Calculus bovis inhibits M2 tumor-associated macrophage polarization via Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulation to suppress liver cancer

BACKGROUND Calculus bovis(CB),used in traditional Chinese medicine,exhibits anti-tumor effects in various cancer models.It also constitutes an integral component of a compound formulation known as Pien Tze Huang,which is indicated for the treatment of liver cancer.However,its impact on the liver cancer tumor microenvironment,particularly on tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs),is not well understood.AIM To elucidate the anti-liver cancer effect of CB by inhibiting M2-TAM polarization via Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulation.METHODS This study identified the active components of CB using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS,evaluated its anti-neoplastic effects in a nude mouse model,and elucidated the underlying mechanisms via network pharmacology,transcriptomics,and molecular docking.In vitro assays were used to investigate the effects of CB-containing serum on HepG2 cells and M2-TAMs,and Wnt pathway modulation was validated by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis.RESULTS This study identified 22 active components in CB,11 of which were detected in the bloodstream.Preclinical investigations have demonstrated the ability of CB to effectively inhibit liver tumor growth.An integrated approach employing network pharmacology,transcriptomics,and molecular docking implicated the Wnt signaling pathway as a target of the antineoplastic activity of CB by suppressing M2-TAM polarization.In vitro and in vivo experiments further confirmed that CB significantly hinders M2-TAM polarization and suppresses Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation.The inhibitory effect of CB on M2-TAMs was reversed when treated with the Wnt agonist SKL2001,confirming its pathway specificity.CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that CB mediates inhibition of M2-TAM polarization through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway,contributing to the suppression of liver cancer growth.

Shuyu pills inhibit immune escape and enhance chemosensitization in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is characterized by dysregulation of the immune microenvironment and the development of chemoresistance.Specifically,expression of the programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1(PD-L1)axis,an immune checkpoint,may lead to tumour immune escape,resulting in disease progression.The latest research shows that tumour immune escape may be caused by the upregulation of PD-L1 mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha(HIF-1α),and simultaneous inhibition of HIF-1αand PD-L1 has the potential to enhance the host’s antitumour immunity.Moreover,inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis may mitigate tumour chemoresistance.Shuyu pills(SYPs)contain immunity-enhancing and antitumour components,making them a potential HCC treatment.AIM To investigate the efficacy of SYPs for HCC treatment via simultaneous HIF-1α and PD-L1 inhibition and the mechanism involved.METHODS A subcutaneous xenograft tumour model was first established in BALB/c nude mice by the subcutaneous injection of 1×107 SMMC-7721 cells.Male mice(male,5 weeks old;n=24)were then randomly divided into the following four groups(n=6):Control(0.9%normal saline),SYP(200 mg/kg),SYP+cisplatin(DDP)(200 mg/kg+5 mg/kg DDP weekly via intraperitoneal injection),and DDP(5 mg/kg cisplatin weekly via intraperitoneal injection).The dose of saline or SYPs for the indicated mouse groups was 0.2 mL/d via intragastric administration.The tumour volumes and body weights of the mice were measured every 2 d.The mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation after 14 d of continuous treatment,and the xenograft tissues were excised and weighed.Western blot assays were used to measure the protein expression of HIF-1α,PD1,PD-L1,CD4+T cells,and CD8+T cells in HCC tumours from mice.Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used for real-time quantitative detection of PD-1,PD-L1,and HIF-1α mRNA expression.An immunofluorescence assay was conducted to examine the expression of CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells.RESULTS Compared to mice in the control group,those in the SYP and SYP+DDP groups exhibited reduced tumour volumes and tumour weights.Moreover,the protein and mRNA expression levels of the oncogene HIF1α and that of the negative immunomodulatory factors PD-1 and PD-L1 were decreased in both the SYP and SYP+DDP groups,with the decrease effects being more prominent in the SYP+DDP group than in the SYP group(HIF-1α protein:Control vs SYP,P=0.0129;control vs SYP+DDP,P=0.0004;control vs DDP,P=0.0152,SYP+DDP vs DDP,P=0.0448;HIF-1αmRNA:control vs SYP,P=0.0009;control vs SYP+DDP,P<0.0001;control vs DDP,P=0.0003,SYP vs SYP+DDP,P=0.0192.PD-1 protein:Control vs SYP,P=0.0099;control vs SYP+DDP,P<0.0001,SPY vs SYP+DDP,P=0.0009;SYP+DDP vs DDP,P<0.0001;PD-1 mRNA:control vs SYP,P=0.0002;control vs SYP+DDP,P<0.0001;control vs DDP,P=0.0003,SPY vs SYP+DDP,P=0.0003;SYP+DDP vs DDP,P=0.0002.PD-L1 protein:control vs SYP,P<0.0001;control vs SYP+DDP,P<0.0001;control vs DDP,P<0.0001,SPY vs SYP+DDP,P=0.0040;SYP+DDP vs DDP,P=0.0010;PD-L1 mRNA:Control vs SYP,P<0.0001;control vs SYP+DDP,P<0.0001;control vs DDP,P<0.0001,SPY vs SYP+DDP,P<0.0001;SYP+DDP vs DDP,P=0.0014).Additionally,the quantitative and protein expression levels of CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells were simultaneously upregulated in the SYP+DDP group,whereas only the expression of CD4+T cells was upregulated in the SYP group.(CD4+T cell quantitative:Control vs SYP+DDP,P<0.0001,SYP vs SYP+DDP,P=0.0005;SYP+DDP vs DDP,P=0.0002.CD4+T cell protein:Control vs SYP,P=0.0033;Control vs SYP+DDP,P<0.0001;Control vs DDP,P=0.0021,SYP vs SYP+DDP,P=0.0004;SYP+DDP vs DDP,P=0.0006.Quantitative CD8+T cells:Control vs SYP+DDP,P=0.0013;SYP vs SYP+DDP,P=0.0347;SYP+DDP vs DDP,P=0.0043.CD8+T cell protein:Control vs SYP+DDP,P<0.0001;SYP vs SYP+DDP,P<0.0001;SYP+DDP vs DDP,P<0.0001).Finally,expression of HIF-1αwas positively correlated with that of PD-1/PD-L1 and negatively correlated with the expression of CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells.CONCLUSION SYPs inhibit immune escape and enhance chemosensitization in HCC via simultaneous inhibition of HIF-1α and PD-L1,thus inhibiting the growth of subcutaneous xenograft HCC tumours.

