Chemoprevention of chemically-induced mammary and colon carcinogenesis by 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D5

Epidemiological data as well as experimental models yield evidence for a protective effect of vitamin D against the genesis of several types of cancers. Given its toxic properties at effective concentrations, numerous analogs of vitamin D have been developed. We synthesized an analog of vitamin D(5), 1alpha-hydroxy-24-ethylcholechalciferol (1alpha(OH)D(5)) and previously reported on its anti-proliferative activities against several cancer cell lines. To further examine its chemopreventive potential, experiments were conducted to investigate the in vivo effects of 1alpha(OH)D(5) using the N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary carcinogenesis model. Results showed that 1alpha(OH)D(5) (25 and 50microg/kg diet) decreased the incidence and multiplicity of mammary tumors in female Sprague-Dawley rats. In a subsequent study, the stage specific inhibition was investigated using the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinogenesis model. While supplementation with of 1alpha(OH)D(5) (40microg/kg diet) showed no significant effects during the initiation phase, tumor incidence during the promotional stage was significantly (p<0.05) decreased by 37.5%. In the colon, 1alpha(OH)D(5) (25microg/kg diet) was highly effective (p<0.001) in inhibiting the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in CF-1 mice. Studies on the stage specific inhibitory effects of 1alpha(OH)D(5) in the colon demonstrated that animals receiving 1alpha(OH)D(5) (25microg/kg diet) during the initiation, promotion, and entire period had a reduction in ACF number of 71, 80 and 82%, respectively. Immunohistochemistry studies comparing the colons of animals receiving control versus 1alpha(OH)D(5) supplemented diets showed that 1alpha(OH)D(5) partly mediates its effects by regulating members of the oncogenic beta-catenin pathway. 1Alpha(OH)D(5) inhibited expression of beta-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta, a beta-catenin-TCF-4 responsive gene, whereas it induced expression of VDR. Cumulatively, these studies support the chemopreventive properties of 1alpha(OH)D(5) against the development of breast and colon cancers.

Growth inhibition of carcinogen-transformed MCF-12F breast epithelial cells and hormone-sensitive BT-474 breast cancer cells by 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D5

Several studies have established the active form of vitamin D(3) as an effective tumor-suppressing agent; however, its antitumor activity is achieved at doses that are hypercalcemic in vivo. Therefore, less calcemic vitamin D(3) analog, 1alpha-hydroxy-24-ethyl-cholecalciferol (1alpha[OH]D5), was evaluated for its potential use in breast cancer chemoprevention. Previously, 1alpha(OH)D5 showed anticarcinogenic activity in several in vivo and in vitro models. However, its effects on growth of normal tissue were not known. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of 1alpha(OH)D5 on the growth of normal mouse mammary gland and normal-like human breast epithelial MCF-12F cells and to compare these effects with carcinogen-transformed MCF-12F and breast cancer cells. No significant difference was observed in the growth or morphology of cultured mouse mammary gland and MCF-12F cells in the presence of 1alpha(OH)D5. However, the transformed MCF-12F cells underwent growth inhibition (40-60%, P < 0.05) upon 1alpha(OH)D5 treatment as determined by cell viability assays. Cell cycle analysis showed marked increase (50%) in G-1 phase for cells treated with 1alpha(OH)D5 compared with the controls. Moreover, the percentage of cells in the synthesis (S) phase of cell cycle was decreased by 70% in transformed MCF-12F, BT-474 and MCF-7 cells. The growth arrest was preceded by an increase in expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins p21(Waf-1) and p27(Kip-1). In addition, differential expression studies of parent and transformed MCF-12F cell lines using microarrays showed that prohibitin mRNA was increased 4-fold in the transformed cells. These results indicate that the growth inhibitory effect of 1alpha(OH)D5 was achieved in both carcinogen-transformed MCF-12F and breast cancer cells at a dose that was non-inhibitory in normal-like breast epithelial cells.

Clinical Trials Involving Vitamin D Analogs in Prostate Cancer

Vitamin D shows significant potential as a therapy for prostate cancer. However, its use in clinical trials has been hampered by its induction of hypercalcemia at serum concentrations required to suppress cancer cell proliferation. This has spurred the development of less calcemic analogs of vitamin D. In this article, we review the clinical trials and consider the future directions of the use of vitamin D and its analogs in the treatment or chemoprevention of prostate cancer. First, we summarize the epidemiological evidence leading to the hypothesis that vitamin D has anticancer activity. We then review the clinical trials using vitamin D analogs that involve patients with prostate cancer and conclude with a brief overview of our planned study with vitamin D5, [1alpha(OH)D5], which will begin shortly. Data for this review were identified by searches of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Biosis, and references from relevant articles, using the search terms "vitamin D," "prostate cancer," "chemoprevention" and "vitamin D analog." Abstracts from recent international meetings were also reviewed but were only included when they were the only known reference to the clinical trial or the research mentioned. Only papers published in English were included.

Resveratrol inhibits rhabdomyosarcoma cell proliferation

Rhabdomysarcoma is the most common soft tissue tumour in children under the age of 15. Although the introduction of multimodal treatment programmes, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and excision have increased the overall survival, the chemotherapeutic agents currently used for the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma exhibit considerable toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and possible mechanism(s) of action of resveratrol on human embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic compound produced in a number of edible plants and has received considerable attention as a potential chemopreventive and/or chemotherapeutic agent against various types of cancers. In the present study, resveratrol was shown to inhibit cell proliferation of RD cells in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of 48.1 micromol/l and induce an arrest in the S/G2 phase of the cell cycle. As evident from immunocytochemical data, resveratrol treatment increased the size of the RD cells. Furthermore, resveratrol treatment resulted in a significant downregulation of cyclin B expression as demonstrated by western blot analyses. In conclusion, the present study shows that resveratrol exerts a strong inhibition of rhabdomyosarcoma cell proliferation in part by arresting cells in S/G2 phase of the cell cycle. These findings warrant further investigation to establish potential use of resveratrol as a relatively non-toxic chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma.

Inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis by 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-3beta-(2)-Bromoacetate, a nontoxic and vitamin D receptor-alkylating analog of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in prostate cancer cells

The 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25-OH-D(3)) is a nontoxic and low-affinity vitamin D receptor (VDR)-binding metabolic precursor of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)]. We hypothesized that covalent attachment of a 25-OH-D(3) analog to the hormone-binding pocket of VDR might convert the latter into transcriptionally active holo-form, making 25-OH-D(3) biologically active. Furthermore, it might be possible to translate the nontoxic nature of 25-OH-D(3) into its analog. We showed earlier that 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3)-3-bromoacetate (25-OH-D(3)-3-BE) alkylated the hormone-binding pocket of VDR. In this communication we describe that 10(-6) mol/L of 25-OH-D(3)-3-BE inhibited the growth of keratinocytes, LNCaP, and LAPC-4 androgen-sensitive and PC-3 and DU145 androgen-refractory prostate cancer cells, and PZ-HPV-7 immortalized normal prostate cells with similar or stronger efficacy as 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). But its effect was strongest in LNCaP, PC-3, LAPC-4, and DU145 cells. Furthermore, 25-OH-D(3)-3-BE was toxic to these prostate cancer cells and caused these cells to undergo apoptosis as shown by DNA-fragmentation and caspase-activation assays. In a reporter assay with COS-7 cells, transfected with a 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)-24-hydroxylase (24-OHase)-construct and VDR-expression vector, 25-OH-D(3)-3-BE induced 24-OHase promoter activity. In a "pull down assay" with PC-3 cells, 25-OH-D(3)-3-BE induced strong interaction between VDR and general transcription factors, retinoid X receptor, and GRIP-1. Collectively, these results strongly suggested that the cellular effects of 25-OH-D(3)-3-BE were manifested via 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)/VDR signaling pathway. A toxicity study in CD-1 mice showed that 166 microg/kg of 25-OH-D(3)-3-BE did not raise serum-calcium beyond vehicle control. Collectively, these results strongly suggested that 25-OH-D(3)-3-BE has a strong potential as a therapeutic agent for androgen-sensitive and androgen-refractory prostate cancer.

