Phytochemical Screening and in vitro Anticancer Activity of Some Medicinal Plants Grown in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

SUMMARY: This study evaluated the phytochemical screening, antioxidant capacity, and in vitro anticancer activities of four plants namely, Gypsophila capillaris, Anabasis lachnantha, Haloxylon salicornicum, and Horwoodia dicksoniae which belong to four different families: Caryophyllaceae, Amaranthaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Brassicaceae, respectively. The total phenolics, anthocyanins, saponins, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and DPPH assays were determined by spectrophotometer. In vitro anticancer activity was assessed using two human cancer cell lines; hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) to estimate the inhibition concentration 50 % (IC50). The results showed that H. dicksoniae has the highest concentrations of phenolics and saponins, while H. salicornicum has the highest DPPH. The highest concentration of TAC was found in G. capillaries. Among the tested extracts, G. capillaries and H. salicornicum have the potential activity against MCF-7 and HepG-2 cell lines in vitro. The content of polyphenols in G. capillaries was profiled by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The highest concentration among the phenolic compounds was chlorogenic (60.8 µg/ml) while the highest concentration among the flavonoid compounds was hesperidin (1444.92 µg/ml). In summary, G. capillaries and H. salicornicum extracts have potent anticancer activity against HepG-2 and MCF-7 cell lines.

Este estudio evaluó la detección fitoquímica, la capacidad antioxidante y las actividades anticancerígenas in vitro de cuatro plantas, Gypsophila capillaris, Anabasis lachnantha, Haloxylon salicornicum y Horwoodia dicksoniae, que pertenecen a cuatro familias diferentes: Caryophyllaceae, Amaranthaceae, Chenopodiaceae y Brassicaceae, respectivamente. Los ensayos de fenólicos totales, antocianinas, saponinas, capacidad antioxidante total (TAC) y DPPH se determinaron mediante espectrofotómetro. La actividad anticancerígena in vitro se evaluó utilizando dos líneas celulares de cáncer humano; carcinoma hepatocelular (HepG-2) y adenocarcinoma de mama (MCF- 7) para estimar la concentración de inhibición del 50 % (IC50). Los resultados indicaron que H. dicksoniae tiene las concentraciones más altas de fenólicos y saponinas, mientras que H. salicornicum tiene el DPPH más alto. La mayor concentración de TAC se encontró en G. capillaries. Entre los extractos probados, G. capillaries y H. salicornicum tienen actividad potencial contra líneas celulares MCF-7 y HepG-2 in vitro. El contenido de polifenoles en G. capillaries se perfiló mediante cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC). La concentración más alta entre los compuestos fenólicos fue clorogénica (60,8 µg/ml), mientras que la concentración más alta entre los compuestos flavonoides fue la hesperidina (1444,92 µg/ml). En resumen, los extractos de Gypsophila capillaris y H. salicornicum tienen una potente actividad anticancerígena contra las líneas celulares HepG-2 y MCF-7.

Anti HCV activity and expression inhibition of HCC markers by protein extract from Iberis gibraltarica / Atividade anti-HCV e inibição da expressão de marcadores HCC por extrato de proteína de Iberis gibraltarica

Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is the foremost reason of progressive hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis, with an elevated risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Medicinal plants have been used for human health benefits for several years, but their therapeutic potential needs to be explored. The main objective of this study was to figure out the in vitro antiviral and anticancer characteristics of total crude protein of Iberis gibraltarica against HCV and HCC. Total crude protein of Iberis gibraltarica was isolated and quantified. The level of cytotoxicity was measured against the HepG2 cell line and it shows no significant cytotoxicity at the concentration of 504µg/ml. The anti-HCV effect was determined by absolute quantification via real time RT-PCR method and viral titer was reduced up to 66% in a dose dependent manner against the total protein of Iberis gibraltarica. The anticancer potential of Iberis gibraltarica was also examined through mRNA expression studies of AFP and GPC3 genes against the total protein of Iberis gibraltarica-treated HepG2 cells. The results show up to 90% of the down-regulation expression of AFP and GPC3. The obtained results indicate the therapeutic potential of total protein of Iberis gibraltarica against HCV and hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro.

A infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C (HCV) é a principal causa de fibrose hepática progressiva e cirrose, com risco elevado de desenvolvimento de carcinoma hepatocelular (HCC). As plantas medicinais vêm sendo utilizadas para benefícios à saúde humana há vários anos, mas seu potencial terapêutico precisa ser explorado. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi descobrir as características antivirais e anticancerígenas in vitro da proteína bruta total de Iberis gibraltarica contra HCV e HCC. A proteína bruta total de Iberis gibraltarica foi isolada e quantificada. O nível de citotoxicidade foi medido contra a linha celular HepG2 e não apresenta citotoxicidade significativa na concentração de 504µg/ml. O efeito anti-HCV foi determinado por quantificação absoluta através do método RT-PCR em tempo real e o título viral foi reduzido em até 66% de forma dose-dependente contra a proteína total de Iberis gibraltarica. O potencial anticancerígeno de Iberis gibraltarica também foi examinado através de estudos de expressão de mRNA dos genes AFP e GPC3 contra a proteína total de células HepG2 tratadas com Iberis gibraltarica. Os resultados mostram até 90% da expressão de regulação negativa de AFP e GPC3. Os resultados obtidos indicam o potencial terapêutico da proteína total de Iberis gibraltarica contra HCV e carcinoma hepatocelular in vitro.

Preliminary study on the mechanism of halofuginone inhibiting the activity of HepG2 cells / 药学学报

This study aimed to investigate halofuginone's inhibitory effect and mechanism on the activity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. HepG2 cells were used to detect the effects of halofuginone. After treatment, cell activity, cell migration, cell cycle, and cell apoptosis were detected by CCK-8, transwell, and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression levels of growth and metabolism-related factors such as citrate synthase (CS), ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH), and isocitrate deoxygenase (IDH) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. Compared with the control group, the activity of HepG2 cells was significantly inhibited by halofuginone (P < 0.01), the migration rate of HepG2 cells was decreased (P < 0.01), the apoptosis of HepG2 cells was induced (P < 0.01), and the cell cycle was arrested in S phase (P < 0.01). The expression levels of tricarboxylic acid key enzymes CS, IDH3, and OGDH were up-regulated, the expression level of isocitrate dehydrogenase isoenzymes IDH1 and IDH2 were down-regulation. In conclusion, halofuginone can inhibit the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells and promote apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, which may be due to the promotion of the aerobic metabolism of cells.

Effects of diisononyl phthalate on lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells / 环境与职业医学

Background Exposure to diisononyl phthalate (DINP), an endocrine disruptor associated with metabolic diseases and widely used in plastic products, has been linked to the development of several adverse health outcomes in the liver, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Objective To investigate the effects and the possible molecular mechanisms of DINP exposure on lipid metabolism in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2 cells). Methods First, HepG2 cells were treated with DINP at three time spots (24, 48, and 72 h) and eleven doses (0, 0.003, 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30, and 100 mmol·L−1). Cell viability were detected using cell counting kit 8 (CCK8). Intracellular lipid deposition was determined by oil red O staining and lipid content detection, and triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (TC) were further detected. Finally, the mRNA expression levels were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR, including fatty acid synthesis related genes [acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (Accα), fatty acid synthase (Fasn), malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (Mlycd), and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (Srebp1)] and β-oxidation related genes [peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (Pparα), AMP-activated protein kinase (Ampk), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (Cpt-1a), transcription factor A, mitochondrial (Tfam), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (Nrf1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and coactivator 1 alpha (Pgc1-α)]. Results Compared with the control group (0 mmol·L−1), the no observed adverse effect levels (NOAEL) of HepG2 cell viability were 0.3, 0.1, and 0.1 mmol·L−1 after 24, 48, and 72 h exposure to DINP, respectively, and the corresponding lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAEL) were 1, 0.3, and 0.3 mmol·L−1, respectively (P<0.05). After exposure to 30 mmol·L−1 and 100 mmol·L−1 DINP for 24 h, the intracellular lipid content, lipid deposition, TG, and TC levels were increased significantly compared with the control group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression levels of genes related to fatty acid synthesis, such as Mlycd, Srebp1, Fasn, and Accα, were down-regulated after the 100 mmol·L−1 DINP exposure for 24 h, while the mRNA expression level of Mlycd was up-regulated in the 30 mmol·L−1 group. The β-oxidation related genes such as Ampk, Pparα, and Tfam were up-regulated significantly after the 100 mmol·L−1 DINP exposure, while Cpt-1a mRNA expression level was down-regulated (P<0.05). Conclusion Exposure to DINP at 30 mmol·L−1 and 100 mmol·L−1 can interfere with fatty acid synthesis and β-oxidation in lipid metabolism of HepG2 cells, resulting in lipid deposition.

