Yan He

Curcumin, Inflammation, and Chronic Diseases: How Are They Linked?

It is extensively verified that continued oxidative stress and oxidative damage may lead to chronic inflammation, which in turn can mediate most chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, neurological, inflammatory bowel disease and pulmonary diseases. Curcumin, a yellow coloring agent extracted from turmeric, shows strong anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities when used as a remedy for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. How oxidative stress activates inflammatory pathways leading to the progression of chronic diseases is the focus of this review. Thus, research to date suggests that chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and most chronic diseases are closely linked, and the antioxidant properties of curcumin can play a key role in the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammation diseases.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. extract and their application in clinical ultrasound gel

Eco-friendly green synthesis with plant extracts plays a very important role in nanotechnology, without any harmful chemicals. In this report, the synthesis of water-soluble silver nanoparticles was developed by treating silver ions with Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. extract at room temperature. The effect of the extract on the formation of silver nanoparticles was characterized by ultraviolet and visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The ultraviolet and visible absorption spectroscopy results show a strong resonance centered on the surface of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) at 430 nm. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectral study demonstrates Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. extract acted as the reducing and stabilizing agent during the synthesis. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the synthesized AgNP are single crystallines, corresponding with the result of transmission electron microscopy. Water-soluble AgNP, with an approximate size of 20 nm–50 nm were also observed in the transmission electron microscopy image. The bactericidal properties of the synthesized AgNP were investigated using the agar-dilution method and the growth-inhibition test. The results show the AgNP had potent bactericidal activity on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as well as a strong antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria, as compared to gram-positive bacteria with a dose-dependent effect, thus providing a clinical ultrasound gel with bactericidal property for prevention of cross infections.

Biosynthesis, Antibacterial Activity and Anticancer Effects Against Prostate Cancer (PC-3) Cells of Silver Nanoparticles Using Dimocarpus Longan Lour. Peel Extract

Metal nanoparticles, particularly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), are developing more important roles as diagnostic and therapeutic agents for cancers with the improvement of eco-friendly synthesis methods. This study demonstrates the biosynthesis, antibacterial activity, and anticancer effects of silver nanoparticles using Dimocarpus Longan Lour. peel aqueous extract. The AgNPs were characterized by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR). The bactericidal properties of the synthesized AgNPs were observed via the agar dilution method and the growth inhibition test. The cytotoxicity effect was explored on human prostate cancer PC-3 cells in vitro by trypan blue assay. The expressions of phosphorylated stat 3, bcl-2, survivin, and caspase-3 were examined by Western blot analysis. The longan peel extract acted as a strong reducing and stabilizing agent during the synthesis. Water-soluble AgNPs of size 9–32xa0nm was gathered with a face-centered cubic structure. The AgNPs had potent bactericidal activities against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria with a dose-related effect. AgNPs also showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity against PC-3 cells through a decrease of stat 3, bcl-2, and survivin, as well as an increase in caspase-3. These findings confirm the bactericidal properties and explored a potential anticancer application of AgNPs for prostate cancer therapy. Further research should be focused on the comprehensive study of molecular mechanism and in vivo effects on the prostate cancer.

Effects of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles on lung cancer cells in vitro and grown as xenograft tumors in vivo

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have now been recognized as promising therapeutic molecules and are extending their use in cancer diagnosis and therapy. This study demonstrates for the first time the antitumor activity of green-synthesized AgNPs against lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. Cytotoxicity effect was explored on human lung cancer H1299 cells in vitro by MTT and trypan blue assays. Apoptosis was measured by morphological assessment, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcriptional activity was determined by a luciferase reporter gene assay. The expressions of phosphorylated stat3, bcl-2, survivin, and caspase-3 were examined by Western blot analysis. AgNPs showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity and stimulation of apoptosis in H1299 cells. The effects on H1299 cells correlated well with the inhibition of NF-κB activity, a decrease in bcl-2, and an increase in caspase-3 and survivin expression. AgNPs significantly suppressed the H1299 tumor growth in a xenograft severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse model. The results demonstrate the anticancer activities of AgNPs, suggesting that they may act as potential beneficial molecules in lung cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy, especially for early-stage intervention.

Combination of α-Tomatine and Curcumin Inhibits Growth and Induces Apoptosis in Human Prostate Cancer Cells.

α-Tomatine is a glycoalkaloid found in tomatoes and curcumin is a major yellow pigment of turmeric. In the present study, the combined effect of these two compounds on prostate cancer cells was studied. Treatment of different prostate cancer cells with curcumin or α-tomatine alone resulted in growth inhibition and apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Combinations of α-tomatine and curcumin synergistically inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis in prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Effects of the α-tomatine and curcumin combination were associated with synergistic inhibition of NF-κB activity and a potent decrease in the expression of its downstream gene Bcl-2 in the cells. Moreover, strong decreases in the levels of phospho-Akt and phosphor-ERK1/2 were found in PC-3 cells treated with α-tomatine and curcumin in combination. In animal experiment, SCID mice with PC-3 xenograft tumors were treated with α-tomatine and curcumin. Combination of α-tomatine and curcumin more potently inhibited the growth of PC-3 tumors than either agent alone. Results from the present study indicate that α-tomatine in combination with curcumin may be an effective strategy for inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer.