Identification of novel RARβ2 transcript variants with short 5′-UTRs in normal and cancerous breast epithelial cells

Functional significance of RARbeta2 as a putative tumor suppressor gene has been studied in breast cancer and other tumors. The long 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of its transcript with multiple open-reading frames (uORFs) is considered as a regulatory unit for translation. Here, for the first time we identified RARbeta2 transcript variants with short 5'-UTRs in both normal and malignant breast epithelial cells. The 5'-RACE analysis of RARbeta2 mRNA in these cells demonstrated the existence of short RARbeta2 transcript variants that are identical to the sequence of known RARbeta2, but lack all the uORFs present in the full-length 5'-UTR. By RT-PCR analysis, we found that the expression of both transcripts with short and full-length 5'-UTR is mediated by retinoic acid, while cellular sensitivity is preferentially correlated to upregulation of short RARbeta2 transcript variants in response to retinoic acid. The transfection and in vitro translation assay indicated that the short 5'-UTR has no inhibitory effects on translation, while the presence of full-length 5'-UTR inhibited translation by 60%. In addition, no promoter activity was detectable in RARbeta2 full-length 5'-UTR region. Our data suggest that the RARbeta2 transcript variants with short 5'-UTR may serve as major transcripts for RARbeta2 protein translation as well as potential targets for retinoids in breast cancer prevention and therapy studies.

Stage-specific inhibition of mammary carcinogenesis by 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D5

Active metabolites of vitamin D are well recognised as cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents. However, they are toxic at effective concentrations. Earlier, we reported that a non-toxic analogue of vitamin D, 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D5(1alpha(OH)D5), inhibited carcinogen-induced mammary lesion formation in mouse mammary organ cultures (MMOC) and in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced rat mammary carcinogenesis. In the present study, we determined if 1alpha (OH)D5 action is selective during the initiation or promotion phases in MMOC and in vivo. In MMOC, 1 microM 1alpha (OH)D5 suppressed both ovarian hormone-dependent and -independent mammary lesions by more than 60%. Inhibition of alveolar lesions was observed only during the promotion stage (p=0.0016). In a 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinogenesis experiment, 1alpha (OH)D5 (40 microg/kg diet) inhibited cancer incidence by 37.5% (p<0.05) if 1alpha (OH)D5 was present in food during the promotion phase (+1 to end). However, a D5-supplemented diet during the initiation phase (-2 to +1 week) did not provide any protection. These results clearly show, for the first time, that the effects of vitamin D may be mediated selectively during the promotion or progression phases of carcinogenesis.

Biologic evaluation of curcumin and structural derivatives in cancer chemoprevention model systems

Curcumin is a natural product widely used as a spice in food. It has been shown to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 and to suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced COX-2 and iNOS gene expression. In the present study, curcumin and 22 of its derivatives were evaluated for their chemopreventive potential. Based on COX-2 inhibition, curcumin (IC50=15.9 microM), 1,7-bis(3-fluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (19) (IC50=23.7 microM) and 2,6-bis(3-fluoro-4-hydroxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone (23) (IC50=5.5 microM) were found to be most potent. Tricyclic derivatives 2,6-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone (10), 2,6-bis(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone (13) and 2,5-bis(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)cyclopentanone (21) inhibited LPS-induced COX-2 and iNOS gene expression in murine macrophages with potency equal to curcumin. RT-PCR experiments demonstrated suppression of COX-2 and iNOS gene expression occurred at the transcriptional level. The most active compounds in the macrophage assays, 13 and 23, were also the most cytotoxic, however. Topical application of curcumin, 10, 13, 21, and 6, a methoxy derivative of curcumin, showed strong inhibition of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in mouse skin. These data suggest that structural elements responsible for COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition do not correlate well with those responsible for inhibiting COX-2 and iNOS gene expression, but elements capable of inhibiting COX-2 and iNOS gene expression also contribute to inhibition of TPA-induced ODC activity. The most potent compounds in these assays, 10, 13 and 21, as well as curcumin, were further evaluated for inhibition of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced preneoplastic lesion formation in a mouse mammary organ culture model, and dose-dependent responses were observed. Most potent effects were at concentrations between 1 and 5 microM for 10, 13 and 21, and at 10 microM for curcumin. These data demonstrate the substitution pattern on the aromatic moiety is especially crucial for activity.

Designing a Randomized Phase I/II Prostate Cancer Chemoprevention Trial Using 1??-Hydroxy-24-Ethyl-Cholecalciferol, an Analogue of Vitamin D3

Prostate cancer continues to be a significant source of morbidity and mortality among older men. One possible means of reducing its impact on overall health and vitality is via cancer chemoprevention, both in the population that is unaffected but at some risk and in those who have undergone some form of curative therapy after the onset of the disease. Chemoprevention holds significant promise, but large phase III clinical trials evaluating chemopreventive agents in prostate cancer can require vast numbers of enrollees and require the commitment of significant financial resources and time before any therapeutic benefit may become apparent. One technique to shorten the time required for chemoprevention clinical trials is to use surrogate endpoint biomarkers in place of the currently used actual endpoints of cancer incidence or survival. The validation of such surrogate endpoint biomarkers will require small, well-designed phase I and/or II trials to accumulate data on the modulation of the surrogate biomarkers and the endpoints of cancer incidence or survival by the chemopreventive agent. Careful statistical correlation and clinical validation of the data will then allow us to justify the use such surrogates in place of the actual endpoint in large, randomized trials, potentially shortening trial duration, improving financial efficiency, and accelerating approval of the chemopreventive agent. To that end, we first review the theoretical construct of cancer chemoprevention trials with particular reference to prostate cancer. We thereafter describe the design of a small, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase I/II clinical trial of an analogue of vitamin D, vitamin D5, which we believe could serve as a model for data accumulation on surrogate biomarkers and correlation with other clinical endpoints.

Efficacy of garbanzo and soybean flour in suppression of aberrant crypt foci in the colons of CF-1 mice

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies have reported a low incidence of colon cancer in countries with high legume consumption. Moreover, experimental studies have found that legumes, such as soybeans and pinto beans, have anticancer properties. While garbanzo beans are a rich source of various phytochemicals, they have not been well studied. In the present study, the azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in CF-1 mice was utilized as a model to assess and compare the effects of garbanzo flour to that of soy flour.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty, 5-week-old CF-1 mice were divided into four groups of 5 animals each: 10% garbanzo, 10% soy, 10% mixed (soy and garbanzo flours), and control (rodent chow). Animals received subcutaneous injections of AOM (10-mg/kg B. W.) once a week for two weeks to induce ACF. At week ten, the animals were sacrificed and the colons were scored.

RESULTS

There was a 64% (p <0.001) suppression of ACF for animals fed the garbanzo flour, versus an inhibition of 58 and 55% (p<0.001) for the soy and mixed flour groups, respectively.

DISCUSSION

These results demonstrate that garbanzo beans possess bioactive compounds capable of inhibiting the formation of pre-cancerous lesions in mice and suggest that, like soybeans, their consumption contributes to a reduction in colon cancer incidence.

Efficacy and mechanism of action of 1alpha-hydroxy-24-ethyl-cholecalciferol (1alpha[OH]D5) in breast cancer prevention and therapy

It is now well established that the active metabolite of vitamin D3, 1alpha,25(OH)2D3, regulates cell growth and differentiation in various in vitro cancer models. However, its clinical use is precluded due to its hypercalcemic activity in vivo. Hence, several less calcemic vitamin D analogs have been synthesized and evaluated for their chemopreventive and therapeutic efficacy in experimental carcinogenesis models. A novel analog of vitamin D3, 1alpha-hydroxy-24-ethyl-cholecalciferol (1alpha[OH]D5), has currently been under investigation in our laboratory for its application in breast cancer prevention and therapy. 1alpha(OH)D5 had been shown to inhibit development of estrogen- and progesterone-dependent ductal lesions as well as steroid hormone-independent alveolar lesions in a mammary gland organ culture (MMOC) model. Moreover, the inhibitory effect was more significant if 1alpha(OH)D5 was present during the promotional phase of the lesion development. The growth inhibitory effect of 1alpha(OH)D5 has also been manifested in several breast cancer cell lines, including BT-474 and MCF-7. Breast cancer cell lines that responded to 1alpha(OH)D5 treatment were vitamin D receptor positive (VDR+). Vitamin D receptor-negative (VDR-) cell lines, such as MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435, did not show growth inhibition upon incubation with 1alpha(OH)D5. This suggests the requirement of VDR in 1alpha(OH)D5-mediated growth effects. Interestingly, breast cancer cells that were VDR+ as well as estrogen receptor positive (ER+) showed cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, while VDR+ but ER- cells (UISO-BCA-4 breast cancer cells) showed enhanced expression of various differentiation markers with la(OH)D5 treatment. Transcription and expression of estrogen-inducible genes, progesterone receptor (PR) and trefoil factor 1 (pS2), were significantly down-regulated in ER+ BT-474 cells with 1alpha(OH)D5 treatment. This implies a differential effect of 1alpha(OH)D5 on ER+ vs. ER- cells. Additionally, comparison between the effects of 1alpha(OH)D5 on normal vs. transformed cells indicated that 1alpha(OH)D5 does not suppress cell prolifera-

