A Natural Triterpene Derivative from Euphorbia kansui Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis against Rat Intestinal Epithelioid Cell Line in Vitro

Kansenone is a triterpene from the root of the traditional Chinese medicine, Euphorbia kansui. However, kansenone exerts serious toxicity, but the exact mechanism was not clear. In this work, the effects of kansenone on cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell damage, and cell apoptosis were investigated. The suppression of cell proliferation was assessed via the colorimetric MTT assay, and cell morphology was visualized via inverted microscopy after IEC-6 cells were incubated with different concentrations of kansenone. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were detected for evaluating cell damage. RNase/propidium iodide (PI) labeling for evaluation of cell cycle distribution was performed by flow cytometry analysis. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/PI and Hoechst 33342/Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay for cell apoptosis detection were performed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and high content screening. Moreover, apoptosis induction was further confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential, western blot and RT-PCR analysis. The results demonstrated that kansenone exerted high cytotoxicity, induced cell arrest at G0/G1 phase, and caused mitochondria damage. In addition, kansenone could up-regulate the apoptotic proteins Bax, AIF, Apaf-1, cytochrome c, caspase-3, caspase-9, caspase-8, FasR, FasL, NF-κB, and TNFR1 mRNA expression levels, and down-regulate the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, revealing that kansenone induces apoptosis through both the death receptor and mitochondrial pathways.     

15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I from the Functional Food Salvia miltiorrhiza Exhibits Anticancer Activity in Human HL-60 Leukemia Cells: in Vitro and in Vivo Studies

15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I (DHTS) is extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge which is a functional food in Asia. In this study, we investigated the apoptotic effect of DHTS on the human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) type III HL-60 cell line. We found that treatment with 1.5 μg/mL DHTS increased proapoptotic Bax and Bad protein expressions and activated caspases-3, -8, and -9, thus leading to poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage and resulting in cell apoptosis. DHTS induced sustained c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation and Fas ligand (FasL) expression. The anti-Fas blocking antibody reversed the DHTS-induced cell death, and the JNK-specific inhibitor, SP600125, inhibited DHTS-induced caspase-3, -8, -9, and PARP cleavage. In a xenograft nude mice model, 25 mg/kg DHTS showed a great effect in attenuating HL-60 tumor growth. Taken together, these results suggest that DHTS can induce HL-60 cell apoptosis in vitro and inhibit HL-60 cell growth in vivo; the underlying mechanisms might be mediated through activation of the JNK and FasL signal pathways.     

A Series of New Ligustrazine-Triterpenes Derivatives as Anti-Tumor Agents: Design,Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation

A series of novel ligustrazine-triterpenes derivatives was designed, synthesized and screened for their cytotoxicity against five cancer cell lines (Bel-7402, HepG2, HT-29, Hela, and MCF-7) and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK). Current study suggested that most of the ligustrazine-triterpenes conjunctions showed better cytotoxicity than the starting materials. In particular, compound 4a exhibited better cytotoxic activity (IC₅₀ < 5.23 μM) against Bel-7402, HT-29, MCF-7, Hela, and HepG2 than the standard anticancer drug cisplatin (DDP). The cytotoxicity selectivity detection revealed that 4a exhibited low cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ > 20 μM) towards MDCK cells. A combination of fluorescence staining observation and flow cytometric analysis indicated that 4a could induce HepG2 cell apoptosis. Further studies suggested that 4a-induced apoptosis is mediated through depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential and increase of intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration. In addition, the structure-activity relationships of these derivatives were briefly discussed.     

Inhibition of Hepatocyte Apoptosis: An Important Mechanism of Corn Peptides Attenuating Liver Injury Induced by Ethanol

In this study, the effects of mixed corn peptides and synthetic pentapeptide (QLLPF) on hepatocyte apoptosis induced by ethanol were investigated in vivo. QLLPF, was previously characterized from corn protein hydrolysis, which had been shown to exert good facilitating alcohol metabolism activity. Mice were pre-treated with the mixed corn peptides and the pentapeptide for 1 week and then treated with ethanol. After treatment of three weeks, the biochemical indices and the key ethanol metabolizing enzymes, the serum TNF-α, liver TGF-β1 concentrations and the protein expressions related to apoptosis were determined. We found that the Bcl-2, Bax and cytochrome c expressions in the intrinsic pathway and the Fas, FasL and NF-κB expressions in the extrinsic pathway together with higher TNF-α and TGF-β1 concentrations were reversed compared with the model group by both the mixed corn peptides and the pentapeptide. The activation of caspase3 was also suppressed. Additionally, apoptosis was further confirmed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and the TUNEL assay demonstrated peptides suppressed hepatocyte apoptosis. Our results suggest that apoptosis induced by ethanol is alleviated in response to the treatment of corn peptides, potentially due to reversing the related protein expression.     

