Drug clinical comprehensive evaluation of tetrandrine in the treatment of pneumoconiosis / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To analyze the safety, effectiveness, economics, innovation, suitability and accessibility of tetrandrine in the treatment of pneumoconiosis, and provide evidence-based basis for health policy decision-making and clinical practice. Methods: In July 2022, the system searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, SinoMed databases (the retrieval time was from the establishment of the database to June 30, 2022), screened the documents that meet the standards, extracted and evaluated the data, and used the "HTA checklist" developed by the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) to evaluate the HTA report. AMSTAR-2 Scale was used to evaluate the quality of systematic evaluation/Meta analysis. CHEERS Scale was used to evaluate the quality of pharmacoeconomics research. The included cohort study or case-control study was evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The included randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were evaluated using the Cochrane Risk Bias Assessment Tool (Cochrane RCT) quality evaluation criteria. Comprehensive comparison and analysis based on the characteristics of the data included in the study. Results: A total of 882 related literatures were detected from the initial screening. According to relevant standards, 8 RCT studies were finally selected for analysis. Statistical results showed that basic treatment with tetrandrine could better improve FEV(1) (MD=0.13, 95%CI: 0.06-0.20, P<0.001), FEV(1)/FVC (MD=4.48, 95%CI: 0.61-8.35, P=0.02) and clinical treatment efficiency. Tetrandrine had a low incidence of adverse reactions. The affordability coefficient of tetrandrine tablets was 0.295-0.492. Conclusion: Tetrandrine can improve the clinical symptoms and pulmonary ventilation function of pneumoconiosis patients, most of the adverse reactions are mild, and the clinical application is safe.

Progress in the study of antiviral activity of cepharanthine against SARS-CoV-2 / 南方医科大学学报

As a member of the dibenzyl isoquinoline alkaloid family, cepharathine is an alkaloid from the traditional Chinese medicine cepharathine, which is mainly used for treatment of leukopenia and other diseases. Recent studies of the inhibitory effect of cepharathine against SARS-CoV-2 have attracted widespread attention and aroused heated discussion. As the original discoverer of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of cepharanthine, here we briefly summarize the discovery of cepharanthine and review important progress in relevant studies concerning the discovery and validation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of cepharathine, its antiviral mechanisms and clinical trials of its applications in COVID-19 therapy.

Effect of fangchinoline on oxidant status in male albino rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by defects in insulin production and activity. During disease progression, changes in lipid peroxidation cause structural modifications via production of free radicals. Fangchinoline is a well-known alkaloid present in Stephaniae tetrandrine S. Moore, which has demonstrated antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. RESULTS The present study analyzed the anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects of fangchinoline in male rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Rats were divided into the following groups: normal control, diabetic, diabetic + fangchinoline 100 mg/kg, diabetic + fangchinoline 200 mg/kg and diabetic + glibencla mide 600 mg/kg. The treatment was administered orally for 45 consecutive days. Lipid peroxidation was substantially increased by >50% in the serum, as well as the liver, kidney, and heart tissues of diabetic rats. However, fangchinoline supplementation significantly reduced lipid peroxidation to near normal levels. Reactive oxygen species levels were substantially increased by >500% in the serum, as well as the liver, kidney, and heart tissues of diabetic rats. Fangchinoline supplementation reduced reactive oxygen species to near normal levels. Fangchinoline supplementation significantly improved superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and reduced glutathione levels in diabetic rats. Total hexoses, sialic acid, hexosamines, and fucose were increased in diabetic rats, whereas fangchinoline supplementation significantly reduced these total hexoses, sialic acid, hexosamines, and fucose to near normal levels CONCLUSIONS Supplementation with fangchinoline led to significant attenuation of the levels of lipid peroxidation, ROS, and glycoprotein components such as total hexoses, hexosamines, sialic acid, and fucose, while improving antioxidant marker levels

Effects of tetrandrine on proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioblastoma cells / 中国中药杂志