Potential cncer chemopreventive flavonoids from the stems of Tephrosia toxicaria

A new butenylflavanone, (2S)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-8-[(E)-3-oxo-1-butenyl]flavanone (1), and a new rotenoid, 4',5'-dihydro-11,5'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxytephrosin (2), as well as three active flavonoids of previously known structure, isoliquiritigenin (3), genistein (4), and chrysoeriol (5), along with nine known inactive compounds, alpha-toxicarol (6), sumatrol, 6a,12a-dehydro-alpha-toxicarol, 11-hydroxytephrosin, obovatin, marmesin, lupenone, benzyl benzoate, and benzyl trans-cinnamate, were isolated from an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the stems of Tephrosia toxicaria, using a bioassay based on the induction of quinone reductase (QR) in cultured Hepa 1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells to monitor chromatographic fractionation. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation. All isolates were evaluated for their potential cancer chemopreventive properties utilizing an in vitro assay to determine quinone reductase induction. Selected compounds were tested in a mouse mammary organ culture assay to evaluate the inhibition of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced preneoplastic lesions.

Compounds obtained from sida acuta with the potential to induce quinone reductase and to inhibit 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced preneoplastic lesions in a mouse mammary organ culture model

Activity-guided fractionation of the EtOAc-soluble extract of the whole plants of Sida acuta using a bioassay based on the induction of quinone reductase (QR) in cultured Hepa 1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells, led to the isolation of ten active compounds of previously known structure, quindolinone (1), cryptolepinone (2), 11-methoxyquindoline (3), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (4), vomifoliol (5), loliolide (6), 4-ketopinoresinol (7), scopoletin (8), evofolin-A (9), and evofolin-B (10), along with five inactive compounds of known structure, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, syringic acid, (+/-)-syringaresinol, and vanillic acid. These isolates were identified by physical and spectral data measurement. A new derivative of quindolinone, 5,10-dimethylquindolin-11-one (1a) was synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. Of the active substances, compounds 1-3 and 1a exhibited the most potent QR activity, with observed CD (concentration required to double induction) values ranging from 0.01 to 0.12 microg/mL. Six compounds were then evaluated in a mouse mammary organ culture assay, with cryptolepinone (2), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (4), and 5,10-dimethylquindolin-11-one (1a) found to exhibit 83.3, 75.0, and 66.7% inhibition of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced preneoplastic lesions, respectively, at a dose of 10 microg/mL.

Potential cancer chemopreventive constituents of the seeds of Dipteryx odorata (tonka bean)

A new cassane diterpene, dipteryxic acid (1), and a new isoflavonolignan, 5-methoxyxanthocercin A (2), as well as four known active compounds, isoliquiritigenin (3), 6,4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxyaurone (4), sulfuretin (5), and (+/-)-balanophonin (6), and five known inactive compounds, butin, eriodictyol, 7-hydroxychromone, 7,3'-dihydroxy-8,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone, and (-)-lariciresinol, were isolated from an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the seeds of Dipteryx odorata, using a bioassay based on the induction of quinone reductase (QR) in cultured Hepa 1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells to monitor chromatographic fractionation. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was used to confirm the relative stereochemistry of compound 1. Selected compounds (3-5) were evaluated in a mouse mammary organ culture assay, with isoliquiritigenin (3) found to exhibit 76% inhibition at a dose of 10 microg/mL.

Deguelin suppresses the formation of carcinogen-induced aberrant crypt foci in the colon of CF-1 mice

Deguelin [(7aS,BaS)-13,13a-dihydro-9,10-dimethoxy-3,3-dimethyl-3H-Bis[1]benzopyrano[3,4-b:6',5'-e]pyran-7(7aH)-one], a naturally occurring rotenone, has shown chemopreventive efficacy in several in vivo and in vitro models. In this report, the effectiveness of deguelin at inhibiting the development of AOM-induced colonic ACF was investigated in CF-1 mice. Loss of hex activity was assessed as a second biomarker. In an initial experiment, animals were given s.c. injections of AOM (10 mg/kg body weight) once a week for 2 weeks to induce ACF. Deguelin and vehicle (corn oil) were administered i.g. 7 days a week. Treatment was initiated 2 weeks prior to the first dose of carcinogen and continued for the duration of the study. The mean number of ACF for the control group was 29.0 +/- 4.3, whereas the mean numbers of ACF in the deguelin groups were 24.8 +/- 2.7, 7.2 +/- 1.5 and 4.6 +/- 1.4 at doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg body weight, respectively. In a similar manner, treatment with deguelin significantly (p < 0.001) suppressed the appearance of hex(-) crypts in a dose-dependent manner. In a second study, the ability of deguelin to block the initiation and promotion stages of colon carcinogenesis was investigated. Greatest inhibition was observed when deguelin was administered during the promotional stage (73.3%, p < 0.001). These results demonstrate that deguelin is an efficacious chemopreventive agent against colon carcinogenesis.

Chemoprevention of mammary carcinogenesis by 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D5, a synthetic analog of Vitamin D

Numerous analogs of Vitamin D have been synthesized in recent years with the hope of generating a compound that retains the anticarcinogenic activity of Vitamin D without causing any toxicity. We synthesized such an analog, 1alpha-hydroxy-24-ethylcholecalciferol [1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(5) or 1alpha(OH)D(5)], and showed that it was tolerated by rats and mice at a much higher dose than 1alpha,25 dihydroxy cholecalciferol [1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)]. This property makes it a prime candidate for chemoprevention studies. In the mouse mammary gland organ culture (MMOC), 1alpha(OH)D(5) inhibited carcinogen-induced development of both mammary alveolar and ductal lesions. In vivo carcinogenesis study showed statistically significant reduction of tumor incidence and multiplicity in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-treated rats that were fed 25-50 microg 1alpha(OH)D(5)/kg diet. There were no adverse effects on plasma calcium concentrations. In order to determine if the effect of 1alpha(OH)D(5) would be selective in suppressing proliferation of transformed cells, its effects on cell growth and proliferation were compared between BT474 (cancer) and MCF12F (non-tumorigenic) human breast epithelial cells. Results showed that 1alpha(OH)D(5) induced apoptosis and cell cycle G1 phase arrest in BT474 breast cancer cells without having any effects on proliferation of the MCF12F cells. In addition, in MMOC it had no growth inhibitory effects on normal epithelial cell proliferation in the absence of carcinogen. Similarly, non-tumorigenic human breast epithelial cells in explant culture did not respond to 1alpha(OH)D(5), whereas treatment with 1alpha(OH)D(5) induced cell death in the explants of cancer tissue. These results collectively indicate that 1alpha(OH)D(5) selectively induced apoptosis only in transformed cells but not in normal breast epithelial cells. Interestingly, the growth inhibitory effects of 1alpha(OH)D(5) were observed in Vitamin D receptor positive (VDR(+)) breast cancer cells, but not in highly metastatic VDR(-) breast cancer cells, such as MDA-MB-435 and MDA-MB-231, suggesting that 1alpha(OH)D(5) action may be mediated, in part, by VDR.

Chemical and biological investigation of the fungus Pulveroboletus ravenelii

Two new compounds, pulveraven A (1) and pulveraven B (2), as well as vulpinic acid (3) and its previously unreported polymorph were isolated from the fruiting body of Pulveroboletus ravenelii. The structures were determined using a combination of NMR, MS, IR, optical rotation, molecular modeling, and X-ray analysis. The isolates were evaluated for antimicrobial activity as well as their potential to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) activity and carcinogen-induced preneoplastic lesion formation with mouse mammary organ culture (MMOC).

Cruciferous vegetables and cancer prevention

In recent years, cancer prevention by natural products has received considerable attention. The potential protective role of cruciferous vegetables and active components present in these vegetables, such as isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol, has been extensively studied in experimental in vitro and in vivo carcinogenesis models. Results have consistently shown that the chemopreventive agents derived from this class of vegetables of the Cruciferae family influence carcinogenesis during initiation and promotion phases of cancer development. Similarly, reports from epidemiological studies and clinical trials support this notion. However, there is no comprehensive summary of all these aspects of the association between cruciferous vegetables and cancer prevention. We have attempted to summarize experimental carcinogenesis studies as well as clinical trials and studies on the mechanism of action of selective chemopreventive agents isolated and identified within these natural products. Results clearly point toward a positive correlation between cancer prevention of many target organs and consumption of cruciferous vegetable or their active constituents. Yet we are still far from complete understanding of the effects of combinations of chemopreventive phytochemicals present in these cruciferous vegetables and their overall mechanism(s) of action in providing protective effects.

