Modulation of gut microbiota by crude gac aril polysaccharides ameliorates diet-induced obesity and metabolic disorders.

Obesity is a global health challenge that causes metabolic dysregulation and increases the risk of various chronic diseases. The gut microbiome is crucial in modulating host energy metabolism, immunity, and inflammation and is influenced by dietary factors. Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis), widely consumed in Southeast Asia, has been proven to have various biological activities.

Antrodia salmonea suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition/metastasis and Warburg effects by inhibiting Twist and HIF-1α expression in Twist-overexpressing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Antrodia salmonea (AS), linked to the genus Taiwanofungus, is a medicinal fungus, and exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and tumor inhibiting properties.

Aim Of The Study: In this study, we investigated the metabolic reprogramming and anti-metastasis/epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) effects of AS exposure in Twist-overexpressing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC, OECM-1 and FaDu-Twist) cells.

Materials And Methods: MTT assay, Western blot, migration/invasion assay, immunofluorescence, glucose uptake assay, lactate assay, oxygen consumption rate (OCR)/Extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) assay, Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS), and qRT-PCR experimental techniques were used to evaluate the therapeutic potential of AS treatment in HNSCC cells.

In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity of Antrodia salmonea against twist-overexpressing HNSCC cells: Induction of ROS-mediated autophagic and apoptotic cell death.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a relatively common malignancy, characterized by lethal morbidity. Herein, we attempted to investigate the autophagy/apoptosis activities of the submerged fermented broths of Antrodia salmonea (AS) in HNSCC Twist-overexpressing (OECM-1 and FaDu-Twist) cells. AS (0-150 μg/mL) effectively reduced cell viability, colony formation, and downregulated Twist expression in OECM-1 and FaDu-Twist cells compared to FaDu cells.

Bisdemethoxycurcumin Promotes Apoptosis and Inhibits the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition through the Inhibition of the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor 161/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling Pathway in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death in the world and lacks an effective targeted therapy. G-protein-coupled receptor 161 (GPR161) has been demonstrated to perform the functional regulations on TNBC progression and might be a potential new target for TNBC therapy. This study showed the effects of bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) on GPR161 regulation, indicating that BDMC effectively inhibited GPR161 expression and downregulated GPR161-driven signaling.

CSC-3436 sensitizes triple negative breast cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through ROS-mediated p38/CHOP/death receptor 5 signaling pathways.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-induced ligand (TRAIL) shows little or no toxicity in most normal cells and preferentially induces apoptosis in a variety of malignant cells. However, patients develop resistance to TRAIL, therefore, sensitizing agents that can sensitize the tumor cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis are necessary. In this study, we investigated the effect of 2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-methylnaphthyridin-4-one (CSC-3436), an useful flavonoid, to overcome the TRAIL-resistant triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells.

The anti-melanogenic effects of 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid via Nrf2-mediated α-MSH inhibition in UVA-irradiated keratinocytes and autophagy induction in melanocytes.

3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid (EAA) is an ether-derivative of ascorbic acid, known to inhibit tyrosinase activity, and is widely used in skincare formulations. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying the EAA's effects are poorly understood. Here, the anti-melanogenic activity of EAA was demonstrated through Nrf2-mediated α-MSH inhibition in UVA-irradiated keratinocytes (HaCaT) and autophagy induction and inhibition of α-MSH-stimulated melanogenesis in melanocytes (B16F10).

Demethoxycurcumin induces apoptosis in HER2 overexpressing bladder cancer cells through degradation of HER2 and inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract and arising from the epithelial lining of the urinary bladder. Resistance to cytotoxic therapies is associated with overexpression of oncogenic proteins; including HER2, and Akt in chemotherapy resistance of bladder cancer. Various studies demonstrated that curcuminoids, the most important active phenolic compounds of turmeric (Curcuma longa), have anti-tumor activities in a wide range of human malignant cell lines.

Naked-eye colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent Schiff base sensor for cyanide and aluminum (III) detection in food samples and cell imaging applications.

