Apoptosis Induced by Aqueous Extracts of Crocodile Bile in Human Heptacarcinoma SMMC-7721

In the present study, effects of aqueous extracts from Crocodylus siamensis bile (AE-CB) on SMMC-7721 cell growth, cell cycle, and apoptosis were investigated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, inverted microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, propidium iodide (PI) single- and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/PI double-staining flow cytometry, and western blotting. Our data have revealed that AE-CB significantly inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 cell and arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 phase. SMMC-7721 cells showed typical apoptotic morphological changes after treated with AE-CB for 48 h. Cell death assay indicated that SMMC-7721 cells underwent apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner induced by AE-CB. In addition, AE-CB treatment could downregulate the protein level of Bcl-2 and upregulate the Bax, leading to the increase in the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 in SMMC-7721 cells. Meanwhile, it was observed that the expression of Survivin and c-Myc decreased, but the expression of P53 increased. All these events were associated with increase of reactive oxygen species. The data indicated that mitochondrial pathway might play an important role in bile extract-induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells. These results provide significant insight into the anticarcinogenic action of bile extract on SMMC-7721 cells.     

SFE-CO2 extract from Typhonium giganteum Engl. tubers, induces apoptosis in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells involvement of a ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway

Typhonium giganteum Engl. (BaiFuzi) is one of the herbs commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine against cancer. In our previous studies, 37 compounds were identified the SFE-CO(2) (supercritical fluid extraction with CO(2)) extract by GC-MS, including the four major components [β-sitosterol (40.22%), campesterol (18.45%), n-hexadecanoic acid (9.52%) and (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (8.15%)]. The anti-cancer mechanisms of the SFE-CO(2 )extract from T. giganteum Engl. tubers have not been reported as yet. In this paper, the molecular mechanisms of the SFE-CO(2) extract-mediated apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells were further examined. SFE-CO(2) extract inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, arrested the cell cycle in the S phase and G2/M phase, and induced apoptosis. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, a rise in intracellular calcium levels were found in SMMC-7721 cells after treated with the extract. Western blot analysis showed that the extract caused down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression, and up-regulation of Bax expression. Moreover, caspase-3 and caspase-9 protease activity significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, our results showed that the SFE-CO(2) extract from T. giganteum Engl. tubers induces apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells involving a ROS-mediated mitochondrial signalling pathway.     

新型双氢青蒿素哌嗪-脂肪族酰胺类化合物的合成及其抗癌活性

以双氢青蒿素（DHA）为原料,与草酰氯和哌嗪经“一锅”法制得DHA哌嗪衍生物（2）; 2与脂肪族酰氯经酰化反应合成了6个新型的双氢青蒿素哌嗪-酰胺类衍生物（4a～4f）,其结构经¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR,IR和HR-ESI-MS进行表征。以四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法（MTT法）初步研究了4a～4f对人肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721的抑制活性。结果表明,4a～4f显著抑制SMMC-7721的增殖,并诱导其凋亡。其中,双氢青蒿素哌嗪-氯乙酰胺（4c）的活性最好,IC₅₀为0.05 μM,优于青蒿素（IC₅₀ 0.53 μM）和DHA（IC₅₀0.52 μM）。     

Camptothecin-20(s)-O-[N-(3'α,12'α-dihydroxy-24'-carbonyl-5'β-cholan)]-lysine, a novel camptothecin analogue, induces apoptosis towards hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells

Camptothecin-20(s)-O-[N-(3'α,12'α-dihydroxy-24'-carbonyl-5'β-cholan)]-lysine (B2) is a novel camptothecin analogue. Our previous study had shown that it displayed higher cytoxicity activity towards hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells than camptothecin (CPT) in vitro. In this paper, the underlying mechanism of anti-proliferation of B2 towards SMMC-7721 cells was further examined. Cell growth inhibition of B2 was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; morphological changes were observed under Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LSCM); cell cycle distribution, apoptotic population, changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular calcium concentration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were determined by flow cytometry (FCM). Activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were measured, and the expression level of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were analyzed by Western blot. The results suggested that B2 inhibited SMMC-7721 cell growth by causing cell cycle arrest at the S and G2/M phases, and induced apoptosis involving a mitochondrial pathway. B2 appears to cause a high induction of apoptosis on SMMC-7721 cells in vitro, which suggests it might be a potential drug for cancer therapy.     