Xihuang pills induce apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma by suppressing phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase- B/mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway

BACKGROUND The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase-B/mechanistic target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway is crucial for cell survival, differentiation, apoptosis and metabolism. Xihuang pills(XHP) are a traditional Chinese preparation with antitumour properties. They inhibit the growth of breast cancer, glioma, and other tumours by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. However, the effects and mechanisms of action of XHP in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) remain unclear. Regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway effectively inhibits the progression of HCC. However, no study has focused on the XHPassociated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. Therefore, we hypothesized that XHP might play a role in inhibiting HCC through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.AIM To confirm the effect of XHP on HCC and the possible mechanisms involved.METHODS The chemical constituents and active components of XHP were analysed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Cellbased experiments and in vivo xenograft tumour experiments were utilized to evaluate the effect of XHP on HCC tumorigenesis. First, SMMC-7721 cells were incubated with different concentrations of XHP(0, 0.3125, 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/mL) for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, followed by an assessment of cell migration using a wound healing assay.Second, the effect of XHP on the apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells was evaluated. SMMC-7721 cells were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate and annexin V/propidium iodide. The number of apoptotic cells and cell cycle distribution were measured using flow cytometry. The cleaved protein and mRNA expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected using Western blotting and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR), respectively.Third, Western blotting and RT–qPCR were performed to confirm the effects of XHP on the protein and mRNA expression of components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.Finally, the effects of XHP on the tumorigenesis of subcutaneous hepatocellular tumours in nude mice were assessed.RESULTS The following 12 compounds were identified in XHP using high-resolution mass spectrometry:Valine, 4-gingerol, myrrhone, ricinoleic acid, glycocholic acid, curzerenone, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid, oleic acid, germacrone, 3-acetyl-9,11-dehydro-β-boswellic acid, 5β-androstane-3,17-dione, and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid. The cell viability assay results showed that treatment with 0.625mg/mL XHP extract decreased HCC cell viability after 12 h, and the effects were dose-and timedependent. The results of the cell scratch assay showed that the migration of HCC cells was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent manner by the administration of XHP extract(0.625mg/mL). Moreover, XHP significantly inhibited cell migration and resulted in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, XHP downregulated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, which activated apoptosis executioner proteins(e.g., caspase-9 and caspase-3). The inhibitory effects of XHP on HCC cell growth were determined in vivo by analysing the tumour xenograft volumes and weights.CONCLUSION XHP inhibited HCC cell growth and migration by stimulating apoptosis via the downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, followed by the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3.Our findings clarified that the antitumour effects of XHP on HCC cells are mediated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, revealing that XHP may be a potential complementary therapy for HCC.

