This study investigates the effect of glycyrrhetinic acid(GA) combined with doxorubicin(DOX) on apoptosis in HepG2 cells and its possible mechanisms. HepG2 cells were cultured in vitro, and cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method. Flow cytometry was used to measure apoptosis levels in HepG2 cells. The cells were divided into the following groups: control group(0 μmol·L~(-1)), DOX group(2 μmol·L~(-1)), GA group(150 μmol·L~(-1)), and DOX + GA combination group(2 μmol·L~(-1) DOX + 150 μmol·L~(-1) GA), with treatments given for 24 hours. The colocalization level between the endoplasmic reticulum(ER) and mitochondria was assessed by colocalization fluorescence imaging. Fluorescence probes were used to measure the Ca~(2+) content in the ER and mitochondria. The qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression of sirtuin-3(SIRT3). Co-immunoprecipitation(CO-IP) was applied to investigate the interactions between voltage-dependent anion channel 1(VDAC1) and SIRT3, as well as between VDAC1, glucose-regulated protein 75(GRP75), and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor(IP3R). The results showed that the combination of DOX and GA promoted apoptosis in HepG2 liver cancer cells. The colocalization level between the ER and mitochondria was significantly reduced, the Ca~(2+) content in the ER was significantly increased, and the Ca~(2+) content in the mitochondria was significantly decreased. The relative expression of VDAC1, GRP75, and IP3R was significantly reduced, and interactions between VDAC1, GRP75, and IP3R were observed. SIRT3 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased, and an interaction between SIRT3 and VDAC1 was detected. The acetylation level of VDAC1 was significantly decreased. In conclusion, GA combined with DOX induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells by mediating the deacetylation of VDAC1 through SIRT3, weakening the interactions among VDAC1, GRP75, and IP3R. This regulates the formation of endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial membrane domains(ERMMDs), affects Ca~(2+) transport between the ER and mitochondria, and ultimately triggers cell apoptosis.
Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Hep G2 Cells ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid/pharmacology* ; Doxorubicin/pharmacology* ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/physiopathology* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism* ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics*

The 3-succinate-30-stearyl glycyrrhetinic acid(18-GA-Suc) was inserted into glycyrrhetinic acid(GA)-tanshinone Ⅱ_A(TSN)-salvianolic acid B(Sal B) liposome(GTS-lip) to prepare liver targeting compound liposome(Suc-GTS-lip) mediated by GA receptors. Next, pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of Suc-GTS-lip and GTS-lip were compared by UPLC, and in vivo imaging tracking of Suc-GTS-lip was conducted. The authors investigated the effect of Suc-GTS-lip on the proliferation inhibition of hepatic stellate cells(HSC) and explored their molecular mechanism of improving liver fibrosis. Pharmacokinetic results showed that the AUC_(Sal B) decreased from(636.06±27.73) μg·h·mL~(-1) to(550.39±12.34) μg·h·mL~(-1), and the AUC_(TSN) decreased from(1.08±0.72) μg·h·mL~(-1) to(0.65±0.04) μg·h·mL~(-1), but the AUC_(GA) increased from(43.64±3.10) μg·h·mL~(-1) to(96.21±3.75) μg·h·mL~(-1). The results of tissue distribution showed that the AUC_(Sal B) and C_(max) of Sal B in the liver of the Suc-GTS-lip group were 10.21 and 4.44 times those of the GTS-lip group, respectively. The liver targeting efficiency of Sal B, TSN, and GA in the Suc-GTS-lip group was 40.66%, 3.06%, and 22.08%, respectively. In vivo imaging studies showed that the modified liposomes tended to accumulate in the liver. MTT results showed that Suc-GTS-lip could significantly inhibit the proliferation of HSC, and RT-PCR results showed that the expression of MMP-1 was significantly increased in all groups, but that of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 was significantly decreased. The mRNA expressions of collagen-I and collagen-Ⅲ were significantly decreased in all groups. The experimental results showed that Suc-GTS-lip had liver targeting, and it could inhibit the proliferation of HSC and induce their apoptosis, which provided the experimental basis for the targeted treatment of liver fibrosis by Suc-GTS-lip.
Humans ; Liposomes ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid/pharmacology* ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis/genetics* ; Collagen/pharmacology*

