Ponatinib and gossypol act in synergy to suppress colorectal cancer cells by modulating apoptosis/autophagy crosstalk and inhibiting the FGF19/FGFR4 axis

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of ponatinib plus gossypol against colorectal cancer HCT-116 and Caco-2 cells.Methods:Cells were treated with ponatinib and/or gossypol at increasing concentrations to evaluate synergistic drug interactions by combination index.Cell viability,FGF19/FGFR4,and apoptotic and autophagic cell death were studied.Results:Ponatinib(1.25-40μM)and gossypol(2.5-80μM)monotherapy inhibited HCT-116 and Caco-2 cell viability in a doseand time-dependent manner.The combination of ponatinib and gossypol at a ratio of 1 to 2 significantly decreased cell viability(P<0.05),with a>2-and>4-fold reduction in IC50,respectively,after 24 h and 48 h,as compared to the IC50 of ponatinib.Lower combined concentrations showed greater synergism(combination index<1)with a higher ponatinib dose reduction index.Moreover,ponatinib plus gossypol induced morphological changes in HCT-116and Caco-2 cells,increased beclin-1 and caspase-3,and decreased FGF19,FGFR4,Bcl-2 and p-Akt as compared to treatment with drugs alone.Conclusions:Gossypol enhances ponatinib's anticancer effects against colorectal cancer cells through antiproliferative,apoptotic,and autophagic mechanisms.This may open the way for the future use of ponatinib at lower doses with gossypol as a potentially safer targeted strategy for colorectal cancer treatment.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A protects against thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats via suppressing proinflammatory/fibrogenic mediators and promoting hepatic stellate cell senescence and apoptosis

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA)on thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis.Methods:Thioacetamide was administered to rats intraperitoneally in doses of 200 mg/kg twice a week for 12 weeks.Thioacetamide-intoxicated rats were given silymarin(50 mg/kg)or HSYA(5 mg/kg)orally every day for 8 weeks.Liver enzymes,fibrosis markers,histological changes as well as immunohistochemistry of TNF-α,IL-6,p21,α-SMA,and caspase-3 were examined.The effect of HSYA on HSC-T6 activation/proliferation and apoptosis was also determined in vitro.Results:HSYA decreased liver enzymes,TNF-α,IL-6,and p21 expressions,hepatic PDGF-B,TIMP-1,TGF-β1,and hydroxyproline levels,as well as fibrosis score(S2 vs.S4)compared to the thioacetamide group.HSYA also downregulatedα-SMA while increasing caspase-3 expression.Surprisingly,at 500μg/mL,HSYA had only a slightly suppressive effect on HSC proliferation,with a 9.5%reduction.However,it significantly reduced TGF-β1,inhibitedα-SMA expression,induced caspase-3 expression,and promoted cell senescence.Conclusions:HSYA may be a potential therapeutic agent for delaying and reversing the progression of liver fibrosis.More research on HSYA at higher doses and for a longer period is warranted.

Rosmarinic acid attenuates hepatic fibrogenesis via suppression of hepatic stellate cell activation/proliferation and induction of apoptosis

Objective:To investigate the antifibrotic role of rosmarinic acid(RA),a natural polyphenolic compound,on HSCs activation/proliferation and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Methods:The impact of RA on stellate cell line(HSC-T6) proliferation,activation and apoptosis was assessed along with its safety on primary hepatocytes. In vivo,rats were divided into:(i) normal;(ii) thioacetamide(TAA)-intoxicated rats for 12 weeks;(iii) TAA+silymarin or(iv) TAA+RA. At the end of experiment,liver functions,oxidative stress,inflammatory and profibrogenic markers,tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases type-1(TIMP-1) and hydroxyproline(HP) levels were evaluated. Additionally,liver histopathology and immunohistochemical examinations of alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),caspase-3 and proliferation cellular nuclear antigen(PCNA) were determined. Results:RA exhibited anti-proliferative effects on cultured HSCs in a time and concentration dependent manner showing an IC50 of 276 μg/mL and 171 μg/mL for 24 h and 48 h,respectively,with morphological reversion of activated stellate cell morphology to quiescent form. It significantly improved ALT,AST,oxidative stress markers and reduced TIMP-1,HP levels,inflammatory markers and fibrosis score(S1 vs S4). Furthermore,reduction in α-SMA plus elevation in caspase-3 expressions of HSCs in vitro and in vivo associated with an inhibition in proliferation of damaged hepatocytes were recorded. Conclusions:RA impeded the progression of liver fibrosis through inhibition of HSCs activation/proliferation and induction of apoptosis with preservation of hepatic architecture.