Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
07:15

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Published on: August 23, 2024

950

Bergapten inhibits liver carcinogenesis by modulating LXR/PI3K/Akt and IDOL/LDLR pathways

Shakti Prasad Pattanayak1, Pritha Bose1, Priyashree Sunita2

  • 1Division of Advanced Pharmacology, Department of Pharm. Sciences & Technology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, 835215, India.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie
|September 19, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Bergapten (BeG) shows anticancer potential against liver cancer by targeting liver X receptors (LXRs). This furanocoumarin helps restore lipid homeostasis and reduces tumor growth in preclinical models.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Liver X receptors (LXRs) are emerging therapeutic targets for cancer, influencing cell proliferation and lipid metabolism.
  • LXR activation impacts pathways like PI3K/Akt and regulates genes involved in lipid homeostasis (ABCA1, IDOL, SREBP1, LDLR, FASN, SCD1).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the anticancer properties of Bergapten (BeG), a furanocoumarin, against Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) by targeting the LXR axis.
  • To investigate BeG's effects on lipid metabolism and key molecular pathways in HCC models.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular docking of BeG on LXR (α,β) using Maestro.
  • In vitro anticancer evaluation using HepG2 cell lines.
  • In vivo anticancer evaluation in NDEA-induced HCC in Wistar albino rats.

Main Results:

  • BeG demonstrated polar and hydrophobic interactions with LXR (α,β) in docking studies.
  • In vitro, BeG reduced lipid droplet accumulation in HepG2 cells, correlating with increased LXR (α,β) expression.
  • In vivo, BeG ameliorated cancer-induced alterations in body and liver weight, restored gene/protein expression of LXR pathway components, and modulated PI3K/Akt and lipogenic genes.

Conclusions:

  • BeG exhibits significant anticancer potential against NDEA-induced HCC.
  • BeG's mechanism involves restoring lipid homeostasis and modulating key cancer-related pathways via the LXR axis.
  • These findings validate BeG as a promising therapeutic agent for HCC.
Keywords:
AktBergaptenHepaotocellular carcinomaIDOLLDLRLXR (α and β)Lipid metabolismPI3K

More Related Videos

Intracortical Inhibition Within the Primary Motor Cortex Can Be Modulated by Changing the Focus of Attention09:48

Intracortical Inhibition Within the Primary Motor Cortex Can Be Modulated by Changing the Focus of Attention

Published on: September 11, 2017

10.3K
Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

2.4K

Related Concept Videos

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
5.6K
Feedback Inhibition00:46

Feedback Inhibition

Biochemical reactions are occurring constantly in cells, converting starting substances to different products, usually with the help of enzymes that speed the reactions. Without enzymes, it would take far too long for most reactions to occur to be useful to the cell!
57.2K
C4 Pathway and CAM01:27

C4 Pathway and CAM

Most plants use the C3 pathway for carbon fixation. However, some plants, such as sugar cane, corn, and cacti that grow in hot conditions, use alternative pathways to fix carbon and conserve energy loss due to photorespiration. Photorespiration is the process that occurs when the oxygen concentration is high. Under such conditions, the rubisco enzyme in the Calvin cycle binds O2 instead of CO2, which halts photosynthesis and consumes energy.
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
49.2K
Enzyme Inhibition01:30

Enzyme Inhibition

Inhibitors are molecules that reduce enzyme activity by binding to the enzyme. In a normally functioning cell, enzymes are regulated by a variety of inhibitors. Drugs and other toxins can also inhibit enzymes. Some inhibitors bind to the enzyme’s active site, while others inhibit enzymatic activity by binding to other sites on the protein structure.
92.5K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
6.0K
Other Glycolytic Pathways01:24

Other Glycolytic Pathways

The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) operates in parallel with glycolysis, facilitating the metabolism of both pentoses and glucose. This pathway consists of two distinct phases: the oxidative and non-oxidative phases. While it does not directly generate ATP, the intermediates formed during the process can integrate into glycolysis, contributing to cellular energy metabolism when required.Oxidative Phase: NADPH ProductionThe oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway is primarily...
914