Role of the progesterone receptor (PR) in susceptibility of mouse mammary gland to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced hormone-independent preneoplastic lesions in vitro

Glands of wild-type (WT) and progesterone receptor knockout (PRKO) mice were exposed to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) while cultured in serum-free medium containing insulin, prolactin, aldosterone, and cortisol. Glands of WT but not PRKO mice responded to DMBA with epithelial hyperplasia after 10 days in this medium. After culture without prolactin and adrenocortical hormones for an additional 14 days, hyperplastic lesions were present only in glands of WT mice. We conclude that in the absence of PR, epithelial structures are resistant to the carcinogenic action of DMBA.

Prenylated flavonoids of the leaves of Macaranga conifera with inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase-2

Two prenylated flavonoid derivatives, 5-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-2",2"-dimethylpyrano-(7,8:6",5")flavanone (1) and 5,4'-dihydroxy-[2"-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)dihydrofurano]-(7,8:5",4")flavanone (2), were isolated from an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the leaves of Macaranga conifera using an in vitro activity-guided fractionation procedure based on the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2. Also obtained were eight known compounds, 5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)flavanone (3), lonchocarpol A (4), sophoraflavanone B (5), 5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)flavanone (6), tomentosanol D (7), lupinifolinol (8), isolicoflavonol (9), and 20-epibryonolic acid (10). The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were determined using spectroscopic methods. All isolates were tested for their inhibitory effects against both cyclooxygenases-1 and -2, and selected compounds were evaluated in a mouse mammary organ culture assay.

Deguelin inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest

As previously demonstrated, deguelin [(7aS, BaS)-13, 13a-dihydro-9,10-dimethoxy-3,3-dimethyl-3H-bis[1]benzo-pyrano[3,4-b:6',5'-e]pyran-7(7aH)-one mediates anti-proliferative properties in a variety of cell types. In the present study, deguelin was found to suppress the growth of HT-29 colon cancer cells with an IC(50) of 4.32 x 10(-8) M. The cells were arrested in the G1-S-phase of the cycle. Investigations of G1/S regulatory proteins by Western blot analyses showed an upregulation of p27, and decreased expression levels of cyclin E and CDK4. Furthermore, by 24 h, exposure to deguelin resulted in an increase in the hypophosphorylated form of Rb. Since hypophosphorylated pRb binds to and inactivates E2F1, additional studies were performed and downregulation of E2F1 was observed after 24 h of treatment with deguelin. These results are consistent with the observation that deguelin arrested cells in the G1-S- phase. In addition, based on ethidium bromide/acridine orange staining, detection of digoxigenin-labelled genomic 3'-OH DNA ends, and DNA laddering, it was found that deguelin exerts its growth inhibitory effects via the induction of apoptosis. Based on these data, the potential of deguelin to serve as a cancer chemotherapeutic agent for colon cancer may be suggested.

Human, rat, and mouse metabolism of resveratrol

PURPOSE

Resveratrol, a phenolic phytoalexin occurring in grapes, wine, peanuts, and cranberries, has been reported to have anticarcinogenic, antioxidative, phytoestrogenic, and cardioprotective activities. Because little is known about the metabolism of this potentially important compound, the in vitro and in vivo metabolism of trans-resveratrol were investigated.

METHODS

The in vitro experiments included incubation with human liver microsomes, human hepatocytes, and rat hepatocytes and the in vivo studies included oral or intraperitoneal administration of resveratrol to rats and mice. Methanol extracts of rat urine, mouse serum, human hepatocytes, rat hepatocytes, and human liver microsomes were analyzed for resveratrol metabolites using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with on-line ultraviolet-photodiode array detection and mass spectrometric detection (LC-DAD-MS and LC-UV-MS-MS). UV-photodiode array analysis facilitated the identification of cis- and trans-isomers of resveratrol and its metabolites. Negative ion electrospray mass spectrometric analysis provided molecular weight confirmation of resveratrol metabolites and tandem mass spectrometry allowed structural information to be obtained.

RESULTS

No resveratrol metabolites were detected in the microsomal incubations, and no phase I metabolites, such as oxidations, reductions, or hydrolyzes, were observed in any samples. However, abundant trans-resveratrol-3-O-glucuronide and trans-resveratrol-3-sulfate were identified in rat urine, mouse serum, and incubations with rat and human hepatocytes. Incubation with beta-glucuronidase and sulfatase to release free resveratrol was used to confirm the structures of these conjugates. Only trace amounts of cis-resveratrol were detected, indicating that isomerization was not an important factor in the metabolism and elimination of resveratrol.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that trans-resveratrol-3-O-glucuronide and trans-resveratrol-3-sulfate are the most abundant metabolites of resveratrol. Virtually no unconjugated resveratrol was detected in urine or serum samples, which might have implications regarding the significance of in vitro studies that used only unconjugated resveratrol.

Discovery of cancer preventive agents from natural products: from plants to prevention

Cancer chemoprevention has traditionally been defined as a dietary or therapeutic approach for the prevention, delay, or reversal of carcinogenesis. We currently expand this definition to include nontoxic applications for patients with established disease. In this context, efficacy can be achieved by selectively altering cell-cycle progression. In the quest for new cancer chemopreventive agents, we have focused on the isolation of natural products as lead molecules, followed by synthetic modification to improve activity. Using biologic response as a guide for fractionation, over 200 active compounds have been identified. Some of the most interesting include brassinin and 4'-bromoflavone as inducers of quinone reductase, deguelin as an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, resveratrol as an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, and brusatol as an inducer of cellular differentiation. These agents have demonstrated effectiveness in experimental models of carcinogenesis. Further development of these agents as chemopreventive drugs may proceed through the normal regulatory process (eg, 4'-bromoflavone). Alternatively, some natural products may be administered as dietary supplements (eg, resveratrol). In either case, chemoprevention offers great hope in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with cancer.

Constituents of Musa x paradisiaca cultivar with the potential to induce the phase II enzyme, quinone reductase

A new bicyclic diarylheptanoid, rel-(3S,4aR,10bR)-8-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-9-methoxy-4a,5,6,10b-tetrahydro-3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran (1), as well as four known compounds, 1,2-dihydro-1,2,3-trihydroxy-9-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenalene (2), hydroxyanigorufone (3), 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)naphthalic anhydride (4), and 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)hepta-4(E),6(E)-dien-3-one (5), were isolated from an ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the methanol extract of the fruits of Musa x paradisiaca cultivar, using a bioassay based on the induction of quinone reductase (QR) in cultured Hepa1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells to monitor chromatographic fractionation. The structure and relative stereochemistry of compound 1 were elucidated unambiguously by one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Isolates 1-5 were evaluated for their potential cancer chemopreventive properties utilizing an in vitro assay to determine quinone reductase induction and a mouse mammary organ culture assay.

Potential cancer-chemopreventive activities of wine stilbenoids and flavans extracted from grape (Vitis vinifera) cell cultures

Moderate consumption of wine is associated with a reduced risk of cancer. Grape plant cell cultures were used to purify 12 phenols: the stilbenoids trans-astringin, trans-piceid (2), trans-resveratroloside, trans-resveratrol, trans-piceatannol, cis-resveratroloside, cis-piceid, and cis-resveratrol; the flavans (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, and epicatechin 3-O-gallate; and the flavan dimer procyanidin B2 3'-O-gallate. These compounds were evaluated for potential to inhibit cyclooxygenases and preneoplastic lesion formation in carcinogen-treated mouse mammary glands in organ culture. At 10 micrograms/ml, trans-astringin and trans-piceatannol inhibited development of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced preneoplastic lesions in mouse mammary glands with 68.8% and 76.9% inhibition, respectively, compared with untreated glands. The latter compound was the most potent of the 12 compounds tested in this assay, with the exception of trans-resveratrol (87.5% inhibition). In the cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 assay, trans isomers of the stilbenoids appear to be more active than cis isomers: trans-resveratrol [50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 14.9 microM, 96%] vs. cis-resveratrol (IC50 = 55.4 microM). In the COX-2 assay, among the compounds tested, only trans- and cis-resveratrol exhibited significant inhibitory activity (IC50 = 32.2 and 50.2 microM, respectively). This is the first report showing the potential cancer-chemopreventive activity of trans-astringin, a plant stilbenoid recently found in wine. trans-Astringin and its aglycone trans-piceatannol were active in the mouse mammary gland organ culture assay but did not exhibit activity in COX-1 and COX-2 assays. trans-Resveratrol was active in all three of the bioassays used in this investigation. These findings suggest that trans-astringin and trans-piceatannol may function as potential cancer-chemopreventive agents by a mechanism different from that of trans-resveratrol.