Potent Inhibitory Effect of δ-Tocopherol on Prostate Cancer Cells Cultured in Vitro and Grown As Xenograft Tumors in Vivo

In the present study, the effects of δ-tocopherol (δ-T) on growth and apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells were determined and compared with that of α-tocopherol (α-T), a commonly used form of vitamin E. Treatment of human prostate cancer cells with δ-T resulted in strong growth inhibition and apoptosis stimulation, while the effects of α-T were modest. The strong effects of δ-T on the cells were associated with suppression of androgen receptor (AR) activity and decreased level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) that is a downstream target of the AR signaling. In the in vivo study, we found that δ-T had a more potent inhibitory effect on the formation and growth of prostate xenograft tumors than that of α-T. Moreover, δ-T inhibited proliferation and stimulated apoptosis in the tumors. The present study identified δ-T as a better form of vitamin E than α-T for future clinical studies of prostate cancer prevention.

α-tomatine inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in HL-60 human myeloid leukemia cells

α-tomatine is a glycoalkaloid that occurs naturally in tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum). In the present study, the effects of α-tomatine on human myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells were investigated. Treatment of HL-60 cells with α-tomatine resulted in growth inhibition and apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Tomatidine, the aglycone of tomatine had little effect on the growth and apoptosis of HL-60 cells. Growth inhibition and apoptosis induced by α-tomatine in HL-60 cells was partially abrogated by addition of cholesterol indicating that interactions between α-tomatine and cell membrane-associated cholesterol may be important in mediating the effect of α-tomatine. Activation of nuclear factor-κB by the phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate failed to prevent apoptosis in HL-60 cells treated with α-tomatine. In animal experiments, it was found that treatment of mice with α-tomatine inhibited the growth of HL-60 xenografts in vivo. Results from the present study indicated that α-tomatine may have useful anti-leukemia activities.

Combined effects of atorvastatin and aspirin on growth and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells

Epidemiologic studies indicate the use of either statins or aspirin have beneficial effects in prostate cancer patients. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of atorvastatin and aspirin alone or in combination in human prostate cancer cells cultured inxa0vitro and grown as xenograft tumors in severe combined immune-deficient (SCID) mice. The growth and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells were determined by the trypan blue exclusion and propidium iodide staining assays. Activation of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) was measured by luciferase reporter assay, and the levels of phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)3 and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)1/2 were determined by western blot analysis. Mice were injected subcutaneously with PC-3 cells in Matrigel. After 4-6 weeks, mice with PC-3 tumors received i.p.xa0injections of vehicle, atorvastatin (5xa0mg/kg), aspirin (80xa0mg/kg), or atorvastatin (5xa0mg/kg) + aspirin (80xa0mg/kg) three times a week for 30xa0days. Our results demonstrated the combination of atorvastatin and aspirin had more potent effects on growth inhibition and apoptosis stimulation in prostate cancer cells than either drug alone. Mechanistic studies indicated the induction of apoptosis in PC-3 cells was associated with strong inhibition of NF-κB and decreases in the levels of phospho-Stat3 and phospho-Erk1/2. Results of the present study demonstrated a strong combined effect of atorvastatin and aspirin on inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer cells inxa0vitro and inxa0vivo. The findings provide a strong rationale for clinical evaluation of the combination of atorvastatin and aspirin in patients with prostate cancer.

Mechanistic Study of Inhibitory Effects of Metformin and Atorvastatin in Combination on Prostate Cancer Cells in Vitro and in Vivo

Metformin is a commonly used drug for the treatment of type II diabetes and atorvastatin is the most prescribed cholesterol-lowering statin. The present study investigated the effects and mechanisms of metformin and atorvastatin in combination on human prostate cancer cells cultured in vitro and grown as xenograft tumor in vivo. Metformin in combination with atorvastatin had stronger effects on growth inhibition and apoptosis in PC-3 cells than either drug alone. The combination also potently inhibited cell migration and the formation of tumorspheres. Metformin and atorvastatin in combination had a potent inhibitory effect on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) activity and caused strong decreases in the expression of its downstream anti-apoptotic gene Survivin. Moreover, strong decreases in the levels of phospho-Akt and phosphor-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)1/2 were found in the cells treated with the combination. The in vivo study showed that treatment of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice with metformin or atorvastatin alone resulted in moderate inhibition of tumor growth while the combination strongly inhibited the growth of the tumors. Results of the present study indicate the combination of metformin and atorvastatin may be an effective strategy for inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer and should be evaluated clinically.

Brefeldin A enhances docetaxel-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells in monolayer and 3D cultures

Docetaxel is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for patients with late stage prostate cancer. However, serious side effect and drug resistance limit its clinical success. Brefeldin A is a 16-membered macrolide antibiotic from mangrove-derived Fungus Aspergillus sp. (9Hu), which exhibited potent cytotoxicity against human cancer cells. In the present study, we determined the effect of brefeldin A on docetaxel-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Brefeldin A in combination with docetaxel inhibited the growth of PC-3 cells in monolayer and in three dimensional cultures. The combination also potently stimulated apoptosis in PC-3 cells as determined by propidium iodide staining and morphological assessment. Mechanistic studies showed that growth inhibition and apoptosis in PC-3 cells treated with brefeldin A and docetaxel were associated with decrease in the level of Bcl-2. The present study indicates that combined brefeldin A with docetaxel may represent a novel approach for improving the efficacy of docetaxel, and Bcl-2 may serve as a target for brefeldin A to enhance the effects of docetaxel chemotherapy.