Glioblastoma is the most common intracranial primary malignant tumor, which leads to the poor quality of life of patients and has a high recurrence rate. Chemotherapy is a vital part in the treatment of this disease. Tetrandrine(Tet) is an active ingredient extracted from the root of the Chinese medicinal plant Stephania tetrandra, which has been proved with a wide range of pharmacological effects including anti-tumor. However, there are few studies regarding the effect of Tet on glioma. In this study, MTT and BrdU assays were employed to detect the effect of Tet on the proliferation of LN229 glioblastoma cells; flow cytometry was used to analyze the cycle distribution and apoptosis; plate cloning assay and soft agar colony formation assay were performed to study the colony formation ability of LN229 cells exposed to Tet; scratch assay and Transwell assay were conducted to detect the ability of migration and invasion; Western blot was adopted to the exploration of the molecular mechanism. The MTT and BrdU assays showed that Tet inhibited the proliferation of LN229 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner. The plate cloning assay and soft agar colony formation assay showed that Tet weakened the colony formation of LN229 cells in vitro; cytometry assay showed that Tet blocked cells in the G_1 phase and promoted cell apoptosis; scratch and Transwell assays proved that Tet inhibited the migration and invasion of LN229 cells; Western blot results showed that Tet down-regulated the expression levels of CDK2, CDK6, cyclin D1, cyclin E1, snail, slug, vimentin, and N-cadherin, while up-regulated the level of E-cadherin. The results indicate that Tet has a certain inhibitory effect on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of LN229 glioblastoma cells, and such effect may be related to the participation of Tet in the regulation of c-Myc/p27 axis and snail signaling pathway.

An overview on the chemistry, pharmacology and anticancer properties of tetrandrine and fangchinoline (alkaloids) from Stephania tetrandra roots / 中西医结合学报

Tetrandrine (TET) and fangchinoline (FAN) are dominant bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloids from the roots of Stephania tetrandra of the family Menispermaceae. BBIQ alkaloids comprise two benzylisoquinoline units linked by oxygen bridges. The molecular structures of TET and FAN are exactly the same, except that TET has a methoxy (-OCH

Research development on modern pharmacological effect of tetrandrine / 中国中药杂志

Han stephania, also known as Stephania tetrandra, expelling wind, relieve pain and inducing diuresis for removing edema, is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating rheumatic arthralgia. Alkaloids have an important pharmacodynamic basis in S. tetrandra, and tetrandrine is one kind content of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, which has many biological activities. These activities include anti-tumor in many ways, clinically inhibiting multiple inflammatory factors, preventing and treating liver fibrosis and renal fibrosis and many other kinds of fibrotic diseases, and in addition, tetrandrine could work synergistically with other drugs. In recent years, through in-depth research by scholars at home and abroad, it has been found that tetrandrine has a protective effect on the nervous system and ischemia-reperfusion injury. At the same time, as a calcium ion antagonist, tetrandrine could effectively block the deposition of calcium ions inside and outside the cell. In summary, the application prospect of tetrandrine in clinical practice is very extensive. In this paper, the pharmacological effects of tetrandrine and the possible mechanisms for these effects are summarized, and review its current research progress. It is hoped that the possible application direction of tetrandrine can be revealed more comprehensively, and provide better enlightenment and ideas for clinical application.

