Journal: Cells

Article Title: Artesunate Inhibits the Cell Growth in Colorectal Cancer by Promoting ROS-Dependent Cell Senescence and Autophagy

doi: 10.3390/cells11162472

Figure Lengend Snippet: Artesunate caused excessive mitochondrial ROS to induce cell senescence and inhibit cell proliferation. ( A ) Artesunate arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 phase in SW480 and HCT116. Cells were seeded in 6-well plates. Once attached, cells were maintained in FBS-free medium for about 16~24 h. Afterwards, cell were treated with artesunate (1, 2, and 4 μM in medium containing 10% FBS) for 72 h and then harvested for PI staining to analyze cell cycle by flow cytometry. ( B ) Artesunate induced cell senescence in SW480 and HCT116. Cells were seeded in 6-well plates and treated with artesunate (1, 2, and 4 μM) for 72 h. Cell senescence was represented via SA-β-gal activity, which was assayed using a SA-β-gal staining kit after artesunate treatment. ( C ) Artesunate treatment downregulated the protein levels of CDK 2/4/6 and upregulated the protein levels of CDKIs, p16, and p21 in SW480 and HCT116. Cells were seeded in 60 mm dishes and treated with artesunate (1, 2, and 4 μM) for 72 h. Then, cells were lysed with RIPA to extract total protein. The protein levels were measured by western blotting. The gray values of protein blots were evaluated by Image J. Relative protein expression was normalized to β-actin. ( D ) NAC attenuated the effect of artesunate on protein expression of p16 in SW480 and HCT116. NAC was used at a concentration of 2 mM and added alone or together with artesunate (4 μM) for 72 h. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.001 vs. Ctrl. ### p < 0.001 vs. cells treated with artesunate alone. Data were shown as mean ± SD.

Article Snippet: CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1, p21, Rb, phosphorylated-Rb, caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 3, PARP, cleaved-PARP, Bax, Bcl-2, BIP, PERK, IRE1α, CHOP, DR5, Beclin 1, LC3A/B, Atg3, Atg5, Atg7, and Atg12 primary antibodies for western blotting were purchased from Cell Signaling Technology Inc. (Danvers, MA, USA). p16 and phosphor-IRE1α primary antibodies for western blotting were purchased from Abcam (Cambridge, UK). p16, p21, and Cyclin D1 primary antibodies for immunohistochemistry and β-actin, XBP1S, and XBP1U primary antibodies for western blotting were purchased from Proteintech Group, Inc. (Manchester, UK).

Techniques: Staining, Flow Cytometry, Activity Assay, Western Blot, Expressing, Concentration Assay

Journal: Cells

Article Title: Artesunate Inhibits the Cell Growth in Colorectal Cancer by Promoting ROS-Dependent Cell Senescence and Autophagy

doi: 10.3390/cells11162472

Figure Lengend Snippet: Artesunate inhibited the growth of CT26-derived tumor in vivo. ( A ) Experimental timeline of CT26-derived tumor model in balb/c mice. Balb/c mice were injected CT-26 cells (1 × 10 5 cells for each mouse) subcutaneously to establish the CT26-derived tumor model. Tumor-loaded mice were gavaged with artesunate at 30 mg/kg or 60 mg/kg for 24 days. Body weights and tumor volumes were recorded every three days. ( B ) Curve of tumor volume. ( C ) Tumor weight. Tumor tissues were collected and weighted after treatment. ( D ) Immunohistochemical images of Ki67, Cyclin D1, p16, p21, LC3B, and p-IRE1α. Immunohistochemistry assay was performed using a SABC-POD staining kit. ( E ) Curve of body weight. ( F ) Organ indexes. Lung, heart, spleen, liver, and kidney were collected and weighted to calculate the organ indexes after treatment. * p < 0.05, *** p < 0.001 vs. Model group. Data were shown as mean ± SD.

Article Snippet: CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1, p21, Rb, phosphorylated-Rb, caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 3, PARP, cleaved-PARP, Bax, Bcl-2, BIP, PERK, IRE1α, CHOP, DR5, Beclin 1, LC3A/B, Atg3, Atg5, Atg7, and Atg12 primary antibodies for western blotting were purchased from Cell Signaling Technology Inc. (Danvers, MA, USA). p16 and phosphor-IRE1α primary antibodies for western blotting were purchased from Abcam (Cambridge, UK). p16, p21, and Cyclin D1 primary antibodies for immunohistochemistry and β-actin, XBP1S, and XBP1U primary antibodies for western blotting were purchased from Proteintech Group, Inc. (Manchester, UK).

Techniques: Derivative Assay, In Vivo, Injection, Immunohistochemical staining, Immunohistochemistry, Staining