Inhibitory Effect of Sesquiterpenoid M36 from Myrrha on Growth of Human Hepatoma Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveThe antitumor activity of sesquiterpenoid M36 isolated from Myrrha against human hepatoma HepG2 cells was investigated in this study. MethodHepG2 cells were treated with M36 at different concentrations （0， 2， 4， 6， 8， 10 μmol·L-1）. Firstly， the effects of M36 on the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT）， colony formation assay， and EdU proliferation assay. Hoechst staining， flow cytometry analysis， and Western blot were used to explore the effect of M36 on the apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Acridine orange staining and western blotting were used to examine the effect of M36 on autophagy in HepG2 cells. Finally， Western blot was used to detect protein expression of cancer-related signaling pathways. ResultCompared with the blank group， M36 treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells （P<0.01）， and the half inhibitory concentration （IC50） value of M36 for 48 h was 5.03 μmol·L-1， in a dose- and time-dependent manner. M36 was also able to induce apoptosis and autophagy in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. After treatment with 8 μmol·L-1 M36 for 48 hours， the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells was （42.03±9.65）% （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， HepG2 cells treated with 4 and 8 μmol·L-1 M36 for 48 h had a significant increase in cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase （cleaved-PARP） protein levels （P<0.01）. Acridine orange staining showed that autophagy was significantly activated in HepG2 cells treated with 4 and 8 μmol·L-1 M36 for 48 h compared with the blank group （P<0.01）， which was further verified by the up-regulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ （LC3 Ⅱ）. Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group， the levels of phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinase （p-ERK）， phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p-p38 MAPK）， phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase （p-JNK）， and its downstream nuclear transcription factors c-Jun and p-c-Jun protein were significantly increased in M36 group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of MAPK signaling pathway. ConclusionThe sesquiterpenoid M36 isolated from Myrrha inhibits the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells and promotes apoptosis and autophagy， which may be related to the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway.

Cellular Uptake of Catharanthus roseus-Silver Nanoparticles in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells

@#Introduction: Nanoparticles exhibit unique features and currently at the forefront of cutting-edge research. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most promising and widely commercialised nanoproducts in various fields. The interaction of these AgNPs with cells remain unclear to connect with its toxicological endpoints. The aim of this study was to investigate the cellular uptake of C. roseus-AgNPs in hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2. Methods: The HepG2 cells were treated with the mean IC50 value of C. roseus-AgNPs which was 4.95±0.26 µg/mL for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The effects were compared with the untreated cells and other treatments which include camptothecin, C. roseus-aqueous extract, and AgNO3 . Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was used to quantify the intracellular Ag+ and Ca2+, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging was used to visualise the nanoparticle distribution. Results: The HepG2 cells have significantly taken up Ag+ from C. roseus-AgNPs with at least six times higher compared to Ag+ from AgNO3 . The intracellular Ca2+ detected in HepG2 cells for all treatments were significantly higher than the untreated cells, in time-dependent manner. TEM images indicated the endocytosis of C. roseus-AgNPs with the presence of endosomes and exocytic vesicles. Conclusion: The significant accumulation of intracellular Ag+ demonstrated the efficiency of the C. roseus-AgNPs uptake while the increased Ca2+ indicated the early sign of cell injury. The cellular uptake was mainly through endocytosis. These findings are crucial to correlate the physicochemical properties of C. roseus-AgNPs with the anticancer mechanisms towards the development of liver cancer therapy.

Spatiotemporal pharmacometabolomics based on ambient mass spectrometry imaging to evaluate the metabolism and hepatotoxicity of amiodarone in HepG2 spheroids / 药物分析学报

