ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of Xiaoyao Kangai Jieyu Recipe(XKJR) on hip-pocampal microglia and neuronal damage in mice with breast cancer related depression. The mouse model of breast cancer related depression was established by inoculation of 4T1 breast cancer cells in axilla and subcutaneous injection of corticosterone(30 mg·kg~(-1)). The successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into a model group, a positive drug group(capecitabine 60 mg·kg~(-1)+fluoxetine 19.5 mg·kg~(-1)), and XKJR group(19.5 mg·kg~(-1) crude drug), with 6 in each group. Another 6 normal mice were taken as a normal group. The administration groups were given corresponding drugs by gavage, while the normal and model groups were given an equal volume of distilled water, once a day for 21 consecutive days. The depressive behavior of mice was assessed by glucose consumption test, open field test and novelty-suppressed feeding test. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining and tumor suppression rate were used to evaluate the changes of axillary tumors. The mRNA expressions and the relative protein expressions of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-18(IL-18), cyclooxyganese-2(COX-2) and glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase(EPRs) in the hippocampus of mice were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect the mean fluorescence intensity of CD11b, a marker of hippocampal microglia activation. Nissler staining and transmission electron microscopy were employed to observe the morphological changes and the ultramorphological changes of hippocampal neurons, respectively. The experimental results indicated that compared with the normal group, the model group had reduced glucose consumption and lowered number of total activities in open field test(P<0.05, P<0.01), prolonged first feeding latency in no-velty-suppressed feeding test(P<0.01), and significant depression-like behavior; the contents of IL-1β, IL-18, COX-2, and EPRs in hippocampus were increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), with hippocampal microglia activation and obvious neuronal damage. Compared with the model group, the positive drug group and the XKJR group presented an improvement in depressive behaviors, a decrease in the contents of IL-1β, IL-18, COX-2 and EPRs in hippocampus, and an alleviation in the activation of hippocampal microglia and neuronal damage; the tumor suppression rates of positive drug and XKJR were 40.32% and 48.83%, respectively, suggesting a lower tumor growth rate than that of the model group. In summary, XKJR may improve hippocampal microglia activation and neuronal damage in mice with breast cancer related depression through activating COX signaling pathway.
Subject(s)
Mice , Animals , Depression/genetics , Interleukin-18 , Cyclooxygenase 2/genetics , Hippocampus , Glucose , NeoplasmsABSTRACT
Tumor has become the second most serious disease that threatens human health and life. Treating with chemical drugs (referred to as chemotherapy) is the most basic treatment, but most chemotherapeutic drugs cause damage to normal tissues. It is a difficult problem in the field of biomedical research that how to deliver anti-tumor drugs more efficiently, increase the concentration of drugs in tumor tissues, enhance the anti-tumor effect, and decrease the drug distribution in normal tissues to weaken the damage to normal tissues. In order to achieve the goals of accurate delivery of anti-tumor drugs and synergism and attenuation, the researchers used systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment technology (SELEX technology) to screen aptamers that can specifically target tumor markers or tumor cells, and designed the novel liposome targeting drug delivery system with aptamers as targeting molecules (ligands). This paper briefly introduced nucleic acid aptamer technology and common tumor markers, and reviewed the research advances on the antitumor effect of aptamer-liposome drug delivery system. It will provide references for the selection of appropriate tumor markers as targets and the application of aptamer technology in the research and development of high-efficiency and low-toxicity liposome targeting agents of anti-tumor traditional Chinese medicine. Meanwhile, it is of great significance for promoting the application of aptamer technology in targeted drug delivery systems.
ABSTRACT
Objective To optimize the formulation ratio and preparation process of galactosylated cantharidin liposome (Lac-CTD- lips) and establish its methodology for content determination. Methods The method of determination of GC-MS cantharidin content was established by film dispersion method. The entrapment efficiency of cantharidin was evaluated as an index. The preparation process of Lac-CTD-lips was optimized by single factor and orthogonal experiments. Its surface characteristics, encapsulation efficiency, particle size, and Zeta potential were also investigated. Results The best prescription was as follow: cantharidin: hydrogenated soya lecithin:cholesterol at 1:20:5, 10% galactoside, film-forming at 50 ℃, film cleaning with 30 mL of PBS solution of pH 6.0, and hydartion at 40 ℃ for 1.5 h. The resulting liposomes exhibited a pale blue opalescent appearance, a spherical particle morphology, and a more rounded surface with no adhesion. The average particle size was (123.9 ± 4.8) nm (n = 3), the particle size distribution was single-peak, the zeta potential was (-0.36 ± 0.81) mV (n = 3), and the encapsulation efficiency was over 75%. Conclusion GC-MS is suitable for the determination and analysis of cantharidin content. The optimal preparation technology from orthogonal experiment is stable and reliable. The obtained liposomes have higher encapsulation efficiency, small particle size, and good appearance.
ABSTRACT
The efficacy of antineoplastic drugs in cancer treatment is often hampered by drug resistance of tumor cells, which is usually caused by abnormal gene expression. The formation mechanism of multidrug resistance is very complex. Conventional drugs or gene therapy usually only aim at a specific drug target, so it is difficult to effectively control the complex signaling pathways of drug-resistant cells. The co-delivery of small RNA (siRNA ormiRNA) and anti-tumor drugs with nanocarriers can maximize the synergistic effect, and reverse the multidrug resistance of tumor cells by silencing some related proteins. This review summarizes the mechanisms and advantages of the combination therapies involving RNA and antineoplastic drugs, in vitro and in vivo evaluation, as well as the recent advances in the co-delivery nanocarriers for these agents.