A new efficient Schiff base sensor SB3 for fluorescent and colorimetric "naked-eye" "turn-on" sensing of cyanide anion (CN) with excellent sensitivity and selectivity was developed. The 4,4'-(perfluoropropane-2,2-diyl)bisphenol group and two phenyl groups were covalently linked by two C = N bonds to extend the conjugation length. The four hydroxyl groups can improve the water solubility of the SB3 sensor.

Tetrandrine Enhances HO-Induced Apoptotic Cell Death Through Caspase-dependent Pathway in Human Keratinocytes.

Background: Tetrandrine, a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, induces apoptosis of many types of human cancer cell. Hydrogen peroxide (HO) is a reactive oxygen species inducer; however, there are no reports to show whether pre-treatment of tetrandrine with HO induces more cell apoptosis than HO alone. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of tetrandrine on HO-induced cell apoptosis of human keratinocytes, HaCaT, in vitro.

Pre-Treatment of Pterostilbene Enhances HO-induced Cell Apoptosis Through Caspase-dependent Pathway in Human Keratinocyte Cells.

Background/aim: Hydrogen peroxide (HO) is one of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can induce apoptotic cell death in numerous cancer cells. Pterostilbene (PTE), a natural polyphenolic compound, induces cell apoptosis in many human cancer cells.

Materials And Methods: We investigated whether PTE could enhance HO-induced cell apoptosis in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells in vitro.

Combinational treatment of 5-fluorouracil and casticin induces apoptosis in mouse leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vitro.

Leukemia is one of the major diseases causing cancer-related deaths in the young population, and its cure rate is unsatisfying with side effects on patients. Fluorouracil (5-FU) is currently used as an anticancer drug for leukemia patients. Casticin, a natural polymethoxyflavone, exerts anticancer activity against many human cancer cell lines in vitro, but no other reports show 5-FU combined with casticin increased the mouse leukemia cell apoptosis in vitro.

Casticin Induces DNA Damage and Affects DNA Repair Associated Protein Expression in Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells (Running Title: Casticin Induces DNA Damage in Lung Cancer Cells).

Casticin was obtained from natural plants, and it has been shown to exert biological functions; however, no report concerns the induction of DNA damage and repair in human lung cancer cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects and molecular mechanism of casticin on DNA damage and repair in human lung cancer A549 cells. Cell viability was determined by flow cytometric assay.

Friction and Wear Performance of Staple Carbon Fabric-Reinforced Composites: Effects of Surface Topography.

Here, staple carbon fiber fabric-reinforced polycarbonate (PC)- and epoxy (EP)-based composites with different impregnating resin levels were fabricated using a modified film stacking process. The effects of surface topographies and resin types on the tribological properties of stable carbon fabric composites (sCFC) were investigated. Friction and wear tests on the carbon composites were conducted under unlubricated sliding using a disk-on-disk wear test machine.

Effects of endogenous inflammation signals elicited by nerve growth factor, interferon-γ, and interleukin-4 on peripheral nerve regeneration.

Background: Large gap healing is a difficult issue in the recovery of peripheral nerve injury. The present study provides in vivo trials of silicone rubber chambers filled with collagen containing IFN-γ or IL-4 to bridge a 15 mm sciatic nerve defect in rats. Fillings of NGF and normal saline were used as the positive and negative controls.

Correction: Aloe-emodin inhibits HER-2 expression through the downregulation of Y-box binding protein-1 in HER-2-overexpressing human breast cancer cells.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10410.

Citronellol Induces Necroptosis of Human Lung Cancer Cells TNF-α Pathway and Reactive Oxygen Species Accumulation.

Background/aim: Our current study aimed to determine the molecular mechanisms of citronellol-induced cell death and ROS accumulation in non-small cell lung cancer (NCI-H1299 cells) and also compare the anticancer effects of citronellol and EOPC.

Materials And Methods: ROS measurement and western blotting were performed to detect whether citronellol can induce necroptosis in vitro. Besides, we performed an in vivo analysis of tumourigenesis inhibition by citronellol treatment in BALB/c (nu/nu) nude mice.