Three-dimensional(3D)cell spheroid models combined with mass spectrometry imaging(MSI)enables innovative investigation of in vivo-like biological processes under different physiological and patho-logical conditions.Herein,airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization-MSI(AFADESI-MSI)was coupled with 3D HepG2 spheroids to assess the metabolism and hepatotoxicity of amiodarone(AMI).High-coverage imaging of＞1100 endogenous metabolites in hepatocyte spheroids was achieved using AFADESI-MSI.Following AMI treatment at different times,15 metabolites of AMI involved in N-desethylation,hydroxylation,deiodination,and desaturation metabolic reactions were identified,and according to their spatiotemporal dynamics features,the metabolic pathways of AMI were proposed.Subsequently,the temporal and spatial changes in metabolic disturbance within spheroids caused by drug exposure were obtained via metabolomic analysis.The main dysregulated metabolic pathways included arachidonic acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism,providing considerable evidence for the mechanism of AMI hepatotoxicity.In addition,a biomarker group of eight fatty acids was selected that provided improved indication of cell viability and could characterize the hepatotoxicity of AMI.The combination of AFADESI-MSI and HepG2 spheroids can simultaneously obtain spatiotemporal infor-mation for drugs,drug metabolites,and endogenous metabolites after AMI treatment,providing an effective tool for in vitro drug hepatotoxicity evaluation.

Mediation of mitochondrial translocator protein by tanshinone ⅡA in apoptosis of HepG2 cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the role of mitochondrial translocator protein(TSPO)in the apoptosis of HepG2 cells induced by tanshinone IIA(Tan II A)and the involved mechanism. Methods Following the HepG2 cells treated with Tan ⅡA at 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol·L-1, the cell viability was determined by MTT assay, and intracellular ATP content was determined by luciferin-luciferase method. Oxygen utilization was measured polarographically with a Clark oxygen electrode. Cell apoptosis was determined by Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry. The mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed with JC-1 staining. The intracellular distribution of TSPO was examined by TSPO immunostaining, and the expressions of TSPO, Cyto C, caspase-3, caspase-9 were determined by immunoblotting analysis. Results Tan II A inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. The treatment with Tan II A inhibited ATP production and oxygen utilization of mitochondria. In addition, Tan ⅡA enhanced TSPO expression and accumulation in nuclei and up-regulated the expression of Cyto C, caspase-3 and caspase-9. Conclusions Tan II A induces the apoptosis of HepG2 cells, which may be related to the TSPO-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction.

Echinatin down-regulates ASKl-JNK signaling pathway against FFA induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of echinatin on the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease model of free fatty acids ( FFA) -induced HepG2 cells and its mechanism. Methods The experimental groups were divided into control group, FFA model group and echinatin group (0.3 , 1, 3 μmol • L

Effects of extracts from Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst on apoptosis of HepG2 and its anti-hepatocellular carcinoma in mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the apoptosis of human hep-atoma cell line ( HepG2 ) induced by different polar parts of Arnebia euchroma ( Royle ) Johnst ( AE ) and to verify its anti-hepatoma effect by a mouse orthotopic liver cancer model so as to explore the anti-cancer effect of AE extract. Methods Firstly, MTT method and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining method were used to detect the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of each polar part of AE on HepG2 cells, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of Bcl-2 apoptosis family proteins incells. Based on the above experimental results, the effective parts with significant pro-apoptotic effect were screened out for anti-in situ liver cancer experiments in mice, and the organ indexes, liver function indexes and tissue sections of mice with orthotopic liver cancer before and after administration were evaluated. Results With the decrease of the polarity of AE extract,the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptotic effects on HepG2 cells were enhanced, and the anti-proliferation and apoptosis-inducing effects of AE petroleum ether fraction ( AEP) were the most significant. When AEP dose was 1.56 (μg • L

Effects of stilbenes on glucose and lipid metabolism in insulin resistant HepG2 cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effect of four stilbenes including rhaponticin, desoxyrhaponticin, rhapontigenin and resveratrol on glucose and lipid metabolism in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells induced by high glucose and high fat. Methods The model of insulin resistance was established by incubating HepG2 cells with a complex of glucose and oleic acid. MTT assay was used to detect cell viability. The intracellular triglyceride (TG) and glucose levels were measured by the kit method. The lipid production was observed by oil red O staining, and the cell morphology and uptake of 2-NBDG were observed by confocal microscope. The PPAR signaling pathway and PI3K/Akt insulin signaling pathway related proteins were determined by Western blot to evaluate the effect of stilbenes on glycolipid metabolism in IR-HepG2 cells. Results The complex containing 50 mmol • L

