Tumor vaccines are a promising avenue in cancer immunotherapy.Despite the progress in targeting specific immune epitopes,tumor cells lacking these epitopes can evade the treatment.Here,we aimed to construct an efficie...Tumor vaccines are a promising avenue in cancer immunotherapy.Despite the progress in targeting specific immune epitopes,tumor cells lacking these epitopes can evade the treatment.Here,we aimed to construct an efficient in situ tumor vaccine called Vac-SM,utilizing shikonin(SKN)to induce immunogenic cell death(ICD)and Mycobacterium smegmatis as an immune adjuvant to enhance in situ tumor vaccine efficacy.SKN showed a dose-dependent and time-dependent cytotoxic effect on the tumor cell line and induced ICD in tumor cells as evidenced by the CCK-8 assay and the detection of the expression of relevant indicators,respectively.Compared with the control group,the in situ Vac-SM injection in mouse subcutaneous metastatic tumors significantly inhibited tumor growth and distant tumor metastasis,while also improving survival rates.Mycobacterium smegmatis effectively induced maturation and activation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(DCs),and in vivo tumor-draining lymph nodes showed an increased maturation of DCs and a higher proportion of effector memory T-cell subsets with the Vac-SM treatment,based on flow cytometry analysis results.Collectively,the Vac-SM vaccine effectively induces ICD,improves antigen presentation by DCs,activates a specific systemic antitumor T-cell immune response,exhibits a favorable safety profile,and holds the promise for clinical translation for local tumor immunotherapy.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the effect of shikonin on the proliferation, apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) of human mesangial cells (MC). Methods: MC was cultured in vitro with different concentrations of glucose ...Objective:To investigate the effect of shikonin on the proliferation, apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) of human mesangial cells (MC). Methods: MC was cultured in vitro with different concentrations of glucose (30, 50, 80 mmol/L). The cell growth was observed by using MTT method and apoptosis by using an aunexin-V-Fluos. Immunohistochemical studies for Laminin (LN), Fibronectin (FN) and type Ⅳ Collagens (Col Ⅳ) were measured. Results: Shikonin inhibited their growth (P<0.05) and apoptosis in the glycated cultured cells. Shikonin 0.05 mmol/L significantly reduced the secretion of LN, FN and Col Ⅳ from MC (P<0.05) cultured in 30, 50 and 80 mmol/L glucose. Conclusion: Shikonin could prevent or treat diabetic nephropathy (DN) and glomerulosclerosis (GS).展开更多
This study examined the signaling events induced by shikonin that lead to the induction of apoptosis in Bcr/ Abl-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia （CML） cells （e.g., K562, LAMA84）. Treatment of K562 cells with...This study examined the signaling events induced by shikonin that lead to the induction of apoptosis in Bcr/ Abl-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia （CML） cells （e.g., K562, LAMA84）. Treatment of K562 cells with shikonin （e.g., 0.5 pM） resulted in profound induction of apoptosis accompanied by rapid generation of reactive oxygen species （ROS）, striking activation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase （JNK） and p38, marked release of the mitochondrial proteins cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO, activation of caspase-9 and -3, and cleavage of PARP. Scavenging of ROS completely blocked all of the above-mentioned events （i.e., JNK and p38 phosphorylation, cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO release, caspase and PARP cleavage, as well as the induction of apoptosis） following shikonin treatment. Inhibition of JNK and knock-down of JNK1 significantly attenuated cytochrome c release, caspase cleavage and apoptosis, but did not affect shikonin-mediated ROS production. Additionally, inhibition of caspase activation completely blocked shikonin-induced apoptosis, but did not appreciably modify shikonin-mediated cytochrome c release or ROS generation. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that shikonin-induced oxidative injury operates at a proximal point in apoptotic signaling cascades, and subsequently activates the stress-related JNK pathway, triggers mitochondrial dysfunction, cytochrome c release, and caspase activation, and leads to apoptosis. Our data also suggest that shikonin may be a promising agent for the treatment of CML, as a generator of ROS.展开更多