Effects of tetrandrine on proliferation and activation of cardiac fibroblasts / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of tetrandrine (Tet) on proliferation and activation of rat cardiac fibroblasts.@*METHODS@#Firstly, the cell counting kit-8 (cck-8) assay was applied to detect the effects of Tet with different concentrations on proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts. Secondly, transforming growth factor (TGF-β)with a concentration of 5 μg/L was used to induce the cardiac fibroblast activation, and Western blot was performed to measure the expression variation of β-catenin, vimentin (Vm), fibronectin (Fn) and smooth muscle α-actin (SMA). At last, the real-time PCR was conducted to measure the expression change of collagen-1(Col-1) and collagen-3(Col-3).@*RESULTS@#The cck-8 assay showed that the Tet with different concentrations respectively, which were 0.5 μmol/L, 1 μmol/L, 2 μmol/L, 4 μmol/L, and 8 μmol/L, significantly inhibited the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts. The viability was decreased to 94.4%,84.9%,74.9%,63.8%and 50.3% respectively of the control group when the Tet concentration changed, and the difference was statistically significant, P=0.043, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001 respectively. Western blot revealed that the expressions of β-catenin, Fn, SMA and Vm, were up-regulated by TGF-β(5 μg/L), the result showed that the difference was statistically significant, and the P values were 0.001,0.008,0.010,0.001 respectively. Then, the up-regulation of β-catenin, Fn and SMA was attenuated by pre-treatment of Tet, and the result also displayed that the difference was statistically significant, and the P values were 0.009, 0.005, 0.019,respectively. While there was no significant change in the expression of Vm, according to Western blotting, and P>0.05,at the same time, real-time PCR indicated that the up-regulations of Col-1 and Col-3 which were induced by TGF-β were blocked by pre-treatment of Tet, the result showed that the difference was statistically significant, P<0.001.@*CONCLUSION@#According to the experimental results, we can draw the conclusion that: the Tet can significantly inhibit the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts, meanwhile, it can block the activation of cardiac fibroblasts, which is induced by TGF-β. It is supposed that the Tet may probably have anti myocardial fibrosis, which indicates that it may probably be a medicine which is used to block the cardiac remodeling.

Multilayer Coating of Tetrandrine-loaded PLGA nanoparticles: Effect of surface charges on cellular uptake rate and drug release profile / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The effect of surface charges on the cellular uptake rate and drug release profile of tetrandrine-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (TPNs) was studied. Stabilizer-free nanoprecipitation method was used in this study for the synthesis of TPNs. A typical layer-by-layer approach was applied for multi-coating particles' surface with use of poly(styrene sulfonate) sodium salt (PSS) as anionic layer and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) as cationic layer. The modified TPNs were characterized by different physicochemical techniques such as Zeta sizer, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The drug loading efficiency, release profile and cellular uptake rate were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography and confocal laser scanning microscopy, respectively. The resultant PSS/PAH/PSS/PAH/TPNs (4 layers) exhibited spherical-shaped morphology with the average size of 160.3±5.165 nm and zeta potential of-57.8 mV. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading efficiency were 57.88% and 1.73%, respectively. Multi-layer coating of polymeric materials with different charges on particles' surface could dramatically influence the drug release profile of TPNs (4 layers vs. 3 layers). In addition, variable layers of surface coating could also greatly affect the cellular uptake rate of TPNs in A549 cells within 8 h. Overall, by coating particles' surface with those different charged polymers, precise control of drug release as well as cellular uptake rate can be achieved simultaneously. Thus, this approach provides a new strategy for controllable drug delivery.

Inhibitory effects of neferine on Nav1.5 channels expressed in HEK293 cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Neferine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid in Lotus Plumule, was proved to have a wide range of biological activities. In the present study, using whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we investigated the effects of neferine on Nav1.5 channels that are stably expressed in HEK 293 cells. We found that neferine potently and reversibly inhibited Nav1.5 currents in a concentration dependent manner with a half-maximal inhibition (IC50) being 26.15 μmol/L. The inhibitory effects of neferine on Nav1.5 currents were weaker than those of quinidine at the same concentration. The steady-state inactivation curve was significantly shifted towards hyperpolarizing direction in the presence of 30 μmol/L neferine, while the voltage-dependent activation was unaltered. Neferine prolonged the time to peak of activation, increased the inactivation time constants of Nav1.5 currents and markedly slowed the recovery from inactivation. The inhibitory effect of neferine could be potentiated in a frequency-dependent manner. These results suggested that neferine can block Nav1.5 channels under the open state and inactivating state and it is an open channel blocker of Nav1.5 channels.