Effect of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide A on the malignant biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its mechanism / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 目的：探究小核核糖核蛋白多肽A（SNRPA）在肝细胞癌（HCC）组织和细胞中的表达及其调控HCC细胞HepG2和Hep3B恶性生物学行为的作用及其机制。方法: 数据库分析SNRPA在泛癌组织中的表达及其与病理分期、HCC患者预后的相关性。常规培养HepG2和Hep3B细胞，将si-NC，si-SNRPA#1、si-SNRPA#2转染HepG2和Hep3B细胞，实验分为si-NC组、si-SNRPA#1组和si-SNRPA#2组；将SNRPA-vector和SNRPA-oe载体转染LO2细胞，分为SNRPA-vector组和SNRPA-oe组。qPCR法检测正常肝细胞和肝癌细胞以及转染各组HepG2和Hep3B细胞中SNRPA mRNA的表达，MTT法、Transwell法和WB法分别检测转染后各组HepG2和Hep3B细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力以及EMT相关蛋白表达的变化。结果: 数据库分析显示，SNRPA mRNA在多数肿瘤组织中均呈高表达（均P<0.001）且与病理分期有关联（P<0.05或P<0.01）。SNRPA在HCC组织和细胞中均呈高表达（P<0.05或P<0.01），且与HCC患者的预后有关联（P<0.01）。敲减SNRPA表达明显抑制HepG2和Hep3B细胞增殖（P<0.05或P<0.01）而过表达SNRPA则能促进LO2细胞增殖（P<0.01），敲减SNRPA表达明显抑制HepG2和Hep3B细胞的迁移和侵袭能力（均P<0.01），明显促进E-cadherin的表达上调（P<0.01），而抑制N-cadherin、vimentin的表达（P<0.01）。结论: SNRPA在HCC组织及细胞中呈明显高表达，其可能通过调控上皮间质转化（EMT）进程进而促进HepG2和Hep3B细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭。

The toxic effects of imidacloprid exposure on HepG2 cell based on non-targeted metabolomics / 环境与职业医学

Background Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide that is widely used in agricultural production, with a high detection rate in human biological samples. Previous studies have shown a high correlation between imidacloprid exposure and liver injury, but the specific mechanism is still unknown. Objective To observe potential toxic effects of HepG2 cells and its perturbation of non-targeted metabolic profile after imidacloprid exposure, and to explore possible molecular mechanisms of hepatotoxicity of imidacloprid by analyzing invovlved biological processes and signaling pathways. Methods HepG2 cell suspension was prepared and seeded in a 96-well plate, which was divided into blank control group, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent control group and imidacloprid exposure groups with multiple concentrations. Each group was set with 5 parallel samples. The viability of HepG2 cells viability were determined after 8 h of exposure to different concentrationsof imidacloprid (1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 mmol·L−1), and the dose-effect relationship was analyzed. A proper concentration (3 mmol·L−1 with 80% viability) was chosen for imidacloprid exposure, non-targeted metabolomic analysis was applied to the cultivated HepG2 cells using UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology, the differential metabolites between groups were screened, and the bioprocess and related signaling pathways of their enrichment were annotated using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. Results Compared to the other two groups, the survival rates of HepG2 cells in the imidacloprid exposure groups decreased. A survival rate of about 86% of HepG2 cells was found in HepG2 cells exposed to 2.5 mmol·L−1 imidacloprid exposure. The non-targeted metabolomics studies showed that 61 metabolites were significantly affected in HepG2 cells after 3 mmol·L−1 imidacloprid exposure, including creatine (variable importance in projection VIP=1.11, P<0.001), arginine (VIP=1.47, P=0.048), taurine (VIP=4.28, P=0.001), and α-D-glucose (VIP=1.90, P=0.006). The differential metabolites enriched in bioprocess and related signaling pathways were mainly directed to mTOR signaling pathways (P<0.001), arginine and proline metabolism (P=0.002), and galactose metabolism (P=0.015). Conclusion Imidacloprid exposure can significantly inhibit the survival rate of HepG2 cells, and interfere with the mTOR signaling pathway, arginine and proline metabolism, galactose metabolism, and so on.