A surface architectured metal–organic framework for targeting delivery: Suppresses cancer growth and metastasis

Porous nanosized metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are becoming possible candidates as drug-delivery nanocarriers for their versatile porous structures and large loadings of drugs. However, controlling synthesis of MOFs with uniform morphology, good biocompatibility and targeting drug delivery is still a challenge, which greatly limits their clinical applications. Herein, a multifunctional nano-sized drug-delivery material MIL-101(Fe)@FU@FA with a uniform particle size about 500 nm was successfully synthesized for targeting therapeutic purposes. The targeting reagent folic acid (FA) molecules are connected on the surface of 5-FU-loaded nanoparticle MIL-101(Fe)-NH₂ by a covalent conjugation. Cytotoxicity tests showed that the synthesized nanoparticles are biocompatible and can significantly inhibit cell proliferation on SMMC-7721 cells compared with MIL-101(Fe)@FU and free 5-FU. The cell metastasis and invasion experiments proved that the nanoparticles had a good anti-metastasis ability to tumor cells. Mechanistically, MIL-101(Fe)@FU@FA induces apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells and block cell cycle progression in the G2/M phase. Taken together, the drug-loaded nanoparticles MIL-101(Fe)@FU@FA have the effect of targeting and sustained release to achieve the therapeutic effect.     

新型18β-甘草次酸氨基二硫代甲酸酯衍生物的合成及抗癌活性研究

以18β-甘草次酸为原料首先经简单酰胺化反应方便地得到18β-甘草次酸哌嗪,再与二硫化碳、碳酸钾以及不同结构卤代烃"一锅煮"法快速、高效地合成了10种含氨基二硫代甲酸酯结构的新型甘草次酸酰胺类衍生物,通过IR,1H NMR,13C NMR和HR-MS对所有新化合物进行了结构确证;并以四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法(MTT)法评价了该类化合物对人肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721的细胞毒活性.初步生物活性研究结果表明,该类化合物具有明显的抑制人肝癌细胞增殖、诱导其凋亡的细胞毒活性,给药72 h,半抑制浓度IC50最优值仅为14.42μg/mL.     

苯乙酸对肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721的增殖抑制作用及与RNA编辑酶ADAR1表达的相关性

为探讨苯乙酸(PA)对肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721的增殖抑制作用及其与RNA编辑酶ADAR1表达的相关性, 应用细胞计数及MTT法检测了不同浓度(0.5, 1.0, 2.0和4.0 mmol/L)PA对肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721的增殖抑制作用, 通过流式细胞术(FCM)分析了各细胞周期的细胞百分比, 应用半定量逆转录-聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)及免疫印迹杂交分析使用不同浓度(0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mmol/L)PA作用后肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721中RNA编辑酶ADAR1 mRNA及蛋白表达的变化. 结果表明, 肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721经不同浓度PA作用后, 增殖抑制率随作用时间延长及PA浓度增加而明显提高(P<0.05), 但2.0和4.0 mmol/L PA作用72 h后组间差异比较无统计学意义(P>0.05). 肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721中RNA编辑酶ADAR1 mRNA及蛋白表达随PA浓度增加而明显降低(P<0.05). 通过沉默SMMC-7721细胞中ADAR1的表达发现, ADAR1表达下调可有效抑制肝癌细胞增殖. 结果表明, PA可阻抑肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721细胞增殖, 且存在时间及剂量的依赖性, 作用机制与PA下调ADAR1表达相关.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of sorafenib derivatives containing indole (ketone) semicarbazide analogs as antitumor agents

