Two Molecular Weights Holothurian Glycosaminoglycan and Hematoporphyrin Derivative-Photodynamic Therapy Inhibit Proliferation and Promote Apoptosis of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Holothurian glycosaminoglycan (hGAG) is extracted from the body wall of the sea cucumber, and previous studies have shown many unique bioactivities of hGAG, including antitumor, anti-angiogenesis, anti coagulation, anti thrombosis, anti-inflammation, antidiabetic effect, antivirus, and immune regulation. The effects of 3W and 5W molecular weights hGAG with hematoporphyrin derivative-photodynamic therapy (HPD-PDT) on lung cancer were investigated. Human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells were divided into 6 groups: control group, 3W molecular weight hGAG group, 5W molecular weight hGAG group, HPD-PDT group, 3W molecular weight hGAG + HPD-PDT group, and 5W molecular weight hGAG + HPD-PDT group. Cell morphology was observed under inverted phase contrast microscope. Cell proliferative activity was detected by CCK8 and cell apoptosis was assayed by Hoechst33258 staining and flow cytometry. The results showed that two different molecular weights hGAG could inhibit proliferation, promote apoptosis rates of A549 cells, and enhance the sensitivity of A549 cells to HPD-PDT. The combined use of hGAG and HPD-PDT has synergistic inhibitory effects on A549 cells, and the effects of 3W molecular weight hGAG are better than that of 5W molecular weight hGAG.

Chemical Components and Pharmacological Activities of Smallanthus sonchifolius （Yacon）：A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Smallanthus sonchifolius， a plant resource with both medicinal and edible values， has been taken as fruit for a long history. Studies have proved that phenolic acids， flavonoids， sesquiterpene lactones， and fructooligosaccharides are the major compounds in S. sonchifolius. The extract of S. sonchifolius demonstrates noticeable antioxidant， anti-inflammatory， antimicrobial， and anti-cancer effects， as well as the activities of lowering blood glucose level， regulating intestinal function and so on. The rhizomes and leaves of S. sonchifolius contain abundant phenolic acids， mainly caffeic acid and its derivatives， which endow S. sonchifolius with remarkable antioxidant effect. Moreover， these substances can reduce blood glucose by improving insulin sensitivity. Fructooligosaccharides are abundant in the tuber of this plant， which can improve intestinal function by regulating intestinal flora. The sesquiterpene lactones in glandular trichomes on the leaf surface can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells， among which uvedafolin and enhydrofolin have particularly strong activities. Furthermore， the sesquiterpene lactones have obvious inhibitory effect on Gram-positive bacteria. In terms of structure， the number of epoxy groups is linked to the strength of anticancer and antimicrobial effects. In addition， S. sonchifolius contains other compounds such as volatile oils， fatty acids， sterols， diterpenes， p-hydroxyacetophenone derivatives， and octulosonic acid derivatives， thereby exhibiting the pharmacological effects of treating Alzheimer's disease， protecting kidney， and lowering blood lipids. However， the isolation and identification of the main compounds in S. sonchifolius need further exploration， and the mechanism of action remains to be studied. Here we summarized the principal chemical components and pharmacological activities of S. sonchifolius， aiming to give a clue for the comprehensive development and utilization of this plant.