Mecanismo de células dendríticas derivadas de sangre periférica humana en la regulación de la autofagia en células de carcinoma / Mechanism of human peripheral blood-derived dendritic cells in the regulation of autophagy in carcinoma cells

Resumen Introducción: Las células dendríticas (CD) están involucradas en el reconocimiento, respuesta y modulación inmunológicos relacionados con la aparición del cáncer. Objetivo: Explorar el mecanismo de las CD en la inhibición de la autofagia de las células del hepatoma. Métodos: Células mononucleares de sangre periférica humana se aislaron mediante centrifugación en gradiente de densidad de Ficoll y se indujeron en CD, las cuales fueron cocultivadas con células HepG2 por ensayo de migración Transwell. La actividad de las células HepG2 se determinó mediante ensayo CCK8. La expresión del índice de autofagia LC3 se midió con análisis de transferencia Western y la expresión y secreción de citocinas mediante qRT-PCR y ELISA. Resultados: En el sistema de cocultivo, las CD redujeron la viabilidad de HepG2; la expresión de IL-2, IL-12, IL-10 e IFN-γ en CD también se inhibió significativamente, si bien IL-2 e IFN-γ aún se expresaron 0.6 y 0.53 más que en el grupo de control. Conclusión: Las CD pueden regular la autofagia de las células del carcinoma hepatocelular. El mecanismo puede estar relacionado con la síntesis y liberación de citocinas como IL-2, IL-12 e IFN-γ por parte de las CD.

Abstract Introduction: Dendritic cells (DC) are involved in immune recognition, response and immunomodulation mechanisms related to the onset of cancer. Objective: To explore DCs mechanism in the inhibition of autophagy in hepatoma cells. Methods: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation and induced into DCs, which were co-cultured with HepG2 cells by Transwell migration assay. HepG2 cell activity was determined using the CCK8 assay. LC3 autophagy index expression was measured with Western blot analysis, and the expression and secretion of cytokines, with qRT-PCR and ELISA. Results: In the co-culture system, DCs were able to reduce HepG2 cells viability; IL-2, IL-12, IL-10 and IFN-γ expression in DCs was also significantly inhibited, although IL-2 and IFN-γ were still expressed 0.6 and 0.53 more than in the control group. Conclusion: DCs can regulate autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The mechanism may be related to the synthesis and release of cytokines such as IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-γ by DCs.

Sagittaria sagittifolia polysaccharides regulates Nrf2/HO-1 to relieve liver injury caused by multiple heavy metals in vivo and in vitro / 中国中药杂志

This study explored whether Sagittaria sagittifolia polysaccharides(SSP) activates the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) signaling pathway to protect against liver damage jointly induced by multiple heavy metals. First, based on the proportion of dietary intake of six heavy metals in rice available in Beijing market, a heavy metal mixture was prepared for inducing mouse liver injury and HepG2 cell injury. Forty male Kunming mice were divided into five groups: control group, model group, glutathione positive control group, and low-and high-dose SSP groups, with eight mice in each group. After 30 days of intragastric administration, the liver injury in mice was observed by HE staining. In the in vitro experiment, MTT assay was conducted to detect the effects of SSP at 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg·mL~(-1) on HepG2 cell survival at different time points. The content of alanine transaminase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) in the 48-h cell culture fluid was measured using micro-plate cultivation method, followed by the detection of the change in reactive oxygen species(ROS) content by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 in cells were determined by RT-PCR, and their protein expression by Western blot. HE staining results showed that compared with the model group, the SSP administration groups exhibited significantly alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and fatty infiltration in the liver, with better outcomes observed in the high-dose SSP group. In the in vitro MTT assay, compared with the model group, SSP at four concentrations all significantly increased the cell survival rate, decreased the ALT, AST, and ROS content(P<0.05), and down-regulated Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA and protein expression(P<0.05). SSP significantly improves inflammatory infiltration in the liver tissue of mice exposed to a variety of heavy metals and corrects the liver fat degeneration, which may be related to its regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, reduction of ROS, and alleviation of oxidative damage.

