Whasun Lim

Therapeutic potential of α,β‐thujone through metabolic reprogramming and caspase‐dependent apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells

AbstractThe therapeutic potential of α,β‐thujone, a functional compound found in many medicinal plants of the Cupressaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae families, has been demonstrated, including in inflammation and cancers. However, its pharmacological functions and mechanisms of action in ovarian cancer remain unclear. We investigated the anticancer properties of α,β‐thujone in ES2 and OV90 human ovarian cancer cells and its effect on sensitization to cisplatin. α,β‐thujone inhibited cancer cell proliferation and induced cell death through caspase‐dependent intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Moreover, α,β‐thujone‐mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress was associated with the loss of mitochondrial functions and altered metabolic landscape of ovarian cancer cells. α,β‐Thujone attenuated blood vessel formation in transgenic zebrafish, implying it has significant antiangiogenic potential. In addition, α,β‐thujone sensitized ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin, causing synergistic pharmacological effects. Collectively, our results suggest that α,β‐thujone has therapeutic potential in human ovarian cancer and functions via regulating multiple intracellular stress‐associated metabolic reprogramming and caspase‐dependent apoptotic pathways.

Alterations in egg white-related genes expression in response to hormonal stimulation

Abstract The reproductive tract in avian females is sensitive to hormonal regulation. Exogenous estrogen induces immature oviduct development to improve egg production after molting. In this process, regressed female reproductive tract is regenerated in response to the secretion of estrogen. However, there is limited knowledge on the physiological mechanisms underlying the regulation of the avian female reproductive system. In our previous study, results from microarray analysis revealed that the expression of genes encoding egg white proteins is affected during molting. Herein, we artificially induced the molting period in chickens through a zinc-containing diet. Subsequently, changes in the expression of genes encoding egg white proteins were confirmed in the oviduct tissue. The levels of MUC5B, ORM1, RTBDN, and TENP mRNA were significantly high in the oviduct, and the genes were repressed in the regression phase, whereas these were expressed in the recrudescence phase, particularly in the luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of the oviduct, during molting. Moreover, we observed that gene expression was induced in the magnum, the site for the secretion of egg white components. Next, differences in expression levels of the four genes in normal and cancerous ovaries were compared. Collectively, results suggest that the four selected genes are expressed in the female chicken reproductive tract in response to hormonal regulation, and egg white protein-encoding genes may serve as modulators of the reproductive system in hens.

Osthole interacts with an ER‐mitochondria axis and facilitates tumor suppression in ovarian cancer

AbstractOsthole is a natural coumarin found in a variety of plants and has been reported to have diverse biological functions, including antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects. Here, we investigated the natural derivative osthole as a promising anticancer compound against ovarian cancer and evaluated its ability to suppress and abrogate tumor progression. In addition, we found the endoplasmic reticulum‐mitochondrial axis‐mediated anticancer mechanisms of osthole against ES2 and OV90 ovarian cancer cells and demonstrated its calcium‐dependent pharmacological potential. Mechanistically, osthole was found to target the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway to facilitate tumor suppression in ovarian cancer. Furthermore, we identified the effects of osthole in a three‐dimensional tumor‐formation model using the zebrafish xenograft assay, providing convincing evidence of the pharmacological effects of osthole within the anchorage‐independent tumor microenvironment. These findings suggest that osthole has strong potential as a pharmacological agent for targeting ovarian cancer.

Fucosterol Suppresses the Progression of Human Ovarian Cancer by Inducing Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose early and has high rates of relapse and mortality. Therefore, the treatment of ovarian cancer needs to be improved. Recently, several studies have been conducted in an attempt to develop anticancer drugs from naturally derived ingredients. Compared to traditional chemotherapy, natural compounds can overcome drug resistance with lower side effects. Fucosterol, a phytosterol present in brown algae, reportedly possesses many bioactive effects, including anticancer properties. However, the anticancer effects of fucosterol in ovarian cancer remain unexplored. Therefore, we investigated the effects of fucosterol on progression in human ovarian cancer cells. Fucosterol inhibited cell proliferation and cell-cycle progression in ovarian cancer cells. Additionally, fucosterol regulated the proliferation-related signaling pathways, the production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial function, endoplasmic reticulum stress, angiogenesis, and calcium homeostasis. Moreover, it decreased tumor formation in a zebrafish xenograft model. These results indicate that fucosterol could be used as a potential therapeutic agent in ovarian cancer.

Laminarin-Derived from Brown Algae Suppresses the Growth of Ovarian Cancer Cells via Mitochondrial Dysfunction and ER Stress

Ovarian cancer (OC) is difficult to diagnose at an early stage and leads to the high mortality rate reported in the United States. Standard treatment for OC includes maximal cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. However, relapse due to chemoresistance is common in advanced OC patients. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new anticancer drugs to suppress OC progression. Recently, the anticancer effects of laminarin, a beta-1,3-glucan derived from brown algae, have been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma, colon cancer, leukemia, and melanoma. However, its effects in OC are not reported. We confirmed that laminarin decreases cell growth and cell cycle progression of OC cells through the regulation of intracellular signaling. Moreover, laminarin induced cell death through DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species generation, induction of apoptotic signals and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, regulation of calcium levels, and alteration of the ER-mitochondria axis. Laminarin was not cytotoxic in a zebrafish model, while in a zebrafish xenograft model, it inhibited OC cell growth. These results suggest that laminarin may be successfully used as a novel OC suppressor.