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity of tetrandrine in intravenously exposed female BALB/c mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the acute and sub-chronic toxicity of intravenously administered tetrandrine (TET) in female BALB/c mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The median lethal dose (LD) of intravenously administered TET was calculated in mice using Dixon's up-and-down method. In the acute toxicity study, mice were intravenously administered with TET at a single dose of 20, 100, 180, 260 and 340 mg/kg, respectively and were evaluated at 14 days after administration. In the sub-acute toxicity study, mice were intravenously administered various doses of TET (30, 90 and 150 mg/kg) each day for 14 consecutive days. Clinical symptoms, mortality, body weight, serum biochemistry, organ weight and histopathology were examined at the end of the experiment, as well as after a 1-week recovery period.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>LDwas found to be 444.67±35.76 mg/kg. In the acute toxicity study, no statistically signifificant differences in body weight, blood biochemistry, or organ histology were observed between the administration and control groups when mice were intravenously administered with single dose at 20, 100, 180, 260 and 340 mg/kg of TET (P >0.05). In the sub-acute toxicity study, no signifificant changes in body weight, biochemistry and organ histology were observed with up to 90 mg/kg of TET compared with the control group (P >0.05), however, in the 150 mg/kg administered group, TET induced transient toxicity to liver, lungs and kidneys, but withdrawal of TET can lead to reversal of the pathological conditions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The overall fifindings of this study indicate that TET is relatively non-toxic from a single dose of 20, 100, 180, 260 or 340 mg/kg, and that up to 90 mg/kg daily for 14 consecutive days can be considered a safe application dose.</p>

Synthesis and evaluation of benzylisoquinoline derivatives for their inhibition on pancreatic lipase and preadipocyte proliferation / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to synthesize and evaluate a series of benzylisoquinoline derivatives. These compounds were synthesized by Bischler-Napieralski cyclization to yield 1-benzyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines, and the products were obtained by reductions. All these compounds were identified by MS, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR. The inhibitory activities on pancreatic lipase and preadipocyte proliferation for the synthesized compounds and alkaloids from Nulembo nucifera were assessed in vitro. Most of the compounds showed inhibitory activities on both pancreatic lipase and preadipocyte proliferation. Particularly, compounds 7p-7u and 9d-9f exhibited significant inhibitory activity on pancreatic lipase while compounds 7c, 7d, 7f, 7g, 7i, and 7j potently inhibited the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Our results provided a basis for future evaluation and development of these compounds as leads for therapeutics for human diseases.

Anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of S1, a tetrandrine derivative, in human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells / 中国天然药物

The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-proliferation and apoptosis-inducing effects of S1, a novel tetrandrine derivative, in human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells and explore the possible mechanism of action. The anti-proliferative activity was determined by MTT assay; the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Quantitative real time RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to evaluate the mRNA and protein expression levels in mitochondrial pathway. S1 significantly reduced cell viability and induced a G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in dose- and time-dependent manner. Further studies showed that S1 increased mRNA and protein expression of Bax and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Moreover, S1 decreased the protein expression of procaspase-9 and procaspase-3, suggesting that the induction of apoptosis may be related to the alteration of the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and the activation of caspases. These findings suggested that S1 merits further investigation as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of human gastric cancer.

Pseudoxandra sclerocarpa maas, colombian medicinal plant: a review / Pseudoxandra sclerocarpa maas, planta medicinal colombiana: una revisión

The Annonaceae family is one of the largest, with 130 genre and 2500 species, consisting of trees, shrubs and a few vines. Within this family, the Pseudoxandra genus of neotropical distribution is found. In Colombia, there are endemic and native species, distributed in the Amazon region and along the valley of the Magdalena River in the Chocó. Of the total of 22 species that form the genus in Colombia, Pseudoxandra sclerocarpa Maas is exclusive of the Antioquia region, receiving the common name of garrapato or frisolo. From this tree, bisbenzylisoquinolinic alkaloids like antioquine, medellline, obaberine, among others, has been isolated. Also neolignans: dieugenol and dehydro-1-O-methydehydrodieugenol. It is used in traditional medicine as an antiparasitic. From the pharmacological point of view, the alkaloids have shown activity against leishmaniasis and also have spasmolytic activity. Within the bisbenzylisoquinolinic alkaloids, antioquine has properties of being calcium antagonist.