Salvianolic acid B(Sal B), tanshinone Ⅱ_A(TSN Ⅱ_A), and glycyrrhetinic acid(GA) lipid emulsion(GTS-LE) was prepared by the high-speed dispersion method combined with ultrasonic emulsification.The preparation process of the emulsion was optimized by single-factor method and D-optimal method with appearance, centrifugal stability, and particle size of the emulsion as evalua-tion indexes, followed by verification.In vitro release of Sal B, TSN Ⅱ_A, and GA in GTS-LE was performed by reverse dialysis.In vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation was carried out in mice.The acute liver injury model was induced by acetaminophen.The effect of oral GTS-LE on the acute liver injury was investigated by serum liver function indexes and pathological changes in liver tissues of mice.The results showed that under the optimal preparation process, the average particle size of GTS-LE was(145.4±9.25) nm and the Zeta potential was(-33.6±1.45) mV.The drug-loading efficiencies of Sal B, TSN Ⅱ_A, and GA in GTS-LE were above 95%, and the drug release in vitro conformed to the Higuchi equation.The pharmacokinetic results showed that the C_(max) of Sal B, TSN Ⅱ_A, and GA in GTS-LE was 3.128, 2.7, and 2.85 times that of the GTS-S group, and AUC_(0-t) of Sal B, TSN Ⅱ_A, and GA in GTS-LE was 3.09, 2.23, and 1.9 times that of the GTS-S group.After intragastric administration of GTS-LE, the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly inhibited, the content of malondialdehyde was reduced, and the structure of hepatocytes recovered to normal.In conclusion, GTS-LE can delay the release of Sal B and promote the release of TSN Ⅱ_A and GA.The encapsulation of three drug components in the emulsion can improve the oral bioavailability to varying degrees and can effectively prevent the acute liver injury caused by acetaminophen.
Abietanes/therapeutic use* ; Acetaminophen/therapeutic use* ; Alanine Transaminase/metabolism* ; Animals ; Antipyretics/therapeutic use* ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism* ; Benzofurans/therapeutic use* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/prevention & control* ; Depsides/therapeutic use* ; Emulsions ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid/therapeutic use* ; Liver/drug effects* ; Malondialdehyde ; Mice

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid/pharmacology* ; Humans

The optimal prescription of tanshinone Ⅱ_A(TSN)-glycyrrhetinic acid(GA) solid lipid nanoparticles(GT-SLNs) was explored and evaluated in vivo and in vitro, and its effect on acne after oral administration was investigated. The preparation processing and prescription were optimized and verified by single factor and response surface methodology. The in vitro release of GA and TSN in GT-SLNs was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC). The effect of GT-SLNs on acne was investigated by the levels of sex hormones in mice, ear swelling model, and tissue changes in sebaceous glands, and the pharmacokinetics was evaluated. The 24-hour cumulative release rates of GA and TSN in SLNs were 65.87%±5.63% and 36.13%±2.31% respectively. After oral administration of GT-SLNs and the mixture of GA and TSN(GT-Mix), the AUC_(0-t) and AUC_(0-∞) of TSN in GT-SLNs were 1.98 times and 4.77 times those in the GT-Mix group, respectively, and the peak concentration of TSN in the GT-SLNs group was 17.2 times that in the GT-Mix group. After intragastric administration of GT-SLNs, the serum levels of testosterone(T) and the ratio of testosterone to estradiol(T/E2) in the GT-SLNs group significantly declined, and the sebaceous glands of mice were atrophied to a certain extent. The results demonstrated that obtained GT-SLNs with good encapsulation efficiency and uniform particle size could promote the release of GA and TSN. GT-SLNs displayed therapeutic efficacy on acne manifested by androgen increase, abnormal sebaceous gland secretion, and inflammatory damage.
Abietanes ; Acne Vulgaris/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Drug Carriers ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; Liposomes ; Mice ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Testosterone

In this study,a nano drug delivery system GA-DTX-NGO which could be used for liver tumor photothermal and chemotherapy was prepared and characterized,with docetaxel(DTX) as model drug,glycyrrhetinic acid(GA) as the target molecule,and nano graphene oxide(NGO) as the photosensitizer. Firstly,GA-NGO nanocomposites were synthesized by the amidation reaction,and then GA-DTX-NGO was prepared by ultrasonic dispersion method. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading ratio were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) and ultracentrifugation; the morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The photothermal conversion test was carried out by laser irradiation at 808 nm and the drug release test in vitro was performed using reverse dialysis. Finally,the effect of GA-DTX-NGO on SMMC-7721 liver tumor cells proliferation was determined by using MTT assay. The results showed that GA-DTX-NGO had good water dispersibility,and TEM results showed a lamellar structure with about 200 nm in diameter. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading ratio of GA-DTX-NGO were(98. 89 ± 0. 07) % and(64. 74±0. 26) %,respectively. GA-DTX-NGO had strong photothermal conversion performance under 808 nm of laser irradiation. The drug release test in vitro results showed GA-DTX-NGO had obvious sustained-release effects and temperature-dependent release characteristics. The results of cell assay showed that GA-DTX-NGO could effectively inhibit the proliferation of SMMC 7721 cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner,and the inhibitory effect was enhanced after combination with the near-infrared therapy. In conclusion,the preparation process of GA-DTX-NGO nano drug delivery system is feasible,which could provide some theoretical basis for further study of photothermal and chemotherapy on liver tumor.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; Graphite