A new approach for asymmetric synthesis of alkannin and shikonin is presented. The chiral centers of the targets were introduced via an asymmetric C-arylation of protected chiral glyceraldehyde in high de. The two e...A new approach for asymmetric synthesis of alkannin and shikonin is presented. The chiral centers of the targets were introduced via an asymmetric C-arylation of protected chiral glyceraldehyde in high de. The two enantiomers were prepared with the D-isopropylidenegly- ceraldehyde as the starting material.展开更多
Radiation encephalopathy is the main complication of cranial radiotherapy. It can cause necrosis of brain tissue and cognitive dysfunction. Our previous work had proved that a natural antioxidant shikonin possessed pr...Radiation encephalopathy is the main complication of cranial radiotherapy. It can cause necrosis of brain tissue and cognitive dysfunction. Our previous work had proved that a natural antioxidant shikonin possessed protective effect on cerebral ischemic injury. Here we investigated the effects of shikonin on carbon ion beam induced radiation brain injury in mice. Pretreatment with shikonin significantly increased the SOD and CAT activities and the ratio of GSH/GSSG in mouse brain tissues compared with irradiated group （P〈0.01）, while obviously reduced the MDA and PCO contents and the RO$ levels derived from of the brain mitochondria.展开更多
1 INTRODUCTIONThe production of secondary metabolites using plant cells has been the subject of much inter-est in recent years.Despite that tremendous research efforts had been made in this topic,notmany products have...1 INTRODUCTIONThe production of secondary metabolites using plant cells has been the subject of much inter-est in recent years.Despite that tremendous research efforts had been made in this topic,notmany products have reached the commercial stage.It is generally acknowledged that the mainproblem in this field is the lack of basic knowledge of the biosynthetic routes,and the mechanisms found to bring about the production of such secondary metabolites.There are,however,some techniques that have beneficial effects on the production and ex-展开更多
A novel total synthesis of （±）shikonin 1 was presented. The key intermediate 6 was achieved by the formylation of 1,8：4,5-bis（methylenedioxy）naphthalene 5 with N-methylformanilide in good yield. It was first...A novel total synthesis of （±）shikonin 1 was presented. The key intermediate 6 was achieved by the formylation of 1,8：4,5-bis（methylenedioxy）naphthalene 5 with N-methylformanilide in good yield. It was first reported that the addition of prenyllithium to 2-formyl-1,8：4,5- bismethylenedioxy naphthalene 6 gave 2-（1-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl） 1,8：4,5-bis（methylenedioxy） naphthalene 8 in 45% yield and 2-（1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl）-1,8：4,5-bis（methylenedioxy）naphthalene 9 in 48% yield. After the electrooxide deprotection of 8, （±）shikonin 1 was prepared in high yield.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the potential anti-tumor mechanisms of naphthoquinone compound shikonin(SKN)extracted from the root of Chinese herbal medicine plant lithospermum(Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb.&Zucc.).Me...Objective:To investigate the potential anti-tumor mechanisms of naphthoquinone compound shikonin(SKN)extracted from the root of Chinese herbal medicine plant lithospermum(Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb.&Zucc.).Methods:We first observed that SKN treatment led to swelling and bubbles in HeLa cells that were similar to the phenotype of cell pyroptosis.Subsequently,the HeLa cells experienced a pyroptotic process with SKN,and this was then assessed using lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release and propidium iodide(PI)/Hoechst double staining experiments.Pyroptosis is defined as gasdermin-mediated programmed necroptosis.To identify the potential pyroptosis machinery,two strategies were utilized that included a genome-wide clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)-associated protein 9 screening experiment and a pyroptosis reconstitution assay executed by each of the five known gasdermins(GSDMA-E).Moreover,endogenous cleavage was also detected in a panel of tumor cell lines.Results:Compared with the control,both the LDH release and PI/Hoechst double-staining experiments suggested that SKN induced perforation and enhancement of the permeability of the cell membranes that resulted in pyroptosis in HeLa cells(P=.028 and P=.032,respectively).In addition,the reconstitution assays in human embryonic kidney 293T(HEK-293T)cells and endogenous cleavage assays in HeLa cells indicated that the pyroptosis was controlled by GSDME.In addition,we also found SKN could trigger pyroptosis in a panel of tumor cell lines in which the cellular morphologies were proportional to the GSDME expression levels.Additionally,the cleavage of GSDME was also detected,and this was indicative of a similar GSDME-mediated mechanism.Conclusion:Our study not only explained the molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity of SKN to various tumor cells,but also provided additional information for the potential clinical application of natural naphthoquinone compounds against cancer.展开更多