Bioactive constituents of the seeds of Brucea javanica

A new quassinoid, yadanziolide S (1), was isolated from the seeds of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Brucea javanica, along with ten known compounds, flazin, bruceine D, yadanziolide B, bruceoside A, yadanziolide S, yadanzigan, glycerol 1,3-bisoleate, azelaic acid, (+/-)-8-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid, and vanillin. Compound 1 is the first quassinoid to have been isolated from B. javanica without a methyleneoxy bridge between C-8 and C-13, and its structure was determined using spectroscopic methods, and confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All isolates were evaluated for their potential to induce human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cell differentiation, and to inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), -2 (COX-2), and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced lesions in a mouse mammary organ culture model.

Cancer chemopreventive and antioxidant activities of pterostilbene, a naturally occurring analogue of resveratrol

Pterostilbene, a natural methoxylated analogue of resveratrol, was evaluated for antioxidative potential. The peroxyl-radical scavenging activity of pterostilbene was the same as that of resveratrol, having total reactive antioxidant potentials of 237 +/- 58 and 253 +/- 53 microM, respectively. Both compounds were found to be more effective than Trolox as free radical scavengers. Using a plant system, pterostilbene also was shown to be as effective as resveratrol in inhibiting electrolyte leakage caused by herbicide-induced oxidative damage, and both compounds had the same activity as alpha-tocopherol. Pterostilbene showed moderate inhibition (IC50 = 19.8 microM) of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, and was weakly active (IC50 = 83.9 microM) against COX-2, whereas resveratrol strongly inhibited both isoforms of the enzyme with IC50 values of approximately 1 microM. Using a mouse mammary organ culture model, carcinogen-induced preneoplastic lesions were, similarly to resveratrol, significantly inhibited by pterostilbene (ED50 = 4.8 microM), suggesting antioxidant activity plays an important role in this process.

Vitamin D and cancer

Vitamin D, a steroid hormone and exerts its biological effects through its active metabolite 1alpha, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]. Like steroid hormones, 1,25(OH)2D3 is efficacious at very low concentrations and serves as a ligand for vitamin D receptors (VDR), associating with VDR very high affinity. Despite its potent property as a differentiating agent, its use in the clinical practice is hampered by the induction of hypercalcemia at a concentration required to suppress cancer cell proliferation. Therefore nearly 400 structural analogs of vitamin D3 have been synthesized and evaluated for their efficacy and toxicity. Among these analogs, relatively less toxic but highly efficacious analogs, EB1089, RO24-5531, 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D5 and a few others have been evaluated in a preclinical toxicity and in Phase I clinical trials for dose tolerance in advanced cancer patients. Clinical trials using vitamin D analogs for prevention or therapy of cancer patients are still in their infancy. Vitamin D mediates its action by two independent pathways. Genomic pathway involves nuclear VDR and induces biological effects by interactions with hormone response elements and modulation of differential gene expressions. Evidence also suggests that vitamin D analogs also interact with steroid hormone(s) inducible genes. The non-genomic pathway is characterized by rapid actions of vitamin D. It involves interactions with membrane-VDR interactions and its interactions with protein kinase C and by altering intracellular calcium channels. Thus, the development of nontoxic analogs of vitamin D analogs and understanding of their molecular mechanism(s) of action are of significant importance in the prevention and treatment of cancer by vitamin D.

Sesquiterpenoids from Tithonia diversifolia with potential cancer chemopreventive activity

Activity-guided fractionation of an ethyl acetate extract of the aerial parts of Tithonia diversifolia, using an antiproliferation bioassay performed with human colon cancer (Col2) cells, led to the isolation of three new sesquiterpenoids, 2alpha-hydroxytirotundin (1), tithofolinolide (2), and 3alpha-acetoxydiversifolol (3), along with eight known sesquiterpene lactones, 3beta-acetoxy-8beta-isobutyryloxyreynosin (4), tagitinin C (5), 1beta,2alpha-epoxytagitinin C (6), 4alpha,10alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-8beta-isobutyryloxyguaia-11(13)-en-12,6alpha-olide (7), 3alpha-acetoxy-4alpha-hydroxy-11(13)-eudesmen-12-oic acid methyl ester, 17,20-dihydroxygeranylnerol, tagitinin A, and tirotundin. These isolates were evaluated for their potential as cancer chemopreventive agents, by measuring antiproliferative activity in Col2 cells and induction of cellular differentiation in human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. Selected compounds were then investigated for their ability to inhibit 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced preneoplastic lesions in a mouse mammary organ culture assay. Among these isolates, 5 and 6 showed significant antiproliferative activity, 2, 4, and 7 induced HL-60 cellular differentiation, and 4 significantly inhibited (63.0% at 10 microg/mL) lesion formation in the mouse mammary organ culture assay. The chemical structures of 1-3 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by Mosher ester methodology.

Constituents of the bark and twigs of Artocarpus dadah with cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity

Fractionation of an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the bark of Artocarpus dadah has led to the isolation of three new prenylated stilbenoid derivatives, 3-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)resveratrol (1), 5-(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)oxyresveratrol (2), 3-(2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutyl)resveratrol (3), and a new benzofuran derivative, 3-(gamma,gamma-dimethylpropenyl)moracin M (4), along with six known compounds, oxyresveratrol, (+)-catechin, afzelechin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, (-)-epiafzelechin, dihydromorin, and epiafzelechin-(4beta-->8)-epicatechin. From an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the twigs of the same plant were isolated compound 4 and two new neolignan derivatives, dadahols A (5) and B (6), as well as 10 known compounds, oxyresveratrol, (+)-catechin, afzelechin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, resveratrol, steppogenin, moracin M, isogemichalcone B, gemichalcone B, norartocarpetin, and engeletin. The structures of compounds 1-6 were determined using spectroscopic and chemical methods. Isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects against both cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and -2 (COX-2) and in a mouse mammary organ culture assay.

In vitro transformation of human congenital naevus to malignant melanoma

The incidence of melanoma is estimated to be growing at the second fastest rate among all cancers in the United States. The progression of the melanocyte to a malignant melanoma involves various sequential steps: development of benign naevocellular naevus, preneoplastic dysplastic naevus, primary melanoma, and metastatic melanoma. Despite these clearly defined stages, very little is known about the molecular events leading to melanoma progression. We established a human congenital naevus cell line (UISO-CMN-1). UISO-CMN-1 cells were confirmed to have melanocytic origin by S100 immunoreactivity and the presence of melanin granules and melanosomes. UISO-CMN-1 cells, even though they showed structural and numerical abnormalities in karyotype, were non-tumorigenic when transplanted into athymic mice. However, following frequent exposure to ultraviolet C radiation, UISO-CMN-1 cells acquired tumorigenic potential. Transformation of UISO-CMN-1 cells into tumorigenic cells was accompanied by induction of ganglioside-2 expression without any significant changes in cellular ganglioside-3. These transformed and non-transformed UISO-CMN-1 cell lines can serve as excellent research tools for studying the molecular changes associated with melanoma development and progression, and for identifying agents that might prevent development of malignant melanoma.

A correlative study on antimutagenic and chemopreventive activity of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. and Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. Ex Del

The present study provides a correlation of the antimutagenic and chemopreventive activity of the barks of two commonly observed plants viz. Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia nilotica. We used the Ames antimutagenicity assay and the mouse mammary gland organ culture (MMOC) model. The plants were extracted with organic solvents to obtain chloroform fractions and acetone extracts. The antimutagenic activity was determined in two different strains using both direct-acting [4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD) or sodium azide] and indirect-acting [2-aminofluorene (2AF)] mutagens. The anticarcinogenic activity was evaluated based on the development of preneoplastic lesions in response to the chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). The results showed that the activity resulting from the 2AF mutagen was selectively greater than the activity from the direct-acting mutagens. Moreover, in general, acetone extracts were more potent in suppressing mutagenesis than the chloroform extracts. The antimutagenicity results obtained with extracts using the 2AF--TA100 system were comparable to the chemopreventive results with DMBA-induced mammary lesions. The order of activity in both tests was A. nilotica > A. auriculiformis. These results exhibited a good correlation between the antimutagenesis assay and the MMOC model, suggesting that these plants may contain active chemopreventive agents.