烟酸姜黄素酯对低剪切应力诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡的影响及相关机制

目的: 探讨烟酸姜黄素酯（curcumin nicotinate,CN）对低剪切应力（low shear stress, LSS）诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞（human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs）凋亡的影响及机制研究。方法: 运用平行平板流动腔建立LSS诱导的HUVECs凋亡模型。采用Hoechst33258荧光染色,流式细胞术检测CN对LSS诱导的HUVECs凋亡的影响。Western blot检测CN对LSS诱导的HUVECs中前蛋白转化酶枯草溶菌素9（proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9,PCSK9）蛋白表达的影响。结果:Hoechst33258荧光染色结果显示,与静态培养组比较,LSS组（3 dyne/cm2,12 h）内呈现凋亡状态的HUVECs明显增多。与LSS组比较,各CN+LSS组内呈现凋亡状态的HUVECs明显减少,并且呈现浓度依赖性。其中以20 μmol/L CN+LSS组凋亡细胞数最少;流式细胞术结果显示,与静态培养组比较,LSS组HUVECs凋亡率明显增加,差异有显著统计学意义（P<0.01）;与LSS组比较,各CN+LSS组HUVECs凋亡率明显减少,并且呈现浓度依赖性,其中以20 μmol/L CN+LSS组HUVECs凋亡率减少最为明显,差异具有显著统计学意义（P<0.01）。Western blot结果显示与静态培养组比较,LSS组内PCSK9蛋白表达显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01);与LSS组比较,CN+LSS组内PCSK9蛋白表达下降,并且呈现浓度依赖性,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。其中以20 μmol/L CN+LSS组PCSK9蛋白表达下降最为明显(P<0.01)。结论: CN能够抑制LSS诱导的HUVECs凋亡,其作用机制与CN下调LSS处理的HUVECs中PCSK9蛋白表达相关。     

PUMA／ASPP1双抑癌基因对胃癌 SGC-7901细胞增殖的影响

目的：探讨 p53正向细胞凋亡调控因子（p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis protein,PUMA）／p53促凋亡蛋白（apoptosis stimulating protein of p53,ASPP）1融合基因及单个基因对胃癌 SGC-7901细胞的杀伤作用。方法通过脂质体（lipofectamine）2000TM 将 PUMA／ASPP1融合基因及 PUMA、ASPP1单个基因分别转染胃癌SGC-7901细胞系[实验设5组,分别为胃癌细胞无转染空白对照（SGC-7901）组,空载质粒转染细胞对照（SGC-7901-pcDNA3．1）组以及重组 ASPP1质粒转染细胞实验（SGC-7901-ASPP1）组、重组 PUMA 质粒转染细胞实验（SGC-7901-PUMA）组、重组 PUMA／ASPP1质粒转染细胞实验（SGC-7901-PUMA／ASPP1）组],再次经 G418筛选,获得稳定表达融合基因 SGC-7901-PUMA／ASPP1细胞株。通过 MTT 法及使用流式细胞仪测定各组胃癌SGC-7901系细胞的存活数（光吸收度即 A 值）及细胞周期。结果SGC-7901组与 SGC-7901-pcDNA3．1组 A 值比较差异无统计学意义（P ＞0．05）;SGC-7901-ASPP1组、SGC-7901-PUMA 组和 SGC-7901-PUMA／ASPP1组 A值明显低于 SGC-7901组与 SGC-7901-pcDNA3．1组（均 P ＜0．01）;SGC-7901-ASPP1组、SGC-7901-PUMA 组和SGC-7901-PUMA／ASPP13组中,SGC-7901-PUMA／ASPP1细胞组 A 值最低（P ＜0．01）。与 SGC-7901组、SGC-7901-pcDNA3．1组比较,SGC-7901-ASPP1、SGC-7901-PUMA、SGC-7901-PUMA／ASPP1组的 G1期明显增多,S 期明显减少,尤以 SGC-7901-PUMA／ASPP1组 S 期减少为甚（均 P ＜0．01）;SGC-7901-pcDNA3．1组与 SGC-7901组比较 G1期、S 期差异无统计学意义（P ＞0．05）。结论双抑癌基因可有效抑制胃癌 SGC-7901系细胞增殖,双抑癌基因较单个抑癌基因具有更强的抗肿瘤作用。     