Curcumin Promotes Connexin 43 Degradation and Temozolomide-Induced Apoptosis in Glioblastoma Cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most commonly occurring tumor in the cerebral hemispheres. Currently, temozolomide (TMZ), an alkylating agent that induces DNA strand breaks, is considered the frontline chemotherapeutic agent for GBM. Despite its frontline status, GBM patients commonly exhibit resistance to TMZ treatment.

Induction of autophagic cell death in human ovarian carcinoma cells by Antrodia salmonea through increased reactive oxygen species generation.

We reported in our previously executed studies that the fermented culture broth of Antrodia salmonea (AS), a mushroom used in Taiwanese folk medicine induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis in human ovarian carcinoma cells. In this study, we studied the anticancer efficacies of AS (0-240 μg/ml) by examining the key molecular events implicated in cell death associated with autophagy in SKOV-3 and A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells and clarified the fundamental molecular mechanisms. Treatment of ovarian carcinoma cells with AS-induced autophagic cell death mediated by increased microtubule-associated protein LC3-II, GFP-LC3 puncta, and acidic vesicular organelle (AVO) formation.

Chrysin inhibit human melanoma A375.S2 cell migration and invasion via affecting MAPK signaling and NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro.

Numerous evidences have shown that chrysin induced cytotoxic effects via induced cell cycle arrest and induction of cell apoptosis in human cancer cell lines, however, no information showed that chrysin inhibited skin cancer cell migration and invasion. In this study, we investigated anti-metastasis mechanisms of chrysin in human melanoma cancer A375.S2 cells in vitro.

Tetrandrine inhibits human brain glioblastoma multiforme GBM 8401 cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro.

Tetrandrine (TET) has been reported to induce anti-cancer activity in many human cancer cells and also to inhibit cancer cell migration and invasion. However, there are no reports to show TET inhibits cell migration and invasion in human brain glioblastoma multiforme GBM 8401 cells. In this study, we investigated the anti-metastasis effects of TET on GBM 8401 cells in vitro.

Antrodia salmonea suppresses invasion and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer cells by reversing EMT through the NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Antrodia salonea (AS), a fungus that is indigenous to Taiwan has been well known for its anti-cancer properties. We investigated the anti-metastatic and anti-epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) properties of AS in TNBC cells. To determine their EMT and metastasis levels, in vitro wound healing, wound invasion, Western blotting, RT-PCR, luciferase activity and immunofluorescence assays were performed, while the in vivo anti-metastatic efficacy of AS was evaluated in BALB/c-nu mice through bioluminescence imaging, HE staining, and immunohistochemical staining.

Banana Flower Extract Suppresses Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Regulating the Inflammatory Response and Inducing G Cell-cycle Arrest.

Background/aim: The banana flower is used for ameliorating urinary disturbance. However, there is limited evidence to support the efficacy or mechanism of action of banana flower against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In the present study, the anti-BPH activity and mechanisms of banana flower extracts were investigated in vitro and in vivo.

CSC-3436 inhibits TWIST-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the suppression of Twist/Bmi1/Akt pathway in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide, especially in male. With poor prognosis, significant portions of patients with HNSCC die due to cancer recurrence and tumor metastasis after chemotherapy and targeted therapies. The HNSCC FaDu cell ectopic expression of Twist, a key transcriptional factor of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which triggers EMT and results in the acquisition of a mesenchymal phenotype, was used as the cell model.

Synergistic inhibitory effects of cetuximab and curcumin on human cisplatin-resistant oral cancer CAR cells through intrinsic apoptotic process.

Cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb), is a novel targeted therapy for the treatment of patients with oral cancer. Cetuximab can be used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to prolong the overall survival rates of patients with oral cancer. Curcumin is a traditional Chinese medicine, and it has been demonstrated to have growth-inhibiting effects on oral cancer cells.

Ursolic acid elicits intrinsic apoptotic machinery by downregulating the phosphorylation of AKT/BAD signaling in human cisplatin‑resistant oral cancer CAR cells.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a type of cancer with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide; it also demonstrates chemotherapeutic resistance. Triterpenoid ursolic acid has been shown to exhibit various biological activities and anticancer effects in several preclinical studies. In our previous study, human cisplatin‑resistant oral cancer CAR cells were established, and the present study aimed to further examine the effects of ursolic acid on CAR cells.