Novel esters of glaucarubolone as inducers of terminal differentiation of promyelocytic HL-60 cells and inhibitors of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced preneoplastic lesion formation in mouse mammary organ culture

In an effort to discover new chemotherapeutic/chemopreventive agents from natural sources, brusatol (1) was found to induce HL-60 cellular differentiation, accompanied by strong antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects. A series of natural and semisynthetic quassinoids (1-48) was designed to effect both antiproliferative and differentiation-inducing properties. Compounds were assessed in vitro using the HL-60 promyelocytic cell model. Changes in activity due to structural modification of the core structure glaucarubolone (24) were consistent with activities reported in other cell systems. However, the following were novel SAR findings: (1) semisynthetic analogues with a hydroxylated ring at the beta-position of the ester side chain at C-15 were able to induce cellular differentiation at concentrations lower than those inducing cell growth arrest, and (2) quassinoids inhibiting DNA synthesis with greater efficacy than reducing cellular viability possessed alkyl substitutions at the alpha-position of the C-15 ester side chain. Analogues from this latter group and brusatol (1) and bruceantin (2) inhibited dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced preneoplastic lesion formation in a mouse mammary organ culture. The novel finding of 1 and glaucarubolone analogues as potent inducers of differentiation leads to potential novel applications in the field of cancer.

Estrogenic and antiestrogenic properties of resveratrol in mammary tumor models

Trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene (resveratrol), a phytoalexin present in grapes and grape products such as wine, has been identified as a chemopreventive agent. Recent studies performed with MCF-7 human breast cancer cells have demonstrated superestrogenic effects with resveratrol. In contrast, studies performed using estrogen receptor-transfected cell lines have shown that resveratrol acts as a mixed agonist/antagonist. The major objective of this study was to characterize the estrogen-modulatory effects of resveratrol in a variety of in vitro and in vivo mammary models. Thus, the effect of resveratrol alone and in combination with 17beta-estradiol (E2) was assessed with MCF-7, T47D, LY2, and S30 mammary cancer cell lines. With cells transfected with reporter gene systems, the activation of estrogen response element-luciferase was studied, and using Western blot analysis, the expression of E2-responsive progesterone receptor (PR) and presnelin 2 protein was monitored. Furthermore, the effect of resveratrol on formation of preneoplastic lesions (induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene) and PR expression (with or without E2) was evaluated with mammary glands of BALB/c mice placed in organ culture. Finally, the effect of p.o. administered resveratrol on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary tumors was studied in female Sprague Dawley rats. As a result, in transient transfection studies with MCF-7 cells, resveratrol showed a weak estrogenic response, but when resveratrol was combined with E2 (1 nM), a clear dose-dependent antagonism was observed. Similar mixed estrogenic/antiestrogenic effects were noted with S30 cells, whereas resveratrol functioned as a pure estrogen antagonist with T47D and LY2 cells. Furthermore, in MCF-7 cells, resveratrol induced PR protein expression, but when resveratrol was combined with E2, expression of PR was suppressed. With T47D cells, resveratrol significantly down-regulated steady-state and E2-induced protein levels of PR. With LY2 and S30 cells, resveratrol down-regulated presnelin 2 protein expression. Using the mouse mammary organ culture model, resveratrol induced PR when administered alone, but expression was suppressed in the presence of E2 (1 nM). Furthermore, resveratrol inhibited the formation of estrogen-dependent preneoplastic ductal lesions induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in these mammary glands (IC50 = 3.2 microM) and reduced N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary tumorigenesis when administered to female Sprague Dawley rats by gavage. Therefore, in the absence of E2, resveratrol exerts mixed estrogen agonist/antagonist activities in some mammary cancer cell lines, but in the presence of E2, resveratrol functions as an antiestrogen. In rodent models, carcinogen-induced preneoplastic lesions and mammary tumors are inhibited. These data suggest that resveratrol may have beneficial effects if used as a chemopreventive agent for breast cancer.

Constituents of Eugenia sandwicensis with potential cancer chemopreventive activity

A triterpenoid, 3beta-cis-p-coumaroyloxy-2alpha,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (1), and two natural products, 3beta-trans-p-coumaroyloxy-2alpha,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (2) and 23-trans-p-coumaroyloxy-2alpha,3beta-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (3), were isolated from a chloroform-soluble extract of the stems of Eugenia sandwicensis, along with 10 known compounds. Of these compounds, 2 showed significant inhibitory activity (79.2% at 4 microg/ml) in a 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mouse mammary organ culture assay system of relevance to cancer chemoprevention. Gallic acid was isolated as an antioxidative constituent of an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of E. sandwicensis stems. Isolates 1-3 were characterized on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence.

Discovery of novel inducers of cellular differentiation using HL-60 promyelocytic cells

Non-physiological inducers of terminal differentiation have been used as novel therapies for the prevention and therapy of cancer. We have used cultured HL-60 promyelocytic cells to monitor differentiation, proliferation and cell death events as induced by a large set of extracts derived from plants. Screening of more than 1400 extracts led to the discovery of 34 with potent activity (ED50 <8 mg/ml). Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of zapotin and 2',5,6-trimethoxyflavone as active principles from Casimiroa edulis, dibenzyltrisulfide and 2-[(phenylmethyl)dithio]ethanol as active principles from Petiveria alliacea, and desmethylrocaglamide from Aglaia ponapensis. Zapotin demonstrated the most favorable biological profile in that induction of differentiation correlated with proliferation arrest, and a lack of cytotoxicity. We conclude that the HL-60 cell model is a useful system for the discovery of novel pharmacophores with potential to suppress the process of carcinogenesis, and that flavonoids may be especially useful in this capacity.

Betulinic acid reduces ultraviolet-C-induced DNA breakage in congenital melanocytic naeval cells: evidence for a potential role as a chemopreventive agent

Melanoma transformation progresses in a multistep fashion from precursor lesions such as congenital naevi. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light promotes this process. Betulinic acid (BA) was identified by our group as a selective inhibitor of melanoma that functions by inducing apoptosis. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of BA and UV-C (254 nm) on cultured congenital melanocytic naevi (CMN) cells, using the single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay to detect DNA damage. Exposure to UV light induced a 1.7-fold increase in CMN cells (P = 0.008) when compared with controls. When a p53 genetic suppressor element that encodes a dominant negative polypeptide (termed GSE56) was introduced into the CMN cells, the transfected cells were more sensitive to UV-induced DNA breakage. This suggests that p53 can protect against UV-induced DNA damage and subsequent melanoma transformation. Pretreatment with BA (3 microm) for 48 h resulted in a 25.5% reduction in UV-induced DNA breakage in the CMN cells (P = 0.023), but no changes were observed in the transfected cells. However, Western blot analysis revealed no changes in the p53 or p21 levels in BA-treated cells, suggesting that BA might mediate its action via a non-p53 pathway. These data indicate that BA may have an application as a chemopreventive agent in patients with congenital naevi.

Experimental basis for the prevention of breast cancer

Cancer chemoprevention involves intervention in the carcinogenic process by a natural or synthetic chemical that either blocks neoplasia development or arrests malignant phenotype progression. The chemopreventive test agent must experimentally be established as safe before a clinical trial. In our laboratory, inhibition of carcinogen-induced development of precancerous lesions in the mouse mammary gland organ culture model is used as a primary screen to select chemopreventive agents for in vivo efficacy evaluation. A nearly 75% correlation apparently exists between the efficacy observed in vitro and in vivo carcinogenesis. For in vivo experiments, MNU- and DMBA-induced mammary tumours in rats are the models of choice. Numerous agents have been identified and progressed to preclinical toxicity and clinical trials. More recently, combination chemoprevention has received considerable attention, since no known chemopreventive agent sufficiently reduces tumour incidence in rats. The sequence of events for establishing the experimental basis for chemoprevention of breast cancer is described.