Controlling fertility of rodent pests has become an effective means of controlling the population of grassland rodents in China. Recently, research has focused on how to select environmentally-friendly sterilants with...Controlling fertility of rodent pests has become an effective means of controlling the population of grassland rodents in China. Recently, research has focused on how to select environmentally-friendly sterilants without pollution effects, and to realize sustainable control of pest rodent populations. Sterilants from plant extracts have been mainly selected. In this study, mice were used as the experimental subjects for research on the anti-fertility effects of plant extracts of shikonin and the anti-fertility mechanism of shikonin extract was determined. The mice were divided into four groups, including one control group and three experimental groups. There were three applications of shikonin extract in different concentrations (5 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>, 20 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup> and 50 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>). The mice gavage experiments indicated that a shikonin concentration of 50 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup> had the expected anti-fertility effects. Mice copulation experiments showed that the 50 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup> shikonin treatment had significant anti-fertility effects on both female-treatment and female-male-treatment groups. The results of the PCR analysis on the AgRP and ghrelin mRNA from female ovaries and male testicles indicated that shikonin could control mice reproduction by regulating the pituitary gonadal axis. Shikonin, as plant source sterile agent, would have more ideal effects for functioned both sexes sterility.展开更多
A new facile route for the synthesis of dl-shikonin is presented. Reformatsky reaction assisted cross-coupling of 1, 4, 5, 8-tetramethoxynaphthalene-2-carbaldehyde and ethyl- bromoacetate was employed for introductio...A new facile route for the synthesis of dl-shikonin is presented. Reformatsky reaction assisted cross-coupling of 1, 4, 5, 8-tetramethoxynaphthalene-2-carbaldehyde and ethyl- bromoacetate was employed for introduction of the side chain of dl-shikonin.展开更多
Objective： Yes Associated Protein （YAP） is a downstream effector that negatively regulated by Hippo kinase LATS1/2. As a transcriptional coactivator, YAP controls the transactivation of variety target genes to prom...Objective： Yes Associated Protein （YAP） is a downstream effector that negatively regulated by Hippo kinase LATS1/2. As a transcriptional coactivator, YAP controls the transactivation of variety target genes to promote cell proliferation which is a critical survival input for cancer cells, thus the inhibition of YAP function is a promising strategy to treat cancer patients. The aim of this study was to explore YAP inhibitors derived from natural products using a cell-based YAP-TEADs luciferase reporter assay and investigate the functional activities of the novel inhibitor. Methods： natural compounds were used by 8×GTIIC luciferase reporter assay to screen YAP inhibitor. Phosphorylation of YAP and AMPK were detected by Western Blotting. The target genes of YAP were determined through RT-PCR. Inhibition on HepG2 cells of screened compounds were assessed by the Sulforhodamine B （SRB） assay. Results： we found that Shikonin （derived from the traditional Chinese medical herb Zicao （Lithospermum erythrorhizon）） exerted significant suppression against the transcriptional activity of YAP （inhibition ratio=74.3%）, accompanied with increased phosphorylation of YAP protein upon within short-exposure to cancer cells. Shikonin treated on HepG2 induced phosphorylation of AMPK. In HepG2 cell lines, Shikonin exhibited a profound cytotoxicity in a concentration manner. Conclusion： our results indicated that the inhibition activity of Shikonin on YAP function was probably due to the activation of AMPK by phosphorylation. Moreover, Shikonin exhibited potent cytotoxicity on cancer cells. In summary, the present study identifies Shikonin as a novel natural inhibitor of YAP function and could be an anti-cancer drug candidate for cancer treatment.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the Natural Science Foundation of Huai'an Science and Technology Bureau(Grant No.HAB202312)the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University(Grant No.XYFY2021018).