La familia Annonaceae es uno de los más grandes, con 130 géneros y 2.500 especies, que consiste en árboles, arbustos y algunos bejucos. Dentro de esta familia, el género Pseudoxandra es de distribución neotropical. En Colombia existen especies endémicas y nativas, distribuidas en la región del Amazonas ya lo largo del valle del río Magdalena en el Chocó. Del total de 22 especies que forman el género en Colombia, Pseudoxandra sclerocarpa es exclusiva de la región de Antioquia, recibiendo el nombre común de garrapato o frisolo. De este árbol se ha aislado alcaloides bisbencilisoquinolínicos como antioquina, medelllina, obaberina, entre otros. También neolignanos: dieugenol y dehidro-1-O-metil-dehidrodieugenol. Se utiliza en la medicina tradicional como un antiparasitario. Desde el punto de vista farmacológico, los alcaloides han mostrado actividad contra la leishmaniasis y también tienen actividad espasmolítica. Dentro de los alcaloides bisbencilisoquinolínicos, antioquina tiene propiedades de ser antagonista del calcio.

Studies on preparation by SPG membrane emulsification method and in vitro characterization of tetradrine-tashionone II(A)-PLGA composite microspheres / 中国中药杂志

Tetradrine-tashionone II(A)-PLGA composite microspheres were prepared by the SPG membrane emulsification method, and the characterization of tetradrine-tashionone II(A) -PLGA composite microspheres were studied in this experiment. The results of IR, DSC and XRD showed that teradrine and tashionone II(A) in composite microspheres were highly dispersed in the PLGA with amorphous form. The results of tetradrine-tashionone II(A) -PLGA composite microspheres in vitro release experiment showed that the cumulative release amounts of tetradrine and tashionone II(A) were 6.44% and 3.60% in 24 h, and the cumulative release amounts of tetradrine and tashionone II(A) were 89.02% and 21.24% in 17 d. The process of drug in vitro release accorded with the model of Riger-Peppas. Tetradrine-tashionone II(A) -PLGA composite microspheres had slow-release effect, and it could significantly reduce the burst release, prolong the therapeutic time, decrease the dosage of drugs and provide a new idea and method to prepare traditional Chinese medicine compound.

Cancer Therapy with Phytochemicals: Present and Future Perspectives / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Recently, a wide range of food-derived phytochemical compounds and their synthetic derivatives have been proposed for cancer treatment. Unfortunately, data available in related literature focus on the anti-cancer properties of compounds derived from edible plants, while very little is known about those derived from non-edible plants. And thus, the underlying mechanisms of their anti-cancer effects are yet to be elucidated. This review collates the available data on the anti-cancer activities of six phytochemical-derived compounds from edible and non-edible plants, i.e. rottlerin, berbamine, sparstolonin B, sulforaphane, plumbagin and 6-shogaol. These compounds are used as bioactive markers for cytotoxicity against tumors. As such, understanding their mode of action will provide the rationale for the combination strategies of these compounds with other drugs in the battle against cancer.

