Objective:In this study,we aim to enhance the anti-prostate cancer efficacy of cabazitaxel(CTX)and reduce its immunosuppression and systemic toxicity by developing CTX-loaded liposomes modified with ginsenoside Rk1(Rk...Objective:In this study,we aim to enhance the anti-prostate cancer efficacy of cabazitaxel(CTX)and reduce its immunosuppression and systemic toxicity by developing CTX-loaded liposomes modified with ginsenoside Rk1(Rk1/CTX-Lip).Methods:Physical and chemical properties of Rk1/CTX-Lip were investigated.We evaluated the biological functions of Rk1/CTXLip,both in vitro and in vivo.A subcutaneous prostate cancer(RM-1)-bearing mouse model was established to study the efficacy of Rk1/CTX-Lip inhibition in tumors.Simultaneously,a Candida albicans infection model was established in tumor-bearing mice to study the infection-relieving efficacy of Rk1/CTX-Lip.Finally,biocompatibility and in vivo safety of Rk1/CTX-Lip were evaluated.Results:We successfully prepared Rk1/CTX-Lip,achieving high CTX encapsulation efficiency(97.24±0.75)%and physical stability.Rk1/CTX-Lip demonstrated evasion of macrophage phagocytosis,effective tumor tissue targeting,and a significant reduction(>50%)in average tumor volume compared with Chol/CTX-Lip.Moreover,it relieved the concurrent infection burden and effectively regulated immune organs and cells,demonstrating superior biocompatibility.Conclusion:Rk1/CTX-Lip presents a promising new therapy for prostate cancer and holds potential for relieving concurrent fungal infections in cancer patients with low immunity.展开更多
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide.Ginsenoside Rk3,an important and rare saponin in heat-treated ginseng,is generated from Rg1 and has a smaller molecular weight.However,...Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide.Ginsenoside Rk3,an important and rare saponin in heat-treated ginseng,is generated from Rg1 and has a smaller molecular weight.However,the anti-HCC efficacy and mechanisms of ginsenoside Rk3 have not yet been characterized.Here,we investigated the mechanism by which ginsenoside Rk3,a tetracyclic triterpenoid rare ginsenoside,inhibits the growth of HCC.We first explored the possible potential targets of Rk3 through network pharmacology.Both in vitro(HepG2 and HCC-LM3 cells)and in vivo(primary liver cancer mice and HCC-LM3 subcutaneous tumor-bearing mice)studies revealed that Rk3 significantly inhibits the proliferation of HCC.Meanwhile,Rk3 blocked the cell cycle in HCC at the G1 phase and induced autophagy and apoptosis in HCC.Further proteomics and siRNA experiments showed that Rk3 regulates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)pathway to inhibit HCC growth,which was validated by molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance.In conclusion,we report the discovery that ginsenoside Rk3 binds to PI3K/AKT and promotes autophagy and apoptosis in HCC.Our data strongly support the translation of ginsenoside Rk3 into novel PI3K/AKT-targeting therapeutics for HCC treatment with low toxic side effects.展开更多
Heavy alcohol consumption results in alcoholic liver disease(ALD)with inadequate therapeutic options.Here,we first report the potential beneficial effects of ginsenoside Rk2(Rk2),a rare dehydroprotopanaxadiol saponin ...Heavy alcohol consumption results in alcoholic liver disease(ALD)with inadequate therapeutic options.Here,we first report the potential beneficial effects of ginsenoside Rk2(Rk2),a rare dehydroprotopanaxadiol saponin isolated from streamed ginseng,against alcoholic liver injury in mice.Chronic-plus-single-binge ethanol feeding caused severe liver injury,as manifested by significantly elevated serum aminotransferase levels,hepatic histological changes,increased lipid accumulation,oxidative stress,and inflammation in the liver.These deleterious effects were alleviated by the treatment with Rk2(5 and 30 mg/kg).Acting as an nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3(NLRP3)inhibitor,Rk2 ameliorates alcohol-induced liver inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in the liver.Meanwhile,the treatment with Rk2 alleviated the alcohol-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction via enhancing NLRP6 inflammasome in the intestine.Our findings indicate that Rk2 is a promising agent for the prevention and treatment of ALD and other NLPR3-driven diseases.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82373808)Chongqing Natural Science Foundation(cstc2021jcyj-bshX0125)+1 种基金Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(SWURC2020001)the project for Chongqing University Innovation Research Group,Chongqing Education Committee(CXQT20006).
