Baicalin:a prominent therapeutic agent against colorectal cancer

The occurrence and development of colorectal cancer involve multiple genes and pathways as a result of accumulated mutations at several sites that control growth and differentiation.Baicalin is a flavonoid extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi with antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities.Here,we discuss its possible clinical development and perspectives for future research.We also summarize the literature on colorectal cancer as well as the anticancer effect of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in the last 20 years.As research progresses,the therapeutic effect of baicalin in combating colorectal cancer has gradually been recognized.Its impact on colorectal cancer and anticancer mechanism,such as blocking the tumor cell cycle,inducing tumor cell apoptosis,preventing and treating tumor metastasis and anti-inflammatory activity,have become new hot topics in the study of antitumor agents in Chinese medicine.The present review surveys and summarizes studies of baicalin in anti-colorectal cancer treatment to enhance the understanding of its tumoricidal mechanism and to provide new therapeutic options for colorectal cancer.

Study on multi-target mechanism of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (Dahuang) and Semen Persicae (Taoren) on adhesion intestinal obstruction based on network pharmacology

Objective: To explore the mechanism of action of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (Dahuang)(RERR) and Semen Persicae (Taoren)(SP) on adhesive intestinal obstruction (AIO). Methods: The main targets of the active ingredients of RERR and SP were filtered based on the traditional Chinese medicine system pharmacology analysis platform. Cytoscape 3.2.1 was applied to build the ingredient-target network of RERR and SP for AIO. Results: Fifteen active components were predicted from the RERR and SP herb pair, such as aloe-emodin, catechin, rhein, gibberellin (GA) 119, GA120 and GA121. These components were applied to 59 targets mainly involved in many biological processes such as signal transduction, anti-apoptosis, and inflammatory response involved in activating the immune effect. Conclusion: This study proposes the system pharmacology method and identifies the potent combination therapeutic mechanism of RERR and SP for AIO. This strategy will provide a new insight to the study of herb combinations.

Suppressive effect of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma on glutamic acid-induced autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal

Objective:To investigate the effects of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus(Zhishi,ZS)and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(Baizhu,BZ)-containing serum on glutamate-induced autophagy in rat colonic interstitial cells of Cajal(ICCs)and to analyze the underlying mechanism.Methods:Rat colonic ICCs cultured in vitro were identified by fluorescence and then stimulated with glutamic acid(5 mmol/L)for 24 h to establish a cell model of autophagy.The cells were then treated with different concentrations of ZSBZ-containing serum or rat serum.The viability of the ICCs was detected with cell counting kit-8 assays,and cell apoptosis rates were examined with flow cytometry.The ultrastructure and autophagosomes in the ICCs were observed using transmission electron microscopy.The effects of ZSBZ-containing serum on apoptosis-associated mediators were assessed by Western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.In addition,microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3),p-phosphoinositide 3-kinase(p-PI3 K),p-Akt and p-mammalian target of rapamycin(pm TOR)expression was detected via Western blotting analysis.Results:Compared to those in the model group,ICC viability and apoptosis rates were significantly increased by ZSBZ-containing serum(P<0.05).In addition,the expression levels of Beclin-1,LC3,pPI3 K,p-Akt and p-mTOR were significantly lower(P<0.05)and Bcl-2 expression was higher in the ZSBZ-containing serum treatment groups than in the model group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Our findings demonstrated that ZSBZ protects glutamic acid-stimulated ICCs,and this beneficial effect may be mediated by a reduction in autophagy via inhibition of the PI3 K/Akt/mTOR pathway.