Study on the therapeutic effects of tetrandrine combined with N-acetylcysteine on experimental silicosis of rats / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects of oral treatment with tetrandrine (TD) and N-acetylcys-teine (NAC) separately or jointly on silica-exposed rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>40 sprague-Dawly (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal saline group, quartz group, TD treatment group (50 mg/kg), NAC treatment group (500 mg/kg) and combined treatment group (TD: 50 mg/kg + NAC: 500 mg/kg). Rats in normal saline group and other groups received intratracheal instillation of normal saline and quartz dust suspension respectively. Treatment groups were given TD, NAC separately or jointly via esophagus the next day after instillation, once a day and six times a week for 30 consecutive days. At the end of experiment, the pathological changes of lung tissues were evaluated by the methods of Foot, HE and Masson staining, the level of hydroxyproline (HYP), malondjalde-hyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in lung tissues were measured by alkaline hydrolysis method, the barbituric acid method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the quartz group, lymph nodes/body coefficients in all treatment groups and lung/body coefficient in combined treatment group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Pathology results showed that the normal saline group demonstrated no obvious evidence of lung damage. The quartz group lungs silicotic lesions focused on II~III level, the TD treatment group was mainly with I level, the NAC treatment group was mainly with I~II level, and the combined treatment group only showed little silicotic nodule, no obvious fibrosis. HYP content in TD treatment group and combined treatment group were significantly lower than that in the quartz group (P < 0.05), while it showed no obvious change in NAC treatment group. MDA content in lung tissues of each treatment group (TD treatment group, NAC treatment group and combined treatment group) were 18.80 ± 2.94, 20.13 ± 4.01 and 17.05 ± 3.52 nmol/ml respectively, which lower than in the quartz group (23.99 ± 3.26 nmol/ml). The level of IL-6 in lung tissues of the quartz group were 89.57 ± 8.78 pg/ml. After TD and NAC monotherapy, the IL-6 content decreased to 79.22 ± 9.65 pg/ml and 81.63 ± 5.72 pg/ml, and it decreased more significantly after combined medication (74.37 ± 3.17 pg/ml). The level of TNF-α in the quartz group were 59.05 ± 4.48 pg/ml. After TD and NAC monotherapy, the TNF-α content decreased to 50.48 ± 2.76 pg/ml and 54.28 ± 4.30 pg/ml, and it decreased more significantly after combined medication (49.10 ± 4.98 pg/ml).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NAC and TD could reduce MDA, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in lung tissue, and alleviate SiO2-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Combined treatment with TD and NAC was more effective than TD or NAC treatment separately.</p>

Tetrandrine inhibits migration and invasion of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes through down-regulating the expressions of Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA GTPases and activation of the PI3K/Akt and JNK signaling pathways / 中国天然药物

Tetrandrine (Tet), the main active constituent of Stephania tetrandra root, has been demonstrated to alleviate adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of Tet on the migration and invasion of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) and explore the underlying mechanisms. By using cultures of primary FLS isolated from synoviums of RA patients and cell line MH7A, Tet (0.3, 1 μmol·L(-1)) was proven to significantly impede migration and invasion of RA-FLS, but not cell proliferation. Tet also greatly reduced the activation and expressions of matrix degrading enzymes MMP-2/9, the expression of F-actin and the activation of FAK, which controlled the morphologic changes in migration process of FLS. To identify the key signaling pathways by which Tet exerts anti-migration effect, the specific inhibitors of multiple signaling pathways LY294002, Triciribine, SP600125, U0126, SB203580, and PDTC (against PI3K, Akt, JNK, ERK, p38 MAPK and NF-κB-p65, respectively) were used. Among them, LY294002, Triciribine, and SP600125 were shown to obviously inhibit the migration of MH7A cells. Consistently, Tet was able to down-regulate the activation of Akt and JNK as demonstrated by Western blotting assay. Moreover, Tet could reduce the expressions of migration-related proteins Rho GTPases Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA in MH7A cells. In conclusion, Tet can impede the migration and invasion of RA-FLS, which provides a plausible explanation for its protective effect on RA. The underlying mechanisms involve the reduction of the expressions of Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA, inhibition of the activation of Akt and JNK, and subsequent down-regulation of activation and/or expressions of MMP-2/9, F-actin, and FAK.