A series of new sorafenib derivatives was designed and synthesized. The antiproliferative activity of the synthesized compounds against human lung cancer cell (A549), human pancreatic cancer cell (PC-3), human leukemia cell (K562), and human hepatoma cell (SMMC-7721) was evaluated by MTT assay. The results revealed that several compounds displayed more significant antitumor activities than commercial anticancer agent sorafenib against SMMC-7721. In addition, compounds 7a , 7g , 7l , 7m , and 7p represented obvious growth inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 1-9 μM against four cancer cell lines, demonstrating more predominant activities against cancer cells as compared to sorafenib. Furthermore, some structure-activity relationships have also been established. Compounds containing indole and benzene ring substituted by halogen showed better activity than sorafenib. Wound healing assay suggested that cells would be targeted on their migratory capacity by 7g , potentially affecting the migration activity of these tumors. The effects of A549 and PC-3 cell apoptosis induced by compound 7g were significantly increased compared with sorafenib. Importantly, the result of western blot assay showed that 7g inhibited cell growth by suppressing the activity of EGFR, especially the expression of p-EGFR (Tyr1068).     

23-hydroxybetulinic acid-induced HL-60 cell autophagic apoptosis and its molecular mechanism

This study investigates the effects of 23-hydroxybetulinic acid (23-HBA) in inducing HL-60 autophagic apoptosis and explores its potential molecular mechanism. The generation depression effects of HL-60 cells cultured in?vitro were detected using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method (p?相似文献   

Anti-migration effects of Gekko sulfated glycopeptide on human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells

Gekko swinhonis Guenther has been used as an anti-cancer drug in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. Previous studies showed that the Gekko sulfated polysaccharide-protein complex suppressed the proliferation and migration of hepatoma cells. Gekko sulfated glycopeptide α was obtained from Gekko sulfated polysaccharide-protein complex using papain hydrolysis. Gekko sulfated glycopeptide α inhibited the proliferation and migration of SMMC-7721 cells. The secretion of IL-8 and the concentration of intracellular calcium were decreased after Gekko sulfated glycopeptide α exposure. SMMC-7721 cells in the control group showed abnormal features, with a polygonal shape, whereas this changed to a spindle shape after the treatment with Gekko sulfated glycopeptide α. Actin ?laments were distributed diffusely along the cell membrane in control cells, whereas those were polymerized and preferentially accumulated in the cytoplasm of treated cells. Microtubules distributed in the cytoplasm of untreated cells were located diffusely whereas those in treated cells were polymerized. Therefore, Gekko sulfated glycopeptide α inhibit the migration of hepatoma cells via reducing the secretion of IL-8 and the concentration of intracellular calcium, as well as regulating the reorganization of cytoskeleton.     

Oridonin nanosuspension enhances anti-tumor efficacy in SMMC-7721 cells and H22 tumor bearing mice

PurposeThe aim of the present study was to evaluate both the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of an oridonin nanosuspension (ORI-N) relative to efficacy of bulk oridonin delivery.MethodsORI-N with a particle size of 897.2 ± 14.2 nm and a zeta potential of −21.8 ± 0.8 mV was prepared by the high-pressure homogenization (HPH) technique. The in vitro cytotoxicity of ORI-N against SMMC-7721 cells was evaluated by MTT[3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay, the effects of ORI-N on cell cycle and cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry; the in vivo anti-tumor activity was observed in H22 tumor bearing mice.ResultsORI-N effectively inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that ORI-N arrested SMMC-7721 cells in the G2/M cycle, and furthermore, that ORI-N induced a higher apoptotic rate than the bulk ORI solution. In vivo studies ORI-N also showed higher antitumor efficacy as measured by reduced tumor volume and tumor weight, as well as lower toxicity in H22 solid tumor bearing mice compared to free ORI at the same concentration.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the delivery of ORI-N as a nanosuspension is a promising approach for treating tumors.     

Involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases and p21Waf1 in hydroxyurea-induced G1 arrest and senescence of McA-RH7777 rat hepatoma cell line

Hydroxyurea is commonly used to treat hematologic disorders and some type of solid tumors, but the mechanism for its therapeutic effect is not clearly known. In this study, we examined the effect of hydroxyurea on rat hepatoma McA-RH7777 cells, specifically, on the role of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signal transduction pathways and p21(Waf1), p27(Kip1) and p53. Rat hepatoma McA-RH7777 cells treated with hydroxyurea for 7 days, caused the inhibition of cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. But, this growth inhibition was not caused by necrosis or apoptosis but instead was associated with cell senescence-like change as evidenced by senescence associated-beta-galactosidase staining, and cells arrest at G1 phase of cell cycle. Phosphorylation of MAP kinases, such as ERK, JNK, and p38, was found to be decreased after treatment of cells with hydroxyurea. But, the expression of p21(Waf1) was increased, while p27(Kip1) and p53 were not detected in hydroxyurea treated rat hepatoma cells. Hydroxyurea treatment induced G1 arrest and a senescence-like changes in rat hepatoma McA-RH7777 cells may be the likely results of signal disruption of MAP kinases (ERK, JNK, and p38 MAP kinase) and p21(Waf1) over-expression.     

Anti-tumor Effects of a Recombinant Fowlpox Virus Expressing Apoptin on Human Cervical Carcinoma in Vivo and in Vitro

Apoptin is a chicken anemia virus-derived,p53-independent,bcl-2-insensitive apoptotic protein with the ability to specifically induce apoptosis of various human tumor cells,but not of normal diploid cells.To explore the application of apoptin in tumor gene therapy,we used a recombinant fowlpox virus expressing apoptin protein (vFV-Apoptin) to investigate the anti-tumor effectes of vFV-Apoptin on human cervical carcinoma(HeLa) cells in vivo and in vitro through 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetraz...     

Regulation of bcl-2 family in hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells

Numerous types of cells have been shown to undergo apoptosis when exposed to oxidant agent such as hydrogen peroxide. In order to understand the functional relationship between the anti- and pro-apoptotic regulatory proteins in the cells under oxidant stress, we have studied the level of expression of apoptosis regulatory proteins, bcl-2 and bax, in human leukemia HL-60 cells. The exposure of HL-60 cells to different concentrations of H2O2 for 6 h resulted in a typical apoptosis of the cells as characterized by flow cytometry, cell cycle analysis, and DNA fragmantation. There was a block in G1 to S transition and apoptotic cells were mainly derived from S and G2 cells. Kinetic study demonstrated that the levels of both bcl-2-mRNA and -protein expression were decreased with the progression of cellular apoptosis whereas the level of bax-mRNA was unchanged but the expressed bax-protein was not detectable. Cycloheximide, a nonspecific translation inhibitor, did not prevent the hydrogen peroxide-mediated apoptosis in HL-60 cells. These results suggest that the regulation of bcl-2, but not of bax are important factor in the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells.     

In vitro anti-tumor activity of the tanshinone IIA against SKOV3 cells

The aim of this study was to determine the anti-tumour activity of tanshinone IIA in SKOV3 cells. Results suggested that tanshinone IIA could significantly inhibit (IC₅₀ value = 19.6 μM) the proliferation and induce apoptosis of SKOV3 cells as demonstrated by flow cytometry analysis. In addition, tanshinone IIA treatment induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in SKOV3 cells. The results of Western blotting indicated that tanshinone IIA can suppress the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, increase (0.28 vs. 0.62) the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax (0.83 vs. 0.24) in SKOV3 cells. It can be concluded that the tanshinone IIA may be a possible therapeutic candidate having cytotoxic and anti-tumour potential.     