文摘Objective:In this study,we aim to enhance the anti-prostate cancer efficacy of cabazitaxel(CTX)and reduce its immunosuppression and systemic toxicity by developing CTX-loaded liposomes modified with ginsenoside Rk1(Rk1/CTX-Lip).Methods:Physical and chemical properties of Rk1/CTX-Lip were investigated.We evaluated the biological functions of Rk1/CTXLip,both in vitro and in vivo.A subcutaneous prostate cancer(RM-1)-bearing mouse model was established to study the efficacy of Rk1/CTX-Lip inhibition in tumors.Simultaneously,a Candida albicans infection model was established in tumor-bearing mice to study the infection-relieving efficacy of Rk1/CTX-Lip.Finally,biocompatibility and in vivo safety of Rk1/CTX-Lip were evaluated.Results:We successfully prepared Rk1/CTX-Lip,achieving high CTX encapsulation efficiency(97.24±0.75)%and physical stability.Rk1/CTX-Lip demonstrated evasion of macrophage phagocytosis,effective tumor tissue targeting,and a significant reduction(>50%)in average tumor volume compared with Chol/CTX-Lip.Moreover,it relieved the concurrent infection burden and effectively regulated immune organs and cells,demonstrating superior biocompatibility.Conclusion:Rk1/CTX-Lip presents a promising new therapy for prostate cancer and holds potential for relieving concurrent fungal infections in cancer patients with low immunity.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.:2021YFC2101500)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.:22078264,21978235,22108224,and 21978236)+2 种基金the Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi,China(Grant Nos.:2023-JC-JQ-17 and 2023-JCQN-0109)the Xi'an Science and Technology Project,China(Project No.:20191422315KYPT014JC016)Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi,China(Grant No.:2022ZDLSF05-12).
文摘Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide.Ginsenoside Rk3,an important and rare saponin in heat-treated ginseng,is generated from Rg1 and has a smaller molecular weight.However,the anti-HCC efficacy and mechanisms of ginsenoside Rk3 have not yet been characterized.Here,we investigated the mechanism by which ginsenoside Rk3,a tetracyclic triterpenoid rare ginsenoside,inhibits the growth of HCC.We first explored the possible potential targets of Rk3 through network pharmacology.Both in vitro(HepG2 and HCC-LM3 cells)and in vivo(primary liver cancer mice and HCC-LM3 subcutaneous tumor-bearing mice)studies revealed that Rk3 significantly inhibits the proliferation of HCC.Meanwhile,Rk3 blocked the cell cycle in HCC at the G1 phase and induced autophagy and apoptosis in HCC.Further proteomics and siRNA experiments showed that Rk3 regulates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)pathway to inhibit HCC growth,which was validated by molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance.In conclusion,we report the discovery that ginsenoside Rk3 binds to PI3K/AKT and promotes autophagy and apoptosis in HCC.Our data strongly support the translation of ginsenoside Rk3 into novel PI3K/AKT-targeting therapeutics for HCC treatment with low toxic side effects.
基金supported by grants from the Research Committee of the University of Macao(Grant No.:MYRG2022-00020-ICMS)the Science and Technology Development Fund,Macao SAR,China(File No.:0074/2021/AFJ and 0052/2022/A1).
文摘Heavy alcohol consumption results in alcoholic liver disease(ALD)with inadequate therapeutic options.Here,we first report the potential beneficial effects of ginsenoside Rk2(Rk2),a rare dehydroprotopanaxadiol saponin isolated from streamed ginseng,against alcoholic liver injury in mice.Chronic-plus-single-binge ethanol feeding caused severe liver injury,as manifested by significantly elevated serum aminotransferase levels,hepatic histological changes,increased lipid accumulation,oxidative stress,and inflammation in the liver.These deleterious effects were alleviated by the treatment with Rk2(5 and 30 mg/kg).Acting as an nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3(NLRP3)inhibitor,Rk2 ameliorates alcohol-induced liver inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in the liver.Meanwhile,the treatment with Rk2 alleviated the alcohol-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction via enhancing NLRP6 inflammasome in the intestine.Our findings indicate that Rk2 is a promising agent for the prevention and treatment of ALD and other NLPR3-driven diseases.