Hemidesmus indicus induces apoptosis via proteasome inhibition and generation of reactive oxygen species

Sci Rep. 2019 May 10;9(1):7199. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-43609-5.

Abstract

Proteasome inhibition represents an important anticancer strategy. Here, we studied the mechanisms at the basis of the pro-apoptotic activity of the standardized decoction of Hemidesmus indicus, a plant evoking a complex anticancer activity, and explored its inhibition of proteasome activity in human leukemia cells. Additionally, we preliminary tested the cytotoxicity of some H. indicus's phytochemicals on leukemia cells and their intestinal absorption on a human intestinal epithelium model consisting of a monolayer of differentiated Caco2 cells. We observed a potent antileukemic effect for H. indicus, imputable to the modulation of different critical targets at protein and mRNA levels and the reduction of the 26S proteasome expression. We found that some phytomarkers of H. indicus decoction passed through the enterocyte monolayer. Overall, our study supports the pharmacological potential of H. indicus, which can represent an interesting botanical drug in the oncological area.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Hemidesmus / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Absorption
  • Jurkat Cells
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / genetics
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Proteasome Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Proteasome Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • MIRN15 microRNA, human
  • MIRN16 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Plant Extracts
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • ATP dependent 26S protease