Antihepatoma peptide,scolopentide,derived from the centipede scolopendra subspinipes mutilans

BACKGROUND Centipedes have been used to treat tumors for hundreds of years in China.However,current studies focus on antimicrobial and anticoagulation agents rather than tumors.The molecular identities of antihepatoma bioactive components in centipedes have not yet been extensively investigated.It is a challenge to isolate and characterize the effective components of centipedes due to limited peptide purification technologies for animal-derived medicines.AIM To purify,characterize,and synthesize the bioactive components with the strongest antihepatoma activity from centipedes and determine the antihepatoma mechanism.METHODS An antihepatoma peptide(scolopentide)was isolated and identified from the centipede scolopendra subspinipes mutilans using a combination of enzymatic hydrolysis,a Sephadex G-25 column,and two steps of high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).Additionally,the CCK8 assay was used to select the extracted fraction with the strongest antihepatoma activity.The molecular weight of the extracted scolopentide was characterized by quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(QTOF MS),and the sequence was matched by using the Mascot search engine.Based on the sequence and molecular weight,scolopentide was synthesized using solid-phase peptide synthesis methods.The synthetic scolopentide was confirmed by MS and HPLC.The antineoplastic effect of extracted scolopentide was confirmed by CCK8 assay and morphological changes again in vitro.The antihepatoma effect of synthetic scolopentide was assessed by the CCK8 assay and Hoechst staining in vitro and tumor volume and tumor weight in vivo.In the tumor xenograft experiments,qualified model mice(male 5-week-old BALB/c nude mice)were randomly divided into 2 groups(n=6):The scolopentide group(0.15 mL/d,via intraperitoneal injection of synthetic scolopentide,500 mg/kg/d)and the vehicle group(0.15 mL/d,via intraperitoneal injection of normal saline).The mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation after 14 d of continuous treatment.Mechanistically,flow cytometry was conducted to evaluate the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells after treatment with extracted scolopentide in vitro.A Hoechst staining assay was also used to observe apoptosis in HepG2 cells after treatment with synthetic scolopentide in vitro.CCK8 assays and morphological changes were used to compare the cytotoxicity of synthetic scolopentide to liver cancer cells and normal liver cells in vitro.Molecular docking was performed to clarify whether scolopentide tightly bound to death receptor 4(DR4)and DR5.qRT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of DR4,DR5,fas-associated death domain protein(FADD),Caspase-8,Caspase-3,cytochrome c(Cyto-C),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),x-chromosome linked inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein and Cellular fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1βconverting enzyme inhibitory protein in hepatocarcinoma subcutaneous xenograft tumors from mice.Western blot assays were used to measure the protein expression of DR4,DR5,FADD,Caspase-8,Caspase-3,and Cyto-C in the tumor tissues.The reactive oxygen species(ROS)of tumor tissues were tested.RESULTS In the process of purification,characterization and synthesis of scolopentide,the optimal enzymatic hydrolysis conditions(extract ratio:5.86%,IC_(50):0.310 mg/mL)were as follows:Trypsin at 0.1 g(300 U/g,centipede-trypsin ratio of 20:1),enzymolysis temperature of 46°C,and enzymolysis time of 4 h,which was superior to freeze-thawing with liquid nitrogen(IC_(50):3.07 mg/mL).A peptide with the strongest antihepatoma activity(scolopentide)was further purified through a Sephadex G-25 column(obtained A2)and two steps of HPLC(obtained B5 and C3).The molecular weight of the extracted scolopentide was 1018.997 Da,and the peptide sequence was RAQNHYCK,as characterized by QTOF MS and Mascot.Scolopentide was synthesized in vitro with a qualified molecular weight(1018.8 Da)and purity(98.014%),which was characterized by MS and HPLC.Extracted scolopentide still had an antineoplastic effect in vitro,which inhibited the proliferation of Eca-109(IC_(50):76.27μg/mL),HepG2(IC_(50):22.06μg/mL),and A549(IC_(50):35.13μg/mL)cells,especially HepG2 cells.Synthetic scolopentide inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells(treated 6,12,and 24 h)in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro,and the inhibitory effects were the strongest at 12 h(IC_(50):208.11μg/mL).Synthetic scolopentide also inhibited the tumor volume(Vehicle vs Scolopentide,P=0.0003)and weight(Vehicle vs Scolopentide,P=0.0022)in the tumor xenograft experiment.Mechanistically,flow cytometry suggested that the apoptosis ratios of HepG2 cells after treatment with extracted scolopentide were 5.01%(0μg/mL),12.13%(10μg/mL),16.52%(20μg/mL),and 23.20%(40μg/mL).Hoechst staining revealed apoptosis in HepG2 cells after treatment with synthetic scolopentide in vitro.The CCK8 assay and morphological changes indicated that synthetic scolopentide was cytotoxic and was significantly stronger in HepG2 cells than in L02 cells.Molecular docking suggested that scolopentide tightly bound to DR4 and DR5,and the binding free energies were-10.4 kcal/mol and-7.1 kcal/mol,respectively.In subcutaneous xenograft tumors from mice,quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting suggested that scolopentide activated DR4 and DR5 and induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 Liver cancer cells by promoting the expression of FADD,caspase-8 and caspase-3 through a mitochondria-independent pathway.CONCLUSION Scolopentide,an antihepatoma peptide purified from centipedes,may inspire new antihepatoma agents.Scolopentide activates DR4 and DR5 and induces apoptosis in liver cancer cells through a mitochondria-independent pathway.