Induction of differentiation by 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(5) in T47D human breast cancer cells and its interaction with vitamin D receptors

The role of the active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)), in cell differentiation is well established. However, its use as a differentiating agent in a clinical setting is precluded due to its hypercalcaemic activity. Recently, we synthesised a relatively non-calcaemic analogue of vitamin D(5), 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(5) (1alpha(OH)D(5)), which inhibited the development of carcinogen-induced mammary lesions in culture and suppressed the incidence of chemically induced mammary carcinogmas in rats. In the present study, we determined the differentiating effects of 1alpha-(OH)D(5) in T47D human breast cancer cells and compared its effects with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Cells incubated with either 10 or 100 nM of the analogues inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, as measured by the dimethylthiazolyl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Similar growth-inhibitory effects were also observed for MCF10(neo) cells. Both vitamin D analogues induced cell differentiation, as determined by induction of casein expression and lipid production. However, MCF10(neo) cells failed to respond to either vitamin D analogue and did not undergo cell differentiation. Since the cell differentiating effect of vitamin D is considered to be mediated via the vitamin D receptor (VDR), we examined the induction of VDR using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in both cells. The results showed that, in T47D cells, both 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and 1alpha(OH)D(5) induced VDR in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, both analogues of vitamin D upregulated the expression of vitamin D response element-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (VDRE-CAT). These results collectively indicate that 1alpha-(OH)D(5) may mediate its cell-differentiating action via VDR in a manner similar to that of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3).

A ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, retinoids, and prevention of preneoplastic mammary lesions

BACKGROUND

Chemoprevention of breast cancer is an active area of investigation. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that thiazolidinediones (e.g., troglitazone) and retinoids are able to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. Troglitazone mediates its action via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma). We evaluated the ability of troglitazone, alone or in combination with retinoids, to prevent the induction of preneoplastic lesions by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in a mouse mammary gland organ culture model.

METHODS

Mammary glands of BALB/c mice were treated with DMBA (2 microg/mL) to induce preneoplastic lesions in organ culture. Effects of troglitazone, all-trans-retinoic acid (retinoic acid; ligand for retinoic acid receptor [RAR] alpha), and LG10068 (ligand for retinoid X receptors [RXRs]), singly or in combination, on the development of lesions were evaluated. Expression of retinoid receptors (RARalpha and RXRalpha) and PPARgamma was determined by western blot analysis. Statistical significance was determined by generalized chi-squared analysis using the GENCAT software program and Bonferroni correction. All P values are two-sided.

RESULTS

Troglitazone (at 10(-5) M) or retinoic acid (at 10(-6) M) markedly inhibited the development of mammary lesions (both P values <.05); however, together they did not enhance the effectiveness of the other. In contrast, LG10068 (at 10(-7) M or 10(-8) M) alone had very little ability to inhibit development of these lesions, but a combination of LG10068 (at 10(-8) M) and troglitazone (at 10(-5) M or 10(-6) M) almost completely inhibited (by 85% and 100%, respectively; both P values <. 05) the development of mammary lesions. The expression of PPARgamma and RXRalpha remained unchanged with the various treatments, whereas the expression of RARalpha was substantially reduced after treatment with the combination of retinoic acid and troglitazone.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first report showing the possibility of a PPARgamma ligand having chemopreventive activity. Furthermore, an RXR-selective retinoid, LG10068, appears to enhance this activity.

Cellular responses of mammary carcinomas to aromatase inhibitors: effects of vorozole

Vorozole (Vz) is a competitive non-steroidal inhibitor of aromatase, which has been used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women and in various chemoprevention pre-clinical studies. Recently, we assessed the inhibitory effect of Vz on MNU-induced mammary carcinogenesis (Lubet et al., 1994), as well as on the progression of mammary tumors (Lubet et al., 1998). In this study we evaluated the effects of Vz on tumor growth, serum estradiol, cell proliferation, apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death to determine whether any of these 'surrogate' markers might reflect the efficacy of various doses of Vz. Vz at doses of 2.5 (Hi), 0.32 (Md), and 0.08 (Lo) mg/kg body weight induced complete (100%), 60%, and 20% regression of mammary tumors, respectively. Vz at Hi and Md doses caused a decrease in serum estradiol within the first two days of treatment, and the estradiol values remained low with additional treatment for 4 and 10 days. When Vz was administered to animals bearing palpable tumors a time and dose-dependent decrease in the proliferating cells (BrdU-L1) was observed. The percentage of apoptotic cells (A1) sharply increased 2 days after initiation of Vz treatment and then decreased followed by an increase in non-apoptotic dead cells. Interestingly even the Lo dose of Vz, which was only moderately effective in suppressing tumor growth, decreased cell proliferation and increased cell death in the peripheral tumor areas at 4 and 10 days after initiation of treatment. The time- and dose-dependent alterations in various cell parameters suggest two different phases of Vz-induced cellular responses: (1) an early phase (2-4 days of treatment) with a sharp increase in apoptotic cells and decrease in proliferating cells, and (2) a later phase (10 days) with disintegration of tumor parenchyma, increase in non-apoptotic dead cells, and decrease in apoptotic cells. The dose-dependent decrease in proliferating cells and increase in apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death in Vz-treated animals suggest that these biomarkers might be used as potential surrogate endpoints for efficacy in breast cancer chemoprevention and therapy studies with aromatase inhibitors.

Differentiation of human breast carcinoma cells by a novel vitamin D analog: 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D5

The active metabolite of vitamin D, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, can induce differentiation in breast cancer cells; however, it is hypercalcemic in vivo. Therefore, development of non-calcemic analogs of vitamin D has received considerable attention. Recently, we synthesized an analog of vitamin D [1alpha(OH)D5] that exhibits much less calcemic activity than 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. In this study, we evaluated the cell-differentiating action of 1alpha(OH)D5 in breast cancer cells. Following 10 days treatment with 1alpha(OH)D5 [(10-7 M) in UISO-BCA-4], we observed induction of intracytoplasmic casein, intracytoplasmic lipid droplets, ICAM-1, nm23, and specific biomarkers associated with breast cell differentiation. 1alpha(OH)D5 treatment also showed induction of vitamin D receptor and TGFbeta1 proteins. UISO-BCA-4 cells pretreated for 10 days in vitro with 1 microM 1alpha(OH)D5 failed to form tumors when transplanted into athymic mice. Similarly, 4 and 8 ng 1alpha(OH)D5 treatment three times weekly inhibited the growth of UISO-BCA-4 cells injected into athymic mice. These results suggest that this new vitamin D analog may be of significant therapeutic value for breast cancer.

Inhibitory effect of munetone, an isoflavonoid, on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate-induced ornithine decarboxylase activity

Starting with an extract derived from the bark of Mundulea sericea Willd. (Leguminosae) that was active in the process of inhibiting 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced ornithine decarboxylase activity (ODC) in cultured mouse epidermal ME 308 cells, the isoflavonoid munetone was isolated and identified as an active principle (IC50 = 46 ng/ml). Topical application of munetone (0.04-5 micromol) to the skin of CD-1 mice 2 h prior to treatment with TPA (10 nmol) resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of epidermal ODC activity. In addition, munetone inhibited TPA-independent c-Myc-induced ODC activity with cultured BALB/c c-MycER cells, as well as 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced preneoplastic lesion formation in a mouse mammary gland organ culture (MMOC) system. These data suggest the potential of munetone to serve as a cancer chemopreventive agent by virtue of blocking the process of tumor promotion.

Inhibition of aberrant proliferation and induction of apoptosis in HER-2/neu oncogene transformed human mammary epithelial cells by N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide

Epithelial cells from non-cancerous mammary tissue in response to exposure to chemical carcinogens or transfection with oncogenes exhibit hyperproliferation and hyperplasia prior to the development of cancer. Aberrant proliferation may, therefore, represent a modifiable early occurring preneoplastic event that is susceptible to chemoprevention of carcinogenesis. The synthetic retinoid N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (HPR), has exhibited preventive efficacy in several in vitro and in vivo breast cancer models, and represents a promising chemopreventive compound for clinical trials. Clinically relevant biochemical and cellular mechanisms responsible for the chemopreventive effects of HPR, however, are not fully understood. Experiments were performed on preneoplastic human mammary epithelial 184-B5/HER cells derived from reduction mammoplasty and initiated for tumorigenic transformation by overexpression of HER-2/neu oncogene, to examine whether HPR inhibits aberrant proliferation of these cells and to identify the possible mechanism(s) responsible for the inhibitory effects of HPR. Continuous 7-day treatment with HPR produced a dose-dependent, reversible growth inhibition. Long-term (21 day) treatment of 184-B5/HER cells with HPR inhibited anchorage-dependent colony formation by approximately 80% (P < 0.01) relative to that observed in the solvent control. A 24 h treatment with cytostatic 400 nM HPR produced a 25% increase (P = 0.01) in G0/G1 phase, and a 36% decrease (P = 0.01) in S phase of the cell cycle. HPR treatment also induced a 10-fold increase (P = 0.02) in the sub-G0 (apoptotic) peak that was down-regulated in the presence of the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Treatment with HPR resulted in a 30% reduction of cellular immunoreactivity to tyrosine kinase, whereas immunoreactivity to p185HER remained essentially unaltered. HPR exposure resulted in time-dependent increase in cellular metabolism of the retinoid as evidenced by increased formation of the inert metabolite N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-retinamide (MPR) and progressive increase in apoptosis. Thus, HPR-induced inhibition of aberrant proliferation may be caused, in part, by its ability to inhibit HER-2/neu-mediated proliferative signal transduction, retard cell cycle progression and upregulate cellular apoptosis.