Involvement of Heat-Shock Protein 70 and P53 Proteins in Attenuation of UVC-lnduced Apoptosis by Thermal Stress in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Induction of apoptosis is a function of external stimuli and cellular gene expression. Many cells respond to DNA damage by the induction of apoptosis, which depends on a functional p53 protein and is signaled by elevation of p53 levels. In this study, we found that a prior exposure to mild stress (42 degrees C) can protect HepG2 (p53+/+) cells from a subsequent UVC-induced apoptosis determined by DNA fragmentation and ratio of sub-G1 peak, but no heat-enhanced protection was found in Hep3B (p53-/-) cells. Although a similar inductive pattern of HSP70 protein and mRNA was detected in the two cell lines under thermal stress, the effect of thermal stress on UVC-induced apoptosis in HepG2 and Hep3B cells was obviously different. Overexpression of HSP70 by transient transfection of HSP70 expression vector in HepG2 cells significantly inhibited UVC-induced cell death; however, this inhibitory effect did not occur in transfected-Hep3B cells. Treatment of HepG2 cells with p53-specific antisense oligonucleotide could effectively block the antiapoptotic effect of thermal stress on UVC-induced apoptosis and increase of intracellular wild-type p53 protein by transfecting wtp53 expression plasmid into Hep3B cells yielded more resistance to UVC irradiation after prior thermal stress exposure. The results reveal an involvement of p53 in the antiapoptotic effect of thermal stress on UVC irradiation. Finally, a p53 protein increase was detected in UVC-treated HepG2 cells and could be coimmunoprecipitated with HSP70 after a thermal stress treatment. Prolonged p53 binding activity and enhanced expression of p53-controlled genes such as G1 arrest and DNA damage 45 and wild-type p53 activation factor 1/Cdk-interacting protein 1 by thermal stress are also observed in UVC-irradiated HepG2 cells. Based on these results, we propose that the antiapoptotic effect of thermal stress is mediated by increasing HSP70 and modulating intracellular p53 function.     

Rhododendron molle G. Don Extract Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Migration in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells and Potential Anticancer Components Analysis

Rhododendron molle G. Don is one example of traditional Chinese medicine with important medicinal value. In this study, the effects of methanol extract of R. molle leaves (RLE) on colorectal cancer HT-29 cells and its potential molecular mechanism were investigated. MTT analysis showed that RLE could significantly inhibit the cell viability and migration of HT-29 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Cell cycle analyses via flow cytometer suggested that RLE induced DNA fragmentation, indicative of apoptosis, and arrest at the S phase in HT-29 cells. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that RLE could upregulate the mRNA expression of p53 and p21 in HT-29 cells, which would result in HT-29 cells being blocked in S phase. Meanwhile, RLE could upregulate the expression of Bax, and downregulate the expression of Bcl-2, which would induce cell apoptosis. Further western blot analysis showed that the protein expression changes of Bax and P53 were basically consistent with the results of qRT-PCR. In addition, GC-MS analysis detected 17 potential anticancer components in R. molle. These results indicate that R. molle has significant anticancer activity, which provides some useful information for further study and clinical application for R. molle.     

Functional Mechanism of Resveratrol in Inhabiting Growth of Cells Is174t and Its Mechanism in Subcutaneously Transplanted Tumor of Nude Mice

To explore the functional mechanism of Resveratrol against colon cancer cells ls174t and the growth of colon cancer tissue of tumor-bearing mice, MTT method was used to observe the functions of resveratrol for inhibition against cells ls174t in vitro. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the cell apoptosis. FCM assay was performed to measure the change of the cell apoptosis rate and of cell cycle. RT-PCR method was used to detect the expressions of bcl-2 and bax mRNA. Western blot method was used to detect the expressions of bcl-2 and bax protein. Ceils ls174t were transplanted subcutaneously to nude mice to observe the effect of resveratrol on the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumor, RT-PCR method was used to detect the expressions of bcl-2 and bax mRNA in the tumor tissue. Western blot method was used to detect the expressions of bcl-2 and bax protein in the tumor tissue. Resveratrol has an effect of inhibiting proliferation of cells ls174t in vitro（P〈0.01）. It is able to induce the apoptosis of cells ls174t, causing the decrease in the expression of bcl-2 and the increase in the expression of bax. Resveratrol could inhibit the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumor of nude mice（P〈0.05）, causing the decrease in the expression of bcl-2 and the increase in the expression of bax. Resveratrol can inhibit the growth of cells 174t and the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumor. The mechanism is possibly related to the induction of the cell apoptosis and the regulation of bcl-2/bax expression.