低热量饮食干预与有氧运动干预对早期2型糖尿病肥胖患者胰岛素水平及人体成分的影响

目的探讨低热量饮食干预与有氧运动干预对早期2型糖尿病肥胖患者胰岛素水平与人体成分的影响,为制订此类患者的干预措施提供理论依据。方法选取2016年7月至2019年7月于首都医科大学宣武医院内分泌科诊治的300例2型糖尿病肥胖患者作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法分为对照组与观察组各150例,对照组予以低热量饮食干预,观察组予以低热量饮食干预与集中有氧运动干预。对2组患者的空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)、BMI、体脂百分比、体质量、三酰甘油、总胆固醇、HDL-C、LDL-C进行观察及评估。结果干预4周后,观察组FBG、FINS、HOMA-IR、BMI、体脂百分比、体质量、三酰甘油、总胆固醇、HDL-C、LDL-C分别为(6.15±0.92)mmol/L、(14.12±1.11)mU/L、2.67±0.32、(25.01±1.75)kg/m^(2)、(27.45±1.92)%、(70.01±3.56)kg、(3.01±0.30)mmol/L、(5.25±0.88)mmol/L、(2.25±0.42)mmol/L、(3.15±0.41)mmol/L,对照组分别为(8.18±1.28)mmol/L、(16.78±1.85)mU/L、3.78±0.78、(27.36±2.45)kg/m^(2)、(29.78±2.39)%、(72.98±5.62)kg、(3.49±0.52)mmol/L、(6.23±1.08)mmol/L、(1.88±0.30)mmol/L、(3.98±0.89)mmol/L,差异有统计学意义(t值为5.47~16.13,均P<0.05)。干预8周后,观察组FBG、FINS、HOMA-IR、BMI、体脂百分比、体质量、三酰甘油、总胆固醇、HDL-C、LDL-C分别为(5.06±0.45)mmol/L、(12.78±0.69)mU/L、2.01±0.12、(23.25±1.18)kg/m^(2)、(25.05±1.19)%、(66.02±2.45)kg、(2.21±0.12)mmol/L、(4.03±0.41)mmol/L、(3.08±0.72)mmol/L、(2.65±0.15)mmol/L,对照组分别为(6.07±0.88)mmol/L、(14.09±1.05)mU/L、2.95±0.45、(26.98±2.08)kg/m^(2)、(27.18±2.06)%、(70.98±4.02)kg、(2.98±0.28)mmol/L、(5.16±0.71)mmol/L、(2.41±0.51)mmol/L、(3.29±0.39)mmol/L,差异有统计学意义(t值为5.47~30.96,均P<0.05)。结论低热量饮食干预联合集中有氧运动干预更有利于改善患者的血糖、血脂水平,以及减轻体质量。