文摘Tumor vaccines are a promising avenue in cancer immunotherapy.Despite the progress in targeting specific immune epitopes,tumor cells lacking these epitopes can evade the treatment.Here,we aimed to construct an efficient in situ tumor vaccine called Vac-SM,utilizing shikonin(SKN)to induce immunogenic cell death(ICD)and Mycobacterium smegmatis as an immune adjuvant to enhance in situ tumor vaccine efficacy.SKN showed a dose-dependent and time-dependent cytotoxic effect on the tumor cell line and induced ICD in tumor cells as evidenced by the CCK-8 assay and the detection of the expression of relevant indicators,respectively.Compared with the control group,the in situ Vac-SM injection in mouse subcutaneous metastatic tumors significantly inhibited tumor growth and distant tumor metastasis,while also improving survival rates.Mycobacterium smegmatis effectively induced maturation and activation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(DCs),and in vivo tumor-draining lymph nodes showed an increased maturation of DCs and a higher proportion of effector memory T-cell subsets with the Vac-SM treatment,based on flow cytometry analysis results.Collectively,the Vac-SM vaccine effectively induces ICD,improves antigen presentation by DCs,activates a specific systemic antitumor T-cell immune response,exhibits a favorable safety profile,and holds the promise for clinical translation for local tumor immunotherapy.
文摘Objective:To investigate the effect of shikonin on the proliferation, apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) of human mesangial cells (MC). Methods: MC was cultured in vitro with different concentrations of glucose (30, 50, 80 mmol/L). The cell growth was observed by using MTT method and apoptosis by using an aunexin-V-Fluos. Immunohistochemical studies for Laminin (LN), Fibronectin (FN) and type Ⅳ Collagens (Col Ⅳ) were measured. Results: Shikonin inhibited their growth (P<0.05) and apoptosis in the glycated cultured cells. Shikonin 0.05 mmol/L significantly reduced the secretion of LN, FN and Col Ⅳ from MC (P<0.05) cultured in 30, 50 and 80 mmol/L glucose. Conclusion: Shikonin could prevent or treat diabetic nephropathy (DN) and glomerulosclerosis (GS).
基金Acknowledgments This work was supported by grants from the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China （863 Program） （2006AA02A306）, the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 39900082） and the PhD Program Foundation of Ministry of Education of China （No. 204090188）. We thank Dr Courtney M Heney （Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University） for critically reading the manuscript.
文摘This study examined the signaling events induced by shikonin that lead to the induction of apoptosis in Bcr/ Abl-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia （CML） cells （e.g., K562, LAMA84）. Treatment of K562 cells with shikonin （e.g., 0.5 pM） resulted in profound induction of apoptosis accompanied by rapid generation of reactive oxygen species （ROS）, striking activation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase （JNK） and p38, marked release of the mitochondrial proteins cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO, activation of caspase-9 and -3, and cleavage of PARP. Scavenging of ROS completely blocked all of the above-mentioned events （i.e., JNK and p38 phosphorylation, cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO release, caspase and PARP cleavage, as well as the induction of apoptosis） following shikonin treatment. Inhibition of JNK and knock-down of JNK1 significantly attenuated cytochrome c release, caspase cleavage and apoptosis, but did not affect shikonin-mediated ROS production. Additionally, inhibition of caspase activation completely blocked shikonin-induced apoptosis, but did not appreciably modify shikonin-mediated cytochrome c release or ROS generation. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that shikonin-induced oxidative injury operates at a proximal point in apoptotic signaling cascades, and subsequently activates the stress-related JNK pathway, triggers mitochondrial dysfunction, cytochrome c release, and caspase activation, and leads to apoptosis. Our data also suggest that shikonin may be a promising agent for the treatment of CML, as a generator of ROS.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China[32071532]for financial supports
文摘A new approach for asymmetric synthesis of alkannin and shikonin is presented. The chiral centers of the targets were introduced via an asymmetric C-arylation of protected chiral glyceraldehyde in high de. The two enantiomers were prepared with the D-isopropylidenegly- ceraldehyde as the starting material.
基金supported by Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(U1432248)National Natural Science Foundation of China(11175222,11305226)
文摘Radiation encephalopathy is the main complication of cranial radiotherapy. It can cause necrosis of brain tissue and cognitive dysfunction. Our previous work had proved that a natural antioxidant shikonin possessed protective effect on cerebral ischemic injury. Here we investigated the effects of shikonin on carbon ion beam induced radiation brain injury in mice. Pretreatment with shikonin significantly increased the SOD and CAT activities and the ratio of GSH/GSSG in mouse brain tissues compared with irradiated group （P〈0.01）, while obviously reduced the MDA and PCO contents and the RO$ levels derived from of the brain mitochondria.
文摘1 INTRODUCTIONThe production of secondary metabolites using plant cells has been the subject of much inter-est in recent years.Despite that tremendous research efforts had been made in this topic,notmany products have reached the commercial stage.It is generally acknowledged that the mainproblem in this field is the lack of basic knowledge of the biosynthetic routes,and the mechanisms found to bring about the production of such secondary metabolites.There are,however,some techniques that have beneficial effects on the production and ex-
文摘A novel total synthesis of （±）shikonin 1 was presented. The key intermediate 6 was achieved by the formylation of 1,8：4,5-bis（methylenedioxy）naphthalene 5 with N-methylformanilide in good yield. It was first reported that the addition of prenyllithium to 2-formyl-1,8：4,5- bismethylenedioxy naphthalene 6 gave 2-（1-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl） 1,8：4,5-bis（methylenedioxy） naphthalene 8 in 45% yield and 2-（1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl）-1,8：4,5-bis（methylenedioxy）naphthalene 9 in 48% yield. After the electrooxide deprotection of 8, （±）shikonin 1 was prepared in high yield.
基金This research was supported by the Program for the Research Startup Fund Program at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(90011451310011)the Key Research Fund for Drug Discovery in Chinese Medicine at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(1000061223740)+1 种基金the Experimental Technology Standardization Research Project at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(2021-SYJS-009)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(2020-JYB-ZDGG-057).
文摘Objective:To investigate the potential anti-tumor mechanisms of naphthoquinone compound shikonin(SKN)extracted from the root of Chinese herbal medicine plant lithospermum(Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb.&Zucc.).Methods:We first observed that SKN treatment led to swelling and bubbles in HeLa cells that were similar to the phenotype of cell pyroptosis.Subsequently,the HeLa cells experienced a pyroptotic process with SKN,and this was then assessed using lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release and propidium iodide(PI)/Hoechst double staining experiments.Pyroptosis is defined as gasdermin-mediated programmed necroptosis.To identify the potential pyroptosis machinery,two strategies were utilized that included a genome-wide clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)-associated protein 9 screening experiment and a pyroptosis reconstitution assay executed by each of the five known gasdermins(GSDMA-E).Moreover,endogenous cleavage was also detected in a panel of tumor cell lines.Results:Compared with the control,both the LDH release and PI/Hoechst double-staining experiments suggested that SKN induced perforation and enhancement of the permeability of the cell membranes that resulted in pyroptosis in HeLa cells(P=.028 and P=.032,respectively).In addition,the reconstitution assays in human embryonic kidney 293T(HEK-293T)cells and endogenous cleavage assays in HeLa cells indicated that the pyroptosis was controlled by GSDME.In addition,we also found SKN could trigger pyroptosis in a panel of tumor cell lines in which the cellular morphologies were proportional to the GSDME expression levels.Additionally,the cleavage of GSDME was also detected,and this was indicative of a similar GSDME-mediated mechanism.Conclusion:Our study not only explained the molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity of SKN to various tumor cells,but also provided additional information for the potential clinical application of natural naphthoquinone compounds against cancer.