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the destabilizing effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on pre-formed biofilms of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) was observed. METHODS: Alamar blue assay was used to determine the toxicity of glycyrrhetinic acid on pre-formed biofilms of S. mutans. Four different concentrations (0, 3.75, 7.5, 15 µg/ml) of glycyrrhetinic acid were tested. Changes in the biofilm architecture after exposure to glycyrrhetinic acid were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the role of glycyrrhetinic acid in enhancing the antimicrobial activity of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), an antimicrobial agent commonly used in oral health care products, was evaluated. RESULTS: Glycyrrhetinic acid concentration of up to 15 µg/ml had little cytotoxic effect but significantly changed the biofilm architecture. SEM analysis revealed destabilized biofilm structure after the preformed biofilms were exposed to glycyrrhetinic acid. Supplementing 2.5 µg/ml CPC with 15 µg/ml glycyrrhetinic acid significantly enhanced the bactericidal effect of CPC on the pre-formed biofilms than that in the non-supplemented CPC treated control. This indicates that glycyrrhetinic acid enhanced the antimicrobial activity of CPC by modifying the structure, thus facilitating the penetration of CPC into the biofilm. CONCLUSIONS: Glycyrrhetinic acid could be a potential agent to effectively control S. mutans biofilms responsible for dental caries.
Biofilms* ; Cetylpyridinium ; Dental Caries ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Oral Health ; Streptococcus mutans* ; Streptococcus*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and effect of Connexin43 (Cx43) on tensile tension-stimulated osteogenic transcription factors of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs).

METHODSAfter hPDLFs were treated with 5% elongation tension for 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, and 24 h, we examined the expressions of Cx43, Osterix, and RUNX2 at the mRNA level. After Cx43 expression was suppressed by siRNA or 18α-GA, the changes The mRNA in hPDLFs of Osterix and RUNX2 were observed.

RESULTSThe expressions of Cx43, Osterix, and RUNX2 mRNA in hPDLFs increased in a time-dependent fashion following tensile strain (all P<0.05), with the highest level at 5% elongation for 24 h. After Cx43 expression was blocked by two different methods, the increasing expressions of Osterix and RUNX2 were inhibited.

CONCLUSIONS5% cyclic tension upregulates Cx43 expression and promotes the expression of Osterix and RUNX2 in a time-dependent manner. Cx43 may be involved in the osteogenic response of hPDLFs to mechanical tension.

Cells, Cultured ; Connexin 43 ; Fibroblasts ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontal Ligament ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Stress, Mechanical ; Transcription Factors ; Up-Regulation

PURPOSE: To compare axial length (AL) and keratometry (K) using optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR, Lenstar LS900(R), Haag-Streit, Bern, Switzerland) with current ocular biometry devices and evaluate the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation. METHODS: In this prospective, comparative observational study of eyes with cataracts, AL and K were measured using an OLCR device (Lenstar LS900(R), Haag-Streit), partial coherence interferometry (PCI, IOL Master(R), Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany), A-scan (Eyecubed) and automated keratometry (KR-7100, Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). IOL power calculation was performed using the Sanders-Retzlaff-Kraff (SRK/T) formula. The IOL prediction error (PE) was calculated by subtracting the predicted IOL power from the postoperative (PO) IOL power (PO 4 weeks, PO 12 weeks). RESULTS: A total of 50 eyes of 39 patients with cataracts (mean age 67.12 +/- 8.51 years) were evaluated in this study. AL and K were not significantly different between the OLCR device and other devices (analysis of variance [ANOVA], p = 0.946, 0.062, respectively). The mean PE in IOL power calculation was -0.22 +/- 0.50D with the OLCR device, 0.08 +/- 0.45D with the PCI device and -0.01 +/- 0.48D with A-scan and automated keratometry (ANOVA, p = 0.006). The highest percentage of eyes with PE smaller than +/- 0.5D was IOL Master(R) followed by Eyecubed and then Lenstar LS900(R). The mean absolute PE was not statistically significant among the 3 devices (ANOVA, p = 0.684). CONCLUSIONS: Ocular biometry measurements were comparable between the OLCR device and the PCI ultrasound device. However, the IOL power prediction showed significant differences among the 3 devices. Therefore, the differences in application of these devices should be considered.
Biometry* ; Cataract ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; Humans ; Interferometry ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Observational Study ; Prospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

To investigate the anticancer effects of ring C in 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a series of GA derivatives featured with 9(11)-ene moiety in ring C were designed and synthesized. The structures were confirmed by IR, LC-MS and 1H NMR. Their inhibitory effects towards human prostate cancer PC-3 and leukemia HL-60 cell lines were determined. Most of the derivatives displayed stronger antiproliferative activities than GA. Particularly, compound 14 showed promising anticancer activity with the GI50 values of 4.48 µmol · L(-1) and 1.2 µmol · L(-1) against PC-3 and HL-60 cells respectively, which is worth further study.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Design ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; HL-60 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology