zhang,Zhengyi Wei
Cucurbitacin IIa (CuIIa), a tetracyclic triterpenoid harboring anticancer activity, was investigated in A549 cells to reveal its mechanism of targeting on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. Results showed that CuIIa was capable of inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. The transcription of EGFR pathway genes and their proteins accumulation was inconsistently influenced by CuIIa. Notably, transcription of Raf1 was significantly upregulated, nevertheless, MEK1 and ERK1 were significantly downregulated. On the other hand, the accumulation of the total and phosphorylated proteins of the most members in EGFR-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, as well as CylclinB1 and survivin were also shifted by CuIIa treatment. Remarkably, total MEK remained constant but survivin completely degraded. Moreover, phosphorylated BRAF continuously increased while Raf1 and MEK decreased continuously. CuIIa was further confirmed to be a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) of EGFR by kinase inhibition assay. The results of molecular simulation showed that the long side chain of CuIIa occupied the binding pocket of EGFR and the ligand was stabilized at the active site of EGFR. In view of the results above, it is suggested that CuIIa inhibits cell proliferation by interfering the EGFR-MAPK signaling pathway.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
细胞生物学
·
药理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）