文摘Controlling fertility of rodent pests has become an effective means of controlling the population of grassland rodents in China. Recently, research has focused on how to select environmentally-friendly sterilants without pollution effects, and to realize sustainable control of pest rodent populations. Sterilants from plant extracts have been mainly selected. In this study, mice were used as the experimental subjects for research on the anti-fertility effects of plant extracts of shikonin and the anti-fertility mechanism of shikonin extract was determined. The mice were divided into four groups, including one control group and three experimental groups. There were three applications of shikonin extract in different concentrations (5 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>, 20 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup> and 50 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>). The mice gavage experiments indicated that a shikonin concentration of 50 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup> had the expected anti-fertility effects. Mice copulation experiments showed that the 50 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup> shikonin treatment had significant anti-fertility effects on both female-treatment and female-male-treatment groups. The results of the PCR analysis on the AgRP and ghrelin mRNA from female ovaries and male testicles indicated that shikonin could control mice reproduction by regulating the pituitary gonadal axis. Shikonin, as plant source sterile agent, would have more ideal effects for functioned both sexes sterility.
文摘A new facile route for the synthesis of dl-shikonin is presented. Reformatsky reaction assisted cross-coupling of 1, 4, 5, 8-tetramethoxynaphthalene-2-carbaldehyde and ethyl- bromoacetate was employed for introduction of the side chain of dl-shikonin.
基金This work was supported National Key R＆D Program of China （No. 2017YFE0102200）, National Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholar of China （81625024） and National Natural Science Foundation of China （81773753） to B. Yang.
文摘Objective： Yes Associated Protein （YAP） is a downstream effector that negatively regulated by Hippo kinase LATS1/2. As a transcriptional coactivator, YAP controls the transactivation of variety target genes to promote cell proliferation which is a critical survival input for cancer cells, thus the inhibition of YAP function is a promising strategy to treat cancer patients. The aim of this study was to explore YAP inhibitors derived from natural products using a cell-based YAP-TEADs luciferase reporter assay and investigate the functional activities of the novel inhibitor. Methods： natural compounds were used by 8×GTIIC luciferase reporter assay to screen YAP inhibitor. Phosphorylation of YAP and AMPK were detected by Western Blotting. The target genes of YAP were determined through RT-PCR. Inhibition on HepG2 cells of screened compounds were assessed by the Sulforhodamine B （SRB） assay. Results： we found that Shikonin （derived from the traditional Chinese medical herb Zicao （Lithospermum erythrorhizon）） exerted significant suppression against the transcriptional activity of YAP （inhibition ratio=74.3%）, accompanied with increased phosphorylation of YAP protein upon within short-exposure to cancer cells. Shikonin treated on HepG2 induced phosphorylation of AMPK. In HepG2 cell lines, Shikonin exhibited a profound cytotoxicity in a concentration manner. Conclusion： our results indicated that the inhibition activity of Shikonin on YAP function was probably due to the activation of AMPK by phosphorylation. Moreover, Shikonin exhibited potent cytotoxicity on cancer cells. In summary, the present study identifies Shikonin as a novel natural inhibitor of YAP function and could be an anti-cancer drug candidate for cancer treatment.
