Research on the Interaction between Tubeimoside 1 and HepG2 Cells Using the Microscopic Imaging and Fluorescent Spectra Method

The treatment of cancer draws interest from researchers worldwide. Of the different extracts from traditional Chinese medicines, Tubeimoside 1 (TBMS 1) is regarded as an effective treatment for cancer. To determine the mechanism of TBMS 1, the shape/pattern of HepG2 cells based on the microscopic imaging technology was determined to analyze experimental results; then the fluorescent spectra method was designed to investigate whether TBMS 1 affected HepG2 cells. A three-dimensional (3D) fluorescent spectra sweep was performed to determine the characteristic wave peak of HepG2 cells. A 2D fluorescent spectra method was then used to show the florescence change in HepG2 cells following treatment with TBMS 1. Finally, flow cytometry was employed to analyze the cell cycle of HepG2 cells. It was shown that TBMS 1 accelerated the death of HepG2 cells and had a strong dose- and time-dependent growth inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells, especially at the G2/M phase. These results indicate that the fluorescent spectra method is a promising substitute for flow cytometry as it is rapid and cost-effective in HepG2 cells

TUBEIMOSIDE-1, A TRITERPENOID SAPONIN: AN UPDATE ON ITS PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS

It is known that humans have been using natural products for medicinal use for ages. Tubeimoside-1 (TBMS1) is a triterpenoid saponin first isolated in China from Bolbostemma paniculatum (Maxim) Franquet, Cucurbitaceae. This review provides a deep overview on TBMS1 and extensively summarizes its pharmacological functions. As result, TBMS1 has drawn great interest in medicinal field due to its multiple pharmacological functions such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antidiabetic, anti-human immunodeficiency viruses, and neuroprotective properties. Further, TBMS1 plays an important role in a wide range of pharmacological processes. Although possessing important functions, further experimentations are required to broaden the scope of its application

Theme Issue Honoring Prof. Dr. Ludger Wessjohann’s 60th Birthday: Natural Products in Modern Drug Discovery

Nature continuously produces biologically useful molecules and provides humankind with life-saving drugs or therapies. Natural products (NPs) offer a vast, unique and fascinating chemical diversity and these molecules have evolved for optimal interactions with biological macromolecules. Moreover, natural products feature pharmacologically active pharmacophores which are pharmaceutically validated starting points for the development of new lead compounds. Over half of all approved (from 1981 to 2014) small-molecule drugs derived from NPs, including unaltered NPs, NPs synthetic derivatives and synthetic natural mimics, originated from a NPs pharmacophore or template. According to the FDA, NPs and their derivatives represent over one-third of all FDA-approved new drugs, in particular for anticancer/antibiotic lead compounds, which are remarkably enriched with NPs

Targeted Cancer Therapy and Mechanisms of Resistance

Tumor cells commonly exhibit dependence on a single activated oncogenic pathway or protein to maintain their malignant proliferation and survival, a phenomenon called “oncogene addiction”. According to this concept, protein kinases have been identified as promising molecular targets for cancer therapy. There are several possibilities for targeting these proteins in cancer, including monoclonal antibodies, compounds able to favor the proteolytic degradation of the kinase, small-molecule protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs). Moreover, new anticancer treatments have increasingly been developed focusing on tumor suppressor genes and RNA interference. Despite promising results in cancer treatment with targeted cancer drugs, clinical experience has shown that only a fraction of patients respond to targeted therapies, even if their tumor expresses the altered target. This is known as primary resistance. Otherwise, secondary or acquired resistance to the treatment arises, almost invariably, when tumors are treated with cancer drugs. We set out to select some studies containing emerging developments on the subject. In essence, this collection aims to highlight some recent findings regarding resistance mechanisms and reviews of molecular targeting and resistance with 14 contributions, including 10 original research papers and 4 reviews. Aspects relating to solid cancers, such as breast, ovary, colon, and blood cancers such as leukemia, and the identification of resistance mechanisms and new molecular targets, help to create the basis for the preclinical and clinical development of more effective next-generation drugs