奥沙利铂对人Burkitt-Raji细胞生长抑制与凋亡的影响

目的观察奥沙利铂对人Burkitt-Raji细胞的生长抑制和凋亡作用。方法将浓度为0、6.25、12.5、25、50、100μg.mL-1的奥沙利铂与人Burkitt-Raji细胞分别作用24、36、48 h,用CCK-8法检测奥沙利铂对人Burkitt-Raji细胞的生长抑制率,流式细胞仪分析细胞周期的变化、检测细胞凋亡率,用免疫组化的方法检测奥沙利铂对人Bur-kitt-Raji细胞ki-67蛋白、bax蛋白的影响。结果奥沙利铂对人Burkitt-Raji细胞有生长抑制、促凋亡作用,其对人Burkitt-Raji细胞的生长抑制率随药物浓度和作用时间的增加而增大,流式细胞仪分析显示奥沙利铂将人Bur-kitt-Raji细胞阻滞于G2/M期。奥沙利铂浓度为100μg.mL-1作用48 h,Raji细胞生长抑制率为（94.73±1.40）%,Raji细胞的早期凋亡率为（8.25±1.79）%、晚期凋亡和继发坏死率为（14.61±2.18）%。结论奥沙利铂能够抑制人Burkitt-Raji细胞的增殖,可诱导人Burkitt-Raji细胞发生一定的凋亡。     

心脉隆对缺氧缺血性脑损伤模型新生大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响

目的研究心脉隆（Xinmailong,XML）对缺氧缺血性脑损伤（HIBD）模型新生大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响。方法 96只新生7日龄SD大鼠采用随机数字表法分为3组,每组32只：假手术对照组（Sham组）、HIBD模型对照组（HIBD组）、HIBD＋XML组（XML组）。结扎实验鼠左颈总动脉后吸入8%O22.5 h制成HIBD模型,XML组在模型建立后,空气复苏5 min并立即给予XML注射液5 mg·kg^-1腹腔注射,其余2组接受同剂量的生理盐水。各组于缺氧缺血（HI）后24 h、48 h、72 h、7 d 4个时间点（每个时间点各8只）分批取心肌组织,HE染色后光镜下观察心肌组织病理形态学改变;Hoechst33258荧光染色及原位末端标记法（TUNEL）定性和定量检测心肌细胞凋亡。结果 Sham组死亡0只;HIBD组死亡4只;XML组死亡2只,各组间存活率差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。Sham组各时间点心肌组织均仅见散在的凋亡细胞,而HIBD组及XML组心肌细胞凋亡指数均于HI后24 h即开始升高,72 h达到高峰,之后逐渐下降,持续至7 d仍显著高于Sham组（P〈0.05）;XML组与HIBD组相比上述指标显著降低（P〈0.05）。结论新生大鼠HIBD后早期心肌细胞即可出现明显凋亡,以HI后72 h更明显;XML能够明显抑制HIBD模型新生大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的发生,发挥对缺氧损伤心肌细胞的保护作用。     

Hazardous apoptotic effects of 2-bromopropane on maturation of mouse oocytes, fertilization, and fetal development

2-Bromopropane (2-BP) is used as an alternative to ozone-depleting cleaning solvents. Previously, we reported that 2-BP has cytotoxic effects on mouse blastocysts and is associated with defects in subsequent development. Here, we further investigate the effects of 2-BP on oocyte maturation and subsequent pre- and post-implantation development, both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, 2-BP induced a significant reduction in the rates of oocyte maturation, fertilization, and in vitro embryonic development. Treatment of oocytes with 2-BP during in vitro maturation (IVM) resulted in increased resorption of postimplantation embryos and decreased fetal weights. Experiments with a mouse model disclosed that consumption of drinking water containing 20 μM 2-BP led to decreased oocyte maturation in vivo and fertilization in vitro, as well as impairment of early embryonic development. Interestingly, pretreatment with a caspase-3-specific inhibitor effectively prevented 2-BP-triggered hazardous effects, suggesting that embryonic impairment by 2-BP occurs via a caspase-dependent apoptotic process. A study using embryonic stem cells as the assay model conclusively demonstrated that 2-BP induces cell death processes through apoptosis and not necrosis, and inhibits early embryo development in mouse embryonic stem cells. These results collectively confirm the hazardous effects of 2-BP on embryos derived from pretreated oocytes.     

Cyclin d1 expression and the inhibitory effect of celecoxib on ovarian tumor growth in vivo

The report aims to investigate the relationship between the expression of cyclin D1 and Cyclooxgenase-2 (COX-2), thus to explore the molecular mechanisms of the antitumor efficacy of Celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor. Human ovarian SKOV-3 carcinoma cell xenograft-bearing mice were treated with Celecoxib by infusing gaster (i.g.) twice/day for 21 days. The mRNA levels of COX-2 and cyclin D1 were determined by RT-PCR. The expression of cyclin D1 at the protein level was detected by immunohistochemistry, while COX-2 protein expression was determined by Western blot. A high-dose of Celecoxib (100 mg/kg) significantly inhibited tumor growth (P < 0.05), and the expression of cyclin D1 was reduced by 61%. Celecoxib decreased the proliferation cell index by 40% (P < 0.001) and increased apoptotic index by 52% (P < 0.05) in high-dose Celecoxib treated group. Our results suggest that the antitumor efficacy of Celecoxib against ovarian cancer in mice may in part be mediated through suppression of cyclin D1, which may contribute to its ability to suppress proliferation.