Apoptosis-inducing effect of tetrandrine and imatinib on K562/G01 cells and its related mechanism / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to explore the apoptosis-inducing effect of tetrandrine (Tet) and imatinib (IM) alone or both combined on K562/G01 cells and their mechanism. MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of drugs on cell growth, flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis rate. The expression of caspase-3/BCL-2 mRNA was determined by real time-PCR, and the expression of caspase-3/BCL-2 protein was assayed by Western blot. The results showed that after being treated by 1.0 µmol/L IM or 1.5 µmol/L Tet alone and combination of these two drugs for 48 h, the inhibitory rate was (22.74 ± 0.05)%, (20.34 ± 0.57)% and (44.28 ± 0.60)%, respectively, suggesting that inhibitory effect of two drug combination was more obvious. The arrest of cell cycle at G1/S phase could be observed after Tet treatment. Early apoptosis rate was (7.81 ± 0.16) %, (14.10 ± 0.28) % respectively after being treated by combination of 1.5 µmol/L and 3.0 µmol/L Tet with 1.0 µmol/L IM. After being treated with Tet alone, FQ-PCR and Western blot showed that the expressions of caspase-3 mRNA and caspase-3 protein were up-regulated, the expressions of BCL-2 mRNA and protein were down-regulated, the effect of both drug combination was more significant. It is concluded that IM or Tet alone can induce apoptosis of K562/G01. Combination of IM with Tet shows obvious synergistic effect, mechanism of which may associate with up-regulation of caspase-3 mRNA and protein expressions, and down-regulation of BCL-2 mRNA and protein expressions.

Recent advances regarding the role of ABC subfamily C member 10 (ABCC10) in the efflux of antitumor drugs / 癌症

ABCC10, also known as multidrug-resistant protein 7 (MRP7), is the tenth member of the C subfamily of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily. ABCC10 mediates multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells by preventing the intracellular accumulation of certain antitumor drugs. The ABCC10 transporter is a 171-kDa protein that is localized on the basolateral cell membrane. ABCC10 is a broad-specificity transporter of xenobiotics, including antitumor drugs, such as taxanes, epothilone B, vinca alkaloids, and cytarabine, as well as modulators of the estrogen pathway, such as tamoxifen. In recent years, ABCC10 inhibitors, including cepharanthine, lapatinib, erlotinib, nilotinib, imatinib, sildenafil, and vardenafil, have been reported to overcome ABCC10-mediated MDR. This review discusses some recent and clinically relevant aspects of the ABCC10 drug efflux transporter from the perspective of current chemotherapy, particularly its inhibition by tyrosine kinase inhibitors and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.

Effects of tetrandrine on enhancing radiosensitivity of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect and mechanism of tetrandrine (Tet) on enhancing radiosensitivity of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CNE1 and CNE2 were exposed to radiation with or without Tet, the DNA damage of the cells were evaluated by neutral comet electrophoresis, and cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean tail movements (TM) of CNE1 treated with radiation or radiation plus Tet were (7.13 ± 3.70) (X(-) ± s) and (13.61 ± 5.45), respectively (t = 2.784, P < 0.05), and TM of CNE2 treated with radiation or radiation plus Tet were (11.52 ± 4.04) and (18.85 ± 6.18), respectively (t = 3.089, P < 0.05). With the exposure to radiation or radiation plus Tet, the percentages of CNE1 in G2 phases were (42.62 ± 2.07)% and (17.02 ± 1.87)%, respectively (t = 23.173, P < 0.01), and the percentages of CNE2 in G2 phases were (34.82 ± 2.74)% and (19.64 ± 4.82)%, respectively(t = 16.500, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the apoptosis rates between the cells treated with radiation or radiation plus Tet regardless of CNE1 (17.24 ± 0.99)% vs (19.11 ± 1.24)%, and CNE2 (16.68 ± 0.27)% vs (18.51 ± 2.41)% (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tet can enhance radiosensitivity of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines. The mechanism could be related to abrogation of radiation-induced G2/M arrest and reduction of double-strand break repair capacity.</p>