The effects of miR-1243 on the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells through targeted regulation of hnRNPA2B1 expression / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@# [摘 要] 目的：探讨miR-1243通过靶向调控核不均一核糖核蛋白A2/B1（hnRNPA2B1）表达对肝癌HepG2细胞增殖、迁移的影响及其分子机制。方法：用qPCR和WB法检测40例肝癌组织及其癌旁组织（2019年1月至2021年8月在武汉市第三医院首义院区手术切除标本）和正常人肝细胞QSG-7701与肝癌细胞HepG2、Hep3b、HuH-7中miR-1243、hnRNPA2B1 mRNA水平及hnRNPA2B1、cyclin D1、MMP-2蛋白水平；双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证miR-1243和hnRNPA2B1的靶向关系。HepG2细胞分为对照组（不转染）、miR-NC组（转染miR-NC）、miR-1243 mimic组（转染miR-1243 mimic）、miR-1243 mimic+pcDNA3.1组（转染miR-1243 mimic和pcDNA3.1）、miR-1243 mimic+pc-hnRNPA2B1组（转染miR-1243 mimic和pc-hnRNPA2B1）后进行相应转染；WB法检测肝癌组织及细胞和转染后各组细胞的hnRNPA2B1、cyclin D1、MMP-2蛋白表达水平；CCK-8法检测转染后各组HepG2细胞的增殖能力；划痕愈合实验检测转染后各组HepG2细胞的迁移能力。结果：与癌旁组织或正常人肝细胞QSG-7701相比，肝癌组织和肝癌细胞中miR-1243呈低表达、hnRNPA2B1 mRNA及其蛋白呈高表达（均P<0.05）。双荧光素酶报告基因实验结果证实miR-1243与hnRNPA2B1间存在靶向关系，且miR-1243通过靶向hnRNPA2B1负调控其表达。转染miR-1243 mimic后HepG2细胞中hnRNPA2B1蛋白表达、细胞增殖能力、划痕愈合率及cyclin D1、MMP-2蛋白表达均显著降低（均P<0.05）；而同时过表达hnRNPA2B1和miR-1243可逆转过表达miR-1243对HepG2细胞增殖、迁移的抑制作用。结论：miR-1243通过靶向hnRNPA2B1表达调控肝癌HepG2细胞的增殖和迁移。

Molecular mechanisms of sorafenib resistance induced by lncRNA SUMO1P3 in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 目的：探讨长链非编码RNA小泛素样修饰蛋白1假基因3 （lncRNA SUMO1P3）促进肝细胞癌（HCC）HepG2细胞对索拉菲尼（SR）耐药的分子机制。方法：体外培养HCC细胞HepG2，采用持续接触浓度递增诱导法建立SR耐药细胞HepG2/SR，以HepG2细胞作为对照，qPCR法检测HepG2/SR细胞中SUMO1P3的表达。利用脂质体转染技术，在HepG2/SR细胞中分别转染si-SUMO1P3和si-NC；在HepG2细胞中分别转染pc-SUMO1P3和pc-DNA，后经5 μmol/L的SR处理24 h，qPCR法检测转染细胞中SUMO1P3表达水平，CCK-8法、Transwell实验和FCM分别检测转染细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力和凋亡水平，WB法检测细胞中cyclin D1、Bcl2、BAX、MMP-2和MMP-9的表达。结果：成功构建SR耐药细胞HepG2/SR，HepG2/SR细胞中SUMO1P3表达水平显著高于HepG2细胞（P<0.01）。在HepG2/SR细胞敲减SUMO1P3后，与si-NC组比较，si-SUMO1P3组细胞中SUMO1P3的表达与细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭能力及cyclin D1、Bcl2、MMP-2和MMP-9表达均显著降低，细胞凋亡率和BAX的表达均显著升高（P<0.05或P<0.01）。HepG2细胞过表达SUMO1P3后，与pc-DNA组比较，pc-SUMO1P3组细胞的增殖、迁移、侵袭能力及cyclin D1、Bcl2、MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白表达均显著升高，细胞凋亡率和BAX的表达均降低（P<0.05或P<0.01）；与pc-DNA+SR组比较，pc-SUMO1P3+SR组HepG2细胞的增殖、迁移、侵袭能力及cyclin D1、Bcl2、MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白表达均显著升高，细胞凋亡率和BAX的表达均显著降低（P<0.05或P<0.01）。结论：lncRNA SUMO1P3可通过调控HCC细胞的周期、凋亡等多种信号通路分子诱导细胞对SR的耐药，从而影响HepG2细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭，并抑制细胞凋亡与诱导细胞对SR的耐药。