Flavonoid constituents of Chorizanthe diffusa with potential cancer chemopreventive activity

An ethyl acetate-soluble extract of Chorizanthe diffusa was found to exhibit significant antioxidant activity, as judged by scavenging stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and inhibition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced free radical formation with cultured HL-60 cells. Bioassay-directed fractionation of this extract using the DPPH antioxidant assay as a monitor led to the isolation of five structurally related flavonoids (1-5), including the novel compound 5,8,3',4',5'-pentahydroxy-3, 7-dimethoxyflavone (1). Isolates 1-5 demonstrated varying degrees of antioxidant or antimutagenic activity. Two of the compounds, 5,7,3', 4'-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone (2) and quercetin (4), were subsequently found to inhibit carcinogen-induced preneoplastic lesions in a mouse mammary organ culture model. Inhibitory activity of this type is known to correlate with cancer chemopreventive effects in full-term models of tumorigenesis.

Angoline and chelerythrine, benzophenanthridine alkaloids that do not inhibit protein kinase C

Starting with an extract derived from the stem of Macleaya cordata (Papaveraceae) that was active in the process of inhibiting phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate binding to partially purified protein kinase C (PKC), the benzophenanthridine alkaloid angoline was isolated and identified. This discovery appeared in context, as a related benzophenanthridine alkaloid, chelerythrine, has been reported to mediate a variety of biological activities, including potent and selective inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC). However, in our studies, angoline was not observed to function as a potent inhibitor of PKC. Moreover, we were unable to confirm the reported inhibitory activity of chelerythrine. In a comprehensive series of studies performed with various PKC isozymes derived from a variety of mammalian species, neither chelerythrine nor angoline inhibited activity with high potency. To the contrary, chelerythrine stimulated PKC activity in the cytosolic fractions of rat and mouse brain in concentrations up to 100 microM. In addition, chelerythrine and angoline did not inhibit [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate binding to the regulatory domain of PKC at concentrations up to 40 microg/ml, and no significant alteration of PKC-alpha, -beta, or -gamma translocation was observed with human leukemia (HL-60) cells in culture. Further, chelerythrine did not inhibit 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate-induced ornithine decarboxylase activity with cultured mouse 308 cells, but angoline was active in this capacity with an IC50 value of 1.0 microg/ml. A relatively large number of biological responses have been reported in studies conducted with chelerythrine, and alteration of PKC activity has been considered as a potential mechanism of action. In light of the current report, mechanisms independent of PKC inhibition should be considered as responsible for these effects.

Metabolism of N-[4-hydroxyphenyl]retinamide (4-HPR) to N-[4-methoxyphenyl]retinamide (4-MPR) may serve as a biomarker for its efficacy against human breast cancer and melanoma cells

A clinical trial of N-[4-hydroxyphenyl]retinamide (4-HPR) has been in progress for the past 4 years to evaluate its role in chemoprevention of breast cancer. However, it is currently not known whether the effect of 4-HPR in breast cells is mediated by 4-HPR directly or through one of its metabolites. In this report, we investigated in vivo and in vitro effects of 4-HPR on three different breast carcinoma cells and two different melanoma cell lines. In vitro, the growth of all three breast carcinoma cell lines was inhibited by 4-HPR. Only one of two melanoma cell lines (UISO-Mel-1) showed growth inhibition to 4-HPR. The cell lines sensitive to 4-HPR in vitro also showed inhibition to 4-HPR in a xenograft model. Dietary 4-HPR (0.5 mmol/kg diet) reduced the growth of UISO-BCA-1 xenografts in female athymic mice, but had no effect on UISO-Mel-6 xenografts. Metabolism investigations of the 4-HPR-sensitive and insensitive cell lines indicated that N-[4-methoxyphenyl]retinamide (4-MPR), the major metabolite of 4-HPR, was detected only in cells sensitive to 4-HPR. Further in vitro studies with 4-MPR suggested that it is not an active metabolite of 4-HPR as it failed to inhibit growth of 4-HPR-resistant UISO-Mel-6 cells, and showed no dose-dependent inhibition of 4-HPR-sensitive breast carcinoma and melanoma cell lines. Our results in the present study indicate that, although 4-MPR is not an active metabolite of 4-HPR, detection of this metabolite in the malignant cells may serve as an indirect biomarker to predict response of cells to 4-HPR.

Evaluation of the antioxidant potential of natural products

Since reactive oxygen radicals play an important role in carcinogenesis and other human disease states, antioxidants present in consumable fruits, vegetables, and beverages have received considerable attention as cancer chemopreventive agents. Thus, in order to identify antioxidants in plant extracts, test materials were assessed for potential to scavenge stable 1,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals, reduce TPA-induced free radical formation in cultured HL-60 human leukemia cells, and inhibit responses observed with a xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay system. Approximately 700 plant extracts were evaluated, and 28 were found to be active in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Based on secondary analyses performed to assess inhibition of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced preneoplastic lesion formation with a mouse mammary organ culture model, Chorizanthe diffusa Benth. (Polygonaceae), Mezoneuron cucullatum Roxb. (Leguminosae), Cerbera manghas L. (Apocynaceae) and Daphniphyllum calycinum Benth. (Daphniphyllaceae) were selected and subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation. 5,7,3',5'-Tetrahydroxy-8,4'-dimethoxyflavonol, 5,8,4'-trihydroxy-7,3'-dimethoxyflavonol, 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavonol, and 6,3',4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavonol were identified as active principles from C. diffusa. Piceatannol, trans-resveratrol, apigenin and scirpusin A were found as the active principles of M. cucullatum, olivil, (-)-carinol, and (+)-cycloolivil were active principles from C. manghas, and 5,6,7,4'-tetrahydroxyflavone 3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol 3-O-neohesperidoside were active principles from D. calycinum. Of these substances, the hydroxystilbenes piceatannol and transresveratrol have thus far been shown to inhibit carcinogen-induced preneoplastic lesion formation in the mouse mammary gland organ culture model.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Potential of Natural Products

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ince reactive oxygen radicals play an important role in carcinogenesis and other human disease states, antioxidants present in consumable fruits, vegetables, and beverages have received considerable attention as cancer chemopreventive agents. Thus, in order to identify antioxidants in plant extracts, test materials were assessed for potential to scavenge stable 1,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals, reduce TPA-induced free radical formation in cultured HL-60 human leukemia cells, and inhibit responses observed with a xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay system. Approximately 700 plant extracts were evaluated, and 28 were found to be active in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Based on secondary analyses performed to assess inhibition of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced preneoplastic lesion formation with a mouse mammary organ culture model, Chorizanthe diffusa Benth. (Polygonaceae), Mezoneuron cucullatum Roxb. (Leguminosae), Cerbera manghas L. (Apocynaceae) and Daphniphyllum calycinum Benth. (Daphniphyllaceae) were selected and subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation. 5,7,3',5'-Tetrahydroxy-8,4'-dimethoxyflavonol, 5,8,4'-trihydroxy-7,3'-dimethoxyflavonol, 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavonol, and 6,3',4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavonol were identified as active principles from C. diffusa. Piceatannol, trans-resveratrol, apigenin and scirpusin A were found as the active principles of M. cucullatum, olivil, (-)-carinol, and (+)-cycloolivil were active principles from C. manghas, and 5,6,7,4'-tetrahydroxyflavone 3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol 3-O-neohesperidoside were active principles from D. calycinum. Of these substances, the hydroxystilbenes piceatannol and transresveratrol have thus far been shown to inhibit carcinogen-induced preneoplastic lesion formation in the mouse mammary gland organ culture model.