Intermedin improves renal structure and function and microvascular injury in IgA nephropathy rats / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the hepatotoxicity of rutecarpine(RUT)by using high-content screening technology.Methods HepG2 cells were exposed to different concentrations of RUT for different time, then cell viability was detected by MTT method.Cell count, nucleus injury, mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP), reactive oxygen species(ROS), internal flow of calcium, cell membrane integrity(DIR)were measured by high-content screening technology.The activation of MAPK, NF-κB and JAKs-STATs was assayed by high-content screening technology.The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.Results The viability was significantly reduced by 100 μmol·L-1 RUT(P<0.01)after HepG2 cell exposure to RUT for 24 h, the nuclear area decreased and the nuclear morphology was uneven, and after 48 h, the cell count was significantly reduced(P<0.01), the early apoptosis was detected(P<0.01).After HepG2 cell exposure to RUT for 6 h, the levels of ROS and internal flow of calcium significantly increased(P<0.01), and the cell membrane integrity was obviously damaged(P<0.01).After exposure to 100 μmol·L-1 RUT for 24 h, the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, STAT3 and p38 significantly increased(P<0.01, P<0.05), but there was no significant change in total protein level.The expression of c-Jun and c-Fos was up-regulated at 3 h(P<0.01), and at 3h time point, the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 significantly increased(P<0.01), but nuclear translocation was not significant.Conclusions Under certain conditions, RUT shows cytotoxicity on HepG2 cells, and its toxic mechanism is mainly related to injury caused by oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Study on hepatoxic liver of rutecarpine based on high-content screening technology / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the hepatotoxicity of rutecarpine(RUT)by using high-content screening technology.Methods HepG2 cells were exposed to different concentrations of RUT for different time, then cell viability was detected by MTT method.Cell count, nucleus injury, mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP), reactive oxygen species(ROS), internal flow of calcium, cell membrane integrity(DIR)were measured by high-content screening technology.The activation of MAPK, NF-κB and JAKs-STATs was assayed by high-content screening technology.The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.Results The viability was significantly reduced by 100 μmol·L-1 RUT(P<0.01)after HepG2 cell exposure to RUT for 24 h, the nuclear area decreased and the nuclear morphology was uneven, and after 48 h, the cell count was significantly reduced(P<0.01), the early apoptosis was detected(P<0.01).After HepG2 cell exposure to RUT for 6 h, the levels of ROS and internal flow of calcium significantly increased(P<0.01), and the cell membrane integrity was obviously damaged(P<0.01).After exposure to 100 μmol·L-1 RUT for 24 h, the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, STAT3 and p38 significantly increased(P<0.01, P<0.05), but there was no significant change in total protein level.The expression of c-Jun and c-Fos was up-regulated at 3 h(P<0.01), and at 3h time point, the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 significantly increased(P<0.01), but nuclear translocation was not significant.Conclusions Under certain conditions, RUT shows cytotoxicity on HepG2 cells, and its toxic mechanism is mainly related to injury caused by oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Establishment of 3D hepatocyte genotoxicity testing assay / 中国药理学通报

Aim To establish the 3D hepatocyte model by selecting the humanized hepatocyte HepG2 cells and 3D cell culture methods, and to establish the 3D hepatocyte cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome(CBMN-cyt)assay and 3D hepatocyte comet assay by using chemicals of different mode of action.Methods In this study, a scaffold-free culture method was used to successfully establish a 3D HepG2 hepatocyte spheroid model.The appearance of the sphere, the survival rate of cells inside the sphere, the gene expression of phase I and II metabolic enzymes, and the expression of liver-specific biomarkers were selected as the observation indicators to obtain the best culture conditions for the 3D hepatocyte model.The 3D hepatocyte model was combined with in vitro micronucleomics test and in vitro comet test to explore its applicability for genotoxicity test.Results The best culture conditions for the 3D hepatocyte model was 5×103 cells/20 μL /drop inoculation, cultivating for seven days.A 3D hepatocyte CBMN-cyt assay was established using mitomycin C(MMC), a micronucleus positive compound, and the results showed that it could successfully detect the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of MMC.Compared with the CBMN-cyt results of 2D hepatocyte model, 3D hepatocyte model had higher sensitivity in detecting MN and Nbud.The 3D hepatocyte comet assay methods were established using the known in vivo and in vitro comet assay positive compound methyl methanesulfonate(MMS), and the results showed that MMS could significantly increase the tail DNA% of 3D hepatocytes with low cytotoxicity.The sensitivity of 3D hepatocyte model to MMS genotoxicity detection was higher than that of 2D cells.Conclusions The 3D hepatocyte model established in this study is easy to use and low in cost, and shows good sensitivity and specificity in the in vitro micronucleus test and comet test, suggesting that the 3D hepatocyte genotoxicity test method is used in early drug genotoxicity screening.It has good application prospects in additional experimental research.